Encore presentation - Marilyn style

Encore presentation

I have no shame, and I'm wondering if I have missed my true calling in life.

Wednesday's Wrandom Wramblings - late Thursday night edition

I

It's 9:25pm and I am still awake.  Barely.  But this is so far past my bedtime that I am starting to feel nauseated from exhaustion.

I recently colored my hair very dark and trimmed off an inch and a half.  Been toying with the idea of  going back short for awhile now.  Think I am going to pull the trigger.  Picture a razor cut a-line.  Maybe.

So puppy hungry I could cry.  I can't seem to find the right little guy, but getting famished for puppy love. 

I have bought a couple of Christmas presents.  I am almost done.

Christmas is very low key this year.

Why does this time of year bring such happiness and such sadness all at the same time?  Is it just because emotions are much more fragile and on hyperdrive?

I think so.

Working in St George is taking it's toll on me.  They are such long days.  Add in the travel hours, and how far behind I get on my regular work and I end up so stressed I can hardly stand it.  I seriously started working at 7:30 this morning and just stopped about an hour ago.  I'm tired.  Tomorrow bodes no better.

I think my toe is broken.  It has bothered me since the marathon and I finally pinpointed the problem.  It doesn't hurt to run though, so I really don't care.

Speaking of running, I got 5.5 miles in today on the freaking dreadmill. 

I hate the dreadmill

I am signed up for the Grand Slam next year.   4 marthons in the season.  I really need to get training.

A busy weekend coming up.  A talk with Sissy's mom to figure out some more stability in her life.  Christmas parties. Stake Conference and of course work.  I have so much more to catch up on.

I finally got some time to look at my reader.  I have it to a manageable number.  My problem is I want to read and  comment on every post and realistically I can't.  That bums me out.

I exhausted and going to bed.

Don't Tread on Me - UT

Click here

Only because I am not so techno gifted to figure out how to get all the links etc in place.

It's cool and if you live in UT - consider voicing your opinion in favor of this!
Hit all of Pedaling links and join the FB page too.

**Comments off**

Christmas Traditions - Installation Four

A visit with Santa Claus!

I always took the boys when they were young enough to love it and look forward to it.

Two years ago, I took Sissy, but for some reason last year it just didn't happen.  I think she was so shy that it didn't seem worth it to have her just cry and be afraid.

This year, we talked about it and after a nice Saturday afternoon nap we headed to the mall.

The line was INSANE!  But, she seemed willing to wait, willing to sit on his lap and get a picture so I settled in for the long torture of standing with other parents and their tired, rambunctious children.

At least the ones directly in front of me and behind me were friendly and would even hold my place while I chased Sissy or just sat for a rest.

After a little over an hour and a half - it was FINALLY our turn.  She had been watchng the kids ahead of her so she knew what was expected.

I have to say, this Santa was the best I have ever encountered.  He was so sweet, soft and loving.  So kind and tender.  I absolutley loved him. 

While Sissy's face might express otherwise, she really was okay, just a little timid and shy.  She did talk to him and tell him what she wanted for Christmas (toys)

After the Santa vist - we had to go find the train. The whole time we had been stawending in line a small train had been going by giving rides to children. She was fascinated and so off went.

What a fun afternoon with my bestie and me!

And for reals, if you are looking for a good Santa - South Towne Mall in Sandy, UT

He was by far the best I have ever met!

Belated Birthday Bash

I wanted the Shark to know just how many people love her and are her friends.  Lately she's had a few show their true colors and it's been hurtful - Tib needed a reminder of how awesome she really is.

We met at Texas Roadhouse for some good chewin' and FUN!

l-r around this section of the table:

Tib, Stace, Jimmy, Ana (you can just see the top of her head), Ree, Deb, Karie, Sheila and just the face of Jason

Suzanne (her hubby Mark is next to her but out of the shot), Jason at the end, Vanessa, Amy and Splenda

Apparently we all talk a lot with our hands

Lot's of presents

Sorry for the quality of the pictures.  I suck. 

