How old am I really???

I started at a new single Branch since here in Texas!
Before people get too excited about my supposed excitement and the prospect of being the oldest person in the branch. I did not go on my own accord...of course there was a good looking gentleman involved in my decision to "check it out" :-)

As I am nearing a new decade, I often wonder if I look as young as I think I do. Or if like all of us in this stage of life, I am delusional!

My question was answered last night.
It's Fun to watch people try to calculate my age by the things I say. Last night I was telling a story about my little brother and I was trying to remember how old I was....in doing the calculations I let it slip that,"if he was one then I was ten"
The rest of the conversation went something like this
Guy: "how old is your brother now"
Me: **laughing**"are you trying to figure out how old I am?"
Guy:"Mayb e"
Me: "Well I am not going to tell you, but it doesnt really matter I am 29"
Guy: **silent**
Me: "how old did you think I was?"
Guy:" You are a hard one to figure out I was thinking between 26 and 30 but you look to good to be 26"
Me: "Thanks"
Guy: "We could just tell everyone I am 25 and you are 28" (said guy is 24)

SO there you have it I look as young as I think I do or maybe he was just flattering me, hummm?

Going to Hell in a handbasket

Disscussion among me and my cronies has lead to the question. Where did the phrase come from? First off "No comment from the Peanut gallery" A peanut gallery is an audience that heckles the performer. The term originated in the days of vaudeville as a nickname for the cheapest (and ostensibly rowdiest) seats in the theater; the cheapest snack served at the theater would often be peanuts, which the patrons would sometimes throw at the performers on stage to show their disapproval. The phrases "no comments from the peanut gallery" or "quiet in the peanut gallery" are extensions of the name. Next: 'Going to hell in a handbasket' is to be deteriorating - on a course for disaster. Origin The transit to hell is conjured up in various terms that use the imagery of swiftness; for example 'hellbent' and 'hell for leather'. There are one or two theories as to why 'handbasket' was chosen as the preferred vehicle to be conveyed to hell. Handbaskets are, of course, baskets that are carried by hand. Items put in a handbasket are moved without resistance and it could be that the imagery of someone being taken off directly and without choice was in the mind of whoever coined the phrase. Another theory is that it derives from the use of the guillotine and the imagery of decipitated heads being caught in baskets, the casualty presumably going straight to hell, without passing Go. The first use of an alliterative 'in a handbasket' phrase does in fact relate to head rather than hell. 'Going to hell in a handbasket' seems to be just a colourful version of 'going to hell', in the same sense as 'going to the dogs'. The 'in a handbasket' is an alliterative intensifier which gives it a catchy ring. There doesn't appear to be any particular significance to 'handbasket' apart from the alliteration. That view is backed-up by the existence of similar earlier phrases, which, not having the same catchiness, have now disappeared - for example, 'hell in a basket' and 'hell in a wheelbarrow'. Given the perfectly serviceable phrase 'hell in a handcart', the reason why the handbasket version arose isn't clear. There may be a connection between 'going to hell in a handbasket' and 'basket-case', but that's just speculation. "Not every small town girl, casting her lot in the theatrical world of Broadway, scoots to hell in a handbasket." http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hell-in-a-handbasket.html "Going to hell in a handbasket"

Bucket List

The Bucket List
Copy and place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X
from the ones you have not, and send it to your friends (including me). Or your Blog
This is for your entire Life!

(X) Gone on a blind date (not technically but I have been on some that I wish I had been blind
(X) Skipped school (for weeks at a time)
( ) Watched someone die ( watched lost of births)
(X) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been lost (I lost 2 years once)
(X) Been on the opposite side of the country (depends on the move)
() Gone to Washington , DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons (Odd but even in College we use them)
(X) Sang Karaoke? (with the 7 year olds)
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only?
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?(more times then i care to admit)
(X) Made prank phone calls
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose?(ouch)
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain()
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone - the sunset
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
() Been skinny dipping outdoors (I hate the water)
(X) Gone to the movies

1. Any nickname? Not that anyone calls to my face except Mergelette
2. Mother's name? Dorothy

3. Favorite Drink? used to be Dr Pepper now Chai tea
4. Body Piercings? 2 in each ear lobe
5. Tatoos? Had a few fake ones
6. How much do you love your job? Love my job wish I had more hours
7. Birthplace? Kansas City, Mo

8. Ever been to Africa? nope too hot

9. Ever eat cookies for dinner? OREO"S

10. Favorite vacation spot? VEgas Or Tia's house

11. Ever been on TV? nope

12. Ever steal any traffic signs? No

13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes

14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 but they all dont work

15. Favorite number? 18

16. Favorite holiday? 4th of July

17. Favorite dessert? used to be cinnamon ice cream, no diary now so humm I dont have one yet

18. Favorite food? spaghetti or roasted potatoes
19. Favorite day of the week? Tomorrow
20. How do you relax? Read a book hide in my room

21 How do you see yourself in 10 years? Wish my imagination was that good, I would never have guessed where I am now 2 years ago

22. Furthest place you will send this message? Cali

23. Who will respond to this the fastest? who ever is bored first

Not too sure this is my personal bucket list but it's fun to see what you have in common with your friends

New Talents?

