Thanksgiving Dinner, Shopping & Friends

We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's. Her cooking never disappoints. The funny thing is, we had less people there for Thanksgiving dinner than we do every week for Sunday dinner. Which is probably why I didn't take a single picture all day. Shame on me.

Friday morning I woke up early (not crazy early) to get some shopping done. I got everything I set out to get, mostly Clara's birthday and Christmas gifts. I'm already debating on taking some of the things back. I'm so indecisive it's exhausting.

That night we had some of my high school friends over since Rob was in town. It was a little last minute and I didn't have much energy so we just had casual food (i.e. wings, veggie tray, dips and desserts... some of which my lovely guests brought) and hung out. Each time I am around my friends from HS I am reminded of how fortunate I was to be surrounded by such a good group of people. All of them have done much with their lives. Those that have married have found wonderful people. And all of them are good, genuine individuals. Lucky me.

Obviously we're missing a few... maybe someday we'll all get together again. Maybe.
We were all in my front room and even the floor was covered with people. It was great. I took a picture and noticed I was the only one in the room that didn't have a body part in the picture. So I retook it with my foot sneaking in.

Ryan and Clara rode the horse together and it was awesome. Kids are so funny.

Landon (or is it Braden??) show me your funny face.

Clara, show me your funny face.

Or your belly will work. She sure thought she was funny flashing everyone when we told her to show us her funny face.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, the Penrod {Jason, Anna, Clara & Len} home is thankful for...

My school*House*Fish*Family*Sunflower seeds*Cookie dough ice cream*Food*My friends* Toys*The Savior*My job*Gummy worms*Jobs*Mom & dad*Anna's Alfredo sauce *Prayers*My family's health*Chocolate milk*The scriptures*Taco Bell*Temples*Barro's* Puppies*My house* Health*My family*The Gospel*Grandma*ESPN*Ramen noodles*Dead animals on a grill*The NFL*My job*The Savior*Propane*Temples*Families

I'll let you decide who contributed what. :) Apparently jobs and family are important to all of us these days...

Many Moms

Allow me to introduce...

Mister Mom - Takes Clara to grandma's one day a week and stays home with her all day on a second day of the week. Also makes spaghetti with meat sauce for dinner. Not beef, chicken or turkey, but ELK meat sauce. It tastes a lot like beef, but when you know it's elk, it weirds out your taste buds.

Grand Mom - Watches Clara one day a week. Wasn't informed that Clara isn't nap time potty-trained but doesn't complain when she finds out. (Meaning Clara pooped in her panties during her nap). Doesn't get mad at Clara when she paints her fingernails, or maybe her entire hand, with bright blue nail polish.

Working Mom - Ooh, ooh, that's me. An opportunity arose and I accepted. I got a new "temporary" client thanks to a beloved friend. It's two days a week in Glendale and I haven't quite figured this life out. I sit at work and think, this is what life was like before Clara... and now it's like I have merged my current life and my previous life. It feels rather strange, but it's kind of fun.

I think it's ironic that the answer to my prayers came in such a form. But truthfully, I'd be terribly ungrateful if I were to complain about the circumstances. First and foremost, it's a blessed blessing to have this extra income. For us to be able to make ends meet is a monthly miracle. We're not bad with our money, but just when things seem to get "stable", we get another surprise, the latest being the biggest and best of all. So while it's apparently not time to remove the money sucking house from my life, blessings have been delivered on the other end: providing a way to make ends meet. Back to my 'job'... it's only two days a week, it's only for about six weeks, Clara gets a day with Grand Mom and a day with Mister Mom. I really couldn't ask for better circumstances considering the situation now, could I?

Picture compliments of Angela. Thing poking out of my cheek compliments of candy. Apron compliments of loving friend (thanks loving friend, I love it, especially that scalloped little edge). Pose compliments of Rachel. She says you've gotta always be moving to capture great poses. I argue not. This pose is great.

