5 Quirky Things About Me

1. It's what's on the inside that counts. I am not good at keeping my house tidy--putting shoes away, finishing laundry, making kids pick up, vacuuming, I almost never dust or do windows, but I always put everything in my cabinets and drawers exactly the same way--well, I'm not as meticulous with my closet, but all pans, canned goods, silverware, dishes etc are stacked the same way, rotated by date and predictably positioned.

2. I walk very close to the walls in hallways and on stairs and take a longer path in rooms, walking where most people don't in an attempt to even out foot traffic wear on floors

3. I could eat frosted mini-spooners (yeah, the Malt-O-Meal version) every morning for the rest of my life--with 15- 20 in the bottom of the bowl, frosted side up with the heaviest frosting in the back so that I can eat the best last. All cereal I eat holding the bowl tipped forward so the milk doesn't get on the cereal in the back until just before I eat it so that the last bite has the same moisture/consistency as the first bite. I eat several small bowls rather than one big soggy bowl. If the phone rings after I have poured the milk, they will have to leave a message.

4. I am such a cheapskate (from years of poverty) that I will rework furniture dozens of times in an attempt to redecorate. Design on a Dime has a $1,000 budget? Holy Cow, I don't think I have ever spent more than $200 on a room. It's all hand-me-downs and throw-aways renewed with an occcasional clearance bedding, drape, or rug, unless I find $1 a yard fabric I like and make it myself. Paint is magic.

5. I pray kneeling on my bed with my fanny up and my head on the pillow like a Muslim because of years of having a top bunk.

That's what I get for catching up on everybody else's blogs, I get tagged. Now I tag Kim, Dove, Marla, Consie, and Dee.

Trip Report

I am home. The babies are happy to see their daddy. Amelia doesn't have to flirt now with every man she sees. Today is their 9 month day.



They had fun riding in the car with grandma and grandpa--especially since mama was in the back seat with them. They love to play peek-a-boo and will take any fabric or clothing item and try to put it over their head--even socks. Sometimes they get tired of the paparazzi.






The babies got to play with their Uncle Mark for a couple of days before he went to Belfast, or some other place in the UK. They played in Grandma's store and in Grandma's basement, and anywhere else we set them down.

I was busy the first four days transcribing their guest log into an excel sheet so we can create a database and grow the Far West Historical Society. Then I worked on the website. Those pages should be posted as of this evening (Saturday), so please check it and tell me what you think.

They started work on the farm house this week as well. They are adding 8 feet to the back (which they are pouring concrete for the supports for) and extending the porch all the way across the front. They had to take off all the vinyl siding so they could replace it with a consistent masonite planking.

I spent one morning helping Dee (see the Gordons at right) get her garage packed so they could move into the house they just built. I got a picture of Abigail and Zeke holding...we thought it was Amelia, but I'm not positive. Grandma posted that on her blog. Apparently Zeke loves babies and always wants to hold them, but Mom S and I decided that it would be okay if they got married so that I could at least have a shot at red-headed grand-babies.

Despite all that, we managed to squeeze in a little fun. We were shopping for shoes and got stuck in Kohl's, darn it! We came out with the usual spankin good clearance deals. Now the girls and I are set for our summer/spring wardrobe for next year.

In Far West, Missouri

I have been in Missouri for a week now. I spent most of the time, so far doing data entry so that the visitors log here at the Far West Country Store can be converted into a database. I am trying to help my in-laws with promotions, marketing, and information disemination so that their Deseret Bookstore/visitor information center/gift store can grow into the historical village and gathering place that they envision.

That is also why I am writing a theatrical production to be presented here next year, and every year thereafter. Our tenative time for it is the last two weeks of July. That way, people who want to do a church history tour can go to the Hill Cumorah pageant, then to the Nauvoo Pageant, then here, to the Far West pageant. Yeah, its a major project. My time will be thoroughly occupied. I am going to need a ton of help.

The first day I was here I drove up to Kirksville/Brashear where my mom and dad bought a house and where my dad's family is from. On the Lay Family History blog I have posted letters written in 1913 from Kirksville by my Great grandmother, Clara Gibson to her new husband Henry Lay. The house she lived in is no longer there, but I saw the neighbors house, which she refers to in her letters. The neighbors house was bigger than I expected. I will post more about that on that blog when I get a chance.

Now you know.

