Open Door Policy

APPARENTLY, we have an open door policy at the Hancock House, but it looks like this:

See those nice OPEN and abandoned cabinets?

At my childhood home, an open cabinet ALWAYS got this response "Oh, looks like Grandma is here."  My Grandma Smith was notorious (probably only in my home) for leaving the kitchen cupboards open.  I'm pretty sure the left-open cabinets are a pet-peeve of my Mom's.  She gave her response in humor, but we always knew we best get those doors closed.  She even had my Dad trained.  (In fact, I secretly suspect he was the reason for her "quote" as he was probably the first to leave the cabinets open before we were born.)

As I stare down the frustration of the open cabinets of my house, I had to draw a happy conclusion.  (I couldn't steal my mom's...I needed something new.)  So, I'm pretty sure my kids leave the cupboards open as a way of saying, "I love you, Mom and I just wanted to let you know it in a subtle way.  After all, everytime you close a cupboard you will think of me and remember that I love you.  The clank of the door as it closes is really the kid language word (in rapid speed) for 'I love you.'" 

Right?  That's what the open cupboard is REALLY saying, right?

Well, that's what I'm going to tell myself--as I'm pretty sure I'm the only one affected by the open doors. :0)

Dear Sister CW:

Dear Sister CW:
I have to be honest here.  I thought you were a little crazy when you "invited" the sisters to read the Book of Mormon in 30-60 days.  I looked at the schedule of reading 9-17 pages a day and felt the impossible.  I considered the 60 day program.  I might could handle 9 pages a day, then thought better of it (I'm good to get in a page at best).

It took me 10 days to lower my pride and come to my senses.  Ten days of the 60 that I squandered away--telling myself I didn't HAVE to read it in 60 days.  It wasn't a commandment (Thou shalt read the BofM in 60 days or less).  I set my sights lower--I would just be sure to get in a few verses everyday.  THEN, I realized that's what I have been doing for oh, about 4 years. 

Obviously, I was in needed of a boost to my reading.  It was time.  I had the daily habit of nibbling, but not feasting in the Word of God.  I had mastered nibbling.  I also realized that this "invitation" to read had nothing to do with Sister CW, but EVERYTHING to do with me.  She was inspired to give the invitation, because she knew it would do each of us some good.  I realized that yep, I didn't HAVE to take the invitation.  However, if I did--it would only be to my benefit.  Why not put the scriptures a little higher on the priority list for awhile?

Sister CW, I think of you daily.  Each day that I look at my scriptures.  Guess what, Sister CW?  My scriptures have been used and appreciated more in the last 10 days than they have in years.  I needed Nephi and his experiences to get me through the week.  I can't tell you the number of times that I drew upon what I had read to help me in my life experiences or in talking with my children.  Also, days were more "manageable" when scriptures were read and pondered.  Coinsidence?  I think not.

Sister CW, I've now hit Isaiah.  It's a little bumpy to get in the reading and understand.  Kinda feel like I'm trudging through mud a bit.  Slow going.  I'm a little behind in my reading (should be reading and not blogging!).  However, I have high hopes to get lost in Alma and Helaman.  Surely, I shall catch up my reading when I get lost in the tales of the 2,000 obedient boys, Captain Moroni, and such.

Mostly, Sister CW, I wanted to say "Thank You."  I needed the inspiration and motivation to make my life a little more meaningful by getting lost in the scriptures.  I wipe away my thought that your invitation was crazy.  It was brilliant.  I sorrow that my heart was so hard that it took me TEN days to jump on the wagon.  I'm just glad I jumped on.

Ever your grateful friend, Julie

Sports Trivia

So, I never been a Sports Page Fanatic, but I didn't consider myself in the "dark" either.  Somewhere I thought I wasn't totally clueless about the sports world.  Afterall, I attended 5 basketball games this week.  (Ok, let's not kid around--they were 5th grade, 7th grade, and JV teams :)  ).

UNTIL, I was asked some basic basketball trivia.  (It's important to note that it was past midnight when I was asked these questions.  The ole noggin' was running a little slow.  Mind you, that's just an excuse to make me feel better.)

We've been watching a LOT of BYU basketball at this house lately.  How can you not?  It all comes down to two words:  Jimmer Fredette.  He's amazing.  Seriously.  His half time buzzer shot last week sent Chad flying off the treadmill.  Jimmer can shoot...effortlessly.  Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind me that his "its-so-easy" jumpshot is not just outside the key, it's several feet OUTSIDE the 3-point line.  And kudos to his parents for naming him "Jimmer."  It's perfect.  My kids like him a LOT.  Matt has a picture of him on his DS.  But enough about Jimmer...which leads me to the point I was attempting to make before I started rambling...

