OBSERVATION

went to Target and the mall yesterday (last minute shopping you know and do you know what I found-- Men. 80% of the shoppers on Dec. 23rd were Men. HMMMM!!!!

CHRISTMAS IS A CRAZY TIME!!!

I don't have any great pictures to show. Me laden with shopping bags, kids delivering neighborhood gifts in the rain, the Usually December 23rd scramble. In all my brain fog I almost posted a really awful picture of myself for the whole world to see. Fortunately, the fog cleared. No pictures. Just some philosophizing. I'm rethinking Christmas. Not the actual holiday, but the entire season. I spend so much time thinking about everything I "HAVE" to do and less time thinking about my Saviour or other People. Christmas is a STRESSFUL time instead of a joyful one. This Ought NOT SO TO BE!! Who'll Join me in a revolution of Joy and Thanksgiving for the Holiday season-- and charity the other 11 months of the year. Let's Cast aside our expectations of ourselves and everybody else. Let's Encourage our neighbors to send a smile our way instead of waist expanders(as much as we love muddy buddies, brownies, candy, etc.-- let's relieve their burden to give to us), let's tell our families we love them more often through the year and spend less money on them at Christmas time. Let's Use our time helping at charities all year long. I'm a radical, a revolutionary, you say. Weird and crazy, even. Maybe so. Maybe so. Then again, maybe not.

THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT MIDNIGHT WITH NO FLASH!!! I KID YOU NOT

EATING MY WORDS:)

It looks like St. George just might get a WHITE CHRISTMAS for the first time, I don't know, EVER!!!!!School is even cancelled because of snow tomorrow. It seems a little wimpy, I know, that two inches of the white stuff -- or even 5 (the projected fall) could prevent us from venturing out, but it makes an awful lot of sense. Nobody around here is equipped with studded tires. There are a fair number of 4WD vehicles but those are just for holding big families, not maneuvering in the snow. At any rate, the kids are home tomorrow!!! Yay~!~~

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LOST N FOUND

Have you lost something? Do you feel plagued like the Jaredites-- cursed with a losing curse, unable to hold on to that which is most precious or at least a little important? Are you missing a shoe, nail clippers, or maybe even your 150 ponytail elastics? Never fear. I know where you'll find them. Right here under my daughters' beds. That's right. A veritable general store of missing Jensen items right under our noses. Now this is not the first time such a heinous occurrence has happened. In fact, a monthly cleaning seems in order. Of course the energy for such a thing happens so rarely that when the bug does hit, it pretty much takes all morning. Welcome to my Morning. 4 Hours and two large garbages sacks of Trash and one Ginormous laundry basket later, their room is a haven of order and tranquility-- at least until they get home from school.

Simple Pleasures

This post is prompted by the fact that My brand new, less than one-year-old water heater is now, you guessed it, not working. Instead of cursing the fact that Robert's foray into rice pudding couture created greasy, grimy dishes that needed hot water to get really clean and none was to be found, I decided to be grateful for other simple pleasures that elude me when the holiday season leaves me triple booked and frazzled out of my mind. SO, here is the list, in no particular order of Little things that I am EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR>
1. Clementines-- we love these sweet little oranges that come around at Christmas
2. Light Switches INSIDE the house that turn on Christmas lights outside (no small thing-- Thanks Rob)
3. Silly Songs with Larry-- If you have not yeet been inducted into Veggie Tales, you are missing out-- this stuff is funny and you can't help BUSTING A GUT no matter how little hot water you have.
4. Nursing home residents applaud your Kid's piano playing as enthusiastically as if he/she were a virtuoso
5. TIVO-- I can record my kid on the nightly news even though I've never been able to tape using a VCR
6. Zumba -- a little latin, a little hip hop and a lotta calorie burnin' goin' on.
7. Digital scrapbooking-- less guilt, less money, way more fun.
8. ITUNES-- when you have obscure taste in music like I do, it's so great to find ABSOLUTELY everything you've ever loved before. I've rediscovered Music.
9. House stuff-- a tub deck, canned lights everywhere, switches that switch on stuff-- just having stuff that works is so great.
10. BLOGGING: Considering that I haven't actually "WRITTEN" in a journal in over 6 years, Blogging has filled that gap. Now I just need to print and archive it. If you know how, let me know.

