2012 Christmas card-

HI all-  This is the lazy mans (or woman's) way of sending a Christmas card:  Sorry it's a bit silly but ppfff- what do you expect- I am NOT a poet! Wishing all friends and family a very Merry Christmas and may the Lords blessings reach you all!
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Twas the night before Christmas, well, a few weeks before,

Family letter’s not done, but who cares, they’re a bore.

I’ll recap the year,  and hope that you care

Getting all this to rhyme will sure be a bear

I’ve mastered some photo shop but still there are gaps

And maybe someday I will learn to use aps

Selling art in this down time is really quite hard

But it still pays the bills, with the help of a card

Kurt’s life is settled but not very stunning

Except while at work with his weekly drug running

He’s a whiz with computers and helps with my work

And keeps us all laughing, which is always a perk.

 Grandpa Stew baby-sits quite a lot, but I’ve found

He’s becoming quite deaf because of the sound

Without all his help, I don’t know what I’d do

You can see for our family that Stew is the glue

Whitney works as a nurse helping others get better

Making things for her house, she’s such a go-getter

She serves in her ward and she’s raising three boys

With the help of her Dad and his millions of toys

Roman’s in first grade, at school the whole day

We’re hoping that reading will click in some way

He’s such a good brother being oldest and all

He plays with his siblings and his friends when they call

Finn goes to pre school, by himself… well, almost

Whit leaves after pealing him off like a ghost

But he’s such a great boy, he’ll figure it out

And then we’ll all wonder what the fuss was about

And Oscar’s just happy to play with his cars

In his own little world with his head in the stars

Wiggles and Blues Clues keep him content

He’s the end of the line, till the next one is sent

Brad’s working two jobs, carpentry and he’ll teach

As a sub for the schools.  That’s no day at the beach!

With young men as a calling which he loves quite a lot

There are boys in his ward who are very well taught

The Munchkins in Calgary, in their ward they are thriving

Now if we could just get that boy to start driving!

Paige captions at home,  fast fingers and brain

Eric’s temping for Husky, permanence he’ll soon gain

I’ve come to the end, and if you're confused

Because of the grammar that I have abused

Just know we are fine,  loving life and each other

Prayers for you and the world and especially our Mother

Her life has been full but it’s time for a rest

She’ll go back to God cause she’s mastered this test

We know we will be with her after this life

And dad will again reunite with his wife

So for now, with our Savior, we’ll all celebrate

His birth and his life,  giving thanks on this date

 Putting trust in the Lord we’ll continue the fight

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night

I do NOT heart Cafe Rio

I know, I'm the only person in the whole wide world who doesn't LOVE and pine away for Cafe Rio. When last in Salt Lake City, Whitney, who would sell her first, second, and last born child to eat there, made us go to said dreaded restaurant.  Not once, but TWICE.  Two times the aggravation and assault on the ears, senses and taste buds!   Well, it's not horrible food, (unless you make the mistake of ordering the fish taco, which sounded good on the sign and I love fish so in my ignorance thought it sounded good.  Note: to those of you thinking "who orders a fish taco?" and "you got what you deserved," let me explain myself.  I always watch the food channel, why I don't know because 1-it makes me hungry, and 2- the fish tacos people are having food conniptions over look sooo yummy, but they don't exist.  They never seem to materialize, no matter where I try to find them.  On the Cafe Rio sign it said fresh fish with coleslaw...NOT! The fish was not fresh and it was salmon.  I could stay home and get salmon!  SALMON is the only freaking fish they have in Canada!  And coleslaw?  This is the same dang lettuce you shovel on everything else in here, dag nab it, who are you trying to kid???!!!)
Back to why I hate Cafe Rio...
First of all you have to stand in line for an entire lifetime.  To be fair, the first trip wasn't as bad because it was 2:30 in the afternoon and the "lunch crowd" had thinned considerably, so our wait wasn't too long, but long enough for me to read the menu and come up with fish taco. Actually, I am going to forget about the first trip, I have sort of blocked it out- it was a disaster...so I am going to give you an account of the second trip into hell on earth.
We waited just inside the door at the back of the line for literally 45 minutes.  It wasn't too bad because we didn't have any hungry children to entertain (can you imagine???!!!) I was lucky enough to have my sis in law and Paige with me so the time passed by quite nicely.  BUT 45 MINUTES?  for this abuse???
The lady behind the glass that I am too short to see over says "Ihepya?"
I cleverly deduce that this must be where I give my order because you have to begin somewhere and this is as good a place as any. Because I took 2 years of Jr. Highschool Spanish, I will now translate for you.   Ihepya translated means "good evening, I am sorry for the long wait, but Id be pleased as punch to take your order now."  Isn't it funny how such a short word in a foreign language translates?  And vise versa: In Japanese, domo arigato gozimass (sp?)translates to "thanks".  Awe the intricacies and nuances of human verbal interactions.  The art of communication! a pox on ....I digress.
Well after 45 minutes I still know only one thing...no fish taco.  I don't know what I want because it all looks the same to me.  Burrito, enchilada, casadilla, tostada... it all looks like a pile of lettuce.
Me-"I'll have the taco salad please." Why confuse the lady- it's all taco salad.
BLAM- tortilla  slammed in a tin foil bowl.  Now comes the hard part.
Taco Nazi-"backapino?"
Me-"pardon me?
Taco Nazi-"BACAPINO????" Dang-I got nuthin!   I rise up on my tippy toes as high as I can and peer over the wall, hoping to maybe SEE what she's saying.  She has her dripping spoon clutched tightly in her hand and I know if I don't say something in the next 1.4 seconds she's going to hit me with it.  I search my brain trying to remember my 2 years of Jr. High Spanish but for the life of me, I can't recall bacapino. I do know that sometimes the "N" in pronounced ENYAY. Back-o pinyo? that can't be right.  Biblioteca?  Nope- that means library.  Not entirely sure, but I don't think that's on the menu. I look at Paige for help.   PPFFF! she's 5 foot tall, she can't even begin to see over the wall.  I look desperately to the Nazi for a clue and she yells it even louder.  OOOOH the volume helps!!! Black or pinto!  "Black please." BLAM! drippy black beans are slammed onto the tortilla and then she says"rize?"
Me -Pardon me? (this is getting to be a habit)
Nazi- "RIZE?"  Again with the volume- They must think I'm deaf.  There are 400 people in there and it is kind of hard to hear. Rize- I comply- tip toes- not much help but the spoon is shaking in her hand so I figure what difference does it make, it's some kind of food and it's probably ok so I mutter yes please.
Balm- rice it hurled unceremoniously on top of the now runny gooey black mass.  OHHHH, RICE! She glares at me, shoves my salad down the line and I am onto the next nazi. Darn it, I was just starting to understand her.  We had something going. A pithy conversation, she and I.  Oh well, I am nothing but resilient, so I move down the line, girding my loins for the next test.
Nazi-"meed?"  Shoot.  One word, this should be easy.
Me- "pardon me?"
Nazi-"MEEEEED!" Again with the yelling and again with the tip toes.  There are pans of "stuff" and her claw is racing around over the top of them.  Hmmmmmm .I eek out "yes please?"
Nazi with one very angry eyebrow-" whakinemeedyowand??"
Think Carol- what's in a taco salad?  Taco- meat MEED!  CHICKEN!! I want chicken.  I am very proud of myself now, but it doesn't last for long.
Second nazi proceeds with a string of totally illegible ingredients, one of which is sheese.  You said it lady, SHEEEESH! Wait no I hate sheese, no sheese!  Leedus?  Not into temptation? yes please.  Note:  The amount of lettuce they hurl on your salad, taco, or enchilada is directionally proportionate to the size of your head and shoulders- how they know that size is beyond me because you are by now cowering behind the glass wall mumbling please, for the love of all that is holy, just put on what ever you would eat. Whitney has given me orders that she wants shredded lettuce, not chopped.......Yeah that's not going to happen- you're getting whatever the heck kind of leedus the nazi gives you, girlfriend!!  I come away with salsa and who the heck knows what else but I am adamant that I want those little strips of hard taco shells on top of this mess.  Who says there are not miracles in the last days?  I tell her to put the hard little taco strips on top please.  She does!  I am cooking with gas now- I've got this mastered!!  "dresin?"  Pride goeth before the fall.  Oh what fresh hell is this?
I fall back on my regular- "Pardon me?"  "DRESIN?" as in you dumb, deaf ignorant gringo, Dresin DRESIN!!!!  Salad dressing! Yes please.  One eyebrow.  WHHHHHHakine? OH.  Whitney has given me very strick orders- Lime cilantro dressing.  That's the part that makes all this eatable!  Me-"Lime cilantro please." bang bam slam in the bag, pay your pesos and we are OUTTA HERE!!!!
I am wondering how my Canadian husband got through that gauntlet so unscathed.  I ask him how he managed this.  "I don't care what they are saying I just tell them what I want." SIGH. Well that might have been good to know an hour ago!!!
So we get home, through 2 feet of slush and snow and miles of traffic, with our piles of soggy lettuce, with who the heck knows what's under it, but hey, I got the hard little taco strips on top so I am deliriously happy, ecstatic beyond belief so get ready to go into gastronomic Nirvana people!!!! and we discover to our utter displeasure and dismay ust h(slight understatement) they have NOT given us lime cilantro dressing.  Instead we have some oil on the top, dark green glop on the bottom goo that has congealed and doesn't smell very nice, and Whitney is furious.  That's the best paaaaart, she wails .  Yeah, I know- that's what makes the lettuce taste good.  I refuse to go back.  It is snowing and has been snowing for 3 days.  I will not go back there for that abuse a third time. I look at the green crud and think to myself just pour it on, close your eyes and eat it!  My sister in law, who is the kindest soul on the planet takes Whitney back to hell and retrieves the correct dressing.  Just how they did that is still a mystery and will forever be a mystery to me.  Just one of those things that you have to take on faith.  I know they gave me the WRONG dressing to spite my ignorant, spanish illiterate self. 
I do NOT heart Cafe Rio!!!! I could have gone to Cowboy Grub and had a lovely scone with honey and butter! Hey, maybe they have hooneyantbadder at Cafe Rio and I could have that on a tortilla.
I'll suggest that nestime I am drug to that place.  I got news for ya.... NEVER AGAIN!!!!

