Christmas Came

Christmas came...and went. What a fun morning! We heard voices upstairs from the boys at 4:30 a.m.. Uh oh! Brian took a blanket and pillow up the stairs and camped out--he discovered how many ways to say "no" while half asleep. Finally, the clock rang 6:00 a.m. and it was officially Christmas Day! "Mom, are you awake?", one little voice said. (Shucks, sleep time is over). After a quick family prayer thanking Heavenly Father for Christmas and the real reason for Christmas, we set out to see what was under the tree. There wasn't ONE thing under the tree.....but there was a TeePee!

The boys looked around and someone said:
"Hey, where are all the presents?"
Mom and Dad: "It's right there--a cool TeePee!"
Boys: "That's all?"
Dad: "Hey, let's get inside and play Indians!" Reluctantly, David, Thomas and Jacob peeked inside the TeePee to find ALL the presents. Hee! Hee! Silly Santa tricked us by hiding them. It was a grand Christmas morning indeed! The new toys kept the kids busy all day long and we didn't even go out anywhere until evening time. It was great!

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

I shoveled snow at least 5 times last week (Brian was out of town--so who else was going to do it?) and I've shoveled snow TWICE today!! Wow! I can't believe how many inches it has snowed just today. Better get out an build a snowman!!

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas....."

Walmart Special

Preface: I had the same toaster for 11 years and it worked wonderfully until it broke. I have gone through 3 toasters in the past year.

Okay...so Brian was making toast (or trying to) and the toaster kept tripping the breaker. "What the heck?" So he tried another outlet, it started to heat up, sparks flew, a loud POP and it was dead. Great!

Monday morning rolls around and I thought, "Hmmm, I think I'll have some toast." Just kidding...no toaster. I, then, made a plan-- "When I take the boys to school I'll run into Walmart and exchange the toaster so it will seem like we didn't ever not have one." Great plan, ay?

8:54 a.m. That's when I arrived at the Walmart Customer Service Center. After waiting behind 2 people I told the CS Rep I would be right back with my exchange item. This would only take me 2 minutes, right? WRONG! Turns out Walmart doesn't carry the particular toaster I had purchased 4 months prior. Ho hum, gotta choose a different toaster. After checking out all of the options I chose a toaster that was pretty close to the same style as the blown up one.

Back to the Customer Service Center where I explain to the CS Rep that the toaster I had purchased 4 months ago is no longer in stock so I chose a different one with the same price tag and the representative tells me, "Since you don't have a reciept, and since we don't carry that model any longer we do not have UPC to return your money to you." I then explained to her that this particular model of toaster is currently under warranty for another 8 months and that they should not have any trouble exchanging it for a working toaster. Then she said, "You'll have to call the manufacturer." Well, alrighty then! I bought the other toaster and was out of there.

So I call the manufacturer (G.E.) and they inform me that my toaster has a two-year warranty with Walmart because they have a contract with them AND also that toaster has been recalled. By now I'm a little flustered with the curtness of the CS Rep who sort-of helped me at Walmart.

Back at the Walmart Customer Service Center I go. With a great big smile on my face I explain, once again, the happenings of the morning, my phone call to the manufacturer and that how silly it is that we take small appliances, like the toaster, for granted. The CS Rep gave me a blank stare not knowing what to do and calls for a CSM (customer service manager) to help out. She was at lunch, so 5 minutes later she strolls to the CS Center and half way listens while the situation is explained. Once again, stooper of thought....a call to another CSM who takes 6 minutes to arrive at the CS Center. Well, this guy CSM takes a look at what's going on and calls, yet another CSM on the phone to gain clarification on how to handle this tiny, little problem.

I'm thinking, "I just want a DANG toaster, what is all the fuss? Over a twenty-five dollar toaster!?!"

Now I've had to go through one CS Rep, two CSM's and a phone call to a third CSM. By this time (about 20 minutes of time), I got the priviledge to explain one more time, "my toaster blew up, I tried to exchange it this morning, I called the maufacturer, they said, 'bring it back it has a 2-year Walmart warranty and it has been recalled'."
The CSM guy says: "How do you know it's been recalled?"
Me: "G.E. informed me of that after I took the toaster home and called them."
CSM guy: "Hmmm."
Me, pointing at a paper: "There's the recall paper on your board right over there."
CSM guy: "Oh, that makes it easy!" "The UPC is right on that paper!"

Oh my H-E-double hockey sticks!!!!! Then I got to work with a different, very nice and happy CS Rep kid (that makes a total of 3 Reps and 4 CSM's over a dumb TOASTER). He returned my purchase money of the original G.E. toaster that blew up which is the reason they were recalled, gave my money back from the other toaster I bought in the morning, and finished up the transaction with my NEW purchase of a freakin' toaster.

I picked out a "cool", slender looking toaster to try out because in about 6 months I'll be exchanging it for a new one anyway. Oh my HECK!!!

It's Time To Grease Up The Sleds

Monday after school the boys begged me to take them sledding--I gave in and we had a fun "Family Home Afternoon" flying down Peteetneet hill. After some time of sledding down and hiking up that big hill and feeling pooped, we went inside to the Museum for a look at the Train Show. The boys loved it! And then we had a nice relaxing evening.

My Dear Margo

Oh, Margo! My Payson friend, Margo, is moving this week. In fact the moving company is coming tomorrow to start packing up her house (in boxes, they're leaving Friday). She IS her name....Margo is just as loud as I am and just as jovial ant as I am. We are two peas in a pod. She was always my partner in crime and in craftiness. (She always had the cutest ideas and she helped me many times with cricut projects--and she designed this year's Christmas cards) and we always swapped kids for a date or whatever. I just love this lady!! Two weeks ago, we installed shutters on her house on a 20 foot ladder that we borrowed, without asking, from her neighbor! We had a ball doing it, too! I will miss Margo dearly! I do know, however, that with the latest technology (cell phones, blogging, facebook) we will be able to stay in touch easily--good thing! Get this--she bought ME a XYRON 5-inch Sticker machine for a moving away gift. I will miss just jumping in the van and dropping by to see her latest completed project. And her kids, I will miss her kids--especially Little Miss Jordan and Baby Cameron (who isn't so much a baby anymore). I was the first person she ever left her newborn baby, Cameron, with (I am so proud). Oh, Margo! I know she will love Michigan and make a lot of new friends easily because that's just who she is....I love her and I will miss her soooooooooo freakin' much!!!!!!!

15 Days 'till Christmas

Well, there's only 15 days left to prepare for Christmas Day!! I can't believe it!! I am totally NOT ready and I'm trying to push the commercialism out of the way so I am able to FEEL Christmas this year and hopefully teach my boys what Christmas is really about. Sure, they know it's a celebration of our Savior's birth, Mary and Joseph's journey, Shepherds and Wisemen, but they still focus on what's going to be underneath the Christmas Tree. I'd really like them to FEEL Christmas as well--and in order for them to do that I need to be that example for them and show them what Christmas truly means.

