Life is Sweet: October 2010

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

After

Another Trunk-or-Treat has come and gone.

As promised, here are the "after" pictures of Mar's costume:

I tried the painted-on-bones technique, and was surprised at how uncomplicated it was. Uncomplicated does not mean quick, however. It was time consuming, but in the end, we were both satisfied with the result.

I wasn't quite as satisfied with the eyebrows. They should have been more noticeably curvy. Instead, Mar looked sad. But wouldn't you be sad if you were a corpse bride?

We're still trying to decide what to do for the class party on Friday. You can't wear face make-up (but I don't think they said anything about body art), and have to immediately remove your costume as soon as the parade concludes, so as not to interfere with a learning environment. Maybe we'll paint, but most likely we will substitute a skeleton sock and glove.

Four scary girls and a banana.

Shi and Chey handed out candy. Please excuse the poorly decorated trunk. We were lucky to be there, chili, cookies, and candy in hand. The glowing skull adds ambience, though, don't you think?
(And the blurry picture is purely for creepy effect. Not.)

Lex and Hailey handed out the leftover cookies from the YW's cookie walk.

I went in my sweats. Not necessarily intentional, as they were what I threw on after work (and a few errands), prior to chili making, cookie baking, chauffeuring, musical-cars playing, phone calling, costume finishing, body painting, and make-up artist-ing. (I have to give a shout-out to my assistant-in-all-things Shilo. She baked cookies, stirred chili, and ran upstairs and downstairs at my every request. Without complaining. I couldn't have done it without her.) I wore them only because by the time I was finished with the aforementioned list of busy-ness, we were already late.

What was I?

Exhausted.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Email Overload

Sometime around 1975.

The good ol' days when things (at least for me) were simpler. The days before the technology bombardment, when a microwave was the latest and greatest.

I've felt overloaded and overwhelmed with the number of email addresses I've acquired. Really, I'm a simple woman. I would prefer one. It started out innocently enough. Bill was constantly telling me how awesome email and the internet was. I should try it, I would like it. At the time we had a very archaic computer, with a dial-up connection that never seemed to work. Every time Bill would try to show me "the internet," we would sit in front of our computer screen waiting, and waiting, and waiting. It can't be all THAT great, I would say, and after 10 to 15 minutes of nothing, I would excuse myself and move on to more pressing things.

Once he finally convinced me of the usefulness of email, we decided to create an account. Together. Bill advised a somewhat difficult address, I can't remember the reason. On Yahoo. We still have the account, and use it often as our "trash" email... you know, the one you give to Bath and Body Works when you check out, or when you make a purchase online. I rarely check it (twice a month if I'm lucky), and it's usually loaded (sometimes 200+) with all sorts of junk from here, there, and everywhere. (And it's the email attached to my FB account, so it's also full of "so-and-so poked you," and "this person wants to be your friend.")

When I was called to work in YW, my bishop asked if I had my own account. I didn't, so I created one. With a much simpler address. This account has served me well, and has been sufficient for my needs.

But then my extended family wanted to start a blog. I needed to get a gmail account for that. I had no intent to use it, other than for that blogger log-in, but after becoming employed as an event planner, thought it would be good to keep those work emails separate, so I gave the address out for that purpose. After a month or two, another "professional" (vs. "personal") email address was created for me. Great.

On top of that, I have an email with the school district, that I have been advised to check regularly. Like every day, if possible. But on my own time. After my nice two week break, I thought I would briefly check that email before heading out the door to work, since I had literally taken a break from all things school. Oops. There was a boatload of emails about needing to complete a "task" prior to 10/15. If I didn't complete my task, my supervisor would be notified. I needed to log on to another application to view my task. Urgent. It's 10/15. Your task is now overdue. Blah, blah, blah.

