The Secret

My sister Raquel likes to talk about the book "The Secret" and how if you truly believe something will happen it will. That may be true to many aspects of life but not when it comes to shopping. After this experience I may write my own book entitled "The secret to shopping"
I've been on a quest for some brown boots for the last two seasons. Not an easy task for me who has a whopping size 11 thanks to genetics and my feet growing during my pregnancies, there really 10 1/2 but that size does not exist so 11 it is. The boots also have to be flat and comfortable. So the quest began. Since most stores seldom carry over a size 10 I'm limited to Nordstrom and online. Since I have to try on the boots to confirm their comfort level that limits me to Nordstrom. I truly believed I'd be able to find these boots since flat is in right now but every time I stepped into that store with my high hopes they were soon deflated. I'd find the perfect boot but then it came in suede, another color or they'd have them but not in my size. At the beginning of fall I did find the perfect boots but the price tag 350 bucks. Ouch!!! After more searching only to find some great boots in Emily's size, I debated and decided I would wait and buy those expensive boots when they went on sale. They did finally go on a great sale but by then my size was gone. After a good cry, I conclude I'd have to wait until next season and my life went on.
Fast forward a month or so. I have a conversation with Bart about how close we are to accomplishing a financial goal. I'm really anxious to speed up the process so I commit both of us to a spending fast. Since Bart only spends money on fast food dollar items for lunch, he agreed to this fast if I would make him a lunch to take to work everyday. I commit myself to make his lunch and only buy the necessities of life. Almost immediately I run out of a skin care item. Since skin care is a necessity, something I learned from my mom, I take a couple of Nordstrom notes* I've saved *(in store credit I get for using a Nordstrom Visa Card) and head to Nordstrom with a one track mind to only buy the cleanser and no money would be spent. Of course as soon as I walk in the door I turn my head to the shoe department and guess what's the first thing I see. These brown flat boots. As if they are magnetized I find myself picking them up and asking the salesman if they have them in my size. As he walks away I remember my commitment to my fast but relax because just in times of past they won't have my size right? Then the salesman comes back carrying a box. What they have my size? Surely there will be something wrong with them I think but as my foot slides and I stand I realize I'm in trouble. OK I think but what's the price. I turn the boot over on and they are on clearance. I can't fight it anymore the search for the boots have ended. I give the salesman my Nordstrom Notes plus $25.00 and decide my skin can wait and I leave with the boots.
From this experience I conclude that unlike "The secret" to life the Secret to shopping is to walk into a store against buying anything and sure enough what you haven't been able to find in the past will be right in front of your eyes.

Some men fish

A lot of men like to fish. My man does not, unless he's trying to help his Emily keep up with her cousin Bentley. Most people know Bart's "hobby" is collecting autographs. After many years of watching this "hobby" I've realized it is a lot like fishing. I'm assuming men like to fish because they like the thrill of trying to catch "the big one". Maybe they like a chance to get away from the rat race, be in the outdoors or just hang with the guys. Going to Sundance fulfills all of those needs for Bart. It's the thrill of the chase for him. Although Sundance mostly consists of "Scrubs" (i.e up and coming stars) Bart holds on to hope that a really big star like Tom Hanks, will show up and he'll "catch the big one". This year's "big one" was Matt Groaning the creator of the Simpsons.
Bart also likes having some of the old gang around and although he'd never admit this he likes all the wheeling and dealing for the inside scoop that goes on. It's also a chance for Bart to take a few days off of work and get away to the great and freezing outdoors of Park City.
I'm learning to appreciate that Bart is a fisher of autographs and not raw fish. Instead of spending a fortune on supplies at Cabella's he comes home with stacks of autographs that he can turn into cash for the bank!! Oh and I personally would rather decorate with cool autographs than a big stuffed fish, no offense to some close relatives of mine.

P.S. Emily and Jane were sure excited to hear Bart's tale and see the picture about meeting "Elmo" in person.

An invitation from Nona

Pauline invited my girls and I to accompany her to a Dance Performance for Children called Circle Cycle by the Ririe Woodbury Dance Company, which her good friend Shirley Ririe co-founded. This was Emily's 3rd time attending the Capitol Theater. Both of my girls were mesmerized throughout the performance and especially loved the time with Nona. Thanks again Pauline for the invite!

