Extra Extra! Halloween Giveaway

Just wanted to invite all my favorite peeps over to my other blog...retropolitanhip.blogspot.com for a fun Halloween giveaway. I'd love to see someone I know win. Here's what's up for grabs.

THREE collectable figurines by Lori C. Mitchell. I am totally addicted to these things.

I would love to see someone I know win.

Live and Let Die

I know I am not nearly as devoted to regular posting as I once was. I am trying to get back into a routine. The summer pretty much ruined me. Going to bed at midnight getting up at ten. I know...shameful.
Needless to say, the school year is kicking my can, but I'm getting back into the groove.
There's a lot that has happened that I never bothered to share. So, before I get to the point of this post allow me to sum up the last three months in three paragraphs.
In June the kiddies graduated from the sixth, fourth and first grades. We headed down south...to St. George, to kick-off our summer vacation. While there, little Ro celebrated her first birthday.
In July Carter turned twelve and was ordained a deacon and Quinn turned ten. Later than month Chad and I celebrated our fourteenth anniversary.
In August not much exciting happened, except for the kids going back to school. It is always a bitter sweet time for me. I'm glad to have some time to clean the house, go to the grocery store, and use the bathroom without an audience... But, at the same time I am sad to see my babies leave me behind and act all grown up. Did I mention Carter started Junior High. I thought I might need medication, but I handled it in my own special way...retail therapy. Holla!!!
And well, now it is time for me to share a bit of sad news...which is the point of my post. Yesterday we lost someone dear. Squiggy Brendle has gone to the big cage in the sky. I found her yesterday in her igloo. She was in bad shape...barely moving. She's gotten sick once before which resulted in a two day hospital stay and I.V. treatment, oh, and a $250 bill. (I swear she gets, got, better treatment than my own kids). Yesterday she was acting the same way, so I put her a little box and headed down to the Vet. The doctor informed me that she was in critical condition and that they wanted to keep her overnight for observation. A few hours later they called to say that our dear piggie had "kicked it". (Not in those words)
I just got back from the vet where I paid them another $120 and where I was given, in exchange, a little cardboard box bearing the remains of our dear piggie. It was still cold from being in the freezer overnight.
I must say that I got a little choked up as I placed the small cardboard box in the passenger seat next to me.
We will have a small ceremony tonight and bury the ole girl in the backyard. I pray that the neighborhood scavengers will politely not unearth her remains. (We have a fox in the field next to our house). Afterwhich we will celebrate her legacy...her short eight month legacy, by having an ice cream cone in her honor.
And now, I leave you with,

An Ode To A Piggie Named Sqiggy


Squiggy, my piggie.
You were so very skittish.
Even so you never bit any of us as we tried to pry you from your igloo.
I will always remember your lovely red and white fur
And your very prominent front teeth.
And the way you would poop when you got nervous.
Whenever I see green peppers or romaine lettuce
I will remember how it was your favorite and I will think about you.
You were a good pig, Squigs
And we will never forget you.
R.I.P

When Pigs Fly

I have a bit of shocking news. The boy (my big boy) spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday. Of course when he volunteered he didn't realize that it was for sacrament meeting. I'm not sure what he was thinking actually. He must of had a brain fart and thought he was still in primary. Granted he's only been in Young Men's for two weeks.
Anyway, he stepped up and did it...raging nerves and all. He did awesome.
It's so good to see my young man blossom from a mini hellion who once upon a time found joy in replacing sacred church hymn lyrics with unsavory words, to speaking in sacrament meeting. Miracles do happen, methinks.
Well done, Carter. Keep up the good work.

My Amazing, Beautiful, Wonderful Wife!!

"To boldly go where no man has gone before"... the inner sanctum, the society of the traveling trousers, the eclipsed twilight of dawn... the blog!! What drives any man to blaze into the frontier and attempt to conquer the unconquerable...? Insanity, of course. And I am CRAZY IN LOVE so here we go...

Over fourteen years ago, I made the most incredible decision--shocking, I know! I can't decide what to wear or eat in the morning but I knew that I wanted Erika to be my wife! Through sickness and less-sick, stupidity and less-stupidity, thin and less-thin, poor and less-poor, Erika has been my rock! I can't imagine living without her! Happy 14th Anniversary!

14 YEARS... 14 REASONS I LOVE YOU...

One LOVE... it all started with what I thought was love but now I know how little I knew and how much you have taught me about it. Thank you!
"Two" much fun! You laugh often and easily, which I love! I'm glad you find my frequent tripping so funny! :)
Three's Company! We have three kitchen tables right now, two of which are occupying my half of the garage, but I don't mind because I love that you make our home beautiful... on a budget.
Four Score and Seven Years Ago... (This is a stretch) Like Abraham Lincoln, you know how to write great (church) talks! (I told you it was a stretch! Couldn't think of anything that went with four!)
Five beautiful children! What more can I say?!
Six Pence None The Richer... I love our mutual love of music! You put up with my love of grunge and Guns N' Roses!
Seven times Seventy... You are quick to forgive me when I have been insensitive or idiotic which is unfortunately too often!
Eight Legs... I love that you get the spiders for me! Don't you like your man to show a vulnerable side once and awhile?! :)
Nine Lives... I love that you put up with my gaming! There are worse hobbies!
Ten-se... I love your hugs when I am stressed out!
7-Eleven... I want to "slurpie" you up you are so beautiful! Too ackward for public?! :)
Twelve Tribes... I love that you support our family scripture reading and prayers!
Ocean's Thirteen... I love that we share a love of the cinema.
Fourteen... Where do we go from here? I can only imagine! In the immortal words of Buzz Lightyear, "To Infinity and Beyond!"

Have a wonderful day, Babe! XXXOOO

I'm Back.

It's been awhile. I am ashamed. But, I can explain. Go here to see why I haven't had time for you, then you might understand. www.retropolitanhip.blogspot.com
I promise to post something soon. I have lots to share...bithdays, trips, etc. But just not right now. Soon though...I promise.

Sweet Justice

I am happy to report that my purse thief has been caught AND ARRESTED. I know it is not very Christlike to relish in the misfortune of others, but I'mo do it anyway.
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLA!!!
I only found out today, while I was chit chatting with my lady at the bank. In passing she asked me if I new that "our" thief had been caught. To which I responded with a very surprised no. How come no one told me sooner. Hello, it was my account she hacked into (among a bounteous others apparantly). She proceeded to tell me that it had been all over the news the past week or two. Okay, so I don't watch the news. But in my defense, all it is is sad and depressing reports on how suckish the economy and jobs and the housing market's are, intermingled with the occasional homicide and/or freeway accident. And really, who wants to go to bed with all that on the brain? Not me.
So, after bidding my bank lady adieu, I hopped onto ksl to find out what I had missed. And here it is for all you who, like me, don't watch the news. Enjoy!

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Mmm Mmm Good

So, it appears that Rowan enjoys her Oreo's as much as I.