YEAH for ME!

I'm on day 14 of 21 on my "cleanse" program. It's been an effort to naturally heal my ulcers without going back on another round of steroids. The alternative to trying this natural route was ramp up to the next medication and be done having kids. YIKES!

This weekend marked a huge personal victory for me! For a whole 2 1/2 days now I've been symptom free of ulcers!!! This is the first time EVER in 9 years to do this without steroids and all their side effects. A really HUGE deal for me!!! Monumental, really and I had to make a few shout-out calls to celebrate and let others bask in my sheer joy! Being symptom free opens up so many possibilities in my daily life, it's hard to express. YEAH FOR ME!!!

The diet has had its ups and downs but the high points far outweigh the hard times. I've realized my greatest motivator for sticking with the diet in those really tempting moments hasn't been my health, having more kids - but the fact that I PAID a significant amount of money to do this cleanse diet. Hmmm . . . very enlightening!

This past week was wonderful diet-wise because I was able to add lean meats and eggs! Hurray, some flavor finally! The first week was just the protein shakes and fresh fruits and veggies. I'm so grateful to my new doctor who talked me through a rough weekend when things weren't looking so good! She ROCKS!

Aloe Life juice seems to have been instrumental in my turn around. Just as Aloe helps soothe skin after a bad sunburn, it helps heal bodies internally as well! Who knew?

The greatest benefit of this diet has been stable, sustainable levels of energy each day. It's been remarkable! Not being hungry between meals is a great bonus as I learn the right amounts of good fats, proteins and carbs that will satiate me til the next meal. And to tell the truth, loosing a bit of weight wasn't all that bad either!

I've realized that as a high school athlete, I developed a warped sense of what foods to load up on each day. I haven't been an athlete in quite some time, so some big changes are way overdue!

I've been researching all sorts of gluten-free, dairy-free cooking websites and learning more about making yummy, healthier food for our family. It's about time I learn to eat right! We'll see in the coming weeks if this is really the route I have to take to keep me healthy, but I'm all about preparing myself for what's coming next.

Derailed

This morning I was happily getting us all ready to head out the door for institute (scripture study class). Ryan was working from home this morning so the boys weren't totally on their own while I was getting ready. Two toddlers having free reign is never good for long and McKay . . . ahhh, McKay.

I had 20 minutes to get out the door and everything was going great on my little "schedule" for the morning. All I had to do was get dressed and dry my hair. A friend stopped by so I got a little derailed then I hear a crash downstairs followed by Ryan's forceful voice disciplining the guilty party.

I finish up my call quick and Ryan says, "Tracie, come down here." I sheepishly hedged, "I don't want to." We went back and forth as I came down. I thought it couldn't be good, but probably not much beyond McKay's ordinary daily breakfast tossing - or so I thought.

I had a moment of panic as I saw big splashes of red on the dining and living room carpet. I thought it was blood at first, but Ryan wasn't in emergency mode. It was spaghetti sauce. McKay had dropped a glass jar of it in the entry way where it broke, but he quickly proceeded with it through the dining room to the living room. Ryan was furious! I was more upset that it was going to make me late for institute but was so happy Ryan was there to help clean it up with me because I just might still make it there. McKay's messes are daily events at least 3 times per day with meals, but it's always interesting to see someone else in a patience crisis and have the ver and each time I get a new test of "patience practicum."

Miraculously the jar had stayed intact, but had a nickle-sized hole on a top edge which had let big drops of sauce splatter on the carpet.

Institute Junkie

Confession: I'm a religion class junkie! I looked forward to the beginning of Institute this fall like it was a major holiday - but better because it's once a week. YEAH FOR ME! I love everything about it but here's the top three:

1) A rotation of instructors provides different insights and teaching styles to be enjoyed. All the instructors inspire thoughtful reflection and edify.

2) I enjoy the comments shared by classmates who have a vast treasure trove of information gathered throughout their lives' experiences. I love that it's new moms, seasoned moms, and empty nesters all gleaning spiritual guidance for their lives, blooming where they're planted. I learn as much from them as I do from the instructor.

3) Children's class where we rotate tending the children. Free childcare - need I say more?

This year we're studying the Old Testament which I love. Last week's lesson was on The Fall - simply, beautifully incredible! This week's lesson was about the Patriarchs - specifically Adam, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah and on down - men that walked and talked with God. There was a fabulous portion of the lesson on prayer and elements of prayer that can draw us closer to God namely words of worship in how we address our Father, learning to express the desires of our heart as things we are grateful for, embracing repentance and gratitude for our Savior, and commiting to do our part in the kingdom.

