I Know What YOU Need...

My friend, Janice, had this on her blog awhile ago. I thought it was pretty funny, so I thought I'd do the same thing... except with a twist! Here's how it works. You type your name then "needs" in google, and see what comes up. I thought it would be more fun to find out what all the people who read my blog need. (Or at least the ones who admit that they read my blog.) So, here goes:

Rebecca needs the receipts from each chapter's recruitment chairs. (I have no idea what that means... hopefully Rebecca does!)

Vanessa needs Our Help. (V... I'd be glad to help you anytime!)

Janice needs to check herself into rehab and lay off the liquior she is drinking. (I always wondered... all of those drunk runs at 6:00 a.m....)

Rachel REALLY needs some organization, better flow, and more songs that have to do with a story instead of the overall image. (I think Rachel has great organization and flow... maybe she should work on those songs! ;)

Vicki needs to realize that dogs are not little people in furry costumes. (I think Vicki only has a cat, but maybe she still needs to realize this! ;)

Felicia H. needs to stop looking in the "Luke mirror" to see a reflection of Felicia. (ummm... don't know what a Luke mirror is...)

Alison needs to learn how to pose in pictures because her pictures on Bravo's website aren't cute. (Now this is all wrong! Alison is cute in EVERY picture I've seen!)

Jason needs to diet because he has become too fat. (Sorry, Jas! I just thought this was too funny after our discussion at the family reunion!)

Jake needs a home with people that can spend a lot of time with him and maybe keep him in a kennel when they are not home. (Jake, I promise... there were worse ones than this!)

Haley needs to avoid procrastination and try to be more reliable and punctual. (Don't feel bad, Haley... we all do!)

Riley needs To Fire Himself. Again. (I don't know from what... tell you what, Riley, go ahead and keep your job!)

Ashley needs you like water in her lungs. (I get it... she doesn't need me! I still like you, Ashley! ;)

Leslie needs a vacation. (Well looky here... a NICE one!)

Amy needs A Break. (I don't doubt this for a second... with 5 kids under 3??? who wouldn't?)

Jen needs to be a My Little Pony! (I don't know... she does have 2 little girls, but I think they'd prefer a mom over a my little pony...)

Melissa W. needs to find a new agent. (She'd be famous by now if she had a different one!)

Annalee needs to do something one night before you go back to school! (I had to fudge a little here... there aren't a lot of Annalee answers out there!)

Dallas needs a New FG Kicker NOW! (I bet she already has a little kicker inside her who is doing just fine!)

Brenda needs this... It's a $37000 DSLR. (I don't know what a DSLR is, but if it's 37,000, it's got to be good!)

Tanner needs God, cause believing in “himself” and setting “dates” doesn’t seem to be working for him. (I think Tanner has this figured out, but just in case...)

Leisha needs some spice in her life I would love to date her. (Well, I wouldn't really love to date her, but she is pretty cute! ;) Tanner, give her some spice, would ya?)

Melissa S. needs Help Lyrics by Tangerine Dream. (Wow... that takes me back. I haven't heard about Tangerine Dream since college!)

Kate needs A Shave. (I'm assuming this is the legs, or the 'pits... Kate's face has never seen a hair!)

Shanna needs your help and time is running out. (Ah! The pressure! If only I could figure out what she needs before time is up!)

Sha needs to hire some professional lobbyists or at least get some folks trained. (Hmmm... hmmm... can't think.... of anything... to say...)

Carol needs YOUR ADVICE AND SHE'S GOT A GIFT FOR YOU. (Great!!! I love gifts! I love giving advice!)

Tanya needs a new battery. (Really? I thought she just kept going... and going... and going...)

Marci needs Ozzie's protection. (Ozzie better be tough... I want my girl protected!)

Lisa needs braces! (This was all over the place... I think it's from a Simpson's episode or something. Sorry Lisa, I hate Simpson's, but it said it so many times, I thought you must need it!)

Felicia G. needs a loan of 1000 soles, to be invested into the purchase of rice and sugar. (I'll loan her 500, but no more! ;)

Charlotte needs to look beyond banks, economist says. (A little financial advice for you here... take it or leave it!)

Karey needs this .... (that's all there was... I guess Karey can fill in the blank here!)


Well, folks, that's it. I bet you're sorry now that you ever admitted to reading my blog. ;) Oh, what? What did you say? What do I need? Well....

Mork discovers that Mindy needs money to attend college and that a publication is offering $25000 for proof that aliens walk on Earth.

