The Go Jen Go Blog

A Year in Utah, Two Years out of Missoula

2011-10-16T00:16:00.000-07:00

Two years since I have lived in the haven of Missoula.Utah is nice and the last year has been a whirl wind but I wonder how long it will be until the pain of living somewhere else will dull. I am so glad we aren't in Eastern Washington anymore. It's hard to believe we have been in Utah a year. When we moved here without jobs almost on a whim who would have thought it would have turned out so well.
So quick year catch up Enoch is running the busiest Papa John's in Utah which is awesome, and I was recently promoted to a store manager also for Papa John's. This means for once we both have a bonus program and 401k's. The kids are flourishing. Bo is loving junior high and has friends. Rory, Thor and Mag enjoy all the fun things to do here. We have been able to enjoy lot's of big city activities like the zoo and aquarium.
The biggest change has been in Enoch. He is happier than he has been in years. He's still working hard and is truly appreciated. He has time for hobbies now and he sees the kids way more than he used too.
I miss Missoula still. Like crazy. But I have come to terms with not living there, at least for now..

You may be asking yourself....

2011-08-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

Is Jen alive and if she is what has she been up too? The answer mostly work with a few adventures in between.
The biggest thing that is happening around here is that Bodil started middle school and Magnus is going to kindergarten. The first on seems to be going well, the second one is breaking my heart. He actually starts next Wednesday (a week later than the other kids), so I have an extra week with him so that's nice.
Here are some photos of what we have been up to this summer.

A Tiger at Hogle Zoo

Tea from the Tea Grotto

Mag panning for gold at this is the place

A shrimp at The Living Planet Aquarium

The Boys at the Air Show in Great Falls

Family Photo at Giant Springs

Enoch's Family at Giant Springs

John Freida Foaming Hair Color a Review

2011-05-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

Anyone that knows me well, or has seen several pictures of me knows that I love to color my hair. I also love to try new things. Tonight I have combined those two things.My sister in law had raved about the new John Freida foaming hair color, so I thought I would give it a try too. Since my hair was already bright red I decided to go with the dark cherry brown.

The directions are simple with fantastic photos, yes photos not drawings! Mixing is simple only one bottle to add to the developer, and 5 gentle shakes and it’s ready to go. The kit comes with really thick black latex gloves instead of cheapie thin gloves. Application is easy, and way less messy than other home colors I have used. The biggest surprise to me was that it smells amazing!! It doesn’t have a chemical smell instead it is a light floral scent. It didn't tingle, burn or drip. I left it on for the full thirty minutes, rinsed and used the included hair conditioner.

I am super Satisfied with the results my hair feels amazing and is super shiny. I don't see myself using a different brand ever again!

Big Weekend

2011-05-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

This weekend was two action packed days at our house. First Saturday was free comic book day. (FCBD)
I have taken the kids for the last three or four years, but this year there were two big diffrences. First Enoch was able to join us!! It was his first FCBD. It has been great to have him be available to join us in the fun stuff we do! The second big difference is that since we live in a metropolitan area we actually got to go to three different comic shops!

Enoch with the Kids

Green Lantern, Me and the Kids

Jango Fett and Magnus

Thor caught a Bounty Hunter

So needless to say Saturday was a huge success!!
Then mothers day was today. I woke up to the smell of bacon shortly followed by Enoch bringing me breakfast in bed. The highlight of the day was taking Thor to see the new Thor movie. The movie was awesome. We went to the 3D version and I was a little disappointed in the 3D, I don't get it. I thought it would feel like I was in Asgard but it really just made my tummy and head hurt.
Then this evening Enoch and I played Godfather trivia, my gift from him. I lost, but it was a lot of fun, think I'll re-watch my movies then play him again.
Other than that I have been working a ton. I really like my new boss and the store I am at. It is night and day from the store I transferred from. It is really nice to work for someone that handles themselves in a respectable manner, and possess great integrity. I am no longer dreading going to work I actually look forward to it.

Tea for Two and Two for Tea

2011-04-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Today I had the pleasure of going to the Beehive Tea Room with my sister in-law Moriah (and Magnus of course). I drink tea at home and have had it at fast service coffee houses but had never been to a tea room. When you go in you order immediately and then you are free to choose a place to sit from several little rooms. The decor is Grandma Chic. It is comforting with rich deep colors and comfy furniture.

This is the room we sat in.

This is a super awesome Monkey lamp

Moriah and I chose to share a pot of lavender tea, and ordered lunch. Mag chose hot chocolate. I know this picture of him is blurry but it totally captured his surprise at the way the hot chocolate was served.

This is my tea

The food was good, sandwiches you could probably get in any sandwich shop, but the tea was amazing!! It was like drinking heaven. The lavender taste was strong and so relaxing! The service was good, it did take a while for our food to arrive, but considering the presentation it was not too long.

This is a display in the front of the store

Another cool decoration in the lobby

All in all it was amazing. I left with a bag of tea for me and a piece of cheesecake for my husband. I would go again, and when we have visitors from I will definitely make it one of the things we do!

Holi Festival

2011-03-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

Today the kids and I had the opportunity to go to the Holi Festival at the Krishna temple in Spanishfork. My brief understanding is that it's the celebration of spring. There was great music, it reminded me of some of George Harrisons solo work.

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The fun of it is that you buy colored powder and decorate the other atendees and your self. I was hesitant to take my nice camera (Nikon D5000), so I bought a couple of disposable cameras. This morning I decided to take both. I used my nice one when we first arrived before we got dirty. We went in and got our powder listened to some great artist, and then we decided to join the powder throwing mania!
All of the boys had a fantastic time, and I thought it was wonderful!
Here are a few pics, some good some fuzzy all cool.

the rest of the pictures can be found on my flickr page. I know this will be a yearly event, atleast as long as we're in Utah.

Virigin Mary Tree

2011-03-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

I was driving around downtown Salt Lake today with my sister when we saw a set of red stairs with tons of religious iconography depicting Jesus and the Virgin Mary. So I hopped out took some pictures, then came home and googled it. I found this interesting article.
Here are a few pictures...

3-4-11

2011-03-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

Anxiety and depression have been slowly creeping back into my daily life. Entwining me into a bear strength strangle hold. Working full time and trying to live up to all my own expectations as a wife and mother has become nearly impossible. Many of my household duties have been set to the wayside. I feel like a failure. The pressure I have been feeling is purely internal, Enoch is easy going and doesn't say anything when things aren't done. I am left with feelings of guilt, and complacency, what am I really doing that matters?
In a purely manic moment last week I bleached my hair and cut it off myself, just to regain some control over my daily life. Even if I am unaware of it in the moment this is the way I try to seize back my emotional state. It's like making an announcement to the world "hey I'm here and I am not okay right now".
I have not yet hit my rock bottom, and I have decided to be proactive. I am going to get more serious in my personal practices. I am going to go to a meditation group this morning at a local Shanga and see how it feels. I am hoping that the group setting will help settle the monkey mind I have been carrying around as of late. I often wonder if my mind and heart will ever find peace, or if maybe I am just meant to be anxious and depressed. Maybe that's who I really am and I should embrace the darker parts of me.

****update****
I went to the meditation group this morning and was truly astounded at what I felt. The first thing that struck me was the absolute beauty of the room. Bright yellow walls, huge Buddhist wall hangings, pictures of the Dalai Lama, a wall full of golden Buddha's. It felt peaceful and optimistic.
A young monastic fellow started the meditation speaking of posture and breathing, clearing the mind of thoughts, then filling the mind of thoughts. In the latter exercise the noise of my thoughts felt like all the noise in a giant city and created a physical weight on my body. The call for the end of it was a relief.
We were then joined by the local Lama, Lama Thupten Dorje Gyaltsen. The first thing that I noticed about him was that he was wearing a red polo shirt under his robes. I thought it was an interesting dichotomy between the religious world and the real world. His voice was powerful but kind, it reminded me of James Earl Jones. He spoke again of the importance of posture and breathe. He talked about reflecting on ones own practice, and cultivating kindness, and also being kind to oneself.
Leaving I felt uplifted, but I also felt like I didn't want to deal with the hustle and bustle of the world. I spent a few minutes in my car to adjust coming from a place of peace into an active city. I plan on returning for meditation next week and really felt that it was an amazing experience. I think it's the closest thing to a religious experience that I have ever had.

And Life Just Keeps Rolling On

2011-02-19T23:53:00.000-08:00

It's amazing that no matter how much day to day life appears to stay the same that huge changes are happening below the surface. I have been feeling pretty old lately. Registering Bo for junior high was the catalyst, and then my baby, my sunshine turned five. Either one of these events by itself would probably have been fine but to have them back to back was hard.

Mag has been an awesome child. I have really enjoyed him as a baby, toddler, and preschooler. I call him my sunshine because everyday he does at least one thing to make me smile.He came along at the right point in our lives that I was able to enjoy each stage of his life to the fullest. I am excited that he is getting bigger, but I am also sad that my baby is growing up.

