An apple a day...

It's a super idea...but it doesn't cover everything.

I've got one of those amazing sore throats today. My head weighs an extra 23 pounds, and that lurking sleepy self that I've mentioned before, is threatening a take-over. Whenever I feel ill, I wonder at how I can go along, without real comprehension of the many miraculous things a body does, without my taking any note.

And I know that Jed "would rather go jump off a cliff" (or some other of his many sayings that indicate the abhorance of the idea) than to drink TheraFlu, but "it does a body good."

No decisions of any real importance can be made today due to the fuzzy head. (I think I might have been feeling this way the day Star cajoled me into getting pigs. I still wonder how that happened) So... listen up, I fear taking any phone calls today. Please leave a message (I know that will be a real change).

Job Opening from Little Monster.com

A temporary position (perhaps seasonal) has come available in Lindon, Utah.
Training suggested: Early Childhood education, Library Science, Children's Lit., Art & Design (for school projects), Advertising & Marketing, Debate (for negotiations with small children), Psychology, Psychiatry, Nutrition, Homeopathy, Criminology, Lie Detecting, Seminary, Dermatology, Medicine, Dentistry, Relaxation Theories, Culinary Arts, Marriage and Family Science, Taxi service, Business, Finance, Social Work. (All are suggested, but in no way guarantee total success).

Responsiblities include, but are in no way limited to: laundry 6 days/week, dinners 7day/week (unless you boycott some weekend nights), Parent Teacher Conferences every other month, grocery shopping, budgeting, driving the entire length of Utah county, sweeping a zillion/day, vacuuming, flushing toilets every time/passed, refereeing, child care 24/7.


Benefits include: hugs, smiles, throw-up: down, on, by, clean shirts and carpets, love letters, original artwork dedications, compliments, frequent date nights, more PBS than you thought possible.

Any takers?

Send your application to mom.of.sam.@questionable sanity.help.org.please

If, on your first day on the job, you give a certain child an ultimatum about staying home from school if he won't get his clothes on, and he smiles and says, "Dad said that to me last week. He said I'd have to stay in my room all day -- but can I come down for dinner and home evening?"
Don't show that you're flustered. He watches for that.

A Pizza Party For Parley

Parley Christian Wells turned 3 last week. He invited friends and family to a party at the Brick Oven. Pars or "P", as his Daddy calls him, is quite a guy -- his rich chuckle is contagious. In fact, his laugh reminds me of his Dad. When Jed was little, he was contented with simple things. He could be given a hose, put on the back lawn, and be happy for a long time. His chortle would ring through the neighborhood. We loved to watch movies with him, dress him up and paint his nails, talk and sing with him, or just watch him pretend ---partly because of that laugh.

Some photos from the chaotic Brick Oven:

No more salad Mom, --or bread, or pizza. Just cake please.

Yo! Happy Birthday and stuff, man!

Brother John Jacob Jingle-Hymer Schmidt joined us --his name is their name too.

Last night Pars, Haze, and Jules came for a visit to the Hall playroom. Hazey began writing sentences about "cats" on the chalkboard. Jules piled blocks and Lego's. Then "H" and "J" moved on to marbles (that was tricky) and dress-ups, phones, and puzzles.

But Parley bounced on, around, beside, and under a great big blue ball the whole time. He laughed and laughed. I did too. What a lucky Aunt I am.

Freaky Friday

Now that I've got the photo access, I'll post our Halloween adventures:

Pre-Halloween Jitters:

Our new (and not beloved by me) tradition:

The Mottley Crew at the Ward Trunk Or Treat

Who is that guy? (a favorite quote from that evening, "Trick or" ... (then the little Sunbeam looked up into the yellow-toothed face of her bishop --and fear overcame her, and she ran,"Mommy!")

Another of Zach's daring outfits. (Last year he was a flag football player (he wore his Orem Rec t-shirt) the year before he was a little-league baseball player (he wore his uniform))
This year he's a (surprise) SOCCER player!

Our Lovely Irish Step Dancer (or Gretel, or Heidi)
(wasn't that dress a find? Savers people --Savers can be your friend too.)

A 5 o'clock shadow on our Lion Tamer--check out his whip!

"Give me a M. Give me an I. Give me a L- L- I -E. Go-0-0-0 Cougars!" (she composed her own cheer) Zach tells us the colors are wrong, but the Saver's price was right so...)

