Let's Just Be Honest Here....

Side Point #1: I love to utilize this: ( ... ) These three little dots... It really is how my mind works...just kind of trailing off here and there...

Back to honesty (it is the best policy,you know!)

I don't like to "run" a.k.a. go jogging. Never have. Probably never will. I have tried it many times thru my life:

age 14 with friends to try to bring up endurance for neighborhood soccer games...hated it.

age 16 with friends because we thought we were "fat" and wanted to loose those huge pounds (ha ha ha, I wish I were that "fat" now!) Hated it.

age 20 by myself around BYU campus, because, well EVERYONE jogs at BYU. Not me. Hated it.

age 30 with my neighbors because I really am in need of loosing poundage. Hated it. Rationalized that even if I hated it I just had to do it anyway. Buck up and deal with it.

I even got a treadmill so I could be semi lazy and watch TV while I was jogging. Ugh. Still hated it.

Let's just be honest here. I just hate running. It's not remotely enjoyable. My treadmill was being used...just not for it's intended purpose...




So, I admitted defeat. I put it up on KSL and sold it the following day. I wish all the best to the new owner. I hope you enjoy it more than I did.


So, I can't just give up on exercise, right? Right? So, I really pondered what I actually like doing.

My mother and I used to take rides on our bikes everyday in the summer. Thinking of riding a bike brings warm memories and good thoughts. Not terror.

I did my research and found the bike that was the best quality, nice looks and everything in between. Then I decided, based on my previous history, that I should just buy a good quality one at Wal-Mart for now.

So, here is my new baby.

Happy Valenswine's Day!

We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day this year by taking my mom out to lunch. So the boys, Darrin, my mom and I decided to eat at Rib City. We indulged on smoked pork, beef and chicken. We had fried okra, french fries, garlic bread and baked beans. It was yummy!

While we were sitting there eating we figured out that Darrin, the boys, and I went to Rib City last year for Valentine's Day. Apparently there is some subconscience thing going on with the holiday and Southern BBQ.

So, we decided to make Southern BBQ and tradition for Valenswine's Day every year!!

Tough Economic Times

It happened in the Great Depression, too impoverished to purchase even the barest essentials....



Once again, the economic times have hit close to home.....




I promise (cross my heart) that we had nothing to do with this fabulous fashion adventure. We were in the kitchen and Tate came running in with this Wal-Mart bag version of the depression barrel.

Check it out.

Hey, I was invited to be a guest author on the blog Light Refreshments Served....check it out (it's a couple post's down). The link is on my side bar.

It's in my Genes/Jeans

You always hear about the families who have talent seething from their genetic pours: The 5 Browns, The Jacksons, The Kennedy's.... The Baldwins...whether it's musical, political prowess, or acting, the genetic markers are there in each family member.

My family has also been blessed with an exceptional genetic gift. It is one that transcends all others. We use all of our senses in harmony: touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste. We are omnivores. The best around.

There is legend that my fathers' sister once drove 1.5 hours away from her home town to a specific diner...because they had the best biscuits and gravy in the whole county.

My visionary sister once had a dream that my dad came into the convenience store she was working in and, when asked what time it was, looked at his chocodile watch to get the time. (if you have never heard of a chocodile...that's OK, your just not as gifted as us....it is a 1990's chocolate covered twinkie )

My sister and I plan our visits with each other not in terms of where to go and what to do, but where are going to eat while we are visiting each other.

My most vivid and fondest memories of visiting my grandparents involve sitting around the dining room table. We have a whole "football game" ritual worked out.

We have the "pre-game" show when everyone bellies up to the table with a nice cold drink while the food is being prepared (everyone being relative because we all know someone has to cook, right?).
Then we have "the big game" where the glorious food is partaken...touchdown for grandmas italian style cucumbers and tomatoes!
Then with our waistbands bulging we proceed with the "post-game" commentary. We sit around the table for hours enjoying each others company, re-telling the same funny family stories over and over again.

It is pure bliss.

I have a prominent sign in my dining room that states "Life's Best Memories are Made Around the Table."

Yep, it's in the genes.

Hmmmm, That reminds me, I wonder what I should make for dinner?

Just the facts mam.

This is a emotion free post. I have, for the past week or so, turned off my emotions (refer to your owners manual for instructions) so as to not self-cum bust.

Fact #1: We had three diagnosed cases of strep throat in our family of 4 in 4 days.

Fact #2: We had one surgery and one baby "born" and crushed (see baby Vernon post).

Fact #3: Tate was diagnosed with a bladder infection after expertly peeing in a cup at the doctors office and hospital.

Fact #3: Bladder infection was first mis-diagnosed as Kidney Stones (long story)

Fact #4: We spent 6 hours at the ER to get Bladder Infection diagnosis.

Fact #5: Darrin got to take medicine that turned all his bodily fluids Orange. Cool.

Fact #6: We saw 6 different doctors in 6 days.

Fact #7: We love our pediatrician and don't like it when he is gone on a mini-vacay.

Fact #8: After one week of no doctors visits, one of us got severe chest pain and was diagnosed with pleurisy.

Fact #9: Good health is under-rated.

Fact #10: We would be SUNK without grandma's.