The New Year will be here soon. My goals this year will be:

• Appreciate my family more.
  
• To run more, race more, maybe do a 1/2 Marathon (hell, if I can do a Tri I can definately do a 1/2 Marathon) I need something to work for, do a bike race. Who knew that I would be my healthist at the young age of 41?????
  
• Go outside more.
  
• Be organized.
  
• Learn to throw things away, if I don't use it I don't need it.


• Live, Love, Laugh more.


• Camp more.


• Hike more.

These are all do-able goals that I am doing already I just want to do a little more. I am not going to make goals this year that realistically I know I will never do........

Went to the dentist yesterday with all of the kids. Chelsea and I came out with no cavities. I didn't even have tarter.....There is one bonus of not eating sugar......Speaking of no sugar, look what I have located and I am so excited about it I think I wet my pants a little....drum roll please?!?!?!

Yes, my friends this is SUGAR FREE 'Black' Licorice. I thank my father for my fondness of black licorice. Of course it will take me 6 weeks to eat this bag since my paranoia of gaining any sort of weight kicks in I only eat one every few days and I call it good. Now if I could find Sugar Free Willy Wonka candy my life will be utterly complete.

Where have I been?!?

I haven't blogged in forever!!!

The last 10 days have been busy and more busy!

Cody left us on 12/19/08 and our poor Cheyenne is not doing well without him.
Cheyenne has never been without Cody....

I have been so depressed and tried so hard to be happy for Christmas, but it just wasn't what I hoped for. Unfortunately, if mom isn't happy, no one is happy. Although, Christmas morning everyone was happy and pleased with what 'Santa' gave them.

I did get from Jason the following, it has lots of memory and I can load tons of movies. One very large problem.....I no longer have the internet at home to download the most recent ITunes version on my computer, so it is still sitting in the box looking pretty. I think I am feeling sorry for myself......or getting the winter blues....I like winter though....? What is up with that?

Friday, Friday, Friday, my friend Friday!

We went to my work Christmas party last night at the Downtown Marriott (go figure). It was a lot of fun, it would have been funner if the beer was free, for Jason's sake anyway. We have Jason's Christmas party tonight at the Hotel Monaco, this one should be fun, it is a nice hotel as well. http://www.monaco-saltlakecity.com/?WT.mc_n=MonacoSLC_Google_NAME&WT.mc_t=Hotel_PPC&WT.srch=1

This week has been crazy, by the end of today I will have worked 55 hours.....

Isaac is sick again...came home early from school yesterday and threw up three times.

I put together 60 gifts for the kids in Clarice's and Isaac's school class last night before the party.

AND...last but not least ~

Cody hasn't eaten in three days.....I will miss that bear, my Cody Bear....They always treat us better than we treat them.....We will spend our last day with him today and make a great memorial for him in the back yard. Jason and I will plant one of our favorite trees there.

(This picture was taken last weekend)

Breaking and Entering....

Yesterday, my father called me from Denver stating that he turned off the heat to the basement and wanted me to go turn it on so his pipes wouldn't freeze. PROBLEM: I have a key to the front door, that isn't the problem....the problem was......he locked the storm-door and I DO NOT have a key to that door....he actaully asked Jason and I to go around to all the windows and try and break in, yes, he asked me to break in. When I was younger I tried to get out, now I am trying to get in......WTH? After large amounts of trying, and three different screw drivers we were able to get it, and you know what? The heat was ON in the WHOLE house, their house was warmer than mine. Jason and I sat outside in 24 degree wheather for 1/2 hour to break into a warm house. My fear was that someone would call the police and we would end up being arrested for breaking and entering to my own parents home......Merry Christmas....send my gifts in care of the County Jail. I still have a few questions though.....Why do you lock the storm door when you know that NO ONE can get in if there is a problem while you are gone in the middle of winter? Also, why do you put pipes in every sliding door and window of your house? Are you trying to keep people in, or out? Okay after all is said and done it was really funny. I call him from inside his house and I tell him the heat is on, and he says, really? I don't remember turning it on, I love you dad, really I do, it is funny. Thank goodness Jason is a very handy man.

Snowflakes and a Rolls of Nickles

When I was growing up every Christams my grandma Holbrook would give us each a roll of Nickles and a handmade Doilie (I'm sure I spelled that wrong). The whole way home I would complain and whine. You know what, I want my Doilie. My grandma has been gone for 16 years, and I really miss those doilies. I'm sorry grandma for not being thankful, I really cherish them now. I miss walking into your home Christmas morning and you giving us all that hugh smile. You may not have always remembered our names but you were always happy to see us. Merry Christmas Grandma, I miss you.

