Along Plum Creek

11/29/11 catch up

2011-11-29T08:02:00.003-06:00

Ok it's been long enough without blogging.

To Catch you up ......

**Hubby is healing in his nice warm sand bed at his Rehab Center.
**young G is a great pumpkin pie maker.
**Girlfriend Megs (yeah that's what her new blog name is) is totally awesome.
**I'm thankful for G's friends parents that keep his social life going.
**I'm stressed in volleyball games.
**I hate buying a van for someone else.
**Hubby's Healing is coming along but slow.
**W is currently unemployed
**I look like I have a junk yard in my drive way
**I have a naked Christmas tree in my living room.
**Girlfriend Megs is a killer of kills! and I'm not talkin' about video games.
**I go every day to help Hubby with his personal Hygene.
**The two things I love doing the most (mail & laundry) I'm behind on.
**I drive "Deer Ally" home from Hubby every night.
**Girlfriend Megs is currently playing in the National NAIA volleyball Tournament (I'm so excited for her)
**I quite often have no idea what day it is.
**I finally started my newest job (I applied WAAaay back in August) at the Y.
**G and I completed a Thanksgiving 5k, it was a blast
**son W spent thanksgiving in North Dakota
** I make time to watch volleyball stream live online!
**I learned the hard way (well it wasn't hard, it was just time consuming) that my State now holds the car titles until the lien is satisfied.
**I have half my Christmas shopping done.

that's enough of a catch up for now!

Public Service Message ~ Slam in to THAT animal!

2011-10-23T10:27:00.005-05:00

this is what happens when you choose to avoid

hitting an animal and cross the center line!

SLAM IN TO THAT ANIMAL!

As a dog and a cat owner I would much rather you hit

my pet than for you to cross the center line into on coming traffic.

This is Hubby's car when a dump truck driver decided

to not attempt to hit a dog in the road.

I know it's a reflex but you have to get it into

your mind and your reactions to just plow in to the animal!

Never swerve!

and if you're driving a dump truck

never brake so hard you'll loose control!

Stay At Home Mom?

2011-10-09T14:42:00.003-05:00

For the past couple of weeks I've been missing at home!?!!

For the past 7 schools days I have worked 6 of them! Half of those days were early morning phone calls. This means that knew ahead of time (which I love) for 3 days and 3 of the days I was called at 6am (which I don't love so much).

It's $ so I'm not complaining, but it sure bits into my "Stay at Home Mom" status! and my workout time, and my getting things done at home time and my blog time ...... I've always said I don't know how Moms work and get it all done! Now I know they don't!

My experiences with subbing have not been all good either. I had one class that I had to call in principle in for a class attitude adjustment, thankfully for me the next class I subbed in was Heavenly!

and I'll be subbing tomorrow!

Corn Maze!

2011-10-09T14:27:00.004-05:00

I took G and a friend to the Pumpkin Patch last weekend. It really wasn't the pumpkin Patch they were interested in it was the Corn Maze that they were eager to try!

They made it through it the first time in about 10 minutes. They then tried it again a few more times getting slower and slower each time??

We took a hayride around the place before leaving!

Hellllooooo let me introduce myself!

2011-09-26T07:30:00.002-05:00

I know I've been gone a while, but I've been sick! Just laying on the couch, coughing, with a pounding head sick! I blame it on Allergies but I don't really know anymore. I still can cough like I've had too many cigarettes! Lovely picture huh?

I'm back today with a long list of things to do! Some from last week that never got done and plenty from this week to do! I love a good list to scratch things off of!

I have the dishwasher going now and the laundry already down stairs (thanks to G) .... So I need to get things really moving ....

P.E.O Tuesday

2011-09-14T22:26:00.003-05:00

Yesterday the PEO group that I belong to opened their new year. I had worked on the "yearbook committee" this year. This means that I along with 2 other people had worked on putting together a year's worth of activities for this group.

Yesterday we had lunch at a wonderful place just out of town. It is a bed and breakfast as a wonderful veranda that over looks a small lake and newly planted grape vines. The style is Italian and it is simple beautiful. The owner is a fabulous cook and fixed us a wonderful meal of Appetizers: Goat Cheese and Roasted Tomatoes with Herb Crackers,Braised chicken with artichokes and Olives with a variety of other vegetables, Bread, a wonderfully moist lemon cake for dessert. There was not one thing I did not enjoy! We had 25 ladies in attendance. This place was a new experience for this group and it seemed that everyone enjoyed it.

We presented out new year of program ideas, and yearbooks.

Side note ... it was HOT! it was 93 degrees, there was a saving breeze but still HOT!

A Student's Delight ... A mother's nightmare

2011-09-14T22:08:00.004-05:00

This year G moved to the middle school, this means there is an increase of responsibility placed on the student.

A student's delight ....A Mother's nightmare.

School meals! In middle school there are 'choices' at lunch. There is a choice of 2 main dishes, choice of a salad bar, and then all sorts of ala carte options. Choices, Choices and more Choices! A Student's delight .... A mother's nightmare. We've already had to have a lunch conversation, since I put $83 on this lunch card at the first of school, and by the 13th day of school it was gone! GONE! not a penny left! Let's see that was 13 days of meals that used up $83! He was spending over $5 at lunch everyday. The regular meal is $2.45 so he was adding another 2.50 to his meal everyday. A large milk, a cookie and a package of elf grahams (more cookies) A student's delight.... A mother's nightmare. We had the conversation then about just what choices he was making and explained to him what it was costing. He agreed to cut some "ala carte" items (large milk and elf grahams) out of his daily selections.

Tonight I looked at his lunch money spent amount since last week (when I sent more money) and he had spent $25 in 7 days! A child's Delight .... A mother's nightmare! He was still getting $1 more in ala carte items! Another conversation ...... Say a prayer that this gets controlled soon before we're in the school lunch poor house!

Adventures of the Oil Fields

2011-09-10T19:36:00.005-05:00

W worked his first shift in the oil fields this Friday morning.

He learned to run a giant fork lift! He said that all of his years of playing with Tonka Trucks was now coming in handy!

He worked 32.5 hours at $26 an hour. He should get 3 shifts like this a week, with time and a half after 40 hours! you can now see how W's funds are going to add up quickly!

He gets at least a 4 hour break (paid) while he's out there. He slept. Depending on the shift he could actually get 2 of those breaks. There are 2 men always working while the other is on break.
He said it wasn't hard work, it was just long work. He said it was a slow process of sending the pipes up to the oil rig. Work for a couple of minutes then wait for the pipe to get up the shoot (4-5 minutes) then load another. He wasn't thrilled about the waiting.

I had to ship him some cheap jeans from here. He couldn't find any at his Walmart. He said that his Walmart didn't have enough people to work, the shelves weren't orderly and stocked.

In this oil field town they pay $15 an hour for the minimal jobs in town, fast food, Walmart etc but can't get workers since the oil fields are paying so much more!

Life on Thursday ~ Adventures in Subbing addition

2011-09-10T19:26:00.002-05:00

Today was my first full day of subbing this year.

I was in kindergarten, I'm always reluctant to go into kindergarten so early in the year.

AND I'd signed on for 2 days of this class! If it was bad the first day, it was going to be BAD the second day!

Much to my joy this class was great! They sat quietly, while I gathered my wits. That's HUGE in kindergarten. They didn't tell me all day "That's not the Mrs. ***** does it" That's HUGE in kindergarten. They didn't make noise while we transitioned between specials. That's HUGE in kindergarten!

I will tell you the that this class had interesting first names ... Truman, Johnson, Adeline, Koumorie, Kenny are just a few.

After school G and I went to watch Megan play volleyball. They play the best out of 5, and they played all 5 games before winning. It was fun to watch her.

W called from North Dakota, he got "put on crew". He was hired as a floater, but even before he went to work he had a spot on a crew. Thursday morning they told him that his crew would be on call that night. They don't ever know when they'll be called but they will be called. He got his call around 3:45am (and he starts getting paid once he's called) and he reports within 30 minutes.

BUT really that's Friday's story!

Off on an adventure

2011-09-06T15:37:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday afternoon W left for his Grand Adventure.

He'll be working in the oil fields of North Dakota.

