a letter to Santa

Little Princess was able to see Santa Claus at her school, which is really nice for me, since I don't like the big crowd at the mall. Bah Humbug, I know. Well, apparently when she sat on Santa's lap at school to tell him what she wanted for Christmas she told him that she wanted to be an elf. I personally think she was influenced by Will Ferrell from the movie "Elf." Anyway, she told me that she changed her mind about what she wanted for Christmas, but she already told Santa, and I told her that I have Santa's email address, and with a little manipulation to my email address book, I was able to get it set up for her to dictate while I typed. The letter really is adorable, and I wanted to share it. :)


Dear Santa Claus,

I changed my mind what I want for Christmas. I told you that I wanted to be an elf, but I don't want to stay away from my family. Now that I thought of it, I want an mp3, and a real camera, and a pillow pet.

Our family wants to call you tonight, just to give you a heads up that we'll be calling.

You're my only hope, I know Ed's watching, I'm a Christian.

Love,
"Little Princess"

(typed by mommy, as told by "Little Princess")

Let's Play Catch-Up!

I have been a very very bad blogger. I think what my main problem was that I was blogging about such negative things, and that's not what this is supposed to be about, so in turn, I stopped reading blogs and I stopped posting blogs. The girls are in school, and I am very proud of both of them, they are little smarties, and get along with other children.

Little Princess is very excited about the news out of England. Prince William has proposed to Kate Middleton, and they will be married next year, making Kate Middleton; Princess Katherine. When I told LP the news she was so excited and asked, "a real live princess? really?" Dateline did a report about them last night, so I recorded it and Little Princess and I will be eating cookies and watching about the Royal Family after school today.

Other news, I usually participate in the Mercedes Marathon in February, but this year my sister and I want to do the "rock and roll marathon" in Seattle, which is in June, I think. I was thinking of not doing the Mercedes one this February, and only doing the one in June with my sister, but I really am thinking I could still do both. Quite a decision...

I have sewn more outfits for the kids, and I have sewn some things for their friends too, but just the girls, I don't have any patterns to make little boys' clothes. I have started to feel even more confident about my sewing, and I hope to finish some Christmas clothes within these next few weeks. I'll post pictures of course.

Well, I feel like I have caught you all up. I am hoping to keep this blog on the positive side. Really, what I have to do is stop watching TV, it's really so negative, but I think I'm an addict. Well, I don't think I am, I know it.

School has started!

oh wow, it's been awhile... Big Princess started school last week and she has been taken to school every morning by the new girl (Princess S) that moved in across the street. I'm glad BP has a close friend that lives so close, and that she was able to show PS the ropes of this new school. They were so cute leaving their first day, which was last week, and I am the procrastinator that is writing about it now, sorry I have just neglected this blog for awhile. I hope to be a better, more frequent writer in the coming days/weeks/months.

Princess S's mom (Queen A) took a cute picture of PS and BP's first day of school.
Thank you Queen A.




I need to remember to get a photo of Little Princess in a couple of weeks, that's when she starts school. :)

Beach Trip

We went to the beach last week, and had a fabulous time. My brother and sister flew out from Seattle to join us with their families, and my mother went too. There is just something about the beach that brings me back to good. All the kids were so cute playing together. My brother, sister and I don't have any first cousins, so it's just nice that our kids do, and they are all around the same ages, and play so well together.

Filling the Void

This summer we have had plenty of good times, but lately I feel like there is this certain void that I haven't been able to fill. I guess I have felt a little home sick for the west end of the country. I did grow up out there, and I still have some friends living out there, and I guess lately I just want to get back to the old times. I like my life now, but I think about how nice it would be to have no extra responsibility of paying a mortgage, or taking care of a family. I would love to be able to see the mountains out in the horizon again. Thinking back on it now though, I probably didn't know what I had when I had it. I have looked at pictures of myself from years ago and I was so much thinner, but sadly I thought I was fat then, I couldn't just like who I was.

Okay, this has become a depressing post. I am off to the gym, hopefully I will have a better mood upon my return... Exercise usually does help to fill the void and stops my negative thoughts.

my dream, before Father's Day

Last night I dreamed about my dad. I did not even remember that I dreamed about him until later this morning, and I thought, "oh yeah, I dreamed about dad last night..." This may be no big deal for most people, but my dad died on May 20, 2004, and I like being able to see him again. What I remember about the dream was good, I greeted him, I was very excited to see him, and I told him that I was so glad that he came by to see me. It seems like I was at a party or something, I was holding Little Princess, and I lifted her up to him and introduced them. I remember also that it didn't feel like a dream, I remember even consciously thinking, during my dream, "wait, this feels real, it's not a dream!"

