Survivor: Could You Do It?

I love to watch Survivor. It is my favorite reality show. I know I'm not alone on this one! Some of you out there love it too! So, do you ever find yourself wondering if you've got what it takes to be on the show? I think about this every Thursday night while watching good 'ole Jeff Probst and the Survivors. Well, maybe I don't think, "Could I do this?". It is more like, "I could never do this."
Here is what I've concluded:
1) I don't like to be dirty (who does, really?). I would complain about how dirty my clothes are, my hair, my finger nails... and we all know that a complainer gets voted off.
2) I can't go potty without a toilet. I went on a mission trip to Mexico one year, and the banos were holes in the ground, and it was horrific. I could go into detail, but you get the picture.
3) I am scared of animals-- all animals. Survivor always shows the mice and rats crawling around camp at night... nope, couldn't do it.
4) I barely eat boneless skinless chicken breast, so there is no way that I could stomach any of the animals that the Survivors are fortunate enough to come across (I get that they are starving and are desperate, but even then... I couldn't do it). Once, on a challenge, the Survivors had to eat really gross stuff, like a pig snout with the hairs still on it... I'd quit, and quitters get voted off.
5) I am not a very fast swimmer. Swimming is usually important to a top competitor on Survivor.
6) My mind doesn't work in the strategic way that it would need to... Survivors usually have some sort of scheme involving an alliance, and some blind-siding, and some lying... I'm not smart in that sense. Strategy is so crucial, and those who don't have strategy yet stay in the game a while are considered "coat-tailers" and never win the prize money.
7) It would be so hard to leave my family for 40 days (assuming that I'd be the winning Survivor!)

Did I forget anything? Oh-- 8) I have no desire to be on TV wearing a Survivor buff as either a top or a skirt.

I think that Devon could handle being on Survivor, but he says that he couldn't leave us for that long. Maybe I'll send in an application for him... we could use a million dollars!

I might be beating a dead horse here, but I have more to say on the subject! I am super curious about the behind-the-scenes of the show. Do the Survivors get to know the camera crew? What happens if girls need, um, girl items? The show shoots for 40 days, you know, so Aunt Flow is bound to stop by! What about shaving the bikini line? Sometimes they show girls with arm pit hair, so they must edit out the bathing suit shots with, um, unsightly growth! Sometimes Survivors "hook up" and kiss-- what about their breath??? It must be so nasty! There must be some serious body odor at camp.

My question for you, dear Readers, could you do it? Have you ever considered it?
Also, do you have any behind-the-scenes questions that I didn't mention?

I think that I could win on Amazing Race, but I'll save that for another blog!

I "Clocked-Out"!

We have been enjoying our time in California, but as always, the days go by so fast!


We REALLY miss Devon, and I think that he really misses us too! I can't wait to see him tonight!


Something that I've noticed about being a mom, in addition to the fact that there is no clock-in and clock-out part of the job (as I've mentioned before), is that a vacation with kids is even more work than being home with kids! First, you have to pack EVERYTHING that you might need--from diaper cream and sippy cups to multiplication flash cards and toy swords. Then, at the destination, there is some baby-proofing to be done, and even after that, you can't really take your eyes off the curious toddler because she has a way of finding Sharpie markers, scissors, fragile decorations... the swimming pool...

So, my vacation has left me exhausted.

BUT, yesterday, Lucy skipped her nap, and she was completely OUT for the entire night at 7:30pm!!!! Yes, there were some rough patches (5:00-7:00) when she was so tired that her little emotional roller coaster was a bit much for everyone in the vicinity, but did you catch that she was asleep at 7:30?? Joe goes to bed at 8:30 every night, so last night I "clocked-out" at 8:30! It was like a night off! No dishes to do, laundry to fold, bills to pay... I was on vacation! If only I'd had ANY energy to go see a movie or something with my sister and mom. Instead, we watched America's Next Top Model and played cards. And ate brownies, many, many brownies.

