More (mostly animal) Pictures

 

Bucket really liked the lion. Too bad the one picture I got of him not sleeping wasn't that good.

 

This Siberian tiger is gorgeous. Check out his pretty blue eyes. (My babies have competion now. Ha ha ha)

 

There were peacocks all over the park. All strutting their stuff for the lady birds. I took advantage of that fact and got some nice pictures (At least I think they're nice. So does Michael. And my mom ...)

 

I love this one of Bucket running after her Daddy and Bruise (who Michael's following toward the beach cave). It was a gorgeous day in Bandon. (This is on the beach at the Face Rock viewpoint. Michael and I were here on our honeymoon.)

Say Cheese!

 

Bucket and Bruise checking out the ROUSes (Rodents of Unusual size, if you didn't get the Princess Bride reference. Which would be, of itself, an utter travesty).

 

My pretty Bucket. I'd say I'm biased, but everyone remarks on what a pretty, pretty little girl she is. No pressure, though. (Even though I have no problem hearing it more. She doesn't either.)

 

My handsome Bruise (so-named since he's like me -- less than graceful). He's such a sweet boy. (Well, as long as he's not pushing his sister. Or pulling books or videos off the shelves. ... So, MOST of the time, he's a sweet, even-tempered boy who loves to laugh and run around.)

 

Here we are (look!! I have a new haircut! Aren't I the cutest?!? ... Well, except for the two darlings next to me and the Desert Lynx kitten, Kenya, that I'm holding, that is. <--- Wow, that's a lot of commas. Sorry!!). I have to say, Kenya was supersoft. Such a playful little guy. Bruise was more interested in Kenya's toys. Bucket LOVED petting the nice kitty, though.

Why Motherhood is Good ...

As I threw some paper into our recycling box (yes, I am an Oregonian. Ergo, I recycle. Or feel insanely guilty when I fail to recycle everything-that-possibly-could-be-recycled!!!), Bucket stood a the baby gate and clapped her hands.

Yes. I got a standing ovation for throwing away paper. Which I had asked her to do (and she sometimes will put it over the gate ... and I'll move it to the trashcan or the recycling box, depending on what it is).

It's been years since I've been in a production. Since I've sung in a choir.

Applause feels so gosh-darn good.

Now, for a REAL post ...

It's been a little since I've actually blogged about ME and my life ... but I've filled in with quizzes pretty well, no?

Memorial Day weekend, we spent Friday through Sunday visiting family. We drove down Thursday night to my mom's. Got to meet her puppy that Cecil got her for Mother's Day. The puppy's name is Honey (according to Mom) or Poop (according to Cecil). Cute dog, really. Part pug, part terrier, part toy poodle. You can see the pug and the terrier more than the poodle.

Friday, while Mom was at work and Cecil was cutting grass at the graveyard, we went up to Roseburg and visited my Nana, Uncle Steve, Dad and LaVonne. Bucket and Bruise got to run amok outside in Nana's backyard, which they LOVED! They also ate close to their body weight in pasta and fruit. (Note: watermelon isn't a big hit. Yet. But they like strawberries, which we knew.)

Saturday, we headed out to the coast. We went to the West Coast Safari and Game Park (where Michael and I had gone on our honeymoon). Bucket LOVED seeing (and petting) the animals. Bruise loved being able to run around. I took over 200 pictures that day. Most of the kids and animals, some of Face Rock and plants and such.

Sunday we went to church at my home ward. When Sunday School was starting, I was still making my way out of the chapel. Buena called out that it was nice to see my back side (since I wasn't facing the front as I gathered up my stuff and Bucket). I, being the circumspect and dainty lady that I am, responded "It's my best side!"

Pictures will be posted soon. NOT ones of my back side. :P

After church, we took off for home and relaxed a bit. Forgot to put out the garbage for the garbage truck. Oops.

Monday we weeded part of the yard and fed the missionaries. Chinese food. Michael even made fortune cookies. One of the elders, since we copied the fortunes posted at WhiteShoe.org, pulled the fortune reading, "Satan is pleased with what you've done."
I got, "Creature in Black Lagoon get woman in final scene. What your problem??" Michael got "Confucius' wife say 'Enough advice already! Get hobby!'" The other missionary got "Swankiness is not necessarily a good quality." Fun stuff.

I sunburned part of the back yanking weeds. Right above my hips, where my shirt rode up as I was bent over. Oops.

And we left all the leftover out overnight. So they had to be thrown out. :( Good thing we had eaten a good portion of it. Next time, though, I need to spice up the egg flower soup. It was super bland. Ick!

