No, It Ain't No Lie-Baby, Bye, Bye BY-EYE...
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Forgive me for quoting that lame song...
I'm leaving to Michelle's Condo (WolfCreek), in lovely Ogden Valley (Hey, it may not be far but it is NOT here!) We will be accompanied by Lovely Karen and Polite Brian. We are going to have so much fun.
Straight from there I am going to Texas for My G.Uncle's funeral and to explore my roots. I'll be back late Monday night.
I know y'all will be desolate without my presence. Try to hang in there. You should just be glad that Blogger is having issues with their photo code. You are spared from pictures for now...just wait until I return (Wicked, Evil, Nasty Grin....)
Love you all.
Sort of.
Has It Really Been 20 Years?!
20 years ago I was doing the "Texas Star" for PE at Valley View Elementary. I remember the gym smelt like school lunch (Translation: Usually the dominant permeation was corn).
I was in heaven because I was dancing with my 6th grade crush, Javier (Names have been changed to protect the innocent).
I was so busy thinking about how green and enchanting Jav's eyes were I didn't even notice another teacher wheeled in a TV and kids were gathering.
I don't think I could have told you the name of one space mission at that point (Athough I did know who Sally Ride was)
When it finally hit me I was so shocked. I asked my teacher if the crew was going to be ok. On reflection, this question must have really sucked for her to answer.
She got tears in her eyes and choked up.
"I don't think so."
I cried.
I read an article that the crew didn't actually die until they hit the water...3 minutes after the explosion. I thought (Like most people) they died in the explosion. I feel sick about it. I hope they were unconscious and didn't know what was happening to them.
If you haven't already, take a minute to honor the fallen and the loved ones they left behind.
Hamas, Crayons, Tech-support Calls and Urinals...
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Jonathan and I took the boys out to celebrate the fact that my blog has a following! Okay, I am not really sure if Jessica in Minnesota really constitutes a "Following", but still! It made me happy.
We went to Firehouse Pizza. Apparently, they thought I was a kid because they gave me a menu to color on too. There were only 4 crayons-two of which were Kelly Green and Green that comes out a baby's backside. Guess which one Mom got stuck with most of the night. That's ok. It's my job.
As is usual in my life, the evening was ripe with bizarre conversation. I'll let the quotes do the talking. Use your imagination to fill in the gaps. If you can, that is!(Evil chuckle)
James on overhearing Jonathan and I talk about Palestinian elections and Hamas: "What?! Now why would Hummus want to destroy the peaceful, green little patch called Israel?".
Christopher: "Mom, a hundred years ago were Native American's really just staring at the fire and getting kicked out of their country?!"
Jonathan on doing tech support for 5 hours today with a very small community that uses their software: "They had the best IT guy in the county on the phone-Phil-the retired miner..." (Before Jon freaks at me and gets "Dooced"...Phil did as great a job as possible. They are just a really small county!)
James for no sane reason at all: "Mom, did you know that a bunch of ladies in Scotland want to outlaw urinals? They say it gives men all the power. Do you feel like you don't have any power because you sit down to pee??? Wait...DO you sit down to pee?"
Oh, well. At least my pasta was really tasty!
WOW! This Is Just COOL
Okay...I pondered. I like doing this blog and I think I would really miss it. Even though I ramble it really helps me sort some stuff out. I was just whining and being immature. I dare to say it moved dangerously close to quasi "Pout". From me???!! GASP! Suprise! Not.
I think I'll stick around for the time being. Thanks for the support.
Actually-this is one thing that convinced me to stay-I did a search trying to find my exact address online and found this: Someone (Her name is Jes) wrote about my blog!
Here I am thinking I'm talking mostly to empty space and I find this. Kinda ironic...
I didn't have time to read all of Jes's blog so I'm not sure why I'm there exactly (It sounds like it is for a class assignment) but she has some good insights about me and what this place is about!
