Five for Friday--Actually Seven Edition

1. Michelle and Eva stopped by earlier this week after a visit to the pain clinic (which is down the street from my house), so we had a quick visit and Michelle got Eva ready for school. It's such a rare occurrence and was a fun treat.


2. I finally caved in and used my last pedicure gift certificate and enjoyed a glorious pedicure. I'm hoping to replenish my gift certificate supply at Christmas time (hint, hint to Randy). When Whitney saw my new toes she rather flusteredly said, "Why do you always get pink?" I informed her that I love having pink toes, but she said she'd rather have orange or blue...whatever.


3. I can't believe I'm purposely posting a profile shot (so not my best angle), but Amie taught me how to use a bluetooth, so it was a rather momentous occasion. (Note to self: Make a hair appointment stat!)


4. This spider had the audacity to crawl across the windshield INSIDE while I was driving! Luckily for me, I have thought about this possibility before and was prepared NOT to wig out (if only I could do that at home). You see, back in high school there was a girl who ended up crashing her car and breaking her leg because she freaked out when a bee flew in her car...surely a bee sting would have been a better option. I certainly don't want to crash because of a stupid spider!


5. I just had to take a group photo in the car before leaving for Landon's football game because it was so strange to have a car full of kids, especially since only 1 of them was mine!


This was the euphoric look on Landon's face after he scored a touchdown and made a great interception during Monday's Flag Football game.


We ended up with quite a crowd at last night's football game because I was watching Robyn's kids, my parents and Andrew came, and then Lori happened to call me on her way home from work and asked if there were any games that night (what the?). It ended up being so great because Landon made the game winning touchdown catch in the last seconds of the game!! It was one of those surreal moments when time moves in slow motion (and yet so fast) and I was thinking "please, please let him catch it!" and then he did and he ran and jumped to give the quarterback a chest bump, but the kid picked him up and swung him around instead (he's much taller than Landon). It was awesome! Plus, look at this photo, even Andrew looks like he's smiling!


6. I took Whitney, Olivia and Ashley to see the Halloween House. There's an old lady in town who decorates her house to the extreme for every holiday. We always enjoy driving by it to admire her work. We're planning on making her a card to thank her for doing this all the time. We can't figure out where she stores all her decorations!


7. While driving home yesterday I nearly slammed on my brakes upon seeing this brown horse wearing this crazy mask. I actually flipped a U-turn and drove back to show Whitney and her friend Payton, and that's when we saw that the other horse was wearing a mask too. I have no idea why they'd be wearing this (surely one of you knows why), but it was funny/bizarre.

**How was your week?
Have you decorated for Fall/Halloween?
Do you use a Bluetooth?
What's up with the horses?**

Comment Window Tidbit: The kids' dentist appointments went great...no cavities or problems other than Whitney's shark tooth needs to be pulled. Woohoo!

Comical Update

Thank you to everyone who commented on yesterday's whiny post and offered me advice and support, I really appreciate it. You'll be happy to know that Crystal gave me info about a chiropractor and I can now say I'm "well adjusted" (Ha, I couldn't help myself).


It's amazing to me that I went into the chiropractor feeling locked up, sore, nervous and clueless and came out of there laughing and amazed. When he sat me down to talk for a bit and give me some background (no pun intended) info about back pain I was seriously trying to keep from turning into a weepy mess.

Then he had me lie face down on the table and then did some pressure point stuff and resistance exercises, then had me turn over (I practically slid off the table because of my rayon pants) and then he proceeded to crack the living daylights out of me! It took me by surprise really (which sounds stupid considering he's a chiropractor), but I was just lying there and then he came over and turned my head and popped like 6 things into place...what the?


He did some adjustments for my back which created the kind of noises you hear in chiropractic visits you see in the movies. Each time he did this I grunted and then burst out laughing. I couldn't help it, it was just too crazy. Plus, I kept thinking how amazed Randy would be by these sounds, because when we crack each others' backs occasionally we only hear 2-3 cracks, but this was like a home run in the World Series of back cracking.

He also worked on my gimpy ankle a little bit and gave me a bottle of Ligaplex to help it heal faster. Plus, the office visit was only $40! I could not believe the difference I felt after this appointment! I still wasn't in skipping kind of shape, but I felt like giving it a try. I'm going back in Friday, but am now feeling seriously hopeful and much more at ease, which is very important because my stress was related to the back pain in the first place!

