New Job, New Location, New Life

Erik was offered the police job in Port Angeles with a wage 2/3 higher than what we make now. So, there we go. All of us have come to the consensus that we are happy, sad, and excited about moving. The older kids will miss their dad, family here, friends, and school but are looking forward to starting a new school, meeting new people, being around new family, finding a new house, and having a place to play outside.

I, too, am sad, excited, and nervous.

Reasons to Stay:

• Family


• Kat's Family


• The Restaurants I Love


• The Kids' School


• My Favorite Coffee Shop


• The Huge Movie Theaters

Reasons to Go:

• Family


• Better House


• Better Neighborhood


• More $/Discretionary Income


• No Dead Bodies on the Property, Crazy Stalkers, Felons


• No One Parking 3 Feet From My Bedroom Window


• Having a Newer House


• Not Having to Drive 80 Minutes a Day to Take Kids to School


• More Coffee Shops


• Not Moving Around All the Time


• Finally Having a Home Where I Will Raise My Kids (and Want to Raise Them There)


• Building a House/Home Instead of Being Embarrassed to Tell People Where I Live


• More People Getting to Know My Kids for the Possibility of Having Long-Time Friendships

What I Am Nervous About

• I Don't Make Friends Easily


• Not Having a Job (To Be Honest, I Worry About That Now)


• Everyone Likes Erik So Much; I Don't Want Them to Say, "Erik's Great but His Wife's a Bit Odd."


• No More Friday Shabbats?


• No Hot Topic, Torrid, or The Gap


• Selling Our House and Finding a New One


• People Harassing Erik to Go to Church


• My Kids Finding Friends


• What Kind of Jewish Community They Have

Anyway, we need to be in Port Angeles the 17th of May so we need to pack and do everything the beginning of May. We would love help loading the trucks if anyone is free. I will find out more solidified dates later.

In other news, I went to the dermatologist today. I loved her. Her name is Sheri Rosenblat. She is Jewish and I had fun talking about Passover which is right now. She was extremely nice. I thought while I was there I would get a wart removed just to find out it wasn't a wart and she didn't know what it was. She removed it and is taking a biopsy of it. I had to have two more biopsies and had to have my blood drawn to test for diabetes, folic acid deficiency, B vitamin problems, or thyroid problems. I will get the results in a week. I have been really sluggish, even with exercising all the time so I hope they figure out why. I need to set up an appointment with a neurologist because my migraines went from 2 a week to 4 or 5. The dermatologist asked me if I noticed if I were allergic to perfume or anything. I said I was and she told me that having those allergies along with the fact I look like I have some kind of skin problem making me have really dry skin (I knew my hands were always dry and cracking but I didn't know it was the rest of me too.) may mean my skin doesn't have the resistance it needs so is reacting this way.

I talked to Dad yesterday and he said he thought he had sun stroke and was real tired. The dermatologist said that is similar to this but having it all the time. What sucks is I have to take allergy medicine and that makes me more tired.

Erik and Aaron are cleaning out the sheds because of the neighborhood clean up happening right now. I will really miss Aaron and I feel really bad kicking him out of the sheds. I wish I could give him the sheds and sell the rest of the property to someone else. I have had a lot of fun living close to Aaron and Jessie and feel they are my friends along with being family.

One last thing, Jeffrey finished another book, Vampirates, and loved it. Now he is reading Circ de Freak. Calista is on the 5th book in the Spiderwick Chronicles and has actually liked having the heat off because she gets to take a bath and that allows her to stay in longer and play. Ewan had his immunizations two days ago; I can't believe he is 1/2 a year old already. He has been feverish and throwing up since then. Carson told me her first joke she made up (bear with me, usually only parents think kids' jokes are funny).

Carson: I'm annoyrd

Me: What? You're a nerd?

Carson: No, I'm annoyed.

Me: You're annoyed? (I said in disbelief, thinking I mention nerds more than I mention being annoyed; I guess I say that more than I know.)