Chad quizzed me on who the other BYU basketball players are...um...  (It should be mentioned that I don't have a great memory for names...or song lyrics, for that matter).  Good thing it had just been "Jackson Emery" night and we talked about all people named "Jackson" getting in for free.  One down.

Hmmm...oh yeah..."Pride of Bartlesville".  Can't remember his name though.  Good thing Kim Hancock was there to help out. Noah Hartsock.  (Oops.  Already forgot.  Had to ask Chad his name for this post. (Roll eyes here.) ). 

Seeing the possibilities were slim for being successful, Chad moved on to BYU Football players and coaches.  Thank goodness for JJ D'Luigi.  He was a given.  They said his name alot.  Plus, my "JJ" loves Luigi from Mario, so of course he liked D'Luigi.  (I'm pretty sure I'm spelling his name incorrectly.)  I did ok on some of the coaches.  I have HUGE respect for Bronco Mendenhall.  I love what he has brought to the BYU Football program.  Love it.  What a good man.

However, at this point, I'm pretty sure I've successful deflated any hope that my husband once had to marry a girl who would enjoy BYU sports with him.  True, it's been waning over the years.  My viewing has become less and less (Chad would input "miniscule" here).  My ADD just can't sit still watching TV and do nothing with my hands for 4 hours in a football game.  Plus, it's probably best that I don't intensely watch the game--who would care for the kids/hold down the fort?

Don't worry though.  I still have plans to be the little old lady sitting behind the basket in the Marriott center waving my white flag--and sitting next to my lil' old husband.  There is hope for me yet, Chad Hancock.

Whacky Wednesdays

I know this is a bit delayed, but our Wednesdays in December were so insane that they must be documented somewhere.  I knew it was only a ONE month insanity trip, which is the only thing that made the following schedule possible.  (Note: this schedule does NOT exist in January)

It all began at:
2:30pm - Take Jenna to gymnastics
3:00pm - Take Matt/Jason to piano
3:20pm - Pick up Trevor/Dave from school (this only happened on extremely cold or rainy Wednesdays)
3:30pm - Pick up Jenna from gymnastics, drop off Dave, return home
4:00pm - Pick up Matt/Jason from piano
4:30pm - Benji, Hailey, and Lucy arrive at my house
5:00pm - Benji, Hailey and Jason go to gymnastics
5:30pm - Take Lucy to her house, pick up Brooke and Shaylin
6:00pm - Pick up Benji, Hailey, and Jason from gymnastics
6:15pm - Angie picks up B, H, B, and S
(eat dinner somewhere in here...if you remembered to crockpot it before the 2:30 "storm"
7:00pm - Take Jason, Trevor, and Matt to scouts
(* some Wednesdays Matt had basketball from 6-7:30pm or 7:30-9pm...so throw that in the mix!)
8:00pm - Pick up Jason and Matt
8:30pm - Pick up Trevor from scouts
8:45pm - Head is spinning and I'm not sure if I need to go somewhere or just fall in bed exhausted.

Too much?  I think so.  Thus why it only happened for four Wednesdays in December.

MEDIA-influenced

Jenna & Una

Item #1:  It's a Pillow...It's a Pet.  Wow, someone had a grand brainstorm.  Someday I may wish it was me.

My children were introduced to Pillow Pets on TV.  Commercials.  They knew all about them.  They sang about them...They could recite the whole commercial.  I thought they were silly...right up there with the ch-ch-ch-chia pet.  Then November and December hit.  All of the sudden, these pillow puffies of fluff were appearing in stores: Walgreens, Target, Walmart, craft stores, everywhere!  HOWEVER, they were NEVER on sale!  Always $19.99!  Maybe $19.95, if you were lucky.

My Mom called and expressed an interest in buying pillow pets for my two youngers.  I thought it was a foolish idea.  I didn't think they would be interested AND I thought it was foolishness to pay $20 for pillow!  Boy, was I wrong!

Guess what was one of the first items on their wish list for Santa?  Yep, a pillow pet.  Jenna really wanted one.  Jason did too.  Chad caved.  Luckily, Santa brought Jenna's beloved unicorn "Una" to her on Christmas morning. 

