Murmer

My kids will have a new chore everyday this first week of Christmas break. Let the whining begin, and it already has.
I'm such a mean mom!

New Nothing

Rachel made a video when she ran for student council pres. Her good friend won and I'm very proud of how our Rachel handled herself; mature, respectful and confident.

My smile went crooked on Saturday. I have Bell's Palsy. For a few months I'll have a crooked smile, can't taste things, and have to make sure my eyes close all the way when I sleep. I'm not a hypochondriact. I always have something wrong going on but never serious. (I'm still going to PT for my hip bursitis.)

One of my former Beehives lost her husband to suicide, funeral is tomorrow. She is a widow at 22.

A good friend lost her dad today. I'm helping out as best I know how.

I'm wishing I wasn't hosting the cookie exchange this year. Next year I won't. Fruit baskets are healthier, more expensive but so easy.

I was sewing a Christmas gift and messed it up last week. Bad. I have not had the patients to go rip it out yet and try to fix it. Why don't I spend the extra $10-15 and buy one?

My house is falling apart and will never be clean enough.

My husband and I LOVE each other very much. It is nice to be having a season of good together. Heaven knows it was due!

The kids want to spend the night at Jamie's on Christmas eve and I'm not sure I like the idea? They are pretty set on it though?! Go to bed early? Get up late? I don't know how to do that? Oh, wait I do that every day, ha ha ha. But not for Christmas!

What's up in my wonderful life

I am thankful for many things. I had the family see who could write the most in 5 minutes. Glenn won. We checked to see who listed Christ earliest, I won. We then read Luke 2. We are going to do this every Sabbath for a month. It only takes 5 minutes of your life (what I told the murmuring kids). We then played a dice game Aunt Cyndi told us about. We played 3 rounds and it was fun like she said.

I almost have another quilt top done. This is for Dale's friend who has breast cancer. I hope it can all be done by Friday, maybe Wednesday. But I'm on the computer instead of sewing. I'm tired and don't want to make mistakes on it. It was a l o n g week end.

I want to help host the GC cookie exchange this year. Kim was to busy when I asked her and Marsha moved away.

We got a lot of our Christmas shopping done on Black Friday. I have been addicted to Bath and Body Works because of Jeanelle and have been shopping there all year, so I have some easy gift giving for some.

I need to spend some time nurturing friendships. My kids, family and husband have been a priority and I'm sensing a shift is needed in the next couple of years so I don't freak out when all my kids leave the nest.

I want to go home.

But with tears in my eyes on Sunday (and while writing this post), we are not. Bloom where you are planted. It was fun to look at houses and school systems and dream. I planned out Dale's commute to work and how long to get to my mom and dad's for the annual Thanksgiving reunion most of my kids have never been to. I also planned out season tickets we would get. It was fun to dream for a short season.
Time to come back to reality and buckle down to the work Heavenly Father has for me here. Will I ever understand what that is? "Thy will be done", not mine.

Bursitis

I have hip bursitis. I woke up crying one night and asked Dale for a blessing. It was very painful until I was put on 2 different pain killers Monday. I love drugs! I was given a shot of cortisone Wednesday and have 8 weeks of physical therapy to look forward to now.

I finished up my ballot today; 6 initiatives, 1 referendum, 5 amendments, 1 proposition and then vote for people in power. whew.

Got a new washer and drying and everyone has used them except me. I thought I would today but my checks are flushed and I think I might still be under some influence of some kind? legal and medically necessary of course. I'm a little dizzy in the head? or am I feeling lazy and milking it? I caught up on shredding and went to WinCo and offered help at the school, can I call it a day? Maybe after I clean up a little bit? Do I sound under the influence of something? Good thing I figured out my voting last week before the drugs and pain!

I'm recording Oprah today! Sound of Music reunion! SO EXCITED!

She found ME!

I have been looking for a friend from high school off and on for 20+ years. She found ME! I love Facebook! I have reconnected with so many people, its wonderful!
I am reminded of a song that goes like this,

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."

Some people just touch our lives in such huge ways that we never forget them or their impact on us. Other people touch our lives in short little helpful ways that we don't always recognize.
I can't wait for a phone call to reconnect with an old Gold friend!

FHE

This past Sacrament Meeting was about the "Holy Ghost" with our Bishop Larsen being the last speaker. I felt strongly that I wanted an extended family testimony meeting for my children to listen to my family members and how they have experienced the Holy Ghost. My parents, Dale and I and Jamie all shared some sacred and tender memorable experiences. It was a wonderful feast I felt, and pray my children are blessed and strengthened because of it.