Arrrg! And a Yo Ho Ho! (special thanks to Aunt Susie for the costume loan)

How Do You Spell Relief?

One big way for me is: HAVING TECHNICAL DEVICES UP AND RUNNING AGAIN!

Now I can post the pictures I've wanted to for the past month, hopefully talk to my missionary parents on Skype again, and download the stuff from the camera, etc.

Yesterday "Maxler" began to reach out for things. It was so satisfying for me. Each stage holds such wonder --every time. And I feel like there is something magical in having seen that look of discovery on other little faces, previously. It's then familiar, and natural, and I embrace the whole experience and recognise it for the milestone it is. He is securely attached and wary about granting his smiles to "strangers." But he knows the voices in the family and turns to find the people they belong to. His own little voice is a sweet little kind of raspy one. This week he has been sick, and when I rescue him from his bed, after naps, he "talks" to me. It reminds me of my Mom saying to all of her grandchildren at this stage, "Tell me all about it." And then making empathic listening noises as they babble on.

Who has been taking photos while Mom was gone?
These little guys aren't very sneaky -- they document the evidence!

Riddle Me This

Why is this baby so contented? Is it because he is on his parent's nice bed? Is it because he is getting this pants changed?

Hey --Why is there a giant wet splotch on his parent's nice bed?

You'd Better Watch Out

There are many items that offer consumer warnings. I am finding, however, that some really important things that we use or come across daily -- don't. I would like to perhaps make you aware of some drawbacks that may prevent you from managing your time efficiently when using these items.

For instance: A piece of string (from a balloon, from a ball of yarn, from a sweater that is beginning to unravel) can be a serious distraction for blond, blue-eyed, 7 year old boys before school (almost paralyzing). Combing the general area for stray strings or toys or books may prove helpful but is in no way a guarantee that such boys will stay focused on the task at such an early hour.

Containers specifically designed for toy organization require a very limited warranty on serving their proper function.

A full length bathroom door may ostensibly offer the privacy you seek, but the 2" space beneath that door is an inviting place for little hands ("Mama, can you see my fingers? Can you see them now?").

A plastic bib is ideal for protecting a child's clothing or face, but it can also prove to be a real vision impairment.


Portable hair brushes, portable uniform items and portable shoes require a warning: if they are taken off or taken to a wide variety of locations, girls with very long hair will have harried mornings.

And the piano, centrally located in order to share "a joyful noise" needs a large sign that reads, "If you should be doing chores, homework, feeding the dog, or listening to your Mom, very spirited renditions of 'Praise To The Man' are strictly prohibited."


Perhaps one that can and ought only to be realized through experience: Caution: If you marry a guy, and have children, and those children like you (and that silly guy does too) -- you won't have a whole lot of time to yourself -- for a very long while.

"You Gotta Have Faith"

Our church meetings end around noon on Sundays. We have the whole rest of the afternoon to play together and be. Today Zach made a lofty goal to read 100 pages in the Book Of Mormon, so that he could cut down on the pages he will need to read daily in order to finish the book before his birthday. He perched himself in the middle of the mess (Sam, Abbie, and Millie had already been hard at work creating sheriff badges and tickets for their upcoming "show" --a regular Sunday feature. The characters change, the mess indicates the genre, but a Sunday show is fairly consistent). The Sheriff, Clerk and Cowboy headed out West (the playroom) and just Max and I were left making lip-smacking noises as we sampled a Winter Squash and Oatmeal Entree.



Suddenly Zach says, "My whole quorum doesn't have any faith, Mom."

"What? What do you mean?" I ask with some concern.

He responds very seriously, "None of them think we have a chance."

"Zach, what are you talking about?"

"They all think that BYU doesn't have a chance against the U this weekend."

I realize that he is genuinely upset about this.

"Is the U a good team this year?"I try and match his level of solemnity.

"Well, they are 11 to 0, so they're undefeated," he states as if EVERYONE should know that.

"Well I guess then that it's possible," I answer.



My nearly thirteen year old looks back down at his scriptures. "We've all just got to have faith, Mom. We can all make it happen if we all have faith."


.