There... are you happy now?

First Day of School

If you're a mom, and you blog, it's like a LAW that you have to put a post with pictures of your kids on the first day of school. Since I don't want to get in trouble with the blogging police, I thought I better do it. Princess Petunia, aka Aubrey, on her first day of 8th grade. No, I'm not old enough to have an 8th grader, especially one who is just about as tall as I am. She did let me fix her hair though. I straightened it and flipped a little thing in the front. See, she's not too grown up! She still let's her mom fix her hair!
Here's our handsome T. Rex, aka Tyler. He was a little bit upset that Cooper was wearing clothes that matched his. Apparently that's super embarrassing when you're going into 5th grade! I thought they both looked so handsome, though, so I made him. See, he's not too grown up either... his mom can make him wear a handsome polo shirt, and smile!
Cooper Scooper, Super Cooper, Coop, Chicken Coop, Pooper, aka Cooper... what can I say about my baby? He's going into 2nd grade, and he couldn't be cuter.
Ty and Coop wanted to do a funny pose. Don't they look like possibly the coolest kids in school? I'm pretty sure that they are. I made Tyler leave the hat home. I'm a good mom, huh?

Howell Family Camping and Rafting Reunion

This past weekend my family got together for a fun-filled reunion. Like Brenda, I decided I didn't need to take pictures because Jason was doing such a great job. So, I might get more pictures on here later. Brenda and Ethan... all of the kids were so cute, and seemed to have plenty of fun. Ethan liked our camper screen door, and played with little else. As you can see, my dad is great at carrying wood, and doing whatever else you ask him to. He's a great dad!
My cute mom. And someone's bum. I think it's Jason's.

On the left is "my guy". My cute niece, Olivia, asked "Do you want me to spy on 'your guy' for you?" I thought it was hilarious.
Tyler had to be tied to a tree by Jason, because he was a pain in the bum. Notice all of the kids gathered around. Who would miss a good tree-tying?
I love it when I take a picture of someone and she makes a cute face, instead of hiding! This is Shannon, Adam's friend. It was fun to have her there with us! Aubrey thinks she's the greatest, because she loves Anne of Green Gables and Jane Austen. Ah, a girl after our own heart! Adam's alright too.

Some people say that Jason and I look alike. I can't see it. Not at all. Please tell me you see no resemblance either!!

My boys... I love 'em!
Me and my girl. We got all ready for a big hike to the Firefighter's Memorial outlook, and it ended up being about a 30 second walk. At least our feet were comfy! Oh, and we didn't try to match... it just happened!
More sitting around... we definitely didn't get enough of the just sitting around. I could've used another day or two of that! I don't have any pictures of Geoff and family, because they came late, and I didn't get my camera out again. I know, I'm lazy!!

We also rafted down the river, which provided plenty of adventure and laughs. Jason and Brenda decided to jump in together, (the water was COLD) and it was one of the funniest things ever. Jason can scream like a girl, let me tell you! He was begging us to get him back in, but I was holding a sleeping Ethan, and Brandon for some reason had to move verrrry slowly. ;) Brenda was scurrying around, hanging on to the outside of the boat, desperately trying to find a way back in. That was our funniest moment, until Brandon, who said he wasn't going to get all the way in the river, did an unintentional backflip off the end of the raft. We hit a rock, and everyone flew up. Unfortunately for Brandon, he ended up outside of the boat. It was really funny... after I made sure that he was okay, and didn't hit his head on a rock.

Jason stayed over at our house Saturday night, with his girls and Kaitlyn. It was way too short, but lots of fun. Who wouldn't love going to Wingers and listening to NASCAR at full volume the whole time? ;) Thanks for staying Jas.

I can't believe that we actually pulled this off, but I am so glad! It was so much fun to be with everyone, and worth all of the effort.

All My Names...

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Marigold Stratus2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Chocolate Chocolate Chip

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) M Smi4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Brown Giraffe

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Kay Provo (wow, that sounds exciting!)
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)Smime
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)The Red Water (hmmm... I don't think I'd believe in a superhero with that name!)
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Donovan John
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) Laundry Peanut Butter M&M (woooo... sexy!)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )Kay Nothing (my dad doesn't have a middle name. We always teased him that it was "nothing")
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Knecht Kalamazoo (can YOU think of a major city that starts with 'K'?)
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Autumn Tulip

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)Strawberry Shortsie
(ooh, that's a good one!)
14. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Great Grains Maple
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, weather element+ Tour") The Quilting Rain Tour

Running Revenge

Today I really felt like I had to run 6 miles again, in defiance of people who make my life difficult. I don't know why it had to be 6, and my legs were screaming that it shouldn't be 6, but it just had to be.