Put your 4 year old in charge....

and your birthday turns out perfect.
Emily constantly talks about birthdays, especially what she is going to do on her birthday. So when the topic came up that my birthday was approaching she got all excited and started making plans.
Being inspired by the Max and Ruby book "Bunny Cakes" Emily wanted to surprise me with an Angel Surprise Birthday Cake just like Ruby made for her grandma in the book. I think we were both relieved that we felt the same way about Max's Earthworm Cake. That was out of the question to make. Yucky!!

Initially Emily wanted to make it with her dad so I wouldn't see it until it was done but when I explained that daddy wouldn't be home to help she decided it could still be a surprise if I helped. At fresh market she discovered the Valentine's isle and was delighted to find the perfect decorations for the cake, "Sweethearts" We returned home from the store with a cake mix, powder sugar, sprinkles and the sweethearts ready to make the cake.
Together we baked the cake, mixed up the frosting and frosted it. Just as we were going to decorate it Bart called me from Park City with an emergency and needed photo's ordered from Sam's Club ASAP. So I left Emily alone in the kitchen with a freshly frosted cake. While I was frantically working on ordering the photos online Emily came in and asked how old I was turning. Still concentrating on the task at hand, I absentmindedly told her 33 and she left again. A little while later I returned to the kitchen and to my amazement and surprise Emily had decorated the cake all by herself using all 3 boxes of sweethearts. She had even rummaged through the drawer that holds candles and found two 3's to make 33. How she knew that two 3's make 33 is a mystery to me. We took it to Sunday Dinner at Bart's parents house and everyone there told Emily what a good job she did. She proudly responded with "I know".
I loved the cake and especially all the love that went into it. Thanks Emily for your thoughtfulness on my special day!!!

While I was at work

Emily was so excited to finally get to spend a day at Nona's house. With the holidays and my work schedule Pauline hasn't watched Emily for a while. After Emily expressed her excitement about coming to her house, Nona asked Emily if she'd like to make cookies and what kind. Emily responded with the phrase "I don't know what do you have in mind?"
Well this is what Nona had in mind. Isn't she a fun grandma!







P.S.
You like the aprons? Pauline found them at Market Square for a couple of bucks. I think there adorable and perfect for cookie making.

Oh mom this tastes awful..

was Emily's response after she took a couple of bites of a pop tart that she begged and begged me to buy her while we were at the grocery store because it had pink frosting and sparkles.

This does it for me my 4 year old child is way weird about food. Who doesn't like pop tarts? You want more evidence of the strangeness?
1. I seldom buy sugar cereal but one day there was a great sale and we desperately needed more cereal so I let Emily pick a few that looked good to her. For the next couple of days that is all Emily wanted to eat. Day three as she opens the cupboard full of her cereal what does she pick for breakfast? Plain old Wheaties.
2. At a birthday party they had a spread of the birthday kid's most favorite food. Emily turned her nose up to the macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets and sloppy joes and opted for the green beans.
3. I think the only "kid food" Emily likes is hot dogs but may I add she prefers them drenched in pickle relish which is made out of her favorite food pickles.
4. She's thinks the best meals include a heaping scoop of refined beans straight out of the can or better yet Nona's baked beans.

Now don't get me wrong Emily has a sweet tooth. She cobbles up chocolate like it's her last meal (she knows the really good stuff is in Papa's study) and hands down she'll choose cookies, cake and candy over anything else. I've noticed with candy that she often has a bite or two and then changes the jelly beans/gummy bears etc. into imaginary characters that she'll play with for a while and then I'll find them tossed aside and forgotten.

I know I know count my blessings right? Well sometimes when my life is really busy I'd love to be able to come home stir up a quick pot of mac and cheese, nuke some chicken nuggets and call it good but in this house that doesn't fly.

A Message from my Grandpa & Grandma Morrell

For Christmas my Grandparents inserted this message into the Christmas Cash envelope they give to all of us grandkids each year. When I read it I could almost hear my Grandpa's voice with my Grandma's voice inserting the we love you parts. Here is the message...

Christmas 2010

A message From Grandpa & Grandma

Always Remember Who You Are!

You are a Great Person!

Be Grateful that You’re An American.

Be Grateful you have a Family

that loves You.

Get a Good Education.

Get to know Good People.

Be honest & Pay Your Bills.

Live Within Your Means

Be Smart. Be Prayerful.

Make Us Proud of You.

We are Very Thankful for,

and love Each One of You.

Good Luck and God Bless Us All,

Grandpa & Grandma Morrell

Good sage wisdom from a man I considered to be the most wise person I know and the woman who is the most optimistic and loving person I know. I love my grandparents