New baby is now the size of a lemon! Last week was a medium shrimp. I don't remember when I will start to feel the baby's movements-- do any of you remember? I am anxious to get that "flutter" feeling! We went into the hot tub a couple of nights ago, and it was a bit shocking to put my swimsuit on-- I don't think that I ripped any seams, but I'm not certain!

Joseph was able to play with Kennedy a couple of times, and his cousin Avery too. I love that he can play with the girls and not be "too cool". He really looks up to Tanner, but I think that he is a bit intimidated by him in an I-don't-want-to-embarrass-myself-by-asking-you-to-play-swords-with-me kind of way. I should just show Joe some pictures of Undie-Boy from back in the day-- introduce him to the Tanner that I know!! After all, those 1999 photo albums will surface in the very near future!



Lucy and her cousin Ellee played together, and it was super cute! They each took a basketball into the driveway and took shots at my dad's hoop, which is regulation height, so of course they were far from ever coming close to the hoop. But they didn't give up! They would shoot, and then say "Almost!", and then retrieve the ball and try again. Jill and I loved their enthusiasm and optimism.




My mom took some pictures of the 4 grandkids together, hoping for a Christmas-card-worthy picture. This one is my favorite--


It is always to sad for me to say goodbye to my family, but we'll be back in a couple of months, and next time Devon will be here with me to share the duties and give me more clock-out opportunities!

Busy Weekend!

I've been lagging on my blog entries-- I apologize!




So here is an update:



The weather has been amazing! I was even inspired to take a picture from the top of our hill. You can see Seattle in the distance on the left and Bellevue on the right.


On Saturday morning Devon and the kids carved pumpkins-- well, Devon carved Lucy's, Joe carved his own, and Lucy supervised. They did a great job and Devon earned some major daddy points.

While they were busy with the pumpkins, I was packing for our trip... packing clothes from my clean closet!!!

Okay, truth be told, the closet was only picked-up, not organized or thoroughly cleaned out. I could use to sort and donate and make room for my box of maternity clothes to be brought out of storage. But doesn't it look better??!!





That afternoon the kids and I boarded a flight for Sacramento. Devon was supposed to travel with us, hang out for the weekend, and then spend the week in Reno at a work retreat, but his company cancelled the retreat. I'd already paid for non-refundable flights for me and Joe, so we couldn't really cancel, so we left Dev and home alone for 6 days, and I miss him already!




The flight was planned around Lucy's nap time so that she would sleep and I could read my US Weekly... wishful thinking. Not only was Lucy awake the entire time, but she sang loudly for most of the flight, and Joe spilled his entire complimentary beverage on my left foot.




At the risk of embarrassing Molly (who am I kidding? She'll love this!), she is the best sister in the whole world. She gave me a facial--like a pro!--and then painted my toe nails. I loved the pampering-- thanks Molly!









Yesterday my mom and I took the kids to an event called Trunk or Treat. They dressed up in their costumes, but I just couldn't bear to put Lucy's fleece pants on since it was 85 degrees! Her kitty coat was warm enough! They trick or treated out of decorated trunks and scored lots of candy. Molly sang with the church band at the event, and her solo song was "I Love Rock & Roll." She was great! And she makes a cute pirate girl!

It Is Okay to Gasp

I have decided to go public with the messiest part of my house-- my closet. The mess is shocking, I know.

I am not even going to try to put any blame on Devon. This is all my fault. My poor hubby will occasionally suggest, "We really need to clean up in here," and by "we" he means me.

So, here it is. I don't think that this picture truly captures just how big the mess is, but get a good look--I see loose cds on the floor, hats, dresses that Lucy has outgrown, some leftovers from my ebay store which operated out of this closet, and check out the pile of clothes that have been thrown up on the top shelf! I could use some cheerleading, because I'm going in! Consider this the "before" picture.

Here is my question-- can any of you compete with this mess? If so, please share! Sharing is liberating, right?