An example of the gratitude portion was if you want to ask that your children marry good people, how would you express this in words of gratitude? Answers were plentiful: express gratitude for their leaders and teachers' guidance, gratitude for a child's particular gifts and testimony that will help them make good choices, gratitude for your own selection of someone worthy to take you to the temple and lead your family in the gospel . . . the list goes on.

For the last portion of the prayer to focus on commitment, an example was given. Rather than simply asking for the bishop or leaders to be blessed, you might commit yourself to sustain them and follow their specific counsel to do "a, b, and c" or magnify your calling. Just food for thought for me today.

Top Ten Reasons I LOVE Ryan!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!

10. Ryan encourages me to keep learning. I really appreciate him valuing me as his equal and I love telling him new things I’ve learned and hearing his thoughtful perspectives. I love how smart he is!

9. Ryan is tall, dark and handsome! I love his salt and pepper hair which as he grows older will make him look distinguished. And with those glasses, he’s the perfect sporty-smartypants I’d always wanted.

8. Ryan makes me feel safe. I feel secure in his love, secure in his leadership of our home, secure when the uncertainties of life bear down on us. I do not fear the future and haven’t since dating him.

7. Ryan is the best person to have in an emergency or through a trial. He’s able to keep a level head and get things done. When I had to be rushed by ambulance to the hospital late one night, he showed me all the concerned attention I needed without fuss. When I’ve suffered through health problems, he’s been very supportive.

6. Ryan is cool under pressure. Recently we were part of a marriage and dating panel for the youth of our church and while I was sweatin’ bullets and my lips were stuck to my teeth, he was cracking jokes and giving fabulous heart-felt comments. The bishop’s wife even commented on how lucky I was to have such a sweet, articulate husband. This was a true source of comfort during the layoff period last year because I knew he’d be a good interviewee!

5. Ryan keeps me grounded. As an oldest child in a big family, I wasn’t used to being called on stuff – I was usually the one dishing out. However, his comments are always to the point and right on time in the moment. Not fun for me in the moment, but I’m so glad he has this ability and I admire it.

The late President Spencer W. Kimball said, “We need an unspoiled companion who will not count our wrinkles, remember our stupidities nor remember our weaknesses; . . . we need a loving companion with whom we have suffered and wept and prayed and worshipped; one with whom we have suffered sorrow and disappointments, one who loves us for what we are or intend to be rather than what we appear to be in our gilded shell.”

4. Ryan is a fabulous father. I always tell Ryan he’s like a rock star to our kids. The minute he arrives, they’re running to him to climb all over him. They love their daily smack-down time with Dad! Yet he never hesitates to step in and discipline and make sure the boys honor their mom. Very grateful for his leadership in the home! The picture above is with McKay.

3. Ryan is quick to help! Perhaps my favorite quality of his, he never complains when I ask him to help me around the house. I find this truly amazing. My mom calls him the cleaning tornado because he jumps to it and does tidies up so fast.

2. Ryan bakes pies and other yummy treats! I did not know this when I married him so YEAH FOR ME!!! My favorites are: his chocolate chip cookies that he makes me just because I have a craving; fabulous apple pie with Grandma Dale’s flaky crust (drool!); and Christmas turtles (roasted almonds covered with homemade caramel dipped in chocolate). Ahhh, can’t wait til this diet is done!!!

1. Ryan makes me and others laugh easily and often! While we were dating, he used to entertain my roommates with mini-talent shows (such as the trick above with the collapsable screwdriver) which I now know I can attribute to the “Smith” gene in his family line. I love sitting by him in meetings because we can always find something funny to amuse ourselves over in the proceedings. In parenthood, we get a kick out of this fun new phase laughing at silly things the kids or we as parents do. His disarming, fun personality was his best first impression when I met him (it helped that he was the one holding the Reeses pieces too)!

Love ya, my Birthday Man!

My guys

Haven't written the big and little stuff my guys are doing and I sent it recently to many family members in response to an email my dad had written. Thought it should go on the blog for any family I didn't send the email to. Sorry, my contacts list in Outlook is refusing to be linked to my emails and I wimp out all to often adding more people to the list.

EMAIL:
Ryan’s preparing for his first marathon Nov 10th down in Richmond, VA. He’s doing a great job and I enjoy bragging about him! He admits he talks it up at work so that he’s held more accountable to more people. We’ve had to have some work done on our townhome to replace rotting wood on the exterior as mandated by our home owners association – ARGH!!! HOAs are of the devil, I’m convinced!!! Especially when you’re the neighborhood being picked on!

