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awareness

/ Jo Bird / 5 Comments

I usually try to avoid sensitive material on my blog because as I have mentioned before I am paranoid about offending others, those who read this blog included. But as I shared a frustration with my sister the other day she told me to have the courage to share it publicly, to raise awareness. So in the spirit of opening minds and suggesting ideas I write the following.

I saw recently on another blog the words “Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch?” The blogger then proceeded to share places around the community where you could take your children for free lunch every day. While I hate to be cynical, I feel I must point out that these lunches are not free. Someone pays for this food, and from what I understand this program is federally funded. And where do federal dollars come from? Your paycheck and mine.

We are all aware of our national debt. Most of us are probably opposed to raising taxes. So why is it that we are first in line when there is a government hand-out? There we are, supporting programs that while they make our lives convenient we do not require them. If we are capable of feeding and caring for our children, and we turn that responsibility over to the government each day at 12:00 we are in essence giving up a small piece of our liberty. Why allow the government to do something we are not only able but responsible for doing ourselves?

All the while complaining about taxes…

I must confess that last summer I took my children and some children I was babysitting to have lunch at the school. It was so tempting, feeding five children with no preparation or clean-up. But seeing the quantity of food that went uneaten and thrown away only contributed to my frustration.

Of course I understand that these programs meet the needs of families in financial hardship or children with irresponsible parents. I do not judge those who participate in the free lunch program. I only suggest that we act in accordance with our convictions and if we believe in personal freedom and oppose excessive taxation we live free of superfluous government involvement.

I believe in making change, and being the change I wish to see. This is my small part.

well crap

/ Jo Bird / 5 Comments

The four year old seems to have developed a bad habit of waiting until the very last possible minute to relieve himself at the toilet. The result of this procrastination is that he can’t get his pants down in time, which means I am doing excess amounts of laundry and scrubbing bathroom floors. This morning after such an episode we discovered that I was too far behind on the laundry and he therefore had to spend the next hour and a half nude. He was not happy. Lesson learned? We’ll see.

Then I went to feed the animals of my neighbor who is away for the weekend. Today was the first morning and I discovered the dog is missing. I called Richard right away and we can’t figure out if they took the dog with them or not… Needless to say I am experiencing a certain degree of anxiety about it.

As I went to move the wet load of toddler underwear from the washer to the dryer I realized I had left a load of clean clothes in the dryer last night. They were all wrinkly and I hate that so I have a little trick. I keep a spray bottle of water in the laundry room and squirt the clothes until they are damp. Then I run the dryer long enough to de-wrinkle the clothes. I proceeded as usual but right before I shut the door I noticed an odd smell. All at once I recalled that last week I decided to add vinegar to my spray bottle to clean my floors.

Now, here I sit, two hours into my day and no further along with the laundry or any other preparations for our upcoming second vacation, tomorrow.

outside of time

/ Jo Bird / 2 Comments

It is easy for me to “lose track of time” when I am doing something I love or being otherwise stimulated. But under different circumstances I find myself very much aware of the passing minutes. It is sort of a rule I give myself. When the task or activity is dull I look at my watch and commit myself to endure it for a designated amount of time.

For example, although I love my children and love to hear the sounds of their play in the background of my daily rituals, I find that when I actually sit down to play with them it is a little tedious. I know that years from now I will regret that I didn’t “live in the moment” and appreciate the instructions I received from my four year old about which truck I should be and what it should say and do. But at times I do it just to fulfill my obligation all the while keeping one eye on my watch until I have “played” for whatever I predetermined to be an appropriate amount of time to relieve me of any guilt.

On Sunday afternoon at the cabin I took a nice nap in the upstairs bedroom which can get stuffy and warm in the heat of the day. When I woke up I needed some fresh air so I ventured out to the creek in the back where I put my feet in the arctic water that probably just days ago was snow at the top of Sawtelle.

As I sat there enjoying the pine tree panorama I felt like I could sit there forever.

Then I caught myself looking down at my watch and thinking “I will sit here until 3:15”.