Now, you are probably asking, "Annie, how does a pregnant woman like you take on such a daunting task?" Well, I am so glad that you asked, because I am pleased to announce that as of today, I am in my second trimester, and just as I'd hoped, I magically feel like a new woman. My energy is back, and the icky feeling has passed. Yeah!

Time to get to work on the closet!

Thank You Chipotle!

I am super grumpy.
Devon kissed me goodbye super early this morning, and he accidentally woke up Joe as he closed the front door on his way out, so Joe came and got in bed with me and Lucy, and he giggled at how cute Lucy was-- AND WOKE HER UP! Oh no he didn't! Once Lucy is awake, I have no choice but to get out of bed, and my work-day has begun. Doesn't it kind of stink that as a mom, you never really get to clock-in and clock-out? It would be so nice if I could stretch, jump in the shower, get dressed, sit down and enjoy some coffee and breakfast, watch some Matt Lauer on Today (isn't he adorable?), and once I'm awake and happy, I could turn to my children and ask, "Now, what can I do for you two?"?????
So, my early wake-up was the low point of my day, but I just got a great phone call and the day is looking up! Chipotle called, and I almost didn't answer because I don't know why Chipotle would be calling, but I did answer, and I won dinner for 10! I had filled out an entry form probably over a month ago, and I never win anything, so I really feel like this is a turning point in my life. I might even go buy a lotto ticket!
Thank you Chipotle!

This One's for the Mamas

Long ago (2003-ish), I read an Oprah magazine, and I came across this "What I Know For Sure" article about moms. I saved it, and I forgot about it, and I re-found it recently. I like what good 'ole Oprah has to say, so I want to share it with you all, my blogger buds and mamas and those of you who aspire to be a mom someday (Molly!).

Being a mom has truly surprised me by being the the most challenging, emotion-packed, self-less, never-ending job imaginable, yet also the most rewarding. It is exhausting, yet also exhilarating. I could continue, but you moms out there are probably nodding your heads, thinking, "Yep, yep, yep."

So, I hope that you enjoy Oprah's words too, and while I'm at it, I'll send a shout out to the little people who call me mom.

I'm in awe of good mothers--those heroines all around me who sacrifice daily out of love for their children. In our society, we give motherhood plenty of lip service. We pat moms on the head, bring them flowers on Mother's Day, and honor them before crowds. But at the end of the day, we don't extend them the same respect we would a professor, a dentist, an accountant, or a judge. Women who choose full-time mothering are often put in a box by their friends and former colleagues--a container labeled JUST A MOM.

I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is. To create an environment that's stimulating and nurturing, to pass on a sense of responsibility to another human being, to raise a child who understands that he or she is created from good and is capable of anything--I know for sure that few callings are more honorable. To play down mothering as small is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands.

The world can only value mothering to the extend that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. In our hands, we hold the power to transform the perception of motherhood. Whether we decide to work full-time while raising children, stay home with our kids, or bear no children at all, we need to understand that any put-down of the decision to mother is a threat to women's choices everywhere. We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as "just a mom." It is on her back that great nations are built. We should no longer allow any woman's voice to be drowned out or disregarded. As we affirm other women, and as we teach our sons, husbands, and friends to hold them in the highest regard, we honor both the mothers whose shoulders we've stood on and the daughters who will one day stand tall on ours.

In Other News...

I took the kids to get Halloween costumes yesterday. Lucy is going to be a kitty (Old Navy is the best place for baby/toddler costumes because they are warm, cute, and on sale!), and Joe is going to be a gladiator (no picture yet).
Devon was out of town on Tuesday, and we all missed him very much. So, on Wednesday, Joe and Lu just couldn't get enough Daddy! It was a total lovefest. Maybe I should leave town every once in a while!
Okay, so I may have exaggerated the size of my belly in an earlier post. This is me yesterday, at 12 weeks. According to babycenter.com, New Baby is now just over 2 inches (kids grow up so fast!) and the size of a lime (aren't limes bigger than 2 inches? A fig still seems more appropriate).
This picture is an example of how Joe and Lucy play together. What exactly are they doing? How will New Baby ever fit in with this crazy duo?
I would like to dedicate this blog post to my baby brothers, Adam and Seth, who both laughed at my blog and said that I need a job because I have too much time on my hands. FYI, boys, I took some of my books to Half-Price Books today, and I made $13.75. Who needs a job now, huh?