FOF - Drivers

I was making progress on my road rage, until I drove in rush hour traffic several times this week. In honor of awesome drivers, here are five that are completely to blame for my heightened road rage as of late.

1. Mr. Cut & Slow - I get it. Sometimes, the grass is greener in the other lane. So come on over. But if you're going to cut me off because you think it's your only opportunity to get in the grassy lane, don't slow down after you do it.

2. Mrs. Mergey Pergey - I know it's a little scary merging onto a freeway going 50 mph, but you can do it. Trust me, it will be a lot scarier if you get hit because you decide instead of merging (i.e. speed up/slow down and MERGE into flowing traffic), you'll just go ahead and nearly stop in the lane until there's a gap big enough for you to pull out three times.

3. Mr. Ultra Cautious - In case you're wondering, it's okay to go the posted speed limit UNTIL the speed limit drops. I promise, you won't get a ticket for going the posted speed limit two miles before the speed limit actually changes.

4. Mr. Not Newton - I don't know where you went to school, so maybe you were never privileged to learn about a man we call Newton. I will simplify things for you. If the freeway you're driving on has a hill, you have to press your gas pedal harder in order to maintain your current speed. Otherwise, you'll quickly find yourself driving 10mph slower than you were before.

5. Mr. Mazda Miata Man - Your wee little car might be zippy, but seriously, you're not in a high performance racing vehicle. Regardless of reality, you drive your Miata like you are in an M3, switching back and forth between my lane and the middle lane at least four times in a mile stretch, only to be in the exact same place in the line of traffic where you began. And on top of it, you look like a dork. (Four points in Scattegories, sweet).

Reassurance

Sometimes (very rarely, ha ha) I worry about money. But each time I reconcile my bank statement, and see that $0.12 in interest I've earned for the month, I'm suddenly reassured that everything will be just fine.

5: DI, "the house", Gardener Village, dinner w/ spewing & the REASON

On Monday, Angela wanted to go to DI. We went and were rather surprised to see people lining up at the door waiting for it to open. We laughed, joked about taking a picture of it and then laughed harder when the girl that pulled up next to us did take a picture of it.

We also visited my lovely house. I met the neighbors. I decided I'll take a pictures on the steps every time I go. You know, like the recurring pictures you take in the same spot every year? The home is still beautiful. And still for sale.
Later we went to Gardener Village. Clara loved the ducks. I loved the candy store. They had divinity fudge which was awesome. I'm not a big fan of fudge, but this was so tasty.
Clara also found this little guy and affectionately referred to him as "daddy". Angela got an awesome picture of Clara pointing at it... to come.

Monday night, Ryan took Rachel, Angela, Clara and I out to dinner. We were missing Emily, who couldn't make it at the last minute (I hate you Corporate America!). Although the restaurant wasn't what we had in mind, we were having a good time. The pictures don't lie.

And then about a minute after the waiter brought our food, Clara looked over at me and started spewing. She was just sitting with her mouth open and vomit was shooting out. Sorry Clara, we felt bad, but we were laughing so hard. Oh wow, there was a lot. All over the table, on the floor, everywhere. Needless to say, our meal was just a tiny bit spoiled. :) But ask us about it now, and we can't really help but laugh. It was disgustingly hilarious, in every sense of the phrase.

Then we were off to visit Steven (puke-smelling Clara and all) in rehab, which is why we all chose this weekend to congregate in Utah. Just the thought of walking in and giving him a big hug was enough to make me cry, but I held it together pretty well. I was really hesitant to share this and when I asked Steven if it was okay, he said, "It's fine, I'm not ashamed anymore." And how can I be ashamed of a little brother that has made such great strides in the last six weeks? There were so many feelings and so many thoughts. But mostly, thoughts of happiness and hope. It was refreshing to see in him have hope in himself. His confidence was renewed.

We took much better pictures with Angela's camera so just like all those other pictures, they'll be here soon (maybe). Until then... We played ping pong, visited and had a grand old time.

