Driver & Personal Shopper

Being a mom can sometimes be overwhelming with all the running around and errands that have to be done on a daily basis, but I had a dream day this week thanks to a husband who when he's on reserve, is home.

The day was Monday. It started out with Mendy calling me to remind me that Selena had a class at the library, which I always forget about, since I didn't sign her up for it -- Mendy did. I had a job that morning, but Chris was home and so he was able to take Selena to the library and then drove her and her friends to preschool.

Then when I arrived home from work, I asked Chris if he could do a Costco run. He gladly went out in the cold wind while I stayed home in an empty house and worked on transcripts with no interruption while occasionally sampling Halloween candy.

When he returned, he put all the food away and then got back in the car to go back to the preschool to bring Selena and her friends home. He was only home for a short time and then got back in the car to go pick up Sophia from school. All the while, I was still home in my comfy clothes, sampling chocolates.

After the kids were in bed, Chris then went to the grocery store with a list and a handful of coupons that I gave him. He's one to shop for deals and took advantage of the buy one, get one free items. After the cashier rang up all of the groceries and applied the coupons, Chris had saved so much money, that they had to call the manager over to approve the sale. He said there were ladies in line who were very impressed with his shopping skills.

When he returned home once again, he unloaded all the groceries and put everything away. I was in heaven as I watched him take out a bag of Doritos with a brand-new flavor and two half gallons of ice cream. Then he said he had one more thing in the car. I couldn't imagine what else was left. I had my Spicy Chili flavored Doritos and ice cream -- what more could I ask for?

He walked back in the house and handed me flowers. This is major, because he's not really a flower giver. I was in shock and felt guilty for having him do so much that day while I was home eating Bon-Bons.

It's amazing how this day was so much more relaxing since I didn't have to do any of the running around. I loved having a driver and personal shopper. If every day were like this it would make things so much easier, but I'd be over 200 lbs. So I guess I shouldn't complain when I'm forced to actually leave my house.

Trunk or Treat

Yesterday is a day that the kids look forward to all year. They love going to church in their costumes, seeing all their friends, and collecting obscene amounts of candy.
Unfortunately, it didn't start out well for Selena. She woke up complaining that her stomach hurt, and then spent the rest of the day with her face over the toilet every half hour.
When it came time to leave for the Halloween party, Selena didn't even care that she wasn't going. She just laid on the coach waiting for the next wave of nausea to hit her. Since Chris came home soaked and freezing from watching Alec play his last football game, he stayed home and cuddled with Selena while I took Alec and Sophia to the church.
We have such a fun ward with so many people dressing up.

I was Venus; Scarlett looked exactly like Super Nanny; Julie was Palin's twin.

McCain & Palin; Maiden & her Pirate

Catherine was Lucy from Charlie Brown; Mendy outdid herself again in her homemade Mrs. Potato Head costume

The Tiger, the Witch and the Angel

Passing out candy was so much fun with Kirsten. I know it's hard to believe, but she can be more obnoxious than I am -- in a good way :)

Cute Cami & Jane; My angel

The highlight of the evening was I found Edward Cullen! As soon as I walked in the building I was told, "Edward is here!" He and his mom knew I wasn't leaving without a picture. He even sparkled!

20 Years

This past weekend was my 20-year high school reunion. It was in California, so it would've been nice to attend just for some warmer weather. But because it was during school for the kids and not during a vacation for any of us, I did not attend.

My good friend who lives just a couple hours from where the reunion was taking place was very reluctant to go. But I told her she had to go so she could tell me about the people who were there and take pictures. So she begrudgingly went. She said it was more fun than she thought, but the evening was ruined when she discovered her truck was stolen, which had all her clothes and her laptop in it. She of course thanked me for urging her to go. (Sorry, Connie) She'll always remember this reunion, unfortunately not all good memories though.

I have been looking at pictures that have been posted on Facebook of the reunion and was shocked at how drastically some people have changed. If their names wouldn't have been listed, I wouldn't have recognized them. I don't think I've changed that much. But then again, it has been 20 years, so to people who haven't seen me in that long, I probably have changed. Seeing those pictures made me realize the top of the hill isn't that far away.

One class member posted an old high school newsletter for our Senior class that had dedications to friends. It was so funny to see the love dedications between couples who are no longer together. I even had a dedication in there to an old boyfriend. Apparently we were fighting, because it wasn't very nice.

If they have a 25-year reunion, hopefully I'll get to go. But I doubt I'll go to a 30th, because I know I will look different by then.

I found a couple pictures from my graduation night back in 1988. The above picture is with my dad. And the bottom one is with my brother George. I can't believe what huge earrings I wore. I guess I needed big earrings to go with my big hair.

The Magic Kitchen

When I was younger I loved our magic kitchen. I'd wake up in the morning and there was always a hot breakfast. I'd come home from school and it would smell like homemade tortillas or cookies. At dinner, there was always a delicious meal of either tacos, arroz con pollo, or some other favorite food. And no matter how messy the kitchen was when I went to bed, I'd wake up and it would magically be all cleaned up.
Now that I'm in my own home, I no longer have that magic kitchen. These wonderful meals don't appear unless I prepare something. And honestly, they're never as yummy as they were when I was a child. And if I go to bed with dishes in the sink, I wake up and they're still there, not miraculously cleaned up.
I woke up today after my Sunday nap and walked downstairs to the kitchen. All the lunch and breakfast dishes were still there waiting for me. That made me think of my mom and how she was the reason my childhood kitchen was magic. It seemed like she was always in the kitchen, always wearing her apron, creating something yummy or cleaning up after her latest creation. She did this for six children, without a microwave and often without a dishwasher.
Even though she can no longer do the things she was once so incredible at, I love the memories I have of her and will always be grateful for the kind of mother she is.

