Bummer.

So tonight we were at Eric's basketball game at the church stake center in Modesto. I decided to keep my purse under my car seat knowing I would basically be chasing kids and didn't want to bother with it. I set my keys down by my chair next to the rest of the random clothes, jerseys and garb that hangs out on the stage during the basketball game. There were several families there watching too and a whole slew of kids.

When it came time to leave my keys were no where to be found. Eric drove separately coming straight from work so luckily he had a spare key. I can not stand losing things, like most everyone I know. I went back into the building twice to check. I asked Eric to go back and check one more time while I waited in the car with the kiddos. I reached under my chair to grab my purse anxious for the In n Out Burger run that was about to take place..... and GONESVILLE. Some person had taken my keys, found my car and stole my purse. At first I was just sick to my stomach...why didn't I put my keys in my pocket? why didn't i take my purse in?... who in the world had the audacity?

Another player had his keys stolen too. Only he doesn't have a spare key at all. He had to tow his car home before he could even see if anything was stolen. The burglar/loser was kind enough to lock it back for him. So first I was sick, then scared when I realized they could stroll on into our house. Then I was so angry. AND for the fact that they probably chucked my purse when they realized I didn't have any cash.

As I was driving home we saw a really bad wreck and then I realized I'd much rather be in my shoes than those shoes. When we called to make the report the Modesto police dept was at a code yellow. I guess there had been a multiple homicide so they weren't too concerned with car break ins. I think I would opt out of that situation too. Maybe a stolen purse isn't so bad? Jack was quite worried over hearing all the conversations that went on. But later said "Who ever did this did NOT choose the right. When the police catch him, he is going to jail for weeks!" Thank you CTR 5 class!

BAD NEWS
We spent 4ever on the phone canceling cards
In-N-Out was a candle in the wind.
I need my i.d. since we are flying to UT next week for a wedding!
My new flat iron was in my purse. Random. Don't ask.
Eric's spare key that cost $100 was on my key ring
That warm fuzzy feeling of helplessness.
It took quite a bit of consoling to undo Jack's worries
We need to redo our door locks

Good News
They didn't realize Eric's car was right next to mine
I happened to take out Jacks star wars guys before we left
Nobody had tried to use the cards
My Dad was willing to go back over with flashlights to look for my stuff in case they dumped it. Very sweet.
Jack and I had a good discussion about why it's important to CTR.
This encouraged Eric to buy a baseball bat.
a. I can cross it off his birthday/christmas list
b. It works on baseball, home invasions and aliens ( Have you seen the movie Signs? )
My fanny pack from 6th grade might be making a comeback.

Be careful out there. These are tuff times for people that do and do not CTR.

Respect the classics

So we happened to be flipping through the channels and the movie Across the Universe was on. (Musical w. all Beatles music) Not appropriate for kids BUT it was the finale & I stopped for a minute to watch the last scene of the movie where the guy is singing 'hey jude.' So i have loved the beatles for as long as I can remember. I wore the t shirts long before they turned into the cute Target vintage tee version. - Which looking back at my high school pics I'm not so sure if it was a good idea. Anyway! When the song was over Jack said "Mom. I hope you were recording that! That is my new favorite song!" We have since been listening to it repeatedly on my ipod. He's got a good handle on it and I will be glad when he has another song to perform besides the Weird Al version of "The Saga Begins." - Which he voluntarily performed at every Christmas party we attended singing/air guitar. Other favorites of Jack include, Another One Bites the Dust, Somebody to Love-Queen, I Can't Help Myself- the Four Tops. Love this boy's taste. ; )

Getting to know you. *Christmas style*

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both
2. Real tree or Artificial?? Artificial. It's definitely the most cost effective and less mess, doesn't die... need i go on?
3. When do you put up the tree? Day after black Friday
4. When do you take down the tree? Around New Years
5. Do you like eggnog?? I think I did when I was a kid, but not anymore. I think I just liked the decorated Christmas carton. Eric does. He loves the egg nog shake. Ew.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My bike, my Middleton doll, our Nintendo & my desk that I sill have!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes - thanks Mom!
8. Hardest person to buy for? brother & sister in laws.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Jack or Eric
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Attempt to mail.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?? I don't really remember a bad one.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation( I wouldn't doubt that the my family could quote 90% of this movie!) and The Grinch! (Jim Carrey version)
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so.
14. Favorite thing to eat during the holiday season? The Valk Christmas Eve grazing table. Mmmmmm
15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Both
16. Favorite Christmas song? Joy to the World!! Mine and Jack's fave.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Oh dear yes. Every year switch-a-roo for the actual Holiday then visit the other side of the family sometime during the month. This requires much work and promptness for Santa.
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Of course
19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning after we go out to breakfast at the crack of dawn.
20. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People that storm the gates at WalMart and don't realize they are trampling someone??? What gives? Don't get me started.
21. Favorite ornament theme or color? We each get an ornament every year for something significant that happened during the year. I like the variety.
22. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?? Potatoes & gravy & Mom's pork roast....Mmmmmm
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? I have everything I want, including my dream job since I was in kindergarten. Mrs. Claus.

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This is Halloween, this is halloween...

DURING

Our backyard will be completed this week! Yay!! Our grass was put in today. When we got home the kids ran through the house straight to the lawn and ran circles and rolled on the grass and got back up to run some more. One might have mistaken them for puppies.

BEFORE

So here is our backyard. Yes, some of those weeds are taller than the fence. Pathetic yet we had no need to cut them down until now!

My neighbor

Today when we were driving home from my parents (the house I grew up in) our old neighbor was out sweeping her walk. We grew up raking her leaves, riding our bikes up her driveway and declining the tea she offered us. ; ) Sweet lady. Her husband died probably 10 yrs ago. My Dad mowed their lawn, swept leaves off their roof and other misc. jobs since I can remember. We visited every once and a while and always sang to them every Christmas. She would invite us into their immaculate home. White carpet, porcelain elephants, fancy paintings. I'm sure my Mom was quite nervous. ; ) Shortly after her husband passed away she talked to my parents about the church and was baptized at 83 yrs. of age. - To sum up an amazing story in 1 sentence.

Well today we stopped and said Hi. My Mom had a birthday present to give her. When I pulled up she couldn't believe I was old enough to drive let alone 2 kids in the backseat. She is losing her memory a little bit & her daughter wants to put her in a assisted living home but she adamantly refuses. She said to me "I just love keeping house, I can't do that anymore if they put me in a home." Of all things I think housework would be the first thing I would like to scratch off my list! She must be close to 90, she's lonely, losing her memory and all she wants is to keep house.

Our little conversation made me quite grateful for all the housework I do and all the housework that is staring me in the face. I do it everyday and yet there will always be more tomorrow, while discouraging it is nice to know that I have so many other things that fill my life besides housework. Making a home is a wonderful thing. And someday if I am lonely and old and housework is the only link to my memory and meaning in my life then bring on the dishes!! I'm sure my gratefulness for cleaning will wear off shortly but just for today...