You've been conferenced!

Last weekend was what we Mormons like to call "Conference Weekend." Twice a year, on the first weekends in April and October, members of the church gather physically and virtually to hear words of council from our church leaders. We leave our horns off for this special occasion, and the men usually only take their favorite wife. But, nonetheless, it is awesome. The topics of the talks range from the importance of family, to ways that we can better serve one another. If you are curious about General Conference and would like to learn more, you can find the talks here.

As an aside, it was ten years ago Sunday that I woke up from a drugged state in a hospital recovery room with a few inches less of my intestines. General Conference was playing in the background as I came to. And each Conference Weekend, I'm reminded of that part of my life and how lucky and blessed I've been. I've known great doctors, surgeons, a great mother to take care of me, and a loving Savior to help me through this part of my life. I can't believe how well I've gotten off and how normal I've been able to live (depending on what you consider normal, I guess).

So, when you have a few minutes to spare and are in need of some uplifting words in your life, check out the Conference site.

When American history gets even more awesome . . .

I can't help but LOVE this video. I'm working on a unit about Revolutionary America right now and came across this in my Google searches. Students in a classroom would love this! And so will you.

Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration from Soomo Publishing on Vimeo.

Looking for a job?

I would love to see a resume from some who actually meets the qualifications of this ad for my company, specifically a teaching degree and teaching experience! If you know anyone looking to get out of teaching until all the NCLB dust settles, or someone who just loves to write curriculum, have them send a resume to HR@gibbs-smith.com.


Job Title : Associate Curriculum Developer

Job Description :Local publishing company is currently seeking a full-time associate curriculum developer to join its team. Skills necessary for position: an education degree; teaching experience (preferably elementary);  ability to write clearly and succinctly; ability to communicate clearly and must have the ability to manage time effectively and to meet deadlines; must be able to quickly learn to use different technologies such as a MAC operating systems, Adobe InDesign and XML coding.

Wanted: Chocolate

Attention concerned citizens:

Rumors are circulating that there are now Cadbury hard-shell mini Valentine's candies being sold, as of January 2011. The location of these candies is not known. Many nearby retailers have been questioned, to no avail. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of these candies, please contact your local Cadbury consumer authorities, aka me. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated. Once the candies have been apprehended, we will all feel a little bit safer in our homes.

Editors?

Associate Editor
  Job Description :  Local publishing company is currently seeking an associate editor to join their education department. Responsibilities will include: focusing on state specific standards in the text and visuals, editing content to ensure clear and logical organization and language appropriate for the grade level, copy editing to ensure proper spelling and grammar using company provided style guide. Will work closely with Managing Editor, Editorial Development Director, authors, and other team members to solve problems and keep projects on schedule. Skills necessary for position: ability to broaden editorial skills base, incorporating feedback from Editorial Development Director. Ability to maintain and work to improve proficiency of necessary software used to facilitate tasks, such as researching, editing, and fact checking. Examples include, Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe InCopy, Mac OS, and the appropriate use of the Internet. Candidate should have previous editorial experience. Salary is contingent upon experience.

Qualified candidates should email their resume to hr@gibbs-smith.com.

For my fellow data nerds

I know it doesn't fit perfectly, but I can't edit the width of the box since it's an interactive piece. To see it more clearly, go to this link.

Don't Quit Your Day Job, Mr. Maestro

When bad clothes happen to good people

Just when you thought you were getting used to the low jeans that show your ambition to be a plumber  every time you bend over, mother fashion comes back with an old style and bites you in the backside!

Something has happened . . . something big . . . something neither you or I can prepare ourselves for . . .

HIGH-WAIST, MOM-BUM PANTS!

They're all over the place! While doing some shopping in Vegas last month, I innocently picked up a pair of what I thought to be baggy, khaki,  cargo capris. Boy, was I wrong. The waist came up almost above my belly button and the legs of the capris were tapered. . . TAPERED, I tell you! I threw the pants down and have tried my best to forget about the incident and move on.

But then, I was doing some online shopping during a brain break today (only window shopping, honey), and I saw these:

And these:

And even these:

Even these skinny models have what I lovingly refer to as "mom bum" in these pants as seen here:

And here:

The proof is in the puddin', people. These pants are back, and they're here to stay. We've gotten rid of them once, and I believe we can do it again! Please show your support for this cause in one of two ways: (1) Tell everyone you know and love. Warn them about the effects of these pants. Consider starting a support group for people who have a weakness for this style. (2) Give of your time and money by entering and scouring clothing retailers near you. Find pants that fit this description, buy them, and burn them! 

Remember, friends don't let friends wear high-waited, tapered pants. Together, we can make a difference.

Sheesh

Twenty-one of my friends on facebook are "fans" of Glenn Beck. C'mon guys.

