Pumpkin Problem

Today I was reminded that I've done some pretty silly, but not so unusual, things as a mom. A few days ago, parents of our school's 6th-graders were emailed and asked to send a small (less than 5 pounds) pumpkin to school today for their student to paint during the class "Harvest Party." (Incidentally, note the "political correctness" of the term "Harvest Party.") I read the email but filed it in the back of my mind.

After Mark left for school I again saw the email and realized that he didn't have a pumpkin. No problem. I went to the store to buy said pumpkin, but the smallest pumpkin there was over 12 pounds. Should I purchase the 12-pounder, go to another store hoping to find a smaller one, or come up with a different option, I asked myself. As I walked around the produce department with the not-so-smallish pumpkin in hand, I noticed that there were some perfect-sized pumpkins that were pre-painted. And expensive ($4.99 each). Realizing that I might not be able to find an unpainted, small pumpkin elsewhere, I bit the bullet and bought the pumpkin.

I was running out of time to get the pumpkin to school before the start of the party, so I bought a small scrub brush (which I rationalized I needed anyway) and some wipes and headed to my car to clean the paint off the pumpkin. I scoured and wiped and the paint disappeared. Voila! A perfect, clean pumpkin. And expensive.

I went to the school and put the pumpkin on Mark's desk while he was at recess. He won't know what a sacrifice I made for him. I may not be a perfect mom, but Mark has a perfect pumpkin. And an expensive one, too.

Post Script: When I returned to the school to catch the end of the party, I saw Mark's unpainted pumpkin on another student's desk. When I asked him about it, he said, "I didn't want it." So much for my efforts!

Another Day, Another Prayer

Before Mark prayed this morning I again encouraged him to add more substance to his prayers and to express more gratitude. He listened and sort of obeyed. After his prayer I asked, "Did you just say 'we're grateful for mosquitos?'"

Mark's answer: "Yes, Mom; it's not like it's the end of the world!"

A Child's Prayer

Mark's public prayers are approximately 10 seconds long. I'm not exaggerating. I've tried, with mixed and limited success, over the years to encourage him to express more gratitude and to be more thoughtful about the blessings he seeks. This morning he offered another very brief prayer. I encouraged him saying, "It might be nice for you think of some more things you can thank Heavenly Father for. You could also ask Him for things that you need--like having the Holy Ghost help you throughout the day."

His response was, "Haven't you noticed that I have changed the beginning of my prayers? I now say, 'My dear, KIND Heavenly Father!'"

I Vote We End This!

This election season can't end soon enough for me. I'm "sick and tired" of all the political ads, attempts at character assasination, negative campaigning, mud-slinging, bickering, lies, media analysis, rhetoric, candidate pamphlets filling up my mailbox, listening to recorded telephone messages, etc.

I voted by absentee ballot today. I can no longer be persuaded to jump on someone's bandwagon or change bandwagons. My vote is "locked in." I know my one voice won't make much of a difference, but I performed my civic duty. I'm still a believer in the "process." I'm well aware that some of my votes, including my vote for President, will be cancelled by my husband's vote. I'm right, though.

Here is a sampling of a few changes I'd make if I made the rules:
*Every candidate for public office would have to pass a background check.
*Every candidate for public office would have to pass an intelligence test.
*During public appearances (i.e. debates, campaign rallies), candidates would have to be hooked up to lie-detectors.
*Instant fact checks would flash on the screen during candidates' speeches.
*Citizens would decide who would "run" for public office, thus minimizing the potential for the "power hungry" to seek office.
*Voters would have to be knowledgeable about the candidates and their positions on important issues before they could vote.
*The electoral college would be abolished. Popular vote would determine the races.
*The "party system" would be eliminated. No more Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Socialists, etc. Each candidate would adopt and promote their own platform.
*I'd eliminate the swimsuit competition in "beauty" pageants.

Death on 156th Place NE

Late yesterday afternoon, one of the residents that lives in the house just north of us passed away. We think there are 4 generations living in that house, and the 70+-year-old great grandma who lives there stopped breathing and died. Just over 12 years ago, the neighbor living in the house just south of us committed suicide. So, if you think you might want to be our next-door neighbor, you may want to reconsider.