AND NOW, FOR THE NOT SO SIMPLE PLEASURES, but INSTEAD MY GREATEST BLESSINGS-- Our Friends and family members-- We love having the chance to catch up by reading your blogs and e-mails. Since my Dad's passing, I've really felt the need to reconnect with family and old friends. Thanks for helping me do that. Happy Dec. 8-12.

WALL E POWER!!!!!

What you are looking is not the latest animated feature from Pixar Films. NOOOOOO!!! It is, instead, a powerful, motivating force in the life of one impish three year old. Yes, I admit it. IN my desperation to free myself of Pull-up purgatory I offered a reasoned, rational incentive. If you go #2 in the potty 10 times resulting in clean, dry, Diego underwear, you will receive in your hot little hands one Disney, full-price, market-driven DVD. As is the case with all potty training-- once it clicked, it clicked. NOW, Nathan is the prowd owner of Wall-E and I am the proud mama of a "Big Boy". 20 Bucks well spent!

Official 2008 Halloween Photo As Promised

I'm a sucker for these videos

Move here You CRAZY PEOPLE!!!!!

My cousin B. Just posted the following picture on her blog taken, I believe, TODAY.



This is a picture of HERE. Taken TODAY. Enough Said.

Halloween pictures finally

Finally got a replacement camera cord. I don't have a picture of Maggie. She was Minnie Mouse and SOOOOOO cute. I'll have to get it off Grandpa Jensen's camera.

The EVOLUTION OF A CENTRIST CONSERVATIVE

Recently a friend of mine mentioned that I seemed to have changed political directions since college. My views have changed a little, I guess. 3 years in Law school really impressed upon me the need for restraint in government. We studied over and over and over the messes made by overzealous, unrestrained legislatures and executive powers. I'll admit that many of my professors were conservative, but I never felt as if the information we were getting was entirely one sided.
In addition to the time in law school, my views have been shaped by paying taxes, owning a small business, and raising and educating kids. I feel that small business should be encouraged, and that currently it is somewhat penalized. We pay many of the same taxes as the big corporations, but receive many fewer benefits. I worry that our new president doesn't see the difference between Corporations and Corporate America.
Educationally speaking, I think No Child Left Behind is a monumental debauchle that has left All Children Behind--because the focus on Test scores has left all children lacking in essential programs like gifted and talented, music, physical education and art. We have never, as a nation hoped to turn out students who can do basic math and read at a base level. We Americans teach children to reach for the stars in whatever field they choose and we let them get a feel for what they're good at by giving them opportunities to stretch and try new things.
I am all for accountability. It is a good thing. THE NCLB accountability, however, penalizes fantastic schools who make the best use of every penny they have when they don't make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). There are 40+ areas of accountability and if even 1 of those areas is inadequate the school is deemed to have not met AYP. THis is ludicrous. In effect it penalizes schools for their location. In S. Utah, for example there is a huge migrant population. They move in throughout the year and because they're registered at the school, they must be tested and meet these AYP standards despite the fact that they often don't speak enough English to be tested sufficiently. This is just one example. So many others abound. My children's schools have regularly met AYP in all but 1 area of NCLB and been considered a "failing" school. But they are given no credit for eeking out an amazing choir with no money or after school programs that enrich everybody's life. Instead teachers teach to a test, a lowest common denominator, and our energized, excited kids get ignored because teacher has more pressing needs. I guess you can tell I'm a little passionate about this subject.
So maybe I have changed a little, but not substantially. I'm still a closet quasi-feminist. I still strive to be eco-friendly. And I still think Conservative talk show hosts are arrogant and vitriolic. Maybe not so different after all.

WEIGHING IN ON OBAMA

Throughout this campaign I've been sort of flummoxed. I haven't been a huge fan of McCain or Now President-elect Obama. I am struck with the historic nature of President Obama's election. My feelings about him have nothing to do with his race. My concerns have been that when I'm done listening to him I feel that he has some valid arguments, I even feel that he "Understands my plight" (the plight of everyman)but I am NEVER clear what he's going to do about it. He is soooo articulate, sooooo intelligent. But I STILL DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS. I worry that he won't protect the constitutional freedoms we have fought so long to preserve. I worry that he doesn't realize that Small Business Owners are not exactly "Corporate America" but he acts as if they were. I worry that he will not uphold the sanctity of life and the family that I consider of paramount importance. I have long struggled with the Republican stance on education so there I have a tendency to agree with him. He's just so much of an unknown and that makes me a tad nervous.

