When I grow up...

The other day I went (I'm resisting the temptation to say, "I got to go") to the fire station with my daughter's preschool.  I'm quite certain that I was looking forward to the occasion much more than any of the preschoolers.  How many chances do you get as an adult to go on a field trip to a fire station?  This excitement had nothing to do with the crush I've had on the word "fireman" since 9/11.  I assure you it was the same type of excitement that a preschooler might show, only magnified because I'm more aware of how rare such opportunities are.  I tried to act nonchalant as we walked around the station looking at their kitchen, exercise room, dormitory, etc..  But when they broke out the uniform, that was it for me.  As they were letting each preschooler have their turn trying on the mask, the words, "Can I try it on?" escaped my lips.   And it didn't stop there.  Once I got going I found I couldn't stop.  I started asking for pieces of their uniform in the same manner a surgeon might ask a nurse for his/her instruments during surgery.  I got completely geared up and ready to go.  This got the wheels in my head turning.  I started thinking, "Maybe I should be a fireman.  I could do this."  I started quizzing them on what I would have to do to get to where they are.  They started explaining the process and I listened intently.  I was  pretty discouraged when I found out how competitive  it is.  But then they told me I could do a ride along any time I wanted.  All I would need to do is sign a paper saying  that I wouldn't blame them if I died on the way.  I was pretty sure I'd found a new career as a "ride-along fireman".  

About 3 days later I went to get my hair done.  As I chatted with my "hair-dresser-by-day-strip- club-bouncer-by-night" stylist I found myself taking the same sort of interest in his line of work. (Not the strip club bouncing)  I started asking him, "So, how much is the tuition for beauty school?"  "How long does it take to be a hair dresser?"  "What kinds of things do you have to do while you're becoming a hair stylist."   As he answered my questions (he seemed only slightly annoyed with his inability to concentrate) the wheels in my head started turning again.  I thought, "Maybe I should be a hair stylist."  "It wouldn't take very long."  "It might be kind of fun."  

For some reason I keep having to remind myself that I already am what I'm going to be when I grow up.  Just last night I suddenly became alarmed at the realization that I'm going to be 40 in another 3 short years.  Not exactly the ideal stage of life for starting up a new career.  Although, since the fire station and the hair dresser I've also seriously considered going to med school to be a doctor and teaching Portuguese at CSU.   And I am up for suggestions.  

A Middle-Aged Shopper's Nightmare

Saturday I decided to go shopping because I was in the mood, we didn't have anything else going on, and John was home to watch the kids.  The stars were aligned just right.  It happens rarely.  I did most of my shopping at the one and only mall in my town.  It is a run down mall that hardly anyone frequents anymore.  Many stores including The Gap, Mervyns, JC Penney, and lots of others have recently closed in this mall. There have been many rumors about the mall being renovated but who knows when or if that will actually happen.  I'm okay with it though because they do have an Ann Taylor and a Gymboree.  On Saturday, apparently the stars aligned for a lot more people than just me.  I don't know if I had ever seen our mall that crowded.  I would be surprised if we got that many people there on the day after Thanksgiving. Anyway, it made me feel cool to be in such a popular mall even if it was being popular for the first time I had ever witnessed.  

Now, just because Ann Taylor and Gymboree are the only places I actually buy stuff at does not mean I don't try to branch out to other stores.  One store that I go into every time I go to the mall is Hollister Co..  Why?  Because that's the cool store.  That's the store that I kept hearing was going to be opening up in our mall.  People made such a fuss about it that I almost felt unworthy to receive such an honor.  Anyway, as I implied earlier, I like to feel cool so I make sure and go into Hollister Co. whenever I can and every time it proves to me that I am SO not cool.  I simply don't belong in that store.  For many reasons.  The #1 reason being that they simply don't want my kind there so they try to make sure I'll hate the experience.  And it works.  I hate everything about it.  

First, there's fear of the unknown.  You can't see into the store from the mall.  You have to walk in almost like you would a spook house.  You go around the corner having no idea what might jump out at you.  Already we are off to a bad start.

Second, after you do venture around the corner something does jump out at you.  A teenage girl folding jeans looks up and instead of saying, "BOO!" like they would in a spook house she says, "What's up?"  I'm thinking, "Hold on.  That's 'What's up, MAAM?' to you."  I think I'd rather have a monster jump out at me. 

Then there's the lighting.  Do they actually want you to be able to see the clothes that you're going to buy or are they just continuing on with the spook house theme?