This picture is taken at her birthday when my sister Laura gave her a puppy. Shortly after this she had her stroke. If you look, you can see she's wearing her apron -- ready to cook or clean something. What a great mom.

A Day Off??

Last night was a late night. I stayed up to finish a rush job on a failed vasectomy. After over 100 pages of testimony, let's just say I could describe the procedure in great detail and explain all the things that could go wrong.

Of course now that I'm a zombie after having very little sleep, the kids have the day off of school, which means a house full of little friends. I served everyone a nutritious lunch of hot dogs and chips, then sent them outside to play. I look forward to them finally having a full week of school.

Now Chris is on his way to New York, the Diet Coke is wearing off, and I can't wait for bedtime.

My Memorable Jobs

As I sat at work, staring at the painting of the nude lady, I thought of how many different places my job has taken me to. I am a court reporter and take down the testimony of witnesses while they're being questioned by attorneys, so I have heard and seen some crazy, funny, and some sad things I wish I could forget.

One of my jobs last week was at a doctor's home. He was too ill to travel, so the attorneys and I drove to his home to take his deposition. His home was amazing. It was huge and gorgeous and had furniture I only dream about. We all sat at the biggest dining room table I've ever seen. It looked more like the board room tables I see in law offices rather than a place a family sits down to eat. I sat facing the witness. Right above his head was a painting of a nude lady. I had lots of time to think about this painting, like who bought it -- the doctor or his wife? How do you suggest buying such a painting to your spouse? "Honey, I think this would look great above the table where we eat."

Some jobs I do are forgettable, but that one I will remember because of that painting.

Another job I'll never forget about was one I had to do at a prison when I was in California. I was told to dress bland, no bright colors, no jewelry, minimal makeup. As I walked in the visiting area, the visitors that walked in with me went to their inmate they were visiting. And let's just say you could tell they had been apart for awhile. It was not a fun place, but a job I'll always remember.

Some of the other jobs that stand out are the tragic ones. When I first started working, I worked in court and did trials. My first murder trial was very emotional. It was an eye opener for me to see how evil people can be -- two youth randomly killing an older couple. Listening to the testimony of the son who found his parents is something I won't forget.

One job I had when I was pregnant and my emotions were already crazy, was a case involving a couple whose daughter was killed in a head-on collision driving home from college. They could barely get through their testimony as they talked about her. That was the first job I couldn't stop myself from crying.

Not all of the jobs are depressing though. I've had some interesting witnesses, like a pro soccer player. After he left the room, the female attorney who had been questioning him said to me, "I was all flustered talking to him." Apparently she noticed he was a tad bit good looking. He also had an accent, which made him even more attractive.

I also took the testimony of one of David Koresh's wives. She wasn't a happy lady.

After one lady was done testifying and had left the room, the attorney said to me, "Did you know that was a man?" Um, no! I thought she was big boned, but I never thought she was a man.

Since these depositions are happening because a lawsuit has been filed, sometimes people aren't in the best of moods. It's funny when the witness will scream at the lawyer, use profanity, then politely turn to me and say, "I'm sorry."

But I prefer that to when they just yell at each other and forget I'm there. My job is to take down every word that's spoken, but I can only take one person talking at a time, so when the arguing starts and they're talking over each other, then I have to act like a mom and break up the fight.

Some of the more uncomfortable jobs involve divorces. It's no fun sitting next to a man as his wife describes how he was constantly hitting on her friends; or have one man testify how he slept with another man's wife when both men are in the room. Listening to explicit love letters being read from an employer to his secretary and what went on after hours, can also cause an uncomfortable atmosphere.

I'm sure these people never imagined their actions would be told to a room full of people and transcribed for their reading pleasure some day, but that's my job.

I love the flexibility I have with this career, so I can be at home or at activities with my kids when they need me. I love that every job is different, sometimes exciting, sometimes stressful and frustrating, but totally worth it.

Thanks for the Compliment

When I was in college, I received an anonymous letter. The letter was an ad for a new diet. Handwritten at the top was, "Tracy, try it. It really works."

Well, at the time I wasn't really looking for a new diet plan, but apparently some kind soul thought I needed one so much, that they mailed me one. Luckily, I don't offend easily at all, so I just threw it away and kept eating my yummy Del Taco and Jack-in-the-Box. At the time I lived in California and now that I'm on the east coast, I really miss those places -- but that's not my point.

We all see ourselves a certain way and sometimes it's disappointing when we realize that others may see us very differently.

I had ordered some dresses through the mail a few weeks ago and was excited to get them. So my girls and I went up to my room after my package came so I could try them on. They loved the first one and I was excited it fit. Then I put on the second dress, which I thought was very nice and even had a little sparkle to it, so I thought Sophia & Selena would totally love it. Well, they did.

Selena looked at me, her eyes got wide, and she exclaimed, "Mom, you look just like the mom on Hairspray!"

What? That didn't exactly make my day. I didn't want her to feel badly for insulting me, even though she didn't know it, so I just thanked her.

When I was in college, I didn't think I needed a diet. And today, I don't think I look like Edna Turnblad -- others obviously think different. When I do eventually wear that dress, if one person makes a reference to Hairspray, I'll just head over to Diary Queen and drown my sorrows in a Blizzard. Maybe I should've kept that diet ad after all.