flossing - friend or foe?

creepy lady flossing

So, while on my mission (5 years ago), I served with a senior missionary couple named the Tuellers. Well, Elder Tueller is some world famous dentist (not really, but almost - he was the dean at the University of Pacific or San Francisco or something like that, and currently (I think) teaches lectures at BYU) told us one district meeting that flossing is unnecessary. WHAT? But we've all been told that it's a must. That our teeth would become covered in mold and eventually fall out if we didn't do it. Night after night we perfected the proper flossing technique. We labored so intensively to get that perfect smile, and for what? So it was all a lie? All that time wasted! I felt so...betrayed. 23 years (at that point - 28 yrs now) of harsh treatment to my sweet little gums? Well, was he really right? I thought "He's old, probably senile...he doesn't really remember proper methods of dental hygiene." Wrong! Again it was confirmed to me recently by Morgan's brother Jared (in his 4th year in dental school...also single for any of you looking/available women out there). Flossing is not essential nor necessary. Unless you are specifically prone to getting cavities between your teeth, you do no need to do it. I, from here on out, refuse to floss. Who's with me?

hell-o-ween

It has been hell trying to figure out what Gwen is going to be for Halloween this year. Last year, she was a pumpkin/jack-o-lantern (children's place). I didn't have to do anything for that one because my good friend Liz gave me the costume for a baby shower gift. Perfect!

Anyway, this year I just can't figure it out. I mean, it's not like her life depends upon this decision. She won't be throwing in her opinion this year. I don't have to listen to her pleas to be a princess, or a mermaid, or a naughty nurse (wait, that's what Morgan wants me to be).I just have to force her wriggly, fighting body into some outfit she'll wear for an hour while at the same time devouring miniature sized candies, and getting her costume (that her mother so stressfully fretted over for months) all sticky and stained with sugar. Let's face it, at 19 months, Gwen could care less. It's the adults that get all of the pleasure out of this holiday. I get to dress my defenseless daughter in a costume of my choosing (Morgan thinks he gets a say...but he doesn't), and I get to eat her candy.

So, as far as Gwen is concerned, she gets to be a witch, or a mouse. The mouse would be a costume my mom made for me and my brothers when we were Gwen's age. It fits her perfectly. I would have to make the witch costume myself. My vision is a cute witch with a skirt and such. Morgan, however, thinks if she's going to be a witch, she's got to be a scary witch. We'll see.

Let's not forget that this is the first year she is able to recognize witches, skeletons, and all the other scary decorations being displayed at all of the stores. She is terrified of them all. The other day, my mom and I were at Roberts Arts and Crafts. They have a big display of witches and scary looking skeletons. Well, we were walking by, and one of the skeleton's hands touched her. She screamed bloody murder, and wouldn't stop crying until we left the store. Now she goes around saying "weetch?" "weetch?" and doing the sign for scary. And me and Morgan being the cruel parents that we are find great joy in showing her all of the scary witches just to get a rise out of her. Hey, we're her parents, we get to do what we want.

spud days

Spud Days September 15, 2007

This weekend was Spud Days, and for all of you who aren't familiar with Spud Days, it is the yearly potato festival in Shelley Idaho (where Morgans grandparents live). So, we decided to venture up to good old Shelley for a little "entertainment." Morgan, Matt, Gwen and I, piled into our car and Nate and Dave (brothers of Morgan), Catie (Nate's girlfriend), and 2 roommates of Nate and Dave, hopped in their car. We were ready for a good time, and free spuds.

Morg, Gwen and I had gone last year, and it was fun, but it was so freezing it was hard to enjoy. Gwen was also only 6 months old or so, so she really didn't care either. We thought Gwen might find it somewhat exciting this year.

We started off the day at quarter to 7:00 in the morning when Morgan's grandpa, Dean, screamed down to us sleeping youngsters. We continued sleeping until 8:30 when Dean couldn't handle it any longer. First event? Breakfast at the local Shelley Senior Citizens Center. No kidding. Eggs, pancakes, sausage and hash browns all for $4, and the company of all of those old folks...priceless.

We then lugged all of the chairs possible from Dean and Zola's house, and ran to the main street in Shelley for the Spud Days parade. Gwen LOVED the parade! Motorcycles, dancing girls, loud music, and people throwing candy. How could it get any better? Gwen ran around like a wild woman diagnosed with ADD, gathering all of the candy she could get her sticky little fingers on. Every time I had to pry her hands open to steal her candy she would cry, until the next group of candy throwers arrived. Pretty funny. Just so you know, the highlight of the parade for me was the float entitled "Potatoes of the Caribbean" with potato pirates and everything. Awesome. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture.

Next the fair. They gave out free baked potatoes with butter, sour cream and cheese. Pretty good. They ran out of the spuds after giving away over 5000. Spud Days is a popular day in Shelley Idaho. Next the boys in our group all participated in the Spud Tug (a tug-of-war) over a pool of mashed potatoes. I am proud to announce "Jew Boy and the Minnesota Mashers" (the name of our team...consisting of 1 Jew, and 5 boys from Minnesota) came in second place over all. Next year we're going for first.