Losses

I lost my brain. There is a sad resignation and a subdued helplessness. When I plugged in my computer that I was setting up as the kids computer, it wouldn't boot up. The hard drive crashed in the move. Mike says he can still retrieve the data off of it. Fortunately I handed my dad all the genealogy information I had collected on that computer, and I guess it is on the new familysearch.org. However, I had no back-up for my book that I had about five chapters of. It was about the trauma I experienced at the termination of my first marriage. My intention was to get it all out so that I would have a memory of it, without feeling like I had to hold on to it inside of me. I saw that as an important part of my healing process. Now I have to just plain let it go--maybe.

The other sad thing is that I had two older computers that had stuff on them--I have no idea what--that got left behind in the move. They are now lost forever. It was only little parts of my brain that I have no power to recall. I don't know what I have lost, so I can't be terribly sad about it, but something is gone.

The other loss is of a much more practical necessity. The new microwave (that I have previously complained about here) was set to cook for 20 minutes with nothing in it. It is completely fried and lifeless. Someone thought it was a timer. Someone was wrong. Someone is loved and will be forgiven because Someone was trying to help. Someone should not comment if they read this and give themselves away. This post is not about Someone it is about things I lost.

Mike is going to be building a couple of websites in the next couple of weeks, and since he is not used to working from home with me and the babies are around, I am going to take them to see Grandmas in Missouri (since my parents are there this week). I will also be taking that opportunity to continue working on a project that relates to that area. Sorry, I just try to say as little as possible about intentions, and just report on accomplishments. You'll just have to wait and see.

Anyway, keep on truckin'.

Whachu Talkin' 'Bout Willis?

Anastasia is doing her Zoolander.


















The babies love playing on my bed, but mostly they love getting their picture taken or videos of themselves. Anastasia is the especially hammy one. Amelia is studying the camera.

























Anastasia was helping me unpack boxes in the girls room and fell asleep on the job.

I Love Morning

Well, I love this morning, anyway. I woke up just a little before six and realized it was the first time I had been awake since I went to bed at 11. The babies slept through the night because I left Mike with them for the afternoon while I went to the temple and visited with Arren. He mostly fed them and gave them bottles, and they never took their late nap.

That was a wonderful change from the night before, where I stayed up until 12:30 watching back episodes of Chuck in prep for the new season opener. One-half hour later someone woke up screaming. Two hours later the same someone woke up again, but it wasn't time for another bottle. I could tell she was in pain, but I had given her tylenol at her 2AM feeding. So I just laid on the couch upstairs with her on my chest until she was asleep and secure. Then I couldn't get back to sleep until 6am. They woke up at eight. I didn't like that morning.

That means I lived on 2 2-hour cat naps. I went to the temple in that condition and managed to stay awake the majority of the time. I was impressed with myself.

So far this morning (which is why I love waking up early and rested) I have done some cleaning in the garage, unpacked 3 boxes of girls stuff and started my each-child-has-own-school/art/memorabilia/scrapbook-box project, painted a "desk" and, of course, fed babies, changed diapers, made bottles, danced to Queen with baby, wiped spit up, and even given baths. It is only 1:30. I can still add made lunch for myself and husband, done a blog post and even taken some special time for my honey.

I think it may be time for the babies' second nap. I may take one, but I may be better than that and continue working on my writing project.

My Dear Charlotte

Last week I called Charlotte, my old dance teacher. She is 81 now. I found out last year that she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but I didn't post about it because it was too close to Sharon's death. I had wanted so badly to visit her this previous summer. She is still doing well. She remembers me, but her voice is very weak. She struggles with her words, but knows not to try to use big words or explain complicated things. She said how much she wanted to see me and I could tell it was for the same reason I had.

She is such a sweet and amazing person. I owe her so much. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone at the studio, but she believed so much in my ability that she insisted I come to class as often as there were classes for me and I would never have to pay. My parents never would have been able to afford what she gave me. I have a hunch that I wasn't the only one in the dance studio she did that for.

While I waited for my classes (my parents usually dropped me of 1-2 hours early) she would have me help her with instruction, and so she groomed me to teach. She gave me opportunities to choreograph and eventually even mastermind an entire production. She has been a loving mentor to me like no other. Thank you Charlotte.

Between Loads of Laundry

In case I haven't explained it, Anastasia has congenital torticolis. When I was pregnant, she was really low, head down, in my pelvis. Amelia was also head down. Anastasia's position and Amelia's weight on her made is so she had very limited neck movement, and so the muscle on one side of her neck developed short. She goes to physical therapy every week to stretch that muscle out so she doesn't hold her head tilted to the left for the rest of her life.

Thursday she was strapped into her trailer trash high chair (bar stool and a gold-studded belt) and pushed it away from the table making herself fall straight back. She didn't even get a goose egg, but the floor in the dining room is concrete. I was more concerned that she had whiplash.

