Kid Quotes

This morning one of our school age boys was very excited to tell everyone something.  As he got on the van the said "My dad is very intelligent.  Know why?  He can squeeze his nose and make skin pop out!"  That sounds like quite a trick but I don't know how that makes him so smart.  I didn't see his father this afternoon to ask him about it but I can't wait to see him.  I'm sure there is a logical explanation.  At least from the boy's view, anyway.

Kid Quotes

One of my favorite times of the day is when the parents come to pick up their kids and they run up to them squealing "Mommy, Daddy!"  Today one of our older boys (about 8 years old) greeted his mother with "Don't forget to get on the eliptical tonight, mom".  I thought she'd be mad or offended but she asks him to remind her so she won't forget.  Maybe that's why I don't exercise.  I don't have children at home to remind me.  It sounds like a logical excuse to me.

Sunday School Lessons

I spent a wonderful Sunday in my own ward for conference.  We have the best people in our ward.  I am also very grateful to be home safely from Boise.  Maria and I had a great time until I ran out of gas on the freeway in the middle of nowhere.  It had to be one of the most humiliating moments in my life.  I never run out of gas.  I guess we were so excited about all the cool things we saw at the Miche Bag meeting that I didn't even think about filling up.  After sitting in the car and laughing for a few minutes, I used my cell phone to google towing companies in Rupert and was able to call a very nice man who came out and brought gasoline to us, for a price of course.  Just a note, try not to get stranded in the middle of nowhere, it's very expensive.  And time consuming.  And inconvenient.  But I loved Maria's outlook.  She explained that it could have been a lot worse.  It could have been at night, in a snow storm.  She is right of course.  Everything happens for a reason.  Maybe I needed to learn to check the gas gauge more often so it will never happen again and leave me stranded in a more inconvenient or even dangerous situation.  And believe me, I have learned my lesson.

Kid Quotes

My grandchildren had parents day at their school on Friday.  Their mother, my daughter, went to their classes and watched their performances and then took them to McDonald's after school for a special treat.  They got happy meals and each received a toy car.  Caroline's was purple and Christian decided he wanted the purple one.  Caroline refused to give it up.  Anyone who knows Christian will envision him working up a doozy of a melt down.  He does them so well.  This is how the conversation went:

Christian: CAROLINE, God said to share!!!!!!!!!!!
Caroline: But he didn't say to trade.

I really think my daughter will have her hands full with her daughter as she gets older.  At the age of 7, she is already working the loopholes.  Can you imagine her at 16?  Oh, my.

Going to Boise

I'm on my way to Boise for a training on my Miche Bag business.  I can't wait to see the amazing new shells and accessories that were unveiled at the national convention.  I don't like the drive there, too long and boring, but one of the other reps is going with me so I'll have some company.  And I get to see my son, Taylor, who lives there.  I'm taking him and his girlfriend and another friend to dinner and then probably grocery shopping.  A mom has to make sure her children are eating and if I know Taylor, he spends his money on music and not food.

Kid Quotes

I heard two funny kid quotes today at work and I can't remember them.  I know I'm not as young as I once was but this is ridiculous.  Why does my mind do this to me?  I've been living a good clean life, well at least for the past 25 years.  I guess I'll have to start writing everything down so I can write about it here.  Or I need to set up my blog so I can access it on my cell phone.  I think that will be my project for.....I don't know when.  Maybe next week?  I'll have to ask someone who knows how to do it if they will help me.  Any volunteers?

Kid Quotes

We have the best employees in town!  I love working with the girls/women at the day care center.  They are funny, dependable, and just good girls.  One of those, Andrea, had the best conversation with a first grader today.  After she picked him up and was heading to the next school he asked her "Ms. Andrea, do you ever wonder?"  She replied, "Wonder what?"  He said, "Just wonder".  She smiled and asked him "What are you wondering?" and he said "Nothing.  I'm just wondering."  I wish I could shrink down and migrate into their little minds to find out how they reason and think.  And wonder.  Aren't they great?

