Appreci8 - Day 6

I appreciate that you let me freak out about things

I appreciate that you are totally OK with Mac and Cheese/left over nights.

Prize: Chewy Spree (gross)
Dinner: See above

Oh, He Should've Been a Cowboy

The name's Boss Moss and today is his birthday.
Boss Moss grew up in a tiny farming community in Northern Utah. Boss Moss should have been born as a cowboy.

Exhibit A: His boots
When I think about Boss Moss I think about his boots. I remember pulling them off him when he got home from work, I remember wearing them around. I remember all the different colors of boots.
Exhibit B: His hats. Boss Moss has always had a cowboy hat or two. He has a great story about Eastern Montana and his brand new gray Stetson blowing away in the wind. I can not retell the story because my dad is a gifted storyteller and his stories can not be replicated.
Exhibit C: Horses.
Boss Moss loves horses. I remember him testing me on the types of horse coloring and their proper names.
This horse is a Boss Moss.

Exhibit D: Boss Moss loves Westerns, He says that any movie with horses gets an automatic 10 and then you deduct from there. His all time favorite thing to watch is Gunsmoke and Bonanza.
Exhibit E: His belt buckle. One of my earliest memories is going to Western Outdoor and picking out a belt buckle that was sparkly and said Kalispell, Montana. And that is where he lives, Montana, where the cattle outnumber the humans thus necessitating cowboys.
Exhibit F: Boss Moss used to go on cattle roundups for fun. I remember him coming home from one and we learned why cowboys wear bandanas around their neck. He had the worst sunburn I have ever seen on his neck and down the neckline of his shirt.
Exhibit G: He pretends to be a cowboy. Boss Moss and the Cowboy Poet used to go around town and do gigs. The Cowboy Poet would sing his poems and Boss Moss would tell cowboy yarns.

Exhibit H: Boss Moss likes old time country music the more cowboy the better. Entwined in my childhood memories is my dad singing cowboy songs like "El Paso."


Happy Birthday to my Dad, who Should've Been a Cowboy.

Appreci8 - Day 5

I appreciate that you think I am beautiful and sexy.

I appreciate that you eat MOST of the dinners I make.

Prize: I take out the garbage and recycling tonight.

Appreci8 - Day 4

I appreciate 24/7 on call, free tech and systems support.

I appreciate trips to Hawaii without the kids.

Get Well Soon Flowers

Nutmeg is not well today. We aren't sure if it is a cold or just dextoxing. I made her a lemon and spice "tea" and brought it and lunch to her on a tray with a paper flower I whipped up.

Sweet, adorable, thoughtful Boba Fett put on his coat and went outside to look for a real flower for his little sister. I tried to tell him there were no flowers yet, but he was determined. Of course, he couldn't find one but he won't have to wait long, my violets usually bloom at the end of February and you can be sure I will be telling you all about them.

Appreci8 - Day 3

I appreciate that you are an awesome dad.

Prize: Starbursts

Humble Pie

For the Scout's Blue & Gold Banquet tonight the boys are supposed to bring a cake to the Father and Son Cake Decorating Contest, the theme is American ABC's. Moose and Commander C came up with the idea of "As American as baseball and apple pie." So they are making a baseball cake and an apple pie. I let them do it all until it came to the apples and It was going to take forever so I sliced the apples because the suspense was killing me. Oh, and Commander C sliced his finger when peeling the apples and the blood made me woozy.
Look at this pie. The first pie they have ever made. This pie made with a Betty Crocker Pie Crust Mix is a better looking pie than all of the best parts of all the pie I have ever made, combined. My pride is hurt. A friend pointed out that now I can turn pie making over to them and retire.
If their baseball cake turns out better than my cake decorating escapades I will be very, very humbled. Humble Apple Pie anyone?
****Update****
The pie was very yummy.

Appreci8 - Day 2

I appreciate that you always encourage me to take time for myself. -Samurai Mom
I appreciate that you are nice to me and like my card - Boba Fett and Nutmeg

Prize- A bottle of Coke the forbidden delicacy
Dinner: Cafe Rio Sweet Pork tacos.

Appreci8 - Day 1

I am grateful that you go to work for us - Commander C
I am grateful for mopped floors and picked up houses - Samurai Mom

Commander C made Moose a Thumb (see photo) and Boba Fett and Nutmeg made cards.

I am making Spicy Asian Chicken Wings and nachos.

The 8th Annual Moose Appreciation Days

Thanks to my friend Jeanné, I started this tradition 8 years ago. From Feb 1 to Valentine's day we hold Moose Appreciation Days. This year I thought I would blog it.

On Feb 1, we make a big poster to greet Moose when he comes home and it stays up until Feb 15. Each day when he gets home from work he is greeted by me (wearing makeup) and a note or two telling him what we appreciate about him and a small (usually sugary) gift.

