The decisions that keep you up at night

I was faced with a tough decision today. One that really made me think.

You see, My driver's license expires in 6 days.

I think I made a goal to quit procrastinating once....hopefully one day soon I'll get to that....

I was excited to get the little renewal packet in the mail that allowed me to renew online.

No DMV lines! No dragging kids out! No waiting for hours and hoping for a better picture when I'll end up hating the new one even more than the one I currently have, even though I don't think that's possible!

Although thank goodness no matter how bad it was it would still be better than this photo:

ACK!

If I were smart, I would have renewed it that day when the letter arrived.

But no, it's me, so here I am like 3 months later searching for the packet that I put in a safe place so I wouldn't lose it. Apparently it was a safer place than I planned, because not only did I not lose it, after much searching today, I did not find it. I'm good at hiding things. Except hiding candy from the kids-they always figure out where the good stuff is stashed. Maybe I should have put M&Ms in the DMV letter and let the kids loose in my room to find it.

Anyway.

First I googled the website for license renewal. I got the the correct website and clicked on the license renewal link. Then I realized I didn't have the renewal PIN that was send in my little (lost) renewal packet. No biggie-I clicked on the link for those like me who don't have their magic number. It wasn't until after I filled out the info form and asked the question about getting me a new PIN that I realized that I sent it to the info department for business license renewal.

Nice.

Hey, I'll have brightened someone's day with a laugh about how stupid the chick requesting a PIN from the business license department for her driver's license renewal is. Good deed for the day: check!

Back on track, I got myself to the right page (this time using the DRIVER license link-good thinking!), pulled out my about-to-expire license for the needed info, waited on hold on the phone for an appropriate time for a phone call to the DMV, and got me a new PIN.

I filled out the forms and was about to click send when I realized that I couldn't edit my license at all. And here's where the dilemma strikes.

That little number next to "weight". It's about 10lbs off. Last time I got a license, I was pregnant. Heck, when I got my concealed carry permit less than a year ago I was in the throws of working off the baby weight, so it has the same number. Darn number.

What to do?!?

Do I sacrifice three hours of my day to actually GO to the DMV, fill out a new form and fix the weight amount? Am I the only person who doesn't lie on the weight question? Aren't you supposed to put a number about 10lbs under what you really are? Had I lied about it then, it would now be correct! Dang. Does that mean that someone who sees my license will actually think I'm 10lbs heavier than it says? Do I look 20lbs heavier than I am?!

Wow-am I really that vain?

Thankfully I decided that no, I'm not. Besides, with any luck, I'll be working my way back up to that weight in the next few months. Heck, if anyone asks, I'll just tell them that the camera adds 10lbs-to both my face in the picture, and the number on my license.

Also, I didn't feel like putting on shoes.

Then a handful of M&Ms made me feel better about the whole thing, so Maybe I'll be back to that number sooner than I thought.

This sums it up so accurately

Really, I don't think anything could be more accurate.

Have you ever had one of those days?

I'm sure you have. Everybody does. Or at least everybody should, 'cause that would just make things seem more fair.

There were lots of appropriate titles for this post. Including, but not limited to:

*I always feared the walk to the front of the room, turns out it's the walk to the back I should have been afraid of.

*I'm changing my Halloween costume. Now I'm going to be Humpty Dumpty.

*It's nice to have friends who help you up when you're down. Literally.

*And great shall be the fall thereof.

Catching on yet?

Yesterday was one of those mornings. Sadly a disproportionate amount of "those mornings" happen on Sunday at our house since church starts at 9 and we have seven children. Do the math.

Aaron was also on call this weekend so he was up early helping some person somewhere with technical issues, thus he wasn't even available to help get the herd wrangled up and ready to go.

I was totally strung out.

We are always early to church. ALWAYS. If it's 8:50 and we are not in our seats, we're late. Yep, some of those people. Typically we try to leave at 8:40, so that we have plenty of time for the loading/unloading of people, the last minute "I have to go potty!" calls, and anything else that tends to pop up.

Not so yesterday.

Like I said, one of those days.

It was 8:57 and we were finally walking in to the chapel. So not good. We usually sit up in the front. 3 pews back to be exact. Occasionally we're a little slower than normal and we are a few rows further back. No biggie. It's better than the folding chairs in the overflow of the chapel. Trust me.

In effort to get the herd quickly to some seats, Lincoln slipped away. Aaron was situating the older kids and I noticed Lincoln making a beeline to the front of the chapel where we normally sit. Realizing that I'm going to have to be the one to get him, I scoot myself as quickly as possible to catch him before the meeting actually starts. Which is tricky since as I was heading up to get Lincoln, the Bishop had stood and was making his way to the pulpit to start.

