Always learning

So I learned something about me the night before last--

I love to read, and often read self-help books (mostly on being a good mom and wife and housecleaner)--but the problem is I read right before going to bed--which is great, but then I read these books and I start getting ideas and so I am so motivated I have a hard time falling asleep which causes me to be really tired in the morning--so my friend Annie suggest that I got o bed early (she is always suggesting that) and then read in the morning all those books that get me excited about improving my parent/marriage/housekeeping skills!

so even thought I just borrowed three books, and check out three more, I will save all my "motivational" books till the morning. I will wake up even 15 minutes before my girls and read away and see if it gets me more excited in the morning for the day ahead of me!!

Random though...

Also I think I have said this before, but do you ever think in terms of "blog writing". As I go about my day I think--how would I write about this in my blog? and then come up with a whole blog on how to describe what I am doing. Strange, but true.

Win an Apron!

OK so I really normally don't enter contests (that is kind-of a joke) BUT this one I REALLY want to win!!

I have been trying to make an apron for um...a while now!

But maybe I could just WIN one :0 !!

SO take a look at this cute blog

http://aprongoddesses.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-hear-sleigh-bells-its-christmas.html

and then this cute blog

http://www.dlux57.com/store/

A special day in America

So today is a special day to pay tribute to all those who have served....

I can't tell you how thankful I am that I don't have to go and fight, and there are people who are so brave and love their families, countries, and way of life so much they risk everything

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!

But I saw a saying one that said

If you can read this--thank a teacher
if it is in English-thank a solider

I really think that Teacher Day should be a big deal---now most teachers don't risk their lives teaching kids (though some teachers do)--I just want to give a shout out to teachers!!

Halloween pictures

HALLOWEEN NIGHT!

I try not to clean up too much before halloween to really get the effect!


My Jack Skeleton pumpkin--love Nightmare!!

An Icon Pumpkin ;)

This is what Sedona really wanted --she drew on the eye (the right eye) and cut everything out herself..I LOVE the pumpkin carving kits--perfect for kids!

front door

Lucas's Alien Pumpkin

-Cinderella-

Pepper's only halloween picture so far--I will put her in the costume again and take more!

Keeda in her flower costume!

Roj fireman costumes---1/2 Sedona costumes

We had a good halloween. Only about 50 trick or treaters.

Micah and Lucas took the kids out while Pam and I stayed home, passed out candy and made dinner.

It was a fun halloween.

The pumpkin smashers were quick this year--

All our pumpkins were gone by 10:30--

and we were sitting in the parlor and didn't even hear them---

Good job this year guys!

not quite on track...

Ok so I am not doing my daily posting like I thought I would.

So here is motivational monday


I find that the more I have to do the better I plan my time, but there is a fine line, because if I had one thing to many--I stress out, fall apart, and my poor poor family gets the brunt end of my frustrations!

So my motivation today is--get things done now--don't wait because tomorrow you might have a melt down!

off to do the dishes and thank you cards and halloween invites and talk to work and schedule doctors appointment and and and and .....

Thankful Thursday

SO I am back and hopefully full force.

Life is TOTALLY calm--when compaired to last week and my house guests have all left--funny pun--Guests--get it? if you don't that is fine.



Anyway back to trying to blog daily in order to help me stay motivated in getting my work done.



I did spend a bit of time looking at other peoples blogs today, but then I kicked it into high gear and got quite a bit done--still have a TO DO list a mile long, but thought this would be a good time to blog.

SO


I am starting on Number 82 because I have told 81 things I am thankful for in my other posts.
I am sure I repeat, but oh well.