Kid Quotes

Our cook, Tina came into the office giggling today.  One of our cute 3 year old girls asked her "Aren't I ADORNABLE?"  I have to admit that all the little girls are adorable and adornable and even a lot of the boys are pretty darn cute.  The things they say are the cutest, though.

Sunday School Lessons

Today I was in the 11th ward for their ward conference.  The bishop, bishop's wife and stake president were the speakers.  The choir sang "The Lord Is My Shepherd" and it was the most beautiful rendition I think I've ever heard.  They only had 7 women and 7 men but their voices were so strong and they blended perfectly.  It was awesome.  There was a poem on the front of the bulletin that I really like.  I don't know who wrote it, there was no author on it but here it is:

Yes, You Can Succeed

Figure it out for yourself, my lad;

You've all that the greatest men have had;

Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,

And a brain to use if you would be wise.

With this equipment they all began.

So start from the top and say "I can".

Look them over, the wise and the great;

They take their food from a common plate.

And similar knives and forks they use,

With similar laces they tie their shoes.

The world considers them brave and smart

But you've all the had when they made their start.

You're the handicapped you must face;

You are the one who must choose your place.

You must say where you want to go,

How much you will study the truth to know;

God has equipped you for life, but He

Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,

The man must furnish the will to win.

So figure it out for yourself, my lad;

You are born with all the the great have had.

With all your equipment they all began,

Get hold of yourself and say, "I CAN".

Book Review

I have finished two more books, "I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This and Other Things That Strike Me Funny" by Bob Newhart and "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch.
Bob Newhart's book was the first one I read.  He reminds me of my dad because we loved watching his shows.  Reruns of his first show would air after Johnny Carson in the late 70's and early 80's.  I still think he should be married to Suzanne Pleschette.  My dad had his comedy albums and I remember listening to them while I was growing up.  His book was a great read for all the memories but it was written in kind of a half hazzard way.  I did learn something though.  Before he got started he sent demo tapes to 3 radio stations and two of them were familiar.  One was in Idaho Falls and the other was in Jacksonville, FL.  I read in bed before I go to sleep and I laughed so hard in one part that I thought I'd wake up Brad.  In college at Loyola University he sparred with his friend Jim McGee.  This is the story he tells:


"During our sessions Jimmy gave me a deviated septum, probably from a left hook.  I didn't think much of it at the time until my induction physical, when the doctor said, "Bend over," which I did, 
and the doctor said, "How did you get the deviated septum?" and I wondered, "You can see it 
from there?" 


It still makes me laugh, out loud, hard!
I also think he had the all time best moment in TV history at the end of his show Newhart when he wakes up in bed with Suzanne Pleschette and tells her about the dream he had of running an Inn in Vermont.  Brilliant!

"The Last Lecture"  was a more uplifting book than I was expecting.  It's written by a man who is dying from cancer.  He is married with 3 kids and is a professor.  He is asked to give a lecture at the end of his career and he ends up delivering a legacy for his wife and children.  It is also very entertaining.  The book has 61 chapters but they are very short, some less than a page long.  Some of my favorites are:


Be The First Penguin
All You Have To Do Is Ask
Be A Communitarian
No Job Is Beneath You
The $100,000 Salt And Pepper Shaker
Get In Touch With Your Crayon Box
Send Out Thin Mints
A Recovering Jerk
Romancing The Brick Wall


Actually, I could put down almost every chapter so I should just tell you to read the whole book.  I highly recommend it.  I would recommend the Bob Newhart  book if you are a fan of his.

Kid Quotes

As I was driving and picking up kids from school today I was listening in on the conversation behind me.  This is how it went:

T: "I've been playing the coolest game.  Do you know how to play it?"
J: "No."
T: "You just have to read the CONSTRUCTIONS"

I laughed for 6 blocks!