The other thing I wanted to touch on in this post is self confidence. Something I feel like I have enough of (and I'm sure other people think I have to much of). Lately I have had several friends come to me and complain about being to fat or to skinny, or their boobs are to small, or their nose is to big. It makes me sad. Should we strive ot be the best selfs we can be? Yes of course we should. But beating yourself up about things that aren't going to matter in the long run seems like a waste of time. For a long time my attitude has been that I love me, I think I'm great if you don't that's really your problem not mine. I wish more people had the same way of thinking, it would make the world a more interesting, beautiful place

Feelin Groovy

2010-12-27T22:41:00.000-08:00

The last year of our lives has been crazy. I spent a lot of last year really depressed, I lost interest in tons of stuff (including this blog). I feel myself coming out of it now. It's like a fog has slowly been lifting since we moved. I still miss Montana like crazy, but I really feel like I can call Utah home now. It is like I can feel again, I feel more like me than I have in a long time.
The mountains are beautiful, the people are friendly. I don't really have to drive very many places so the traffic isn't that bad. It is awesome to be able to just go to the zoo, or aviary or whatever. With that in mind here are a few pics......

We Have a Kitty

2010-12-23T00:31:00.000-08:00

We have added a new addition to our family. A stray kitten, we're pretty sure she's a girl, and we're also pretty sure she is atleast partially deaf. Enoch thinks she's about 12 weeks old or older. She is fairly tame and if you can catch her she will sit with you but she doesn't initiate contact. We named her Hobo. I'll get some pictures up when she is a little less frightened.
Other than that there isn't a lot going on. I have been working pretty close to 40 hours a week. Working retail isn't the most fun job but it is helping pay the bills. Life here is pretty good, We go to the Zoo (thanks to my mother in-law that bought us a yearly pass.), we are pretty much settled into our new home, and new routine. The kids seem to have adjusted well to the change in schools, and both of our jobs are a lot less stressful.
It's amazing what a difference a year makes.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

I love Thanksgiving in fact it is my favorite holiday. Enoch and I agreed the first year we were married that it was my holiday off. He does all the cooking all I have to do is the grocery shopping. This year I did make homemade cranberry sauce which turned out to be really easy and really good. This year I feel like I have a lot to be thankful for.

My Husband, he is really great. I have been in love with him since we met, and still feel the same. I am so happy that we get to spend more time together now, even if we are making a little less.
The big move, man what a diffrence a year makes. Two big moves in 10 months time. The first one didn't work out, but the move to Utah is going great. I love the climate, the scenery, and the options. There is so much to do here.
The kids, ummm yeah well most days anyways. Bo is super helpful and makes my life easier. Rory for being his weird little self he reminds me a lot of me at his age. Thor for being so kind to everyone. Magnus for being my sunshine everyday.
Long distance friends and the internet. I miss you all and am so glad that technology makes staying in touch so much easier.
Family, the one truly good thing to come from moving to eastern Washington was that my family was really close. I loved being able to see them once a month instead of once a year. It was great to be able to build relationships with my aunts, grandma, and cousins.
There are so many things I am thankful for these are just a few.

Historic Wheeler Farm

2010-11-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

On the suggestion of my sister in-law we went to Historic Wheeler Farm today.The weather was perfect. Wheeler Farm is free and there are activities that you can pay for if you want to do them. We did choose to go on the tractor ride which was awesome. It was like being in the woods, you don't realize that you are in a super big city! There are a ton of farm animals available for viewing. The park itself is really beautiful, and the autumn leaves enhance the experience.

the kids and I on the tractor ride

A donkey

All the boys had a great day and they range in age from preteen to preschool. What a great place to spend the day!

Tracy Aviary

2010-11-02T21:08:00.000-07:00

Wowie what a place to visit. If you are in Salt Lake it is totally worth a visit. The kids and I spent most of the day there Sunday, and a few hours there today too. If you go make sure you say hi to SnowOwl, she's in charge of all the beautiful flora.

Frugality or What Poor People Eat

2010-11-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

We are very lucky to be living rent free right now especially with very little money coming in. We are trying to save enough of our money to make sure we can secure an apartment. In the mean time though we still have to feed a family of 6.
I have always been a bargain shopper on most things, but not on food. Food has been an indulgence. Our grocery bills last year were about $1000 to $1200 a month. We are now comitted to spending less than $15 a day for the entire family. This is being done by looking for specials, making enough for two meals, shopping every two days (so we don't feel the need to stock up), and eating the cheapest possible foods. I am not a fan of unhealthy box meals but Mac and Cheese, and Ramen are really cheap. Today we had Krispy Kremes for breakfast (a really nice gift from my sister in law!) otherwise it would have been cereal and milk, lunch will be Ramen (5 packs at 18cents a pack), and dinner will be rice, beans, and ground turkey (which will have leftovers and be a meal tomorrow. The kids get half of an apple or orange with each meal, and we try to add carrots to most meals. Veggies and meat seem to be the expensive items. But buying things whole and doing the labor intensive work, like peeling or chopping, saves money. By following these steps I think I can drop our food budget down to the $300 to $450 range.
I am so grateful that we have a warm place to stay, and shower, and relax. I am also so happy to be surrounded by Mountains again. The stress I feel is minimized by the beautiful surroundings, and caring family members. I wish we could have gone home to Montana, but this is a nice second choice. My husband is already working and I should start work tomorrow. This has been a really positive experience.

Almost Homeless in Utah

2010-10-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

After two full days in the car we made it to our destination in South Jordan Utah. Let me say first that it is great to be surrounded by mountains again!! I can't explain the peace it gives me to look at the snowy peaks that encompass the Salt Lake area. As a welcoming gift from mother nature this morning we awoke to snow on the ground! I love snow and winter it felt great to be in it again.
Today we spent the day returning the Uhaul trailer, and getting to know our surroundings. I have a job interview tomorrow afternoon so that's really exciting. The sooner we find jobs the sooner we can find a place to live!
So here's what sucks about being semi-homeless, we really can't enroll the kids in school yet because we don't know how long we'll be staying at Enoch's sisters house. Also we tried to get a P.O. Box but if you can't prove you live somewhere (bill in your name, lease, or mortgage) you can't get a P.O. Box. Which is lame because why else would I need a P.O. Box.
I am feeling very optimistic about being here.

Goings On

2010-10-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update on stuff and things. We are on the final leg of our yard sale. It's rainy and cool out, which I love, but it's bad for yard selling. I really enjoy the crispness of fall, the fresh air. It really is a great time of year.
Most of the kids have come around to liking the thought of moving. Thor is the only one that is upset. I'm sure once we're in Salt Lake he will like it. We had parent teacher conferences this week, Rory's was the best but all the kids are doing good. I am really excited and can't wait to be in the mountains again.
Packing the house is going ok, it seems like it'll take for ever. We are really getting rid of 70% of our things. Anything that doesn't sell this weekend will be sold on the internet or donated to charity. I have a ton of boys clothes so if anyone has good ideas to donate to. I would prefer to donate where they go directly to people in need and aren't resold.
Last night we took a break from all the household stuff and took the kids to see Toy Story 3 at the dollar theater. It was really good. It was really nice to do something together with the kids and Enoch.
We plan on leaving here around the 23rd. This is the first time we have leaped before we looked. The idea of just picking up and going is frightening and exhilarating.

Senior Portraits

2010-10-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago a girl at work asked if I could do her senior portraits. I thought it would be an awesome opportunity. I took Rory with me as my assistant and I think it went really well.I'm pretty happy with how they turned out.Here are a few of the results.

August 15

2010-08-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks have been kind of difficult. The kids have been restless and cranky, can not wait for school to start. We are done school shopping so that is awesome!! Anything else we do will just be icing on the cake. The best part was that Bo picked out a pair of Chucks and Rory went with Dr.Martins!! I was so thrilled. Bless the alternative children! The other shocking thing is that Bo and I are now in the same shoe size!!
My back has been killing me since Thursday. It is slowly getting better I have gone from not being able to walk at all to being able to get up and around with a lot of pain. I took the kids to the pool today and swam too. I felt great in the water but as soon as I got out the pain was back. I know that the issues have have with my back are weight induced and therefore my own fault. But it doesn't stop it from hurting. I was supposed to work 3 days this week but couldn't move, I am going to miss the money but I was glad to be here to recoup.
Well you don't get measurements today mainly because I have no idea where my tape measure ran off too. But I weighed in a little heavier today at 252, I think this is because of my stationary lifestyle as of late.

2010-07-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

The last ten days I have been taking a combination of vitamins that in theory help with weight loss, drinking less soda (not keeping it in the house at all), and that's about it. It has been so hot here above one hundred everyday. This week the plan is to add exercise into the routine. Today did a quick run on the elliptical 2miles in about 20 minutes.
With no further ado here are the stats
weighed in at 251.6
chest 47
waist 55
hips 53
neck 17

14 years I must have been married at 10 years old

2010-07-19T23:37:00.001-07:00

July 20 1996, the day I married Enoch, I was only 18 and he was 21. When we met there was a magnetic connection. I have talked about love at first sight before, so I won't bore you with that old story. I feel like we were so young when we got married that became adults, grew up together.
I am not the person I was at 18 nor would I want to be that person again. Enoch is not who he was at 21. I am grateful that even though as individuals we have grown and changed, that we are as a couple stronger and more united than ever.
Some things haven't changed, I would still rather stay in bed and snuggle all day than do anything else. Enoch still makes me smile when I see him, my knees still get weak when he whispers in my ear.
There have been rough patches in our marriage like most relationships.Right now I am glad that our union is strong, while things around us are a little more difficult. I never imagined at 18 that I could possibly love my husband as much as I do today.

