Personality Quiz

So, I'm reading Aaron/Savannah's blog while eating lunch and come across this personality quiz. I have a few minutes, so I take it. Come to find out, it's one similar to one I took in my college class. Same results, different take on test. THAT makes it legit!

The Nurturer
You have a strong need to belong, and you're very loyal.

A good listener, you excel at helping others in practical ways.

In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music.

You find it easy to be devoted to one person... a partner who you do special things for. In love, you express your emotions through actions. Taking care of someone is how you love them. And you do it well!

At work, you do well in a structured environment. You complete tasks well and on time. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

How you see yourself: Competent, dependable, and detail oriented

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, dominant, and stuck in a rut

Yep, that's me!!

Try it!! http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourpersonalitytypequiz/

MORP

This year, Aly asked Brennen Hicks to MORP, the casual dance - girl ask guy.

She had Ashley and Brittany come over, they got ready together and went to pick up their dates.

Their "date" began with a rowdy game of bowling - (they are ALL a little TOO competitive!!), followed by riding the light rail down in Phoenix to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. They stopped by our house for pictures and then headed to the dance.

They had a BLAST!!

February Goals

Yes, I'm a bit late in reflecting on those goals. I cannot believe how much time it takes to do homework! I have a lot more empathy for all those going to school.
So
February was not very successful. Why is it that the spiritual and physical goals, the ones we need the most, are the ones we can never accomplish perfectly. I could give all sorts of excuses...sick, overwhelmed with school, trying to balance this "student" role with "mother" and "wife" roles already in progess. But I guess I am still trying. Still working out my imperfections. I did accomplish my mental goal, which was to NOT do homework on Sunday. Now, that is quite a temptation considering that every Monday I have a quiz in Math. I start stressing Sunday evening, but hold out until Monday morning. This last quiz I suffered miserably, but we will plug along. I also finished my scrap goal...of course the last day of the month. For February, I scrapped everything we did in February for the years 2006-2009.

New month, new goals...still working on that perfection thing. I am constantly amazed that my priorities are STILL not what they should be.

My bad!

Here's something to think about:
Without goals it will be difficult for those priorities to become a reality, and we begin the process of living life in “coasting mode.”

No coasting for me!

You know you are getting old when....

Conversation with sweet nephew (Dailynd) and niece (Chloe) at lunch:

Them: Is it really your birthday, Aunt Dena?
Me: Yep, guess how old I am?
Them: hmmmmm
Me: I'm four!
Them: Not-huh! We are four!
Me: Oh....think of the biggest number you can...
Them: 29!!
Me: Yeah! I'm 29....no, not really...try another number...higher
Them:........ um.......94
Me: NO!! Too old!
Then I told them (but I'm not telling you!)

And their response:

Classic Dailynd opened his mouth and his jaw dropped. He dramatically put his hands over his eyes and then very carefully looked at me and said: "Are you gonna die soon?"

Great.....just great!!!!!

Crazy Hair

This week at HHS they have spirit week, leading up to the big dance on Saturday - MORP. Thursday was crazy hair day. This picture is from Aly's phone, hence the blurriness. However, you can see that she was the talk of the school. Every teacher commented, 8-10 people stopped her for pictures and over 100 had to "touch" it. YUCK!! This is what she looks like with just a pick to her hair. (Yes, I DO think there is some ethnic blood in the Weech line!) She should have been born in the 70's...she would have fit right in!!

Oh the Funny things they say...

You know how you just have to chuckle when you "little" kids say the funniest or darndest things? I've got a teenager-ism to share:

Aly is looking thru a new Delia's Catalog. It's got all the new summer clothing and swimwear. So, Aly is flipping thru the styles and continues to skim over the swim-suits. She says:

Man, I'm so glad the swim suits are SO MODEST and I have SO MANY choices to make! However will I pick one??

She was being VERY sarcastic. The issue is now in the garbage! It was very funny. On the other hand, and a bit more serious, I feel very blessed to have a beautiful daughter (make that two....well, make that four!) who chooses to be modest and knows the difference.

My Comfort Zone

I wonder, sometimes, when we are too old to get out of our "comfort zone". You know, the rut that we are very comfortable in, no matter what role we are in.....mother, sister, student, volunteer, etc. For the past few weeks, I have been WAY OUT of my comfort zone. I have been involved in the Gilbert Fine Arts Youth Production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. This is my 2nd year of teaching the music to the Ensemble. This is something I actually enjoy doing. The first year was a little rough, but they gave me a 2nd chance and I was more confident this year.