He had been more than ready to leave for the past 3 weeks, setting a date but then having to miss the deadline due to not finding a place to live. His frustration was just growing week to week, until finally we found a place an hour away. It sounded perfect, but his future boss wanted him to be within 30 minutes as he would be 'on call' and would need to report within 3o minutes. Cancel that plan but at the same time Hubby's old friend told us he could stay with his family until he could find a place. Answer to prayers. The house is small and there are already a lot of people in the family, but he's there and finding a place and pouncing on it will be easier. He says "they're a fun family" so that makes me feel better, now to get to work.

Before he left we snapped a couple of pictures.

Don't I have handsome boys??

I just don't know what happened to my babies!

Me and My Boys!

Life on Thursday ~ Why Not?

2011-09-01T20:00:00.006-05:00

Today when I got back from the Y, there was this pile of blocks in my front yard. Yes, there were there when I left and really had been there for a couple of days. When I got home, I decided that I'd work on them .....Why not? it was September 1st and the weather is suppose to be cooling down, RIGHT?

WRONG ... this week we've been having temps hoovering around 100! So Why Not work on the blocks today. I waited for W to emerge from his cave bedroom, when that didn't happen by noon, I went out and started without him ... and the proceeded without him all afternoon!Until I had used almost all of my Blocks, the yard was clean....

Well, there is a dying bush that got pulled out!

But one side is finished! YEA for me! There is a quote that says "Sweat is your fat crying" Well, my fat cried all afternoon!

Even though the temp was 102, the wind was strong so the humidity was low. So Why Not... it was a perfect day!

I even was able to put a Roast on for supper!

Yes, I was on a roll today.... tomorrow I might even be able to roll anywhere!

Where is that Advil bottle???

Should I have a royal wave ???

2011-08-26T07:40:00.003-05:00

This week has been a dental challenge.

I was sat down at Monday's lunch for a fabulous Bean and Brown rice Burrito! A piece of lettuce slipped out and dropped to the plate! I picked it up popped it in my mouth and chomped down!

I cracked 2 teeth. Yea a bonus 2 at once!

Now these were teeth that we (the dentist and I) had been watching. So it was ready to go at any minute.

I switch to eating on the right side of my mouth. Not an easy task.
I switch to room temperature water drinking it through a straw.

and call the dentist.

Wednesday afternoon I get the first part of my crown on the tooth that seemed to be the most sensitive. The trauma and sensitivity of the tooth after is always greater than the before!

Life on Thursday

2011-08-25T21:23:00.003-05:00

Today started getting computer things done. I always think I'm not getting anything done when I sit there all morning even though I am moving forward on this project but it's not done!

I had the first part of my crown yesterday so my mouth is sensitive so a workout was out of the picture for today. Thankfully it got better as the day worn on.

The weather was perfect today mid 80's and low humidity. Beautiful!

I had a meeting for planning the 'enrichment' meetings for the women at church this afternoon. We got all the ideas for the rest of 2011 in place and most of 2012. That's a great feeling to have those plans in place.

Made a quick stop at the grocery store, then home to enjoy another dose of Advil. Maybe it wasn't getting better I was just getting better at taking Advil!?!?

I had taken my van in for a tune up last night and they called at the last minute and said it was ready. W took me to town to get it! I was hoping to just let this van die but now we need it to LIVE for a few more months!

I spent the night doing laundry and fixed homemade Egg McMuffins for supper with fruit.

Life on Thursday

2011-08-18T19:48:00.003-05:00

Wow this is the 2nd day of school, not as much excitement and more sleepy!

I had woken up at 4:14 and didn't go back to sleep until 5:30. I stay in bed and contemplate the problems of the world. Alright not the world's problems but I really pray over my concerns. I usually just finally ask the Lord, "OK what am I suppose to do or know." Once that is covered I can go back to sleep.

When the alarm went off, I was SSSOoooo asleep! G wasn't as eager to get the morning things done (like a shower!?!). He still made it to the Bus on time, much to all the drama that he displayed.

I then went off to visit a lady I go to church with, helped her out for a short time.

Came back home, washed a couple loads of clothes then ......

NAPPED for an hour.

My allergies have been acting up. When I was little I had horrible allergies, but as I've grown up the allergy symptoms have given way to a general worn out feeling. It usually takes a couple of days for to figure out why I don't feel good. Today was the day that the lightbulb went off. I'm not worn out because of eating junk, or not drinking enough water it's because of my allergies. Well, the lightbulb went off because I also had a sinus headache.

I have a big P.E.O project with a deadline coming up so I worked on that for an hour. I made great progress but still more to go!

G's bus ride might be short in the morning but the afternoon ride is LOOoonng! He rode yesterday for 1 hour and 45 minutes after he was out of school. The last on means the last one off!?! There is a transition station at one of the schools and that is always a mess the first few days. I'm hoping the afternoon ride will get shorter!

I still was able to go to my last semi private training session. My workout partner is a teacher so we had to switch to late afternoon.

Came home to a build your own personal pizza and salads, shower and relax

Wordless Wednesday ~ just makes me smile

2011-08-17T14:24:00.003-05:00

1st day of 6th grade!

2011-08-17T13:15:00.005-05:00

My baby is in Middle School! it's not hard for me take, he's really growing up and that's fine!

He was awake this morning when I went in to get him up (at 6:45am). I wasn't surprised. We'd talked about his morning schedule last night so he knew what he had to get done. He had an omelet and a smoothie for breakfast.

He was all about independence this morning. We learned that the bus schedule this year won't be so ridiculously early so he could ride the bus in the morning. In the past it came over an hour (yes OVER an hour) before his school started. This year it seems like he'll be the last one on, and of course his school starts earlier than before. So on the bus he was.

he didn't want me to drive him to the road. I always worry that the bus won't see him. He's not real big !?! but I agreed to stay in the drive way, next to the house. I really ended up doing the dishes at the sink so I could see him get on the bus. Gave him an independent heart and me a peaceful heart.

He switches classes this year, but only within his safe and secure 6th grade pod. In case you haven't looked lately there is a big difference between 6th graders (11 years old) and 8th graders (turning 14) so that was big thing for G (and me!). He does venture out of his pod for lunch (with other 6th graders) and then the last hour of the day. Actually for G he get to go to his related Arts class just outside the pod doors until 2 quarter!

Blooming Monday ~ HOPE

2011-08-15T15:43:00.002-05:00

With a little rain and cooler weather, it's coming back!

the BASH is Back!

2011-08-14T15:35:00.004-05:00

Last weekend we gathered together for Hubby's family reunion, long ago named the BASH!

It had been years (I believe 12 or 13) since we'd had the last one, so it was high time to gather together. There were the traditional BASH things, like shirts, group picture before Saturday supper, cups with our names on them, staying up too late, kids crafts, trying to figure exactly just how many bashes there have been, and what color have the shirts been and last by not least lasagna for Saturday Supper.

There is now a generation of 2nd cousins that didn't exist before. G is the youngest grandchild in the family but he fit right in with the 2nd cousins, all about his age or younger.

I for some reason am having trouble uploading pictures so .... until I figure it out! There is always the group shot.

Book Review ~ A Stolen Life

2011-08-13T09:03:00.003-05:00

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

Can't really rate it, it's her story and I can't rate some one's life. It 's a fast read, it's a graphic read (for the first couple of chapters), it's a sad read (I didn't cry though), it's a amazing read (Jaycee is an amazing person), it's worth the time.

I'm amazed that Jaycee was able to keep a level head, or a rational mind while surrounded by two crazy people. Yes, I believe she was in a survival mode, even after 18 years but still able to have a clear mind. She played their game but was able to separate herself from their deranged thoughts and survive.

Friday Find ~ Pinterest

2011-08-12T17:42:00.007-05:00

I've worked on getting my Pinterest account set up this week.

Pinterest is a website that allows you to 'pin' things to your board. I think it's similar to tearing out pages in a magazine and pinning them to your bulletin board.

when you find things on the web, you simply pin them to your pinterest board. You can also follow other people's board so see what they like and find!

OH and hey if you want to see my Pinterest boards, go over to my side bar (over there on the right hand side), fine the bright red button, push it and it'll take you to MY boards!

Go ahead, check it out!

Mini Vacation with Grandma!

2011-08-12T17:41:00.006-05:00

Grandma Joyce treated us (G, his friend me and herself) to a mini vacation to .......

the boys spent hours in the water for 2 days ......

We took time to get a game in of mini golf .....

And a game of baseball .....

Can you see the boys?

they have their feet up on the wall! Thanks Grandma!

and one last time .. the boys in the dump!