10 on Tuesday

Hmmm -skipped a few Tuesdays I see.  ho hum.

1. Just got back from a trip with the entire family (minus Kurt, dag nab it-see #2) to Salt Lake City.  We picked such an opportune time to travel...NOT!  Freezing rain, followed by 2 feet of wet snow, creeping along at 40 klicks-that's kilometers for you American folk, up hill traffic came to a standstill on a mountain side outside of Helena, Montana, with both Paige and I doing the pee pee dance- Oh my lanta!  13 hours of frosty frozen fun.

2. Kurt was going to fly down the day after we went but the roads were so bad they opened and closed them off and on all day.  Good thing because he ended up in the ditch.  An angel showed up instantly(I am not kidding, where did this guy come from) with not one but two shovels and dug Kurt out.  I told him to turn around and go home.  SO he missed all the family fun and we missed him, but oh well, what ya gonna do when you live in a shoe???

3.  We went down to visit my Mom.  She was diagnosed with multiple cancers and given 2 months to live.  This is not going to be a winter I will want to remember.  But it was so good that she met all of her new great grandsons, whom she had never met with the exception of Roman.  She did see him once when he was 6 months old.  And my parents got to finally meet Eric, their newest grandson in law.  Poor Eric was force fed ice cream and thrown into the deep end with half of the Davis clan- Sink or swim buddy!!!

4. We had a breakfast at my brothers house.  24 adults, 9 and 8.9/9th kids (Lindsay was in labor off and on throughout the day-yikes!) and 4 dogs.  We had a marvelous time!!  Sometimes its better to not know what you are missing... now I miss my family sooooo much!

5. We stayed with a friend of mine who I have known most of my life.  Michele and her family made us so welcome- they opened their home and hearts to us and Scott made bacon at 10 pm for Paige.  Paige has a new BFF!!!The snow was insane!  We had to move broken tree branches to get in and out of the lane that they live on but it was absolutely breath taking!  Beautiful!  We all decided to move in for good.....just kidding Scott!

6. I am not going to talk about the election.  Except to say once shame on him, twice shame on you!!! I do think that Mitt Romney is a good man and it would have been nice to see if he could make a difference for the country.  I believe he was put there to make people accountable for their choices.  It's just sad that everyone will be brought down in the process.

7. Back to work- pumped out two fun photo shop pieces this morning, sent them to New York and poooof! I love to hear "send us the files"  No revisions, no tweaking. AWESOME!  I called them "Flower Power"-  Kind of a throw back to the 60's I suppose.

8. Before we left for Salt Lake, we said good bye to my niece, Gina Zilke.  She died at the age of 41.  Way too young!  She had cancer..I am sensing a pattern which I really do not like.   Why is it we can put men in space but we can't figure out how to do away with this horrid, insipid disease?  My good friend Peggy Gurney is in the hospital with a second bout of it and another sweet friend's husband Don is fighting his second go round.  Another friend has fought it back for the third time and she is doing well, which I am grateful for.   Cancer reaches out and destroys each and every family at one time or another.  It is all around me right now and I feel helpless in it's path.  I do NOT heart cancer!!!

9. I am feeling like life is accelerating in some way, that things are coming to a head and there's going to be some very rocky times ahead for all of us.  It makes me stop and wonder if I am prepared.  I am betting that I am not as prepared as I should or could be.  This next few months will be very challenging.  I am thankful for my knowledge of a loving God who knows us all personally and who sees the big picture.  Now more than ever we need to trust in him.  That's all we may have to get us through.

10. BUT...right now I'm going to go split some heads at hockey!  Too much doom and gloom is NOT good for the soul! 

10 on Tuesday! Huzzah!!!

Tis Tue-ezzz DAY! Time for 10 random yet intellectually stimulating thoughts from MUA!

1.  I am sitting here at my computer and I look over yonder on my desk and perched there is a HUGE moth, with antlers- they even curl! DANG!

2. Poor little Finny Bean started pre- school today. Finster has issues- mostly huge separation anxiety issues.  Stewie will babysit Oscar so that Whitney can go with Finn until he gets the hang of this.  He's never been able to go to nursery or Primary by himself.  This is going to be hardest on his Mom I think.  Pray for Whitney and Finn!!

3. I saw a good quote today- it said "what we allow is what will continue"...think about it...Wait for it...here it comes.....get ready....AND  Shazam....if we allow that nincompoop to stay in the white house, the insanity will continue!!! Period.

4. Paige and Eric are living in Calgary- just 2 1/2 hours away.  AWESOME.  But even better is Whitney and Brad and the 3 bears/boys are 2 1/2 BLOCKS away. Life is grand and glorious!

5. Good golly Miss Molly I am 23 years at this job and still they want more wine!!!MORE WINE!  Apparently folks like this kind of stuff- who knew...well I did because I paint a kicken lot of it. But come on, can we not get out of that box already.  Yeah- I need some cheese to go with my "whine."   SIGH. Finished this one today. yippee skippy. 

6. I have the attention span of a gnat. I don't like it, but I am not sure what to do about it.  Seems like I can't focus my thoughts on any one thing for more that a half a minute, tops.  Even as I am typing this very thought my eyes are inspecting the moose moth on my desk and he has really cool wings.  Should I touch him?  He's actually standing on his tiny moth feet.  Meh- on to the next thought...

7. We went back to the lake to bring the trailer home.  I water skied so many times around that lake Friday and Saturday that on Sunday I was sitting in church wondering why my head felt like someone had whacked it with a tire iron. Hmmm. And because, as I said, my attention span is shorter than a baby toe, and because the speaker sounded exactly like the Dad in "Forget Paris"...Yoooouuuuuuu aaaasked for it, yooooouuuu gooot it, Tooooooooyota" kind of slow, drawn out and nasally- I just couldn't stay with the guy, I tried but nope.  SO I amused myself by counting exactly how many trips around the lake I had made......22.  Yup, my neck muscles were a tad on the tired side and they were telling my head to pound away like a hyperactive kid with a new drum set.  OUCH! Is there any combination more exquisitely excruciating than a dry church speaker and a wicked headache?  I think not.

8. I am trying to decide if I am brave enough to ride my street bike instead of a mountain bike on the annual Logan Pass bike hike this Thursday.  Can I handle the skinny tires at 40 MPR? Speed or stability??  Hmmmmmm. What say you?

9. My house is soooooo neglected.   After 3 months away, it looks like Pig Pen was house sitting, with his little clouds of cartoon dust wafting here and about.  Possibly the dragon sized moth lived here for awhile too.....do I dare touch....well what the heck do you know...dragon moose moth lived and DIED here.  He's quite perfectly preserved!  Sheeeeesh- time to clean the freaken house!

10.  I dislike house cleaning ever so!

Back at it!