I took her to physical therapy and she would not have any of it. Christen, her tech was really concerned and suggested I have a doctor look at her. I took her to the ER, but she was fine.

For the past week I have been working on a writing project, and will continue to be working on it for some time, so I may continue to have a slow down in my blogging. In addition, it is finally fall in Texas, which means it is the perfect time of year for projects like refinishing and painting furniture. Now that I have my own little yard, I may be devoting a bit of time to gardening as well.

Don't you fret. I certainly will continue to blog, and probably still more than Devanie. I will also continue to read and comment in my usual places.

Llittle Known Facts

The human body does not easily digest paper. In the case of infants at least, it may pass with print still legible.

It's cricket season in Texas. They are so slow a baby can almost catch them. When they die in conspicuous places, babies can certainly catch them.

Toddling infants improve housekeeping skills.

Amelia has cut two top teeth, Anastasia has one.

They sit up to the table with us and beg for scraps.

Amelia wants it now, Anastasia wants it her way.

Amelia likes to be sung to sleep. Anastasia is too busy singing along to fall asleep.

Something You Don't See Every Day

Okay, Have you ever seen me post a recipe? Not only am I posting one, but I made it up.

Orangesicle Cake

1 Yellow cake according to directions.
1 Small box orange gelatin
4 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
5-7 mandarin orange slices

Dissolve gelatin in one cup of boiling water. Let cool about 10 minutes. Poke holes in cake with end of wooden spoon. Pour gelatin into holes of cake. Refrigerate at least one hour.

Soften cream cheese and butter. Beat with mixer until smooth. Thoroughly drain oranges. Beat into cream cheese mixture. Spread over cake. Eat small pieces, as it is very sweet.

I would have posted this yesterday, but my power went out as I was trying to. We got "hit by the hurricane" ever so mildly. The winds blew and the rains fell, but not too much rain at all. Everything got wet, but nothing close to flooding. Today it is bright and sunny.

All of the kids were here and when the power went off in the middle of the day, most everybody fell asleep.

Today we got all 10 of us to 9 am church on time, but before sacrament was over I had to take Mike back home because he left the meeting 4 times trying to get his stomach and intestines under control. He had a little Nyquil, so he is feeling better--I guess *zzzz*

The kids are at the park. Life is good

Product Peves

Okay, I absolutely love my new house; first of all that it is mine and besides that it has room that I can work with. That said, I want to complain. We bought brand new Maytag appliances--except we still have our old refrigerator. The oven/stove is fine, does the job, but I hate the controls on the overhead microwave. Everything requires a minimum of 2-3 buttons before engaging. The auto defrost it is better than the Kenmore I was using. It requires a total of three rather than the previous four touches.

I miss my GE it was beautiful. Everything was one touch--no need to even push start a lot of the time. The popcorn button was just one, perfect choice that started as soon as it was touched. Numbers 1-6 were also one-touch and represented the number of minutes it would cook as soon as the number was pressed. If you wanted, say, 10 seconds, then you would push time cook before hitting the numbers to prevent the one-touch activation.

The main issue here is my need to use multiple buttons to prevent uneven wear (which I have discussed in earlier posts Non-Disclosure Agreement and More OCD) The only relief for the soon-to-be-worn-out start button is the add 30 sec button.

I am also not impressed with my new dishwasher. The stupid silverware rack is right in the middle like an old one would be and it only has five compartments. I have trained my children to separate big spoons, little spoons, big forks, little forks, knives, serving spoons, and oversize utensils. now they don't have the space to do that, and neither do I. What's more, the top rack is over-specialized into different levels and angled pegs, minimizing the flexible capacity of the dishwasher. It has some fold-down shelves to double one side of space, but the Kenmore I was using had the same, but without all the odd niches. It also had 9 silverware compartments snugly fit along the side of the bottom shelf, leaving the entire bottom free for whatever configuration the user deems necessary.

That's all I have to say about that.

I have added two more of Clara's letters to the Laygacy blog if you haven't checked that in a while.

Getting Settled

The babies bedroom was the first place to get completely set up--minus the books on the empty bookshelf. They enjoy playing in their new bedroom and in the living area outside their bedroom when the gate is up at the stairs.











They can keep themselves entertained for at least an hour which has really helped me get stuff done around here. There is not a whole lot left to do except the boys bedroom and some general organization and picture hanging, decor, etc. stuff.







They slept for 12 hours last night with only one 2:30 wake up, so I feel rested again. They have yet to make a habit of such kindness, but it is getting closer. Anastasia was the one who woke up, but I made a bottle for Amelia at the same time and rolled the sleeping child over and popped it in her mouth.


