The Mother of Geese

> So I nearly made it. I missed a day because I did the black Friday thing and ate a lot of food and got my house ready for Christmas and I missed a day. Since I have gumption I will do it again next year..but until then can I show you the worst hack job in the history of scissors?! I was out and about last week and Max needed a haircut. Amelia was a bit homeless looking too so I went to a place I have only seen but have never actually been to because it was on my way. It rhymes with hollah butts. -which I find to be a very stupid name for a haircutting place because their cuts cost more than Ah-Dollar. They should rename it to Sucky for Under 10 buckys. Whatev. I should preface this by saying that Amelia is a statue once you strap that doggie apron around her neck and start weilding the scissors. So I can't in good faith blame her for the hair massacre. Take a look. What stray long pieces? Huh? What? Funny, I didn't ask for a reverse a-line but that is totally what she hear...

I want a do-over.

And good night! Sorta feeling like Max right now...

Kneader's run for rolls and pies-Check! Brad's inability to resist until tomorrow-Check! Buttermilk brined turkey in fridge-Check! Table favors completed-check! (no thanks to the model, however.) Linens pressed-check! (trip to mom and dad's to steal napkins-check!) Thanksgiving? Bring it.

I will know why. Lame post. Took Excedrin PM and had a fabulous post in mind but now it doesn't really make sense, so.... Do you think I should make spinach gratin for Thanksgiving? I'm already having: Buttermilk brined turkey Mashed potatoes Stuffing Sweet Potatoes Pear and Gorgonzola salad Green Beans with Shallots Rolls I probably have enough, but I do likes me some spinach gratin.

While I was cleaning up after breakfast I heard chairs being dragged around the tile. When I turned the corner, I was alarmed to see this. First attempt at the front door I removed the chair and redirected his attention so I could make an effort at the laundry. When I turned the other corner, I found this. Another attempt at the back door So, the next time those obnoxious alarm salesman come by, I may actually invite them in. Looks like we may need to invest in a door sensor soon.

Instead of the previously planned post I will write instead about my fabulous talented first born. She had kind of a rough time this week so I took her out for ice cream and loud music. Our favorite combo. One thing I like about Abbie is her amazing artistic ability. Here is a sampling of some of her work. She is has always been incredibly detailed. Enlarge one of the pictures and you will see what I mean. ps. You can always call me for the low-road.

I had a venting post that I had planned on throwing out there tonight but I am quite sure I will offend someone and come off as the protective mama bear. So I am giving myself 24 hours to let it mull a bit. Then post it tomorrow. Or not. In the meantime I will just say that the PTA can suck it. That's all.

Do not read this post if you don't want to know about the movie. My ticket being handed to the guy after waiting 2 hours in line. I'll just say that it was the funniest movie I have seen in a long time. I laughed a lot!!! I am not one of those Twillight Groupies, but I can appreciate a good interpretation from book to film. And that movie was HILARIOUS!!! Oh, it was not a comedy? Well, here's why I laughed in the movie. 1. Edward's flying wedge a la Kath & Kim. 2. Edward's lip gloss. Cherry chapstick much? 3. Jasper killed me. Seriously, his shifting little eyes. 4. Bella's open mouth the whole time. (Reminds me of Mary Poppins and the Cod fish line) 5. Carlisle's plastic hair piece. 6. Crazy Rebecca from Grey's. 7. Bad Nina from 24. 8. Cedric Diggory's manic depressive interpretation of Edward. He was cah-oo-coo! 9. I hesitate to even post this reason because it makes me sound like a jerk...but...affirmative action....in Forks Washington? Nope n...

So I really wanted to make these cookies for tonight. But I didn't get to it. What is tonight you say? Why I am joining several thousand other women addicted to mormon po*n for the midnight showing of Twillight. 12:05 showing. If you're not going to make it you should read about it here . Thank you Celia for making me realize that I really am just a cougar gal at heart. (no not a BYU fan).

In my head I'm chanting get her Max! It's not like they are cage-fighting or anything...It's just good ol' fashioned Karma stepping in to balance the universe. (oh and the post yesterday? sorry. I guess it was really bad because when I logged in this morning I was down one of my followers. Whoever you are, please come back. Follow me.)

check!

8:30 am. I am making Brad a sack lunch. Actually its more of a sack full of all the meals he eats during the day. (considering breakfast #1, mid-morning snack, lunch, late lunch, after-school snack with Abbie). 8:56 am. Max, Amelia, and I drop Bradfo off at work. Amelia asks, "Why you kiss daddy two times?" 9:39 am. Amelia asks, "we going to go get my daddy now?" 9:44 am. Amelia says, "I go tell daddy that's he's finished with him job, kay mom?" I explain we will go get him before dinner time about 6:00. 9:45 am. Amelia asks, "what time is it?" 9:52 am. Amelia asks, "we gonna pick up my daddy. Come on mom." I explain that we can't. 9:53 am. Amelia says, "but that's sad!" 9:54 am. Amelia says, "but I'm a little bit sad, because I want my daddy." 9:55 am. Amelia says, "I'm a little bit sad, and a little bit sleepy but I'm not sleepy but I am sad a little bit." I say how about we ma...

You might want to enlarge it to get the beauty of my handwriting. This afternoon I was playing in my parents playroom and I stumbled upon a notebook that I had written in when I was probably in the 4th or 5th grade. Here is one note I found particularly amusing. I will transcribe exactly as it is written with my comments in parantheses: Dear Shannon, (cousin Shann-AN. A.N. whatever) I havent written in a long time because I guess my only excuse is school. (oh the life of an elementary school girl so demanding!) You try and live on a schedle (schedule) of having your own article in the newspaper, school sectretary (a poor spelling one) and clairinet (clarinet) and being an iceskater. (I love how its like a challenge. You. Try) Speaking of iceskating (one word) (I don't think you know) (that last part was really in parantheses. What can I say, I've always been a fan) but Ive been at it for a while and take lessons (I think I was "at it" for a year. I can only figure it ...