My fervent hope is that the mantle of the office of President of the United States will impress upon President Obama a need for restraint in "REFORMING" health care and Taxes and a need for bipartisanship. My fervent prayer is that our president who received 52% of the vote of the American people will not forget the OTHER 46% of us. The president is the president of ALL the people. Not just the 52% who voted for him. I hope he remembers that.

COOL ELECTION VIDEO.!!!

I'm Not a Catholic, but I think there's a lot to be said for the point of this video. Enjoy.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Long TIme No Blog!!#@(*%&#%*(&#%

This month has been a whirlwind for me. So much to do, so little time to do it. You know the story. On Oct. 1 my mom was in a car accident. She totalled her car, broke her leg so massively that she cannot put any weight on it for two months (one down, one to go) On THe 4th I ran the St. George Marathon. I thought I'd get a break, but I have not done anything but run around like a chicken with my head cut off since. The one thing I haven't done is exercise very much. Every morning I get up and I JUST DON"T WANT TO. I'm trying to change that. I'm going to run down right now and jump on the treadmill.

One big thing that happened is we bought a boat. We've always sat in disdain of those with such big toys. But we got an incredible deal on this boat and you should see Robert. HE IS SO HAPPY!!! Priceless. Really. I'm posting a slide show from our maiden voyage that we took to Lake Mead.

Oh, BTW, my mom is home and doing great.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Pictures of Amy for Her Project

Fall is in the air.

Just some fun Fall Pictures from the gang.

MARATHON!!!!!!!!

So the conventional wisdom is that it never rains on the day of the marathon. Oh, unless, Gail decides to run it. Then it will rain the entire time and be so cold that you can't close your hands over the water cup. But, despite the rain and wind and cold, I completed my first marathon in 5:24:06. Which for those uninitiated out there is pretty incredible for someone like me. Here is me and Amy B with our medals. I appreciate so much having Amy and Kristie and Cathy to run with. I NEVER would have done this without them. Amy, thanks for sticking with me. You are so amazing to have run through so much pain. You totally kept me going when I felt like this was getting "not fun". Your enthusiasm and energy is compelling and catching.

Today, now that I'm able to walk in a fashion that doesn't resemble a penguin, I'm thinking I might do it again. But what I've gained is more than a marathon under my belt. I AM A RUNNER> AND I KNOW I CAN DO ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO. I know that I couldn't have done it without Heavenly Father helping me. He led me to friends that would spur me on and he gave me strength and stamina that I didn't have. More than once along the course I prayed that he would help me to reach this goal, that I had prepared the best I knew how and was putting the rest in his hands. The crazy thing is, the last 9 miles seemed like less than 2 or three. I know that was the Lord answering my prayers.

I have to take a minute, too, to thank Amy and Robert who went out the night before and placed about 10 signs along the road like<"Gail for President", "Go, Gail, Go, XOXOXO,""My mom is faster than your dad," and "Gail is our champion." These signs meant the world to me as has Robert's support and encouragement. Thanks, also to Malea for the signs and Ron M. for the advice on post-race ice baths. Let's do this again in '09. Anybody up for it?

NEWS!!!

MY MOM!: Many of you who read this know that my mom was in a pretty bad car accident -- her car was totalled, her leg twisted like a super-dry stick and she'll be in rehab for 1-2 months. Additionally, she had a small stroke after surgery and it was pretty scary. She's back to her old self, pretty much now and I think she's going to be fine.

Palin

Well, I've spent the last two weeks thinking about what I might possibly say in a Palin post that you haven't heard before. So I'll give you the Palin top 10 Talking Points, from a former Alaskan turned Utahn. Former liberal turned Centrist conservative. Former Yuppie wannabe turned mom:
1. I'm predisposed to like her-- she's an Alaskan woman with a strong voice. I want to see myself in her.
2. She has good taste in shoes. -- love those red peep-toes
3. Her family is normal-- I heard someone say "most landscapers have nice lawns of their own." referring to Bristol's teen pregnancy. and I replied, yes, but the grass exercises no free will.
4. She has nice hair-- Shallow, I know, but true
5. Her presence on the ticket is persuasive-- I haven't really like John McCain, but I do like her. I might even vote Republican with her on the ticket.

6. I feel bad for her kids-- I know I'm old fashioned, but I think kids need Mom. I don't care how great a dad Mr. Snowmachine racer is. He's not MOM. Do I think she can do the job, yes. Do I think she should? the jury's still out.