Carson: (with a creepy, soft voice) Nooooooooooooooo.

Me: Are you being creepy?

Carson: Oh Mom, it's just a jokey joke.

Erik's Gone

Erik, you are gone and we miss you so we decided to do something for you. My first gift to you is to post a new blog so that people are less likely to read the last one and then laugh at you but in writing this people are likely to check the last blog to read what I am talking about. Hmm, what a conundrum.

Here is my second gift to you. I hate being video taped, I look like a fat cow, but here is my song for you. Calista swears she is scratching her nose not picking it.

Here is Jeffrey to entertain you. He remembered his instrument today all by himself.

Here is Carson trying not to be "pictured". Ignore the fact I didn't think about how I needed to keep the camera in the same position.

Here is Calista doing some of the things she does best, being a great big sister and reading with zest. It was crazy hair day today in her class and she did her hair, crazy, all by herself. (You can hear Jeff making Ewan laugh in the background.)

Here is Ewan being Ewan.

Finally, everyone needs a little pigeon in their lives.

You said we always seem to have more fun without you and don't take this as proof. Instead see that we are having fun trying to entertain you who is an integral part to our lives and happiness.

I love you.

Howdy

AAAUUUGH!!! More about that later.

This Week I Love:

• Hats
• Neighborhood Clean-up
• The Way Ewan Used to Snore (I miss it.)
• My Hot Cop
• Jeffrey Being a Great Friend
• Calista Reading Like a Mad Woman
• Carson's Look of Death
• Carson Remembering (By Herself) How to Spell Her Name Using Sign Language.
• Seeing Old Friends

Things That Have To Go:

• I Was Going To Say Gay Bar Parking But for Once I Don't Mind
• Water Heater Breaking and Other Unexpected Expenses
• Older Kids Being Gone
• Carson Saying She Doesn't Like Me
• Having To Shower at My Mom's and Then Being Allergic to My Own Hair
• Worrying about Every Dollar I Spend

Questions I Asked Myself:

• why? Why? WHy? WHY?
• Why does everyone else seem to have more money?
• Why does our heater have to break right before we try to sell the house?
• Why do I have to feel like crud?
• Why am I so clumsy?
• Why can't I get rid of headaches?
• Why is it that I exercise but don't feel more energy and don't look better?
• Why doesn't effort mean more?
• Is Everyone Staring at Me?
• What can I do to help Erik feel happier and more worthwhile?

Things I Learned This Week:

• A three-year-old girl can break your heart. (To be honest, I already knew.)
• A three-year-old girl can make you feel much better.
• Apparently (according to Laila) when Kat grows up she will have big boobs like me (never mind that Kat is almost ten years older than me).
• Bunnies solve everything.
• Sometimes having someone slobber all over you doesn't feel that bad.
• I am a great mom because I don't beat my kids.
• If you talk to people about reading a book with serial killers in it makes them think you don't really read anything else but that type of books.
• I'm more envious than I would like.
• The word maudlin means tearfully sentimental.
• The word sibilant means producing a hissing sound.
• While I knew a crone was an old hag, a crony is a close friend and cronyism means showing favoritism to old friends regardless of qualifications.
• While I knew gaffer was an old man, gaffe means a clumsy, social error or a blatant mistake.

Well, this week has been umm interesting. On Sunday, we had a great time at the park. Jeffrey tried to touch a goose and he did then ran away. He later saw another goose protecting a nest of eggs. It kept hissing at him and I told him, "Touch it or get close if you want to but it will attack you." So he snuck around the tree to get close to it without it seeing him. We walked around Liberty park and looked at the dogs, fed the ducks, and just spent some fun time talking to each other.

We had a busy school week and on Friday our water heater broke. That is frustrating. We don't know if we should send it back, get a new one, etc. This had to happen right when we wanted to get the house up for sale. They have a neighborhood cleanup here. It is a great idea. Twice a year you have 10 days to put any garbage from your house and yard on the street and the city comes and picks it up. We have been clearing out the house and when we put items on the street it is gone the same day, sometimes within minutes.