Life on Thursday ~ Meltdown Version

2011-08-11T13:26:00.004-05:00

After being on a food binge, lack of sleep vacation the past couple of days it was back to reality today. It's always the fun times that spur a meltdown day (or two) for G. He's tired and used to having too much electronics for him to quit cold turkey. I just have to hold on and let them happen while sticking to my guns! Today was that 'cold turkey' day as known as a Meltdown day".

I got a great boxing workout in. Not without a mini meltdown from G. about how he wasn't going.

Then we got home we had tons of yard work to get done. G just wanted to watch TV so we had a few meltdowns until he realized that TV watching wasn't going to happen. Then he wasn't too bad about doing his chores.

The weather was perfect, 80ish and sunny (finally) for yard work. Our yard needed to mowed badly. I had asked that it be mowed while I was gone, but it didn't get done. I really do love to mow so I wasn't too upset.

I took a badly needed shower, started a new book, fixed burgers, roasted veggies (asparagus, & green beans) and fresh tomatoes for supper and turned in early.

Blooming Monday ~ Reality

2011-08-08T11:22:00.004-05:00

This summer has been HOT! with more days than not over 100 at my house! My delicate little plants just couldn't handle it!

I was busy trying to baby them though this heat when there was a water main break near our home. We went 2 days without water. We did fine adjusting but there just wasn't enough water for the flowers.

These little babies just didn't make it! and even though I've still watered them daily they just aren't coming back!

OH well, it's summer time and some you win and some you lose!

My List for the Day

2011-08-05T16:14:00.001-05:00

#Temple info to Amarissa *DONE*
#Eggs from Bowles
#Box to Church *DONE*
#Race packet Pickup *DONE*
#Returns to Walmart (if time) *DONE*
#finish School Supply shopping *DONE*
#get things for Humanitarian Aid school supplies (if time) *DONE*
#Laundry *NEVER DONE*
#Pack G
#G make his BS first aid kit
#Lands End returns *DONE*
#deposits *DONE*
#Recycling

Friday Finds

2011-08-05T11:42:00.002-05:00

G and I have discovered

LINGO

on the

GameShowNetwork!

Life on Thursday

2011-08-04T21:19:00.004-05:00

I don't know what has happened to me!
I the laundry queen haven't been doing laundry!
Late last night I realized that I didn't have any
sports bras clean for my workout this morning.
I put a load in the washer and promptly fell asleep.

I woke up this morning in a panic to switch the laundry.

It all worked out but this just isn't like me!

We got to box in my Semi Private (2 of us) training session.
Not box against each other but up against dummies.
Not the kind that look like a person
(even though I might like that) they just look like
big pillars. It was a good upper body work out!

Came home cleaned up my kitchen.

Signed up for my next 5k... this Saturday!

Piddled around, then rushed

(I hate it when I do that piddle all day

and then have to rush some where)

to the Post Office.

We, G and I then took off to the city to school supply shop.
WOW it was all picked over and even some stuff couldn't be
found! I'm glad we went today and not next Thursday.

Stopped by the BBQ place to pick up supper.

G ordered a slab of ribs for Hubby and himself!

I've just started laundry again! Hopefully I can get
at least a couple loads done before I fall asleep!

Blooming Monday

2011-08-01T16:10:00.003-05:00

Happy 47 to me!

2011-07-31T21:04:00.005-05:00

One of my cards plays

"Shake your Groove thing."

Yeah, I enjoyed ....

Yeah, I was spoiled .....

Thanks family!

life on Thursday

2011-07-28T14:32:00.005-05:00

Found this little gem this morning!

We (mainly me) are still taking things slow due to the sunburn. It's been awhile since I've burned this bad! AND plus the heat is just pure HOT! It's been over 100 at our house for at least all of the month of July. Well, OK that's an a bit of an exaggeration, because on Monday it was only 95!

I discoverd that Alex Tribec is 71! Shocking isn't it?!?

I started laundry when I heard G yelling for me to come quick!

When I got the back porch, I found this ....

I guess pictures are loading right now so I'll get them up when I can!

Seems that G had wanted to move the tomatoes into the shade. When he was moving them, no knowing they were tied to the deck railing, the supports broke. Some steams broke, but some haven't so we're trying a new way of growing tomatoes the rest of the year!

We settled down to watch the Soccer's Apprentice, but were interrupted by a storm! Yea, a storm. Along with the heat we've not had rain for the entire month of July. This was a strong wind, lots of lighting, knock the lights out kind of storm but it produced 2 inches of rain! So I'm not complaining

Schlitterbaun equals SchlitterBURN!

2011-07-27T09:33:00.007-05:00

A couple of days ago I took

G and a couple of friends

to Schlitterbaun waterpark.

Even though we applied sunscreen,

There were varying degrees of Sunburn.

I believe the most on me,

the one who was baking in the chair and not in the water ....

.. as much! They had a blast!

but the camera had to stay in the car!
so you'll just have to take my word for it!

Sporting KC game

2011-07-24T13:09:00.007-05:00

G and I finished our day yesterday at a

Sporting KC game!

One of us took a nap yesterday afternoon ....

any guess who did and who didn't?

I feel like we started the day a

HOT SWEATY mess

and

Ended the day a

HOT SWEATY mess!

It was a great day!

Prairie Punisher 5k

2011-07-23T09:38:00.004-05:00

This morning G and I were up and out the door by 5:45am.
Our Prairie Punisher 5k started at 7am.

Our before race picture .....

After....

G did his 5k in 37.02

Me in 40.35 minute

This Race is really a Dualthon. That's the main draw for people who do Triathlons.

A Dualthon is running a 5k, biking 21 miles and then running a 5k again!

Crazy people! Fun to watch but Crazy all the same!

ALSO ~ they had to adjust the course this year and BOY am I glad they did! The course was mostly flat, very scenic this year. I heard and saw last years (and the past 9 years) course, huge and I mean HUGE hills! that would have been a punisher!

Four for Friday

2011-07-22T21:06:00.007-05:00

#1 ~

G brought this perky 'sunflower' to me!

#2 ~

Yes, I was the Overall Winner of the

Y's SlimDown this summer.

I lost 13 pounds and over 7 inches

in the 6 week program.

#3 ~

is a guessing Game .....

Can you tell what or where this is?

Here's another clue .....

It's W's leg! Look at that WHITE HAIR!?!?

and Whoa Nelly if the sun hits it just right it almost glows!

#4 ~

I made the Paper ....

for chopping veggies!

life on Thursday

2011-07-21T21:13:00.004-05:00

Swim Team is over for the summer, so my morning wasn't quite as early.

I made it to work out around 7:30am. Left G at home with a sleeping dad and brother.

Did my last weigh in for the Y's Slim Down....was it enough to win??

Got a frantic phone call just as I was pulling in the drive way from G. WHERE ARE YOU? DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? yes, it was time for us to be leaving for last day of Strength. He didn't want to be late!!

While G was in Strength I (with others) went to set up the church for our meeting tonight. We had enough people that we made quick time of it!

Picked G up, and came home! When I got here I saw a sight that I very rarely see..... W was cleaning his bathroom. Oh how I wished I would have taken a picture but I didn't want to chance him stopping. He's been playing alot of SandVolley ball this year and I swear he has a sand pit in his bathroom ... Come to think of it I don't think he swept the bathroom!?!?

I was able to get things done this afternoon. For some odd reason I didn't ever pay bills this month so I was eager to get those paid and out of here. That all stopped when I discovered I was out of stamps!

I started my list of things to do tomorrow and Stamps are on the top!

Was able to shower and get ready for Our Relief Society Meeting. It was on Emergency Preparedness. I had asked a Women in our Congregation to take over the planning and organizing the night so my night was a breeze. We had fruit cobblers and homemade ice cream for dessert!

Hubby and G are having a late night fixing G's bike for this IronKid training in the morning. I don't know why Hubby waits so late and G is grumpy! OH, well.......

Wordless Wednesday ~ The "Hey There" head bob

2011-07-20T16:32:00.004-05:00

I know the still picture can't do the

"Hey there" head bob justice but
it just cracks me up when he does it!

We were waiting on a pizza, he'd decided
to go outside and listen to his tunes
while we waited. When he turned to see if
I was still there that's when it happened....

The "Hey There" Head Bob!

This boy is an ole soul!
That's the nice way of putting
he's an old man in an 11 year old body!

Bloomin' Monday

2011-07-18T07:28:00.005-05:00

I don't have any shady places for flowers

so I've never had impatiences.