I did get my homemade Christmas cards mailed yesterday--wahoo! And even though there's a little note in the card, my real Christmas wish for you is that you may FEEL Christmas in your hearts and your whole being (wouldn't that be fabulous?) One of my favorite christmas quotes is "WISEMEN STILL SEEK HIM". So, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!

Oh Where, Oh Where

Where have all my bloggin' friends gone?? I know life is busy and with the Holidays upon us it's even more busy, but I miss you all so get blogging! Hee! Hee!

Thanksgiving Feast

There's nothing like a nice, calm, relaxing Thanksgiving Day!! Most of the time I'm rushing to get the rolls baked, go to Grandma's and rush around some more because we're all starving but still running behind while trying to work around 35 people in a small kitchen. This year was completely different and it was soooooo wonderful!!! Thanks to my Mom and Dad for always coming through and hosting a delicious Thanksgiving Feast (we relented and did not end up at Chuck-A-Rama). Thanks to Celia and her girls for making a dozen pies (one of each kind you could ever dream of) and the few other family members that allow me to entertain them with silly, life stories.

At our house we started the day with "Turkey" pancakes--I like to get creative with pancakes sometimes (I call it pancake art). Anywho, they were tasty with homemade maple syrup.

Jacob Is 5!

"One year older and wiser, too--Happy Birthday, to you!It's Jacob's Birthday today!! He's FIVE years old already (my baby is five years old)!! Wahoo! He was born the day before Thanksgiving, so like this year, he is celebrating his Birthday the day before Thanksgiving. (Next year it will be ON Thanksgiving Day).

He is a funny little boy who likes to dress up, go to preschool in his pajamas, build things with legos, sing songs and win people over by giving hugs and a debonair smile. He can also be difficult at times and very hard to persuade. Jacob is very smart--he has known his letter sounds and recognition for a year now, he can write his name and all of the letters and numbers, he is learning the 50 States in preschool, we are working with him on reading and he is starting to ask about numbers ("mom, what's 2 +2?"). He does a pretty good job at keeping up with his brothers, too. He likes his sleep and is happy when he is well rested. He loves candy and truly has a sweet tooth. What a kid!

I am thankful for a great little guy who keeps me on my toes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Thanksgiving Time

Well, I'm home from my Girl's Getaway and back in the full swing of things--laundry, cleaning, organizing, planning Jacob's birthday, going to the office.....I am thankful for a husband who supports me and all the crazy things I do just to get a break. Hee! Hee!

For FHE we had a Thanksgiving "Thankful For" memory game. It was a cute memory game of all the things we are thankful for. It was fun and the boys learned what they should be thankful for:

• Prayer
• Prophet
• Family
• Food and clothing
• Temples
• Home
• Scriptures
• Body
• Heavenly Father and Jesus
• Baptism

I will add to that list:

• Good friends
• Wonderful, hard working husband
• Supportive parents
• My calling (YW Mia Maid Advisor)
• A working vehicle
• Good health
• Growing children
• Cheese fries
• Babysitters
• that the Twilight movie was not a let-down
• and more, so much more!!

The funny thing is that I think we'll be going to Chuck-A-Rama for our Thanksgiving meal this year--I told Brian, jokingly, that we should just go somewhere and eat this year since neither one of our parents is hosting Thanksgiving. He likes the idea, so now I am trying to talk him out of it because my Mom (afterall) is cooking dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Hee! Hee!

"Out Of The Office"

This is an automated reply....Due to the Annual Girl's Getaway, with my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, I will be out of the office (home) until Monday, November 24th, 2008. In case of an emergency please contact my Office Manager (Brian) by calling 465-5047 or call 911. A report of this event will be given on my blogspot when I return. Have a wonderful day!

Random Thoughts

Sheesh! I feel like I have been doing the same old thing day in and day out. Life gets monotonous sometimes--I guess it's time for a "get-a-way" (it's coming up, WAHOO!)

Brian started a new job at the Utah National Guard base this week--he will a be doing what he's always done just at a different place. He is really excited for the change but sad to leave NuSkin after 9 years. He gets to leave the house by 5:00 a.m. because work starts at 6:00! So there goes my gym pass (I'll go at night).


SOAPBOX:
What's up with the radio stations playing Christmas music already!??! Don't get me wrong I love the holiday tunes, but not until AFTER Thanksgiving. Are people so ungrateful that they just skip over the Thanksgiving Holiday and go straight to Christmas?...gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, me, me, me, I want, I want, I want. It just disgusts me! I fear that the Lord will not bless us when we become an even more selfish people. We need to take of our families' needs and then give whatever else we have to give (service, friendship, meals, an ear, a shoulder, laughter, empathy, sympathy, happiness).

'Tis Sweet To Sing This Sabbath Day

"Sunday is a different day--It's a special day"

(quote by Brian Laney)

It's chilly out and the leaves are blowing from the trees. I can hear a woodpecker pecking at the tree nearby my window. Sunday dinner is in the crockpot and I smell brownies baking in the oven. I'm sitting here thinking about the week ahead and trying to organize my thoughts--the things I have to do, the things I need to do, and the things I get to do. I just finished making invitations for YW Evening of Excellence, reviewed today's lesson on Good Health Habits, and deciding what kind of hors d'oeuvres to make for our Mia Maid Tea Party on Wednesday. The boys have had their Sunday baths and now they're watching the original Superman movie. Since our Church meetings begin at 1:30 p.m. we usually can accomplish a lot throughout the morning. Come January, Church starts at 9:00 a.m. Ohp, the oven is beeping--time to take the brownines out!

When It's Halloween...BOO!

Here's a little Halloween song I learned when I was young--

"When it's Halloween...BOO!

Witches can be seen...BOO!

Hiding here, hiding there,

Trying all to scare...BOO!"

Halloween Night was a lot fun! The boys are getting old enough to Trick-or-Treat and not wander off and get lost.

How Old Are You, Anyway?

Yesterday (October 29th) was my Birthday. For the past week, a day or two before my birthday, and on my birthday I have told everyone I was turning 34!!

I was born in 1975.....so you do the math....that makes me only

33 years old!

Yay! I get to be 33 again!!

(seriously, I am having to talk myself out of being 34--weird)

I tell ya, who doesn't know how old they are??!! (my birthday cake even had the numbers 3 & 4 on it) I feel so stupid, but all I can do is laugh at myself for not really knowing my own age--duh! So, my mistake.....I'm 33 years old.

By the way, Thanks to all my good friends and family for helping my birthday be so great!

Witches Night Out!

Brenda insisted that we go to "Witches Night Out" at Gardner Village. I was a little apprehensive to go because I didn't have a babysitter--she arranged for her nieces to come and sit with the boys (what a sweetie!). So, I whipped up a witch costume and away we went--I decided to dress up as a "Biker Witch".


