March 30, 2008

Ode to a Carpet Man:

Daunting fields of dirt and grime

Canst stop the man with purpose clear

The pitter patter of little feet

A skateboard crashing here and there

Food split twixt laughter, smiles and tears

The carpet man renews the slate again

I'm pretty sure our carpets have been cleaned since before we moved in (entirely disgusting). So, Kurt rented a machine, which turned out to be a beast of burden, and cleaned our living room carpet. It took him all day long and it was the worst of chores. Have I mentioned he is a perfectionist in certain aspects. I guess carpet cleaning can be added to list...why can't toilets and dishes be on there? If I would have done it, the very first thing is I would have taken one look at that machine and said, "NO WAY". Then, I would have been done. Seriously, Kurt had to mix potions, apply lotions, and steam clean his face before he even started. Then, every so often, he'd have to start mixing again.

The end result: a moist, yet very clean, carpet and an aching back, headache, and exhausted male being. Thank goodness we don't believe in doing these things on Sunday..it may have killed him off!

ps. I particularly like our couch in the kitchen and our loveseat in the entryway.

Colorado...Day 2

The pictures are all from Day 2 because Day 1, although full of some fun Mexican adventure, only was a few hours long. The photos are from a place called ITZ (my dad says that stands for In The Zone...which sounds right, but I never found proof). This place was incredible, plus I got to spend time with my cousin Deanna & her family. I haven't seen Deanna in years. She is one of the sweetest, most generous people I know. She is also an incredibly talented photographer & digital painter. Her girls are so respectful and fun and her husband seems to have quite the crush on her.

Cooper conquered another fear on the paraglider ride. He ended up going on it 3 times. We spent most of the day there and wrapped up the evening playing dominoes. I ended up spending another fun day with Deanna & her family, but I didn't get any pictures....kick me later!

Find my Favorite

I bet you feel like you're stuck in one of those awful home movies right about now. Luckily, you can just click a little red "x" and the nightmare will disappear right before your eyes. If you are still with me...I had to get some photos of my mom & I. She is the hardest person to pin down for a photograph. Also, one of these is my all time favorite picture. Can you guess which one it is?


****Congrats to everyone except Misti. The bathtub pic is my favorite for sure, but we're still on for a sister's trip Misti!

Memory Lane

While I'm at my parents, I'm sneaking some of their photos. Can you guess who the people in the photos are?

March 23, 2008

Happy Easter! This past week was a complete blur. Somehow, I ended up in Colorado Springs with the boys and we are enjoying some spoiling from my parents. We flew into Denver Friday and, after figuring out Mom & Dad were waiting for us on a different level, we finally made contact.

Yesterday we went to a place called ITZ which is somewhat like Boondocks, although I like the set up a lot more. We met my cousin Deanna (pictures to come) and her family there and had a blast. There are a couple of rides, lots of games, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and movie rooms to eat in. Cooper rode on the paraglider ride 3 times...he is still trying to "conquer his fears".

Last night we went out to eat with the family who will be coming over for Easter Dinner. It's been fun starting to get to know them. We ate at a 50's Diner, one of the first I've been to that actually serves a couple vegetarian dishes. Then the boys, Mom & Dad, and myself came home to relax for the rest of the evening. We played Mexican Train...I won (what, a girl can brag every once in awhile).

My parents speak in church today and then we will have a delicious Easter Dinner. I only wish Kurt were here. I hate being away from him, especially on holidays.

ps. One of the fun things about posting from my parents computer is I can find old, crazy pictures. I wouldn't be surprised if the above photo was sometime around Easter. I have to laugh at Kelli's purse and my BEAUTIFUL hair!!!

March 16, 2008

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday. I tried to call, but they must have been partying it up. I have the greatest dad around and nobody can tell me any different. There were a few times he may have pushed a few buttons. Like the time he invited one of his fellow firefighters over for dinner. I had just started wearing a bra. I sat a little too close to my dad and during dinner he reached over, snapped my bra, and said, "My little girls' growing up". (something like that) I was so mortified.

Or the time my dad, Uncle Bill, cousin Paula and I went to the premier of the movie Nerds or Return of the Nerds. There was a radio DJ in the auditorium promoting the movie. My cousin & I went out to get some treats and when we walked back in, my dad got the whole audience to chant, "Nerds, Nerds, Nerds" and point at us. Embarrassing.

I could tell all sorts of stories like that, but the truth is I adored my dad and still do. I like to show him off when he is here. I remember when he was going into schools as "Fireman Fred" to promote fire safety education. I would just beam when he came over and patted me on the back. I was so proud of him. That is how I feel when he comes to visit me now.

I know I can never repay my parents for all they have done for me and taught me, but I can certainly try to be the kind of person they would want me to be. Happy Birthday Dad!

Some other little tidbits from my week:

• I taught the preamble to my 5th graders and let them listen to the song. Somehow they decided they wanted me to sing it, so they started yelling my name and begging. Stubborn Mrs. Lott reared her ugly head with an emphatic..I don't think so!
• My church ward changed which is very exciting. My new ward is sherbet, I mean Sherbrooke ward
• Tomorrow is St. Paddy's day and my brother Kevin's birthday. Don't forget to wear green and wish my brother a big happy birthday.
  
  

Ouch...Tagged!

Susan tagged me. I believe there is some rule that you can only be tagged once every 7 years. I'm sure you will be glad to hear that after you read (if you actually do) the following:

What was I doing ten years ago?