Prom 1996

July 20th 1996

Holy Cow I'm Fat

2010-07-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

Yes yes we have all known that for years. But now I am really starting to feel it. Knee pain, back pain, general body pain. I am in way worse shape than I was last year even though I have really only gained about 10 pounds.
Last year at this time I was spending a good amount of time in the gym, biking, and hiking. Lately I maybe squeeze in one bike ride a week. There isn't really ample hiking here due to a combination of heat and lack of forest. And yes I do realize that I could drive to the forest to hike, but that would really start costing some serious money. I belong to a gym here but it isn't as friendly as I would like. I know these all sound like excuses because they totally are. The kids and I would like to do a sprint triathlon sometime this year so I really need to start working on that too. We had been good about training but it fell to the way side.
I have found a great website that I was using for a while but then stopped. It tracks your calories, exercise , weight and measurements. The basic functions are free and that is the one I am using. I have also started a vitamin regime geared towards weight loss. No weight loss pills, or synthetic medications (for now).
I also want to say that even though I am fat and realize it, I am beautiful. I am not starting a program for purely ascetic reasons. Self confidence has not been an issue for me for years. I spent the skinny years of my life wishing I was prettier, skinnier and just better and that is no way to live. I am not fishing for compliments I know I'm awesome. Words of encouragement however are very welcome. I am putting this out here so you two or three faithful readers know what I am up too. I would like to drop at least 20 pounds buy the time winter rolls around. I have no goal weight, when my body stops aching from the extra weight I will be happy.
So as a way to motivate myself I am going to lay it all out here on the internet. If you have delicate sensibilities you may not want to read further.
Deep Breathe,
okay I am weighing in at right around 250 pounds,
my measurements are
neck 17
waist 53
hips 55
chest 44
There it's done for the world to see.I think I will update this bi-weekly, maybe even monthly we'll see how it goes.

Can You Belive It's Been 7 Months

2010-05-30T21:51:00.000-07:00

Because I can't, it's amazing how fast time flies. When we moved here it was winter and now it's summer. So many things have changed and so many have stayed the same.
I still miss the forest, trees and streams, but have found serenity in a small park next to the river. Feeding the geese and walking the river bank has taken the place of hiking in the woods. It is so peaceful to just sit, watch and listen as the geese eat crack corn of the ground around us.
I miss my dear group of friends. It is really quite here. Still really haven't met to many people, but I have found other ways to spend my spare time. I spend a lot more time doing things with the kids, which is fun. I spend more time reading, meditating, and writing. The most rewarding thing that I have found to do with my time is volunteering at the Food Bank. I totally look forward to Mondays. It makes my week to go scoop beans, or fill back packs for an hour. When school is out I will be taking Bo with me to do it too.
Another bonus of living here is that now I get to see my Grandma at least once a month. It is so nice that I can make a day trip take her to lunch and then come home and sleep in my own bed. It is interesting getting to know a Grandparent as a person and not just the archetypal character that grand parents of are as we are growing up.
The very best part of being here is that I get to see my husband every day. He still works long hours, but he sleeps in our bed every night. We spend his day off hanging out together. I think the last few years when he traveled so much , have really taught us to cherish each others company.
So I guess to sum it up Montana, and Montana friends I miss you, but I am doing okay here. <3

Woo Hoo Free Comic Book Day!

2010-05-01T20:36:00.001-07:00

The first Saturday of May is always free comic book day. The kids and I love it. We have attended every year for the last 4 years. I was a little worried that this year we wouldn't be able to go because there isn't a comic book store here. After following a link one of my friends posted on facebook I found out that the Hastings here celebrates it.
Early this morning (by early I mean 10am) I got the kids dressed in super hero gear and took them up to Hastings. It was a huge disappointment! Talk about a ghost town, I have seen livelier funerals. They had a small display of comics that we walked by 3 times before we even noticed it.

I felt bad for the kids, so I decided we trek 30 miles away to an actual comic book store. The Safari Pearl. It had a more celebratory spirit. The kids had a great time and it was worth the short drive.
I did miss the pomp and circumstance of our usual comic book store in Missoula, Muse Comics.

Am I Ready?

2010-04-29T12:08:00.000-07:00

My Grandma has recently given me a journal that my mom kept in the early eighties. This was long before she was diagnosed with MS, it is also before I have any clear memories.
I am reticent to read it for a couple of reasons. Most of my memories of my family are from the time my Mom was sick until she died, and these were not pleasant times. I have my truth that I lived through seen through teenage eyes. I spent a lot of years very angry for the way I was treated in the years preceding her being admitted into the nursing home. Being a parent has soften that anger into an empathetic understanding, for my mother however not for my father. My family strongly believes that having MS affected who my mother was not only physically but also mentally.I don't know if there are studies that state this or not. I only know what they tell me and what I have lived with. I carry a lot of guilt for being so angry for so long.
Another reason I am resisting reading it is I can cope with not having a mother because I didn't really know her, what if I get to know her and it's to painful to deal with. I long for the love and comfort of a mothers arms when times are tough. I often wonder what sage advice she would have to offer. But it is usually in the broad sense of mother not specifically my mother.
I am just not sure if I am ready to deal with all the emotions the journal will stir up. So for now I leave it sitting on the bookshelf where it will wait until I am ready.

The Food Bankiest Post Ever

2010-04-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

I have been pretty lonely since we moved, and have been trying to decide how to get out in the community a little bit. After some consideration I decided to volunteer at the Idaho Food Bank.
The only obstacle I faced was getting over my shyness and actually setting up the appointment to volunteer. So I finally did that last week and went in today to see what I could help with.
The answer to that was bag dehydrated re-fried beans, 300 pounds of them. I scooped while the really friendly food bank employee Jim sealed them shut. We chatted the entire time and that made for a fast task.
A few things I learned today, your food banks need donations. Food, money and time.They rely on donations to provide their services. The second thing I learned that is in our area the food bank sends out 400 back pack lunches for kids every weekend so they have food when their not in school. Seems like a lot of kids for a rural area. I will be returning to the food bank on Monday's to donate my time. And just for laughs here's a pic of me in my hairnet and plastic apron. Hot I know!

My Not so Secret Garden

2010-04-10T19:41:00.001-07:00

The Garden has been dug and some of it has even been planted. The plot is 16 feet by 9 feet. So pretty small. We spent this afternoon digging, spreading cow poop and planting. Tomorrow we are going to plant some herbs, and then we will be done with the initial phase! I am super excited.

Adventures in Gardening

2010-04-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

I am the first to admit that I do not have a green thumb. In fact in years past it has been a black thumb. I have had house plants, herbs, cacti, and even pets die after being in my care only a short time.
The move to a warmer climate and rural area made me feel like I should give gardening a try again. About three weeks ago the kids, Eleanore and I started some seeds in left over pizza sauce cans. Cilantro and carrots have sprouted so far.
We rent our house, and it has a huge yard, so I asked our landlord if we could plant a small garden. He approved of the idea and came over to show me where the sprinkler lines ran. He brought a rototiller with him, which was super nice!
I got up early and went out to start the process. It took me 45 minutes to get the rototiller started, after 5 minutes of work I hit a rock and it stalled out. I tried unsuccessfully to get it restarted. I decided to just do the plot by hand. So I spent the afternoon digging, raking, and spreading cow poop. By 4pm I had a decent size plot already to be planted. We are going to do that tomorrow along with some other yard work. Should be awesome!

Rory Rules, Gardening, and Happenings

2010-03-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

It's been busy around here. First things first though, Rory placed third in the school science fair in his section. We were totally thrilled, he got a sweet trophy, and more importantly bragging rights.
He tested the energy produced by a potato, tomato, orange and pickle. He did about 80% of the work by himself, we helped with putting the display together.
We have decided that since we have moved to a more temperate climatic we would try our hand at gardening. We have decided to try some herbs, peppers, tomatoes, and carrots. We spent the afternoon planting the seeds in used Pizza Sauce cans. With the help of my sister Eleanore it went really smoothly. Mag and Thor seem to be the most excited. The packs said it should take 21 days to see seedlings, so we will be sure to take pictures if that happens.

We were in Montana ever so briefly this weekend to return Enoch's company car. It was so nice to see the trees again. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather, it was a gorgeous spring day.

I Have a Super Awesome Camera and Other Happenings

2010-03-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

I was finally able to convince Enoch that I needed a fancy camera, with the help of a substantial tax return. I bought a Nikon D5000. I am thrilled with it so far. But I do admit I have no clue how to use it to it's full potential. I watched the movie that came with it and have picked up a few books on the subject.
I love that the shutter speed is really fast, I have been able to capture some great pictures of Mag being Mag.

I have been looking around to see if any of the studios or the community college offer a class. That would be a lot of fun and a good way to meet people.

I am looking forward to my trip to Missoula in April. I am really excited and have convinced my cousin to go with me so I don't have to drive alone.
Other than that we have all been a little under the weather. My nose and ears have been super plugged up so I bought a Nettie pot.I saw one on Oprah a year ago and thought it looked a little to scary to try. But after my ears were plugged for two weeks I was desperate and willing to try anything. I bucked up and tried it, and I haven't been able to breathe this well in years! I recommend it to anyone who is having sinus issues. Amazing!

Time With My Husband

2010-03-02T02:07:00.000-08:00

For the last 4 years or so Enoch has traveled a ton, and part of the reason for moving here was that we would get to spend time together. Lately that has been paying off. Although he is still working a lot we do get to spend a lot more time with each other.I feel like we are entering a new stage in our marriage. I don't know what the stage is but so far it seems to be really nice. Yesterday we were at the river walking along the bank. I looked at him and said "Hey we're walking hand in hand on the beach." and instead of laughing or making a joke he said "it's even a sandy beach". I thought that was sweet.
In other news I got a super sweet camera! I have no clue how to use it, but once I figure it out it's going to be awesome.

