Redhoodoos

Goodnight Redhoodoos

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:00:00 +0000

It's time to put you to bed, dear friend. No - this isn't goodbye. Just goodnight.

After all, we've been through so much together! You have understood my weird animal obsessions like this and this and this and this.

And my need to mock my family like here and here and here. And of course my silly and dumb posts which are far too numerous to name - but here are the dumbest - this and this and this.

And of course you understand my love for the red desert. Remember this post? And this?

And you understand the cup!

But I need to focus on my health and fitness right now and need to put you to sleep. I will being hanging out at my other blog "Red's Groove" these days but will come back to you occasionally too.

So, remember, it's me. Not you. You've been a good little friend, Redhoodoos.

Yellowstone when it's freaking cold!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Todd and I just came home from our jaunt up to Yellowstone. Although nothing good happens in January, in my opinion - it was still stunningly beautiful.

The back side of the Tetons.

In some areas, the roads were sheer ice.

We love the town of West Yellowstone. Yes, indeed!

Todd wants one of these.

Yeah - it was cold.

The view from our hotel window - where it was nice and warm.

We liked how the sun hit the mountain as it was setting.

What? How did Creature the Cat's picture get in here?

Oh well - doesn't he look cuddly and snuggly and warm?

Winter Wonderland

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Dad - put your dancing shoes on....

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0000

I have the best father in the world and wouldn't you know...today is his birthday. New Year's Eve! He likes to say that the whole world celebrates his big day.

My dad has his own blog - check it out here!

Happy Birthday Gene Gene the Dancing Machine!!

Love,
Yikket

P.S. - Hey dad - before we come over to party at your house tonight, I just have to know... did you take down your Christmas tree yet? I just don't dare run the risk of witnessing another 'incident' where you accidentally knock it over. If you recall, mom shook with laughter for days and the memory of the tree lying on its side has haunted me for years.

P.P.S - Oh - and just so that I can prepare myself - are you going to tell the infamous Scotty Pippen (aka Potty Skippin') joke again this year? How about your elephant imitation? Are you going to pepper us with snipits of the Herman the Worm story? Will you wax philosophical about the good ole Alma days with Turkey Jim?

P.P.P.S - Can we finally put to rest the debate that Springville, UT is the drug capital of the world?

P.P.P.P.S - If we end up playing Scattergories, don't be mad if we don't let you count "Foghorn Frieda, the famous floozie from Flauttisville, Florida" as 7 points, k? That was really quite a stretch.

P.P.P.P.P.S - Oh yeah- and would you mind if your daughter thinks you are the funnest, craziest, kindest, bestest, and most giving dad in the world?

Giveaway

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:02:00 +0000

I'm having a giveaway! To learn the details - go check out my new blog!

Psst

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:28:00 +0000

I've been busy working on a project.

Come back Monday to see what I'm doing....

Merry Christmas!!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:13:00 +0000

Can you believe it's Christmas Eve? What will your family do tonight?

Merry Christmas everyone. Be festive. Be safe.

Holiday fun and household UN-fun

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:41:00 +0000

We've been busy people in our home lately! I'm short on time so this post will be short, sweet, and to the point! =)

Thursday we went to Connor's swim meet. He is really good!! Unfortunately they lost the meet because they were going against the best swim team in the state.

Friday my work had our Christmas party and I made some delicious tacos!! Thanks everyone for your awesome recipes. I couldn't have done it without you!

Yesterday our family went Christmas-ing down town. It is not very often that all of the kids are home together on the same weekend - so we took advantage of this rare opportunity!

We went to Clark Planetarium and saw "Santa and the Snowman 3D".

BTW - if you have little kids and want to see a darling Christmas movie - this is the one!!

Even though it's kind of a 'little kid' movie - my teenagers loved it. They actually admitted it!

Then we boarded TRAX.

And met Todd for dinner. YUMMY!!

We saved the best for last!

About three weeks ago, I opened the mail to find that I received tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. I was so excited that I actually screeched!! I enter the lottery every year - and this is the first time I received tickets.

Along the way, we braved the crowds and saw the beautiful lights on Temple Square.

And made it to the concert. To my delight - our seats were excellent (it's hard to tell in this picture). There are just times in life when the stars align and things just work out. Yesterday was that day. The concert was amazing!! The choir, the orchestra, the reading - all incredible! I love this choir and the feeling I get when I hear their angelic voices. There was an AMAZING organ solo of the song "Go Tell it on the Mountain" that literally brought the house down!