The toy box has hardly anything in it, but the girls love to stand against it and drum on it. That is what they do more than anything; whenever they encounter a new surface, they have to slap it to see how it sounds. I don't remember that so much with my babies that did not have a drummer as a father, but that may just be poor memory.

These outfits are a size nine months. My babies just turned 8 months and they are able to wear 12 month clothes. The 6-9 are really tight on them. This is really strange for me. I am used to my babies being behind the curve. Their legs are proportionally fairly long, it seems. They don't look stubby even with their chubby.



Anastasia is closest to the crib and Amelia is closest to the dresser. When they sleep, I make sure to trade off with who gets the crib and who gets the Pack n' Play, they don't seem to care either way






These are the first phases of getting the living/dining room put together. I don't have high chairs and the swing got left in the back yard, so the babies are eating peaches on the bar stools.

The blue recliner seen here will eventually be covered with a tan durasuede cover. It was in my bedroom, but since we can't fit both of our gigantic couches reasonably in our living room, the chaise sofa is going in the second living room upstairs and the recliner provides extra seating in the main living area. I wanted to put the TV out of the focus of the downstairs living room, but since the master is downstairs and the kids are up, I didn't want the TV where they could get up and watch it without us knowing.



This picture was before Mike was able to help me get it up the stairs. Anastasia has taken to my coaching about how to safely roll off the couch to a stand. We will start working on safely maneuvering the stairs before too long. They pull themselves up to a stand now, but are not yet climbing, so stairs are not a priority.

Back to School

I don't have any first day of school snapshots. We moved in the week after school was supposed to have started, but it turned out that it didn't matter.

About a month ago, I was fighting with Matt about who was to get the kids this year. When I got married I let them stay with their dad with the expectation that they would live with me the following year so they would have time to adjust to my new marriage and have one last year in their old school. The expectation was that the third year their dad would move to the Dallas area and we would be able to go back to 50/50 custody. He didn't get transferred, so we had to come up with a different plan. I expected Isaac and Emylie to stay with their dad this year and have Andrew and Claire start in their new permanent school this year, where they would not have to change schools again. Their dad thought that we agreed to trade them every year. That sucks for the kids.

We weren't getting any closer to an agreement as the school year was fast approaching so I suggested mediation. The final result was that the kids would be with Matt for this school year, but permanently with me after that "unless they choose otherwise" but that they would have to talk to a counselor before making the decision to separate from their siblings.

There's a lot more blah-di-blah, but that's the short of it. What I noticed this morning is that most of the focus of my energy in moving out and unpacking has been on the kids' bedrooms. That's when I realized how much I miss them.

I've said before that I am not one of those mom's that gets wrapped up in their kids as identity. But being a mom means doing certain things for your kids: getting them ready (up at least) for school, making meals, being in the same house. It didn't seem hard the first year. Maybe because I was newly married. But this year I have two amazing babies to occupy my time. I am still being a full time mother. I guess it is just the emptiness of failed expectation.

Back in the Saddle

Mike went out to get a Dr. Pepper, so I need to post before he gets back.

We are officially moved into our new house with much help from our old Ward and our new one. We are so thankful for the church and for good friends in it.

The babies had a rough couple of nights. Friday they spent the night with Heather, my visiting teacher while we tried to get packing stuff done. Because I was so wound up about what we needed to do, I didn't get any more sleep than I would have if they were here. They slept on the floor one night in the old house and one night in the new house. When I finally was able to get the crib set up (someone put the pack and play in the moving truck) Amelia giggled when she saw it. She was excited just to sit in her own bed. Last night they only woke up once, and I had gone to slee early, so for the first time in I don't know how long, I slept really well.

Today I did laundry and unpacked a number of boxes. The kitchen is almost done and the babies' room is done. My bathroom is looking great too. Everything else is poo poo poo.

Mike's home, gotta go!

Last Post

This is my last post in my old house. I will not have internet access until midweek next week in the new house. Be assured, the computers will be set up and ready when the technicians finally get around to connecting us.

There is a huge Penske truck in front of my house. I drove it here. It felt weird. Li'l ol me in a monstrosity. The seat is hydraulic to make up for the absence of shocks. Dips in the road made me bounce so high it was hard to keep my feet on the gas/brake pedal.

I have only packed three boxes, and it doesn't look like I will need too many more. I am pleased with how NOT overwhelmed I am--except for the time. I can see what needs to be done though instead of just standing bewildered as I walk into each room. I need to get to it, though.

Just Silly--But Fun

I really should go to bed now, but for those outside the Lay Family loop, my sister, Kim posted this sentence making activity. Please post what you come up with.