Easton is eager to have friends over to play or to go play at their house. It’s fun to see which friends bring out what personality traits in him. I’ve had to make him a clock out of a paper plate with movable hands so we can chat about when certain things will happen. Of utmost concern to him is when his favorite cartoon is on which is a new PBS one called “Super WHY” where the characters read and spell words in fairy tales and fables applying lessons learned to their own problem of the day.

McKay has begun his terrible twos and he’s not even 18 mos yet! ARGH!!! Case in point: I poured him and Easton some Cheerios for breakfast yesterday and when I poured the milk in his, McKay picked up his bowl and dumped it out while looking right at me. Then he proceeded to throw fistfuls on the floor. I had a horrible head cold and just looked at Ryan and said, ”I quit, I’m done.” It was more than I could handle that morning as I was also starting my diet. This morning when I poured McKay’s cereal, I poured too much into his bowl and poured the extra into Easton’s bowl. McKay freaked out and threw the bowl on the floor. ARGH!!! But today, I had a bit more reserves to deal with him in the moment.


Congrats Boo on the skydiving – LOVED the pictures and one will soon appear on our fridge of honor. Thanks for making Ryan want to take the plunge even more after talking to you. Grrr. And glad to hear there’s a fun boy to play with there in Bend! Yahoo!!! [for blog reader, it's not the tandem skydiving instructor]

Why I believe . . .

Today I found out through a friend of mine that one of our friends has stage three breast cancer. She is a thoughtful, fabulous friend and mother of four kids under the age of 7. She's also blessed with a sensitive, nurturing husband. She has seen many health scares which is perhaps why I feel close to her even though the busy-ness of our lives doesn't let us hang out as much as I'd like. I've cried on/off all day since hearing this news. Like my friend posted on her blog [link], I looked afresh at my life and kissed my kids, we told stories with the puppets they made at church today, and I enjoyed rather than groaned when they picked me to read stories for bedtimes because I originally thought I wanted to clean up dinner so it wouldn't be left to face in the morning. Ryan's still getting over the cold I gave him, so he didn't quite feel the love as much today, but it's there!

But what can you do for a friend in this situation? You feel so helpless because in doing something, it may not be what they need or may make things worse. In the end, after many drafts, I wrote my friend a note which crystalized a pivotal personal, spiritual moment for me.

For the past few weeks I've been mulling over the idea of posting a series of "Why I believe" blogs because I love testimony meetings [click for definition] and many of the testimonies in the book "Why I Believe." I learn how the Lord deals with me and the rest of us through testimonies and what can be more important in life than to know more about God and my relationship with Him?

There are a few reasons I've felt I should do this series:

1) I want my family, specifically my 9 young brothers and sisters who are in that crazy teenage and young adult season of life to know unequivocally that I KNOW the fully restored gospel of Jesus Christ is on this earth and by staying close to it I have been blessed with the greatest moments of joy, happiness, and a true sense of purpose. As a friend said recently in her testimony, "I've lived in and out of the church, and am happier in it." Almost all of my family lives far away so I don't get to share this stuff often enough.

2) I want it recorded somewhere for my children to find if memory or health fails me. Asking my Grandma Honey about why she joined the church helped me realize that I'm guided by the Lord in much the same way she was. Perpaps my kids will learn the same.

3) Writing it down helps solidify it all for me and remember it better so hopefully I can be brave enough to share it in person with someone someday.

So I'm sharing this little note to my friend to share one of the reasons I believe and perhaps to help others like me who struggle with what to say or do when faced with a friend or family member's trial. I wish I'd shared this type of note with many over the years when I've struggled to know how to show I care.

Dear Friend,

I hope you don’t mind that [our mutual friend] let me know of your current struggle. Overwhelmed by sadness for the heartache you, your husband, and the kids must face, I searched all day for, once again, how I might help your wonderful family. I remembered your recent testimony after the spring ordeal and how the power of gathered prayers and fasting was felt and strengthened you.