Hairy Thoughts

*I'd love to have a "hair-raising" experience--literally. I need more hair.
*When I get a haircut, the total amount of hair that ends up on the floor is about 2 tablespoons--the same amount of leg hair removed when I shave. (Too much information, I know.)
*I've NEVER liked my hair--too little, too fine, too curly, too unruly.
*I am Lance, Zachary and Mark's "barber." I've cut their hair for years and years. I don't like to do it, but it saves money.
*As of today, I'm resigining as Mark's barber before he fires me. The cut I gave him Saturday made him look like a "dork" and has caused him great humiliation. (It's the same cut he's had ever since I took over barber duties.)
*Mark is the only family member that has naturally straight hair. Straight and thick!
*Lance's hairline is in a recession.
*Zachary looks like Dishwater-Goldie Locks! I'll try to post a photo.
*Sara usually always wears her hair in a ponytail.
*Rachelle will leave her hair "au naturale" if we don't compliment her on it or try to touch it.
*We all love Harry Potter!

Good Excuse

This morning Mark was unable to find a half-finished project he needed to work on at school. He looked high and low and finally went to school without it. Later in the morning I went downstairs and saw Sadie Dog chewing the very "project" in question. Other than being covered in dog drool, the project was undamaged. I emailed Mark's teacher telling him what happened and asking if I should deliver the project to school. In addition to replying that I should take the project to schoool, he said, "This is the first time the 'dog ate my homework' excuse is truly applicable."

Living the Scout Slogan

While driving Mark to school yesterday morning, he noticed a classmate lying on the sidewalk. "Stop the car, Mom, and let me out!" Mark exclaimed. "Daegan is hurt!"

I stopped the car and backed up. Meanwhile, two other cars had stopped and the drivers were surveying the scene. Mark assessed Daegan's situation and ran back to the car to report to me. According to Daegan, as he was riding his bike to school, the chain on his bike snapped causing him to crash. He wasn't wearing a helmet and fell face first onto the sidewalk, scraping his chin, nose and hand. Mark helped him get up and walked him to our car, and he and I put Daegan's bike in the back of the car. Daegan's face was ghostly white.

I pulled into the bus lane in front of the school and instructed Daegan to go directly to the health room to get cleaned up. As he walked Daegan's bike into the school, Mark looked over his shoulder, smiled at me and said, "Do a good turn daily!" Indeed. I just wish I had assisted in Mark's good deed while dressed in something other than my pajamas!

Tagged, But I Won't Get You!!!

My sister "tagged" me on her blog and requested that I list 7 facts about myself that others may not know. She also requested that I tag 7 of you, but I'm not going to do that and I'll tell you why:

1. I REFUSE to forward chain letters. If I'm asked to send a recipe, kitchen towel, children's book, a sample of my blood or my first-born child to the "first person on the chain letter list," I will do so and I will even send the requested item to the person who sent me the chain letter, but I will NOT, NOT, NOT forward the letter to anyone else. I certainly don't want to offend the person who sent me the letter, so please don't take offense if I haven't kept the chain going. As far as I can tell, the world hasn't come to an end because I "broke the chain!"

2. I will participate in email or blog tags, but I won't tag anyone else. (I've violated my own code of ethics once or twice on this one, perhaps, but I'm repenting anew.) See #1 above for my rationale if you're still confused.

3. I love throwing or giving things away. I love de-junking even though I don't do it as often as I would like. If you need anything, just ask me if I have what you need to save yourself the trouble of buying or finding it yourself.

4. I have a prejudice against 2 types of drivers but I won't tell you who they are. You'll just have to remain in the dark on this one. Sorry!

5. Tigers and pigs are my 2 favorite animals.

6. I "converted" to liking Mexican food and mayonnaise (not to be eaten together, though) when I married Lance.

7. I dye my hair. (That was sure hard to admit!)

High Praise

Today, in between General Conference sessions, I made food for our dinner and for 32 homeless men our ward is feeding tonight. Mark was my kitchen helper, and he busied himself stirring, cleaning and, of course, tasting. After he tasted the spaghetti sauce and the caramalized apple chunks he exclaimed, "Mom, if they had a high-class restaurant in heaven, you would be the head chef!" I don't think it would be "heaven" for me if I had to be in the kitchen all the time.