Honest Scrap

So, I was tagged by my sister to tell 10 truthful things about myself. Generally, I am not one to be untruthful about myself. If people want to know, I will tell them. The quandry lies in trying to determine what would even interest anyone, what do people want to know about my exciting life?? So, here goes....hopefully it isn't too dull.

1. I hate the word penetrate. I don't know who came up with this word, but it has no business in the english language. I cringe every time I hear it. This is why you will not find me absorbing hours of Sports Center.

2. I have no desire to nurture children other than my own. I don't know why I'm not one of those ladies who steals other people's babies and walks around with them all afternoon. It's just not in me. Other people's kids just seem...sort of foreign to me. Don't get me wrong, I will do my best to care for other children when asked, or if I can see someone is struggling, but I don't go around hoping for the opportunity.

3. I am having 15 warts removed from my feet. Yes, you read that right, 15. Don't ask me how it happened. Maybe the water in grandma's house carried wart virus...I mean we did find parts of a frog had plugged our water pipes up completely one time. The bottom of my foot looks like a war zone. I would include a picture, but I'm sure most people wouldn't want to see it(except possibly my sisters). The fact is, though, no matter how much pain I've been in, I've sort of enjoyed popping all the blisters. I was dismayed to find out today, though, that despite all the caustic acid we've applied, one may still need to be scooped out.

4. I am a substantially less patient person than I once thought. You've heard of the terrible twos? It is nothing compared to the threes. They have a very advanced vocabulary and no idea how to use it. Really. Sometimes I wonder if he needs counseling, but then I have to remember that he's only three. Maybe he'll stop being angry when he's four. Also, maybe he'll expand his horizons and wear two or maybe even three different outfits instead of the same old "uniform". Oh please, oh please.

5. I don't know if I am meant to raise girls. I don't really know what it is like to raise girls. I don't have any. Obviously, I am a girl myself, and I remember being a perfect child, of course. But, I do remember refusing to practice so I didn't have to take piano lessons. I always volunteered to help my dad do anything when he needed me, so that should really make up for my tantrums. Anyway, I have babysat some girls lately - not little girls - mostly ages 6-10 - and I am always relieved when their mothers come for them. I cannot get a word in edgewise!

6. I wish it could be fall forever. Sunny and 60-70 degrees forever, please.

7. I really do like to sew. However, sewing right now means mending pants. I have piles to mend. I even have to mend one of our bean bags. (Not surprising since every kid that comes to our house ends up running from the living room bean bag to the family room bean bags and jumping on them...for hours on end). I just wish I could make cool curtains and wall hangings. Maybe someday I'll have loads of time, and I can spend days sewing.

8. Sometimes, I don't recognize my life. Maybe I don't have an accurate recollection, but I remember going places and doing things. Now, our vacations consist of going to Utah, where we shop for all the things we cannot buy in Elko...and they aren't even exciting things. It would give me some comfort to know that if we have to shop, we could at least get something sort of exciting. Also, it's all I can do to run 5 miles three times a week. Of course, I have nowhere to run but outside, and it's really, really dark still at 6 am, and many times, it's blowing and just downright too cold to enjoy myself. Maybe when my kids grow up, we can do high adventure things together.

9. I wasn't ready to go from employee to employer. Since dad died in July, we have faced the difficult transition of running the equipment business ourselves. Now, we don't own the business or anything, but we pretty much make all the business decisions. I feel really uncomfortable in that role. Certainly, Tyler takes the brunt of the responsibility, but it's still been a really, really hard 3 1/2 months. You can't get away from it, either. It's sort of like we finally grew up. We were enjoying our childhood, as it were, for three years (being the employee), and we finally got pushed into adulthood. It sort of feels like a lifetime sentence that I didn't choose. Of course, we did choose it when we decided to stay here, but we had no idea! I'm sure when we start figuring out what we're doing, we'll be able to manage the stress better.

10. I'm actually really excited to get a minivan. That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard myself say. A minivan? Really? Yes! You won't understand the convenience until you have several children you have to herd in and out of the car and buckle and unbuckle.....it's exhausting. We're looking for a 7 seater Toyota Sienna. Let me know if you see any screaming deals.

I was only required to divulge 10 truths, but I will give you a few bonus truths. Shoe Size: 10 , Age: 35, Favorite Food: homemade bread, Expected Birth Date of Child #3: October 7th.

New Employees

ELOISE

This one is Ian's, and he calls her Arrania - or maybe it's Allania, we aren't sure.

But, we want to call her MARGIE.
We are hoping they will keep our mouse, chipmunk and possibly ground squirrel populations down. That will leave us with just the gophers to battle. Let's hope they are up to the task.

Halloween

The traditional pumpkin carving by the traditional pumpkin carver.

The boys clean it out....sort of.....
Finished product!! Too bad there will only be 3 trick or treaters to enjoy it.

We went to a trunk or treat activity the night before halloween. Ian went to 3 or 4 trunks, and refused to go to any more. Cameron came home with the motherlode of candy. So, I sort of hoped the kids didn't want to go trick or treating on halloween. Ian said he didn't want to go, but when his friend, Orrin showed up, he decided he wanted to go. I threw on the big bad wolf costume, and dressed the boys and went to our neighbor's homes. They live a mile away, and are always sad if they don't get any trick or treaters. After the first of three houses, Ian was done. The second house was decorated pretty amazing inside and out. I think it scared him. Nevertheless, we convinced him to press on. And, it was worth it because we got 2 new decks of playing cards there. I guess people don't give face cards out to children in other states?? After the three houses, his jar, that he insisted on bringing instead of a bag, was bursting. We finished off the night with a visit to grandma's.

Isn't this just the cutest little monkey you've ever seen?