Ticked

Over the last couple of days, we have been moving stuff into a storage unit and to my mother's. The closing of the house is currently set for Oct. 27, and our lease was up Sept. 30. Pretty much anything besides clothes, and our electronics, everything is in a 10 x 15 room in the middle of nowhere.

Friday night, Ethan pulled out our Wii and was playing a game with Alan. After he was done, Alan continued to play and then everyone was in bed. Saturday morning we were busy. Ethan, Alan and I were getting the piano moved, then dropping Alan off at stage crew and Ethan went to work for some training thing. I went home and crashed. After Ethan got home from work, he went to play the Wii and he couldn't find it. It had been on the top of the TV stand, but it was no longer there. He came down thinking I may have move it for some reason. After asking me, Mom, and Alan, and looking all over, we realized, it was stolen.

We called the police and reported it, they sent an officer over. Officer Kuss walked around the place and informed us that two cars had their stereos stolen during the night one street over. That made me think that they just saw Ethan and Alan playing and made a pit stop after they were done. Due to confusion between mom and me, the front door was unlocked, she had asked me to lock the doors on my way to the basement and I figured she had already locked the front door. She was pretty sure that she had locked the patio door as well, but we discovered the sensor lights were unscrewed. The Wii system, our bag carrying the remotes, battery charger, Mario Kart, two steering wheels, Starwars Unleashed, my Wii fit program and the Wii sport are all gone. The balance board for the Wii fit is still here, I figure they didn't see it. But the board is rather useless at the moment. They did leave the stand for the Wii, and the officer took it hoping to get some prints off it.

This just ticks me off. Someone else was saying about how my sanctuary been violated and frankly I don't feel that way at all. I mean, I know my Mom feels that way, but its not my home, so I really don't feel violated. I am ticked that they took my things! There is nothing else missing, which is why we didn't notice it right away. Where as I am glad nothing else is missing and that we are all safe but still.

Mark had his 9 month appt. last Tuesday. I swear, they can't measure. The first time they measured, it looked like he had shrunk. They did it again and measured him at 26 1/2 inches and 17lbs and 4 oz and his head was46 cm. When we got home, Ethan and Sara measured him and came up with 28 1/2 inches, I measured him yesterday and got him at 27 3/4. So I know he is not that small. They were concerned with his weight and told me to start supplementing formula for the next 6 weeks to determine if it is just genetics or if there is something wrong. I am bound and determine to show them that nothing is wrong and they just can't measure. He didn't get any shots, he had an ear infection and I refuse to let them do shots while he is sick. He was due up for the follow up shots for the Hib Vaccine. But he'll get it later. Other than that, they were impressed with his cruising skills and his babbling. He is growing so fast. Maybe not in height and weight wise, but he is smart.

Shift Bid Drama

At Ethan's job, every couple of months there are what is called a shift bid. They give everyone a list of possible shifts and you have to rank them in what order you would like. They were all due in by last Friday, and it was first come, first serve, then seniority. Ethan had his bid in the Saturday before last, being one of the first ones to turn in. Last Wednesday, everyone at work was talking about their new shift and Ethan couldn't find a couple of what his was, so he asked his supervisor and was informed that they had never received it. This was bad news, meaning the worst possible shift. Ethan, of course was upset by this, considering he was doing everything in his power to be earlier than most, to get his desired shift. After talking it over, he was told that if he could produce a copy of the schedule that he turned it, they would try to give him what they could. Yesterday was his day off for the work, so he wasn't going to find out until today. About 6pm, I get a call from him telling me what he new schedule was going to be. He got the very shift that he wanted! He will now be working 4-midnight, Monday thru Friday. I know it sounds weird, but he loves that time. Plus he no longer has to work Saturdays or Sundays. That was getting annoying for any family get togethers and things of that nature. I am not going to like having to pick him up occasionally at midnight, but if that means he is happy, I'll deal with it.

Relief Society Fireside w/ Julie B. Beck

Last night there was a fireside for the Relief Society in our stake. There were 4 other stakes that were invited to attend as well. The reason for this large get together was the General Relief Society President of the Church, Julie B. Beck, came to talk with us.

