Go Fish...

Well, our home is back to a more Zoo-like state. I (finally) remembered to stop by the fish tanks in a walmart and pick up new fish. I picked a Shubukin, which is like a Calico Gold Fish and 4 little Rosy Reds. Still got the algae eater, so I hope he wanted company. I really wanted another frog, but the fish clerk said Walmart stopped carrying them for now and might get them back next month since so many people have been asking for them. Also, just next door to that specific walmart is a PetSmart, so I have options. Either that or I could try a Fiddler Crab, those are always cool.

Ivy posing with her new "bishies" as she calls them


In there new home-free from predators. (Rosy Reds are feeder fish)

Peanut Butter Recall

For those of you that haven't heard, Kellogg's and Walmart have issued a huge recall on cookies with peanut butter in them AND my kids favorite crackers, Austin Peanut Butter Crackers. That means I have to throw out two packages (12 ct each) of crackers. What a waste! I'll have to wait til they're sleeping so they don't flip out seeing mommy tossing their snacks! If you want more info on it, here's the FDA articles on it:

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/kellogg201_09.html

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/ralcorp301_09.html

I thought everyone I care about should see this!

Penny and Pepper at 8 months old

Well, it's hard to believe it, the girls have made it to 8 months old. And they are getting HUGE. Pepper is getting the size of their daddy the Rotti but Penny might be staying more on the sleeker side. And yes, as from the pictures below, you can see that they are constantly sleeping beside each other. Usually one has her head resting on the other's butt/hip. They even sleep in the same dog "crate", so far it's not too crowded for them, just comfy.

Pepper

Penny

I had John be in the picture to give the girls a size prespective

The girls chewin' on their toys, and not the kid's toys (YAY!)

Once upon a time (July to be exact) the girls were sweet and innocent

Jennie Hopes

I'll take that Tag! This one's from Kristy.

The way you do this is to go to google and type in parathesis (Your name) hopes and look at what comes up and post it. These of course are not what I have said, but what google shows using my name that others have.

Jennie hopes...
...to bring in some of the town’s many performers for a walk and talk.

...to learn a lot by broadening her horizons.

...to give others a taste for cooking.

...your holidays are going good.

...to help mold the next generation of softball players.

...that she will live happily ever after in the mistaken belief that this is what normal people do.

...that you enjoy her new website & come back often to keep track of her results.

...to learn more about jousting and everything that goes along with it over the next year in anticipation of the next season.

...to dance with you sometime soon!

...to encourage awareness of the benefits of moderation and incorporating locally grown meals into our daily practices.

...you have been ok with the weather over there.

Heehee, that was funny! Ok Y'all...the tag has been placed in your hands.

Why chicken, why?

Why did the chicken cross the road? (Yet another funny email, this time from my mom.)


BARACK OBAMA:
The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE! The chicken wanted CHANGE!

JOHN MC CAIN:
My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON:
When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experienc e makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- right from Day One! -- that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.......

DR. PHIL:
The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must
first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes
after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is
help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT'
problems before adding 'NEW' problems.

OPRAH:
Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he
wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn
from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to
give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and
not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

GEORGE W. BUSH:
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to
know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is
either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image
of the chicken crossing the road...

ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been
allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it!
It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's
intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road becaus e he's GUILTY! You can see it in his
eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN:
To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART:
No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a
standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price
dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider
information.

DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the
chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY:
To die in the rain. Alone.

JERRY FALWELL:
Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?'
That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken
is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we
boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal
media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side.
That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as
simple as that.

GRANDPA:
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told
us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS:
Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the
chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it
experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its
life long dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE:
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but
will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check
book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new
platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% .........
reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN:
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the
chicken?

BILL CLINTON:
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of
chicken?

AL GORE:
I invented the chicken!

COLONEL SANDERS:
Did I miss one?

DICK CHENEY:
Where's my gun?

AL SHARPTON:
Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

Things I've done...with much more to come!

Drat...I've been tag-ified...

Bold the items you have done...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band- 8 years of flute, baby!
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre
20. Slept on a train -Disneyland train to be exact
21. Had a pillow fight- who hasn't?
22. Hitch hiked
23. Built a snow fort
24. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors-does seeing my dad's hospital count?
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - Canyon Lake...remember Kim?
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business -starting...working on it!
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Tied a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a Bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81.Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible- but more important, do I remember it?
86 Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous-The singing group Peter, Paul and Mary...one of Dad's favs.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

I think as a personal goal, I'd like to see if I can scratch off another number every year...could be interesting and worth a shot.

Ok, my turn! I tag Kim, Kristy, Christy and Dad.

My 9 Ways to Keep Busy in 09

Help! I got tagged! I guess it's only fair since I tag others from time to time...so without fail, here's my obligatory 9 New Year's resolutions, not in any order.