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought ofsomething he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

~Dr. Seuss

Chelsea, it is your 17th Birthday.....I love you tons.....I hope you have a wonderful day today! You are the sunshine of my life.

I went to the 2 day Toys R Us sale this morning,
here are a few things that I completely scored on.........
I am so excited to play with this myself,
it stands almost three feet tall.




Christmas for the kids is done....

Reasons Why Jared isn't as Entertaining as Ember:

• He won't pretend to like my sugar free candy, he says it leaves a waxy film in his mouth. Maybe I can put a wick in it? Oh the possibilities.
  
• My nag-o-meter is constantly on High, yes I have a nag-o-meter created just for me, I am somewhat proud of it.
  
• He doesn't like the Native American name I gave him, 'Squatting Calve', he said his dad was 'Sitting Bull', process of deduction would mean that he is 'Squatting Calve'. Geeze, some people are so sensitive, he is now 15% gay. Ember would like it.....
  
• He won't come over to chat because I don't have REAL food in my 'pantry', what? Who doesn't like Saltine Crackers and Apple Chips? Please don't answer that one, I feel stupider just saying it, and lost 8 brain cells.
  
• He says since Ember is gone that I have to run his errands, I don't cave to Jared pressure, and I am not interested in being the Bank of Feliece.
  
• He gives me a big disgusting sigh when I walk in his office like, 'for the love is it YOU again?'
  
• He doesn't care for my stories about the kids......damn boys.....
  
• 3 people have asked me if Jared will ever reach the age of 6.
  
• He told me I am much more aggressive when Ember isn't around.....screw you bastard.....he he he...I guess he has a point, but I won't tell him he is right.
  
• He keeps giving me demerits, I feel like I am going to have to send a progress report home to my parents to sign.
  
• He is telling me to go talk to the 'Nose Picker', this is where I am going to have to draw the line or the booger, you 'pick'........he he he.....damn I kill myself...I am so funny....!!
  
• He is a dumb ass, okay maybe only 63%.....

Waves of Distruction......

Dear Diary: Day three, yes day three already! The weather in Hawaii yesterday was suppose to be horrible.....HA HA HA....(picture me wrenching my hands together and head tilted back laughing). Wave warnings are below.........directly from the weather service. (Ember you know I am just kidding, I do feel a little bad you can't really play in the water, I only say this becuase I know Ember will kick my ass when she gets back)

SURF HEIGHTS ALONG NORTH FACING SHORES WILL RISE TO ADVISORYLEVELS OF 10 TO 15 FEET LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND WARNING LEVELS OF20 TO 25 FEET EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.SURF HEIGHTS ALONG WEST FACING SHORES WILL RISE TO 8 TO 12 FEETLATE THIS AFTERNOON AND WARNING LEVELS OF 15 TO 20 FEET EARLYTHURSDAY MORNING.A HIGH SURF WARNING INDICATES THAT DANGEROUS...BATTERING WAVEWILL POUND THE SHORELINE. THIS WILL RESULT IN VERY DANGEROUSSWIMMING CONDITIONS...AND DEADLY RIP CURRENTS.

Chelsea is on her birthday countdown......okay really she has been since June. It is 6 days away until her 17th birthday and on her official birthday week.......the week where she does nothing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY week.......

How cute is this?

www.sassafras.typepad.com

The 'Soul' of Me....

Well, as everyone knows I am Collective Soul's biggest fan, okay maybe not the 'biggest' fan to the point where I stalk them or send them my underwear, nothing creepy like that. They are re-releasing this CD with three new songs on it AND a free one year membership to their fan club.....I know, I know, you are currently asking yourselves, 'how old is she', age is irrelevant.....he he he I already have the CD but wouldn't it be worth it to see Ed and his brother Dean sing? Well DUH? *****Hilary, no comment from you about the elevator....

Day Two:

Dear Diary:

It is day two without Ember and things have already gone awry. As I rolled out of bed this morning both legs had charlie horses in them (not the one with four legs that you ride on, that would be odd, the ones that make you feel like you are going to kill yourself if they don't go away, I want the pretty horses instead). At least I could smell coffee, oh coffee, my hot, dark, friend. Yesterday wasn't the same without Ember to laugh at my jokes.......Jared just rolls his eyes at me and pretends to be amused. I thought of changing her reservation to 'Handicap accessible' he he he.....As Ember sits on the beach today maybe she will get stung by a jellyfish.....I hear if you pee on it the pain will go away and stop the swelling.....I can picture Ty right now peeing on Ember......visual, very funny visual. Evil, I am so evil..... Truly, I am just jealous that Ember is in Hawaii and I am not. Current weather in Hawaii is 73......you suck Ember.....