Jason was a different story.  We had picked out a cute little monkey (we thought it would be perfect as he is such a monkey, climbing and hanging on things).  However, his heart's desire was for a penguin.  Returning monkey was a lesson in why you should never plan to return items from Walmart.  I think they make it physically painful, just so people WON'T return items.  I stood in a small line for over 30 minutes in order to trade monkey for penguin.  One cashier.  Taking her sweet time.  Other cashiers milling about.  Not working at registers.  Painful.  Tick, tick, tick.  Pillow too big, too fluffy, too warm.  Tick, tick, tick.  Lady in front of me gives up, speaks to the greeter for help.  No help.  Lady storms out.  If monkey-for-penguin trade wasn't so important, I would have stormed out to.

Christmas morning all was happy.  Jenna had unicorn.  Jason had penguin.  Matt and Trevor had packages looking oddly-familiar--wrapping paper on a soft, squishy pillow-shaped item.  They tried to put on happy faces, but everything about their body language said, "Oh, no.  Mom and Dad did NOT get me a pillow pet.  Ick."  However, it was Mom and Dad who had the last laugh as Trevor and Matt opened up regular old pillows (from our hall closet).  Sometimes you just can't resist a good old fashioned fake-out on Christmas morning.

Item #2:  Skinny Jeans
Who taught my daughter about skinny jeans?  Why does she know they are the latest and greatest in fashion?  Why was she SO excited when her new Christmas clothes included levis that she intantly declared as "skinny jeans?" 

I dragged my heels when bell bottoms (aka boot cut jeans) made their return to the fashion scene.  Why would ANYONE want to wear bell bottoms again?!?  Have to say now though, I quite like my boot cut jeans.

However, I just don't think this adult body of mine is made for skinny jeans.  They would look anything BUT like skinny jeans.  My daughter, however, is absolutely in LOVE with her "skinnyjeans" (it's all one word to Jenna).  She loves, loves, loves them.  How do I know?  Because we talk about skinnyjeans...a lot.  It helps that her's have sparkly hearts on the pockets.  She wants to wear them EVERY day.  She "says" she can't find ANY other pants in her drawer.

The 80's are back and they are attached to my daughter...at least half of her that is.

Back to Things

A new year means it is an excuse to get back to things I love.

I love to record history.  A blog was an updated way of doing just that.  I never was perfect at it.  I always figured a little bit was better than nothing at all.

Then SOCCER and SCHOOL hit.  I felt like a clown at the circus...juggling this, that, and the other.  I intended to blog, but just never got a round to making it happen.  I did still blurb, so life is documented (sort-of)...just not online.

Husband lamented my lack of blogging.  Surprised me.  January brought cause to swallow deep and post after my 4 month drought.

Blogger has been busy while I'm away.  I'm impressed with the improvements...I hope the glitches of past days (uploaded photos) has been fixed.  THAT would make one happy.

I also noted that my lack of blogging coincided with my attachment to my iPhone (birthday present--came in August).  The laptop and I have not been as chummy since iPhone entered.  Internet on the iPhone is much friendlier than laptop cursor.  Even facebook and emails are VERY convenient on iPhone.  Laptop has been slightly abandoned except for storing of digital photos, blurbing, occasional Microsoft office documents, calendars, and syncing of iPhone.  PLUS, iPhone introduced a nice, little distraction after Christmas called "Whirly Words."  I'm sure it will help me prevent Alzheimer's (at least that's what I tell my children...and myself).  Addiction may be a good word for this game.  Chad thought I was crazy...until he played.  He's often playing it as well.

Organizers Anonymous

I'm placing all my cards on the table.  I'm sure you all know this about me.  I L-O-V-E organizational items.  Plastic boxes, wooden bins, fabric bins, bookcases, etc.  LOVE them.  They make me happy just looking at them.  Seriously, I like to cruise the organizational item isles at Target and dream of the possibilities...

I think I have a secret desire to have everything in my house to have a "home."  A place where it belongs.  The new house brought many new (and exciting!) opportunities for this.  However, I struggle to convince all the PEOPLE in my home to return THINGS to their "homes."  That's a story for another day, though.

Today I want to talk about this:

The "this" would be that cute little black shelf at the bottom.  New today.  To organize my junk.  Best part about this little part of my house: it's not seen by anyone but the family coming in through the garage.  It's a quick reference for all the happenings in our life.  Now there's a handy-dandy place for the incoming and outgoing mail, the scout books, the returns-to-the-stores, markers for the white board, etc.

Why does this make me SO happy?  Cuz I'm a squirrel who likes to make piles, but now my piles have an organized place to live.  AND that makes for a happy and content squirrel.