It was a very simple night. Instead of giving us a talk, she had us do a Q & A session. Seeing as women pretty much have the same problems everywhere, I was not surprised to hear what questions were asked in our congregation. Many were dealing with how do you make time for everything, there was one dealing with inactive or wayward children, things of this nature. A couple of years ago, I would have found this extremely boring, but now that I am married, and have a child, for once the subject dealt with things I am starting to deal with.

It was an amazing night, the spirit was there, and afterwards, I was able to visit with people I have not seen in a long time.

There were some subjects or quotes that were interesting to hear from her point of view. There was a question of drawing the line with allowing children to do what they want, because of their own agency. I adored what she had to say for that. She said, totally surmising here but, at this point in time, my agency trumph their's because I have made covenants with the Lord to be a good Mother and to teach and be responsible for them. They have not made a covenant yet, and I have. Therefore, my agency trumphs theirs.

Situation dealing with a new family in the ward and visiting teaching, the mother was called by the relief society pres. and was asked how she was doing. Turned out that three of her kid as well as her self had the flu and she was just miserable. The Pres. asked if she had called her visiting teachers, and the lady responded that she didn't know who they were. The pres. was surprise because she had been reported as being visited. Then the lady spoke saying, "Wait, have you been trying to give me friends?" Pres. replied yes, the lady responds with Quote: "I don't need friends, I need a Grandma!" I thought it was amusing.

There were many other things that were said, but its late.

Biting

Mark now has 7 teeth. They are sharp. I have mention my discomfort while feeding to Ethan before, once in awhile Mark bites, but usually Ethan thinks I am overreacting. On Saturday, I was working at the theater and Ethan was watching a movie. About half way through his movie, he came out to get a refill and was complaining to me that Mark had bit him on his thumb. Enough to draw some blood. Let's just say I had a very enjoyable, "aww honey, I think you are overreacting" moment to let him know to stop the complaint. I rather enjoyed that moment.

The cartoon I like the most on Saturday mornings. . .

The main characters were:
Darkwing Duck (Jim Cummings) - Drake Mallard, average citizen by day and St. Canard's resident superhero by night.
Gosalyn Mallard (Christine Cavanaugh) - Drake "Darkwing Duck" Mallard's 9-year-old adopted daughter. Occasional crime fighter as "Crimson Quackette" and later as "Quiverwing Quack".
Launchpad McQuack (Terry McGovern) - Darkwing Duck's sidekick, originally from DuckTales. He refers to Darkwing as "DW" and Darkwing often calls him "LP".
Honker Muddlefoot (Katie Leigh) - The Mallards' next door neighbour and Gosalyn's best friend.

A superhero duck, what's not to like?

The general premise of the show is about the adventures of Scrooge and his nephews. The nephews, who were originally living with their uncle Donald, are left in Scrooge's care when the former joins the Navy.
Though Scrooge is the richest duck in the world, he constantly tries to find ways to increase his wealth. A few episodes involve protecting his wealth from villains who want to rob Scrooge of all his money. The prominent recurring antagonists in the show include The Beagle Boys and Magica De Spell who are always finding ways to rob and swindle Scrooge and his nephews. Scrooge's nemesis in the show is Flintheart Glomgold, who always tries to devise plans to dethrone Scrooge Mcduck from his "Richest duck in the world" tag.

Huey, Dewey, and Louey are the best!!!!!

The series focuses on the escapades of the eponymous "Gummi Bears," anthropomorphic bears who are the last remnants of a once-great civilization of Gummis that fled the land centuries ago. Regarded by most of humankind as fairytales, the show's main cast of Gummi Bears (six in number at the outset of the series, increased to seven during the third season) live in the vast subterranean warren of Gummi Glen in the medieval kingdom of Dunwyn. The Gummis' modern adventures begin when they are discovered by a human boy named Cavin who happens to have a Gummi Medallion. After he accidentally enters the colony's underground home of Gummi Glen, they capture and interrogate the boy as to how he gained the medallion. During the questioning, Cavin escapes, but refuses to cause any harm and attempts to befriend the reclusive bears. Impressed by this civilized behavior, they make him swear to keep their confidence and make him a privileged friend of the colony. Later, the medallion magically unlocks the colony's Great Book of Gummi, an essential reference guide to the forgotten knowledge of the Gummi Bears. Inspired by its writings, the colony resolves to rediscover their heritage and help Dunwyn defend against evil.