After apologizing to my "supervisor" (the assistant principal, who, by the way, is one of the most pleasant people I know at the school), I determined to complete my "task" asap. I tried to figure out the school district email system last night, to no avail. Not easy, like yahoo or gmail. So I resorted to sending an email from my yahoo account. So unprofessional. I am only a less-than-part-time Educational Assistant, after all.

So now, I have to manage FIVE email accounts. Who has time, for goodness sakes?

(Oh yes, I actually have six, since I had to create a hotmail account to access the ward music schedule, a necessity for my new calling as the Ward Music Chairman. I have saved the schedule into Word, and will NOT be accessing that application in the future, so adios hotmail account.)

And Bill? Last week his personal email account (the one he uses primarily for church and family stuff) was "compromised." Apparently many on his contact list were sent a link to purchase Viagra. It could have been worse, was his response.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Before

Tomorrow is our ward Trunk-or-Treat. Honestly, I'd rather stay home. Our ward is super large, and we have a million kids. It's really a night of chaos, and you're lucky to get to sit and eat your dinner of chili and hot dogs. But there's no keeping Mauri from it. I think it's the highlight of her year.

So we've been diligently working on her Corpse Bride get-up. We stopped by the local Goodwill. I really didn't think we were going to find what we needed. I mean, how many times have you gone into a thrift store looking for a specific thing and found it? Those kinds of stores are good for slow, methodical, leisurely browsing, with nothing in particular in mind. Like panning for gold. Sifting through all the junk and crap hoping to find a glimmer of something fabulous. I've found a treasure or two in my day, but most days, there's just crap.

Immediately upon entering the store, we spotted a wedding dress hanging on one of those movable racks. If you frequent thrift stores, you would know that those movable racks mean NEW STUFF. Maybe even stuff fresh from the trunk of someone's car. The likelihood of gold increases when you get the first look. Mar and I checked out the dress. Hmmmm. Size 10. $24. That dress would take a darn lot of altering (who has time?), and still cost more than I would like. But it's an option. We continued our search.

We walked over to the rack of "finer dresses," and spotted another off-whitish/yellowish long satin dress with a lace bodice. Size 14. $10. I liked it better than the first, so I took it off the rack to hold on to. We quickly strolled through the housewares aisles (I had to make sure I wasn't missing something good), then looped around by the kids clothes. I was glancing. Not really searching or hunting. We didn't have much time, after all, and I had a dress that had potential in my hands.

Then Mauri spotted it. A white dress. A girls size 10. $14. It was almost too good to be true. We grabbed it, ran the other dress back to the rack from which it came, and made our purchase.

Mauri wanted to get some "before" pictures. We would have to make some changes to that lovely white dress if she was going to be the Corpse Bride, you know. I told her to grab the veil that she already had, gifted to her by her Grandma G. a year or two earlier. It would be perfect with her costume.

She stalled.

"But I don't want to use that veil," she said. "Can't you just make me one?"

The thought of running to another store, looking for tulle, and trying to make a veil was daunting. We still needed to work on the dress, and figure out how on earth we were going to do her skeleton arm and leg.

"Let's just use the one you have," I coaxed. "It's torn anyway, and the comb is broken. It would be perfect. I'll find or make you another veil for dress-up later."

Mauri made a call to Grandma G., just to make sure she wouldn't mind. Once she had Grandma's approval, we moved forward with our plan.

So here's the before:

It would be so much easier if she would just settle for being a bride.

She was still hesitant about using her beloved veil for her costume.

Then we took that beautiful white dress and veil and put them in here:

My fingers are crossed that the results will be satisfactory. I'm still trying to figure out the skeleton arm (without having to purchase an entire skeleton costume too), and my break is over (so sad), so my time is limited even more.

"After" pictures coming soon.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Friday Night Lights

Last Friday we were here

watching this

and this.

I enjoy high school football games. I even liked them back when I was in high school. It's really about the only way I enjoy football, unfortunately for Little Billy, who longs for a football-loving-can't-wait-for-the-game-any-game companion. He gets her for the high school games only, with an occasional college game thrown in to keep relations good.