Everyone couldn't get over how much Steven and Ryan look alike. One person asked him if it was his twin. Another said she thought they were the same person. Ha ha. As kids, I don't think any of us looked a whole lot alike, but it seems as we get older, there are more and more similarities.

3 & 4: SLC, exploring, University Streets, the Canyon, dancing, cookies

Saturday Rachel, Emma, Angela, Clara and I went to SLC. We ate at the Beehive Tea Room and it was awesome. The food was great and the atmosphere was so unique. In the room we sat, there were four fancy chairs around a little table, the exact setting you'd imagine if you had a tea party at your own fancy house. It was a little much having Clara there because she just wanted to run around and it was not a place for kids to run around. After lunch, we headed to Sam Weller's, a giant (like GIANT) bookstore. They had new, used, rare, everything. I could've spent all day in there... if Clara wasn't with me. It was nice to have Emma around so she had a little playmate. But Clara didn't want to sit still and read a book like Emma.

Then we walked over to Temple Square. It was freezing. I was dressed like I am from Arizona. I didn't take any pictures. But Angela did, and someday I'll get them and show you. We also went to the Green Ant, a retro antique store. They had an awesome chair there. Pictures to come. The owner was much nicer than our last antique store owner. He laughed when we told him why we asked if we could take a picture of Clara and Emma in the chair.

Somewhere near downtown is a place called University Street (I think). It is a neighborhood, with streets named after Ivy League schools, that has the most amazing houses I've seen. They aren't huge. They aren't really modern, either. There are just streets and streets of beautiful brick homes on grass lots lined with trees and everything lovely. The windows and doors were clearly originals in some of the homes. I might just move to Utah if I could live in one of those.

Next was a bakery that I'd decided was the best around (based on something I read). Strike one for Anna. It was okay, but it wasn't great. I wouldn't go back, that's for sure. Emma didn't mind it. In fact, when Rachel asked if she could have a bite, Emma cleverly replied, "No, it's gross."

On Sunday we drove up American Fork Canyon. In between the Fall and full-fledged Winter, Utah is pretty much dead. The mountains were still beautiful from afar, but in the Canyon, everything was just dead. We did stop at a reservoir that had insanely green water. I couldn't decide if the vibrant green was disgusting or awesome. But first, lovely little Angela. Sometimes I wonder how we can look so vastly different.
The water...

Clara had some awesome hair days while we were there. This one, happened to look like the guy on Scooby Doo. Ha ha.

After Church, going to the airport to get Ryan and dinner, the kids danced in the kitchen again (a sequel to Saturday night). Emma obviously has more moves than the average Melzer. It was a picture perfect moment, but a picture didn't quite capture all the joy. Once the kids were in bed, we made sugar cookies. My favorite.

1 & 2: Utah, rental cars, antiques, domestication, lame visitors & dinner

Last Thursday night, Angela, Clara and I flew to Utah. Luckily, the flight was not full so Clara had her own seat. She was climbing all over everything like a little monkey. Standing on top of the tray table, up the back of the seat, sitting on the tray table, looking out the window, climbing on Angela, etc., etc. I was grateful there were people behind and in front of us that seemed to think her little hand poking between the seats or her face smashed in the crack was cute. Once there, we had to lug our junk so far I knew I'd be sore the next day. I had my roller suitcase, Clara riding on top, my purse and my backpack. Angela had her purse, her roller suitcase and Clara's suitcase. We must've been quite the sight.

After talking to Rachel earlier that day, I decided carrying Clara's seat would be worth saving $45. So I changed the reservation. At the rental car counter, they tried charging me the other price and said that's what the rate was without the seat. Long story short, I had printed the new confirmation number and got the good rate... I reassured the employees stuff like that happens to me all the time so not to worry about it (all three employees were trying to figure out what had happened). They also tried to get me to pay more for an SUV. I declined. But apparently they were out of cars, so we got a small SUV anyway (Murano). My Civic is almost nine years old, so the technology in automobiles gets me every now and then. I couldn't figure out how to start the car... I was pushing the START/STOP button, it was saying brake, the e-brake wasn't on... and then Angela remembered you have to press the brake while you push the button. Wewsh, I might have had to ask the employees how to start the car if she wasn't there!