The kids are all ready for summer and then cold weather hit again. I hate global warming. Erik bought me a pair of shorts and I wore shorts the other day for the first time in years (besides pj's or as Carson used to call them jbay's. I miss that). I walked around all day thinking people were looking at me and I felt naked. I am getting used to them but my legs are not. Since I don't wear dresses and I don't wear shorts, my legs are not used to touching each other much so are kind of sore now. I don't know how you ladies and more extravagent men do it. Erik also bought me a dress, the first dress I have had since High School. It is just my style, a retro 50's meets hippy early 70's. I now need someone to watch the kids on a warm day so I can wear it. I'll take a picture as it will be a momentous occasion.

Jeff and Calista are at their dad's this weekend and I took Ewan and Carson to my mom's. It was nice to be able to bathe them without boiling water. I showered there and used my mom's shampoo. She is allergic to perfume so I thought I wouldn't be allergic to it. I was allergic to both the shampoo and conditioner and now every piece of hair that touches my face or neck is itchy. It's like being allergic to one's own hair. It was fun to go shopping with Brittney and Jared though and we are trying to plan a double date here in Salt Lake: go to the Gateway Mall, see a movie there, maybe catch lunch, and I was hoping we could go to Gourmandies after.

This week I haven't been feeling well. While shopping, I suddenly had a Star Trek warp experience where I saw moving lights all over. I knew this was a precursor to a migraine and sure enough by evening it was here. My migraines are worse. They used to be two a week and now they are four or five a week. They sometimes go away mid day but not always. I wonder if it is how I sleep or my jaw getting used to my mouth guard. I don't know. Besides the migraines, I have also been feeling physically run down and the bottom of my right rib hurts and I wonder if I bruised it or something. My allergies are going crazy. I can only wear make-up every three or so days and I often feel like scratching my skin right off. I am taking Ewan to the doctor tomorrow for his six month appointment and I am going to see the doctor too. To top all that off, I have been getting these bumps on my skin that itch, kind of like hives and then they scar over.

It is amazing how the joys and anxieties of motherhood rocket up and down so quickly. Carson is getting so old. She is learning how to manipulate to get things she wants. I remember when Calista was the same age she came to me and said, "Can I have a yogurt?"

I replied, "No, we are eating dinner soon."

Soon after, she came and asked, "Can I have a cookie?"

"No," I reply, "we are eating soon."

Soon after, she came and asked, "Can I have candy?"

"No," I said frustrated, "If you have to eat something eat a yogurt or something." Hmmm. Sneaky girl.

A few days ago, Carson asked me, "Mom, can I bring my bunny with us."

I said, "No, you often leave it and then you won't have it in bed tonight."

Carson gave me her best death look and said, "I don't like you."

I know every kid says this to his/her parents to show frustration with something but it still hurts. I said to Carson, "That really hurts my feelings and makes me sad because I always like you, no matter what." Way to lay on the guilt right?

She looked really said and said, "Mommy, I like you."

"Thanks," I said, "That makes me feel a lot better." Then she came and hugged me and told me she liked me again.

Carson loves a book called Llama Llama, Mad at Momma, all about a little llama who goes shopping with his Momma at the Shop-o-Rama. The author just came out with another book, Llama Llama Red Pajama. My favorite part of that book is when little Llama cries and screams for Momma and Momma comes in and said, "Little Llama, stop all this llama drama." I often feel the same way with my kids; What's with all the drama?

Because Carson likes the books so much, she often puts her hands to look like llamas. Then they talk to each other. On Friday, Carson's hand llamas were talking.

"I don't like you Momma Llama."

"Little Llama, that makes me sad. I always like you."

"I'm sorry Momma Llama, I like you."

"Thank you little Llama. I like you too."

As a parent, I noticed I always have to watch what I say and do because some parts stick with just two sentences said while others are never thought of again.