Funny note: The doctor said I was the first patient he's ever had who laughed hysterically after being adjusted and the first who has ever slid off the table. I'm so proud.


After my appointment, Landon had a football game (it was deceptively cold) and scored 2 touch downs and an extra point, plus I actually got the touch downs and a kick on video for once.

Touch down number one.

His victory celebration with Randy.

Kick off!

It's remarkable to find myself sitting at the computer 24 hours later feeling completely different. I know this whole episode has been a blessing, and I think the back pain ended up sending me to a chiropractor which will end up helping my ankle, which I was worried about but unsure of who to go to or how I would pay for it in the first place, so the back pain was a blessing. This is totally one of those times when I can see the Lord's hand in my life.

**Have you ever gone to a chiropractor?
Have blogging friends helped you before?
Have you ever laughed in a doctor's office?**

Comment Window Tidbit: What a difference a day makes eh?

Nard Removal

Our glorious fall weather took a winter-like turn this afternoon when the rain turned to snowy slush for about 15 minutes (long enough to smear the ink on the mailing label of the Fall Swap package I was mailing, sorry Heather) and the temperatures dipped severely.

Landon still opted to wear shorts to his game.

Whitney and I froze our nards off on the sidelines. I had on cozy lounge pants, but it turns out they did absolutely nothing to warm my butt cheeks. Whitney had on 2 hoodies, a blanket and Randy's huge warm coat (which she stole from me) and gloves but was still freezing!


It was nice that the slushing stopped just before the game started; it was still windy and cold but oh so beautiful outside.

There is snow on the mountains! Landon played well in this game--he scored an extra point, had a couple catches and a great kick off.

Look at that crazy sky!

Is that a homeless person??

No, that's just Whitney gathering all her gear after the game. She packs food and activities as if she's going to be gone for a week!


We were so frozen after the game that we turned the heat on in the car for the first time of the season! I had the air conditioning going just yesterday...why does this surprise me every year?


I surprised the kids by driving to Little Caesar's for some cheap pizza. We just had to have something hot to eat. The kids both happily held the hot boxes on their laps during the car ride home and I teased them by saying I really needed to sit on one of the boxes to get warm again, but that would have been a waste of $5.

P.S. I'm not helping coach Landon's team this season because he got a coach who is used to working with the same assistant coach each time and didn't really need me. She was nice enough about it and would take my help (hence my participation at the first practice) but since they don't really need me I'm happy to watch from seat on the sidelines. It's kind of nice to be able to drop him off at practices and to just show up and enjoy the games.

**When was the last time you froze your nards off?
Do you have any homeless looking family members?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I'm having a hard time recovering from being so cold. This is such an unusual sensation for me since I'm always overheated that it feels like my body is in revolt.

Modern Day June Cleaver

I slept unbelievably great last night, which I think was due to the cooler air coming in through our open window. I curled up in the cozy and didn't move (which is so rare for me since I'm a notorious thrasher in my sleep) so I woke up feeling great and ready to take on the day. (I love it when that happens!)

I had to realign myself several times when the pull of the computer took over (I'd find myself sitting in the computer chair wondering how I got there), but I'd made a list of things I wanted to get done today and I gave myself computer time as my reward at the end of it all (hence I'm finally posting at 9:34pm).

I listened to the final 2 hours of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" while I worked, and ended up feeling so in love with that book. We read it for book club a couple months ago, but I had rushed through it and hadn't savored the letters so I missed some of it. But listening to it was great, especially because there were different narrators for each of the characters, complete with their British, American and Scottish accents.


I spent the morning doing a thorough dusting and vacuuming (under couch cushions and such), cleaning the bathrooms, and putting out the Halloween decorations. I usually wait until the middle of October to start feeling fallish, but since I was moving everything to dust it seemed like a good time to set things out.


I wisely decided to make the cookie dough before mowing the lawn, because I knew I'd feel wiped out afterward and would talk myself out of making the cookies. Kristi called, so we chatted while I got all my ingredients out, then the mixing went quickly when our call was done.


I spent over an hour mowing the lawn and listened to "50 Success Classics" while I worked. I find mowing the lawn very enjoyable, especially when it's not too hot outside, but I was glad I'd made the cookie dough ahead of time because my gimpy foot was hurting a lot afterward and I know I wouldn't have wanted to stand in the kitchen for a long time.