So after a long day of spuds (they even threw out stuffed "animals" in the shape of potatoes called "Spuddy Buddies" at the parade), lots of sun, and plenty of fun. We called it a night. We had a great time, and plan to go next year. GO SPUD DAYS!!!

waffles and syrup

I just made waffles and homemade syrup for me and Gwen. I just thought I'd give you all the recipe for this syrup. It seriously is SOOOO delicious! It is very easy to make and quick! My whole family loves it. Once you try this syrup, you won't want to even use the other kind. Give it a try!

Buttermilk Syrup

1 Cup Butter

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup buttermilk

1 tsp. Vanilla

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

In a sauce pan, combine butter, sugar and buttermilk. Heat until boiling. Remove from heat and add vanilla and baking soda. It will bubble and froth up so you need a pot big enough so it won't boil over. Just watch it. (You guys all know how to make your own butter milk right? Combine 1 C. milk and 1 T. vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes or so and there is your buttermilk). I usually half the recipe.

working girl

I got a job. A part-time seasonal job with Tai Pan Trading. I have been looking for a good part-time job for a while, but hadn't found anything that fit or that would work with Morgans schedule until now. I had an interview with Tai Pan today, and they hired me right then. I'll start next Tuesday. I think it should work out well and it should be fun too, not to mention all of the cool stuff they sell there. I am always paranoid about finances, so this extra money will help calm my nerves a bit and as bad as it sounds, a few hours out of the home away from mom responsibilities will be good for me. I'll let you all know how it goes.

christmas? birthday? both?

Kidkraft Pink Retro Kitchen

I've been lusting after this cute little pink kitchen (for Gwen) at Costco (you gotta love Costco). You know how Costco is, one day it's there, the next day it isn't. (Like the other day I was at Costco, and they had the hardback books "Twilight" and "New Moon." Well, I decided not to get them then (they had like a million copies). Big mistake. I went the very next day....and they were GONE!!!) Anyway, I saw this kitchen a few days ago, and again decided against buying it then, thinking that Gwen isn't old enough, we don't have enough room, etc. Well, as soon as I left Costco, I regretted it. I thought about that stupid little (although adorable) kitchen all night, and all the next day. I figured they would be long gone, considering that Utah if full of crazy mormon moms, all looking for a good deal (there were only 2 when I saw them). Well, last night I dreamt about it, so I woke up first thing this morning, waited for Gwen to wake up, then headed straight to Costco. Judging from the way I sped through the aisles, people must have thought I was after some majorly good free samples. I rounded the corner, and there it was with a spot light and heavenly chorus showing me the way. There was one left, and I got it. haha All of you poor mothers also lusting after this kitchen. In your face! So now the question is....Do we really need it? Is Gwen old enough? Do we have enough room? Whatever I decide, Gwen will get it for Christmas or her birthday, or maybe both. Give me a break. She'll be two. She won't know she only got one gift from Santa (with a note saying "Happy Birthday too on Feb. 18th) She cares more about opening the boxes than what's inside. I'll wrap up empty boxes for that matter. Merry Christmas Gwen. My shopping is all done.

what to write

Morgans parents, Mark and Connie, were in town this past weekend (flew in from Minnesota last Wed. night, and left today) for a quick visit. It was good to see them and have them here. We ate a lot, celebrated Nate's (Morgan's brother) birthday, and had a few get togethers for Labor Day. I was sad to see them go today. I feel bad they don't get to be around Gwen all of the time, and watch her grow up and witness her crazy and fun moments. (I know my mom (and especially my dad) would die if she didn't get to see Gwen almost everyday). She was pretty good with them, however, she was also a little bit of a brat (Who? Gwen? MY daughter? Well, she didn't get that from me!). I hope they didn't feel bad that she didn't hug and kiss them all of the time. She doesn't do that with anyone. She is not a cuddly little girl.

After the boys took Mark and Connie to the airport, I've just been picking up and having some time to myself. It was great to have the in-laws here, but it's good to have our house back to ourselves (and Matt). We only have 2 bedrooms, so Mark and Connie slept on the sofa bed and Matt slept on the floor. With 5 adults and Gwen living in our place, and the other brothers hanging around too, it got pretty crazy. Those boys probably went through five 12 packs of soda. Unbelievable! (Have I ever mentioned that when Morgan was at BYU, he found out that you could refill any container at 7-11 that you wanted to? He chose to fill gallon milk cartons). I probably have gained 5 pounds this week from all of the food I have shoved down my throat. I'm not going to jump on a scale though. Gym membership here I come. I'm sick of feeling my belly roll over the top of my pants every time I sit down. Gross!

Well, the house is quite again. Gwen is keeping busy "reading" her books and being amazingly quiet. I am shocked! I was able to go to the library today to pick back up on my reading. I am reading "The Lovely Bones" right now, and have 4 more books in line: Twilight, The Red Tent, Middlesex, and a book called Running with Scissors that I know nothing about but saw at the library, and thought I'd give it a try. Tonight is book club. That should be fun. We're talking about a book called "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan." I recommend it! Well, until something really fun happens (a haircut, a big purchase or a fun announcement....NO I'm not pregnant), I'll write later.