Good job, Jess. (I made some comments in white ink)
Looney Toons
Where to start?I guess I'll do some categorizing first.Loralee tends to have a notebook type blog.Blood says that a notebook is "sometimes personal . . . distinguished from blogs by their longer pieces of focused content" (6). This first post I read is a good example of all the posts that followed. She tends to make really long posts, but the text is only medium length, it is the pictures that make the post so long. For her, pictures are a good way to tell her story. And with a picture and a sentence recurring 22 times, she gets long posts.Blood also states that "both blogs and notebooks tend to focus on the weblogger's inner world or their reactions to the world around them; the links play strictly a supporting role" (7).
Loralee's blog is mostly just several windows into her life. She states her day-to-day occurrences in a chronological fashion and doesn't omit a lot. She posts every day and usually more than once, and her posts carry the reader through what she experiences or thinks about. Most of her inner world consists of her 2 sons, her husband, and her friends she takes outings with. This is slightly contradictory with the idea of a notebook. Blood says that notebooks are more a record of ideas than external events (7). So, in a way, Looney Toons may just be a long version of a blog.
I've changed my mind, actually. Looney Tunes is more of an online journal than anything else. Loralee is mostly just recording her life for public access. She mentions at one point that she has a bad memory and the pictures help her remember. I can understand this. A blog is a quick way to record one's life for later access. It makes it easier to remember what happened when and how. Now she'll always remember when she did the Polar Plunge, was sick while watching Brokeback Mountain, or attended a New Year Party.Moving on. I'd have to say that the main motivations for Looney Toons are information sharing, as in informing her friends as to what she did that day, and personal expression, as in letting loose after a day with her boys and writing about what was important to her or what she discovered, "I had such a good time today.I'm going to volunteer to be a hugger in the Special Olympics."
Beyond these categorizations and labels, I noticed a few interesting things.1. Loralee faithfully posts every day with words and pictures. She is giving a very good account of her life, and the reader quickly gets a feel for what her days hold. It also shows that she is fairly dedicated to blogging and enjoys writing about her life.2. Her pictures are often the goofy posed kind. These pictures, along with her text, show her as a very fun person. She's frequently smiling, laughing, or making herself look dumb and goofy. She seems upbeat and ready to go at all times. So, yes, she is reputation building(Good observation. I wish my pics weren't so posed but I have the world's longest delay on my camera-grrr!).3. Her spelling and grammar are pretty good, but she claims they are not. She's not too concerned with these things, because her main focus is to just get her information across. She doesn't need fancy wording or punctuation to do so.4. Last, it's funny how similar she is to Dooce. They are both gorgeous women(THANK YOU!) with older husbands (Ha ha, Jon is 2 years younger than me but you can't tell because he has the Grizzley Adam's beard going on)and children. Both have dealt with divorce. Both blog a lot. Both incorporate pictures in their blogs. Both of their husbands blog. Both are goofy and fun like teenagers, even though they are in their late 20s/early 30s, but it's refreshing to read. And both are from Utah!(It must be something in the water...now I have to read this woman's blog!)
My final thoughts:Loralee is your average stay at home mom who has a lot of crazy things happen in her day and wants to share these occurrences with someone. Blogging is her way of letting the world know that she does do valuable things and that she is still fun. Her blog is very entertaining to read and the daily updates keep it that way. I think I'll keep reading her. (Thank YOU!)
It makes me happy that someone I don't even know read my stuff! :) :) :) :) Even if it was for an assignment. :) Plus, Dooce was just in Glamour Magazine for "Woman Who Blog" Honored to be read along with her...she is really funny!http://www.dooce.com/archives/daily/12_30_2005.html
It almost made up for the waking HELL I endured at the DMV to replace my lost licence so I can go to Texas on Sunday!
Queen of Vacillation
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
I'm pondering quitting my blog.
Everyone who knows me knows I tend to change my mind a lot. One minute I am decisive, the next not. Yes! No! Maybe! WAHHHH!!
When and If I do come to a decision, I have usually decided by talking. A lot. It is a big part of my problem.
I talk/write way too much. It is a severe problem for me. It shows here. My posts are really random, long and strange.
I feel it may overwhelm (Not hard for me to do). I get overwhelmed re-reading my stuff and I wrote it! Plus, I only know a few who read this and I ususally talk to them everyday. I have a high tolerance for regurgitation, but other people may not.
I have loved blogging and taking pictures, though. I may just be having a moment or maybe I'm just menstrual, but it is something I'm beginning to consider.