The next night we had FHE with my parents. We sang a song that my parents taught me (and we always sing). Jamie gave a wonderful lesson that was very involved for everyone and everyone gave mini lessons on various subjects of interest. It was a great opportunity for me to take the time to look up something I've been meaning to. My dad then shared his testimony of how he gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I hope and pray my children learn from this wise grandpa of theirs. Then we did an activity that we frequently do, we go around and say 1 nice thing we like about everyone else. This was funny, touching, truthful and uplifting and grand with the grandparents there! We closed with a prayer, kneeling and holding hands while my dad spoke and blessed us.

Thank you Mother & Daddy for coming! Thank you Daddy for worthily ordaining Dale a High Priest. Thank you for having the resources and ability to come out here. Thank you for the enriching experience my family has been blessed to have because of you.

WHY?

This post has been deleted to protect the guilty parties.

Indianapolis Temple!!

My heart jumped when our Prophet Thomas S. Monson announced a temple will be built in Indianapolis, Indiana! My parents live in Muncie, an hour away. I immediately wondered what they thought of the announcement. How long will it take? Where will it be? Will my parents help with tours? How often will they work there now? They currently drive to Columbus Ohio every other week end to work at that one.
After the first sessions closing prayer, amen, I called my mom. With tears in her voice she said she couldn't talk. She knew we would call them.
Its Saturday so I was sewing some projects. All I could think about in my head was "Indianapolis, Indianapolis", over and over.
This is the first temple to be built in Indiana. I wonder what my ancestors who pioneered there thought or felt as the announcement was made. I wonder what Aunt Sue will feel as her sister takes her on a tour before it opens? I wonder if my cousin Ed and his family will go on a tour and what his kids will think? I am so excited for my parents! and extended family!
In the 50's my dad was 16 when he, his younger brother and his parents drove from Muncie to Salt Lake to be sealed for eternity. That was the closes temple at the time.
Why do I have tears in my eyes? What wonderful work, opportunities and blessings will open up to my family!?

sick sick sick

To many sick kids! Lung infections, doctor appointments, inhalers, coughing, head aches, missing school etc. I've been told that some of this stuff going around can take up to 6 weeks to fully recover. Tomorrow I'm making them all go to school.

Hubby is working a lot. But we are good.

I'm not sick, I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell. Today I think my latest medication kicked in. I might even walk into my sewing room and maybe straighten it up?

Yesterday I heard some very exciting news! My parents might be coming for a visit! YIPPEE! Hope the kids are healthy enough by then.

go away

I don't mind the rain. I am having an issue with the dark skies though. I need light and energy! Light bulbs only go so far.

9-11

Am I the only one that still tears up? With new shows with new footage it brings a different perspective. I fast forwarded many parts though.

I remember Dale calling me after he dropped Jamie off to seminary and watched the second plane hit. I was watching the TODAY Show and remember Matt Lauers stunned reaction. I was glued to the TV for hours. I wouldn't let my kids go to school until later. I babysat Emily H. so her mom could go to the dentist. My world stopped and was surprised it didn't stop for others (it hit Karen later). I remember not hearing any airplanes for days. Then days later I remember sitting on my bedroom porch when an airplane did fly by and I started to cry, I was scared and listened for an explosion. Dale and I went through a mental list of east coast friends and figured they were ok. Dale's company, at the time, had equipment close by and he got (gruesome) first hand accounts from a co-worker.
I became an arrogant American. "Don't mess with us!" I watched and was fine with our military going into Afghanistan. I watched Collin Powell closely when he talked about WMD in Iraq to the UN. I trusted him. That seems so long ago now.

I'm glad that this year for our stake/ward put the day to good use in service to the community. Kim blogged about it. (sorry I am copying your idea) My family worked at an overwhelming weeding project. The picnic afterward was put on by the city of Renton and was great!

silly fish

I do not like being a fish out of water. I am determined to not let my fears rule me though.

I had some incredibly great organic vegetarian tamales while at my sister Gail's so I wanted to find a place local that makes tamales. The paper had a coupon for a little Mexican grocery store down the hill, with tamales on sale so today I went. I was the minority in there and I could tell the workers were looking at me. Most signs were completely in Spanish. I had to ask about where were the tamales and finally found them. Also had to ask for a box for the pastries on sale. I wish I spoke Spanish! Mission accomplished, I got the chicken tamales and Mark and I ate them for lunch. OK I ate two and Mark ate a bite. Not even close to what Gail gave me. Must venture out more and find some great tamales.