Well the summer is over, the leaves are changing and I am back hard at it. What "it" is I am not quite sure...work, home, life.  We will be going back to the lake to drag all of our paraphernalia home, which is a 2 trip endeavor.  HATE this part!  Sigh. But the boat is still there and so is my full body wet suit! whoot whoot! All is not lost!
This past week, a very good brother in my Raymond ward/congregation, who I respected and admired very much, was painting his house, and for what ever reason,  he fell off the ladder and died.  When I heard this awful news I first rejected it and said no that is not possible, that can't be true, maybe you heard wrong.  Did you get the name right? That's not right! Then it sinks in and your stomach goes completely hollow.  Kind of a buzzing fills your ears and your mind just can not wrap itself around the fact that this wonderful man is gone.  You won't see him at church and laugh and talk with him about your life or work with him in a calling ever again.  Now can I just preface this next comment with the stages of grief cause I have been through them a few times and unfortunately I always get to the anger one at the worst possible moment, but that's where I am tonight- in the anger phase.  I did shock and denial, I did pain, but now I am in the anger, bargaining stage. Mad that such a wonderful human being is gone and mad that there are really crummy people still here- Let's make a deal, take so and so instead....OH MY GOSH DID I JUST SAY THAT OUT LOUD???  Yup, I did.  But at least I am honest about it.  Do I get credit for that?
But that is the hard part.  Accepting that there are good and not so good folk all over this world and we don't get to choose when who goes and who stays. GOOD THING, EH!  If we got to choose each others exit dates, I'd be long gone.  Folks would have given up on me years ago.  Hmmm- maybe that is why the good die young.  They got it right and did what they were supposed to do and learned what they were supposed to learn so they get to blow this popsicle stand and go on to bigger and better things? The rest of us still have some learning and growing to do?   Is it a test for us?  Does it strengthen our faith? All of the above?  I think that when I get mad because someone I love dies it's mostly me being mad at me.  Mad that I don't take more time to know people better, and now they are gone and you blew your chances- well not entirely in this case, I did get to know this fine man, but mostly in a church setting.  I should have been on more personal terms and dang it now there's no time left for that!  Angry!  Mad that I don't do all the things I know I should do, that he did.  Mad that it seems so unfair but if we could see the big picture, we'd understand, but darn it we just have to go by faith and hope.  Can't we just see a corner of the big picture?  Just a peak?  Maybe we do and we don't always realize it. Do we realize that big picture and see we aren't fitting into it very well? oh dear, look at me in that big big picture- I am falling off a cliff!  Barely hanging on to a tree branch, or maybe I am just standing there dazed and confused, deer in the headlights. Or shooting my mouth of yet again! Do not pass go, turn around, go back and get it right, dummy! That would be mua!

Can you even imagine what this would be like for people who don't know that there is life after this??? SHOOT, WE SHOULD BE TELLING THEM!!!
 But oh no that's scary.  They'll think I am nuts, one of those crazy Mormons with Mitt Romney ideas! Guess what...I am mad the world won't listen. Then I get mad and say well serves them right.  I warned you I was in the anger phase, didn't I gggrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Thankfully this "mad" stage always passes, quite quickly I have found ( thanks to the teachings of my Mormon faith by the way!) and then there's a bit of a reflection stage, which is also where I am tonight- thus the incoherent ramblings you see before you.
I am reflecting on life, death, good, bad, heaven, and earth and all that goes on behind the scenes in all those places that we haven't the slightest inkling of. We don't know what goes on in other peoples lives.  That's why you try really hard not to judge- it's hard but I am slowly making progress there. I slip up...lot's... but I am at least more aware of it now, aware that it's harmful and unproductive.  We don't know what makes a person "good" or "bad" so we don't get to bargain and say take that guy and leave us Mark.  Seriously, God would that be so bad?  Did you need him that badly?  Apparently, yes he does. You got a good one, God.  I know I am not supposed to judge, but yep, I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say that Mark's a good one!
We then have to get to the working through stages which unfortunately for his family will take a long time.  For the rest of us, we get over it a bit sooner.  We aren't faced with it day in and day out.  That's the heartbreaking thing tonight though.  You know, empathy is really a bummer sometimes!
But thankfully, though be it at different times, we will all come to the acceptance and hope stage of grief, the last stage, because that is what we do as people of faith.  We accept and hope to be reunited after this life.
Guess what world.  I know I will see my friends and family again.  They are with their friends and family who died before them.  I know that because I have had a personal witness that this is the way it is! Because Our Savior Jesus Christ died for us so that we could be resurrected and live again. You can take that to the bank...or not- your choice, but you can't say I didn't tell you, cause I just did!!!
Rest in peace Mark (Allyskin) Ellingson.  Pfff... that guys not resting, believe me- he's working and working hard! You go Mark!!!

10 on Tuesday

I am going to combine a 10 on Tuesday list with a "what I did on my summer vacation/what I love about summer" list.  Are you "having pins and needles you are sitting on"??? (love Despicable Me..Gru is my kind of guy!) Onward and upward.

1. The summer started out a bit rough with rain at the lake and one broken hand bone due to Stewart's inept throwing of the ski rope and my hand deciding all on it's own to fist slap said ski rope.

2. I climbed the second highest mountain in Waterton, Lineham peak, standing at a whopping 8950 feet and we didn't even mean to climb it.  There was so much snow on the regular trail that we climbed up a totally different way and couldn't get down so we had to keep going up!  It was amazing though and now I can say I did it!! Here is a picture of Lineham from the correct trail.

 And here we are not quite to the top. Yup that's me with my broken hand.  It wasn't much help! And behind me is faithful Cheri- she was afraid I would fall and not be able to catch myself- she worried about me all day- such a good friend!!

 

                          
3. I started training for the triathlon a bit late because I couldn't swim or bike but things are back on schedule and the triathlon is on August 13th.  The swimming and biking are very easy for me but the running seems to be the killer.  Not sure why that is.  I used to run for 2-3 hours every day playing soccer at BYU.  My my how time flies and my my how fat and old and tired and out of shape you get!

4. We have had a bear infestation at the lake.  For some reason known only to him, Stewart has taken on the roll of bear chaser.  I do not like this!  He picks up his weapon of choice (a children's sling shot... which in all fairness he is quite proficient with because much to my amazement, a few years ago, he killed a snake with it) he calls our willing boxer, Mattie to come with him and he runs after these bears.  What happens when the bear stands it's ground or turns on you, Stewie??? I will be picking up Stew parts in the forest, that's what!!

5. 3 more sleeps and Paige and Eric will be living in ALBERTA!! Huzzah!

6.  I broke my hand on the 21st of June.  I was supposed to keep my cast on 6 weeks which would be  this Thursday, August 2nd.  I took it off July 9th and skied.  It hurt getting up but once I was up, it stopped hurting.  I took this as a good sign and never looked back.  I actually think that skiing and swimming has helped to heal the broken hand and make it stronger faster...that's my story and I am sticking to it.

7. We had Brad, Whitney and the boys at the lake for a week and it was a blast.  Little boys love camping and fires and lakes and forts and water fights and treats but not rain or bears or going to bed.

8. We took the boys to the Trail of the Cedars in Glacier.  Oscar was very careful not to step on the cracks in the boardwalk...it took a long time! We had so much fun we hiked the trail twice. On the first go round the boys ran- on the second go round the boys walked and actually looked at a few things...  Finn was gocking up at the tall trees and walked right off the trail and splatted about 3 feet down.  He was pretty brave though. Tears for only a few seconds.

9.  What I love about summer...fresh fruit and vegetables, water skiing, getting in shape, (well better shape that in winter)  a quiet, glassy lake in the early morning, time away from work, hiking, long days and nights, I used to love summer thunderstorms but Mattie is so neurotic that she has ruined them for me, ( we even tried a Thunder Jacket- it doesn't work!) I love Canada day, being close to Waterton and Glacier, green grass and lot's of flowers, raw peas from the garden, cool nights after a hot day.  Oh and of course watching the Olympics!!! Go USA!  Summer rocks!

10. Hmmmm- not much else going on except lazing around at the lake- that's about it for this Tuesday!  Hiking Grinnell Glacier this Thursday...can't wait!

