Birthday Party #1

Last night my wonderful friends Jess, Spencer and Lisa threw me a birthday party! We met at Jess's and Lisa brought pizza (even the sauce less kind for me) and Jess make a delicious apple crisp instead of cake. Which is great cause I am sure there will plenty of cake in upcoming days. There happened to be a street fair of sorts across the street from Spencer and Jess's house, so we took a walk and looked in all the antique stores and at all the cool hand-made craft stuff. Such cool bags and head bands, I could have spent a thousand dollars easily. The men were awesome and walked through all of it with us and never complained once. After dessert we just sat and talked for a while. I really get to missing those guys, and it was good to catch up again. Hope we didn't keep you up too late Jess! Here is a picture of the super cool birthday present Lisa and Jess gave me:

Pretty awesome huh! I am so excited to start decorating for Halloween! My birthday marks the "its ok to decorate now" phase, so we are so close!

Thanks guys, it was a great party, and you are so sweet to do it!

Mommy Palin

I found this link on the blog of a friend of a friend and I couldn't resist taking part.




What would your name be if Sarah Palin had been your mom?




Mine would be Stag Tonnage Palin. And Nik would be Bomb Locamotive.






Although, I don't think any self-respecting American would really name her son Bomb.



Check it out! Oh, and PLEASE post your name!

Why I Love State Farm

Recently we added renters insurance to our policy with State Farm.  It was $10.41 per month.  They also said that it would give us a small discount because we have a few policies with them.  Well, we get the bill this month, and it is $14 less than last month.  What?  How does that math work out?  We add ten bucks and they take away fourteen?  All right.  I'm not complaining.  Maybe I need a few more policies.....

Triumph!

With our last rent check I sent a typed up note about our leaky bath tub faucet (that they supposedly fixed some weeks ago) saying that it was not yet fixed and that a considerable amount of water leaked from both the faucet and from behind the hot water handle. I said I would love to have that fixed soon as it was wasting a lot of water. I also put in a little bit about liking the new security cameras they put in and what-not.

Several days later I come home to see dirty foot prints in my bath tub and no leaky faucet. Yay!

Several more days later we all had notices posted on our doors that said essentially, "Our water bill has doubled. Please let us know if you have any leaky faucets. Also, we have a new policy that any repair requests must be written down so we know we have permission to enter the home."

Ha!!! I win! I was the first! And come to think of it, the only time anything has really gotten done is when I have written them a note about it.

I consider my self a trend setter.

Good Bye Shish

Last night we lost our dear Shish.  He had been struggling for quite a while now and I knew he wouldn't be with us much longer.  

We got Shish as a wedding party gift from Vivian and Jake's wedding more than 4 years ago.  He out lived two other Beta fish, one bowl change and two moves.  Shish got his name from our nephew Noah.  When he was very little and the family would come to visit us, the fish was the first place Noah would go.  And he would exclaim "Shish shish!"  And the rest was history.  He had a place of honor on our "little table" with the flowers and candles and the picture of Antonio Banderas.  The table looks very empty now.

A small, private funeral was held in the English bathroom last night while Amazing Grace was was played on the bagpipes in the back ground.

We will miss you Shish!

Rant About Work #2

I have been at my current job for long enough now that I have most of it down. My responsibilities are not large in number, but they important. So I know what is a big deal and what isn't, but here are some of the things that bug me either way. Some of you may recognize a few from the first post. That just means that they still bug me. And yes, Dave, all tellers have PMS. Lets just get that out of the way now.

1. Do not fold your checks. I was taught very early on by my father that checks were very important and that if you did not take care of them you could risk losing the money. Not like I can refuse to take a check that has been in you wallet for weeks, through the wash a couple times, or that is sticky. But I wish I could. Besides, it makes it very difficult to endorse and scan a check that is ripped or folded excessively. I know, sometimes you put them in your wallet or purse and forget about them. And one fold down the middle is fine. Do not fold the check three or four times and then let it take up shop in your pocket for a week before you cash it. If you are not going to the bank today, leave the check home.

