Ode to Indian

Every year, my mom goes to the US Open. No, not to play tennis, but to watch. As many of you know, the Open is going on right now. And we have created a new tradition when my mom is gone: get take out Indian. My mom is the only one in our family that doesn't like Indian food. The rest of us love it. So every time she leaves town, we get Indian. Last night was our Indian Fest. My favorite is the Butter Chicken. Rocky always gets Tikka Masala. I digress. Every time I have Indian I am reminded of how much I really love it. Naan is the best bread ever. Even Caden is starting to enjoy it. It was a little on the spicy side, but he kept going at it. Ciara still wasn't into it, but I am not surprised. I don't think most toddlers like Indian food. We tried lots of different restaurants in the valley; last nights feast was from the Ganesh Cuisine in Midvale. They are the second best only to the Himalayan downtown. We have also tried the Royal Indian, and the New Dehli Palace. But neither compare to Himalayan or the Ganesh.

I also wanted to post some new ballet pics of Ciara. It is definitely busy now that ballet and school have all started, but I think we are all happy. There is some routine to the day, and I no longer have to find activities for us to do.

Financial Planning and Sunday School

Rocky seems to have it in his head that we need to meet with a financial planner. Why????? I don't know what the rest of you all think, but I feel that this is a waste of time. I really have no desire to meet with this person, who will tell me what I already know. I really don't know what Rocky wants to accomplish with this meeting, but I am not looking forward to it. There will go at least 2 hours of my life that I will not ever get back. As many of you know, I teach Sunday School to the 8 year olds. My class has grown, and I think I have about 10 kids now. This doesn't sound like a lot, but it really is. They are loud and rowdy. The majority of them this past Sunday were boys. They would not stop talking, and yelling. Then two of the girls made the other girl upset, and then one of the boys called one of the girls a fat cow. All the other boys were congratulating him, saying, "Good one!" and high-fiving him. That pushed me over the edge. I was just flabbergasted at this. Maybe I haven't been around 8 year old boys enough, but I thought that was way over the line. I had to go and get another adult to sit in the class and keep order while I tried to teach a somewhat less spiritual lesson because I was so incensed. On a happier note, I am excited because I get to make another baby book! I made one for my sister, and I have to say, I think it turned out pretty cute. This next one is for a boy too, but with different colors. Although, could someone out there have a girl so I can make a girly one?

Some Pictures

I finally figured out how to get the pictures off the other camera, so here are some new ones: Ciara at the rodeo back in July- Caden at the rodeo- Caden and Aunt Ashlee fishing during our camping trip- Ciara goofing off in the tent-

And since I haven't done a movie quote in a while, I will post a few. These have been in my head all week for some reason (Lori, you already know the movie, so no guessing).

"Stop looking at me swan!"

"It's nudey magazine day!"

"He called the $hit poop!"

"If peeing your pants is cool, then consider me Miles Davis."

"I'll give you a grown-up."

"Back to school, back to school, to prove to them I am not a fool."

"Billy, my Billy boy. I knew you would come back. No one can stop you if you try, don't I have a nice rack?"

OK, enough for now. More Friends trivia next time.

School, Camping and Work

So I haven't posted in a while. Too much has been going on. First, Ciara started school. Wahoo!! I think she was more excited than me to go back. She had such a big grin on her face when I dropped her off. Caden's school doesn't start until September, but that is OK. Since he is younger, I like to keep him around for a bit longer. Soon enough, they will both be at school all day. What will I do with myself? Hmmmmm . . .

Here is Ciara outside her school:

Here she is playing outside with a new friend (either Abby or Katherine).

