Smellamagood

Smellamagood.

Say it out loud.

That's what Granny B calls perfume. Cute, I know. To learn more about the cutest lady on the planet click on these links to older posts by myself and Mais, Oui Maggie (my little sis who is so obsessed with France that she moved there this past Monday): Happy Times, Young at Heart, Still Perkin', The Granny of the Century, and Muddie, I Love You Bushels. And just for good measure, one of my all time Maggie favorites (which has nothing to do with Granny): SHEEPAREFOREVER.

Now that you know Granny a little better...here is a funny story involving Maggie, Granny, Me, and Smellamagood. And please, only read this story if you can PROMISE not to tell Granny.

Pinky swear?

Okay, proceed.

All my life I have been searching for a signature fragrance. I want one because my Granny has one. Hers is a fragrance from another era. It's called White Shoulders. For Granny, it probably represents creamy bare shoulders, powdered fragrantly after a bath. Woah, sexy!! Not to mention she associates it with a lifetime of fond memories. For me...and I think I can speak for Maggie, too...it smells like a grandma and makes us think of dandruff (white shoulders? yuck!!).

What's funny is that for Maggie's birthday a year or two back, Granny gave her a bottle of White Shoulders. Of course, Maggie didn't want it, and she conveniently "forgot" it at my house one day, so then I was stuck with it.

I couldn't do anything with it. I wasn't going to wear it. But I couldn't just throw it away. After all, it represented Granny. So it sat in my cupboard. For a long time.

I really just wanted to give it back to her, but how could I? I was afraid she'd figure out that it was the self same perfume she had given to Maggie. So I bided my time.

And then it came. The perfect opportunity: her 100th birthday extravaganza. So many relatives would be there. Everyone knows she loves White Shoulders. And it's probably the 2nd most frequent gift she is given...the 1st being See's Candy by a landslide. I would leave it for her anonymously. She would never know who left it. She would never know it was the bottle she had originally given to Maggie. The perfume would have a home. It would be loved and not wasted. It was perfect.


The day of the party she finished opening her gifts, and when she was thoroughly engaged in telling stories, Adam discreetly placed the package on her pile of presents. As the party was winding down, I heard her voice in the distance. She was imploring my Grandma M. "Who got me this White Shoulders??" I smiled to myself. I had pulled it off. Go me!!

***Please, if you know Granny, don't ruin this happy ending. Don't divulge the secret of the White Shoulders. I would be devastated!

My reason for posting about all this Smellamagood nonsense is this: I may have finally found my signature fragrance. The one I have been searching for (unsuccessfully) for years. It is a smell that I will never grow tired of. One that I would be proud to be associated with. And most importantly, one that I would be happy to be re-gifted by my future great-granddaughters. (So lets all cross our fingers and hope that Bath & Body Works lasts that long.)

My signature fragrance is...(drum roll please):

Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Lotion

I must admit that after High School I thought my Bath and Body days were over, but I just cannot resist this product. My senses are in love with its scent, and since I use the lotion it also keeps my skin soft. The fragrance lasts at least all day, and on my clothes and sheets it lasts way longer. You should try it if you haven't already.

Here's another product I am loving right now:

Secret Clinical Strength Light and Fresh Scent

This is another fragrance I love (as far as deodorants go)--and Clinical Strength? What's not to love about that?
And as long as we're still talking about smells, do any of you lovely ladies have a laundry scent that is to die for? I'm still searching. I use Tide Fresh Scent detergent and Downy Clean Breeze fabric softener. They smell good, but I'm not quite in love with them. And if you leave a comment with your favorite, I guess I'll know you read all the way to the end of this gargantuan post! Quite the accomplishment. Go you!!

Music and Such

I haven't been blogging much lately. No, we haven't died in any horrible earthquakes or car accidents. I just haven't felt like posting anything. But please accept my new playlist and background color as proof that I haven't completely abandoned Life is Beautiful.

And just for the record...life is beautiful.

In Which There IS Such a Thing as Being Caught Red-Handed

My favorite Origins Liptint...Ruined!

