The Skunk Whisperer

I've enjoyed a week with the family eating these:

Smelling like this:

And hanging out with these:




And trying to avoid these:

They visited the campsite one night and had ahold of a clear plastic thingy that had contained cupcakes.
My better half, desiring sleep stepped outside the camp trailer and had a conversation with a very cute baby skunk who was chewing on the clear plastic thingy.
He told the cute skunk that he was making a lot of noise and it needed to stop.
My lunatic better half then crouched down and took ahold of the clear plastic thingy and had a tug of war with Pepe Le'Pew.
The gray-haired Skunk Whisperer worked his magic and got the noisy plastic thingy away WITHOUT having to wear Le-Pew cologne.
I was ready to lock the trailer door and not allow the lunatic hubby entrance if that cute little skunk so much as lifted his tail in our direction.
"Sorry honey, but love is only so deep."
You may look like Indiana Jones but I don't do stink!
(I know that's shocking coming from an ER nurse.)



I will miss you little campers!!!

ELLA'S CRACK

I know that you might be thinking this is going to be a scary post, ya know,
being that I'm an ER nurse and all.
Or maybe,

cuz I take pictures of this:

But no worries.........K?

So before I talk to you about crack we need to sing a song together.
It's gonna be in your head for the entire day.
(And you'll never want to come back here again cuz the song is so
OBNOXIOUS!!!)

OK, 'nuf singin'. Get it out of your head immediately.

So.

A few weeks ago my twin sister, Gigi posted this recipe on her blog. It's a secret Southern recipe from her dear sweet friend Ella. I read the post, thought it was so cute and thought this little lady was the sweetest little thing to finally allow her secret recipe to be shared with the blog world.
I ALSO thought, "hmmm, weird, a recipe with crackers and chocolate."
Well, I filed the whole thing away in the dark recesses of my brain.

OK and just to clarify, Gigi isn't really my twin sister. I don't even have a sister, BUT if I did, it would be Gigi.
Cuz she hates cilantro.
I loathe cilantro.
And we're the same age.
Gigi's middle name is Arlene.
I have an Aunt Arlene.
So you can see how we must have been separated at birth.
She even calls me her evil twin!
I KNOW! Freaky right?

We haven't met.........yet.
She lives in Georgia.
I live in Idaho.

Anyway, I'm at work and I call Susan, one of my co-workers to beg her to work a shift for me cuz I've had it with healthcare.
(I've been told that I put the HEL in healthcare.)

She happens to mention that her son got called on a mission to Georgia. I laughingly tell her that my "twin sister" lives in Georgia and when he gets there he needs to go find Gigi and bring her soul to salvation.
Amen.
OK really Gigi doesn't need savin', she's already a Saint.
Susan, my co-worker agrees to work my shift.
But that's beside the point.
Susan then says that she has an aunt that lives in Georgia. (I know......weird!) Susan says that this aunt is like a second mother to her. She goes on to tell me how sassy this aunt is and how much she loves her.
So I tell Susan that I'll email Gigi Arlene and ask if she knows her.
So I do.
And guess what?

Yep, you got it.

SHE DOES KNOW HER!!!!
Not only does Gigi know Ella, but they've traveled all over together and they party like rock stars all the time!

Gigi emails me with her voice all southern-like and says, "You are a dork. Don't you ever read my blog? Check out my recipe for Ella's crack! You know, the one I posted two days ago? That's her!"
Gigi does a double-eye rollover cuz her twin sister is such a dope.

OK she didn't really smacktalk me but there was a ton of cyber-squealing and "I can't believe its" and stuff!!!!!

I decided I had to make crack in honor of Ella and Gigi Arlene who are friends and neighbors in Georgia.


So Susan (my co-worker) and I could enjoy this treat at work today.

Hi Aunt Ella!!!!!!

Me and Susan and Jaime on CRACK!
Hi Gigi Arlene!!!!!

It's a small world after all.

Stop with the Christmas stuff already.

I've been visiting blogs this morning.
I have laundry to do and bathrooms to clean.
I think it is better to blog than to clean. (I'm sure that's a Golden Rule or something.)

As I was visiting blogland today I found two different blogs that had "Days Until Christmas" counters up!
Stop it will ya?
This is the first month I haven't seen snow.
I'm emotionally not strong enough to handle thinking about how many days until Christmas.