Good Life

I don't feel like posting anything new. I am feeling blessed today. My life has had many bumps in the road and a lot of pain when I was younger but now I am "old"ish/er and life is at a good place.

I am happy to be married to such a wonderful man. He is kind and good looking too. He has the best heart. I love when we make our kids squirm with our affection for each other.

I have great kids. They make good choices when it comes to the important stuff. I am confident WE will get through THEIR teen years in one piece.

Today I am feeling happy about the family I came from, my family of origin. My brother Neal and I just had a good talk before he went back home, just an hour ago. We had parents who did a LOT of things right. In the eternal perspective we will be all right.

Life is good today.

Wonderful School Days

Glenn started seminary and I can actually get out of bed and go take him to school.
Mark started 8 grade and football.
Rachel is in her last year of elementary school.
All have done well their first day.

I made lunch and breakfast and dinner for 2 days in a row now. That does not sound like much to a "normal" mom but that is a big deal around here. When Rachel commented about it this morning I told her that that is what a "healthy" mom does. I am at a good place and feeling like I might even stay that way for awhile. Glenn will give me a month. If I can make it past that than great!

Boring last days

I did a little laundry, Glenn is babysitting today.
Mark & Rachel watched a LOT of TV and I don't care. The hammer on screen time comes down soon anyway.
Mark is at football practice now and Rachel is fussing over her hair for the school open house.

We wanted to go away for Labor Day but looks like Jamie is moving out this week-end.
I wish the blogs I read were updated more, maybe when summer is over.

Gail Trip

Tuesday-drove to Neal's in Salem, OR. Went paint balling! that was fun! I have 3 bruises and 1 scab from it, I lasted a half hour, until I drew blood. Mark & Uncle Neal lasted an hour when they ran out of paint balls. Rachel won the first 3 rounds.

Wednesday- drove to Gail's in Berkley, CA. I went with her to a "Restorative Circle Practice" while Mark & Rachel stayed home with Erica & Dave. I learned how my sister helps teach people how to help facilitate conflict resolution. It was interesting and intriguing, as my sister always is. I told the kids, "Aunt Gail is very good at helping people".

Thursday - The four of us went to Fisherman's Wharf in San Fransisco. We went on an hour and a half sail boat ride under the Golden Gate Bridge. There was netting in the front of the boat that you could sit or lay on and see the water and get wet. Rachel and Mark got to steer the boat too. Very Fun! Afterward we ate some Ben & Jerry's while talking about the possibility of renting a tandem bike (bicycle built for 2). We rented 2 of them thinking of only riding for a couple of hours. Mark was in front of me on one bike and Aunt Gail was in front of Rachel on the other tandem bike. It takes a lot of trust for the person in back & responsibility for the person in front. We were almost to the Golden Gate Bridge when we decided to GO FOR IT! We all rode across the Golden Gate Bridge on tandem bikes! WOW! the wind, the fog, the cold! We did it! We (I) were hurting so we rode the ferry back to the wharf. We collapsed into our beds that night.

Friday- went and picked up the dresser and then went to the Cabot Space and Science Center in Oakland. Gail's house mate Erica went with us and we met up with Aunt Gail's friend Ellie. They were a lot of fun to hang out with, a lot like Aunt Gail!

Saturday- walked around the campus of Berkley, the kids were not impressed with idea of all the learning that goes on here or the historic idea of protesting the Vietnam War that went on there. But they enjoyed climbing trees. We then went to the Farmer's Market and had a lot of good food there. Good food is typical Aunt Gail! We ate well the whole time we were there! We came home and played a few games and laughed till our belly's hurt. We then drove to meet up with our cousin Julie and her 2 kids Taylor and Logan. We ate dinner together and had some fun taking pictures.

Sunday- Say good bye to Aunt Gail :( ate breakfast at my cousin Karen's home with her family John, Matthew & Michael. Drove to Neal's.

Monday- went school shopping and drove home and then went out to dinner.

Tuesday-laundry and blog about trip

Lady Gaga Gail

Glenn won tickets over the radio to go see a favorite artist, Lady Gaga. I liked her songs and thought it would be fun to go until I realized I would be at my sister Gail's at the time of the concert. Jamie doesn't like Lady Gaga and was keeping her mouth shut as to why so I thought I should do some investigating. OMG'ish! I watched a little of 2 videos and had to stop because of how pornographic I found them to be. To make the story short, hubby and I decided to let Glenn decide for himself if he should go or not. He'll let us know tonight.

