I claim no responsibility

Those of you who look at this blog regularly may have noticed that it was hijacked last night by Ross and his rabid rantings about b-y-woo. When he told me that he had something to blog about...I told him that he couldn't blog about the game because 1) this isn't that kind of webspace and 2) the game is almost a week old and 3) (I didn't tell him this one just thought it) I'll delete anything he writes.

Well, before we went to the Utah basketball game last night, he went to town writing perhaps the longest blog entry in our 1 year history of taking up internet space with mindless ramblings. Before we went to the game he was terribly excited to have me read what he wrote and I was terribly upset after I read it. He corrupted a sweet, innocent, blog for his angry zoobie ramblings.

Rather than delete, which I threatened to do, I realized that censoring the boy that I married and protecting you all from his "I'm not one of those byu fans" claims, I figured I would leave it, and let you read. Now, you can judge for yourself.

Jared at work asked me the other day why I didn't blog about the "big game". I didn't want to start blogwar2006 between Ross and myself (even though this post may have done it) and I really didn't have anything to say. I figured the Utes would loose anyway so I didn't have anything riding on the game. And, I sat and did my Christmas cards the whole time, hardly paying any attention until the very end...and even then, in a house full of upset Ute fans, I really didn't care. Plus, I figured Ross needed a chance to gloat. His team has lost the "holy war" for so many years to good and bad Utah teams that he could use a little time to shine.

So, on this, the last day of NaBloPoMo, rather than talking about how challenging and inspirational it has been to blog everyday for the last 30 days (even though I missed two...it's still an A for effort, right) and all the fun and interesting blogs I was introduced to through the blog randomizer, I'll end with this post, about a stupid football game.

Fully Digested

Now that I have had the chance to fully digest the football game from Saturday (as well as the comments from fans following the game), I will post my thoughts in no particular order.

1 - Utah fans should be asking the question, "where has this team been all year?" As someone who watched / listened to every game for both teams all year, you have to be disappointed. Where was that passion and energy against UNM, AFA, WYO, and Boise St.? Face it. Utah is a home team and cannot play well on the road....either way, props to them for actually challenging the Cougars.

2 - The might have fallen. From an undefeated BCS team a mere two years ago, the Utes have reverted back to the role of little brother / spoiler. A good season is not based upon whether you beat BYU or not, it should be measured in Wins, Conference Titles, and Bowl Appearances. What happened to that attitude (among fans, coaches, and players)?

3 - I know that most fans in this state of both schools are total tools. Most did not even attend the school that the root for and furthermore, most are fans of the school and not of the sport. This is most clearly exhibited by attendance at Rice-Eccles. If you truly support your team - go to all home games, not just the last game of the season.

4 - Both teams could make legitimated complaints about the officiating in the game. There were calls (or on-calls) that went against both teams. Don't blame your team's loss on the refs. Blame Resident DA Mtn West Commissioner Criag Thompson. As far as pass interference calls go, get a clue. Defenders must play the ball and not the man. Over the past 3 years, I have seen more than my fair share of PI calls on Cougar DBs. If you do not turn around (this is for you Steve Tate and for your Joe Jianonni) you will get flagged every time. If you as a fan do not understand this rule, re-read bullet point #4 and watch some games once in a while.

5 - Jo. Beck is the man. He was thrown into a terrible situation in his first couple of years. He fought through it and never complained. Class guy who made the most of his potential and proved all of the doubters wrong. He played his best when his team needed him with the game on the line. Kudos. To all of the Utah fans that may mock him for showing emotion and crying in a press conference 3 years ago need to look at their head coach and his tears following the game on Saturday. Don't be hypocrites. Sport is a great venue to show passion and emotion and people should not be criticized for it.

6 - Andy Ludwig is the luckiest man alive. Dude got pounded every day all season long for their anemic offense and he gets bailed out by Jo. Beck improvisation on Gary Anderson's defense. All of you Utah fans that are calling for Anderson's head are morons. One play does not a season make. Had called a blitz (like the play before), Beck would have gotten the ball to Harline over the top (you cannot stop that play two times in a row). Where was all of this criticism when Utah gave up a huge lead in the second half to UNM? How about the two first half blow outs to WYO and Boise St? Further evidence that the BYU game was the only game that Utah fans watched.

