Learn to Lane Swim

So I went tonight to the local pool to learn to lane swim. What is that you may ask, I will tell you. But the story is a good one.

First, I called to find out if it's a class you have to get into the pool for or if it's just a come and learn type class. I'm informed that I can get in the pool if I want but I don't have to.

Lesson #1:Buy a wet suit SOON!

I debated for about 5 minutes (it doesn't take me too long to make such an important decision) as to weather or not I'm actually going to get in or not.

Lesson #2: if I want to be a better lane swimmer, I have to actually get into the pool and not learn by "osmosis" so to speak.

Then, I try on my 2 swim suits to decide which one will I be most comfortable in.

Lesson #3: I think I need a more modest bating suit. Mine is modest but it's very low cut and the top I wear under it is getting a little worn.

I proceed to get in the shower to shave. I might have not shaved my legs for a few days because I had tape on them and thought there was no point because it wasn't even warm enough to wear shorts/capris.

Lesson #4: If I'm planning on swimming this summer as much as I think I am...shave more often!

Then I got a babysitter for Tanner. He babysits Tanner every Wednesday while I go to my running group. I taught him in Primary last year and he's a good kid. So I get on my bike and go to the pool. As I get on my bike I realize, I'm a little cold in just my light spring jacket.

Lesson #5: wear warmer clothes in cool weather...especially if you're going to be getting wet.

Then I get to the pool and the conversation went a little like this:

ME: "I'm here to take the learn how to swim class"

HER(reception person): Do you have a pass?

ME: yes, I just didn't bring it

she proceeds to check out on the computer if I'm in the system.

HER: I don't see you on here.

ME: well I signed up for swim lessons online (THEN I realize she's talking about an annual pass...how dumb am I?)

HER: well, if you don't have a pass, then it will be $4

blah blah blah

I ended up having to ride home to get my wallet only to find out when I returned that the class (which I was pretty sure was free) was indeed free.

I was the only one there and it was pretty good. I suck at breathing. I am going to have to practise that one a lot.

I learned proper lane etiquette and learned how to "spice" up my lane swim experience by doing different strokes. Let me tell you, the athletes in the big leagues make doing the butterfly stroke look so easy...IT'S NOT! It really quite hard. You really have to think about what you're doing. I'm going to get good at it because I think I'd like to look just like a big league athlete in my wet suit when I do my triathlon in the summer...yeah, that'll look hot!

Final lesson: I think I have a lot of practising to do to get good.

295

I have 295 posts...so my account tells me. I'm thinking of giving something away for the 300th post but wondered if any of you have any ideas. If I did a give away, what would you like to get if the winner is you?






We saw the movie Shrek 4 on Saturday. It was really a cute movie. Tanner wasn't a big fan of the 3-D glasses but he said he really liked the movie anyways.

He was stalling when going to bed last night and finally I shut off the lights and said no more dilly dallying around...time for bed. Then he came into our room and said "I have to say goodnight and give a true loves kiss to you Mom". Man, that boy can have me wrapped around his finger in no time when he says stuff like that. How can you not love a boy so cute?

Today we had a regional conference and it was great except for the fact that people, today, seem to have forgotten what reverence is. It was so difficult to concentrate on the messages or to even hear them. Everywhere I looked, there seemed to be pockets of noise/distractions. I need to learn how to shut out the outside distractions but sometimes it's hard. For example, if I'm on the phone and Matt's trying to tell me to ask the person I'm talking to a question, I have to stop my phone conversation to hear what Matt is asking. My Mom can talk and listen to 2 different conversations at the same time. I don't know how, but I clearly do not posses that talent.

Well, I hope everyone has a great week!

How could I not

...pass THIS awesome website on.

Melissa is one of mine and Matt's trek daughters and I just came across her blog through Kristi's. Kristi was one of my Young Women when I was Y.W. President. Anyways, Melissa has this adorable blog about fun dates. She came across the dating blog (above) and decided to create her own dating blog. They both have great ideas on their blog. Have fun browsing

5 for what...Friday already!

Where in the world did this week go?? I cannot believe that this week has flown by.

5 successes this week.

1. Biting my tongue when I was livid (look it up in the dictionary) at a certain someone for being treated blatantly unfair. It took me a lot of biting but in the end, it just doesn't matter. All I have to say is whatever (insert eye roll).