How to destroy a summer in one second

I am not a happy camper...quite literally and in ever sense of those words!!!  To begin with, I think you can all be extremely happy with the fact that I DIDN'T CUSS!! That might be a first for me. 
I'll set the stage.
It is June 21, 7pm at Lake Five and I am the only living person tough enough to brave the water.  It has been raining for 5 days but tonight it is warm with that wonderful heavy air that keep the glassy lake as still as death.  I have already skied around the lake twice and have swam 4 laps.  The lake is just so calm that I think- hey, I could ski again!  I don my gloves and life jacket, and grab my ski.  Stewart has backed the boat up and is swinging the rope around and around, just as he's done a million and 3 times before, preparing to let it go so it can fly to either side of me- almost always within arms reach- yeah, he's that good.   I usually don't even bother to watch because he can throw that rope to the side of me with amazing accuracy- like I said we've done this dance for years and years. For some reason I stood up straight and watched him this time... first mistake.  So there he is- a sort of cowboy rodeo slash water skiing rope twirler of the first order whipping that rope into an eye blurring frenzy-  he let's it go and before I can even react, the thing is headed straight at my head.  In my own defense, you have to realize it takes the rope exactly .00578 seconds to crack my skull open- I realize this too, so also in that split second of time I say to myself holy shizolah, that thing is coming right at me, well, that stinks, so what am I going to do about it.  I could duck but actually I don't think I have time for that. No, there must be a better option.  I do need the rope to be in my hands at some point, may as well kill (no pun intended) two birds with one stone and save a millionth of a second.  It takes more time and energy to bend over and pick up the rope so yeah, that's the solution, I'll just catch the rope that is coming at me with the speed and force of super sonic jet.  So I fling my hands up...second mistake... and BAM! Ouch and no I didn't cuss- honest! Oh ouch ouchie ouch!!! By the way, and be impressed- I did catch the rope- but I didn't hold on to it long.  I could feel huge pain in my left little finger- the same one I broke catching a very short low bad basketball pass.  (stupid girl) I look at it and it's not sticking out at a weird angle like the last time- I don't need to pop it back into place like the last time.  So because I have vasts amounts of knowledge and medical expertise and those are definitely the medical criteria for determining a broken bone, I thinks pfff- well that's good, it's not broken- I've got my stuff on so I'm ski-en!  It's a bit painful trying to put the ski on but I manage.  I hold the rope in my right hand and for a fleeting instant wonder if I could get up one handed...  don't let's be silly! So I firmly grasp the ski handle in both hands- ouch ouchie ouch shoot ouch.  I definitely felt something pop in my hand- right under my little finger. So like the practical careful person I am, I let up on two fingers and yell hit it. More ouchy shoot ouchness but I am up  and I am skiing.  Not my best efforts to cut some rooster tail! This thing is hurting.  I only go around once, darn it.  Back at the trailer I gingerly get dressed, and sit down to put ice on this bad boy.  After a half hour of that I look at it and feel around a bit.  I do not want it to be broken, so in my mind it's not.  Kurt and Stewart think differently- so off to the ER we go- at 9 pm.  Short story long, I show it to the Doc, he takes a few ex-rays and sure enough I have a boxers fracture.  Stangely the doctor walks back in the room and says "I can't believe it, you really did break it."  Hmm really?- that's why I'm here??  Shucks, I just thought we'd spend quality some time together talking about the crappy weather! No shizzzz Sherlock!  5th metacarpal bone broken horizontally under the knuckle.  He want's to know if I want something for pain.  nope.  Just tell me how long before I can ski again.  Six weeks.......SIX WEEKS!!!??? seriously?? I didn't swear-  I did say an F word- but fart is much better than that other word which actually I have only uttered twice in my life and really I don't know where it came from in those instances because I HATE that word!  So fart it was.  And fart it remains.  That Dr. made the mistake of not casing this broken hand.  He half cast it and wrapped it with a tensor bandage with velcro.  hehehe- pfff.... VELCRO! As if I can't escape from velcro!  I am giving it 3 weeks- 19 days to be exact.  Then I shall be skiing again.  Stewart is trying to conjure up and manufacture some kind of harness for one handed skiers that he saw on the internet.  Yeah,  like I want that thing hurtling at me! Nope- I'll just ski like an Englishman drinking tea..pinkies up and very proper and dainty like............NOT!
So yes- Camping this summer will see me with one eyebrow and Stewart will be doing the dishes!  Serves him right!
Here is a picture of the offending hand.  This is at the 1 week mark and counting.  The back of my hand is just yellow- so not as impressive.  I also have a rope handle shaped bruise on my arm.  Stewie may be doing dishes for a long time!

There is actually a name for this?? Go figure!!

Disclaimer- Some parts of this post may be gross- stop here if you don't like gross.  I am not kidding.

AND I AM NOT ALONE?  Oh my good gosh Miss Molly- I am stunned. Vindicated, amused and horrified- all in the same breath.  After years of being perplexed and aggravated, ashamed and weird, the light has been turned on and I am no longer alone in the darkness.  I am-are you ready for it-drum roll- an Emetophobe.  I have Emetophobia.  There I said it- I am out of the closet- or bathroom as may be more apropos.  For those of you who have no clue what I am talking about,  here is wonderful wikki's definition of my malady.  Pay special attention to the last sentence-

Emetophobia (from the Greek εμετός, to vomit, and φόβος (phóbos), meaning "fear") is an intense, irrational fear or anxiety pertaining to vomiting. This specific phobia can also include subcategories of what causes the anxiety, including a fear of vomiting in public, a fear of seeing vomit, a fear of watching the action of vomiting or fear of being nauseated.^[1] Emetophobia is clinically considered an “elusive predicament” because limited research has been done pertaining to it.^[2] It is considered to be one of the most common phobias in the world.<sup>[3]

For clarification, I think I fall into a sub category.  Fear of watching and or hearing the act of said chunk blowing.  I don't particularly love being sick myself but I don't freak out about it.  I wouldn't want to throw up in front of people either-  I have done that once,  when I was pregnant- couldn't be helped-  but it was Stewart and nothing seems to bother him.  He was raised on a farm- nuf said.</sup>

 One of the most common phobias in the WORLD!  Well isn't that special.  I was reading a fellow Emetophobes blog today (quite by accident) and something he said pricked my interest-  He said when ever his kids say "I have a stomach ache", he goes into fits of anxiety.  I mused to myself, "hhmmm, that sounds vaguely familiar."
I have always wondered why I get like this- why the flying part of flying doesn't scare me or really bother me- in fact I think blowing up in an airplane wouldn't be a bad way to go- but being in that confined tube with people who may or may not puke is more than I can handle and I have to take drugs-lot's of them- so that I am so hopped up on Adivan that I could care less what anyone does on the plane.   Why when someone says I feel sick do I get a buzzing in my ears and feel the need to run.  Why when my poor niece got sick in the back seat of a car did I scream for my sister in law to STOP THE CAR and frantically jump out of the front seat and walk briskly down Mayor Magrath drive to parts unknown. Like Wikki said- irrational!

I am remembering back to my wedding shower, when my pregnant sister in law got sick and had to throw up in the gutter beside the car while all the ladies at the shower stood watching her.  I couldn't believe that they all stood there so calmly nodding their heads and smiling like this was the most natural thing in the world.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  I thought if this is what being married and pregnant means, that you hunker down in a gutter,  hurling your tiny shower sandwiches, cookies  and pink punch up for all the world to see, I want no part of it.  I almost called the wedding off right then and there-  Riding home in the car with that poisoned woman, who could at any moment, unleash this monster all down my back, was shear agony.  I turned my head to the window and tried desperately not to cry or hyperventilate.

I almost NEVER visit sick friends or relatives in the hospital. You can guess why- there are sick people in there.  Only when I absolutely have to visit- and even then I come and go, in and out of the room and watch them and the other patients like a hawk for any signs of stomach unrest, the entire time I am 2 shades away from a full blown panic attack.   I have been in the elevator with patients on gurneys who look pale and sickly, and I have almost had to tell them to move over, because I am having a heart attack.  When I was in the recovery room after having one of my kids- a lady in there was sick-  I got up yanking the IV tubes along with me and walked out of there- nurses trailing behind me yelling at me to get back in bed. Not happening! I attended the birth of my first grandchild-  I did fine until Whitney said she was nauseated.  FREAK!  Kudos to Whit for holding it in!  Whitney should know how much I love her because I stayed there, all the time wanting to run screaming from that room.   It was one of the hardest thing I have ever done.  I am proud of myself for doing it, but not ever going to do it again.  EVER.


What did you do when your kids got sick? You are all wondering that, I know (along with who blogs about this kind of thing? My blog, my rules...  I did warn you!)  Well God protects crazies in all kinds of wonderful ways.  For some reason,  I was able to deal with them.  I am chalking that up to God, because no other person place or thing has been able to fix this phobia.  With my kids,  maybe it's because they started out just spitting up, they started out as little tiny hurlers.  As they grew into large man sized, bring it from their toenails, the sounds reverberating off the bathroom walls pukers- well they know me and they try very hard to be discreet, quite, and they try not to announce that they are sick.  The strange thing is they were really good, at a very early age, at hitting the john or the supplied ice-cream bucket.  And if they didn't it was Stewart's problem.  One of the many reasons I love that man! Oh by the by- Stewart almost never throws up- and somehow, if he does, he is pretty darn quite about it. 