Somehow I already knew this one ...

Take the Quiz here!

iPod Survey ... or whatever you have your music on, really

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn’t make sense. NO CHEATING!

How do you feel today?
Outro - India.Arie

What’s your outlook on life?
Babara Ann - The Regents (Why not "take a chance"?)

What does your family think of you?
Suicide Is Painless - The Mash (Maybe they "can take or leave" me if they please?)

What do your friends think of you?
Wanna B Ur Lover - Weird Al Yankovic (Maybe I'm just THAT popular. And I DO have nice nostrils ...)

What do your exes think of you?
Honor to Us All - Mulan (Disney) (Yeah, I am JUST that good. You can't deny it. :P)

How’s your love life?
Jurassic Park (Theme) - John Williams (... Um... So, full of dinosaurs? O.o)

How will your love life be in the future?
What Child Is This - Vanessa Williams (Hopefully one of my own, I'd hope)

Will you get married?
Easy, Bruno, Easy - Ben Charest (I should tell my unmarried friends to use that response. )

Are you good at school?
Parrot (Oh Not Again!) - Monty Python's Flying Circus (I can parrot lots of pedagogy, true!)

Will you be successful?
Ballad of Jayne - L.A. Guns (Doesn't sound so promising ... )

What song should they play on your birthday?
Crash - Gwen Stefani

What song should they play at your graduation?
Oh Lately It's So Quiet - OK Go

The Soundtrack of your life?
Underneath Your Clothes - Shakira

You and your best friends are?
Let Your Light So Shine - Janice Kapp Perry

Happy times:
Dream Lover - Mariah Carey

Sad times:
Your Song - Ewan McGregor (I think, if I were sad, McGregor singing would make me much happier!)

Every day:
Six Little Ducks - Raffi (Oh, the humanity. Even though I do like Raffi)

For tomorrow:
A Wink and a Smile - Harry Connick Jr. (Such a nice song!)

For you:
Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden

What does next year have in store for me?
Pretty Donna - Collective Soul

What do I say when life gets too hard?
Rapper's Delight - Ellen Dow & The Sugar Hill Gang (from the soundtrack to The Wedding Singer... There's nothing like hearing an octogenarian rapping. Oh, yes.)

What song will I dance to at my wedding?
You're My Soul and Inspiration - The Righteous Brothers (They lie! It was Elvis' "Can't Help Falling in Love.")

What do you want as your career?
For the First Time - Kenny Loggins ("For the first time, looking in your eyes" ... sounds like I'll be pursuing that career as an ophthalmologist.)

Your favorite saying?
Brahm's Lullaby (Intro)/Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Again, LIES. It would be something along the lines of "Craptastic!")

How will I die?
Handy Man - Jimmy Jones ( ... So I'll be bludgeoned to death by a serial killer in disguise? Utterly craptastic. Just bloody great. Better get that big life insurance policy NOW. While I still can. ... And I can never trust that Maytag repairman now. Great.)

SO, if you feel like joining me in this insanity, consider yourself tagged!
(If you don't want to ... then I'm sure not going to force you! If I DID, well, maybe you'd be lining up to crack my skull while fixing my faucet or something. Dang that handyman!!)

Who am I?

So, if I were one of those famous actresses of yesteryear ...

Your Score: Carole Lombard

You scored 7% grit, 28% wit, 38% flair, and 33% class!

You're a little bit of a fruitcake, but you always act out in style. You have a good sense of humor, are game for almost anything, but you like to have nice things about you and are attracted to the high life. You're stylish and modern, but you've got a few rough edges that keep you from attaining true sophistication. Your leading men include William Powell, Fredric March, and Clark Gable. Watch out for small planes.

Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the
Classic Leading Man Test.

Link: The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

And if I were a boy ....

Your Score: Jimmy Stewart

You scored 21% Tough, 0% Roguish, 61% Friendly, and 19% Charming!

You are the fun and friendly boy next door, the classic nice guy who still manages to get the girl most of the time. You're every nice girl's dreamboat, open and kind, nutty and charming, even a little mischievous at times, but always a real stand up guy. You're dependable and forthright, and women are drawn to your reliability, even as they're dazzled by your sense of adventure and fun. You try to be tough when you need to be, and will gladly stand up for any damsel in distress, but you'd rather catch a girl with a little bit of flair. Your leading ladies include Jean Arthur and Donna Reed, those sweet girl-next-door types.

Find out what kind of classic dame you'd make by taking the
Classic Dames Test.

Link: The Classic Leading Man Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Truly, I think that I'd make a better leading man. Jimmy Stewart's pretty darn cool.