Jonny Harline making the winning catch of the BYU vs Utah 2006 (History)

What important words of wisdom will you be inspired with when you read your scriptures tonight? (He finished by the way -- 100 pages of a great book on a golden autumn afternoon.)

Should we be paying closer attention to our children's examples of simple faith?

Always

Budgeting Blahs

I have been working on creating the flawless budget for several months now. It has taken re-search, and re-working, and re-fining. I decided that I was so close -- I 'd just plug away at it tonight until it was finally finished. The ox was in the mire, the wheel must push along, the horse before the cart... something. I needed to cross it off my list.

Star and I decided that the project would be our date night. We had a really good plan. This kind of work, after a long day at a sales conference however, just was not intriguing enough to keep his eyelids from drooping. He kept falling off the wagon, if you know what I mean.

In my best martyr-mode, I pledged to forge ahead. And I have been doing just that, until I realized that in my number categories, I was entering things like this:
Birthdays/gifts: $ Of To See the River. What?

Do you think that's some sort of ego or alter-ego requesting some help from the Wizard? Maybe it's my stomach planning to head Over The River and Through the Woods for Thanksgiving...or something.

Anyway, I decided to take a break and check my blog. I saw that Jaynie had just posted an hour ago. I read it and began to sob --out loud. Ah Jed.

I think I'll go to bed. That silly Ox is rather insignificant after reading such art.

Budgeting --I'll paint your wagon!

Henry, Aggie and Millie

When you read those ancestoral names -- is it any wonder that these little people are friends? Imagine the smiles on the other side.

Today, Henry and Aggie came to play. We ran an errand together. As we pulled out onto State Street, Henry stopped mid-sentence and said very sincerely, "I love you." Millie answered surprised, "You love me? Oh thank you!"

Their conversation returned to some imaginative plan they had for creating paper costumes for themselves and each other when we got back to the play room.

Miek and I laughed and marveled that as these babies get old enough to express themselves -- they are so full of love.

Name That Tune

My sister Carrie would go crazy here. Carrie is a person who can recall every lyric she's ever heard, I think. Whereas I, unfortunately for my past primary pupils, am not.

It may be an inherited trait. My children seem lyrically challenged likewise. Tonight we heard, "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree at the Christmas Holly Hock."

And,"Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, oh yeah, then you gave it away. This year, the Sandy Frontier, I give it to someone SPECIAL." Special is right.

Last week, "Istanbul is Constatanople, been long time gone, then Constatanople, Now a long time gone yeah Constatanople. Didn't anybody get the word? Idileeah--That's no body's business but the terd."(Elder Grandpa Wells, cover your eyes.)

I try to correct the mistakes as they happen, but it's difficult to really rectify those poor songs when I can't remember what the right lyrics are. I remember Carrie trying to help me as I sang,"O-K-M-A-H-O-M- A , OKLA HOME-AH!" with such gusto. Or working on duets to be performed together, and Mom making index cards with the words to the songs just for me (why does Over the Rainbow have so many verses anyway?)

p.s. Have you tried singing while Afton is around? Geesh --she's just like her mother.

What talent!

A Few GOOD Things

Martha likes to say, "It's a good thing." I have a few of my own:

*Check out www.quicken.com I just discovered that you can manage your bank accounts and budget, see pie charts and bar graphs, all for FREE!

*Schwan's chicken nuggets

*Big Lots for laundry fabric softener -- I can often find Downy, Gain, and Tide products for much less than other places.

*Oreck Pet stain remover for Carpets. Amazing. It can even take out permanent black ink from carpet (I won't get into the reason why I know this is true).

*The Conference Issue of the Ensign, with a pen in hand. Mark it all up -- make it yours.

*The magazine, Seeing The Every Day. There is nothing like it. Peace.

*3 newly read books: My Family Tree, Hattie Big Sky, and Criss Cross (all Newbery winners).

*Steamables veggies in the frozen food section. Super fast and no mess.

*Crock Pots

*Magic Erasers (not the Home Depot version)

*Reading old golden books to a child all snuggled up on a couch together (actually this is good anywhere).

*Portable Heaters (The best is from Costco. It is around $50, but worth every penny) They are silent, non-smelly, and won't burn a child (or catch a blanket on fire like Jeddie did when he was 2).

So... what are some of your "Good Things?"