I hesitate to share this with the blogging world, because there are some who may use this against me- tell me they feel like they are going to be sick just to watch the freak out show-  ( if any of you DO try that, trust me, I will hurt you- I will find out what makes you crazy and I will use it to make your life a living hell)  But man it's kind of good to know you're not alone in your "elusive predicament."
This particular phobia raises it's ugly head in all types of circumstances.  Couple it with claustrophobia and yes, Erma Jean, you've got a walking talking freak show on your hands. That would be me!  I am wondering if there is a cure for this, but then I think- I've heard about people who are terrified of spiders or snakes being exposed to hundreds of spiders or snakes to "cure" them...  I just can't see myself sitting in a room full if helpful but sick folk, all throwing up to cure me of MY ills.  The thought of that is so utterly appalling and insane, I can not even go there in my mind.  Nope, probably just going to have to live with it, like so many phobia ridden people do.  My biggest fear is that someone I need to take care of, a child or a husband, a mother or father will get cancer and kimo therapy.  I will be utterly useless.  My hope is that if that happens, God will intervene somehow, like he did with my 3 kids.  I know that would be the only way I could be of any help to a sick person.

So there you have it, my fine peeps- the real and truly strange me.  I am apparently joined by many in the world in my fear.  We are a strange lot, human beings, are we not? If you are ever in my presence and you feel sick, please keep it to yourself- in every way!!!

Wow I was a Terrible Mother!!!

 I was reading a friends blog today about how she helps her kids be creative.  Hmmm... It started me thinking about 2 things- 1- my own childhood creative endeavors and 2- my children's creative exploits- or lack there of.  Being an old poop means you really do forget a lot of the past day to day stuff, but try as I might, I can only remember a few times I "crafted" with my kids.  I am ashamed to admit that when my kids were little they seemed to just play with toys and watch Mr. Rogers (I hated that show- that sickly sweet simpering man with his slippers and sweater made me want to gouge my eyes out, or his!) But the kids liked it and they liked Sesame Street too. ( OOOO that's a great "S" sentence-  sickly sweet simpering sweater-ed and slipper-ed man!! I must have osmosis-ed that from Sesame Street!) They never just sat like frozen lumps with their eyes glazed over and their mouths hanging open with drool threatening to spill out, hypnotized by the TV.  They were always playing with their toys and each other.  What was I doing?  Painting.  Every spare moment I got I used to watercolor and oil paint. SO now I am feeling like the worst mother alive.  I watch how my daughter makes crafts with her kids and feel guilty I didn't do that.  I did provide scissors, glue, crayons and play dough (home made play dough no less...does that count for anything??) and I think I even played with the dough with my kids on occasions.   Once I was really ambitious and bought a set of wood block tools and some linoleum blocks and we made block prints.  Did I teach MY kids how to paint?  Nope. I guess if they would have shown an interest I might have.  My only excuse is that I think I might have been a product of my own upbringing.  My Mom cooked and ironed and sewed and cleaned and my brothers and I were kind of on our own.  I don't hold that against my mom, (and I hope my kids don't hold it against me.) I kind of just thought up my own creative things to do, like drawing, making doll houses out of a shoe or kleenex box and junk laying around, making troll doll clothes by the hundreds, which is really funny because they were all the same...a rectangle piece of fabric with 2 holes cut in it for arms- a doughnut for a skirt and a "T" for pants.  LOVED IT!  I used to sit for hours drawing an A-framed house with all the furniture in it. But I was always playing at a friends house or playing outside, rain or shine, with the 50 kids who lived in our neighborhood.  Maybe it's too cold in Canada for that, and Moms need to figure out a way to keep their kids occupied.  We didn't watch TV during the day because all that was on was soap operas. No DVD's, no videos, but come 4 o clock we watched cartoons until dinner time.  When I got older, my Mom had me take a few art classes and one horrific modern dance class I can't even think about without dissolving into fits of laughter -hehehe- me and Becky Cannon, oh my good giddy aunt we were bad, but we had so much fun.  They actually, honest and truly, no word of a lie, had us pretend to be trees!! Can you see it- pre- teen/adolescent girls in training bras we didn't have any need for if you get my drift and leotards "willow-ing" our way across the floor. BWAHAHAHAH! oh this brings a chortling induced tear to my eye even as we speak.
My brothers were put in sports a bit- Scott played baseball, Wayne played football, and I can't remember what Cory did,  I got to go to tennis camp and I did become a fairly decent tennis player. But it was hot and I don't like hot, so it didn't last long.  I kind of think kids gravitate to what they like.  My kids didn't ask to craft.  Maybe I shouldn't have been waiting on them to ask- thus the guilt trip. But Whitney is one of the most creative people I know- she is awesome at so many things- sewing, cooking, taking literal crap from the dump or a garage sale and making them into incredible treasures.  She has an imagination and an eye.  She came with it.   I came with the artist in me.  It was fostered a bit by my parents but I seemed to come to it on my own. Kurt was amazing at sports.   He doesn't have a creative bone in his body, and that's ok.  Paige is a writer, singer and actress and when she want to she can draw very well.  I didn't make these kids- they made themselves.  I can't take much credit for them.  But they are all amazing adults, no thanks to me.  One thing they did get from me and that was a cheerleader.  When they did stuff, when they picked something to try, I was there.  Maybe that's ok too.  But try as I might, I can't shake the feeling that I should have done better.  Moms these days utterly impress me with the things they do with their kids.  Better moms?- probably.  Does that mean they love their kids more?  Nope, just means they have a different set of circumstances and different challenges to meet.  Does that mean I was a terrible Mom?  Jury is still out on that one.

And I am spent!!!

You may have noticed I haven't 10 on Tuesday-ed for three week.  This time every year I sort of hibernate in the art studio, and pray for rain, or snow!  Why you ask?  Well if it rains or snows then I don't want to go outside and it's way easier to make myself work. 
I just received the last email from my art director stating that she has all my photo shop files and original artwork, all safely in New York.  I have been photo shopping and painting for two months- Halloween, Valentines(yuck) Christmas and all sorts of everyday hang it on your wall stuff.  Flowers and abstracts and even people.  If there's nothing the buyers like in this package- they can go pound sand!! Today I am going to do what ever I want to do-  And I am starting the day off with a blog. Not sure what said blog will be about but being the natural born BS-er that I am - I'm sure I can come up with something. This Surtex show is a licensing show-  That means manufacturers of just about anything and everything you ever see in stores come to buy artwork to go on their products. Thus the Christmas and Halloween and Valentines images. One of my favorite things to see my art on is gift bags.  Why that is I don't know, but it always gives me a little thrill to see them.  Also I like it when they use it on plates and cups and rugs.  Some of the most lucrative manufacturers are the wallpaper companies. And of course greeting cards.  There... you just had a lesson in art licensing.

On Wednesday, Finn got his tonsils and adenoids out and had a bit more tongue clipping.  Poor little guy!   He seems to be recovering quickly and even wanted to go outside and play with the kids yesterday.  We had Roman and Oscar for part of the day and it was so hot outside we filled up the blow up pool and played in the water.  I just gave Oscar a bucket of water and a little cup and he was happy.  Works every time!

My art director wanted me to try yet another new thing-  Personalized prints.  I am not thinking this will catch on but we will have to see what the buyers say.  Personally I think it's kind of cheesy but I guess there are lots of people out there who like their names on artwork on their walls.   I can't imagine the headache of photo shopping names onto the image and shipping them one at a time!  Who is going to do that?  Certainly not me! BUT whilst discussing this adventure, said art director showed me sites on line devoted to just this kind of thing- tons of them.  Really?  All righty then.  So here are a couple of the images. Note I put Paige and Eric's names in there.  Not my cup o tea but we'll see.
                                    

I guess I'm just not the lovey dovey type so this doesn't appeal to me-  I could see this as a wedding present.  Young couples just getting married and having nothing better to put on their walls? reh- the jury is still out.  I'll let you know how it goes over with the buyers.  Usually the stuff I don' t like they love and the stuff I love they don't like.  It's been that way for 22 years!  I also did some for boys rooms- This one dedicated to my son in law Bradley Edward Davis. heheheh- maybe I'll give it to him for Christmas.  BWAHAHAHAH! Hey.... and Paige and Eric... here's your Christmas present- HEHEHEH- oh I am making myself chortle!!

 Here is one of the Halloween ones I did.  These tags have been a hit.  I did religious ones, Christmas and Valentines ones, and welcome and family subjects.  Fingers crossed the customers like them as much as my publisher seemed to . 
                                     
Enough of that.  But guess what just popped into my brain- personalized tags!! hmmm I'll have to discuss with the art director!  So yes- today I may just sit on my big broad bottom and read a book- I earned it.  So why, may I ask, is it cold and rainy today?? poop!