In conclusion, it was a great game and I am glad that my team came out on top and that I get to mock all of the Utards. Have fun in Ft. Worth with our sloppy seconds. Just like TCU, we gave you the blueprint on how to beat Tulsa (and we softened them up for you).

Look at the bright side, Utah fan, you always have basketball season!

Nothing left to blog about

Blogger month is almost over. I haven't got anything left to blog about.

here's some random-ness for you:

• took me 2 hours to drive to work today because of the snow. yuck!
• my blood pressure is always higher at the dr. office than at home. I don't think that they beleive my home read-outs. I do.
• after today's dr. appt. I am still measuring 4 weeks ahead of schedule.
• did I mention it took me 2 hours to get to work?

Our feet are famous!

Haley is getting married. Yeah! Because of this, she asked me to look up the most wonderful photographer that did the pics at our wedding. Ross and I felt very fortunate to find Jonas for our wedding and once we saw his portfolio, we were sold. He is one of the most amazing photographers I've ever seen. Jonas now lives in Las Vegas, so if he ends up doing Haley's wedding, there is a little bit of distance to cover...even though we know the pictures are well worth it.

Here's the cool thing...when I went to Jonas' website on Friday to look up his e-mail address, I came across this:

On the front page of Jonas' website, is a picture he took at MY WEDDING! I thought it was super cool, a sign perhaps. Upon further investigation, this photo from my wedding was submitted into a contest and won! How cool is that?



It's nice to know that my feet, as well as Ross and Haley's, and cousin Hans' bored face are worth more than a great memory...they won a prize. If you are interested, visit Jonas and his very cool photographs at his website Feel the Photo .

Gary Update

Today was another ultrasound day. They must have been in a hurry in the Maternal Fetal Medicine office today because they rushed us right in and right back out. Not too much time for the kid to pull faces and put on a show like last month, but he did kick up a storm. Funny that my child already can't hold still. I wonder where he gets that from (...um, his dad?)?

Anyway, things are looking good and "gary" may not be a giant after all, at least not a TANK giant, just a "Manute Bol" kind of giant. He seems to have very long arms and legs, but his weight is right on, about 3.5 pounds. Good. I don't want to carry around a 10 pounder if I don't have to and at this point, maybe I won't. However, he is definately squished and if he tries to stretch out, it seems that his feet hit me around my collar bone. Not quite, but you get the idea.

Today's photo's aren't that great, either, but, what is a ultrasound technician to do when the subject won't hold still? I'll tell you...give us blurry pictures. Here they are anyway.


Good luck making out a face in this one. Ross and I had a hard time, too.


This is one of gary's arms. You can't really see a body connected to it, but his hand is definately clenched in a fist. Ross and I have figured for some time that the kid wants out...NOW! so maybe this is his attempt to show us future rebellion.

Rivalry in Utah

Today is the Utah/byu game. Ross is having a party with all his zoobie alumnist boyfriends. I am hanging out with Mom and Haley doing wedding planning. We must be separated on days like this.

I got up early this morning to paint "gary's" room. I got two coats (sp?) finished before my back gave out and my feet hurt to bad and my blood sugar dropped me into coma range. There is still a lot to do this afternoon...after the big game, but it is a good start.

Livin' in the Projects

As if Ross and I don't have enough going on, what with just barely finishing our landscaping enough to get the HOA off our backs, church callings, family commitments, Utah basketball games, growing a baby and...um...breathing, we started another project today.

You see, "gary" needs a place to rest his little head come January and the room that will be his is currently pink. I realize he won't know that, but everyone else will so today started the pink to yellow transformation. We got all of our supplies taken care of this morning and I spent the afternoon hunched on the floor pulling, cutting, and scraping bad caulk from the baseboards. So much fun. We took a break to go to the grocery store and to find food, but are back at it this evening.

It's funny because I like painting a lot...the prep work though? Not worth the effort. My back is killing me, my knees hurt, and my elbows are raw from leaning on the carpet all afternoon. Our biggest concern though has been resolved. We were nervous that the lemon yellow would not be dark enough to cover the raspberry on the walls w/o primer and neither of us wanted to deal with the step of priming the walls. So, I did a test run and voila! No primer necessary. Definately two coats, but I was planning on that anyway.