Me...Sad

(I'm not good at sad faces, but that's how I felt. Use your imagination.)
The culprit...Grounded for life!!
(okay, maybe not quite that long)
Katelyn: Cheeeeeese!
Me: Don't smile! You're in BIG trouble!!!

4.0

No, that's not my GPA...thank goodness those days are over. That was the size of the largest of the three earthquakes that hit YL today.

I was in orange, stopped at a stoplight, when the 1st one hit this afternoon. The car kept jolting and I was confused, so I went through the checklist of possibilities: 1) Katelyn is fidgeting in the back seat, causing it to jolt...No, wait a minute, Katelyn doesn't weigh enough to rock the car like that. 2) The guy behind us is ramming us!! No, look--he's not even moving. That leaves us only one other option...3) AN EARTHQUAKE!! ...(don't panic) .

I went straight home to check for damage...and you'll never believe what I found!!
Devastating. I know.
I guess there's a reason that Wii sensor bars come with adhesive. Because you never know when a natural disaster is going to come along and leave it dangling from your TV set. Poor little thing.
For the 2nd and largest quake I was actually in YL at my cousin's baby shower. The best part was Aunt Mel. Let me explain...
I am not a native of this area, so I have no clue what to do when earthquakes hit. This time I was in a whole house FULL of natives. I decided to watch them and copy what they do...maybe learn a thing or two. Mel took action first, so I followed her lead. She dashed to the nearest couch and then toward the back door. I did too. Turns out she was just panicking and heading for the nearest exit. You're not really supposed to do that. Ha! I love Mel!
The 3rd quake was right after the second. A 3.8 (according to the news). I didn't even feel it. I was too busy talking about the other one and laughing at...Wait! I mean WITH...Aunt Mel.
Adam and his friend J are predicting a BIG one tomorrow. Stay tuned to find out if they are right...
(I hope they're not)...

Eleven

Zach's 11 month photo shoot didn't go as well as expected today. Apparently he's old enough now to realize that sitting on top of the little piano is not a very safe place for him to be. That's great for Zach and his self-preservation, but not so great for the frame-ability of today's photos. Nearly every picture is of him looking freaked out and crying, with his body pressed up against the wall. This is the only picture where he doesn't look like he's crying, but he's still clinging to the wall. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

After Zach was done, Katelyn insisted on getting her picture on the piano, too. Except she didn't do such a great job of staying ON it!

Then she said it was my turn. Thank goodness my J-Lo booty didn't break the piano. I only have one more picture to go before Zach's 1st year of photos at the piano is completed. I can't believe how quickly this year has passed!

Spilled Cheerios

Today has been one of those days. You know what I mean. One of those days where although you are grateful for the blessing of children, you wish someone would come and take them off your hands for a few hours. I don't know...maybe it's just this miserable heat we've been having. Triple digits have been known to make me irritable, but whatever the reason, my day felt kind of like the picture above. A whole bag of spilled Cheerios. And not just your average-sized bag. No. The great big Costco-sized bag--because you were hoping to economize. But just look how that plan backfired in your face.

Katelyn's favorite new game is Cheerio Party. Here's how you play: 1) grab your baby brother, 2) dump out a whole bag of Cheerios and 3) make a royal mess!! She knows better, but she does it anyway. What is my keyboard doing at the Cheerio Party? I don't know. Ask Katelyn. Maybe she invited it. Why does Zach's back look like a baby Wolverine attacked? Because he still claws himself when his nails get too long. He doesn't know when to quit, and sometimes I worry about that, too.

As the day wore on, I struggled to notice all the good things that happened. (Happiness is a choice, right?) For instance, I had a pack of fresh strawberries, and I thought they tasted like summer, so I left them on the counter and snacked throughout the day, reminiscing about summers back at home; Zach was awful cute, and the way he calls me "ma-ma" always cheers me up; and I was looking forward to a night with Adam watching 24 and Heroes (booooo! to the bad guys!!).


