And you?

I went to the grocery store 3 times today, and still don't have any dinner for tomorrow and am running out of paper towels. (In the Mormon home, paper towels are big-deal essentials.)

Don't you love those days?

Please, someone else tell me that you've been to the grocery store multiple times in one day...all for essential things...

I'm not sure if I'm losing my mind or am disorganized. Or perhaps, a smidge of both?

I think I can I think I can...

Mr. Mormon and I are in some serious need of r and r. (No - not "rhythm and rioting" - "rest and relaxation"!) Vacations are pricey and we are already going on a few this year. But we wanted to do something now. Something quick, inexpensive, and that will bond the family in memories is what we've had in mind.

While we are so in love for cruises, there's only so many of those one can do in a year. And it's still a little nippy in Florida some days to have a beach getaway. (Although last week, it was 87!!)

What's a family of vacation-starved, fiscally-minded Mormons to do?



thud

That's right. We're a-camping.

We are thinking the purchase of all the equipment counts as shoring up our emergency preparedness materials. And we'll be camping at Ft. Wilderness (out at Disney), so if (when) I cannot figure out how to cook over a fire, I can take a quick drive to tourist-ville and commandeer us some grub.

We got tents and lanterns and things last night, and frankly, if the kind of folks who shop in the Wal Mart camping area share a site with us, I will run for my life. I've never seen so many tattoos, mullets, and ammunition requests in all my days. It was like being at a Legion. (Juuuuuust kidding, Drama - seeing if you're paying attention, there!)

If anyone has any great camp-food recipes, I'm game. I figured one day I can make chili and another can be tin-foil dinners. We'll have a grill, so some grilled chicken or burgers sounds about right, too.

Although I've become as citified as a girl can be, I did grow up camping, and I hope it will come back to me. I used to love waking up on a mountain in some far-away city and hearing everyone start up their day. I guess we'll see if I've got it in my to re-commune with nature. If nothing else, the car has A/C and XM radio.

My edict to women everywhere...

Girls,

For pity's sake - quit standing up to tinkle in public restrooms. Effective immediately.

Men tinkle standing up. We do not. Commit that to memory.

Some of us have to use public restrooms with 3 little kids. And we're tired of having to wipe your urine off of the seat pre-potty. It's gross. I don't leave my tinkle for you - please don't leave yours for me. I'm a real person coming in behind you, and it's not cool to clean up your business.

Does anyone know of a woman who has caught something from sitting on the seat? I don't want to hear that your Aunt Gertie's hairdresser knew a woman who got cooties from the can. I mean - have YOU or someone you personally know gotten the creeping crud from a public potty?

I didn't think so.

The liners are there for your pleasure. Use them. Or coat that bad boy in tp. But do not hover. Say no to squatting. Sit down, relax, and worry about something else...like how you are going to get out of the bathroom without touching the door handle.

Thank you for your compliance.

The perks of On Star

I love On Star. It's safe to say, I might be smitten with my new car and especially with On Star.

The On Star people are magic. One push of a button, and I can talk to someone hands free - and they will not hang up until I say they are dismissed. They'll stay on the phone with me all day if I want. Can you say that about the 9-1-1 operator? Nope. They'll hang up on your sorry butt eventually (don't ask how I know) but these On Star folks, they'll talk to ya until you feel thoroughly bonded in friendship.

Frankly, I know the On Star representatives love me. They take the time to talk to me in the car (see above paragraph) and are patient giving me directions over and over every day (can I help I don't know where anyone lives?) They ask how the weather is and when the children ask if they live in the sky, they are polite to them. They laugh when the children burp loudly at them and say, "Excuse me." And they can tell me where the nearest Cracker Barrel is once I get past the airport in Miami. Who else can do that for me?

I love that turn by turn directions pop up for me to read and even show me which way is right or left. It is hard for me to always remember my right from my left, so I appreciate the cute little arrow symbol. And I love how the directions are politely read to me, as well. It is a far cry from the way I used to read directions to Mr. Mormon ("You were supposed to turn back THERE, idiot!") The On Star navigational man has never called me an idiot. He just says, "Make your first available safe and legal u-turn." I've learned better communication skills from him.

I love my car's sensored lights and dual sun roofs (rooves? Is "roof" made plural like "hoof" - no idea...) I love remote start and that the radio keeps playing even when I turn the key off until I get out of the car, 4 way heated seats and tri-zone A/C...but most of all - I love On Star. I love the push button-ness of it and the little blue and white symbol. And I love that when my oldest child wants to stay in the car and read Harry Potter rather than come into Publix with me, I can lock her in, remote start the car so she has A/C, and say, "If someone tries to abduct you - press the On Star button and scream bloody murder!!!"

It's the little things in life....'tis a gift to be simple...

My husband does not suck eggs.

OK, I'm not going to list all the reasons why at this time....but I'd like to announce to the blogosphere that I have the best husband in the world.

I've been aching and feeling like crap the past couple of days and he took the day off to fill not one but 2 food orders with me. And he took the kids with us so that we could teach them where our fast offering funds go and how the Bishop's Storehouse works (which, btw, is really stinking cool!)

He shopped for these families - loaded both orders up in the car in the 80+ degree heat (with no help) - helped a little old man load up his car as well - and then helped me deliver one 2-week order for a family of 3 that was on the third floor of an apartment building.

Oh yes - he's the man.

I hear other wives say their husbands don't notice their needs or "get" them - but I have to say, I can't complain that way. The man saw I was in pain, brought me Advil, and took off for the day to help me with a physically strenuous task. He rocks. He even let me get a nap in.

This post will garner no responses, but you can know I think you're purty cool....for a boy. Here's to you, ya -

ahhh - What Would Hinckley Do?

I loved this little ditty from Stake Conference this month.

Some temple square workers were being picketed and hollered at by a woman. She kept yelling to the tourists for them to stay away as the Mormons were the church of the devil.

One tourist responded, "This isn't the church of the devil. I'm a member of the church of the devil, and this isn't it."

snicker

Anyway - gotta love those Westboro-folks. Equal opportunity funeral picketers.


The tens of thousands of people expected to flock downtown for President Gordon B. Hinckley's funeral Saturday likely will want to avoid the southwest corner of North Temple and State Street.
Salt Lake City officials said the Westboro Baptist Church has applied for a permit for a "religious demonstration" on the corner, just one block east of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Conference Center, where President Hinckley's funeral will be held. The permit was in the process of being approved Wednesday afternoon, said Shawn McDonough, the city's special events administrator.

A handful of members of the church, based in Topeka, Kan., plan to stage a quiet protest during the funeral, displaying picket signs criticizing the late LDS Church leader for being a "lying false prophet" and "leading millions of people astray," said Shirley Phelps-Roper, Westboro Baptist Church spokeswoman and daughter of Pastor Fred Phelps.

Westboro Baptist Church members have picketed several military funerals and other memorial services, saying that the war in Iraq and tragedies such as the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks are God's punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Phelps-Roper also criticized President Hinckley for being too accepting of homosexuals, accusing him of having an "ambiguous voice" about the gay lifestyle rather than taking a firm stand against it.

Be grateful, and above all - be faithful

Gosh, I will miss him so much.