TODAY IS THE DAY! THERE WILL BE MORE TO COME IN A FEW HOURS. STAY TUNED.

OKAY, ONLY 4 MORE DAYS!

A little reminder of why we should use good manners.

This is written in "Real Simple" for December as the postscript. I think it's a good idea to brush up on manners for this time of year, but also to show our kids and those around us a good example. People just don't know how to use good manners anymore, it seems. Here are situations in which it is imperative to use good manners, or at least show special politeness to other people:

1. They are older
2. They know more than you
3. They know less than you
4. They got here first
5. They have educational qualifications
6. You are in their house
7. They once helped you financially
8. They have been good to you all your life
9. They are less fortunate than you
10. They have achieved special status in the wider world
11. You are serving them in a shop
12. They are in the right
13. They are your boss
14. They work for you
15. They are a policeman/teacher/doctor/judge
16. They are in need
17. They are doing you a favor
18. They paid for the tickets
19. You phoned them, not the other way around
20. They have a menial job

Excerpted from "Talk to the Hand: The Utter Bloody Rudeness of Everyday Life (or six good reasons to stay home an bolt the door", by Lynne Truss.


As you can see, there is practically no reason NOT to use good manners. This pertains to practically every situation we're in on a day to day basis, save one. It never mentions using good manners when yelling at or disciplining your children. I guess for good reason. I'm usually not too worried about grammar when I'm bugging Emma to get going in the morning so she won't miss the bus-again!

The last one!

I am an avid reader of cheesy Mormon novels, thanks mostly to my mom. I know, they are pretty bad, but they're easy to read, and it's better than nothing. I guess it also gives you a spiritual lift and makes you feel like your life is lacking in some way because you're not having daily earth shaking spiritual experiences like those in the book. But I like them nonetheless. However, after branching out and trying this series of books by Dean Hughes, I am so glad I did. They are quite daunting due to their size, but the pages just fly by. I love WWII stuff anyway, and this is how they started out. Now I am on the second generation of kids, and at the end of their story. I started this last book last night, and I can't put it down. I can't wait to finish it, yet I want it to last forever. But, never fear, Mom's bookiness is here! She has given me the beginning of a new series. Thanks Mom. So I will have something to look forward to as this one comes to an end. It's called "A Banner Is Unfurled" by Marcie Gallacher and Kerri Robinson. It's a Church history novel, based on actual events of members. I love these kind. Just look at "The Work and The Glory". I guess I know what I'll be doing today. After I go to the grocery store, that is.

IT'S COMING IN 7 DAYS! ARE YOU READY FOR WHAT YOU MAY SEE?

The cutest "Mormon Chic" blog

You've got to check it out. www.happyjellybeans.blogspot.com

I'll put a link to it on the sidebar, since I don't know how to do it here. :) Still learning.

The best blood draw ever.

I had to get three vials of blood taken today and I was kind of scared. I don't especially love getting my blood drawn, but I'm not a huge chicken either. The last time I had it done, it hurt pretty bad, and she had to stick me twice. This time the lady really knew what she was doing. She didn't touch my skin after she wiped it with alcohol, (Kristen, you'll appreciate that), and she put the needle in and it didn't even hurt! I didn't feel a thing. So, I guess I'm a brave girl after all.

In case you are wondering why I'm getting my blood taken, I had to get a pregnancy test. So I guess that means we have some news. I guess you'll find out in a couple of weeks. Actually 9 days to be exact. I know, the suspense is killing you.

The silence of the Maggie.

Yes, it's a miracle. I don't know if it's from crying herself to sleep last night, her cold, or a combination of both, but she's lost her voice. It's so sad. And cute. It's this little crackly squeaky voice, it cracks me up. The sad thing is is I think she feels better today, she just sounds worse. I think she just needs her mommy to cuddle up with.

Feeling like CRAP!!!