I leave for my sister Gail's tomorrow morning. We'll stop at my brothers in Salem for the night (both to and from). I am really looking forward for us to spend some time with her. We only get 3 days with her though. She is giving me an antique dresser that has belonged to our family for awhile. I don't think I'll be able to find out how long. All I know is that my grandparents gave it to us back in the '70's.

When we get back it will be time for back to school shopping and etc. Jamie is staying with us for the next year until she goes back to school for her Masters. I'm losing my sewing room so that all the kids can have their own room and the house can stay sane.

Hydroplane Museum

Kids did not want to go to the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum and I didn't blame them. But "I had a coupon" for half off so we "had" to go. Chores were done (finally) and they waited for me to get off the phone from my sister Janel. We went to McDonald's drive threw for some "magical food" to put us a good mood, which it did.
The museum was a polite 30 minutes and were done! Check that off the list from the last 10 years of "things to do in Kent"
Quick trip to WalMart for the last of school supplies and then the mall for pretzels and call it a done day.
Well at least for an hour. We are off to the ward camp out now.

Pictures of Katie's Quilt

Katie was 6 years old when she died last week. When she was healthy enough she would come into primary sharing time. She had the most amazing smile. She loved music. Rachel is friends with her 2 older sisters. Rachel and I worked for many hours on this all last week. I choose yellow because it is a happy, bright color, just like Katie's' smile. I finished it on Friday night at 8:00pm. I delayed giving it to her family. This quilt and the words in the card can not convey what I felt or to ease their pain. We gave it to them today and the liked it.

Katie's Quilt

I'll post pictures when we are done. Katie died on Saturday. She was 6 years old and she was sweet. Rachel and I have, so far, have worked on a picture quilt for 19 hours each. We didn't know her that well but will miss her and mourn with her sisters and parents.

boring after all

I'm getting tired of blogging all the boring stuff we do.

• Glenn has had a regular kid watching job, twice a week all summer. He is also learning to drive a bit.
• I want a quilt or two to be judged for a quilt convention and the deadline is coming up quick so I think I'll do that for a few days. This is the only time I would qualify as a "new machine" quilter so I look forward to the critic that will help me in the future.
• I will be giving a talk in Sacrament meeting on Aug. 8 and I'm reading and preparing for it now.
• Hubby is starting to work with some political campaigns and the primary is soon. I'd like to help him, help others.
• Scout camp is next week.
• Hubby and I have been married for 18 years this Sunday!
• Hope to start canning more this summer, just bought apricots. (26 pounds for $15)

I don't mean to be boring, I just like it this way.

Week 5 day 3

how about a day of all the screen time you want?

Week 5 day 1 & 2

Monday did not go well with chores. 'nough said.
Tue was "Movie Day" at home with DVD's. We finished watching "Regarding Henry", "Tuck Everlasting", and finished with "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince".

Week-end 4

Primary Pioneer Parade and Picnic, my presidency never had a meeting to organize this, to many vacations etc. It was easy to pull together though. We did an opening of singing as a gathering activity because we knew many families with small children subscribe to MST, especially when they have to load up a bike into the car. Then we broke up into small groups to rotate into 6 stations; pioneer games, paper sun bonnets & vests & decorate bikes, dig for potatoes and peel them, hammer and nails, letters to missionaries and military, kneading bread dough. After that we watched rope/whip cracking. Then a brief, short, tiny parade around half the parking lot. 11 year old's on bikes go different speeds than 3 year old's on plastic barbie trikes they just got. The parade fell apart and they roamed all over the parking lot, oh well. Then we ate hot dogs and potluck. The hot dogs got cold quickly, oh well. Some people hung around talking well over an hour after it was over. The next day when one of the kids showed up to primary wearing his paper vest I knew I could call the activity a success!

Thank you to my wonderful family for working so hard and being willing to do everything I told them or asked them to do!!

My hubby went out walking our neighborhood doorbelling with a political candidate for several hours.
Mark came home from his scout camp out, 2 boys and 2 leaders. I'm grateful for leaders who are willing to go even with such small numbers! He was happy.

week 4 day 5

Friday no chores
We went to the "Bite of Seattle", yes my kids complained and didn't want to go but had a good time anyway. Even they are now admitting that mom's idea's might not be so bad.
We drank mango lemonade, ate; BBQ pizza, catfish, hush puppies, cookies, dipped fruit, free salad. We got some freebies too; Geico t-shirt, tiles the kids made, jasmine rice, pencils, pens, Bicycle playing card designed by each of the kids, posters, key chains, slinky, recordings of kids doing the news.
We played a couple of games and had fun watching the dog dock jumping into water.
My hubby and I get to listen to a 90 minute presentation of high pressure sales so that we can receive a free vacation? We haven't done that in years.
Mark is going on a campout tonight.

week 4 day 4

caught up on chores not done this week (mostly)
ran errands for a couple of hours
Glenn drove to the first errand, did well
getting ready for Primary Pioneer Parade and Picnic
I took a 2 hour nap, I'm worn out
Jamie making dinner tonight

week 4 day 3

no chores got done
sew pioneer aprons with Rachel all day

week 4 day 2

mow or trim lawn
Free movie "Coraline"
sew pioneer sun bonnets with Rachel all day

Week 4 Day 1

laundry, ironing and library
boring all day

WeekEnd 3

No Saturday cleaning-its to hot
Kent Cornucopia Days
Jamie and hubby went and bought her a car!! Yeah Jamie!
Hubby had a gift card from "Restaurant.com" so we went to the 4th street Grill and Lounge in Renton (Highlands). It was ok. There was a misunderstanding between the 2 business, but they honored our gift card anyway. Very nice decor and cloth napkins but the desserts we ordered took a half hour, we canceled them and then they brought them out for free. Will give them a second chance.

Week 3 Day 5

no chores
Gene Coulon Beach was great! (I am slooowwly learning that when/ not if my kids complain take them anyway) Everyone was happy!

week 3 day 4

catch up on chores mowing, vacuuming and odd stuff
Costco run
Drug my kids kicking and screaming and murmuring and complaining to see the movie "How to Train you Dragon". They loved it! "Ok mom, you win. You were right." Everyone was in a good joking mood. Well worth it.
Went to SouthCenter mall for brief half hour of shopping for Glenn. Fight between brothers turned the mood again. To hot to cook so we ate sandwiches again for dinner.
Glenn and I stayed up watching "I am Legend". yuk, no bad dreams though.
Brian (nephew from NV) spent the night.

Week 3 Day 3

Mow yard, vacuum
we did nothing (I asked them) but they forgot that we spent 2 hours running errands and shopping for them and me.
They had over spent their 3 hours of screen time the day before so they had zero today.

Week 3 Day 2

Trash
free movie we had not seen before "Aliens in the Attic" with Lee boys
free concert (painful in the sun) for only 1/2 hour
skate park
after all that I read a lot "Pat Benatar" new bio

Week 3 Day 1

Laundry
library, Bath & Body Works sale
Day off for hubby and daughter so they went and spent some time together, car shopping and Toy Story 3.
Kids are bored.

Week-End 2

chore-Saturday cleaning, odds and ends around house
Emerald Downs fireworks
Not posting anything else because we are boring

Week 2 Day 4

Happy Birthday! She got her ears pierced.

"Not Today Zurg!"

The last 2 days have been kind of hard as a mom. Ghee I wonder why? Today I realized I did not do my daily dose of Book of Mormon. So today I read Alma 49 and 50. What/Why does the Lamanites wanting to battle Captain Moroni make me feel better? Because I am Captain Moroni my children are the fortified cities and Satan is wanting to battle up with my kids. OK, you have injured our legs for 2 days but not today!
ps "Not Today Zurg" is a line we use around here from Toy Story.

Wee 2 day 2

chore-trash from day before

Free movie with only "M"
Eye doc with only "G"
FIRE -punishment is the clean up. lets just say gas, deck and a PB jar
"G" got his learners permit!
Exciting day except for "R"

Why do I have to be the Mom?

Week 2 day 1

chore-trash, laundry
Library
lots and lots of mischief making and punishments to go around
not one of our better days

lets go out for dinner!

Week-End

chore-Saturday cleaning of house
Kent International Festival by myself though kids were invited. It was kind of small, and the fashion show started 15 minutes late. Kent Farmers Market was part of it and a bought white radishes. What is a parsnip?
I did the sharing time for primary today and was pleased with how it went. My "R" is never pleased with how it goes.
Females watched a movie "Return with Honor" thinking it would be Sabbath appropriate, it wasn't, the ending was good.
Went to an open house for good friends leaving our ward. Took 2 batches of brownies from scratch, ugly but delicious.

My 2 youngest are singing their hearts out together right now.

Boring Friday 5

Friday chore-FREE
Expensive day
Ran errands all morning including more family pictures and frames to mail to family $60. (if our new scanner was hooked up I'd post here, check out on FB). Cotton candy at the mall $1, Cash n Carry 90 hamburgers for $48, etc.

Skyway bowling for an hour, $16. "R" won twice and "M" won once. They felt bad for me and gave me bumpers for the last game. I broke 100! (I have tendinitis and my first ball killed me)

Another movie $1, "Extraordinary Measures", on my comfortable bed.

Boring 4

While waiting at a traffic light I was listening to the music coming from the car in front/beside me. Many foul words where coming out. So I looked at the light and saw that I had time. I got out of my car, left my door open, and went up to the guy and said something like, "Can you turn that down, it is offensive?" He said back to me, "Freedom of speech lady!", I said back to him, "it is offensive, turn it down!" I went back to my car. The music got turned down. My oldest son, who was with me, thinks the guy was just shocked.

We made 30 containers of strawberry and also raspberry freezer jam.

Watched a movie together on my very comfortable bed and ate strawberry shortcake for dinner.

Boring day 3

chore-vacuuming
I let the kids do something I NEVER thought I would let them do. "M"&"R" rode their bikes down to Soos Creek trail and ate the lunch they packed. They were gone for only 45 minutes and called me 4 times. (no accidents, no kidnappers, no problems)
"M" went to a friends house.
I worked on a quilt top
I finished up the day by going to the temple with my hubby and watching a cute family being sealed in the temple. There is something special about seeing a family together in white! I am grateful for the blessings of the temple!

Boring day 2

chore-mow & trim yard (I ironed shirts)
Free movie "Cloudy w/Chance Meatballs"
Renton Farmers Market
would have gone to the beach but someone has lost a swimsuit and won't clean up her room

Boring Day 1

We/I did laundry as I do every Monday.
Library
FHE miniature golf (just now I asked them what we did and they said, "nothing")

Boring Summer

I know when summer is over my kids are going to say,

"This summer was Boring! We didn't do Anything!"

I know this because they say it every summer. So this year I am posting what boring things we did.
I am also starting a new incentive program for fruit & veggies. If they eat 5 a day they get an ice cream novelty. I know that is counter productive but they already eat treats, now they learn to like fruit & veggies first.

FaceBook

How many times do you "ignore" a friend request? I am up to 3 for one person. I just got a fourth request. I know her from another ward. Am I awful? What is the harm? Am I the weird one?

Not boring Saturday

Jamie and I finally got to Seattle together on Saturday. She took me to a store she thought I would like, Anthropologie, Loved It! If I was skinny and didn't care how much money I threw at cute clothes I would totally buy a wardrobe there. But I'm not skinny and I would never spend that kind of money on clothes.
We watched the documentary "Babies". Very cute. I'm glad that I'm not at that stage anymore though. Cute to watch!
I love the city.

Boring

I sleep for 10-12 hours a night (medicine side effect). I eat and read scriptures. I do a few chores, I might sew. Kids come home from school and we eat a snack together for a half hour. I hang for an hour or so and then might come up with something for dinner. Hubby and I talk about our day and watch the DVR. Time for bed.

I have nothing else to blog about.

Post Script

"My life has been the book I would have writ, but I could not have lived and uttered it both." -Emerson

Post I would have liked to have done and how I felt about them;

1. My oldest daughter graduated from BYU. (Proud)
2. Family vacation in Provo (Fun)
3. Ward from the '80's reunion (Wow)
4. Visit with old Friend (Educational)
5. Quilts (Confident)
6. Primary Teacher Appreciation (Good)
7. Dale just accepted a NEW job (Surprise)

Cracker Barrel

Went to dinner at Cracker Barrel. It felt like Grandma Mason heaven. I ordered the veggie platter with; okra, green beans, pinto beans, hash brown casserole and cornbread. I drank 6 glasses of water and had a great time.
Post more about graduation later.

PMS

I hate the self doubt and tears that I get with PMS. I'm glad my hubby loves me anyway.

Prince William Ward Reunion

I went to high school in northern VA.
Several of my friends from church (in the big 80's) now live in Utah and I've only recently found them on FB. I want to see them so I have arranged for a reunion to cut down on individual visits, makes since? I have received email's from 2 more people who live out of state who are going to try and make it to the reunion! I am surprised and SO excited! I have not seen these people in over 25 years (except Shelly).
What does this say about the Youth programs of the church?
I remember when...

Housework!

A kind small child visiting said, "Your house is dirty". (out of the mouths of the innocent)

We are use to our dirt and after he left we looked around and said "what was he talking about"?
Today I'm kicking around cleaning, so for at least a couple of days, we are clean.

I know how to clean a house well, I just choose not to. I wish my mom could have taught my kids how to clean, I'm not sure that they know how to? I did not clean as well as my mom when I was a kid, so I'm hoping that they grow into knowing how. Is that possible? We'll see.

St. Patricks Day Menu

We don't eat green today. We try to eat as authentic Irish as we can, but the last few years I've leaned we ain't eaten authentic anyway.

Corned Beef (is not from Ireland. The traditional meal comes from New England.)
Irish Potato Candy (originated from Philly to commemorate the potato famine in Ireland 1845-1852)
Potatoes & Cabbage
Irish Soda Bread (authentic, don't forget to knead the dough 12 times to honor the 12 original apostles)

Maybe next year I'll dry green eggs and ham.

Zumba

I have to get out of my pj's and leave for my Zumba class in the next 15 minutes. Do I? or Don't I? I love my pj's and I love my bed!
I don't particularly like this teacher. She's good when she is teaching but she frequently has one student do a very s*xy routine. Lots' of hip action. The teacher also takes lots of breaks and expects us to keep going and she is always at least 5 minutes late starting the class.
Shut up and go.
P.S. I LOVED the brussel sprouts!

Yeah Me!

I am still losing weight with WW! Yeah Me! I made it to the 5% sticker! That means I lost 5% of my original weight. I posted my big sticker on my fridge to remind me to get another one. I am so happy for such a little thing as a sticker. I even had a 25 point Azteca Seafood Chimichanga this week.
I have been working with my youngest daughter in the kitchen this week. She/we have made Maryland Crab Cakes, Hush puppies, and she made Apple Fritters by herself. We had a lot of fun in the kitchen together. Tonight I hope to try the horrible vegetable Brussel Sprouts and some Risotto w/some kind of meat?

Boy Least Likely To

I found this band that I'm having fun with now. Hubby bought me the most recent CD. They describe themselves as sounding like, "if your childhood stuffed animals got together and formed a band". Isn't that funny! I think all their songs sound alike BUT the lyrics are very whimsical and the songs are just happy songs, fun to bop your head to.
Here is one line from the song "Every Goliath has its David "
"and I know Kung-Fu, and I'm not afraid of you. Cause I might be small but I'm not a coward, I have puppy powers, that I'm not afraid to use."
My favorite song though is "My Fairytale Ending". LOVE IT! It's not on youtube though, you'll have to come over to my house to play!

Sewing Expo

I always love going to the Sewing Expo. It's at the Puyallup fairgrounds and is the largest in the nation. My mom flew out several years ago when she read about it in a sewing magazine and we had just moved here. We went together and it was very overwhelming! Tons' of fun! and exciting! The first year she couldn't come out I was sad, but called her while there, she was there over the phone. I missed a year because I got sick and tried like crazy to give away my tickets.

Getting the flyer in the mail is like getting a catalog at Christmas. I poor over the classes and glance over the vendors and drool over the daily prizes give aways. I circle every class I am slightly interested in and plan out my strategy of how to get the most out of them.

I have learned to not take to many classes. This year I took 3 on Thursday and 1 later today. I now have a "PHD in Threadoligy". I had fun looking at the (literally) hundreds of vendors. I walk past this one that I bought a book from 4 years ago and opened it once. Another vendor I bought a package pattern deal which I keep hoping to make but never get to. etc. etc. I spoke with the photo quilt vendor that I have used a lot of her product. I wish I could afford the good deals with fabrics. I don't even bother looking at the machine vendors. Basically I have the sew expo down to a routine. I wish I could find my niche in the sewing world. I am a jack of all and master of none.

I am a Freak?

A few questions for my peeps to comment on.

What is the difference between; in office procedure, minor surgery?
What is the difference between procedure and surgery?
What is the difference between no big deal and big deal procedure/surgery?
At what level is it socially acceptable to be a little freaked out? Medium freaked out?