What a hoot! There were so many great and creative witches EVERYWHERE!! But I didn't see another Harley Witch. There was dancing with a D.J., delicious food, cackle for a coupon, fortune tellers, fun folks and cute little shops to browse in--the whole bit. I'm glad I went (I think Brenda started a new tradition). Fun! Fun!

A Child's Prayer

Here's Jacob's blessing on the food this evening--it made me chuckle:

"Thank you for the food. Please bless it to nourish and strengthen our bodies, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. In the name..."

Evidently, he has been learning the Pledge of Allegiance in pre-school.

10 Things I Could Do To Change Someone's Life

**Check out what your name means at the bottom of my blog**

Tagged--Ten Things I Could Do To Change Someone's Life

1. Share the Gospel
2. Be a good friend
3. Work hard to become a millionaire and give it all away
4. Have a listening ear
5. Share the Gospel
6. Donate humanitarian items
7. Help when someone needs help
8. Be a more loving and patient mother
9. Promote good health--diet and exercise (it would change my own life)
10. Share the Gospel

So, watch out....I just might change your life :)

Family Photo Fun

We had Brian's brother, Shon (and his sweet, darling wife, Diane) take our family pictures a couple of weeks ago. It's amazing that the boys cooperated enough so that we had more than one good picture--Phew!! Now I have too many to choose from (you can't win). Thanks to Shon and Diane for their expertise and patience. Enjoy the show! (I had to compress a few so they would fit on the blog--not the best clarity, but you get the idea)

Tagged.....Eight Things

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Answer the six "8" items.
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by posting a comment.

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1-CSI Miami
2-CSI Las Vegas
3-CSI New York
4-Grey's Anatomy
5-Oprah (except I haven't seen it in years)
6-Family Feud (but I never watch it either)
7-The Mentalist (new)
8-Crusoe (new)

8 Things I Did Yesterday
1-Cleaned Kitchen, boys room, tv room
2-Took Brian, David, Thomas, Jacob, Hunter & Dillon to Nicklecade
3-Made PB & J for lunch
4-Went to Payson Market for Elder's Quorum Activity food
5-Went to the office--it was pay day
6-Made homemade pizza for dinner
7-Made gourmet Caramel Apples (just for fun)
8-Read a little of Breaking Dawn

8 Favorite Restaurants (or places to eat):
1-Bajio
2-Hunan City
3-Brian's Mom's
4- My Mom's
5-Grease pit hamburgers/fries
6-Cheese fries at One Man Band
7-Hospital food
8-School Lunch

8 Things On My Wish List:
1-Install chimney
2-Debt free
3-Food storage
4-Take my family on a real family vacation
5-Drop 25 lbs
6-That my kids are successful in school
7-To make Brian happy (if you know what I mean)
8-Be a better example to everyone

8 People to tag:
1-Larry
2-Curly
3-Moe
4-Tom
5-Dick
6-Harry
7-Lucy
8-Ricky

It's Chilly Outside...Bring Out The Hot Chocolate!

The other night for mutual the youth and leaders went around the ward and washed windows, cleaned out gutters, stacked wood, sang a song for Darlene at the rest home... I took some HOT CHOCOLATE to drink with our donuts--well, I made way too much, so I took it to the office to share with the gals the next day. Kara drank it all day, I had a few cups and Stefany drank some too. There was still some left so I lugged the jug home and we had some with our dinner, we had some more before bed, we drank even more for breakfast this morning (but it tasted a little yukky so I dumped it down the drain). I think I've had my fill of Hot Chocolate for the whole winter....not really, but you know what I mean.


So, I've had fun decorating my front porch for the Halloween/Harvest Season--I even used cornstalks from my own garden!! Scott and Brenda brought me a bale of straw and cutting Autumn leaves gives me a good excuse to take a drive up the canyon, too.









Look at this cute "Autumn Arrangement" I made! I just took one of those glass milk jugs and wrapped packaging paper over it, tied a bow and stuck some leaves in it--cute huh!

Thankful Tuesday

What a "glorious" Conference weekend indeed! I always hear what is meant for me. The messages always help me evaluate my life in hopes to do better. Usually, I feel overwhelmed by the time General Conference is over, but this time around, I just feel good! That doesn't mean I'm doing everything right or even everything that I'm supposed to be doing, but I just feel good!

Some goals I have made:
1. Serve others more and better
2. Make friends with our non-member or less active neighbors
3. Be a better "good example" to those particular neighbors (and to everyone)
4. Do better with my own scripture study (like read a little of The B of M before reading Twilight)
Note to self: It took me a long before diving into the Twilight series, I am now in the middle of the 4th book. The reason why this is so monumental is because the only books I have read can be counted on one hand since the good old High School english class assigned reading books. It has always been hard for me to read the scriptures--not because I don't understand what's in them, but because reading is, simply, just not "active" enough for me. I have this motto that goes like this--"I'd rather stare at a blank wall that pick up a book and read it." So, in reading the Twilight series, it has taught me that I really do enjoy the time I spend reading--it provides a "different" thing to do (probably because it is such a new aspect of my life) which, therefore, gives me this sense of accomplishment and a new faith in reading The Book of Mormon (or other scripture) because I KNOW I can DO IT without feeling like I'm not accomplishing anything (housework, meals, etc.) or "busy enough".
5. Unselfishness...the whole ball of wax

I am thankful for inspired leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I am grateful that I was raised in the Church by outstanding and worthy parents. Even though it was hard to let Pres. Hinckley go as our prophet, I feel the love and devotion that Pres. Monson has for each of us and that it truly is his time to be our living Prophet. I am thankful for my calling in my own ward to be able to work with the youth of the Church--they are our future. I am thankful for my trials (remember? they have names) (If you haven't heard the story, I'll tell you if you ask). I am thankful for the priesthood in my home and that Brian is an honorable priesthood holder. I LOVE that I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

What Begins With "P"

It's Friday evening and I need to get at making my PICKLES!! I've put it off all the day long and now it's passing 7:30 p.m. and here I sit at the computer. Like I said, blogging puts me 2 hours behind, but what the heck!?! And I am so Pooped out I could've gone to bed at 5:00 p.m. seriously!! (I'm still awake)


I did, however, bottle some PEARS this week--they turned out just beautiful! See?
Perfect-o


Okay, I have GOT to buckle down and get to work! I'm excited for General Conference tomorrow--I figure if I get the pickling done tonight then I can sit around and listen to Conference all day (ha!)

10:17 p.m.: The pickles are a DONE "DILL" (no pun intended. Hee Hee)

Ten Things Tuesday

I really don't want to do 10 things today....I worked my butt off yesterday in the kitchen, yep, more canning (what is wrong with me?). After cleaning the house, I picked the garden (beans, cucumbers & grape tomatoes), then watered it. After making it back inside I snipped and washed the beans, scrubbed the cucumbers, rinsed the tomatoes and set them aside for a minute. I had some leftover peaches from last week's canning fun that we just weren't eating fast enough so I decided to whip up some peach syrup to process. Well, I ended up with a triple batch. So, I cold packed the syrup and pressurized the beans at the same time, you know, killing two birds with one stone in a round about way. Oh, and in the middle of all of this? 4 loads of laundry--washed, dryed and folded.

