trouble in river city

Bryn, bryn, bryn, oh bryn. I love this little child of mine but she is trouble. She lost a baseball this week, her first, for talking. We knew it would eventually happen; she took it well. If talking is the worst of her crimes then I'll take it. Although, yesterday in church: I watched Bryn play with and stroke Tyler's (her obvious crush and Kindergarten cohort) hair. What made me, Janae, and Genessee laugh more was that Tyler didn't stop her and enjoyed the hair tease. Ohhh what is a mother to do. My mom told me stories that I used to have boys pick me up to walk me to kindergarten and I would strut all the way there, but not my bryn. Have I doomed her to a life of fickleness?

everything is going to change now, isn't it?

Twelve married years with aaron. Twelve. Last Sunday I was showing a picture of Aaron and I in front of the temple in Sharing Time and I realized that none of the children including VAL 12 were born yet. That made me feel really old. Really really old. Does it feel like we were Honeymooning in San Fran and Mendocino twelve years ago? Actually it feels more like an hundred years ago. Our lives are so changed; who we were back then, I wouldn't recognize myself or aaron. We thought we were so grown up, but now I just see my former self as a baby, a dreamer, an idealist.

Aboo No!

So I did it: I picked up another contract job. I don't have time for it but it was too juicy to pass up. Plus it's with some old friends and engineers, and it's been fun working with them again. Hopefully I'll finish it tonight and then...no 'and then.'

he thinks because he puts on a pair of timberlines that he has street cred

I am not a runner. But I run. I run enough that I signed up for a 5k. What the hell was I thinking? I hate running. Sure, I do it a lot but I don't enjoy it. I like the way I feel after, that is all. I hate almost every minute up until stopping. So why would I race? I've gone coo coo for coco puffs. It's in 3 weeks. Let's hope I finish without collapsing from insanity.

Jen would be proud.

I googled

My sister Amber has this cool job where she gets paid by google to research people's actual google searches. Just so you know, google knows everything about you, the more you google, gmail, or blog, the more they know. But they do it in a very benign profit-driven way, so I'm cool with it. Anyway, one of her tasks is to look at an actual person's keyword searches in a single session to see if it leads to a purchase. Here are two she posted on her blog (because they are entertaining):

one google searcher's keyword trail:
bbc
mcnair murder
sin by silence (a domestic violence site)
lake shawnee topeka kansas
dove ornament

another google searcher's keyword trail:
Botulism
platform queen beds
safety shoes for women
investment how
offshore bank

I mean how do you get from botulism to offshore banking? It is a wildly fantastic trail of randomness, and I endorse it as a new form of poetry. It is a window into one's very soul really and it's almost more accurate than a diary. After reading her entry on these Keyword Poets, I decided I would follow my own trail and see where it takes me.

Obviously it wouldn't be as free form because I was tracking my own trail and I found I'm not much of a googler. I rarely use search engines--I'm more a destination websurfer. So my trail is more random and disjointed. Still I plan to track my searches from here on out and if I actually create a worthy entry of Keyword Poetry, I plan to post it.

Here is my first attempt:

refried bean recipe
martha stewart
Here be dragons
bob books
3-day potty training

(I know it isn't glamorous, it was my first. But it is a snippet of my life: beans for a mexican dinner I took to a friend, martha because I wanted a killer dessert, Here be dragons is my next book for book club, bob books are great for teaching kids to read which Bryn is starting, and 3-day potty training because I'm biting the bullet on Thursday and trying to train Morgan.)

swine maid

or the case of the mondays? I'm not sure which. Yesterday, I ran around like a chicken and then to stress my day out even more, I volunteered to take dinner to a friend who just had a baby. To simplify my life (since I knew it would be a crazy monday) I opted to make a roast--easy in a crock pot. And it was easy, but then I had to round up all the children, since Aaron wasn't home yet, and all the food into the car. I took the first round of food and the wee ones out to the car. Then as I walked back in, little Bryn said, "Mom, why is all the food on the floor?" My natural response was, "What?!?!" I run inside to find the roast, potatoes and carrots splattered all over (my freshly mopped) floor. Utter devastation. What am I to do? I have two options: scoop up the food and put it back in the pan or bring cold cereal. I scooped the food (I made sure it was clean). It was an act of desperation. I took it out to the car and asked Bryn, "What happened?--The truth bryn."

She quietly responded, "I wanted to help, but I couldn't carry it and it spilled. I'm sorry." Tears dripping down her cheeks.

Who can be mad at that? I told her thank you for trying but next time please ask me for help.

Cowabunga

I had a wave dream last night. The girls and I (no aaron) were vacationing on an island off of south america. We had a little bungalow on the water. And I noticed the ocean was particularly high. Still we continued to swim until I saw the growing wall of water. We had no high land, no car, and it was a small island. Before the girls could see the approaching wave, I gathered them inside the bungalow. I wrapped my arms around them, kissed them and told them I loved them. And then I waited with my unsuspecting children for the end.

chowabunga sidebar: do you remember the tidal wave bubble gum TV commercials? I used to love them and the gum.