Maybe when the doctor calls you herself and says we need to schedule pre-op and post-op as well as the "procedure" itself. That is when I medium freaked out. Hubby is freaked out over the "what if's". You would think by now we would have this freaken stuff figured out?

nothing special

Next Sat Auntie Ann's free pretzel. I mistakenly told the kids is was today, whoops.
Cleaning house.
Daughter Basketball game today.
Hubby at Caucus for the first time in a few years, he is going to be precinct leader (after a few years of harassing him to do so)
Need hair cut and color badly.
WW is going well. I had a brownie and blueberry pie yesterday and still didn't go to far over daily points!
Love going to the gym still. Love that I can mix it up and not feel guilty when I don't go, 'cause I still go most days.
Sharing time tomorrow.

Tears Today

Today was my fifth WW meeting and I cried at it! I was embarrassed (as always when I cry in a public place). But I also wanted to take the opportunity to examine why? I gained nearly 3 pounds, I expected some of that. But was upset over the meetings topic. My negative "self-talk" is why I cried. I am aware of it and want to change it, which is a good start, being aware.

This is such a personal journey for me as it is for everyone I'm sure. There are so many "issues" of how I gained my weight.

1. I gained 20 my first year of marriage.
2. 2 years later I gained another 30 when I was pregnant with my oldest son. (Yes, I did gain it that quick)
3. I gained with each child after that and never lost any of it.
4. Blah blah blah
   
   This week I ate some of my "comfort food", home made baked goods.
   I am sick of raw veggies. Getting tired of boring tossed salad.
   
   I think I'm done crying now. I need to stay ahead of hunger and go eat some lunch.
   NOT a salad.

Thinking about Today

• I am so happy for me! I've lost over 7 pounds already. Maybe it is starting to melt away.
• I have a sore throat, don't think I'm getting the flu though. It is burning. Don't think I can sing tomorrow.
• I wish I felt up to baking more than I am today; 3 Plush Pippen Pies, 24 cup cakes, maybe box of brownies, maybe not. I want to open up my new food processor (Christmas gift) and make some biscotti but won't over do it today.
• Salad & desserts for 40 for a family dinner (before funeral)
• I am happy to have both my parents still kicking around, even if on the other side of the country. At least I can call them anytime.
• I have the most supportive husband! I take medication that won't let me drive at night and so he is stuck driving the kids in the evening after he gets off work. Hope I can change meds in the spring.
• Jamie (I love my Ladybuuuuug) is graduating this April and I am excited for her! I love talking to her about her plans! "What should I do? What can I do? etc" My answer is "Anything and Everything!" What a wonderfully scary stage in life!
• Now I'm going to take a nap.

No Post

Things I've not blogged about but thought to;

medical conditions & solutions
Weight Watchers (again)
my hubby
"Eternity" stuffed animal
Facebook and reconnecting with old friends
parenting teen-agers

Long Road

I joined Weight Watchers last week. I was told to not worry about points this first week and only right down everything I eat. Well I finally got online and typed in everything I ate, including 2 cups of pistachio nuts (no one can eat just one...cup). I tripled my allowed points on the first day! No more pistachios for me.
I went to the gym 4 days last week. One of those times was a free work out with a personal trainer. I had to stop because I nearly fainted. That was work. I went again today to work out with the free PT and again had to stop and rest, but then continued on this time. I am sitting here and my muscles are talking to me now for the first time in YEARS. "Hey, I'm here!" "Hey, remember me?" "I'm awake! and alive!"

I am afraid when I go weigh in tomorrow I will not have lost anything. Dang pistachios.
I had it in my head that working out 5 days a week would melt the fat right off of me. No it is not so.
I bought a bunch of veggies to munch on. Carrots only go so far ya know. This is going to be a long road.

Happy spirit

One of the gifts I received for Christmas was a greatest hits CD of an artist formerly known as my favorite in high school. I smiled through all the songs I had time to listen to the other day. It is nice to be an adult now. It was nice to remember that high school wasn't all bad, like I usually think it was.
One of the lines, in one of the songs, stated that in the "after world" we are all happy, but in this life we are "on our own". I had not realized, back in high school, how doctrinally wrong that statement is. I wasn't thinking about doctrine back in high school.
I am grateful to have the Holy Ghost with me when ever I want. I am grateful that it is my choice to be worthy or not. It is my choice to listen or not. I am grateful for how I feel when I have promptings and I choose to obey. I am very full of gratitude today to know that I am NOT on my own.
I have started this year off well with my goals. I have read from inspired writings. My personal prayers have been heart felt. I have gone to the gym. I am cleaning out the old and welcoming the new. There has been a happy spirit in our home these last 2 days.
I am grateful for the "Prince of Peace".