Just whats going on

2010-02-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

Not much really but I feel like typing. Many of you know that I am anti diet. I think that you should love the body your in, that being said I have found a great web site that tracks your calories and keeps track of your fitness. I wouldn't say I am dieting but I am making better choices. When I see that I am close to my calorie limit for the day I stop eating. I haven't kept soda in the house for over a month now and I am sure that is also making a huge difference.
In Missoula I would go to the gym 4 to 5 times a week and work out, but also chat a lot. My goal here is 6 days a week. The upside of not having a work out buddy here is that I concentrate more on what I am doing. This week so far I played Racquetball and did elliptical with Enoch, yesterday I went to spinning and did the elliptical, and tonight I plan on going to spinning again. I am still looking for a local place that offers reformer Pilates. Because that would be aweswome.
The kids seem to be adjusting really well. I am glad to say that Rory has finally made some friends so that's really nice. Bo has his school concert tomorrow night and even has a little solo. Thor is wearing suits about three days a week, and insist that he is either a business man or president of the house depending on what tie he is wearing. And Mag is Mag, a little naughty and a lot of fun. He turns four next week. I can't believe that my baby is four. It doesn't seem possible.

Trying to Get into the Swing of Things

2010-02-05T19:27:00.000-08:00

Well I would say we are physically settled. The house is in order, the kids are into the swing of things at school, I have found stores and a gym. Emotionally I am not settled. I miss Montana. In Missoula I always found great comfort in the fact that I could see the mountains from anywhere.
I have stopped working and am now home with the kids, which is fantastic. During the week Magnus and I go on picnics, go to the gym, the library and just hang out. He really seems to enjoy our time together.It's good for the big kids too. A better more regular schedule has been in forced.
My new gym is nice and I am back in training for some of my loftier goals. By the end of summer I should be able to meet at least one of them. I get to see my husband every night which is a real change from before. It's nice for all of us.
But honestly I feel empty most days, like I am going through the motions. I do these things because its what I should be doing not because its what I want to be doing. I find my solace in the woods, and I have moved somewhere with out them. I feel like I am missing a piece of my self.

January 26

2010-01-26T16:19:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I signed up at a gym here in town. I loved my gym in Missoula and would recommend it for any woman that lives there. I spent the first month here working and trying to get the house set up. I started looking for a gym here asking around and browsing on the internet.
This is a small community so the pickings were pretty slim. There's a Curves that just for women but it's all based on circuit training, there's a Golds, and there is a few 24 hour generic gyms. And there is the gym I found. It's called Adcope. The down side is that it's coed, the good news is that it has a pool and racquetball courts.It also has FREE day care while your at the gym!! So I have been there a few times to play racquetball, and that was fun. Today I took Mag and dropped him off at day care, and went to spinning. After spinning I picked him up and took him swimming. We had a great time in the pool.
I am pretty happy with the gym so far, now I just need to find a racquetball partner.

Not Much for Resolutions

2010-01-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

I am not usually a huge fan of resolutions, but this year I'm feeling a little different than in past years. So this year I resolve to spend less time with my two biggest time sucks the television and the internet. There are better things I could be doing with the majority of my time.
I also plan on using local resources more, going to community events and frequenting the library.
So there we go short, sweet, and simple.

2009-12-17T08:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday, my 32nd birthday and I feel old. I usually breeze through my birthday with ease and charm. But this year is different. I have been doing all the paper work with the people we have hired and the majority of them were born when I was in high school!!My kids are closer in age to most of our employees than I am. It's a weird stage in life. I can't believe people born in the 90's are old enough to work.
I've also started looking at other people that are my age, and I wonder do I look that old too?? I don't mind gaining another year and I know in the scheme of things 32 isn't old but I don't feel young anymore.

Getting Settled

2009-12-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

We are now in our new home in Clarkston Washington. I am still unpacking and feel like I will be for quite a while. I have finished the really important rooms, the kitchen, both bathrooms and the living room. Just the bedrooms and the extra room remain. I am feeling really unmotivated. For now I am borrowing the neighbors/landlords wifi signal, we should have our internet set up by Friday.

The three older boys started school yesterday,they seem to be doing okay. Thor made a friend right away, Rory said he didn't talk to anyone, and Bo talked to everyone but is a little sad that band here doesn't start until 6th grade.
I guess I start work next week, and the store here opens right before my birthday. I am looking for a daycare for Magnus hopefully something with preschool. It's weird having Enoch home every night, but in a good way. He's at work long enough during the day that he isn't driving me nuts. I think that's all the news for now.

We must be doing something right

2009-11-10T21:05:00.000-08:00

This week has been awesome at our house. Bo received a good citizenship award. Each school picked one kid for this award. I am so proud, and honored that Bo was picked. We all know he is a nice kid, but to have it recognized is validating.

Also in Bo news he is on the Honor Roll again. He has made honor roll every trimester since he started getting letter grades in fourth grade!
We just finished up with confrences, and they also went swimmingly well. All three of the kids teachers mentioned how polite, kind, and well behaved they are. They also mentioned that they are hardworking. I am just so happy to go to conferences and hear a little bit of constructive criticism, and a ton of compliments. Bo had all A's except for one B+. Rory had a healthy mix of A's and B's which is an improvement over last year. Thor doesn't get grades yet but he is a little below grade level, his teacher says that speech is his biggest obstacle, but that he has improved a ton since the beginning of the year.
Having such great kids is what life is about. As a parent I have always emphasized that grades are important, but that it's also important to be kind, polite, and compassionate. It is so nice to see that the work I have put into raising them is starting to pay off!

5k #2 pregame, and moving update

2009-11-06T15:53:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning Rory and I are running a 5k. My second his first. It has turned cold here so I used that as an excuse to buy both of us some new gear. We get our numbers at 9 am and the race starts at 10 am. I am feeling less prepared for this one than the last one, but it's run/walk so I am not feeling a lot of pressure. I will just give it my best shot. I think Rory will do well, he's built like a runner, and really enjoys it. More on the race tomorrow!
We got a date for moving we are expected to be in Idaho and working by December 1. So in a little over three weeks, I need to have my home packed, moved and unpacked. I am so anxious. I think figuring out the kids stuff will be the hardest. I was looking online to see what stores are there, and it seems like Wal-Mart(YUCK) is the main multi purpoose store, no Target :(. There is a Costco, so thats awesome. I'm hoping that since it is an agricultural area there are some local grocers that carry lots of good produce. Also we will be an hour and a half from Spokane so any major shopping can be done there. With out Target and Old Navy I will save a lot of impulse money. I will do my best not to give my money to Wal-Mart.
I am looking forward to being close to family and friends, and a new adventure. But I am sad to be leaving the one place I have ever felt at home.

2009-10-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well life here is about to change drastically. With in the next two months we will be moving to the Idaho Washington border. It's a fantastic opportunity for us career wise. There are pro's and con's with this move which I am going to list more for my own sanity than any other reason
Pro's
finical security in the future
Enoch will not be traveling weekly
Closer to Walla Walla will be able to spend more time with my family
moderate climate
fresh start

Con's
leaving Missoula
missing my friends, I have built up a small group of friends that I adore
moving with 4 kids I'm already having nightmares (setting up schools, cleaning, packing, unpacking aaaaahhhhhhhhhh)
I'll have to continue to work for a while
the unknown

as a total control freak the fear of the unknown stresses me out. I usually can control my OCD and panic attacks with meditation, and recitation techniques, but when I get really stressed that all goes out the window. I can feel my self being pulled towards the comfort of having everything just so. I can only imagine that the next 2 or 3months of my life will be tense and scary. But I think they will also be rewarding and worth it in the long run. The best thing will be spending time with my husband. Also it will be really nice to be near my Grandma, Aunts, and Cousins. I'll be an hour and a half from where I went to high school, and where my family is from. So I guess that's it for now.

2009-09-20T10:59:00.000-07:00

Oh My God What is That Stench?!

2009-09-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

That's what you'd think to yourself had you picked up Magnus anytime in the last couple weeks. It started out like he just had really really bad breath. So I started brushing his teeth four times a day but it kept getting worse. The last three days or so you couldn't even sit next to him with out burning your nose hairs.

A friend had recommended that I take him to the Doctor because it may be something that he had stuck up his nose, and I checked Web Md which said it could be anything from a sinus infection to kidney failure. So I decided last night that I would take him the doctor today. This morning I got him showered and brushed his teeth and dressed. We headed out to the walk in clinic. This is Mag's first doctors appointment since he was really little.

We got in right away and the doctor checked his ears and throat, but not his nose. A friend had told me a horror story of another kid that had stuffed a tissue up their nose and had the same problem. So I asked the doctor to check his nose and bam there it was a blockage of some sort. He said they weren't equipped to pull it out there and set up an appointment with a ear nose and throat specialist. So Mag and I went across town and got checked in at the specialist. We waited forty five minutes. The Doctor came in and in less than a minute had introduced himself and dislodged a huge wad of fluff from Mags nose. By huge I mean the size of a fifty cent piece maybe bigger. It was gross and they threw it away so fast I didn't get a picture which is a little disappointing. Any ways I think that's the grossest thing I have ever had to deal with aside from giving birth.

