The Thomas Family

Web 2.0 – What does it really mean?

2009-04-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hey Bloggers, check out this video that I simply HAD to post! Mostly because this whole post is a college assignment!! HA HA Check it out!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NLlGopyXT_g

Okay! Seriously! Take a minute to check out this video. I loved the ideas that Professor Michael Wesch portrayed. I especially love the ways he portrayed them. By showing real time examples in creative and intriguing ways, I feel I was truly "taught" the info. It's going to stick! The amount of information the blogosphere and Web 2.0 generates daily is staggering. I find it hard to comprehend. Take a minute and look around you. Anywhere you find yourself, you are surrounded by text already! I have loved being a part of the blogosphere. Time restraints and other obligations force me to primarily be a reader of text. But the love and enjoyment of writing text will keep me "posting" for the forseeable future.

Seacrest Out!

A Cosmetic "Life" Procedure!

2009-03-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

Yep, There is absolutely NO difference! :)

I think I have finally arrived and joined up with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Rivers! Why? you ask. Well on Tuesday I had my first ever "Cosmetic" procedure! (Probably my last!) My dearest friend in the world, who will remain un-named, decided we should go down and visit a past employer who also does different cosmetic things like Botox and such. (NO I didn't have Botox-but am not totally against it! HAHAHA) Anyway, I have always had this little red vein under my nose that drives me absolutely nuts and my darling little friend said "Barb, you could get that zapped sooo fast." Really? Wow, that sounded fun. So the appointment was made. I was extremely nervous too. I knew this was going to hurt. Yeah, I know I am a wimp. Okay, so we were going to go and hold each other's hand during our little "procedures". But it didn't work out, and I actually ended up going alone and I had no one to hold my sweaty little hands! When I arrived at the office the receptionist asked "What are you having done?" I nervously explained about that annoying vein that drives me nuts. She gave me the most ridiculous look and then turned around while saying "Let me go and get the magnifying glass". Okay, do I feel stupid. They walked me to the room, sat me down, took a look at the affected area, and started "Zapping". To think I actually liked the Doctor when I sat down too. WOW did that HUUURRRRT! Then he proceeded to hand me a mirror so I could see if I liked the results. I tried my best to look, through my teared up eyes, and past the overhead light blasting down, I ended up just looking right up my nose. "Oh, the STUPID things we do." I heard myself say. After a few more minutes of tear jerking "ZAPS", it was all a thing of the past. The Doctor nicely walked me up to the front desk and told the girl there "It was so small, don't charge her for anything." There I go feeling stupid again. Why was it so big to me?

Case in point, I think I learned a lesson that day. Those little trivial things that drive us nuts, are such a waste of time and energy. "Don't sweat the small stuff." I know! It's easier said than done. This coming from the girl who a year ago would have passed out if my toilet paper wasn't peaked when a guest asked to use the respective restroom. Yeah, you can say that I have had to relax my standards just a little now that I am a working mom. But, that lesson learned, through many, many guests using unpeaked toilet paper and etc. etc. is that life is so much fun when we concentrate on what truly matters most! I have my family! We are healthy and together! We have a messy laundry room, our garage is in shambles, and our toy room looks like Kansas after a tornado and it's OK! Today I am going to rejoice when I see 2 dust bunnies and not 3 and then I am going to sit down with my kids and watch "Napolean" and they are going to spill popcorn on the carpet, and I am going to laugh and not scream!

I feel as if I am just starting to live!

Thanks Doc!

p.s. My long lost friend Della posted a quote from Dr. Suess on her blog that I feel goes very nice with this post.

It's a troublesome world.
All the people who're in it
are troubled with troubles
almost every minute.
Just tell yourself, Duckie,
you're really quite lucky!
Some people are much more...
oh, muchly much much more
unlucky than you!
-from the Dr. Suess Book - Did I ever tell you how lucky you are?

-I'm still glad that vein is gone! ;)

Life is good!

Earth will be moved!

2009-03-06T21:06:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like sitting home alone on a Friday night to make a girl really think. What am I thinking? Well besides "Who in the HECK is going to clean this pig sty?" and "Where did that wrinkle come from?" I have to say the question that is weighing on my mind most is ........"What kind of ice cream do I have in my freezer?" I know, I know, you thought it was going to be one of those really deep, intellectual thoughts that when pondered long enough, turn out to be earth-moving. Nope, not tonight. Although the more ice cream I eat the more earth will be moved. And that I CAN promise you! Yes, it was DEFINITELY worth your time to read this! Thanks! :)
-Seacrest Out!

