NEW SIZE FOR BIG BODS

I have to admit that one of my biggest fears about coming back to school were the desks. Whenever I would visit an open house for my high school age children, sitting in their school desks was tight. I am happy to report that at college, they have generously, oops, the desk are of a generous size that I and other big boys can fit in. I am most appreciatitive of this as well as my rolls of bodily girth that would overflow the countours of the chair. And I think those sitting around me are appreciatitive as well.

JULIANNE'S BIG CHANCE AS A PAUL MITCHEL PROFESSIONAL

My daughter Julianne, gave me a call yesterday telling me about a competition she and her classmates are participating in - where any viewers that I have can participate in! I am copying my other daughter, Loralee's, post about this opportunity. The most important aspect of this blog post is for any and all to go to the website and view the youtube video mulitiple times a day!!!! So here is what Loralee has to say about her sister, Julianne.....which I ditto by 500%!!!!!!

TAG - JU-JU's Paul Mitchell Contest

My sister Julianne attends Paul Mitchell Hair Academy in Rexburg and she's entering a contest. I want to say just a few words about her. She is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet in your life. She has had to overcome some SERIOUS obstacles throughout her life. When I think about the things that she has encountered, I am amazed at her ability to get through them. No doubt she is one of Heavenly Father's strongest and most faithful daughters. She is a loyal friend and tries so hard to bring happiness into the lives of those around her. Hair school means so much to her because it's a place where she can go and feel safe, feel confident in her abilities, and feel like she has a support system all around her. Here's what she wrote:

"Paul Mitchell is having a YouTube contest that all Future Professionals in all of the schools nationwide are invited to participate in. And I really really really want to win!!! The grand prize is an all expense paid airfare, hotel, and dinner with John Paul Dejoria and Winn Claybaugh. So here is the deal. The winners are picked by the HIGHEST NUMBER OF VIEWS and HIGHEST RANKING. So here is where all of you come into play and your friends and family and their friends and family! You will all need to view JUST my video (don't view the other videos b/c then they get a vote as well) as often as possible and then rank it high!!! In order to rank it, you need to be a You Tube member-it takes just a couple minutes to create an account and other than the confirmation email, you don't get any other emails from them. You can view it as much as you want (please view it a lot) and then I would love you to tag everyone on your blog list with it. Voting goes from the time my video is uploaded until October 18. This is so important to me. Love you all!!!!!!! So keep your eyes open for the link!which is right here (and to make sure you have the right one, her username is julijam421):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEEFibmvwdY

TAG ALL OF YOU WHO READ THIS!!

Just copy and paste this post and put it on your blog,

then create a You Tube account and view, view, view!!!

Julianne would flip out if she won this contest.THANKS!

***Voting starts at midnight tonight-Thursday***

BOUGHT MY BOOKS!

I guess I am an official student now - I bought my books for school. But darn it all, I am still trying to decide what to wear on the first day of class.

Last Wednesday, Kimmy went with ME to buy my books! She also was with me when I dropped in to the NTOS - Non-Traditional/Older Student Assoc. meeting. We both learned some interesting tidbits. Kimmy thought the information on where there are beds on campus was very helpful - as she may use them from time to time to crash from her nocturnal habits.

MOVERS MAKE ME....

Loading the Van:

I wish I had pictures to share how the movers moved. I don't think SLOW can be pictured. I had to leave several times while this experience was occuring. I happened to be up (and I mean vertically UP) the street visiting my neighbor, watching the movers pack the truck. Out they came with my computer desk. I am not sure at what geometrical point they hit walking on the downslope of our driveway - but in full view I saw the desk break into many pieces while a variety of exclamations spewed from their mouths. It was a good thing I wasn't fond of that piece any longer!

Unloading the Van:

I received a report from my sister-in-law in Texas about my 2 sister-in-laws in Utah that took charge and distributed my boxes to the nethermost regions of my new abode AND unboxed many other boxes to help make our new home functional - and this I am most grateful for. I owe them BIG TIME!!! And from that report, it was a good thing I wasn't around when the movers were unloading.

Questions - Can anything good come from using a moving company? Will I ever again live in the same house longer than 7 years (but more like 2 years)? Will I ever get to the point that I can leave everything behind (like you suggested Pat!)? How many more moves do I have left?

So how...what do Movers make me...after 17 moves..

GRATEFUL that it is their backs not mine, despite their speed or personal natures!!!

MOVING MAKES ME....

FRAZZLED [1. verb]

frayed at the edges; exhausted either physically or emotionally

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!

Today is my oldest daughter, Ann-Marie's, birthday. I won't say how old she is other than she is a year younger than we have been married! She is an incredible young woman, and I am so glad she chose our family even though we have plenty of quirks and dys-functionality (of course it ALL comes from her Dad's side of the family!!! - OK, J/K! I take half the blame.)

When I started having babies, I never worried about myself or my babies. Maybe that is a blessing, because when I was delivering Ann-Marie, the doctor told my mother that they were very concerned for both me and 'the baby' due to the loss of so much blood. I was so clueless back then. When Ann-Marie was born she was so pink and pretty. I remember her eyes, so wide and ready to meet the world, checking everything out! She hasn't changed much and that is one of the things I love about her.

This is Ann-Marie when she was 17 years old!

HOW-TO'S FOR COMPANY WITH TASMANIAN PERSONALITY TYPES

Kimmy came to visit this last weekend. One of her unique characteristics as a child was similar to a Tasmanian devil, she would leave a whirlwind of stuff in her wake. Her visit with 3 other college friends did not dispel that flaw – did I say flaw? Don’t get me wrong – Kimmy and her friends were adorable, with personality plus – BUT – apparently I and the other mothers did not teach our daughters “Company’ etiquette.

So without further ado, let me share a few rules that I deem appropriate “Company” etiquette.

Offer and be willing to help with meal preparation or to clean up (as extra people do create more chaos/clutter). Most often the host doesn’t need your help, or may have everything under control, but the fact that you offered scores brownie points. And if you are a marriage possibility – this really makes you look good! DO NOT take a seat on the couch, waiting for someone to serve you.

Make your bed after you are ready for the day. DO NOT straighten it up when you go to bed at 1 AM, and call it good.

Pick up your clothes. Put them away in your bag or hang them up. DO NOT leave your personal unmentionables stuffed behind bathroom doors or hanging out on the floor.

Clean up after yourself in the bathroom. DO NOT leave your towels on the floor; or your curling irons turned ON. And it is recommended that you invest in a magnet wand to pick up all bobby pins that have fallen on the floors.

When leaving, gather towels and linens that you have used and ASK where you should put them. Fold blankets, stack pillows or any other bath & bedding you are no longer using. Your host may tell you where to put them all, or they may say, “Don’t bother, I will take care of it all.” DO NOT leave without picking up.

Be sure to write a thank you note, or leave a small gift for their hospitality. Show your gratitude.

And the most important thing to remember – leave the space you occupied cleaner than when you came. You might want to visit again!