82. Primary Kids
83. The words Please and Thank you
84. Pepper's cheeks when she drinks out of pop can--so funny looking!
85. Potty trained kid--Pepper is working on it again--kind of
86. paychecks-both $$ and of the heart
87. Fly Swatters
88. Bishop's
89. really yummy mexican food
90. peoplw who clean up after themselves
91. people who wait to start a movie until everyone is ready--not just them
92. visiting teachers
93. good movies
94. Youtube videos
95. America's funnest home videos--except the ones when people get hurt-not funny!
96. washing machine/Dryer/dishwasher/oven
97. magazines
98. Lists--to do, menu, grocery, and so on
99. My good heater
100. Wood Burning stove
101. Medications for those with illness--physical and mental--
102. $1.00 store
103. Late night talks
104. Naps
105. Creative mind
106. Sharing Times planned in advance
107. Teachers who get substitutes
108. warm coats
109. good socks
110. knowing all bills for the month are covered!
111. a hardworking husband
112. a husband who is willing to grow
113. renewing old friendships
114. Weddings
115. New baby Lettie! (last but NOT LEAST!!!)

or I have a ton of things I could write, but I would just like to take a moment and reflect on how many of the things I am thankful for and just THINGS! I need to work on that--I fill my life with THINGS and then too busy cleaning, organizing, dusting, and messing with THINGS! I am working on it!

Tomorrow--Funny Friday!
I am not feeling very funny, so hopefully by then I can think of some stuff-

Real Life

so real life totally hit me in the face.

I know many of you have heard this so sorry about the rant AGAIN, but here we go.

A mouse got in the cupboard and since no one was here for a week it had full run of the cupboards! Yuck. Instead of cleaning up all the normal stuff after being gone a month I was pulling everything was out, lots of food was thrown away (What kind of mouse eats flour and not brown sugar?), dishes were washed, and cupboards and counters were washed down in bleach! Still working on it!

We came home to the smell of rotten vegetable's in the mud room. Lucas thinking he was only going to Denver for the weekend and not a whole week had just harvested the garden. Oh well. I did get some plum jam made with plums from someone yard in Utah's --Uncle Jim?? I should be working on Salsa now, or Zucchini bread, both need to be made in the next day or so....or else those foods will be rotten also.

The weather is getting colder so I am trying to get my garden all cleaned up--watering system put away (about 1/3 done), the black plastic pulled up and stored (about 1/8 done), and all my tools put away (about 1/2 done). It is a race to get stuff done before the snow comes!!

I was doing pretty go staying on top of things, but then Pam (my sister in law) went into labor and I had her kids. I don't want to sound like I am complaining, because I am NOT! Her kids and mine played so well together, and other than the toys being a mess--which is already picked up--they were fun to have around. But with 4 kids under the age of 4 not as many things get done as planned. Pam's baby came Saturday afternoon (around 4:30) Lettie Grace. She is SO cute. She is already at home--a little more than 24 hours later--so we were able to go over and see her.

Pepper and Lucas both had birthday's, but to say the least nothing is being done with them this year, yet. Pam & Micah bought Pepper a birthday cake--and we had that tonight! Thank goodness for Pam & Micah. I will do something for their birthday's I am not sure when..because...

Jeff (my father in law) is getting married on Saturday and I told Pam I would help her this week get the house in order, since that is where they are getting married....

And the big Primary Program is next week. We had a practice today...to say the least my organizational skills are not up to par yet so it was very difficult to not completely fall apart and stress out about it. On Thursday we are having another rehearsal--so I gotta get WAY more organized for that!

Monday, Tomorrow, I think I am supposed to start training for a new job, but I have been playing phone tag with my trainer so I have no idea what is going on, and no baby sitter lined up. I am supposed to train ASAP since my training is going out of town soon--I think.

On top of that--I need to schedule Sedona and Pepper doctors appointments, one is scheduled for Tuesday...

so really my life isn't that bad.

I just put A LOT of SHOULDS on my shoulders when really the NEEDS and MUSTS aren't that great. Tomatoes will go bad--and what? Nothing....I will feel bad for a few days then I will get over it.

Oh well--I did get a great nap in today and watched a few movies Saturday night so life is NOT as bad as I make it out to be---I really should have been working instead of TV or Sleeping---but there I go with the SHOULDS again!

Holy Cow--just saw that it is past midnight--guess the nap helped and hindered me a little--tomorrow starts bright and early (for me anyway) so I am off to sleep.

Thanks for the listening ear.