We arrived at Rachel's, shortly after our plane came in (getting our luggage and everything went so quickly). I was so excited to be there. Clara was exhausted and was up until Midnight. Rachel, Don and I were up until after 3am, I think. I kind of thought that would happen... we like to visit. I'm not the only one in the family that likes to talk. :) Laughing and reminiscing. Lovely.

Friday we went to a couple of antique stores. Angela whipped her camera out (yes, even before I did) at one that is run out of an old flour mill building. The owner said they charge $15 to take pictures of the building.

Are you joking? You wonder. Yeah, Rachel wondered too and asked the guy. But no joke. The rest of the weekend, we kept joking about taking pictures from the street, since he wouldn't be able to stop us, but we didn't. Maybe next time.

Then Rachel showed Angela how to make bread. Okay, so I wanted to know her secrets too because my bread never turns out like her's. Now it will. I'm determined and I've got the secrets. Domestication in progress...

And then we had a visitor bearing bad news. The timing was ironic, since I was in town. Ugh. Seriously, UGH. Just when you think you've got a semi-grip on a never-ending trial and you think nothing else could possible go wrong. Perhaps that was the problem, thinking something so foolish. Sorry I'm vague, maybe when I get over it, I'll laugh about it.

We decided to go out to dinner, just Angela, Rachel and I. While out, I realized that I was glad I was with them to help me forget the visitor from earlier. He didn't stop us from having a wonderful time visiting and eating wonderful food. Mmmm, it was the best dining experience in a long time. We ate at Pizzeria 712 and if you are ever in the Orem area (or close), it's totally worth it. We shared a pizza, salad and dessert. Every last thing was absolutely delicious. I would've taken a picture, but the food was devoured rather quickly. Here's the remnants of our dessert. The price wasn't all that bad either. The service was great too, which seems to be a little hit and miss these days, so it was refreshing. Oh how I love sisters.

Switcheroo

Today is my birthday. But this year, I'm going to pretend my birthday was yesterday instead of today. Because yesterday was a great day.

I went to lunch with, Clara, my mom and Lily. On the way to my mom's, I noticed a few boys (16-17 yr olds) looking at me. They faded behind me and then when I looked over again as they pulled alongside my car, I saw they had written on a piece of paper: "Phone #?" I smiled and wiggled my wedding ring at them and heard both of them yell "Dang it!" Unfortunately for them, we were next to each other at the red light. They refused to pull up to the line. Then, they zoomed past me and the boy in the passenger seat covered his head in shame. Poor guys. Sorry you were humiliated, but it sure made me feel good. You must've thought I was in high school because my sunglasses were covering up my wrinkly eyes. Oh, and what'd you think about the two year old in my backseat? My mother suggested maybe you thought I was babysitting. I wasn't. She's mine. And her father is my husband... of five years. Ha!

So back to lunch... We went to Chive's (the restaurant at the Manor). It was pretty good food and a quaint porch setting. Clara loved that when she was done eating, she could just run around. And the price was just right.
I got some work done while Clara slept and then we took her to my mom's so we could go out. Angela, Ryan, Kathryn and Beka joined us at Outback for dinner. Ah, family, friends and good food. That's the good life. After dinner, we helped Angela get her battery fixed (it decided to die during dinner) and then watched a movie when we got home. Nice, relaxing and fun. Angela, I'm sorry your eyes are closed, but to even things up, I left everyone else's nice and red. :)

Meanwhile... Clara was reading the Owner's Manual to make sure everything was done properly.