I hope "gary" likes yellow.

Lemon Yellow Sample


Ross working hard removing dead caulk (I worked hard today too, there just isn't any photographic evidence.)

It's about time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today, right before Ross and I left for his parents house to celebrate turkeys, laziness, and football with Ross' parents, Haley and Willie stopped by because they had a "Thanksgiving prize" for me. I like prizes, but can't say that I have received very many for this particular holiday.

To make a very long story short, last night, in the parking lot of Chili's before they went to the Barenaked Ladies concert, James asked Haley to marry him. Yeah! My sister is getting married. And, she has asked Moi to be the wedding planner, even though she thinks that she has veto rights! Little does she know that mom and I will take over. Backyard Barbeque, here we come!

They have tentatively set the date for March 9, 2007 and are waiting for me to be not quite so fat after "gary" is born. What a nice sister. Just last night as Ross and I were driving home from running errands I told him that if my sister ever got married, I had found the perfect dress to wear to her wedding and today...she tells me the exciting news! Not that I am psychic or anything, but I thought it was a pretty cool coincidence.

I think it's very cool. I'm so excited that I just can't hide it...(you can finish the song for me and the pointer sisters!).

Purely Random

• Ordered new glasses today.
• Ross spent the night playing Tiger Woods Golf with Willie. They have a video game date for Friday (I beleive the entire day) as well.
• Found out that my mom's neighbors daughter-in-law, who is due around the same time as me, has gained 90 pounds. Can you beleive that?! 90 big ones. Makes my 21 sound fantastic.
• My belly button has almost disappeared. It's gross. I hope that it comes back.
• Ross found the fingernail clippers that have been lost under the passenger seat of my car for weeks. I was very appreciative.
• Sat in the car tonight watching Ross in a video game store, forever, trading out old play station games for new ones. He was the lesser of the nerds in the store, but still....I'm not to sure what to think abou it all.

Extreme Suckosity

Ross and I got season tickets to Runnin' Ute basketball this year. Because of "gary" we are splitting the season with his parents but last night, Ross had church meetings so I went with Ross' dad to introduce him to the suckin' utes.

Question: Where do you draw the line between a poor basketball team or a poorly coached basketball team? I know that my Utes are not playing the type of basketball they are capable of, because they have very brief glimmers of "better-than-average-ness" on the court. However, when your center cannot and will not catch the ball, but bats it away as if it is a disease, and your coach (Coach Aletti) does 5 man substitutions like he is coaching hockey, who do you call bad?

Anyway, they lost last night to Colorado. Colorado got beat last week by 40 points, to Air Force.

It's going to be a rough season. Good thing we bought the cheap seats.

Go Utes!

Is it really worth it?

I'll admit I'm a scrooge. At this time last year, I posted this. Well, let's add to the scrooginess again today.

I suppose that I can understand being festive for the holidays. I am sure that it is difficult to constantly suppress the urge to purchase giant blow-up turkeys, Santa's and Scooby Doo's from Wal-Mart as you are buying cheap crap that will break before you get it home. However, if you decide to put up your christmas lights and have a very tall house, please, a few things to keep in mind.

1- don't put lights on the top of your house.

2- if you must put lights on the top of your house, perhaps strapping yourself to the roof in some way is a good idea.

3- straddling the highest pitch point of your roof seems dangerous...don't do it?

4- hooking icesicle lights to a broom and dragging the broom around the roof while you are laying down and straddling said roof may cause expletives to fly from ones mouth.

5- said expletives may be offensive to your wife, standing on the ground yelling back at you and to various neighbors out and about, innocently getting their mail after returning home from work.

Just remember neighbor...what goes up must come down. December is only 31 days long. That won't matter a whole lot when you fall of your roof, cursing the holiday all the way down.

Something to think about during the holidays

"There would have been a time for such a word. To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day, to the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

--Macbeth

Ramblings

Yesteray, while at a truck stop getting gas, Ross saw a rather gruff fellow with a large green parot on his shoulder.

