I NEVER GET WHAT I WANT!

It's Friday!
Yippee!
I LOVE Friday for no real reason other than it's Friday and we GET to hang out with Mrs. 4444 and FRAGMENT!

Go over and say "hi" and defragment yourself!  Everyone's doing it!

* For weeks, I have been receiving emails about renting a private island and flying places on a private jet.  I don't know why their sponsors thought I was a good candidate.  But now after weeks of not taking anyone up on their offers for private islands and jets, I am getting emails about MOTOR HOMES.  I have been demoted down the social chain by random emailers.

* I swear I am the only person who STILL reads a newspaper.  I MUST be the ONLY subscriber in town.
Every Friday, the newspaper sends an email: "Gina click on the treasure box to see if you have won $25 to...."  I NEVER win!  I think the winners are made up people.  I go outside and look up and down the street.  No one else has a newspaper on their driveway.  I AM the ONLY reader!  Therefore, I SHOULD be the WINNER!

* Parker starts work at the country club today.  Don't ask what he is doing. I don't know.  He's underage, so he's not serving cocktails.  He's working in the golf department, area,  division, whatever.  I think he'll be cleaning out golf carts, bringing them up for patrons, working in the pro shop and I don't know what else.  He is 5'6" and weighs 125.  The manager gave him two men's LARGE golf shirts.  Just don't ask him to raise his arms.  As long as he keeps his arms by his sides, you won't see the extra foot of sleeve.  Oh, and did you know that golf is for fat men?  Okay, maybe not fat, but they (Golf clothing manufacturers) don't make pants below a 32" waist.  Really!

* I'll be working on "loading" the excel spread sheet with Youth Trek Participants.  All the forms were due June 1.  There are a total of 420 kids going.  I am responsible for 200 of them.  So far, I have 17 forms.  To the kids' credit, most of the forms are in the hands of church leaders.......who just haven't given them to me.

* Garrett and his companion had to/got to accompany another missionary OUT of the Mission Training Center to the doctor.  A "stranger" insisted on taking their picture and sending it to their moms.  It was so fun to receive a random texted picture.  How cool is that?  I would share it with you but I am the only person on the block who doesn't have a smart phone (and still reads the newspaper) so it can't be shared.  He looks cute though!

Wait.....I am brilliant!  I sent the pic to Tram on HIS IPhone and he sent it back to me as an email.  I'm brilliant!

* Remember my "goal" to sit outside in the sun and read everyday for 1 (ONE) hour?  Well, I did sit outside for an a cumulative hour this week.  So, it wasn't an hour every day and it wasn't every day, but on a couple of days I got out there for a few minutes.

* Every night, the "What's for dinner" question comes up.  All week, I have been saying, "I want pizza."  No one else wants pizza.  No one would let me get pizza!  What kind of family is this??  Finally, last night, I made Parker come with me to get pizza.  He had chicken wings and a salad.  What is WRONG with kids these days?

* Wow, this is kind of whiny!  And let's be real.  I usually, always get my way.
In fact, I never told you about this...........Just a few, short days before Mother's Day, Garrett and I were walking down the mall and I saw this

in the window of Williams-Sonoma.  Yeah, it's NOT the professional one I have.  Yeah, it has 25 less whats of power than my current one.  But it's PINK!  I didn't say a word to anyone.  Okay, I might of hopped on one foot and pointed and squealed like a 3 year old, but guess what was in my kitchen on Mother's Day.  Uh huh!  Hot pink!!!  Life isn't THAT bad.  It will get a lot more use than one of those stupid private islands or private jets anyway.

Have a great Friday!

Wee Bit of Me Wednesday

How did it get to be Wednesday again?


Today -
After spending his first day of summer break at the school cleaning out the Leadership closet,

(Yeah, all that STUFF covering all the desks came out of ONE closet) Parker left today for an Officer's Retreat.


I am going to Brian's work to work on assorted projects (and steal a piece of day old birthday cake from yesterday's June Birthday Celebration)


It's Garrett's preparation day, so we'll get an email from him later this afternoon.
And Trammell will be out pounding the streets in Arkansas selling security systems.


But I'll also share a Wee Bit of Me!