10 on Tuesday

1. I know I complained about not loving spring- SOOOO we went straight into summer!  It was 29 degrees yesterday- that would be Celsius for you Canadians- and about 87 for you Fahrenheit  foreigners.  It was darn hot! I swear I could watch the leaves growing on the trees-  There were no buds on the Apple tree in the morning and by last night there were little leaves. Not sure what the Aspen trees are waiting for- maybe they are the smart ones and know there is still a sneaky spring snowstorm yet to come.

2. A friend of mine facebooked yesterday that he was sitting in the airport waiting for his flight with his Ipod in his ears- He was so into the music and his Ipad that when he looked up and saw everyone staring at him, he realized he had been singing out loud.  BWAHAHAH! ok I have never done this because I don't Ipad or pod- techno challenged as I am, but I am sure that if I did have all those gadgets, at some point this would be me!

3. I am looking at my computer keyboard and wondering how it got so dirty-  I see lots of colors on those white keys, so I think I must have paint on my hands and then type and yeah, it's a yucky mess.  How does one clean this thing?

4. Today starts the annual dreaded painting of Christmas crap.  I know it's coming every year and still I put it off until the last second.  How many ways can you paint Christmas stuff??  When will it be enough? grrrrrr!

5. I have been riding my bike a bit when it's not windy- which is not very often, but I am remembering a few things...a. I am getting old, b. what goes out to the red barn must come back, c. farmer blowing on a bike is a tricky endeavor!

6. I am thinking spring in Vancouver is a must do!  I shall take more pictures this time though!

7. Does anyone know if you can find a list of keyboard commands for photo shop? I am thinking it would be nice to have them all in one place instead of going through a book and hunting them down.

8.  We started the annual cleaning and getting the trailer ready for the lake-  WHOOO  AHHHHH!

9. I am not as ready for the Surtex art show in New York as I would like to be- (refer to #4)  I had a hard time figuring out what to paint this year.  I usually have a better idea, but the creativity just wasn't there.  AND all I want to do is photo shop- but I made myself paint with real paint and canvas and brushes... until today...HUZZAH! 

10. Saw a good quote the other day and thought I would end with it...  

ixnay on the oloticspay-eh!

Well all righty then- I get it -nobody has the stomach to talk politics here. My, my... aren't we a bit lily livered? But I get it, folks- we'll stay away from controversy and world events. Not fond of the chirping crickets all week, so here you go, 10 totally safe subjects on this gray Tuesday.

1. Been spring cleaning and organizing the house. We used to move every 3 or 4 years, so there was always a forced dunging out, but we have been here for 22 years-wow great big stuff can multiply and replenish when you aren't watching!! Wish my food storage did that!!!

2. Speaking of food storage- does anyone else wish they could just buy a bunch of stuff and put it in the basement and never have to think about it again! That was the first of the de-junking rooms, and now it looks awesome and hopefully there isn't any food on the shelves that would kill us or give us some weird disease if we actually ate it. BUT, says I, if you ate something and it killed you, then you'd be out of here and you wouldn't have to worry about food storage. hmmm winner winner, canned chicken and boiled wheat dinner!

3. Can you tell I rather dislike the food storage process? I am going to buy some of the flash frozen fruits and vegetables- it lasts for 25 years if you don't open it. They even have flash frozen butter- UMM NUMMM! If I am still here after 25 years, I will then buy Ensure and live forever!!!

4. Stewart built me another shelf in my closet for shoes and it is a little piece of heaven- all my shoes are side by each and they all have a home AND there is even room for 2 more pair! WHOOT WHOOT. I am not really one of those people who lives for or love shoes- it's just your feet don't get fat and floppy like the rest of you so they always fit and they last forever and it's hard to throw them out, even when they house dead birds or you wear the same 3 or 4 pairs all the time. Am I right?

5. Been photo shopping again- I think I am addicted. But I promise, no more until May. I vill paint vid real paint and brushes on za real canvas and I vill like it!! grrrrrr.

6. True confession- I think I have adult onset attention deficit disorder. Not sure what else it could be, but 3 hours of church is starting to make me wiggly in my seat and I look at the clock a whoooole lot!!! By the time RS rolls around, I am ready to blow this popsicle stand. Does anyone else have this problem and is there a pill you can take?

7. I figured out another reason I detest spring- it's that in between, no mans land time of year. You can't really snow ski cause it's to warm and slushy, and you can't hike because it's muddy and slippery, the ice is gone so hockey is out, but you can't water ski yet or you would freeze your nay nays off, although I have skied in May. Once. Holy frostbite stupidity, Batman!! I rode my bike a few times, but you have to wait for unseasonably warm days or you freeze stuff like ears and fingers and riding by the thawing cow pastures can knock you clean off your bike seat. So yes, least favorite time of year.

8. Having dissed spring, I do like that the flowers get silly brave... stupid, but optimistically brave. They grow at the first taste of warmth but inevitably snow comes back and wacks them all to a pulp. Take that you eager beavers!!

9. Another hate on spring...It's birds in the house time again. Our mental pigmy, sorry excuse for a cat has captured and brought in 3 so far...2 she killed before I could get to her, so I just had to clean up the leftovers, but she nabbed a blue jay the other day. It was huge! She couldn't kill it and it buzzed around the living room like a jet fighter on crack. It came to rest in the pussy willow wreath that I have over my fireplace. It's probably out of date on the home decor front but I keep it for the birds...gives them a little taste of the outdoors whilst they are being hunted, and they have a place to rest before I catch them in the fishing net. Did I mention it was enormous!!! On the plus side, I did appreciate the blue feathers. Very pretty. Nice touch.

10. Ok my head is going to explode. I saw this on a girls blog and it made me laugh- Laughing is good, especially in these trying times. (Not sure why she gets away with political stuff on her blog but oh well, sour grapes) If you don't get the shirt, you need to get out more.
GO MITT!!!!

Deep Tuesday Thoughts

Thoughts on this Tuesday Morning are vast and deep. Mostly I got nuthin! I did read something that completely blew my mind and made me mad as a crazed hornet and I am not sure about sharing it, but it's been on my mind ever since I read it and as I watch things unfold through this new found knowledge, I finally see clearly. I thought it might interest a few readers- so here goes.
DISCLAIMER: my blog, my thoughts, my rules- remember?...proceed at your own risk.

I have always wondered why everyone thinks Obama is so intelligent when it seems virtually everything he has done had made things worse economically and divisively speaking. I finally understand that he is dumb like a fox. Read this and see if you don't recognize some patterns and validity here.

THE CLOWARD AND PIVN PLAN-

Using borrowed money for a band-aid bailout of the economy should seem backwards to most people. However, it likely is a planned strategy to promote radical change. Those naively believing that President Obama is simply rewarding his far-left base, and will then move to the political center, must wise up.

The assumption that Obama will need the nation to prosper in order to protect the election incorrectly assumes that he esteems free market capitalism. He does not. Rather than win through superior ideas and policies, the Democrat plan for success in the elections is to win by destroying political opposition.

Obama adheres to the Saul Alinksy Rules for Radicals method of politics, which teaches the dark art of destroying political adversaries. However, that text reveals only one front in the radical left's war against America. The Cloward/Piven Strategy is another method employed by the radical Left to create and manage crisis. This strategy explains Rahm Emanuel's ominous statement, "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste."

The Cloward/Piven Strategy is named after Columbia University sociologists Richard Andrew Cloward and Frances Fox Piven. Their goal is to overthrow capitalism by overwhelming the government bureaucracy with entitlement demands. The created crisis provides the impetus to bring about radical political change.

According to Discover the Networks.org:

Rather than placating the poor with government hand-outs, wrote Cloward and Piven, activists should work to sabotage and destroy the welfare system; the collapse of the welfare state would ignite a political and financial crisis that would rock the nation... [Emphasis added.]

Making an already weak economy even worse is the intent of the Cloward/Piven Strategy. It is imperative that we view the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan's spending on items like food stamps, jobless benefits, and health care through this end goal. This strategy explains why the Democrat plan to "stimulate" the economy involves massive deficit spending projects.

If Congress were to allow a robust economy, parents would be able to provide for their children themselves by earning and keeping more of their own money. Democrats, quick to not waste a crisis, would consider that a lost opportunity.

The Cato Institute reports that the plan will harm a faltering economy, intentionally causing increased job losses leading to increased demands for the aforementioned programs. Even the jobs to be created are set apart to render social justice, not economic revival. Robert Reich believes new infrastructure jobs should not go to white construction workers. Meanwhile, workers at Microsoft, IBM, Texas Instruments, and the retail market find themselves experiencing the life of the welfare poor.