The kids and their friends were so happy to come home to freshly baked cookies. I felt like June Cleaver as I handed them their warm cookies. Of course, I was NOT wearing a dress and pearls...more like track pants and a t-shirt with wet hair and no make-up on. Oh well.


I helped Whitney with her math homework (which is always testy for us). She seems to think I should explain the problems thoroughly enough that all she has to do is write the answer. She's got the wrong mother for that.


I finally put Larry & Dani's family photo in a frame on our photo wall (I've been meaning to do this for over a month).


I took Landon and Parker to flag football practice and helped coached. At one point I was playing Quarterback and after doing a hand-off, foolishly decided to run. The other coach threw the ball to me, I caught it and then took off running (probably not very fast) and literally saw stars as my gimpy foot strained. As I fell to the ground thoughts of being an invalid in Paris flashed before my eyes, but once again after standing up and stretching it a bit it felt strangely better, like I'd snapped something into place. I was so relieved! That was a close call.

Fall is coming! The mountains are turning orange!

Gifford came over for dinner tonight and Randy grilled some chicken and made some very tasty, spiced red potatoes. (We tried to have a better dinner than usual because Gifford was coming, maybe he should come more often.) He's living on quesadillas, so we couldn't very well serve him those even though that's on our menu quite often.


We taught Gifford how to play our no-name game using Skipbo cards, and Randy had a rare moment of glory by being the big winner.

We also had a surprise visit from the Elder's Quorum President and one of his counselors. I felt like such a champ being able to offer them freshly baked cookies while being surrounded by the smell of our good dinner. I told them they'd come on the right day because this sort of thing doesn't usually happen around here.


This is the first load of laundry Gifford has done in the month he has been at BYU! Can you imagine that? Look how tiny this pile is? Apparently he has a lot of clothes and a lot of underwear, so he can go for a long time without washing things, but still.

He fit all of his laundry into this tiny bag! Boys!?

**Do you sleep great when the weather gets colder?
Do you listen to music or books when you clean?
When was the last time you made cookies?
What does your "June Cleaver" uniform look like?
Can you imagine not washing clothes for a month?**

Comment Window Tidbit: Do you ever look in the mirror and frighten yourself? Why are some days better than others in this regard? I'm having a scary-looking day for sure.

Five for Friday--Halloween Edition

{Ann, Me & Betsy}

1. I reconnected with a good friend from high school this week; Ann is still good friends with Betsy, and talked to her last weekend after I left. She's been reading my blog (I'm not sure for how long) and decided to email me. It has been fun catching up with her through emails back and forth all week, plus she started her own blog! Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging Ann!

2. My mom, Lori and I went to Whitney's basketball game the other night (she's the only girl on the team) and experienced a most uncomfortable hour of bleacher sitting. Seriously, I'm going to need a tush-cush or something because it was grim.


It was nice having Lori and my mom there though to chat with, otherwise that would have been an even longer hour. Randy is helping coach her team (basketball is NOT my sport).


3. I'm loving the fall weather, even though it's not nearly as beautiful as the fall I experienced in Michigan last week, and have been trying to soak it up. I love seeing all the pumpkins on porches, the leaves falling from the trees, and the Halloween decorations around town.


Our pumpkins are not aging well. They've been carved for 11 days and are looking all kinds of scary because of the rot going on inside them...ew!


4. Last night was our last flag-football game of the season. Landon made a touchdown and we ended up with a 19-19 tie! We're both sad that football is over because we love it so much. The season was only 8 games long and I missed 2 of them while I was in Michigan so it went way too fast for me.


5. Landon and Whitney are both dressed like pirates for Halloween. I don't know how they decided on being the same thing (they never coordinate costumes) but it sure made things easy for us. Randy worked his magic this morning with pirate make-up, bandanna tying and belt placement; the kids were psyched! (Notice the pictures Whitney drew with the mustard on her bread.)

{Whitney's lunch sack}

I am in charge of Whitney's Halloween party at school this afternoon, then we're off to my Grandma Dot's house, then to Adam and Amy's house for trick-or-treating. Tomorrow we've got a basketball game and Whitney's baptism...it's a big weekend.