It seems that I set these arbitrary time periods for myself when I am doing something I know I should do but some great force prevents me from feeling free of time. It is that urge that I should be doing something else, either because there is much to be done or because in truth I feel it is boring to sit on a log by a creek.
Whatever the reason for my impatience, I want to overcome it. I want to relish moments without any pressure to move on to life’s next compulsion. I want to get outside of time.
I believe that with practice this can be learned. If anyone has any suggestions, please share.

vacation, all I ever wanted

/ Jo Bird / 4 Comments

Vacation, time to get away!

These pictures were taken a couple weeks ago out on the water. The boys love the boat. Tomorrow Richard’s brother Scott is coming home from his mission and Friday we are headed to Island Park. Cameron has been talking about this trip for months. He can’t wait to watch the 4th of July fireworks out on the boat. I am saying many silent prayers that the community of Island Park didn’t join thousands of other communities and cut the firework display due to weak finances.

The life jacket Cameron wears was Richard’s when he was little. If I had thought of it I would have snapped a picture of the faded words on the back, written with a sharpie 25 years ago.

“RICHIE BIRD”

One day Cameron was talking about riding in the boat and couldn’t remember the correct term for the life-jacket. His best guess, and kind of catchy, was “BOAT-COAT”.
It’s too bad his spidey sunglasses were obliterated by the lawn mower. I had this great idea to give him jobs around the house to buy new ones. He’s been working hard but has decided to buy Lightning McQueen with his money instead. Oh well, I have appreciated his help with the housework and now that I know he is capable of doing it I have big plans.

Wishing you all a very patriotic 4th of July!

America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw;
Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law!

I’m pretty sure we could use a little more self-control as a nation.

Survivor

/ Jo Bird / 3 Comments

Drama in the dental office. I think I mentioned that “the boss” cut hours. No one has been happy about this. But each week it seems there is more turmoil and strife. I usually try to stay out of these battles but it appears even I am not exempt.

Looking ahead at my schedule today I noticed that on days I was supposed to be working my patients had all been moved into another hygienist’s schedule. I asked around and no one offered any explanation. I went to “the boss.” The issue was awkwardly resolved.

All of the sudden I felt threatened. I felt like my job was threatened. I did what I always do in time of crisis. I went to my co-workers for words of affirmation. In less direct ways I begged them-

“Tell me you like me!”
“Reassure me my job is not at stake!”

Then all of the sudden it hit me what I was doing. I was trying to form an alliance. I was a contestant on Survivor and I was panicking that I was the next to be voted off. In two weeks we are having a staff meeting to discuss the schedule and I am going to be on vacation.

Miss the tribal council?

That would surely be death for my pathetic part-time position!

I did not have much luck forming an alliance. More panic. Of course, any reality show watchers know what comes next. Cue the anger and bitterness. Sure enough rage and frustration washed over me.

As I was plotting my best course of action to undermine my fellow employees and secure my best interests a thought occurred to me. I remembered what I blogged about just days before. Something about politics, every man looking out for himself, ignoring the best interest of my neighbor.

I suppose I’ll let the chips fall as they may. I’ll pray that my honest efforts at work and the friendships I have established there will not be forgotten during the shake out. It is so hard to see the way these financial hardships bring out the worst in people, myself included. But really, I’d rather lose my job than show up to work and be hated for the measures I took to keep it.

FAIR WARNING: cheesy anniversary post

/ Jo Bird / 5 Comments

The other day I was listening to this song. (The song in the playlist to your right. Turn up your volume because it is pertinent to the post.) Being the hopeless romantic that I am, this is one of my top 10 favorite songs. But as I listened I couldn’t help but think of the more practical things I do for Richard to show him I love him. So I rewrote the words.
**Please be fair to me and listen to the song first. If you don’t hear the song the words I wrote will just make me look like a terrible writer.

Side note: I mentioned seven years in my last post. That would be seven years since Richard and I started dating. Today we celebrate six years of marriage.

Here it goes: A Realistic Lovesong



If you asked me if I would wash your socks and underwear, the answer would be yes, I’d say forever.
I’ll do laundry forever.

If you asked me to be the bread-winner for two years while you finished school I’d say, not forever. But I’d work for two years.

If I could stop time just to talk to you; I’d talk forever. Talk your ear off forever.

If you asked me to endure weeks of your business travel the answer would be yes, but not indefinitely. Not forever.