AND I DID IT ALL WITHOUT A PEPSI!!



That was finished up just in time to help with homework and to get dinner ready....well, we had homemade burgers that were cooked on the grill because, frankly, I was sick and tired of the kitchen. Clean up was easy thanks to paper plates :) Family Home Moment was actually pretty successful (a rarity at our house). After enjoying some ice cream treats and fun on the trampoline, it was time for pajamas, reading in bed (I read to the boys and then dove into the first 100 pages of Breaking Dawn) and finally lights out.

Anywho, Ten Things Tuesday doesn't sound very appealing, but I don't think I could NOT do at least 10 things today......go figure! (Could somebody just, like, conk me over the head so I'm out cold for a few days?)

Friday, Saturday....Then Sunday

Friday's events included long awaited haircuts for David and Thomas (Jacob refused and I wasn't going to push the issue), a quick gander at Wal-mart, checking the mailbox for a package from Hogle Zoo--my mailbox is a community mailbox around the corner, down the block, around another corner and in the middle of that block, making grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch by Thomas, chopping veggies for salsa to can at Brian's request, making & enjoying funnel cakes with Melanie and Kaydee (my lovely Mia Maids) Uhm, NO! You don't have to wait for the County Fair or the Carnival to come to town to enjoy funnel cake, packing up Brian and David for the Scout Camporee over-night-er at the Old Pinery in Nephi (this is David's first outing as a Webelos scout), getting around to processing the quadruple batch of salsa, surfing KSL.com classified ads for I don't know what, AND finally, waiting for time to pass to put the boys and myself to bed.....that's a funny one....Jacob had a nap and woke up at 7:30 p.m. Hee! Hee!

Today, (Saturday) I thought I was going to can pears, but, thank heavens they aren't quite ripe yet (probably by Monday though). I really want to make pickles this year for some odd reason. Actually, my sister Celia is famous for her homemade pickles in her town--we used to can pickles every summer growing up and she just kept making them (she uses my mom's recipe, too) and I have a lot of cucumbers that shouldn't go to waste so I decided that I want to try and make PICKLES!! Am I crazy?? I just need to find some "fresh dill". (Next year I'm going to grow my own). So, instead of "peeling" the day away, I helped Brian's dad with finding a gal to retrieve her very old carpet, went to a yardsale, cleaned the bathroom/scrubbed the tub/cleaned out the clogs in the sink, scrubbed the stairway, vacuumed out the heating ducts/registers, went to IHOP for lunch with my family (I had the talapia with holindaise--it was so delicious), did a few loads of laundry, got ready and went to the Relief Society broadcast while Brian made another quadruple batch of salsa, chatted with my mom and sis until 11:00 p.m.

What? It's almost midnight by now--so, it's time for sleep so I can get up, make Sunday dinner, bathe the boys, finish my lesson for Mia Maids, survive the Church meetings and then.........relax?? That's a novel idea, ay?

A Full Day At School

Call me crazy, but I signed up to be a Substitute Teacher a couple of weeks ago and well....today was my first experience of a full day at school being "in charge" of a whole first grade class of 20 students. I just have to say a ginormous THANK YOU to all of the teachers out there, especially the ones who deal with my boys on a daily basis. I have a new appreciation for all they do with our kids in the classroom. Educators are truly under-paid in our great state of Utah!! Anywho, the day went really well and the kids I taught today were super! It wasn't so bad and maybe I'll try it again soon.

So, after a full day at school, I debriefed in my garden while picking beans with Jacob (he is my best big, little garden helper). During dinner I was about to fall asleep, but I had beans to bottle so I watched the season premier of Grey's Anatomy while the beans "processed". AHHHHH!

Just Peachy

Wow! What a day! I had a plan....a plan to bottle peaches with Amy at her mom's and I barely made it to help bottle my own. Anywho, I bottled 24 quarts of peaches today (among other things). Brian is so impressed. So, I got done what I set out to do and everything else will have to wait until tomorrow.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Today is Sunday....lesson Sunday. Yep, I get to teach the lovely Mia Maids about Community Service. And then after church we'll go to Brian's nephews Eagle Court of Honor.

The rest of the week is scary (I'm hoping I can develop a plan for the events this week). Maybe I should invest in a day planner calendar thingy. You know, my sister in law has her calendar open on her computer 24/7 which includes appointments, tending opportunities, kids' stuff, etc--I think I will start doing something like that myself instead of a day planner (besides, I just sold my day planner at my yard sale this summer).

All in all, I'll get done what I get done! Hee! Hee!

Do Nothing Days

I have to tell ya'll that I have been a bumb for a couple of days. You see, I have had this little cold and I mean little, but oh boy it has really slowed me down! Marla planned a movie night for Wednesday with the gals and it was way too much fun with laughs so hard that make you cry so I didn't get to bed until really late, but I got up on Thursday morning and got everybody off to school, read Eclipse for a while and had a little cat nap before getting Jacob from pre-school. After that was the daily struggle with getting the boys' homework done, cleaned out the fridge for dinner and then off I went to a YW presidency meeting, came home and helped the kids in PJ's and bed, read some more for a bit and dozed off to dreamland. (Brian was doing homework the whole time just in case you were wondering).

So now it's Friday. Survived the morning routine and then Jacob and I went to wal-mart for a minute, returned some things to Grandma Laney and waited for Brenda's birthday lunch. It was a fun time to go to lunch with some of my most favorite folks at my most favorite place to eat. And now, here I sit at the computer dilly-dallying waiting for some inspiriation on what to fix for dinner, but wanting to lay my head down on my soft pillow (I don't know why I'm so drowsy). It's going to be one those exciting (sense the sarcasm) Friday nights.....and tomorrow is an unplanned Saturday.

It's a good thing Monday will roll around soon and then maybe I can get my bootie back to business.

Wasting Time Bloggin'

So here I sit....spending time catching up on all the blogs with a sink full of dishes, laundry to switch over, clothes to fold, a bathroom to clean, a young womens activity to prepare, dinner (which I should start thinking about) to fix and a few other things which I'm sure will get me side-tracked from the good old "everyday" stuff.

Well, I just got this knot in my stomach telling me that I should stop wasting time and try to catch up. Sheesh! I hate that feeling. Oh well! Better get to work.

Rain, Rain Go Away

"Rain, rain go away!

Come again some other day."

I don't like it when it's gloomy out. I need the sunshine!! (however, it will give me a good excuse to stay in and finish New Moon and start on book 3! or make soup!)

