The True Meaning of Bittersweet
Happy birthday, son. We miss you, but know we'll see you again.Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Funny-ness
Help Mommy Out
Our fridge door is smooth so that we can write on it with white-board markers. I like to put the kids jobs, schedule, etc. on there. Rebekah took it upon herself to put an inspiring "weekly scripture" (Genesis 40:12) on it as well as the menu for the week. She also put some other "ideas" up for the kids. The best part is where it says:
"Help Mommy out--let's SWAT her dead."
If I didn't happen to know that SWAT around here means Service Without A Trace (doing a kind deed without the person knowing), I would have to assume that the kids have finally realized my pitiful situation, and assessed that the best way to help me would be to swat me dead.
The Big Screen
Today I had the opportunity to go to my son's 1st grade class and teach about Stan and Jan Berenstain and read some of the all time great books written about the Berenstain Bears.
I love first graders. They are hilarious and full of information not pertaining to what they are supposed to be focusing on at the time.
Case in point--after I had read the last book (and fought through all sorts of random comments), the teacher was trying to have the children tell me "thanks for coming, etc.", but there was this one little boy with his hand in the air so high and leaning toward me so far (about to fall off his chair), that I knew I'd better "call on him" and avert disaster:
Me: Did you have something you wanted to ask me?
Him: Yes. I saw you in a movie once, but you were wearing different clothes.
Me (taken aback): Really?
Him: yep.
Me (trying to discern whether I should be flattered or not): Which movie was it?
Him: I don't remember.
Me: Ahhh.
Teacher: O.K. everyone, let's tell Mrs. Cutler "thank you" one more time...
Help Mommy Out
Our fridge door is smooth so that we can write on it with white-board markers. I like to put the kids jobs, schedule, etc. on there. Rebekah took it upon herself to put an inspiring "weekly scripture" (Genesis 40:12) on it as well as the menu for the week. She also put some other "ideas" up for the kids. The best part is where it says:
"Help Mommy out--let's SWAT her dead."
If I didn't happen to know that SWAT around here means Service Without A Trace (doing a kind deed without the person knowing), I would have to assume that the kids have finally realized my pitiful situation, and assessed that the best way to help me would be to swat me dead.
The Big Screen
Today I had the opportunity to go to my son's 1st grade class and teach about Stan and Jan Berenstain and read some of the all time great books written about the Berenstain Bears.
I love first graders. They are hilarious and full of information not pertaining to what they are supposed to be focusing on at the time.
Case in point--after I had read the last book (and fought through all sorts of random comments), the teacher was trying to have the children tell me "thanks for coming, etc.", but there was this one little boy with his hand in the air so high and leaning toward me so far (about to fall off his chair), that I knew I'd better "call on him" and avert disaster:
Me: Did you have something you wanted to ask me?
Him: Yes. I saw you in a movie once, but you were wearing different clothes.
Me (taken aback): Really?
Him: yep.
Me (trying to discern whether I should be flattered or not): Which movie was it?
Him: I don't remember.
Me: Ahhh.
Teacher: O.K. everyone, let's tell Mrs. Cutler "thank you" one more time...
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Halloween 2008
For some unknown reason, over the years, Halloween (which was really never that big of a deal to me) has become a highly celebrated holiday around our house...meaning celebrated over many days.
Actually we know the reason: Brent.
Paul's friend started a yearly Halloween party seven years ago (costumes required). He sold his house two years (or so) in. The party migrated here. We now host the annual "Monster Mash" for all sorts of people--friends & people we don't know. People could be coming in off the street and we wouldn't know the difference. This year we had 40.
The Monster Mash's winning jack-o-lantern.
Sadly, we don't have photos of Paul or me in our costumes: McCain and Pallin. I had one person tell me I should do impersonations of Sarah Pallin. Not because I look like Sarah Pallin, mind you, but because, apparently, I "look like the girl who does the impersonations of Sarah Pallin." I found out that that would be Tina Fey. Hmmmm. Tina Fey.