7. I love the reformer persona-- if she truly is who she says she is, it could be a very good thing for the Republican party-- and for the country.

8. Her inexperience doesn't bother me-- I feel like experience is missing on the top of the ticket across the aisle, too. But I also feel it's OK for the VP to be the pupil.

9. Troopergate: So what. If somebody was abusing my sister, I'd probably do more than try to get him fired.

10. She's not afraid to get her hands dirty: Besides felling moose and other large game, she's felled entrenched Alaskan politicians. It's about time.

DISCLAIMER: I know the woman isn't perfect. She may not even be the best candidate for the job. But she seems capable, articulate, and intuitive. She's a woman after all. And I'd like to try a woman at the helm. But not Hillary.

2007/2008 Year In Review

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HIGH SCHOOL TAG!!!!!

Your High School's Name-East Anchorage High School-- FYI, I'm EHS class of '89. My mom is EHS class of '63.

High School Colors- Light turquoisy blue and red.

Mascot-- Thunderbirds, a native inspired totemy thunderbird.

Did you date anyone from your school?- A date? What's a date? Oh Yeah!! I asked Paul C. out Senior year once. But I did have lots of fun hanging out with friends on Friday and Saturday.

What kind of car did you drive?- I didn't get my license till I was 18 and had graduated high school because Mom and Dad had angina every time I sat in the driver's seat. A plug for Driver's ed in the High School. Seriously!!

It's Friday night where are you?- Echo Sandals. Church dances or the H's watching movies, or at home reading
Were you considered a flirt?-Uh, No. Probably the farthest thing from it. I did have some drama friends that helped me be a teeny bit less inhibited, but NEVER a flirt.

Were you in band, orchestra, choir, or any other group?- Yearbook for two years. Then SWS Student Council.

Were you in any clubs?- I was in School Within a School. The whole thing was kind of like a club, I guess. I served on lots of committees there. I also did a couple of plays and speech/debate stuff, and I was in the Russian Club. And I served on the yearbook staff for two years. Looking back, I'm realizing I wasn't really "cool" Well, I knew it then, too. I guess the difference is, now, I don't really care. Maybe I did then, just a little, until I became a junior/senior. By then maturity had shown me the benefits of being myself.

Did you ever get suspended or expelled?- No.

Can you still sing the fight song?- Never could, but I know the BYU fight song.

Who were your favorite teachers?- Mrs. Raymond for Science and Math and Mrs. DuBeau for all things historical. These women opened my eyes to the world around me. And they loved me, too. Which I knew. Which made all the difference.

Where did you sit during lunch?- SWS Lounge.

Who did you go to Homecoming with?- Never went. Senior year I might have served refreshments.

Who did you go to Prom with?-Junior year I went with Jared N. We went to McDonalds and I don't remember what else. Senior Year, before I left to go to Russia for a month I asked my friends what they were doing for prom. They ALL said they would be boycotting. I was okay with this idea and left to Russia. I got back the week before prom and they informed me that they had changed their minds, we were all going to go together and I needed to hurry and get a date. Jeff L. heard I didn't have one and being the really nice person that he was called and asked if I wanted to go. Scramble for the dress, etc. but we had fun. I remember being with my friends, not really being with my date.

If you could go back and re-do high school would you?- Probably not. I'd do college again in a heartbeat, though and this time I'd do Study abroad.

What do you remember about Graduation?- I was kind of sad it was over, but really excited about the future.

Do you plan on going to your 10 year reunion, or if you already went what was it like?- I was 7 months pregnant and it was way too far away. My twentieth is coming up. Nope. won't be going.

Hole in the Rock

Robert and I got to go to Lake Powell for the second time. This time is was only adults and the goal was to hike Hole In The Rock. Hole in the Rock is a fissure in the walls surrounding the Colorado River(now Lake Powell) that the Pioneers chose to hurtle down when settling the San Juan Mission. The hill is Steeper than a 45 degree angle and hundreds of feet long (longer before they dammed up the river). The consensus was that it might have been a better idea to go the extra 200 miles out of the way to avoid this so-called "Shortcut" that ended up taking six months to ready for use and fell into disuse within just a few short years. For us, however, It was a beautiful trip. Lots of great hiking and fun. This is the picture at the top of the Hole in the Rock site. We hiked straight up and then straight down.

DON'T DO ME ANY FAVORS GERALDINE!!!

