DUST!

This pile of dust (aka pulverized rock)

That's purpose is for leveling out the ground!

but it has found so many other ways to "bless our lives"

Helps us be "King of the Mountain"Helped keep the army's in place!
Helped open a door!

It's EVERYWHERE thanks to all of us

but mainly due to the "king of the Mountain" running in and out.

I saw him undress on the back deck once and

there was a pile of dust that came out of this shorts alone!

I told hubby that I wasn't cleaning or dusting until the last little bit of the pile was gone!

You may cancel your visit for a while!

1930's wife?

44 As a 1930s wife, I am Average Take the test!

Tasty Chicken sandwich

Last night I feed my hungry workmen (hubby, W, and G) my version of a tasty chicken sandwich. .

My family doesn't like alot of pepper so I used regular bacon and provlone cheese (not the best cheese for this sandwich).

Another great meal idea from The Pioneer Woman. .

Little hint.......

if you'd like to see a picture better

just double click on the picture!

Presto it's big!

you should really look at the

Praying Manthis picture HUGE

it's cool!

setting up Labor Day

Now all I need are those hunky workmen

aka W, hubby and I'm sure G

G wanted to stay home from school today just to watch the rock be delievered

UPDATE to add ~ we're building a shed/garage/barn

They are almost ready........

They are tired of playing each other,

it's almost time to face the League.

Wordless Wednesday

Photo from our back deck courtesy of G.

Oh, I just don't get the wordless part do I?

How much can one book cost?

Hubby if you're reading this you can just skip this entry. Trust me!

This summer I purchased a book from the Friends of the Library. A Danielle Steele book that I'd never seen before, I paid $6. I thought this was alot since everything else I was buying was 50 cents or $1. I tucked it away for a time when I didn't have anything to read.

About a month ago I saw a new Danielle Steele book on the shelf at the Library, I checked it out. It was one of those new books that had limited check out time. I didn't get it read in the first check out time, but the nice Librarian let me check it out again. I didn't start it until the day it was due, so I knew that it was going to be late and there would be a fine. Today when chatting with my mom, I was telling her how much I enjoyed the weekend with this book, it was written different than her other books. I then told her about the book I had stashed away. I went to look and found the very same book I'd just read! I was so disappointed. I thought I had another book to enjoy! Oh, well.

I went to return my late book paid the 60 cents. Went out to the car to leave and couldn't find my keys. HEAVY SIGH.

Hubby if you're reading this STOP NOW!

Called the man in town that opens car. When he arrives he says, "They told you this was going to cost $25 cash, didn't they?" No "they" (I had talked to that man) didn't tell me that When I told him that I would pay him, but I needed to get my son from school asap and I'd pay him later. He motioned that the bank was just across the street, while doing nothing to get my keys. I mentioned that I would need in my car before I could get his $. This process was LONG. I'm not so sure that he was absolutely sober. He reeked of something. I got my keys, he got his $ and Stephanie got G from school.

Now just how much did this book (or a combination of the books) cost me?

$6 original price

60 cent fine for being late.

$25 dollars to leave

oh and $2.50 to ship the book to the next reader!~

I believe this Friends of the Library book (that I didn't read) cost a total of $34.10.

I'll be pass a hat around for donations.

Hubby if you're still reading this ...... you were warned!