Today, I guilted Ross into coming to work and helping me. Yes, I did it on a Saturday and yes, it was the Saturday of the big football game (Michigan and Ohio i think). Anyway, I had 20 people at various degress of struggle that were desperate for help and even on a day when my ankles weren't swollen and my stupid stomach wasn't getting in the way I would need help. Regardless, as I was helping one of the women in my camera class said to me as I was helping her, "your husband is really cute."

I guess it is Ross' weekend.

Not much else to say

I am ready to meet my maker, but whether my maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.

Winston Churchill

soon to be known as TANK BABY

"Gary" is a great pseudonym for a baby that has yet to show it's face to the world. Spongebob's snail is cuddly and cute and meow's like a cat. How clever. I think though, that it may be time to change Gary's name to TANK BABY.

Yesterday was my 28 week dr. appointment. The good news? Everything looks great. My blood pressure was actually normal (even dropping a bit which is always nice), I only gained two pounds in 2 weeks (instead of 9 lbs in 4 weeks), and things are on track for "perfectly normal, perfectly healthy"....except in one respect: THIS BABY IS GOING TO BE HUGE!

As part of the doctor visit, I have to get my stomach measured. According to "science", I should measure 1 centimeter for every week of pregnancy. Thus, 28 weeks should measure 28 centimeters. But, because I can't do anything "normal" or the easy way, at 28 weeks I measured...ready for this, 32 centimeters. That is, in theory, 4 weeks ahead of where I should be. What does this mean? Big Baby!

When Ross and I lived at the "U" after first getting married, we went to church with a very nice family that had two children. A very cute little girl and boy. However, the son, who was about 1 year old at the time, easily weighed 50 lbs or more and Ross was obsessed with the remarkable girth of the child that could not easily be held on ones lap. Thus the phrase, "tank baby" was born because, well, the kid looked like a human tank. Well, it looks like Ross might be getting his very own tank baby. A child that, as a newborn, may look months old and weigh a good 10 pounds...which is so exciting for me because I get to carry him around for the next 10-12 weeks or so.

At least we won't have to wait until February to meet the kid.

Wednesday is West Virginia Day

I like Wednesday's. Not only is it the middle of the week and the weekend is fast approaching, but Wednesday is "Peter sends e-mails from the WV" day. If you remember from this blog post here Peter was called to the same WV, Charelston mission as his older brother Alex. He's been officially gone since May, and even though I'm not sure, I beleive that Wednesday is his P-Day (prep. day) and this is the day that he writes. He writes e-mails to his mom, which she so graciously forwards to everyone in the family, and if I'm lucky, and have writtten him the previous week or sent him a very nice package of Univeristy of Utah paraphanelia because he misses school, he will write me my own e-mail.

Today, I got two. I actually caught him writing, sending and responding. That never happens. Peter is funny and very smart. He also seems to find it fascinating that Ross and I will be parents and is never at a shortage of baby names. Since we have no real name for "Gary" yet, maybe one of the names off of Peter's latest list will stick.

Here is one of his e-mails from today.

we're going to not have turkey
we're going to have rat noodles and dog gravy.mmm...mmm...good.

quel heure est-il? la-bas? what timw is it?

do you ever see Lauren at school?

have you decided on a name for good old Jamal? or Frederick or Shawn or Byron or Vladamir or Dimitri or Jean-Jaques or Luc or Mattieu or Shae or Ro or Jake or Billy or Justin or Austin or Stetson or Carl or Martin or Marc or Sterling or Dane or Dana or something else.

Love,
Elder Stoker!

Chillin' in the Trailer Park

Yesterday, I went out to Tooele to hang with Haley in the trailer park. She called teh relocatables, or portables, the trailer park. The kids call it the same thing, I guess they can in some way identify.

I had some official work business while I was there, but I also just wanted to spend some time hanging out in a school. Sometimes, I miss teaching kids. But, when I sit in a room full of goofy 9th graders for 90 minutes, the desire to hang with kids dissipates a bit. These kids though amusing, made me tired. One girl asked if the "France Class" was going to France this year. I couldn't help but stifle a laugh. One boy had major issues with a ruler as well. He couldn't seem to keep the ruler or his hands to himself. That would drive me nuts. These kids, goofy as they were, also helped me to see, once again, how hard teachers, in this case Haley, have to work to keep kids interested, engaged, and get them excited about learning.

