in case you were wondering...(although I know you're not)

I am not a fan of mortgages, loans or banks at the moment.  

I am so never moving again after this.

a little iphone fun

Our nephew Brian (along with a friend) created a new app for the iPhone and iPod Touch - Awesome Ball.  You can check it out on their site awesomeball.com.

It seems that Apple is running an app contest and you can help Brian win.  Here is the info from Brians blog...

As some of you know, a friend of mine and I have entered an iPhone App contest.  We finished writing our app, Awesome Ball, and it is now available for download on the App Store.  We think it turned out really well and we have plans to continue to add features even after the contest is over.

Awesome Ball lets you bounce a ball around in a 3-D space and lets you customize the ball with different built-in ball types. You can even customize the ball and walls with your own pictures. We think you will enjoy it! Here it is on the App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=308174381&mt=8

We need your help to win the contest, though. The winner is determined by having the most iPhones and iPod touches download and use our app during the next two weeks (by April 5th). And hey, you get a fun little iPhone app for free!

How you can help us the most:

1. Download Awesome Ball from the App Store
2. Join our Facebook group (invite all your friends!)
3. Make a blog post* linking to www.awesomeball.com
4. Leave a good review on the App Store. Good reviews can help a lot!
5. Tell all of your iPhone/iPod touch friends to do the same!

* If this doesn’t fit with how your blog goes, I wouldn’t be offended at all if you don’t!

 

Thanks for your help! And I hope you enjoy Awesome Ball!

So go and check it out and then help spread the word.  Good Luck Brian!

love this..

the final countdown

We are just over a week out from closing escrow on both houses.  We continue to pack and pack.  Yesterday Derek and I - with some help from the kids, very minimal help :) got more of the garage packed, most of the kitchen packed plus some closets taken care of.  

People continually asked if I'm excited about the move.  I am but am so tired from all the work that its hard to show too much excitement.  I think most of the excitement will come when we are settled into the new house and I have had a nap (or two)

our new house

I am excited that my mom will be coming in to help with the move as well as some projects in the new house.  You all saw how much she did when we put our house up for sale.  It will be helpful to have her here.

Don't expect much in the way of posts for the next few weeks but I will try to resume some schedule of posting once we are in the new house.

movin' on up

movin' on up, to the top.  To that deluxe apartment in the sky-y-y.  

Are those even the words?  If you are younger than late 30's would you even know the reference?

We are in the midst of packing, packing and more packing.  At times it all seems to be moving along well and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel but some days I can't even imagine how we are going to get everything done. 

We are about 2 weeks out from the big day and most of the house is packed up...the attic is packed up as is most of the garage (minus the rafters and Derek's tool bench)  We packed up a lot of the house when we listed it so basically what is left is stuff we need until the last day we are here.  I have some closets to do and the kitchen plus plenty of cleaning - bathrooms, appliances, inside cabinets and drawers, floors, etc.  We need to get some yard work done and odd jobs here and there.  I'm anxious for it to all be over.

now i know why derek is always laughing at me after the dentist

a must have with the new move

I just found this handy new tool over at Design Mom and now I must have it before we move.

Hanging pictures, etc. on the walls causes a bit of stress at our home.  Derek dislikes hanging things for me because he thinks I'm a bit psychotic when it comes to things being straight, at the right height, etc.  I'm really not that worried about it - I just eyeball things when I hang them.  He is the one with issues - using rulers, levels, etc. he just wants to blame it on me (we see through your thin curtain of deceit Derek - no one thinks I'm psychotic)

Anyway there is no need to point fingers any longer.  Head over to The Hang 'em Awl and check out their short video on how these miracle workers get the job done and then tell me if you don't want them too.

a lesson for us all to learn

I watched this little video with Nathan the other day and was touched by the message. I hope that I can instill in my children the importance of being kind and serving others. Actually, it's a lesson we can all benefit from.

new music i'm loving

I found out about Cubworld yesterday from my niece Mandi's blog. Mandi's husband Nick has been playing some shows with Jake Kongaika who is the voice of Cubworld. Ever since I read Mandi's post yesterday I have spent an extreme amount of time on YouTube, iTunes and Sellaband listening to Cubworld. Yes, I realize I should be packing but listening to good music while relaxing in a chair seems so much more fun - less productive, but fun!

I have emailed some friends that I knew would really love this music and all the reviews back have been great - so far everyone that's heard Cubworld loves the cool, mellow sound. I plan to get the word out to even more folks so that others can hear Jake.

I'd encourage anyone reading this to check out the video and then head over to iTunes or YouTube to hear some more. We bought Cubworld's album off iTunes last night and I can't wait to get it on my iPod and the rest of the families iPods - my teenagers will love this music!

If you like what you hear get the message out to others - it's a great way to support newer artists.

Now if I can just convince Nick to convince Jake that they need to do an Orange County show we'll be set. Here's to hoping Cubworld will come share their music here in the OC.

Enjoy the tunes!

blogger protocol

So tell me this...what do you do when you see a friends blog on the blog roll of someone's blog and when you click on the link you find out it is private?  Do you email the friend/acquaintance to ask if you can visit their blog or do you assume that if they wanted you to read their blog they would have already invited you?  I'm perplexed.  