It was a super weekend that ended with my mom's birthday celebration tonight!! Love you mom - hope you had fun.

And now for the bad news.

I'm stealing Elora's computer right now because mine is broken. Why? Not a clue. The 'Geek Squad' thinks it might need a new mother board. Yeah. That's fun.

I haven't mentioned that my oven died a few weeks ago and my washing machine is on the brink.

Alas - life is good. I will take appliance issues over the more serious challenges that other people are facing during this Christmas season.

But - this means I won't be blogging much during the next few weeks. {Please hold your applause}. I'll still be around - and I'll lurk and comment when I can.

I sure hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season!

Happy Birthday Maud the Broad!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:46:00 +0000

Today is my mother's birthday - December 12. She would be mad if I said her age - so I'll just say she looks barely old enough to be my mom! And that's the truth!

**My mom reads my blog so please leave her a comment and tell her Happy Birthday**

So - about the name Maud the Broad. First of all - my mom's name is Maudeen. I was kind of a crazy teenager and I'm so glad she made it through those years in one piece! I also had crazy friends - and they loved my mom! People just love to make her chuckle because she has a funny, hilarious, contagious kind of laugh. But getting back to the point - one of my friends - I actually think it was Cindy (aka Binders, Cynthia) - actually called my mother "Maud the Broad" once while she was at my house. My very fun mom laughed and laughed at that name and it stuck. Instead of being stuffy and hating that name - she thought it was hilarious.

Here is my lovely mama!

Isn't she pretty? She has stunningly beautiful eyes!

Here are some things I know about my mother!

She has a great laugh!
She loves makeup
She is beautiful
She is lucky
She drives a Mini Cooper (Jealous!)
She loves to play dice games - especially bunco
She is faithful and loyal
She is funny
She loves the color red
She loves the Gospel
She is competitive and loves winning radio contests!
She would do anything for her children and family
She has a favorite cup and a favorite chair
She loves Bryce Canyon and she gave me my love for Bryce Canyon
She makes the best potato salad in the world!
She has 4 children - 2 girls and 2 boys
She laughs at my dad's jokes
She is frugal
She loves licorice and jelly beans
She is spunky
She is very kind to everyone
She loves very deeply

Mom - I'm feeling bad that I'm not going to see you until Sunday. Have a super great wonderful jolly birthday. You are loved so very much!

Click HERE for a little something from your four kids....

Happy Birthday Maud the Broad!!

Help! Need a great taco recipe!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:09:00 +0000

I'm making tacos for 15 people and need a good recipe....chicken, beef, armadillo meat - doesn't matter. Just needs to be tasty. Do you have a yummy recipe to share?

Lucky!!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:36:00 +0000

I came home from work tonight to two great surprises! They made my night!

First - I won a giveway from author Annette Lyons!! She is giving her three winners a choice of any of her published books. Let me just tell you how hard it was to decide!!

But this was not a typical giveaway - this was a "Pay it Forward" giveaway. She included a challenge. In an effort to promote book sales - the winners are required to post their own "Pay it Forward" giveaway!! So - come back to my blog soon. This is such a clever idea. I love it!! Thank you Annette!! I can't wait to read your book.

Then .... I received a package in the mail from Shauna at Trying to Stay Calm.Why? Just because that's the way she is. Her blog is like a ray of sunshine!! Thank you so much, Shauna. That was so sweet of you. You are awesome. The chocolate? Sooooo gone!

And I can totally imagine what the rest of you are thinking about me right now...

You may even be thinking that I'm making this all up and I didn't really get these awesome gifts. To this I say..

Eat your hearts out!

Speaking of eating - it's time to go serve dinner...

Vote for the best Christmas Pic!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:00:00 +0000

The plan was to get our Christmas pictures taken this weekend. I had grand intentions. The lighting would be perfect. Clothes and hair would be perfect. Children and mama would be happy. The heavens would sing. Our family's Christmas card would be stunning!!

Yeah, that was the plan. It didn't turn out that way.

The lighting was bad. The photography was horrid. We were moody. It wasn't very fun.

Here are a few gems from the first batch...

I suggested going back to the park to take more pictures. "NO MOM!!! They look fine!"

I'm a mean mom - we went back.

The final results are not much better. The following 4 photos are the best of the nearly 60 that we took. I can't decide which one to use so I need your help!! Which of the following are the least frightening of the bunch?

