The Biggest Loser

I ate pizza and ice cream during The Biggest Loser finale. That makes me the biggest loser, in a different kind of way.

My Mommy

The past month and a half has been an interesting one to say the least. When I found/figured out that I definitely needed surgery, I knew there was one thing I could not do without. My mommy. I needed her to help with the kids, but mostly I just needed her for me. This need is something that is hard to explain(Nash asked me to explain it to him), but I am going to try. Here it goes.

When I am with my mom, I feel like I can focus. I feel like I accomplish more when she is with me. She'll ask me what I want to do, and no matter how ridiculous it seems or unimportant at that moment, she helps me get it done. If there is something I think I can't do, if she says I can I believe it. Because she raised me she knows exactly how my odd little brain works. When I express doubt, anxiety or fear, she knows just how to reign me in and calm me down. I don't know why, but I listen to and follow her direction, usually no matter what. She knows I'm a spacey, forgetful, nut that can't make a firm decision on almost anything, and somehow she helps me through it. She just knows how to fix everything(or seems to know). She's like a soothing drug. When she's with me, I just feel relaxed and relieved. I know she was meant to be my mother.

I love you mom, thanks for coming to take care of us! I miss you.

More Things I Need

I'm feeling much better since I had surgery yet still bored out of my mind because I can't really leave the house by myself yet. So, what better excuse for some blogging about all the infomercials I saw on TV while I was all laid up and crippled? A whole month's worth, are you ready?

I vaguely remember seeing the ad for the following product on TV at some point. Just before my mom and I left for the store (the day after my surgery, I know. . . amazing) I was telling her that when I was pregnant with Journey we had a toy robot arm that I used to use to pick things up so I didn't have to bend over. Well, guess what I spied at Wal-Mart right next to the Ped Egg (another amazing product). The Gopher! It is the perfect gift for all your friends that have had back surgery people. No lifting, twisting, or bending for six weeks? No problem! This thing can pick up crumbs off the floor. I'm not even lying. This product is my new best friend.

Another infomercial product my mom got me (thanks mom!) is The Shark Mop. This was on my list too. I watched my mom use it on my floors (no bending or lifting, remember?) and it does an amazing job.

Have you seen Cindy Crawford lately? Woman doesn't look like she has aged a minute in about a decade. Well, apparently it is all due to this amazing serum that some doctor guy in France developed from a freaky super melon that grows there. Since only super rich and famous people can afford to go to France for their dermatological needs, Cindy has kindly developed a skin care line that works exactly like the serum the France dude came up with. Meaningful Beauty . I need it. Because this aging thing is not working for me.

Malibu Pilates I need this. I am drawn to anything pilates. Have I ever taken classes? No. I've always wanted to though. This chair looks like it wouldn't take up much room. I'm sure I wouldn't put my back out again if I had this!

Cricut Expression I am not crafty. AT ALL. Really. I'm sure this machine would make me crafty though. Just the link is not enough. You must see the commercial because this thing can do amazing things. It is a Provo Craft product.

Leg Magic I've wanted this one for a long time too.

Shamwow This one is bound to be so fun I'll want to clean all the time.

I forgot to mention two other products I own(ed) because of the infomercial:

Mighty Putty Haven't used it yet. I'm afraid I'll do it wrong and jack up the item I need to use it on.

Space Bags I had these and they really worked quite well. The only problem is that they tear more easily than advertised. The new cube bag looks awesome, so I think I might need them again.

I'm Not Dead

I'm not dead, but not doing that well either. Not that any of you are waiting on pins and needles for the next update, but I just wanted everyone to know that I'm around, just not for more than about 15 minutes at a time. Remember that herniated disc I mentioned in my post about things I really need? Well now all I really need is to get the stupid thing operated on. I bent over to pick up some shoes about 3 weeks ago and things have unpleasant ever since. Hopefully by the New Year I'll be back and better than ever!

Things I REALLY need!