Today is a big game. Those empty bleachers on the other side of the field will be overflowing with fans from the school next door. The electricity of rival competition will be in the air. The Titans could take a beating, but there is always a chance the underdog will conquer. Either way, it should be a good game.

Since the girls were on Fall Break this week, instead of locker tags, a couple of crafty moms made these cute yard signs:

We've got the spirit, yes we do.

And I have a date with my Main Man, who's been in New York all week. I've improved in the area of not embarrassing my children. A little. (Or maybe that's my imagination.) Looking forward to a

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Deck the Counters, Halls, Windows and Walls

Halloween at our house:

This is our motion-activated screaming mummy that hangs in the hallway. We turn him off most of the time.

He tends to freak small children (and some adults) out.

I couldn't resist the white pumpkins. Not painted, just white.

My treat jar after dark. Everything's creepier in the dark.

The glowing skull. I think skulls must be my fave, since I seem to have a lot.

On my windows... saved from last year.

The great pumpkin.

The dust is purely for effect.

Autumn Leaves Yankee Candle.

The latest addition to my scary collection: salt and pepper shakers.

Sticky giant gum balls, courtesy of Grandma S.

Yep, other than finishing off Mauri's costume, and purchasing candy to hand out (which I have, actually... ~~I've~~ we've just eaten it all), we're ready.

And because I promised to share Taylor's job hunt news: he is now employed at Toys R Us and Dominos. Sweet.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Total Breakdown

Our dishwasher had a breakdown. Right as our guests arrived to visit last week. Literally. The night we picked them up from the airport, we brought them straight home for dinner. After the meal was enjoyed, all those extra people helped load the dishwasher. (And the awesomeness of a dishwasher has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated at our house since Taylor has been home.) We filled it up as full as it could possibly get, popped in the detergent tablet, and pushed the start button. Instead of the usual water-filling sound, followed by the hum of the motor, we heard clicking. Loud clicking. No water. We opened it, checked to make sure the dishes weren't interfering with those spinning things, and closed it back up. The clicking resumed. After a thorough checking, Bill concluded that it was busted. It was unloaded, and thanks to the assistance of our guests, we hand-washed the boatload of dishes left from our home-made (by me... and I'm messy) dinner.

Maybe it just needed a rest, I thought. So the next day we tried again. No luck. My neighbor said hers had been clogged before, an easy fix. We checked, but decided that the problem was not a clog. So, for the entire time we had 14+ people at our house, we hand-washed everything.
Then all those dish-washing helpers went home.

Here's what hand-washing less than a day's accumulation of dishes (post guests) looks like at our house:

We have had dishwasher issues in the past. This is the second dishwasher we've had since living in our house. Not a good track record. We found out last time we had a breakdown, that, thanks to our countertops, the space for the dishwasher is insufficient for a regular full-sized appliance. The first dishwasher had been tinkered with, and the feet removed to make it fit, prior to our moving in. When we purchased our second dishwasher, the Home Depot guys would NOT install it because it wouldn't fit without some warranty-voiding adjustments. We tried removing some of the wood flooring underneath it to make it fit, which helped, but left us with a nasty removable piece of wood flooring in front of the dishwasher, which I hate, hate, hate. The feet were removed once again (by us), the wood floor scratched, the dishwasher forced in place, the removable plank placed in front, and we called it okay. Not good, just okay. We had a dishwasher, and it worked. Okay!

But now we're back to the initial issue of trying to find a dishwasher that will fit, without having to

pull up the entire island to place wood flooring underneath, which would lead to

refinishing the entire wood floor,

raising the island,

replacing the countertops, which would possibly make me feel that I would like to

resurface or replace my existing cabinets,

none of which we can afford at this time (perhaps not for YEARS).