I'm Diving In...

I was going to blog about something irrelevant today (not as irrelevant as Britney), but I've got to get this off my chest--

I have no idea who to vote for.

Here is my situation-- I am married to a Democrat. I know, I know. I have accepted that I was born and raised in an environment that led me to register Republican, and just the same, he was born and raised in an environment... you get it.

I'll admit that this is the first election that I've actually watched the debates and given any thought to my own political opinions. The only thing that I've learned is that I am wishy-washy. Where is my political backbone?

For example, Obama wants out of the war right away, right? And McCain wants to proceed and win and then get out. Well, I think I agree with McCain-- let's finish and not let the lost lives be lost in vain. But who doesn't watch the news and just want it all to end? Devon pointed out to me that we have a son who could be drafted in less than 8 years and be sent to war, and I truly cannot bear the thought. And here I am, undecided.

As I type this, Lucy is sitting on the floor, eating Cheerios and playing with horses, without a single worry in the whole world, and I feel a tremendous responsibility to her (and to Joe and to New Baby) to be educated and to have political opinions and to vote. Am I letting my children down by being an undecided voter?

I do feel that being partnered with Devon in life, raising a family, financially... that he and I should be unified in our views, right? Otherwise, our votes just cancel each other's out!

Devon once told me that he thinks that he is a closet-Republican, but Bush, and the current state of our country, have pushed him away. We almost had him!

But like you said, Andrea, it is so important to consider the moral and ethical values of the candidates (and parties). So, where are Devon's morals and ethical values? (I'm kidding, sort of).

And you know what has really been bugging me? Joseph keeps telling us that he and nearly everyone in his 4th grade class are "going for" Obama. What the heck does he know? If I don't have this figured out, why does a 10 year old? Who is influencing him? Is this the way that it works? When I was his age, did I tell my parents that my friends and I are "going for" Bush Sr.?

To wrap this up, deep down I feel politically connected to my good bud Elisabeth Hasselbeck, but you all see my dilemma, right?

I feel vulnerable for putting this out there. Here's to blogging!

Britney is Back!

I never thought I'd say these words, but Britney is back! Her video for her new song "Womanizer" premiered on 20/20 last week (isn't that random?), and I pretended that I didn't like the song because Devon thought that it was super lame, but then I heard it again today on the radio, and I can't hide my feelings anymore-- L-O-V-E it. When I'm not bumpin' The Backyardigans in my car, I'm totally going to be jammin' to Womanizer, and I'll probably keep singing even at stop lights!

Welcome back to earth Britney! Now, go be a better mom.

Molly's Blog

Auntie Molly is joining in as a blogger!

http://www.missmbmiller.blogspot.com/

Love you Pookie!

Good or Bad for Development?

Say what you will, and judge if you must, but in addition to favorite tv shows, Lucy also has a favorite website, sesamestreet.org. We were looking for Elmo one day (can't get enough!), and we found a bunch of toddler games that Lucy is totally capable of playing. It is pretty cool-- for example, Elmo will sing and dance to "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," and at the end of the song it will say, "If you want to hear the song again, press any key!"

She might be the CEO of Microsoft someday, or at least a future blogger!

My Apologies

To my readers, my many, many readers,
I am sorry for the massive picture of me and the kids. I have just spent far too much time trying to shrink it, but with no success.
I'll have to change my blog format later, which I am hoping will somehow fill the need to redecorate my house!

Going Green?

I used to cling to my California roots, believing that recycling and such was for these Pacific-Northwest hippies, but now that I've been here almost 5 years, and in light of our current global warming/global economy situation, I've really warmed up to the idea of "going green."