This year I found these impatiences made for sun!

My flowers are doing well inspite of the

multiple days in the triple digits.

They don't seem to flourishing,

they just seem to be maintaining!

One HOT Momma!

2011-07-17T18:55:00.001-05:00

Enough said!

Just to make you smile

2011-07-16T12:44:00.001-05:00

Skipper scratching

IronKids training

2011-07-15T10:17:00.004-05:00

G is getting ready for his IronKids Race

This group has started getting together every week to train.

G did a fabulous job!

Now, G spent the night with friend last night and only got 4 hours of sleep.

Forgot his swimming trunks so he didn't swim

Rode his bike without gears and an extra short seat.

and then ran a 9 minute mile!

He got in the truck, and said, "I'm not doing the IronKids and you can't make me."

After a short cooling off period, but physically and mentally he had a change of heart.

I then told him how proud he should be of himself,

what he had just accomplished was purely amazing!

I told him that it would NEVER be this hard again.

He would NEVER do it on so little sleep

and that everything is hard in the beginning.

Did he think that W hurt when he first started lifting weights? yes

What did he feel like the first time he went to swim team? My arms hurt

After a couple of minutes he said,

"and when you start playing a new video game it's hard until you practice more."

he's back in the game!

I took him to get breakfast and delivered him back to his friend's house for a day of fun!

Life on Thursday!

2011-07-15T10:04:00.003-05:00

Swim Team and workout!

Took G to Strength, ran my Walmart Rx errand

Back home to quickly get showered and ready for a trip to the city after I dropped G off at a friends for a sleep over. That boy has TOO much excitement to really get anything done.

Drop G off and head to the City. Just a few errands. I've joined a team for a 'city wide' Slim Down contest and had to go weigh in for that. I've been doing a slim down challenge at my local Y for the past month and dropped 12 pounds thus far! Feelin' great!

Ran to the Sporting goods store for new shirts for Hubby, and some running items for G. G will be thrilled since they have 'logos' on them!

Went to eat at my favorite Pei Wei. Ate before I weighed in, I wanted to be the heaviest I could be!

Then off to mattress shop! I'm not the one that will complain about the mattress so I'm not really the one who needs to picking it out. BUT the statement was made (even though I believe it to be a loaded statement) "you get it and I'll lay on it!" After 22 years I find this statement difficult to believe!?!

Home again for a few minutes of cooling off.

Off again to my Y for a Healthy Cooking class. Tonight we made healthy chicken salad (it showed us how to be creative with our ingredients) wrapped in cabbage. The instructor gave us the merit of cabbage! It was good and I'll try it!

Home and to bed!

He's alive

2011-07-13T10:36:00.003-05:00

After sleeping almost 24 hours W is now alive again.

He was worn out from his weekend, THEN he had a dental crown yesterday afternoon. Getting a crown is a big deal from anyone but for W it's a bigger deal!

The boy has never taken to Novocain, as in the Novocain doesn't numb his tooth. Poor kid has just gripped the arm of the dental chair for the last couple of fillings he's had! So this Crown was going to be a big deal.

He had novocain, laughing gas, and 3 anti anxiety pills yesterday for his 1 hour 20 minute dental procedure. Came home and went directly to bed. Sweet Megan came over around 8, he woke up long enough for soup and rolls, but that was all.

I'm glad this is over and I'm sure he is also!

Blooming Monday

2011-07-11T09:36:00.001-05:00

New State Records

2011-07-10T18:34:00.004-05:00

Meet the new State Record holder in the Dead lift!

(in his age bracket and the weight class)

(this is not a picture of the Dead lift!?!)

W's Top lifts yesterday

squat 425

Bench Press 370

Deadlift 510

A quiet moment before the 510 Dead lift!

(fabulous picture by Megan)

Just Watchin' out for me!

2011-07-08T20:55:00.002-05:00

Yesterday as we were driving into town where I was going to donate blood, G expressed his concern.

His concern that he didn't really believe me donating blood to be safe. When I asked him why he thought this he answered, "Cuz it's our blood and it seems important to us."

I explained that they would only take what I could spare (a pint) and that my body would make more. That I couldn't give blood again until my body had replenished the pint that I would lose today.

He was OK with this.

As I went through the process of the pre donation paperwork, G went across the street to the Library but was back before I actually started donating. He really didn't pay any attention to me. He must have been reading all the signs that said, "make sure you drink enough", because as he was going to bed last night I walked by his door, and he shouted out , "Mom, are you drinking enough?"

He's just takin' care of me!

Post 1000

2011-07-08T20:50:00.000-05:00

Friday Finds

2011-07-08T12:37:00.005-05:00

Check out the cool story behind the picture here!

Life on Thursday ~ it's a hurry up and wait kinda day!

2011-07-08T08:43:00.002-05:00

We made it to the Y for a reluctant workout, but once I got into it I made it work and got my sweat on! I've found that if I workout in the morning then I'm not as snacky throughout the day. So I definitely wanted to get to that point!

While G was in Strength I burned rubber all over the county running errands. I had a boat load of old paint for the Hazardous Household waste place. Boy was I lucky, I tried to take the things on Wednesday but got there just minutes after they'd left! Today they were suppose to be closed (I didn't know this) but they just happened to be there and took my load!

Another errand to take Hubby's overdue movie back to library and made it back to pick up G 55minutes later!

After a quick dash into Walmart it's back home!

For lunch G had gotten a Hungry Man meal from Walmart! He is always taken to the frozen meal they make for kids but they just aren't enough for him so he choose a HUNGRY MAN sliced turkey, potatoes and gravy meal! He didn't snack all afternoon!

After a much enjoyed shower we were off to donate blood. Well, I donated while G read and played his Nintendo DS. This is where the Hurry up and Wait started. They couldn't get a vein in the first poked arm so I waited for the 'best vein finder" to be available. She switched arms and I was finally done in no time! Another life saved!

Then off to the city. My phone had been acting up and I'd been reduced to a pile of frustration with phone I couldn't turn on without great problems! So I decided that since it was acting up at the moment then I'd take it straight to the store. I wasn't the only one that had the idea to head to the store at that time!?! Fortunately my wait wasn't too long but the process for me was long. Well, as usual the phone wasn't quite as bad once I got there! Isn't that always how it goes?? I ended up getting a new phone. On my dime not theirs since I'd wanted until warranty was up!

Stopped to get the boys Olive Garden (W chicken Alfredo and G Spaghetti with meatballs). The meals came with salads so Hubby and had those along with grilled chicken!

Finally home and supper eaten ... crashed in bed!

Feedin' the Chickens

2011-07-06T16:36:00.003-05:00

A friend of G's family went on vacation so we got to take care of their chickens! We'd done this before and both us were so excited to do it again!

The chickens are great layers and that makes it fun! Everyday there would be the same chicken that flown the coup and G would have to catch her and throw her back over the fence! She must only stayed in the pen long enough to eat because she'd lay her egg outside the fence (under the steps) every night!?!

We were also in charge of watering their newly planted grandpa tree. Their Grandpa (and Dad) unexpectedly had passed away the week before they left. Grandpa was an outdoors guy, so many (9) people had given trees instead of flowers. They told us that the front of the church was lined with trees and they made a life size cut out of Grandpa to stand among the trees. Cool huh? So now you know the great responsibility of watering the tree!

One day we pulled up to find this in their neighbors back yard.

It just makes me smile!

G's Boy Scout Adventures

2011-07-06T16:18:00.006-05:00

The past couple of weeks G has been going on Bike Rides with his Boy Scout Troop. They are working on their Biking Merit badge. They have done 2 10 miles rides. They have a couple of more (one 15 miles and another 25 miles) to do. They have a very patient leader!

I have to say that I'm proud of G being healthy, fit and active.

Then G went to

Boy Scout Camp.

Since he's only 11 it a 2 day camp with an overnight campout. The weather was GREAT for these days. 80's with low humidity the first day and then low 90's the second day. They hiked 5 miles (if you ask G he'll say it was 12 miles? I don't know where he gets his information?) through the woods. I worried my 'mother worry' for him. There are only 3 boys and both of the other boys' had their father there. From what I can get from G, I didn't have any reason to worry.

There are no pictures because there wasn't a mom along!

Just so ya know!

2011-06-29T18:17:00.000-05:00

#1 .. my butt hurts today!

#2 .. I'm back in my capris from last year! and they aren't even tight!