For now, we've been hand-washing. Mostly Taylor has, since he has a desire to make a purposeful contribution somewhere (I'll share more about his job hunt tomorrow). I told him that, from this experience, he will someday be able to relate to his wife, who may feel, at times, her only purpose is to wash dishes. He concurred.

During this time of inconvenience, Taylor has constantly reminded us be grateful for the simple things. Like being able to put clothes into a washing machine, add some soap, close the door, push a button, and ta-da: your clothes are clean. And a dryer... how easy is that? A double sink (one to rinse in, what a luxury) and dish soap (not all-purpose laundry soap) to wash dishes with.
Thanks for the gratitude reminder, mi hijo.

So once we finally get a dishwasher - the motorized kind - or fix the one we have, it will not go unappreciated. It will feel like a gift. We will count it as a blessing. We will cherish the time and energy it saves. Until then, a little hard work never hurt anyone, right?

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Movin' On Up

Confession: I used to watch The Jeffersons. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you are either too young, or were too discriminating in your TV choices back in the day when you had 4 options. I remember watching it as I was babysitting a neighbor's child on summer mornings. My best guess is that it was the late 70's/early 80's. Don't ask me why I remember George Jefferson, his wife "Weezy," and practically the whole opening number of "Movin' On Up..." Just a random thought I as transition to what I really want to post about.

Saturday was Shilo's first Aces swim meet of the regular season. If you remember from last year, she used to fret and worry the entire week before a meet. This time was different. She mentioned a little anxiety the day before, but it was minor. A pittance compared to the endless stress-fest of last year. Maybe because she is still swimming in the same age catagory (and she can only be improved, right?). Maybe because she had a successful summer league season, even with a major injury. Maybe she's just downright growing up. Whatever the reason, it's a good thing for a mom who can live without the added burden of a child's anxiousness.

Have you ever seen a warm-up at a big swim meet? I think it's fascinating. Like the movie (or was that a filmstrip?) seen in my youth (I'm so nostalgic today) of salmon swimming upstream.

The funny thing is that Shilo is the one that stops and stands up in the warm up.

These swim meets are packed. Imagine all those swimmers (and there are two warm-up sessions, so that's only half), along with all their swim gear (2-3 towels, backpacks, clothing, shoes, coolers full of food, etc) and a parent or two, in addition to any other friends or siblings that may be in attendance, crammed into an indoor pool space. This particular meet was held at a high school. It was hot, humid, and claustrophobic.

Mauri found some space to stretch out horizontally. Lucky girl.

The cheese stands alone. (See? Nostalgic. I can remember endless rounds of The Farmer in the Dell while I helped tend/entertain children at the church for my mom, so their moms could attend weekday morning Homemaking meetings. I am OLD.)

He comes by it naturally. He is his father's son, after all.

Shilo's in lane 9.

I didn't get any video of her races, but she placed first in her heat in all three events she competed in: 100 free, 200 back, 200 free. She was heated according to her best times from last year, and in the two freestyle races she smoked the other girls, improving her times by over 10 seconds.

Shi was pretty happy.

So last night at practice, Shilo was approached by her coach. He wants her to move up a level to the Kingfish. He told her how swimming can get you into college. A nice confidence boost. (She had also been asked to demonstrate the butterfly to her Kings group last week...hope she doesn't get a big head.) She is excited about the possibilities. And, as Bill and I tell her, she has the perfect swimmer's body: long arms, big hands, long legs, and big(gish) feet (telling a girl she has big feet does not boost her confidence).

High school swimming is just around the corner. It's going to make our schedules crazy for a while (like they're not already), but hey, if all this swimming could pay for college, that would be ideal.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Wedding Dress Shopping, Here I Come

NO.

I haven't been shopping for a wedding dress recently. Nor have any of my children (that I'm aware of). But Mauri HAS decided what she wants to be for Halloween, and it involves a wedding dress.