[Our mutual friend] mentioned you felt a sense of peace – not of what outcome to expect, just peace – perhaps of His hand in this. I know that sense of peace in the face of the unknown. In the middle of one horrible night, alone, far from home, and in excruciating pain – I was praying for some sort of relief and clarity and still terrified of a recently diagnosed disease I didn’t understand yet. A scripture came to mind, “Knowest thou the condescension of God?” (1 Nephi 11:16 [link]) And I literally felt like I was being held in someone’s arms and warmth rushed through me. I knew all of a sudden that Christ had condescended and felt all my pain – physical, emotional, spiritual – He had even been left alone without the comfort of the Father for a time. But I would not be left comfortless. I know you and your husband know this comfort. I will continue to pray that the Lord sends those feelings of peace and comfort often as you work this out.

Please know I’m a phone call or email away if you ever need anything – a meal, someone to play with the kids while you rest up, someone to wash dishes – YOU NAME IT! But I respect your need for privacy because in the midst of trials we don’t always have the strength to share the burden.

I’ve often wished you were a blogger so I could check in on your life and musings about the lessons we learn as moms and wives. You have such great insights and are such a fascinating person whom I admire sharing this season of life with.

Love you,
me

Gettin' Healthy, I hope!

Tired of battling my ulcerative colitis and not seeing sustainable results with medications, I'm trying something new. Confession: I'm 30 and have never gone on a diet before. There's been plenty of times this bod' could have used it, but I've never been motivated to deny myself of my favorite foods.

After eight months of predictably being on/off prednisone, a steroid that has served as a bandaid for my flareups, I saw a new doctor with an integrated holistic approach. I've now finished day two of twenty-one on a cleansing diet which will also serve as an elimination diet. Essentially, I'll find out what foods I may be allergic or intolerant to once they're reintroduced one at a time. YIKES! Dairy and gluten are the probable culprits.

I must say I approached this diet with great anxiety. Could I do it?! Last week I ate horribly eating up all my remaining favorite snacks in the house. At the store on Friday and on Saturday, I succumbed and bought my peanut M&Ms and cheetohs. On Sunday evening, I remembered I hadn't eaten the M&Ms so there I was in bed, cruching away at those M&Ms at 11pm! I went and did a session at the temple Saturday night to bolster my confidence and pray for strength. Ryan giggled saying he didn't know anyone went to the temple to start a diet. Ah well, this gal needs all the help she can get!

If you were to look at my kitchen counter with all the diet's supplements and stuff, you'd think a geriatric unit took up residence with us! In the morning, all the pills barely fit in my hand! I also got a full-blown sinus head cold yesterday which served to limit my tastebuds and appetite somewhat as the first "shake" went down, but I still gagged. I even called the doctor's office to ask if there was anything I could do to improve the taste. Ryan says it's not as bad as some of the shakes he's downed during diets, but it was still pretty traumatic for me.

It hasn't been so bad so far because the shakes really do satiate me til the next one. I have a pretty strict list of fruits and veggies which I can eat fresh or briefly steamed. Next week I'll be able to include some lean meats and eggs for days 8-21.

I'm indebted to a handful of women in my ward that have shared information and served as great sounding boards! In all, I KNOW I CAN DO IT and that's a great feeling!

Your pizza experience . . .

Confession: We order Papa Johns probably too often. However, there's always one redeeming factor - literally! On each pizza box, the sticker with our order says, "Your pizza experience managed by Christ." How can ya beat that?

We discovered this during the summer when the local pizzaria's each had a pool special. Sorry Dominoes, we like Papa Johns pizza better and their little sticker.

The greatest is love.

Me and the boys were happily making our way to Wegmans this morning to meet up with friends. I was tearing up at all the "proud to be an American" songs being played by country radio in honor of 9/11 and remembering where I was that day.

For those of you who don't know, when flight 77 hit the Pentagon, I was on the other side of the Pentagon underground in the Metro station. The station manager came out screaming "BOMB! Everybody out! The second one is coming!" Mass hysteria ensued as about 70 people tried to clamber up the escalators. People were hurdling the entry barricades and one woman was stuck with her baby stroller. Others were getting run over because they'd tripped - I've never seen such chaos, and I'm so glad there weren't more people. I saw my coworker, Mary, and we made our way up and out of the station.

Once outside, I saw black smoke rising from the west side of the Pentagon - the Metro station is on the east side - and government workers being evacuated. What was the most disconcerting was all the uniformed armed servicemen and women running out of the building crying and on cell phones. I heard some on their calls and realized it was a commercial plane and not a bomb that had hit the Pentagon. I remember one lady in her Navy blues saying, "WHAT?! The World Trade Center was hit?!"