Kid Quotes

Today, one of the moms called to tell us her 4 year old son has been absent from pre-school because he broke his arm.  She said it was a pretty nasty break and wanted to know if we could help him out with things like washing his hands and going potty (I told her we would be glad to do that).  Then she laughed and said he told her "Mom, you need to write me an excuse for gym time".  She couldn't figure out how he knows about excuse notes.  I couldn't tell her but I thought it was very cute for a 4 year old to come up with that.

Nothing New

Nothing new.  Going to bed.  Nighty night!

New Beginnings

OK.  I've decided that teenage girls aren't so bad.  For years I've dreaded working with teens.  The moods, the fighting, the cattiness, the sass, I just didn't have much patience with it all.  But tonight I went to a New Beginnings at one of the wards in our stake and the 3 girls there changed my mind and attitude.  They are good girls, fun, and very cool!  I'm actually excited to be working with them.  

Today at work, one of my employees said she had read my blog and that I have "everyone's business" on it.  I didn't think it was that bad but I decided to make a couple of rules for what I will blog about.

Blogging Rules

1- No last names.

2- Maybe only initials

3- Never write anything I wouldn't say out loud.  To anyone, especially the person I'm talking about.

4- I reserve the right to change the rules when I want ( it IS my blog after all...).

I have included the scripture valentine I made and I hope you like it.

Mom Buys A House Online

Today was a very relaxed day at the center.  We did have all the school age kids because school was out for MLKJ day but even with them it was fairly quiet.  I worked on organizing the employee files and then went to JoAnn's for their big sale.  Patterns were 99 cents and their red tag fabric was 50% off.  I got several cute patterns for Caroline and one for a pioneer cap.  I want to make one for our handcart trek this summer.  When I got back to work mom told me she saw a house that was going to be auctioned off this afternoon and wanted to go look at.  I called Brad and he went with her to inspect it and then she went online and registered to bid on it.  I couldn't believe it when she WON THE AUCTION!  I've never heard of anyone buying a house online.  She got a great deal on it and wants to fix it up a little and then sell it.  She might have started a second business.  You go mom!

Sunday School Lessons

We had a wonderful ward conference in the 28th ward today.  Bishop Olsen and his wife spoke as well as Pres Hunter.  Then we went to Sunday School to study the creation as found in the book of Moses.  Finally we presented the lesson in Young Women.  They only had 2 girls there but they were great.  They even stayed after the lesson for about 10 minutes and talked with us about school classes and the change to their credits to graduate.  When I came home Brad had dinner ready-ginger sesame chicken, baked yams, and peas and carrots-YUM!  I didn't get a nap after dinner because we had a fireside to go to.  Coach Knight from IF was the speaker.  Our theme this year is taken from Joshua 1:9 "...be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."  He taught them how to be strong, both physically and spiritually.  That we need to practice the things that bring spiritual strength.  He challenged us to make a sacrifice of something that doesn't invite the spirit and replace it with something good that does bring the Holy Spirit into our life.  I have a few ideas but haven't decided what to do for sure.  I'm giving myself a week to think about it and then commit.  I'll let you know what it is.

Caroline's Thank You Card

I received this thank you card from my granddaughter Caroline.  She calls me graham crackers.   When she was here last summer she started calling me grams and then it became graham crackers.  She's chocolate and Christian is marshmellows so we can make S'mores.  Kevin is the fire.  I sent them a microwave S'more maker for Christmas.  I can't wait for them to come for the summer again.  I like to keep them for as long as I can-a month or more.  CariSu and JuanLuis are going to Spain for 3 weeks in July so I think I get the kids from the last of June until the end of July.  We always have so much fun.  They love to play with their cousins Tyson, Jackson, Lexie and Tommy and CariSu and JuanLuis have fun just being a young couple in love.  It's a win-win for everyone.

Lily-Bad Dog!