Then there was today... I worked from 7:30-3:30 breaking only to make breakfast, make lunch and take a quick shower before Scouts. Clara destroyed my house all the while. I stopped working at 3:30 for Scouts. At five (after Scouts), I realized I forgot to go to KS, so I called Jason to see if he could go on his way home. About then, I realized I was expected to make dinner, but I was trying to pack and Clara was whining over everything (as she had done most of the day). I decided my sanity was worth the expense of going out to eat. Not to mention that I could save myself from a mini breakdown. So the bacon went back in the freezer and out we went. I did compromise with my budget and my schedule and went to Chipotle. Half the price, half the time.

Thanks for everyone that wished me a happy day today. If you're wondering why I didn't call you back, it's because after dinner, when I finally had a spare minute, I talked to the eldest Melzer for over an hour. After my phone conversation and foot rub, it was back to work. Now it's after 3:00am and I'm all ready for bed. Finally. (While I wrote most of this, I was getting a foot rub with lotion. Jason gives me lots of foot rubs, but it takes a special occasion for lotion to get involved. It has to be a really special occasion. Like my mother carrying me for nine months and then birthing me. Thanks mom!) I guess the day wasn't a total loss...

Better Than My Dreams

Friday night, I had a dream. The guys taking our family pictures wanted me to wear a wedding dress. They had implied it'd be a family photo shoot, but really they just wanted two people to model wedding dresses and had lied to me to get me to go. I hate getting tricked into doing things. I pride myself on being skeptical so I felt so foolish that I let them get the best of me. Some strange girl and I were selected for this shoot and they just kept taking picture after picture with us. Obviously, at this point, I didn't realize I was dreaming because I model all the time. :) Anyway, so they took our pictures and when they were done, they hadn't taken a single picture with Jason, Clara and I. In my dream I remember thinking: Even if I was in a wedding dress, at least I could have had one picture with Jason and Clara in it! I was so mad. I woke up worrying that it was foreshadowing and that I'd be disappointed with our pictures.

Fortunately, the photographers were laid back and honest. I didn't have to wear a wedding dress. And we got several pictures of our little family. Reality was way better than my dreams.

We got our pictures back a few hours after they took them. How's that for service? To get the full story of how I found out about these guys, read here. After some reassurance from Angela and Kathryn that my biggest concern wasn't really a concern (I'm a wee bit critical of myself), I've decided I love our pictures. I liked the quality from the moment I saw them, but I could probably find something to complain about in every picture that's ever been taken of me.

Clara was being a little turkey. She just wanted to run away and looking at the camera appeared to be the most difficult thing I've ever asked her to do. However, one of my favorite pictures is this one, where she's looking away from the camera... because that's reality.
Or maybe it's this one, where she's biting her lip and lifting up her shirt.
And this is my absolute favorite.

Jason looks great in this one and I LOVE the lighting. Never mind Clara is mad that Jason won't let her run away.

During one of Clara's many attempts to run away, they just started taking pictures of her. Of course she wasn't about to look at the camera even then. Notice her sagging pants (I didn't have to worry about her running too far because her pants would eventually fall down and she'd be forced to sit down) and her dirty little hand.

The pictures were taken by DM Photo. Check them out if you need lovely photos for anything. The quality of the photos is fantastic and I was able to relax and just have a good time during the shoot because they were so laid back and easy going.

Thanksgiving Tag

Early Dinner: Thanksgiving is always a pretty mellow Holiday. Most years, my family has Thanksgiving dinner on the Wednesday before. It might sound silly, but that way my mom knows we'll all be able to be with her for Thanksgiving dinner and we can still spend time with our sibling's families.

Eating Outside: Most years, the weather on Thanksgiving day in Arizona is absolutely gorgeous. My family has set up our table and eaten Thanksgivind dinner on the front lawn. Enjoying the lovely weather makes Thanksgiving dinner just a little bit more special.

Outing: Oft times we have gone and watched a movie Thanksgiving night. It's a fun way to end a lazy day. Just don't think you'll be the only one at the theater...

Now all of you (even if you don't live in Mesa and even if you don't live in Arizona) reading this should share your traditions and/or ideas with me and the rest of the world. Come on, I need to liven up my life. :) Here's how you do it...