If highly educated and trained workers continue to lose jobs and business falters as a whole, where will these jobless workers go? Could this be construed as revolutionary social reorganization that puts the underachiever above the achiever? Where is the future economic strength when jobless professionals collect welfare and unemployment?

Because these programs are financed with deficit spending, the effect of the Cloward/Piven Strategy becomes doubly destructive. Talk about a perfect storm! The Democrat stimulus plan is a mechanism whose goal is the destruction of the traditional American way of life. It is bitter irony that the American taxpayer will actually fund the destruction of his own ability to live according to the values of our Founding Documents. It is not alarmist to identify this situation as a coup d'etat.

As the flow of money from the top of the economy dries up, job losses and mortgage busts will mount exponentially. The Democrat stimulus plan provides for welfare expansion but not for a robust economy that creates high paying jobs. Is this what Obama means when he warns, "It's going to get worse before it gets better?" If we are not bailing out corporate America so they can regain profitability, we must conclude Obama is working toward another end goal. Recognizing these attack methods reveals the only logical response -- an unwavering wall of "No!"

I started looking at the things Obama has done:
1. A huge "stimulus" package and bailouts. The money went to a lot of government jobs and to jobs who pay union dues, and to Gm and Crystler- who payed big bucks to Obama's campaign, and teachers who also pay big union dues. Expansion of government and more Americans on government assistance. That and a whole slew of meaningless crap like studying the mating habits of fish and airports to nowhere.
2. He wants to raise taxes on the top 2% who are the job creators. America now has the highest corporate tax rate in the world. Redistributing the wealth and rewarding those who do nothing but vote Democrat. This expands his constituency of voters dependent on big government handouts, as well as expanding unions and government employees.
3. He concentrated all his efforts to passing socialized medicine in the middle of a depression, instead of getting Americans back to work- Healthcare workers and hospitals are union due payers.
4. He more than doubled the amount of Americans on food stamps and increased the length of time people can be on unemployment to 2 years. Who is going to vote out their meal ticket in 2012?
5. He is for amnesty and citizenship for illegal aliens- more people that can be put on the doll and counted on to vote for big government. Again, increasing his voting base.
6. 5 trillion added to the national debt in 3 years. How is that going to be paid back and how will the nation who has 47% of it's citizens on government assistance going to sustain the handouts? The democrats haven't passed a budget in 3 years! Harry Reid won't even present one to the house and senate.
7. His policies are hacking away at our freedoms. He wants the government to force you to buy health care, tell you what you can and can't eat or feed your children, force every employer to pay for contraception, regardless of their religious objections or beliefs, the list goes on.

I could go on and on- but I finally understand why he does what he does. I couldn't understand why someone who was supposed to be so smart continually made things worse with his policies, and at first I thought he was just inept and dumb as dirt but now I see he has a plan. I watch how he is dividing the nations people and pitting them against each other by inciting racial hatred and intolerance for religious difference, starting a fake war on women and vilifying conservatives, turning a blind eye to voter fraud and intimidation, and even weakening Americas position in the world. Siding with the Occupiers and pitting the rich against the poor and saying that the rich aren't paying their fair share. Pouring tax dollars into green jobs that fail. Stifling any real growth America could see by producing energy at home, nixing the pipeline from Canada-do you wonder why gas prices are so high and the dollar is plummeting? And when asked why he does what he does, he blames Bush or the republicans. How convenient !Never waste a good crisis!

America is on the brink of being totally and radically altered. This election cycle will be the ugliest in history, and that is exactly what Obama wants. Divide and conquer. He can't run on his record and actions of the past 3 years precisely because they are designed to bring down the country, capitolism and free markets. My prediction is he will run a campaign on divisive social issues and paint the republicans as rich, heartless people. Give a man a fish you feed him for a night, teach a man to fish, you feed him for his life Mr POTUS! He is handing out fish to break the country and it stinks!!!

Now having gotten that out of my system, I have to remind myself that, THANK HEAVEN, there is someone with infinitely more authority than Obama in charge and we would do well to Trust in God and his will. But I don't think that means we sit back and not educate ourselves or say "well I live in Canada- who cares what happens in the US." I have even heard Canadians say the US is getting what they deserve. SERIOUSLY? In this world of an interconnected global economy, we all should care- When wicked men rule the people mourn, and when good men do nothing, evil wins.

awe stupidity- you never cease to amaze me!

There is just so much stupid in the world, and sometimes I even contribute to the pile. Today I am NOT at the temple for my Friday afternoon shift because I did not notice that my recommend had expired. Yep- drove all the way to Cardston and got kicked out. Talk about feeling like a big fat dork! Oh well, so we turned around and came home. If that's the dumbest thing I ever do, I'm not so bad off.
Take President Obama- He wants the Supreme Court to uphold his craptastic health bill, so what does he do? Threatens them by saying it's not their job, as unelected officials, to overturn bills passed by a majority of the House and Senate. Nice job, knuckle head. Majority??? Seriously? Personally, I think he's just doing damage control early, so that if they do over turn his sorry excuse for Socialized medicine, he can blame it on someone else- what else is new?
Awe but I digress. Want to hear the dumbest idea I've had in....forever. I want to direct the play next year. Now that is truly stupid!! It's a secret wish of mine. I love directing, but holy time sucking, mind numbing work, Batman!! I thought I was the only person who knew about this secret desire but apparently a bunch of other people found out about it and now the pressure is on. 3 people in th elast week have suggested I direct next year. I'd love to but I think it might cause a divorce. I brought the subject up with Stewie and he was NOT impressed. Hhmmm.
I will just have to work on him and get him to give in. It's not something you could do without the support of your family though, so maybe I should just tuck it away in my stupid thought box and leave it there.- I 'm thinking Unsinkable Molly Brown though- great play!!!
What say you?

Tuesday yet again- will this ever end?

I guess it's a good thing Tuesdays roll around every 7 days- it makes me blog and keep track of life- hum drum as it is.

1. I thought I was going to get out of having the "theater gomboo" but alas I have succumbed. There were a bunch of the cast with various ailments and we prayed every second that our Maria's voice would hold out. It did, thank heaven. But now I have a sore throat, ache like the dickens and my head wants to explode.

2. I spent 9 hours yesterday sending photo shop files to various parts of the world- Today I am waiting to see if I sent any to the wrong people- which could be a bit sticky!

3. I need you all to vote. Is this Halloween image something you would put in a frame and hang in your house?? And which version do you like?

I liked the one with the skull but my art directer wanted the house and the pumpkins on the side. What say you?

4. My birthday is in a month- I will be 55. That is reeeeeeeeeally old. Not loving the thought.

5. I try really hard not to be political on here but dang it, last night I saw something that literally curled the hair on my toes!(figuratively speaking) Our glorious President (I have to say that because I am an American) was caught unawares on a live microphone telling a Russian official that after the election he would have more flexibility to take care of "things" and to pass it on to the higher ups in the Russian government to kind of hang tight. For someone who everyone thinks is so intelligent, he is incredibly inept and unbelievably stupid. And if he is re-elected, the United States will become a bankrupt, weak, socialistic mess! I believe this is the part where the constitution is hanging by a thread.

6. Oh dear- I found out recently that our entire Young Women's Presidency is moving out of the ward... and here I sit with my backside hanging out without a job... dang!!!

7. oh yum- Whitney made the yummiest thing last night- They taste like the appetizers at
Chili's- umm nummm numm! Corn and black beans wrapped in puff pastry! Gotta get that recipe- I had already eaten dinner but I ate 7 of them!! hmm there goes my weight loss during the play.

8. By the way, if you ever want to lose 6 pounds- be in a play! huzzah- but unfortunately the weight tends to sneak back on when the play is over and you get a horrendous cold and sore throat and lay around all day Sunday!

9. I need to get some exercise, but I am too pooped..which is a vicious cycle. If I would exercise and get outside, I know I would feel better, but I have molasses for blood and lead for underwear today.

10. Spring is my least favorite time of year. I KNOW! who says that, but it is because it just teases the crap out of you! Is it really going to get warm? Nope- there's the fog and rain and sometimes snow yet again...then it warms up and you think this is it, then it rains and blows then starts to get warm and nope not yet...and yeah- I hate it. Never had patience for indecisiveness!!! MAKE UP YOUR MIND ALREADY!!!!!

Tuesday 10 random thoughts-

1. If I ever hear "The Hills are Alive" or "My Favorite Things" again I will seriously hurt what is ever in my path. The only hills I want alive are the ones I hike in and my favorite thing right now is the end of this week!!! yeah yeah, self inflicted..I get it.