But it was our evening walk that truly put things back into perspective for me. It was because of the car that came barreling into the driveway we were crossing. I saw it accelerating, feet from myself, my husband and the stroller he was pushing. The stroller held my precious, Cheerio-Party-loving babies. In that moment I didn't have time to be afraid, but I could see the news. It was Fox 11 news. Christine Devine was reporting (love her!). A tragic hit and run, a photo of our family, and flowers and candles on the sidewalk in front of the 7-Eleven. That's what I saw...and then the car swerved and slammed on the brakes. We quickly crossed to safety and the car of teenagers continued by with giggles and unconvincing shouts of "Sorry!" Hello!! You almost just wiped out my babies! At least say it like you mean it!!


Heavenly Father, is this your idea of a swift kick in the rear? If so, point taken. There's nothing like the thought of losing your family to help you appreciate it more. So the lesson I take away tonight is: enjoy each moment. And I guess...don't cry over spilled Cheerios.

Beach Day

The kids and I spent the morning in Corona Del Mar with Grandma and cousins. It was perfect beach weather. I am jealous of my son's ability to tan. Once he masters the ancient art of Not Eating Sand he will be an official BEACH BABY!

Baby's Firsts

Who: Littleman

When: 9:35 am

What: Still asleep (highly unusual)

Where: My bed

Why: His 1st trip to Disneyland resulted in no naps whatsoever (I bet he's dreaming about churros and Autotopia!)

HAPPY EASTER!

I'm Feeling Pink Today

I made a few changes to my template. Did you notice? I'm really excited about learning how to make the middle of my blog white. Now I can make my background whatever color I want without worrying about wether it will match my pictures. Like today, I'm feeling pink. I never could have done that before with my solid background. It would have looked disgusting. Also, when I was messing around with my HTML codes I accidentally did something else that I am in love with. I made my posts wider without messing up my main heading photo--a photo that I love...except that Zach isn't in it. Well, he was in my tummy. Does that count? Anyway, I'm not sure how I did it, but there it is. And all my other side stuff is not lost, just changed. You can find it all the way down at the bottom, where I placed it safe and sound. I'm feeling so empowered. I can't wait to learn more about HTML!!

Cute Clippies

Our friend Ryan is a part-owner of the best baby boutique in Yorba Linda, called Lollipops and Polkadots. They are having a huge sale, and I stopped by yesterday to check it out. Sorry ladies, most of the good stuff is long gone by now, but I picked up these beauties for 70% off. I could totally make them myself, but I know I never would. I can't wait to put them in Katelyn's hair!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail...

Dear Grandma Honey,

Thanks for getting us the Easter bunny house. We had a splendid time decorating it today. Here's a picture of us getting ready to eat it! Doesn't it look beautiful? But you should see it now... Katelyn spent all day grazing on three walls and the roof. We had so much fun seeing you last weekend! Tell Wall-E the Dog we say "Hi".

Love, Katelyn and Ava

It's Over!!

A great big thank you to all our friends and family who came out to see the play!! It's finally over!!! I'm very glad that I could be a part of it...and I'm very glad that it's done. I grew closer to the Savior through this experience. The closest thing I can compare it to is like being in the temple 20+ hours each week. To fill the void now that it's over, I plan to continue studying the four gospels and The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister.

To all my angel buddies: See you at the cast party!! Woot Woot!

On Becoming an Angel

Nearly every night for the past two weeks I have become an angel. Since I'm starting to get pretty good at it (haha!) I thought I'd share what I have learned about becoming an angel.

1. You must do your hair. Angels don't wear ponytails.

2. Use thick makeup to cover your blemishes. I'm pretty sure angels don't have any.

3. If you have little hairs on your feet or toes, get rid of them. They are gross, and angels can't be gross.

4. Wear deodorant. Stinky pits are not angelic.

5. Don't burp. Duh!

6. Don't fart either. You don't want all the other angels to get the giggles.

7. Have good posture-even if your back aches from standing for several hours.

8. Smile!

9. When the people on "earth" are stressed or worried, wear a look of compassion that says "If only you knew what I know..."

10. Make eye contact with the shepherds. They make you feel more angelic.

11. Make eye contact with Mary. She is very holy, and I think she really sees us!

12. When the messenger angels are speaking, look at them like you're thinking: Hey, that was so fun when we all hung out last night. Next time how about my place? You know, because you're tight.