"Hi. I'm Glenn Beck and the world is ending every day. So I yell at times. And sometimes I pause for dramatic emphasis. And really, I think I missed my calling in life as an evangelical preacher."

That's really all I have to say about that.

To Buy, or Not to Buy...

Something in my gut tells me that I own more than one dress that is similar to this one. But I love it so much! I might die if I don't get it [pouty face].

I'm too old for this stuff...

Tonight, while strolling quickly through the aisles of Walmart, and trying to not touch anything unnecessarily, my husband and I came across a classic from my childhood. We are about to watch it. I'm a little more excited than I would like to admit. I haven't seen the flick since I was about seven. I will give a full report after the movie. So, without further ado, I give you...

ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Post Movie Review:

A million apologies for keeping you all hanging in suspense since Saturday night.

It was scary how well I remembered minor details like the colors of the little girl's outfit, and the hook on the trucker's arm. What was even more shocking was that I didn't recall that there were two F-bombs, a Playboy magazine theme throughout, and several innuendoes. 

So my suggestion is this: If you have low movie standards, see this and prepare to laugh your head off (mostly at how awesome we once thought the 80s were). And if you do have high standards, see it anyway. But have your friend or spouse prepared to cover your hears or eyes at any given moment.

Next up for flashback movie: 

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
& Troop Beverly Hills 
(Thank you, Stacy!)

If you are a girl, boy, or anyone not married to me, read this...

... if you are my husband, close the browser window immediately.... OR ELSE!


So I have this great idea for Valentine's Day, since I'm a newlywed and I'm an over-achiever sometimes. I want to do something nice/romantic/fun for my husband everyday for the week before the big day. Mostly just little, thoughtful things... nothing big and expensive. I have some ideas rolling around the ol' idea mill, but I would love to hear what you have done for someone special, or what someone special has done for you. SEVEN nice things is a lot for anyone to come up with... especially someone as selfish as me.

Let's hear it, people... spread the love.

And, since I like you folks, a little something to get you in the mood:

A New Blog for a New Year

For the past couple of years, I have enjoyed blogging. However, it was time to give the blog a facelift: a new blog for a new year. I hope you'll join me on my blogging adventures! This year I am going to write a short (possibly long, sometimes) memory of each days' events. So stay tuned as I record 364 memories of 2010! Oh, why 364? Because I forgot to start this yesterday. Oops.

Follow my adventures... click on the "Follow" button down in the right hand column.

Day 1

Today my husband and I conquered the New Super Marie Brothers Wii game—an event days in the making. I've never been more proud of the both of us. Perhaps we'll go to Disneyland to celebrate.

It's Funny Because It's True

Let me preface this by saying that I do NOT endorse anything affiliated with the Twilight series.

Anyone who has been in a single's ward anytime in the past 10 years can probably appreciate this movie... TOO FUNNY! Prepare to ROFL and stuff.

Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo.

May You Never Have to Buy Another Christmas Album

Here it is... a masterpiece that's been years in the making: My Christmas playlist.

Enjoy!

My New Favorite Song...

And now you understand why...

A few people have asked me why I'm not wearing my mother's wedding dress.

Behold the answer....

Cloudy With a Chance of Me Seeing that Movie Again

Last weekend, I went with my entire family to see, "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs." Since there are so many wee ones in my family, I've accepted the fact that if ever we head to the theaters, we are going to see a silly, mildly entertaining kids' show. However, I am pleased to announce that I was pleasantly surprised by this movie! It delivered the perfect balance of silliness and action sequences for kids, and witty, not so obvious humorous elements for adults. I laughed— a whole lot. I was almost embarrassed at how much I laughed. Maybe it's my love for food and giant babies... I don't know. But I recommend this movie to YOU. And the good news is that it beat out, "The Informant" by almost tripling its revenue. Maybe America does still have morals, after all...

Of course, seeing this movie only made me EVEN MORE excited (if that's at all possible) for the upcoming release of another children's book-based movie! Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about!

In other news, I am home from work, sick in bed. I sure love those little kidlets in my life... even when they carry communicable diseases. My immune system was most likely weakened by my weekend menu.

Saturday

Breakfast: Ben's Cookies

Lunch: Chadders

Dinner: Movie Theater popcorn and Little Caesar's Pizza

[Side note: This was my wedding dress shopping day. Maybe not the best idea I've ever had.]

Sunday

Lunch: Leftover Pizza

Dinner: Muddy Buddies and Turkey Steak

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

[Awaiting results of pending couch purchase.]

Bow- WOW

One of my best friends in the whole world is disgustingly talented. She makes and sells hair bows and head bands for little girls. You can check out the goods on her blog. I tell ya, it's good to know talented people; my future daughters will have something feminine to adorn their possibly over-sized, bald heads.

Here is a sneak peak of what she makes:

SO CUTE, I KNOW!