Thankful Thursday (a day late)

I missed yesterday (and many of the days before)

But I really love doing my thankful Thursdays so I am going to do one now....
Again, I will number it for no reason other than I like lists
and sorry if I repeat from previous lists, I try not to, but I am sure I do.

1. Awesome counselor's in church!
2. A 5 minute drive and not 25 minute drive
3. Handmade quilts (even if with a sewing machine)
4. Coupons
5. People who have shared their memories of dad!
6. The computer
7. Library (i know i did that one before, but I have used the library here almost every week!)
8. Indoor free play places
9. Family restrooms in public places
10. People watching
11. The little boy doll Tandy got when Angie was born (Honey)-all the grandkids love that doll!
12. nice beds
13. A sister who will watch your kids while you take a nap
14. Nap time (both for grown ups and little kids)
15. The sight of my dad's handwriting
16. Old family friends who tell me stories of my parents when they were a young couple.
17. Hot showers
18. Good shoes
19. Anything dealing with Mickey Mouse (earrings, movies, songs, Disney theme parks, pictures)--he just makes me smile (and Minnie too).
20. Prayer
21. Cousins that play well together
22. Leftovers that are yummy and easy to heat!
23. Meals brought it (then not really needed, still awesome)
24. Learning to receive and to ask for things.
25. Puzzles and video games.
26. Great speakers at Church
27. Awesome Sunday School Lessons (I will never forget the "circle" sunday school lesson)
28. Family circles (just to name a few...around the dinner table, a campfire, praying as a family, and my own added--in the car, and around dad's hospital bed).
29. Spirit provoking Relief Society Lessons
30. a house that is easy to clean


to be continued.....
(I should pay attention and keep the list numbering going....maybe i will)

My Dad

I love my family. I love my dad.

I once had a cousin say in his "return home from his mission talk"--
How do you talk about a divine two years in 20 minutes.

I have often felt the same way about my dad's life. How can you talk about a divine life on paper?
Every child thinks their dad is great, but many times when they become teenagers they stop thinking that, and then even when they are grown they can really see their parents faults, along with the good qualities. However, I have never had that happen. My dad's biggest fault? His cheerfulness? His ability to see the bad and not let him drag him down? His unwillingness to get angry? How can you call those faults. I have thought of one "fault". He is a pack rat. He likes to keep and collect things, but honestly mom has mainly kept him in check with that so it really isn't even a fault--more like a bad habit--Speaking as one pack rat about another. :)

I also know when some one has been hurt, or has passed away--we "saint" them. They could do no wrong...they were perfect...and we forget about the problems they had or the negative things about them...however...this is NOT one of those times. He was a saint to begin with!

(This was a week before the accident. My parents took my girls to the zoo and enjoyed being with the Girls. I know my girls love their Grandma Minnie and Grandpa G-Dog so much!)

I can not even BEGIN to tell you how amazing my dad is. (I say IS because he still is in existence. His spirit, which makes up his personality, still survives and will continue to gain knowledge and experiences). One night my siblings and I were trying to think of all the times we have seen dad mad. I think we counted 7 as a family! (Tandy I think saw him mad a few more times then the rest of us--so I think his count was 9). That is it! I think I saw him disappointed a few more times then that, but not many. I heard my dad swear maybe 2 times in my whole life! My WHOLE life. Most people can't say that about their dad--

I remember going on Daddy-daughter dates--to a fancy restaurant there they flip the food off the knife into your mouth--to a baseball game--to the movies--To a musical--and I think my last daddy daughter date was to a Swing Dance concert-when I returned home after my first year of college! Dad was great. He did whatever I wanted to do!

(Jack Z, Dad, Lucas, Marci and Amy hanging out in Sanford.)
(One of my friends (who didn't know my dad) in Sanford told me that one year my dad went to the flag raising on the 24th of July all alone (we were all still asleep--it is like at 6:30 or something!) and he just enjoyed being with a group of people he didn't know and enjoyed himself and was very friendly and nice to everyone he met.)

