Fish Jinxer

Please note that if you are cleaning your fish bowl, do not call me to talk. I appear to be a fish jinxer.

The day before my cruise in January, we had an unfortunate incident with our fish, Lila (please see my previous post "Ode to Lila"). We were cleaning his bowl and had him in a small cup while he was waiting for his clean water. He, apparently, did not like his temporary state and made a run, I mean jump, for it. He jumped out of the cup onto the counter, sustaining what appeared to be some internal bleeding. He ended up taking a swim to the ocean, via the porcelain express.

So this morning, I was talking to a good friend on the phone, checking in with since her kids have been sick this week. While we were talking, she was cleaning her fish bowl. When she mentioned that I told about her fish and within minutes, she underwent a similar unfortunate incident. Her fish jumped (maybe got dumped by their 2 year old trying to help - not sure) out of his temporary home, slipping down to the sink disposal. I know, you are probably horrified - don't worry, the disposal, thankfully, was not on. She was able to rescue him but within a minute of being returned to his now clean home, he went belly (I mean side) up.

The moral of the story - please don't call me when you are cleaning your fish bowl (unless you are desirous for a similar outcome). My conscious cannot take any more. :)

:)

*** Update: apparently my friend's fish is not dead. She left it in the bowl for a while and he ended up coming back from the dead. :) Whew. I feel so much better.

Book of Mormon Challenge

In Relief Society yesterday, it was mentioned that there is a challenge going around to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days, in memory/honor of President Hinckley. I calculated the daily reading requirement and it would be 5.5 pages per day... doable. :)

I also just found on my sister Esther's blog that there is a website for this challenge... www.hinckleychallenge.com. If you can "accept the challenge" on this website and have access to track your progress. Pretty cool. :)

The challenge begins today, Monday, February 4. I am going to do this. I think it would make President Hinckley smile to know that we love him so much.

If you feel so inclined, join in! We can only receive more blessings. :)

:)

Tights

On Sunday, I was helping Nia put her tights on for church. She commented on the fact that I was wearing nylons as well and said in a very precocious, matter-of-factly voice...

"What's a lady without tights?"


Ahh... the innocence of youth. :)

BTW, this picture is of Nia, after she took her hair out of two french braids she had in for three days.


:)

The Car Wash Monster

I am not entirely sure why, but the car wash is one of those freaky things that kids just don't like. I took this picture with my phone when we were going through the car wash the other day. I looked back to see how the kids were doing and this is what I saw. :)

I remember not liking the car wash as a kid either.

:)

Ode to Lila

(To the tune of "Woman" by Mike Myers on "So I Married an Ax Murder.")

Lila.
Li-la
Li-i-i-i-i-i-i-la.

You were a boy,
Named as a girl.
You looked like a bunch of
Lilacs.

Smelly.
Fishy.
I wish you could have cleaned your bowl
yourself.

Your life was sad,
miserable had.
What was I thinking?
Why was I bringing
you home?

Hey Lila.
Why did you jump out of
your bowl?


This is a tribute to our fish Lila, who had to follow Nemo down the toilet (because all drains lead to the ocean, of course) after an injury sustained as a result of jumping out of its temporary bowl during cleaning.

Note to self... do not buy more fish.

Note to others: those who give us fish, rabbits, or otherwise unwanted and/or unauthorized pets, I will find my revenge.

:)

A Rough Re-entry

My husband and I, along with my parents, enjoyed 10 days in the sun and warmth. We went to Orlando for three days and then boarded a cruise (Carnival) that set sail for the Western Carribean. I will blog more on this later, including some photos, but the point of this blog is... IT IS COLD back in normal land!!!

When we got off the boat, we went to the Orlando Airport and flew to Chicago. Walking off the plane in Chicago sent my system into shock. It was like 4 below outside!!! Talk about a rough re-entry! We went from 85ish to 4 belowish! Ouch! To make things worse, the actual airport in Chicago was freezing. They were doing some construction in our terminal and the ceiling was completely open (without insulation). As if that wasn't bad enough (did they forget to pay their heating bill?), our flight was delayed two additional hours so we had to just sit and sit and sit in the cold, cold, cold. Brrrr....

Coming back home to what is generally mild, we are in an arctic freeze which means that while it is sunny, it is still stinking cold.

Needless to say, I want to go back!!! :)

:)

New Year's Resolutions

12 New Year's Resolutions...

1) Loose enough to get below 12o.
2) Write at least one novel.
3) Edit entire first novel (one pass through).
4) Read my scriptures every day.
5) Improve my family's eating habits.
6) Train Mac (our dog) not to jump on people and to only go potty outside.
7) Be able to successfully play on the "Hard" level on Rock Band (Drums). Silly, I know, but I love that game and LOVE playing the drums!
8) Organize (and keep organized) my bathroom drawers and cabinets.
9) Reserved for future ideas.
10) Reserved for future ideas.
11) Reserved for future ideas.
12) Reserved for future ideas.

Wow, can't believe I could only think of five. That's ok, you never know when something new pops up. :) - See... number six just came to mind. Hahaha :) Now I'm up to 8!

:)