Things I learned this past Weekend

#1 ~ BBGuns are fun!
#2~ I can buy Pistachios in the shell at Price Chopper for $4.99(12oz bag)
#3 ~ G doesn't have anymore green tomatoes on this plant.
#4 ~ Spiderwick is a good movie even the second time around.
#5 ~ W doesn't brake quick enough for me.
#6 ~ If a Pistachio shell isn't already opened there isn't any getting it open with my bare hands.
#7 ~ Pistachios nuts (without the shell) are $5.49 for a few pounds (maybe 3) at Costco. see #2
#8 ~ you have to be 18 to buy a sling shot at Wal-mart.
#9 ~ Bodies Revealed isn't a gruesome as I expected.
#10 ~ it takes minus 3500 calories to lose a pound ~ W learned that it takes 3500 calories to gain a pound.
#11 ~ W thinks he'll tryout for the HS swim team.
#12 ~ after giving G the rules of Sling shots (not shooting rocks into the yard or at windows, animals and cars) G will find great safe things to shoot. See #3
#13~ now that School has started our Saturdays are busier.
#14~ if you give G an attitude chart with rewards he's excited about you get a boy with a good attitude.
#14 ~ Echo uses her claws when playing with me.
#15 ~ G thinks that he'll go Elk hunting with farmer Bob when he prefects this BB gun skills.
#16~ When W goes to school the mowing becomes my job (I think I knew this but it's still a shock every fall)
#17 ~ some of my plants needed more water than they were getting.
#18 ~ Sophie doesn't use her claws when playing with me.
#19 ~I have a little stress riding with W when he drives (see #5)
#20 ~ Skipper is multi-lingual, he comes quick when I call "here kitty, kitty"!
#21 ~ We can eat PBJ when G comes home from hunting in the 'forest' empty handed
#22 ~ Mowing makes me sneeze
#23 ~ a hard boiled egg doesn't fly very far when shot from a sling shot
#24~ G's soccer practices starts this week
#25~ I can relax on the weekend and enjoy it!

The Balance of Nature is disrupted

The balance of nature around our house sit like this, Skipper has the front porch, front yard and drive way, the kitties have the basement family room, the shed, and the basement patio, the hummingbird has the back deck.

THE humming bird has really taken over the back deck in last couple of weeks. He fights any flying thing that should inter HIS territory, wasp are his arch rivals, but I have seen him take on another bird that was 10 times his size. He is always curious with me, coming right to my face and checking me out, I'm quickly left alone but he doesn't go far. He either sits on the plant hangers or the tomato stakes until I'm gone or sitting quietly over to the side. As you can tell there isn't anything that is going to take over HIS deck.

A couple of nights ago the kitties followed G around the house to the front porch (I don't really know how much following there was and how much carrying there might have been). Skipper was really excited and wanted to play with the kitties but they weren't too sure of what they'd just found and we quite skittish. I explained to G that this was not a good place for them since there were cars and all the bad things that could happen with little kitties and cars.

Last night I gave G the assignment of teaching the kitties how to get on the deck via the shed roof. They were fast learners and really enjoyed the plants, leaves and new surroundings. They really had a fun time exploring the deck. They quickly felt at home on the deck.

Then it happened ~ the hummingbird came to monitor his deck! Now I've been 'allowed' unto the hummingbird's deck and I'm sure that Skipper just laid down and ignored hummingbird, but the kitties were VERY curious. The hummingbird flit and flutter, humming and squeaking at them, then retreated until they'd moved on the explore under the deck.

Well see how this all plays out in the

"Days of our Deck"

another Amazing Olympian

I suppose it's worth being tired to see another Olympian that is

Simply Amazing

Photo by By: Mark Dadswell
Getty Images Sport

World's Fastest Man, Usain Bolt from Jamaica

I can't my pictures to work, but I'll figure it out!

Fund Rising the easy way

G's school doesn't believe that the students should have to sell things, so they do all kinds of fund rising in other ways. One of the easiest ways is to collect Box Tops for education.

It's just as easy as buying a product that you already use and clipping the 'coupon' off of the box and sending it to G. Once you get the hang of it, it's really quite easy.

It's the noticing and cutting out the coupon before you throw the box away (recycle) that is difficult.

So what do you find these coupons on? It will tell you at Box Top Products .

The PTO uses the money from these coupons to buy class room supplies, sent the kids on great Field trips and all sorts of other great things.

If you could help us collect we'd appreciate it. Just gather a pile and mail them to us. Thanks a bunch.

Riding the Bus

G has wanted to ride the bus all year (all 7 days of it)! The bus route keeps him on the bus for an hour and half in the afternoons, Yep you read that right! He is the next to last one off. Sitting on the bus for THAT long is unacceptable in our house. The morning route makes him the next to last one picked up making the morning ride much shorter. He is still picked up one hour before school starts BUT he's at the school with plenty of time, he's not sitting on the bus.

G anxiously paced as he was waiting to break out the front door. I made him wait until 5 after but he was wanting to head to the road at 5 til.

As we walked out the door we found this...