2. I cannot read your mind. This applies to handing me a wad of cash or a stack of checks (that are not signed) and saying, "Put these in my checking." And then just staring at me. If you do that I will put it in MY checking, cause I know that number. The same thing applies to giving me a laundry list of things to do with the money you have not given me before you give me your account number. I can't do anything for you without that number and my memory is not that good. That is what the nice deposit slips are for. Now, I know, some banks do not use deposit slips, so disregard that.

3. Do NOT just walk up to my window. I am not ready for you until I call you. Besides being annoying, and rude, it could be a violation of private records. If I still have another members account information on my computer screen when you come to my window it could be compromised and I could get in big trouble. And if I am counting the money in my drawer, or putting away money from a previous transaction, I am not just killing time or brushing up on my math, I REALLY need to get that done and I cannot help you till I AM done, so please wait in line till I call you.

4. Control your kids. If you cannot, this is not the time for you to be getting a loan. I understand that schedules are tight and this might be the "only time" you have to come in. Under those circumstances, plan for the sometimes hour or more-long process and bring something for your kids to do. I am not a babysitter, and I am not nice. I will tell you kids to be quite and stop running across the chairs and playing in the blinds. I expect you, the parent, to know what your kids are doing and to help them act appropriately in a place of business.

5. Please do not talk on your cell phone when you come to my line. I do not care about whatever you are talking too-loudly about. And don't give me a dirty look when I "interrupt" your conversation to ask you such trivial questions as your account number or to sign for the $1000 in cash you got back. I promise that a normal trip to the bank will not take more than 10 minutes. You can call them back. They will understand. And if they don't, they probably talk on their cell phones at the bank too, and this will be a learning experience for them. HANG UP!!!

Ok, that's not a long list this time, but they are serious offenses. I sincerely hope that none of you are guilty of any of these and that you can use this list to make future trips to the bank more enjoyable for everyone.

The Mystery of the Missing Cards

We all have them. Whether we like it or not. Those little "savings" cards that all the grocery stores and book stores, and gas stations make you get to get the 'real' price on their products. Its a bummer, but if you want the cold cereal for 4 for $10 and not $3.75 each, its a necessary evil.

Well, a couple days ago I went to Smith's to get some milk and some lunch and decided to do the self check out (cause I always like to check myself out...) and the nice lady in the machine asks me to scan my Fresh Values Card and I pull pull out my keys, ready to do just that, when I notice that I don't have my Fresh Values Card. I don't have any of my cards...

I cancel my order, move to another lane and search my purse. Nothing. Five little key chain cards, and none of them are still there. I give the cashier my phone number instead, and guess what? My card was not under my phone number. So I gave him Niks. Oh well.

Now, I realize that this is really not a big deal. All I have to do is ask for a replacement card and they will give me one. And any "points" or whatever that accumulated on my number can be accessed by my phone number, but that was really frustrating. And I cannot find them anywhere! Not in the house, not in the car, not in my purse. Some how 5 cards have disappeared off my key chain. Not one at a time, all at once.



Plus side? My key chain is lighter.

Kara's Birthday and TNDGTDAAC #2

It has taken me a little while to get to this, but I am excited to post it. Oh, and thanks to all the feedback. I guess I will continue to post my pictures here, and not bother with a second blog.

Ok, so here is the funny part. After Kara's birthday party we stopped at Liberty Park. This is installation #2 of Things Nik Didn't Get To Do As A Child: Go to Liberty Park. We decided on a whim that we would stop and walk around. We walked around the dirty pond/lake/cesspool and carefully avoided the goose poop. And that was no small feet. We walked around the cool green-house with the beautiful landscaping and flowers, and through the cement and water recreation of the valley and canyons. On our way back around the "lake" we decided to stop at a bench and watch the sunset and the geese for a minute.

We had not been there 5 minutes when another couple walks up to the lake with a remote control boat. They proceed to drive it around, occasionally bringing it back in to clean off the propeller. It is really fun to watch them play and Nik tells me he wants one of his own. There was much discussion about where we would drive it, and if we would come all the way out here just to play with the boat, when it stopped right in the center of the lake. We watched the couple converse for a moment, and then watched as the guy (Jared) proceeded to strip (not the good kind, but he did take his shirt off, and I was not complaining) and walk out in to the gross, gross lake. We had no idea how deep it was, so we were on the edge of our seats as he slowly made his way out to the boat. By the time he reached it the water was to his waist. Both Jared and the boat made it safely back to shore, but as Nik said, "I wouldn't use those shoes again."