2. I purchased my first iTunes gift card and used it. I downloaded fru fru songs (more HSM...lol) but I love them and they make me smile and want to dance around and better yet, Tanner can listen to them and I don't worry about words or messages that could be inappropriate.

3. I ran without getting shin splints. My Chiropractor put this kinesiology tape on my legs that is supposed to help with that. My legs felt amazing! The only down side to it is that I have to keep it on for 5 days, (Dr.Bridge didn't tell me this until it was already on my legs) so that means I have to wear a long skirt on Sunday because it would be a little awkward to have blue tape showing on my legs at Stake Conference this week. So for those of you local friends/stalkers, if you see blue on my legs, no, I do not have some weird disease.

4. Matt and I were totally calm with Tanner when he had his temper tantrums this week (it was 99% of the time over the Wii). Sometimes it's hard as a parent to bridle that strong negative emotion when your child is being not so cooperative/kind, but we have managed to remove the source of the frustration.

5. Finding my charge cord to my iPod. You may not think this is a success or even important, but it is to me. I have a hard time running without music and if I need to zone out for a little while, my music is what I plug in. So in order for me to feel successful in running or be able to have the ability to be a calm person, I need music. That is why it was a successful thing for me to find my cord.

I had lots of failures this week, but those aren't important because tomorrow is another day and I can always try again tomorrow to improve and be better. I feel like I am better able to manage my time and that I can do what I need to.

For now, I'll leave you with a picture of Tanner's "best smile"



P.S. Those shorts are a size 4-5 (he's 6 and a half) and they are H-U-G-E. My Mom, thankfully, fixed them. Mom's are great! I don't know too many people who don't think that their Mom is the best Mom in the world. I know my Mom is for me.

Happy weekend!

Here's a quick look

the inside of the bag with the pocket




The bag with the flap closed




the bag with the flap open



This is a bag that I made my sister, Megan, for her birthday. I was trying to figure out what to buy/make for her for her big 30th this year and then my Mom told me she wanted a bag. So I thought...perfect! I'll make her a bag at the same time I make Jamie's. I am so happy with the way it turned out and she even used it at church today (she just got it yesterday). I"ll post more pictures tomorrow to show the inside.

5 for Friday

The 5 things that made me most happy this week...in no particular order



1. Matt and Tanner. They are so fun and love me for me and are both so good to me.





2. Going to Relief Society last Sunday and this Sunday. I miss it soooo much and love being able to go when I can.





3. Reading the messages in the Ensign. I love the General Conference issue and love re-reading the talks. I just finished reading President Uchtdorf's talk on patience. SO GOOD!!!!






4. Friends like Susanne, Sharon and Jamie (no picture). I know these are old pictures and you're both probably going to complain that you look terrible in them but I don't have recent pictures of either one of you so you'll both have to suck it up...lol. These friends are some of the greatest friends I have . Sharon watches Tanner and always has nice things to say no matter what. She's always so positive. And Susanne is there night or day whenever I need to talk or just to tell her good news or bad news...whatever it may be. Jamie is supportive and loyal and understanding and always puts equal amounts of effort into our friendship.




5. My sister's, Amy and Megan. These are pictures from last year's birthday because we are celebrating their birthday's tomorrow so you'll get pictures next week. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my sisters and they really are my biggest fans and greatest friends. Although we did not get along as kids (no one really liked me...I was a little mean) we have really become true friends as we've gotten older and married/moved away/went on missions. Each of my sisters (I have 3) are special and unique in their own way and I love them all.

There are other things that made me really happy this week. 5 is not even close to the number of things that made me happy this week. It is just a small fraction of all the blessings in my life.

Tanner lost his second bottom tooth. It was actually kind of funny because it was the night that I run and when I got home he said: I lost my tooth while you were running. He had been eating corn on the cob and it came out. He didn't tell the babysitter and so he said it fell on the floor and wanted me to help him find it. Right! because finding a tooth on a beige colored carpet is easy. I told him I would look for it while he went to bed but then he found it. I don't know how, but he has really good eyes.

I also planned our trip to Salt Lake. I thought I should think about booking a motel because it probably isn't smart to drive all the way there in one day. right? Tanner is an excellent traveller and we spoil him on trips...as in, we have a portable DVD machine that he can watch movies on. He really likes that so we have put some movies away until our trip so they'll be "new" for when we drive down there. I might see if I can borrow a couple from some friends, but if not, I think we'll be fine. We bought him this travel bingo game that he loves and also travel size Trouble. If you know of any other games/activities that you find your kids like, I would love to hear about them. Movies are the easy way out if he's getting bored but I would like him to do other things too. Books and music only go so far for him.

