confession time ~

In this post, I lied! Well, I only lied on the last line.

It seems that the leak wasn't found and it's not cleaned up.

It is organized (and not since there isn't anything under there)

but sitting by the front door!

I have capable men (but I must admit my faith is fading) on the job!

Father's day 2009

Today we had a Manly Man meal for our DAD!

KC Strip Steaks (grilled)
Baked Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
shrimp
Texas Toast
BBQ Baked Beans
salad

then Brownies and Mint chip ice cream

Flashback Friday

I could have a reinactment of this any morning!

but the short (short) dress just isn't as cute now!

Wordless Wednesday

Jamp??

Did you know that the past tense of Jump is Jamp??

No I didn't think so! but that was G's explanation of his new word!

We have this great new little game, Scrabble Slam!

We all play it, we all spell, and we all laugh.

What's that smell?

Sometime last week when I was sick, I discovered a smell.

A smell in the kitchen

A smell from under the kitchen sink

A smell that resembled rotten potatoes

Not rotten potatoes.

I kept it covered with baking soda &

prayed that no else would discovered the smell before I was well.

All was found!, All was cleaned, and all was organized!

I think I can start summer now

I think this is the day that I'm over that dreadful junk going around. I'm done sleeping so much, not quite done coughing but it's quieter.

I have track over with.

I have W healed.

I have daycamp over with.

Summer can start ....along with the summer chores!
My boys are so thrilled!

Doctor Mom

I've diagnosed W .... I don't think we would have ever known he had mono if he hadn't gotten something else, or I guess until he told me about the lumps in the glands.

I now think he got something else (of which I currently have and it's the pits) and we discovered he had mono, of which (other than the lumps in the his glands) he's not had any symptoms for! I'm sorry for those of you that have had Mono and had ALL the symptoms.

Mom I hope my wife can cook as good as you!

Isn't that just gold to a mother's ears? So much that I'll say it again, "Mom, I hope my wife can cook as good as you." Ok, I know what you're thinking .... the kid (W) hasn't eaten anything REAL food for a few days and this morning I made Blueberry pancakes. I'm no fool, I knew what I was doing, just lying in wait ready to make my mark.... and blueberry pancakes were the mark!

Taking the first train out of here.....

When I asked W if he was going to G swim meet, he quickly answered yes. When I asked him if he wanted one of his friends to bring him just in time or did he want to go with us an hour early, he wanted to leave with us! I was surprised at both, but I think he just wanted on the first train heading out of here! He did a light work out before the meet.

He said it hurt to blow out his cheeks.

I had warned him about 'him' not driving when on his pain meds and ride to the swim meet proved me right. I was glad.

The day before the swim meet was almost painful for all of us. G's excitement was over the top. He was the clock watcher all day He finally settled down for a lengthly game of Monopoly Junior.

He did very well for his frist swim meet.

He's only had 8 practices (he was out all last week due to camp)

The excitement is strong with THAT one

Little G is about to bubble over with excitement. Tonight is his first Swim Meet. Oh, drats he's discovered that I'm posting...... Gotta go....he thinks we should be leaving..... I'll be back with an update later!

Nothing Like Kicking him when he's down

Or is he down?? W had his wisdom teeth out this morning. He had some trouble with not eating (too much acid in his stomach) or the anesthesia. I (and the doctor) didn't know which it was but we did know he was throwing up whenever he sat up!

We finally got him home and he's resting quiet well, with the remote in hand.

Still I think I have more mono symptoms than he does.

Mono Update

I have to say that I don't see much difference in W's sleep pattern now than all last summer!
Just How Can Be?

I keep saying that "I don't think you're sick"
W's answer, "you saw the test strip"

I don't think he has a bad case of Mono or is almost over it???

Sympathy is over .... the yard needs to be mowed!

Flashback Friday

There's alot of Ketchup round here today

Ketchup on Laundry
Ketchup on going through mail
Ketchup on mowing
Ketchup on dishes
Ketchup on putting G winter clothes away
Ketchup on cleaning the bathrooms

Ketchup on putting camp stuff away
It's just alot of Ketchup around here

#4Day and final day at Day Camp

it's done, it's over ....

Missed day Camp day #3

SIGH!..... if it's not one boy it's the other!

Yesterday after a long day at camp, I come home to W telling me about his swollen glands. At that first moment I didn't care to hear about anything other than, "mom, you look tired and wouldn't you love to sit down." AND certainly not "Mom, I've got all these lumps in my glands"

I dutifully felt all the lumps and heard about how he'd been on the internet researching it. Then when I didn't look more paniced about the situation he told me that "you know these could be cancer!"

Heavy SIGH!

I showered, I laid down, I decided that maybe I needed to think about this..... I called my nurse friend (she wasn't home)..... I thought he's 18, I could just tell him where to go to have this looked at and I could still go to day camp (Remember, there isn't anyone else to go in my place, or at least not one that is easily found especially the night before).

My nurse friend calls back .... if he's got that many and they're all over his body, he's got something and needs to be seen. I know you're thinking "why couldn't hubby just take him" ~ hubby was on the he needs to go to the ER bandwagon (not that moment but in the morning) .... cha ching x2!!

Long story short ... Mono! he's had the lumps for a few days (he found them while he was at the State Track Meet) but only has gotten tired since yesterday. 2 to 4 weeks and he'll be good as new.

AND I missed good cool weather at camp, I missed tie-dye, BBguns, bows and arrows.... boy W sure has fine timing! Little G came home with great stories!

DayCamp #2

Today is was warm (85) and windy again. I had watched the weather man and he said it was to start raining at the camp site around 3 to 4, BUT when I picked the boys up this morning there was a mother that said it was to start raining there around 1! (Different weather man Different story). Fortunetly, my weather man was right on the money ..... when we left camp is was bright and sunny and 85 but when we pulled in to the church (to drop off boys) 40 minutes later it was pouring cats and dogs and 64 degrees!

I thought the activities at camp were more exciting today. Yesterday they were sort of boring and there was alot of down time, but not today.

Little G has pictures of the day on his blog.

(if you don't have the addy let me know ... I'll send it to you)

Survived Day 1 of cub scout day camp!

Actually it wasn't too bad.

It was warm (very warm),

93 but low humidity, sunny and very windy!

In the shade it was actually very nice.

I made sure the AC was on at home so I could have a rapid cool off!

Cub Scouts ~ Ciaos

Tomorrow, Little G starts cub Scout Day camp! The lady that was planning it all totally dropped the ball, (well she had all the paper work done but nothing else) by the time I walked into church today ~ there were 4 frantic ladies and a disillusioned man searching for me. I don't really know why ~ I didn't know anything but they must have thought I did.

Let the Ciaos begin ~
One hour later ~ I had it all planned and a list of things to do ~ I have to say that I'm good at whipping things together at the last minute BUT I really don't like to do that! I'd really rather either not be involved at all or be in charge from the very beginning... OH, well neither of those happened today.

I can say that the boys will never know the difference and they'll have a ball.

Now let the organized Ciaos begin .......

2009 State Track Meet......

this is just one side of the stadium on Friday

(which is the Prelim day for the runners....

that means that not alot of people come on Friday)

the tents are some of the team tents....

The weather was warm (90ish but not humid at all), there was an ever so slight breeze.

We (hubby, Little G, W's girlfriend Megan and I) got there around 1 to get adjusted to the place. It's sort of like a 3 ring circus, it takes some adjusting.

then W jumped at 3.

I knew I'd be nervous but also knew I couldn't pace (my usual) so I just sat as close as I could (on the front row just across the track from the pit) with my note pad and camera in hand. Just before W started jumping several of his friends came to sit with me! He had his own little cheering section. They also kept me distracted ... they'd never watched Triple jumping before and had alot of questions!

He was ranked 7th so he was in the 2nd heat, but things went quickly ...

it's state and they're organized!

the the Prelims ....

He jumped a 41'7 1/2" ~ 41'0 1/2" (those made me nervous, they were not going to be long enough to get him to the finals)

then much to my delight

(and his of course)

a personal record of 43"01/4"

He made it to the finals!

In the finals he was sitting 6th (out of 8)!

his first jump ..another personal record ... 43'10"

(WOW! If I can't pace, I certainly can't be jumping around ....sitting and screaming was all I could do), He was looking ever so cool on the other side....while his cheering section went wild!

Ok it was just me ... remember they don't know anything about triple jumping... they didn't know what that meant!

(I Know this looks like 43'1"

but the man messed up the entire board thing from the beginning and

had to yell across the track that this really was a 43'10")

He then jumped a 43'9 1/2" for his second finals jump

He flubbed his 3rd jump and didn't even care!

I was busy calculating the numbers of everyone to finally come up with ......

wait.....

Remember his plan???

He'd just keep getting 4th place all the way through to state.

If he just got to state he'd be happy......well, he took 4th in state also!

Yep ~~ He is 4th in the state.

(let me know if you'd like to see the podium picture ... it just has too much information for me to post it here)

Remember I'd said that W was in the most difficult region in the state? The 4 qualifiers from our region placed first, second, fourth and fifth! these are kids that I've watched jump practically every week this spring, I cheered for all of them (much to W's friend's amazement sometimes) but that's pretty awesome!

WE have been ever so anxiously watching the computer today at what team points were adding up to.....

**explanation for those that don't know alot about track.... each person competes individually, but depending on the end result the individual earns points for the team. ie: first place earns 10 points/2nd place earns 8 points and so forth... So W earned 4 points for the team.

W's track team has only lost one track meet this entire year

(and that one they came in 2nd to a big city school)

They ended with 66 points with the 2nd place at 40.

He'll stand on the podium again only this time in first place and with all of this buddies aka team mates!

OK I'm not going to let this go with posting his longest jump....

Little G is exhausted

For those of you following little G's blog.....(if you're not and would like to, contact me and I'll get you the addy).....G is exhausted and won't be posting tonight!

His body hurts (he limps when he walks, and he groans), he resembles me more and more. His swim team is getting the best of him. I had a feeling those little tiny legs and arms would feel the results of his swimming efforts, but I didn't really expect him to moan and groan.... but then I should have expected it (he's a bit dramatic ya' know)

Having said that, I'm so impressed with what he has accomplished in just one week (4 days).

Ok, I'm not even going to chat about my sore body .... who knew that my shoulders were so out of shape ..... oh, stop that ... I know everyone knows my shoulders are out of shape! But swimming is getting them back in (painful) shape. Today while G and I were running errands my purse was sitting on my sore shoulder so I let it slip down. G saw this and so sweetly started to put it back on my shoulder.....I snapped ....."NO, DON'T DO THAT!" I then explained that mommy's shoulder felt like his legs... he knew instantly!

Headed out....

We'll head out early in the morning to

watch, cheer and enjoy W jump in the State track and field.

W left today

This event will surely be an experience for all involved. It's the largest Track and Field meet in the country. All school levels compete in the same stadium over the next 2 days. A huge stadium (as compared to the a jumping pit wedged between the back of the bleachers and a pond at one meet). Only athletes on the track and field (I'm bummed about that .... I'm always beside the pit taking pictures and listening to the jumps lengths). The weather will be 90ish (the plastic coat is staying home) with little wind (W seems to do better with some wind)

W is unbelievably excited (in a W sort of way). At this point W is ranked 7th in the state (I really question the method that they come up with the top 16 but that's a soapbox to be climbed another time). Being placed in the upper half means that he'll jump in the 2nd heat (that means that he's "not in the worst bunch" his words).

I'm excited to see him tomorrow and watch him perform.......

I'll let you know how things turn out!

Chilly May Day

today was chilly .... at 3:00 it was 58 degrees and by 5 it was 55 and drizzle!

We went to the Y to swim this afternoon where they have a cool pool (around 75degrees) and a warm pool. I came in from outside and went strait to the cool pool (it's miserable to go warm to cool), my toes were still chilly from outside that it felt warm in the cool pool!

**this is the reason we don't do outside swim lesson first thing in the summer unpredictable weather.

Hopefully it will be warm this weekend.

Early mornings this summer

It looks like I'll get to keep my goal for every summer ... this summer. Every summer I set the goal to still get up as early as the school year, 6:45ish! I never make it and it's usually broken by the end of the first week of summer break! BUT this year it looks like I'm going to stick to it.

Little G is on the swim team and they practice from 8 to 9, which is quite late considering the 10 year olds (and up) meet at 7am! Getting up early has never been a problem for G, but (usually) by mid July getting up early is a challenge for G's mother!

the story of swim team........
I had decided that this was going to be the summer that little G swam. He already knows how to get across the pool, float, and jump of the diving board, but he didn't know (or didn't like to use) strokes. Our city pool (outside) only allows a student to complete one session before signing up for another. Another session if it's available, which they're never available and I don't sign my kids up for the first session anyway (for several reasons) , so swim lessons are over by the time they've finished their one lesson. SOOOO this year, we joined the YMCA and I was going to put G in as many lessons as I could.....He was going to swim by the end of the summer.

A friend of mine was going to do private lessons at the Y for 2 of her boys and asked if G would want to join them. Perfect... a little peer pressure all around. Well, G smoked them the first night so the instructor suggested Swim team! G had to 'swim' (get to the other end of the pool any way he could without touching the sides or bottom) the 25 yards of the pool. He doggie paddled that the first night of swim lessons. The instructor promised us that swim team would teach him the stokes!

This morning was the first morning. G was excited and nervous, but when he got there he calmed down. There are a couple kids that he knows and they learned swimming techniques. I was talking to another mother and she said that her some had been on the swim team for only a couple of months and his stokes have really improved!

This afternoon we went to buy a speedo (ok, not a teeny tiny speedo but a trunk speedo) and some goggles. Cha ching!

bloomin' Monday

My Ivy Geranium is finally blooming.

This is just one of three blooms....

Dream Girls Marathon

Today was a Dream Girl marathon for me!

I had watched the movie a few years ago and loved it. Then W gave me the movie for Christmas ~ I'd never watched it. Today was THE day. I watched it twice. My boys just didn't understand watching it the second time, they're boys......it was quiet, cool and I was alone ...why wouldn't I watch it twice?

I really, really loved Jennifer Hudson's performance.

It's so hard to believe she was a 'no body' just before this movie. She was a natural as Effie White. Yes, I cried at the end both times...something else my boys wouldn't understand.

Yes, I went to church, but it wasn't too eventful.

He's going to STATE!

This was an amazing afternoon for W.....

He jumped his personal best of 42'11 1/4" to place 3rd in the Region! He brings home a medal .... this is when it counted and he pulled it out! He broke his 4th place routine at just the right time.

So on to State next weekend!

As I left W told me "Track meets are fun when you actually do something!"

FYI ~ his buddy Joe tripled a 47'3", that set all sorts of records ... he's an amazing boy to watch!

1st place ~ 47'3" Joe
2nd place ~ 45'11" Vernon
3rd place ~ 42'11 1/4" W
4th place ~ 42'8 1/4" Townsend
not making it state but in 5th ~ 42'7 1/4"

Flashback Friday

Doodles by W

Cub Scout Wednesday

This will be the last Cub Scout Wednesday for the summer!

What a relief!

Tonight the weather finally cooperated for a hike. So we left the church headed north on a gravel road and picked up trash (remember the theme, "Leave no footprint"). Actually it was the perfect night, nice gentle breeze, nice temperature, and the right amount of trash!

We even met "Cruise" the biggest Chocolate lab we'd ever seen, but he was ever so friendly. His owner wasn't too pleased with him BUT we kept walking back and forth in front of his house until he was lured away by a doggie treat!

I'm afraid our little cubs got a lesson in all the different names of beer, by our picking up trash. By the time we were almost done, they were having a contest to see what brand would be found next.... I'm afraid Bud Light won!

We gathered 4 grocery bags of trash.

Just How can This Be?

I called my adult son, W today to see if he wanted to have lunch with me. He did, it took him FOREVER to get there and when he did he had his buddies, Logan and Michael with him. Not a problem just added more laughter and merriment to lunch.

We all got fortune cookies when we were still at the table. Logan's said something like "be prepared for the unexpected".

As I was paying the cashier offered us another fortune cookie, Logan who happened to be walking by heard her and took another cookie out the large bowl of cookies.

As I walked out the boys were pulling out of the parking spot, I heard Logan yell, "what the h***?" and noticed his puzzled look on his face. As they pulled be me, I asked him what was wrong.

He'd gotten the exact same fortune "Be prepared for the unexpected." I then told him to buckle up!

I've eaten Chinese all my adult life and never had the same fortune! Just how can this be?

Earthbox Tomatoes ....

Some of you were asking about hubby and G's tomato boxes......
you can find more information at Earthbox

What's for Supper?

It's more like What's for the Grad Party?
Here are the recipes of those popular items from yesterday!

the Potato Salad ...
or as Kim calls it
"so good that if you put it on the top of your head your tongue would smack your brains out to get" Potato Salad

I love this blog (and think you will to) Kim Wheeler is the perfect example of having a talent and a family, juggling it, making it work (with little sleep) and using that talent to making money. A HUGE plus is that she is SOOOO funny, I love to read her blog, it just oozes with her southerness (including her accent)

Potato Salad
5 lbs of red potatoes
4 celery, sliced
1 bunch of green onions, sliced
2 Tbs of dill weed
2 tsp of salt
2 cups of (real) Mayonnaise
1 16oz bottle of Kraft Cucumber Ranch Salad Dressing

Place Potatoes in a large pot ~ cover with water. Bring to boil. reduce heat: cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes (or until Tender)
Drain and cool (cooling take time, you can always put them in frig to speed cooling up) Cut Potatoes into small cubes.

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, celery, onions, dill and salt. In a smaller bowl whisk mayo and dressing until well blended. Pour over potato mixture and stir gently to coat.

Cover ~ Refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving.


Smitty's Sticky Pickles
(see I did give Big Bro credit)

1 Gallon of whole dill pickles
4 pounds of sugar
2 oz of red pepper sauce (as in Tabasco)
1 ~ 12 oz can of Jalapenos (or green chillies) if you like it spicier you can increase

Drain pickles and discard the pickle juice
cut the pickles into slices or spears or whatever suits you

In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, red pepper sauce and the jalapenos.

Alternately spoon sugar mixture and pickles back into the jar (or other sealed container).

During the next couple of hours turn the jar over every few minutes to agitate the sugar and help it dissolve.

The Pickles will give up enough new brine to totally dissolve the sugar over the next couple of hours. Stick'em in the frig and in a few days they'll be ready to eat.

He Graduated!

Have a Splendid day???

"Have a Splendid day!" "have a splendid day?" who says that? Splendid, no body says Splendid. Well, Rex Harrison maybe, Julie Andrews maybe, Burt from Mary Poppins would be certain say it and the Queen of course would say Splendid. But on this side of the pond, who says splendid? When does someone decide they're going to say "Have a Splendid day."? Did they just wake up one day and decide "I'm going to add "splendid" to my vocabulary."? and at what age does one decide to add "Splendid" to their vocabulary? It doesn't really seem like a college years addition.

These are all question that I've pondered today. It all started as I was checking out at Target, when I heard the gentleman behind me tell his clerk, "have a Splendid day"! I whipped my head around, at whiplash speed to see this gentleman. He look quite normal in his polo shirt, khaki shorts and loafer, not the 'splendid' type. Actually, as I followed him out the door, not in a stalking way, just as two customers leaving at the same time way. I thought he looked like he was the business suit kind of man, not a casual Joe type. But still not a splendid type. AND does he use splendid in the board room. Does he tell his associates, "Have a Splendid day"?

Hey, it added to my day......my splendid day!

Flashback Friday

Just in case you can't read it ...

Feb 1960

"Tantrum"

for those of you that wouldn't know ...that's Big Bro

Made it through League......

W made it through "league" today.

Once again he placed 4th.

He is sticking to his "plan"!

Now on to regionals next Friday

The Blue Jean concert .....

The Madrigals.......

All of the choirs.....

Wait..... Wait.... We forgot.....

Yesterday was our 20th wedding anniversary, but we both forgot until very late last night.

When I mentioned it around 11pm, W said, "oh, yeah I thought it was."

Just how can this be? .... our 18 year son can remember better than we can....oh, yeah he's younger!

Happy Anniversary hubby!

**bonus** we were trying to figure out how old Julie was and I said she was maybe one at my wedding.....Julie we were thinking about you because W read your facebook page about you watching the Biggest Loser!

tidbit Tuesday

^ W lost his tie from prom .... I paid $42 (12 to rent and 30 to purchase) for the tie. He found the tie in some remote place in the HS last week. Now he has a survivor

^We joined the YMCA and G is so excited. There is a pool and they allow kids on some of the machines. It's very kid friendly.

^the hummingbirds are back. I haven't put out the feeders and don't know if I will. The kitty are just too big!

^our Mr Goodcents closed .... GASP! that was 'our' stop before track meets.

^W's cell phone is dying

^G filled out a Mother's day paper at church on Sunday. One of the things "What is the funniest thing my mother's ever done.....(G's answer) Jump!

^I've got an idea for my front flower bed and no one else seems to be excited!

^We (G and I) signed up for free bowling this summer.

^I tasted a sample at Costco yesterday. It tasted like fried chicken. When the lady told me this I thought really how can sliced chicken taste like fried chicken....but it did!

Mother's Day Picture

Obviously this aren't my boys
BUT I can see this happening in my house!

Track Meet #7

It was the Track meet that I thought would never end! to make things worse I'd been on a field trip with G all day, and took him out of school just as soon as we got back to head to the track meet EARLY.

We got there right as it was starting, 3:30 and the Long Jumpers were just starting. There were 35 of them (each getting 3 jumps and then finals). The triple jumpers didn't even start until after 6. They each get 3 jumps and then finals .... but by this time they're "running" finals (and usually jumpers are runners) this means that there are long breaks for the 'running jumpers' to go run. Honestly, the jumpers were all tired by the time the finals came around.

FINALLY they announced the finals for triple jump, with W sitting in 4th place. His longest jump prior to finals as a 41'3" and that's where he stayed. It's like he's always a bridesmaid and never a bride ... He know he's not going to take first (with his buddy Joe around, who set the meet record and also broke the HS record) but he'd like to take 3rd (and a medal) every once in a while.

Even more frustrating is that we looked at the State 4A final numbers in triple jump today and he could have place 6th in the state if he could just get out of our region .... Our region takes the 5 of the top 6 spots (with our league taking the top 3 spots).... the bottom jumps of the state bracket are all much shorter than W's current numbers. Once again this year will prove to be the same. Only the top 4 from our region go on to state and W and the current #4 guy are jumping the same numbers.

Oh, this is getting stressful for the mom!
I've got to just breath deep....breath deep.....breath deep

flashback Friday

Christmas Morning 1969 eating cinnamon rolls

My very pregnant Aunt Val

Me

and My Grandma Rice

Cub Scout Wednesday

Yea, the rain has held off , or at least this far (I suppose it could down pour in the next 3 hours). This is the Prairie ya know ... I should be able to see the rain'a comin'.

Tonight we're going fishin' ! and boy are they excited. One of the cubs over heard me setting things up (with the owner of the pond) at church on Sunday. The word travel through the church and the cubs like wild fire. It's the difference between little boys and a 40 something woman.... I would have liked to see rain (it's only an hour, I can watch 5 little boys fish and untangle fishin' line for an hour), and they think I'm giving them the moon! They are so excited!

Do you think I'll have time to teach them the Andy and Opie whistle song?

UPDATE ~ the boys had a blast ... they caught a total of 4 fish. Everybody wanted to catch a fish but my smallest (and youngest) cub wanted it so badly. He went the hour getting small little nibbles but no fish UNTIL we were packing up to leave. They were goofy off, just casting in the shallow edge when he caught a fish!

Here is the evening in pictures ~

Getting the night crawlers ......

Walking down to the pond.....

Getting everyone settled in....

Settled in .....

G's catch, a stick!

(He kept saying

"Mom, you don't have to take a picture of this, it's not a fish!")

Track Meeting #6

We saw some amazing jumps last Friday.

This track meet is very diverse, there are schools of all sizes competing 4A, 5A and 6A.

It's a good competitive meet.

Even more impressed ....

W's friend, Joe and his major competition both jump over 46 feet!

Two of the best in the State and they are both in our League!

For those of you that don't understand, that's AMAZING in High School!

W got 41' 5'

Blooming Monday

Flashback Friday

Aunt Marie, Grandma Rice,

Heidi B, and Aunt Val

I don't know the year but when I was about 12 or 13

I got a Polaroid camera for my birthday (yes, I still have it)

Since this looks like a summer shot, I can bet it was taken in 1976 or 77

Doodle

Not really a doodle but

from his last year's art book

Cub Scout Wednesday

There won't be any cub scouts tonight.

This month's theme is "Leave no Footprints" , during this month we'll work on pickup litter, taking hikes, and going fishing.... All outside things.

Right now it's like a swamp EVERYWHERE around here with more rain to come this afternoon, so it seemed to me that we'd be leaving alot of muddy footprints INSIDE if I tried to have cub scouts! Keeping my finger's crossed for good dry weather next week!

Doodles

I was in the grocery store and the checker was a boy that W goes to school with (not necessarily a friend of W's but someone that knows W).

When the kid realized who I was .... He asked me if I'd ever seen any of W's art work? Then went on to say that he'd seen some of W's doodles and he'd told W that "if that sport thing didn't work out he should really considering drawing for a living"

W is becoming famous or at least at the checkout at the grocery store!

I will tell you that W does work for his friends... He doodles their name and what they like around it. There are some left in his doodle book.

Sunday thought

Pray Always was the lesson this week, these are my brief notes from that lesson.

Why do we pray? because of our faith
Faith is something we (should) work on everyday.
Humble and earnest prayer ~ aligns us with Heavenly Father
Morning prayer ~ creates our spiritual day
through out the day ~ keep a prayer in our heart
Alma says ~ "let all thy thoughts be directed to the Lord"

*Pray for opportunities to serve and comfort
*When prompted to ACT ..go serve and comfort

It's 18!

Happy 18th Birthday W!

*He's respectful
*He's artistic
*He loves to work out
*He's good to his friends
*He's handsome
*He has beautiful blue eyes with a gold ring around the iris
*He loves Star Wars
*He's a natural keeper
*He's growing up too fast (he may already be grown up)
*He's tall
*He's a horrible worker
*He's busy
*He's not good at Math
*He has good personal Hygiene
*He's spoiled
*He loves rice crispy treats
*He's my baby
*He's an adult today

PR2X

We've seen this before! It just so happens to be the very same weekend last year, as this year. The Track meet before his birthday.

It was very windy and he gets his personal best with two jumps. Out of 4, the other were still further than he'd jumped before today, but he'd already jump his furthest jump today.... does that make sense?

Today he got 4th in the Long Jump with a 19'11 3/4" He was sitting in third (and quite excited to be sitting there) until some 'late jumper' came in and nudged him out!

Then he started triple jumping,
Jump #1 42' 4" Personal best #1
Jump #2 42' 7" Personal best #2 and still standing (jump in the above video)
Jump #3 42' 3"
Jump #4 42' 2"
He was sitting right behind his buddy Joe (who also PRed with a 44' something) in second place, until those late jumpers came , both of them jumped 43'. Which put him in 4th place again.

W shouldn't meet any of these kids in Regionals so things are still good for W's plan to make it to state. There will be a 44' jumper that he won't see until League and then another one that he won't see until Regionals. He's really counting not having any surprises! I really think he just needs to count on doing his best! and the right kind of wind!

Flashback Friday

on the back ...

"Ron and Joyce 7/13/1957"

Cub scout Wednesday

This week was the pack meeting. The boys displayed the things that they'd been working on, their Dino hats, their fossils, and then they made their volcanoes erupt.

I had worried that the boys wouldn't think it was fun to make their volcanoes erupt but it doesn't take much for the boys to be entertained. As I walked in 2 of the boys came running up asking if I'd brought the stuff for the volcanoes. We even added food coloring to the mixture so they had their own individual touch on the eruption!

Doodles by W

I love Pink ....

Pink Depression Glass that is ......
this time last year I had a bit more than a half a shelf of Pink Depression Glass, that I'd gotten from my mom. Then when my friend Susan died I purchased her Pink Depression glass and filled the rest of the shelf.

I was content, I was good with what I had, it filled a shelf, I was done!

That is UNTIL last Saturday evening.... my friend Iris called, she had 3 pieces
and would I want them?
My contentment flew out the window, as I found myself saying,
"of course I'd take them."
The 'hand off' happened at church , when my yet another friend, Stephanie asked me what was in the bag.....when I told her, she exclaimed,
"I thought you were done collecting Pink glass!"
When I shrugged my shoulders and said
"it's only 3 pieces and Iris needed to get rid of them"
you know it was a favor for Iris.....
That's when it happened....
Stephanie said, "I have 2 boxes of pink depression glass for you if you're collecting again!"
.... Long story somewhat less long......

I now have 2 shelves of Pink Depression glass,
and I'm in love with it!

W's Senior Prom....

If you want the details of the traditions you can learn about them
here, but for those of you that have them down, I'm moving on to this year's pictures.......

First let just say these pictures don't do the color of W's girlfriend, M's dress justice. The actual color of her dress is Purple, like a royalty purple.

I only include this picture so you can (sort of) see the actual color of his vest/tie and her dress. It's THAT color purple. But this is the last time you'll see the true color!

Enjoy the Show......

Thursday's Track meet.....

I was in Wal-mart (at 3:05) getting a couple of snacks for G and I when I got a text from W. It said he was in the "3rd heat".... the next text..... "the 3rd heat was stacked with his team so they'd do well today." WHAT .... the track meet had already started......Just how can this be? (in track meets the field events usually start 3:30)

I was at least 30 minutes away and I still had 20 minutes until I could pick up G... and the track meet had started......

I rushed out of Wal-mart only to wait in the car line to get G... then rushed to the track meet.

You know I'd really wanted to not go to this track meet.... really just lazy.... but I was thinking of all things I could be doing, and does it really matter to W if I'm there or not? Well, I kept getting text about "Where are you, mom?" I knew he wanted me there.... I love that! I was getting updates on how much time I had until he was jumping.... but then just as I'm sitting at the last stop light in town I get the text.... "Never mind I'm jumping" WHAT did that mean?

Well, he scratched on that jump! That's what he gets for jumping without his mom there! .....actually the official was a bit whacked....alot of people were scratching and as I watched....alot of got good jumps even if their toe was over....?????

W and A with their GQ looks!

W ended up with a Long jump of 19 feet 8 inches and 41' 7 1/2"

which put him in 4th (1/4 " behind #3)

Doodles

Cub Scout Wednesday .....

Tonight we are finishing up our Jurassic theme... putting the finishing touches on our Dino hats, looking at how our fossils (from last week) turned out and then putting the finishing touches on our volcanoes.

I made the volcanoes ... or maybe I should call them Mount Solo ... out of solo cups, with a film canister in the bottom filled with plaster paris. I needed to make them early so they'd be dry by tonight. When I cut the cups off of the plaster paris there was the 'solo' logo going right up the side of Mount Solo (hence the name) tonight the boys will paint the lava streams on them and we'll cause them to erupt! Baking soda and vinegar with a touch of red food coloring for effect!

The weather is good so this will be a perfect night to be outside again.... I'd better go and make sure I find and get the paint brushes in the van! I don't think painting with felt again will be good!

Monday Monday

In an attempt to save my time and hubby's money I've been letting G ride the bus more and more. Saving me about an hour a day, gas, $ all the while G loves it.

This morning the bus is coming (we can see it), we're sitting at the end of the drive way.....
G "Mom, I don't have my glasses!"
Me ~ groan
G ~ just bring them to me..... before 10 'cuz that's when we have Math."

As I'm trying to get out of the door at 9:30 I spend 5 minutes looking for my glasses, only find them on my face ... I've been looking through them!

Then at 11:55 I get a text from W

"anyway I can get lunch money today?"
me ~ "today"
W ~ "yep"

Just How Can this Be?

So much for my saving $, time and gas.......

Monday, Monday......

Picture/Truth

THE Picture ......

THE truth

Sunday thoughts

my notes from today......

* We has humans ... forget. This is why the scriptures repeatedly tell us to REMEMBER

We celebrate Easter each week when we partake of the Sacrament

*sometimes we only see that right in front of us. Usually that is the difficult or the discouraging.

Movie ..African Queen. They were stuck in the mud and couldn't see that they were just feet away from the River.

*We need to make sure we're looking at the bigger (eternal)picture.
*What is our bigger plan?
*How can we know and keep our eye on Eternal picture?
** Holy ghost
**Keep the commandments so the Holy ghost can stay with us
**repent, the Holy ghost can't dwell in unclean things

teach/stick with true doctrine and principles

in times of trouble (spiritual, emotional and economically) the church is a safety net, not the cure all. We must know how to handle our situations
*yesterday's luxuries are NOT today's necessities
*young people want to start out with what their parent's worked years and years to get.

*Live together in Love
*leopard's can't change their spots, but men can change daily.

Easter Morning....

Our Traditional Easter Egg Hunt.....

G and I have the Easter Egg Hunt

with the eggs that we dyed last night!

This hunt goes on over and over and over and over....

Easter

Jeffery R Holland's words on Easter

Yay, a Spring Saturday!!

today was wonderfully busy and full of Spring time activities!

G had a friend over. They played for a few hours before heading off to the traditional Easter Egg hunt at our friends' home. I think I heard Melanie say they hid about 4000 plastic eggs. Our boys (G and his friend) found about 250 eggs between them.

Then I took the friend home and rushed into Wal-mart to 'finish up some shopping'.

Came home.....then had to make a decision.... update computer check book OR mow the first mow of the season! Both were needing to be done, but since little G thinks he's ready to mow he was encouraging for me to mow. He was just convinced that his legs were long enough to mow this year. Side note, remember last year we got a new mower? Well, this new mower's seat is SOOOO far back that I have to scoot around to press on the brake. It will be awhile before little G's legs are long enough for this mower! He was disappointed but then got the ATV out and he was fine!

I then came in fixed supper, Spaghetti.

We colored eggs, only 18 this year so it was fairly quick.

And went to bed!

Peeps!

I Love Peeps!

only Yellow Peeps and I prefer the peeps over the bunnies

but will take a yellow bunny if I have to.

As you can tell, this isn't a casual thing for me it's a Peep thing.

and NO, I don't 'do' other holiday Peeps, Just yellow Easter Peeps!

have you seen what is happening with all the Peeps?

First there is a Peep show over at Bakerella

Then there is a traveling Peeps contest

then there is the ART Peep show

but then there are just good 'ol PEEPS

Flashback Friday

Finally I'm caught up and can do the Fun Flashback Friday!

The caption on the back says

"Dorothy Smith Sleeping on trip from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam. 1971"

Guess we'll never know what she did in Vegas that worn her out so!

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!"

Track Meet #3 in my plastic coat

I thought I'd give the boring Track meet statics intermingled my personal issues!

Last year the afternoon before we headed for Chicago I decided I might need a rain coat! A coat, what a novel idea when heading to Chicago where the weather is just as unpredictable as it is here)! I went to Wal-mart (the closest and quickest) and purchased a rain/wind/all weather coat. Only after getting to Chicago did I realize that it was a "Plastic Coat", translation, it was HOT, it causes me to sweat. Even when I when it was tied around my waist it would do it's job and cause me to sweat around my waist! I was just a plastic coat! There are some positives.... it was good when you needed a wind coat, as the Plastic coat does break the wind and the plastic coat does prevent you from getting wet from rain. 2 positives when you need them, but once you're in from the elements, the negatives start to show! The plastic coat is uncomfortable with out RAIN and WIND!

Well, when I left to sub early yesterday morning the weather looked like a nice spring morning. The weather was suppose to get to 50ish and a chance of a storm sometime in the day. I felt like the Plastic coat would be the best choice for yesterday's track meet. ...... it didn't prove to be the best choice but I finally got it working for me.

Me in the Plastic Coat Did I mention that it has a hood, that's a plus!

I showed up with only the Plastic coat on and was freezing.... OH, did I mention that the Plastic Coat doesn't have ANY lining, no warmth AT ALL! I was quickly turning into a Popsicle! It looked like W wouldn't be jumping for a while... so G and I grabbed a bag of popcorn (can I just say that popcorn and this don't really go together)and headed for the warmth of the car. Can you see what's coming? Once you remove the elements the plastic Coat turns me into a sweat box! After several minutes I realized that this would never due.... I searched the car for something, anything... to help me out ..... I finally found a fleece jacket (left over from the last track meet), put that on under the plastic coat and I'm saved! I'll cut this short by saying that before the night was over I also drug out a blanket for extra warmth.

G under the blanket playing his DS
It was 50 degrees with an unbelievably strong wind, at times I had to brace myself to be blown over.

this Track Meet had schools from south of us and from the neighboring state. They're were some good jumpers.

W ended up 6th in the long jump with a 19' 10".

They'd just announced the final jumpers (he just barely made the finals in the 7th place with a jump of 39' 10 3/4") for the triple jump when the called for the track meet due to weather.

We had stood outside from 3:45 until 7:10.... we were wind whipped!

At that time there was just wind, but the storms moved in about an hour later.

Once again it was several hours before I was warm.... even with a simple supper of hot soup and grilled cheese!

Mashed or Smashed?

As I've been sitting here getting you up to date on our week, Good Morning America has been on in the background. Diane Sawyer keeps saying something about Smashed Potatoes! Smashed, really? I've always called them Mashed Potatoes.
It was a several years ago that first heard them called Smashed Potatoes, from some friends transplanted from AZ. More recently my ears perked up when I heard Rachel Raye say Smashed Potatoes ... but really I'd expect it from her ..really... she says Sammie for Sandwiches, why would expect Mashed?

I grew up with most of you and know that you're a MASHED person, or do I just think that? Is there a SMASHED person in the group?

Cub Scout Wednesday

I know this is a late Wednesday BUT it's still here.

Remember last week we put paper mache on a balloon.

This week we took the harden paper mache off of the balloon and painted them green.

I forgot the paint brushes at home, so we had to use our good ol' cub scout spirit and paint with little felt circles. It was an experience for them to get their fingers dirty AGAIN but they were better at it this time (I'm making head way with them). We'll paint the details on these next week also.

When they finished painting we made plaster paris fossil beds. I poured the plaster paris into trays and they put shells in it and made dinosaur tracks in it (with toy dinosaurs) and other things.

The weather was good so we did all this outside!

By the way, my van is now a cub scout van (or at least until I get it cleaned out). We put all the stuff in it after we were done.

Are you Braced?

Well, little G is!

He got 6 braces, 2 on the back teeth and 4 on the front.

He requested and got EMERALD bands.

He has one tooth that is painful so he's on Tylenol constantly at this point

but that will all go away in the next couple of days.

quote of the day.....

"If you don’t believe in yourself,no one else will.

Unless you’re a unicorn,

because there’s always someone who believes in unicorns.” -

Dan at Shoe Box

Say WHAT?

#1

G has a friend Logan! Logan has horses and every thing that goes along with horses. Including a big barn, an indoor area and Logan goes to and ropes sheep in rodeos. As a matter of fact while I was experiencing the university ambassador walking backwards G was experiencing his first horse ride. So we have heard alot of horse stories from Logan via G. BUT last week's story was sort of a shock.......

When G gets in the car after school......

G ~ "Hey, Mom Logan's horse had a .... a... calf"
Mom ~ "had a what?"
G ~ (with more confidence than before) "Logan's horse had a calf."
Mom ~ " you mean Logan's horse had a cow?"
G ~ "NO, it had a calf..... (losing confidence in his statement), what is a baby horse called?"
Mom ~ " Do you think the Horse had a colt?"
G ~ (his face lights up) "Yea, that's what it had!"

#2
We have watched Basketball non stop for the past few weekends. At times 3 boys, 3 TVs in 3 different rooms all watching the same game! .... 1 Mom sitting mindlessly at the computer!

So G had watched practically every game the other two had, and especially the elite 8 games. He knew the teams.

Last week, mid week, G found a replay of the Villanova/NC game on TV. Only G didn't realize it was a replay..... as you'll see in the following conversation.

G is watching the replay of the game when W walks in the house.
G rushes over to reveal that W was missing the Villanova/NC game....
W ~ "wow, who's winning?"
G ~ giving him the score
W ~ "oh, I think NC will win" (being the big Tarheel Fan that he is)
G ~ "oh, I don't think so I'll bet they lose"
W ~ "oh, you wanna bet?"
G ~ "I'll bet you"
W ~ wanna bet $5"
Mom ~ rolling her eyes "W!"
G ~ "I can't bet $5 I don't have it, but I'll bet $3. I have that."
W ~ "Ok, you're on"
Mom ~ "W you can't do that."
G ~ "no, Mom I'll take the bet they won't win...."

Then came the lengthly conversation about the game being a replay. If you know G you know it's not easy to convince him of something he doesn't believes in.

Doodles

Well, W has finally released a doodle!

Actually he took his Doodle book to school and it didn't come home until today!

As you can tell, I believe W is now 'playing (doodling) for his audience'

hence the "doodle of the week" title

Sunday thoughts

This weekend was General Conference. This is a time (every 6 mos) where we are given counsel and inspiration from our prophet and apostles. I look at it as a time to over fill my cup! Actually and honestly I think it's difficult to take it all in in two days, so I record each day and watch them and ponder them over the next couple of weeks. I was able to listen to both sessions today but didn't have my note pad with me. I can think of a couple of talks that I'll watching tomorrow!

Our Prophet, Thomas Monson talked about the times, and how people are in a panic. His encouragement to us was to remain positive and grateful. It's all in our attitude.

Some of you may thing this is too Pollyanna-ish, but we have been instructed for years to prepare for times of economic difficulty (for example food storage, 3 mos of cash, no debt). To learn more about how to be prepared, you can go here.


the notes that I took from President Monson's ending remarks ....
We should .....
...Strive for gospel perfection
...pray always
...pray for our children to grow in faith
...pray for our children to grow into a live of goodness
Caution...
Satan seeks to tear us down
internet is filled with good and bad (evil and degrading)
avoid bad (evil and degrading) at all cost

Be strong
Be clean

Fun Stuff Saturday!

This was the first day of the soccer season (since the big 'snow out' last weekend)

It was almost a no go ... just as they were starting a big clap of thunder, this meant that we had a 15 minutes lighting delay but after the 15 minutes we were good to go!

He's scrappy and really coming along with his skills!

I then rushed and rushed to be at the regional choir contest this afternoon. Only to get there and learn they didn't sing for another 3 hours! I spent the time just listening to all the other group perform. I've never know the level of talent that W's group has because I've only heard them. After today I can now say, W's group is mighty talented!

Here just listen for yourself!

(W is in the center)

When they were all done I brought W and a friend back early. They were busy criticising their performance, but going by their memory. They were being very negative and just how could they have gotten to go to state with that performance and "did you hear so and so when they did that?" When I asked if they wanted to see their performance, they eagerly took the camera and started to replay ~ they were both very quite until W's friend said, "Wow that's how we're getting to state" Then they talked about how they have never heard themselves as a group, they only hear what they're singing and maybe those right next to them.

Then they listened to the Boy's Choir........

and you can too.......

(W is in the center)

When this was finished ~ W stated "Wow that will get us to state also!"

an interesting side note.... I saw W, looking quite ordinary when I first got there but then didn't see him again until the group walked into perform, where he now has a spiked mohawk!

Track Meet #2

Not as many layers but still layers

Not as windy but still windy

Not as chilly, but still chilly

Track Meet #2

The Triple Jump he got 4th with a jump of 40' 5"

in the Long Jump he got 7th place with a jump of 19' 5"

Flashback Friday

My Mom! pre 1964

story from Mom ~

THE STORY IS SHORT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND 1962-63. I WAS WORKINGAS A "UNION" MEATWRAPPER, FOR SAFEWAY....IT WAS A GREAT PAYING JOB.I LEFT THAT POSITION WHEN I LEARNED THAT I WAS EXPECTING A BABY AND THAT WAS YOU! WE HAD JUST MOVED TO ASHLAND INTO OUR NEW HOME...LIFE WAS GOOD

YOU MAY FIND IT INTERESTING TO KNOW, BACK IN THE 1960'S, WHEN A WOMEN WAS WORKING AND BECOME PG, SHE COULD ONLY WORK UNTIL HER 5TH MONTH AND THEN MUST QUIT HER JOB. IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE FOR THE SAFEWAY JOB, AS THERE WAS ALOT OF HEAVY LIFTING, BUT THE SAME WAS TRUE AT MFA (LATER SHELTER) OFFICE, THE LADIES WOULD QUIT AT THEIR 5TH MO. AND OFTEN TAKE A PARTIME POSITION WITH THE UNIV AND WORK ANOTHER 2 MO'S, WHILE WAITING FOR THEIR BABY. TIMES HAVE CHANGED...

During the week in Nov 1963, when JFK was killed and the world was glued to their TV sets observing the "News", I laid on the sofa and watched, but I was sick..very nauseated and thought I had a case of the flu, later, I learned that I was PG, with YOU.. I WAS VERY HAPPY!