I went to the RS Christmas dinner last night and it was a lot of fun. When I got home the house looked like a cyclone had hit it, the kids were still up, and for dinner they made themselves toast. I asked Jason what he had done all night and he said, 'I have sat here all night and played my DS', in shock, I say 'REALLY' I never would have known. Than he looks at me and says, 'are you angry', well of course not, why would I be angry? Oh well......welcome to my world.....I would bitch more but my family would just ask if I was going to start me period. Can I get a 'Do Over' button?

Hilary, we should make these, they are really stinkin' cute! Okay if necessary you can watch me make them..... Love you little sis of mine.....

Dear Diary: It is day one at work without Ember.....what kind of friend goes to Hawaii for 10 days and leaves you at work. Well it's oaky, I will find away to get back at her......I did call her son and gave him a list of things to do in Hawaii that Ember DID NOT want to do....he he he....evil, I am evil. I told him that he should make his mom take him to see the currently erupting volcano (which is on a completely different island than where they are staying), Ember take your CC you will need it. Weather in Hawaii currently is as follows:

64°F
Current: ClearWind: E at 2 mphHumidity: 73%
Tue79°F 61°F
Wed79°F 63°F
Thu79°F 63°F
Fri79°F 61°F

View of the hotel, note that it is a private beach.

Thanksgiving

On the eve of Thanksgiving I reflect on a few things I am greatful for:

• Kids/Grandkids
• Husband and soulmate, the man I want to grow old with.
• Mom and Dad - a few of my true heroes.
• Health
• Not having to shop on Black Friday, if I need it that bad I will pay the extra $20 for it.
• Having a job.....and my husband having a job.
• Food on table, whether my kids like it or not.

Please know I am thankful for everything God gives me and my family, each piece he has hand picked for me. Sometimes I don't understand why, but it always results in me learning some life lesson I would other wise have missed.

The Killers....Another Favorite

The much awaited, and SOOOOO excited to have:

It came out yesterday and I have been waiting months for it. I am pleasantly surprised with the CD and delighted.........Oh, by the way, they still aren't as great as Collective Soul.... he he he..... :~)

Remember why.....

34

This is how many days are left until Christmas.

What happened to the Christmas's of my youth? The ones where I woke up Christmas morning to a handmade doll house with the cutest dang furniture, each one was made out of cardboard, I was sooooo excited. When I grew up my parents didn't have a lot of money but still made our Christmas's the best they could. My mother had strung Christmas lights throughout the house. This must have taken my mother hours and hours to make thinking of me with each piece of furniture she painstakiningly made. I hope she knows how much I loved that house.

What happened to those days when it didn't matter the amount of money spent? Do we really need to buy a $5000 ring, or a $25,000 car to prove our love? Now when I make things I feel guilty giving them, why? I made that with my hands and heart. Please know that if anyone makes me a gift I cherish that, I want to know that you thought about what you made me. Isn't that what giving is really about? From your heart.........

When I wake up Christmas morning I want the following:

• Handmade pottery made by my five year old.
• A beautiful framed picture drawn by my daughters.
• A loving note of appreciation telling me how much someone loves me.
• My husband to look me in my eyes and thank me for being a wonderful wife and mother.
• Lots of smiles of surprise from my family.
• One of those great handmade coupon books that you never use but keep forever.
• To remember, remember WHY we have this day, the birth of our almighty Lord. He wouldn't expect me to mortgage my house to tell Him I love Him.

Black Adder.......WTH????

My sweet Husband has only asked for the following one thing for Christmas. I can honestly say that I have never seen this show before so the jury is out on whether it be worth the $99.95 they are asking. Yes folks, you too can own this for the low, low, price of $99.95. The best part of the whole thing is that Jason really never asks for anything and the one thing he does ask for I would have never bought on my own, the Black Adder, what the hell,

and I keep calling it the Madd Hatter?

I mentioned over the weekend how nice it would be to get new pans so I could throw all my crappy ones away, he is learning so quickly, he says, 'those would be nice but a horrible gift'.....it did make me smile.

Smarty Pants......

Proud Mama:

I went to parent teacher conference for Clarice yesterday and it was all 'Rainbows and Unicorns' so to speak. The teacher had nothing to address with us, she wanted to check with us first and make sure it was okay if she put Clarice, as well as three others, into an accelerated math and reading group.

We really struggled with Clarice the first couple of years she was in school, and now look at my girl.......smarty pants.....!