 {one} how many times have you been a bridesmaid/maid of honor?None.  Exactly none.{two} what’s the last thing your do before you fall asleep at night?Pray{three} you just won your dream vacation, all expenses paid. where are you going?Italy - Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Venice, Lake Como{four} what is your favorite outdoor activity?Watching my kids play lacrosse.Sitting......sitting outside in the sun reading a book.{five} as a child, what did you want to “be when you grew up”? did you end up there?I wanted to have 10 children.  Thank heavens THAT didn't happen.I wanted to be a teacher.  I didn't become an official certified teacher, but I did teach early morning scripture study to teenagers for five years.  Loved it!{six} what are 3 things your dream home would have that you don’t currently have?Oooo.......tough one.I think I would like more finish work and better quality cabinets and built-ins throughout.Oh wait........a better pantry and laundry room.{seven} what’s for dinner tonight?I don't know, but I'm not making anything.{eight} if someone stopped by your house unannounced on a typical Saturday night, what would they find you doing?We would probably be sitting on our bed watching mindless TV, but our big is bed and you could hop on up with us and watch too!{nine} what’s your average monthly water bill?In the Winter - $75In the summer - $200{ten} what do you do to relax?Read 

School's OUT for the Summer!

It's Tuesday!!!
Yippee!
Even though Keely has deserted us, Stacy has picked up the slack.
Let the party continue!

Now's your chance to get RaNDoM!

* Today is the first official day of summer for Parker!
Last night, the high school's auto-call system called to tell me that he failed to show up for class yesterday.
Duh!  Remember!  He refused to go back to school after the weekend and arranged to take his finals early so he wouldn't have to go on Monday.
I am NOT calling the school to re-excuse him or to argue.
School's over.  He has straight A's.  What do I care?

* He had to go to school yesterday just to turn in his Senior Spirit Wear order.
So much for refusing to go back to school!

* Parker has to go BACK to school today to the EMPTY school today and clean out the Leadership closet with all the other student body officers.
So much for refusing to go back to school!

* Parker has to go BACK to school tomorrow to go on an Officer's Retreat. 
I find it funny that they had to get a "special" male chaperone because the class sponsor is female and all of the officers except Parker are female and because Parker is the ONE male, they will have to have a male chaperone go along.

So much for refusing to go back to school!

* One of my friends died unexpectedly yesterday.
I guess if you are 76, it's not entirely unexpected....but then again, it is.
I have been her visiting teacher for years.
I was lucky and was able to make it to the hospital and see her.

* I went to Party City to buy some candy to put in a box for Garrett.
He likes all the wacky, super sour stuff like Toxic Waste War Heads.
As I ws checking out, the cashier suddenly stopped ringing me up, came from behind the counter, walked down the aisle and came back with two - 4 pound bags of Tootsie Rolls.
"Would like this for $2?"
"$2?"
"Yeah, they normally sell for $12.99, but we are discontinuing them and are selling them for $2."

Why?  Parker wanted to know why I didn't buy TWO bags.

* Here is the tree that our friends planted in our backyard in my brother's memory.  It's an Austrian Juniper shaped into a bonsai.  Isn't it a sweet little tree?  The nursery man came and planted it and told us how to take care of it.  I can see it from my kitchen window.  The plaque will arrive later.  Isn't that cool???

* Well I'm off to the office to work on the employee handbook and deliver a cake for all of the June birthdays.  Fun times!!!

The Speed of Light

Some of the people in our neighborhood are quite concerned about people speeding through the neighborhood.  First, let me tell you that it is a LARGE neighborhood.  There are about 250 homes and each home sits on about 1 1/2 acres.  From my house to the entrance of the neighborhood is 1.8 miles.  In general, people don't drive through our neighborhood to cut through to anywhere.  There is no where to go except to someone's house.

So yes, most of the speed offenders are residents.

Over the years, people have suggested speed bumps, additional stop signs and all kinds of speed abatement idiocies.

The concern about speeders is largely over deer.  Yeah....deer.  Some people feel really, really sorry for the poor deer who forget to look both ways and run out in front of cars.  Never mind the damage that is done to cars or the fact that speed has little to do with it.  It's not like the deer is standing by the side of the road playing "chicken" with the cars and then gets hit all because some race demon speeds up from 25 to 32.  Really?  The deer?