BUT

They asked me to also be a part of the Orchestra "Pit" this year. Since the pit is small, most of the string instruments are played on the keyboards along with any other reed instruments needed.

I ended up playing the 1st and 2nd string violins, the Bass Clarinet and the Bari Sax. Now, this may seem easy, right? But the Bass Clarinet and Bari Sax are played in different keys. Meaning, when you play a "c", you are actually hearing a "Bb" or an "Eb" depending on the instrument. Unfortunately for me, this has caused great undermining of my natural talent. I play a Bb on the keyboard and hear a "C" and get VERY confused. I have practiced and practiced and still make the most idiotic errors when in performance. I had no idea that musical scores for Musicals were SO FLIPPIN' difficult. I'm in a key with 6 sharps, playing in 4/4 time, then 4 measures later I'm in a key of 1 flat, playing in cut time, then swapping instruments and playing in a whole new key altogether. It has really stretched my playing level and helped me to realize that I need to practice more. I really don't want to lose the talents I know I have been blessed with, but this was one of the most difficult, humbling things I have done in a VERY long time! For the first time, I have actually considered quitting a task I committed to do. Don't worry, I said "considered".....very seriously, but I wouldn't. It's just not in my nature.

I don't think they will ask me to do this again!

AND....I will more fully appreciate the orchestra pit when I enjoy my next musical!!

PS: My family has been wonderful while I have been at rehearsals and performances. No complaining.....dishes done, dinner fended on their own for two weeks. I LOVE THEM!!

Happy Birthday Aly!!

To our beautiful baby....you are seventeen and still beautiful. Who would have thought that this little bundle of joy.........

could still light up a room, make so many feel like they are her best friends, and still be SPOILED rotten. I guess that is the perk of being the baby in the family. Here's a few pictures to tell the story of our amazing daughter:

Aly still loves to play soccer. Sure, she is a little bit, just a little bit more aggressive (RIGHT)! We love watching her play and cringing every time she is knocked down...which is ALOT!!



She loves her cousins. They do crazy things together. Since it is her birthday, I will NOT post the pictures of facials and other embarrassing photos. But, if you know Aly, you know that she is a blast to be around, and can make you laugh at almost anything she does!


Aly actually has a pet peeve. It's quite unusual...but a small one. Aly doesn't like Birthday Bags!! She is quite adamant in asking that her presents be wrapped! So, each year, she receives a festive bundle of packages!




Family is everything to Aly. Her best friend is her sister. How many people can say that? She loves her mom and dad and is always trying to do the right thing. She pulls out a comb to comb her dad's hair (one of his most favorite things in the world, I might add), she organizes and cleans for her mom when she notices that her mom is a little on the frazzled side! She makes her sister's bed, and we all know that she can text the funniest of lines or a simple "I love YOU" to make our day a little brighter.

I can't imagine our family without a bit of sunshine each day. Aly is always smiling, always looking out for the underdog..she is ONE in a million!!

LOVE YOU ALY!!

Happy 17th Birthday!!!!!!!!!

More Valentine's Activities

OK...to get the best story...start from the post, "Happy Valentine's Day and read this post LAST:

Our monthly chore of mowing MD Park, was today, on Valentine's day. Here is our trooper...doin' her thing!

Valentine Activities

Here is Brad's take on my wonderful Valentine's "surprise":

Don't we love that our Dad knows how to use the camcorder??

Wait for the next post!!

Happy Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day. I have so many people that I love! I hope they all know how much they are appreciated and loved. Yes, I'm talking about you! Well, my hubby did it again. He always comes up with something cute, and personal. Just another reason I love this man....and he's MINE!!

Presentation IS Everything!!

Jacque is in school pursuing her minor right now, which is Health and Wellness. (She is just waiting to see if she is accepted into the Nursing school at ASU, but needed so many credits to keep her scholarship) Thursday and Friday, she went to a seminar for her classes. Her last class was on Food and Stress, taught by a professional chef. She was excited to share the yummy recipes that she tried. Now, most of you know that cooking isn't one of Jacque's all time passions. She would rather...not! BUT, lately, she has been putting on the apron a little bit more and Friday night we were treated to a very delicious dinner.