I went to the Utah State Fair with the fourth grade today. It was fun and the weather was PERFECT! We saw a Bengal Tiger Show--it was pretty awesome! It made up for the time we went to Hogle Zoo and the tigers were...missing? We saw many cool works of art from welding to woodcrafting, sewing, baking, photography, paintings/drawings, scrapbook pages, dolls, statues, legos....but don't forget about the livestock, (sheep, goats, chickens, geese, pigs, beef cows, rabbits) besides, isn't that what the State Fair is all about?? We didn't get through everything because we only had 2 1/2 hours to spend. I was thinking it would be a fun "daytime" date and go with Brian to the State Fair this weekend (you can't really "bumb" with fourth grade boys if you know what I mean).

Good thing I got the garden picked before it rains :)

Thoughtful Thursday

My thoughts today are...."I need to clean out the PANTRY and the LAUNDRY ROOM (we'll see if it actually gets done because I really want to finish New Moon before the weekend)."

Busy But Nothing To Tell

You know, last week (all week and weekend) I was about 3 things behind on the daily "to-do" list, so they would get pushed over to the next day. Just when I think I've caught up there's more to do. I still feel like I'm 1 or 2 things behind. I guess that's what happens when I get side-tracked and go bumbing in Provo or Salt Lake or visit friends or family. Anyway, of all the things I've done this past week and over the Holiday weekend......I have nothing to show for it and no good stories to tell either. Oh well! Here's list of things I did do:

Friday:
1. Baked Bran Muffins with alternate recipe
2. Watered garden and grass
3. Harvested all the corn from my garden
4. Took the boys to the carnival
Saturday:
1. Mowed grass/weeds
2. Picked beans
3. Attended my nieces baptism (had a wonderful family dinner afterward)
4. Went to the Onion Days Talent Show (found a belly dancing group to join)
5. Made 6 batches of Raspberry freezer jam (started this project at 10:17 p.m.)
Sunday:
1. Baked cinnamon rolls for some fellow ward members
2. Played catch-up at home
3. Went to church
4. Visited family
5. Picked all the tomatoes before it rained and ruined them
6. Baked Bran Muffins...again
Monday:
1. Finished the 5K Onion Days Run in 29:25 minutes (they had awesome shirts this year)
2. Entered Bran Muffins in Onion Days Bake-Off (won third prize)
3. Tried to go to the Parade but took Thomas and Jacob to the InstaCare instead. 4. Hamburger fry at my parents with my whole family (provided lemonade and tomatoes--didn't get the pasta salad made)
5. Went to the park for an hour and bumped into a few friends
6. Finally...bed time (I fell asleep at 9:00 p.m.)
Tuesday:
1. Jacob's first day of Pre-school (enough said)

The thing that weighed on my mind all week? (This is really dumb, but...) I wanted to clean the boys' bedroom. It was such a mess and there were pathways from the bed to the stairs and the rest was covered with toys and clothes. So today, TUESDAY, I finally got it picked up so I could finally take ALL the clean clothes up to put them away (because, now, I can get to the closet without tripping over something). WAHOO!!! It took me one whole week to accomplish that ONE, stupid little task--sheesh!!

Family Field Trip

During the month of August, Thanksgiving Pointe offers "Two Dollar Tuesdays". You can get into the Museum, the Farm or the Gardens for just $2.00 a person!! We took the boys to the Museum (it was really cool) and to the Farm where they got to milk a cow with their bare hands and enjoy a short pony ride. It was a fun time and we're glad we went.

Twilight Is History

Wahoo! I finished Twilight and I'm into New Moon about 200 pages (Brenda will be so proud). I have really enjoyed what I've read so far and I'm enjoying doing something different for a change AND it hasn't taken too much time either, however, Brian will be glad when I start paying attention to him again instead of "those silly romances". He's getting jealous---probably because I have never been an avid reader before. Besides, I'm sure when all 4 books are read I will be back to my good old, predictable self!

F.Y.I.

Just so you know....I did it!! I swallowed my pride, let go of my dignity (for a minute) and performed a very short belly dance at the YW Talent Show. I'm still trying to figure it out--what was I thinking!?! Oh well! There are a few, including the Bishop, that will never look at me the same. Hee! Hee!

Memory Monday

The Beehives have planned a Talent Show for our combined YW activity this week and I'm having a really difficult time coming up with something to share. I don't play the piano, my violin has 14 inches of dust on it, I don't sing in front of people, I don't dance......wait a minute, I used to Belly Dance! Those were the days! I have wanted to keep up with it, but haven't squoze in the time to do it. Ya know, there is a group that meets at Peteetneet every Thursday to embrace their inner dork through Middle Eastern dance. I should join! Anyway, that's my memory--those fun times at the "end of class recitals"--they were a hoot and I can hardly believe I was so adventurous. Another funny memory that entails belly dancing was at our annual family Christmas party. We get to share something so, being clever, I belly danced for my family. You should have seen the looks on their faces, HA! HA! HA!! Needless to say, I haven't performed for them since.

Did you know that 1 minute of belly rolls is equal to 300 crunches? (somebody told me that once). So, I can't decide if I am brave enough to pull the costumes out of storage and whip something up real fast. If I were more courageous.....dilemma!!

Believe It or Not

I started reading the book Twilight two days ago. I am half way through it already. I can't believe it myself. See, I bought the book last October wanting to delve in, but knew that life would keep me from finishing it--and since I like to finish what I've started I have put it off until now. I have this saying (a Marilee saying) "I'd rather stare at a blank wall than read a book." Although that is still true, a little enlightenment cannot hurt, right? I figure with school starting next week, and with just Jacob at home, I will have some time to read the Twilight series. I'm actually looking forward to it. I hope my short attention span will not mar my progress through 4 very large books.
So far, so good!

Thoughtful Thursday

"We need to build and strengthen one another. We must never lose sight of the fact that we are to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees""

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

(D&C 81:5)

The Harvest Has Begun

The beans in my garden are growing in full force, along with the cucumbers, green peppers and hot peppers. So if anyboody needs anything just come on over (I'm serious). I picked a 5 gallon bucket of beans yesterday morning and canned 26 pints. Woo! It pooped me out! There will be another picking ready for tomorrow. This doesn't include the bean plants that haven't started to produce yet, either. The corn is just about ready to pick and the tomato plants are as tall as I am--they just need to turn red. And the pumpkin patch is growing really good, too.

Uhmm....I think I planted too much in the garden this year, but it is so rewarding to watch the plants grow and produce edible things and best of all, enjoy the harvest. Seriously, if anybody would like cucumbers, peppers or corn on the cob I have some!

It's Already Been 12 Years!

I've been married for TWELVE years!! Today is my Wedding Anniversary. It's a fun thing to think back to the day I got married and to reminisce about the events before, during and after the fact.....and the photos are pretty great too (if only I was as cute as I was a decade ago or at least 100 pounds still).

I know I chose Brian to be my husband and eternal companion for a reason!! (Sometimes I have to think hard about that one, but he is the right guy for me).