Jason and I went to Isaac's parent teacher conference this morning....kindergarten.....awwwwhhh, to be in kindergarten again, cookies, crayons, and recess, who could ask for more? Isaac's teacher says he is friends with everyone, he has a problem with not raising his hand and telling everyone the answer........he he he.......smarty pants number two!

My little Chelsea....honor role Chelsea....she is working so hard to get as many college courses under her belt as possible in High School, she wants to be a nurse.....smarty pants #3.
Last but not least.................my sweet Ashlee, beautiful daughter on her 2nd birthday! Grandma - ME - took Shylie to Build a Bear......smarty pants #4.

My TWO Men.....

Isaac was VIP in his class last week.

• Special poster made just for him, by me.
• Show and Tell all week.
• First in line for EVERYTHING.
• Teachers special helper.
• AND I get to come on Friday, explain his poster and hand out his favorite treat.

Jason's sister sketched this picture of him, she is so talented, AND she does this just for fun.

You love me.......

I received this card in the mail yesterday.......So cute I can't even tell you, the pictures do no justice to it at all. But here you go.....

Sides fold in as well as the top and bottom of the card to fit neatly in the hand made envelop.

Christmas

I am famous for starting my Christmas shopping in July. I can honestly say that I have just 3 or 4 more items to buy and I am completely done. I have vowed not to put myself in dept to get things for Christmas. SO, on that note, why is it that the older the kids get the more their gifts cost. I see these rediculous advertisments about if you loved your wife you should buy a $10,000 dollar ring or if you loved your husband surprise him with a $40,000 car.......WTF?!?!? Where is the spirit that we should all remember? I am delighted to get a homemade gift, I know what kind of thought went into making it just for me.


Well here are a few things that my kids want for Christmas......

Halloween with the kids and grandkids.......

Love of my Life....

For all of my issues you love me still. I love you.

(Don't get me wrong, he has his own issues)

Deep thought of the Day: Life is all about how you handle PLAN B.

What I Work with and LOVE it....

This all stemed from a conversation that we had with Jared that he couldn't rhyme worth crap. About a couple of hours later we get thisI love my job.....

My name’s Feliece and I’m here to say,
I like to do accounting in a very big way.

I waz sitting in the office of the big boss Liz,
When it sudd’nly sorta struck me that I had to take a wiz.

She was right in the middle of goin’ over stuff,
And I said to myself lady this is gonna be rough.

I couldn’t just leave ‘cause she’ll be all “Wha?
That Feleice ain’t no good, it’s time to fire her.”

(Damn, I had a really good one here, but Tina started talking to me and I lost it….shit.)

I was sitting in my chair and really startin’ to sweat,
If I don’t get out soon my pants is gonna be all wet.

Suddenly it struck me and I knew just what to do,
I’ll lay out a big fart and she’ll think “This girl’s gotta poo!

I don’t want her in here if she’s smellin’ up my air,
I’m gonna let her go and get her outta my hair.”

I got my cheeks all ready to let out a squeeker,
(I had to move fast before it got any bleaker.)

I had one all ready and so I let it fly,
Oh no, girl – that one didn’t come out dry!

And so I have to let out one of my old familiar rants
I thought I had to fart but instead I shit my pants!

Ember and I were laughing so hard I thought we were going to wet our pants.

60's it is.....

Chelsea went to her dance on Saturday.

It was a 60's theme....

I made vests, which turned out pretty cute.

Nothing fancy because I knew it would only be used once.

Chelsea has some of the best friends ever and most of them are guys. They love to hang out with her and she loves to hang out with them. They are good kids and I am so glad she has them.

(I will blog the pictures from the dance when I get them)

Big Sis' Birthday

Happy Birthday Noey! Big sister of mine!

Happy Birthday to you.....I love you tons!

Noele, Mom, Hilary, and me.

Not quite sure about this one....I am at a stupor (And don't even go there)

Zion's Camping Trip...

I bought a new camera, my favorite kind, pink and cheap.

Are we there yet?!?

They actually look like they are having fun here.... Really hot and longer than they thought it would be.....

Don't ask......I am truly not sure...

Nice hair baby, nice hair.....

Sarah and Troy, notice Isaac isn't there, he was angry at me, that will explain the picture below.

I can see you.....!

I am a little scared......still hasn't brushed his hair.

I guess that smiling would be out of the question!!

Can you tell they are family?????

Jason's sister LeAnn and her husband Neil.
The trip was fun, not long enough, and way too many people
there for how I like to camp, but really fun.

Part 2: Hilary's Birthday photos..

Porter, Hilary, and Sidney....
I think that I am going to be sick.....

Nothing, I got nothing.....

Hilary, MOM, and Me....