I’d do anything else for you, forever.

If you asked me to bear and rear your children I would forever. I’ll be their mom forever.

If you told me to spend less money, I’d be frugal. I’d eat tuna forever.

If you asked me to bathe and dress the children alone every Sunday morning for years because of your church assignments, I’d do it forever. With minimal grumbling.

If you asked me to be with you and join our lives for eternity, I’d say forever.

Because I will love you forever.

In seven years of knowing Richard I’ve learned…

/ Jo Bird / 8 Comments
This month marks seven years since I met Richard. I did this once for myself and really enjoyed it so I thought as a test of how well I know my guy Richard I did it for him. I’m really going out on a limb here. He is a private person. I really tried not to be a braggy-wife, but there were a couple times I couldn’t help myself. Even if no one else reads this, I know his Mom will.

101 Things About Richard

1. Richard is the oldest of four boys and one girl.
2. His first name isn’t Richard. It is Lewis.
3. He is named after his great-grandpa and great-great-grandpa.
4. He will kill me for writing this, but he had the 3rd highest score on the CPA exam in the State of Idaho for the year he tested.
5. He served an LDS mission in Barcelona Venezuela.
6. He is a CPO & a CPA. (Certified Pool Operator & Certified Public Accountant. Slight difference in criteria for certification.)
7. Currently his favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird.
8. Richard will choose popcorn over dessert any day.
9. Excluding popcorn (many a debate if popcorn qualifies as dessert) his favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake.
10. He does not like dogs.
11. He loves to play basketball.
12. He broke his arm two times in one year.
13. His favorite summer pastime is water-skiing.
14. As for winter he would love to be snow-mobiling. Not too convenient for a profession that is most productive January through April.
15. He is very ambitious.
16. He loves Buffalo wings.
17. His favorite pizza is pepperoni and olive.
18. Saturdays in the fall are devoted to college football.
19. One thing he would love to do more of is golf.
20. In the past three years I think he has read more books than the rest of his life combined.
21. He speaks Spanish.
22. His high school cd collection included Reel Big Fish, The Hippos, Pearl Jam, Weezer, Green Day and Goldfinger.
23. One of his favorite things to do with his boys is watch the three major horse races, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
24. He loves Diamond Rio.
25. Richard didn’t get glasses until he was 24 years old and his optometrist was baffled how he had gone so long without them.
26. As with most men, he loves a good steak and a good hamburger.
27. Richard shares my love of San Diego.
28. He has quite a repertoire of “american proverbs”. For example: “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire” and “Smoke and mirrors.”
29. Richard also worked at Roaring Springs for three summers.
30. He has spent the night in the Denver airport.
31. He loves strawberry cereals.
32. He is very frugal except when it comes to dining-out.
33. Recently Richard discovered Guitar Hero and became a big fan.
34. In his family he is famous for either having a stomach ache or needing to go to the bathroom anytime something needed to be done.
35. The only two magazines I’ve ever seen Richard read are Readers Digest and Consumer Reports.
36. He hates cold showers and takes long warm ones.
37. He hates being cold period.
38. He was in a fraternity at ISU. (Beta Alpha Psi is an accounting frat, not exactly the boozer type.)
39. His first job was at a pizza place in Boise called Loco’s.
40. His last job before college graduation was at Idaho Central Credit Union.
41. He has spent significant amounts of time in Lewiston Idaho and Spokane Washington on business.
42. He snacks on tortilla chips with either sliced cheese or fresh salsa.
43. He proposed in a tuxedo with a dozen roses. (That was the peak of his romanticism.)
44. When he was 11 and his little sister was born he bore the mantle of oldest brother well, and did much to help his mom.
45. His drink of choice is strawberry lemonade.
46. He reads instruction manuals and assembly instructions devotedly.
47. He has a love/hate relationship with talk radio.
48. He carries chap stick with him at all times, always in the same pocket.
49. He is very practical.
50. He does not like to ride bikes.
51. He avoids touching food with his hands at all costs, using utensils whenever possible.
52. He is not a procrastinator.
53. He does not like to be rushed in the mornings.
54. He had a paper route in high school and was a little manipulative of his younger brother who assisted him.
55. He was born in Idaho Falls but lived most of his childhood in Boise, with the exception of a few years in Sandy, Utah.
56. He is an Eagle Scout.
57. He is a great story teller.
58. He is a very efficient shopper.
59. He does all the grilling at our house.
60. He has only ever had one speeding ticket.
61. A dream vacation would most likely include attending a professional sporting event.
62. He curls his toes while driving to the rhythm of the dotted lines.
63. He once had to write a letter of apology for throwing large rocks down the side of a mountain while camping as a scout.
64. He likes to drive a truck.
65. When he needs to kill time he plays Tetris on his cell phone.
66. His favorite hymn is “Redeemer of Israel”.
67. He dilligently proof-reads all emails.
68. One time he spent three or four hours in the emergency room choking on a piece of fried chicken. It hasn’t stopped him from eating it.
69. He is convinced our next child is a girl.
70. He would rather eat “to-go”than “dine-in”.
71. This year is his 10 year high school reunion.
72. He is a devoted BSU fan.
73. The two movies he is most likely to sit down and watch if they are on tv: Rudy & Apollo 13.
74. TV Show he can watch over and over: The Cosby Show
75. One of his pet peeves is when his hair grows down over the tops of his ears.
76. He was my patient for my dental hygiene anesthesia boards. That meant two practice injections and two injections for the real deal.
77. Shamelessly bragging again: He graduated from ISU with high honors. (Top 5% of his class.)
78. His least favorite college class was philosophy.
79. He had a tense moment once when he made a questionable call as the umpire of his younger brother’s baseball game because his dad was his brother’s coach
80. He is picky about his pillow and rates hotels according to their pillows.
81. He dreams of living debt-free and creates plans to get there.
82. His teenage crush was Alicia Silverstone.
83. He grew up in a hunting family and is frequently teased about the time he missed a great shot at some elk because his safety was on.
84. He tried band in junior high and played in the percussion section.
85. He coached a youth basketball team for one season.
86. Although he is like his father in many ways, he is not a morning person.
87. He serves as the treasurer for a fundraising organization called Fundsy.
88. His auditing specialty is in the forest products/paper industry.
89. He is a planner.
90. He was Cameron’s primary care-giver the first year of his life while I worked and he went to school.
91. He is a hand-talker, making gestures as he makes points.
92. He is the master of spreadsheets. ( I suppose all business people are.)
93. He also enjoys four-wheeling and snow skiing.
94. His ideal job at church would be a youth Sunday school teacher.
95. He is anxiously awaiting the return of his youngest brother from his mission in six days.
96. He loves lazy Saturday mornings.
97. He is the conscientious parent who worries about the well being of our children.
98. He doesn’t like surprises. He is going to hate this list.
99. Just like me, he would never want to work in sales.
100. He cautiously indulges my need for adventures.
101. He is great and I love him.