By the way, I hate being thrown up on, now with baby cereal, and not having hot water with which to clean myself.

I am very anxious for tomorrow and Tuesday. Erik is finishing off his interviews in Port Angeles and he has an interview with Bremerton also. I really hope this works out. We have to move. Just last night there was an armed robbery at a gas station a block away and another armed robbery at the bar behind our house.

Speaking of bars, an interesting thing happened to Erik last night. Made my whole week worth while, if it hadn't've been already. As you all know, the gay bar next to us leveled the empty lot by the house and turned it into parking. Now, people have been parking three feet from our house. I have also discussed how I need drapes or blinds for my kitchen right? We haven't put any up yet and in case we leave soon we decided just to deal with it. Know what's coming yet? As many of you might not know, bars here close at two in the morning. Erik arrived at home last night around one. Wanting to go to bed but not tired and with all the kids sleeping, we spent some fun time together.

Now watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU

After, Erik goes to the sink to get a drink of water.

He hears screaming, "Whoo! Yeah! That's It!"

He turns toward the sound, naked, like a deer caught in the headlights.

Yes, here were three men from the gay bar, getting into their car feet from our kitchen window, staring at Erik in all his glory, voicing their opinions. He turned beet red and ran away. Even after he dressed and lay in bed I could feel the heat radiate from his face from his embarrassment. What a nice gaffe. This picture is his interpretation of the event. He may not be too happy about me putting this story on the blog but I keep telling him he will appreciate and laugh at the story later. I already do.

Great Grandparents

This last Monday we went to Erik's Grandparents house. We had a lot of fun at dinner. They have some interesting pictures and items around their house. My favorite thing in their house is an old victrola. I have always wanted one of the old record players from around WWII with the huge amplifying part that looks kind of like a tuba connected to it. I don't know what that piece is called. Farrel (Erik's grandpa) said the victrola ran by springs and it was very old. It was very interesting. Carson had a minor freak out because she hadn't taken a nap and then fell asleep in the car. After we got her to eat she had a great time. The kids went outside and played. It was a warm, nice day and it is amazing how happy your kids can be just playing in the dirt. The pictures I added are ones they took. Since they were the ones taking the pictures, I don't have one of them so I added the only picture I do have of them. They truly are great grandparents.

Shabbat Shalom

This Week I Love:

• Gormandies Chocolate Cake (Wish I Had Some Now)
• Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans
• My Half-Sleepy Listening to Erik's Work Day at 1:30 a.m.
• Ewan Not Waking Screaming but Talking
• Ewan in Overalls
• Carson's Obsession with Bunnies
• Carson's Fake Scowl
• Calista's Excitement for Summer
• Jeffrey's Writing (A Play for My Birthday and His Song)
• Surprise $ for Kids' Allowance
• Taking Pictures
• Teeth Whitening

Things That Have To Go:

• Erik Not Letting Me Peek When He Showers
• Cold Feet
• Snowing in April
• Blood Blisters and Calluses from Carrying Car seat
• Living Here
• Lack of Sleep and Ensuing Grumpiness
• White Eyebrow Hair
• Teeth Whitening

Questions I Asked Myself:

• How do I discipline a child when nothing seems to be effective (time-outs, extra chores, writing lines, taking away privileges, etc.)? I just can't get Ewan to behave.
• In modern religions, how much does politics influence prophesy/rules/guidelines?
• Are bounty hunters' personalities close to the guy who hunts people in, "The Most Dangerous Game" (if he were real of course)?
• Am I ever going to really feel like an adult or will I always feel like a little girl who looks in the mirror and just keeps getting older?
• What is that short story called (and who wrote it) about the dad who tells the baby he will put him in his room for an hour for every page he tears out of a book and he actually does it but leaves the book with the kid so the boy just keeps tearing out pages?