Well, speaking of Christmas sorta.
I was given an award from Alexes at One Cluttered Brain.
It's kinda like Christmas cuz it's all about Naughty or Nice.

I think you are supposed to determine if I'm NAUGHTY or NICE.
So I'll answer the required questions and I'm sure you'll agree that I'm as pure as the driven snow.

#1: What is the silliest prank you've ever played on someone?
Well, it could have been the one when I was in high school and I was at Shakey's pizza and there was a table of guys behind me and my friends and they were drinking beer. They got up to go to the bathroom and I unscrewed the big container of pepper flakes and dumped the entire thing in the guys mug. Then we took off without finishing our pizza, then I got a ticket for running a stop sign. OR it could have been the time I stuck an Alka-seltzer tablet in my uncle's mouth who was snoring. (He's never forgiven me 40 years later) Or it could have been the time I put an entire tube of KY under the door handle of the police officers car when they were hanging out in the ER one night shift. (I may have impulse control issues.)


#2: If you could go on a trip anywhere out of this country, where would it be?
Scotland. I love kilts and bagpipes. And I'd like to tromp the cemeteries and look up my peeps.

#3: Who played an influenctial role in your life?
My grandmother. Constant, stong testimony, non-judgemental, an angel. I miss her.

#4: Are you OK with your spouse being friends with an ex?
Well, he doesn't have an ex-wife so I'm assuming ex-girlfriend. Uh, he say say "hi". Then he can walk away and tell me how wonderful and beautiful I am and expound upon the many millions of reasons he's lucky to have me.

#5: Favorite candle scent?
Very few.
Smells give me horrible migraines so I'm careful.
lotions, perfumes, candles, hairspray...eek! Then I'm over the toilet worshipping the porcelain idols/
(Sometimes I hate going to church cause I end up next to someone that thinks it's enjoyable to taste their perfume.)
Yankee candle has a Christmas Wreath candle that I love. In fact I burned it last month when it snowed. (yes, last month)

#6: Next movie I'm excited about seeing.
Hmmmm, I can't think of one. I wish they would do another Jason Bourne movie, then I would be excited.

#7: You must have one word to be banned from the dictionary and no longer spoken or used. What is it?
Easy. It would be the four letter bomb word. I work in the ER with a female doc that must use that word a billion times a shift. I have threatened her with Tabasco sauce and even popped her on the mouth one time. HATE that word.

#8: Do you have a relative in jail?
Not any more.

#9: What crazy fads were popular when you were in high school?
Hash Jeans. I miss the bod that used to fit in those babies! I was hawt!

#10: Have you ever been mentioned in a newspaper or on TV?
Ya, an advertisement for me being new at a Beauty Salon and once in our local paper in the cooking section.

Wow, I didn't realize I was so boring!

Thanks Alexes! You are hilarious and I suggest that everyone head over there and check her out.
Now I get to pass this on to 5 other people!
Of course I'm going to pick on Wendy. I have to. It irritates her. I love doing that!
Next is Gigi, cuz I think there might be more to this Southern girl than meets the eye.
Serene is next. I need to see just how serene she really is!
Then it would be Lisa. I can't wait to see what she comes up with.
Kim, ya you! Spill it!

OK I've delayed long enough. The bathrooms are calling my name.

But before I sign off........there's 151 shopping days until Christmas.

I was (unexpectedly} pregnant.

Your heard me right.

19 years ago I found myself in this predicament.
And then..........
19 years ago today I was suddenly {unpregnant.}
What a blessing you have been to me.
Unexpected joy.
Unexpected fun.
Unexpected tears.
Unexpected happiness.
Thank you Angel Baby for coming into our lives.
You are the maker of giggles.

The lover of cats.

The player of violins.

(and occasionally the destroyer of violins)
We are richer because you came.......unexpectedly.
Happy Birthday Candice!
Love,
mommy

Reality {BITES!}

I'm back.
{sigh}
It was a ton of fun!

I went to Hobby Lobby in Minnesota.
I'm officially in love.

I did NOT go to the Mall of America.
I would rather chew on my toenails.

I don't love crowds.
I loathe shopping.