Freeeeeeeeeedom

Lore and Bryn started school today; two children at home = freedom. Only two kids while I was grocery shopping, it almost felt lazy. Almost. And I'm only three years away from total freedom. That will just be freaky.

Bryn had a fabulous time in Kindergarten and she got all her baseballs. The school has a rigorous discipline system that requires the parents to sign each child's disciplinary report card daily. You get a baseball stamp for being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe. Aaron and I have been worried little Bryn may not be able to meet these expectations--especially since Tyler is in her class. She loves that boy and talks to him every chance she gets. But she did well and wants to go back tomorrow. This is good.

Lore's teacher is amazing and we've only heard great things about him. Plus she has cameron and aleaya in her class, so she's golden.

I wanted the early schedule and we got the late. But I'm glad for it now because I put little Morgan down for a nap as soon as we returned from the store, which gave me an hour just to hang with Ava. She loved it and then she fell asleep. Maybe with Bryn gone, I'll be able to get two down for naps. That would be a labor day miracle, but we can hope.

I've had more things to write about but they are blurred from my memory at present. So I think I'll go run.

Obama sidebar: he didn't pick me. maybe next time.

fab music sidebar: I'm loving Friendly Fires and Phoenix right now. enjoy.

Do you got a moment Mr President?

I signed up for tickets to go to the Obama town hall tomorrow in Grand Junction. Sure it's a 5 hour drive, but I really want to see and hear for myself what is really happening at town halls. Plus, I have my own questions, but I know I wouldn't be given a chance to ask them...I'm sure they are controlled. They control who goes and I'm sure they want to stack the room in Obama's favor...so my odds aren't too good. Although I am a registered Independent but if they see I'm married to Aaron (which I'm sure they check) then I know I won't get in. They're supposed to contact us if we're 'selected' today. Cross your fingers for me.

I also wrote both Senators and my House Congressman yesterday....I know, I'm an activist now. No, no I'm not. But I'm frustrated with the process and the blatant disregard Congress has for its constituents. One senator sent a canned email back, the others haven't responded.

Health care is a complicated problem; a few of my friends and I were discussing it last night, and we couldn't come up with a solution that everyone liked. Still, I don't think either party has our interests at heart and I don't believe a larger national health care plan will work. Medicare is a national health care plan for a select few and it is struggling in management and funding--so what makes Obama think he can do it on a larger scale?

That is funky and not in a musical way

Saturday, Aaron and I went to see GI Shmoes--it was awesomely bad. Truly a B hit wonder; thinking is not allow, you just go for the ride. In the middle of the movie, I turned to Aaron in horror over the rankest smell to ever permeate my nose: someone, near us, farted and it was brutal. Aaron couldn't smell it, so I assume it was the ass tards next to me. This is not right. Just because its dark, doesn't mean its kosher to rip one. It is more offensive than crop dusting cubes in an office. It is the equivalent of an airplane toot: people are trapped next to you, it is unconscionable! Have you no shame toot offenders? If you do it, you're a sickie. And if I sniff you out, I will call you out. Anyway, it was an unfortunate event that I feel warranted an editorial.

oh what a world, what a world

Yesterday, I found one. Just one, in the middle of my hairline, only two inches long, and bright gray: the banshee. This yokes my soul with sorrow considerably. I mean my kids aren't even teenagers; I'll be white by the time Bryn turns 15. The war has begun. Aging: 1 me: well, I plucked her, so touche.

In my dream

So I forgot to mention (in more detail) going to the Coldplay concert while in California. Aaron had gotten us sweet tickets as a birthday gift for me. It was our first time to see Coldplay and it was worth it. There was a random mix of people there, but the show was awesome. Play on.

We originally had tickets to see them back in 2001 at Bricks in SLC. Oh how we would have killed to see them at bricks. This was before they blew up. But they had canceled the show because the lead singer had been hospitalized for anorexia--which explains why he's married to Gwyneth Paltro. Poor chap.

He's got lungs though, and it was a great birthday surprise.

back to life, back to reality

It has been a week since everyone left and I've got my house and kids back in order. So now I need to gear up for Back to School. The kids start on the 17th. Little Bryn had her kindergarten assessment: she did alright and I'm not worried about her. Although, she's a bit of a social butterfly and if Tyler or Hailey are in her class, her teacher is dead from day one. She's a ringleader in her CTR 5 class, and we've had several discussions about being more reverent and respectful at church. We'll see how she does at school. I'm excited for her, and I'm excited to have only two at home. It will be weird.

The WAR (wilson amazing race)

We got back from California on a Saturday night, and the following Wednesday my family came to Denver for a Wilson family reunion. Liv and Kusch even made it from Minnesota. It was awesome to have everyone together. It was crazy loud--16 grandkids all under 9--under one roof but it was a blast. We went to the pool, played games, had Mom's Dan-in-real-life-talent-show, played pranks (everyone was a victim) and of course the (adults only) amazing race.

