And again and again

If you can name the movie that I picked my title from I will send you a box of girl scout thin mint cookies- which happen to be my all-time favorite and I ration them through the year- (that is how confident I am that no one other than my family will know what I am even talking about- so family no helping other people and just like all other contests, any relatives are disqualified from playing).

How lucky am I? Well, after telling you all about the curse I am sure your answer will be "about as lucky as Farrah and Michael were last week"... (ouch- sorry, that was a low blow). But I am here to tell you that I am a pretty lucky girl sometimes. Yesterday my baby, the Oldest Child, turned 8, which is a H.U.G.E. deal in our religion. Because of the big event coming up this Saturday- namely Kylie's baptism- our house is being invaded. No, not the bad invasion I had recently. We are talking a good invasion. FAMILY, FAMILY, and MORE FAMILY. WOOHOO!

To some you might be thinking "WOW- I need to stay away from that house. With all those cursed people things are bound to get CRazY!" To others (like Hubby) you are thinking "House of insanity... how in the world are you going to fit all of those people in that house with only 2 bathrooms?" Well, I say- "It's my life, it's now or never. I don't wanna live forever. I just wanna live while I'm alive." Profound words from Bon Jovi. But, it's true- I am the one dealing with it- so don't complain as I tell you all of the fun that is happening at my house.

Birthday FUN!

The girl loves jewelry. She got a CTR necklace from her brother and sisters.

You gotta have the new scriptures complete with embossed name for the eighth birthday (from Mommy and Daddy).

I told you, she loves jewelry... Aunt Jeanne, Uncle Matt and cousins gave her a special bracelet for her baptism.


Helping to make her own cookie cake. So cute.

Scary eyes... she decorated the cookie cake herself. Can you tell?

AND- the family invasion...

Lovin' the cousins.

So glad Aunt Jeanne came... thanks for the bracelet!

Not only did the birthday girl get a present, but my sis gave me the greatest present E.V.E.R. (aside from coming to see me and my fam). No, serious- this is the BEST!

I've always wanted one. Can't you see the excitement on my face? There were even tears in my eyes. (for those who are totally clueless as to the necessities of life- this is a sugar container. One opening poors sugar, say, to put on your cereal. The other is for larger amts of sugar or spooning it out.) Isn't the color the best? The only way to make it better? 70's yellow! What makes this even more special is that Jeanne doesn't have one of her own. She could have/should have kept it for herself. But, being the selfless person she is (which is so not me) she gave this priceless, discontinued Tupperware sugar server to me. IT'S MINE! ALL MINE!

And, I had to add this picture-


Ya, that's my leg. I was taking it from my POV and pointing my toes so you don't see all of my beautifully pedicured toes. Too bad.

Theme song- It's my life by Bon Jovi. (what a shocker)

It's FRIDAY!

And really, we all know what Friday means, right? NPSA! Let's unite!

Hi, my name is Julie and I am a neglectful parent.

Why you ask? Well, there are so many reasons, so what should I focus on today?

I think we are going to go with dressing mistakes. I have been trying to give my children more freedom. This includes allowing them to pick out their own clothes. If you knew me in person you would understand that this is a B.I.G. deal. I struggle with my kids being tacky or being made fun of. So, here are just a few pics of dressing mishaps that believe it or not, I actually let my kids stay in... of course the nekked ones I required them to stay home or else get something on... enjoy (because I sure didn't- it hurts my eyes).

That is a dance tutu she has on over her clothes.

I know you have seen this one before, but who can't get enough of a toddler trying on mommy's bra?

Ya, Snake went to school like this in MAY! What a good mom I am.

I can't even tell you what this is all about. I have nothing.

Just in case she gets sweaty...

Can you tell which 2 kids I have the hardest time with? Oh, how I wish I just carried my camera around all of the time so you could see every tacky outfit the offspring have worn. It is scary. (I know you think I have my camera glued to my side but that would make showering and getting myself dressed kind of difficult.)

Theme song- Different Clothes by the Jason Crigler Band.

Check this out

I totally didn't know that I passed my 200th post and didn't do a darn thing for it. Sorry people. If you lived in my head for a day you would understand. Hey, wait, you read all my thoughts. Maybe you do understand. Phew! Thought I was going to get some flack for that.

Okay, now let's get down to business...

I am sure by this time I don't need to remind you about my family curse, right? Well, let's talk about it hitting me smack dab in the middle of my face not once but twice in less than a week.

Saturday I got a phenomenal letter from a law firm. Last year we hired an attorney to help us with our mortgage problem (story all by itself). So the gist of letter was to inform us that the FTC has shut down our lawfirm for legal malpractice. Of all of the lawyers I spoke with (and believe me there were MANY) we/I chose the retards/crooks/jerks of the century. Now all there is to do is wait...wait and HOPE and PRAY that the court rules that all retainers are to be refunded in full. That would be a nice wad of cash.

Who does this happen to?

Ya, I know- - - - - ME!