Photo 1

(Do I look totally annoyed in this picture? Because I sooooo was....)

Photo 2.

Photo 3

Photo 4 .

So, what say you? 1, 2, 3, or 4?

How cute is Elora's new hairstyle?!!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:24:00 +0000

Before....

After!

I LOVE IT!!

Darren's films

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:20:00 +0000

Before his mission, Darren loved to make videos. He created film after film - about anything and everything. It's what he loves. It was very hard for him to leave technology behind and journey to a foreign land. But he did it. I'm proud of him and I'm missing him.

As a side note - we learned yesterday in his weekly email that he was robbed last week. Darren was out with his companion and had two wallets on him - one was a fake wallet with only a few bucks in it. They got that wallet - but not without a scuffle. He's okay and he wasn't hurt! But it's hard for us here at home - we feel so helpless. Do any of you missionary moms have advice?

So for some reason, I'm remembering his videos these days and thought I would post my favorites. They mean more to me because I first started to love him when he was 10 years old (when I married his dad) - when he was precocious, creative, curious and had boundless energy. Through the years he channelled those traits into his filmmaking and became pretty darned talented! It was fun to watch.

So here are my faves....

(Sorry - I just deleted the first video. Too embarrassing for me)

The next video was for Larissa's school project a few years ago. Meltaways are my kids FaVoRiTe chocolatey treat...

This next video was a film-making competition that he signed up for. They had 24 hours to shoot a video and had several components that were required: they had to use the phrase "Dude, where's my car?"; have a shot of the sunrise; the city; a landmark etc. So - Darren had 24 hours to come up with a plot, film the video, and edit it. He was up all night! Btw - the lady in this movie is my mother-in-law!

The last one I'll post is of Heroes. HE LOVES THIS SHOW! It's a little gorey but I thought he did a great job with it...

When cooking goes very wrong...

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:37:00 +0000

Do you ever have one of those days when things just turn out wrong? Today is that day for me.

My good intentions in the kitchen failed miserably.

Enjoy my misery...

These are supposed to be magic bars.

Being the die hard chocolate lovers that we are - we're still going to try a taste.

Apparently I did something wrong with this loaf of bread.

Oh yeah - we're still going to eat it - I'm off to fetch a chisel!

Tell me I'm not the only one with days like this...

A fun-filled Thanksgiving!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:46:00 +0000

Ah, Thanksgiving. What is better than enjoying great food, family, and friends - all in one weekend? Here's a rundown...

Dinner was found at my humble abode this year. I learned that it is dangerous to seat my dad and brother at a table full of food and expect them to wait for the prayer. As I was taking this picture - I noticed the heaping mounds of (half-eaten) food upon their plates. They clearly could not be bothered with formalities such as saying "cheese" at my picture-taking attempts. Did they forget about my ruthless tendencies to post embarrassing photos? Like from this post?

Note the cup. The beautiful, perfect cup.

We had so much fun! Seriously, few people (if any) are funnier than my two brothers. When they get together - I never know what will come out of their mouths. And I just laugh. Usually I'm blubbering and drooling because I'm laughing so hard. I blame them for headache today - my laughter hangover.

Then - guess what I did today?!!!

WOOT! I met more blogging friends!!

Binders, Pam, Kitchen Ditcher, Tink and Moi

I have had so much fun getting to know my friends and fellow bloggers. You are all such beautiful, lovely women and I am so happy to know you!

After lunch - I met my hubcap and we picked out this..

I will have to blog about our tree incident one of these days - which is why we now buy real trees. Forgive me MCF.

Tomorrow, Todd and I are supposed to head up to the Yellowstone area to pick up the girls.

Usually - I jump all over the idea of a weekend jaunt up to that neck of the woods. Truly it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

But all I really want to do this weekend is this:

Except I would be enjoying a bag of crazy bread instead.

Tonight - we're off to Twilight!

It's been a fabulous weekend and Thanksgiving and I'm reminded - it's only FRIDAY! I still have two more glorious weekend days. For that I am definitely thankful!

Food, glorious food!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:55:00 +0000

I have found the perfect antidote for beating the blues:

An early Thanksgiving dinner

Family

And lots of hugs

We had Thanksgiving dinner tonight at my mother-in-laws house. It was SCRUMPTIOUS! We are having dinner at my house on Thursday and I hope that my offerings are 1/8th as good as hers.