On another topic, we went camping. Now, some of you may not know, but I do NOT like camping. I hate not having showers, beds, clean floors, etc. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am a city mouse. But my dear hubby likes to camp and fish and hunt and all sorts of other things, so I occasionally have to go along with it. It was the first time we have taken the kids camping. They were pretty good, but we did leave a day earlier than planned. We went to Strawberry Reservoir, so Rocky could do some fishing. It was freezing! Friday night we were so cold, and the kids were so cold as well. At one point during the night, Caden was sleeping completely on his pillow with no covers, and his butt sticking up in the air. We got him back into the bag, and the next morning he was so far in the sleeping bag that we couldn't see any part of him, just a big lump somewhere near the bottom of the bag. Ciara slept ok, but she was also freezing. She woke up crying at one point during the night, and when I asked her why, she said, "Because my nose is cold and I don't want it to be." So I let her come into my sleeping bag with me, which of course meant that I got no more sleep. Another thing I learned about Ciara is that she talks in her sleep. Most of the night she just mumbles nonsensical things, but I do remember one sentence she said very clearly: "OK, I will have a pancake after." I really thought she was awake when she said this, because it was so loud. We survived the first night, and I was ready to go home. But Rocky wanted to do more fishing. We did have poles for the kids to use, but they got distracted. And can I blame them? Casting out and just sitting there until something bites? Not my idea of a good time. Caden made up a new game for himself: he stood by edge of the lake, grabbed rocks in each of his hands, and would yell, "Ready, set, GO!" and throw the rock in the lake (or reservoir as Rocky keeps reminding me). I don't think that it helped with the fishing. We finally decided to leave that evening (no one wanted to sleep in the freezing cold again) so we got to come home and clean up. I have to ask, does everyone take so much stuff camping? Rocky's parents brought a LOT of stuff. Most of it food. It looked as if we were moving up there. A sample menu: breakfast was french toast, eggs, bacon, hash browns, sausage. Lunch was taco salad. Who makes taco salad while camping? I know I don't camp often, but I thought that sandwiches were as sophisticated as it got while camping. Oh well. She tries. I have pictures, but they are on a different camera, and I don't know how to get the pictures off of it. I also started work yesterday, but there is not much to report. Everything was great, but most was training, so I don't many stories.

Have Your Cake and . . .

Have any of you all ever had a drastic change of taste? Not like taste in clothing, or decor, but actual taste of food? And to stop any suspicions, no, I am not pregnant. I used to love cake. Cake was my most favorite food. All kinds of cake (except carrot, which I do not think is cake), and especially the frosting. I used to LOVE the big globs of frosting shaped as roses sitting on top of my cake. But now, I don't like cake. It all started back in June. I had discovered this wonderful cake from Granite Bakery. They make it regular and then put a (previously) delicious chocolate draping on top of it. That was my most favorite cake. But then everyone wanted it. We had it for Caden's birthday in April, and then twice in June for my mom's and mother-in-laws birthday (twice within 4 days to be exact). I think I overdid it with this cake. After my last bout of cake, I felt a little sick. So I haven't had any since. For my aunt's birthday, she wanted the same kind of cake. So I tried to have some again. Same feeling: queasiness in my stomach. I could only eat about 3 bites and then I was done. (And those three bites didn't have any frosting). For those of you that know me, you know that this is weird. I don't think I will ever feel the same way about cake again. This makes me sad. I will miss cake. I am now moving cookies up into the number one spot on my food list. I still like some forms of cake: cheesecake (especially the Godiva one from the Factory), Nothing Bundt Cake (delicious, yummy cream cheese frosting). But cookies are my new thing. Well, not really new, since I have always loved cookies. But since cake is gone . . . Since Lori is kicking movie quote ass, I am going to have to come up with something else. Perhaps I could do some Friends trivia (since I am the Friends expert). "Wait a minute, hold the phone. You aren't talking about Chuckles University?" Who says that and what are they referring to (what is the episode about)?