Jeff Smith, [fictional] man of integrity

/ Jo Bird / 2 Comments

I was finding myself a little bit discouraged yesterday to read on the news about another politician confessing infidelity.

I really don’t know where to take this post without it ending cynically. I’m usually the optimist but when it comes to politics these days it seems increasingly difficult to believe there are selfless and moral leaders out there.

Last night Richard and I watched Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. If you haven’t seen it I recommend it. It had been recommended to me many times before I finally watched it.

I thought about the goodness in people. Somewhere inside the complicated soul is a belief that what they do and accomplish as a public servant must not conflict with a moral code. Love thy neighbor, for example. Do people still believe that?

In addition, watching the movie made me slightly paranoid about what corrupted and self-interested groups are biasing my opinions.

That is almost too scary of an idea to entertain.

I do believe in hope. So for now I’ll hold on to it. Hoping that there are men and women out there working from their conscience and the constitution.

Without a doubt I love my country. A quote from the movie:

“Liberty’s too precious a thing to be buried in books… Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say: I’m free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn’t, I can, and my children will. “

the backyard

/ Jo Bird / 4 Comments

Who needs a sandbox when you have a mound of dirt and sod in a weed-infested flowerbed?

Now I have a new excuse for not doing something about that abandoned flowerbed. Where would the boys play? Now as for the other neglected flowerbeds… I have no excuse.

Oh wait! I’m pregnant. That covers just about everything.