Yes, I know, crap is a bad word. But sometimes not-bad words just don't describe it. Both the girls have had runny noses all weekend, and I thought they were getting over it. Hah!!! Now not only are they sicker than they were this weekend, I am too! I should have known. I read Mindy's blog and Mike said they were all sick. I must have picked up some computer virus from the blog. So here sit Maggie and I, both with runny noses, and sneezing all over each other. Poor Emma, she was sneezing like crazy and her eyes were so watery, but she would not stay home from school. She kept trying to convince me that it was her allergies. She's so sweet. I guess it's that kind of day when you stay in your jammies, drink hot cocoa, and watch Dora until you want to blow your brains out. Yep, should be fun. At least the landscapers are here to take care of all the old leaves flying around everywhere. It's about time. I wonder if they would take care of the leaf infiltration that has taken over my garage, since they should have been here a week ago. Probably not. Oh well. What do you expect for $150 a month? I personally expect better service than that, but what can I do? I complain but nothing changes. I think I'm rambling so I'm going to go now. Maybe I'll go take a nap and try to feel better. Wish me luck!

WARNING! TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY. BE PREPARED.

I am totally hooked on Grey's Anatomy.

I can't get enough of it. I wish it would be like 2 hours long, so I could just watch, and watch, and watch. It almost makes me want to go to medical school. Almost. Okay, not really, but it does make it seem funner than it probably is. I used to think that way about "Friends", but toward the end, I was just kind of "ah, no." Then it was "E.R." Same thing now, it's just not like it used to be with George Clooney and Anthony Whats-His-Face. Although I am loving Nelah, and Morris totally cracks me up. I do like the new nurse, Eve, who was the hot chick from "Third Rock", but she's gotten older, and fatter. Not that I'm one to talk, but I'm not an actress, so no one can say that about me in a public forum. I guess.

So my newest addiction is "Grey's Anatomy" which like I said before is just so cool. Plus, I wish I looked that cute in scrubs. I just look like a boxy old school marm (Is that even a word?) I just love Sandra Oh, who ever since sideways has me hooked on her quirkiness. An Patrick Dempsey, although not my instant favorite, has definitely grown on me. It took me a couple of episodes to get past the geek-mower in "Can't buy me love", but he's grown up a lot, and despite his small face, he plays the part perfectly. Izzy is another of my favorites, but I may be biased. I got a website in my email about famous Mormons, and low and behold, there she was. I don't know how true it is, but I'd like to believe it. She's darling. Anyway, each week I want to see more, and now I'm even getting past the drama of McDreamy and Meredith, and wanting to more of Burke and Christina, George (who is soooo cute, even though he has a bubble butt and sweats incessently), and of course Izzy. I guess that's a sign of a good show, when people's attention starts drifting from the intial attraction to the blossoming ones.

So that is my two cents worth. I certainly don't see myself as a critic by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to think I know what works. Plus, anyone you talk to who has seen the show will tell you they are just as hooked as I.

BEWARE! IT'S COMING IN A FEW WEEKS. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!

One second he's fine, the next, not so much.

So here I am, taking care of one of my favorite patients. He comes in for Chemo a lot, so we all know him. Well, here he sits, talking and joking, and suddenly, out of nowhere, he's turning blue and gasping for breath. I'm the only one around, and I'm so not feeling qualified at this moment, so what do I do? First, I poop my pants, then I scream. Yes, I did. I full on screamed. I know, not the most professional thing to do, but boy was I taken off guard. This was the first time I'd actually had one of my patients do that so quickly. It seems like the ones you think are going to be the ones to do it never are, and here is Mr. "Hi, I'm just here to get my Chemo and get my fever down, no big deal, and you all love me because I'm so funny and cute" that takes a tumble toward the light. Weird. Well, needless to say, I got a new pair of scrubs out of it (see incident prior to the screaming), and he did finally come around. Good thing I only had to work a few hours last night, I don't think I would have lasted after that. So now I've realized I'm grossly unqualified and inexperienced, despite my schooling. I guess there are things that only experience can teach. Darn that. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love my job, but sometimes it makes you realize that life is so short. One second you're here and talking, and the next you're following the dark tunnel to the bright light. **** "It's so beautiful,....I can't help it". So that was my day. Or night. Whatever.


**** Gnat flying into the bug zapper in "A Bug's Life"

Looking forward to TURKEY!