She started out with a mixture of avocado and mandarin orange juice. Quite a combination, but she kept going. Blanching tomatoes, searing salmon and roasting red potatoes....it was smelling divine in no time. But sometime, ask her the difference between an organic avocado and a regular one!!
Then it was time to put it all together. Grampy, you would be SO proud. Presentation became everything as she would not let us taste or just scoop it up. Everything looked great. And it tasted even better...no actually, it was wonderful! We learned a few things, we ate well and had a great time. Boy, I love those college classes!!

January Goals....Accomplished!

Remember the post about January Goals?
http://denasday2day.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-year-new-thoughts-new-goals.html for reference

I broke down my goals into 2 spiritual goals, 1 physical, 2 family/scrap goals. My retrospection of these goals and looking at them DAILY helped me when I would lose my focus. My spiritual goals are ongoing....meaning....I still need to work on them until they become a daily part of my life. I'm not quite there yet, but a more detailed look at these goals helps me to realize that these are the most important, yet sometimes, the last to accomplish. Hopefully, this coming month I will be more on track. I guess my physical goal is also ongoing. I DID accomplish this goal, but again, need to keep on track, make a few tweaks and be positive.

My Family goals I can share in detail. One was to get my journal updated from all my notes and blog entrys from 2006 to the present.....done! The other was to complete a scrapbook of our wonderful trip to Florida this past summer. At 11:58 p.m. on Jan. 31st, I accomplished this goal. WHEW!!

In one of my college classes we are re-assessing how we learn, how we respond and how we sabatoge ourselves and the success we dream about. I thought I would share the following:

"You always have to focus in life on what you want to achieve"......Michael Jordan

"You've got to put down on paper the ten things you absolutely have to do. That's what you concentrate on. Everything else - forget it"....Lee Iacocca

"It is not enough to be busy...the question is: what are we busy about?"....Henry David Thoreau

On to February!!

Another Rollar Coaster Ride

Well, we thought that our Cancer Rollar Coaster Ride was basically over. Turns out we rode a mini-coaster today. Many of you know that we were scheduled to return to Houston this coming Sunday thru Wednesday for my tests, CT scans and Dr. appointment. It's been about 9 months since my last test and we were preparing to go. Already have the flights, the hotel etc.
Thursday afternoon, we get a call saying that our Insurance Coverage has been denied. Huh?? After many calls and waiting "on hold" for quite a while, we found out that the Insurance has a big brother, a 3rd party, that makes these big decisions as to how many tests patients are allowed to have. My limit has run out. According to the Oncology Guidelines of this 3rd Party, I'm to be tested yearly after my 3 year remission. So, I can't be tested again until July, 2009.
What a rollarcoaster!!!
I'm already stressed as we prepared to go
Stress increases as the date to depart loooms
NOW....
Stress is released knowing that I don't have to go get poked and prodded
Stress returns wondering if anything is going wrong inside this crazy body of mine

The next challenge is to just relax and not dwell on the what ifs. Faith will replace fear. They cannot exist together. Someone very smart told me that! Besides, maybe by July, I'll have lost 10 pounds! Then I won't be so scared to step on that darn scale!!!

My Amazing husband

Here's a family story, a long-held tradition in the Weech family:
It started years ago, I mean YEARS ago, when we were traveling home as a family from Pima. Somewhere along the l-o-n-g road, one of the kids would ask "are we almost home?" Brad would look at the clock and give a time....2:15 or whenever it was. Then it was a game. At first, we would give him a 5 minute window either way....so, between 2:10 and 2:20 (as our example) he would be cheered. As the years progressed, we knew we needed to make it a bit more difficult because each time we came home....Brad was right on the money. So, it became a 2-minute window either way. He had to guess from anywhere along the road we picked and only had a 4-minute window to be wrong. This included traffic, stops, and the driving of whomever was at the wheel. Sometimes, it would be right as we left Grandma's house, sometimes on the reservation and sometimes closer to Globe. Wherever it was, his estimate was uncannily exact. It was the best game we played.
Still, today, he has this brilliant gift of estimating when we will arrive IN Pima or TO our garage. In all our years, I don't think I could count on one hand his "misses".
It's brilliant.
It's uncanny.
It gives him something to do.
It makes me laugh.
It makes him smile.
What a great game!

Soccer Continues

We are in the last weeks of Highland's Soccer season. I wish you could see me do the happy dance. It's been a hard season, with a coach who hasn't made any "brownie Points" with the team OR the parents. We were given an opportunity to "evaluate" her performance. I sure hope she has a good self-image. As I talked to many parents, we all have the same concerns, opinions.....they are not very positive.