OK, this is not My Sarah Palin Post. I assure you one is coming. Instead this is an INFURIATING comment from the former VP Candidate about talented contributing members of Society.

In the words of Maria Shriver:

Just a mother? We do the most important work on the planet. We are by and large the primary caretakers of our most valuable resource. We are the guarantors of our future, the creators of the next generation, warriors for our children, the main transmitters of love and language and nurturance and values . . .

we exercise enormous power to shape other human beings’ lives -- the toughest public service job there is. . .

Appreciate your own hard work as a counselor, teacher, doctor, mediator, cheerleader, disciplinarian, ethicist, beauty consultant, cook, chauffeur, confidante -- and, yes, scapegoat, monster, and demanding pain-in-the-you-know-what. All in a day’s work. Mother’s work.

20 QUESTIONS!!!

1. How many miles did I run today? 20

2. How early did I have to wake up? 4:40

3. How many runners did the exact same thing today on the exact same course? At least 50

4. How many of them passed me? How many didn't.

5. Who cares how many of them passed me? Not me.

6. How long did it take me? Pretty long time.

7. How fast were our miles? about 12 min/mil.

8. Where did we run? Veyo to Worthen Park

9. Who did I run with? Amy B. and Kristie B. OF COURSE

10. Who rescued me at mile 16 with extra Vaseline? Robert, Matt, Katie and Nate

OK, now for the GOOD QUESTIONS!!!!!!

11. What do I listen to as I pound mile after mile after mile? Eye of the Tiger, Just Can't get enough, I've got the Power, Anything with a decent beat.

12. What does my mom think of my Running? I quote, "Now that you've done 20, you can quit this madness, right?"
13. What does Robert think of it? I quote, "I think you're so cool. I've never even thought of running that far."

14. How is my body holding up? Let's see, can't walk, stomach ache, Inflamed toe joints, slight ankle baubles, and a killer IT band issue when I bank left on a downhill.

15. How is my mind/soul holding up? I think I am so cool. I've never even thought of running that far.

16. What are my goals? Finish and have a great time doing it.

17. Am I nervous? TOTALLY

18. Am I excited? Not today. Ask me next week.

19. What do I do when my trip meter measures 19.1 miles and I want to write a 20 questions blog? I go home and run ONE EXTRA MILE on my treadmill so I can be legit.

20. What possesses me? This one has 20 answers of its own, but I guess the most important is that I've always been the kid picked last for anything on the playground, I've always had a little trouble breathing when exercising. I've never been an athlete. And I've never really cared. But I've started caring, lately, probably because being a stay at home mom is a lot of mindless, numbing, same ol same ol and running a marathon is, in my mind, kind of like law school-- a huge, unattainable goal in a challenging area-- a break in the monotony.

Additionally, Ever since my dad died I've thought about how important it is to make HUGE goals so I don't come to the end of my life and wish I had done more things or different things. I have friends who want to shave seconds off their time. For me, FINISHING a marathon is up there on the Top Ten List of the most difficult things ever. Totally outside the realm of possibility. Until now. And that feels pretty darn good.

Teaching Children Responsibility/Accountability

Sis. A. in our ward asked me to take a few minutes in her R.S. lesson to talk about responsibility in children. I told her that I didn't think I was the best person to speak on this topic. Then she said, "I know, that's why I'm asking you." You have to know her. I know she only meant thoughtful things by that statement, so I wasn't offended. But I was thoughtful. My kids do not have a sense in intrinsic responsibility. They work, but they're not Stewards. I'd love for anybody who reads this to give me their ideas on how to get their kids motivated to be responsible. PLEASE HELP!!!!!

PRESCHOOL 101

Okay, so rule #1 in preschool is "child must be able to care for himself in the bathroom"

Despite NUMEROUS half-hearted attempts to Potty train Nathan, I have not accomplished this rather lofty but OH SO DESIRABLE goal. Instead, he goes when he's told but cannot, for the life of him, realize when he's about to have a BM (I hate that term, we just say "poop"). So I take him to the first day of preschool, I explain that we are in the midst of Potty training. Teacher says, That's OK, we'll just call you. We sat on teacher's teeny potty right before class and said a little prayer that He wouldn't go at school. Wrong Prayer. I decided not to go to the gym, just in case. So, not 45 minutes later I get a call that she thinks Nate Stinks. AAARGHH!!!!!

