Journal entry 199--Humor

What kinds of humor do you enjoy the most?

I have always liked a dry, witty humor. My husband has that which is one of the reasons I married him. I grew up watching British comedies which has a very dry sense of humor and I guess I became used to that. I love parody and satire where someone takes a real social problem and mocks it. An example of this is the Mel Brooks movie, "Blazing Saddles." That movie parodied racism and basically made fun of the people who are racist. Of course that movie couldn't be made now a days because people have become too politically correct and miss that fact that that movie is mocking what is wrong. It's still a hilarious movie.

Journal entry 198--Inventions

What do you think is one of the greatest inventions made?

Besides all the medical miracles we have now, some of which I wouldn't have my twin boys without, I'd have to choose Velcro. I love that stuff. Probably because I can't sew a zipper if my life depended on it. Now I can close anything with some Velcro. I use the stuff for costumes mainly but I've also used it for crafts and things I've made for my children. Velcro rocks!!

Journal entry 197--Middle names

Do you have a middle name? What is the significance behind your middle name?

My middle name is Devon which is fun because it turned out that I married a man named Devin. When I was a baby, my mother's friend had a son named Devon. My mother loved the name and wanted to give me that name as well. Growing up I didn't really like the name because back then it was very unusual. During every school graduation, the announcer always messed up my middle name, calling me DeVon. It drove me crazy! Now I like my middle name. I especially like that it's the same as my husbands!

Journal entry 196--Social Event

Describe the last social event you attended.


Last December I got to accompany my husband to his work holiday party for all the health care workers who work for the hospital. What an honor! I was actually excited to go--the Four Season hotel, appetizers, etc.., until the talk, or should I say lecture started. Wow, either I'm extremely stupid or that talk was entirely inappropriate. I can't even write about the topic because it made no sense to me. For all I know, the lecture was conducted in another language--boring language. Yet, it wasn't just me with the glazed-over look in the eyes, other people in the room, including doctors had a hard time staying awake. The doc. sitting next to Devin wrote a bunch of negative comments on the evaluation form and then would proudly show everyone within a 5 foot radius . After the talk came the question and answer part of the evening. I was tempted to raise my hand and say, "I don't get it." Some people in the audience surprisingly asked questions although those were equally difficult to understand. I think the speaker paid those people to ask questions so it would look like someone actually comprehended his talk.
It was still fun to go out with my hubby.

Journal entry 195--Miracles

Describe a miracle that has occurred in your life.

One of my miracles is my husband. He is the greatest thing to come into my life. He's my best friend and keeps me smiling still after 17 years of marriage! Growing up, my childhood was less than ideal, however my husband has given me hope and shown me that there are good, loving fathers out in the world and he's one of them. He's gentle, kind and forgiving of all my stupidness!

Journal entry 194--Changes

What changes, if any, have you made in your life during this economic turmoil?

I've been using more of our food storage and serving more meals consisting of beans and rice. I'm certainly more penny pinching like I was when my husband was in school and we had no money. It was easy a few years ago for me to become complacent and think all is well, but now with everything in a crunch, I've started feeling unstable with the economy. That feeling like someone could pull the rug out from under you at any moment. Some other changes I've made are I'm planning on getting rid of our basic cable television and just asking myself before purchases if I really need that item.

Journal entry 193--Love Languages

There are several books out called "The 5 Love Languages for..." http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/30sec.html
then you can fill in the rest, either children, men, teenagers, etc. The author states that there are 5 languages in which we respond best to love. They are Physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, service, and gifts. Which language do you think you respond to?

I am definitely quality time. I love and feel more loved when people spend time with me. That's why I'm always bugging my husband to play scrabble with me! Once he gives me some quality time, I'm a much happier person. My daughter is just like me. She handles life's little hardships much better when I spend some time with her first. My boys are physical touch. They both love when we hug and kiss them. I'm still trying to figure out what my husband is!

Journal entry 192--High school

Describe how you felt about High School or upper level schooling. Did you have a good experience?

I enjoyed parts of high school. I enjoyed being a flag girl and twirling flags all the time and I enjoyed my friends. But their was a part of me that longed to get out. I was so bored in school and didn't really like school until I got to college. By the time I was a senior in high school, I really did not care much about the people, only my close friends. I knew that once high school ended I most likely would never see these people again. I guess I like having a handful of close friends and didn't want to be bothered with chit chat from the other 900 students. Twenty years later I've kept in contact with 3 friends and two of them are my cousins!

Journal entry 191--Television

If you could be in any television show, past or present, which would it be and why?

My entire childhood revolved around plotting to go on a cruise ship just so I could meet Gopher from The Love Boat. I think I sincerely believed he worked on the Princess Line. Why I had a crush on him, I'm not sure. Possibly because he was the cutest out of all the men on that show or he was kind of funny. I don't even think I knew what to do with him if he really was the Yeoman Purser for the Love Boat and I was the adventurous passenger. How could I know? I was only 8 years old!

Journal entry 190--A Family Pet

Describe a past or present family pet. What kind of pet was/is it? How did/do you feel about this pet?