This year I learned how to knit and after several attempts, I made a hat! Landon seems to have liked it...
He sure hugged it alot :-)

On the move...again

"On the road again...can't remember why I'm on the road again..."
A favorite little song of my family is from Mother Goose Rock and Rhyme(insistently a great kids movie and if you ever find a copy it would make a great gift for yours truly)

In recent times I have found I have many people following my blog that i don't know about....
That having been said. I would like to make an announcement for those who are stalking me as my non closet friends have already heard the news!
My time to move has come again! 2 1/2 years is apparently the limit on how long I can live in any one state at any given time!
Texas here we come! Dad and Bev live there along with my Gma, an Uncle and a couple cousins. It's only 8 hours to Kansas City so that means I MIGHT make it home more often.
Utah however holds many people that are family to me. Alas it is a 20 Hour drive! So coming home to Utah will not be as feasible :-(
Before everyone starts to drown themselves in boxes of chocolate at the thought of loosing me...I will be back!!! March is for sure then Probably June. I am going to continue to work for the school so I can get paid to come visit 3 times a year! (sometimes I can be so smart)

Other than that..who knows what's next!
At the very least I will have a better chance of snagging me a cowboy! BTW for all of you who think I am such a great person, why haven't you set me up yet? I am not getting any younger :-)

Cheers everyone!

And we're back.....

Ok so Blogging is not my best subject...Where did we leave off. Summer? wow uhmm well it's snowing here today so I think I missed some time in there.

Here we go...
I went home to Kansas City at the first of October to see my family, go to a reunion and oh yeah see my babe! Such a good trip! Let's do One event at a time.
Baby James is 6!
Here is the latest picture of all the nephews and niece. Really I think someone needs to have a girl...poor Alex! Anyone want to volunteer? Not it!

Aunt Lori still has it, everyone is smiling and at least on the sofa still!
Back row left to right Jon Pemberton, Jd Pemberton, Joey Mergell, Alex Conner,
Front row left to right Austin Mergell. James Mergell, Joey Pemberton and Jacob Pemberton... Missy and Uncle James have one more to join us at the end of November! Jude :-)

Grandma Dorothy made pillow cases for the "Mergell" kids...if your kid doesn't have one they will soon!

Summer lovin' happens so fast

This was a great Summer! Baby James made his first trip alone. Cousin Jessie did too! And Alex and I spent alot more time the usual just hanging out and enjoying each other! I actually got a tan! I sure hope all these visits become a summer tradition. We would LOVE LOVE Joey and Austin to join us!(hint hint)
The end of the summer is always marked by Alex's birthday. This year we had birthday dinner with Alex's favorite "twin" Allie Swain.

The girls choice Winger's of course. Truth be told I am getting kinda tired of it!

Little Stinker

The girls sure had fun! As always we enjoy our time hanging with the Swain gang!

Ice Cream

I was having a craving for some ice cream today, as anyone who knows me knows, I usually have several kinds to choose from!

I open the first carton and this is what I find!

One BITE!
In the next carton...

Two Bites!
I find the only person who would dare eat all of my ice cream and then leave a bite when she starts to feel guilty! That's right Alex!
This is what she had to say in defense of her self! Well at least the second one had more than just one spoon full, that was nice of me!

Morale of the story: When two girls are in one house, one bathroom and 3 pints of ice cream are not enough!

Blond who me?

I was going through old boxes and I came across a picture of Scott and I as toddlers! Blond!! ME!! Who would have ever guessed! My mom didn't even remember! Of course I look like my roots need to be dyed.

The energy of kids

In light of recent events in my life, I have decided to take up running again! Yuck I know!
Alex was totally offended that I would not let her go on my run with me. I explained that it was getting dark and I was planning on doing 2 miles. I didn't want her left behind on a dark road. To which she replied," I can train for it Lori"
Well how am I supposed to tell her that she can't! So off we went! She actually passed me! Twice! I was in worse shape than I thaught! The good news is I now have a LOUD little girl to bug me every night to go running! Nothing like motivation!

A new girl!

Alex does not like to brush her hair! I really do feel sorry for her with those tangles! Yesterday morning the tears started and I asked her for the 500 time if she wants to just get her hair cut short. She said,"If I want long hair I have to get used to it and get tuff"
I asked her if she would like to read The Swain blog and see Allie's new hair cut(a new reason to blog, peer pressure) She immediately said yes she would like her hair cut like Allie!