Last night I cried, because I was scared to run again. I was angry that I was made afraid to run. So, I got up today, put on my shoes, and dared someone to mess with me. It turned into a run to prove to myself that I can get past ANYONE who tries to mess with me. Every mile ran, every step taken was a step of revenge, a mile of power, a step for ME. I ran past everyone who tries to make me feel bad, everyone who tries to intimidate me, everyone who tries to make me feel like less than who I am. It felt good. Really good. I might have to run for revenge more often.

All in Fun, OR Time to Get Pepper Spray?

I had an... interesting? experience today on my 6 mile run. I never felt like I was really in danger, but I did have some scary thoughts going through my head. So, tell me... should I be scared?

I'm running along a fairly well-traveled road, and all of a sudden I sense a truck driving along right behind me, very slowly. I ignored it for a minute, then glanced over. 2 guys were in the truck, and when I looked they kind of laughed. I just kept running. After a minute, driver guy (the only one who talked) said,

"We're just running security for you."

Me: "I'm fine". (I wave goodbye.)

Guy: "Oh, I know."

I run on, trying to ignore them, thinking, "Where in the heck are any other cars? Where are any other people? What if this guy just jumps out of his truck and grabs me?" It felt like FOREVER that we went along like that. Then the guy says something, but I didn't hear what, so I ignored it. Then, again...

"Are you married?"

Me: "Yes!" and a brilliant afterthought comes out of my mouth, "And I have THREE KIDS."

They drove off.

All in Fun, OR Time to Get Pepper Spray?

I had an... interesting? experience today on my 6 mile run. I never felt like I was really in danger, but I did have some scary thoughts going through my head. So, tell me... should I be scared?

I'm running along a fairly well-traveled road, and all of a sudden I sense a truck driving along right behind me, very slowly. I ignored it for a minute, then glanced over. 2 guys were in the truck, and when I looked they kind of laughed. I just kept running. After a minute, driver guy (the only one who talked) said,

"We're just running security for you."

Me: "I'm fine". (I wave goodbye.)

Guy: "Oh, I know."

I run on, trying to ignore them, thinking, "Where in the heck are any other cars? Where are any other people? What if this guy just jumps out of his truck and grabs me?" It felt like FOREVER that we went along like that. Then the guy says something, but I didn't hear what, so I ignored it. Then, again...

"Are you married?"

Me: "Yes!" and a brilliant afterthought comes out of my mouth, "And I have THREE KIDS."

They drove off.

Flaming Gorge, Swett Ranch, Camping Extravaganza

Okay, first of all, I want to say to anyone reading... if you're going to read this and think, "Wow, they're amazing, they are always doing things, I never do this much..." then just stop. The truth is, I just don't write about all the days where we sit around doing nothing. All the days where nobody does anything but whine that we never do anything.... we are truly a boring family. But who wants to read boring? That's why I only write the few interesting things that we do. Now, go ahead and read on... The pictures are completely and horribly out of order. But, I don't care, so you'll be happier if you don't care either. ;) This is the garden at the Swett Ranch near Flaming Gorge. The garden is truly amazing... this picture doesn't even do it justice. My garden is pretty close to this amazing, but not quite... what? What did you say? I don't even have a garden? Well, what I meant to say, is my imaginary garden is pretty close to this amazing!
This is in one of the outbuildings. I thought it was a cool picture. I took it. Don't tell me that it's not cool, or I might cry.
So, back in the very early 1900s, a very young man started a homestead here, and made it work, through thick and thin... until the 1970s, when he died, and his family couldn't make it with their shrinking grazing rights. This place was so peaceful, beautiful, and homey, that I could really live there... even though they only made it to town 2 times a year!
This is in the "big house". Isn't this bedroom just cute?
Kitchen in the big house.

This is in the "medium" house.
Here's the first cabin... Oscar moved this cabin from somewhere else when he first came to homestead the ranch. It is a teeny one room little cabin. He and his wife lived here with THREE children... then they decided to build the two room cabin...
...here. They continued to live in this little two room cabin until they had SIX kids... then it was time to build again...
... and they built this three bedroom house and proceeded to have three MORE children. So, yes, nine kids in this house. The bathroom is the little room on the right side. It only has an outside entrance, because Oscar thought it was unsanitary to have an entrance from the inside. It's amazing how much LESS people lived on way back then. Why do we have to have so much space, so much stuff? Why do families continue to build bigger and bigger and bigger homes, and be so caught up in the square footage?