**Thanks to all of you wonderful friends who commented and sent me emails with advice for fighting discouragement. Your words touched my heart. Thank you! I feel soo much better tonight.

Have a great week!!

Discouragement

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:27:00 +0000

Last night I found myself feeling discouraged, resentful, and slightly angry - familiar feelings that I had hoped would stay forever in the past.

I asked myself the 'why' questions. Questions that have no answers - at least not in this life.

This morning, I was still discouraged. This scripture came to mind:

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." D&C 122:7

Clearly, my life has not been so dramatic as to be cast into a pit or into the hands of murderers, but I will admit to feeling sorry for myself in the past for some of the things that have happened. Trials that are meant to give me experience.

I started a quest about a year ago to draw closer to the Savior and to leave the past behind me. To trust the Lord. To follow Him. To have faith.

Faith has been a difficult lesson for me to learn. I like to 'see' what I believe. I like tangible evidence. But as I've grown more faithful - so has my testimony grown.

I suppose it is normal for the old feelings to pop up now and again. I've learned a few things that have helped me to put it all into perspective. Tricks to reject the negativity and keep it out of my life.

This music/video helped me today. Take a minute and watch.

What do you do when you feel discouragement? What helps you to put things into perspective?

Great day with friends!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:15:00 +0000

Alyssa, Binders, Sher, Me, Frumpy, Mother Board, and Moxie (Debbie and her son Tyler came later).

I met these great ladies today! Before today they were just names and pictures on their blogs. Today they are friends.

Lunch was a lot of fun - it was great to finally meet all of you!

Twilight Obsession

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:17:00 +0000

My cute girls are obsessed with Twilight.

OBSESSED!

They have read the books.

Reread the books.

Rereread the books.

Bought Twilight clothes.

Made Twilight clothes.

They have blogged about Twilight.

Dreamt about Twilight.

Dreamt about Edward.

Donated blood (seriously).

BEGGED for movie tickets to the midnight showing tonight (there is no school tomorrow - how convenient).

And have made me chuckle because of all the craze!!

Tonight is the movie and they are just a wee bit excited!!

My ladies - have a great time!

Are you going to the movie? Are you Twilight crazed too?

Bloggerama

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:06:00 +0000

Not that I'm trying to brag or anything (okay - I admit that I'm totally bragging) - but I get to meet some of my favorite bloggers this month! Frump/Wonder Woman/ Julie/Motherboard?/ Sher?/Binders (who has been my bud since before the Driver's Ed incident) will be hangin' with me on Saturday.

Next week it's time to dish it with Kitchen Ditcher and Pam at Comcewens!! I might possibly even meet Shaila at DaBergs (hoping)!

Is anyone else going to be there? Tink?

Wahoo! Life is good.

Red is doin the hoodoo dance!

Gift Exchange - last chance!

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:36:00 +0000

If you want to join in the gift exchange - please let me know by tomorrow morning. Here are the details.

These ladies have signed up to play...

Deb, Lonna, Alyssa, Linda, Sharon, Jeni, Lisa, Jody, Cindy, Shellie and moi.

Your secret person will be emailed to you by tomorrow night! Wahoo!!

Jody

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:29:00 +0000

My friend Jody lost her father today. I'm sure she would appreciate some kind words. Please visit her blog here.

Todd is soooo Busted

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:25:00 +0000

Tonight I was hanging up clothes in our closet.

Very innocent looking, don't you think?

As I was looking for a spare hanger, I found this...

A grocery bag was tucked neatly between his shirts.

Huh?

Upon closer inspection (because inquiring minds really want to know), I found this....

The motherload of chocolate.

Several things jostled around in my mind as I scurried for the camera to blog about my findings.

Why did he hide chocolate? Is he afraid I will get mad? That's silly - we have a pretty darn good marriage and he doesn't have to worry about 'hiding' things from me.

Did he forget that there is a stash of leftover halloween candy in our living room?

So after teasing him relentlessly (because that's my job), I asked him why he hid the chocolate.

The reason?

This kid.

Connor is our resident chocoholic and can sniff out the edible goodness within minutes.

Apparently, Todd wanted to hide some for himself before Connor got to it.

The perfect ending to a weekend. I love my little family and their shenanigans.

But, do tell - do you hide things from your kids? Do you have secret stashes?

Forgiveness

redhoodoos@gmail.com (Redhoodoos) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:35:00 +0000

Wherefore I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is requred to forgive all men.

D&C 64: 9-10