#2 cancels out #1 YAY!

Bad vs Good

2011-06-26T20:13:00.002-05:00

BAD ~

My computer Monitor seems to have gone the blink!?? I've had to resort to using hubby's laptop. It's fine BUT I have things on my computer. I'm going to try another monitor on my ever increasing finicky prehistoric computer before I go and purchase another monitor.

GOOD ~

I made these for dessert tonight!

Strawberry Chocolate Nachos

I made them just as the recipes says and they were good! Next time I don't think I'll do the Dark Chocolate as my family just didn't seem ready for "dry chocolate" as hubby called it!

Life on Thursday

2011-06-24T10:04:00.003-05:00

I love how I've started doing my "Life on Thursday" on Friday!??! I was just too tired last night to get back up and fill you in!

Today started with the usual Swim Team at 7am.

I had a trainer at the Y show me how to use all the machines there and set up a plan for me. We've been member for around 3 years and I've never done my 'wellness plan' with them so that was good and will give me more to do.

We rush home for a 20 minute eat breakfast and then head off to a Strength Class for G from 10 to 11am. I sat in the car.

We came back home. I mowed for what I wanted to be just 35 minutes but inspite of leaving a noisy timer to ring and telling G that he was suppose to come and tell me when the timer went off, I mowed longer. It seems that G is a TV zombie and when the timer went off, he got up turned it off and switched from watching TV to playing Wii. ???? I only mowed 10 minutes too long and had to rush around to get ready for the next trip into town!

After showering, eating lunch I got G to his next exercise event, Basketball Camp, from 1:30 to 3! Then I went to a PEO planning meeting. We got all of our great ideas firmed up. I am pleased that this is finally getting ready for the next phase of planning.

Picked up G came home. Collapsed to just watch alittle TV. While I was watching just a started to justify that I could just listen to the TV, I would just shut my eyes and listen to it! I know NOW I can see what a foolish idea this is, but HEY I know you've been at that point too! Lucky for me I just had them closed for about 20 minutes when I jumped up and remembered that I had to be at the Post Office by 5. I was lucky to see it was 4:25.

We had tickets to the Major league Baseball game in town that were going to waste so I made a handoff to the a friend that "would love to go" in the middle of the street in front of the post office (wow that's a long sentence). She headed off the the ballgame and I headed into the post office.

Home again Home again jiggity jig!

Decided that my family couldn't shower since we had no clean towels, started laundry but then left it all downstairs.

Made burritos for supper and crashed in bed! BUT not before I turned off the alarm. That event is becoming my favorite thing! Turning off the early morning alarm on Thursday night!

Bloomin' Monday

2011-06-20T10:13:00.004-05:00

5 for Friday

2011-06-17T22:12:00.005-05:00

This week .....
#1
G and his Boy Scout troop went on a 10 miles bike ride. G was a bit nervous about this since the older Boy Scouts were invited but as it turned out he had a BLAST. Half of the group stopped on the first 5 mile loop but G was all in for another loop!
#2
As you know my Air Conditioner was out all week, which was really fine UNTIL I needed to look good when I was going somewhere. I had a PEO meeting on Tuesday, not only a meeting but a luncheon before! The meal was wonderful and atmosphere was great, but getting ready was a HOT MESS. You know the kind of mess where you're trying to get your hair dry, and the humidity won't let you and then you're sweating because your HOT curling your hair. I finally just had to give up and let it be.
#3
Farmer Bob cut, raked, and baled the hay this week much to G's delight!
#4
The day after the hay was baled G came in yelling that he found a rattle Snake. I stopped him asked where?
G ~ "at the edge of the field, right by the yard"
Me ~ "I don't think we have rattle Snakes around here. Why would you think it was a rattle snake?"
G ~ "cuz it had it's tail up shaking"
Me ~ "was it making a rattle sound."
G ~ "no, but when they're small they don't make noise."
Me ~ "was it small"
G ~ "well, no but it's a rattle snake! Where's dad?"
I guess the conversation wasn't going the way he wanted with me.
After a few minutes outside he came running back in and said, "well, it's dead now"
Me ~ "how did you do that?"
G ~ "I hacked it's head off!"
Me ~ " With what? You're grandma would be proud of you"
G ~ " The shovel. Now I'm going to show it to dad (who was in the basement)!"
Me ~"WAIT, you're not bring THAT thing in the house!"
G paused to think...... "ah, I wasn't"
After putting on the basement concrete, and having hubby look at it, it was a Bull Snake. We have alot of those! Well, not alot (not like the snake house that was on the news this week) but we do have Bull Snakes around.
When I asked G how he got the snake to the concrete, he replied ... I carried it! but of course he had gloves on ....My good winter gloves were found by the basement door!?!?
#5
This evening Hubby called when he was almost home to say this was just up the road!

G and I jumped in the car driving to meet one of

G's idols!

G in Heaven, chatting with Reed Timmer

of DiscoveryChannel's Storm Chaser

Reed told him that he was scared of storms

when he was his age too! Then he started

studying the storms.

G checking out the Denominator!

These were the clouds they were watching,

but Reed told me that they were weakening,

but more would pop up over night, being just

strong thunder storms. BUT this area needs

to watchful on Monday. Things could be active

on Monday. This little tidbit we're not sharing

with G!

Lfie on Thursday

2011-06-17T07:52:00.003-05:00

**up at 6:15am
**out the door by 6:50
I don't know what happened there, but I'm sure I can blame it on a very sleepy G!
G has been enjoying some late nights this week!
**working out with lead legs by 7:20am
man these legs didn't want to move this morning.
I blame it on the fact that I've always taken Thursdays off, but the swim coach didn't want to take Thursday off this year!
**Noon ~it's sprinkling while I'm sitting in the chair at the beauty shop (does anyone call it that anymore?) telling Mandy to just shave my head! For some reason this year this super fine hair of which I have tons of is a mess! I tell her what and where the problems are and she works her magic. I love her!

12:40 ~ G and I head to Applebees for lunch. I have the ever yummy Oriental grilled Chicken salad while he chooses Mac and Cheese, which I reject and tell him to try again! He then orders a steak!

1:30 ~ we head to the 'farm store' to look for some work/hiking boots for G. No luck!

We head back home to chill! and yes it's chilly, raining and cloudy. G actually opts for a blanket while we read scriptures.

THEN the phone call that I'd been waiting for! The AC repair man! Our AC has been out for the past week! After several visits (some late at night) they finally figured out the problem and then had to order the part! Yeah, there have been some sultry nights around here! along with some dang HOT days (hence some of the frustration with my wild hair). There were also some great and beautiful days (high in the 70's). BUT really if I can't sleep well, it's not good!

We had grilled chicken thighs, with roasted Asparagus and corn on the cob for supper!

OH and I ordered G some work/hiking boots from Kohl's for $20 that a double good thing!

Say WHAT?

2011-06-15T21:47:00.007-05:00

Yesterday W was looking for an envelope and stamp. He found the envelope but when he got to the Stamps, he found these....

He then said, "Do we have any different stamps then theses?"

I said, "They're just Stamps, no one cares what stamp you have."

W ~ "Mom, it's for my powerlifting competition for the State games, I can't put a LOVE stamp on it!"

FYI ~ I found him the .....

"Go Green" stamps. He was happy then!

Viper Report

2011-06-15T11:38:00.002-05:00

G has his first swim meet of the summer last week and very impressively improved greatly.

Men 12 & under 50 FreeStyle 51.22 (-11.94) 7th place
Men 12 & under 50 BackStroke 55.42 (-16.92) 2nd place
Men 12 & under 50 BreastStroke 52.85 (-4.90) 2nd place

Since he hasn't swam since last summer and only has a week and half before the first meet these cut in times are AWESOME!

and doesn't it just make you giggle at the MEN 12 & under???

Quick trip

2011-06-13T21:22:00.005-05:00

Yesterday we ........

the boys and I

took a quick trip to visit family.

First we stopped to see .....

My Dad and Betty were having a fish fry for their church so we went to see everyone and enjoy Crappie.

Then we stopped by to see ......and had a couple games of Farkle .....

Blooming Monday

2011-06-13T11:59:00.002-05:00

Friday Find

2011-06-10T18:15:00.004-05:00

I love Guacamole!

and usually just make my own with an avocado and salsa.

I found this stuff and my life may never be the same!

If you think you'd be interested in trying this check them out on facebook

and get your $1 off coupon.