Of course I had my camera and could not resist snapping a couple pictures. Because of how dark it was, and how far away we were, they did not come out very good, but here they are.

We talked to them after he got back to shore and told them where to find these pictures, but it has been a couple days, so I hope they are still looking. If, by chance Jared and female companion happen to find this, please leave a comment to that effect. I would love to know that you got the pictures. They are not much, but hilarious to look back on!

Decisions Decisions...

Ok, I was thinking just now that I have been posting a lot of pictures lately.  So my question to you, blog-land is, do you care about my pictures enough to continue to see them here on my blog, or would you like it better if I started a different blog solely for pictures?  I could also link my photo gallery on the side bar, and I am cool with that, but then, its not my kids that the pictures are of.  If I do the photo blog, I will make it private and you all can ask to see it if you want.  If I link the photo gallery, I promise to not use any names at all, and the photos will all be available for down load for those who feel so inclined.  

Please give me your input.  I SWEAR I will not care if you vote to not see my photos anymore.  Thats the reason I am doing this.  Thanks for your help!

Things Nik didn't get to do as a child

The first of what I am sure will be a lengthy series (or not) of things Nik missed out on as a child.

Today: Buy ice cream from the Ice Cream Truck.

Now, we have actually been trying to get this one taken care of for some time, but the ice cream truck only comes by on Sunday's. So when it came by on a Monday, we jumped on it. Nik got his favorite, a fudge bar, and I got a lime Popsicle. I have been a Popsicle fiend lately. I eat them all and leave none for anyone else. But I digress. Here is Nik with his spoils:

Photo Update (long)

Look what we found in our laundry room...I thought Nik was going through Kix a little fast....

ps: if you attended any of the functions above, go to my gallery http://gallery.mac.com/nikenglish#gallery to see if there are any pictures of you!

Mourning Dave a Second Time

Last week we mourned the passing of LeRoi Moore (saxophonist for the Dave Matthew's Band), due to injuries following an ATV accident. Today we mourn the passing of the Dave Matthew Band concert that should have been tonight at USANA Amphitheater. Because of a fire out that direction a couple days ago, the show has been postponed and no new date has been set.

My parents were generous enough to get us tickets to this show back in May for our anniversary and we have been anxiously awaiting the arrival since day one. The tickets have been displayed on our magnetic calender and we have checked and double-checked that we could be there on time. We can only hope that they really do schedule another show date, and that we can make it.

Dave, we will miss you.

A Genealogy Poem

"I saw a duck the other day,
It had the feet of my Aunt Faye.
Then it walked, was heading south.
It waddled like my Uncle Ralph.

And when it utrned I must propose,
It's bill was found like Aunt Jane's nose.
I thought, "Oh, No!" It's just my luck.
Someday I'll look just like a duck!"

I sobbed to Mom about my fears,
And she said,
"Honey, dry your tears.
You look like me, so walk with pride.
Those folks are all from Daddy's side."

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Today is my parents 27th anniversary and I looked and looked and I do not have a picture of them! So I stole one from Mom's blog. I now have a new goal to get more pictures of my parents together!

Happy 27!!!

Back to School Tour Guide

My baby brother Jeff starts high school on Monday. And seeing as he is going to my high school, I was asked to come along to show him where his classes were. I was thrilled! I loved Cottonwood! I was so excited to be back there and to see some of the teachers I loved so much. But half way there I realized that it has been 5 years and Jeff is taking different class than I did. I started to get worried that I would not know where he was supposed to go.

I met my family in the Auditorium (or Assembly Hall, as I called it cause thats where we had all the assemblies...made sense in my head) and we sat through a "very informative" hour long presentation about the coming school year. Then we were told that the students had been divided up in groups and could go on a 10 minute tour of the school to get acquainted. I was surprised and a little disapointed because usually at this point they have you follow the students schedule and go meet the teachers and stuff. So, Lena didn't get to see her favorite teachers. And lucky Jeff got the group that didn't know where they were going, and didn't seem to be aware that no one could hear them vaguely explain what hall this was and what classes were taught here. We ditched the stupid group and everyone looked to me to where to go next.