A quick catch up

2009-08-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

Wow I really haven't blogged in a long time. There has been a lot going on here and I have been feeling the pressure. Summer has blown by and I can't believe school starts next week!
Enoch has been sick and is still recovering from numerous infections. We will find out more in another month after he finishes the antibiotics. It has been pretty stressful and it sucks that the doctors don't have definitive answers. He has also only been home one day a week for the last month, and he has been spending those days working. I have started working 15-20 hours a week and that will increase when the kids go to school. It sucks because all of the household responsibilities fall to me. And I still try to fit in the gym, kids, and friends. Needless to say I haven't mopped this week, and I would rather be blogging than mopping.
Thor starts kindergarten which is so exciting and so scary. His speech is getting progressively better, and I think being around other kids and talking more will totally help with that. This year we will have three kids in school, and it will be just me and Mag at home. It's something I am looking forward to, but am also apprehensive of. I will be picking up another shift during the day so Mag will be going to day care one day a week.
Money has been tight and it was a real squeeze to get school supplies and clothes bought, but I did get that accomplished. Except for Thor's because I lost his list and I need to call the school and find out about it.
I went and saw Inglourious Basterds and it was awesome. One of the best movies I have seen. It was delightful, it was pretty long but it didn't seem long while we watched it. Brad Pitt was awesome. Though it was missing the rough language of most of Tarantino's films (which I love), it was still really cool stylistically.
I have also had the opportunity to hang out with my favorite boyfriends. I hadn't realized how much I have missed hanging out with my dear fellows. I miss having weekly dinners, and wish I could squeeze it back in but right now it seems impossible.
There is one thing that is totally stressing me out, and that is the idea of leaving Missoula. I can't say why, when or where too but it is a distinct possibility that we won't live here another year. I love Missoula, I feel like an odd duck in an odd duck town. The idea of moving breaks my heart. There are many benefits to moving, but Missoula is my home.
So I guess that's what has been going on this summer. Hopefully when school starts I get back on a regular schedule.

Fitlinx July

2009-08-04T09:01:00.001-07:00

The fitlinx system wasn't working right I didn't get any of my June info but I know that it wasn't a good month. For July the reason there is no weight lifted chart is because I didn't lift any weights. It's a combination of some big changes my trainer made in my program and because it is so hot!! I don't feel like going into the gym and getting sweaty. The cardio activities that I have been doing are riding my bike, swimming laps, and water aerobics. I usually try to ride my bike too the gym and for any little errands I need to do. This month I'm going to try and get my weight lifting back in order and get some more non water aerobic cardio in.

My Bike

2009-07-31T12:45:00.002-07:00

UPDATE**** I found my bike ditched about a block and a half away from the house*******

My Bike was stolen last night. I had been riding it everyday. I know it's just a material item, but I am feeling rather upset. I can't afford to replace it, and it really sucks. It was my mothers day gift 2 years ago.

Regina Spektor on Conan

2009-07-31T12:45:00.001-07:00

Goat Riding

2009-07-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Does Anyone Know What these are called

2009-07-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

My Grandma has had these builders since we were kids and she ordered them out of the Betty Crocker Catalog. Does anyone know what they are called and where I can find them for my own Children????

4th of July in Pictures

2009-07-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Boys at the Splash Park

Mag and I waiting for the fireworks

The View from the Mall

Dusk

Fireworks

Enoch with Sparklers

Ray with Sparkler

Stressing

2009-06-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

I have been craving simplicity,but it feels like the universe loves throwing complication at me. I guess it all started about 6 months ago, maybe longer. I have been trying to eliminate a lot of stress from our lives.
The first step was relaxing with the kids a little bit, so not riding them as hard as I usually do. Less nagging seems to have made all of us happier. Don't get me wrong they still drive me nuts, and I'm sure that I drive them nuts too. Now that their home for summer this has become a little bit harder. Bo and Rory are used to going to school so they get on each others nerves, and the little kids annoy them. So tension has been building at home.
Then there's Enoch who got demoted at work, and is having a hard time coping. He is super grumpy. When he is home he is either really moody or he is totally checked out. This is so frustrating, 80 percent of the time our marriage runs really smoothly, but I feel a fight coming on, in the same way you can smell a tornado before it happens. I only hope that since he is travelling right now that it gives him extra time to reflect on the important things in life. I'm not saying that this is his fault, because I have been moody too. But I think my moodiness is feeding off of his and vis versa.
I feel like the stresses of the real world have invaded the inner sanctum of my home. I don't like it and have really been trying to go with the flow, but sometimes its hard.

Todays the day

2009-06-23T08:13:00.001-07:00

That the new Regina Spektor albulm comes out!

An actual post

2009-06-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting a lot lately because lately life has sorta sucked. As you all know I have had our nephew living with us and he requires a lot more attention than I anticipated. So much so that I don't even sleep with my husband at night. Luckily it looks like he will be going home for at least two weeks and maybe for longer.
The boys have one week of school left and I can't wait for our summer to start. Thursday is the last day so I think I'll plan on taking them hiking on Friday. We are also planning a trip to Yellowstone this summer. Which would be a lot of fun. I'm looking for anything outdoors, cheap/free, around Missoula things to do with the kids so if you guys have any suggestions let me know.
For the past six months Enoch has been making pretty decent money, enough to where I could buy our groceries and pay the bills, and have a little extra left over. this is all about to change because he was demoted at work. I'm not sure what his pay will drop too, and I hate stressing over money. This sucks because I just quit watching my friends baby had I known that the extra money was needed I would have never stopped. I'm trying to decide what to cut out of our extra expenses. I think first to go will be Netflix, then all the extra cable channels, then the gym, but I really hope it doesn't come to that. I have already trimmed a lot of our budget by switching to natural cleaning, using rags and kitchen towels, and actually using the coupons I clip. I am grateful that at least Enoch has a job, and when the kids go back to school in the fall I can look for one if I need too.
I can't wait until next week when I claim my life back and resume my regular gym and social schedule. It'll be awesome!

New Regina Spektor

2009-05-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

Over Extended and April Fitlinx

2009-05-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't noticed I have been scarce. I feel like I am stretched as thin as possible and this is totally taking a toll on my free time, and in turn my happiness. I started watching my friends baby full time in February and end up doing that almost 45 hours a week. It's nice because I make a little money and i get to be home with my kids. What I gave up to do it was a regular Pilates schedule. But I still managed to make it to the gym 6 days a week. Then 3 weeks ago our one year old nephew moved in with us. The bonus is getting to know him better and being able to help out my sister in law. What I have given up is the majority of my gym time, any spare time I had to spend with Enoch, having friends over on a regular basis, time to clean and my quite time at night. He doesn't sleep very well at night so I sleep with him, and Magnus sleeps with Enoch.
The lack of exercise and spare time has taken it's toll. I find myself feeling very on edge, listless, and a little depressed.
The good news is that this weekend I'm going to pick up my Grandma in Walla Walla. she'll be here for a couple weeks. The kids are really looking forward to it.

The Return

2009-05-01T08:39:00.001-07:00

Fun Run

2009-04-25T18:45:00.001-07:00

Bo, Rory, and I took part in the River Bank run today. We did the one mile fun run. It was good and Bo and Rory did awesome. They ran most of the way and we finished in the middle of the pack. Here are some pics. The first on is before the race, and the second on is after.

I'm a Winner and Other Stuff

2009-04-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I entered a giveaway on one of my favorite blogs Home Ec 101.The giveaway was for dishwasher soap. Not very exciting but why not try. So last week I received an email saying I had won!! Awesome, I was kind of excited just because I don't usually win anything.

Yesterday the Fed Ex man delivered a medium sized package. By this time I had totally forgotten that I was expecting anything. I opened it up and there were two large packages of dishwasher tabs (at most I was expecting a sample size). It ends up being an entire months supply! Which will totally save some cash. Thank you so much Home Ec 101!!
In other news my one year old nephew will be staying with us for awhile. . He'll be with us during the week and with his mom on the weekends. We are happy to have this opportunity to get to know him and spend this time with him.
Soccer season has started three of the boys are playing. Last week was their first week and we had a great time. I'm coaching Thor this year and so far so good.
I think that's about it for now.

The Last Few Weeks

2009-04-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

I have been busy. The last month has been a whirlwind of engagements and visitors. Along with working a little over 40 hours a week I have had little time to think or blog. First my youngest sister in law Eleanore came up on her spring break with her baby Donovan. It was an okay visit, but I find myself grateful that all my children are out of diapers and becoming more independent.
Then my best friend Erin came from Walla Walla on her spring break. Which was awesome I honestly can't remember the last time I had had so much fun. We went to the Old Prison Museum in Deer Lodge, which I think would be awesome if it was freezing cold and snowy. We spent the rest of our time just hanging out in Missoula.
This last weekend Enoch's older sister Rachel came to visit with her two sons, and it was fun too. We went to the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the UM which was awesome. It always amazes me that they can mange to pull it off so smoothly, so thanks to Patia since she is a vital part of that. I think it would be a kick to watch the egg hunt from the M, some year when the kids are grown.
Thursday night I had my coaches meeting for soccer, I am coaching Thor's team. This is awesome because 5 year old's still listen to you, the fields are smaller and you don't have to know the rules. I think the only penalty ever called is out of bounds. Tonight was Bo's first practice and his coach wants to practice two days a week. I'm having Thor's first practice on Thursday. And I'm still waiting on Rory's coach to call and say when they will practice.
In other news Bo, Rory, and I will be running the 1 mile fun run at the River Bank Run on the 25th. I have started running with them in the evenings and their both really excited.
Enoch has been gone a lot lately and left again today for Kalispell which is fine, it's nice that we still miss each other when we're apart.
Mag and I at the Egg Hunt

Erin and I in Deer Lodge

Sunday

2009-04-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today I got the chance to do something I rarely do. A good friend (she's single, and doesn't have kids) invited me over to her house for wine and relaxation. I was really excited because I knew Enoch would be home and that I would not have to worry about the kids.
So I drove over to her house we enjoyed some wine, and then some Lebanese treats she put together. (I can't remember the names sorry). The biggest thing I noticed was how quite it was. I usually tune out the kids but our house is never dead silent. It was very relaxing!
I feel rejuvenated. I go to the gym everyday and that usually is the only time I'm not with the kids. So it was really nice to be able to go enjoy some grown up quite time.

