Queen for a day...

Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. The key is to not let anyone around me know it, except my family. My latest endeavor started in May when I was elected to a two year term on our school's PC board. A month later at our first council meeting I vowed I would not let my kids sale one tub of cookie dough or roll of wrapping paper. I promised I could raise money with a walk-a-thon. Some on the board were less than enthusiastic, but gave me their vote. Some on the school board swore in this economy people wanted something for their money and it wouldn't work. Pledge sheets were due last Monday-- I didn't sleep at all the night before worrying my idea had failed. Monday morning we had more than $5,000 in pledges. By Thursday that number was $8,500. I was crowned queen of the day! My administration and board were jumping for joy. I was signing in relief. Now comes the walking part on Thursday. I am worried about the t-shirts, the bottled water, the snacks and the media stuff-- all valid reasons my crown could fall off. Honestly, I would walk the 1.5 miles in my crown if it was a guarantee that everything would go royally well. I'll probably walk in a clown wig and hope no one sees the chaos behind the scenes.

Football season

Football Season is here--- we're flying the red flag both at home (go Utes) and on the flag football field. This is Carter's first year as a player and Rich's as his coach. Go Utes!

You said what to my mom??

Every Sunday Rich takes center stage at my mom's house while we have dinner. He can come up with some unusual conversation pieces. I'm not usually shocked by what he says, I've been married to him for 14 years so I'm use to it. However, today he and my mom totally blew my mind. I had just finished unloading over what had been a particularly bad day at church when...

Mom: "Sorry Rich, guess you know by now we have a no return policy on our children. You're stuck with her, bad or good days."

Rich: "I know it's that full disclosure thing again."

Me: "What are you talking about?"

((Rich and my mom start to laugh))

Mom: "Oh when you were engaged you were particularly grumpy (my mom's nice way of saying witchy) one day, I told Rich I was sorry for you mood but we believed in knowing it all before you 'buy' like a full disclosure clause."

Rich: "Yep, I told her it was okay, that I knew what I was getting into but if they believed in full disclosure then did that mean I got to see ya' naked before I married you."

Me: "What?!! You said that to my mom before we were married?"

((everyone at the table is now laughing hysterically and I couldn't decide if I was mad or mortified))

Mom: "Oh relax Nichole, we told him no."

I'm still not sure if I'm mad or mortified. No secrets in this family.

The Pink Pony and the hair

What do you mean that not everyone has a giant pink pony in their bedroom that needs to be groomed daily? Isn't that normal? Yes, it is true, the pink pony (who has no real name) has to have its hair done daily, by Anja. Bows, ribbons, curlers and sometimes even a little spray of detangler--anything goes when you are a hairdresser at 18 months.

Speaking of grooming, Anja got quite the hairdo this week. This is what happens when you spend too much time blogging for something cute to do to a little girl with limited hair. I was happy with the out come. She was happy with the bribe-- a paint with water book (much easier to clean up than purple oil paint).

Supper Slider!

More fun at the State Fair.

Utah State Fair!!!

Our yearly visit to the Utah State Fair fulfills my duty as a parent to teach my children that food does not originate at Harmons. It also grosses me out, makes me stink, brings out the germ phobia in me and reminds me of why I'm a city-slicker. Hard to believe I was a Miss Utah State Fair (runner up then the queen took Miss Utah and a Miss SLCounty 1st attendant). Good Times!

$539.23 Shoes

I'm not a shoe snob. I wish I had hundreds of pairs of shoes but I don't thanks to bad feet. When I was pregnant with Anja something happened to my arches and now there are only a few shoe brands that don't hurt my feet when I walk. I am a Dansko fan.They aren't cheap, but they are worth every penny. So, tonight Rich and I went to Nordstrom to get two pair with my birthday money (thanks mom). I found four pair I liked including a Mephisto shoe. I decided to get two sets and wear them for a bit to decide which one to keep. All was well until I handed the clerk my credit card and he handed me back a receipt for $539.23. Rich and I had major ticket shock. Too late, they are mine. The clerk happily handed us his business card and asked us to come back again, soon. Yeah, he wishes.

The shoes are going back on Monday, so I thought I would take a picture of them before they go. I didn't get that much birthday money.

My Musical Man

It takes a strong man to willingly sit through a musical with his wife. I have a strong man. Last week there was a mistake and the ticket booth at Hale Theater. Since we had the babysitter already, we decided to go to a movie. It was my turn to pick. I choose Mama Mia! Rich groaned. He survived, I think he even laughed once or twice. But he shot me a "look" when some of the people in the audience started to sing a long.

Tonight we went to Hale Theater and it was another musical. It was fun to see some of my friends from High School staring in, "BIG" but again, it was a musical. Rich is a good sport. Two musicals, one week-- harder to do than any scout camp in the snow.