Brian puts up with quite a bit from me. I am stubborn, strong willed, bull headed, prideful, selfish, bratty, spoiled, hard to please, spender, I try to wear the pants sometimes, my way or the highway, pudgy, not affectionate enough.....well, see? I'm not the easiest person to live with--I have many flaws.

Brian puts up with it ALL and I am grateful for his abilty to quickly forgive, love me no matter how I look, accept me for who I am along with all my imperfectness. He amazingly keeps up with me and supports that I like getting things done and crossed off the "to-do" list. He works really hard at NuSkin and has always provided enough for us to meet our needs. I love his desire for learning (he would go to college for the rest of his life), his innovation, good ideas, practicality, dry Laney humor, worthiness, testimony, willingness to help when asked....He really is WONDERFUL and there are many more things I love about him, too.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!!

Family Friday: Family Connections Part 2

When I married Brian, I was accepted into The Laney Family with wide open arms (aka hugs). Brian's family is just great!! First of all, his parents know everything about anything and are alot of fun to be around. Mostly, I appreciate that they are always willing to listen to what we have to say (good or bad) and they don't take sides or meddle in our lives--I really appreciate that. Their home has an "open door" policy. They are always willing to help out when they can. The family is local, for the most part, which makes it easy to get together. Mom and Dad live in the same ward bounderies as my own parents...cool huh! I love it!

The oldest brother, Shon (Diane), lives in American Fork. It is educating to watch them raise teenagers. I am watching and learning good things from them. I have never heard Diane raise her voice and she has more patience than Job. Laura (Shawn), is the only girl in the family and she lives right here in Payson, Utah. She is one tough cookie (well, wouldn't you be if you had 5 brothers?). They, too are raising teenagers. Laura is easy going with a cheerful attitude. It amazes me how happy she always is. Micheal is the family's angel...literally. He died before I had a chance to know him, but he was a marvelous, charismatic young man (obviously because he completed his earthly mission by the age of 23). Brian was his sidekick and he is greatly missed by all. Then there is Patrick (Amy) who lives in Logan. He is a jokester and a half. They have 3 little kids like we do so we get along really well because we are in the same season of life. It's nice to have them because they understand our trials and triumphs. He is a super big help at home. I am always impressed by how hard he works to make and keep his wife happy. Joseph (Alene) is the youngest in the family. He and his wife lived in Provo until about a month ago when they fled the country to visit Korea for a while. I have to say that Joseph is not the easiest person to get along with, but I feel like I get along with him just fine. He and Alene are very intellectual and talk way above my head most of the time. We miss them!

Thanksgiving Dinner is always so yummy at Mom and Dad's--I look forward to it every year (even if we have to wait 3 hours to eat). Christmas time is fun at their house, too, because they decorate at least 5 Christmas trees and put one in every room of their house. Mom is a gourmet cook, I steal many recipes from her. Dad works harder than anyone I have ever met and his age doesn't seem to slow him down.

See what I mean? I have integrated into a wonderful family and I have many wonderful family connections. I am truly blessed!!

Next Friday's Feature: The Brian Laney Family

(Hee, Hee! This post will be good!)

Changin' It Up

Ya know, I decided to change up the blog and give it a different look. The reason I chose this particular design is because I LOVE POLKA-DOTS!!! I have this little saying that I like to share with folks and friends--it goes like this: I think in stripes and polka-dots! I do!! I truly do! My brain is geared with stripes and polka-dots. If you know me, you understand this little ditty completely with no questions asked. And if there is no understanding, then it's just too bad you don't know me because you're missing out. Anywho....until the next post....

Family Friday: Family Connections Part 1

I was just thinking how lucky I am to live near much of my family. I am blessed to live in the same town as my parents. I am glad for the connections I enjoy with my siblings.

For instance, I have my two nephews (Hunter and Dillon) twice a week for the day while Sarah is diligent in providing for their well being. Although it is difficult at times to handle 5 boys, I am glad for the connection I have with them. And because Sarah is such a busy and active gal I would probably hardly ever see her--so I do get to see her when she comes to pick up her boys and I am glad for that. My sister Diann recently moved to the Salt Lake area after living in Arizona for many years and a couple of years in Wyoming. It is so great to see her and her grown up kids more often (I really like them). My brother, Doug, lives in Liberty, Utah and always makes a good effort to come to Payson to visit Mom and Dad which means I get to visit with his family too. My oldest brother, Mark, has lived in Washington for a handful of years and I look forward to the day when he relocates back to Utah. He has made several trips "home" on his vacation time and it is always so great to reunite for a minute. My sisters, Celia and Rosaline live up North (Logan and Dayton, ID) they see each other quite a bit and it is more rare when I get to visit with these wonderful ladies and their growing up families (they are both so much fun). Eileen lives in Santaquin so I always see her--it's fablulous! My boys love those cousins and love to go to her house to play. We all look forward to the Sunday evening visit at Grandpa and Grandma Shepherd's--that's where the Lisonbee's, the Laney's, Kalyn and, of course, Mom and Dad commune every Sunday! It's wonderful!! Oh, and there's the youngest sister, Kalyn. I'm glad I have the internet or I would never see her (and bagpipe band practice is at Peteetneet every Thursday). I love it when she comes and the boys love to see her too!

See? I am one lucky gal to have such a wonderful family!!

(Next Friday's Feature: The Laney Family)

Thankful Tuesday

Sunday night the window A/C unit went crazy (I think from the rain) and so yesterday (after a fun-filled day of school clothes shopping with all the boys) I swapped it out for another one--the bigger one--that weighs at least 100 pounds. I'm so tough!! I hauled the dang thing up the stairs of death, it was hard, but I did it! It took me 45 minutes to situate it in the window properly. By the time I was through I had "had it" and was ticked off!! I am thankful it is cooling the room and is working beautifully.

Today, I am thankful that I actually got up and went to the gym (spin class was totally awesome this morning) and the other thing.....I'm thankful it only took me ONE HOUR to mow my back yard. I took 2 showers by 9:00 a.m. this morning. So now, I am thankful to be sitting down and blogging for a few minutes.

A Combonation of Wordless Wednesday and Family Friday

Pioneer Day

It's July 24th, Utah's celebration of when the Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. I enjoy many blessings because of these stalwart, faithful people. The pioneers sacrificed everything for their freedom to worship. In turn, I too, have the freedom to worship as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for which I am immensely grateful. I am so blessed!!

Garden Spot:
I went out to water the garden this morning and discovered that there was a cucumber that need to be picked, well.....as I started to pick it from the vine I noticed another one, and another one, and another one until I had 12 cucumbers in my bucket--I swear they weren't there 3 days ago! And peppers (hot peppers)....I think I planted too many. (Note to self: 2 cucumber plants and 1 pepper plant produces plenty). I planted 5 rows of corn. Needless to say, I'm going to have corn coming out my ears! Ha! Ha! The beans will be ready to pick next week, and the tomatoes are doing so great and there are going to be tons! I'm so excited that my garden is doing so well. Except that I have planted peas twice and nothing is growing (must be too hot). And the carrots? Who knows what happened to them!?!