You can find them at Walmart,

BUT for other places check their website for a product locate button.

5 for Friday

2011-06-10T17:43:00.003-05:00

It appears that our AC is not cooling.

Of course I discover this after 5 on Friday afternoon.

But the weather looks cooler for the weekend.

And our AC man, who is headed out of town

said he'd call us Sunday afternoon.

It's been a HOT week here so we've gone to

water the flowers and more specific the tomato plants 3 times a day.

Morning, afternoon and night.

One the things on my todo list today was to go by my friend's house and put her yard cart back up. Yesterday I have taken my recycles to her house (her recycling truck picks up everything, when my truck is selective), put them in her yard cart, when I couldn't find her recycling tub. Rolled the cart to the curb and left. My friend is out of town, but knew I was had things for her curb. Today when I went by the cart was gone! Sudden fear set in, someone had taken her yard cart! I went around the back of her house and there was the yard cart with all my recycling in it! He husband (we guess, he didn't say anything about it to her) had moved the cart last night and thus my recycling was still there! We'll try again next week!

G's 5th grade class pool party was today.

He'd gone to the pool yesterday and got sunburnt.

If this hadn't been an eagerly anticipated party I would have veto it.

Instead I just slathered him with sunscreen and sent him on his way.

He was so pink that the Pool Manager that knows him,

took him into her office and reapplied sunscreened.

#5
I see this often and always laugh at Skipper.

He likes to eat laying down???

I've never seen a dog (or any animal for that matter) eat laying down,

but it seems to be Skippers favorite position!

When he saw that I was going to take his picture he looked up,

wagged his tail and just went back to eating!?!?

Life on Thursday

2011-06-10T12:38:00.004-05:00

As the usual our Thursday started early! 6:15am out of the house by 6:40 headed for swim team!

I paid my Y bill (swim team for 2 months $100, 5k entry for G and I $50,and the Slim Down challenge $50)! I think we're set now!

I did the elliptical for 60 minutes! Shocker G was done before I was! The night before was the first swim meet so the 'fish' were all tired!

I came home to finish up the clutter exodus, W went to work and took G with him.

I got to the point where it was time to get rid of the many piles .... one to recycling, one to a friend, another to the thrift shop and one to the Post Office.

I picked up G at the pool after 3+ hours of swimming (well, more like 3+ hours of jumping off the diving boards), took him to McDonald's for a 10 piece Chicken Nuggets, a quick trip into the grocery store and then home.

After his shower we noticed just how PINK he was!

Had burritos for supper and called it a night.

Sometime in the night we must have had some wind, when I went out and a couple of my plants had blown over and some of my marigolds had broken off! Nice to sleep through it!

Facebook Status

2011-06-09T15:21:00.000-05:00

I'm having a love affair with grilled asparagus. OH so yummy!

Half Wall and Two and a Half Men

2011-06-07T07:28:00.008-05:00

I have this odd wall. Well it's odd to decorate. It's a fairly large span of wall but it's in two rooms, my dining room and my living room! The two rooms are split by a half wall on that wall. It's just odd either way.

I've wanted for years to put things on that wall and have tried to do a few things but it just never looked right. I might also add that I have really high ceilings so that just makes the wall look bigger and more empty!

After pondering this wall for a few days, I was sitting in my favorite chair watching Two and a Half Men (late one night) and I noticed (once again) their Art work on the range hood. I knew instantly that I could do the same thing on THAT wall!

I set out to find the right piece of metal work ... found it in no time (one trip to Hobby Lobby) and it was half off! Loved that Part!

It took a couple of weeks for Hubby and I to get it hung. OK I just have to say that man is a geniuses when it comes to hanging things! He measured, measured again, maybe even a 3rd time and them had me measure down and over, hammer in 2 nails, I hit the studs (amazing) and the piece was hung! I love that Man!

I do have to say that he was concerned that it wasn't in the middle of the wall, but if you notice it's centered with the half wall!

Facebook Status

2011-06-06T15:41:00.000-05:00

There is a mass exodus of clutter here today! Too bad most of it has taken a rest on my living room floor! Time to rally the troops and move it to the curb. HEeellllooo Trash man!

Bloomin' Monday

2011-06-06T09:58:00.001-05:00

Sunday Thoughts

2011-06-05T20:53:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I attended our annual

Women's Conference.

I was really needing this morning and it didn't disappoint me!

It was set up where we could pick and choose the mini classes that fit us best.

I choose *Nauvoo, *learning from the best books, and *Journaling.

During the Nauvoo class I was impressed that I should research and study the lives of the women that lived there. Their trials were great but they stood firm to what they believed in and prevailed. I could (and will) learn alot from them.

Learning from the best books ~ The teacher was captivating. She drew me in and made me want to read MORE. She brought a huge selection of children's books and talked about the importance of books in children's lives. She told us about just a few of her favorite books and now I want so much to read those too!

Journaling ~ Well, I don't have a journal, I have a blog. This teacher give us several ideas of how to journal and some of her ideas were quite intriguing. The thing I was most impressed with was the thought from another lady in the class. She said (something like) our grandchildren will be interested in our lives because they will only know us as a grandma who can cook wonderfully, who has a clean house, who can do anything ..... when they read our journals they will see that our lives are just like theirs!

Then there were the closing remarks,

I loved this the most

BUT

I'll share those with you another time.

Stay Tuned!

Facebook Status

2011-06-04T22:07:00.001-05:00

Can I just say "loved my day today" ? Spent the morning with some great and inspiring women, came home sweated outside while I put some plants in the ground and pots, showered, fixed supper, did laundry and finished it up with reading scriptures with my son! It doesn't get much better than this!

I'm not gonna lie ... I love that boy!

2011-06-04T21:19:00.003-05:00

This summer G and I are having a 75 days to read the Book of Mormon. That is a push, we have to read 7.1 pages every day for 75 days (there are 82 days of summer break this year).

I love that just when I think he's not really paying attention when I'm reading he'll ask some great question!

I love to hear him read the scriptures!

I love that he reminds me it needs to be done!

I love that he doesn't fuss when I remind him!

I love that he's thinking about things!

I just love that boy!

Friday night Drive in Movie ~ Rango

2011-06-04T17:47:00.005-05:00

Horrible kid movie!
Has a matter of fact I don't think it really was a kid movie!
It was littered with mild profane words (you know mild ones, not the biggies that kids KNOW are wrong but the ones they'd hear in Walmart but not at home). And by littered I mean a DUMP (ALL THE TIME!)
It had a sprinkle of adult humor that kids won't get but as an adult I thought was crude!
It had some slap stick comedy which make the kids laugh (everyone laughed)
Fortunately for me, G didn't like it at all!

AND for our Drive in experience ... I took a lawn chair and G took a blanket. He wanted to sit in the back of SUV, but ended up sitting on the blanket on the ground! After 3 weeks of the drive in we're finally getting the hang of it!

Mr Popper's Penguins

2011-06-04T17:34:00.005-05:00

We have the rule that if a movie comes out based on a book then you have to read the book first! It saves alot of

"but I don't need to read the book, I've already seen the movie".

When we saw the previews for Mr Popper's Penguins G got all excited and said how much he'd already loved the book and couldn't wait to see the movie! It left me out of the excitement so on our trip to the library I got the book and read it! Thus proving to G that the rule goes for Mom too!

It's a fun book.

I would give it a 5 out of 5 for a rating.

It was the prefect start of summer read!

short sweet and simple!

Now we're both ready for Jim Carey as Mr Popper!

Life on Thursday

2011-06-02T17:44:00.002-05:00

WOW 6:15am came so much earlier today than the rest of the week! The novelty of Swim team Taxi is wearing off! Still we made it there by 7am, I worked out of for my hour.

Got organized with the classes offered at the same time I'll be there so I'll do a couple of classes during the week.

at 9am I delivered G to his Basketball camp. Where he begged me to text W and have him pick him up. Yeah it's true W picking you up is WAAAaaayyyy more cool than your mom. When I asked G yesterday if that was true, he just hugged me real tight and said, "yeah Mom it is"

Came home cleaned up my kitchen, went through the paper that just piles up!

I arranged for a friend to come over this afternoon. They pulled up the same time G and W did.

Then I sat on the phone in front of the computer all afternoon working on problems.
I've gone to online banking with almost all of my accounts .... well, I keep getting locked out of one account! I have to call them every month to help me get in ... today was that day. I then wrote all the information down and case caution to the wind. If a theft can find it in my piles of paper around my computer then more power to them.... I won't even be able to find them in 30 days!