My sister Leisa just left my house.  She came over so I could rub her back.  She has a big knot on her right shoulder blade and I spent about 15 minutes rubbing it out.  Her son, Tyson (age 7) came with her. He had never seen Connor's house so he went next door to see it and Connor's dog, Lily, bit Tyson in the face.  It was really more like a scratch but it bled and scared Tyson.  We can't figure out why she did that unless she was just being protective of her turf.  I went grocery shopping tonight so I won't have to leave my house tomorrow.  I plan on staying in my pj's all day long and cleaning and sewing and reading and doing whatever I feel like.  That's my idea of heaven.

Sick Day

I just got home from work.  We had a training at 6:30 pm and it was great.  Holly Whitworth came and talked about classroom environments.  Inspiring!  I'm not feeling well again so I'm going to bed.  I had mom check my glucose levels and they were normal so it's not blood sugar related.  Oh, I almost forgot, Jackson went home with his teacher Brittney last night and now he calls her his mom.  Leisa thinks it's funny, which is good.  I'm glad her feelings aren't hurt because it is kind of cute.  Andrea gave him a magic wand that he sleeps with.  He tried to turn the couch into a Thomas bed.  What a kid!

Stake YW Meeting

I just got home from my monthly Young Women meeting with the Stake.  We are in charge of a large 4 stake Mia Maid/Teacher pre-dating activity.  We talked about several ideas and then Sis. Hunter offered the idea of a pre-dating speed dating night.  I think the kids would LOVE that!  I would have at that age.  We are also planning a Youth Conference for July 22,23,24 that will be a handcart trek.  We are going to Chesterfield, Idaho and pulling handcarts in pioneer dress to similate and authentic trek.  I went on a trek at Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City several years ago for a Youth Conference and I swore I'd never do that again.  It was so HARD!  Ultimately, it was one of the best experiences of my life but it was HARD!  I really appreciate my pioneer ancestors so much more but have I told you that it was HARD!  I also learned to never say never because here I am planning on going on another one.  I guess I learn the HARD way!

Kid Quotes

OK, so yesterday one of our employees picked up the Latchkey kids from school and when she pulled into the parking lot, one of the second graders was standing at the curb holding a sign, grinning from ear to ear, and waving at everyone that passed by.  When she got on the van she asked all the kids "Who wants Geiko?"  This is the picture she was holding.  Check out the spelling on insurance.  It's hysterical!

Sick Day

The last half of the day I've been getting sick and I'm going to bed right now (even if it is only 6:30).  Sleep helps me heal.  So this is all I'm going to blog tonight but tomorrow I have the funniest story about one of our Latchkey kids.

Birthday Party

Today we celebrated my niece, Lexie's birthday.  I can't believe she's 10 years old.  She is growing into quite the young lady.  She performed the cutest dance to a song by Selena Gomez (I don't remember what it was) but she wasn't brave enough to do it in front of her cousin Aaron who is 15.  She made him leave the room.  We got talking about when my youngest, Connor, was baptized.  The whole family came to see him as well as the Primary President and of course the Bishopric.  He was in the dressing room getting into his white clothes when everyone arrived and when he came into the room and saw everyone he asked "What are they doing here?"  I told him they were here to see him get baptized.  He said "Oh, no, I'm not getting baptized with them here.  Make them leave!" and he was serious.  He wouldn't calm down until we cleared the room.  The only one he would let stay was his brother Taylor.  He even made me leave.  I didn't care, as long as he wasn't freaking out it was OK with me.  We all stood in the hall and laughed about it.  His dad baptized him and his Grandpa Potter was a witness.  It was quite a memorable day!

Going Rogue

"I don't believe that God put us on earth to be ordinary"

--Lou Holtz--

These are the first words in Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue".  I LOVE this quote.  I also love the style she writes in.  It feels like you're sitting with your best friend and catching up.  I also love one of her stories and I'm going to share it with you.

  It was in softball that Coach Reid Smith taught me another lesson that served me well for years.  He told one of our rookie outfielders, who was almost as weak a player as I was, to quit jumping around and acting all gleeful when she successfully caught a fly ball.

  "That's what you're supposed to do, girl!" he yelled.  "Quit acting surprised when you do what you're put there to do!"