Mary and I made our way to my brother's apartment building where in the lobby we were with at least 30 others watching the news coverage on a little 19" tv and that's where I saw the first tower fall. It was a miracle I was able to make a collect call from a payphone to call my mom and let her know I was okay.

It took us 2 hours to go less than three miles when my roommate was able to pick me up. Instead of angry, impatient drivers, however, everyone was very patient and willing to let another car join the flow of traffic that day. Most had their windows rolled down and people waved you in.

What a horrible day that was, but I felt like everyone re-examined what meant the most to them. The Alan Jackson song, "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" is the one that brings it all back for me every time.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out with pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
CHORUS (1x)
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty cause you’re a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother to tell her you loved her;
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened,
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages,
Speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow,
And go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent home movie you’re watchin And turn on I Love Lucy
reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
or stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family,
Thank God you had somebody to love?
CHORUS 2x

CHORUS
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man;
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran.
But I know Jesus, and I talk to God,
And I remember this from when I was young:
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us,
And the greatest is love.

And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

That darn fine print!

All was hunky-dory until I heard a sound from the backseat that makes all moms everywhere cringe and dread the rest of the day! McKay had thrown up all over himself. Luckily it hadn't spread to the car, just covered him and his carseat quite thoroughly. Bless his little heart, he just started saying "Uh-Oh" over and over again until we got home almost 20 minutes later.

Easton was thoroughly disgusted by the whole affair as was I. It's one of those moments you just want to cry. Not only were we missing an outing with friends and yummy food, but I knew my morning would be spent sterilizing lil' McKay, his clothes and that disgusting carseat. EEEEWWWW!!! I have since become very familiar with the fine workings of a Graco carseat. I just hope I can figure out how to put it back together! Carseat re-assembly wasn't part of my undergrad and I never knew motherhood required an engineering degree or at least a minor!

I have to admit my first thought was say,"Adios, Graco!" and put it in the trash pile ready for pickup, then scour yardsales this weekend for a replacement. I had lucked out when McKay was a baby because two friends gave me their infant carseats. When McKay had the mother of all diaper blowouts the day I was flying to Washington for a few weeks, I felt no remorse pitching the "spare" carseat because I had another to fall back on. This time I realized I needed to just earn my stripes, dig in and join the ranks of other real moms.

Ryan just called to check in. When I said, "I did NOT sign up for this!" He chuckled - from the luxury of his clean "double-wide" cubicle and said, "You didn't read the fine print." We laughed together while I also told him I was experiencing some resentment towards him - my equal partner in this eternal family. Somehow today, bringing home the bacon and cleaning up spewed bacon just don't seem to be so equal.

A Lil' Sacrifice Goes a Long Way

My Easton cracks me up! Ryan had found a straw hat he liked last weekend in Harpers Ferry. Easton saw him wear it and decided he needed to be just like dad. Easton's had this chewed up cowboy hat for quite some time and insisted on wearing it for breakfast and on all outings earlier this past week. And yes, he's just in his underwear - his prefered clothing state. Just another illustration of how kids make me laugh!

Now to my bloggin' point. A sleep deprived mommy who's watched kids all day should not be argued with and needs a laugh now and then, right? Another true axiom is that no matter how big the kitchen, there's never enough room to hide and store everything you want to! Well, my kitchen is no cargo hold, but a huge improvement from the galley kitchen of our first apartment.

I had finally found a place for a couple larger items and while being used temporarily on the countertop, some of Ryan's Costco bulk items took up residence in their space. They were sad and I was sad for them. After a long day - dinner made, kids fed (some tricked into doing so as mentioned in an earlier blog), and cleaning up - Ryan and I were in a post-dinner chat. I can't really remember the specifics of the conversation, but I was probably in un-official whine mode.

At one point, I mentioned how his Costco items were in my new-found storing spot and then said with all the mock-dramatic flare I could muster, "Aaah, my life is all about sacrifice!" To which Ryan and I burst into chuckles. We laughed about how true and dramatized it all was over something totally silly but that meant a lot to me. The bit of indecisive-perfectionist in me struggles with final resting spots for most items in my house which is why there is still nothing hanging on any of the bedroom walls in our house.

So, I've found my new mommy-mantra. Isn't it true though? Not to belittle Ryan's sacrifices, but who's writing this? Anyhow, my new mantra is fun to use in many situations, particularly to diffuse frustration I want to blast in Ryan's direction. Poor guy! He often doesn't see it coming.