For the past couple of years I've been somewhat of an insomniac, and this has given me the opportunity to view many, many infomercials. I believe any and all claims on these infomercials. I've even purchased a few things I saw on an infomercial. I have a giant list of items I want, some of which I have heard aren't that stellar, but because the commercial is so convincing I want them anyway.

Bare Minerals or Sheer Cover I've actually tried Bare Minerals, and it wasn't the miracle it claims to be, but I still want it. Sheer Cover looks promising?

Pro-Activ Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and now even Alyssa Milano say that it is amazing, so how can I go wrong? I don't even have that much acne, but I'm sure I still need it.

Magic Bullet I don't like to cook, but I just know this little gadget will be so fun that I will WANT to cook. Gourmet chef overnight because of this product, I can feel it.

GT Express 101 YUM! Again, I'm sure this will inspire me to cook lots of yummy meals that I was previously lousy at preparing.

KABOOM! The name says it all!

Luminess Air I'm positive that this would be easy and not at all messy. I'm going to look FLAWLESS!

Back 2 Life I have a herniated disc that was been causing me pain since December of last year. Never mind that I have seen multiple heathcare providers regarding this condition, and read every book I could find on the subject, I am sure that THIS is the cure I've been looking for!

InStyler I saw a professional hairstylist for American Idol use this on Kimberly Locke's hair and he said that it is the most amazing product he has ever used. So I am sure that using this to straighten my extremely thick and very naturally curly/frizzy hair(no, I don't still perm my hair people, I know it isn't the early 90's anymore) is going to be a piece of cake. Maybe it comes with an extra set of hands and eyes in the back of my head.

Buxton Bag Sure it is ugly, but I've got a lot of crap to carry! And that digital message reminder! I really need that!

Nu Wave Oven When I was a kid we had a countertop convection oven and it was da bomb! All we ever cooked in it was cherry and apple turnovers my mom bought from the Schwann Man, but those were the tastiest turnovers I ever ate! I know this product will be just as amazing. It is so versatile!

Betty Crocker Bake 'n Fill It looks like fun. I'm sure I'll be whipping up yummy desserts that I'll later consume all by myself in no time!

Direct Buy Centers I'm sure if I spend money to become a member that I will find all sorts of things I need to decorate my home with.

Sleep Number Bed I like the bed hard, Nash likes it soft. So we need this bed.

There are these new lids with a white rim and clear stuff in the middle that I want too, but I can't remember the name right now. There are several other products that I want, but I'll just stop here for now since I could go on for days with this list. Here are some things I have purchased because of the infomercial:

Cable Flex Jackie Chan made it look amazing. I used it like 3 times.

MaxiGlide It worked great. I used it maybe 7-10 times and then the top plate burned out. This is why I need the InStyler now.

TAE BO Purchased on VHS. Great dust collectors.

Total Gym We got it about six months ago, part of the logic was that because I was having the problems with my back/leg I needed the exercise. I have ALWAYS wanted a Total Gym. It was the top of my list of things I really need because the infomercial is awesome and Chuck Norris is totally convincing. Well, I've yet to use it and it is currently collecting dust under the futon. We did get it on eBay through the scratch and dent division, so it was 1/2 price. I keep vowing to use it. Dragging it out and setting it up is a workout in itself!

Tagged-- Eight things

I was tagged by Rochelle for this one (I never thought I'd be the type to do a tag, but it's kinda fun):

8 TV shows I like to watch(in no particular order):
The Biggest Loser (often while eating ice cream, you'd think I would be inspired or something, but no).

CSI: Las Vegas (now that "Grissom" is leaving I don't know if I can keep watching. I
am kinda lost too since the whole writer's strike thing happened).

Jon and Kate Plus 8 (I just love watching Kate gripe at Jon and he totally just takes it. It's not even about the kids for me).

Forensic Files

DOG the Bounty Hunter

The Colbert Report

Dancing With the Stars (This is my first season. I have to watch since Lance Bass is on[see future post about my love for *NSYNC]).