I head over there with a pull-up and wipes, but it was messier than that so we head home (luckily only across the street and two doors down) to change him. He finished the rest of the day with nary an incident. Why can't he be regular at 6 p.m.? Anyway, $100 bucks for ANYONE who can potty train my kid.

18 ! 18 ! 18 !

Have you ever thought about the number 18. It's beautiful to look at. It was a beautiful age. And it's the Number of miles I ran today. Oh wait. Did I say 18. I meant 18.2. You probably can't see it, but this number is followed by an expression of such pride on my face as has never been seen in these parts. 7 months ago, I felt this victorious after 3. It's amazing what you can do, when you simply decide that you can. MANY MANY Thanks to Amy B. and Kristie B. without whom I would sleep in on Saturdays, but never feel this amazing. Thanks for getting me out of bed girls.

Self Portrait

Okay, I'm Playing. Here's an updated in the mirror self portrait.

I'm starting to get crows feet and my brows sure need a waxing. But this is what I see each Morning when I wake and you know what? I like it better now than I did 15 years ago. Go figure. Maybe because I have 15 more years of wisdom, maturity and experience. We can only hope.

Breaking Dawn Review

Well, it's no secret that I'm not a huge fan of Stephanie Meyer, and yet, as addictions always go, I was unable to resist the temptation to read Breaking Dawn. I'll be up front, I didn't like it that much.

I feel like the best stuff from this series came in Books 1& 2 with a caveat that I was enthralled by the Pack's historical narrative from Eclipse. At best, I felt that it was anti-climatic. At worst I felt like it didn't sufficiently answer the ultimate question-- WHY WAS BELLA SO IMPERVIOUS TO EVERYONE-- (spoiler alert) I get that she was a shield. Doesn't work for me. What about the fact that she couldn't stand the cold. All evidence pointed to somethng more incredible than just being a shield. There was never any evidence that Alice or edward or anyone else had their gifts before their change, except maybe Carlisle (having been a doctor before being changed). I expected Bella to be an entirely new mythological creature, like a witch,perhaps, or maybe even something good, like a Phoenix. Was author trying to say that we all have amazing gifts that will be magnified if we become vampires? How about the more accurate truth that our gifts are from God and will be Magnified when we are faithful and use them for good. HMMMMMM?!!!

I've made no secret of my opinions about the appropriateness of this for children. In fact, I've heard (hearsay, not based in fact. Legal disclaimer) that she asked people not to let their pre-teens read this book and I know from a very reliable source, that after reading BD upon release, Scholastic had to remove it from their recommended reads because its content was considered too mature for schools. HALLELUJAH!!! The voice of Reason.

BTW: This poster will hopefully scare off every young girl that even considered watching the movie. YUCK!!!!

Steph W. are you out there?

Steph, I noticed you commented on Yon Blog. I've lost your e-mail and had to E-mail your hubby to get info. What's your blog?????

NOTHING TO SAY

OK, nothing of any import is going on, but at the risk of getting in trouble for NUMB (that's Not Updating My Blog)I thought I'd better write something so you'd know I hadn't disappeared off the face of the earth. In honor of nothing really to say, I could give you the main points of my lesson on the title of liberty, or tell you about Back To School Night, or how my book fair's been pushed up 3 months or how Stake Standards night went or how I'm running 18 miles on Saturday, or how My throat's been hurting the past few days and I have consequently been watching an inordinate number of decorating shows (cannot move off the couch) or how we are knee-deep in pre-algebraic concepts and the archaic random sampling some teachers call grading, or how I have to hem the costumes of Secret Garden Soldiers (Nightmare) or cannot conquer Mt. Washmore for the LIFE OF ME.

It reminds me of that time in 9th grade when all my artsy theatrical friends aced the playwriting assignment by doing numerous vignettes of people doing mundane tasks, but had no plot or flow or cohesiveness and called it "nothing" and then showed another whole set of people doing nothing and called it "something".... OH NO!!!!!!! My life is an exercise in existentialism.

LAGOOOOOON!!!