Fitlinx March

2009-04-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

The New Way is the Really Old Way

2009-03-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

I love to watch How Clean is Your House on the BBC. It has to fabulous older women that go through and clean up peoples apartments. The from the show what has really struck me is that they rarely ever use commercial or brand name cleaners. In fact most shows they use 4 primary cleaning supplies; Baking Soda, Vinegar, Lemons and Elbow Grease. All of which are far less expensive than cleaning supplies. So this month in an effort to save money I bought a giant bag of baking soda at for around $5 and a bag of lemons for $5, I forgot to pick up vinegar but it is also really inexpensive.
Today was the test to see if these easier, enviormentally friendly supplies would do a satisfactory job. I went up and clean the bathroom with the lemons and baking soda. I scrubbed the sinks, the counter, the cabinets, door, and the bath (the toilet is a diffrent story I use bleach for that just to make sure all the germs are gone). The result was a sparkiling bathroom that was left smelling slightly of lemon. It was quite pleasent.

I finished!

2009-03-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Today was the 5k and I really debated going but by telling everyone I was going to do it I really felt that I had to. 5k is approximately 3.1 miles and I wasn't sure I could do it.After some sound advice from my friend Ame who said "if you finish you win" and Enoch who said "You only have to race against your own time". After registering I looked around and started sizing up the competition. There were a lot of young women and some dudes a few old people, and not very many big girls like me. About ten minutes before the race I saw Lani my personal trainer, and she grabbed me and took me over to her group of friends (which I really appreciated because before that I felt very alone).
So the whistle blew and the serious runners took off at a fast clip I took off at a decent jog. I jogged a fair amount of the first mile, I was at the end of the runners but ahead of the walkers. By the end of mile one my legs were cramped, and my feet started to feel numb. By Mile 2 I was walking and then would do a burst of jogging to avoid being with the walkers. At the end of the race I was numb from my knees down. All I could think is that the kids would be at the finish line so I had to finish. It was the motivating factor, I'm not sure I would have finished if they weren't going to be there.
I finished in like 52 minutes. Not great but a time to beat in the future. In the end I'm just glad that I did it and finished it.
My friend Allison has invited me to run the Ice Breaker in Great Falls next month, I think I will start training more seriously for that. Probably by running 2 to 3 miles every other day or so. Any suggestions?
Here is a pic. I put Bo in charge of taking them.

The Night Before My First 5K

2009-03-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

March 14- Tomorrow is the St.Paddy's day 5K. I just found out about it yesterday and figured I might as well give it a try. Today I am feeling less enthusiastic about the whole thing. I went to the gym today with the intention of running three straight miles with out stopping. About half way through mile 1 my calf cramped like crazy, and I wasn't really running, more like trotting. Mile on took me 15 minutes, then I took break and stretched out my calf. Then on to mile two it took me 16 minutes then I took a break and got some water. Mile three I was dripping with sweat and feeling all kinds of muscles I didn't know existed. I made it .50 before I decided to call it a day. I am hoping that tomorrow I will be able to struggle through and be motivated by the other runners. I am super competitive and usually don't do things that I won't excel at. I know that I won't be able to compete with the other runners, I just really hope that there are some other runners that are slower than I am. I would hate to be the last one to finish.

I just bought this cd

2009-03-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

Parent Teacher Conferences

2009-03-11T22:17:00.001-07:00

The kids second trimester just ended, so that means it is time for parent teacher conferences. Last trimester Bo had a 4.0 and Rory's grades were barely at grade level, with a few subjects slipping below grade level. We take their grades very seriously and do expect them to do well.
This trimester Bo still made Honor Roll but not with a 4.0, instead he ended up with one B and the rest A's. After talking to his teacher the slip in his grades is because he rushes through his school work with out following directions so he can read instead. So we had a long discussion about paying attention in class and being respectful of his teacher because she puts a lot of work into planning their day. He wrote up a plan on how to get his grades back up to a 4.0 by the end of the year.
Rory's grades all went up with the exception of handwriting and spelling. Those both stayed at grade level. The biggest concern his teacher had was for a test where the kids have to be able to read 90 words a minute orally. In 3 consecutive test he has been at 68, 68, and now 69. She stressed that it is very important that he speed up. My only argument to this is that Rory really lives in his own time zone really in his own world. I have figured out that pushing him to speed up only makes him go slower. So we will be practicing reading out loud more at home but I don't want to push him because that just hurts his feelings.
So all in all conferences went pretty well. I am hoping that both kids improve their grades by the end of the year. Luckily they both love school which is great.

March 10

2009-03-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

Follow this link
March 10th Statement of H.H. the Dalai Lama

Feburary FitLinx

2009-03-04T21:58:00.001-08:00

Apple Dumpling Theme Night

2009-02-27T21:38:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been ordering movies that I loved when I was kid on netflix for our kids to watch. This week it was the "The Apple Dumpling Gang". So I decided it would be fun to make apple dumplings and then watch the movie. I had never made them before and considering that I think it went pretty well. Here are a few pics you can see the rest of them on my flickr page.

Working Woman, well sort of

2009-02-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

I finally found a job that I have more than enough experience for, and I can work from home. I'm watching my friends baby since she has returned to work. The best thing about it is I don't have to take Thor and Magnus to day care. The worst thing about it is that I have to be awake way earlier than I'm used too. It is almost full time which is cool, since the economy sucks it's nice to be making a little money.

Mr. Roboto

2009-02-22T21:55:00.000-08:00

The kids being kids

2009-02-21T13:56:00.000-08:00

Just a good idea

2009-02-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

I wish I could take credit for this idea but I can't. It's from one of my favortie websites, Home Ec 101 It's called dribs and drabs. You take all your left over shampoo, conditioner and body wash and mix it all in a big bottle and use it as body wash. Now I must admit I don't use it on me, but the four monkeys I have use soap like it's going out of style so this works great for them! Also we take it to the next level, since Enoch travels a lot and brings home hotel soaps and shampoos! Score! So anyways I love this idea and thought you guys might too.

In Honor of the Day

2009-02-14T16:39:00.001-08:00

My very favorite love song.... Adam Sandler from The Wedding Singer

My favorite love song by The Beatles

and my wish for all of you

Fitlinx January

2009-02-10T10:20:00.001-08:00

Bored

2009-02-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

After not leaving the house for three days because I was sick and having mainly the kids for conversation I've been so bored. So tonight I started goofing around with picnik.

Go Jen Go is tired and blue

2009-02-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

Man it has been a busy couple weeks. Starting last week Enoch was home almost everyday which is nice, but also adds a little bit of stress mainly because I'm a control freak. I really like to run the household my way (because let's face it it's the better way).
Then this week started with Rory not feeling well Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.Then yesterday and today Magnus and Thor aren't feeling well. There's not much wrong with them except their running crazy high fevers peaking at 104 and going down with medicine and popsicles to 101.
Also last week I hurt my knee at the gym and it still feels weak and sore.
But on the bright side it looks like in a couple weeks we'll be buying a new washer and dryer which will be awesome!! I would also like to convince Enoch that I need a SLR camera and a new photo printer, we'll see how that goes.
I guess I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything right now. But I also think that being overwhelmed is just a big part of life with little kids.

This is AWESOME!!

2009-01-29T11:03:00.001-08:00

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Better Know a Beatle - Paul McCartney

Colbert Report Full Episodes
Colbert Report Tickets

Paul McCartney Appearance
More Funny Videos

Here's a track off of Paul McCartney's new album. I think it's really cool. Going to see if I can find the CD this afternoon!

How do they do it??

2009-01-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

First a confession: I Love reality t.v.! I know it's mindless, and a waste of time, but I can't pull myself away.
One of the shows I watch is Wife Swap where mom's trade lives for a week. Usually an uptight mom, and a crazy mom. Any ways on the show you see these moms that clean 6 to 8 hours a day! I just want to know how they do that and not lose their mind. I am all for a neat house, but I can't imagine spending all my time cleaning.
I think a clean house is nice, but for me most of the time it seems like a luxury. At our house it seems like if the upstairs is clean the downstairs is dirty, or vise versa. Aside from the kids doing their chores I maybe spend 3 hours a day doing housework, could I do more? Sure I could but it would seem monotonous after a certain point.
Any of you 6 hour a day house cleaners? Can you fill me in on what I'm missing?