  Early in my political career, I would remember that lesson.  When things went right under my administration's leadership, sometimes I'd look around and wonder why no one but me was jumping with joy.  Then I'd recall Coach Smith's holler from years ago: "You were put there to do this, so don't act surprised." (And don't look to anyone else to cheer you either.)

What a great story.  I think we are often surprised when we succeed in something, especially if it's something hard.  We can do hard things.  We can do amazing things.  We just need to believe in ourselves.  I'm going to work harder to believe in others and myself.

Another Day....

I almost went to bed without blogging!  It's too soon to blow my resolution.  The day at work was kind of uneventful.  I did bring my sister into the 21st century.  I helped her create a facebook page AND a blog.  Her blog is http://www.idahoshopgirl.com/.  It's very cute and she did a great job on it.  I finished my book "Even Money" and I'm going to start "Going Rogue" by Sarah Palin.  Mom gave it to me after she read it and said it's a must read.  I'll let you know what I think.

Cute Kids

I hope the story I'm about to tell you isn't too...well...inappropriate.  If it is I 'm sorry but it was too funny.  There is a little boy at the day care center who enjoys....."fondling" himself.  Yesterday, he kept trying to talk to my sister, Leisa and she was ignoring him.  She finally asked him what he wanted and he said, very innocently, "My weenie is big!"  She had to leave the room so he wouldn't see her laughing.  Then today at nap time he had his hands down his pants and Ms. Kate told him to take them out and he said "But I'm not touching my weenie".  BOYS!  What do you do with them?

Another day...

Today was pretty dull with the exception of firing one of our employees.  Not my favorite thing to do but sometimes necessary.  I made spaghetti and meatballs and I feel sick now.  I think the meatballs were past their prime.  I have what Connor calls "popcorn burps".  Yuck!  I think I'll go to bed.

Ordinary Day

Today was another long day at work.  My sister, Leisa, has been home with her 3 yr old, Jackson because he has been sick so I had to close the center tonight.  Mom works in the temple on Tuesdays.  I feel so sorry for Jackson.  His temperature was so high this weekend that he was hallucinating.  He thought there were kitty cats in his bed with him.  I did get a break at lunch time so I went shopping for a calendar.  They were pretty picked over but I found a really cute inspirational one for $1.50.  I'm missing my reality TV.  No "Dancing With The Stars", "American Idol", "So You Think You Can Dance", or "Castle".  Well, Castle isn't reality but I really enjoy it.  I even read the book "Heat Wave".  I might just go to bed early and read.  I finished "U is for Undertow" by Sue Grafton last week and I'm reading "Even Money" by Felix and Dick Francis.  Dick Francis is my favorite author and I think his son, Felix, will take over for him when he's no longer writing.  I hope so, at least.  And I hope Grafton comes up with something when she runs out of the alphabet.

Kid Sayings

I work at a day care center and love it when the kids say cute things.  Today I was getting ready to read a story to the 3 year old preschool class and I was asking each of them what they got for Christmas.  After they finished telling me what Santa brought them I told them that I had received a spice rack.  One of the little boys (I'll call him N) said "Oh, that freaks me out!"  I guess rosemary and ginger can be a little freaky!  After the story he told me he didn't like it, that it was boring.  Then after snack he was in the dramatic play center, trying to put on a policeman outfit and he looked over at me, put his hands in the air and said "Oh, teacher...a little help over here??????????"  I could steal him and take him home with me.

Fast Sunday

Today our church starts at 11:00 am.  It is Fast Sunday which means we fast for 2 meals and then donate what we would have spent on those 2 meals to the Fast Offering Fund which helps people who need money to live.  I like to fast Sat night for dinner and Sun morning for breakfast but I forgot last night and so now I need to fast for Sun breakfast and lunch.  I need to find a way to remember the night before so I can start on Sat.  Tomorrow is back to work and I don't think I'm going to like that.  I've enjoyed having time off and getting things done.  Oh, well, someday I won't have to work.