WinCo

You probably won't like the name (I didn't.) You probably won't like the looks (I didn't.) You proably won't like the loooong aisles (I didn't.) But once you shop there, you will like it. WinCo is one of the best parts about Idaho. Serious.Cheap prices, and bulk bins that never end, with even cheaper prices. WinCo's signature brand, "Flavorite", is decent as well. All in all, its the place to shop. They just opened a new location in our area, so everyone's especially excited.

Look: you can even buy your pet food in bulk! (OK--that grosses me out to have at the food store, but for some I'm sure its a convenience.)

I took a friend from Utah who was visiting to WinCo, and she couldn't get over how low the prices are. And while it may be a warehouse-type store, it doesn't have that warehouse feel that the one by Leatherby's did in Provo. BYU Grads: what was the name of that one grocery store? I forgot!

This is where I discovered my favorite Vinta Crackers--for the low low price of $1.98!
Long live WinCo!

BF

Black Friday. Check out Wendy's blog to find out why we go (this was out second annual outing). One thing that Wendy didn't mention is that it is a great time to find things you've been needing for your home at excellent prices. I am somewhat of a cheapskate and really only like to spend money on deals. So while others are there merely for Christmas presents, I am out there for home items that I've been needing. My best purchase was a Chicago Cutlery knife set for $40, originally $90! Cutting has never been so nice.

This is outside Target. You probably can't see the news van in the background, but its there.
Look: the mists of darkness that BF is, actually captured on film!

Look at our great front row spot at the mall! Its happened two years in a row now.Anyway, here's my favorite story from that morning. We eventually found ourselves at Mervyns--our fifth store that morning. I found the Christmas present for my sister in law that I had gone there for and proceeded to the jewelry counter. That's where I always try to buy things in those types of stores, as there is never a wait. It doesn't have to be jewelry for them to ring it up.The girl behind the counter was calling "71? 71?" really loudly. So I asked her where to get a number. She pointed behind me and asked me what number it was. I told her "78" and she said, "OK--there must be people that have these other numbers." No one responded to 71, so she began calling 72. I looked around me and saw only 2 customers at the counter, both of whom do not appear to be ready to purchase. She then called out 73 and waited a little less time. Then 74 and waited even less time, but she still waited. I told her I liked her style as she sped up her calling out of numbers. Then 75, 76 and 77 while we both looked around, waiting for someone to run up saying that that was their number. Nobody came. Finally, she called out "78" (not loudly, but she still called it out! :) and I stepped forward with my clothing purchase and handed it to her. She said, "I'm sorry, ma'am, but do you have a jewelry purchase as well?" When I said "no", she said she couldn't ring up my purchase. I began laughing out loud as I went to find a different register, wondering in the meantime what that girl was going to do with her free time behind the jewelry counter!

After coming home from that early-morning adventure, do you think I slept? Nope--I raked the backyard! Just look at the piles!

Uh...Whoops!

Here's Ray (pictured holding two very cute babies on his lap!)

Sometimes he has to drive huge trucks like these. He does just fine.

Here's me.

Sometimes I have to drive a huge Suburban like this. Sometimes I do just fine.

Once there was a trash can tall, tall, tall.

Then I got behind the wheel of the Suburban, now that tall trash can is oh so small!

The scariest part is I didn't even feel or hear it when I hit it, rolled over it, and dragged the trash can for almost 50 yards. I was just beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with the Suburban when I saw a man a few houses down waving his arms wildly. "OK", I thought, "I must have a flat and he's noticed it."

When I got out and walked around the back of the car, I noticed this random gray trash can, crushed and still wobbling, in the street. "That's weird", I thought. "I wonder what that's doing there?" It still did not dawn on me, so I continued to inspect the tires. When the nice man finally got to my car, I glanced back down the street and noted trash (mainly Amelia's and Peter's diapers) strewn along the street all the way back to my house. I looked back at the now still trash can, and it all became clear.

Roger (the nice man) attempted to re-shape my trash can, to no avail, and then said he would pick the trash up. I told him that I would do it but he insisted, being the gentleman that he was. So I climbed back into the Suburban, feeling bewildered yet grateful, and headed on my way.

That is how my Monday started. Apparently it was a theme throughout the day, because this is what I knocked over later that morning. (With my foot this time, not the car.)

Hymns of Thanksgiving

I like singing in choirs. Ever since Concert Choir at MVHS, in the days of Mr. Koliha, I discovered how much I love this sport. At some point it became a little dream of mine to sing with the MoTab.

Well, I don't sing in the MoTab, nor will I ever. BUT I am getting a chance to sing with a 280-voice community choir in our area. Its just for one show called Hymns of Thanksgiving, done around here every Thanksgiving. And guess what? We're singing many of the beautiful arrangements of Mack Wilberg (the MoTab conductor's famous arranger), so my joy is complete.

Here is a pic from last year. Looks like I will even get to wear a top similar to the snazzy ones they wear in the Tabernacle Choir! If you're in town on November 18th, come see the show!

Twins? No, Thanks!

I never thought I'd say "No" to twins, but now I am. Ray and I (well, mostly Ray) have often talked about how fun it would be to have or adopt twins at some point if the opportunity presented itself. This week we've had a taste of what twins would be like, and now would likely run from the idea!

When foster parents go out of town on vacation they often can't or don't want to take the infants they are caring for with them. So the children go to "Respite Foster Care". When I went to North Carolina in October, a nice foster mom named Linda took care of "Amelia". So when the Department called me to see if I would take a 4 month-old for a week, I thought I would give back and say "yes". I thought we would gain experience, and I also wanted to see if I could do it--totally assuming that indeed I could, difficult though it would be. I can't.

I haven't left the house much this week. I haven't done much of anything, except take care of Amelia and "Peter". Both babies sleep through the night under normal circumstances, but this week I have been up with them anywhere between 3 and 9 times a night. I'm exhausted! AND Ray had to go out of town two days this week. Needless to say, I am counting the hours (4 more at the time of this post) until Peter gets picked up.

The saving graces this week were: both Amelia and Peter are awfully cute; my mom, sister and friend Tracy each brought us dinner this week (and how NICE it was that they didn't ask, they just did it!); my sister came and took one of the babies for me for 5 hours one day! Ah, yes. These thoughtful, gracious acts seriously saved my sanity and I am feel very indebted to them!

In summary, no more respite foster care for me!