First off, I did finish Tunnels. It was a good book with a kind-of ending which irked me because there were questions unanswered and the next book, Dirt, doesn't come out till Spring 2009. The end was much better than the beginning. I decided to read Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. I was upset when I picked the book up and saw, "A macabre tour de force," on the cover. Curses, both annoying expressions together. That was a good book and I finished it fast. The beginning was a lot like the television show but slightly more interesting because it was all from Dexter's point of view. Normally, I am quite irked by people referring to themselves in third person. Annoyingly Amorous Angela does not find this amusing. However with Dastardly Demonic Dexter it was darling. It fit his psyche. The ending was good enough (when people were shot they didn't miraculously get back up) that I read Dearly Devoted Dexter, the second in the series but the first in entertainment value. I liked it so much I am now on Dexter in the Dark, the newest in the series. I hope it is as good as the second. A few things surprised me with the series so far. They may swear, a lot, but while it describes crime scenes and situations well enough for one to understand, they aren't overtly disgusting and they don't have uncomfortable (for me) sex scenes in them. I haven't read books like this in awhile for this reason. I read Black Dahlia, L.A. Confidential, and White Jazz by James Ellroy which were good books but on the graphic side. Also, Dearly Devoted Dexter had vocabulary in it I didn't know. I am not trying to be cocky but the reading skill you need to have to understand the book isn't extremely high so I was surprised when I came across words I didn't know, which leads me to a new section I am adding to this Shabbat blog. If you know what it is or the answer (without cheating) write in the comments and how or where you knew it from or learned it.

Things I Learned This Week:

• The Word Dipsophobic
• The Word Flensing
• The Word Ecce (pronounced eh ck ay)
• Which Is More West: Reno, L.A., San Diego, or Sacramento (I learned this from one of those quiz shows and I took Geography)

Other news this week: Erik has a friend at the department who was chasing a man with a felony warrant against him for aggravated assault and guess where this man found the fugitive? You may have guessed it, our shed. This happened a few days ago. As a result, I was trying to think of a kid-friendly bad name to call the man and it started a conversation with the three kids of trying to think off all the names we could think of with poop in it. Because I don't often talk like this, the kids laughed hysterically when I said Old Toot.

This brings me to another question I pondered this week. Some songs I listen to have swearing in them. At what point do I listen to it around the kids? The swearing isn't like rap music or anything but just slipped in really good songs. Isn't it art and don't I just explain it to them as such or do I follow movie rating guidelines?

I guess that's about it. The week was through quick. Erik received a conditional offer of employment from Port Angeles Police Department. He goes on the 21st and 22nd for a polygraph, psychological, and Chief's interview. I hope it goes well and he doesn't second guess himself. He is currently candidate #1. I hope he gets the job and then I may write a blog about the advantages of moving there along with things I am nervous about.

Shabbat Shalom

Jeff's Song

"I Saw Your Ugly Face"

By Jeffrey

(To be sung to the tune of "I Saw Her Standing There"

by The Beatles)

Well, you were just in 4th grade

And I wanted to wade

In the swimming pool,

Anywhere but here.

I wanted to dance with another, Ooo,

When I saw your ugly face.

.....

Well, you looked at me

And I could see;

That before too long

I'd fall in love with others.

I wanted to dance with another, Ooo,

When I saw your ugly face.

.....

And my heart went, "Ugh."

When you crossed that room

And you held my hand in yoouuuurs!

.....

Well , you sobbed all the night

And you held yourself tight,

And before too long,

I fell in love with others.

I wanted to dance with another, Ooo,

When I saw your ugly face.

.....

I wanted to dance with another, Ooo,

When I saw your ugly face.

Oh, since I saw your ugly face.

Yeah, since I saw your ugly face.

Tagged

FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD IN MY LIFE:
1. Waitress
2. Telephone Surveyor
3. Teacher
4. Mom/Wife: Dr., Chauffeur, Cook, Counselor, Liaison, Stylist, Fashion Expert, Maid, Organizer, Manicurist, Lunch, the Money, Go-To Girl, Mechanic, Plumber, Hazmat Clean-up, Veterinarian, Electronics Expert, Gymnasium, Judge, Juror, Executioner, Mediator, etc.