Keith Olbermann Special Comment 1/19/09

2009-01-19T23:02:00.000-08:00

The Crazy Small World of The Internet

2009-01-15T00:03:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the internet blows my mind. Myspace, Facebook, Flickr, Yahoo, Pogo, The Google, Netflix, and numerous other sites where you can meet people or keep old friendships going. Most of my friends IRL(in real life) are also connected through at least three or more of the above sites. I play scrabble with a girl I went to church with when I was 7. I have maybe seen her 5 times in the last 15 years, but we have great scrabble games.
The internet has served as a conduit to keeping old friendships alive and kicking where without it they would have died out a long time ago. My friend Josh who I haven't seen since I moved away from Walla Walla almost 14 years ago is my friend on tons of social networks. I found his blog last year and was thrilled. It's weird because I would say that in high school we ran with the same group of people, we got a long, but we didn't know each other that well. On facebook I have several friends from high school that I don't talk to, but we send each other hugs, and flair. It's nice to have the contact without having to put a lot of work into the relationships.
I know that the internet is old news now, but I still have a hard time grasping the infinity of the whole thing.
My friend Erin and I never talk on the phone,and we see each other once a year. But the internet as made it so that we talk almost every night, bringing us closer than we have ever been (even when I was practically living at her house). It's just really cool.
4 of my friends can see all the movies I rent and watch, it's so weird.
any ways thats my rambling for the day. Here are some pics from me at pilates tonight.

Oh I'm Feeling Bitchy, and Discouraged

2009-01-10T11:58:00.000-08:00

I joined the gym at the end of July and the first three months I was going I dropped a ton of weight, 40 pounds. I think it was from going from not working out to going almost everyday, and dietary changes at home. But since November I have lost 9 pounds. I have started to double up my cardio and have started taking harder classes.
I look at the numbers 49 pounds is a lot of weight to lose.. but I don't really see it when I look in the mirror. I'm still fat, which I am ok with. I do feel better, but I wish there was a more visual result for my effort.
Here's what I have done for the last two weeks..
Mon- The Lift (which is like step aerobics with weights)
Mat Pilates
Tue- Spinning
Reformer Pilates
Wed- 45 Min Walk
Thur- 1 hour of Sledding
Fri- 30 Min Swimming
Sat- Nothing
Sun- 45 min Walk
Mon- 45 min Hike
Tue- Spinning
Wed- Reformer Pilates
Thurs- Personal training (ran a mile, weights, sit ups and push ups)
Fri- Nothing
Sat- Spinning and weights

This is what my week looks like most weeks. So I am busting my ass and seeing very little difference in my outward appearance. I was talking about it last night with my friends. Saying that being fat is who I am. Justin emailed me that being fat is something that I have, therefore it can be lost. A great point if you are talking about theories of being overweight. And if everyone thought of it that way it would be fantastic. But in this realm I know a lot of people look at me and just see a fat girl with a pretty face. I know that before people get to know me, I have to prove that I am more than just fat. That I am funny, cleaver, nice, whatever. It is ignorance of the issues and society that builds up the walls we have to break through just to go about daily interactions.

This is a pic of me from this spring

And This is Last Night

The only difference that I really see is that I have lost my third chin and I have a better bra on. I wonder if it is possible to lose 49 pounds of chin? Anyways I have just been feeling a little down trodden and disappointed in myself and needed a place to vent.

Not just Fun Bags...

2009-01-06T20:18:00.000-08:00

The mystery that is the female breast has been a hot topic of conversation lately in Missoula. If you don't know what happened you can read about it here. The issue is breastfeeding in public. A women in the newly opened Red Robin was asked to cover her self and infant son because it was making other restaurant patrons lose their appetite.
The breast has several nicknames, my personal favorite is fun bags. Big beautiful fun bags. Fun to play with, fun to look at, fun to have. Now this may be where I lose my male readers (hi Justin and Josh) but these magnificent globes we carry around on the front of our chest actually serve a purpose aside from being nice to look at. They provide the best kind of nourishment for infants (you know those pesky things that actually make our boobs swell for 9 months or more).
I have breastfed 3 out of our 4 kids. I respect the Mom's right to choose to breastfeed or formula feed their babies. Your kid your choice.
When we have a culture that celebrates the breast including enterprises such as Playboy, Hooters, any number of magazines (Jugs) why is it so offensive to see half a nipple while a baby is being fed? I think a big part of it is it ruins the image of breast as fun bags. Who wants to play with an empty dinner dish. Heaven forbid you actually see the beautiful image of a mother actually caring for her child. Men (not all men) see boobs as a just for them industry, well guess what fellas your Mom's had boobs and they may have even breastfed you. Disgusting right?
The other reason that people are finding this so offensive is that people want motherhood to be easy. People that schedule C-sections to fit their schedules, or because they don't want to ruin their vagina's, or because they don't want to pee their pants every time they sneeze, are the same people that find breastfeeding inconvenient. Bottles are easy, Dad can do it too, Mom is free to keep living her life. Well guess what you had a baby life changes and gets harder. That's what kids do, make life harder. Are they worth the saggy boobs and the incontinence, yes most of the time they are.
Breastfeeding is the least offensive thing a woman can do to her baby. It surprises me that people will complain about a woman breastfeeding in public, but if this same woman was viciously yelling at her two year old to behave they wouldn't bat an eye. So is breastfeeding more offensive than child abuse?
Instead of demanding that women cover their breast could you maybe turn your head an inch or two? Would that be to much of an inconvenience? Would you rather listen to a baby cry because it's hungry or should we just keep all infants in internment camps until they eat solid foods?
As a person that has breastfed I will tell you that it is a painful and hard women you choose to breastfeed should be given a medal. Instead they are shunned for making the best choice for their child.
I would never change the fact that I breastfed my kids, it will always be one of things I cherish about having kids. There is no better way to feed your kids, and also offer comfort. If I had a small baby I would be breastfeeding in the Red Robin lobby everyday.

A Few Pics From My Favorite Place in The World

2009-01-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

Fitlinx for December

2009-01-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year....

2009-01-01T22:01:00.000-08:00

I had to work on New Years eve for a couple hours. After I got home the fun began!! For Christmas we had given the kids cookbooks and new aprons. So for New Years Eve I thought it would be fun to let them pick what to cook, shop for the groceries, and with close supervision make dinner. One of the cook books was Star Wars themed, here's the menu and who helped make it.
Mag- Han burgers
Thor- Yoda Soda
Rory- R2-D2 Treats
Bo- Cheesy Fries
Here are a few pics, you can find the rest on my flickr page

So after a great dinner, the kids and played their new game. The Dangerous Game for Boys, that they received from Patia for Christmas. We open the box, and there are like six million pieces, and a thick guide book. So I spent 20 minutes or so reading the book and setting up the game. It was a ton of fun. It's filled with challenges like doing anagrams and making paper airplanes. In the end I won, yeah me. Weird because I was the only girl playing a boys game.
Then today I took the kids sledding, meeting up with my friend Jodi.I spent 45 minutes to get them bundled. I was really worried about Magnus hating it because he hates being cold. We spent about an hour on the slopes of Chief Charlo school. All of the kids had a great time, even Magnus. And since the gym was closed today I totally feel like I got my work out!

We had a big turkey dinner tonight, then we made collages. Now we're watching Batman The Dark Knight.
It was a great way to start the year!

Why I Love Kathy Griffin

2009-01-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

Stay until the end it's totally worth it

My New Years Non-Resolutions

2008-12-30T21:12:00.000-08:00

Ahhh goody New Years. I really don't like the idea of New Years resolutions.What do you want to change about yourself because obviously your not perfect or even good enough. I'm not against improving myself, but I try to do it everyday. I don't want to promise myself something and then give up mid February. I think I'm a generally fab person. And I have been working on improving both my outer and inner self. I joined the gym in August which is fantastic and I have been improving my mediation skills. I have made a concerted effort to be nicer to people, should I have waited until January first to do all these things? I could have spent the last half of the year just waiting it out, but I would still be 40 pounds heavier, and probably a bit more depressed. I guess I see resolutions as kind of pointless.
Things I am grateful for this year.....
This year I have developed a growing appreciation for good friends, blogger and non. After some turbulent times with a few friends, I have grown to appreciate all my friends a little more. Patia and Justin thank you for helping me through a rough year. I have also reconnected with friends from high school which is really nice. I don't remember a lot of things from high school, with my mom being sick, and my dad being a bad person I have blocked a lot out. What I do remember a lot of the time are feelings. For instance I don't remember half the stuff that Erin does but I remember how hard it was to win her over, and how much I loved her then and now.
Taking time to have fun with the kids. When I was in school I never had extra time to be with the boys. I was always studying, or cleaning. I am so glad I have had this year to spend with them and watch them grow. Taking time for more hikes, sledding, out of town adventures, and just day to day life with them.
That Enoch has a good job. Thank goodness Enoch isn't a car salesman or a banker. I am glad he has a boss that cares, and I am grateful that I have a husband with a strong work ethic, that is willing to sacrifice a lot of things to make sure the kids and I are happy.
I am thankful for Enoch. Married for almost thirteen years with only one or two fights a year, I think we're doing pretty good.
I am grateful for the gym and the gym staff. It gives me an oasis for an hour or two a day. A little peace in my otherwise busy life. I am especially Thankful for Lani, who works me hard but always tells me how proud she is of me. Linda who always tells me how great I look. Erin who makes Pilate's fun. And Shelby and Sherri who always have a smile to share.
I am grateful to Patia for being my friend and work out partner without her I would have never joined the gym in the first place.
I am also grateful for family. For a lot of years I didn't talk to anyone in my family aside from my brother. My Grandma and I reconnected a few years ago, and I am so glad we did. I am now in contact with my entire maternal family. It's nice to have people to talk to that know where I came from and where I have been. People that knew my Mom before she was sick. I am so glad to have them all back in my life.
A few more things I am grateful for; all the political candiates that chose to come to Missoula, going to the NIN concert, beautiful snow, a summer full of fun, the farmers market, and living in Missoula.