We've had the "Halloween discussion" ever since we realized that it would be on Sunday this year. I remember the last time it was on Sunday. I thought, perhaps, that there would be a few trick-or-treaters that would stop by on Saturday, keeping the Sabbath Day holy (it IS one of the ten commandments, you know). I had my candy ready. I was home. I waited. Nobody came. The next day we cordially passed out treats to the costumed children who came knocking.

After apparently much thought and contemplation, Mauri told me she would celebrate Halloween this year by attending the ward trunk-or-treat, her class party, and the school's Fall Festival. (And she eagerly volunteered to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.)

She would need a costume, even if she wasn't trick-or-treating herself. She has those other events to attend, you know.

For years I have diligently and carefully preserved Halloween costumes so, perhaps, there would come a year, at some future time, when what I already had would suffice. An easy year. A frugal year.
Unfortunately (for me), Mauri does not want to be a ninja, turtle, ninja turtle, CareBear, pig, shark, 70's girl, pop star, or witch.

A few days ago, she had a revelation. She would be the Corpse Bride.

Oh-so-helpful Taylor (who desperately longs for purpose in this time of limbo) quickly googled it on his phone and showed it to me. Oh yes, that's what she looks like. Skeleton bones, blue hair and all. A lot of detail.

The next day we googled it again... Target carries a Corpse Bride costume... but you can only get it online (in "large" or "small"...that's it. No "large adult," or "small child," no sizing chart or explanation), it's pricey (but chintzy, if you know what I mean), and it doesn't include the wig or veil. No thank you.

You can buy one here, for an arm and a leg (literally). Not even a consideration. Ever. Even if I was rich. Double no thank you.

Then we found a blog with a great do-it-yourself Corpse Bride get-up here. So cute, but lots of work and running around to find what we need.

So I'm in the market for a cheap wedding dress (hello, Goodwill). I'll cross my fingers that my make-up skills will measure up to expectations. I'll pray that, once all the effort and exertion has gone into it, no one will ask Mauri, "Who are you supposed to be?" Gratefully, I have only one child to help get ready. The days of costuming and make-upping (how's that for a word?) five ultra-hyper kids all at once are in the past. I won't miss that.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Happy Birthday, Big Billy

Have I ever mentioned that I married Little Billy? I did.

And there wouldn't be a Little Billy if it wasn't for Big Billy.

Today is Big Billy's 65th birthday,
and I would be amiss if I didn't let him know how much I love, admire and appreciate him.

He is willing to sacrifice for others.

He is a great example of service.

He is the hardest worker I know.

He always has a joke at the ready.

He tells the best stories around.

He loves his family, and is a wonderful grandfather.

Jealous? I have the coolest in-laws around.

I am eternally grateful for his wonderful contribution to my life.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Measuring Up

In keeping with Syddall Family tradition, we measured the kids on conference Sunday.

The results are in, and

Taylor has not grown in height for three years
(I specify height, because he has certainly grown in other ways).

We didn't get Britt measured when she came to visit. Shucks.
I predict that she has not grown (in height) much, if at all.

Lexee grew 3/4" in the past 6 months, an inch total for the year.

Shilo, who certainly must suffer from growing pains,
grew 1 1/2" in the past 6 months, and a whopping 3 3/4" for the year.

Mauri, also growing rapidly, came in at 1 1/2" in the past 6 months,
and 2 1/2" for the year.

Growth is good, I like to say.

We're off to a busy weekend: Bill and I will be dividing and conquering in our parental support duties. On Saturday, Lex has a cheer competition, Shi has a swim meet. Bill wants to make it to a baptism smack dab in the middle of it all. I'm channeling happy thoughts for successful time management and great performances.

Good luck, girls!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Little Black Dress

Shilo had a choir concert on Monday and Tuesday. There are over 300 kids in the choir program at Legend... the biggest in the state. Parents were asked to attend only one night, so we went on Monday for Family Night (after feeding the missionaries dinner... who schedules these things? Oh yes. Me.)