Pick the month you were born:
January-------I kicked
February------I loved
March--------I karate chopped
April----------I licked
May----------I jumped on
June----------I smelled
July-----------I did the Macarena With
August--------I had lunch with
September----I danced with
October-------I sang to
November-----I yelled at
December-----I ran over
Pick the day (number) you were born on:
1-------a birdbath
2-------a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------a snowman
6-------a gangster
7-------my mobile phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbor
11-------my science teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a stuffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19------ - a smurf
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an ipod
29-------a surfer
30-------a llama
31-------A homeless guy
Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:
White---------because I'm cool like that
Black---------because that's how I roll.
Pink -----------because I'm crazy.
Red-----------because the voices told me to.
Blue-----------because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green---------because I think I need some serious help.
Purple---------because I'm AWESOME!
Gray----------because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow--------because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange--------because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown---------because I can..
Other----------because I'm a Ninja!
None----------because I can't control myself!

My sentence today is: I did the Macarena with a football player because I'm crazy. Tomorrow I will wear a gray shirt so I can do the macarena with a football player because Big Bird is my leader. Have fun!

Overnighter

Last night I spent the first night in my new house. I had to take Mikey and Lexi back to their mom., which puts me most of the way to the house and we had to finish up the floor covering before we move in on Saturday So I took the babies with me and we slept on blankets and sleeping bags on the floor. They actually slept for a seven hour stretch together. One has been doing that lately, but the other has often been up around 1 or 2. Don't ask me if it is the same one, or which one. I am asleep when I take care of them.

So today I finished the flooring in the living room and shampooed the carpet in the other rooms. The babies played in their room, my room, and the big girls room (which is where I slept). They were great all day. I think they liked having a different place to play and new things to explore.

I also scrubbed walls and doors since we don't have time to paint, repaired nail, screw, and golf ball holes, and had a little fun with electricity. I turned off the breaker that said master bed/bath, but I still got a tingle like when we played with the electric fence when installing the two outlets that were left in my bathroom. That was precisely when I decided that there was nothing else I needed power for and cut the main breaker. I started on the vanity light, but got distracted and didn't come back to it. The electric box for it is centered on the wall, but the mirror is not, so it is not centered on the mirror.

I missed the closing ceremonies of the Olympics for all that. It is good that they are over. Maybe I can make some actual progress on packing/cleaning before we get a moving truck this Saturday.

No Words

Still Here

I spent all day yesterday cleaning and working on my new house. Mike and the babies were there with me. He mostly did electrical work. We made a ridiculous number of trips to Lowe's because it is 5 minutes down the road. This week we have painting, flooring, and packing to do. We have a target date of Saturday for the big furniture move.

The babies are scooting all over the place. It is amazing how much they have advanced in their skills in the past two weeks. Things they could barely do are now perfected. They don't like being in the empty new house all day very much, though. It is hard to get stuff done with them. They are very good, but they need attention. The interruptions minimize my efficiency.

They are so fun right now, though--laughing, singing, kissing. There's just a lot of love around here.

I missed Phelp's final Gold medal because of being at the house yesterday, and who knows what else. Watching the news this afternoon they said, "If Michael Phelps was a country, he would be tied for fifth for gold medals." That really puts it into perspective. Guess I'll read now and see what I've missed from the rest of you.

Fanatic

There are very few things in my life--outside of family and church that I really get into. Apparently, the Twilight series, though that has not stood the test of time, as yet. I make every effort to watch American Idol. But before all that, and for decades of devotion, I love, love, the Olympics--winter, summer, it doesn't matter the event. I make every effort to watch all of the network coverage of it--despite my disdain for NBC. I am so glad they decided to stagger years so I don't have to wait a full four years before I get my Olympic fix. Every two years, two weeks of my life is dedicated to wrapping myself in the drama of human achievement and tragedy.

I enjoy figure skating far more than gymnastics, mostly because there is so little dance to gymnastics, even in the ladies floor routine. I would like to see a brilliant choreographer make it a floor exercise look more like a series of disjointed set-ups for strings of tumbling passes. It bugs me, too, how their pirouettes more often than not fall off to the side instead of remaining center--meaning their focus is on power more than control. Still what they do is amazing and I love to watch it. I wish synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics got more air time.

One thing I have done to minimize my obsession is not subscribe to the pay per view coverage or look for streaming video on the website. Afterall, I have a house to clean up and move out of in two weeks. The closing process has met with a lot of bumps, but we are signing on Wednesday and moving out the 23rd. The kids start school on the 27th. I have a couple of things to do. Don't expect a lot of blog participation this month--unless I get so stressed out that I want to withdraw from my responsibilities.