Winning the Lottery

So, when I am just sitting here, or surfing the internet for houses, I always love to look at houses I cannot afford.  Then I start to dream of winning the lottery.  This is ultimately impossible, since I don't buy lottery tickets, and since Utah doesn't have the Powerball.  But I still dream that I somehow come across millions of dollars.  One of the first things I would do would be to give family some money.  Yes, Lori and Brandon, I would give you a significant sum, maybe $500,000 or more depending on how much I were to come into.  Then my parents would be the next to get some.  I am not too sure how much I would give them, since they have so much already, but definitely enough so they could have some fun and go a little crazy.  We could pay off all the student loans, Rocky could get a new car, I would fix that stupid indention in my bumper that some one gave me.  Then I would be all about the real estate.  I know that Rocky would want to build a house, but I am not too sure about that.  That could take forever.  I just love to look at the mls listings and imagine myself living in these gourmet kitchens, manicured lawns, covered decks, fireplaces, jetted tubs, craftsman style houses.  Then I wonder, where would I live?  Hmmmm.  Not too sure.  I would keep my minivan, but maybe also get a small car for the times that I run around without the kids.  Maybe a Mini?  I think I would reserve the sports car for when the kids are older.  We would travel all over the world, show the kids where I have lived, and how other people live.  The kids college funds would be taken care of, they could go to the private school I would like for them to attend.  And I could decorate my new house with elegance and taste (at least in my mind).  Restoration Hardware would be my first stop, Williams Sonoma would be on my list too.  I would also have to have a little shopping spree for myself as well.  New clothes, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, purses, etc.  I may also have to start getting spa treatments monthly: pedicures, massages, etc.  Melting Pot would become a monthly visit for me.  Do I sound a little obsessed with money?  Perhaps . . .

Best of Times, Worst of Times

I am going to start with the worst.  

Zoe, my cat, died yesterday.  I can't actually say the words, but typing them seems to work.  I finally stopped crying, but thinking about it makes the tears start again.  I know, some of you (probably those who do not have pets) are thinking, it's just a cat, what it the big deal?  But those of you that have had pets before might understand a little more.  I got Zoe 8 years ago from a shelter.  She was beautiful, and so terrified to be in the cage they had her in.  That is how I picked her.  She then hid under the bed for the next 2 months, and very slowly she started to like me.  She was always weird.  She didn't like very many people, and having babies really freaked her out.  But she always slept with me in bed.  Very early on, she discovered that Rocky doesn't like her sleeping with him, so she was very careful to stay on my side.  She was not a kitten when we got her, so as of yesterday she was approximately 12 years old.  She started to have litter box issues, and by that I mean she was peeing all over the house.  I had taken her to the vet a few times, each time discovering a urinary tract infection, or crystals in her bladder.  I switched food, she has been on antibiotics, but it still didn't clear anything up.  We had tried retraining her many times, but nothing seemed to work.  So yesterday, at our appointment, the vet said the only other option we have is to put her down.  I knew that the rest of the family was in favor of this, so there was no one else to consult.  I was the one who was holding out for a miracle, but when the vet said that was the last option, I had to say ok.  I did stay with her for a while.  I wanted to stay with her until it was done, but they couldn't find a vein (apparently hers were smaller that normal) so I finally opted to wait in the lobby until it was over.  Then they came and got me, and I said goodbye.  Now everything at home makes me think of her.  I had to shut the door where all her stuff is, and I keep waiting to hear her unmistakable yowl.  But it is quiet now.

OK, I need to move on to the happy stuff.  Ciara's dance recital was this past Thursday, and it was that cutest thing!  She wasn't stage shy, but seemed to have such a great time up there.  The whole school did such a great job, and the costumes were all gorgeous (Ciara's class had one of the best costumes).  Having done many recitals myself, I can really appreciate how much organization this school has.  It only lasted 2 hours (in my day, our recitals lasted over 3 hours, sometimes bordering on 4) and the students were all over the place.  Here, I dropped Ciara off an hour before, and then I pick her up when it is all over.  They have snacks for them, and activities and games.  She said she had such a great time, and wants to do a recital again.  I am already looking forward to next years! 

Here are the girls watching during rehearsal.  From the left: Briley, Ciara, Maren, Anna and Emma.

Here is Ciara before the recital.

After the show, with Mom and Dad.

Addiction

It seems like most of my blogs lately have been by my brother in law.  I guess I need to get on here more often.

If you haven't noticed my new feature, it is my book shelf.  I have been lost in the world of books lately.  Rocky gets so mad when I read, basically because I kind of check out of reality for a while.  Reading is kind of like my heroin, or crack.  I just can't get enough.  Unfortunately, I am a really fast reader, so I finish books within a few days, which always leaves me searching for something new to read.  And I love to buy books.  For most people, this is a waste, since many only read books once.  I, however, can read them over and over again.  I can't tell you how many times I have read "The Glass Lake" or "Beach Music."  I have also read the Harry Potter series about 5 times so far (and I just started to read HP in the past year).  I have tried to read longer books, like "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" but that just got a little to technical/boring for me.  It did take me a while to finish.  I recommend all books on my shelf right now, with the exception of "The Host."  I didn't hate it, but I just don't know how I feel about it right now.  I finished it last night, and will have to read it again to give it a second chance.  I am considering taking the kids to the gym and dropping them off at the child center so I can go and lounge by the pool and read.  Is that wrong?

Here are some recent pics of the kids:

This is Ciara and her friend Sophie in Denver.  They were playing naked for some reason.

Ciara at her school program.

Ciara with her teacher, Miss Marci.

One of Caden, so he doesn't feel left out.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, Rocky! In honor of this special day, you get to ignore your chores, such as shaving my back. Yay!

Another Explanation

So, as many of you may have guessed, the last post was again my brother in law (sorry to disappoint you, Jacque).  Thanks a lot, Brandon.  I will have my revenge.  It did make me laugh.  And no, I won't be putting pictures of the poop on here.  Yesterday Ciara had her end of year program for school.  It is just so cute to see all the kids singing, or not singing and sitting there.  Her recital is also coming up, and I cannot wait to see her in her costume on stage.  I will post picture of both soon (sorry, no poop pictures).  And yesterday my sister and I went to the most fun exercise class ever.  It is called Dance Jam.  We were both a little self conscious at the beginning, but then we kind of got into it.  I could hardly move at the end, and we were both drenched with sweat.  It was so fun.  Oh, there was one more thing I was going to mention.  For anyone looking for a really good book, read Three Cups of Tea.  It was incredible.  It is the true story of this man who decided to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  He believes (and I agree) that the solution to the violence and war is education, not violence.  It is a true testament to what one person can actually do.  

Photos coming soon

I just took the biggest dump. If anyone still wonders where the lost city of Atlantis is, I think I just crapped it out. It's like a new brown continent. Peanutia, or Craptopia. Or maybe Cornopolis. 

Hmm. I might need a clothes hanger or a small shovel to break this up. Otherwise, it's never going to flush. 

Hey Rocky, get the camera!

(I'll post pictures soon)