Step 1 - Go to your blog and write a post about a craft, recipe or tradition that makes your Thanksgiving/Fall special.
Step 2 - Add the button by copy/pasting the code. This will link your readers to the master list of everyone sharing their ideas. We will update this list daily.
Step 3 - Leave a comment at iheartmesa.blogspot.com with your blog address in order to get your post added to the master idea list.
Step 4 - Tag your friends and let them know these 4 simple steps. Use the beautiful link to have access to LOTS of awesome ideas to make your season more special.

Click the cute little image to go to the code.

Items too small for an individual post, too big to ignore

Black pot. Could it be that there was a fire under my stove? Surely a piece of food that dropped under the stove coil didn't do this to my pot. Otherwise I would've removed the pot when I saw the little glowing ember.
And no way did it leave these ashes all over. Surely not.

Blocks. Let me tell you the (short, maybe) story of the blocks. I decide I will make blocks for a shower gift. We go to Home Depot to get the 4"x4" beam. They tell me they can't cut it into 4" pieces; the smallest is 12". Okay, 12" now and we'll (meaning Jason) hack it down ourselves. Get home. Realize the nice man cut them to 11.5". Jason goes back to Home Depot. The same guy tries to cut them to 11.5" again. Jason gets him to cut to 12" and comes home. Jason cuts blocks into 4" pieces. I cut the paper and lay it on the block. WHAT? They aren't square. Oh yeah, Jason says. I forgot, 4"x4" means 3.5"x3.5". What genius decided it'd be a good idea to do such a thing is beyond me. Back to the garage, with the saw, so I could show Jason how to cut in a straight line so he could re-cut the blocks. Wewsh. Finish blocks. ... NEXT DAY ... go to pick up blocks to wrap. Blocks are stuck together. Whatever, it's an hour before the shower. So, I took them anyway and begged Cherie to tell me if they stuck again so I could exchange the gift. Maybe I didn't let them cure long enough. Or maybe, just maybe, I have that kind of luck. Another great idea of mine. Obviously it's an idea in need of serious refinement.

Before you mock my protective eye gear... I didn't wear them until a piece, a little chunk of wood, flew into my eye.

Hot & Cold: Friday night Jason and I had tickets to go to Time Out for Couples at the Civic Center. We got a Hot 'n Ready Little Caesar's pizza (I wasn't kidding) and ate it as we drove. The event was pretty good (except that the room was absolutely freezing). We laughed a lot and enjoyed hanging out. Then we held hands as we walked into the ghetto to our car, since I refused to pay $10 for parking. How sweet.

Shopping frustrations. We had family pictures Saturday (pictures to come...) so I decided to go shopping for stuff to wear. I couldn't decide what would go with what, so I ended up buying four shirts and a pair of jeans for Jason and five shirts and four pairs of jeans for me. :) Don't worry, what we didn't wear will be returned (mostly). I bought a brown shirt for Clara on clearance at Target a while ago and was trying to match it. I wanted to wear turquoise and brown but that wasn't happening based on my findings. Friday night, Angela came over to help us coordinate outfits for the picture. I ended up wearing the first and cheapest outfit I bought (should've stopped then!). Seriously, shirt: $6.99, pants: $6.99. Bargains are cool.

Speaking of cool...Skinny Jeans. I'm so cool I can hardly stand it. I bought my first pair(s) of skinny jeans. And I look anorexic in them. Sweet.

Sunday Dinner. Not that I need them, but more reasons to love Sunday dinner at my parent's: Elsa with Clara in a headlock and Lily trying to get Lucy to make her face visible for the picture.

Pepper on Coconut Cream Pie (compliments Chef Lucy)

Elsa coveting Lucy's turn with the sucker and thinking about how much happier her life would be if she could but touch the sucker.

Elsa's dreams coming true as she touches the sucker.

And then the sucker hit the metal chair and broke into many pieces. Clara and Elsa were thrilled, for good reason. Suckers for everyone.

Tiny little dogs dressed up.

Sticky hands and faces.