We got a puppy when I was 5 years old and I thought she was the greatest thing in the world. We brought home our little black fluff ball and sat in a circle on the floor with her in the middle. She ran around from person to person getting to know us all. Jodi was my little playmate. I thought of her as my baby sister and would actually tell people that we adopted another child. We would play tug of war and I'd chase her around our coffee table that was opened on each end. Jodi would run through the opening and slide across the wood. In the morning when she woke up, she would stand on my chest and just stare. After getting used to the uneasy feeling of being watched, my eyes would open and was awakened to hundreds of kisses from Jodi. That's how she told me she wanted to got to the bathroom. Jodi was such a smart dog could recognize words like "cookie" and "bye bye." She was also a stubborn, feisty dog that could hold onto a toy and not let go even if the toy was lifted in the air. Jodi lived a long life and finally died when she was 16 years old of congestive heart failure.

Journal entry 189--Humor

Has humor ever saved you from a bad mood? Describe it.

My husband is hilarious. He has a way of making me laugh even when I want to kill him. There have been times when I'm acting snippy towards him and he just starts making fun of the situation and himself that helps me calm down. Of course he also knows when it's not a good idea to do that. When I'm completely furious about something, he tries to be more understanding and help me in that way. What a guy!

Journal entry 188--Valentine's day

What do you like to do for your loved ones on Valentine's Day?

I simply like to spend time with my loved ones. This Valentine's Day, my husband and I took our kids to the store and let them pick out whatever candy they wanted for $7. They loved going down the aisles choosing their favorite candies and knowing that they won't have to share with each other unless they want to. As for my hubby and I, tonight we're going to spend time with some friends and celebrate Valentine's Day together the next weekend. What can I say, we're practical and would rather go to a restaurant on a less busy night when the quality will be higher than the quantity.

Journal entry 187--Mistake

Describe a mistake you've made in the past.

Growing up we had a black cat named Kelly who lived on our patio. She was a sweet kitty who loved us to pet her. One evening, my sister came home in tears carrying our dear pussy cat in her arms. Kelly had just been hit by a car. At the time I worked for a veterinarian and called him or I should say begged him to go down to the office at 9:30pm and check out my cat. However, there was nothing that could be done and we put poor Kelly out of her misery.

Later as we were all sitting and remembering our lost little family member, we saw a black cat outside where Kelly usually sat. Thinking it was our neighbor's cat, Piwacket, who also was a black cat and identical looking to Kelly, I quickly ran out to scare it away. I didn't want Piwacket to desecrate Kelly's memory. Normally, Piwacket ran away anytime one of got near him. This time, however, the cat purred and rubbed up and down our legs. I think you can see where this is going. Soon we discovered that we had put to sleep our neighbor's cat instead of ours. I got the unfortunate job of telling the, said, neighbors.

Journal entry 186--Funny Moment

Describe a funny moment that has happened in you life recently.


Last spring my son, Chris was in a play which was all about the inner workings of the body. Each child was a certain organ, ie, the lovely liver, kidney twins and my personal favorite, the raging hormone. Chris got to personify the hormone even though he had no idea what it actually meant.

The play started out like most school plays. Kids filing onto the stage, cameras clicking and flashing all around and various waves from the actors to their parents. We were sitting in the front row eagerly watching Chris sing with his class when I started to notice a strange look on his face.

Me: (whispering) Devin, what's wrong with Chris? Is he scared?

Brad: (who obviously thinks he's Devin, chirps up) That's what he looks like when he's going to sneeze.

Me: stare blankly at Brad.

At this point I start to realize where this is all headed. Vomitland. Without making too much of a scene, I repeatedly nudge my head over to one side telling him to get off the stage. I'm sure from behind I looked like those guys on Saturday Night Live that dance to "What is Love?"

"Get off the stage!" Just as I was about to run up the stage to rescue him like the Super Mom that I am, it happened. Projectile vomit. He timed it perfectly because they were right in the middle of singing, "Internal, internal, internal organs..." I think every jaw dropped opened at that moment. Then just to put that extra cherry on top, Chris turned to the side to finally walk off the stage and, you guessed it, more projectile vomit. We all got a side view as well.

Next we got to hear a kids chorus of "ewwww." The teachers ushered the kids off. Mr. janitor got the pleasure of cleaning up said vomit and I got to sit--still in the front row mind you--and wait for the lovely aroma of stomach acid to clear the air.

Poor guy, but the show must go on. And it did. Of course no one would stand in the ghostly vomit spot even though it was cleaned up. Chris waited for his lines back stage. Everyone cheered for him after he did his part. What a trooper.

Let me know if you ever get to see the video of this on America's Funniest Videos.

Journal entry 185--Questions

For the next 5 minutes, try to list all the questions you had as a child.

Where did the entire beginning of the world and life begin?
Does the sky ever end?
Can I have a puppy?
Why doesn't my daddy love me?
Who is Heavenly Father's father and mother?
How are babies made?
Do I have to go to bed?
Can I keep it? (referring to the many stray animals I brought home)
How deep is the ocean?
What really happened to the dinosaurs?
What's it like to fly like a bird?
What is nothing?
How many stars are in the sky?