1. Lose Weight. I know...this is just about on everyone's list to resolve, but I'll say it anyways. I really need to lose weight. 195 pounds is just too much and by saying how much I weight publicly, perhaps it will help drill it into my brain.




2. Get caught up on my scrapbooking. Aww geez. I felt really good about getting Disneyland '05 done in Sept '08, but I need to get crackin' on my Wedding book and caught up on the general book as well (I'm up to Ivy around 6 months old). At least I'm staying pretty much organized, thanks to John's Christmas present to me...a bookcase for my scrappin'.

3. Have more patience with my kids. (John included) Hopefully it will be easier since I've stopped taking my BC pills (no not trying to get pregnant...yet) which would turn me into a roaring you-know-what. Just gotta find something else that will work for me.



4. Get out and do something 'outdoorsy'. I love the outdoors. I love the Arizona Wilderness from Superstition mountains to Coconino Forests. So why am I not spending more time there? I really want to 'plant' a love of nature in my kids but how can I do that if we're never there? Well, I know why. It's very hard to plan things when everyone has such different schedules...Kim's in KY/TN and I work nights for example. But now is not the time for excuses, but for results. Still if I can resolve to do #4, it will help with #1...and visa versa.





5. NOT TO KILL THE DOGS. Seriously. Do they have to destroy everything?!? I know they are still puppies (almost 8 mos.) but I really am having a hard time not giving both or one away. I don't remember Katie and Toby being so destructive, except for chewing a hole through Mom's cabinet doors. I guess I could have lumped this one in with #3.


6.Stop being late all the time. Gets very irrating and embarrassing when we/I are late all the time. But it's not just me that has to fix this...need a lot of help from John on this...probably couldn't hurt to communicate the time we need to leave better.


7. Get rid of the plastic noose. I'm with Kim...not a fan of the plastic...credit cards that is. It's not hard to get over your head and I want to nip it in the bud before we get there. Once we pay them off I'm gonna keep them all open for emergencies or items I can pay off in ONE statements (to get rewards / Upromise money). I don't ever want to have this much debt surounding John's and my name again.


8. Grow (nearly) organic veggies and fruits so we can eat healthier. Pretty self-explanatory. I just ordered a ton of seeds online today so I can get started as soon they arrive. Also I gotta get my other garden "box" set up soon and ready to plant. (The picture is of my sugar snap peas with blossoms on it, as of yesterday. Can't wait for the peas!)

9. Go back to church. Wow huh? I think this is the year I'll finally be ready for it. I know in the past most of you heard that I'd never go back, but it's not just for me. I really want Ivy and Riley to grow up with the same morals and lessons that Kim and I had. I really really want to go to Girl's Camp with Ivy and "to-whatever-the-boys-do" with Riley. I'm just very fearful of how my ward will treat us since John isn't a member and really isn't interested. (Trust me, after my dad stopped going to church, I don't want Ivy, Riley or I to be treated like Mom, Kim and I were.) Here's hoping that Morningside Ward in Queen Creek is better than AJ 3rd ward.


Ok, to past it on...I tag anyone who had the patience and stamina to read through this entire lengthy post. Geez! I can be such a wind bag sometimes! LOL

That's a lot of people!

A friend send me an email with statistics of how many other people had her name and decided to give it a shot...very interesting, I must say.

John
* There are 5,023,523 people in the U.S. with the first name John.
* Statistically the 2nd most popular first name.
* 99.63 percent of people with the first name John are male.

Jennifer
* There are 1,426,111 people in the U.S. with the first name Jennifer.
* Statistically the 21st most popular first name.
* More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Jennifer are female.
* Names similar to Jennifer: Jen, Jenna, Jenni, Jennie, Jenny

Ivy
* There are 24,483 people in the U.S. with the first name Ivy.
* Statistically the 1178th most popular first name.
* More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Ivy are female.

Riley
* There are 15,302 people in the U.S. with the first name Riley.
* Statistically the 1495th most popular first name.
* More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Riley are male.
(See that Bridget? Riley is a BOY'S name...)



Ok, Tag! You're it! Muhahaaha! Didn't see that comin' did ya! Snuck that in all sneaky...like a fish! Anywhoo... if you want to get in on this here's the website:

http://www.howmanyofme.com/search/

I especially nominate Karen and my Dad...since they never update their blogs(in fact I helped my Dad on his most recent post on New Year's eve...), here is something to put on it. Love You Guys!

Yay! 2009! Here's to upcoming roadtrips, spring backpacking, having a backyard to play / relax in that's flood-free, perhaps another baby, working ourselves out of credit card debit, more veggies and flowers from the garden, and the holidays all over again! May your 2009 be full of happiness, good health, stable finances, and loving family and friends.