**How are your pumpkins holding up?
Do you suffer from bleacher butt?
What costumes are happening at your house?**

The Great Outdoors

Last night was our first flag football game of the season and it was a doozie. We've had 3 practices so far, but haven't had all the kids at all of the practices so some of them weren't real clear on what they were doing, plus the team we played was awesome. We lost 19-6, not that the score is the point of the game, but still.


Landon has improved tremendously since last year, so he has a better understanding of what he needs to do and has much more body control so he's good at running, catching and throwing. Woohoo! I'm so happy for him. (Remember last year when he would be fighting back tears when we practiced in the front yard together or when I posted about his eye of the newt style of playing?)


He played really well in this game, and could have done even better if he'd had more opportunities to get the ball (dang that coach for trying to let everyone have a turn, ha).


It was a seriously beautiful evening with a light breeze and a perfect temperature. I found myself consciously thinking "I love this air, I love this place, I'm thankful for this breeze."


I took generic statistics for the team again (like I did last year) as one of my assistant-coach duties. Apparently I enjoy holding a clipboard, and it will be nice to have a record of how each player did by the end of the season.


I snapped this self-portrait after the game and am thinking that all of the sudden I'm NOT aging very well. My forehead fissure seems more pronounced and my girth is expanding. I guess that's what happens when I haven't been gymalicious since May 5th! My gym actually went out of business this past week, so I've got to figure out a new plan.



In other news, Whitney brought the most random mix of things to occupy herself with during the game. She brought her tiger Leo, who was sporting a head scarf-type thing Whitney made out of a cut up pair of tights, a cape made from a cut off pair of fleece Jammie pants, 2 cups, a plastic spoon, 1 plastic door from a Barbie closet (could that be more random?), a sea shell and a clothespin...that's my girl! (I think it's also funny that she's wearing a skirt and a baseball hat.)

**Can you believe it's football season again?
Are you usually consciously
thankful for your surroundings?
How's your girth/regimen these days?
What do you think of Whitney's random items?**

Farewell to Football

{Picture taken on the field.}

Last night was our final flag football game of the season. The coach normally goes on the field when we're on offense so he can huddle with the kids and go over the play they need to run (Randy goes on the field for defense), but for this game he had me do it. It was so fun. I had gotten a little taste of it at the beginning of Tuesday's game when "the real coach" wasn't there, so I was ready for it. The kids did great, and it was cool to be right on the field behind the action, rather than taking stats on the sidelines.

The coach tried hard to make sure all the kids got a chance to score during the season, so even the nonstar players were able to make an extra point. As of last night Landon was the only kid who hadn't gotten a chance to score, so the goal was to give him that chance. The time just flew by and even though we were winning 18-0 Landon still hadn't gotten his chance. We were running out of time, and though several of the plays were meant for him it just didn't happen (the quarterback had to run). Poor Landon was very upset by this, and no matter how much we tried to explain that it wasn't his fault, he couldn't shake it.


After the game was over and we got together for our team cheer (usually Go Blue or something) the coach had us yell "Landon!" It was really sweet, but Landon was in tears talking to Randy so I don't even know if he heard it.


The coach ended up making certificates for all the kids, and included their stats (lovingly compiled by me all season) and then a personal note to each of them. I thought this was such a nice thing to do, so personal (the coach has 6 kids of his own so he was really fatherly with the kids). We also gave them a 5x7 copy of one of the pictures we took the other day (for some reason the city didn't do official team photos for football).

{click to enlarge}

Landon didn't read his certificate until he got home and ended up getting upset again as he read that he had scored an extra point. The coach was so sure Landon would get to score in this last game that he had printed it on there before hand. It was a nice thing to do, but ended up being salt in Landon's wound. I think the whole experience ended up being a good learning opportunity for him. He had a great time all season, met new friends, greatly improved skill-wise, and got to be a part of a team.


I'm sad the season is over. I really loved being a part of it, even though it meant being scheduled Tues, Wed, and Thursday of each week. I will definitely volunteer to be an assistant coach next year. Being hands-on is so much more fun than watching from my chair on the sidelines. Next up is basketball (not my favorite), luckily it doesn't start until January and I won't be helping to coach for that one.

Happy Birthday Barb!!
P.S. Jenn posted her caramel recipe!

**Did you play sports as a kid?
Do you think sports are a good way to learn life lessons?**