Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A Lesson from Visiting Teaching


Did you know that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can get pen off of walls, rugs, showers, cabinets, doors, toilets, mirrors, and even out of tile grout? Neither did I. Well at least not until my visiting teachers came over yesterday. See Exhibts A-F below and the story to follow.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:Exhibit C:
Exhibit D:

Exhibit E:
Exhibit F:
I wiped it off of the tile floors and glass surfaces (toilet, shower door, mirrors etc.) before I thought to take pictures so it was actually worse than the pictures, if you can believe it!

One of my visiting teachers brought along her 2 year old daughter and proceeded to pay NO attention to her the entire visit. It was really quite uncomfortable. She was jumping on the couch and her mother said/did NOTHING. I used my awesome Aunt skills to coax her down with a toy, but you can't exactly yell at/boss around a strangers kid, can you?

So while we were chatting, the little "Picasso" snuck away down the hall and the mother didn't go get her. When I realized that the little girl was gone, I went looking for her (note again, that it was ME, not her mom) I found the little girl pen in hand, Jose's desk drawer was "mysteriously" open, and ink was everywhere!!! What a disaster. So then I had to tattle on the little girl to her mother, who I've only even met like twice. The worst part is that the mom didn't even seem to feel that bad about it. I would have been sobbing if my child had done that. Let's just say that if they ever want to VT again, we're doing it at the park, or a restaurant. Not at my house (or my parent's house as the case may be).


But don't worry, you can all breathe a sigh of relief (especially you mom & dad)..... it ALL came off. Every last swipe of it! Above left is what my magic eraser looked like when it was done, and the right is what they look like out of the box (if you've never seen one). They truly work MIRACLES. "Yes Virginia, there is a Mr. Clean." Oh and here's a picture of the door from Exhibit B for proof.
So what was the lesson, you ask?


1. If you ever have to take your kids to anyone's house, watch them like a hawk. Or better yet, leave them at home with their dad or a sitter.
2. Sometimes it is better to miss a visit than leave an everlasting mark of your visit. Trust me, I'll be telling this story at every VT workshop the rest of my life! HA!
3. I never want to be that kind of mom.
4. Mr. Clean is the PERFECT man. Not only is he extremely buff and macho, but he also really knows how to do housework! He's like your own personal Tony "Micelli" Danza!
5. Mr. Clean is also an angel. Did you ever notice his heavenly glow on the box? I think his gold hoop earring is actually a small halo that fell off his head and landed on his ear.


Sorry if you think I'm a rude-o. I was extremely nice, polite, and gracious to the mother -- just like my mom taught me to be. But I am human, I have rage, and I must blog.

Monday, February 23, 2009

I Wish I were...

Here....



Standing here...



And Jose was here.....



And we were staying here...

And relaxing here...


Then maybe I'd have lunch again here...



But maybe not go here...that guy was a little shady...

Especially considering we let him drop us off here....


But don't worry, he remembered to pick us up here.....


But here was nice...



And here we made some Canadian friends to take our picture...


And had a night out on the town here...




But mostly I just wish I was still here...

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I'm Baaack......

Wow. 10 weeks, 6 states, 2 countries and I'm finally back. It's been quite the adventure, but I am SO happy to be back home. But being back home isn't all roses - I came back to 2 terrible colds (both of us are sick) and a mountain of laundry....12 loads to be exact. In fact I returned to realize I didn't get to unpack from Cabo or our Ski Trip before leaving again. But sadder than all that was THIS.....


Yes, that is right. Our sad, little, pathetic Charlie Brown Christmas Tree was still up in the living room. Jose said when I put it up that he was "Embarrassed" by it and didn't want anyone to see it. I guess that included me, because I somehow managed to avoid looking at it for 10 straight weeks. Wasn't that nice of me to leave it up for him while I was away?

Don't worry Anna and Mom, the tree is packed away and the laundry is all done.

With all of that out of the way, I guess I can take life off of "pause" and get back to normal. That is if someone can pry the Tivo remote out of my hands...