We are trying a few new things while we're there. Normally when I've gone, we do Temple square and shopping but this time we're going to do some tours and the Children's museum and the zoo. Now that a lot of the stores that use to be only in the states and not in Canada, are now in Canada, shopping won't be so "special". I remember Old Navy and Bath and Body Works were special stores but now that they are in Canada, the novelty isn't there as much. We always go to See's Candy store and this time we are actually going to do a tour of the Candy Factory that makes the world famous Salt Water Taffy. It should be fun. I'm sure Tanner will love it, if nothing else.

So I guess that's all for now. Have a great long weekend and don't get burnt!

Mildly unleashed

There's a game going on in the school(s) here that is quite disturbing. Christal has talked about it on her blog a couple of times but I never gave too much thought to it...until today!

While I was cleaning at someones house, I noticed a letter that had been sent out regarding this little game. I was shocked! Clearly, it's serious enough that they are having a meeting about it in the community. When I went to pick up Tanner from school I went straight to the office and asked if the parents of Kindergarten kids were invited/allowed to come. I was told that they want all the community to be there weather you have kids in the school system or not...it's that serious.

My initial reaction is that I want to pull Tanner out of school...but come on...that's a little extreme...I know! I won't pull him out. I will talk to him and educate myself on the matter and talk to Matt about it.

The thing that I wonder is if this game is going on during lunch while, I've been told that, adults DO NOT supervise in the classrooms, but walk up and down the hallways checking on the kids. I don't know if this is 100% true or not but if it is, hopefully something will be done about it if the game is being played primarily during this time.

I'm just glad that I will not have to leave Tanner at school for lunch because if he ever had an allergic reaction, he certainly couldn't give himself his epi pen injection. I'm glad that I have the ability with my job to go home and have lunch with Tanner. It's a great blessing to be able to have that time with him.

I really love where I work. It has been a blessing in many ways, and I feel like I'm continually learning things. Matt also loves his job. He always has funny stories to tell and he seems pretty happy to be there. He has been given lots of compliments on his cleaning job...he's very through.

Tanner is registered in swimming for 3/4 of the summer. He'll be an excellent swimmer bu the time summer is over. We are also planning our trip to Salt Lake. We are really excited for that too.




Well, I hope everyone has a great Thursday!

Spring has Sprung

This is the Mother's Day bouquet that Tanner made in school for me. They had a little Mother's day tea (juice) along with a little program. It was pretty cute. Tanner asked if Dad's could come to the tea as well, but we told him it was just for the Mom's. He really loves his Dad a lot.



We had a hot dog roast at my Mom's this weekend and it was so much fun. Afterwards, Amy, Melany, Chris and Tanner had a huge water fight. Melany seems to think she won, but there were clearly no losers...everyone was soaking wet! It was lots of fun.



Tanner played in the water table Grandma got him a few years ago, while Amy and I did yard work.



This is the first bag I've ever made. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out.



I made this for one of my best friends, Jamie, for her 30th birthday. She always makes me bags/purses and so I thought it would be fun to make her one.

Tanner and I had a great time at my Mom's this last weekend. We are going there again this weekend to celebrate Amy and Megan's birthday's. We are looking forward to a BBQ and good times.

A Job Posting

This was in our local paper last week and I know it's late, but it's funny nonetheless.

POSITION:Mum, Mommy, Mama, Mom, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment
Candidates must posses excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24-hour shifts on call

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The rest of your life
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $10
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly and possess the physical stamina of a pack mule
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects
Must have the ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION:
None
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
Non required unfortunately.
On the job training offered on a continually exhausting basis

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because college will help them become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more

BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered, this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

5 for Friday

5 scents I love right now:

1. Anything Apple. I just got apple scented candles from Partylite and I can't get enough of them.

2. Peach. I can't wait to can again.

3. Fresh air. I love walking to work and smelling the fresh air in the morning.

4. Fresh cut grass. Matt mowed the lawn yesterday and it smells so nice.

5. My new perfume. It's Estee Lauder pleasures. It's light and fruity.

Have a great weekend!