It has helped a lot, but is trading one compulsion for another good or not?
Jon thinks it can get too personal and he is correct. I know I do-but you know me-I emotionally vomit all over everyone all the time, so I don't think saying "Use more restraint" is the answer for me...I'm sorta compulsive, all or nothing chick. I also realize this is "my" blog, but I also do it for people, otherwise I would just continue to handwrite my journal.
I'll shut my mouth now and go to bed.
If anyone has a desire to comment feel free-I put my settings to annon. so you can be open.
Family Passing (Edited)
Monday, January 23, 2006
My Great Uncle,Byron died in Kelsey, Tx today. He was 2 days shy of 100, and the last of my Grandpa's family. I miss my Grandpa Paul.
My mom and I are going to the funeral thanks to the thoughtfulness of my husband(Sunday afternoon until Tuesday). My grandparents met, married and raised their kids there. I'm excited to see where all my family came from and are buried.
I'm afraid when I first posted this I was really sad-mainly because it dredged up losing my grandpa. I was devestated when he died (I cried on my high school friends for days) and blubbered on my blog. All that waxing nostalgic and family history made my first post too long and hard to follow (thanks for the pointers!)-probably isn't interesting anyway unless you're related so I axed 98% of it. Hope it is easier to read!
:)
The More Things Change...
Sunday, January 22, 2006
The more they stay the same.
Church has never been where I feel the most comfortable-even during my most active times. It doesn't help that I went from being in the YW Presidency to complete inactivity for 2 years. Very public fall from grace. Going back has been wonderful, but difficult.
Sunday School is still the most hardest class to attend for me. I have had one or two Gospel doctrine instructors who have just rocked, but it is rare.
I think it's because there is no hymn-singing, which has always been my favorite part of church. My instructor is also very dry and overly-scholarly for me. Good man, but sort of boring and he has some 'interesting' theories that frankly-I don't get. I am just not enough of a scriptural for it.
We had a really controversial discussion last week pertaining to the Creation and I wanted to crawl under my chair. When the topic took up where left off last week I gave Maureen (Visiting teacher and R.S. President) a look of despair, she returned it and we both left the room and snuck off to attended gospel Principles.
Much better lesson (Pride-I had a much better grasp on THAT. ;)).
Good things about today: Jonathan and I had a really nice lunch and quality time together. We are doing really well. I'd forgotten how much I like him. Sometimes adversity really does have a silver lining, I guess.
Two people (who I didn't recognize) said they used to try and sit in back of me to hear me sing in church.
I am finalizing the details for my job tomorrow and having lunch with Maureen and Mary Ellen.
I really like my Bishop-even if he is really young
I went to melly's for Emma's B-Day (16 years old. I am so old) and my mom and I sang hymns for an hour. It was really nice.
Good and Bad things: This week a lot more people came up privately (good) and commented in different classes publicly (bad) how happy they were I was "back". One guy asked where I had been hiding. UH... EEEK...I embarrass really easily. You wouldn't think so, but I do.
Bad Things: I once again came off as a dork in the Newspaper. No surprise there. I hate being quoted. Of course, if I didn't want "Suck" to be attributed to me (TWICE) I shouldn't have written it on my hand or said it! My fault.
I'll scan the article and post it tomorrow.
I hope everyone is having a pleasant Sunday.
Good night, John-Boy! Good night, Mary Ellen, Erin, and whoever-the-heck-else lives on Walton's Mountain!
Polar Plunge 2006!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
I had the best time today. I decided last night to get up early today to participate in the 'Polar Plunge'. It's a benefit sponsored by Utah Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. I felt really bad that I have had a phobia of the S.O. What a freaking hypocrite I am sometimes. I don't want to stay that way, so I decided to get over it and help out.
This is a group pic of all the S.O. Athletes (in blue parkas) and various law enforcement there.
I know this seems like a bizarre thing for me to do-I hate the cold(The water was 28 degrees), 
I'm scared of water(We plunged into Hyrum Dam) and have 'issues'. Of course I wanted to do it! I think sometimes I do things I'm scared of just to prove I can. It is also just a fun and weird thing to say that you have done.