Side story when she was 5 she got a bad case of head lice! As you can imagine it's about impossible to get the eggs out of that light hair! To this day no one will admit to who's idea it was but she showed up at my house with a crew cut!! Since then she won't let anyone cut her hair!

She love her new hair cut! This morning she seemed very disappointed that it only took her 2 minutes to brush it out! I on the other had was thrilled!

Last Day 4 Baby James

Alex stated it so well," I know why we don't get along, He's a boy and I am a girl!!"

I couldn't have said it better myself. Needless to say James loves to make her mad and she loves to be mad at him.
We went to the park and met up with Stacie and Landon.
By the way James said next year he wants to stay 5 weeks!

Guess where we went for dinner?

That's right I know at least two girls who claim this as their "favorite" place(truth I am getting tired of it but don't tell the girls)

Baby James has been asking since he got here if he could go down the water slide at the pool. We didn't have the correct life jacket until today! I have never seen a kid so happy to try a new thing

Pictures

Sunday afternoon the Kids had their Birthday pictures taken and cousin Jessie had her senior pictures taken. Thank goodness for friends because this session never would have happened with out him! It has been a long time since I picked up a camera for anything more than a snap shot! ANYone who has experienced me as a photographer will tell you it's one of the 2 things in life that I have OCD about! The pictures are great! He even got a good one of me and the kids!

Thanks Again Big D for your help, you saved the day!

Kids at play

Mom took the kids to bridavil falls this afternoon... The said the water was cold! I missed the fun but Cousin Jessie took some pictures. We can't seem to get Alex to open her eyes!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Captain Obvious

In the car today Baby James was telling me how yummy the peach was that he was eating.
I asked him if he knew that there was a movie called James and the Giant Peach.
Alex looks over and said,"Yeah and your name is James!"

I should make a tee shirt for her that says," In case you don't notice, I will point out the obvious"

Alex and James Post

Becca Beth Alex James(left to right)

(OK well I'm not sure that the kids posting is a good idea but here goes!)
(Alex) Last night we went to the pool and movie theather and today we also went but we had the girls Becca and Beth. No Rachel when we all got there it was very surprising, (James) and very watery. He also wanted to add, "James is so funny, Aunt Lori and Alex and me our whole family is funny"

(Lori) Yesterday and today we did go swimming We went to the dollar show and saw Nim's Island. Surprisingly it was pretty good!
Alex helped me with my sun block and now I have an interesting burn on the one shoulder.

It's A Boy and a girl and another girl...

Everyone arrived late last night safe and sound! (what does that phrase mean anyway?)
Lot's of hugs an squishes all around!
Our house is very confusing for most people. It is circular in logic. So I spent 15 minutes making sure Baby James and Alex knew where the bathrooms and Aunt Lori where located!
I opened James' suitcase and he informed me,"You can't just take stuff out of there you will mess it up" Then he wanted to unpack at 10:15 at night. He could see no other way to get to his PJ's with out messin' up all the nice piles!

They bounced on the bed for at least 15 minutes and Alex fell asleep! James was still awake at 11. Though he was laying quietly on top of the blankets. He wanted to know why I couldn't sleep with him cause there was lots of space behind his back for me....Tempting but no thanks!

This morning started just like I thought it would. 6:08 am~ I felt someone searching through my blankets! It was morning for them! I grabbed some clothes and headed up the stairs. Where James explained to me "That's not how you're shirt post'a goes" Inside out shirts just don't cut it for him!

I was called out to a birth this afternoon so I missed the trip to the park :-(
Oh Baby James has a new nickname" muffin top" Well That's what I called him and his reply was "it's MR Muffin Top" Followed by "no it's "Dear Mister Muffin top to you"

The day ended with Alex crying hysterically because as she says "I have to miss everything and I have to do every thing" ( Can I just say that she woke up too early and now it's after 10:00)

They are too much fun! We start again in the morning!

And they're off..

The trip hasn't been going so well so far. Yesterday morning James woke up early and could not find grandma. He grabbed a zip lock bag and started packing his things. Then he woke u his mom and said that they left with out him!(luckly she isn't that forgetful yet)
Alex lost her chunks on grandma's clean laundry, everything had to be rewashed.
They waited for Uncle Aaron to decide he was moving here then change his mind and stay. They didn't leave Kansas City till late afternoon.
The caravan made it to a hotel in the middle of Nebraska last night. Cousin Jessie is helping to drive and it's a good thing cause Grandma is sooo poky, they might never get here!!!

Glad I am not there! We will see them tonight!

ONE MORE DAY

The kids get here tomorrow!! I wait for this all year! Baby James is old enough to come this time, he is 5 and a half!My cousin Jessie is coming for 2 weeks, I used to change her diapers! She is 17 now. She will be a great help!
Oh and my brother Aaron is moving out here too!
For the first time we will have more Mergell's than Bjarnson's in this house!

Let the fun begin!