I was working in the loan department at at credit union. Hunter was in school and Kurt was trying to find a job. We had been unable to have more children, so I was the bread winner for a short period of time.


2. Five things on my to-do list today

• lesson plans
• 6pm meeting
• make dinner
• paperwork for graduation
• prepare something I need to return in the mail

3. What snacks do I enjoy?


Can anyone say Little Debbie??? I also LOVE salsa. Mmmmm...cinnamon rolls.


4. What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire?

• First...charitable contributions
• Mission & college funds for boys (add to them)
• Pay off House & Student loans
• Get a new car!
• See how I can help family
• Set up a scholarship

5. Three bad habits

• Eating too much sugar
• The Bachelor
• I'll let you choose one among the many you are aware of

6. Five places that I have lived

• Montana
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Texas
• Utah

7. Five jobs I have had

• Nanny...yuck!
• Piano teacher
• Swimming Pool Tester
• Barnes & Nobles...fun
• Drug & Alcohol Assessment Clerk

8. Five things people don't know about me.

• I'm part Choctaw Indian
• I really love Walleyball (Marie, are you there?)
• My 20 year high school reunion is this summer
• I wanted to be a cop or lawyer when I was younger
• I haven't gotten a ticket since I was 17 years old.

You know at Halloween when someone leaves those cookies on your doorstep and they look so delicious and you feel so honored...until you read the note and realize they come with a price? You have to make cookies and send them out to other people who don't have a ghost in the window...and if you don't have a ghost in the window everyone knows you don't have any friends and you become bitter and make a bunch of cookies and eat them all yourself. Well, tagging could elicit those same emotions...so I'm not going to tag anyone just like I don't leave that note with the Halloween cookies I hand out. I just don't want to force anyone into a cookie binging spree.

Orthodontic Overkill

Cooper started the process of correcting his crossbite and narrow mouth. He did GREAT while getting his 2 appliances on. The 1st picture is an expander and that is on his upper teeth. Every night we have to stick this metal pin into a hole on the center of the device and rotate it. This will widen his bite. It doesn't hurt him at first, but he can't eat things you have to chew. So, he is on a soft food diet.

The 2nd appliance is a space maintainer and it wraps around the inside of his lower teeth. It doesn't really both him, but it affects his speech & he slobbers a lot... a common occurrence in the Fairhurst family!

We ran into a bit of a snag last night. One hole is full of cement, so we can get the pin in & can't rotate it. I guess we have to make ANOTHER trip to the Orthodontist. Can I tell you how happy that makes me? At least Cooper is handling this well, unlike myself who gets to have his hot breath in my face every day (Kevin, how can you stand to be a dentist?).

March 9, 2008

Can you find the teenager in the first picture? My theory is teens sleep to restore energy which they use for the following: texting girls, eating, basketball, eating, track, eating, pointing out various injuries, eating, asking for money so they can eat some more. Luckily, my teen is a great boy and this week he hit another milestone, giving him even more independence.

It was time for him to take his driving skills test (remember how the guy didn't show the first time). I set this appointment up with a woman...much more reliable. On the way, I drove (5pm traffic) and we almost ended up in a wreck. A diesel hit a car a few vehicles ahead of us. That car started spinning horizontally across the interstate hitting the 2 cars directly in front of us. It was so frighting. After pulling over and making sure things were o.k. & calling 911, we got back on course.

He passed his skills test, so the next day I zipped home from school (4:10pm), grabbed the boys and headed to the DMV for the written exam. We got there only to find out...no testing after 3:30pm. So, Hunter & I both had to get out of school early the next day so he could take the test. WE got there & the licensing photo machine was down...luckily I got a nice clerk and she let Hunter take the test anyway. The machine was fixed before we left, so now he has his license and now my nightmare begins. Actually, he is so willing to run errands right now and I don't have to be in the car with him. Unfortunately, everytime I hear about an accident, I hyperventilate.

Other interesting facts from this week:

• I'm hating daylight savings. Who's up for banning this barbaric practice?
• Our washer broke a little....Kurt fixed it
• Our toilet broke...Kurt fixed it
• I go to Denver in less than 2 weeks
• Kurt is still working over time

K...I'm out, have a great week!

March 2, 2008

February is gone. It seems impossible, but it's true. March starts the dawn of a new facet of my life....stone hunting. No, not the kind of stone you see here...oh how I wish! That's right...kidney stone hunting. My goal before I see my urologist is to have at least one stone for him to diagnose.

I can already imagine it. He'll look at me, eyes bright with wonder and amazement and say something to the effect of, "I've never had such a brilliant, determined patient before." Humbly, I'll reply, "I've heard that before". Then he'll lower his head in awe and respond in a revered tone, "I feel it's an honor to have been chosen as your urologist. As a token of my sincere gratitude I would like to give you (he'll pause for a slight moment)...one of my kidneys". Oh yes, it will be an appointment a girl could only dream of and, of course, it would be rude not to accept. Then, once again, my lonely kidney will have a friend in the neighborhood.

So, here I sit, water-logged and hopeful in my newest quest. Yesterday I even tried a home remedy. I mixed a tablespoon of olive oil with a tablespoon of lemon juice, mixed it and drank it down, followed by 12 oz. of water. As disgusting as it was, an hour later I found myself one little, tiny stone. Unfortunately, it was crushed during excavation by my obnoxious tweezers, which are now in time out!

Wish me luck as I forge ahead and, on a serious note, a big warm thanks to those of you who have kept me in your prayers. I've been quite touched by all the concern and feel comforted at this time!