I finally caught up with Lincoln and turned to take him to the back where we were sitting.

Which would have been fine. Normally.

But as I was carrying Charlotte, had the diaper bag hanging off that same arm, and Lincoln with the other arm, trying quickly to get to the back in my pencil skirt that allows steps no more than roughly 12 inches apart, any trace of grace that may have previously resided in my body (and there wasn't much to begin with), fled quickly.

Yes people, there in the middle of the chapel, shortly after everyone had just quieted themselves down for church to start, I tripped. and fell. and went sprawling out in the aisle.

The Bishop had a bird's eye view of the whole thing from the pulpit. Lucky guy.

That half of a second when I knew I was going down lasted an eternity in my mind. But thankfully the rest of it went very quickly, and before I even knew what was happening there were three suits on me picking me up. Yes, I didn't even stand up by myself after my little spectacle.

The gasp from the left half of the chapel was lovely.

But then, if that wasn't enough, I realized I still needed to get Lincoln back to Aaron and the rest of the family and I needed to do it quickly so I could step out to collect myself. I pointed out where the family was, gently pushed Lincoln that direction and stepped out into the foyer.

It wasn't until a few minutes later when Aaron came out to find me that I realized that Lincoln hadn't been paying attention.

So not only had I tripped and fallen on top of my two youngest children, I then had left my 3yr old standing there alone at the back of the chapel. Nice. Mom of the year award here I come.

Thankfully a friend who saw the whole thing went and got Lincoln and took him back to the rest of the family and informed Aaron of what had happened.

He missed the whole thing.

Aside from a carpet burn on my knee (wool skirt + nylons + church carpet = bad), and a serious bruise to my pride, all was well.

And it did make me feel a little better when Tiffany told me "Of all the people at church who could have tripped and fallen, I'm SO glad it was you!" Uh, thanks. I think. Thankfully she elaborated and told me that it was good to see someone who normally seems so put together and polished and on top of things (uh-someone please find out what Tiffany has been drinking!) take a spill.

So I suppose that the happy ending was that I got to spend a few minutes living in the fantasy realm of thinking that some people are easily fooled.

(But then Tiffany stopped by my house a little later to drop something off. And she saw what the house looked like. Hmm. Oh well, at least she used to be fooled.)

So I'm hoping that this was sufficient humbling for me and that I will get a few more good years under my belt until my next episode of complete public humiliation.

'Cause it was a nice 15 years since I last took a spill down a set of metal bleachers at the end of my older brother's baseball game in front of his cute friends that were on his team.

And 13 years since I fell off a log while hiking on my first date with my husband-right after having talked about competing on a gymnastic team (on beam of course).

And it's been.....well, I'll not elaborate any further.

Let's just say I'm thinking I will not go to my grave being known for my ability to move gracefully.

Pink Giveaway #1

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month?

Yes, I know I asked that last week, but I'm gonna keep asking!

Today is the first pink giveaway for the month here, and the others will be on the last Friday of the month. Yep-otherS. There will be more than one giveaway on the 30th! And next week is killer too, even if it's not pink. : )

Anyway-most of us know as least one someone who has had breast cancer , or has been directly affected by someone with breast cancer. My mom's sister has been fighting the fight for the past few years now, and continues to fight on.

My first exposure to Breast Cancer came through Carolyn M. Carolyn was the mother of my best childhood friend Megan.

Though the M family moved away to another state when Megan and I were just 8 years old, there were a number of moms in our neighborhood that were good friends, so there were visits to their family out of state, and they came back here to Utah to visit as well. Thankfully we all still keep in touch and see each other occasionally!

Carolyn was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. Her daughter Megan, who was my age, was only 13 years old at the time. Living a few states away, I don't think I comprehended just how this effected their family. I knew that Carolyn was sick, and was going through treatment, I knew that chemo had caused her to lose her hair, but I didn't realize how sick she really was until we visited their family a year or two later. I remember standing in their kitchen watching Carolyn "walk" her hands up the door frame, moving her fingers and lifting her arms, then coming back down again. This was a big accomplishment at the time. It was then that I finally begin to grasp how life altering this was for the whole family. I was taken aback by what it must mean for my friend, in her early teen years, to have a mom who struggled through each day.

In 1996 Carolyn was told that she had just 18 months to live. I remember when my mom passed that news on. It was very humbling to think that my friend was losing her mom, as I couldn't imagine life without mine at that time (or now really)!

Carolyn continued to prove to her doctors that she was stronger than they anticipated, and fought on for a few more years until she finally lost her battle with breast cancer on May 7th of 2000 at only 57 years old. She was an amazing woman and an incredible example. There is a great article on her HERE if you'd like to read more about Carolyn.