This morning he choose to eat breakfast at school, I think he was worried that he'd miss the bus if he ate here!?! He also discovered that his new school served Elf grahams, he'd thought he left elf grahams behind at his old school.

Even Skipper watched G waiting for the bus. I think G was talking to the neighbor girls (last ones on the bus), well, I'm sure he was talking we, Skipper and I could hear him so I just suppose that it was to the neighbors!?!

Early turn in

It's barely 9:30pm and both boys are in bed.

G and hubby went to see the movie "The Clone Wars" last night. They got home around 9:20 and G was too excited to get to sleep. Of course he was awake extra early this morning, boy was he crabby this morning!

Soccer tryouts have been the past 2 days and they announced the team tonight. He made it (with the highest score, of course) but that means that the team has 2 a days for the rest of the week! He has to in town and running in morning by 6am! He was tired so it wasn't a problem going to bed this early.

With both of them in bed there isn't any real reason for me to stay up......oh those blasted Olympics are on...........oh, well......

Yawn with a PINK tint!

I don't know how much of the olympics I can take. I'm running on empty, staying up late watching the drama unfold and then getting up early getting everyone out the door to school.

I was pleased that Micheal Phelps' last race was at a decent time last night as we all gathered.

Just how can this be?

We have 3 TV's in our home. One in our family room, that is about 11 years old and makes everyone PINK, we have a TV in our bedroom that is only about 5 years old and has a great picture, and then we have a large screen tv in the basement family room ~ great picture there.

Well, we have gathered to watch this Olympics in front of the pink tv for the majority of the time. Last night as we watched Micheal Phelps' record breaking race we watched it (and most of his other Gold medal races) on the PINK tv!

Just how can this be?

Week's recap

Today was my day to speak in Church. I was given the subject of "How does knowing that the Savior loves me effect my relationship with others?" It was a challenging and difficult to research. It's over now and I feel comfortable with what I'd put together.

J, W's girlfriend went to church with us. The poor girl has poison ivy on her legs, she's miserable at times.

Hubby and W put more rock on yesterday, they have only a few hours to do so, as the it gets too hot and sunny. The stuff dries out too quickly. Neither of them get started too early on Saturday mornings.

On Friday, my friend Susan and I attended the "Sunflower Olympics". It was the first assembly at G's school. It was fun and LOUD ~ a lot of children screaming at a high pitch in a gym! Can you image?

Both boys started school this week. G on Wednesday and W on Thursday. W is in Student council so he was involved in the Freshman orientation on Wednesday. They both seem to be enjoying it. I had to pick both of them up one day this week and they were stumbling all over each other trying to share their day with me. I loved it.

W's courses are College level English and Math, Photography, Strength, parenting, Choir, current social issues, and resource management. He has all of his more difficult classes on one day and then a more relaxed day the next. This week he'll start soccer practice. This year we have the luxury of not starting soccer games until after Labor Day.

I think that covers the last part of the week! Now to start the next week.......

Simply Amazing!

When I was younger I had a poster of Mark Spitz on my bedroom wall.

Mark, in his speedo with his gold medals around his neck.

I wonder if I can get a Michael Phelps poster for my room this year?

What's for supper and a new website that you might like.

I recently found this great recipe for Crash Hot Potatoes . This recipe can be adjusted in the potato toppings. They were a BIG hit at our house.

This recipe comes from a great website The Pioneer Woman . I think you'll find something that interest you.

First Day of 3rd Grade

well...... I take pictures after we come back from "Back to School" night!
it's the night before the 1st day of school, but that just to lengthy for the title.

SPT ~ Olympic Style II

For the month of August Lelly has challenged us to ........
"for spt, i will challenge myself to uphold the ideals of the

Olympic motto:citius, altius, fortius[faster, higher, stronger]

These three words encourage the athlete to give his or her best during competition, and to view this effort as a victory in itself."

OK I'm neither Citius, Altuis or fortius since the Olympics have started!

I believe I'm quite the opposite, slower, lower, and weaker.

I'm an Olympic Couch Potato

My remote skills are getting better

along with my ......

DVR and interactive TV skills!

Sad but true!