Your Personality is Somewhat Rare (ESFP)

Your personality type is playful, charming, open minded, and energetic. Only about 7% of all people have your personality, including 9% of all women and 5% of all men You are Extroverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

Well, we knew I was unique ... Not just "unique". :P

I'm really not *that* dumb ...

Yesterday as I was getting ready to leave for my Cub Scout meeting, I was buzzing around in my pre-leaving state of panic, trying to get everything squared away and all.

I look at the digital display over the hall light switch and promptly freak the Helen out.

For like a split second.

Then I had to tell Michael my thought process. Since I'm really this insane:

"69°!!! I'm going to be late!!"

Yes.

I kid you not.

Obviously, I'm very scared of being late. And I KNOW that the pack meeting starts at 7 P.M. And my brain, in that state of flurry, cannot determine the difference between a clock and a THERMOMETER.

*sigh*

I'm so ashamed sometimes.

Hallelujah!

The girl is over being sick.

Thank goodness!

I'm so glad that it only took five days, one Father's blessing, one blessing from the Home Teachers (not these ones), two suppositories, and just shy of five bajillion loads of laundry.

I'm glad to have my Fuss Bucket, my Giggle Bucket, my happy girl back.
I think that my Bruiser is glad to have her back, too. Since he gets more Mommy-time and feedings again, now that she's back to normal.

Funny thing, at church yesterday ... Well, there's a gal. We both have kids close to the same age. I think her son's three weeks younger than my brood. He's ENTRANCED with Bucket's hair. He kept stalking her and winding his fingers in her hair ... and then yanking. (Don't get me wrong. I don't like it when people hurt my kiddos. But A (the boy) ... well, Bucket's held her own against him before. She doesn't have to play dainty around him. She's pushed him pretty good. Even though he's bigger than either her or Bear).
After A'd wind his fingers in her hair and yank (sometimes yanking Bucket off-balance), I'd just distract her with an animal cracker. She's a tough girl. No screaming. God stuff.

After the ... oh, I've lost count. No matter. ... Maybe fourth/fifth time, A's mom chased after him (as I administered more crackers with my chilled-out-mum attitude) in the church hallway, muttering "Dammit!!"

I said nothing. Until we got home. Then I asked Michael if my ears deceived me.

I think I'm ready to start a club. The Church Cursers. If you've ever said something inappropriate in church, you've free to come join. I'll even accept honorary-Church-cursers into my club. Or if you've heard someone and didn't die of shock (If you DID, you're welcome to join as a posthumous member. But we'd prefer a post-humorous member. ... Like you giggled afterwards. We like that. ... Since that's my first response on hearing swears. Uncontrolled, semi-hysterical giggling.) (Yes, I am just THAT mature.) (And here I go talking in parentheses AGAIN.)

I get to be President, since it IS my club. And I'm the one that said "crap" while teaching a Sunday School class about JESUS ... Well, it was the Old Testament, and He's mentioned in there quite a bit. But it does take some gall to say "... and that's a load of crap," while teaching a class at church.

When no one batted an eyelash, I relaxed. And figured that I could say "crap" as often as I desired. But I try to refrain from using it in talks in Sacrament meeting. Just so I don't cause any of the elderly folk to have an stroke, heart attack or seizure.

Because I'm just that kind.

In other news, I'm just about caught up on laundry! YAY!!!! And we finally put up my big bookshelf in the bedroom. I need to add more shelves to it. Like THREE. And get a smaller bookshelf in there. (And about five more bookshelves ... to fit the rest of my addictions [i.e., books].)

I need to do dishes. Especially since the kids are napping. And I could change out of my PJs and do some yard work. Like weeding. Or trimming/pruning.

Or, I could unload the dishwasher, take a quick shower and lie on my bed in a towel and maybe finish my book about vampires. And start another book about vampires. Yard work can wait until the munchkins' second nap, right?

Who would you invite?

If you were able to have a party (how about a surprise party) thrown for you, and you could have a celebrity guest list (and time period is not a factor), who would make your list?

If I had my druthers, it'd be a large, round table (for optimum chattage) and I surround myself with humor and accents. Because I'm that odd.

Here's my list (in no particular order):
Rowan Atkinson
Hugh Laurie
Will Ferrell
J. Golden Kimball
Oscar Wilde
Stephen Fry
Jack Black

Now, obviously, I just like to hang with the guys. Why is this?

Some ladies that could make this soirée would be Lisa Kudrow and Emma Thompson. And Zooey Deschenel.