There are so many incredibly strong women fighting this fight every day. And there are so many ways to contribute. Look for the pink ribbon next time you're out. Save your Yoplait lids and send them in. Check out one of the many online shops that support breast cancer research and awareness.

On the last Friday this month the giveaways will feature a number of products that support breast cancer research.

In anticipation of the big October Pink Finale, today is a Pink Giveaway as well.

(I have to apologize for the lack of pictures, as my camera battery is dying.)

First up is the Pink half apron:

You know I'm obsessed with aprons, and now's the time to go pink! This is a half apron with ruffle trim and rick rack accent. Single pocket on the right (with a bow of course!), long ties so it fits everyone, or if you're a tie wrapper like I'm am you can tie it up front. (same style as that damask one from way back when)

You see that pocket on the apron? It will be full of goodies too. Pink suckers, gum, and since I'm a big list person, a notebook too-all supporting breast cancer awareness. (I'll post a picture of all the goodies and some better pictures of the apron once my camera battery is recharged!)

All you have to do to enter today is comment. No going anywhere, or picking a favorite, just comment! Feel free to share how breast cancer has touched your life, or what you are doing to go pink this October.

Additional entries:

*Share the love! Blog, Tweet, or FB this giveaway (please leave a separate comment for each!)

*Become a follower, or let me know if you already are

*DO something! Everyone loves to go shopping, so go get yourself something pink, or something with that unmistakeable pink ribbon logo on it. Come back here and let everyone know what it was!

Giveaway ends Thursday Oct 22nd at midnight mountain time. Winner chosen using random.org and announced Friday Oct 23rd.

Blush Winner

The lucky new owner of a Blush Topless Undershirt is:

esche said...

And I am a follower. Fun!!

October 11, 2009 7:17 PM

Congrats Esche! I will email you with the details!

Jean Party-and you're invited!

I'm being too lazy to actually make, print and deliver invites, so I'm totally copping out and using the blog and email for invites. If you see this, you're invited. Really.

I'm in Happy Valley (if you live anywhere in the proximity of Happy Valley, you know what I'm referring to), so if you're up for the trek, come on over!

Yes Ruth, the rumors are true. Keep spreading the word!

My house, this Saturday the 17th from 11:30-1:30.

True Religions for $50. Really.

There will also be Scentsy, as well as some Mybmy aprons (hopefully-we'll see how productive the next few days are).

And since it's me, I'm sure there will be something to add a few calories to your day. It just wouldn't be a gathering at my house without something sweet, would it?

Come buy some hot new jeans! See you Saturday!

***Updating to add that Discovery Toys will now be here on Saturday as well! Yay!

If anyone else is interested in joining in, just email me and let me know.

I am the jump rope champion

Last night we had a jump rope contest.

I know-you envy my wild and exciting life, don't you?!

Taylor had been asking to do this for a family activity for a number of weeks, so last night we made it happen.

Jumping rope in pajamas and a coat. Now there's a good time.

It was entertaining.

It was humorous.

It was.....interesting.

It was apparently hard to focus when there was a plane flying overhead.

It was obviously dark. Who needs light?

But who holds the family jump rope champion title?

Oh that's right-ME! Look at me channeling my inner jump rope zen.

In addition to my already claimed (and undefeated for many years) Family Hula Hoop Champion title.

Never mind the fact that after jumping for the family record, I had to go change my pants.

Ok, Not really, but it was way too close to that. (hey, I've birthed 7 kids!)

My plan is to remain undefeated well into my grandma years. And by that point in time I can wear Depends without anyone questioning it. Then there will be no stopping me!

The biggest zit in the history of the world

Is currently residing on my forehead.

Don't believe me?

I actually took pictures to prove it.

Look:

Ok, not too terribly bad just normally. (aside from the fact that I'm not wearing any makeup) But if I dare to show any facial expression, especially something that involves raising my eyebrows (and trust me, there is always a good deal of eyebrow raising around here), it is unbelievably bad.

See? I told you.

It looks like one giant pocket of botox has landed smack dab in the middle of my forehead.

"It's the botox. I can't show emotion for another 2 hours."

(name that movie)

Dear ginormous zit on my forehead: please go away. As quickly as possibly.

And feel free to take my allergies with you. Thankyouverymuch.

Am I the only one who finds it horribly unfair to be dealing with typical teenage issues in my 30s? I mean, isn't that stage supposed to be over?

*sigh*

Oh well. At least I don't have to worry about it impeding my social life. HA!

Now there's a benefit to being old and married.