Olympic Spirit

Last night I watched the swimming.  That race is one of the reasons I love the Olympics.  For those of you that missed it, you missed an incredible race.  It was the men's relay race, and the French were favored to win.  They were so much favored that they started to do some trash talking before the race.  During the last leg of the race, it looked as though the French had the race already won.  The US was about 1/2 a body length behind.  But somehow, in the last few moments, the US caught up and won.  It was much more exciting watching it than trying to explain it.  But watching someone (especially the US) come from behind to win is just plain exciting.  I know that many love the Olympics, myself included.  But for me, the Olympics is something more.  Growing up, we moved a lot.  So when people ask, "Where are you from?" I don't really have an answer.  Many of you with hometowns have certain affinities for the local sports teams.  But having no hometown, I have really not had the opportunity to latch on to a certain team.  We lived out of the country a lot of the time, and then my hometown became the whole of the States.  It didn't really matter which state, but I was just identified as "American" or gringa (when we were in South America).  The Olympics gives me an opportunity to root for the only team I feel any loyalty to: the USA.  As far as local teams, I do favor some over others (Broncos, the U) but I don't feel as connected to them as I do the whole country when it competes with the rest of the world.  So go USA, and I look forward to the rest of the games.  

Quote:

"In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns."

Working

OK, I think I am recovered from my marathon weekend of volunteering. I bought the new Stephanie Meyer, Breaking Dawn. I was looking forward to finding out how this story would end. I will try not to reveal anything that will ruin the book for you. I couldn't put it down, but was a little disappointed. She went off in kind of a weird direction for me. It was a little too much like The Host. Not in an obvious way, but just in the level of wierdness. And why is everything happening in these next few days? I have about 4 things going on on Saturday, 3 on Monday. It just doesn't end. Plus they are working on the roads again. And Caden had a pretty bad fall at the gym today. He apparently tripped over Ciara and fell head first into the shoe cubbies. When I saw him, he had the biggest knot on the side of his forhead. They said he didn't cry for very long, and Ciara stayed with him the whole time. She loves to play mother to him. Also, I have somewhat big news. I am going back to work (kind of). It is just part time (less than 20 hours per week). And it is at the gym. Yes, I am sure some of you are laughing a little thinking of me working in a gym. But I am in the child center. No, not day care. It is very different. This center is amazing. They have a computer room, a separate room for babies (under 1), a separate room for toddlers (under 2), an inside play area, an outside play area, basketball court and lots of other things. No, it is not my dream job, but it works for now. I can bring the kids with me when I want, and they have a great time playing there already. My membership is also paid for, which is great. I just figured I am there already, might as well get paid for it! So we shall see how this goes. I am a little nervous, I haven't worked in over 4 years. But I am sure it will all go well. I have to get certified in all sorts of stuff, take lots of tests, and many other things. They are very thourough, but I do appreciate it since I have been taking my own children there for the last 5 months. We shall see how this goes . . . I realize I haven't done a movie quote in a while: "Check out the funbags on that hosehound."

Day 2 and Day 3

OK, so Friday. I had to leave the house around 7:30 am in order to pick up the walkie-talkies by 8 am. I make it to the school at about 5 mins after 8. And lo and behold, the director isn't there. There are people wandering around the building (the health fair doesn't officially start until 10). I had to kick all the people out of the building, which I hated doing. That is why the director should have been there. To do HER job. I digress. So the rest of the committee shows up by 9 am, and that is when we are meant to have a meeting. Again, no director. She is in the building by this point, but we aren't sure where. At around 9:15 the meeting starts. She doesn't have much to say, but I give out all my kitchen rules. I tell them that I am the kitchen Nazi, so please don't mess it up, and don't eat the food for the medical students. I am having trouble remembering all of Friday. I remember running up and down the stairs about 100 times with food to restock the medical break room. I remember agencies complaining that the food wasn't ready early enough (they were complaining at 11:30 am). I remember that we ran out of dentists at 6 pm, so we had to shut the dental floor down early. I can also recall one great JL member sitting in the kitchen and calling every dentist in the phone book to see if anyone could come and fill in. Unfortunately, no one could, but the fact that she made all those calls was such an incredible thing. I remember many JL members waltzing through my kitchen, and trying to eat the food that was NOT for them. And I also remember them giving me dirty looks when I told them they could not eat it. The event was over at 8 pm, and it took me about and hour to clean up. I got home around 9:30. Saturday. This time I didn't have to be there until 9 am. Again, we started at 10. This time, the morning was a little quieter. But as soon as 10:30 rolled around, I was busy. The food was being delivered, and I was trying to get it to where it needed to go. One of the elevators was broken, so we had to wait in line for about 20 mins to get lunch up to the medical break room. Every time I left the kitchen, I would always get stopped to do some translating. This was very difficult. I know conversational Spanish, not medical Spanish. They are very different things. Then the 4th floor (where the dental services were) lost power for about 1/2 hour. We had to cut the dental line off at 2 pm, and the dentists were still working at 6 pm (we had closed at 5). I also had to call the police on Saturday. There were some stupid teenage boys harassing everyone, and the security we had couldn't control it, so they asked me to call the cops. It took them 30 minutes to get there, and by that time the guys had left. My day was very similar to Friday: racing up and down the stairs with food and water. Running all over the building doing all sorts of random things. We shut down at 5 and began to tear down. My tear down was relatively easy, especially since Kate, who is doing my job next year, was there. We had lots of extra food left over, so we made a couple of homeless shelter runs. They were so grateful for all the food, and it was so sad to see these little kids. It just broke my heart. But at least I know they have food and cleaning supplies for a little while. I won't go over all the details of the tear down. Just know that I sincerely hope that next years director is much more organized, and know that I hope to have a more relaxing assignment from now on. I would definitely organize CARE Fair again, but not next year. I need a break. But it was all worth it to see the thousands of people come through and get immunizations, physicals, dental work, and many other services that they wouldn't have had the opportunity to get otherwise. I will volunteer next year, as should all of you reading this.

