Who is Beautiful? or Weebles Wobble But They Don't Fall Down

Someone started a status chain on facebook today.
And I was just bored enough to eagerly respond.
It said:

It's DOPPLEGANGER WEEK! During this week, change your profile picture to someone famous (actor / musician / athlete) you have been told you look like....

and so I posted this.

 

I added this line myself to the end of it.
(I WISH!! But that is what someone said....I now question their sanity/sobriety)

There have been two people who have recently said that I resemble her.

I swear....they did....and I am willing to take a polygraph test to prove it.

I almost chickened out because I did not want to compare myself to such an icon of beauty when I felt more like I looked like this:

I suddenly began to question if I should even participate in this ultra cool face book game.

What if people made fun of me and said,

"Oh how sad that she thinks that" or

"Wow she thinks pretty highly of herself" or

"Boy has she lost touch with reality" or the worst

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA snort snort chortle chortle"

As soon as I had posted it I wanted to take it down.

Not risk the possibility of public humiliation

Incredulousness

Rejection.

My grandma always told me,

"Pretty is as pretty does"

And I have tried to live by that credo.

I have taught my children those words

and I hope that they replay over and over

in their heads as it does in mine.

Why as women do we question our beauty?

I believe it is a learned behavior.

and here is why I think that....

(The following humiliating story is true and actually did indeed happen. The names have been changed to protect the guilty party.)

Once upon a time there was a girl named Shell SuzyQ and she had two friends. Now these two friends were great fun and sweet girls but they were not as pretty as SuzyQ (or at least SuzyQ thought). One day they were all three in the bathroom at church looking in the mirror. SuzyQ used this opportunity to test out her theory by standing in between then and looking into the mirror asking, "Who do you think is the prettiest between the three of us? They both agreed, "You are SuzyQ!"  SuzyQ in her mind simply thought to herself.......I knew it.

The End

Moral of the story: Believe in yourself and your own beauty but keep your mouth shut about it or you will someday resemble a Weeble.

And to you my reader...

I see you....

And you ARE beautiful.

 

Shame on me...2009 part 2.

Sorry teacher....
I didn't finish my homework in time.
My dog ate my brain..no wait that would be the perimenopause.
Can I turn it in late?
Thanks for grading on a curve.

2009 continued.........
JULY

The month of July brought our family trip. We called it out Hillbilly Hoedown. We went to Memphis, Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and all stops in between. I wasn't even sure if we would do a trip. You see with only one chick in the nest I wasn't sure that our annual tradition of a road trip would even feel right. Oh boy I am glad that we decided to go ahead. I took 707 pictures of the trip...some amazing shots if I do say so myself but do you know why I picked this one? Quite simply because this was the best part of the trip. Spending time with my daughter. Cherishing every minute that she is still in the nest. Talking to her, laughing with her, playing silly car games, watching her sleep in the car...and this picture....texting boys as we crossed state after state....grateful for the beautiful young woman she has become but remembering the sweet baby she will always be in my heart. I love you peanut.

AUGUST

My toenail fell off....
It was an omen of things to come
Healthwise that is....
Oh yea and my birthday.
I turned.....
Yeah right like i would tell you my age.
Geezz have some respect will ya
I am starting to decay from the bottom up.

SEPTEMBER

I was able to attend my nephew's beautiful wedding in Salt Lake City and enjoy being reunited with my 3 siblings. parents and Raar and Ninja. It was a rocking good party and I got to play photographer. Found out that wedding photography is too hard. Decided to stick with portrait and outdoor stuff. Still had so much fun capturing special moments like this on the big day.
Oh yea,
Elder Nerent hit his one year mark and so did I.

I dare you to find a prouder mother....
I double dog dare you.

OCTOBER

Oh Halloween Oh Halloween
Thou art my favorite holiday,
No gifts to wrap, no carols to sing
No extra work to slave away.
Only witches, pumpkins and spooks galore
And candy purchased from the store,
And if I wake up and look real bad
I can say it is the only costume that I had.