I really miss my dad, and even if it was in my dreams, I was glad to see him again especially the night before Father's Day.



That is the latest picture I could find of Dad, it's probably the Halloween before he died. He is the guy sitting in the chair petting the dog in the background. Big Princess is performing, playing witch for everyone to watch.

summer time is play time, kinda.

I feel like a bad mommy sometimes, I just don't like playing with the kids all the time. My favorite summer time activity this year is great because I spend good quality time with the kids and I can just sit and watch. We have made a habit of catching lightening bugs every night starting at about 7:30. The kids catch them and let them go. They have started naming them and Little Princess will even decide who is related to whom. Big Princess seems to get bored with it sooner than Little Princess, but it is still good time spent with the Princesses before we go inside to get ready for bed.

my therapy

I love sewing. I'm sure I have posted about it before now, and now I feel so proud of my latest accomplishment, which Little Princess wears in the picture. Big Princess wants one too, so I need to go find the pattern in her size.

On Bullies.

My heart goes out to the parents in Massachusetts that have lost a child to suicide because she was bullied. Yes, I think bullies are much worse now than when I was in school. There is so much more technology with cell phones, Facebook, and MySpace, even the comments of a blog left by anonymous people. People lose any fear of saying something truly ugly because they can post it somewhere, whether it is a text message (unlike the notes that were passed around in my high school days), or posting an ugly comment on a social network (unlike a public wall like when I was in school), there is just too much, and it gets to people all over the world. Sadly, being a bully has stuck around for some people. There are women in their 30s and late 20s that don't know how to behave. I see this bad behavior not just on the reality TV shows that I like to watch, but with women that I have been in contact with, even called them my friends, which I use the term loosely now. I have learned that true friends don't talk about me, and don't say ugly things about me behind my back.

When I posted about the Golden Rule, I meant that we need to treat others the way we want to be treated, not that you can be mean because they were being mean. The bullying shouldn't be all blamed on the media, or television shows, movies, or books. I think that many parents need to take a step back and notice the behavior their kids are seeing. A lot of bad behavior is learned by example. If you like to gossip, there's a good chance that your child could pick-up this bad behavior from you. If you judge people because they don't do exactly what you are used to, there is a good chance that your child can learn that bad behavior too. If you leave a mess in a public restroom, at a restaurant or even at the grocery store, because "they have someone for that," your child could learn that impolite bad behavior too. If you have something ugly to say about someone wearing an outfit that was bought at a discount store, your child could have that same opinion, and possibly hurt someone else with that bad behavior too.

I also compared The Golden Rule to Karma. I really do believe that what comes around goes around. If you put out a bunch of negative energy, that will come right back to you, just like when you put out more positive energy, that will come back to you too. Please, everyone just be nice! Also, encourage your children to be nice, and please make sure your kid is comfortable telling you if they feel bullied by someone. You need to ensure that your child feels safe going to school, church, and going anywhere they may go that is an extra curricular activity.

Before dropping my kids off to school I always give one last instruction before I see them again, "Be sweet!" That is something we can all do in our daily lives, just be sweet.

Karma - like a Bible verse

The Golden Rule states, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." - Luke 6: 31

no opinions, just the facts

These are the facts that I researched on the new health care thing. The bill is being written more and changed everyday, but this is what passed on Sunday.

The Huffington Post has compiled a list of the Top 18 Immediate effects of the Health Care Bill as well as some that will take effect in the first year of implementation.

1. An End to Pre-Existing Conditions. Health Insurers cannot deny children health insurance because of pre-existing conditions. A ban on the discrimination of adults will take effect in 2014.

2. Small Business Tax Credits. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering up to 50% of employee premiums.

3. Seniors Get "Donut-Hole" Rebate. Seniors will get a rebate to fill the so-called "donut hole" in Medicare during coverage, which severely limits prescription medication coverage expenditures over $2,700. As of next year, 50% of the doughnut hole will be filled.

4. More Young Adults Covered on Parents' Plans. The cut-off date for young adults to be covered by their parents' health insurance rises to the age 27.

5. No Lifetime Caps. Lifetime caps on the amount of insurance an individual can have will be banned. Annual caps will be limited and banned in 2014.

6. Adults with Pre-Existing Conditions Covered. A temporary high-risk pool will be set-up to cover adults with pre-existing conditions. Health Care exchanges will eliminate the program in 2014.

7. New Insurance Plans Must Include Preventative Care. New plans must cover check-ups and other preventative care without co-pays. All plans will be affected by 2018.

8. The End of Recissions. Insurance companies can no longer cut someone when he/she gets sick.

9. Transparency in Insurance Companies. Insurers must now reveal how much money is spent on overhead.

10. Customer Appeals Process. Any new plan must now implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.

11. Indoor Tanning Services Tax. This tax will impose a 10% tax on indoor tanning services. This tax, which replaced the proposed tax on cosmetic surgery would be effective for services on or after July 1, 2010.

12. Enhanced Fraud Abuse Checks. New screening procedures will be implemented to help eliminate health insurance fraud and waste.

13. Medicare Expansion to Rural Areas. Medicare payment protections will be extended to small rural hospitals and other health care facilities that have a small number of Medicare patients.

14. Deductions for Blue Cross Blue Shield. Non-profit Blue Cross organizations will be required to maintain a medical loss ratio - money spent on procedures over money incoming - of 85% or higher to take advantage of the IRS tax benefits.

15. Nutrient Content Disclosure. Chain restaurants will be required to provide a "nutrient content disclosure statement" alongside their items. Expect to see calories listed both in-store and drive-thru menus of fast food restaurants some time soon.

16. Better Coverage for Early Retirees. The Bill establishes a temporary program for companies that provide early retiree health benefits of those ages 55-64 in order to help reduce the often expensive cost of that coverage.

17. Better Consumer Information on the Web. The Secretary of Human and Health Services will set up a new website to make it easy for Americans in any state to seek out affordable health insurance options. The site will also include helpful information for small businesses.

18. Encouraging Investment in New Therapies. A two-year temporary credit (up to maximum $1 billion) is in the Bill to encourage investment in new therapies for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Accurate 2010 Horoscopes

This is late, I realize, but I really like Astrology, and instead of forwarding to however many people by way of email, I decided to post to my blog. This way I can reference at any time.

ARIES - The Aggressive
Outgoing. Lovable. Spontaneous. Not one to mess with. Funny.. Excellent kisser EXTREMELY adorable. Loves relationships, and family is very important to an Aries. Aries are known for being generous and giving. Addictive. Loud. Always has the need to be 'Right'. Aries will argue to prove their point for hours and hours. Aries are some of the most wonderful people in the world.. 16 years of bad luck if you do not forward.


TAURUS - The Tramp
Aggressive. Loves being in long relationships. Likes to give a good fight. Fight for what they want. Can be annoying at times, but for the love of attention. Extremely outgoing. Loves to help people in times of need. Good kisser. Good personality. Stubborn. A caring person. They can be self centered and if they want something they will do anything to get it. They love to sleep and can be lazy. One of a kind. Not one to mess with. Are the most attractive people on earth! 15 years of bad luck if you do not forward.



GEMINI - The Twin
Nice. Love is one of a kind. Great listeners. Very Good at confusing people... Lover not a fighter, but will still knock you out. Gemini's will not take any crap from anyone. Gemini's like to tell people what they should do and get offended easily. They are great at losing things and are forgetful. Gemini's can be very sarcastic and childish at times and are very nosey. Trustworthy. Always happy. VERY Loud. Talkative. Outgoing. VERY FORGIVING. Loves to make out. Has a beautiful smile. Generous. Strong. THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.



CANCER - The Beauty
MOST AMAZING KISSER. Very high appeal. A Cancer's Love is one of a kind.. Very romantic.. Most caring person you will ever meet in your life. Entirely creative Person, most are artists and insane, respectfully speaking. They perfected sex and do it often. Extremely random. An Ultimate Freak. Extremely funny and is usually the life of the party. Most Cancers will take you under their wing and into their hearts where you will remain forever. Cancers make love with a passion beyond compare. Spontaneous. Not a Fighter, But will kick your ass good if it comes down to it. Someone you should hold on to! 12 years of bad luck if you do not forward.



LEO - The Lion
Great talker. Attractive and passionate. Laid back. Usually happy but when unhappy tend to be grouchy and childish. A Leo 's problem becomes everyone's problem. Most Leos are very predictable and tend to be monotonous. Knows how to have fun.. Is really good at almost anything. Great kisser. Very predictable. Outgoing. Down to earth. Addictive. Attractive. Loud. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Not one to mess with. Rare to find. Good when found. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.



VIRGO - The One that Waits
Dominant in relationships. Someone loves them right now. Always wants the last word. Caring. Smart. Loud. Loyal. Easy to talk to. Everything you ever wanted. Easy to please. A pushover. Loves to gamble and take chances. Needs to have the last say in everything.. They think they know everything and usually do. Respectful to others but you will quickly lose their respect if you do something untrustworthy towards them and never regain respect. They do not forgive and never forget. The one and only. 7 years of bad luck if you do not forward.



LIBRA - The Lame One
Nice to everyone they meet. Their love is one of a kind. Silly, funny and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! However, not the kind of person you want to mess with...you might end up crying. Libras can cause as much havoc as they can prevent. Faithful friends to the end. Can hold a grudge for years. Libras are someone you want on your side. Usually great at sports and are extreme sports fanatics. Very creative. A hopeless romantic. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.


SCORPIO - The Addict
EXTREMELY adorable. Loves to joke. Very Good sense of humor. Will try almost anything once. Loves to be pampered. Energetic. Predictable. GREAT kisser. Always get what they want.. Attractive. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Loves to party but at times to the extreme. Loves the smell and feel of money and is good at making it but just as good at spending it! Very protective over loved ones. HARD workers. Can be a good friend but if is disrespected by a friend, the friendship will end. Romantic. Caring.. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.



SAGITTARIUS - The Promiscuous One
Spontaneous. High appeal. Rare to find. Great when found.. Loves being in long relationships. So much love to give. A loner most of the time. Loses patience easily and will not take crap. If in a bad mood stay FAR away. Gets offended easily and remembers the offense forever. Loves deeply but at times will not show it, feels it is a sign of weakness. Has many fears but will not show it. VERY private person. Defends loved ones with all their abilities. Can be childish often. Not one to mess with. Very pretty. Very romantic. Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind.. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! Amazing in bed..!!! Not the kind of person you want to mess with- you might end up crying. 4 years of bad luck if you do not forward.



CAPRICORN - The Passionate Lover
Love to bust. Nice. Sassy. Intelligent. Sexy. Grouchy at times and annoying to some. Lazy and love to take it easy. But when they find a job or something they like to do they put their all into it. Proud, understanding and sweet.
Irresistible. Loves being in long relationships. Great talker. Always gets what he or she wants. Cool. Loves to win against other signs especially Gemini's in sports. Likes to cook but would rather go out to eat at good restaurants.
Extremely fun. Loves to joke. Smart. 24 years of bad luck if you do not forward.



AQUARIUS - Does It In The Water
Trustworthy. Attractive. Great kisser. One of a kind, loves being in long-term relationships. Can be clumsy at times but tries hard. Will take on any project. Proud of themselves in whatever they do.. Messy and unorganized. Procrastinators. Great lovers, when they're not sleeping. Extreme thinkers. Loves their pets usually more than their family. Can be VERY irritating to others when they try to explain or tell a story. Unpredictable. Will exceed your expectations. Not a Fighter but will Knock your lights out.. 2 years of bad luck if you do not forward



PISCES - The Partner for Life
Caring and kind. Smart. Likes to be the center of attention. Very organized. High appeal to opposite sex. Likes to have the last word. Good to find, but hard to keep. Passionate, wonderful lovers. Fun to be around. Too trusting at times and gets hurt easily. VERY caring. They always try to do the right thing and sometimes gets the short end of the stick. They sometimes get used by others and get hurt because of their trusting. Extremely weird but in a good way. Good sense of humor!!! Thoughtful. Loves to joke. Very popular. Silly, fun and sweet. Good friend to other but needs to be choosy on who they allow their friends to be. 5 years of bad luck if you do not forward.

hobbies

Hobbies are nice and I love this one that started about a year ago. Sewing calms me, and the finished product is good, because I get to see it on my kids. Here are their Easter dresses for this year. I will be sure to share pictures of them wearing these dresses while hunting for Easter eggs.

am I race ready?

I know, I know, I'm a bad blogger these days. I have been training for the half marathon, and since I remembered how under prepared I was last year, I wanted to really do some serious training this year. I have been resting these past couple of days, and tomorrow is the big race. I have been carb-loading today, well, this whole week really, and mainly resting and eating many calories today. I have also been doing some housework, just because I know I won't want to do anything tomorrow or Monday even. I read my blog about running the race last year, and I hope to use it as vision inspiration tonight when I meditate, and again in the morning meditating in preparation for the race. I will be driving there alone tomorrow morning, so hopefully I can get some good free street parking, that is something you usually luck into in Birmingham. If I have to pay to park in the deck though, I will. There is a 40%, I think, chance of rain tomorrow, but hopefully it won't start until after I'm finished, I don't think I want to run in the rain. Of course I say that now, but you never know, it could be refreshing. A lot of people have asked for my report after the race, which I hope to do soon after. I was also asked what was on my "Marathon 2010 play list," and since I aim to please, here it is:

Laid - James
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Dance, Dance - Fall Out Boy
Santeria - Sublime
Oh L'Amour - Erasure
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Don't Trust Me - 3OH3
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) - Beyonce
Stupid Girls - Pink
Party in the USA - Miley Cirus
Crazy Bitch - Buck Cherry
Stitches - Orgy
Sk8er Boi - Avril Levine
My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson
You're Beautiful - James Blunt
Gives You Hell - All American Rejects
She Hates Me - Puddle of Mudd
Girlfriend - Avril Levine
2,000 Miles - Erasure
It's a New Day - Will.i.am
Mr. Brightside - The Killers
Bad Romance - Lady GaGa
How You Remind Me - Nickleback
Take a Chance on Me - Erasure
Hate (I Really Don't Like You) - Plain White T's
Polyester Bride - Liz Phair
Sugar, We're Goin' Down - Fall Out Boy
Control - Puddle of Mudd
Hot N Cold - Katy Perry
Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
Hey Ya! - Outkast
Move Along - All American Rejects
Tempted - Squeeze
Viva la Vida - Coldplay
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
Sober - Pink
The Remedy (I Won't Worry)- Jason Mraz
One Thing - Finger Eleven
I'll Be - Edwin McCain
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Careless Whisper - Seether
Undone (The Sweater Song) - Weezer
My Humps - Black Eyed Peas
Pleasure, Little Treasure - Depeche Mode
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Finally - Fergie

dolls' names

Little Princess has shown me a bunch of pictures of the dolls she wants for her birthday. I wanted to share them, because in my opinion, they sound like strippers'
names.

Strawberry Shani Fraise
Beautiful Bride Becky
Ashlyn Amethyst
Mint Chip Madison
Red Velvet Vaneta
Raspberry Tea Renee
Twirling Tanya
Change Purse Chandra
Lil' Bride Lacey
Caley of the Caribbean
Blushing Bride Blaise
Pavi of the Pacific
Open Toe Tamara

I'm a little scared. Their French names are listed after their names in English, but I think these names that I have shown are enough to get the picture, right?

happiness is...

People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest.

I don't know who quoted this, but I totally agree!

snow days

So, I live in Alabama, and if there is a threat of snow they close the schools. I think this makes sense, because being in Alabama we have no snow plows and our vehicles really can't handle really icy roads. Besides the fact that the drivers out here may not know that you don't break on the ice, blah, blah, blah. I was complaining about the fact that my kids will be out of school tomorrow, not because of the threat of snow, but because they just got back in school this week from the holiday break, and now they are back home. I then posted a pretty abrasive comment because I was sick of everyone saying things like, "the threat of snow closed schools?" I feel guilty about my abrasive comment because I remember when I lived in Utah, the roads were all plowed by 5AM, so there wasn't missing any school. We also had salt on the roads, so there was less ice, but you still had to look out for black ice, but we're getting off track here. I just want to apologize to anyone, if you read my blog, about the abrasive comment. Really, I think it's good that schools are closed because it makes our roads safer, therefore the kids are safe, but I am just annoyed that they are out of school this soon after Christmas break and I have a dirty house that I want to clean before I host Bunco on Friday night.