Here are most of us, we are missing the dental ladies: Michelle and Emily.

Back row: Wendy, Kathryn, Kelly, Michelle, Brittany, Rachel, Ellie.

Front row: Alise, Raven, Me and Lindsay.

Giving Back

Many of you know that I am a member of our local Junior League. I like the opportunity to volunteer, and the chance to give back to the community. This weekend, I was one of about 10 of us in charge of putting on CARE Fair, one of the largest free health clinics in the state (I think). It certainly seems large. For 2 days, we offer free medical and dental services and we see around 3000 people. I saw we, but really I mean the Dr's. I don't actually treat people. I just helped organize it. This blog may be long, but I feel the need to share my experience. We will go day by day: Thursday- Thursday was set up. We use a five story school building to host this event. The school so kindly donates the space to us, so we try to be very careful with how we use the building. Before any set up takes place, I had to take pictures of each of the rooms so we can return everything exactly how it was previously. I thought we should have started earlier in the day, but the Director decided that 12 was early enough. We went and got the U-Haul, and went to the storage unit to get all our stuff. We emptied one of them easily enough, but the other unit is full of exam table that weight around 500 lbs. There were about 6 of us trying to load all this (all women, and not very buff). I don't know how it happened, but we finally got it all on the truck and to the school. My job was to oversee all the logistics of CARE Fair. I reserved the truck, made arrangements with the other rental companies for tables, chairs, draping, etc. I also reserved walkie-talkies, and some children's books to hand out. The books are donated and we usually get around 2000. I was told that they would be ready for me to pick up around 2 on Thursday. So Michelle (who was in charge of dental) and I went over to get them. We arrive at the location, and they lady tells us that we not only have to pack our own books, but we also have to count each one. Seriously???? We didn't have any boxes to pack stuff with, we thought we were just picking them up. So we sat there for about 2 hours, counting and packing 1008 books. Yes, exactly. I counted every single one. Then we go to pick up the walkie-talkies. They aren't ready. No one told them I would be coming. Great. But they were very nice and just asked me to come back in 45 minutes. We went back and tried to help with the unpacking effort. Part of my job was the kitchen and food. The kitchen was my domain. I had everything organized in no time. Then I just helped everyone else. When I finally had a chance to go and pick up the walkie-talkies, they were closed. Just another thing to add to the list. We finally finished around 9 pm. I was exhausted. And totally wound up about the next day. I got home, tried to sleep, without much success, and woke up around 4am and just laid there for a while. OK, I will tell you about Friday tomorrow. For those of you interested in joining the Junior League, we are having an open house August 18th at 6pm. You can check out the website at www.jlslc.org.