We decided it was best to just go through Jeff's classes. Turns out he is lucky and most of his classes are close together, and they are all near his locker. I was worried for a little while cause Cottonwood has brought in a Charter type school that has taken over some of the classrooms I was in, so those classes are taught elsewhere, and I worried that I would tell my followers that I was 'sure' that the class would be here, only to be proven wrong after walking the length of the school. Luckily that didn't happen. And despite the fact that I never took them in the wrong direction, or told them a class would be there, only to find it was not...I was always asked "are you sure?" every time I told them this was the direction we needed to go. Oh well. We found all the classes and made it out safely.

I forgot how big that school is. My legs were very tired by the time I got home. I guess I was used to it after 3 years. But now, after another 5 I am out of shape again. Good luck Jeff.

In other news, Talina and I played babysitter last night for the cutest 1 year old ever. Vivian (Mom) started her night job last night and we both got calls from Jake (Dad) asking if we would be willing to come by so he could go play basketball with the boys. Never one to turn down a chance to hang with Xander, I agreed. Talina met me there and we spent the evening wondering why someone would put two people who have never had children in charge. At least we were both bigger than Xander. He was a sweetie though, and went to bed with out any problems. When the boys came back Jake could not say 'thank you' enough. It was no big deal Jake!

Hope to be of service again soon!

William Thomas

Since I have been slacking and have not gotten my pictures uploaded yet, you will have to check out this website for a few pictures of brand new William Thomas, son of Tom and Liz. We went to see him on Friday and he is adorable! Nik and I both thought he looked most like Liz. Hopefully in the next couple days I can get more pictures up. Enjoy!

http://longaker.com/

Food For Thought

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/14/bigfoot.body/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Do you believe?

Desperation

Thy name is radio.

I must have tickets to Jason Mraz, if you don't give them to me, radio, you and me are over.

Keep that in mind.

Murder Mystery Fun

Friday night Nik and I were lucky to go to the Murder Mystery at Castle of Chaos. I have been dying to see this for months and wanted to get a big group together to come, but alas, it did not work out and it was only with much persuasion that I convinced Nik to come with me on the second to last night it was performed.

The story was that the current king had killed the rightful ruler and family and took the throne for himself (and he is poisoned at the very beginning). His daughter was being forced to marry one of his evil henchmen and there was a "Robin Hood" type guy that was trying to restore order. Ok, that was a really bad synopsis, but the gist of it is from the movie "Court Jester" with Danny Kaye. Which is a great movie for all who have not seen it. Good stuff. Anyway...

I had heard that this was like an interactive game of Clue, but I still didn't know what do expect. It turned out that we had to search the "castle" for "weapons", "gold" and other objects that might aid us in finding out who killed the king. We had to talk to the actor actors and fulfill missions to get the information we needed. At first I was wary because I am not good at the Role Playing thing (no comments) and I did not want to get into my character. But after a few minutes of watching the other players (about 16 of us in all) and watching Nik, I was more into it and we had a good time.

We had 80 minutes total and the time ended way too fast. When it came time to decide who did it I was still baffled. Nik chose one guy and told me to choose his wife, but I was unsure. So I picked some guy I had not talked to in hopes that I had missed something. But...Alas! I should have listened to Nik! It was the wife! Oh well, I should have known. She had the poison and she would want the other king dead, that would make her husband the new king. Dang!

The murder mysteries start up again in November, after the Haunter House season is over, so anyone interested in going with us, we are itching to go again!

Happy Birthday Molly!

Happy 60th birthday to my second mom, Molly F*!

When my family moved into the house they are in now, Molly and kids were the first to greet us. She was quick to point out that she had a son my age (only older by 2 weeks) and a daughter a couple years younger (2 years and 2 days younger. We thought that was cool). I was instantly friends with her daughter, Rachel, and usually annoyed with her son, Donny. Who would have guessed that long after Rachel and I parted ways, I would still be good friends with Donny?

Molly is a great baker. If she borrows a dish of any kind, it comes back full of something homemade and delicious. My favorite are her cinnamon rolls. I remember eating the divinity that did not set up properly (it still tasted fine!) and listening to her tell the story of the little village when making bread.

I still feel like family when I am in her house, and I love to just sit and talk to her. Happy Birthday Molly!

ps-mom, if you have a picture of Molly, please email it to me!