To see how others are interpeting

citius, altius, fortius

go visit Lelly

Blooming Monday ~

weekend in pictures

G's $ from his vegetable stand at the Garage sale. He sold out of tomatoes very quickly. He then picked peppers off of Stephanie's plant, sold out of those. He went to the neighbor's Thursday night and got some peppers and cucumbers from them to sell along with his barely ripe cherry tomatoes for Friday. Friday's sunset

Hubby and W putting rock on the garage Saturday in the sprinkles.

G putting his name on his school supplies

Let the Games begin~

Jim McKay, Dorothy Hamill, the flags, Mary Lou Retton, the history behind the games, Flo Jo, The marathon runners, Maurice Greene, the platform diving, Bob Costas, the flame, ping pong, the medals, Nadia, the tears of victory, Mark Spitz, Basketball's dream team, Michael Phelps, American Athletes singing our National Anthem, 1980 Hockey, Marion Jones, the stories behind the athletes, Dana Torres, track and field, seeing little known countries with no chance of winning just appreciate the game.

I love the Olympics!

I was dismissed!

I was shocked, I was dismissed last night!

I took G to get some school shoes and clothes last night. We got the shoes ~ z ties!?! Then moved to Old Navy to look over some new shorts. G fell in love with some athletic shorts and a shirt but I still gathered other items. Like NEVER before G wanted to head to the dressing rooms? I agreed and followed him to the dressing rooms and as usual I followed him into the stall. He very politely dismissed me to sit out on the benches, saying that he would come out and show me everything. I was a bit bewilder but I did as I had been told and very quietly sat on the assigned bench.

FYI ~ he wanted to sleep in his his favorite outfit but he did put it off until today!

SPT ~ Olympic style

For the month of August Lelly has challenged us to ........

"for spt, i will challenge myself to uphold the ideals of the Olympic motto:

citius, altius, fortius
[faster, higher, stronger]
These three words encourage the athlete to give his or her best during competition, and to view this effort as a victory in itself."

Well, I just wasn't going to participate because I was just too busy to think straight let alone be thinking of how I was faster, higher, stronger. Late last night it hit me ~

I'm extremely busy right now getting ready for a garage sale. I'm moving Faster, Higher, stronger de-cluttering!

Things are either Priced,

(Garage Sale is at a friend's house)

Trashed,

Or put to good use!

Getting rid of 'stuff' makes me feel Faster, Higher and Stronger!

to see how others are faster, higher, stronger

Check out Lelly

website you might enjoy.....

you get to test your knowledge
while feeding the hungry at Free Rice

What's for suppper?

My Mom gave me this most wonderful little recipe last summer

and it has been enjoyed ever since!

Pot with enough water to cover your ears of corn.

a couple of tablespoons of vinegar

a couple of tablespoons of sugar (forgotten in picture)

place corn in cold water

put lid on pot ~ no peeking

turn the burner on HIGH

set your timer for 8 minutes

now here is the hard part ~ turn your burner off after 8 minutes,

Your corn is done!

You have to trust the process the first time and then you'll be sold on this method.

Enjoy!

Blooming Monday

Remember this post?

I'm having a Monday ........

This day just has to end, sooner hopefully than later. Like now would be OK! Can I go take a shower and go to bed now?

I knew I had several things on my "TO DO LIST" today. Once I started things were going to be busy.

I've typed out my day with the good and the bad, but decided that I'll just say that it was 50 ~ 50 good with bad. Everything worked out, but it has been stressful at times.

All will be OK because tomorrow isn't a MONDAY ~ it's a Tuesday! (right?)

Simple Joy

Last Friday I made a trip to Costco. It was mid afternoon and I'd missed lunch. There were samples, oh were there wondrous samples. Actually I don't know how good the samples were REALLY because I had missed lunch so any food would have been good! But there was one.......

Lemon Tart
My, My it is good!
I knew that W like Lemon so I was eager to share this with him. He came in late and ate almost a whole one! When I asked him about it the next morning. He said "I don't know, they're too lemon-y" When I told I didn't think so, he replied with "well, I couldn't eat the whole thing" (he'd eaten all but a few bites) They are BIG I didn't think he should have even tried to eat the whole thing. He liked them once he realized that they were a 2 serving pie.
They are gone now but oh were they joyful while they lasted!