NOVEMBER

Just one of the many things I was thankful for in November.

DECEMBER

And no year would be complete without a picture of family.  Although this isn't everyone it is a symbol...

A small portion of the people that make me complete...

Some in Utah

and Texas

and in places outside both the country and my comfort zone....

but always close

in my heart.

Thanks for letting me do a little 2009 show and tell....

You really are good company.

Here's to 2010 and all the blessings it brings.

2009 was mighty fine.....A pictorial look back.

This is a picture of me on the first day of the year taken with my Christmas gift lap top from the handsome Mr. T.

Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...
And since I have a severe cramp in my blogging brain...
I am going to steal my bloggy friend Kristin's idea to review highlights of the year through pictures.
Kristin is the sweetest person I have never met.
If blogging does nothing more than connect me to people like her then ...done!
Go say hi to her at alpinekleinbunch.blogspot.com.
Tell her Shelley sent you ;)
So with her permission or possible forgiveness....here goes

JANUARY

No doubt about it this was one of the best days of 2009
Ninja and Raar were sealed for time and all eternity.
It was simply an amazing day.


FEBRUARY

Flowers from my boyfriend who on Valentines Day 26 years ago asked me to be his girlfriend....for forever.

MARCH

I received an email with the subject line, "Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ" and this picture attached. It made my heart skip a beat and tears fill my eyes.

APRIL

 

New Easter dresses and the proud parents of a BYU graduate.  April was filled with beautiful things.

MAY

My Moms 75th Birthday...she is serving a mission here in the Houston Texas South Mission and we surprised her with roses and lunch. Doesn't she look great!


JUNE

My sister Precious and her daughter Miss Leesie came to pay a visit to the lone star state. We had so much fun with some much needed girls time. The highlight was our day in Galveston. The weather was beautiful second only to the beauty of our girls. What proud mama bears we were. There is just nothing like having a sister.

Boy I am kinda tired from traveling down memory lane.
I will have to finish out the year tomorrow.
So dear readers...
I bid you adieu
Thanks for being such a wonderful traveling companion.

The Last of the Unicorns

I had a little surgical procedure on my head.
I had two cysts cut out of my scalp.
One was tender and painful if pressure was applied.
The other was just....well.....visible.
And that was not a good thing.
(You can see it in this picture. It's the bump in the middle of my hairline.)
My mom said that I looked like a unicorn.
Oh silly Mom....no one wants to be compared to a unicorn.
Do you?
It had been removed already three times before only to have grown back.
Do you want to know what my biggest concern over this removal of these bumps?
Was it the pain and discomfort?
Nah I have given birth to three children, had kidney stones, and gall stones.
Was it the risk of infection at site of the stitches?
Nope I don't usually think about those kinda things until they happen.
Was it my hair?
BINGO!
What would they do to make incisions. Would they shave a patch of hair...Would they cut my hair?
How much did they need to cut?
One of the cysts was on the back of my head. How would I even know what they were doing back there?
I practiced several times during the week....pinning it back in all directions...
estimating how much would have to be sacrificed to the knife......what worked better; bobby pins vs. barrettes...
would there be enough hair to cover the bald spot....
and which was worse...
a bald spot
or
a unicorn horn.
I know that it sounds kinda silly since hair grows back, but the closer the time came to have it done the bigger
it seemed to loom.
Finally I found myself sitting in the doctors office with my hair barretted and bobby pinned in every direction
waiting for the inevitable bad haircut.
I flinched a little with every nurse that came in asking...
"Are you the one that will be cutting or shaving my hair?"
The doctor would be the one to do that
When the doctor walked in, I sheepishly asked him if he minded all of the clips and pins in my hair.
He loved it!
He said that he had never seen anyone do that and that it would greatly help him in his work.
I layed face down on the table dreading the sounds that would signify the snipping of scissors on hair.
I could do this....just keep  telling yourself....no more horn.
After about an hour it was done.  
And when he had  finished he said,
"Because you did such a great job pinning back all of your hair, I didn't even have to cut a single strand."
I felt so proud and clever.
Maybe it wasn't a horn after all...maybe it was just extra smarts.
Or maybe unicorns are genius'
If it grows back again....I might just accept that I am just...well.....
special.
And the world could use more unicorns.