Anyways...

For the first part of the season, the coach had Aly playing offense, forward, etc. WHAT?? She really struggled, I don't know...maybe because that is NOT what she is used to, can't read her teammates and was totally out of her comfort zone. Then, the light bulb went on inside the coach's head, she asked if Aly would "mind" playing defense and the rest is history. Aly has the best side throw-in ever. Almost always, it is right down the line, and if played right, the opposite team goes for the jump and hits it out of bounds again, allowing Aly to push the ball down the sideline. It's beautiful. Here it is in slo-motion.

Beautiful, huh?

Her big game is against Gilbert this Friday at 4:00 at Gilbert. Again, Highland's team is the very large underdog, but it should be a great game. Remember, that her best friend, Dani, is the goalie for Gilbert. We have got to figure out a way to bribe that girl and distract her from all her great goal blocking! (hahahaha)

Aly is ready for a break. We are not doing spring soccer. A first in...oh..about 6 years. Don't worry about us....I'm sure we will find something to do with all that SPARE time :)

Am I Ready?

Today marked my first day back to school in over 26 years. My, have things changed. And yes, I am the oldest in both of my classes...but I have to start somewhere. What brought me to this point?
I have always wanted to further my education. I love books. I love learning. Not so much on the writing, but willing to learn. But it's a way I can contribute to the future. At some point, our constitution will be hanging by a thread, our families will be the only safeguard against Satan's fury. So, my thought process is that I can be a teacher. Emphasizing music. It's a start. Even in some of the conference talks, we are encouraged to get all the education we can. I'm starting small. 1 class at the the college and one class online. My #1 priority is still my family. Juggling that very important priority, my callings in the church and my pursuit of more education will be a fun adventure.
Bring it on!

Texting is OUT of CONTROL!!

In my morning ritual of blog surfing while eating breakfast, I came across this article about a father who received a 440 page phone bill because his daughter was texting...over 14,000 of them in one month. His response? "That's insane, that's impossible".

So,

Of course, I have to go to my phone bill to see how our resident fanatic phone texter compares. Guess what?? It's NOT Jacque. She is below the average at around 700. (The national average is 1700 per month for teenagers)

Our daughter...the OTHER one??? I can't even write the number.



12,100

Yes, you read that right.

That means....about 403 per day or 23 per hour (allowing her 7 hours of sleep...which is RARE). WHO does that??? Well, besides a girl in the paper and our daughter? Aly should go into speech and debate with those numbers!
And if that is per day...she has to be doing more because she does NOT take her phone to church. Yes, I check and she is very good about that.

Something is wrong. I'm VERY glad that we have unlimited, but I'm thinking we are going to have a nice little talk later on about using our voices to communicate as opposed as our fingers!
I know that there are many good reasons to have texting. I enjoy the small messages of communication thru-out the day with our children and those who do not live close by. I think it's amazing how a mass text can let the teenagers know when someone has died (Pres. Hinckley) or the idea to dress in Sunday clothes the following day to show respect. But as I have talked to both of our daughters, there is a definite lack of communication skills when trying to develop friendships or lasting relationships. I guess it's like everything else....
There is good and bad....opposition is all things. Our responsibility is to use things wisely, for good.

BUT....403 per day.....SHEEEESH!!!!!

NET

Jacque gave me permission to share her good news!
Jacque took the NET (Nurse Entrance Test) for the 2nd time this past week. On the first try, she got a 93 on the Math part and a 70 on the Reading part. (60 is failing!) A little discouraging. She missed the cut-off for the spring and had to reapply. So she studied and took a few "sample" tests. On these, her reading score was still VERY low!! She took it the night before and got a 68!!! What to do?? This is some serious reading and answering questions outside the box of reasoning!!
So, after some much needed encouragement, a blessing from her dad and some time on her knees, she was ready to take the test.
Results??
A 97 on the Math and.....a 91 on the Reading!! YEAH!!! Now, the waiting game begins. We don't find out if she made it into the Nursing School at ASU until the end of March.
Keep a prayer in your heart!!

Jacque's Great Adventure

Jacque has a wonderful friend, Melina. She is a year younger, but graduated from college going into medicine. She is also very VERY active and athletic. OK....so she invites Jacque to go on a "hike". They are going to hike up to Flat Iron, in the Superstition Mountains, stay overnight and hike down. Jacque gets her handy-dandy backpack all filled and she is ready to go on a "hike"

However, this isn't really a hike.