A Mom's Best Friend

The iHome under counter iPod AM/FM/TV/Weather Radio. Adjusting to a constant life in the kitchen with hungry boys is now bearable! I’m either making food, feeding them food, or cleaning up said food – the routine is mind numbing and by the time I’ve addressed that room over and over in one day, I typically have nothing left for the rest of the house.

Last Christmas I asked Ryan for a kitchen radio/cd unit to help time fly. He insisted on getting me the iPod version and BLESS HIM!!! He knew my needs better than I did at the time! I’ve become an audio book junkie! Ryan’s got all our tunes loaded on it and then a couple audio books at a time. I just finished Flags of Our Fathers which I highly recommend! I simply hop online to reserve books on cd from the library and wait for them to notify me when to pick them up. (Searching for books in the library with boys who think taking books off the shelf is just a fun game necessitates this routine!) BYU Broadcasting is also doing a great job of supplying my current needs. I whole-heartedly recommend this year’s BYU Womens Conference talks!!!

I find I prefer to be in the kitchen rather than the rest of the house because of my new best friend. I love learning new things. I love being edified. I love doing these things while tackling the most mundane of daily tasks!

As I cut the boys’ hair last night over the kitchen sink, I thanked the inventor of this wonderful gadget. I put on their children’s primary songs and I think some Scripture Scouts at one point and it chilled them out a bit. Since this is only the third time I've endeavored to cut their hair, it takes me quite a while. McKay still didn’t enjoy the experience, but luckily he endured it and let me finish.

Another favorite moment brought to me by this fabulous invention happened today. Gwen Stephani’s “Sweet Escape” song came on the radio and my boys go their groove on singing and dancing to the chorus of “WooHoo, WooooHoo.” Too funny! At various times today, I'd hear Easton singing the chorus to himself and McKay would say "WooHoo" with an impish smile to get an adoring reaction from me.

Lest you fear for my literacy, I do engage in conventional reading of books now and then, but its just so rare and if it happens it usually results in a nap after 20 minutes of reading. My family has always teased my mom because if she sits for more than 10 minutes, she’s out cold no matter where. Who can blame her, she’s got ten kids – she’s earned it! Anyhow, my conventional reading efforts are usually reserved for bedtime reading, the Ensign, and the occasional emergency. Emergency, you ask? Sometimes I make emergency exceptions to read day and night and let the boys fend for themselves – like when the final Harry Potter book came out. Like I said, emergencies! I take comfort in knowing I’m not alone on this one and you know who you are!

Captain Obvious, that's me!

I couldn't decide what to name this entry - Captain Obvious or "Here's Your Sign." For those not familiar with the latter, it's used in those moments when you really want to tell someone "Here's your sign, Stupid! - please wear it to forewarn innocent bystanders." Ryan said I should go with Captian Obvious so I'll tell ya my moment and you can cast a vote!

Alright, our washing machine has not been working for two weeks now. Luckily I'd been caught up with laundry before we went to New Hampshire and Nancy had done laundry while we were there - BLESS HER!!! I tell ya, I'd be more motivated to keep up with my laundry if it were on the main floor or bedroom level. (Please note, I said "motivated" which does not necessarily mean it will stay caught up if this situation is addressed in our future homes.)

Essentially, the washer was filling up with water and draining, but not moving the clothes or spinning. I also noticed it kept stopping at the 2nd rinse/spin cycle. The repairman said it needed a new belt and he fixed it and the knob thingy. I was so relieved he was able to fix it on the spot because I had company coming and needed to wash some bedding for them. The minute the repairman left, I was down there doing a load - I'm sure you know the panic! Anyhow, once again the washer was stopping at the 2nd rinse/spin cycle! ARGH! By this morning, I'd done three loads, testing each wash cycle on the dial and was pretty frustrated because that meant scheduling another appointment and, of course, more money. Ryan and I had discussed prior to the first repairman visit that if the repair cost over $300, we'd just buy a new machine. Well, the first visit had been $239 and now for another visit we knew it'd break our threshold.

Ryan had come downstairs to grab a shirt this morning and caught me in a tantrum over it. He took a look at the machine and made a rather astute observation - the Extra Spin Cycle button was OFF. WHAT?!?!? ARGH!!! He shook his head with a good chuckle while I was thoroughly disgusted with myself. Where's my sign?

Needless to say, we called to cancel the second appointment. At one point this morning, I caught Ryan laughing to himself. I was sorry I asked what he was laughing at - man, I really hate being wrong or caught missing the obvious! Grrrr! But happy the machine works although those new machines look mighty nice!