They are previewing the new Food Pyramid today ... it's now a food plate, it makes sense until I realized that it could easily be a pizza!?

.... but you fit last year!?

2011-05-31T12:15:00.002-05:00

That's the line I've been telling my Capri's from last year. I don't understand why they don't just magically still fit. I mean I didn't exercise all winter, and I ate whatever I wanted so why wouldn't they fit!???

Well, starting today, I'm on a quest to make them fit. WOW don't I sound tough ... when actually I've started exercising. G started his Swim Team this morning ( yawn, way too early) and I have to be at the Y for 2 hours waiting for him. I'll exercise for at least 1 1/2 hours of that time.

Those Capri's will fit SOONER rather than later!

Late night in Rio

2011-05-30T19:27:00.004-05:00

After such great success with the Drive in last week, we attempted it again.

This time just G and I.

Since it was the just the 2 of us, we parked frontward and sat in the comfy car seats. Yeah, it sounded like a great idea until we started fogging up the windows. We had the windows down already, even though the weather was chilly. So we started wiping down the front window until the condensation started on the outside. We were parked forward with our big SUV lights pointed right into some little car's back window, not a real big deal until I needed to turn the car on ..... and lights automatically come on! I didn't want to blind the people in front of us so G just hung his head out the window for the last 20 minutes of the movie. I think I can watch the last 20 minutes of the movie and swear I've never seen it... .I've heard it but I couldn't see it.

I think we're going to try it again next week ... It's a good thing! Surely we'll get the process right before the end of summer!

"Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffen

2011-05-30T16:50:00.002-05:00

I would give this book a 4 out of 5.

I really liked it. I really really like it! It's not heavy, it's a light fun read.

I thought the characters were engaging, the plot is grabbing, just when I thought I knew what I wanted to happen, my opinion would change AND just when I thought I knew what was about to happen there would be a twist.

I have not seen the movie but I've read enough about the movie to know that it's not the book.

I like this so much that I went to the used bookstore (that was having a great sale) to find more by Emily Giffen! Now I have a small pile of books by her! Summer reading here I come!

"It's a Kid's Life"

2011-05-30T16:38:00.004-05:00

Right before the jammed packed end of the year

G had his 5th grade choir concert

"It's a Kid's Life"

Much to his dismay they were told to wear Sunday Dress...AND to us that means shirt and tie!

As you can tell, Sunday Dress means alot of different things to different people. I was SOOoooo glad that his bestest friend Wyatt had on a shirt and tie also!

I wish I could upload the videos but I still have a camera that won't talk to my computer so you can just image G singing any song you'd like!

Bloomin' Monday

2011-05-30T09:53:00.001-05:00

First day and the Last day in pictures

2011-05-26T17:25:00.004-05:00

The first day of 5th grade.......

and the last day of 5th grade .....

61 pounds and 4'6"

Life on Thursday

2011-05-26T15:24:00.005-05:00

This Thursday is the

last day of Elementary school

for our house.

I dropped him off without Fanfare.

A simple

"I love you and enjoy your last day",

as he jumped out car.

Forgetting his lunch, as we would later find out!

I came home to

enjoy the quiet

of the last day of school at home.

I did some

deep pondering,

as this may be the last moment I have to do that.

I called the school

to see what time the picnic lunch would start.

I woke up W at 10:30 to

remind him

he was going to the picnic lunch and play day with G.

We'd all discuss this and knew W going would make a

bigger impression

with G and his friends than MOM going!

W left here LATE (MOM would not have done that)

but got there well before the picnic.

W didn't have lunch because he was running late.

So once they all discovered that G didn't have his lunch

they bailed out of school and went to lunch at Applebees,

just the boys!

They came home ...

G blurted out his last school day,

we went over his Grade card

(an excellent one I must say),

and I handed over his DS!

I went out to

enjoy this beautiful day

by mowing the yard, spraying weeds and looking at my flowers!

Let the summer begin,

all 82 days of it!

Hygiene Kits

2011-05-24T19:49:00.004-05:00

This is a Hygiene Kit.

Our church congregations make them,

Ship them to Salt Lake

Where they are saved,

and then shipped out when needed to disaster areas.

April first, I was inspired to have our Women's organization start collecting items to make Hygiene Kits. For the past 2 months we have slowly but surely collected enough items to make 20 kits.

Then a Tornado hit Joplin, MO.

All day Monday I wondered how to get our Hygiene kits to Joplin.

After Praying about this,

and then pondering my options.

I received an email from someone that had

someone in the Joplin area and Our Hygiene Kits could go.

We had enough supplies to complete 20 kits

but after the word got out we quickly were able to

put together 40 kits plus a SUV full of other Hygiene items

and a small car full of food!

I'm so proud of the women around me!

Best Mother's day Gift

2011-05-23T15:57:00.003-05:00

This year's Mother's day gift has be the best ever!

It was a simple text on Saturday that said ....

"When will you be home? I need to talk."

sent from my 20 year baby!

He still needs his mom!

Bloomin' Monday

2011-05-23T08:25:00.001-05:00

Sunday Thought

2011-05-22T15:32:00.002-05:00

Perhaps faith is not faith

until it is been tried.

Crappie Fishing with Grandpa

2011-05-21T20:38:00.006-05:00

A couple of weeks ago G and I finally caught up with Grandpa for some Crappie fishin' ......

It was a beautiful day and the fish were biting ..... somewhat!

G finally got brave enough to hold his own fish!

Grandpa still had to get the hook out!

Grandpa introduced G to fishing for Crappie with minnows and a bobber.

Grandpa had luck with this but G couldn't ever get his to the boat!

I didn't realize how many layers this boy had on!

We were only there for a few hours and through these pictures

it seems that G had several wardrobe changes!

I sat in the boat reading and just generally enjoying the beauty of the day.

I sat with my legs propped up on the side of the boat.

I waited until my legs had a bit of pink before applying sunscreen on.

I guess I missed a large portion of my calf ...... they were bright PURPLE the next day!

I couldn't even think about shaving my legs for days!

WW II Honor Flight

2011-05-21T16:50:00.005-05:00

Last week My grandpa Estill,

a World War II Veteran

went to Washington DC via the

Honor Flight Program.

Just for the record ....
My grandpa signed up for the Navy to learn how to work big machinery (Bulldozers). When he got to his first post they needed someone to cook, so he was moved into the Kitchen (I believe he said he volunteered to work in the kitchen). All of my life my grandpa cooked super for he and my grandma. I always thought that was odd.

When the war broke out at Pearl Harbor, he was sent to clean up the aftermath.

experiment in late night fun

2011-05-21T13:35:00.003-05:00

Last night the Elementary school's Cancer walk group had a fund raiser at the drive in.

We've never really got to go to the drive in due to G's in ability to sleep late. It doesn't matter what time it is when he goes to bed he was be awake by 7:30am. Grumpy beyond control but awake for the day. Our only way to control that grumpiness is to make sure he doesn't stay up too late. Thus not going to the drive in!

I decided that he's old enough to keep his grumpiness within limits so we're trying the Drive in this summer.

Last night was our first attempt.

We took his friend, Wyatt to watch ......

He knows what is playing next week so if he wants to go he needs to watch his grumpiness!

So Far So Good

Orientating G

2011-05-21T13:28:00.003-05:00

Last week, we went to the Middle school for Orientation.
Yes, G is moving out of Elementary school and right on Middle school!

This was an exciting night we got to roam the school.
See the band room, the art room, the music room and tech room

We both loved the tech room! It's a more like a career education room. It has stations where they learn about all different things (ie: laundry, robotics, crime lab, weather, cooking etc it seemed to me to be the modern day home economics class for both boys and girls) A bonus for me the students get bonus if their parents come and participate. Yea, G will get his bonus points.

They have a 6th grade wing so they aren't really mingled with the 7th and 8th grade. this is good 'cuz there is a huge difference in 6th grade boys and 8th grade boys. They will change classes among the 6th grade teachers. There are 2 male teachers and G has picked one that he wanted for his homeroom.

He had more confidence that he is ready to move up in the fall now!

