(hyperventilating)

I'm so excited for "Breaking Dawn" that it completely overwhelms my embarrassment about being this worked up about a piece of juvenile vampire fiction.



So ignore the "on my nightstand" part of this blog because it's being postponed indefinitely until I finish this book. I didn't pre-order it because I didn't know where I would be living at that point... so right now I'm deciding if I should run to a 24-hour Walmart at midnight and grab one or just wait until tomorrow. This town is small enough that I should be able to grab one, right?? Right???

potty talk

I am beginning to regret my decision to push forward with potty training with no looking back. We've taken two steps forward and one step back several times (or two steps back... see? I'm honest!) and it's usually us (okay, ME -- I am the primary potty trainer, people! It's hard work!) caving when Aidan pulls his stubborn manipulative crap. Where he got that, I have no idea.(Hahaha, okay even I laughed then. Of course I know where he got it, people! It was Mike. ALL Mike -- nice genes, honey.)

Well he's done it again -- we are in round 147 of our proverbial pissing contest (how apropos, teehee). This time, he has to be potty trained in order to attend school at the end of August -- and he knows what to do, and does it when the spirit moves him (except #2 -- I'll call it #2 for my more sensitive readers). It really comes down to him not wanting to interrupt what he's doing to go sit on the potty, and then when he REALLY has to go he has tantrums because he's uncomfortable and instead of just sitting on the potty he works himself up into a fit -- it's pretty ugly.

Enough backstory -- like I was saying, he has to be trained to go to school. Aidan loves school, he talks about it a lot, is excited to go back... in theory. He also hates being left places, and usually has a fit then too. So we go back and forth. When I told him we were going to use the potty all the time so we could go to school, he was excited, went pee, and then promptly wanted to climb into the car and drive off to school.

Today, however, was a different story. He got hung up on me leaving him at school, and decided he didn't want to go anymore. So after accident #3 today, we were having a chat about where the poop -- er I mean #2, goes, and he answered correctly that it belonged in the potty. I asked him why he hadn't told me it was time to sit on the potty (because believe me, he knows when it's time! It's like a monumental event around here) and he answered, "I'm not going to school," as he grinned and climbed back into bed.

That little pill knows exactly what he is doing. I'm shocked, frustrated, and a little bit awed by his smarts and skills. Those, by the way, came from my genes.

i'm melting...

Oh, how I miss my central air and its sweet whispers of coolness. Blowing on my toes while I stand at my sink, rushing over my hot skin while I walk in and out my front door repeatedly, sweeping across my forehead as I lay on the floor in order to get closer to the vent... you know, all the normal activities people do to enjoy their AC. Theoretically, that is -- I would never actually do those weirder things.

...really.

chub factor

Let me just say that pregnancy weight gain SUCKS.
Especially when you did nothing to deserve the sheer amount that was put on during baby-baking.
Especially when it's baby #2 fat and it does not magically disappear from your body within a couple months... in fact, it acts like it's superglued on.
Especially when you gained 20 pounds before you got pregnant anyway so you're fighting an uphill battle (but that's just between us, right? At least uphill is good for the butt)

This weekend I think I'm going to a lake or reservoir or some other unchlorinated body of fishy water with my sister Jo and all the kids (between us that's 9 young boys). But that's not the part I'm scared about -- I'm scared about the whole tanning thing. See, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place -- in order to improve my blinding white legs, I have to subject them to UV rays of some sort... and at this point, with my post-baby chub, I'd much prefer to keep the sight of my untanned thighs between me, God, and a tanning bed.

What to do, what to do?

spinning class #2

Pros

• My butt doesn't hurt like it did Friday. Is it the fact that I have quickly developed bike-seat-butt-callus, took ibuprofen before leaving my home this morning, or did I finally figure out how to sit on the seat correctly? I'm betting it's some combination of the three.
• Did you see that?? My butt doesn't hurt! I thought it was worthy of an extra pro -- one for each ischial tuberosity ;)

Cons

• This class was HARD. Not to whine or anything... (whine) but this instructor was tougher than Friday's instructor. I was feeling both tough and slightly grossed out as I sweated buckets into my little white towel.
• The whiteness factor of my legs nauseates me a bit when I look in the mirror. I really need to get on that one.

perhaps you missed this...

I know it's late, and I've already done a couple posts today... but really, my posts are the highlight of your blog reading schedule, right?? I thought so -- I won't let myself feel bad for bringing sunshine into your life.

While I do feel sort of dumb re-posting this picture, I am convinced that no one truly looked closely at it like I suggested... this is truly my favorite picture from Aidan's entire birthday party.