Back to the 24th:
Brian had to go to work today because NuSkin is an international company and business continues on all over the world, so he didn't have the day off (however, he did go see the new Batman movie in the middle of the day). I usually take the boys to view the parade--they decided not to get dressed/cleaned up in time and I wasn't going to stress out about it, so we didn't go to the parade today. Oh well! But we did go have a picnic at Salem Pond with our neighbors and that was pretty fun and relaxing. Hopefully we'll be able to make it to see the fireworks this evening.

Soap box:
So, I had my hair cut the other day......not exactly what I had hoped for. I even took a picture along for my stylist to follow. Oh well, it will grow, right? I just can't style it before my hair "flips out"--literally, it just flips no matter what. But, I love my stylist!! I think I'm just used to the old do's and not the fancy shmancy do's they come up with these days.

Thankful Tuesday

I didn't get to go to Church on Sunday (I went to the Insta-Care instead). Thomas wasn't feeling well and he had a sore throat, tonsilitis to be exact. I was bumbed that I couldn't teach the Mia Maid lesson on Obedience, but next week's lesson is on the principle of Repentance. So, while the rest of the family was out to our Sunday services, I decided I would crack out the lesson manual and start preparing for next week....well, I got a little side tracked and started looking over my personal progress goals. WOW! I am almost finished, WAHOO!! I have 1 value experience in good works to finish and 3 value experiences in Integrity to do. So, my goal is to have it all finished up by November for our Young Womens In Excellence night. I think I can do it. Anyway, that's what I'm thankful for......the opportunity I had to spend time with myself, get back on track with a few things that have been set aside for a while and that I have been working on for a LONG time (I can actually see a light at the end of the tunnel). I am thankful to get a head start on the next weeks lesson that I get to teach to the dear Mia Maids (honestly, I think Mia Maids are fickle brats, but ya gotta love 'em). Although this week has been thrown off by not attending Church this past Sunday, be assured that I will not lose the Faith and I'll be back in attendance in a few days.

I Live in a Zoo

Since I feel like I live in a zoo sometimes, I decided to take the boys to the zoo today. It was a "spur-of-the-moment" activity, but it turned out to be quite fun. They couldn't wait to see the elephants and gorillas. All the animals were out and about and fairly active. The giraffes were funny--one came right up to us and stuck out his sticky tongue. It was great!! The tigers and lions were no where to be seen (it must have been nap time). I miss the polar bears,
hippos and the daddy lion that used to be at the zoo (maybe the hippos are still there and we just missed them--who knows?) Well, it was a fun adventure and now we're all too pooped to poop. Hee! Hee!

Yard Sale!

The last couple of weeks we have been taking loads to the dump--what a great feeling!! I love de-junking! My sister wants to have a yard sale, but since she lives in a canyon she probably wouldn't get rid of very much, so I invited her to bring her stuff to my house this Saturday for a yard sale. This gave me incentive to find old treasures that we no longer need and add them to the items for sale. (I needed to host a yard sale 6 years ago!) I have been digging through stuff everywhere today (in-laws storage shed, garden shed, tool shed, inside the house) and have hauled a bunch of stuff to the garbage and put boxes on my front porch in preparation for Saturday. Wow! I AM POOPED!! It's amazing how much stuff I plan to get rid of and how many things are still being stored. But, I just LOVE that uncluttered feeling--it's my favorite!

(No Title)

Well, I hope the gals enjoyed themselves at the campout! It was fun do something for my friends. I am still trying to recover from that sleepless night. After spending the day at the Scottish Festival and hauling junk to the dump, we slept out with the boys the next night which didn't help the sleep deprivation any and then our Sunday meetings begin right when it's nap time. And then, we had a family fun time at Brian's brothers house in Provo because he and his sweet wife are leaving the country to teach the english language in Korea for a year or two...or three. I haven't been to the gym this week and I am feeling like the biggest slacker. Unfortunately, I am not as young as I used to be and I can feel my body slow down once in a while. Well, more like my body telling me to slow down and I don't. I am learning that I just can't be the energizer bunny 24/7 anymore--only 16/5 (it's sad). I took David and Thomas to Seven Peaks yesterday and that certainly doesn't help the lack of energy recovery either. Maybe today I will take it easier. Oh well! Lots of fun times have been had by all, so I guess I just have to keep on going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going.........

Wordless Wednesday

Invitation to a GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Mark your calendar for this FRIDAY
JULY 11th
About 6:00 p.m.
Marilee's backyard for an Outdoor Sleep Over

We'll have a dutch oven dinner and whole lot more!
Bring your tent, sleeping gear, a chair, and whatever else you can think of.

I'll provide the main dinner dish and peach cobbler or pear tart and pancakes for breakfast and I'll make some yummy syrups, too.
Bring something to share
(post a comment to say what you'll bring):

We still need these items...or not

bacon
orange juice or milk
paper bowls
a green salad
a fruit or jello salad

Everyone is welcome...the more the merrier!!!
Call me if you have inquiries 465-5047 or 830-4600

Thankful Tuesday

I am thankful for WONDERFUL friends!! Those I see often and those I see not so often. For those who keep me involved and for those I ponder about--my neighborhood & childhood friends, elementary school friends, middle school friends, church friends, high school friends, college roommates, Santaquin 7th & 3rd Ward friends--and I can't forget Amber, she has been my Best Friend my WHOLE life! What more can I say? We did everything together (two peas in a pod)! And I can't forget Hope--she befriended me in high school, we were college room-roommates and have had many good times together and I love her!

Right now, I am escpecially thankful for my "movie/cheese fries" friends (you know who you are). Since they are my active friends they truly mean the most to me at this point in my life. We share laughs, funny stories, jokes, bad days, good days, special experiences, trials, successes, frustrations, testimony, values & morals, blogs & e-mails. And, even though I have moved out of the neighborhood circle, not one of them has forgotten me, but then....who could forget ME? Thank you to all of my friends--new and old!! Each one has built a little birdhouse in my soul. Have you ever heard the song by They Might Be Giants?

"...build a little birdhouse in your soul..."

Memory Monday

Marla started this little game and so I thought I would use it for my Memory Monday Post.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you can remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. :) If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave a memory of you in my comments.

Invitation for a GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Mark your calendar for this coming

Friday, JULY 11th

About 6:00 p.m.

Marilee's backyard for an Outdoor Sleep Over

We'll have a dutch oven dinner and whole lot more!

Bring your tent, sleeping gear, a chair, and whatever else you can think of...my bathroom is put back together again, so that's beneficial.

I'll provide the main dinner dish and peach cobbler or pear tart and pancakes for breakfast and I'll make some yummy syrups, too.