It's an uphill rock climb. This becomes the hardest thing Jacque has ever done, physically, in her life. There are places they have to take the packs off, squirm in between rocks, and throw their packs UP to the person ahead!

(Notice her hair is NOW curly.....from exertion....gross!!)

After they reach their destination and set up camp, they are ready for a wonderful night under the stars. Peaceful and beautiful....in their tent, of course. Except, the wind is blowing ferociously and keeps them up most of the night. 4 girls were in the tent, with Jacque on the end. The wind is so strong, it lifts Jacque up and over on top of the next girl. OUCH!!

Coming down is a little easier! See that middle rock jutting out...that looks like Pride Rock in Lion King? That is where they were!
AND...this is how they felt after their "hike".
Today she can hardly walk! Melina is going again next week. Jacque is opting out!
NICE!!

New Year, New thoughts, New Goals

Why is it that we are obsessed with setting goals in January?? By December, we are saddened by our lack of commitment and cannot enjoy the holidays. I keep thinking...next year will be different. In the last conference, Bro. Worthlin counseled:
I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be.

So, in my self analysis, I realize I need to change a few of my priorities. What IS important to me?? Do I ACT like those things are important to me. Like most of you, I am trying to make some goals that will change some of the things I do or don't do that I always wish were different. I always record these goals in my sporadic journal and they are mostly the same. So, this year, in a new attempt to actually accomplish some goals, I am setting MONTHLY goals. I've have 5 for the month of January. I'll let you know if this works for me.


On a "OH-WOW" moment..

Some of you know that the 7-step club started today. One of the steps is to get a canning jar and empty out your coins each week.

So, after a year of doing this (I started this last January, when each Monday I empty out my purse/wallet into this jar), I took it to the bank.....

I was AMAZED!!

I am now $195.68 richer!!!!!

SO, now....do I spend that on food storage?? Pay off my Macy's bill?? Or keep it for a rainy day? HMMMMM.......
PS: I've started a new jar today!!

Nativities.....

OK...this is one of those things I am posting randomly about. Taking down all of the Christmas nativities is one of the hardest things I do each Christmas. I absolutely love, LOVE all the nativities I have collected thru-out the years. There is a story for each set...a certain year, a certain time in our lives, and for some...certain countries. I have one from China, one from Africa and hopefully, one coming from Italy. I have some that are as old as my boys, some that are for playing with and some that are for looking. But, of course, they all have the same meaning and each of them holds a place in my heart. For a month, our front room is a constant reminder of WHY we celebrate this season and where our hearts are.
But, there is one set that I have actually "coveted" for about 3 years. I found it in a store, looked at the price and would put it off until "next" year. I should have just bought each piece and could have easily rationalized the purchase. I always tell the girls about it and "someday" I'll add that to my collection.

THIS YEAR......

I opened one of the best presents EVER!!! Yep, you guessed! My family surprised me with the complete set to this nativity!! Then I asked our resident pro to take some pictures. I can't wait to add this next year. It doesn't even go in the attic. It has a special place in my closet!!

My Christmas

"So, what did you do for Christmas?" seems to be the common questions amongst friends these days. We spent Christmas as a family. It couldn't have been better....well, if Aaron and Savannah had been here, THAT would have been perfect, but alas the darn economy nixed that!
But, being the computer geeks...I mean geniuses that we are...we had a skyped Christmas with Aaron and Savannah. It was a lot of fun to watch them open their presents...even tho we weren't there in person. We missed them a whole lot!!

But watching the faces of our family was absolutely priceless. I wish I had all the pictures to tell my story, but these will have to do:

Christmas Eve we celebrate the birth of our Savior with a Nativity made up of all the grandkids (who are not married!) This year, the Weech's present to Grammy and Grampy was new "costumes" for this nativity. Yes, I actually sewed them all! Watching Grammy and Grampy open this was wonderful and the kids were all excited to wear them.

Later that night, when all were asleep, is another favorite time of mine. Everything is in place, all the surprises are ready and the house is quiet. I took a picture of our tree right before I went to sleep. Look at the reflection of our windows!! Beautiful!!!

Surprises....I think these are the best. Not that I am very good at keeping a surprise a secret, but this year I amazed myself. (remember, I pulled off the 50th birthday surprise!). Pictures are worth a thousand words...so enjoy some of my favorite "wordless" memories!!

And then, to end this wonderful day....or just this fabulous memory....here are some more "faces" that made our Christmas just about perfect!