Get Ready...

Prepare yourself. In three days I am going to blog again.

Fingernails

 www.howtobeadad.com

As I have been a mother for approximately 8 months, three weeks and three days I have faced plenty of challenges; but the worst of all are fingernails. If ever asked what I hate most about motherhood I will use this eleven letter word without even thinking a second thought. Hunter has this thing where he likes to grab what little skin I have under my neck, twist and pull it with his razor sharp nails while smiling at me. I recently came across this chart on deadliest edged weapons from a blog I read. It fully describes the power of the fingernail.

www.amazon.com

This would not be such an issue in my life if Hunter would let me trim his nails, but he doesn't. I try to get him to fall asleep in my arms to cut his nails, but then it's too dark. I then turn on the light to see, but then he wakes up. It has been a never ending battle. But then, one glorious day I was looking on Amazon baby and came across the world's best invention: fingernail clippers with a built-in led light. I can now trim Hunter's nails in the dark and he has no idea what is even happening! The last couple weeks of my life have been heaven. His fingernail weapons have been detonated. The world can now sleep in peace once more.

We are alive

Some of you have probably been wondering where are the amazing Jones. Well, as we wrap up yet another semester it seems we have been MIA. This is due to the overload of homework that has been assigned, and procrastinated throughout this semester. But, have no fear, we are holding strong and surviving life. We will completely resurface in about 11 days. Here is a quick summary of our semi-exciting lives in the last couple of weeks.

1. We celebrated Thanksgiving in Utah with Jared's family. His dad has a four-wheeler. It makes me really happy.
2. We survived the first Thanksgiving season of Janina's Bake Sale by baking: 4 pumpkin pies, 4 spiced pear pies, 4 apple cranberry pies, 1 pecan pie, 3 pumpkin cheesecakes, 1 cherry pie, 1 lemon meringue pie, 1 chocolate cream pie, 1 german chocolate pie and a turkey cake (pictures soon to come). It was quite the bake fest.
   
3. Our basil plant died because it was too cold in our apartment when we were gone for the holiday. A huge tragedy. Our goldfish were even almost frozen to death and were floating on the bottom of their tank when we got back. There were practically ice chunks floating in the water. They slowly gained consciousness as it warmed up in our apartment and we slowly replaced their cold water with luke-warm water. Now they are frisky as ever.
   
4. I turned 28! Happy Birthday to me. It was a lovely birthday even though I pretended it didn't happen. I am still in denial that my 10 year high school reunion is this next summer.
5. I bought a new macro lens for my camera. This is thanks to the many donations for my birthday. Thanks to everyone on both sides of our family. (I am still accepting donations.)
   
6. We put up our 7 foot Christmas tree and lights. It looks beautiful sparkling in the corner of our apartment.
7. I procrastinated updating this blog with our adventures for the last three weeks.

This was our first Thanksgiving together.
Weren't we adorable?

A Reason to Celebrate

Some blogs that I stalk have started getting into the Thanksgiving spirit by listing things they are grateful for. Those of you who know me know that I like to celebrate the small little things in life. These are the things which I am the most grateful for. Upon doing my usual scholarly research I found a list of random holidays to celebrate this month. Jared and I will be celebrating as many as possible. If it wasn't past my bedtime I would be making cookies to celebrate Cookie Monster Day instead of typing this.

• Nov 2- Cookie Monster Day
• Nov 3- National Sandwich Day
• Nov 4- National Men Make Dinner Day (we are definitely going to celebrate this one)
• Nov 4- Chicken Lady Appreciation Day
• Nov 7- Zero Tasking Day
• Nov 15- National Bundt Pan Day
• Nov 19- Have a Bad Day
• Nov 24- Janina's Birthday Celebration
• Nov 26- Flossing Day
• Nov 27- Stay Home Because You Are Well Day

The Wonders of Chocolate Milk

When I first got married I received some amazing advice; if I ever want to make Jared happy buy him chocolate milk. This advice seemed trivial and almost comical. A couple months ago I found a good sale for chocolate milk. I decided to test out this advice. When I got home from grocery shopping I put the gallon of chocolate milk on the top shelf in the fridge so Jared could not miss it. When he got home I was in the office working on the computer. A few minutes later I heard Jared open the fridge, gasp and run in the office to give me the biggest kiss. He has never been so instantaneously happy. This happiness lasted until that gallon of chocolate milk was gone.

Today I had a grueling day of training at work. (This summer I am teaching a public speaking lab for freshman students). I came home grumpy and tired. As I opened the cupboard looking for a snack I saw the can of Nesquick that we have had for a while. I decided to make myself a cup of chocolate milk. After my first sip I couldn't help but smile, halfway through the cup I felt motivated to take on the world and by the time I finished the cup of chocolate milk I was on cloud nine. I have now experienced a glimpse of the wonders of chocolate milk. I am a believer that chocolate milk has the power to heal a relationship, bring a instantaneous smile to a face and make the world a better place. Ladies: I am now passing this advice on to you - buy the men in your lives chocolate milk.

Ducks

Yesterday as I drove my bus I saw the first ducks of the season. They were swimming in a canal. Upon seeing them I almost missed a stop sign because I was so excited. My passengers got a little nervous. If only they understood the significance of the ducks. I wanted to share my excitement but I held off for some unknown reason.

The last ducks that I was privileged to see were sighted last fall. It happened on a crisp beautiful day. As I walked out to my car I heard quacking up above, looked up and saw a flock of ducks flying in the perfect flying V. The "Mighty Ducks" would have been proud. I felt as though they were telling me goodbye. But now they are back, and my heart is once again complete. This is going to be a great spring.

Gas

I came across this poem in one of my Psychology textbooks. The book states that it was written by Dr. Seuss but, in my research, I can't find it anywhere else. Anyways, I thought it was a great way to start the morning.

I will not pass gas on a train. I will not pass gas on a plane. I will not pass gas in my house. I will not pass gas near my spouse. I will not pass gas in a bar. I will not pass gas in a car. I will not pass gas where little ones are, no matter how near or how far. I will not pass gas in your face, because the gas I pass is worse than mace.

Have a good day.

The Raven and the Ping Pong

Today as I sat in my bus getting ready to pick up some rambunctious college kids my eyes wandered to a snowbank in front of me. On top of the snowbank was a raven with a ping pong in its beak. As I continued to watch the raven I saw it put the ping pong down on top of the snowbank and attempt to dig a hole to bury it. As the raven scratched the surface of the snow digging the hole the ping pong started to roll down the snowbank. The raven immediately hopped down to the bottom of snowbank to save its prized ping pong. The raven then picked up the ping pong in its beak and hopped back to the top of the snowbank. The raven once again placed the ping pong off to the side and then attempted to dig the hole. Immediately the ping pong broke away and started to roll down the hill. Once again, the raven hopped down the snowbank to rescue its runaway prize. This cycle went on for a couple more times until the raven went out of sight on the other side of the snowbank. Unfortunately at this point I had to go back to work. I hope the raven was able to bury its prize and I hope I never forget this wonderful lesson of perseverance.

P.S. For all of my Anasazi friends out there this reminds me of the legend of the Badger and the Stone.