Here's the original that I posted:

And here's a close-up so you can see just why I love this photo so much:

That's my boy. Finger up his nose, big ole grin on his face while people sing "Happy Birthday" to him. He certainly looks like he's having a happy birthday -- I didn't notice it until after the party, so I hope he didn't touch any of the cupcakes I ate. (YES I had two.)

open letter to my closet

Dear Closet,

I just don't know if it's going to work out between you and me. I can't help but compare you to my last closet -- I know that's not a healthy thing to do, but I find myself replaying all my last closet's wonderful qualities over and over in my head.

I am having a hard time moving on and letting go of my last relationship. Floor-to-ceiling shoe shelves... that's not something a girl can just forget. I am sure you're a wonderful closet, and I feel awful about it but I just don't think it's the right time for me to get involved with someone new... I'm no good for you, baby.

It's not you, it's me.

Anna

culture shock

I am liking Idaho Falls so far, I really am. It's pretty different than Salt Lake, and I'm still adjusting to all these differences.

For example, the alcohol laws here are a bit more lax which is a plus to me -- I'm not a heavy drinker or anything, but it's nice to be able to get a bottle of wine at the grocery store, and not have to drive 20 minutes to a liquor store. I enjoy that.

Also, the high temperature may be 95 degrees, but it only seems to be that miserable for a few hours in the afternoon -- in Utah, it would have been 90 degrees by 11 AM... at 11 AM here it's still something normal like 75 degrees. I also enjoy that.

Now to things that I don't enjoy, or that I'm going to have to learn to get used to...

People in Salt Lake are very image conscious -- I knew some women who had moved from places like Southern California and they were pretty surprised by the parallels between those two spots. Everyone has designer jeans, designer homes, designer teeth and bodies, you know... the works. It's very important to LOOK good in Salt Lake -- it's a bit extreme, really.

I find myself having to remind myself here that "just because it's not fancy doesn't mean it's not quality." Not to say Idaho Falls is a dump because it's NOT -- don't get me wrong. It's just a bit more normal than Salt Lake, probably... I'm actually a bit embarrassed to find myself hesitating when I find out that Aidan's preschool classroom is in a modular building outside the church the rest of the school is in (it's supposed to be a fabulous program so I just made myself get over it -- seriously, what does it matter?) or that the credit union we signed up at isn't all glossy, huge, and expensive-looking. (apparently credit unions are "the thing" in Utah and so they are everywhere and they are huge since most of them don't even seem to enforce membership guidelines, and they are probably oozing money. That's right, oozing. Aren't they supposed to be not-for-profit?? How does that work, seriously?) I feel bad for being so hung up on appearances, I feel almost shallow. So that's something that I'm definitely needing to work on.

This last thing I really don't love... again, I was probably sheltered in Utah. I was returning something at a store and I overheard a cashier having a conversation with some other people -- a girl and a guy (kind of trashy looking). It went something like this:

Cashier: You pregnant?

Girl: Yeah.

Cashier (to the guy): Is it yours?

Guy: No...

Cashier: Who's baby is it then?

Girl: His friend Bobby's... we got drunk at a party. (laughs)

I tuned them out at that point because my mouth was probably wide open and I was no doubt giving myself away as a sheltered Utahn who has only ever actually heard a conversation like this on a show like "Cops" -- hello, people?? How trashy is that? Think of the poor baby!

Ugh.

SO anyway, in a roundabout way I guess all I'm saying is that I'm adjusting. I still miss my Costco though.

sure, i'll play.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

I've never done anything like this on here... so make your memories good and funny so I won't regret my decision :)

anatomy lesson

As soon as I typed tailbone, I knew it wasn't right. Not even close, I'm embarrassed to say. Being the geek that I am, I consulted my old anatomy workbook and what I meant to say was: "this ridiculous ischial tuberosity pain better go away"

We here at Moments on the Silver's Screen always strive to be factual -- and educational! Now you know that those little knobbly sitting bones are technically called ischial tuberosities and that they are the little bones screaming at you for mercy while you perch yourself wobbily on a bike seat for an hour.

Class dismissed!

first day of spinning

Ow.

It better help me get skinnier for Johannah's wedding, and this ridiculous tailbone pain better go away, and I better run out and get a tan on my legs so while I am staring at myself in the mirror during class I don't want to cry from the whiteness of it all.

I'd type more but it hurts to sit. Perhaps I should mosey over to a medical supply store and pick up a donut for my chair.

bad times at Target

I had an embarrassing nightmare-type experience in Target today. Ever had a dream where you are out and about and suddenly realize you're NAKED???

No, I wasn't naked (thank God -- for me and the innocent Target guests)... but as I walked into Target for the umpteenth time to get more felt stickery things for the bottom of our furniture (gotta love the wood floors) and more fans for my 120-degree house (did I mention that this house has no air conditioning and half the windows are painted shut??) a man stared at me with a quizzical expression...

and I suddenly realized that I had TOTALLY forgotten to get ready this morning -- it was a no shower morning while I unpacked hundreds of boxes, and my hair was this crazy woman bird-nest mess, I have a couple ugly red spots on my face (going on 3 weeks of post IUD-insertion PERIOD with all the hormonal symptoms like breakouts. Spotting my ass!!) and I have raccoon eyes from mascara... Seriously. BAD time for me to go to the store. I was mortified but just did my shopping anyway...

I got enough odd glances though, that I bet I have a reputation in this town already.

Garage sale craziness

Today we had a garage sale at the new house to get rid of all the crap we don't need (and there was a lot of that...) Remember, I've learned to have the garage sale BEFORE the move, not after -- so please, don't try this at home.

Johannah and Joe were selling a lot more than we were, since they're combining households and all. But we did make enough to make a hefty dent in the cost of a new crib, since someone *ahemahemMikeahem* broke ours in the move.

William in Jo's 1990 prom dress looking sassy. He went out to the street and waved down cars.

Aidan covered in price tag stickers. He's yours for $10.... okay, $8. But that's as low as I can go.

Wesley looking cute, per usual -- finally cut one of his first teeth and is a much happier boy.(didn't I mention that he was sloooowly cutting teeth this week? Of course he was, why wouldn't he be up all night crying the week we were moving? It makes perfect sense.)

Aidan turns 3

Amid all the craziness of the last week, Aidan had a birthday. I can't believe my baby is three years old. I know everyone feels this way, so it's a bit cliche, but it really does happen in the blink of an eye. Here's to 3 being a better year for us than 2!! (Seriously, Aidan almost got sold to the gypsies several times last year...)

We had a little party at the park for him on Monday so he could play with his friends before we left. Here he is in some sweet new sunglasses:

Blowing out the candle on his cupcakes (with a little help from Taylor!)

And finally, my personal favorite. Check out where the birthday boy's finger is. I think I'll frame this one...

jeff update

From Mike's comment on an earlier post:

Cat found! Poor Jeff has been wedged between Aidan's headboard and the wall for at least 3 weeks. Despite the lack of food, water, or meowing, Jeff was extracted and is completely unscathed! Upon his rescue, he was immediately snuggled by Aidan. Onlookers said the reunion was nothing short of a miracle. Mike Silver, Channel 9 news. Back to you in the studio, Stan.

This was very good news.

made it to idaho

We got here yesterday afternoon after a week that can only be described as hellish! I hate moving!!!! Are there enough exclamation marks to get my point across?? (!!!!!)

So many things have happened, including Aidan's 3rd birthday yesterday and Mike's dry socket (blech) after his tooth extraction. Pretty exciting life we lead, wouldn't you agree?

I wish everyone could see the state of our house... no, never mind, I take that back. Did I mention that I hate moving? I will make sure to update the blog sooner rather than later with photos of Aidan's birthday party and some pictures of this place covered in mess and boxes. But I really do have to go back to unpacking. Or showering. I stink!!! Moving sucks.

A few things I've learned in the last week:

1. Take a break from lia sophia BEFORE major events, not just after. It's just a couple days and it saves a whole lot of trouble. What was I thinking doing a show on Tuesday and closing a show on Wednesday afternoon amid boxes being carted out to the moving van? Picture me and my little computer in a corner of the empty office, desperately trying to find order forms that had probably been packed.

2. Hire movers next time.

3. Piano movers are one of God's greatest gifts to mankind.

4. 16-yr old moving assistants are not very good at NOT messing up your furniture, no matter how good their intentions.

5. Garage sale BEFORE the move, not after.

6. Unloading moving vans by yourself in 86 degree weather is ridiculously grueling.

7. $4.15/gallon at 6-8 miles/gallon times 235 miles ... equals expensive.

8. Hire movers next time. Seriously.

5 days left...

...and the situation over here is pretty much the same. SIGH. I've been packing things here and there, but I want to move packed boxes and furniture out to the garage and the garage isn't packed yet. Don't blame me, that wasn't my job!! ;)

On a positive note (sort of), Mike got his wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. Why is that positive? Well in our original plan his appointment was the day before we needed to be out of here... and more than likely it would have gotten real ugly, real fast. The dentist had a cancellation though, so voila! Here we are, 2 teeth extractions later. Even though we accomplished nothing yesterday I'm glad to be on the other side of dentist visit. One less thing to worry about. (I'm trying to stay positive here)

On an incredibly negative note, Jeff (Aidan's stuffed cat) is absolutely nowhere to be found. I'm really, truly starting to panic. He hadn't asked about him for the last few days, but it started tonight. I asked Aidan if he knew where Jeff was and he said that he was "plob-ably in my closet? Or in your room?" But alas, he is neither of those two places. Or any of the other 247 places I have checked in the last 20 minutes.