No joke...egg yolk!

I heard on the news this morning that one of the fastest growing epidemics facing the United States is obesity.
And the area that wins the distinction of the very worst (or very best if you look at it as number one is a winner winner chicken dinner) is......
The Smoky Mountain region,
Home of Dolly Pardon.
I visited there this summer and I do have to say that I felt rather comfortable.
I remarked to my husband as we traipsed through Dollywood that I did feel tinier than the bulk (no pun intended) of the people.
It was a satisfying conclusion as I nibbled on my foot long corn dog with fresh cut and fried shoestring potatoes which were peeled right in front of me. (that was their selling point for me.)
The problem is I cannot just live in Dollywood.
Dolly herself once had a weight problem that she has conquered. She is a tiny little thing now. She said that she leaves half of her food for the angels as their portion. My angels must have felt downright starved up until now.
But I have turned over a new leaf.
Well it is an old leaf that was carelessly tossed aside and kicked to the curb.
I joined the YMCA.
I am riding a recumbent bike 5 days a week.
Me and all of the other people over the age of 70. (but that is a blog for another day.)
And I am working on giving the angel's more of their fare share.
Wish me luck.

Side note: Every worker in Dollywood is over the age of 70. I have NEVER seen so many gainfully employed senior citizens in all of my life. As I waited in line at the corn dog shack I observed 5 senior citizens crammed into a space elbow to dry elbow no larger than my spare bathroom, sweating and peeling and frying. They did not appear happy. I told Mr. T that there had to be something better than this for our elderly friends. And I found out there is. Down the path from the corn dog hut was the Sweet shoppe. It was air conditioned and the employees toughest task was to sort the salt water taffy. That is where you want to be when you work in Dollywood. The corn dog shack must be where you are sent to be punished.

Warning: This post starts out sad but ends with gratitude

I told myself I wouldn't do it!
I agreed with myself that there would be no more
Poor me, I miss my son posts
Or it's hard to be a mother of a missionary.
Wah Wah somebody call the "Wah"mbulance.
Sorry.
But it kinda ends with a moral of sorts.
So you make the call.
You can continue to read
or
just push the little red x in the box in your upper right hand corner.
So I guess you decided to stay.
I waited for my email this morning that comes
every monday from Central America.
Guatemala to be exact.
I had some troubling feelings the day before that I kept shrugging off.
But to be honest I am prone to my spidey sense tingling too often anyway.
This time I was right on the money.
He is sick
He has fever.
No parasite but I think fever bothers me more than parasites.
He was made a zone leader a few weeks ago and was describing how it was a lot more work,
but that he loved it
was humbled by it.
I think he may have overdone it a little.
Of course my mind races...
Typhoid
Dengue Fever
Infection
Quiet down mind....Fear is my enemy....I will not give in.
Too late.
So I did what I had decided I should do when I get like this
Keep busy.
I went with my Peanut to work out at the gym.
I had promised myself that I would do that everyday.
For myself
and my husband and kids.
I then spent the rest of the day with my daughter.
Luckily she was in a talkative mood.
She talked about everything...school, boys, exercise, college, doubt, testimony, family, food, friends.
I listened and listened and listened
and thanked my lucky stars that I had that time with her to talk about
everything and nothing
and hug her tightly.
I will do that with my Elder again too.
only it will not be filled with talking.
It might be playing a video game or looking at the pictures from Guatemala
or shopping for the latest technology or just being in the same room
But you can bet on one thing.
There will be hugging!
Thanks for not clicking the x in the red box.
Thanks for listening.