FOUR MOVIES I WOULD WATCH (OR HAVE WATCHED) OVER AND OVER:
1. Shaun of the Dead
2. Disney Movies
3. Bridget Jones' Diary
4. Sin City

FOUR PLACES I'VE LIVED:
1. Idaho Falls
2. Utah Valley (Orem, Provo, & Pleasant Grove)
3. Omaha
4. Salt Lake

FOUR PEOPLE WHO EMAIL ME REGULARLY:
1. Shar
2. Jeffrey
3. Calista
4. People Who Forward

FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:
1. Himalaya Kitchen: Coconut & Cashew Chicken
2. Roast & Potatoes with Corn & Bread
3. Sugar Challah
4. Peperoni Pizza

FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
1. A New (to Me) House
2. Disneyland
3. On a Date with Erik Where We Don't Have to Worry About $
4. Anywhere But This Neighborhood (and Those Like It) With My Family

FOUR THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2008:
1. Moving
2. Reading More Books
3. Getting More Sleep
4. Being with Family Wherever That May Be

FOUR FRIENDS I WANT TO TAG:
1. Shar
2. Megan
3. Kelli
4. Erik

Some Days Are Better Than Others

I love having small children. Erik woke up with Ewan this morning around 5:45-7:00 so I was able to sleep till around 9:00, excellent huh (except for the fact we went to bed around 3:00 a.m.). 6 hours isn't bad, better than usual. Anyway, I was still feeling tired, a little grumpy (I am in no way a morning person, the evening is my forte) when I started to feed Ewan his morning concoction of peas and rice cereal. I looked around my yellow room; I could slightly see Erik making his weekend ritual pancakes (which are very good) while we listened to Creedence Clearwater Revival and here was Ewan saying, "hmmmm mmmmhhh hmmmm," while I re-scooped the one spoonful of cereal into his mouth for the third time. Carson grabbed her harmonica off her dresser and had found the highest pitch she could make while blowing with all her might and chasing Boo, tormenting the poor dog as he tried to run away from her and her ear-splitting sounds. I don't know what it is with some days. Some days I would wake up, look around and think, I hate this yellow-painted room, or, I have a headache why does it have to be so loud yet there are days like today where I think, this is wonderful, the only way it could be better is with Jeff and Calista around. The events were the same events that often happen in our house. Ewan always talks while spitting out his food, as I said Erik makes pancakes every weekend, and, yes, Carson does often chase Boo with the noise of a banshee. Today, however, I was struck with the wonderment of it all.

Carson did this and then took the picture.

On a slightly unrelated note, I have little to no patience with present giving. Yesterday I was able to buy Erik a gun (a Glock 22 40 caliber) which I wanted to get him for his birthday but didn't know if I could ever get the money. Yes, I did have to borrow money from him without telling him what it is for which I will pay back in installments but I did come up with more than half the money. I was excited to give it to him. He is Mr. Practical, always wanting something useful and I am Ms. Fun, never wanting anything practical so I often don't give the most useful gifts but they are always fun. This year I had two main presents in mind, the gun for his birthday which is May 2nd and another thing that, believe it or not, I have not given him and I have had for a month (this is for our 4-year anniversary July 3rd). I am extremely impressed with my present-buying abilities for these two days. I called up Aaron and told him I got Erik the gun. "When's his birthday?" He asks me. I tell him and Aaron replies, "That's a whole month; you won't be able to last that long." "Yes I will," I reply all offended. "If I give it to him early I will feel bad for not having anything on the actual day so I WILL save it." I gave it to him last night, approximately an hour after seeing him.

The World From My Point of View (my nose looks huge)

Good Shabbas

I know I said I would make these posts on Shabbat Friday so I am technically not late; Shabbat is Friday night to Saturday night. I don't know if anyone reads or cares about this but it is fun for me so I will do it anyway.