2. I am enraged and frustrated with my lack of photo shop skills. I have the basics and I have put out a lot of nice images that have been published but I have this nagging feeling that I have just touched the surface and if I only knew more I could really do some amazing stuff. I hit on some cool effects with things I hand painted then scanned and manipulated and I am being asked for more, but I just know there are photo shop secrets out there that I am so close to figuring out but just can't break through.. very infuriating. AND there is no time to take a class. I have read books and tutorials and it helps but I just want the magic fairy to put all that knowledge into my head all at once and then I could just go to town!!!

3. It's already time to start thinking about going to New York for the Surtex Licensing art show in May. DANG time goes by sooooo fast!

4. I am also thinking I would rather go to Vancouver instead. Oh decisions, decisions.

5. OR BOTH!!!! That's the answer!

6. I was thinking about what happens to your mind and body when you get older, and thinking it really stinks!! I have also thought, more than once this past few weeks, that I am too flippen old to be in theatrical productions. Too many stairs to run up and down in character shoes that used to fit like a glove but are now tools of the devil whilst trying to be quiet. Gaaaahhh my knees hurt. My brain just doesn't move fast enough or remember stuff any more. Surprisingly the Latin music has been the easiest part. My problem is remembering the entire play and knowing what to wear and when.. I am feeling quite schizophrenic...I never know what I have on under my habit and have forgotten earrings when I am a Baroness, and left them on when I am a nun and left my pants in stupid places and forgotten to get the right clothes to the right side of the stage. No big bloopers as yet on stage(not counting the gum flying out of my mouth and hitting my dance partner in the chest) but it's only a matter of time before I come out with parts of all 3 costumes on. Either that or I end up in my underwear.

7. Question: Does God forgive you for mentally sleeping through church? I hope so.

8. I am looking forward to the lake so I can actually finish reading a book. Where do you all find time to read??? And how do you stay awake?

9. Rhonda Steed is a family/friend who is also a photographer. You should check out her photography site- Rhonda Steed Photography -She took this picture and it is my new, favorite picture in all the whole wide world. I just love it!! What could be better than a new born baby and a sweet Great Dane?!!! I want one of each, please!


10. Hmmm I should be working, not blogging....ok...this is me going back to work........

Happy St. Patties Day!!!!!

AH thar owlways after me lucky charms!!!
I like this holiday- it's a no obligations, no shopping, do nothing holiday. Not much of a holiday really, but having many Irish family ties, I feel close to past ages and I tend to talk like an Irishman today-(Notice I said talk- as in accent, not like swear like an Irishman- although that has been known to happen on occasion) I do so love the Irish- They are a gritty, tough lot. I can admire that. Because I have been involved with the community theatre play this year (Sound of Music) and have been stumped at times by Catholic questions, I turned to my wonderful art director, who is an Irish Catholic, for advice. Colleen even has fantastically red, curly hair...I adore her!

Picture a bunch of Mormons trying to make sure we don't mess up on the Catholic look and feel... it has been comical at times. Colleen has been very helpful and I have appreciated her advice and support. We should have listed her in the program as our Catholic consultant! Today she sent me a joke, commenting that it would round out my Catholic experience and was on the mark for St. Patricks day... so here it is, just a wee bit blue but on this day, tired as I am, I care not. I will repent tomorrow!

A little boy got on the bus, sat next to a man reading a book, and
noticed he had his collar on backwards.

The little boy asked why he wore his collar backwards.

The man, who was a priest, said, 'I am a Father..'

The little boy replied, 'My Daddy doesn't wear his collar like that.'

The priest looked up from his book and answered,
''I am the Father of many.'

The boy said,
''My Dad has 4 boys, 4 girls and two grandchildren and he
doesn't wear his collar that way!'

The priest, getting impatient, said. 'I am the Father of hundreds', and
went back to reading his book.

The little boy sat quietly thinking for a while, then leaned over and
said, "Maybe you should wear a condom, and put your pants on backwards
instead of your collar."
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

10 on Tuesday-4:30 am....AGAIN!

Well fans, it's 4:30 am and again I am awake. Will I be glad when this play is over! You have no idea!!!!

1. Last night we repainted the set. It looks much better now, except for the missing banister on the stairs. Will we actually have one?? At this point- I don't even care. It's just one more thing to have to wrestle with during the set changes. Do NOT tell Stewart I painted- Painting sets is forbidden. After a 10 hour rescue of the pumpkin coach 2 years ago in Cinderella, and 6 months of anti- inflammatory's and physical therapy on my arm and elbow, I am now officially off the set painting list. I can design the sets on paper and I am in an advisory position only when it comes to actual painting.....pppfff.... it take an hours to explain to the slave painters how to do it when I can just show them in 3 seconds. But Norma is an amazing slave- she does exactly what I tell her, bless her heart!! We commented last night that the dynamic due- oooooh was at it again. We tried to count the plays we had painted sets with together- I am sure we missed a few......Music Man, Hello Dolly, Big River, Camelot, Wizard of Oz, Crazy for You, we took time off to be in Will Rogers Follies, Joseph and his funky colored coat, South Pacific, (I talked to Norma on the phone while walking down Whyte Ave, Edmonton Alberta in 30 below zero weather once, WITH Laryngitis, explaining to her how to paint lava looking rocks, Annie, There was one with a boat and I can't remember the name of it, Cinderella, part of Sound of Music, the list goes on, and some of them were just showing Norma what to do and mixing colors, but lots of them, we painted the entire set. Hello Dolly I painted 28- 4 x 8 foot flats plus 2- 4 x 12 foot flats- I could have totally repainted my house...TWICE!!! And add in there a Jr High play each year- that's a lot of painting. No wonder my arm is shot to H -E -double hockey sticks!!! Awe good times....snort!

2. Just love how some folks think it's ok to leave everything until the very last stinking minute. Never mind that we haven't practiced with half this stuff!

3. They have added yet another character to my list. This one is fun though and no lines- I'm not going to tell you who else I am, you'll have to wait and see, it will be a surprise..kind of like where's Waldo!!! Holy fast costume changes, Batman!! Thank heaven for a big long nun habit!!! You can play a game of sorts- it's called what else does she have on under there.....

4. After being at the no sleep phase for 2 weeks, I am now at the no sleep and no appetite phase of the play...SAAAWEEEEET! In about a week, I will have to move the velcro on my ball gown flower/belt. Nothing better than THAT phase! Except the end of the play phase. I know, I know, self inflicted pain and all- no sympathy, right!?

5. I am feeling very sorry for the guys and girls who have to do the set changes. The couch is an antique and it weighs about 300 pounds. I suspect I will be back there too, now that some MORE froo froo has been added-(one eyebrow) but it does look really amazing. Be prepared for a few long set changes folks- but it will be worth it when you see it.

6. We are having a bit of trouble with our 16 going on 17 young lovers. 16 doesn't particularly want to kiss 17. 17 is trying hard but poor kid can't compete with 16's boyfriend, but said boyfriend has been in many plays and he was the Music Man and thoroughly kissed Marian the Librarian on several occasions, so he should understand the need for a bit of reality, but 16 is afraid he might be mad....sigh..... oh to be young again, eh! Be young on someone elses time!!!!Kiss the boy already!!!

7. Won't you all be glad when this play is over! Too bad so sad for you, my blog, my vent, my rant, my rave and so on and so forth- get over it.

8. I am sitting here wondering if I could go back to bed and actually get to sleep..,ppfffff! Silly
me!

9. Also wondering if I really need to keep the appointment to have the hair guy look at my hair...it's just going back and forth in and out of a nun hat 3 or 4 times, so really is it going to matter??? It's going to look like heck no matter what he does. Baronesses can have ugly hair and nobody would dare say anything because they are rich and powerfull, right! That's my story- I am going to stick with that one!

10. Just so this who thing isn't about the play, here is a note about my little Finny Bean. He is now going to have his tonsils and possibly adenoids out, and more tongue clipping. Not sure that will help with the talking and or shyness, but we are hoping if he sleeps better, he might feel more like interacting with folks. Sunday, I got him to come upstairs with me and we played on the computer with a thing I had saved from clear back in December just so I could do something with him one on one. Dang Papa is always there and Finn adores Papa and I don't count for much most of the time. SO this cool thing was a programs where it tell you a story and has you draw a stick figure and the thing actually comes to life and moves- It blows me away and I thought he was fairly impressed because he stayed and played until it was time to go home. When his Mom asked him if he liked the game he played with Grandma, he said no. HMMM... back to square one. I love that little boy! I think he will play it again though- just a hunch, since he actually sat on my lap and played it twice. We shall see.

Well, enough of my theatre drama...pun intended. I'll let you know how dress rehearsal goes...I know you can't wait to hear!! "I am having pins and needles I am sitting on!!!" If you know where that quote comes from, you win!