Moose Appreciation Days is a lot of work and a lot of fun. If you decide to start this tradition in your home I recommend doing only 1 week instead of 2. One of these years I dream that Moose will hold Samurai Mom Appreciation Days.

Sabbath Leaves

Our Beautiful World: We have had a bit of fog lately and I love it. I adore fog, it is so mysterious, romantic and dramatic.
Blessings: I can create something out of almost anything. I recognize this talent as a gift fro Heavenly Father and I am grateful for it.
Striving: For routine
Inspirations: Julie B. Beck General Relief Society President: "One day before she left, I sat weeping with her and asked, “Who will be my mother?” Mother thought carefully, and with the Spirit and power of revelation which comes to women of this kind, she said to me, “If I never come back, if you never see me again, if I’m never able to teach you another thing, you tie yourself to Relief Society. Relief Society will be your mother.”

The Fruits of January

Just because I haven't been posting anything crafty doesn't mean that I have been sitting around watching period dramas and eating Candy Cane Joe Joes all month. Well actually I HAVE been sitting around watching period dramas and eating Candy Cane Joe Joes all month, but I have been crafting away as well.
When we were in Montana my mom helped me paint this. I did the composition and the actual painting she helped me decide on colors, highlight and how to make it look good. 4x4 acrylic on canvas. It needs a title and I am open to suggestions.Finally getting around to McCall's 5531. I added the hood and pockets. I didn't have enough of the bee lining so I had to make the sleeves out of something else.
I love my new coat. I love the roomy pockets, I love the color, I love the lining. Shell 100% wool, lining cotton. I plan on appliqueing a few bees on the hood and pocket.

In my quest for curly hair I experimented with pincurls. I am not sure how I feel about them yet.
A headband to keep me warm when I go walking. Pattern: DROPS Headband in Alaska Yarn: Cascade 220 Natural.
And wrist warmers to keep my hands from freezing. Pattern: Cherry Bomb Wrist Warmers Yarn: Cascade 220 Natural
This pixie hat is bigger than I had hoped. I knit it on 2s when the pattern called for 3s so go figure. This is supposed to fit a newborn. I might re-knit it. Pattern: Pixie Hat Yarn: Knitpicks Pallette color: Tidepool Heather.
I made this bracelet as a mock-up for the bracelets we were going to make for New Beginnings. We made 35 of them in the Young Women's Value Colors including gold which is the color for the new value Virtue. I made 9. Also I made 32 paper lanterns (cut with scalloped scissors which was genius!)for New Beginnings and orchestrated that event. Sadly, there were no pictures taken.
I crocheted 37 snowflakes (18 pictured here). These are not fun. Depending on the pattern they can take 20 minutes to 3 hours. And I can't crochet without looking so I am missing a lot of my movies. Blocking takes a lot of time and a lot of pins. I don't have enough pins. I didn't know that was possible. I am happy with them and plan on making 100+ before the year is out. I am using the book 99 Crocheted Snowflakes and the handful of free patterns online.
Some felt fruit and veggies for a little girl I know. I made about 16 more strawberries for Nutmeg. The strawberries are from this tutorial at Mr. Monkeysuit. The carrots and peas are my own design.

Props to Keira who came over and helped me arrange our family photos.

Currently I am working on a flannel dress for Nutmeg, remaking the sweater that was supposed to be my mom's Christmas gift, and a cowl for me in cream with pearls.

January Reading List

The Communist Manifesto - Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
We read this for our book group to see what all the fuss was about. It was surprising to learn that the Argument made in part 1 is very sensible. I agreed with it. Part 2 was the solution to part 1 and that is where I started thinking COO KOO! Dissolving the family, community of women, abolition of personal property??? These guys were nuts. Part 3, man these guys had a beef with Germany.
This is a bent book.
3 out of 7 thimbles. 3 because they made convincing arguments even though the solutions were ludicrous.

The Secret Life of Bees - Gina Prince-Bythewood
I got this book for free and again, I thought I would see what all the fuss was about.
Very interesting and compelling story about coming of age, mothers and daughters, race relations in the South. It made me appreciate my daughter and my mother.
I learned much about bees. This book made me crave honey.
I liked it, but for a Mormon, this book is alarmingly sacrilegious and laden with idolatry. Perfect example of what can happen when people are left to religion on their own without a prophet and proper authority.
4 out of 7 thimbles.

The Keeper of the Bees- by Gene Stratton -Porter
In this book you will learn much about bees, but that is only the beginning of it. I loved this book.
You didn't know what was going to happen next. In the beginning each new chapter changed the story completely. The characters are lovable. READ THIS BOOK. It is so lovely, healing, whole and good.
This book would be a perfect 7 but it was a tad predictable and a little, no a lot, preachy.
6 out of 7 thimbles.