Then, on Tuesday, when we took our trip down to Manti for the pageant the unthinkable happened. Now, I am sure you are wondering why I didn't add this in yesterday's post. It's because I wanted yesterday's post to be a happy one. This story- not so happy. I even threw up a little in my mouth even thinking about it.

After the pageant we went back to my aunt's cabin. This was my first time being there and was so excited to spend the day and evening with my cousins and friends. All was going well, we were visiting and playing cards when a few of the cousins, kids and Oldest Child came up stairs SCREAMING. We aren't talking yelling or talking loud. This was an ear-piercing, something is definitely wrong, girly-kind-of scream.

So, here is what happened- while some of the girls and kids were downstairs one girl pulled the blankets down on her bunkbed to climb in. Low and behold- there, where she had been sitting- on top of the blankets- were 5 dead baby mice and a dead momma mouse.

You want proof?


Talking to my cousins- this is the first time anything like this has ever happened. Apparently a mouse was giving birth and my cousin's daughter put her stuff on the bed and sat down quickly and hard. She must have killed them then. I am just wondering how she didn't feel something under her. Since this was the first time anything like this has happened, and it is the first time we were invited to the cabin I am pretty sure I won't be getting another invite anytime soon.

Want a second look?

Okay, so you said you didn't but I gave it to you anyway.

What did we learn from all this?

Stay away from me. I am totally cursed!

Theme song-

Dead man's party by Oingo Boingo- just because.

It's all about the pictures

Are you all sick of listening to Louie Louie yet? Just for you, I have gone into the playlist and deleted all but the most well-known version by the Kingsmen. I know you are sighing relief right now, but really, you are still going to be singing it later today.

I had the chance to go down to Manti with the fam to watch the Mormon Miracle Pageant (which I haven't seen in more than 12 years). It was great, but with young kids- probably not going to venture that one again anytime soon. The whole time the pageant was going on I was trying to keep my kids quiet, sitting and warm. Me- I was uncomfortable, cold and more than a little in pain with the kids leaning/sitting/standing/laying on me. Good times, right? I am glad we went, though. We went with family and friends and had a blast. Stayed at my aunt and uncle's cabin overnight. Played Nerts (ya, you know it- Thanks Sally and the girls for playing with me). So, here are just a few of the MANY pics I took at our mini-vacation...

Our room- well, really it is my aunt's room, but we stayed in this one. It was VERY comfy. In fact I think sometime I might try to sneak my bed down and switch it with this one.

Just chillin'. When we first arrived we all sat around and just relaxed. How often do we actually get to do this?

Just some silly/cute pics. Snake took this one of UMM when they went outside to check out a dead grasshopper. Maybe that is what she is hiding in her hang. Some things are better not known.

Then, we went on a hike to the LookOut. It was gorgeous. Of course, I was teased for being so afraid of heights, but in my defense... I am MUCH better than I was when I was little.


Later that night we made our way over to the Manti Temple to wait for sundown- SHOWTIME! The kids had a blast playing and eating. I had fun taking pictures- and what is a picture montage without a picture of someone taking a picture of me taking a picture of them. Love these shots, can you tell?

What do you do after a long day of playing and just plain fun? CRASH! It was really a lot of fun.

Theme song- Get Together by The Youngbloods. Hey, that's funny, right?

Oh, It's just me

It's Monday... in case you weren't aware. That's all I have to say...





No, really, that's all there is.




If you want something insightful for today check out the bloggers on my sidebar. Today- I got NOTHIN'!



Okay, I give up. I'll share a funny story with you all, if you really want me to. So, when I was little my family and I took a trip to Idaho to visit my uncle. (Just imagine- 8 people- 6 kids/2 adult- all in a 7-seater van - don't tell the cops- in a hot van for over 18 hours- can we say good times? NOPE!)

So, when we got to Idaho Falls (which is a total booming metropolis) we stopped somewhere, I believe to use the facilities and get food. We scanned the radio for music - this was back in the day BEFORE iPods. Even before CD's. Haven't I told you all how old I am? Ya, I remember 8-tracks. OH YA!

ANYHOO! Obviously there weren't many stations back in the dinosaur era, so there wasn't a ton to choose from. There was one station that was play Louis Louis, which we all know is a classic (now try not to sing that for the rest of the day!). After the song was over we scanned again. You'll never guess...

Yup, another station was playing Louis Louis. What is it with Idahoans and that song? To give some slack we did notice that it was a different artist singing it, so not too bad, right?

Well, that was over and we scanned again. I kid you NOT it was on again. That's when we noticed it was the same station each time. After the third time of hearing it the dj came on and said something like- "This is KLUI- all Louis all the time." WOW! All they ever played was Louis Louis by different artists/bands.

Later we found out that the station was only on air for 24 hours. How lucky was our family that we just happened to be travelling through Idaho during that 24 hours? Ya, you're jealous! It's a family joke now. Oh, and if you were wondering, you can chalk this to the curse (if you are not a lover of the Louis Louis) or you can claim the curse passed us by (if you heart Louis Louis). I'll let you choose.