Bring something to share

(post a comment to say what you'll bring):

• eggs
• bacon
• sausage
• orange juice or milk
• drinks for dinner
• paper plates
• small paper plates
• paper cups
• plastic utensils
• a green or pasta salad
• a fruit or jello salad
• vanilla ice cream for cobbler

Everyone is welcome...the more the merrier!!!

Call me if you have inquiries 465-5047 or 830-4600

Thankful Tuesday

Well, I know what I'm thankful for this beautiful Tuesday evening....I'm thankful for TOILETS--any kind of toilet, even port-a-potties, just somewhere to rest your rump and not pee all over yourself (i.e. excretion in the bushes). As you know, Brian decided to tile the bathroom so he removed the toilet and since it's our only one, you can imagine the shenanigans I have gone through to be able to use a toilet. I have made many trips to my folks' for a potty break. I have been getting up and hurrying to the Gym for the daily workout, but first, using their restroom. It's funny, when I go to the store I make sure to empty my bladder before leaving. I'm beginning to get used to thinking ahead about bathroom breaks--hee! hee! For the most part the boys can go outside, except when they have to go #2 (the neighbors have been very generous). Me? I just have to find a toilet somewhere. It has been quite hilarious!

Glad tidings...the toilet is being re-installed as I type. WAHOO!!!!

Ahhh...Lavender

This weekend was Lavender Days in Mona. The fields are in full bloom with purple hues and calming fragrance. I know, because I ran in their annual 5K yesterday morning. It was a dirt road course and it wasn't easy but I made it across the finish line in a fairly good time. I was 79th place overall out of 368 women runners (not too bad, I guess). Even though I'm not the fastest runner I am glad to participate and have a good time. It was fun to see Brian and the boys at the finish line, too.

By the way, I need some 5K running buddies--ya'll start training so we can have some good times huffing and puffing. I plan to do the Santaquin Orchard Days Fun Run (August 2nd) and the Onion Days 5K (Sept. 1st). So dust off those running shoes and hit the road!

Four Days at Girls Camp

Girls Camp was a FABULOUS time and I have to say that I am proud of myself because I handled myself a little better this year than in years past--I didn't act so crazy/hyper. We left Tuesday morning with 24 girls and headed to Manti, ate our picnic lunches, changed into our Sunday best and went to the Temple and performed over 160 baptisms for the dead. Since the Manti Temple is not our "district" temple they required us to bring our own temple names (getting our hands on over 160 names was a miracle). Each girl had the opportunity to be baptized and confirmed for 9 people. The Spirit was so strong and doing baptisms at Manti provided a whole new experience for all who participated. We finished our journey to Palisade State Park and set up our tents and had dinner, hung out and went to bed.

Wednesday morning we all learned how to use a GPS and tested our skills at finding a few geocaches--it proved to be a lot of fun. The rest of the day was spent in the lake, swimming and canoeing. Since I am not an experienced swimmer, I relied on a life jacket to keep me afloat. I learned how to do a "flip" off the floating dock (it took a lot of courage). After everybody got cooked by the sun and water-logged we fixed up some dinner and prepared for our guest speaker. Dr. Aaron ?? shared his knowledge about the stars and how Heavenly Father communicates with us through the stars. He showed us all the constellations with the coolest green laser pointer I have ever seen. It was so neat and he was very congenial with the girls and we all learned so many deep and wonderful things about what is in outer space. After hours of star gazing we all went to bed.

Thursday was relaxing ALL day! The girls pretty much did what they wanted. I helped Courtney (who likes to talk hillbilly with me) try to catch a giant goldfish. We waded in the shallows for about 2 hours, by the time I was wading waist high we caught "Brutus" the frog, and called our effort good. That evening the Bishopric attended us for some fun songs around the camp fire and the annual testimony time. We gave each girl a letter from her mother and they were very touched.

Friday came, we packed up and headed for home. Those in my van had to take a little detour with me to the Red Bard for an ice cream--it was yummy!! Everybody was home by 11:00 a.m.--Phew!

So I get home and nobody is home....bummer....however, I did notice all the tiling tools out. Brian decided to tile the bathroom!! So now, we have no hot water (because our water heater is being repaired...in Florida) and our toilet is sitting in the bathtub :) Needless to say, my adventure has been extended for a few days.

My Friend Chris

My friend, Chris Gifford, who has lived in Santaquin, Utah for 15 years is moving to Auburn, Washington (near Seattle) this weekend. Best wishes to her and her family as they embark on a new adventure and blaze new-found trails.

Even though we are not "call-you-once-a-week-on-the-phone" friends, we meet up with all the gals for cheese fries or a late dollar movie (or a trip to Disneyland). I've known Chris for about 7 years and in that seven years I have learned many wonderful things and a handful of survival tips.

Here's a few things I've learned from/about Chris (but there's more):

• She is an awesome parent and I have enjoyed listening to her tell about her parenting bouts (and I'm waiting for her to write a book on effective parenting techniques)


• If she can sew it, she'll sew it


• She has one of everything in her purse


• She likes to drive


• She knows ALL music, artists, and song titles


• She is a dork and that's just dandy because, now, I know it's okay to be a dork too


• She doesn't put up with anybody's "crap"


• She is dedicated to whatever she is called upon to do (wife, motherhood, friend, cub scouts, exercise classes, soccer, community events, church ball, church choir, girls camp, band mom, etc.)


• If she can do it, then it gets done


• She is creative


• She is FUN!


• She laughs at herself


• She laughs with you at yourself

By now, I am surfing the wave of emotion! (Chris, do you have a life preserver in your purse?)

You know, you think you know someone pretty well and then you go on a 4 day trip with them and a whole new door is opened....words cannot express how AWESOME that trip was!!!!!! Wow! Many thanks to my friend, Chris and I will definitely miss her!!!

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Marla--Okay here are the rules:

• You link back to the person who tagged you
• Post these rules on your blog
• Share six unimportant things about yourself
• Tag six random people at the end of your entry
• Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs
• Enjoy the results!

Six unimportant things about me

1. I have a shoe fettish.

2. I love lipstick!

3. I like to cook/bake (and then share it).

4. My challenges have names.

5. I do not enjoy reading. In fact, I'd rather stare at a blank wall.

6. Once upon a time I had no eyelashes

And now for the sad part....I don't know 6 people who have blogs to tag (guess you're of the hook, lucky!).

Pinewood Derby Post

Our ward's Pinewood Derby was a couple of weeks ago (while I was at Youth Conference). Brian did a great job at helping and teaching David how to sand and design his Derby Car. Turns out that David had the fastest car that couldn't be beat!! Way to Go! He has been busy in Cub Scouts--first the Pinewood Derby, then Day Camp and then last Saturday the District had a Cub Scout Olympics day. He really enjoyed participating in all three events. Now we just need to help him finish up his Bear requirements before he turns 10 so he can move on to Webelos.