Currently Reading:
The Secret Garden- Frances Hodgson Burnett

I am reading this to Nutmeg at night.

Up Next :
Washington Square by Henry James

Urban Legend Revealed

Monday I found a large envelope in my mailbox. It was from the Neilsen Ratings Company. I have of course heard about these people but I thought they were an urban legend made up by the TV people so that they could tell us how popular their terrible shows are. I had certainly never been polled by them, nor has anyone I know.

Well, now I believe in them because they sent me CASH MONEY! I opened the envelope and there were the Benjamins (I know they aren't really Benjamins but it isn't cool to say one Lincoln and five Washingtons now it is?) and a tiny one side of one page survey to find out if we were white and if we spoke Spanish.

I don't really feel represented though, because they didn't ask much about the shows I watch and I don't think that they care that I am a married white woman.

I really hate when people in surveys are so concerned about race. WHO CARES??? If we really want to eliminate racism in this country than we need to stop obsessing about what demographic we fit into and just take people as they are.

They also promised to send me $20 more once they received the survey. I think that is aces and even if it is a scam I still have the $10 and they can't take it away from me. I am totally going to but something awesome with it like sushi, or chocolate, or yarn. Way to stimulate the economy Neilsen Ratings!

An Open Letter to the People Who Make DVDs

Dear People Who Make DVDs (especially DVDs for kids,)

Let me explain to you how DVDs work in a household with children, it may not be ideal or right but it is how it works.

One or more or all of these things is happening at the same time: The baby is crying and needs to be fed/changed/held, the telephone is ringing, something is on the stove, mom HAS to take 30 seconds for herself to use the toilet or shower, somebody is hurt or is hurting another, someone is very hungry, Mom has a deadline and/or a headache. Add to this a small child who wants to watch a DVD! Most likely the child has been begging or whining for quite some time about the DVD or something else. Mom finally gives in and says to herself "A movie will keep him/her/them quiet for a few minutes!" And she goes to put in the DVD.

This is the part where it really gets ugly, the children know they are going to get what they want so they stop trying to be good and begin chanting or whining "I wanna watch (insert annoying cartoon character's name here)" over and over again. Mom is doing all of this as quickly as possibly and at last the TV is turned on and the DVD is inserted. Then mom has to wait (she still has to pee you know) while the previews play and won't allow her to get to the menu or even more annoying there is a long cutesy DVD introduction where fairies fly through the back ground and turn a pumpkin into a magic fairy land and then sit down to have tea and to who knows what else all before Mom is allowed to select PLAY MOVIE!

I realize that you DVD makers don't get to use a lot of creativity and this is your one time to shine but let me be brutally honest here. NOBODY appreciates it. It annoys everyone. the only people who like watching pieces of the still picture from the film slowly materialize are your fellow DVD makers at your DVD making conferences and award parties.

If you want to make cutesy introductions with some one's movie do it on your own time and post it on YouTube. Please give us moms a break and take a cue from Nickelodeon's DVDs and make your DVDs play automatically with a continuous loop.

Sincerely,
Samurai Mom

Somebody, Think of the Parents!

This is the book we innocently checked out from the library, "Clifford's Riddles." Clifford books aren't exactly well written but I was not expecting this abomination. And I was forced to read it to a tired bed-time 3 year old TWICE! Then I read it to Moose because I want him to share in all parenting moments, the good and the tortuous.

Here are some examples of the lack of humor or basic competency in this book.
"If a blood hound marries a bat what will their child be? A vampire dog."
"What would be a good job for Clifford? He could be a seeing eye dog for King Kong."
"What is twelve feet tall, stops at stop lights, and has training wheels? Clifford's bicycle."
"It's sweet. It's furry. It barks. And it's frozen on a stick. What is it? A pup-sicle."

What??? How are theses even amusing? And who eats a furry popsicle that barks?
There is no excuse for this book.

Here's how I see it going down.
Publisher Man: "We can't publish this book Boss, it isn't even a book really just a collection of pictures and words. People won't buy it."
Publisher Boss Man :" People won't buy it but Libraries will, it has Clifford on it and Libraries love Clifford."
Library:"Oh look a new Clifford book. Sold!"
Kids: "Clifford! Clifford!"
Parents: "OK, OK. Stop yelling this is the library."...that night..." I can't believe the library wasted precious funds on this collection of words and pictures."

I am begging you Washington County Library Cooperative Services PLEASE have mercy on the parents of Washington County. Sell this book at the next used book sale. Use the 1/8th of an inch of shelf space for a good book like "Where the Wild Things Are."

Zero out of 7 thimbles.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Afton wanted to know what the deal was with my Disneyland remark on yesterday's Sabbath Leaves. It is complicated and has a lot to do with me being selfish, sounds like a good blog post...