My time is up. Hopefully you remembered more questions.

Journal entry 184--Pain

How do you deal with either physical or emotional pain?

I ask this question because right now I am in a lot of pain, shoulder pain that is. I have torn cartilage in my shoulder and am having surgery in March to repair it. So to deal with the pain I take a lot of Motrin and try not to use it, which makes typing difficult! Emotional pain is different. I'm sure everyone has their own way of dealing with pain. Therapy, chocolate, being with friends, writing, being with family (unless they are the cause of the pain) scripture reading or prayer are all some ways people get through difficult times. What do you do?

Journal entry 183--Gift

What's the greatest gift your mother gave you?

My mother taught me how to be self reliant. Now whether she purposely meant or not, I learned how to care for myself at a young age. After my father left, my mother sort of shut down and my sister, brother and I kind of raised ourselves. I learned to cook at a young age, make my own decisions and go for what I wanted or needed without anyone's help. I learned that if you want something you can only trust yourself to get it. I've since learned to rely on others and trust others. It's been a long process but I think my life is much better. I can't say that I liked the way I grew up, but it certainly taught me to care for myself.

Journal entry 182--Worry

What 3 things did you worry about this past week?

I always worry a bit about the state of our world and where's it's headed.
I worried about being able to pull off this play I'm directing and do a great job.
I also worry about my children and whether they are making good choices, making good friends and are safe.

I try not to worry too much but these are the things that are on my mind more than others. Hopefully you didn't have too much to worry about this past week!

Journal entry 181--Seasons

Finish this sentence: When I think of snow, I think of...

When I think of snow, I think of skiing. I love to ski but unfortunately don't get to do it that often. When my husband and I lived in Utah for awhile and had no children, we went skiing all the time. It was great. Now I'm lucky if we go once a year. Another thing I think of is the time I lived in Buffalo, NY and was bombarded with snow all winter. The snow piles in our backyard were literally up to my thighs and I can't even describe how cold it was. Cold for a native New Yorker, freezing for me, a native Californian! I have to say I'm glad I no longer live in the snow. To me snow is like a grandchild. I like to be around it but when it gets annoying I get always go home to get away.

Journal entry 180--Bad Habits

What bad habits do you have that you would like to change.


I would like to be more organized. I tend to be a scatter brain and it's difficult for me to organize my thoughts so I know what to do first. This is especially true when I have a lot to do. My husband usually helps me through my thoughts by breaking down what needs to be done first. He helps me realize what things need to be done and what things can wait. I try to be organized. I'm trying to go through all my pictures and organize them. In the meantime, my room with all my pictures is a mess! I need help!

Journal entry 179--Angry!

Write about something that makes you really angry!

I get really angry when my children won't tell the truth! For example, one says the other one hit him. The other one says, "No, I didn't" Whom do I believe? It turns out later that the other one didn't actually "hit" the first child, but "punched" him. See the difference? So now I have to pretend like I'm in a court of law when questioning the child and ask questions like, "Did any part of your body touch your brother's in any way that could cause pain or discomfort?" It's so aggravating but I love them! I swear that child is going to be either a lawyer or a hostage negotiator when he grows up.

Journal entry 178--Food

What's your favorite comfort food. It can either be a food that reminds you of something or just plain makes you feel good. Why do I think chocolate is going to there for a lot of you!

My favorite comfort food is salsa and chips. Any salsa will do--hot, medium, mild, fruity, you name it, I like it! I love when the chips are either really thin and warm or super thick as if homemade. Chips and salsa don't necessarily remind me of anything or anyone, I just like eating them because they taste delicious. I have another comfort food and that's Frosted Mini Wheats. I don't know why but I've been eating them nearly everyday! They're so good with the frosted side floating in ice-cold milk. My kids think I'm addicted to them. They may be right, however, I don't think there's a Mini Wheats anonymous yet.

Journal entry 177--Advice

What is a piece of advice you can share that you learned from your mother?


My mother was full of advice that I respectfully ignored being the all wise teenager that I was. One piece of advice that comes to mind and puts a smile on my face is "don't leave the house without makeup or at least lipstick on. You never know who you might run into." Well, I can say that I do leave the house without makeup and I've never run into anyone famous or an old boyfriend. However, I've followed her advice about wearing lipstick because the older I get, the more transparent my lips become. I'll always remember my mother putting on lipstick in the car. She had at least 3 in her purse at all times. And now if you look in my purse, you'll find the same.

Journal entry 176--What do you do with a dare?

Describe a time when someone dared you to do something. Did you give into the dare or walk away? What was the dare?


When I was in Nursery School, a boy dared me to punch him in the nose. He thought that I was some meek little girl who wouldn't dream of hurting another child. Well I guess he was wrong. I balled up my girlie fist and let him have it. His nose even started bleeding. The teacher soon found out what happened and I got in trouble. I remember skirting around the table trying to act innocent while defending myself. "He told me to do it!" I proclaimed. The teacher didn't buy it and I was sent to time-out.