Would you believe that our neighborhood has an annual "Green Halloween" event that looks like a carnival but has a recycling, healthy, no-candy, educational theme?? I personally feel that this is going a little far with a message (we want the candy!). Also, the homes in our 'hood were all designed with very narrow garages, which I always thought was weird, and then I later learned that this design is to accomodate small, fuel efficient vehicles rather than big gas guzzlers! I can barely fit my gas guzzler in the door! And the street parking is very limited, which I later learned is to discourage homeowners from owning multiple cars. Is it just me, or is that weird? Who thinks of this stuff while designing a community?

Anyway, my point being... I've been hearing that you can save money on your energy bill by unplugging anything that isn't being used--even if it isn't turned on. I have always unplugged the blow-dryer, toaster, blender... but I've found a whole new lot of items to unplug (printer, electric pencil sharpener, VCR (yep, still have one!), a lamp that never gets used), so I am going to experiment and be somewhat of an unplugging-nazi and see if my bill goes down. The main suggestion has been to plug your entire tv, cable, entertainment unit to a power strip with an off/on switch so that these items don't drain energy while turned off... but that seems a bit extreme for this month. I am going to start small and let y'all know how it goes. Are any of you doing this already?

Does anyone else have any tips?

Is this the most boring blog ever? It just felt relevant as I sit on the floor surrounded by bills.

Oh, also, we finally bought re-usable bags at Safeway for $.99 each, and they are awesome! First of all, their handles are nice and long so that I can carry grocery bags on my shoulders. Second, they hold a lot more than plastic bags, which means less trips to the car to bring the groceries in (though this makes them a bit heavier), and lastly, there is a $.03 rebate for each bag when used, so after 33 trips to Safeway, these babies will have paid for themselves!

Now, if I can just figure out how to get the solar panel on the roof... haha

Jubilee Farm

Devon, Joe, Lucy and I went to Jubliee Farm today-- our first family pumpkin patch outing. It was a beautiful day, but the temp was in the 40s. Brrrr!

The highlight of the entire event was when Lucy rode a pony. Lucy has been obsessed with horses lately. Joseph has a set of Civil War action figures that include horses and little guys (would they have been Generals? Soldiers?) that ride the horses, and he has passed these toys down to Lucy, and she plays with them from the time she wakes up until bedtime. Anyway, she rode a pony, and it was adorable. She has been talking about it ever since, but in her limited vocab, what she says is, "Ucy horsie back, Ucy horsie back." This translates, "Lucy rode on a horse's back."

There was a hay-stack maze in a barn, a pumpkin launch, an apple press... and a tractor/hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins. Joseph wanted a green pumpkin, and a green pumpkin he found! The rule was that he could only get as big of a pumpkin as he could carry, but truth be told, I carried his pumpkin to the car and he carried Lucy's. Devon carried Lucy, which was definitely the short end of the stick!

Lucy and I went grocery shopping tonight, and on the way there, she suggested we get ice cream! I promise, this was her idea! I thought it was a great idea, so we made a stop at 31 Flavors and shared a cone. Afterward she said, "Brrr, cold," which made me smile because I've never heard her say that she was cold before. Anyway, Devon, Joe and I are all really enjoying Lucy's ever expanding vobabulary and her expression of thoughts!

Not a bad Saturday!

One of Those Days

Today is one of those days when I feel like such a loser!

First of all, Lucy and I went to Stroller Strides this morning, and it was freezing (well, it was in the 50's), and I ran a ton, and I was in the back of the group, and at one point I stayed with all of the strollers while the other moms ran up and down a hill 5 times, and this little boy asked me why I wasn't running, and I told him that I wasn't running because I was tired, and he said that his mom wasn't tired, and then the intructor told him that I am a special-needs-mommy!!!! A Special Needs Mommy!! I am sure that special needs=pregnant, but nonetheless, I am not sure if I have ever been classified as such. Hmmm...