Last, the loud music.  Holy cow.  It's like being surrounded  by shrieking demons.  

When I came home from shopping I complained about all of this to John and he pointed out that they're trying to appeal to teenagers and the only way teenagers will want to go in there is if old people like me don't.  That's where I get the last laugh.  I'm still planning on going there whenever I have the chance.  It's my own little game of truth or dare.  Am I daring enough to walk in, go all the way to the back of the store and go back out again? Yes.  And I'm going to keep playing this game until my mid-life crisis is over.  And by then, my kids will be teenagers. No wonder they're the only store that's actually prospering in our sad, sorry little mall.

The Petersens

                                                                      

Is this not a nice looking family??  I challenge anyone to tell me that this is not an extremely attractive family.  This is all the family that came from Denver and Utah to attend Sydney's baptism. Four of John's 8 siblings and their families plus his parents.   We had a great time hanging out with everyone.  The kids LOVED going trick-or-treating the night before with their cousins.  I'm a little ashamed to admit that John, April and I ditched the trick-or-treating on Halloween night to go to the BYU football fireside.  If you read my previous blog on Halloween you might understand why I wasn't sad to miss out.  Although it was interesting to observe that the football players were.  After the fireside one of the football players was taking us to find Harvey Unga so we could have him sign Bryton's jersey.  We were amused to finally find him and some of his teammates across the street trick-or-treating.  I'm going to go ahead and attribute their near loss to CSU to too much candy the night before.  Maybe I should run that theory by Bronco if I see him.  

A "Bone" To Pick

Saturday was my doggie's birthday.  He turned one year old.  Did you know that you can buy doggie birthday cakes at Super Target in the ice cream section?  Poor Captain got no such thing.  And that has nothing to do with Super Target proximity now that you can see it from my kitchen window.  There was plenty of partying going on due to Sydney's baptism, Halloween, and the BYU football game at CSU (more to come on those later) but Captain had to stay in the backyard for most, if not all of it.  As I like to say: "Poooor Dogggggie."  So, as a birthday tribute,  I am going to write a biography of his first year of life.  The events will be listed in chronological order.

1.  December 25, 2007   Captain came to live with us.  He must have been a little shaken up from all the noise.  Brooklyn had not stopped crying from having a stocking holder fall on her head.  We would have waited for her to calm down but he was getting a little impatient inside that big box.  So out he came and most of the kids were so excited.  Even Brooklyn's shrieks grew instantly quieter so you know it must have really been something.  Bryton was a little bit in shock but Sydney without hesitation picked him up and started running around saying, "I love him!  I love him!"

2. Captain went on his first ski trip.  Cousin Keaton came along to baby/dog sit.

3. Captain ate an entire 5 lb. bag of chocolate chips.   Since chocolate is lethal to dogs, our neighbor who is a veterinarian gave him an I.V. to try to help flush it out of him.  He was badly shaken but pulled out of it.

4.  Captain ate rat poison.  He was rushed to the animal hospital and had to stay there for 2 days.  The vet was very concerned because of all rat poisons, this was the most lethal.  Somehow he pulled through. Again.

5. Captain ate a pan of homemade brownies.  Kathleen panicked and poured hydrogen peroxide down his throat to try to make him throw up.  She later learned that it needs to be diluted so she poured water down his throat as an after thought in order to dilute it in his stomach.  Captain pulled through.  He is now 3 for 3.

6. Captain went on a trip to Lake McConaghey and was in doggie heaven.

7.  Captain ate a red ink pen on our brand new carpet.  The carpet turned red and had to be replaced.  4 for 4.

    

As you can see he is a very active doggie with a dual personality.  Half of his personality has a death wish.  The other  half has a strong will to live.  You know the saying, "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."  At this rate, he ought to live a very long time.  At least we hope he does because in between all those big disasters and the small ones that I didn't mention he has been the perfect companion.  Bryton finally has someone to rough house with and share a bedroom with.  Whitney has a friend to play with while all of her siblings are in school.  I have a walking/jogging/biking companion.  John has been training him and some day, if he ever gets a spare minute, hopes to take him bird hunting.  Sydney and Brooklyn love to take him out on walks.  And he makes a very soft, warm pillow to watch T.V. with.  

So yes, he's been a handful, but he's been worth every minute of it.  Good boy, Captain!  Good boy! (We haven't taught him "happy birthday" yet.)