Here's where the out of orderness really comes in... this is looking down from the dam. We went on the little tour of the dam... it was pretty neat!
Swett Ranch info.
Here you can see the first one-room cabin, and the "big house".
Inside the one room cabin... it was cheerful! There was one bed in the corner where all 5 of the Swetts slept together. I don't quite understand how there ever got to be more than 1 Swett child...

We camped at Firefighters Memorial Campground. This spot was neat... fully equipped with a cliff to the side.
This is inside the dam... the equipment that turns the water power to electricity or something or other. I was really listening closely.
Another view at the dam.
There's this spot where you can buy food and feed the fish... there were humongous fish in there!! Brandon was hyperventilating a little bit, wanting to go fishing there (but you can't, unfortunately). I wish you could see how many fish there were... this picture doesn't show anything, but I put it in there anyway, just so I could tell the story.

Our final picture of the campground. I'm so glad we could get a few camping trips in this summer!

Cooper's "Elvis"

This video is kind of old... but I had to share it. In school, Cooper learned to spell things with "Elvis." He showed us one day after school, and we couldn't stop laughing. It was so hilarious! I think his teacher is great!

Did You See It??

If you didn't watch the Olympics last night, you missed out! I watched one of the most exciting events I have ever witnessed, and I'm really surprised I didn't wake the kids up with my cheering! I did wake Brandon up, but I'm sure he isn't mad at me... 'cause he got to see this!

So, the French relay team decides to talk smack and say that they're going to "smash" the American team, which made this victory even more sweet! There were 4 teams that were way ahead of the World Record line the whole time... it was amazing! The last leg was Jason Lezak, and it really looked like it was impossible for him to beat the French team. They were quite a bit ahead, but no... he closed the gap... they were even... he BARELY pulled ahead and WON!!! They beat the World Record by about 4 seconds! I was screaming at this point, and seriously almost crying. It was so awesome! I still get excited about it!! So, if you missed it, read This article for the full story... and then, go have a good cry since you were silly enough to go to bed instead of watching the Olympics! ;) GO USA!!!!

I'm Curious...

I really want to know who is reading my blog. Maybe I really DON'T want to know, but I'm curious anyway. So, please please please leave a comment, even if you never ever have before. All you have to do is click on "comments" underneath this post, then write something. You don't have to have an account or anything... just choose "anonymous", but then sign your name! ;)

Please Don't Be Offended

I was trying to "organize" my blog today, and got myself in a big mess, and my computer, or blogger, or the internet, was not cooperating! Anyway, I ended up losing the addresses on the side, and I decided I'd just leave them off, since I have everyone in my google reader anyway. So, don't think I took you off because I don't like you! I do! I like you! I even love you!

Random Schmandom

I discovered something just the other day that I really should have discovered long ago. You can cut off the tags on the cord of your blow dryer. Gasp! I know! Insane! I was trying to fold the cord all up and put the holder around it, and they were getting in my way. All of a sudden I realized that I DIDN'T need the reminder anymore not to use it in the bathtub!

The local Baptist church put on a community event the last few days called "Son-Shine in the Park". We went to the free hamburger and hotdog dinner, and the kids played games for prizes. They had fun, and Cooper got a huge collection of plastic snakes.

I played my violin for a wedding today, and made $100 for about 40 minutes of actual playing, and watching a wedding. The bride's dress was very unique and beautiful. It had red satin trim, and a buttoned up red section down the back and train. It's hard to explain, but it was beautiful. I'm hoping we get some more of these wedding gigs.

Brandon has been working about 12 hours every day, and then spending some nights on the phone ALL through the night. I feel bad for me, but even worse for him. Why can't we just be billionaires and not have to worry about any of this silly stuff?

The kids and I went to the Rec Center for the Library Swim Party yesterday. It felt like I was there ALL DAY. The kids had a lot of fun though. The best part was that they served Aggie ice cream for a treat! I love Aggie ice cream! I haven't had it in so long!

The Rec Center just called and asked me to teach a toning class there. So, I said yes. Why not? It makes me go and exercise.

I think that's all I have to say. Oh, except that I'm eating a mint creamie. Mmmm... delicious!