This Week I Love:

Jeff in make-up

Calista's devilish smile

Eating cheap lunch at Costco with Erik and Carson (Ewan stays in the cart)

Best of City Weekly

Mandy Patinkin

Semicolons

Cards from Shar

Tunnels

Things that Have to Go:

Bigger ants

Laundry

Clogged toilets

The phrase a tour de force (Honestly book and movie reviewers, don't you get paid for this? You don't think you could come up with some new phrases?)

Unconsciously clenching my teeth leading to the need for a mouth guard which leads me to the next item

Cankers caused by mouth guard rubbing and the feeling my mouth is a sauna while I wear it

Rubber-neckers

Questions I Asked Myself:

How can I be a more productive person?

How do I stop clenching my teeth? I don't know what people do to stop it. I have told myself around 30 times a day to stop clenching my teeth but I turn around and am doing it again. I don't want to be a slack-jawed yokel with my mouth hanging open while I walk around and I don't want to shut my lips while my teeth are apart because I look ridiculous but if my teeth touch they clench. I am at a loss.

What can I do about my migraines?

Now that people are parking three feet from the North side of my house, how do I go into my kitchen without people staring at me? If I put up blinds then it will darken my house considerably.

I would never say a person could read too much but if one is to read a substantial amount, one would (consciously or subconsciously) notice patterns or plot lines throughout stories. I am not talking about your intro, build-up, climax, then conclusion but actual story plot lines. I hate it when I "guess" the plot to a book or movie. However, due to the amount I read, it seems inevitable. Right now I am still reading Tunnels. I have around 90 pages left so will finish today or tomorrow. Without giving it away, because it is a good book and I recommend it, a thought popped into my head within the first chapter. I spent another 200 pages or so thinking, Please don't let me be right. I was right. I am still waiting for that moment where they prove me wrong but I don't think it is coming. Not that this ruined the book for me. The book was different than I thought it would be and there was one major thing I didn't see coming that I was pleasantly surprised by. It was a tour de force of the macabre. It wasn't really except for the Styx characters.

Now, I like macabre as much as the next person; I may like it more than most. However, I am tired of the overuse of the phrase tour de force and the word macabre. Erik and I went to Barnes and Noble (my choice for a large bookstore) and we each got a book that looks to be exciting. We didn't choose the books for the reviews printed inside. Erik's book, The Third Policeman, by Flann O'Brien is told by a narrator who commits a botched robbery and murder and the riddles and contradictions three eccentric policemen present to him while at the police station. It has some philosophy in it and looks good. However, at the end, it says this book ensures O'Brien's place, "along with James Joyce and Samuel Beckett, as one of Ireland's great comic geniuses." Quite a trumped-up statement don't you think? Publishers Weekly says the book is, "Marvelously witty and funny in a macabre way."

After looking at his book I turned to mine. I bought The Ruins by Scott Smith. I have been wondering if I wanted to see the movie and I heard it was based on this book which is supposed to be excellent. I read the book cover. The book is about a group of friends trapped in a Mexican jungle who "stumble upon a creeping horror unlike anything they could ever imagine." Sounds exciting. Then I read the first review of the book by Entertainment Weekly, "Reading Scott Smith is like having a rope tied firmly round your middle, as you're pulled on protesting tiptoes toward a door marked DOOM." That's a great review, inventive and interesting to read. I continued reading the reviews and I come across, "A tour de force of terror," how formulaic. That coupled with the endorsement by Stephen King who I think isn't what he used to be almost made me put the book down, national bestseller or not. Then I read areview that said the book is, "A holiday in hell. It's very hard to escape." All right, I think, I will have to check this out. Now my only question is: since I will be finished with Tunnels soon, should I read The Ruins or should I read Darkly Dreaming Dexter about a serial killer who kills serial killers. The television series, Dexter, is based on these books which are supposed to be much better than the T.V. series of which I love so far. I always try to read a children's fiction, adult book, children's, etc. So, what to read?