I managed to get on the plane with my carry-on in my purse and a scalpel.
You can click here if you want to see my awesome Ninja scalpel.
I'm not sure why I carry a scalpel in my purse.
I forgot it was there.
Airport security woman PAWED through my purse thank goodness there weren't any woman things.
Sent my purse through the X Ray Vision and said
"have a nice flight"
It wasn't until that night when I'm looking for my eyedrops that I find the scalpel.
(Doesn't everyone keep their eyedrops next to the scalpel?
I'm surprised I didn't find myself in GITMO!
I decided that I should toss the scalpel.
I'm not one to push my luck or anything.
Good thing too! On the flight home CRANKY security checker-inner-person took me down and told me to assume the position!
(OK I exaggerate a little
But I had to be frisked.
Then I had another person tell me to step to the side and keep my hands off my purse!
True story!
It seems that I had 2 ounces of water too much to be allowed on the plane.
Go figure.
Other than my near-miss of being the next "Most Wanted" it was a great time.

I got to see some of this:

Warning: Do NOT click on the picture to enlarge it if you DON'T want to see crack! Just sayin'
I don't understand the need to wear lowriders. But that's just me.

There was beautiful scenery. EVERYTHING was so green!
I tried to get a picture of the fireflies but no luck.
I'm obsessed with fireflies.
I'm embarassed to say that until about 7 years ago I thought they were a fairy tale.


Got home Tuesday night and turned around and went to Salt Lake with my oldest to take some kids to Lagoon. (No, I didn't go to Lagoon...crowds remember?)
I hung out with my son and his family in their backyard watching the cutest grandkids on earth play in the pool.

Home late Thursday night and ER duty today. Don't want reality yet.

Pinch me...I'm living in a DREAM WORLD!

My hubby travels for work.
A lot.
I don't love it.

He had to fly to Minnesota last week.
Then this week he flies onto Indiana.
So.
I flew to Minnesota to stay for a long weekend with him.
SO FUN!!!!
It is beautiful here!
Lush.
Green.
Rolling hills.

Saturday night we went into "the cities" and ate dinner.
On a rooftop.
It was so awesome.
Great view.
Great food.
Great company.
Not sure why I didn't take pictures from the rooftop.
We could see some stadium that said TWINS on it.
(Whoever they are.)
Well, I do know why I didn't take pictures.
Howie was making fun of me for looking like a tourist.
(Doesn't every one stand on the sidewalk looking directly overhead at skyscrapers and taking pictures?)

They don't have tall buildings like this where I come from.
Sunday we enjoyed going to church in Mankato.
Then the rest of the day doing NOTHING.
(That never happens.)

Tomorrow Howie goes to work.
I go SHOPPING!
I think I could get used to living
in a
DREAM WORLD!

My trash was KICKED!!!!

This past weekend while NORMAL people were out celebrating parades, picnics, fireworks and family.....
I wasn't.
My job makes me ABNORMAL!
I was in the ER
getting my
TRASH KICKED!

Drunk people+driving=stoopid.
Picnic+warm potato salad=well....you can fill in the blanks here.
Sun+skin=pain.
Sand Dunes+dirt bikes=broken parts.

While I was at work in my ABNORMAL life my family was all here.
On Monday we did a little of this:

Floating and playing with the cousins.


Speaking of stoopid:
Tauna+butcher knife cutting cantalope at work=6 stitches in the thumb this morning.

(Oh well...at least I was at work.)

Brent J. Moss. A Quiet Giant

My dear friend and neighbor Larae lost her best friend and husband to cancer last week.

His funeral will be tomorrow.
He was a wonderful man and mentor to so many.
He quietly went about his business doing such great things.
He was our bishop when we were new to Rexburg.
He was a lawyer and later became a judge.
He started and contributed greatly to mental health courts. He spoke all over the country about his programs here. Anywhere in the country you could say his name among the legal profession and his name would be known...for great things.

He accomplished so much in his life.
He said that all he ever wanted to be
was a cowboy.
He will be greatly missed.

He was a wonderful husband, father and friend.

My husband describes him as a
Quiet Giant.

His passing leaves aching hearts.

His quiet words were profound.
Years ago when he was our bishop I remember him saying something that has stuck with me for years:
(It's the saying at the bottom of my blog, I've had it there forever.)
"Don't get caught up in the thick of thin things"
It left an impression and I've found myself thinking through many situations in life that maybe, just maybe, this is a thin thing.

Our family loves you, Brent!
We are here for you, Larae!