Patterns and Reality

It is 8:03am. The phone is ringing. Caller ID says: Timpanogos Academy. I wonder...Should I answer? (Groan)Yes.

It is Wednesday. It is raining and cold. Last Wednesday it was snowing -- a blizzard. Why am I so aware of the Wednesday morning weather patterns? Because they affect my trip to the Zach-and-Star-forgotten-Trash duties. And the Dog duties. And the Timpanogos Academy trip for the forgotten shoes!?

Reality has set in. My Wonderful Wells Women's Weekend is woefully wan. (Is that a word?)

As Sisters In Zion

The overall feeling as we met up in SLC to begin our First Wells Women Weekend was sheer giddiness. We left behind children, laundry, meal prep and clean-up for 3 days. Able and good-natured husbands filled in, and our giddy gave way to gratitude as the weekend progressed. After a good lunch and tour of the Joseph Smith Memorial building, we all did Inititories at the SLC temple. It was great fun to see "Wells" "Wells" "Wells" on our family history cards. We were asked to write our first initial and last name. I was very compliant: I obediently jotted down "Sister."

After finishing, we ate at fancy uptown Faustino's. We sampled each other's entrees and laughed our way through the fantastic meal. We then headed to Park City and to our condo rental thanks to Anita's navigating device.

Our snow covered condo came complete with Native American and Goldfish/Shark decor. We were impressed and cold (especially Jayne). We changed into comfy clothes and settled in for a game night where many unique attributes were uncovered. For instance, we think Jayne may be the first (and only) one of us to have nine children (while curing cancer). Miek would be an ideal fashion designer, Carrie's teeth are enviable, and Nan was voted most likely to try Botox. Anita will publish a novel, but NOBODY wants to trade her life for mine. Hmmm.

After more late night chitter chatter, we gloried in sleeping THROUGH THE NIGHT (a rarity for most of us). We hit the outlets Sat. morning and surprised ourselves with our own endurance (especially Carrie). I've never done so much talking and laughing from inside dressing rooms. We found Christmas gifts for all, and even some "universally flattering" goodies for ourselves.

We purposely posed here in front of our bag-filled trunk, but you can't see the bags.


Back at the condo, we tried to figure out which bag belonged to whom.

We put on a little fashion show, laughed some more, and headed to the historic Park City Main Street for dinner. There we had a run in with Hector, the night manager. He plainly felt that our dissatisfaction with his GARLIC pizza was unfounded. The Wells in-laws took care of that one. Poor grumpy Hector not only was required to provide a substitute pasta, but had to give back the remaining $6.00 from the Pizza (this all happened while the Wells born girls slunk out).


After such a long and tiring day physically, what could be better than a nice soak in the Internet-advertised hot tub? We couldn't wait.

We donned our boots and suits (Jayne even composed a song to serenade our anticipated swimming adventure)only to find that the pool and hot tub had been drained, and the clubhouse would re-open Nov. 28th! Oh Well -- on to Jewelry making with Miek.


Except for Carrie who accepted Nan's crazy dare. Look at her grace.

Ahhh -- we felt reluctant to have it come to an end. But spouses, church callings, and little people awaited our return. Our Maternal bonds and responsibilities are also our liberation, and the ties that bind us as SISTERS. We truly felt that we had shared a bit of Zion --of one mind and one heart.



Thank you all.

The Polls at the Halls

I'm pretty sure that if Dan Jones and associates came and polled at the Hall house yesterday, there would have been a sizable drop--in the popular vote. The C.M.O. (chief mothering officer) made some requests, and then followed up afterwards with tactics that brought her ratings fairly low.

By the time she'd used her "cross" voice and confiscated an unruly "sleepy" (blanket) that was being used to whip innocent bystanders and then wipe the dirty floor, her popularity had reached a nearly all time low. As she said between clenched teeth and with ferocity, "I am tired of this disobedience" she managed to free the "sleepy" from the rebel child. The fleece came with such speed, that it's tail flew upward and brought half of the wall wreath on it's way back down.

That did it. She then did what any self-respecting C.M.O. would do: She fled the scene, and marched up to her room. Behind the locked door she considered her options. They seemed bleak. She knew that her only real shot at re-election would be to go down and apologize to some; go up and tuck another (now sobbing) child in.