A little spoiled, a lot pampered

2008-12-30T13:31:00.001-08:00

This post is a total shout out and thank you to an awesome friend, that was kind enough to get me a great birthday present!! I said before my b-day that I didn't want any gifts, the economy being shit, I would rather spend time with my super cool friends than have gifts.
I did however receive a gift certificate for a pedicure. I have feet issues, I generally don't like feet and like my feet even less. I feel like their fat and ugly and gross. So Patia knowing that I hate my feet got me a pedicure. So I went today to have it done. It was at the gym so I had seen the lady that does them around and taken her water aerobics class a few times. She was fantastic!! First I got to sit in this really great massaging vibrating, warming chair.I put my feet into the whirlpool foot tub and it was so soothing. I wont go through all the details but it was fantastic! I feel so relaxed and now I have pretty purple toenails! I may even do pilates barefoot tonight instead of in socks. I think I will totally go back and have it done again, maybe frequently if I can afford it.

THANK YOU PATIA!!!!!

What I Should be Doing Instead of Blogging

2008-12-24T11:28:00.000-08:00

Nothing like waiting until Christmas Eve to do all the stuff that should have been done weeks ago.
Today I need too:
Finish Sewing 2 1/2 out of the 4 aprons for the kids
Do my Christmas Cards
Help the kids paint ornaments for the grandparents
Bake and give it holiday cookies
Wrap and assemble the kids gifts
Call my Aunt
Call my Grandma
Call my Brother
Call my Best Friend
Charge my camera battery
Charge my phone
Make sure the Ham is defrosted

So I need to work on all of this. I am feeling under the weather, but I did make it to the gym today before they closed.And as soon as I am done with that I'm going to get cracking on the rest of this stuff.
Merry Christmas!!

Yule, Winter Solstice

2008-12-22T01:36:00.000-08:00

Tonight I had the opportunity to celebrate winter solstice, or yule with a Wiccan Coven here in town. The High Priest is a friend I made at school a few years ago, named Raven. We are casual friends, but I have always felt very accepted and comfortable with him. Like I may have known him in another time. In it's a small world category he is the entire reason I met Justin. He and Justin are friends and Raven recommended Justin's Buddhism class so fervently I had to sign up. Long story short I hitched a ride with Justin and Julie because I hate driving at night.
I had been to Ravens house once before but hadn't looked around. When you go in it's like a visual overload. A million visits would all offer something new and fascinating to look at. It was crowded, and filled with fun. There was wine, lots of wine. The mood was very merry and light.
The time came for the ceremony, we all went into the ceremony room, which is quite small. There was a lot of chanting, and reciting, all of which based on elemental, astrological, or mythical happenings. It was very interesting, and no more bizarre then reciting scriptures or going to a born again revival. There was a creation of energy and a centering of all that energy. At one point in the ceremony the candle was passed around, and each person had to say what they hoped for themselves in the next year. I said patience and love, two things I know I need to work on. Patience and love for those close to me and also for all other sentient beings. In the last year I have worked on being nicer to everyone I meet, and with a few exceptions that has gone rather well, so now on to patience and love while continuing to be friendly and nice.
Afterwords there was more wine, a vegetarian feast and more small talk. It was fun but ran rather late. Getting me home right around 2 a.m.
Now there is a fresh 6 inches of snow on the ground, and I am blogging and listening to my Enoch and Magnus breathe in their sleep.

Sledding!!

2008-12-21T14:34:00.000-08:00

The Boys and I Pre-Sledding
Ok so my sleds warning sticker said we needed competent adult super vision, but I figured I could handle it.

Why I don't get Hangovers.....

2008-12-21T11:19:00.000-08:00

Usually I stick to a very basic no hangover plan that always works for me...
First I try to match water to each drink, that way I stay balanced,
Second I stay up until i feel the effects of my drinking wearing off
Third have a coke, or coffee something with caffeine
Fourth do some sort of physical activity, get oxygen into the blood stream
Fifth go to bed

Last night I did steps three and four and I feel like I got ran over by a mac truck today. Lesson learned stick to the tried and true plan.

My birthday party last night was AWESOME. It was an in and out of several friends. Enoch, Patia, Jodi, the kids and I went on a scavenger hunt. Which Patia, Jodi, Bo and Rory totally kicked our butts at.

Then we came home for Alpines, and tom and Jerry's. Then my personal trainer Lani came by with her husband, and my friend Alycia, her boyfriend and her little baby came over. The crowd thinned a little then Ray, Justin and Julie arrived. We started playing poker. It was Enoch, Justin, Julie, Mac, Ray and myself. By this time I had had my fair share of the libations. Mac went out first so he and Alycia packed up the adorable baby Avery and headed home. So then it was time for serious poker. I went all in on a flush queen high (it's a great hand) and got put out by Justin with a flush ace high!!!!! So that sucked!! It eneded up being a shoot out between Enoch and Justin. Justin kicked Enochs butt and ending up winning the $30 pot.

All in All it was great I would like to say thanks to all my friends! I had a blast!! Love you guys near and far!

Have a Merry Montana Christmas

2008-12-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

this is from Bo's Christmas concert Merry Christmas!

The Weather Outside is Frightful

2008-12-16T10:05:00.000-08:00

Weather Alert !

Current Conditions

-9°F

Clear

Apparent	-9°F	Wind	N/0 mph
Dew Point	-14°F	Visibility	10 mi
Humidity	76%	Barometer	30.12 in

12/16/2008 09:53 AM

Hour by hour forecast

12:00PM

1:00PM

2:00PM

3:00PM

4:00PM

5:00PM

6:00PM

-6°

Partly Cloudy

-2°

Partly Cloudy

4°

Partly Cloudy

6°

Partly Cloudy

8°

Partly Cloudy

10°

Partly Cloudy

18°

Partly Cloudy

Rorys Christmas Concert

2008-12-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

Rory's Christmas concert, Rory's the one who looks bored and is not singing.

It Snowed!!

2008-12-13T12:38:00.000-08:00

My Sister Started A Blog

2008-12-11T23:10:00.000-08:00

Okay so she's not really my sister but she should have been. My dear Erin has started a blog check it out!! I was going to post a pic but all the ones I have I look really bad in. So I selfishly refrain from posting a photo.

Where the Heck is the Snow??

2008-12-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

Rare snow covers New Orleans, other areas... what the heck!! I saw six snowflakes last week, maybe a few more but we haven't had any snow stick. I'm having a hard time beliving it's December. I love winter and snow and it's a little depressing to look outside and see dirt and brown grass. I long for the gleam of the first real snow. I know the rest of the state has seen snow, it's kinda of weird that we don't have any.

This picture is from last spring.

NIN in Missoula

2008-12-09T22:53:00.000-08:00

First let me give a shout out to Justin and Julie thanks for babysitting!!!!
When I heard Nine Inch Nails was coming to Missoula I was thrilled. A band that Enoch and I both love! The first time I heard NIN was also the first time I met Enoch. He had just bought Downward Spiral, and we were in my brothers truck. I was blown away. Prior to this I had listened to basically The Beatles, and country because that's all there was in Walla Walla when I was in High School.
Fast forward to tonight.... We got in line about 6:15 and it was a brisk 40 degrees which is much warmer than it usually is in December in Montana. I was wearing my favorite fuck me boots, a cute plaid skirt and a skull t-shirt, I was looking super foxy.

Doors opened a little after 7 we went in and got really really close to the front. Then we waited, and waited a little more. A little after 8 the opening act(I use the word act loosely) came out. The Bug was a DJ and some lady that yelled a lot in a heavy Jamaican accent about fucking. I picture prisoners in Guantanamo breaking after listening to the "music" that The Bug played. So that ended after thirty minutes of torture, then we waited, and waited. While we waited we got to hear some emo kids talk about shaving and how manly they were. I'm guessing they probably we toddlers when Pretty Hate Machine came out.
Finally NIN took the stage! The crowd went nuts and turned into a giant mash pit. Enoch and I were thrown around like rag dolls, and we're not feather weights. We moved back to the tamer edge of the crowd. The show was amazing!! The lights were amazing. Trent Reznor was awesome, he is so packed up, which I had never realized.I always think of him on how appears in the Closer video.

They played a lot of their heavier stuff, but they also played a lot of their instrumental easy going stuff.For most of the show I stood next to a girl I could only describe as Goth Barbie, tomorrow I'm sure she turns back into Malibu Barbie. She and her girl friend we're practically doing it, why pay for porn when you can watch it at concert. NIN finished with my favorite song "Head Like a Whole" which is one of their first big songs.
Then they came out for an encore, more lights they played Hurt which is another really awesome song!

The only song that they didn't play that I really wanted to hear was Hersey. It's awesome. Which I couldn't find a video for but here are the lyrics.

"Heresy"

He sewed his eyes shut because he is afraid to see
He tries to tell me what I put inside of me
He's got the answers to ease my curiosity
He dreamed a god up and called it Christianity
Your god is dead and no one cares
If there is a hell I'll see you there
He flexed his muscles to keep his flock of sheep in line
He made a virus that would kill off all the swine
His perfect kingdom of killing, suffering and pain
Demands devotion atrocities done in his name
Your god is dead and no one cares
Drowning in his own hypocrisy
And if there is a hell I'll see you there
Burning with your god in humility
Will you die for this?
Trent Reznor NIN

all my pics and videos are up on my flickr account so check it out.

DDR Night at our House

2008-12-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

I didn't make it to the gym today so I decided the kids and I would play DDR so of course here's some video.
Magnus

Thor

Rory

Bo

Me