oreos

If she eats them with milk does it constitute a "Healthy Breakfast"?

Just wonderin'

"Oh, I don't read"

A few years ago I met and fell in love with a new friend...Liz.
What drew me to her?
Her sense of humor, brilliance, outspokenness, quirkyness and her honesty.
When I asked her to join the ward book club with me she simply said: "Oh, I don't read books."

I laughed.

She didn't.

I realized she was serious.

I only joined the ward book club because I wanted to feel a part of something.

I'll be honest, after reading my first book I realized that that "something" wasn't for me.

Just this past weekend I was speaking to a friend about my "problem"/ issues with reading or actually finishing books not to mention my complete disinterest in book clubs.

...."Here's the deal, I feel like after all is said and done...if I do have an minute of free time, I can tell you how I don't want to spend it=reading. Reading for me is a task not an indulgence."

However, there is a part of me that wishes I thoroughly enjoyed and looked forward to reading.

I have a pile of "really good books" sitting on the floor all dust covered, by my bed side table waiting to be read at the suggestion of some dear friends.

I have had these books for years.

One I have had for over 12.

SO...this is my official declaration of summer:

I, Tamara Hall solemnly declare that by the end of Summer 2011 I will have read every "really good book" that has been given to me to read.

There are 11 of them

And the majority of them have over 200 pages.

Now, that's a lot of reading.

Here's to hoping I Love and not Loathe when all is said and done

Otherwise I may have start using the "Oh, I don't read books" line and join my friend Liz in her Movie Club.

Wish me luck!

kirsten-ism

The other night at Young Women's, Anna's group did the Color Code Personality Test.

When the girls got home Anna told us all about her experience and what color she was.

Jim turned to kirsten (assuming she too had taken the test) and said:

"So, what color are you Kirst?"

Her reply: "Color Awesome!"

Most Smartest

Anna was inducted into the National Junior Honor's Society tonight.

You have to have at least a 3.8 GPA to get in.

This is a really big deal.
Almost as big as the time I was asked to be in the Who's Who Among American High School Students book... Well up until my dad informed me that all they wanted was my money which was really his loving way of saying "honey you're not smart enough to be in something like this--it has to be a scam. If you think I am sending in $75.00 to have your name typed in some book, you have another think commin" he was probably right. I mean that 12 on my ACT probably wasn't doing me any favors! but I digress

We are so proud of Anna. Jim suggested getting her something since she really does work hard and completely on her own too!
So I popped on over to the mall to get her a pair of Tom's. Now for those of you who aren't hip to the shoe scene: Tom's are very cool and all the kids are wearing them.


Why?

Well, the owner is a philanthropic cobbler who has vowed that with every shoe bought another pair will be given to a shoeless child living in some obscure and remote impoverished nation.

I don't mean to be cynical, I am all about helping the poor and shoeing the shoeless BUT the grand total for a pair of these "shoes" well let's just say I could feed my family for a week.

Hey Shoeless Joe Jackson, here's an idea: how about I bring in a pair of shoes my daughter hasn't really ever worn (there are several) and you knock off about $30 from the price. You will still make some serious cash and I can feel better about putting a pair of shoes on my own kid.

Listen, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no "cordwainer" but these so called shoes hardly seem worthy of such a hefty price. A little canvas, some thread and what looks to me like marshmallows for soles. Anna will be lucky if these shoes make it from the bus stop to her first period tomorrow morning.

We secretly put the box on her bed and awaited her reaction later that night. She was overjoyed when she saw them. She gave us both a hug and said thanks.

Worth the price now?

Maybe.

I may have not been a part of any smart society growing up and Mensa certainly isn't knocking on my door, but I do know one thing: Who ever said that money can't buy love never had a teenager!

We love you Anna!
Congrats smarty pants!

love

This has my heart today:

[SIGH]

I wish I could beautifully and eloquently write the thoughts of my heart. If you could read what I am feeling it would match the poetics works of Hemingway or the heartfelt musings of Jane Austen. But alas the gift of the written word is not mine...however if you need help with drywall, mudding and taping or a flower arrangement or a goofy way to remember the 10 commandments I am totally your gal.

SO here it is-what my sigh is all about and written in the only way I know how:

AHHHHHHHHH my baby is in a big bed!!!

Last night after crawling out of her crib and being put back in several times she went into Lilly's room, got in the bed and there she slept. I thought it may have been a fluke but when it was nap time today she walked into Lilly's room and got in her "new" bed.

Our baby phase has officially come to an end.

Over.

Done.

We are putting the crib away tomorrow.

I think Michael McClean wrote it and sang/spoke it best: "I cried the day that they took the crib down. And I want the baby phase to last more years round."

A dear friend (who has the gift of writing) said that she thinks most women go through some sort of grieving phase when they choose to be done having babies.

After finally getting married at the ripe age of 34 years and 8 months...In my mind I was barely 21 and ready to have a whole slew of kids.

I have 4.

There are days that those 4 seem like 20.

And then there are days when 4 just isn't enough.

I guess that's part of the grieving process.

Even though my baby phase certainly was shorter than I had imagined,

I am SO grateful that I even got to have one!

SOUL SURFER

SOUL GOOD!!!!

This movie is an absolute must see.
We all loved it!