Just How I Like It

I was summoned to Jury Duty on Friday so I told my client I would work Thursday instead of Friday. Then I prayed my little heart out hoping I would get out of Jury Duty Thursday so I wouldn't have to take Clara to anyone's house. My prayer was answered. Hallelujah. And so it began, my lovely weekend.

Friday
- Hanging out with Clara
- Play group with friends
- Movie with Clara
- Dinner at the Pickett's and of course a nice long visit (if I didn't have work to do, we probably would've stayed well after Midnight... so I guess it's a good thing work helps me avoid wearing out my welcome)

Saturday
- Sleeping in until 10:30 (I didn't get to bed until about 2:30am again... one of the only nights this week I got more than 5 hours of sleep, so don't judge)
- Relaxing in the afternoon with Jason and Clara, enjoying not having anything to do or anywhere to be
- Cleaning my house and watching Clara 'help' Jason in the backyard (it feels good to be productive and work on getting the house in order and watch others do the same {I think I should take more pictures through the screen, eh?})
- My own, personal in-home pedicure (Jason's brother owed me a pedicure and for about four months, we kept pushing it back. Finally Lamar suggested he could bring all his stuff to my house. Pedicures are nice, but really, someone coming to my house to give me one? It was awesome. Not to mention it was a "real" pedicure completely void of the fear of getting a fungus and I didn't have to wonder what people were saying about me in Vietnamese.) Let me know if you need a good pedicure...
- Staying up until 3:00am talking with Jason (we were going to watch a movie around 10:00pm but we started talking and all of a sudden, it was 3:00am and everything was really funny)
- Comments by Jason throughout the evening/night

J: I am getting really good at recognizing prostitutes
A: ??

A: You are getting old
J: Thirty-flippin'-two
A: You aren't 32
J: I'm not?
A: Uh, no. You are 31
J: {Sheepish grin} oh

And guess what else? We've been having some stellar weather here in this part of the world. It's beautiful. Sunny, perfect for a light sweater during the day and burrowing under covers at night.

Garlic Air Freshener

My house smells like garlic. Really bad. I can't tell if I put too much garlic in the crockpot with dinner or if it's because of this.
Is it just me or is it true that 92%* of the time stuff like this happens I am in a big, huge hurry? Or the bottle is practically full. Or both.

*Yes, it's 92%. I keep track.**

**Just kidding.

?

Can someone please tell me why Angela called my sweet little daughter a hussie? And then tell me why I thought it was so funny that she took her clothes off and put just this sheer SKIRT on as a dress... so funny that I didn't make her take it off.

I Made It

Today in Relief Society, when they opened up the time for us to share a 'good news minute' I muttered, "I survived the week and am sane {kind of}" under my breath. Obviously I said it too loud and Afton repeated it so everyone could hear. It sounded funny and people laughed, but what made it funny to me is that I wasn't trying to be facetious. I was totally serious.

Naturally, I have a lot to do for my clients this time of year. Plus, one of my clients is preparing for their first financial statement audit, which has become my project on top of everything else. Another needy client (just kidding, I just had to say that because they know who they are) wants something done a little earlier than I planned. Then there is the part about cleaning, doing laundry non-stop (since Clara has decided being potty-trained is overrated and has had more accidents in the last week than she has her whole life), making dinner, grocery shopping and taking dinner to a friend. Oh, and Clara got sick and was up much of Wednesday night, which meant I was up much of Wednesday night. Most of the four hours of sleep I got that night were on the small couch with Clara. I'd fallen asleep working and she came and found me and joined me. Sick or not, she's still cute. Especially in her $3 rain coat I bought last year. It's just been waiting for a week like this past one.
Later in the week I hosted a baby shower at my house. The stressful part about this wasn't getting my house cleaned or preparing some of the food (I actually love doing both of those), it was knowing my house isn't all that accommodating to large groups of people. To make matters worse, my house is so dull and I am embarrassed by it. No paint, hardly any pictures, almost no decorations, no window coverings, you get the picture. Think mental hospital with a TV and green and cream striped couches. That could be my biggest insecurity. That or my adult acne. But it's much easier to cover up a zit than a dull house so I think I'll stick with my house. Back to the shower... I was extremely grateful for the stormy weather because it made it so no one seemed to mind how cozy we were in my house.