One of the worlds greatest candies were named after them, 'nuff' said.

Chip and Dale, two chipmunks with a nose for trouble, start a detective agency, Rescue Rangers, along with their new friends Gadget, Monterey Jack, and Zipper. The pint-sized detectives deal with crimes that are often "too small" for the police to handle, usually with other animals as their clients. The gang frequently finds itself going up against two particular arch villains: Mafia-style tabby cat Fat Cat and mad scientist Norton Nimnul.

I always wanted to be Gadget.

My full name and how it was decided on

The name I was given was Margaret Holly Kean. My parents had decided that they didn't want to name their children after family members for various reasons. My Dad liked Margaret and my Mom liked Holly. She was pushing for Holly to be my first name, but Dad really wanted Margaret. Mom had gotten her way on Vanessa's name anyways.

After I was born, I was called Holly at first. If I talk to some of the older members of my ward they still do. Sometime after I was a toddler, I started asking to be called Margaret again, don't ask me why, who knows what a 3 or 4 yr. old thinks. At the same time, my parents were receiving two different medical bills from our insurance company, one being under Margaret, the other being Holly. They decided, since I was already asking, it would probably be easier.

I have gone by Maggie, in some classes in school, and when I was living in Utah, I was always called Maggie. But coming home, it seemed weird to be called that.

Why do you think some people don't exercise their right to vote?

1. They don't think that their vote will matter. What is one voice in millions?
2. They hate the canidate choices.
3. They don't care what goes on around them.
4. They figure the world is going down the drain, so why bother?
5. They don't know how to register themselves.

Wipeout

This easily has to be my favorite show as of late. It a game show of people doing an extreme obstacle courses with the hope of $50,000. As you can see there are some funny scenes from the show. Luckily you do not get disqualified for wiping out.

The challenges change each week; common obstacles include the "Sucker Punch" and "Big Balls" (the show's trademark obstacles), the "Sweeper", the "Dizzy Dummy" (which alternates with the "Dreadmill"), and the "Wipeout Zone".

Its basically Fear Factor meets America's funniest home videos. It constantly amazes me what people are willing to for money. I highly recommend this show if you are in the mood for a laugh. You can watch on ABC Tuesday nights at I think 8pm or just go to the ABC.com and watch there full episodes. If you see the ones online, Ariel Tweeto in episode 3, Jacob Mann in Epi. 5 are my favorite. I often cry from laughing so hard watching this show.

WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I JUST GOT THE CALL. WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

Most of you know that Ethan and I have been house hunting for awhile. We currently have a bid on a house and are waiting anxiously for the results. We thought we would know by now, but after contacting our agent, she found out that its not the real estate company that is not holding back, but the bank that owns this property. They have yet to make a decision. This is really starting to bug me. I want to know where I am going to live in a couple of weeks. Our lease ends Sept. 30 and as of now, we have no home. My mother has been gracious enough to let us stay with her for a couple of days if needed. But I really don't want to move twice. We thought people might like an idea of what the house looks like. Here we go.

This place as an amazing back deck. Solid concrete and is huge. A great place to have a party.

It has a pretty fireplace. Currently not usable, but that is fixable. Plus the carpet is going.

Here is what the place looks like from the outside. It has couple of broken windows, needs some plumbing done, a small leak in the add-on that needs fix, and some cosmetic work. But it is very structurally sound.
It has a backyard, about half an acre, there is a creek that runs along the property line. There was a pool at one point, but it has been taken out. We plan on putting a bonfire pit where the pool stand is. Next to the pool there is a shed, it has a concrete floor and is already wired for electricity.

Generally things about the house. 4 Bedrooms, one Bathroom, we plan on adding another one in a couple of years. The bathroom upstairs, has a jacuzzi tub, anyone that know me, knows that is a wonderful thing for me. I love lounging in the tub. Dining room, living room, a giant entry way, and big mud room in the back. We will probably convert the mud room into a laundry room. Plenty of room for food storage. Pray for us!