And then I had a small program planned for her.  Okay, not really a program but a tradition I like to do for close friends who can take it.

For your viewing pleasure (and Splenda's utmost embarrassment)

I realize I have no shame.  That is what makes me, me.  Whatev.

The lunch was fun - thank you to all who were able to make it!

And finally,  a most Happy Happy Birthday to the Shark - hope you know how much you are loved!!

(those would be her footed pajamas - we need a shot of the cute penguins on her feet!)

xoxoxox

M

PS - I hear there is another, better video version, stay tuned for an encore presentation and yes I am available for birthday;s and bar mitvah's

My Marine Monday

Well, sadly I wish I had better news to update with.  Last week's post was written the night before he left. 

The next morning I dropped him off at the airport, with the idea that we would be picking him back up sometime the 22nd.  We were feeling so lucky to get him home for Christmas.

He was flying back with some other boys and there were about 10 of them together.  I knew it was going to be a long day when he called and said their flight had been cancelled.

The next plan was to send them to Las Vegas.  They would sit there for about 8 hours and then into SD.

A little while later, he called again, now they were sending them to Seattle.  Sit for about 6 hours and then down to SD.  Seems SO inefficient, but nothing to be done.  He called me once more when he landed in SD and it was almost midnight their time.

I didn't hear from him until Thursday night, and he was upset.  Apparently, during boot camp, there was a briefing held about MCT training.  He missed that briefing because he was in the office handling child support issues.  Part of the briefing was the instructions to bring his "portholes"  (those horribly ugly glasses they make the recruits wear).  He didn't even think about them, since he was no longer a recruit and didn't think he had to wear them anymore.

Soo.......due to no briefing and not having all his equipment he was told he couldn't go on this round of training.  There are about 5 other kids in the same boat.  Instead he has to wait until 12/28 to start his MCT training.

Here's the kicker - no he can't come home.  If he wants to come home for the 96 hours leave allowed for Christmas it's on his own money.  That would also set him further back in how much leave he would have to be able to use in the future.  He wasn't quite sure what to do, and after thinking it through, we decided it wasn't worth it to try and come home.  Too expensive, too costly on future leave time.

What does he do now?

He just sits around all day.  Maybe do something the NCO's ask him, but they aren't training.  Sitting around all.day.long.

(his locker)

He does have his crackberry so he can text and use facebook, but his service is spotty.

GAH!!!!

Are you freakin kidding me?  What a waste to have these kids sitting around.  If anything, have them PT all day long.  Send them to recruiters offices.  SOMETHING!

Now, the plan is he will start Military Combat Training on the next cycle which is December 28th.  That lasts 3 weeks, and then when he leaves he will have his next set of orders.

I can see that I am going to need to learn patience.  After talking to other military families, one should never assume you know what the next step will be.  Change is the operative word.

I totally bummed about him not being home for Christmas.  In his 23 years, this is our first without him.  SO WEIRD!  I haven't told his daughter yet.  Not quite sure how......

On a lighter note

Sissy totally rocks the Portholes or as often lovingly referred to - the birth control goggles.

And finally, there is a fabulous author and blogger, Annette Lyon, who is involved with the Flat Daddy project.  Click here to read more about it.

She is taking donations and then provides Flat Daddies for children of military servicemen.  If we can get enough donations, we could have one provided for Sissy.  It would be great to have since we know his time at home, even during training, is limited and deployment overseas is a reality.  Just a matter of when.

If you feel so inclined, please drop by and make a donation. 

It's for Sissy and so many other children who are missing their daddy's while they serve and protect us.

xoxoxox

M

Servicemen Sunday - A kind spot light on the 'dawg

My boy was spotlighted today!!

Go check it out on Mommysnark's place - I will be forever grateful for her post today and all the kind comments. 

Got bad news late last week - more to come tomorrow on it, but now - go check out Servicemen Sunday