Highs for the reunion:

• The sprayer ploy: more frags than suicides this time
• The black mamba: we have a new technique (thank you addy), instead of slapping or poking, you use the sock to frantically rub the face of the victim.
• Livy getting snapped on the toilet.
• Fruit basket.
• Kids on the slide and lane races between brothers. Sunny and I just got water in our faces; I don't know what we were thinking swimming against Ryan and Kusch.
• Ryan's cinnamon challenge. It isn't a wilson reunion until someone pukes.
• The favorites CD. Ryan and Christy put together a CD with everyone's (including grandkids) current favorite song. It's awesome. We have it in the car and the kids call out whose song is whose.

Lows:

• The noise: the kids together are unbelievably loud.
• The last hour of watching the kids before the adults got home from the amazing race. Amber, Mom and I were fried.
• A few bravas between cousins. Bryn and Zoe were banished from my bathroom.
• Sunny and Jonathan's hotel room flooding.

The Race
So I put together an Amazing Race around Denver. We split the adults into two teams: Team Deech (Kusch, Dad, Aaron, and Sunny) vs. Team King (Stewart, Jonathan, Livy, Ry, and Christy). I gave each team a wad of cash and ten clues/challenges:

• Run to the Reservoir, pedal two boats around a buoy, then run back to Faveros.
• Drive to Boulder, find this cool store, buy kites and kazoos. Then perform in the street with the kazoos while others danced.
• Drive to Red Rocks, crush a souvenir penny then run down to the stage and sing from the stage at Red Rocks.
• Drive to Willy's Wings and eat a plate of Rocky Mountain Oysters (goat/sheep testicles).
• Drive to Lakewood Amusement Park and ride three rides (this place is run down and ghetto; like the Santa Cruz Boardwalk but way more ghetto.)
• Drive to The Track (a pro go kart track) and complete 10 laps.
• Drive to Chick-fil-A and suck down a shake.
• Drive home, first to the pitstop got a surprise: all the grandkids waiting with silly string.

Everyone had a blast and now a friend and I are going have a race with a bunch of families this month. We need to make it a bit more family friendly but it should be fun.

barney

So the morning before we fly home, Aaron and others go out on the boat for one last run of the vacation. And of course last run, Aaron falls wake boarding and blows his knee. We weren't sure what at the time, but we can now confirm that he tore his MCL and Meniscus. I wasn't on the boat because I chose to be responsible and stay home and pack up before our flight. So naturally, when he hobbled in and laid down on the couch: I was pissed. And it isn't like he meant to do it, it was an accident but I was pissed. Instead of being a kind wife like I should have been, I blew him off. And then we booked a ticket for Megan to fly home with us so that I could have help with the kids because Aaron was barney at this point. Megan was a saving grace. And thankfully our flight home wasn't full so Morgan got a whole row to herself--allowing her to be one of the better kids on the plane...not the best, but at least not a pill. Once we landed, juggling the kids, bags, aaron and finding the car took forever. We didn't get home till midnight when our flights got in at 9ish. Ridiculous, but still grateful to have had Megan. And grateful to be home. Aaron now hobbles okay without crutches and he'll go back in two weeks to see if he needs surgery. Awesome.

ya feel me

I'm a bit late to the party but I wake surf now. Not a lot, and not well but it's fun. And much easier on the body than wake boarding.

8 seconds

So we made the trek to California. Two separate flights (thank you frequent flyers). I had Bryn and Ava. Aaron had Lore and Morgan: yes he got the short end of the stick. And she screamed the majority of the flight. Oddly, I had little sympathy. We arrived on the 3rd of July and the girls and I stayed till the 18th. Aaron flew back and forth between California, Colorado and Texas; it wasn't much of a vacation for him. Commiserations. The two + weeks were full of fun, cousins, aunts, uncles, grannie and pa. I admit, I was very nervous about going for so long (I don't like to spend that much time with my own parents), but I was pleasantly surprised how fast and great the trip was. It did take a toll on the kids, the second week the kids were beyond over tired, but gratefully we slowed down the second week. Here are the high and low lights of the trip:

top ten

1. Shopping with Jamie
2. Coldplay
3. The Folsom Zoo
4. Fairytale Town
5. Baby chicks at the farm
6. Running with Megan and Kiersten
7. Man aerobics with Bryan
8. Slumber Parties and Pool side with cousins
9. Cranford but not Little Dittle
10. My black mamba and other various pranks...suckers every time.

bottom five

1. Aaron blowing his knee hours before we flew home
2. Grandpa Favero
3. Dumping the kids on Jamie for Coldplay
4. Losing Morgan at Fairytale Town for about 7ish minutes. Heart pounding awful.
5. The kids not sleeping.

wait for it

yes, I've been AWOL for the month of July. I can't believe it is august and that school starts in two weeks. I have much to recount but you'll have to wait a bit more...luckily, aaron is going to be gone a bunch the next two weeks so I'll find some time. But for now, I must run some errands and wipe some bums.
cheers.