Parade Of Hopes and Dreams '09

2009-02-28T19:52:00.000-08:00

Yay! It was Parade Of Homes time again, and of course we didn't miss it. We LOVE torture as you may well know. No, this is a fun family tradition that we really look forward to all year. This year though, I have to say, it got me thinking a little bit about what I really want out of life. While I think these homes are beautiful, I for one know, that it is not the life that I would want or choose for myself. Just give me a tent in the mountains, a fishing pole and some hot dog roasting sticks and I am satisfied. After all I am a country girl at heart. This weekend I had the chance to spend a couple of days at my Mom's house in the big O.C. Nope not Orange County. In Utah, that means Oak City. I realized, like I do every time I am there, how much I love it. Growing up in Oak City was truly an adventure. Especially for a kid. The first morning we were there, to mine and my little brother Jimmy's surprise and delight, we saw that there was a cow pasture across the street. We were so excited! Cows! We had grown up before that, mostly in West Valley City, where farm animals were NEVER seen across the street!HAHA That day I found an old rusted pot, that I was sure belonged to pioneers, and immediately started making "Mud Pies", and didn't stop for at least six years. Building forts, swimming in ponds, playing in the ditch and riding my Honda 90 everywhere I went, soon became a part of my everyday life. It was a fantastic way to grow up, something I wish my children could have. Wait, would my kids even swim in a pond? Or would they say "Mom, it's muddy. Gross!" What I wouldn't give for a little farm house with a wrap around porch surrounded by a few acres, a cowboy hat, and boots, a tractor and maybe a cow and some chickens. I know I am a little strange! :) Maybe it's a simpler life I crave. Away from the "hustle and bustle" and the crotchety old man that drives around every Friday to make sure everyone is obeying the C.C. andR.'s in our neighborhood. Are there kids' bikes on your lawn? Is your garbage can out of sight? Maybe this Friday I will make a beautiful sculpture of bikes and garbage cans out on my lawn, just for his adoration and appreciation. I wonder how many days it would take to get a threatening letter from the "Association"? Yep, I think I would gladly go back to live in the O.C. I would trade pavement for mud, custom curb for gravel, tall buildings for mountains, and tame for wild. And maybe just maybe Rheenie would get on the back of my Honda 90 and hold my piano books for me, one more time, when I decide to jump the dirt pile in front of the Facer's house. Sorry for the road rash girl. But that's what friends are for..Right? A few good quotes come to mind "Bloom where your planted." "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." And "Wherever you go there you'll be." I'll try and i'll succeed. But the O.C will always have a special place in my heart.
And as for the Parade of Homes, we had a blast. My kids love spending the time with Grandma and Grandpa, fighting over which room would be their's, in EVERY house, and making stuffy old people mad that 4 kids under the age of 12 were in the same room with them. But, I think, the best part was when on our way home Savannah said "We still have one more beautiful house to see. It's the yellow one with the red door." Glad to see "Home" is still good enough for them. If only it was in Oak City.

She pooped out what?

2009-02-21T20:58:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would say "Hi" to all of you "Bloggers" out there. Lonely world ain't it? Maybe not. I have found it fascinating to read all of the various blogs out there. It actually makes it quite intimidating to start one of your own. But I guess I am a sucker and can't help myself. This is the story of my life and the lives of my children and I just have to share.
Today my girls had their first ever violin recital. I was so proud. They were so nervous and when the time came for Gracie to go up she said "NO". Well, I did what any self respecting mom would do and went up onstage with her. Yikes! She played her song well and a disaster was averted. She was truly amazing and I cheered her on in my heart. Savannah, on the other hand, stood on her turn, and played "Old Joe Clark" with confidence and accuracy. She had great form and is a natural talent. Yes, yes, I know, every parent out there thinks their kid is the best. Too bad that mine are. :) Ashton was trying hard to remain "extremely bored" and cool. But deep down, I know he loves it and knows great music when he hears it. Avery played with her cousin Ella and couldn't help but tell Uncle Matt and Aunt Kristi that she "swallowed a dime and pooped it out", loud enough that I could hear it from the row in front of them. Sorry for the EXTREMELY rude interruption of "Minuet in G" by the cute little girl in the white dress. Of course a "shout-out" of love and appreciation must go to the family members who came and sat through an hour and 10 minutes of other people's children playing the violin. What love you must have in your hearts for my family.....I'm sure you'll find a way of paying me back later.
Kids. What wonderful and miraculous entertainment! 'Til next time -....Seacrest out!

2009-02-17T21:38:00.000-08:00

If you can't help yourself and are still here looking around take a minute to look at the blog for my children's book in progress. And leave me a message - tell me what you think. Thanks. My mom and dad also have a photography blog - check it- oh ya -check it!