I did a lot this week but most was customary to what I usually do (besides the mouth guard to which I am still getting comfortable). My last news is that when at IKEA I decided my house could use more color for those not inclined to love brown as much as I do. I bought a new shower curtain and mats for the bathroom. It's pretty fun and the kids love it. I do too except the curtain is lighter than the last one. I was showering the other day and the heater started blowing. I was attacked by my shower curtain. Here I am, naked, trying to wash my hair, shampoo running down me and into my eyes and the inside liner to the curtain is blowing into me and sticking to me. I tried to push the curtain back, lean my hair into the water and unstick myself. I tried to open the curtain more thinking air on the tub side would lessen the attack. It didn't. I finally fended off the curtain when the fan turned off. I know, probably not what you wanted to picture. Here is a picture though, not of me but of the offending curtain and the new rugs.

Jeff's Play

Jeff was in a play yesterday where he performed as "Pete, the Jock." Jeff was slightly sad he wasn't cast as a nerd but the fact he had a speaking part when over 50 kids were in the play is amazing. We video taped it but I don't have the ability or know-how to place it on the blog. Here is a picture of Jeff bowing and another with his best friend Austin, who as you can tell was cast as a nerd. The play was about jocks vs. nerds but they all come together in the end. My favorite Jeff part was when he had to rudely moo at a nerd girl. He had fun and wasn't bothered by the make-up he had to wear. He looked good in make-up. I guess he would be a good EMO, if we could eliminate the cutting aspect.
In other news, the #1 candidate for the PAPD didn't pan out and this month Erik goes in for a Chief's interview and polygraph test. We may get to move after all. He hurt his back this week but couldn't take work off because he already took a day off to help me with the kids because I had slipped down the stairs hurting my ankle and smacking my back. I did try getting him heating pads but that mixed with a lack of sleep has made a tough work week. He did a new shift bid and by fluke in May he starts the perfect schedule, days with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday off so we get him evenings and partial weekends. This doesn't start till May though. We will see how Port Angeles pans out to see how much time he gets this new shift. He has been great as of late. He is always great but lately he has watched how when he gets stressed he says things that he doesn't mean. They aren't rude things but bring down the mood in the house. This coupled with one-on-one time with Jeff and Calista has helped subdue the fact that our neighborhood is less than stellar and the repercussions thereof. Other news is that Carson is calling me Angela or mommy Angela more often which is fine by me as she calls Erik: Erik, Daddy, Pop Pop, or (my favorite right now) Erik Snert Smiff (Erik Stuart Smith). I told her to say Smith to mom when we went to lunch with her today and instead she just said, "Thhh" and consequentially spit in mom's face. It was pretty funny. We had a great time at lunch with my mom. Carson has also learned how to spell her first name in sing language.

Ewan isn't that happy with bottles lately but I fed him bran and he threw it all up. I hope he's not allergic. He truly is a zombie baby as he often tries to suck and eat my face off; he also stretches his arms to the limit while reaching out to grab objects while saying, "Mmmm." I love trying to make close-sounding words to what he says. For example, "mmmm IIIIII dddddaaaaaa uhhh phblb(spitting)" becomes, "mom, I don't spit."

Many of you (mostly Erik) have said I don't have pictures of me so I decided to put one of me that Calista drew.

Apparently, I am a troll; she told me I shouldn't laugh because it took a long time to draw. This picture came as a card with the tip of the hat showing on both pages. Here is the inside picture, a queen chick. Personally, I would rather be the troll; it looks more fun. I love you Calista.

Calista told me the thing she is most scared of is the dark. She was fine for awhile but with the events around our house, she is frightened again. She had a night light that was a lava lamp. I wonder if they are fire hazards; they get so hot even after short use.

So, I bought her a little lamp from IKEA. She loves the lamp and it softly lights her room better than the lava lamp without heating. I love IKEA.