While there in my official capacity, I took pictures...I also killed a spider crawling on the desk.

First Snow

Art Project

New Blog Name?

I've been thinking this week that I need a new name for the blog. "Howden Family Blog", catchy as it is, just might not be working for me anymore. Everyone who has a blog seems to have a cool name for it and mine isn't that cool so, I've decided that since 2007 is going to bring such immense change into our lives, that I ought to consider a new and improved blog name.

I am completely open to suggestion but, I've already saved a few on blogger, stupid as they may be. Here they are in no particular order. Let me know what you think.

Oh Honestly Annabelle
Livin' in the Boonies
What about prom? (For all you "Pretty in Pink" fans out there)
Have Camera Will Shoot
Outnumbered I am

I suppose by sharing these few ideas 1) everyone now knows that I am not creative AT ALL and 2) I'm dumb? Anyway, I need inspiration so feel free to share some.

Friendship

This is something I've been contemplating writing about for a while but after a nice experience last night, I've decided to final sit down and share a few thoughts.

I will readily admit that I haven't ever had many friends and it seems that many of the friends I have had in my life haven't been the best. They have either moved away (every good friend in elementary school and a couple in jr. high), or only wanted to be my friend when it was convenient and they didn't have a better offer (post high school and during teaching). Outside of my mom, dad, sister, and brother, my circle of friends was always pretty small. Once I met Ross did all that dumb dating stuff and got married, I realized that I added another permanent friend to my short roster, and like my sister...he didn't have too many options to escape.

Now, I feel that I am at a point in my life that I actually have some people who I would call friends. The girls in my book club, people that I work with, and reconnecting with friends from 7th grade. I actually feel like there are people in the world besides my mom and sister who want to talk to me, and are interested in what I have to say as well as people who want me to be their "listener". I like it and think it's cool.

Last night a person whom I hope I can call a "friend" came over to borrow some cake pans. She ended up staying and talking to me for over an hour. That was the best. I had a great time talking to her, hope she enjoyed her stay and am happy that she wants to talk to be and be my friend, too.

It sometimes feels like all I do is whine and feel sorry for myself. It's so wonderful sometimes to be able to talk to someone about nothing in particular, laugh, and have a nice evening at home with a guest.

Biology lesson

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. He turned 52. Happy birthday dad. Last night, we had a small get-together for dad's birthday. Aunty Chris and the Grand-parentals came over for gifts, cake, and ice cream. It was just as Ross and I were getting ready to leave that Haley's friend, James came over. The following paraphrased conversation took place at this time:

Grandma: So, I hear you have a test, what subject?
James: Biology
Grandma: I like science, what part of biology are you studying?
James: Cell Division
Grandma: Oh good, I was great at cell division. I've got 8 kids after all.

So you are saying that there is a chance....

Alex - you must take the view that Brit's split with Fed-Ex is a positive...she is available!

The Anti-Election Blog Post

Alex (my cousin): Isn't today your dad's birthday?
Me: Yes, yes it is.
Alex: Sweet. Thank you cousin.
Me: No prob bob. How are you? Did you hear the news about Brittney and K-fed?
Alex: I am great and yet Joe (at work) so tragically informed me about the bombshell split...so sad...
Me: Yes. Tragedy. I am in mourning. Don't know what to do.
Alex: All there is left to do is.....End our lives! Oh the humanity!
Me: I think I will choose life. Have a good day!
Alex: You too.

Generosity or Sucka!?

As I pulled into the parking lot at work today, there was a rather distraught looking old woman wearing a head scarf and holding a bag standing in the median between two of the facing parking sections. The second I parked my car she started walking towards me. She approached me and asked in a very humble voice, which I pretty much ignored walking to my office, for $1.50 to pay for bus fare. I told her that I didn't have any cash with me, which of course, wasn't completely true, and just walked right into my office.

Call it my new found "mothering" instinct or a guilty conscience but while sitting at my computer waiting to log in, I felt terrible. I could afford to give an old haggard lady a buck fifty to take the bus back to wherever she was supposed to be couldn't I? She was obviously out of place at the University and seemed very lost and confused. So, the guilt got to me and I decided to take my diet coke stash in my desk drawer and give it to her.