How about children?

Anyway, someone recently installed a couple of these -

in key places around our neighborhood.

Honestly people, did you think that we were speeding because we didn't KNOW the speed limit?

I am fully aware that the speed limit is 25.

I am fully aware that I am exceeding it.

It's blatant disrespect for the law.

Yeah.  I'm saying it.

I don't care.

I speed because I want to get the heck out of the neighborhood and get going on my errands.

Do you know how long it takes to drive 1.8 miles?
Holy Cow!  I could be stuck in the neighborhood ALL DAY just trying to get out!

I watch for children.  I purposely don't drive the bus route when I know there are busses and school children in the neighborhood (because then I would have to drive 15 and stop every 10 yards.)

I watch for wildlife - deer, fox, coyotes and teenagers.  Sorry, I don't care about the bunnies.

I watch for the walkers, joggers, bikers, and the moms whose kids got on the bus at 8:45 but like to stand in the MIDDLE of the road and visit until 10.

But seriously, do you think that people don't KNOW the speed limit is 25?
Do you think those stupid signs are going to slow people down.

They're not.

Well, I've wasted enough time venting about these stupid signs.

I have to go run errands - driving 32 in a 25 to get out of the neighborhood.

Have a great day!

PS - The highest those signs go is 40 and then it just blinks at you.  In case you were wondering.

Pioneer Trekking, Icy Lemonade & Rib Eye Sandwiches

It's Friday!
We made it!
It's time for FF -
Fantastic Fudge?
Fantasy Football?
Frolicking Fearlessly?

Go on over to Mrs. 4444's place an join the celebration!

* Having the little old lady who works at McDonalds walk around and pass out "samples" of the new Frozen Srawberry Lemonade was a REALLY bad idea.  Good for them.  Bad for me!
Don't go try it.........unless you WANT to drop by there everyday for one.

* Last year, I went to our neighborhood pool exactly ZERO times.
Zero!
Not even fully clothed to take a child lunch or find out when they would be home because they weren't answering their cell phone.
So this year, I have a goal.
No, it's not to go to the pool.
But I DO want to sit in the sun 1 hour every most some day and READ,
ONE HOUR.
That's all I ask!

*Tomorrow is our "Ma & Pa Training" for the Pioneer Trek.
Four hours of learning how to cook in a dutch oven, set up tents, medical and safety training etc.
I hope everyone comes!
I hope they are excited!
Yes, there actually ARE people who WANT to go!
I can't tell you how many people have called and BEGGED to be Ma's & Pa's.
I've offered to give them my space!
Anyway, I better go dig out my pioneer clothes.
(And quit fragmenting and finish the training notebooks)

* Today is Tiny Baby's last day of school.
The last day of school is really on Monday.
He proclaimed that there was NO WAY he was going back after the weekend.
He had one final scheduled for Monday.
He talked to the teacher into letting him take it yesterday.
Two finals today and DONE!
He is just hours away from straight A's!

* Tomorrow, a man from a local nursery is coming to plant a tree in the backyard.
Brian's employees arranged for the payment and planting of the tree to honor my little brother.
They are even including a little stone plaque near the tree with his name on it.
How kind is that?
Doesn't that just want to make you cry?

* You know when, out of courtesy, you ask your family if anyone NEEDS anything from the grocery store and someone says deoderant or shampoo?
I asked Parker
and he said, "Yeah, can you pick up a Ribeye, bell peppers - one red and one green, some provolone and some good steak rolls?"
What?
Why can't he ask for candy? or cheetos?
What is WRONG with this child?

That't it.  I really do need to go work on those Trek Training Manuals!
Have a fabulous weekend!

Garrett - Week 2 in the MTC

I would post ALL of Garrett's letters.......but that might be a little overkill.
They are so sweet though.
I am so happy that HE is so happy.
Here is yesterday's email -

Hey Guys!



I sent a letter home today describing what my daily routine looks like since a lot of people have been asking. It has been another great week, especially because i'm starting to get used to the changes here. I have a great district and we are all working hard to prepare for Romania.
Doctrince and Covenants 18:16 says, "And now , if your joy wil be great with one soul brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"
Right now im enjoying bringing the most important soul of them all to me to Heavenly Father; myself.