On Saturday I canned 41 #10 cans of beans and rice and fed the missionaries dinner. I kept it simple and vegetarian, knowing two young boys (did I really just refer to missionaries as young?) might not appreciate that. But during dinner one of the Elders expressed his genuine excitement over and gratitude for the spinach salad because he rarely gets it. I held my composure but imagined patting myself on the back for sticking to my earlier decision about what to serve. Normally, I make everything from scratch, especially dessert for guests. If I don't, I feel like a failure. On Saturday night, I proudly served the missionaries Fairytale Brownies that I pulled from some plastic wrap and ice cream for dessert and didn't have a single ounce of remorse. As far as I was concerned, I was just proud of myself for remembering dessert at that point.


Now it is Sunday, blessed Sunday. Sunday mornings are busy, especially when I have to get to church early for choir practice, but after church is over, meetings end and choir practice is done, I get to enjoy a peaceful afternoon. I often think, God is brilliant for giving us this day of rest. Brilliant! Time to ponder. Time to plan. Time to hope. Time to relax. Time to rejuvenate.

Function vs. Fashion

I did not look cute today. I opted for function. I was cold and tired when I woke up so I needed something warm and comfy. Between my (1) timeless pea coat, (2) space-inspired silver socks, (3) 50's-inspired shirt, (4) 60's-inspired sweater, (5) who-knows-when-inspired red shoes and (6) 90's-inspired pants, I looked nothing less than hodge-podged together.Until I find the perfect pair of boots*, business casual, warmth, function and cute can't coexist in my wardrobe. Oh sure, none of the articles of clothing I wore are ugly, but collectively? Yeah, not my most fashionable day (there was a reason I didn't take a picture of the full ensemble). Some people would never leave the house this way. But then again, some people think playing with numbers all day is boring.

*Perfect boots = cute, inexpensive, knee-high, not-too pointy & fit my non-existent calves.

Rainy Days

I am pretty sure I ran, in heels, to my car with a Target bag on my head tonight.Plus, this is how I brought Clara home (hidden under the shirt, yeah, that's a shirt, not a skirt, is a diaper, don't ask).
I may be self-conscious about my lame house's appearance, but mine and Clara's appearance? Not so much! Obviously.

PS This rain makes my little heart happy.

Sunday Musings

I usually spend a lot of time on Sundays thinking. Thinking of the past week, thinking of the upcoming week and thinking about the 'things' that are on my mind regularly. In case you've always wanted to know, here's some of what's on my mind...

New House It's been just over four months since we've sold our house in Utah, but it feels more like a few years. I want to move into a bigger house sooner rather than later, but the thought of staying in this house a little while longer doesn't bother me either. We plan on being in our next house a while so I need to make sure I really like it. We've found a few houses we like, but there's always a catch, so I take it to mean it's not right. When the timing is right, it will work out.

Work This last week was very, very busy. But, did you know one of my goals for 2010 is to stop procrastinating? It is and I've really taken it to heart. Turns out, I can accomplish more and I feel much less stress while doing so if I 'just do it' (who knew Nike would be so inspiring?).

Baby Shower Yesterday I went to a baby shower of a girl I work with. She's the one that went to the doctor to get pregnant and I have such strong feelings about that. But at the same time, I think it's important to support friends and the situation doesn't detract from the fact that she is bringing a precious child to this earth to receive a body. Sidenote: it's always weird when there is alcohol at baby showers. Weddings/bachelorette parties/etc., I get. I don't get why at baby showers because the person the party is for can't drink.

This Week I have a lot going on, but training myself to procrastinate less has made me feel empowered. It's invigorating to realize how much I can accomplish while maintaining my sanity and it becomes a game. Internal competition. Disciplined Anna vs. Procrastinating Anna. I know I have time to get everything done I need to if I have discipline, which gives me a desire to make the necessary effort.