And then she recalled something very important: She wasn't going to be up for re-election. She hadn't run for office in the first place. She had fallen in love with a funny boy named Star, married him, made some pretty serious promises, and borne some pretty wonderful babies. Those babies came pre-wired and proved challenging, but she didn't want a different job. She was pretty good at her mothering most of the time. In fact, if this C.M.O. saw her overall ratings on a spread sheet, she'd probably feel like, all things considered, she couldn't ask for a better job situation. All things considered, however, she thought she'd better pray.

This just in: The C.M.O. of the Hall Household will retain her position for yet another term.

A New Deal

Millie informed today that she no longer wanted to live here, at our house. She was ready to move to a friend's house. Maybe it was time to move in with Lyddie. After all, she was through making her bed and picking up her toys when she was done playing with them. At Lyddie's, she wouldn't have to do those things.

"Hmmm" I responded. "Do you think you might miss your bed and your things, and maybe your Mom after a while?" She smiled broadly, "No -- you would just move there with me." I said, "Oh, I see. Where would I sleep?" "Oh just in Aunt 'Nita's bed with her." I asked, "What about the baby -- do you think he might miss us when we're gone?" She paused, only for a minute,"Um, well, he would just sleep in Aunt 'Nita's bed too. Then me and Lyddie could play all the time and do dress-ups, and littlest pet-shops, and I could always have a friend to be with. And then I wouldn't have to clean up any more."

It sounds plausible. After all, I get kind of tired of chores too. And if I remember right, the Sandy Wellses have a king sized bed.

Suzuki, Strauss, Stravinsky and Stefanie

So what was it?

Maybe it began with the years of Mrs. Primrose and the Suzuki method of ear training for violin repertoire.

Or it might have been old black and white movies and American musicals as a main source of family entertainment. Could it have been getting ready for school with Dad's NPR as the backdrop? Was it the myriad of theatrical performances seen on the BYU stage with Mom and Dad? Maybe it was the Daltons and their self-contained family orchestra. Perhaps it was the mother of a boy I dated -- she always had it on (and she had a world class selection).

By the time I reached London at age 18, it was something that soothed: Classical Music
I remember there were several days a week when our classes at Palace Court were over by 11:15am. If I raced, I could just make it to the Queensway tube stop, take the red line to the National Gallery, and catch the free noon time concerts at St. Martin's in the Fields Cathedral. "My I was Yar" (name that old movie).

Actually -- I wasn't yar, but I was young and hungry to learn and live. I remember visiting Salzburg (Mozart's birthplace) and pinching myself. I tried to imagine what it must have been like to have had the capacity to compose as he did.

Yesterday, as I was driving my Suburban (it seats 9, you know) to vote and visit the bread thrift store, Classical 89 was playing music from orchestras in the cities where McCain and Obama had lived. I smiled to myself. I like things like that. I feel like these kinds of people might share my same love for the Nomological Net -- a great big web of ideas that link things together.

In the evenings I like to have it on while preparing dinner. Then I get to hear what I can of the BBC World Report (I like the British accent). Sometimes there's a special program about a certain composer, or on Valentines Day they bring out some fantastic Aaron Copeland (and I always think of my Dad).

I guess what I've realized is that whether I know everything there is to know about classical music or not, my soul can find solace in its rhythm and patterns. And isn't that a wonderful thing?

Your Freedom and Mine

 

Oh say,
Can you see what we have to be grateful for? Can you see what our forefather's sacrificed for us? We parade around and debate passionately about our opinions and our rights. We joke, we worry, and we pray over our country.

Ultimately, we feel a sense of deep peace in knowing that God is in command, and a living Prophet will guide us. Let us worship how, where, and what we may.

..The land of the free, and the home of the brave.

Aspirations

What kinds of hopes and dreams do you have for your posterity?
 

Maybe it's health,wealth, fame and fortune...maybe it's confidence and security. One may wonder how, as a parent or mentor, to instill values that will foster growth in those we love. What can we do to help enable them make quality choices that will, in turn, bring satisfaction?

A Recommendation:

Send them to school or on friend picnics with pizza snacks. Then, they will be popular, even if they don't turn out to be healthy, wealthy and wise.

I mean, let's be realistic -- What child doesn't want to sit by a kid with pizza snacks. And, they're at the dollar store now so... what are you waiting for?

Don't you want to be a good parent?