Anything with Bill Kurtis as the narrator. Good ol' Bill has lulled me to sleep many a night with that voice of his.

8 Favorite Restaurants (I don't know if I can think of eight!):

Red Robin

Red Lobster (grilled Tilapia, and those biscuts--yum)

Baja Fresh

Rubios (they are putting one in somewhere around here)

Chuck-A-Rama (some people may think it is gross, but it all about the scones and childhood memories)

The Pie

The Pizza Factory

Taco Time (they'd better have crisp bean burritos in heaven people)

8 Things that happened today(a recap of my boring life):
Woke up
Got kids ready
Got myself ready
Thought about cleaning
Did not clean
Picked up sons from school
Went to park for FHE
Watched recorded movie on DVR

8 Things I'm looking forward to:
Losing weight (ha!)
The kids having Friday off so I don't have to get them ready so early
Trip to CA for Thanksgiving
Going to the Oregon Coast someday with Nash (it is beautiful there!)
Possibly going to Hawaii for our 15th anniversary (2010)
Going back to school someday (something I've been thinking about for at least the past 8 years)
Going on another family vacation
The elections being over!

8 Things on my Wishlist:
I'm not going to answer this one right now because I'm planning a future post about my infomercial obsession. Pretty much everything on that list would end up on this one.

8 People to tag
I tag my entire blogroll. Anyone that wants to do it, go for it!

The Eeyore Gene

My grandma Ruth died in April of 2002. She was 71 years old. She was one of the most giving people I have ever known. She pretty much sponsored every Christmas our family had when we were kids. She would crochet baby blankets for every new baby she knew of. She would take on any crochet project you asked her to if you merely provided her the yarn. She bought scriptures and hymn books for me and my sisters when we were little.

We only ever got to see her about once or twice a year until I was 18 years old. She moved to Utah from California to live in my parent's trailer court right after I graduated from high school. I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with her after she moved to Utah, although I now wish I had set aside more time to spend with her. One of my favorite things to do with her was play Scrabble. She almost always beat me, and when she didn't it was because she had helped me with a high scoring move. Grandma Ruth was an avid reader and brought me and my sisters hundreds of books while we were growing up. She was always reading something.

Bless her heart, the one constant you could always count on from grandma Ruth was her pessimism. I am pretty sure that she was the model for the character Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. I swear that lady moped around in the EXACT same fashion. She reminded me so much of Eeyore when she was alive. She never thought you wanted her around or that you even noticed her. If you asked her how she was doing there was always something amiss in her life. She could find the negative in any positive situation.

My son Teague's middle name is Gannon, after Grandma Ruth (her last name was Gannon). I never could have known how appropriate this name would be for him before he was born. Gannon is Irish and it means "white, fair-haired." Well, Teague is very fair skinned, and he is our little blondie boy. He's also a black cloud kid just like grandma Ruth was. You could deliver the moon and stars to the kid and he'd still find a reason why he's still not quite perfectly happy.

I too, have a little too much Eeyore in my attitude. I often catch myself being gloomy and negative, even when there is so much in my life to be positive about. I notice that I tend to dwell on what's going wrong and not focus on what is going well. While I'm sure that I can control my own thoughts, feelings and actions, it is amazing to me how characteristics and traits seem to have a genetic link as well. Hopefully I can shed the Eeyore side of my personality and become more of a Kanga/Tigger hybrid.

Good News and Bad News

The good news: My favorite pants fit again!



The bad news: Three months ago my favorite pants were too big!

I guess maybe this is bad news all around. :(

Love Notes

This first note I found taped to the fridge the morning of our 13th anniversary. It is proof of two things: 1) That I never fold the laundry. 2) We've been married forever. In Nash's defense, he had stayed up late and cleaned the rest of the entire house the night before.



I took the picture of this note exactly as I found it that morning. By a good time he means me falling asleep on the couch at 8 pm.