The Up side of Aging

I was not always the wife that I am now.
Not that I am a perfect wife now but like expensive wines and cheese I think I have improved with age.
At least when it comes to football.
Have I told you that Mr. T loves college football?
I could probably list on one hand the things that Mr. T LOVES...
I feel confident that I am high on that list,
but football definitely comes pretty closely behind.
He was a great player in high school and was offered a scholarship to BYU
where we met as freshmen.
He gave it up when after returning from his mission,
He married me.
And we went to Houston to live.
When we were first married I admit to being a little jealous of the time and attention he gave to his beloved football.
I was jealous of anything that took his attention off of me.
School, Work, church,
and football.
He bought season tickets every year to the U of H cougars.
Most seasons they....for lack of a better word....stunk!
That didn't matter.
He was a true loyal fan.
I started to resent this love a little less when he started the tradition of taking the two oldest children with him to the games,
Leaving me with only one child which seemed like a vacation.
He didn't have to do that and I am sure there were times at the stadium that he wished he hadn't.
But he never complained.
Even when they accidently flung a cheese covered jalapeno at a burly man a few rows down.
(That is one of their favorite U of H game memories. It still makes them laugh)
Then he started taking all three.
Unfortunately none of them really developed or shared the love of football that their Dad has,
but I know they treasure the memories of a Dad who shared his time with them.
Now that they are grown there is an empty place to fill.
(Did I mention that I do NOT like watching sports or large crowds)
Now here is the miracle of aging.....
I love this U of H man so much
That I now accompany him to his beloved Cougar games.
And when around April or May and he begins his countdown with an enormous smile on his face.
"14 more weeks until football season"
I must admit that I smile too.
How can you dislike something that makes someone you love so much, so flippin happy?
I know I can't.
Also I figured out a way to combine our interests. He watches and yells and cheers and I take pictures....
A true match made in heaven.

Anemia....I kinda miss it.

This is the face of anemia.
Sonic Ice....purchased two bags at a time
I couldn't get enough of it.....
I was up to 6 bags a week
10 pounds each.
Chew Chew Crunch Crunch
Scandalous!
It's a condition called pica and is a symptom of anemia
along with extreme fatigue.
Worry not dear readers.... I am being treated.
After being finally correctly diagnosed with anemia and taking iron three times a day
I am cured or at least on my way.
I do have more energy....much more energy
And I think that I am definitely happier
But.....
I kinda miss it.
There were some benefits that I never realized until now.
1. Loss of appetite.....I was never hungry. I never felt like I needed to eat. I could fast on Sundays with the best of them and piously feel superior.
2. No mosquito bites.....In the three years I calculate that I was pretty anemic I never had one mosquito bite. Isn't that amazing. The mosquitos are big enough down here to saddle up and ride and I went bite free while my husband was attacked and sucked dry. They must be smarter than they look. They knew before I did that my blood was not quality stuff. I guess they took one sniff and decided that I wasn't worth. Mr. T on the other hand.....yum yum.
I now bear the scars of multiple bites on my legs and feet. Bzzz Bzzz mosquito buddies, iron rich blood ...come and get it!
3. I miss my ice.
It was something that I knew that I really really wanted....every day.....from the first moment of waking up to the last moment before I slept. Sometimes bedtime was dictated solely based on when I finished my last cup of ice. I could not let a single pellet go to waste. I wanted ice and I had ice of the finest kind....Sonic ice and I made sure that there was always a weeks supply. I very simply LOVED ice. And a few weeks after taking the iron it was like a switch being flipped.
I no longer felt the love and desire for the ice.
It was like that crush you had on a boy that ruled your thoughts and your world until that one day.....you finally kissed and.......
Nothing.
The feelings were gone.
And there was an empty place.
A hole
where the ice used to be.
I am sure that with my newfound appetite and my recent stirrings of energy I will find a replacement.
But for now
I will remember the "good times"
and
scratch scratch
keep applying the benadryl lotion

Merry Christmas Son! Love, Mom

This isn't a great picture but tonight it tugs at my heart more than I would like to admit.
It is my son.
He walked right in front of the camera as I was trying to capture a picture of our annual tradition of giving the Elder's in our ward a basket of Christmas gifts, just little fun things and treats.
I was probably perturbed at the time but what I wouldn't give..........
Tonight was tough.
I guess I should have been merry or bright but I wasn't.
Tears rimmed my eyes more than once.
I prepared my missionary son's box of Christmas cheer to get it in the mail tomorrow. I know it seems early but to make sure that it gets to Guatemala on time it has to be done ASAP.
In fact other Guat moms are already finished with their boxes and they are in the mail.
I had been collecting little things here and there the last few weeks.
But I had procrastinated the final preparations, the final touches.
Now it was time to put it all in a flat rate mailing box that seems like it gets smaller every time I use them.
I fought back tears as I wrapped each present with brightly colored paper.
Would perhaps a little Christmas music help?
No
No more noise.
My thoughts are enough noise.
I miss him too much right now.
I stuff and jam the offerings into the box.
The gifts seem silly now and too utilitarian. Who wants to get dress socks for Christmas? A tie? Whoppee! Merry Christmas?
I write a card to enclose in the package. I have nothing new to say. How many times can you say how proud you are and how much you love someone before it sounds too repetitious. But I do.......more than I can express with words.
And so I shed a few tears
As try to fit it all in like a puzzle that has too many pieces.
I will feel a little sorry for myself as I tape the box over and over as it threatens to burst at the seams.
I am bursting at the seams too.

I will feel differently on Christmas morning.
I will remind myself that my son is giving the greatest gift that he can give the Savior on his birthday.
He is following His admonition to "Feed my sheep" with all his might, mind, heart, and strength.
I will pray that as he opens up his silly utilitarian gifts that he will feel just how much he is loved.
And I will wait for the greatest gift
That I can recieve
The sound of his voice.
I can hardly wait.

Scrapping A Friendship

My friend B.C. and I like to scrapbook.
Well scrapbook is a strong word....let me rephrase that a little.
We like to buy scrapbook stuff and containers to organize it and then sit and talk and play around with our stuff.
We have a standing appointment to accomplish this every Tuesday,
Except B.C. has been A.W.O.L. for a month now.
I miss it.
But as you can see it would be hard to say that anything of real scrapbooking substance really gets accomplished.
Here is a picture of what we produced the last time we got together (over a month ago!)
We make what appeals to us.
I would hate to have to actually put any of this together on a page and make sense of it all.
I mean can you imagine the fluffy yellow chick next to the symbol for nuclear waste?
Or the Christmas holly next to the skull with the bullet hole and the pool of blood....Merry Christmas children.
I know that the grenade, the fuzzy dice and the buffalo could work if put together someday.
That being said, I like our stuff.
It is a strange representation of both our lives and personalities......it is deep,
Like our friendship.
And oh the conversations that were had while these beauties were made....
Well that is top secret.
What is your favorite?.....Do tell.
(Mine favorite is a tie between the grenade and the cups of soda with the straws.
Cmon tell me which one you would pick.

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

Do you believe in ghosts?
I am not sure if I do or not.
But I like to tell ghost stories anyway.
One of the best places to tell them are at Girl's Camp.
Which I do.
We had a hay ride at night where we would go past an old abandoned shack.
Which held the remnants of many years of neglect.
Old shoes, old newspapers, rusty tin cans, debris of all sorts.
I told the ladies that I worked with that it was haunted.
and that we should use it in our spooky hay ride stories.
I took them to check it out and happened to bring my camera.
Now I take pictures ALL of the time....
(just ask my children)
and I have had some interesting shadows and light refractions on the photos but this one
I still cannot explain.
I show you a series of pictures.
The first one was taken right before the shack
the next two
at the haunted shack
the last one right after when we went inside.
For you skeptics...no it was not due to changes in temperature or condensation on the lens.
There was no change in temperature. It was always hot at girls camp.
I did not change any settings.
I did not alter the photos in anyway when they were loaded on my computer.
This is just what was captured or whom was captured with the click of the button.
Believe it or not.
Happy Halloween!