AR Field Trip to the Art Museum

2011-05-21T12:22:00.010-05:00

The kids read books, take test on them and accordingly to their scores earn AR (Accelerated Reading) points. They can spend their points once a quarter at the AR store on things like pencils, erasers, highlighters, pencil bags etc BUT there are couple of bigger items that would require them to save their points. Picnic lunch on the playground and the field trip are two that require you to save your points. G purchased this NCAA Woman's Basketball Game field trip last year. This year he purchased a field trip to the Art Museum.

I had worried that this won't be fun for the them, but thanks to Ms Nicely (museum volunteer). It was GREAT!

Bus Ride up with G's friends

Eating lunch over looking the sculpture of the Thinker

My Little Group

G in front of the Original Rules to Basketball
this is the closest I could take a picture of them!

We learned that Crickets have been kept as pet for centuries in China

They even have cricket fights.

This is a display of ancient Pet Cricket accessories.

Buddha

Friday Find

2011-05-13T16:58:00.007-05:00

Miracle Gro with Weed Preventor
I know, I know this probably isn't new to you, but it is to me!
and just look where I get to put it!
My new flower bed in the front of my house!

Heeellllloooo Remember Me??

2011-05-11T19:12:00.000-05:00

I can't catch up with everything right now so you'll get a tease!

*Greatest Mother's day gift I could have asked for!

* Couldn't shave my legs!

* "It's a kids life"

* Cat Crazy

* landscaping vs heavy duty nylon straps

* I'll just teach THAT tree!

* orientating G

* "Something Borrowed"

* Excuse me, but you fit last summer

Wordless Wednesday ~ Traveling Hoard

2011-04-27T21:18:00.002-05:00

Doodle

2011-04-26T09:50:00.003-05:00

W brought home his Lifeguard training calendar.

I was so impressed that it was a cool, decorated calendar........

..... then I realized W had doodled his own calendar!

Sunday Thoughts ~ This I believe!

2011-04-24T17:40:00.002-05:00

Heard around the House

2011-04-23T18:33:00.006-05:00

G ~ "What did you guys have for supper last night?" (he spent the night with a friend)
Me ~ grilled Chicken
G ~ "oh that's the same as we had, only it was Pork"
Me ~ "how does that make it the 'same as we had'?"
G ~ "Well, they're the same things just one is Chicken and one is Pork"
Me ~ "No Chicken is a Chicken, Pork is a Pig and Beef is a Cow"
G ~ "Oh, well, they're all farm animals"

Friday Finds

2011-04-22T15:42:00.005-05:00

I walked into the Post office today and

saw the newest LOVE stamps!

I love them!What do ya think?

They're 'forever stamps' so I can't wait until I've used up all my "Pine cone forever" stamps so I can replace them with a bunch of these!

Life on Thursday

2011-04-22T10:44:00.005-05:00

Today was a City Errand day! Not all errands were successful but all were ran!

I furthered my quest to find a cushion for our Chaise. These things are expensive ($40 on the average) and getting thinner and thinner every year. We use to buy a nice thick cushion for the same $40 as now you get a super sleek thin cushion! I'm still holding out for a nice thick one. That quest continues......

Next stop Kohl's to get G some new clothes. Success!

Lunch at my favorite Pei Wei for a Pei Wei spicy chicken Salad! Yummy success

quick stop by Target. Success!

Next to Nursery to pick up some 'good' dirt for Hubby's potted tomatoes! Hoping for sucess.

Home. Success

Go to pick up G at school. On the way home we pass W and friend on the road (they were taking W's truck to the mechanic to see if lives or dies). When I walk in the house, I'm greeted by our outside (and I mean VERY outside, digging in the field, chewy unidentified things) dog. He's happy to see us, of course. Seems when W's friend walked in he didn't realize that you have to be careful of the dog on thundery days. I've gone to the position that there is really no fighting the dog when it's storming BUT today it wasn't storming, just a distance thunder! The Storms just weren't coming our way today but try telling this to the dog!?! Finally a couple hours later, after I'd run the vacuum (didn't really faze him) G successfully gets him out! long drawn out but a success!

Then we rush off to Church for a night on Family History. We shared some great websites, one being Findagrave.com you can put in the your family's name and get information from their grave stone! Just how cool is that?! Success

Doodle

2011-04-19T12:48:00.001-05:00

Sunday Thoughts

2011-04-19T12:16:00.006-05:00

I love the 2 talks today in church there were several points that jotted down.....

*Anytime you find yourself negotiating with the Lord you need to repent!
There are times in our lives that we don't understand why we're going through certain situations (or others around us), but maybe it's just so we'll know exactly "who saved us". I do believe that we are placed in situations sometimes as a trial. The Lord does this so we'll have the chance to turn to Him, to rely on Him, to stop trying to handle it all ourselves and ask for His help.

Questions to ask ourselves .....
*Are you better person now? better than 5 years ago? 10 years ago?

As I sat in Sunday School, I pulled out my scriptures. Attached to my scriptures was my almost expired Temple Recommend. I unattached it and put it back in my bag. A few minutes later I pulled out a pen from my bag. Attached to that pen was my almost expired Temple Recommend. I unattached it, put it back in my bag and went on. Several minutes later I went to pick up my phone and stuck in my phone was that same almost expired Temple Recommend. I decided to act on the obvious promptings .... it was time to get the almost expired Temple Recommend renewed.

It took a few minutes to get that temple Recommend interview (see note that end to understand this process) arranged. I sat in the interview that I'd been in several times in my life, with the same out come, getting my temple recommend renewed. At the end of the interview process that man asking the recommend questions stopped and told me "I don't know what's going on in your life and I don't need to know but I want you to know that I've been prompted to tell you, that the Lord is aware of everything going on in your life and wants you to know that you're not alone." (see here for a bit more of this)

As you might well image, I had tears in my eye but so did the man holding the interview.

Once again, I knew my Father in Heaven Loves me and just how he goes about making sure I know it!

** Temple Interviews. We believe in modern day Temples, we believe that they are the house(s) of the Lord on this earth. We go there for further instructions on how be more Christlike, and to be closer to our Father in Heaven. To do all of these things we believe that we must be accountable to certain guidelines (ie: Our belief in Jesus Christ and in Our Heaven Father, our honesty, our modesty, our commitment to obey our baptismal covenants etc). In order to go into the temple we are questioned about our worthiness to go inside this House of the Lord.

OH OH and look at the temple that is being built in our area.

It should be done by this time next year!

Last Week's Round up!

2011-04-19T12:05:00.002-05:00

Since I have taken a week off from blogging lets just do a simple round up of last week's news

**I subbed a couple of mornings

**Had a PEO luncheon (just confirmed that maybe we should change our luncheon place)

**Had PT just once last week. Seems my Therapist has a fun life with her family!?!

**W's truck has died. We're debating on whether it's permanently dead or if we'll PAY more $$ to relive it!?!

**I sort through G's summer clothes from last year. VERY very few things will fit this year! That boy is just getting taller, not much growth in width but TALLER!

**W's phone died (the night before his truck died). We gave the gift that keeps on giving by getting him a new phone for his birthday... that has yet to come!

On second thought maybe this isn't a round up at all.....I think it was a let the money roam post!

Sunday Thoughts

2011-04-11T18:22:00.001-05:00

I had spent the past few days just pondering a situation in my life, trying to make a decision about a relationship that didn't seem to be on the right path. Not only was I feeling that it wasn't on the right path but I was beginning to wonder if it was dragging me into a dark place.

I really really had decided it was time to cut my ties in this relationship. It would be much easier to be the kind of person that I wanted to be and the kind of person that I thought my Father in Heaven wanted me to be IF I cut my ties with this relationship. I also just plain wanted to be like them .... MEAN!

I knew it would be difficult journey while cutting the ties but I also knew I'd be fine in the long run.

I was sitting in Church today when it came to me loud and clear..... I needed to revisit a set of scriptures that I hadn't visited in a while. I opened my scriptures to ones I had prompted to and found my answer.

(in the Book of Mormon, Alma chp 34)

in verse 40 "......I would exhort you to have patience and that ye bear patience and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out ......., lest ye become sinners like unto them"

well, I can't be MEAN right back now can I??

verse 41: "But that ye have patience (now I've been told to have patience twice!) and bear with those afflictions with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions"

There was my answer, I needed to stay in the relationship and have not just HOPE but firm HOPE that someday I will be able to rest.

There was also a message in verse 39 ... ".....I exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually...."

And there was my answer to how I was to have FIRM HOPE, prayer continually.

I'm so thankful for a Father in Heaven that loves me!