Bon Jovi Idol

How did tonight sneak up on me? Probably because I was running around for back-to-back Little League practices for Maddie & Isaac. American Idol was in the back of my mind, but I was ever so greatful (again) for a little invention called DVR.

Boy was I in for a surprise.

I was so wrapped up in my week that the news of Jon Bon Jovi appearing on tonight's American Idol escaped me.

It was (by far) my favorite episode of this season. I have been quite bored with many of the contestants; they're just not as exciting as last year's performers.

But tonight was awesome. I need to send out emergency text messages to everyone in the Pacific Time Zone so they will be sure to tune in when 8pm rolls around (which is only 20 minutes from now).

Phil - awesome. He's always been at the top of my list.

Jordin - didn't do well, but I love her any way. And she looked hot.

Lakisha - I'm not a fan, but she was great.

Blake - the "risk" of the night, freaking awesome.

Malinda - liked it very much, so Tina Turner-ish.

Chris - I have to say, I was a little bored.

It was an awesome Idol night. I loved it. But then came the realization that tomorrow we lose not one, but two contestants. Ooh! Who will go?

Lakisha & Chris. But don't forget that tonight's votes are combined with the ones from last week. So, it's literally anyones' game.

Evil Puddy-Tat

Our cat is vicious. I have the markings, and so does the rest of my household, to prove it.

Vicious.

I am hoping that this phase quickly concludes, and that the lazy, aloof, mature cat shows up soon.

I was not seeking revenge the night I decided to bathe him. I just thought he was looking a little scraggly.

We bathed him in the little sink in the downstairs half-bath. Just before I plunged him into the warm, soapy water I noticed my bare arms and wished that I had put on long sleeves to protect me from his vicious claws. It wasn't necessary. He seemed to almost enjoy himself. We washed, rinsed, conditioned and rinsed without him drawing blood even once.

What came next alarmed me, and I thought I had given him a death sentence. The poor little guy couldn't stop shivering. We rubbed and rubbed, changing to a fresh, dry towel often. He did finally scratch me when I tried to blow dry is fur. Maddie kept him bundled and he finally was dry and running around being a maniac an hour later.

I have been so sick of the viciousness that I didn't flinch when Maddie plopped down on my bed last night and then crammed the kitty into a shoe box. Let him rot!

But the stupid animal actually liked it.

If someone removed the lid, a little paw would swat, and he was able to pull the lid closed on him self. Once. This went on for at least 30 minutes, us tormenting the cat in the shoe box. We dumped him out a few times and he went right back in.

When he woke up this morning, he went right back to his shoe box. Weirdo.

Thank Goodness for Modern Medicine

I have been very fortunate to not suffer as so many women do from UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections), aka bladder infections. Just a few times have I had to guzzle cranberry juice until I thought I would burst to try an chase that pain away.

And we all know how that you are included in this good fortune, because when I hurt I whine. To all of you.

After nearly 24 hours of lower abdominal pain, this afternoon I was diagnosed with a UTI. I was pretty surprised. I haven't had ANY of the standard signs. You know what they are.

Nonetheless I am relieved to have had a diagnosis, and am so, so very thankful that I live in a world of antibiotics. How wonderful it is.

I was given two prescriptions: one antibiotic, and the other an anti-inflamatory/muscle relaxer that targets bladder. Some of you may be familiar to this. I was not.

The doctor warned me, and then the pharmacist warned me, and later on the phone my mom concurred: the muscle relaxer turns your pee bright orange.

Even with the warnings, seeing what collected in the toilet below me was shocking. I am half tempted to post a picture of it. I tried to get my husband to look at it, he refused. He's such a woman.

This orange was SO orange that it took two flushes to wash it down. I'm pretty sure that you could dye Easter eggs with it. And I'm going to have to buy all new underwear when this is done.

I'm the not-so-Teenage Mutant wannabe Ninja Mom. But then that would be green pee.

What did you do all night? "Pee green soup". That'll take you back to second grade.

Back to the Daily Grind

I moaned and groaned about not having anything to do or any place to go during my time off this week. And I didn't. Do anything. I didn't leave the house yesterday. Or today, with the exception of stake conference.

It felt good. I've done some scrapbooking. I've watched a lot of TV/movies. I've played some Disney Scene It with the kids (I pretty much had to force them). I've napped. I helped Maddie pick out fabric for her school project and then watched her and Kaelyn cut out the future quilt. I made more granola (but the first batch was better). I put together a black & white picture collage for Sarah and Jimmy of their kids. I did a little house work, but you know it's never enough.

