Surprise Friend

I stayed out late after YW tonight talking with a new, but amazing friend. The timing is ironic, to say the least. Surprising, even. But the most surprising thing of all is that we are more similar than we are different.

Let me describe her so you can better understand my last statement. This friend is:

Gorgeous (me, not so much)
Thin (clearly, not me)
Really connects with the YW (have I really been out of high school that long?)
Creative (hmm..do my sad attempts at jewelry-making count?)
A fabulous mom to THREE kids (I limp along with ONE)

So, of course, when I met her I stood in awe of her, the way a high school geek is in awe of the valedictorian cheerleader.

She is also warm, kind, empathetic, and genuinely loves people. Above all that, she is a truly great person. Not just a good person who tries to do good things, but a truly Great person who struggles through the mud of life while doing Great things. And, like most Great people, she doesn't even know it.

So, even though she is so many things I am not, I am so grateful to have found her, ironic timing and all.

Formula for whiplash sans a car

1 Snowy, wet, slippery day
+ 1 overexcited lighthouse tourist
multiplied by 1 pair of worn plastic Crocs
raised to the power of a large concrete slab
Equals a slip, fall, and bonk on the head.

I woke up this morning with a nasty case of whiplash, as well as swollen arms, legs, and rear end. I wish I could just watch reruns of Law and Order all day. Unfortunately, I don't have a TV, and I DO have a 3-year-old.

Apparently Samantha saw me fall, and exclaimed, "Oh, no! Mommy, you okay?" When I got back in the car, considerably colder and very wet, Samantha started crying and saying that she fell down, too. What an empath :)

Life Lessons from TV

Monk

Sometimes you have to overlook people's idiosyncrasies to enjoy their talents.

Magnum P. I.

Befriend a wealthy patron who lets you live in his guest house and drive his sports car.
For Free.
Preferably in Hawaii.

Macguyver

Always carry the following items: A paperclip, duct tape, and chewing gum.

M.A.S.H.

If you can't be near your family, make a new family from the people around you.

Desperate Housewives

Lesson 1 -- Breaking the commandments really does bring misery.
Lesson 2 -- Random life circumstances can bring misery, too.
Lesson 3 -- We all need good friends to help us through our miserable lives.

The Office

Someone, somewhere, has a boss worse than yours.

Dancing with the Stars

Talent isn't everything. Hard work and a little charm will get you a long way.

Smallville

The making of a hero requires a villain. Who and what are your villains, and how will they help you become a hero?

Star Trek (any version)

Get out and meet new people, learn about new cultures, and expect the best of people. However, make sure you can defend yourself. You never know the other guy's agenda.

24 (or, as we call it at my house, the Jack Bauer Show)

Time is precious. A LOT can happen in a day.

Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?

We are NOT smarter than a fifth grader. Okay, well Maybe Alison and Danielle are, seeing as how they are fifth grade teachers....

Countdown to Utah!

Paul has too many business trips! So, I'm coming early :)

First-in-the-Nation Primary Day!

An unseasonably warm January day and tight races for both Republicans and Democrats will likely contribute to a record-high number of voters in NH today -- they expect 500,000, which is half the population. Think about that. Half the entire population, not half of the voting public. Take into account children, and this is absolutely astounding voter turnout.

Samantha came with me to the polls today, and got several comments on her hair. Her lollipop kept her entertained enough that she survived the hour-long wait. Several campaigners were still on hand outside the polling place, as well as a news camera! The camera was gone by the time I was done, or surely he would have wanted to record the cutest voter in NH -- Samantha!

The voting culture in NH is unlike any place I have ever lived before. We all live and breathe the presidential primary here: we know all the candidates, even the obscure ones. I can tell you the platform of any major candidate. I ran into a woman from my ward holding a Mitt Romney sign outside my polling place. The Kucinich guy drove from NY to be here. Here in NH, you can even register with a party (Democrat or Republican) the day of the voting, and then un-register (going back to being an independent, which accounts for 42% of NH voters) before you even leave the polling place.

I even wish I had a TV, just for today, so I could watch the polling results come in live. I'd keep the TV on all evening until the results were final, and watch with baited breath as if it were an episode of "24".

Ode to Snowboots

When 4 feet of snow in a month doth fall,
Snowboots step in to answer the call.
Like a mailman who delivers whether snow, sleet or ice,
Warm feet in Snowboots makes outside rather nice.

3-year-old Sami loves to play outside
Or get in the car and go for a ride.
Before Snowboots, these activities were, at best
Never done, or done quickly, and without any zest.

Now with Snowboots, I fear, that Samantha will call
"Mommy, outside please!" and then I will fall
Into behavior that proves I don't hate winter at all:
Snowball making, snow raking, and climbing snow mountains, LOL!

BRRRRRrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

Temperature: 1 degree
Wind Chill: - 14 degrees
Heater: Not Working