Now, since I'm writing this on a day where I'm up to my elbows in laundry to fold and have children that need attention and all ... I'm sure that I've forgotten some celebs.
(If you're a celebrity and feel hurt, I'm sorry. It's nothing personal. Unless you're Lindsey Lohan or Britney Spears. Because you are role models to little girls and should behave yourselves in a responsible manner. For shame!)

If you're not a celebrity, and you feel like catering to my whims, which celebrities would make your party list? What kind of party would it be? (As you can tell, I enjoy being surrounded by wit and intelligence ... and, mostly, people who make me laugh. I also am not into raging parties ... but you might be. If so, who'd you want there?)

Let's make a tally

Days Bucket's been a puke-bucket: 5.25
(She had thrown up in bed [again] bust hasn't since. [knock on wood]).
How many times she's thrown up in the past 5.25 days: About 20.
How many loads of laundry I've done in the last 5.25 days: around 10
(when I usually do around 4 loads per week)
How many family members she's infected: 1 - Michael
How many days Michael took off of work: 2
How many times I cried from being burnt-out: 5
How many pills she was given for nausea: 6, with an option to refill.
How many of those she's taken: 1
In how many doses: 2 (1/2 dose for my little girl)

How many times I want to administer this: -5 bazillion

Why: The medicine is a suppository.

Yes, I have to Vaseline up my finger and the half of the suppository and guide it past her little sphincter as she cries and screams.

Not fun? Ohhhh... "Not fun" is a huge understatement.

Suppository is to "not fun":: Being boiled alive in a volcanic eruption is to "feeling a tad bit warm.

But I don't think that even that amount of understatement covers this travesty.

Feel free to come up with a better one.

In the midst of the barf-dom ...

I had my hopes up since Bucket was more of a grumble-bucket than a puke bucket that all of the puke had passed.

Not quite. I got to wash her face and hair (and my chest and the Boppy) after a good 24+ hours of no barf. But, it's still an improvement. I'm hoping that she keeps down this last feeding, though. She's pretty miserable.

And so I'm going to share some quizzes. Since I'm "productive." (Read: those were irony quotes.)

Your Score: Pure Nerd

60 % Nerd, 43% Geek, 30% Dork

For The Record:



A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.

A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.

A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.


You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd.



The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful.
Congratulations!
Thanks Again! -- THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST

Link: The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test written by donathos on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

So, obviously, I need to get my geek on, just a little more often.
Still, I scored 99% higher than my peers on nerdiness, geekdom, AND dork points.
Well, everyone has to be good at SOMETHING. Maybe I've found my niche.

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

Well, I'm this or A Canna ... or a Sunflower. But speaking of ... maybe I can plant some snapdragons in our yard sometime. Maybe along the street-side of our house. Or some hollyhocks. Something with some height and color. Or climbing roses ... Of course, these all depend on if I'm willing to put out the effort, time, and money. And making a decision. :P

A Different Man I Love ...

A nice quote:

"I can do anything I am set apart to do, if I have the spirit of my appointment and am humble and prayerful."

—J. Golden Kimball (CR, April 1918, p. 133.)

See, J. Golden's not always a potty-mouth. ^_^ I really love this guy.
He's got the reputation of being this Democrat, always-speaking-his (sometimes inappropriate)-opinion, wild child (for a Latter-Day Saint).

I just think he's so genuine. He makes me feel better as I'm on the path to perfection (and start to feel that my road has more twists and turns than my neighbor's).

That, and I love to repeat those J. Golden Kimball stories. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in meetings with Golden, Heber J. Kimball, and Rutger Clawson...

Sacreligious ... Take one!

Scene: Our home, living room. Kids are napping. I'm checking out comments for the latest Brotherhood 2.0 vlog. Michael's reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.

Michael: Are there some religious questions that you just shouldn't ask?

Me: *thinks for a sec* Like, about the size of God's package?

Michael: *pauses* Only you could come up with one.

Picture This

Here we are.

Michael, Bucket, me, and Bruiser (flexing his impressive triceps for da ladies).

I really hate it when I blink as someone takes my picture.

Oh well.

But, seriously, do I not have some of the cutest twins in all twindom?
Bruise gets smiles from all the ladies (He's a charmer!) and everyone remarks on how pretty Bucket is (even people who don't HAVE to!).

And that handsome man there, scruffy though he may be. He's a keeper.

Now, just how do I love that five-hundred extra pounds? (It does not help that I watched America's Next Top Model last night. ... Skinny little girls. That's insane, that they're so TINY!)

I am Allanna. Witness my insecutiries. Bow down before the greatness of my lackage of self-confidence!

