Serious Placemat Problem

So, Laurel was setting the table for Sunday dinner. She wanted placemats AND she wanted to use the placemats from when they were kids. Yes, each of the kids had their own placemat - you know it was one of those things that they got to pick out and it saved on quarrels and proclaimed their SPOT at the table. We do interesting things as parents to keep the peace, don't we?

Well, anyway, Laurel declared we had a "problem"...Brian doesn't have a placemat!!! Apparently, we have a new way that people are declared an official member of the Cindy Swenson Family. So...do I have to let Brian "pick" out his placemat? Oh, how I wish that this was my only problem for the day!!!!

So, often while I'm at the computer cute little Millie (my grandchild) has to be right next to me or being held. One day when she was being very persistent, I finally just brought her little bed and plopped it on the counter next to me. She happily slept - periodically looking up at me to make sure I was still there. She is a very cute little Chiweenie and has brought much joy to our lives. She definitely is Laurel's "child" however, is being spoiled by her "grandma" --ME! She loves to go on walks and in the car. I never thought I'd ever be one of those women with a dog in her purse...but the older I get the less I care what others think! Which probably means I'm getting healthier mentally as I grow older! So this post is in honor of my Silly Millie Girl who is basking in a spot of sun as I type.

My Children's Friends

One of the great blessings of being a mother is getting to know the friends of my children. My kids have some great friends. What a blessing in their lives...and mine!!!

So, having written previously about how much fun Valentine's Day is...

I came home from work to a package on my back door step. Really the package said to Vanessa and Cindy Swenson but I couldn't wait for Vanessa. Yes, I opened the box! But if you knew what I knew you would have torn into it too. See the package was from Vanessa's friend Gretchen. One of Gretchen's claim to fame in our family is that she is an awesome cook. I just knew that inside that box were some little heart cookies...that melt in your mouth when you eat them. They have just a little touch of jam. Oh, they are SO good. Yes, not only did I open the package without Vanessa but I also partook of the wondrous stash of sweets. The hand-made Valentine found it's home on my fridge. The homemade carmels were frozen solid. But did you know that if you suck on a frozen carmel after a while it thaws? I love that Gretchen girl! But it isn't just for her famous food. I love her for the great woman she is, and the wonderful friend to Vanessa and all of us that she has become.

I love Valentines Day

It's true. Those that know me well know that I really, really like the holiday. I often say - what is better than a day that encourages telling people we love them. We should have Valentine's Day more often than once a year!

So, it is probably no surprise when I mention that sending valentines is very important to me and I love to send valentines to the children in my life. I shop early and pick them out very carefully. I really love Mary Englebreit's valentines and always find them at The Quilted Bear store in Provo. I love thinking of how they will be so excited to get their very own MAIL. Okay, so now you know another weird part of me. Just add it to the list of many.

Anyway, this year I went to my mailbox the other day and was so happy to find a brown envelope with heart stickers on it. YES! I'd received some valentines. Of course they are on my fridge. That's where you put homemade valentines from the 'Vegas cousins!

I also was very happy to be invited to be a part of the valentine box exchange with the "Imaging Office" in our division at work. I love those college kids in that office. I loved writing their names on the Disney Cars Valentines and attaching them to a rice krispie treat. But even more so I loved opening each little valentine from them. So for just a moment the 50+ woman in me reverted to a little girl and I enjoyed every second!

So whether giving or getting Valentines - I love Valentine's Day and all the great people in my life that are my "valentines".

Crisis

So, I've been having a rough time this winter with bronchitis. My wonderful Primary Care Physician and I decided allergy testing was in order. It had been 30 years ago that I'd had testing done so...off I went to a great doc in Provo.

He asked me all kinds of questions. I especially liked it when we talked about the fact that I sneeze terribly while at work. I'm pretty sure that if they could have a little test that somehow measured allergy to work that my arm would have had a very LARGE welt in that spot. Maybe I'm just allergic to the thought of work. Anyway...

So some of you may have noticed that my family picture on this blog has me holding a cat. I grew up in a family where we had pets. Pets that were part of the family - not just animals. So my family has had cats and dogs. Our pets have REALLY been a part of our family. We've all felt the same and enjoyed and loved our animals. Do we love them - well, if having the same number of photos of your animals as you do your children is proof, then yes! I was always amazed when I would get my film developed to find the kids had grabbed my camera and taken pictures. I've never seen so many pictures of animals asleep in weird positions. So that is why we have so many pictures.

Hence, the crisis moment that will forever be in my mind. You know the feeling. It's like life slows and you're in slow motion and every feeling is embedded in the memory of the moment. Yes, I have developed a severe allery to cat dander. Simon is doing me in.

I am heartbroken. Know anyone that would like a beautiful cat? Seriously, I have no options with this one.

A Little Time with Laurel...

There's nothing better than spending time with my kids. Laurel and I did a little shopping and then saw a movie yesterday. The new store we scoped is Dear Lizzie. What a fun store - check out the website: http://www.mydearlizzie.com/ Then we went to a movie entitled He's Just Not That In to You. It was okay. The theater was packed and Laurel dubbed the audience a "We're in Provo audience". Yes, they really got into it.

I also explored a new bakery that has opened in East bay. It was in a newspaper article and I've been waiting for the bakery to open: http://www.thesweettoothfairy.com/index.html I love the creativity - not to mention the cakes bites are out of this world!

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I always say - what could be better than spreading a little love around. I felt like a first-grader as I addressed my valentines yesterday. I think Hallmark will always be around...I'm keeping them in business.

Anyway - to those reading this - Happy Valentine's Day. Make sure you tell the people closest to you that you love them!

Why do I keep getting lost in life?

1. Once a mother, always a mother.
2. I care deeply about people and am an official "chat box" not to be confused with chatterbox, although I do my share of that. Everywhere I go I run into people and we have to "chat" a few minutes to catch up. Some times I am overwhelmed with the many good people in my life and feel so blessed.
3. There is just so much. Last week was incredibly insane. I sat each night and went back over my day and asked myself where I could have done something differently. You know those quiet moments when you ponder and search deep and sing the song, "I'm trying to be like Jesus" and realize you have fallen short but you are trying. I remember when my children were little and how crazy some of those days and nights were. We are silly if we think life gets easier.
4. Oh, that I were a sponge. I just want to read and learn. There is so much around us, so many opportunities. I was trying to read a book last night and realize I had reread a paragraph three times and my brain just wasn't functioning.
5. Sometimes it is just more fun to live and enjoy life than blog about what has happened!