I love being here and all the growth that happens here. I am learning so much and like I said in my letter, I have prayers answered often as I seek for insight that will make me be the best missionary I can be. "If you are on the Lord's errand, you are entitled to the Lord's help" - Thomas S. Monson. I feel that help ALL the time.

It's funny because at first I found it so facinating how the MTC and its security of gates makes it look like there is no escaping. But I have come to appreciate the abundance of Spirit that is actually kept in here, and am not bothered by that at all because this place is so different from the world. I enjoy the speakers, and teachers, and leaders that teach and direct here. I honestly wouldn't want to leave yet.
Another thing that suprises me is that what you learn here is not spoon fed or generic. The Holy Ghost speaks to each missionary willing to listen in a very personal way. I have found this out as I find answers and recieve answers that are completely irrelevant to what we are learning at the time. That part is the best.
I love being able to pray and tell the Lord that he's got me and my full devotion for the next two years, Im willing to do whatever and work as hard as possible, so just let me know how I can do that.....
I end up getting a lot of direction that way.

Dallin H. Oaks said, " Testimony is to know and feel, conversion is to do and become." I'm so thankful that I get to go out and DO and not just know.

I'm so thankful for the continued prayers and letters, they really make a difference.
Everyday I say wow at the end of the night and struggle to fit it all into my journal.


Allen F Packer of the 70 related missionary work to a dot-to-dot puzzle. As we teach, we teach them how to connect the dots of the puzzle, to make the greater picture. I cant wait to witness lives change as that happens!
I love you all, im having a great time. It truly is hard and demanding work. I know it will be the hardest two years, but the best as well.


Love,


Elder Cox

Wee Bit of Me!

First - Let me say that Blogger is not letting me comment on any other Blogger Blogs!
I read your blog.
I press "comment."
I write something brilliant.
I am prompted to pick a profile and sign in.
Upon signing in, my comment shows up in "preview" as coming from Anonymous and asks me to "sign in" again.
After following that process six times, I give up.
Apparently, I am not the only one this is happening too.  Hopefully Blogger will get it fixed!!!


On with the show..............


Go on over and give her some love! 
{one} do you believe in ghosts?
Ghosts?  Not like "wooooo..ooooo" kinds of ghosts.  Or the murdered little girl that comes back to haunt the house kind of ghosts.  I believe in spirits though....like spirits of our loved ones.

{two} are you more of a talker or more of a listener?

Really?  Do we have to ask?
In kindergarten, I received all +'s on my report card EXCEPT for listening.
I've needed improvement ever since!

{three} would you rather get up early or sleep late?
 I don't consider myself a "morning" person, but I am a LOT happier when I get up early and get a jump on the day.  The hours between 7 and 10 am are probably my most productive.

{four} if you could instantly become an expert at one type of dance, what type would you choose?
Definitely Hip Hop

{five} what's your favorite drink?

Once again.......need we ask?
Ice cold COKE - fully loaded with sugar, preferaby from McDonalds.

{six} if your house caught fire and you could only grab three things, what would they be?
Other than my husband and kids, nothing.
Seriously.
I am NOT sentimental at all.
Oh sure, I would grab something but nothing in particular.
I would walk out...walk away from it all.

{seven} if you could only visit one restaurant for the next five years, which would it be?
One restaurant?  I have no idea.  I should say McDonalds because I don't want to do without the fountain Coke, but let's live large-
Del Frisco's
Mmmm.......petit filet, asparagus, house potatoes, wedge salad with those thick strips of bacon.

{eight} who inspires you the most?

My family - immediate and extended.
Really - they are ALL an incredible bunch of people.
Every single day, someone, somewhere does something amazing.
This inspires a whole post on it's own!!!

{nine} if you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?

I might just invite people I don't like just so I could tell them on national television.
Probably a waste of time.
So..........Thomas S. Monson, Lil Wayne -I'd have to tell him not to swear, and I would say Jesus Christ, but I would be too overwhelmed to think of questions and for once would be rendered speechless.

{ten} sneakers or sandals?

NEVER, EVER sneakers!  EVER.
If I could I would wear "cute" shoes on the pioneer trek.
Well, that's it!!!!  Enoy what's left of your day!