We are having a family reunion at Disneyland this Thanksgiving. I am not excited. I have never really had a desire to go to Disneyland. I mean as a kid I wouldn't have said "No" to an offer but I never dreamed of Disneyland.

Reasons why I don't want to go:
The commercialism of it all. Yuck it just makes me want to gag. Disney everything all for sale! Don't even get me started on how ticked I am at Disney for getting copyrights for everything extended just so they could hold on to vintage Mickey.

I have issues with Disney movies, fun movies and all. I am a huge fan of the art in Sleeping Beauty and used to be obsessed with Snow White but the way they twist the original fairy tales really bugs me. It isn't the fact that they do it but the fact that after one of their movies is out it becomes synonymous with the fairy tale and the original is lost to the public knowledge. How many people know that the Little Mermaid really dies, that Beauty from Beauty and the beast had sisters, that the witch tricked Snow White with a poisoned comb, and tight corset strings before the apple, that Sleeping Beauty lay asleep for 100 years and many princes died trying to reach her?

I have problems with the values Disney teaches through their movies. Fairy tales by their very nature are made to teach virtue to children.
In the Disney version of The Little Mermaid Ariel disobeys her father, runs away, sells her soul to the sea witch and wins the prince in the end. In the original she dies because she did not listen to her father. Which would you rather your children learn that by disobeying they could be in mortal danger or that by disobeying and selling your soul you will win happiness?

There is also the universal theme of true love conquers all in their movies, and you know what sometimes true love isn't enough. Sometimes love at first sight isn't love. Often the Disney Characters think that they know better than their parents or caregivers.

And then there are the crowds. We are going in November so it probably won't be as bad as it could be but I hate crowds of tourists. I try to avoid them at all costs. I like to go to the Children's Museum on days when there will not be any field trips so we can have room to enjoy the experience and not be worried about losing people.

There is the whole carnival aspect of it. I can't shake the foreboding feeling that it will be like a big expensive carnival, hot, dusty and sticky.

Which brings me to the expense. The whole things seems to me like a gigantic HUGE waste of money. I can't fathom how much we will spend and couldn't that money be better used for practical things or many small, economical family vacations?

I am betting dollars to doughnuts that the costumes will not meet my exacting standards and that will annoy me.

And this whole "Happiest Place on Earth Thing" Really? I am pretty sure I will have sore feet, a headache and a hungry belly combined with cranky over tired children. I will be worried about kids running off. There will also be the family reunion stress of making sure 17 people are happy and getting to what they want to do. How exactly will this be happy? I think that seeing a happy Cinderella and Jasmine walking down the street will really tick me of in these moments.

And so in preparation for our family reunion I am striving to get a better attitude about Disneyland. Do you think they sell those in the gift shops?

Blogger IRL Sighting

Today I met Crashhanna, the author of a blog I read. Really, it wasn't that much of a feat, she is my friend's sister and I sat next to her at church. She was great, slightly less irreverent than Keira but Keira was pretty good today. Maybe they were on their best behavior for each other (or the Stake President and Stake Relief Society Presidency) I know I was! It was fun to meet a fellow blogger.

Sabbath Leaves

Our Beautiful World: Honey and Honeycomb. I have been reading a few books where bees and honey figure prominently and I am obsessed with honey and eating it.

Blessings: That Moose has a job - his company announced that they were closing a factory this week. Scary stuff. I am so grateful he has a job.

Striving for: A better attitude about my calling, Disneyland and the future of our Republic.

They call me Madam President

Last night I was explaining to Moose the reasons why I could not be the President of these United States. While I would kick butt on domestic and economic issues I have doubts about my ability to defend the country.

Moose disagreed with me and thought that I would do just fine. This vote of confidence touched me. And so, if you will have me I am throwing my hat in the ring. I will be your president.
I promise I will not lie to you.

I will balance the budget like a stay at home mom with several kids - with a hatchet and a scalpel. If you want something you will have to earn it not expect me to give you the money.

I will work toward getting the federal government out of education completely.

I will work to abolish the IRS - but I gotta be honest this will be tough to get through congress but I will try.

I WILL VETO all bills with even a trace of pork.

I have no attachment to Social Security. I think we should phase it out starting now.

The FDA is number one on my list of corrupt government agencies and I will reform them or ax them. Your children will not be science experiments.

I will do what I can to stop the killing of children, regardless of their gestational age, but you will have to shout out and help me because alone I will be ineffective.

You can have all the guns you like.

Free Trade is my economic policy.

I won't send your sons to war unless it is to protect you - for real.

I think there should be a petition day when regular people get to talk to the president and tell them their concerns.

I will defend the constitution not attack it or undermine it.

P.S. I am not eligible for a few years yet but I think we can start fundraising.