I have MANY camping memories of my dad. Going cave exploring with the Boy Scouts, going to girls camp (and boys camp I think once) when I was too young to go. I remember hiking with dad and as a 19 year old just hoping dad would take a break--I didn't think I could keep going--and he would say--Just a little further--just a little further. I remember asking dad "do you know where we are going?" many times and he would pull out his GPS and make small corrections and keep going. I remember stopping at Hanging Lake on the way to Utah and thinking--can't I just sleep--but I was glad dad knew of all these "cool" places to go exploring.

I have lots of memories of Dad reading. Lots of things...Lewis L'more (sp?), Self help, lots of Church books. I don't have a single night time memory of dad going to bed without reading, unless we were out really late. I can picture mom on her side of the bed and dad on his, both tucked in all comfy, reading away with their reading glasses!

I can see my dad up on the stand as a Bishop, or counselor. I can hear the numerous talks and lessons I watched him give over the years. I can hear him giving me a blessing before school starts. I can hear him calling the family to Family Home Evening, Pray, or/and Scripture Study.
He was truly a great example of a worthy and honorable Priesthood leader and head of a family. Dad worked hard for us, but we knew he would be there for us if there was anything special happening at school or in life in general. He was the first to pitch in after a meeting to clean up chairs and the last to leave after making sure everything was locked up. He was trying a Christ-like man in action.

(I love this picture because dad is really into this computer game with Devin. He knew more about computers and how to work them than I did--and many others my age--not bad! I love that when going through some of his things we have found so many little gadgets and gizmo's that dad has collected--some of it really cool stuff--He always liked to be up the latest and greatest in the tech world and each time I would visit he would give me something. A thumb drive (which was so helpful with finishing my college thesis paper), a computer camera-which I couldn't ever figure out thought he knew how to do it, lots of games and other computer software and just neat things like that. He would always ask "do you have this?" and if I didn't he would either give me the one he had, or send me one in the mail. What a great dad!)

I have many fond memories of dad saying "you can choose to be happy, or you can choose to be mad, but NO ONE MADE you feel that way." or "Are you sure it is Mom you are mad at and not yourself?". Of course at the time I was mad at him for holding me accountable for my feelings and actions, but now as an adult I think of what a great thing to teach your children. We are responsible for ourselves and we can not blame others for our actions and emotions. He learned how to conquer this control (I think alot of it came naturally also) and was able to set a great example to me, my family, our friends, and others who knew him through church or work.

He was happy. He was happy in -30 weather, he was happy in 110 weather, rain, sun, snow, rain...whatever the situation he was happy. The only time I truly saw him really sad was when a man in the ward made poor choices in his life and ended up dying after drinking himself to death. Dad was so sad because he had such hope for the man; to turn his life around, and because, we as a family weren't supporting him because we were going to miss a vacation because of the funeral. I look back and think how sensitive dad was to this man and how selfish we were to put him in that kind of pain.

My mom told me last night that when she was dating my dad she went into his room one time (she was helping him clean it) and she looked into his closet and thought "I wish I could iron those shirts for the rest of my life." Is that not the cutest thing you ever heard?!

(Dad with Pepper--doesn't he look so happy! My personal family has been blessed by this man is SO MANY ways!)

OK I know this is a long post, but I could write pages and pages more. I will end with one more memory. I can still remember (yes I have shared this with lots of you before) waking up at midnight one night to a very loud Linda Ronstadt singing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaCX8YBnewk (with out the Sesame Street characters of course!). I had to go and tell my DAD that I was trying to sleep and could he PLEASE turn DOWN the MUSIC!! Image...how many 13 year old have to tell their parents to turn DOWN their music---talk about role reversal. Because of both my dad and mom's love of music and singing I have learned to enjoy music and singing myself. I can still hear my family singing Family Home Evening songs and of course having Bass (Jon) Baritone (Dad) Tenor (Tandy) Alto (mom & Amy) and soprano (Angie). I still get teary eyed many times when I hear the Song "A Child's Prayer" one of our families favorite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTZ1RhtK3Xs&feature=related

I will be adding memories of dad on and off to this post I am sure my whole life....but I want to include more people then just my father....maybe Sunday with be a Memory Sunday and I Will try to post something I remember about people who have impacted my life for good.