Have you seen this cat???

(I'm totally not kidding -- did we leave it at your house, anyone?)

Beer, Anyone?

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed -- my (lovely) sister Johannah told me everything I need to do in a week's time as far as packing is concerned, since she's an expert and has moved her family several times (without any help from her ex-husband who would coincidentally disappear every time moving was required).

Needless to say I have finally realized that ignoring this issue probably isn't the right way to go about trying to get everyone moved up to Idaho by next Thursday -- oh well, it was worth a shot!

Pray for me... I guess I have to go start packing. Have I mentioned how much I hate to move? Does anyone want to do it for me? Free beer!!

Way Cooler Than Cosmo

So... you should all subscribe to my fabulous blog. See the handy little sign up button over there on the right side of the screen? Yep, you should do it. Everyone else is, and you don't want to be the only one NOT doing it, right?

I'm just thinking of you and your status as one of the cool kids... because just between you and me, I think you are definitely one of the cool kids.



Pssssssssst......... do it.

are we there yet?

07/08 - 07/14 Pack all our stuff (seriously, who needs all this stuff??) while concurrently searching the house for Aidan's stuffed cat "Jeff" who has been missing for the last few days -- try not to act panicked, kids can sense fear. I'm sure the cat is somewhere around here... right???

07/08 lia sophia show

07/09 Finish shopping for Aidan's 3rd birthday, finding fun things for him that have nothing to do with sports since his sports toys are tied up in a potty reward that we created MONTHS ago (literally) and that I was positive would be achieved by now. Any suggestions?

07/10 lia sophia show

07/12 lia sophia Region Rally up in Layton... so not looking forward to driving to this.

07/14 Aidan's birthday party/going away party at a local park

07/15 lia sophia show (yes, I'll be doing it)

07/16 Mike's wisdom teeth removal (we are apparently insane)

07/17 Happy Birthday Aidan! Hopefully driving to Idaho (which should be fun -- see previous day's activities!)

07/18 Renters move-in date / Anna's collapse date :)

crap

Apparently my whining did the trick (natch) because it seems that we have found some normal people (at least in appearances!) to rent our home. The guy dropped off their deposit this morning, and Mike says they're coming over to sign the lease tonight.

So how do I celebrate? By getting queasy of course! Crap, crap, crap. TONIGHT?

I am freaking out now that it's actually happening -- but I have no time to freak out. I have to go pack. Crap.

renter blues

Why is it so hard to find normal people to rent our house? I wish I could change the listing to just head off all these weirdos at the pass.

--Your aunt's fiance's cousin may not live here with you.

--No, we will not rent to you if you lie to us about your reason for moving, especially when we discover through your background check that you're going through a bankruptcy you failed to alert us about. (Especially when the rent payment is $50 MORE than your current house payment. Even if you tell us you're selling your cars and getting rid of your pets. No. No. No.)

--No, you may not re-tile, paint, or build on if the spirit moves you and then deduct the work from your rent.

--I beg you, stop saying "get 'er done." Especially while my husband shows you the dimmer switch in the master bedroom.

-- Why does everyone seem to have two massive outdoor dogs? Mike is sure they are all probably named Marmaduke or Clifford, and while I do like our furry friends, the idea of having big dogs tearing up my backyard and barking all day long is frightening to me.

-- Yes, the rent is firm.

-- No shoes, no shirt, no tour of the house.

Any other questions?

feathers

I can hear the jealous cries of teenage boys everywhere, who fight with their hair to defy gravity in such a messy, Big Bird feathery way.

secret joy

Um. How did I not know they were making a bigscreen version of "Mamma Mia"? HOW? I love campy crazy things like this. Hell, I even love ABBA. They're like Ace of Base, but so much more more... classic. I secretly love the movie "Muriel's Wedding" (okay maybe not-so-secretly...) and I was literally shocked today when I saw pictures for some premiere of this movie I wasn't even AWARE of. Perhaps I've had my "Twilight" movie (in theatres 12.12.08!) blinders on.

Who is as excited for this as me?? It's okay to admit. It's got Meryl Streep in it -- she has an Oscar so it has to be good, right? ;) Pierce Brosnan! Colin Firth! Both fabulous -- and fabulous looking! It even has that HI-larious girl from "Mean Girls". I have no idea what her name is, but I loved her then so I'm sure I'll love her now.

I just had to share the joy. This is a good thing, people.