Theme song? Need you ask??? JUST BE GRATEFUL I stopped at 10 versions. There are so many more.

Saving one mother at a time

The title of this post is courtesy of my friend Sally, who is the coordinator of all things fun this summer. She even has a blog that keeps her summer posse in the know with what fieldtrips we are doing. Isn't she the best?

Well, Hello, my name is Julie and I am a neglectful parent. Even with Sally's help, I have not been saved from going crazy. (Maybe it's because I didn't go on the museum fieldtrip on Wednesday... my bad.)

Randomness of what my kids have been up to this week-

• MMIT dumped a bottle of intimacy gel all over my house. Ya, it was in my room where it belongs, but she has learned where to look for the forbidden from UMM and she got into it. Do you have any idea how slickery that stuff is??? That was a fun clean up.
• MMIT also dumped a whole bottle of childrens shampoo all over her bedroom floor. Thankfully her floor is wood, but still, it is practically impossible to get it all off.
• Snake and UMM had a food fight today with carrots/ranch dressing and hot dogs/ketchup. Nice... not like I wasn't already at my end. I had to pay my honkin' house payment today and even though we got paid today I have no $$$ left over, so I was already pissed.
• UMM likes to change clothes a million times a day so the clothes that I have just folded and put away are now either in the hamper (because I picked them up off the floor where she left them) or they are on the floor (where she left them).
• One of the offspring- no one will fess up- dropped a whole roll of TP in the downstairs toilet.
• I pulled out the ranch dressing from the fridge for the carrots today and had to shake it to make sure it was mixed. Whoever got it out last- have no idea on this one either because they all love to get in the fridge- didn't screw the lid on and I got splattered with ranch, a huge puddle on the ground and all over the fridge.

So, here I sit, eating cookie dough (my own personal therapy) and trying to keep calm. I just hope the children stay in hiding until their dad gets home. Hopefully he will have more patience when he gets home.

Theme song- Unwell by Matchbox 20. I have to giggle because it says "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell." I'd have to say I am CRAZY!

Summertime Blues

We have all heard so much about the economy being in the crapper, but today it totally crapped on me again. How so?

My friend Sally- you know, the coordinator of all that is fun- planned a great trip to a local museum that I have never been to. I had totally planned on going to it with the offspring to share a bit of Utah history. Sounds great, right?

Well, sounded great until I went online to check my accounts to see if we had $$$ for lunch, too. Ummm, holy crap. Totally forgot my student loan payment was getting taken out of my account yesterday. There was all of $14 left for me to use for the next week and a half. CRAP!

So, no museum, no eating out, no filling up on the Mommy Stash, no nothing. Gas has to last. My car better not break down and I will cry if any of my utilities get turned off.

I still haven't had any takers/givers on my $1 million offer. I need it, QUICK!

Theme song- Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochrane

Home Invasion

I kid you not. We had a home invasion this morning and I was terrified out of my wits. I wouldn't have been so scared, but my kids were home, too. How was I going to protect them and make sure nothing bad happened to them along with myself.

I learned a lot about myself through all of this. First and foremost- I am a BIG chicken. Not a little chicken. I mean a ginormous, King Kong sized chicken. You see those movies and TV shows where the parents are all noble and brave and will do anything to protect their children, right? Well, I did protect them, but I wasn't all noble about it. I was more like, lets just ignore it, lets just make sure we all get out of this alive.

Luckily, all is well and I was able to snap a quick picture of the assailant before he/she escaped.


I gotta be honest, I am not a fan of being held captive in my own house. Sadly, I love to stay home, and chill. I am such a home-body. BUT, I hate being made to stay home.

Isn't that the biggest FREAKIN' bee you have ever seen? I couldn't even go by my stairs. So, laundry isn't getting done today. Oh well!

Theme song- Queen Bee by nickasaur!

I know you are dying to know...

As you are aware- I did not hold last week's NPSA meeting. Why, you ask? Well, I was busy having fun and to be honest, I wasn't in the mood to reflect on my inability to parent. I was excited to head out of town with my lady friends and have fun (which is neglectful mothering at its finest).

The coordinator of all that is fun!

All the ladies- playing Nerts. Good times!

Watch your hands- I get brutal when I play!!!

Sitting around, talking. One of the best parts of chillin' with friends- we don't get interrupted with "MOM!"

Nice face, Shauna! Some people just don't like having their picture taken.

Oh, the pain. FYI, FTR, and all that jazz- if you are getting over the flu and still have a touchy tummy, Mexican food is NOT the way to go. Poor Melinda. She was a trooper, though, and I'm glad she came.

Poor, tired baby. Yes, she does have a purple mouth. Yeast infection- has to be painted with this purple/blue stuff every night. Poor thing. She looked too cute, though.

The beds were so close together. I had to squeeze in. Retarded face, though. Really? Is this the best I could do??? hmmmm....

Theme- Girls Night Out by Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus.