Our Saturday in Pictures

With all this talk about the time change I thought I'd give you an hour by hour account of my/our day.


AT 7am ~ folding laundry

8am ~ playing basketball
This was G's last Basketball game.
G's team hasn't won a game all season, but this game was close.
GASP! They went into overtime 12 to 12. it was a sudden death and the other team got a basket first! It was all good.



9am Driving home...
These fertilizer tanks are everywhere on the Prairie this weekend!

10am ~ Recycling and Friend time
First Recycling and then pick up G's friend for some fun time!

11am ~ playing and wrapping
I believe the building is a Star War's fortress! and in the foreground the present for the wedding reception tonight!

12 Noon ~ got this text
W went off to a Power lifting tournament today. He's been lifting all winter. I really didn't know what to expect other than I was sending a VERY excited boy this morning! I texted him all morning without any response, but finally at Noon his girlfriend sends this.......


1pm ~ Stephanie's flowers
I was getting these flowers to ready to take to my friend, Stephanie. When she called. Back up a couple of days, Stephanie and I (and others) were at the church on Thursday morning when she got a phone call that her sister had unexpectedly died. It was heartbreaking to watch Stephanie come to grips with this news. Just I was getting the card ready to go with these tulips, she called to give me an update on how her parents were doing! I'll sneak these into her house tomorrow so she can find them when she gets home.

2pm ~ choice
I really want to go curl up and read some on a book I've been reading (any book for that matter) but there are still things to pick up, sweep up, dust off, wipe off.......I chose to clean up!
3pm ~ finally talked to W
below is the note I made when I was talking with him..... can you read it?
OK, I didn't really know what I was sending him off to do this morning, or how well he'd do. Back up... this boy has a great "I can do this" spirit! years ago when he was 8 we went ice skating, he'd never been ice skating but we'd just watched the Olympics. All the way to the rink he told me all about the jumps and spins he was going to do....??? well, when we got there reality set in and I'm sure you can figure the rest out.

Then last year he goes to an off season indoor track meet. You pay your entrance fee and you can sign up for any events you want (one might think that you'd only sign up those you knew how to do, but you could sign up anything!) W sign up for his long jump, triple jump and then thought he'd try the High jump. I'll just stop this by saying when reality set in he can't high jump!

So I wondered about this morning. He had trained all winter, but what would he go up against.
As you can tell, in reality he was ready! He tried to tie the State Record but didn't make it! He ended up 2nd overall in his weight class! (note translation: he took 1st in the Clean, 2nd in the squat, and 4th in the bench. He tried for the state record but didn't get it.)
I'm so shocked and proud of him! No more asking him if he can lift this or that ...I'll just tell him to move it!
4pm ~ I'm blogging!
OK, I'm done with the pictures....I have to get ready for this reception and you don't need pictures of that!

Flashback Friday

This is Big Bro (almost 2) Christmas of 1960

My Aunt Marie

(you haven't seen her yet in Flashback Fridays)

got this 'walking doll' for Christmas

Doodle

Doodles

Doodles by W is on hold. W has been reading my blog and wants to have say in which Doodles get presented. I was just going to wherever I could find Doodles (which in reality is everywhere in our house) and picking which one I liked. Well, that wasn't working, "Mom, you can't pick just any doodle, and certainly not a church doodle!" So now he has creative input on the Doodles, that also means that I can't post whenever I want... I must wait for the master to pick on out!
Hopefully tonight!?!

Cub Scout Wednesday

OK, tonight I didn't plan enough. I have a mixture of boys, half are typical rowdy boys. The other half are more quiet, serious and more studious.

Well the latter half wasn't there tonight!

The Theme for tonight was "When I grow up" I started by pulling different types of job tools out of my box (ie: stethoscope, dental mirror, hammer, calculator, etc) we discussed all the type of jobs you could have with these tools. It got quite silly ....remember the more serious boys weren't there!

Then we moved to doing a word search with different jobs... G loves doing word searches! Well, the other boys weren't into being quiet so we finally had to make this a competition by separating the boys and telling them that the first one done got a prize next week. The element of competition was the trick! This quieted the silliness down and they got to work. Little G came out the winner very quickly ( I saw this coming... I'm telling you he loves a good word search).

We were able to stretch it out a few more minutes but it was clearly too short for these boys!

Adventures is Subbing #15

Today I subbed and it was

Wacky Wednesday!

A celebration of Dr Seuss!

I'm just sure there is double pay or at least a perk of a spa day included in todays deal!
I've never been so glad to be home in my life!

Not a Waste anymore

Winter Wasted NOT!

Sunday thoughts

I think the over message I got from today's talks was,

"Live your life so people know
what you stand for without saying a word"

BUT then there was this disappointing thing of church today...
This other lady and I have prayed and worked and prayed and worked
on a project/assignments for weeks. These assignments were to be
handed out today. We knew some people would not be happy but I don't think we realized just how upset some women would get at the changes. Some ladies just got so upset
at being moved out of their comfort zone. DISAPPOINTING.

Saturday Scorebroad

Little G lost his first game 22 to 8
Little G lost his second game 20 to 0

W's team played their toughest competitor, "the Orange" team (you know they aren't really orange they're more rust... who picked out that color?) I don't like it when they play this rusty/orange team because the other team plays nasty. It was tough they lost. I don't know the ending score because W got elbowed in the nose and left the game. I spend the rest of the game (a couple of minutes) watching the door for W come back in. OK after I told you how nasty the other team is W was elbowed by his own teammate!

W loves this picture...

W is #5 and the other boy is about 4 or 5 inches taller than W.

Tanslation the other boy is VERY tall!

This picture was taken by the other boy's grandpa!

Leadership notes

This morning I had a church leadership meeting. It was good and refreshing. As I drove home I thought about the notes I'd taken and how they were good for my general life also.

How to stay encouraged.....
1) Seek the Holy Spirit to help guide you
2) do what you can do on your own (personalize your plan)
3)Set personal priorities
4)Just do your very best
*What 'clamours' for your attention that isn't getting your Eternal Life?
5)Find joy

Flashback Friday

May 1972

time for a little Ketchup?

Boy this week has been busy, so it's time for a little Ketch up!

* Monday
*I straighten up the house in the morning

*wroted letters to Missionaries

*Met some friends for lunch ...Applebees! Had some Cheese burger sliders and a salad. The
salad was WAY better than the sliders. I'll go with another choice next time.

*I went to a Dentist appointment. Man that Hygienist is wicked with the scrapper!

* W picked up G after school and met me at the dentist office.

*They went in for they'll cleaning and I walked to the county Treasure's office (across the square) Why didn't someone stop me and say ..."hey it's the last week of the month, you realize that you won't be alone?" The lines a fairly short considering. Once I got to the clerk, it took 2 minutes. I walked back and the boys were finished.

*I had 3 cavities (GASP!) and they had none! But I (and only I) get the joy of going back next week and sitting for 80 minutes. reminder to load Ipod with new stuff!

*Then G and went to Piano lessons. They've recently renovated the local community center and it just opened a couple of weeks ago. G's piano lesson switched to there, and the piano is in the beautiful auditorium. Also G likes to play all of his songs fast, I suppose he thinks that it means he knows them!?! His instructor was having to slow him down all night!

*Then rush off to G's make up basketball game. Which started at the same time as the lesson was finished, but we were already in town to it was just a drive across town.'

*going to the dentist always makes me have a headache (from all the scrubbing and scrapping) so when Hubby showed up in the 3rd quarter I left for home and the bottle of tylenol!

*Tuesday
*what a lovely day... I stayed home as much as I could ... I cleaned, I did laundry, I cleaned bathrooms, ....ah it was good! To be home and the sun shining! My favorite.

*Wait I couldn't stay home all day, I had books overdue at the library and money to deposit in the bank! I ran to the town with the library and swung by the bank on my way to get G from school.

*went to the Grocery store, had to pick up some items for a family in the area that were just arriving home from a funeral.

*made it home.. fixed supper, tosadoes! Loved them!

Wednesday .....
*Drop G off at school,
*go get my hair cut and colored. It's cute and the color is just about the same. I thought we were going a little blonder? oh well....
*decorating for the Blue and Gold Round #1 (fix tables), Butcher paper and little flag center pieces. But they need something more....
*come home call about getting some balloons ($1 for each if I get High Flyers! or 50 cents for regular ones.... went with 15 regular balloons)
*eat lunch (can't remember what it was!)
*pay bills
*update computer check book
*shower
*go to G's spelling bee ~ once again he didn't study and makes the spelling bee, but gets out in the first round on the word .... autograph.
*take G with me to the pick up the balloons
*realize that it's our family's week to clean the church and boy does it need it!
*decorate for Blue and Gold round #2 add the balloons, looks good enough.
*G and I run the vacuum in the chapel and take out the bathroom trash before coming home. We'll get the rest later.
*go home and relax for a an hour or two
*pick up some clutter
*go back to the church early so I can get the blank map copies made for the busy work for Blue and Gold (round #3)
*Blue and Gold dinner and ceremony (we have a new cub master and he's not really organized... it showed) the night lasted WAY too late, should have been over 45 minutes earlier! Who knew the balloons would cause such a riot at the end of the night?!?
*got home just in time to read with G
*cleaned up the kitchen
*fall asleep (before hitting the pillow I think)
Thursday ......
*had a meeting at church at 8:15 am until 1pm (at least it didn't last until time to pick up G after school!) finished up that project ... or at least until someone wants things changed!
*I'm here doing Catch up with you!

What's for dinner

It was house full of boys, my boys, the missionaries, then a couple of other boys.

I served Breakfast Casserole

(I'll post that recipe some other time) with this.....

Baked French Toast with Pralines
Ingredients
1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Directions
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.
Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well.

Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

VERY GOOD!

4 degrees from an Oscar!

Just how close are you to an Oscar?

As I was watching tonight's academy awards show I realized that I'm only 4 degrees from one!

Back up to a couple of years ago.....

I was chatting with a lady at church and we were discussing computers (she is a big computer whiz for her age 70+), Jean likes to talk (and talk and talk) so her story was taking all sorts of twist when it finally came around to her nephew "little Eddie" (what she called him) and his computer knowledge! "Little Eddie had worked with computers and video games for years and finally had gotten a job with Pixar. Actually, her words were, "oh, you know that company that makes all those kid movies, like Toy Story?" My ears perked up now but I was thinking that Little Eddie was probably pushing some mail cart around the Pixar offices. She chatted some more when she said that she and her husband had gone to see Toy Story 2 and waited and waited for the end credits to see Eddie's name. Well, it wasn't there and what a surprise that was to them. So now I'm thinking that little Eddie must have been a computer artist that worked on the movie. My interested was now peaked even more.

A couple of weeks later this same lady came back up to me and said she'd called her brother about why "little Eddie's" name wasn't in the ending credits of Toy Story 2, her brother informed her that Little Eddie's name was at the beginning of the film. Wow my interested was at the highest!

Just How Can this be?

As I sat through the rest of church I was absorbed with this conversation......I got to figuring this all out.... the 70ish lady at church is the youngest of many children, so her "little Eddie was probably not a teenager or a twenty something (like I'd pictured him), he was most likely a grown man older than I, and then I got to thinking of her maiden name (remember she likes to talk so I've heard it many, many times).......

CATMULL

Little Eddie is .......

Ed Catmull

and tonight he won another Oscar!

SO....

Me, Jean (lady at church), Little Eddie (as we call him here on the prairie), Oscar

that makes 4 .... you know me so that gives you 5

AND I'll have to tell you my Steven Spielberg connection someother time!

Sunday thoughts

Hope ~

the importance of Hope ~
*"Hope is one leg of a three legged stool (with faith and charity)"
*Hope is a gift of the Spirit
*we have Hope that we'll be resurrected (through the atonement)
*We have the responsibility to make it an active part of our lives to have Hope/ not lose Hope

*Hope is not knowledge but is a trust in the Lord

Hope leads to Good works ~
*The things we'll Hope for lead us to faith
*The things we have Hope in lead us to charity
*All three (Hope, faith and charity) lead us to good works

*Never surrender Hope
*Never allow despair to overcome your spirit

The lesson comes from this"TALK"

a Series of Unfortunate Events

You know those books for kids "A Series of Unfortunate Events"? Where the kids are just repeatedly hit with tragic or well..... Unfortunate Events?

I'm beginning to think I'm a child in those books this week. Fortunately for me, none of the events this week have been tragic, but they have been ..... let's just say annoying!

Sunday W and I jumped in the Yukon and started out of the drive, down the gravel road and then set off on the Highway only to find that they transmission was gone.... well... going. We turned around and headed back home.

Monday I spent all day telling W that he needed to drive the 'kon in to the Mechanic and ride home with hubby. W fussed all day that he didn't think he could drive it just 30 mph! I replied to this "I don't think that'll be a problem, since 30 mph was all it was going to go!" When he and his buddy LT left home, the rest of the gears continued to go, including reverse. They quickly (attempted) to turn around (finally using a large portion of prairie) and headed back home in Neutral! yea, we still don't understand that! Just How Can This Be?

The Yukon is home sitting safely in the driveway! We're still scratching our heads at this one! Do you think I could plant flowers around it?!

Then this morning the kitties appear for their morning affirmation (lovin') at the back window. Only Sophie's left eye was shut.... this goes on for hours. I let her in to watch her, she's just lost (she is usually the prowler and she just sits still), can't get her eye open, won't wash it (she will once, but then quickly stops) ~ it hurts! I finally call the vet (you know I was convinced that our money loving animal days were over). Take her in....by the time we're ready to leave, it's open alittle bit and she's more active (will now purr a little) but not much more. By the time I'm sitting in the Vet's reception area (is that what you call it?) her eye is completely open but looks bad, BUT she's peed in her box (she does this when she gets nervous)!

I'm sitting there trying of comfort her (talking to her through the box) when she decides to clean off her paws so she flicks her paw and sprays me with pee! Shirt, arm, glasses, face......(Heavy sigh) NASTY. Now usually I don't care (about the over whelming animal presence of the the vet's office) because I don't EVER shower before going to the vet, well....today I was freshly showered but now covered with cat pee! JUST HOW CAN THIS BE? OK I'll stop but will add that she purred when she got out of the box on the vet's table! Rotten cat! to shorten this story.... she scratched her cornea (I don't think she'd had popcorn) and maybe deeper.

You know I could have named this post .... watching $ flow out the door!

Flashback Friday

Christmas 1966/7?

Me and my Aunt Valli Gayle

OH, but we've seen Val in a flashback before

Just a fun concert!

Tonight was G's choir concert! Enjoy.... this is his favorite song.

Looks like I have another sway-er!

Cub Scout Wednesday

Tonight was a getting ready for the Blue and Gold Banquet next week night.

We made invitations, then we played a states game (ie: name a state that starts with an A, name a state that has a river running through it) this was a simple game, BUT I forgot the map of the United States! Oops, but you know these boys put their thinking caps on and did great.

We then worked on a little funny (aren't they all) skit for the Banquet.

The boys then did the "Scramble States of America" puzzle.

This is a favorite puzzle of G's and he was so excited when it got pulled out of my bag to put together. I try not to let G know what we're going to be doing so he can be surprised with everyone else.

While the boys were putting the puzzle together the assistant and I tried to work on center pieces for the tables next week.

I'm so not creative ... so they will be simple! We were really hoping to get something figured out so the boys could put them together for us,

but time was running out and they were so enjoying their puzzle!

Doodles by W

oh my goodness.......

I've been wrapped up this book all day!

I have laughed with them, I've stressed over them, I've worried for them, I've cried about them, I've cried with them..... Goodness this books is Good!

I highly suggest you get it! RUN don't walk........

happy President's Day!

Sunday Thoughts

Forewarning this is going to be long... today was

Ward Council and the speakers were just wonderful!

Stake President ~ Kendal Ross

*sometimes we don't see what is most important right in front of us.

Patriarchal Blessings

For more information about Patriarchal Blessing click here .

*revelations from God

*God has tremendous expectations for our youth

*Patriarchal Blessings are chapters from your book of life

*Heavenly Father gave us all a blessing before we left heaven to come to earth. Even though we don't remember this blessing it still effects our lives. Some of that Blessing can be revealed in our Patriarchal Blessing.

*How can I become the person I read about in my Patriarchal Blessing? or our Spirit personalities?

**use our Patriarchal Blessing to understand

**Read it often

**pray about understanding your Patriarchal Blessing

**compare your life today to your Patriarchal Blessing then set goals to move your life in that direction

**consult your Patriarchal Blessing when making life changing decisions

~~~~~~~~

Keeping balance in our lives, how and what can we do to help keep our lives balanced

*knowledge of God's love for us ~ plan of salvation

*knowledge of Jesus Christ and the atonement

*Agency ~ learn to control elements around us and that our surroundings don't control us.

*Knowledge that we will not be tempted beyond our ability to resist temptation

"The Lord gives us more that we can handle without Him" He wants us to turn to He for help

*Holy Ghost

*prayer ~ be proactive

~~~~

Sister Leslie Anderson (RS President)

We were challenged to get out of our comfort zone.

Challenged to ......

*make time and space for those outside of our age group (or any other group we're in)

*search out a sister that made us feel bad and befriend her

*know every sister and YW in our ward by name & speak to them

*write words of appreciation to each other

*Pray for one another by name (use a note card to remember if needed)

*try new service opportunities

*serve in different ways this year. Make your service more personal and meaningful

*Love on another ~ better yet say it

*find what is hard for us and accomplish it

*be truly a Sister in Zion (read/sing the song and live the words)

I am a list person and I love that the last sister gave us a challenge and then specific items to work on!

Happy Blogoversary!

Today my little Blog is 1!

Thanks for Visiting Along Plum Creek,

I really appreciate it!

Saturday Scoreboard

Little G's basketball game looked more evened out today, size wise.
They still lost BUT G made a great assist on the only 2 points they scored!

W travel a couple of hour south for an indoor track meet. Hubby and I both thought it was not worth him going but let him make the decision. He as been working out all winter and even though he hasn't been jumping or even working out his 'steps' he wanted to see what he could jump! He jumped a 39'9 and missed making the finals by an half an inch!

Hubby's team (without W) won their game.

Valentine's Day Tradition lives on!

We have a Valentine Tradition of a Valentine treasure hunt. In past years I have given clues to prizes around the house. Where the young Valentine would have to figure out the clue to find the Valentine treasure. This year I took pictures of places around the house where once figured out the young Valentine would find his gift.

This still proved to be a challenge for him and he needed clues!

I took the pictures, but when I ran them off (on my little photo printer) the dark ink was out so I got PINK pictures (I couldn't have tried for something more perfect for Valentines Day).

guide to Picture collage.....

#1 G reading his Valentine's day card

#2 what G gave as Valentine's to his class ~ fun dips that said "I'm a dip for you"

#3 the PINK picture clues

#4 his Garfield card

#5 little star wars people that were his 'treasure'

#6 G's Valentine box...er' Jar! decorated it with Star War's stickers!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hey guess you get a bonus Flashback today!

This is my Aunt Valerie!

Flashback Friday the 13th

Happy Birthday Big Bro!

Big Bro in 1959

Remember when I used to wish that I was older than you ......

Well, not anymore!

Big Bro turns 50 today!

What could be more scarier for the Friday the 13?
OH, sorry mom, I guess having your oldest baby turn 50!

Book Nook

A couple of weeks ago I just longed for a weekend that I could snuggle up with a good book. I don't think I've had one since giving birth! (yep, that long ago) It didn't happen that weekend either but I got the book from the Library anyway.

I had heard such good things about this book, "These is My Words" by Nancy E Turner. If you'd like to read more about this book & the other books in the series, go here.

I'll let you know what my final thoughts are!

doodles by W

Cub Scout Wednesday!

Cub Scout Wednesday was cancelled due to scattered brain syndrome(mine)!

what mom learns from a campus visit!

#1 Our student Ambassador walked backwards (?), facing us through the campus while naming every building, giving little tidbits of information and answering questions.

#2 in the introduction (propaganda) video they said, (paraphrasing) even though we are a major (huge) university we work hard to have a small college feel. You'll not walk across our campus without running into someone you know.

#3 This university is built on a hills and in valleys! (making #1 even more amazing)

#4 they close the campus to cars (except professors and employees and buses) during the day.

#6 this university only (but did) used a few seconds (maybe 60 seconds) using they're sports accomplishments in their introduction (propaganda) video. This made this mom roll her eyes!

#7 the bus drivers were very helpful

#8 W met with a specialist in his area of interest. She was extremely helpful and gave us more information than I could have ever expected. We now know W is in for a 7 year educational experience!

#9 While starting out tour with our ambassador (See #1) we hear someone yelling W's name! We finally found the girl behind the yell, and it was someone that had played soccer with W a couple of years ago! this amazed this mom (see #2) and amazed at what great eye sight this girl must have!

#10 We learned to ride the buses (see #3, #4 and #7)

#11 The college scholarship dead line has passed!?!

#12 W came home even more set on going to this university

#13 Glad we went today (it was 70 degrees in February).

#14 W has a variety of friends. His friend LT went with us, but we met his MB there. I spent an afternoon with all 3 of them. They are all so different and so funny together.

#15 He's going to be fine, get an good education, and he's going to have fun!

Bonus ~ when we got home we were chatting about his area of interest. He was more certain that that IS what he wants to do. The 7 years didn't scare him, but he did make the comment, "you know Mom it's going to be like, like all College classes." HUH?

Just how can this be? ......

" it's like, like all college classes?" what did he think this was going to be?

After a couple of moments of just plain staring at him..... I busted out laughing and he quickly joined in! We had a conversation about how not every college class so intense, there will be some fluff mixed in there!

Sweets for your sweets Recipe!

Years ago I made a bazillion of these as Christmas gifts! I nibbled and nibbled as I made them so by the time I was finished I swore I'd NEVER eat one again. This year a friend of mine made these and gave them out for Valentine's! I was so blessed to get a bag! They are scrumptious!

Wait, what about a picture? you say!
I say.... OH, that's funny they're already gone!

Here is the recipe anyway.....

Candied Pecans
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg white
1 tablespoon cold water
1 pound pecan halves

Mix sugar, cinnamon and salt until well blended.
Beat egg white and water with fork until frothy.
Pour over pecans and stir well until all pecans are covered.
Pour sugar mixture over pecans and stir until all the sugar
has coated the pecans.
Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 225 for one hour, stirring occasionally.
Makes one pound.

Wait is that PEE-can or pee-KON? I once heard a cooking instructor say.... a PEE-can is something you pee in so we should always say pee-KON! Well, if that didn't teach you something it certainly gave you a visual when you hear someone say PEE-can!

Enjoy!

Sunday thoughts....

I should preface this by telling you that we don't have any paid clergy. Our church "calls" people (through prayer and revelation) to do all the positions (teaching, overseeing, cleaning, etc). We do have a man in the position of "Bishop" but he isn't paid, he's 'called' or asked to volunteer his time (usually for 2 years). Then everyone else has a job (or two) to do within the church's organizations.

I have 3 positions within the organizations,
#1 I work with the cub scouts
#2 I am the secretary for the women's organization
#3 I am asked to go into the homes of 5 women every month to make sure their needs are being met (or just to make sure they have a friend)
these are in no particular order!

Our Sunday talks are given by members of our congregation. They are generally given a subject and about a week to prepare. It's a growing experience for all involved.
Notes from today's talks.....
daily scripture reading.. "is the Lord trying to speak to us OR is he trying to change us"
going to Heavenly Father for help ... "Pride vs humility"
teaching our children ... "we are teaching even when we don't realize that we're teaching"
"we should not do anything we wouldn't want to see our children do"

In one of our classes the lesson was from the parable of the Wheat and Tares
(found in the book of Matthew)

the instructor explained to us what a Tare was. I'd never known what an actual tare was, but I do now. It's a toxic plant that looks just like wheat until it reaches maturity then they show themselves in different ways. The wheat's bloom is heavier and will bow whereas the Tare's bloom has purple berries and is light and will stand straight up.

some of my thoughts from this lesson....
*are we strong enough to bow (to be the wheat)
*The plants aren't weeded until they mature (or when the Savior comes). So we have time to make ourselves Wheat. Given the chance to become what Heavenly Father expects of us.

Seating update... hubby is out of town so we got to adventure up into the pews! Hubby sits up higher than everyone else so he MUST sit in the back, when he's not there it's a heyday on where we will sit! Oh, the opportunities were endless...... we bubbled over with excitement!

Saturday's Scoreboard

Remember this picture from the soccer season? Well, that's what G's basketball game looked like this morning. Only not as round, but just as tall, if not taller! In G's league they must be 3rd and 4th graders. G's team is made up of all 3rd graders, and this other team must have been all (towering, long legged and long armed) 4th graders. G (who is not the shortest player on his team) only came up to the just below a couple of the opposing teams players shoulder. It was an impossible game to guard in and an impossible situation to be guarded in! The opposing 4th graders were aggressive. There were about a million turn overs .... OK maybe not a million but it's safe to say that 3/4's of the passes were intercepted (is that a basketball term?). The end score was 54 to 2 (those precious 2 points were made in the last 2 minutes).

Hubby is out of town and W's team went up against their toughest team! It was difficult and it got nasty (they are all so competitive and believe it or not some even come with hot heads!). W's team couldn't pull it out. They lost. I think W wanted an undefeated season. They meet up with this team again, and hopefully hubby will be in town.

Conversations with G

this week I have 2 very interesting conversations with G........

#1 ~
G ~ "Mom, what games did you play with when you were little."
Me ~"we didn't have video games, or computers. I watched TV." "But our TV was only 3 channels"...."and not cartoon channels."
G ~ looking quite serious didn't reply right away but finally said, "I'm so sorry, Mom."
Me ~ not sure that we were still on the same subject "what are you sorry for."
G ~ "that you had such a bad time when you were little."
We then had a little conversation about how I didn't know any better, because I'd ever had anything else. I could tell by the look on his face he still felt so sorry for me!

#2
Tonight after we left the HS we drove through town. We commented on how there were so many cars at the local Applebees.
G~"well, alot of people go out to eat on Friday nights, because that's the day everyone gets paid."
Mom ~ "Everyone gets paid on Friday?"
G~ "yea, everyone gets paid on Friday and then they go spend it."
Mom ~ "Dad doesn't get paid on Friday and I don't get paid on Friday."
G~ "Really when do you get paid?
Mom ~ "Dad gets paid once a month and I get paid once a month."
G ~ "really? Well, that would mean that Dad gets paid alot of money, since it's just once a month. Dad would have to get paid at least $100 if it's only once a month. Because $100 is alot more than $50"
Mom ~ ??????

Evolution of Dance

Remember the 'dance practice' comment from earlier this week?

Well this the result!

At homecoming every year the dance team invite

boys to help them dance.....W was invited by his friend, Baily!

Flashback Friday

What a FLASHBACK in fashion......

Mother, Daughter and a Goat!

Bush Gardens in St Louis, MO 1973.

As I was going through pictures last night I witnessed

my mother's hair grow higher and higher!

I love the polyester pant suit (pure 70's)

I just image wearing polyester in St Louis in the summer heat!

How did she do it?

This Winter is Wasted!

About mid January G proclaimed, "This winter is a Waste!", when I asked what that meant. He explained, NO SNOW! and that makes this winter a waste!".

Just how can this be... A winter without snow?

I tried to build winter up by saying that February can very snowy! He really wasn't buying it, but it did give him alittle hope.

Now that February is here...... I'm wondering if "This Winter is a Waste"

Cub Scout Wednesday

This month is the Birthday of Cub Scouts so we'll be getting ready

(a little every week)for our Blue and Gold Banquet at the end of the month.

This month's theme is "ABC America"

So to start this out we're going to write a little note to #43 (a Thank you) and #44 (Welcome to your new home). Talk about the being the President of the United States, I found these at the Creative Conversations going on at 2cleverblog. (Those girls are just amazingly 2 clever!) We'll move into chatting about maps by talking/showing where the cards will be mailed to.

Then we'll learn about a map of the US, naming the States

Then we'll discuss our skit (!) for the Blue and Gold Banquet.

It's always a fun time at cub scouts!

Say What?

conversation from this morning.....

Me ~ "W, make sure that you get the trash out of the yard when you get home from school"
W~ "OK, oh wait I have dance practice after school so it won't be right after."

Say WHAT?

It's a Non Van

When is a Van not a van? when it's 'van door' (you know the back door) doesn't open? Our van door was closed on this day. When I got to the place to unload the back door didn't open and hasn't opened since! Just how can this be?

This situation which rendered my van a non van! Frustration hit several times, like the day I went to Home Depot to get these long mental thingys (for hubby) and NO, the van door doesn't open, NO, they don't want to go in the side door, NO, NO, NO...... a non van that's what it was!

This is only one event of life with the non van....... Last week I'd had enough! I took it in to be fixed..... $90 later, it opened! They had to take the back panel off, found it full of dust. They cleaned it out, lubed it up and sent me on my way.

I now know what it's like to drive around inside a can of WD-40. The smell was awful BUT the VAN is back!

Make'em Laugh

Last week our local PBS station ran a series of shows called Make 'em Laugh. It was so funny, it showed the laughter throughout the years, from Buster Keeton all the way to our current day Jon Stewart.

A couple of weeks ago W and I were discussing Steven Cobert's comments of Kanye West and his attempt to have his album out sell Kanye's on Itunes. Very funny stuff!

W and I tried to pick our favorite funny people, we both agreed on Steven Colbert, Steve Carell (did you see the hour long "The Office" last night after the super bowl?), and Tina Fey, but then we were stuck for our 4th person (where we got the idea we needed 4 people I don't know). I like Seth Meyers from SNL weekend report, but is he really the best guy for our foursome?

Who would be your 4some of funny people?

Hmmm, not so easy is it?

Go ahead comment with your favorite funny people!

Sunday Thoughts

Be Grateful is the message that I heard throughout the services today!
I'm not sure that's what everyone else heard but that was the message for me today.

When I hear this message it reminds me of going to church with my Grandparents. I would stand between them and sing the hymn "Count your many Blessing, name them one by one, Count you many Blessing see what God hath done."

For those of you that have tuned in to hear if I got 'our' seats ..... No, I didn't.

I even plotted and planned, only slightly thinking that hubby and little G would be under the weather just enough that they'd stay home..... No, luck there. Knowing that W was tired I only went to wake him once, and then thought I'd just let him sleep today. Well, that one didn't work either. Just as I was walking out of the bedroom dress and ready, I heard him brushing his teeth, Heavy sigh, he was up and getting ready! Hubby and G left while I waited for W. Heavy sigh, I was going to be late again!

Geez! do you see why I got the message to count my blessings today? My entire family was in church! What a blessing! and yes, an even greater blessing than me sitting in "my seat"!

Saturday's score board.....

As a typical Winter Saturday, the balls were flying!

The morning started early with W and I headed to the city for his indoor soccer game. I had gotten up, showered and was about half way there when I realized that I was probably not well enough to survive this trip! Too late now! As we stepped out of the truck W mentioned that he had the same thoughts! WOW and this kid was going to play a sport, it was all I could do to just sit there with out falling over!

W and I made it back home and into bed a few minutes before hubby and little G made it back home from his game. Getting a game report from G is an experience, you get action replays of what everyone else did.

When I finished my 2 hour nap we had some lunch and then we were off to W's game. He looked much better this afternoon.

Oh, yeah the score board ~
indoor soccer ~ lost
G basketball ~ lost
W basketball ~ won

Flashback Friday

Our Mother was notorious for First day of School pictures

and this is one of them!

Date on the picture says May of 1972 so that means

that it would have been taken Aug of 1971.

You know rolls and rolls of undeveloped film syndrome?

This would have been my first day of 2nd grade

and my big bro's first day of 7th grade.

Check out the shortness of that dress? REALLY!

My mom made that dress.

Big Bro, are those red converse high top peeking in the bottom of the picture?

Taking this picture (& at least one other first day of school picture) was the only time I ever remember going out the front door of this particular house.

When we get together we all talk about how snaky that front yard was!

Yep, you read that right!

Guess that's why you don't see us stepping off of the front porch!

For that fact ~ the entire house was snaky.

Our kindly visitor "Sickness"

Yes, our kindly ever patient visitor sickness it still here. W is back at school, I've in the depths of visiting with it now, hubby is fighting off (and living in denial) the ever persistent visitor, and Little G is just beginning to noticing it's here!

W thinks the thing that kicked his nasty cold was 14 hours of sleeping! Well, I don't have that luxury, I've been spreading the sickness all over! I finally did clear my calendar and managed to stay home all of today, sleeping about 4 hours of it. I'm hoping to see a better day tomorrow. Hubby is just beginning to sneeze, and little G has that tight little cough that starts it all.

Little G's 'game day' at school is tomorrow so he's very eager to NOT be sick tomorrow, but from my experience he should make it though tomorrow but getting worst through the day. Just in time to miss all the sporting events of Saturday!

Cub Scout Wednesday

Tonight was our Cub Scout Annual Pinewood Derby.

For the past few evenings hubby and little G have been slaving over this little car.

The night of the race....

They made last minute adjustments

Pre-Race pictures were taken..

and the end result was.....

3rd place!

The "sickness" has arrived

BUT it's not as bad as it could be. W went home from church with a constantly running nose and slept the rest of the day. I laid down to take a nap and woke up with a tight chest by the time I went to bed I had the cough to go with it! The other 2 seem to be fine. W stayed home from school yesterday to sleep, continue to sneeze and wipe his nose.

W predicted that the full blown cold would be in swing Tuesday morning and I think he's right.

I've been taking Airbourne for the past week in anticipation of this and I'm fairly good at this point. I know I have a cold but it's not as bad as W. Crossing my fingers that it stays that way.

AT LEAST it's not the high fever pukey thing that is going around!

It's here!

I can't believe it IT'S HERE!

Oh, this isn't going to be good,

I can just feel it....Not good at all!

Sunday thoughts

This Sunday I got to church on time, but our seats were already taken (by the family that walked in right before me), so I sat in the comfy chairs of the foyer and waited for my family. At this point I was sitting alone and as the services started they came to close the chapel doors. I didn't like that, I felt like I was being shut out, but in a effort to sit with my late family I had to be sitting in the foyer....again.
This week in the foyer was different, there weren't any little children sitting out there with us, only us and a couple of other quiet people, thus I was able to focus on the words and thoughts being spoken.

Forgiveness ~
* God Forgives, and we should too!
*it's not just forgetting, it's a process of forgiveness
*We don't have control over other's activities, we only have control over ourselves and how we react and feel.
*As Christ hung on the Cross, He asked for forgiveness for those that had done this.

Hope ~
This man spoke of a story that he'd heard of 2 football teams, one that didn't have any fans, or support from their community and the other that had overwhelming support. The fans from the supportive school, divided up their fans, and cheer leaders to go to the 'other side' for the night and what a difference it made in the game and in these boys playing. Those boys had hope!
*You are just as valuable as anyone else
*What would happen if someone suddenly showed love, care, and hope for you?
*What would happen if you suddenly showed love, care and hope for someone else?'
*the greatest gift we can give is hope
*Hope comes from Christ, we are all weak and he gives up hope.
*Christ gives us all Hope and our Hope through Him makes us strong.
*Hope ~ Faith ~Love ~ Testimony

Cub Scout field trip

This morning I took the little cub scouts on a Field trip.

When I left the house it was 9degrees, burr, but the cubs had lots of energy.

We were headed to Moon Marble.

We watched Bruce make a marble (that was cool), and then we learned to play "shoot out" and how to "knuckle down" from Jay (he was funny). The cubs got to pick out marbles for themselves. They picked from a wall of marbles with names like, cub scout, Blue jay, Saturn, frosty blue, asteroid, mars, and cotton candy.

What a blurr.....

W was a blur of activity today. I suppose it's the life of a teenager! Hubby is coaching W's recreational basketball team. They plot and plan all of December at which boys they are going to recruit to play and hope that things work out in the draft the way they want it! They're funny! This morning at 11am was the first practice.

We all met at home for lunch and then headed off to W's indoor soccer game. This was hubby first experience with the game. W played last year but hubby was in the hospital recovering all last season. Indoor soccer is much faster, and alot different than out door soccer. There are only team and they play both defense and offense, they play off the walls, with very few time stoppage. It's quick, 2 twenty minute halves, people subbing in and out while play is still going on... did I mention how fast the play was???

It's always fun to watch W play keeper. He's good and it's fun to hear the crowd around me says so (not knowing who I am). It's also fun to watch the frustration of the other team grow as the ball is shot but doesn't go in. W's team lost (they always do) but they kept the score in single digits. I need to also say W doesn't ever get to play with these kids, they are all of a rival school, but they asked him to be their keeper last year. It's a fun way to stay in shape in the winter.

Then W was off to play Futsal (another type of indoor soccer) with the kids from his high school team. They have a retire professional player from Brazil that has worked with them for years. When he heard that W was not going to play College soccer he got upset with W and I believe gave him a (gentle but firm) lecture! Thank you Derci! Then told him of a position on his sponsored Futsal team has a back up keeper. Derci had to check with the sponsors before officially offering him position. Derci really likes W and wants good things for him!

When W came home and collapsed in bed at 9:30pm.

Adventures in Subbing #14

Yes, it's January but the weather was a balmy 65 degrees with a light southerly breeze! It was wonderful.

AND yes, I had recess duty.

I would say that I have recess duty 95 % of the time that I sub! It's even gotten to the stage that it's laughable, if I'm subbing then they must have recess duty.

I've been out to recess when it's blistering hot and when it's bitterly cold. The schools sit up on a hill so there is always a breeze (and sometimes breeze is putting it calmly!)

TODAY it was wonderful I was so excited to go outside this afternoon! We let them have a few minutes extra but when the rest of the kindergartner teachers came to lead them inside, they decided that that we could stay out longer! So we did, it was beautiful! Today makes up for the entire week I subbed with the weather too cold (wind chill under 25) to have outside recess.

Cold and flu season is here and it's beginning to hit the schools ~ As soon I walked in I was approached by another teacher asking if I was available to sub for her tomorrow! It not the teacher's so much but they all have sick children!

AND it seems to be everything, colds, pukey flu, high fevers, strep, you name it some one's got it. Maybe we should have a lottery to pick the date I come down with it!

Organized people are just

too lazy to look for things!

Inauguration Day 2009

Those 39 words ........

Make a president!

"To Preserve, To Protect and To Defend"

A peaceful transfer of power in the most powerful and blessed country on the Earth!

Martin Luther King

When I substitute in the 2 grade class there is a 'Foster Grandma' in that class, she is a sweet little grandma that never says a word, just goes about grading her papers.

I was teaching the morning after Barack Obama was pronounced the President Elect. I asked her what she thought of that. She simply replied, "well, I guess it's good, he seems like a nice man." When I asked her about her experiences with discrimination she told of how she moved to the 'prairie' when she was 2 and didn't ever really know of anything that discriminated against her. She and her brother had gone to Memphis when they were little (which would have been in the late 40's). Their aunt took them on the bus, her brother just plopped down on the first seat he found (in the front of the bus), their aunt jerk him up by the arm and told him that he wasn't to sit in the front of the bus. That was the only time they ever knew about discrimination.

I suppose we have wild John Brown to thank for our equal rights on the prairie!

I found the closing of the speech that Dr King gave the night before his assassinated.

Here are his prophetic words......

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

Bloomin' Monday

This cactus always makes me smile when it blooms. Some years it is just covered with little white blooms but this year not so many! I think I've discovered that the more I water it in the winter the less blooms I get. Next year there's going to be a winter drought.

thoughts from Sunday

Today we were all late for church. Usually hubby and G leave ahead of W and I getting 'our' seats but today we all left at the same time thus losing 'our' seats!

Don't those people know that those seats have our hinney's impressions in them!?

We sat in the foyer, in the most comfortable seats!

Sitting in the foyer is always a challenge for me. I'm a visual person making it difficult to focus on a speaker that I can't see. I like to focus on what I can see ~ the children playing on the other side of the foyer!

The talks were focused on the atonement, and the first man discussed learning to see ourselves as the Lord see us. What a challenge that is! He talked about what we may think is the most perfect body may not (quite possibly isn't) what the Lord thinks is our most perfect body. He told us he thought his perfect body would be a 6' 4" 235 pounds with 6% body fat and not the 5' 7 3/4" that he was!

We have a young man (19) that is leaving this week for Mexico on his Mission. He was excited to go out and share the gospel with the people of Mexico.

This Sunday also was a challenge because of my double duty. I had to do things with both the Relief Society Secretary and the Cub Scout Leader. I felt like I was running around just trying to get things done today. This Sunday wasn't they typical and next week will be better.

adventures in subbing #13

Goodness what an afternoon!

First of all I was asked to only work a half day, but just any half day, FRIDAY afternoon half day and not just FRIDAY afternoon but a FRIDAY afternoon with snow on the ground half day! I wasn't looking forward to this at all. The kids were going to be wild! I just kept tell myself it was only 3 hours, I can do anything for 3 hours!

I get into the class room at 11:55, was met by the teacher with her coat on her arm and her keys in hand. I apologized for cutting it close, she being very sweet said it was "no, problem" she was headed off to Indiana to hug her grandchildren! AND that there was a Student teacher in the classroom so all I needed to do was sit there and do crowd control!

WHAT? did I hear her correct? Student Teacher, sit there, crowd control? As I stood there trying to register what had just been said, I saw this young girl in front of the class. I could have swore she had an aura around her ..... a Student teacher aura. It was true I had a student teacher and all I had to do was sit there and do crowd control.

Even the crowd control turned out to be nothing. It seems that the 4th grade do their 'specials' (out of the classroom classes in the afternoon). These students were in the classroom for about 45 minutes this afternoon. Here I'll do the math for you I get paid $95 per day, half day $42.50. So I made just under a dollar a minute today! Well, not really but for teacher student time I did!

I like Friday afternoons after all!

Flashback Friday

This is my brother, my dad and me!

I was 2!

Taken at the JC Nichol Plaza fountain in KC
Is my brother showing off his 5 year old manly chest?

I love those socks with the high top converse!

AND don't you think my dad looks like he should be

smoking a cigarette with Frank, Sammy, and Dean?

Little-known reasons why January Rocks

I thought you might need a reinforcement of why

January and it's COLD are a good thing!

by cat at Shoe Box Blog
-not Africa hot
-parkas make everyone look cute
-mosquitoes don’t like January
-no stupid carols about January on the radio 24/7
-not swim-suit season
-year not screwed up yet

Ties that Bind

For years our family has had a daily calendar that sits on our kitchen table.

At first we had Far Side Calendars for years! and absolutely loved them.

When Gary Larson decided to retire I went in search of something that (hopefully) we'd love as much. Fortunately I found a game Calendar put out about Cranium (the game), we were challenge everyday, usually beyond our limits.

This year I thought about going without a calendar.

Until the question started coming "hey, when are you getting us a calendar?"

I was even out shopping one day when W met me and reminded me to get a calendar

and then help me pick out a new calendar.

This is the Calendar we have. Amazingly we all gather at some point in the day around this calendar. We have all tested our skill of finding the difference on our own but

then we come together to see who did the best and share our finds!

This Calendar is a tie that binds our family together at least once a day!

BRRrrrrrr

When I got up at 7am it was -0.4!
but the cars are started and the seat warmer on!

Cub Scout Wednesday!

Tonight we played games that have to do with our eyes!

First we started by playing with the Find It tube. In this game you're given a list of about 30 items that then this tube is filled with those items but also a bazillion little plastic beads (sand like) that shift and move revealing and hiding the objects. It's fun to play with and for kids that busy themselves with!

Then we played the Classic game of putting several items out on a tray, study the items, close your eyes while someone removes an object. Then they tried to figure out what was missing!

We finished up with our NEWEST favorite game in our house so I took this to play with the boys. It's easy, it's quick, and it's fun!

Wordless Wednesday....

OK not so wordless ~

We had the missionaries over for supper

(Hooter's Chili, magic sandwiches and Sticky pickles)

on Sunday evening and before the night was over we had

clone Missionaries!

Holding on to the past....

This is hubby's favorite sweatshirt!

(Notice the stained collar and the holes in the sleeve?)

I believe it's about 13 years old. Hubby also has a 'Maryland' sweatshirt that I bought when little W and I went to visit my brother in Baltimore (when W was 2). I know that this sweatshirt is 'newer' than that sweatshirt. These two sweatshirts are the last heavy sweatshirts that hubby got that are made out of 'real' sweatshirt material.

For years hubby would ask for sweatshirts every Christmas only to reject them when they were lined with fleece. I finally figured out that he didn't understand, sweatshirts aren't made out of sweatshirt material anymore!

Every year I cringe when this sweatshirt makes it's appearance. That cringe came around last Saturday morning as we were getting ready for G's ball game. I found hubby clipping off the strings from the worn out spots!

Oh, well even a 50 something year old man can have a security blanket!

Need a reason to celebrate?

Here are few thing to celebrate this week.
National Book Week
**Let the laundry and dishes pile up... I'm reading a book!?
National Bowling Week
**I think I can regain my Queen of the Wii bowling alley this week
National Pizza Week
**I think we gladly celebrate this every week!

12th :: Today is National Marzipan Day
13th :: National Peach Melba Day
14th :: National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
15th :: National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
16th :: National Fig Newton Day
17th :: World Religion Day
18th :: Winnie the Pooh Day
18th :: Is also Thesaurus Day.
19th :: National Popcorn Day

boomin' Monday

Sunday thoughts

I really enjoy going to church so I can refocus my life spiritually week to week. Today the economic situation of our temporal life came to light in our church services. Today the talks and lessons were focused on our temporal welfare in the coming months and years.

These are my notes from today's meetings.
*The grime economic situation is real and will effect all of us to some degree
*Love each other as Christ loves us
*Fast offering should be generous
*fast offering is a measure of gratitude
*Fasting with prayer vs. going hungry
*We, as church members will not be immune from economic crisis
*challenge vs. opportunities
*"every trial you pass through is necessary for your salvation" Brigham Young
*during a crisis .... we need to have.... Faith in the Lord, Hope things will get better, and act responsible for our situation.
*in times in crisis do as often as we can ... serve others, attend the temple, give charity.

What I need to do....
Make and stick with a budget
work as much as I can
shop wisely
look for ways to eliminate the unnecessary

Basketball.....

G's basketball season has started. He is so excited because he has moved to the 'big' gym. This also means the basket level is regulation and not lowered. This should be a great year for G and Basketball!

adventures in subbing #12

Yesterday as I sat at G's first basketball game of the season there were a lot of kids that I know because of subbing. At one point I had a couple of little girls from one of the kindergarten class that I'm a regular in sitting next to me. They also have brothers G's age. They, as all little girls are, being silly and fussing over me then at one point they asked to sit on my lap. I allowed that. Two girls one lap.

W, who had been sitting behind me a couple of rows, came up to me and asked, "What's with you Mom, do you even know those kids?" I'm sure he was having a "Just How can this be?" moment.

A warm January day!

Today was warm and sunny. Not warm like a nice wintery day, but warm like a nice spring day. I opened a few windows to breeze out the house (shhh don't tell hubby he has a thing about having the windows open in January) It was bright, sunny and 63 degrees when I picked up G from school. I had the sun roof open, the windows rolled down and wishing I didn't have a sweatshirt on.

We then headed east about 6 miles east of the school, I started rolling windows up, closing the sun roof, and wondering what happened to the sun! I noticed that the temp had drop to 60 degrees! Even though I wanted to I didn't turn around, I continued on my errand.

By the time we got home an hour later, it was really cloudy and 55 degrees! I guess this spring day in January is over!

In true G fashion ~ he came home and checked the weather website. It says 'just cloudy'.

Pulling double duty

I have recently been 'called' to be the secretary in the women's organization at church (Relief Society) along with still being the Cub Scout den leader (yea for that!). It's a mixture of mature women and silly little boys ~ who could ask for anything better?

I've been in up to my elbows in bookmarks and a newsletter for the last 24 hours. Honestly, I love it. I love having a task that is to be done and then finished. None of the that lingering over my head stuff for me!

Now I'm off to clean the bathrooms. Honestly, I don't love that!

Cub Scout Wednesday......

This month is "A-mazin' games" so tonight we played Mad Libs. This is always good for some silly laughs.

Then the cubs created and played a Button Skeet Game. It was fun to watch them measure, cut, glue and then enjoy their work.

thoughts from Sunday.......

As I sat in church today I jotted some things to ponder this week......

* Listen and do as the Spirit directs you to do
* families are eternal
*Be Grateful
*A good marriage is difficult
*Doubting Thomas ~ faith with seeing vs. faith without seeing
*Goal ~ "to hear the voice of the Lord" as I study my scriptures
*Pray and take the time to listen for an answer... maybe listen all day.

What I've CREATED today....

I created a clean space for G to play, live, and sleep. OK, I cleaned G's room, with G's help of course. I'm always amazed how just how big our small bedrooms are when everything is picked up.

I purchased this handy dandy little "p-touch" label maker. It added interest to the project as G printed out the labels, put them on the bins and then to the appropriate shelf.

After that I created labels for my bathroom storage drawers....it's clear that "organization was here today".

Now if I could just get W from labeling the Highlighter with "highlighter" and the printing out other useless things!

BUT ... in creating a clean room for G..... I've created a messy front room with all that needs to go some where else! OH well, tomorrow is another day......

I laughed out loud!

Starting the year with the Rice family

click on the collage for a bigger view

Happy Birthday Hubby.....