Grumpy I've been grumpy/depressed this whole year (all two and a half weeks). This week I realized I would be less grumpy if I would take more time to be grateful. So today, let it be known that I am grateful for Taffy Town salt water taffy, 8:30am church, avocados, the LDS Old Testament Student Manual (even with that, the Old Testament is still confusing), having clients that don't mind when Clara comes along and Relief Society lessons.

A Baby I wish. I always want to know why and how things work. I am sure I annoy my dentist, doctors, clients, co-workers, family, teachers, friends, etc. because I want a full explanation for everything. When I wonder why I don't have more kids, the explanation is always that the Lord knows what's best and that His timing is different than my timing. Sometimes it is comforting to know, but sometimes it just gives me anxiety. Because I can only think of a few reasons why having children a decade apart is a good thing...

Apothecary Jars {and anything else I decide I want to spend money on} My house is lame and I decided it's high time to start "un-laming" it. I sat in my front room and decided I would get some lidded jars for my piano. I told (convinced) myself it would be okay to spend money and started my search. Two weeks later, I have no jars and am frustrated because I can't find anything I really, really like. This happens to me all the time. I decide I'm going to spend some money (which is no short or easy task) and then I never find anything I like because I'm too annoyingly picky. It leaves me exhausted and empty handed and, you guessed it, lame. Tomorrow I have a few more stores to try and then I might just decide a lame house isn't so bad after all.

Clara Of course she deserves a post all her own. Her imagination is hilarious. Yesterday she pretended to be Jacob, Jason was Sam and I was her Sister. She was headed to the Promised Land and the carpet was water. She called me Sister and Jason Sam all day. The only glitch in her pretend world was when she told me, "Sister, Sam went to turn the football game on." Yeah, I'm pretty sure they didn't have football or TV's in 600 BC.

Salesman Friday night I was putting sheets on Clara's bed when someone knocked. Angela and Clint were on their way over so I told Clara to get the door. I soon realized it wasn't Angela and Clint and hurried to the door. It was a salesman. I normally don't give door-to-door sales a chance, but after this guy cleaned my window, a spot on my carpet and drank the cleaner (and then said, "Don't panic, it's organic!") I was sold. Besides, I kind of wanted to give him money just for having to learn how to say and spell Dre'Shawn as a preschooler.

The End

May or May Not

Clara may or may not have dressed herself the other day.I may or may not be obsessed with ribbon {and this is just my big stuff... I may or may not have at least a hundred little spools}.

Clint may or may not be five times too big for this chair.

I may or may not look scary with curlers {especially while brushing my teeth}.

Clara may or may not have had the coolest bed head after her nap.

And my last post was definitely not as funny to you as it was to me. The point was, normally, you get a different level of service at fast food joints than you would a nice, sit-down restaurant. But in North Scottsdale? Picking up fast food is a totally different experience. I guess I'll have to try harder next time...

You Know You're In North Scottsdale When...

the service at the Jack-in-the-Box drive-thru reminds you of being at a nice, sit down restaurant.

'twas the week after Christmas...

Rachel and her family drove to Arizona on Christmas day. They stayed here until the 2nd and I quite enjoyed the non-stop party. We spent very little time at our house and Clara loved all the cousin time. For the last week, every time we go to my parent's, she asks if Rachel and her kids are going to be there. Among shopping, visiting, relaxing and enjoying the company, we had lots of fun.