But I have a great husband and adorable offspring.

So it's not all bad.

Or even half-way bad.

The Barf Chronicles

We took Bucket to the doctor's today.

We have a great doctor. A busy one (we arrived a little late for our appointment. We still waited about 20+ minutes to see him), but a very nice and competent man.

Bucket, our little puke and poop bucket, has indeed caught the stomach bug (virus, of course. Something that antibiotics wouldn't clear up) that's going around.

I feel bad because I think she caught it when I took her and Bruiser to play group last week. The virus lay dormant for a couple of days and -- BAM!!-- hit my girl with full force.

But, even though she's not keeping much (if anything) down, she's not dehydrated. She even can call up tears and everything. She's just puking and miserable. (And HATED being prodded with a stethoscope.

So, even though I'm guilty because I took her out where she got it, I'm a good mom because I've worked very hard to try and keep her hydrated. Go me.

Our washer's getting its workout. I think we've done at least eight loads of wash, starting Saturday morning.

Michael just came down with the bug, too. Good thing he stayed home today (to help take Bucket to the Doctor's. And to help me keep my sanity).

Bruiser and I are hanging in there. He seems none the worse for wear. I think most of it has to do with the fact that he and Bucket are still nursing. (Of course, this weekend hasn't been the best for Bucket's nursing. ... She's eating for maybe five minutes and --POW!!-- We're all covered in barf. Load up the washer again.) However, it seems that Baroo's gotten all the antibodies I can produce. Except for the few I've stocked away for myself. He's like the Energizer Bunny, immune system-wise. He's gotten a cold a couple of times. Always much more mild of a case than Bucket's.

I don't feel great. I don't know if it's due to (a) being so dang tired and (b) being a little burnt-out or (c) being on my ladies' cycle or (d) a touch of the bug. I'm not very hungry. I'm getting a little light-headed. I have a headache. It's nothing like Michael's case -- nausea, other ickies, whole-body-being sore.
I feel okay, but not like I'd be bringing my A-game to the table. If I ever DID bring my A-game anywhere.

But the good news is that I'm nearly caught up on the dishes. And I only have two loads of laundry to fold. And I have a prescription for Bucket for some anti-nausea medicine (DO NOT ask me how it's to be administered. If you can't guess, you DO NOT WANT TO KNOW). And another hold to pick up at the library. And I should vacuum. (Note: You don't want to walk around barefoot or in socks for a couple of days. And the "couple of days" ONLY applies if Bruiser doesn't catch this crud.)

Since the husband and the kids are asleep (well, Bruiser is ... I think he's doing some Gregorian chants ... in his crib), I'm signing off and laying on the couch to read/nap.

Changes ... changes ...

Since I last posted, my babies have turned one (they're actually 16 months old as of today), we've bought a house, moved to that house ... which meant changing wards (again this year) ... stuff like that.

I've gotten better at cleaning our house. Michael repairs the vacuum whenever I clog up the filters and think that I've broken it. I also get around to mopping and dusting a little more often (as opposed to just shy of never ... since with the kiddos this mobile, I'm walking around the house and noticing dirt so much more.

We upgraded to broadband internet ... since the dial-up we were on started topping out around the lightspeed-ness of, oh, 12 or 6 kb/sec. Yes. KILOBYTES. Per SECOND. SIX. Ugh.
And, so now, I can be online all day without blocking calls ... I can download music and pictures and, generally, be much, much happier. Since, I can actually *gasp* CHECK MY EMAIL.

I've started using my CrockPot more and more. It's so nice, if I remember to (1) decide what to make and (2) actually prepare meals early enough.

My BJ (friend) is preggers. And it looks like everything's going very well (which relieves my worries and makes me very happy). T is going to start working at having a little girl soon. C is having a little girl in ... August, I think. I think that those are all of my friends that are currently incubating/planning on incubating.

I have a bra fitting tomorrow. Yay for actually getting bras that FIT. And they can be used to nurse, too ... which is still going strong.

Bucket and Bruiser (my twinlets) are growing up so fast. Bucket's talking more than Bruiser, which is to be expected ...Girls often talk first and talk most. Most of her words are animal names and the sounds they make. Bruiser is more selective about what he says ... Mainly "Fee-see, Shi-shi" ("fishy, fishy"). We're still (and will continue to be) in the thralls of that joy that is teething. Most of the front teeth have come in on both Bruise and Bucket (Bruiser - getting that last bottom one. Bucket - That last bottom one should come in whenever and the third bottom one is working through). They're even cutting molars. It can get a little crazy.

I can't think of anything else to write. So I'm closing up.