It feels a bit forward to ask to be included especially since the insecure voices in my head are screaming, "Denise, they probably don't like you and don't want you nosing in on their business." On the other hand maybe they haven't invited me because their insecure voices (assuming they have them) are saying "Denise probably doesn't care to read about what is going on with your family and life."  For the record...I love reading peoples blogs - I think it helps folks feel closer and more in touch (in a impersonal world wide web sort of way - confusing, I know)  

So if you like me at all (even just a little bit) I'd love to be invited to read your blogs.

i can't believe i'm about to say this but...

I went to the dentist and it was a great experience (as great an experience as getting two root canals and two crowns put on can be)

In addition to the long list of phobias I already have (why have I never sought out professional help?) we must add dentist to this list.  I am incredibly fearful of going to the dentist and so I don't go very often - you think I'm kidding but really, I never go.  As an adult I've been three times... right before my mission when I was 21, about three years ago and then yesterday.

I have been living in pain for at least a month and I think Derek was finally fed up with my inability to call and make an appointment so he made my appointment, took yesterday morning off and escorted me to I was sure would be my death.  Have I ever mentioned that I have the most kind and considerate husband (although I wasn't thrilled with the idea of going to the dentist)

We decided to try a new dentist so we were off to Dr. Ballard's office.   Dr. Ballard (Rebecca) is a friend from church and we had heard nothing but glowing reports from everyone that has gone to her.  I now add my glowing report.

Tuesday night when Rebecca saw that I would be coming in the following day called the house and talked to Derek to find out if I needed any medication to calm my nerves (she knows my fears due to the fact that I have cried in church talking to her about my dental needs - just face it I'm a nut)  Some anxiety medication was prescribed for Tuesday night and Wed morning and the next thing I knew I was sitting in Rebecca's dental chair listening to her reassuring words.

To make this long story a bit longer Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was put in - my choice for movie but don't ask why I would choose a movie with Johnny Depp's dad as a psycho dentist.  

A sweet little gas mask was put over my nose and although I was awake the whole time I'm pretty sure I drifted off to la-la land.  I heard conversations, felt Derek rubbing my feet occasionally, didn't feel any pain but after talking to Derek later in the day seem to have done things or said things that I have no recollection of.  

I do remember trying to let Rebecca know I wasn't feeling well but do not recall throwing up all over the place as Rebecca and her assistant worked on me (nice visual huh?  Nothing better then lying on your back in a dental chair while throwing up)  I feel horrible and am embarrassed to face Rebecca - Derek says I spent a great deal of time apologizing after it happened although I don't remember that.

I left the office feeling a bit tired but came home to a quiet house and a few hours of sleep.  I'm a little sore today but I'm hanging in there.  Honestly, I wouldn't choose to go the dentist but since I had to go it was as pleasant as it could be.    I appreciate all Rebecca did to make it a good experience for me and now I am not near as scared to go back for future visits.

If anyone in the area is looking for a dentist I can't say enough about Rebecca. You really should visit her at her office in Mission Viejo.  You can find more info about Mission Dental Group and Rebecca here.  Tell her the crazy throw up girl sent you!

love this message

we've only practiced this at school

Today was quite the adventure at church.  Derek and I spoke in Sacrament - so glad to have my talk over!  I have a serious aversion to giving talks, it freaks me out.

After Sacrament we moved on to Primary where it was business as usual until the last hour. About 10 minutes or so into Senior Primary strobe lights start flashing and the fire alarm (the very high pitched fire alarm) starts going off.  My first thought honestly was fire drills are only practiced at school and I had a small moment of panic - what are we supposed to do?!

We poked our head into the hall to hear a member of our Bishopric directing us to get out of the building so that is what we proceeded to do.  The kids and teachers were amazing.  We got the kids out to the parking lot and we didn't lose one kid - that was my big worry.  My guess is within 5 or 10 minutes we were back in the building - the alarm had stopped (talk about an annoying noise - I still have a headache from it) but the strobes kept going until the fire department showed up.  Its always fun for Primary teachers to be stuck in little classrooms teaching a class full of kids with a strobe light going off.  

The kids all thought it was a great adventure today - I did too, I was only wishing that the alarm had gone off during my talk - now that would have been a tender mercy!

overwhelmed

Thats about all the post I can muster up - lots to do and not much time to do it.

8 days on the market and....

perhaps we should be buying an ark not a house (aka a pity post)

The rain is non stop.  It has been raining for a couple days but tonight it seems to really be coming down.  We have 3 sets of folks (that we know of) coming over tomorrow to view the house - hope the rain doesn't keep them away.

The rain is probably not helping me with my mood.  I've been in a constant state of tiredness the last couple weeks.  I'm currently feeling way nauseous and praying that I'm not coming down with the flu.  It is after 10:30 pm and Derek is still at work.  Life seems blah right now - here's hoping that tomorrow brings less rain, a stomach that doesn't feel like releasing it's contents and a husband to spend the day with.

if my friends are reading this please stop now

Since we will soon be house poor (assuming we sell our house and buy another) I am loving this "recession proof" gift set.  I can get my friends a great gift without spending a bunch of cash.

Do you not love these coupons from Anvil Modern Paperie?  The graphics and colors bring a smile to my paper loving, type loving, graphic loving heart.

for mom (and any looky loos)

Here are some pictures of the house mom - thanks for coming out and helping us so much.

it's official

Our house is on the market.  

hey all you mommies of toothless kids

You have to check this out.  How adorable is this kit?!?!?!