Okay, true to form, we went to Salt Lake/ Lagoon for our family reunion and it's about a month later that I'm getting around to posting pictures. Of course it wouldn't be a Jensen Themepark visit without the Matching Shirts. The only Thing missing? Russ and Raimee and Girls. We missed them a ton. The following is a list of the 5 tips for a successful theme park visit with many children based on my very limited, but happy experiences.
1. TAKE GRANDMA or GRANDPA-- This one is key. Since Grandma is not terribly interested in losing her cookies on the Colossus, she makes a very nice home base for children that are under the mandatory 48 inches, or might need a nap, or are just plain chicken

2. Have an Uncle Ron, who has really great taste in food, bring the cooler full of lunch

3. BUY 5 GPS Tracking Dots, (need I say more)

4. WATER, WATER, WATER, and SNACKS SNACKS SNACKS

4. LIGHTEN UP AND HAVE FUN-- Do you Remember the scrambler and the paratroopers from when you were a kid? I do. The only thing missing was the Round-Up. I felt like a little kid all over again. Priceless.

TAG TIME3 Joys
1. My KIDDOS
2. Roberto
3. MUSIC

3 Fears
1. Children Drowning
2. Way too many stupid things that never come to pass anyway
3. Being Unprepared and all the variations that come with it, especially classes.

3 Obsessions/collections
1. Running :: UGH!!!!!!(an obsession, yes. A healthy one, prob not)
2. Remodeling yonder house
3. Old-fashioned Rusty iron keys

3 Facts
1. I'm older than I look, pushing 40 even
2. I still love John Denver but am rethinking my 20-something Donny obsession
3. I'm not the only person who thinks Bella is a whiny, immature, anti-role model.

OVER MY HEAD!!!!

So, about a year and a half ago when my plate was feeling manageable, I agreed to be PTA president-elect for my friend who was going to be the president the coming year. The problem with such ahead-of-time committing is that you can't really foresee what might hit you and by that time, BAM!!! you're committed. So I am now the PTA president for Amy and Maggie's School. It really isn't that big of a deal, because the school is such a well-oiled machine and Principal doesn't need much. Nevertheless, I am feeling just a tad overwhelmed.

Because I needed a little comic relief, and I thought you might need it too, I'm including one of my favorite poems that exemplifies how I feel.

The Girl is a Whirl
Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do, If you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;

I bake,
I upholster,
I scrub, and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their class rooms!
I sew all they wear.
I drive them to practice.
I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano,
I bless with my talents.
My toilets all sparkle.
My checkbooks all balance.
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date.
I attend all my meetings; on time--never late.
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all..Oh, no, that is not all!

I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed,
My toenails are polished.

Our family home evenings are always delightful.
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my Stake.

I read to my children,
I help all my neighbors.
I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day.
I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.


I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no, that is not all.

I write in my journal.
I sing in the choir.
Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen.
My kids get straight A's,
And their bedrooms are clean.

I have a home business to help make some money.
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week.
I change the car's tires,
I fix the sink's leak.

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread.
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-year's supply,
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard;
It's good if you do them.
You can if your try,
Just set goals and pursue them!

It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all too!
It's easy!" she said...
and then she dropped dead.


Vicky Gunther

TOES

so, you may have read my bragblog last week about my 1/2 marathon. What I didn't say then was that since I bought my new, very expensive shoes, I have been having SERIOUS issues with my middle toes of my left foot. I bet you didn't know you could have serious issues with these digits, but let me tell you, they're crucial. Anyway, I went to the podiatrist who shot me full of cortisone and told me to ingest toxic levels of Ibuprofen. I don't think so. I think I'm going to go back to my old supinator shoes-- nary a problem EVER. Do you think I'm becoming a die hard? I hope so.

LAAAAKKE POOOOWWWWELLLLLLLLL

I have a friend, C, who has been wanting to take me to Lake Powell for the longest time. She and her family have a houseboat and all manner of fun toys and she knew I'd love it, but was having a hard time convincing me that it would be fun to spend any amount of time around children and water. I kept telling her that Nate was too young and I'd never be able to relax. With that excuse I've dodged that bullet for two summers. Apparently, though, I've been a little mopey (oops, sorry, didn't mean to be), so C and my other friend J decided I needed a retreat. They planned a trip to Lake Powell and said, "Gail, we'll be at the Lake on these days. Clear your schedule." So many excuses not to go, but in the end, I was so grateful for their thoughtfulness, that we had to go. I am so glad we did.

I have never been to Lake Powell. If you have never been, it's magnificent. There are such stark contrasts between the rock and the water. I have never considered southwest decorating in my taste, but after seeing it this weekend, I might have to.

Anyway, we tried to be helpful and work hard because we felt guilty not having been given assignments. R&C had so much patience with our 5 kids and J's 5 kids. You couldn't have asked for a better time. Thanks, guys.