Is right here baby. I make it several times a year and its a winner every time. (by the way posting every day for a month is sort of hard.)

My little taste testers. Exactly 3 months ago Bradfo lost his job. It has been a humbling, soul crushing, precious trial that I am happy to report is now over. I am proud that he remained hopeful throughout it all (when I was mostly breaking down and freaking out), that he logged in a lot of long hours in the search, he attended career workshops, resume clinics, met with someone to help nail the interview, made a lot of great contacts with recruiters and basically learned a lot about himself. For the first time in nearly seven years he will be leaving the house to go to work (He's been downstairs in the basement). I will pack his lunch (most likely leftovers from the night before), kiss him goodbye, and drop him off (we are still a 1 car family). It will be an adjustment for all of us. He will need to get dressed (sorry buddy, I don't think PJ bottoms and garment tops are part of the dress code bummer dude). I will no longer be able to run quick errands while the kids are asle...

Makes me want to lose another 40. No seriously, thank you so much for your outpouring of love and support! I am still not sure about this whole LOOKATME! business but I absolutely appreciate it.

sigh. I can't believe I am posting this. (Deep Breath) Before I'd like to thank Kneaders French Toast, my pregnancies, cold cereal after 9:00 pm, Rocky Road ice cream, buttermilk mashed potatoes, chocolate covered Jo's, trying to eat as much as Bradfo for making me what I was. yikes. After (well, more like During, because I'm not done yet) now I am going to go and regret posting my before pictures.

I am so bush doctrining this winter. Check it. yo.

Tinker Upstairs (thanks Boys for fixing my stroller tire) Tinker (belle) Downstairs

Last night, Bradfo turned this movie on for our date night. I hated it. It was too garsh durned loud! (It shook one of the pictures off the walls. True.) Instead of turning it down, I left him to watch his stupid loud movie alone. (I lasted until Tony left the stupid loud cave thing with the angry little men.) And I went upstairs with some tea and watched this. and the saddest part? I watched it on Friday night too. Did I mention I have zero favorite movies for 2008. That is huge for me. Suggestions please.

crazed, mad, nervous picture taken moments before "the visit" ....because I am working on my Sharing Time for church tomorrow. Want to know something scary? Last time I had Sharing Time, someone from the GENERAL PRIMARY BOARD came to observe. Yeah. I know. Tomorrow should be no big deal.

I want to make it less awkward for everyone who has seen me lately. Doing so will make it less awkward for me so WIN WIN. Let's have a pretend conversation, shall we? You start. You: Have you lost weight? MoG: Yes, I have lost weight. :) Y: How much? MoG: Let's just say...over forty....Pounds. Yes, I'm awesome. Now its my turn. Why haven't you noticed?! More importantly to my tender ego...Why haven't you said anything?! I get the difference between fat and less fat but come on !! forty pounds. Doesn't that feel better? Incidentally, I did it by not eating this. (oh, and if you have noticed and said something I love you forever. This is not for you. humph.) I know I need before and after pictures. But I have all month to post them.

Amelia only has one little girl friend and the rest of her buddies are little boys. In fact, I thought that one of her friends that she talks about at preschool was a girl. Turns out the name Camden is a boys name too. So this is her friend that she calls Fatchor (not his real name) He is a very shy, tender, sweet (read not naughty) boy. I'm sure if they stick together--that may change....

......He keeps him within a 30 foot radius. ......by using kite string.... ....and attaching the other end to the parked car. Whatever works, gentleman. (I could absolutely kiss those cheeks all day.)

In an effort to help my children understand the voting process we decided to have a chilli cookoff with some friends. We had 6 different kinds of chilli ( Red Barn , Quantum of Spices , Kids Love, Texas Chilli , Business Time, and Everything Chilli .) It was a yummy fun night. (I was having such a great time I didn't get to take as many pictures as I should have, but trust me, it was a blast!) Business Time won (but was later disqualified because she hosted the party. Ha-Ha. Yay!!) Business Time chilli is actually my friend Jean's recipe and it can be made on any night--and not only when wearing your "Team Building Exercise 1999" shirt. It can be eaten in 2 minutes. Is that it? Oh yeah, that's it! WHITE CHILI WITH TOMATO GARNISH Soup: 3 cans (1 lb dry) white navy beans, drained and rinsed 1 onion, chopped 8 c chicken broth 2-3 large chicken breasts, cooked and diced 1 large (7 oz) can diced green chiles 2 tsp dried oregano leaves 4 tsp cumin 1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper...

About a month ago I told Amelia she was going to be a dog for Halloween. She was cool with that. Then she wanted to be a cow. then she came home wanting to be a "mean old witch with a hat" So I went about securing a "mean old witch with a hat" costume. Then she had a talk with Anne. And Anne accidentally suggested that she be a princess. and Anne was in big trouble with me. so I found another "mean old witch with a hat" costume. And a princess costume that could also be a thumbelina costume. (Max could be a frog) and I gave her choice. 2 witch costumes, dog costume, or thumbelina. she wanted to be the frog. I made her be the witch. A good witch should be able to balance on one leg. Oh, the sugar. Awesome. And she's off!! I love the shadow. I'm glad the "mean old witch with a hat" stuck.