{Hiking. I used to think getting a picture of all kids looking was good. Now, I enjoy "real" pictures more. Lucas covering his ears, Elsa raising her hands, Clara and Lucy examining the glasses.} {I am certain Emma considered Clara a life-size doll. She loved playing with her and holding her hand everywhere we went.}

{Dinner, FHE and donuts at R&K's.}

{The train park (and didn't wait in line for three hours like last time).}

{What a cattle car should be used for...}

{Dinner at Cafe Boa (more on that restaurant later). Afterwards I suggested we find a cool place for a picture. The guys recommended the electrical boxes in the parking garage.}

{Visit to Pop the Soda Shop, a cute little soda shop in Scottsdale (South Scottsdale, quite different from North).}

{Had a rad New Year's Eve party at R&K's, complete with 'wine' and cheese.}

{Dear Henry Weinhard, Martinelli and Trader Joe, Thank you for providing us with some Mormon-approved bubbly.}

{Hmmm}

{Who doesn't love balloons?}

{Lucas is one of the four Melzer grandchildren birthed in 2006. He's also the only boy. No wonder he felt left out and wanted to participate in the dressing up.}

{Playing Scrabble Slam. Haven't played? You should try it. It involves more brains than luck unlike other games, so that made it fun.}

{Why Clara goes to bed at 8pm.}

{Ate at Pita Jungle. Clara got to go. And was as much of a turkey there as in this picture I took just before we left. But I do love that you can see both her dimples in this picture, turkey or not.}

{Saturday we went to say goodbye. Micah put a little couch on the plasma car and took Clara and Lady for a ride.}

It was a good week. Actually, it was a great week. I did decide that the only reason I wouldn't want Rachel to move here is because I would get just about nothing done. Dishes, laundry, work, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, you name it. It was all on hold that whole week. Which was, don't get me wrong, very nice. It's just dealing with the aftermath that isn't so nice. You know, going back to reality.

Death of the Nutcracker

Top 5 reasons I didn't mind that Clara decapitated our nutcracker within days of getting it out of the box...
5. It was a total accident.
4. We can just set the head on the body and you can't even tell anything is wrong.
3. He can't come alive at night without a head.
2. I never worried about it getting broken.
1. It's way easier to store because it's not as long.

The Week Before Christmas

'Twas the week before Christmas and life explodes... (with fun)

12.21 Clara's birthday. She and I watch The Princess and the Frog in the morning. Then for the family celebration, go to the train park. Wait in line for the train at the McCormick Train Park for 2.5 hours. Sing 'Happy Birthday', eat cookies and drink hot chocolate while waiting. Board train. Train breaks down. De-board train. Wait for broken train to move. Wait for other train to return. Re-board train. Enjoy our train ride. Don't enjoy getting home at 10:30pm and getting Clara to bed at 11:00pm. Do enjoy celebrating such a special little person.

12.22 Angela's birthday.

Clara finally opens presents. Loves it all. Has a hard time opening presents after she opens a book.

12.23 Decide having triplets would be fun. Take Clara, Lucy and Elsa to see Santa at Bass Pro Shop. 3 times the girls, 3 times the food, 3 times the car (I had to drive Kathryn's to fit three car seats), you get the picture. Consequently, 3 times the fun. Until I roll Elsa's hand up in the window. {No wonder I'm her favorite aunt.} {Don't tell Clint. He might say I did it on purpose because I might have rolled his hand up in the window this summer.}

At night go to Beka and Danny's. See high school friends. Clara sees her boyfriends.

Have white elephant gift exchange. Rob receives coolest gift ever. Potted lettuce. Lindsay is a genius!

12.24 Cleaning mode kicks in. Clean a lot. Watch Christmas movies. Decide a new tradition is to go out to eat on Christmas Eve. Go out to eat. (Dear Restaurateurs, Please establish a good restaurant within 10 miles of my house because there aren't many. Thank you.). Come home. Discuss the birth of our Savior by Christmas tree light. Sing songs. Go to bed.

12.25 Merry Christmas! Clara loves her electric toothbrush more than anything else. Play at Mom's all day long. Eat dinner at Suzanne's. Rachel and family arrive... life on hold until she leaves.

PS After I published this post, it wasn't on my blog and it seemed hitting the "publish post" button deleted it. I panicked and got a little sick. Luckily, five minutes later I realized I probably used the wrong year. Sure enough, I used 2009, not 2010. Woops. Phew, glad I don't have to redo this.