And I've relaxed. I'm pretty sure I could relax some more. I am so good at being lazy. This really has me looking forward to the summer, when I will have even more time off. Of course, by writing this I've totally jinxed myself. I just committed myself to a fast-paced, busy summer. Mark my words.

But as I return to work tomorrow, am I refreshed? Am I full of energy? Am I ever? But I guess I'm ready to go back.

But totally counting down to May 31.

PS Allow me to pat myself on the back for not only letting David golf for nearly six hours yesterday, but for also making the T-time reservation.

10 Minute Pity Party

Yesterday was day one of spring break. The long awaited, no where connected to Easter, three-day spring break.

We were supposed to be in Disneyland this week, but David's schedule is quite full and doesn't accomodate vacation until July, maybe not until August.

I thought about driving home to California, and even had David's blessing, but decided I just wasn't up to making the drive alone this time.

Yesterday was great. I showered and did my hair, but stayed in my jammies all day. I got some housework done, folded some laundry, caught up on a couple of emails, and let the kids veg with their overnight guests. I took little cat naps here and there. I made some granola, after weeks of not having time. It was great. Relaxing.

But today I feel sorry for myself. I feel abandoned.

I have tons to do. There will be no sitting around the house today. Lots of errands to run. Here. In Utah.

I want to go. I want to get away. The weather is crappy. We even had snow flurries yesterday. We have had excellent weather every Saturday since early March, maybe all the way back until February. This weekend? Cold, cloudy and potential for rain.

And David? He's in sunny St. George, but couldn't bring us along. He's working. Working on a golf tournament today. I could join him. I could rent a car and drive down. More driving.

But I'll stay here. I'll get my errands done. I'll be the mature grown-up that makes things happen. I'll return David's slacks and exchange the shirt and tie. I'll go to Erika's lacrosse game. Blah, blah, blah.

I'll get over my pity party. I'm fine, really. I'm going to go eat my home-made granola and then get on with my day. But I'd rather be smelling cotton candy and standing in line for Thunder Mountain.

I'm Torn Over Idol

Here in the Mountain Time Zone, Sanjaya has just been booted from his platform on Idol. We've wanted him gone. He doesn't sing as well as the others. But I'm torn.

On one hand I feel like now it's time to get down to business. Now it's a serious ball game. The competition is on, and it's hot.

But on the other hand it's a bit of a let down. Like "now what?". Who do we pick on now? Who's going go shock and awe (whether good or bad) us now?

Maybe we weren't ready for him to go.

Prediction: Lakisha goes next.

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday David and I celebrated 12 years of wedded bliss. (barf)

And to celebrate we went to Vernal, Utah. Vernal?! Might as well celebrate our 13th in Barstow, CA.

The kids and I (in our usual fashion) tagged along with David on a business trip. The plan was to take care of things in Vernal, 3 hours away, and then backtrack and eventually make our way to Park City for dinner and shopping.

The drive to Vernal starts off great, winding through the mountains. But eventually in flattens out and so does the scenery. It appears that the income is low in the little towns and the living situations are poor, like the warehouse with a dilapidated mobile home attached and an old metal swing set nearby in the "yard".

After a little shopping with the kids while we waited for Dad to get his work done, and then checking out the Vernal temple, we discovered that the Dinosaur National Monument was close. Too close to not go. We hadn't done any research, so we didn't know what to expect, and with the Park City dinner plans at stake, it was sort of a risk. But totally worth it.

Dinosaur National Monument is east of Vernal, and the view is breathtaking. Ranches are tucked in and around the park, so for miles you can see bright green pastures surrounded by rolling hills.

After a little presentation from the park ranger and an explanation about the now-closed Visitor Center because it was built on clay that is now shifting, we took a short hike to see some dinosaur fossils.

Hundreds of lizards and many un-afraid bunnies greeted us on the trail.

The heights on this hike weren't nearly as bad as last week's hike to Mill Creek Canyon, but the trail was narrow-er which had me a little (ahem) edgy.

We found the promised fossils. Maddie's hand is resting on the bottom of a dinosaur leg bone.

And tucked in the shadow above her head here (horizontally) is a vertibrae.

In attempt to not crash the world's blogging system, part 2 of the trip is below.