I walked to the door of my building and looked. She was still there. I walked out of the building to the cross walk...she was in the process of asking and being denied by two other people. Then, I sucked it up, walked across the street and gave her the $1.50 she had asked me for almost 10 minutes earlier. She said "thank you" to me several times and, with the few teeth she had in her mouth, blew me a kiss in the air and said "thank you" again. I felt good.

Once I got back to my building I just stood and watched. She was still standing where she had been when I gave her the money, waiting, I assumed, to ask the next person for $1.50 in bus fare.

I'll hope instead she was just asking for directions about which bus to take back home.

Random Quote

If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base.

Dave Barry

Productive Weekend

Over the last, oh, almost 7 months, I haven't been too productive. Unless you call whining, ocassional fits of crying, and an overwhelming urge to feel sorry for myself (on ocassion only) productive. This weekend however, I was the epitomy of productive and guess what! It feels good to actually get something done.

Here is my list:

• laundry done and almost entirely put away
• put clean sheets on my bed (this does get done every two weeks so don't think it hasn't been done for months)
• summer shoes in storage
• cleaned my bedroom and dusted bookshelves
• blogged twice
• vaccummed spaces that haven't seen such suction power in months
• attended 2 little league football games and took almost 100 pictures
• put all the dishes away
• returned purchases to their stores of origin
• taught primary, even an extra class because their teacher didn't show up.
• maintained good blood sugar numbers all weekend even after eating cherry dump cake (the best ever) with dinner tonight.

It may not look like much but trust me, it is.

Sad, sad wolverines

Today was the playoffs for the Mighty Mites. They played Murray. They played well, until a bad call at the end (stupid officials) caused them to panic and quit, like all 6th grade boys are prone to do, and unfortunately, cut their season short by one championship game. Willie, played well, dare I say, excellent in his final game of the season, and the boys should be proud of how well they did over the last 3 and a half months of football.

End of a Long Day

I probably stayed up longer today than I have for months. Got up at 6:00 am, did my normal morning stuff and then headed to a conference of librarians to participate in their discussion groups and present in the afternoon. Librarians are smart! A fun group to hang out with.

After that, Ross and I ran a few errands, went to dinner at my FAVORITE place to eat, the Rio Grande (pork enchilada....yummy) and then headed up to the season opener exhibiton basketball game between the Runnin' Utes and some Canadian team whose mascot was a badger.

What kind of sound does a badger make? If you know, I'm curious.

Utah won, 90 something to 50 something. Ross was well behaved.

Time for bed. That means I have been awake today for almost 17 hours today. Yeah me!

Weight is all relative, right?

How much weight did you gain in the last five months? Me? 10 pounds.

How much weight did you gain in the last four weeks? Me? 9 pounds.

Just goes to show what a giant baby (Who, after yesterday's doctors appointment, is predicted to very big and arriving around the middle of January), a 1000 a day increase in calories (per the request of the Diabetes Center because I wasn't eating enough or gaining enough weight for them), and a completely famished girl who no longer cares about body image (well, cares but can't do a whole lot about it at the moment) can do for weight gain.

How long can being very tall hide the fact that you are becoming very fat?

"Gary" Update

I had another ultrasound yesterday and here are the results, with some random commentary thrown in for good measure.

• Still definitely a boy
  
• 2lb, 6 oz (approximate)
• Too long to measure (which means he is about 12 inches long, but all scrunched up because there isn't any more room to stretch out)
• Head is big (so was mine when I was a baby...still is says my mom) and brain looks good
• Heart is beating around 134 bpm
• Feet are huge (Poor guy, takes after his dad)
• Due date has been changed to January 31, 2006 (bumped up a week because the kid is already an over-achiever)

At the ultrasound, "Gary" was opening and closing his eyes and mouth, sucking his thumb, and grabbing his toes. He apparently is a very talented multi-tasker already and a little hyperactive. It also seems that he enjoys the spotlight, and definitely put on a show for all those who were there to watch.

The following are a few pictures from yesterday's photo session.



The profile shot


Big Foot himself


If you concentrate, you can make out a face