They suggested costumes or a theme. I had no idea what to do and it was the next day. My Nephew, Dylan, is in the Air Force and is coming home from Ali Al Salam (Kuwait) in a couple of days, and I love a lot of people serving in the military, so I thought I'd just put on green for everyone I know. I wish I knew where my dog tags were-it would have looked better! One of the S.O. Athletes gave me these glasses. He thought they would look 'just great' with my outfit.
Most of the plungers were in costume. I thought this one was so funny.
This guy was literally a "Ninja holding a Plunger". Ha!
I had no idea it was going to be sponsored by the Army. At least my outfit fit in. Plus, I was pretty much in uniform HEAVEN. Sigh... I told Jon he needs to find one of these (On stipulation that I get to play with the shoulder-mic doohicky). Too bad tech-geeks don't get such cool gear. Leathermans just don't cut it! ;)
Tee Hee...Cache County Sheriff has a Mounted Posse. Maybe I should go work there.
This is Maggie. I used to work with her at Borders. Her husband is a cop and ex-LAPD. I actually knew a few cops and other people there. Cool.
James and Christopher were so excited to see me 'Jump in a lake'.
James said, "I can't wait to see the look on your face, Mom. It will be priceless". Jonathan came along for support and kept mocking my shoes(actually, they were a subject for a lot of people).
I asked him what could he expect from someone who wore Sunday flats on a repelling weekend with the Army ROTC???! My feet were freaking cold and numb, though.
I was #19th to plunge. The guy on the bullhorn 
said, "Representing the US Army in some great lookin' BDU'S - Loralee Goat."
Great.
Hmmm...I think he needs to brush up on what BDU'S look like (although I called them BVD'S forever. Heh) and I'm not in the military and my name isn't GOAT! Oh, well! More to tell!
So I gave a big "HOO-RAH" and jumped in!
It. Was. Really. Cold.
I was barefoot and my feet were so numb I didn't even feel the ground on the run to the woman's tent
After I dried off, a reporter asked to interview me. He asked if I was in the Army. I knew the bullhorn guy would confuse people! I said no, I'm not nearly that cool, but I had a lot of loved ones serving and a couple are over in Kuwait and about my Nephew. I also told him to paraphrase my comments. I always sound like a dork when quoted and my brain had shut off from the cold. We'll see.
My hubby and kids were so proud of their mom!
The best part was this little blonde kid. He won an award. He is seriously cute.He came running up to me saying, "Hey! Army Lady! This is for you!" He gave me this sticker to put on my Polar Plunge shirt and gave me a hug. I cried. I hugged all the athletes before I left.
I had such a good time today.
I'm going to volunteer to be a hugger in the Special Olympics.
Hot or Not
Thursday, January 19, 2006
I posted the picture Bridgy put on her BNB webpage on the site "Hotornot.com"
It is a rather addicting site where you can post a picture and people rate you from 1 to 10. I discovered this site about 5 years ago from one of my bosses at Classic Concerts. He played on it way too much, if you ask me.
I was kinda bored, and always wondered what I would rate. So what the heck...
These are my stats they sent me so far(only on 289 votes, mind you):
9.7
You are hotter than96% of women on this site
That is crazy. I know it will fluctuate a lot, but I think it is just plain funny.
I think as an experiment I am going to put a picture that didn't have Brigitte's skill on the other side of the camera (i.e. it actually looks like me!) on and see what happens. I have a feeling that I know! Maybe I'll wear my ultra sexy glasses. OOOhhh baby! ;)
I'll letcha all know.
**Edit***
Updated score: 8.9 (A much more reasonable score IMO!...I am guessing 7 will be my average score) w/about 400.
To test my theory of photographer talent affecting things I uploaded an average "Me" shot that also had icky photographer skills-bad lighting, fuzy and crooked).
This is my selected grungy photo(Jonathan is photographer...Bridgy kicks his butt).
No makeup, gross hair and the ultimate trashy chiche-red bra, white shirt. Not the worst photo I have taken, but in the icky category. and add it to prove that women can be hot AND not! I think the results will be telling. I am guessing this pic will get an average of about 6. Grungy photo should be a 4.