And then Lucy and I went to my friend Laura's house for a Bible study. We meet every Friday, but usually I am the only one who attends-- just me and Laura, Lucy and Laura's son Andrew. Well, today there were 5 moms total, and 6 kids, so we were asked to introduce ourselves and our kids and say something about ourselves, something interesting, you know? "I am Annie, Lucy will be 2 in January, Joe is 10, New Baby is the size of a fig, and, um, I love Justin Timberlake." What? That was the best that I could come up with? What the heck is wrong with me? I am seriously drawing a blank--I cannot think of anything interesting. I don't have any talents-- I don't knit, or scrapbook, or play a sport. I am a Cookie Lee dropout. I do know a lot about mattresses. I have 47 stars on my Ebay Feedback. I know all of the Backyardigans songs. Am I not an interesting person??? Is my love for Justin really a defining characteristic?

On a brighter note, when I got the mail today I found a new Pottery Barn catalog, an US Weekly mag, and an O mag. Interesting people read O, right?

I cannot find an appropriate picture for this blog, fortunately!

Some Love for Elisabeth

I love The View. I watch it everyday, and as the Hot Topics sessions get more and more intense as Election Day approaches, I often find myself biting my nails and yelling at my tv screen for Elisabeth to not be so combative about her conservative views-- I think I feel this way because I share most of her views, and I totally avoid confrontation, so when Whoopi, Joy, Sheri and Barbara are attacking Elisabeth, I feel like they are attacking me too! Not to mention, Elisabeth is the only non-comedian on the panel (except for Barbara, but she is only there half the time), so it is easy for the others to make a joke and turn the topic and make Elisabeth look dumb, or else Elisabeth will try to make a joke and make herself look dumb because, lets be honest, she is no Whoopi Goldberg!

Getting to my point, I have just this week developed a new appreciation for Elisabeth and her roll on the show. First of all, if she wasn't there, only the liberal opinions would be voiced, making the show COMPLETELY biased. She alone represents the politics of Republicans, leaving the Democrats to the other 4 hosts, which means that she carries a lot of pressure! Why don't they make it more even? I think that Sheri is supposed to be another conservative voice, but not lately. Second, she never backs down, even when everyone is rolling their eyes and yelling at her (she rolls her eyes too-- she can dish it), and third, I saw on MSN that Elisabeth was one of the top web-searches this week. What does this mean? I think it means that she is drawing attention, though I'm not sure what kind of attention. Nonetheless, that is what makes ratings, right? So, now that I see how important she is, whether she gets picked on or not, I can watch and not feel nervous or embarrassed for her.

Phew.

I'm sorry that this is the kind of stuff that I think about all day, but Lucy doesn't provide a lot of conversation... so I make friends with the ladies on tv.

Oh, plus, I love Elisabeth because sometimes she reminds me of Allison.

The Belly Blog

Okay, I am not quite this big yet-- not even close-- but I feel this big! I am hungry all the time, as in stomach-growling hungry. "New Baby," as we affectionately call it, is 1 1/2 inches big now (the size of a fig!), and I am now at 11 weeks, so I figure that I should be feeling great in another week or two, right? Right?

Now, onto something else-- today is a great day because tonight is a great night, and tonight is a great night because of Survivor, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, and the premiere of Kath & Kim, which looks to be promising! Thursday night used to be about Ladies Night at Sharkys and now it is about my DVR and pajamas--oh, and add my husband to that mix. I'll take this combo over a stinky dance club anytime!

Say Cheese!

Lucy is finally smiling at the camera, and I thought that this might be blog-worthy news! I've posted some pictures for proof. Perhaps this is a turning point for Lulu-- maybe in addition to smiling at the camera, she will sleep through the night, finish her meals, and while we are at it, clean up her toys!

Hi Lisa!

I figured that I'd write my first blog entry directly to YOU!

I sure wish that we lived closer together so that you could babysit my kids... hahaha! I'm funny! I meant to say that I wish that we lived closer so that we can meet for lunches, walk the mall, take the kids to the park, go on double-dates, find deals at Target...

I hope that you enjoy my blog :)