Paul was made Elder's Quorum President three years ago. Now we have an annual "Monster Mash" for the Elder's Quorum the night before the real "Monster Mash." (Reason: as long as we are going to all the work for the "Monster Mash," why not go to MORE work?)
The kids think that if the adults are going to have all this fun on a holiday that is meant for kids, they should have a "Monster Mash" too. This year we had a kids "Monster Mash" at my parents' house. My sister and I tried out this cute treat. Note, don't try it with real caramel...we did. It doesn't work. Do try it with all sorts of candy chips.
Thanks for a great time, Mom and Dad!
Then the real Halloween rolls around and we have to celebrate that, right?
(I know, I know...many of the original C-family are saying, "no you don't--we did not allow our children to trick or treat, and look how great they turned out?" I say, yeah, they turned out great--except for the emotional scarring that they are now dealing with. How do I know they are dealing with emotional scarring? One of those former non-trick or treating children lived here in the complex with his wife and two kids. Believe me, I have heard about it and heard about it. Luckily, he married a pagan wife who said she intends to fix things so their children don't have the same problems.)
(I also live with one of the original C-fam who was not allowed to trick or treat. He snuck out once and trick-or-treated, and did not end up in prison, thank goodness. His emotional scarring is mainly centered around the severe guilt he feels when he allows his children to trick or treat.)
Anyway, we celebrate the real Halloween around here. We went to my sister's and made these very cute mummy hot dogs, that actually taste even better than hot dogs do when in a bun. We had a delicious dinner and then the fun Seattle Aunt and Uncle, along with the fun Kaysville Uncle, took the kids trick or treating. AAAAHHHH! The guilt, the guilt! No matter. This just adds to the scary-ness of Halloween for Paul.
The cast of characters:
Elpheba
Indian Princess and Bat
Rapunzel
Indiana Jones
No, no, silly Seattle Uncle, that isn't your costume...
"Yeah, Daddy! That is MY costume!"
"O.K. I'll put on my Karate suit."
"See? Look how much cuter I am than you in this costume? Even though I'm a little too long for it so it makes me mad when I try and stretch out."
We're still not sure what this get-up is.
Sweet Pea and Karate Mom
Nacho Libre. No, not Nacho Libre.
Who is that? Clues, anyone?
The hair is too poofy to fit.
Ohhhh. It is cute curly-haired Spiderman with the other Indiana Jones. Believe it or not, our two "Indy's" weren't the only ones out there. The neighborhood was full of them.
Speaking of scary, one of our children, the middle one, loves to decorate for each and every holiday. The more decorations the better. This year, she felt like I didn't have enough, and took it upon herself to "create" some.
O.K. This isn't a decoration...it is a dog, completely unaware of the gore around him.
In case you can't tell, the first photo is of an unsuspecting office vampire, whose head has been sawed off, blood everywhere. He has been there a long time. There is a spiderweb coming out of his mouth. The second photo is of a sleeping, mangled witch.
Here is a close up of the vampire.
A tad morbid, don't you think? If this child wasn't a cute, well-rounded, kind, caring individual, I'd be very worried. Imagine my surprise one day as I went into her room to put something away and I found various "body parts" all over. A head here, a torso and foot there. It was a little un-nerving. The parts did come together well, though, I guess.
Before we went to my sister's house for Halloween night, the cousins came here and played in our many leaves. There are few things better than a good leaf pile.
The Pile
The People
No. 1's take-off...
and landing!
No. 2!
No 3!
Nice entry...only a leg is left.
No. 4, trying something original
Ahhh!
No. 5 jumped so high, the camera missed her head.
No. 6!
No. 7--not going to jump. Doesn't even LIKE leaves.
Leaves, YAY leaves!!!!
love this one.
For some unknown reason, over the years, Halloween (which was really never that big of a deal to me) has become a highly celebrated holiday around our house...meaning celebrated over many days.
Actually we know the reason: Brent.
Paul's friend started a yearly Halloween party seven years ago (costumes required). He sold his house two years (or so) in. The party migrated here. We now host the annual "Monster Mash" for all sorts of people--friends & people we don't know. People could be coming in off the street and we wouldn't know the difference. This year we had 40.