I'll letcha know.
Make Me Happy Tonight!!!!
Jonathan sent this link to me on IM. He got it from Trent.I laughed so hard.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1329362959167995041
This is JONATHAN.
Comedy mocking geeks in bed + Accapella=FUNNY!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Calvin Has Minor Surgery
My son, James IS Calvin from 'Calvin and Hobbes'. I've always thought so, but it just becomes more and more apparent as he gets older-from looks to personality and the things he says! 
I find this funny because it is one of his Dad Gideon's FAVORITE things on the earth. 
Gideon is an artist that has come up with some pretty hillarious comics himself...James looks like he is taking after his Dad. He adores Calvin and Hobbes.
This is the world's cutest Kindergarten picture. I dare you to find one cuter (You won't!)He looks like Calvin on picture day! I tried to find a comic to illustrate, but this is the closest I could come.
Anybody remember the cannibal snowmen on James gingerbread house?????
I am a so-so mom, but I have to admit, that I do have a lot of moments that I really know just what my kiddies need to make them feel loved and pampered. James told me this comic reminded him of me. :)
James has had this split lip for about 2 months. It just isn't healing, so we took him to an oral surgeon today. They had to put him under. He started convulsing and contorting and I about DIED. Apparently, this is normal, but I didn't know. I don't think I've been that scared since Matthew.
I didn't take James back to school after he was done. For a treat I took him out to lunch (Japanese at Tanpopo) with Gracie, Michelle & John. 
We had so much fun. Everytime he heard something he didn't like or that embarrassed him, he would start hissing like a cat. This started with his "plagiarism" game. It is very weird, but adorable. He is a good little son-I love him to bits.
Flowers n' Stuff
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
I woke up with the most horrible headache ever. I contribute this to putting on coat 2 at Melly's and wacking my head really hard while doing the trim(I forgot how low the celing is). I am also being so good about no caffine or soda(Longest I've gone in a decade!), but the absence gives me a headache.
So it was a mellow day.
Jonathan had a big presentation at work today. It went really well! I'm so proud of him. He was gracious enough to give me a massage, put the kids to bed and allow me to go out two nights in a row for my weekly escape to Michelle's for girlfriend night. I don't deserve him. He knows how much I look forward to this every week.
Chelle had a really long and tortured day so CHERRIO-HIP-HIP! to her for hosting (AGAIN).
Plus, the only pic I had of her turned blurry so she is spared this evening.
When we got to her house we saw this by the porch. Gracie made the cutest SNOWGIRL ever! Her name is "Summer"! ha ha ha ha
This girl cracks me up. She is so cute. She made up a song for us to listen to (Complete with actions and props):
There is a light in the sky
And it has an ice cream on top of it
It is a pig
Karen also had a suprise for Michelle and I. Flowers!!! For no reason!!! I loved them.
Karen begged me to stop taking pictures. It can be rather annoying and I am not a very talented photographer. Hmm...Nah...WAY too much fun! ;) Plus-I have such a crappy memory that I need photographic documentation of the things I do!
LOVE YOU GUYS
Tristan and Isolde
Last night Karen, Michelle, Brian Joy and I got together. I made everyone dinner (Chicken Fried steak w/country gravy, mashed potatoes, beans and banana cream trifle) then went and saw the epic, "Tristan and Isolde".
Basic plot: English Boy, Irish Girl-Fall in forbidden love thus ensuring a crappy end for them both.
As I said to Chelle, "No story that has been penned into an opera (Wagner) can have a happy ending."
Besides some really icky, tortured moments of repeated lines from my life (During which I would stick my head in my purse and howl. This purse is actually the PERFECT size for my head-weird, huh?!),
we had an utter blast.ps-HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRIAN OF JOY!!!!!!!
We had so much fun mocking parts of this movie.
It was a Science Fiction Theater 2000 evening!
The only real draw back was that is was unbelievably HOT in that theater. Brian went out and asked if they had any other setting besides MOLTEN. This picture actually looks way worse than the moment really was! I was just trying to cool off! Honest!
I've said it before, I'll say it again- I am lucky in my friends. I don't know what I would do or be without them.
I'm blessed.