Lucky for us, Shilo usually ends up on an end (height is our friend). She told us where she would be standing, and we strategically found seats nearby. I realized, however, once the concert had started, that our super great seats needed to be further left... so we could actually see Shi's face.

This was the first time Shilo wore her concert attire: a black dress. A $65 black dress. Plain. But modest (very important). She commented on how her Homecoming dress cost less (that's my girl... budget conscious). We heard from all four of Legend's choirs (all female participants wearing those same black dresses), then they all crammed on the stage together to perform Come Thou Fount. My favorite hymn, by the way. They did a really beautiful job, and it struck me as

miraculous/strange/wonderful/interesting/cool/odd/amazing

to see all of those teen kids, many of whom are less than spiritual or religious, singing such an awe-inspiring piece of music. They even had a professional organist come to play for that particular number (on a borrowed digital organ, no less).

Since our seats were so close, we couldn't see Shi during the grand finale (we had a large group of young men standing in front of us), but I caught a great pic just as the number concluded and the students began to exit.

They'll be moving on to Christmas music, now. And since choir concerts at Christmas are one of my favorite things, I can't wait until December.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Sunday, Sunday

Sunday was a big day. Taylor reported on his mission to the High Council at 10, then spoke in church at 12:30. It was great to have the support of extended family to share in the excitement.

Luckily, that new suit (a gift from Grandpa and Grandma Syddall) was altered and ready on time. Tay wore his self-tailored slim-fit white shirt, and a borrowed-from-dad tie. In our stake, the family is invited to attend as a missionary reports, so we brought nearly the entire clan. Taylor did a great job, and we took advantage of the photo op afterwards.

Taylor also did a fantastic job on his talk.

After church, we took more pictures. Some nice,

some silly

(they were all shaking their heads back-and-forth for this picture).

And then Taylor shared some of his Mexican candy with the grandparents.

A lot of Mexican candy is made from the dried fruit or pulp of the tamarind. Then they cover it in hot chili powder. The grandparents were all good sports, and gave it a try. We helped them out by cutting the candy (about the size of a small Laffy Taffy) into tiny little pieces. Taylor didn't want it wasted... he likes it, you know.

They didn't really care for the Japanese food Bill and I fed them years ago either. Bill's dad still claims that miso soup is the worst thing he has ever tasted in his life. Swamp water, he called it.

The girls all swooned over cousin Justin.

And our brother-from-another-mother, Dakota (along with soul-sista Cheyenne), joined us for dinner.

Afterwards, we enjoyed some entertainment courtesy of Tay and Dakota.

They played like old times. Had they practiced? mi madre asked. No, I said. This was the first time they had seen each other since parting ways two years ago.

It's a little weird... almost like the time melted away. Now that it's over, it feels like it went by in a flash. Seriously. I have to remind myself of those long, dragging days of care and concern that passed by week, after week, after week. Of the countless prayers that were said as we knelt together as a family, and of the constant prayer I carried in my heart for his success, growth, and safety. It's like pregnancy: feeling like an eternity to the mom (and those in close proximity to her), going by quickly for others, and most of the discomfort forgotten once it's over.

I only have to look at pictures to remind me of all the life that has happened in the past two years. I have loved hearing Taylor's mission experiences. They seep out, here and there. While we're doing dishes, cleaning house, in the car, or eating a meal together. He has become more caring, helpful, considerate, kind, and patient. His testimony has grown. He is a better man.

Suddenly, the time for departure had arrived, and all of our beloved guests loaded into two cars for the ride back to the airport. (Having them all arrive and leave together was brilliant. Thanks, guys!)

Mauri cried when they left. The girls commented on how empty the house felt.
Reminds me of the song we sing in Kindergarten at the end of every day:

See ya later, alligator.
After 'while, crocodile.
Adios, sayonara, good-bye!

It was a great weekend.