The Monster Mash's winning jack-o-lantern.Sadly, we don't have photos of Paul or me in our costumes: McCain and Pallin. I had one person tell me I should do impersonations of Sarah Pallin. Not because I look like Sarah Pallin, mind you, but because, apparently, I "look like the girl who does the impersonations of Sarah Pallin." I found out that that would be Tina Fey. Hmmmm. Tina Fey.
Paul was made Elder's Quorum President three years ago. Now we have an annual "Monster Mash" for the Elder's Quorum the night before the real "Monster Mash." (Reason: as long as we are going to all the work for the "Monster Mash," why not go to MORE work?)
The kids think that if the adults are going to have all this fun on a holiday that is meant for kids, they should have a "Monster Mash" too. This year we had a kids "Monster Mash" at my parents' house. My sister and I tried out this cute treat. Note, don't try it with real caramel...we did. It doesn't work. Do try it with all sorts of candy chips.
Thanks for a great time, Mom and Dad!
Then the real Halloween rolls around and we have to celebrate that, right?
(I know, I know...many of the original C-family are saying, "no you don't--we did not allow our children to trick or treat, and look how great they turned out?" I say, yeah, they turned out great--except for the emotional scarring that they are now dealing with. How do I know they are dealing with emotional scarring? One of those former non-trick or treating children lived here in the complex with his wife and two kids. Believe me, I have heard about it and heard about it. Luckily, he married a pagan wife who said she intends to fix things so their children don't have the same problems.)
(I also live with one of the original C-fam who was not allowed to trick or treat. He snuck out once and trick-or-treated, and did not end up in prison, thank goodness. His emotional scarring is mainly centered around the severe guilt he feels when he allows his children to trick or treat.)
Anyway, we celebrate the real Halloween around here. We went to my sister's and made these very cute mummy hot dogs, that actually taste even better than hot dogs do when in a bun. We had a delicious dinner and then the fun Seattle Aunt and Uncle, along with the fun Kaysville Uncle, took the kids trick or treating. AAAAHHHH! The guilt, the guilt! No matter. This just adds to the scary-ness of Halloween for Paul.
The cast of characters:
Elpheba
Indian Princess and Bat
Rapunzel
Indiana Jones
No, no, silly Seattle Uncle, that isn't your costume...
"Yeah, Daddy! That is MY costume!"
"O.K. I'll put on my Karate suit."
"See? Look how much cuter I am than you in this costume? Even though I'm a little too long for it so it makes me mad when I try and stretch out."
We're still not sure what this get-up is.
Sweet Pea and Karate Mom
Nacho Libre. No, not Nacho Libre.Who is that? Clues, anyone?
The hair is too poofy to fit.
Ohhhh. It is cute curly-haired Spiderman with the other Indiana Jones. Believe it or not, our two "Indy's" weren't the only ones out there. The neighborhood was full of them.
O.K. This isn't a decoration...it is a dog, completely unaware of the gore around him.
In case you can't tell, the first photo is of an unsuspecting office vampire, whose head has been sawed off, blood everywhere. He has been there a long time. There is a spiderweb coming out of his mouth. The second photo is of a sleeping, mangled witch.
Here is a close up of the vampire.A tad morbid, don't you think? If this child wasn't a cute, well-rounded, kind, caring individual, I'd be very worried. Imagine my surprise one day as I went into her room to put something away and I found various "body parts" all over. A head here, a torso and foot there. It was a little un-nerving. The parts did come together well, though, I guess.
Before we went to my sister's house for Halloween night, the cousins came here and played in our many leaves. There are few things better than a good leaf pile.
The Pile
The People
No. 1's take-off...
and landing!
No. 2!
No 3!
Nice entry...only a leg is left.
No. 4, trying something original
Ahhh!
No. 5 jumped so high, the camera missed her head.
No. 6!
No. 7--not going to jump. Doesn't even LIKE leaves.
Leaves, YAY leaves!!!!
love this one.
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