And for those of you that know me well, will understand why. I love Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday. I love the food, the family, and a day set aside to think of things we are grateful for. But Thanksgiving must come early for me this year. I will not be able to participate in the festivities on the actual holiday, so I'm talking my mom into cooking turkey dinner a week early just for me. It's a lot to ask, I know, but I need to experience the turkey-ness just one more time. After that, no more for my whole life! Just a few bites will have to suffice. But it will be worth it. I know it will. Hopefully she'll oblige. Hopefully.

Joan, Gramma, and Grampa came to visit

The girls were so excited to see Joan. Not only because she got them out of bed, either. For other reasons, too. We love Joan. She's great fun. Sean loves to tease her. It was good to see her again. I think the last time was Paul's wedding. Maybe Spencer's farewell. I don't remember. I just know it's been too long. We were just sitting home and Charlie called from Jared and Kristen's saying they were coming over to visit. It was 9:00 and the girls had just laid down for the night. So they got to get out of bed to see Joan and Gramma and Grampa. Not like we had to twist their arms or anything. So, now it's 10:30 and they are just getting to bed and we have 9:00 church! Should be fun getting them to wake up! I have to work at 7:00 AM, so I don't have to deal with them being ornery, lucky me! And look at Sean and his dad. Are they two peas in a pod or what? It's frightening.

My day at Dollar Tree

So I went to get a birthday present for a neighbor girl. Yes, I know, I'm cheap what can I say. I just don't think any girl needs another $20.00 toy that they are never going to play with and lose in a week. So I shop at Dollar Tree for birthday presents. Now, the whole slogan of Dollar Tree is that "Everything's a Dollar". Seriously, that's what they say on their commercial. So, here I'm checking out, and the lady is having a hard time finding a price tag on one of the gifts. No, seriously. I know. IT'S A DOLLAR!!! Then she was all mad at me because I put my debit card through, entered my PIN and it still came up a credit. I wanted it to come up as debit. She wanted me to go to the end of the line and wait so she could re-ring me up. I don't think so. I asked to speak with the manager, and she said "no one is here that can help me, you'll just have to pay as credit or wait at the end of the line". She was so rude. Now, normally I would have made a bigger stink, but there were like 10 people in line. So I figured it's not that big of a deal, and I came home. But man, was she rude. She had been talking to the lady behind me in line saying how she had been up 'til 3 in the morning, blah blah blah, and she was sooo tired. Yeah, right. Work a couple of nights with no sleep in between and tell me how tired you are. So that was how my day started off. Needless to say, I was then in a bad mood, and yelled at Sean, who is now in a bad mood. I guess it's like the trickle effect. Or is it ripple? Either way, it worked, and now we're all in a bad mood. I think I need a nap.

The kids at the Halloween party

Here's scary Emma the Witch and Maggie the Buzzy Bee. We had our Activity Day Halloween Party yesterday. Even though the kids aren't old enough, they get to come along with mom. We had a good time. The did pumpkin bowling, and ate doughnuts on a string. It was a good time. Happy Halloween!

TO THE "DUMPITY" PATCH WE GO...

Yes, I said "dumpity". That is what Maggie calls pumpkins. Don't as me why. Probably because she's two and thats how they talk. We picked out a small one, for Mags of course, and a medium one for Emma. They had so much fun, and I'm already looking forward to that scrapbook page. I know, I'm a dork. What can I say.

This is what I was needing last night.

I had worked Wednesday night from 7PM to Thursday at 7AM, then Thursday I only got like three hours of sleep. Then I worked Thursday from 7PM to Friday at 7AM. At about 3AM on Friday, I hit the wall. I literally could not keep my eyes open. I know sometimes people are like "Oh, I'm so tired, I can't keep my eyes open" and they still function fine. I was not functioning fine. The poor nurse I was working with was like "Can't you remember anything". Nope. So I needed this bed on a beach last night. I'm sure I would have been a much easier person to work with. If I didn't love it so much, I guess I wouldn't do it. Pass the cheese to go with my whine please.

Mmmm, Chicken

I just had to post a tribute to KFC. It's been a while since I've had their yummy chicken, and boy is it tasty! Mmmm, chicken.