Dad loved to bike Mountains--

22,000 miles (around the earth 2.5 times)

Not bad for an "old" guy!

(We always laugh that when dad had a "mid-life crisis" he started biking.

He was an amazing athlete and he was always in WAY better shape than I was/am.

What a great example or having a balanced life...)

Thank you to everyone for support during this time.

Love,
Amy

Thankful Thursday

This video is great to watch-- yes sound is required--

http://foreverfoldinglaundry.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-need-napkin.html

Oh my Gosh---I am thankful for "guerrilla" theater!

My friends and I always wanted to do something like this at our High School--but we never got around to it--or I should say the nerve to do it.
I will post more of these type of "theater" acts tomorrow for Funny Friday!


Other things I am thankful for after being here this week
I don't know why I feel a need to number my lists--oh well

1. Home videos
2. People who return phone calls
3. People who just listen (thanks Angie)
4. People who don't go away during tough times even if they don't know how to handle it.
5. People who actually help and not just say "if there is anything I can do..."
6. People who have knowledge and experiences and use it to help others.
7. Tissues
8. Nurses, Dr's and everyone else who can work with health care everyday.
9. People who are busy, but really take time to help you understand
10. My girls
11. Pepper totally understanding everything I say
12. Pepper talking all the time--even if I don't understand her
13. Pepper's attitude walk--makes me laugh every time
14. Sedona's excitement to meet new people and do fun things
15. Sedona's ability to watch a movie so I can make phone calls-even if Pepper won't-
16. A good car that is in pretty good shape
17. My memories (too many to list)
18. Hand Sanitizer
19. The Internet, to inform me, to connect me, and help me find a moment of distraction
20. Family

Motivation Monday

Motivation is a tricky subject.

It is illusive, what can motivate us one day may not motivate us the next…

Plus Motivation is fleeting. We may wake up (or in my case good to sleep) with our day planned—and chalk full of good intentions only to be distracted at the first temptation.

So today is just a list of things that can get me motivated…at least for a while.

1. I read a book written in the 1950’s about the duties of a house wife. I figure if they could do ALL of that, in heels, a dress, and pearls no less, I can do SOMETHING.

2. I put on music—either angry girl songs, dance songs, or other music I might be in the mood for and then try to accomplish as much as possible in each song.

3. I set a timer for 20 minutes and then race against the clock to see what I can get done in 20 minutes.

4. I call a friend (thanks Annie or Pam) and we “race”. Again a timer is set and we tell each other what we will accomplish in the set amount of time (normally about 20 minutes) and then get to work and call each other back in 20 minutes to see what we accomplished.

5. I work for a set amount of time and then allow myself to “play” (either on the computer, or watch part of a movie, or have a treat).

6. I think about what I could do if my house was clean and I didn’t stress about it—

7. I think about the “older” women who are still struggling with the same stuff I am to keep a clean house and don’t want to be like that!

8. If I get angry (mostly at Lucas) I can get a lot done. I am not sure why that works, but it does.

9. IF it doesn’t involved house work I have a different process.

a. For long term projects I do an outline. I figure out what I want the end result to be and work backwards to figure out the steps I need to take and write it all down. Even the smallest steps—

b. I also try to do the easiest thing first and then the hardest thing next—after that everything else just is easy.

Alright I am sure I have more, but I am so motivated to get out and do stuff---

So have a great day!

Every now and then....

I stole this off another sight, but then made some of it my own. I just feel like every women feels this way--


~Every now and then I forget that my children will be grown soon and won't want to play with me anymore.

~Every now and then I forget that I have been blessed with a husband who loves me.
~Every now and then I forget that the responsibility I heap on myself and my actual
responsibilities are very different.

--Every now and then I forget that my life is blessed beyond measure and that God is mindful of me, my family, my friends, and my situation.

~Every now and then I forget that my house doesn't have to be perfect 24/7 and to stop worrying about what I am NOT Doing

~~Every now and then I forget that I can just relax a little bit.

--Every now and then I need to remember that this time in my life is hard, but it is just for a season.

--Every now and then I need to remember that EVERYONE is hurting or grieving in some way and I JUST need to listen!

--Every now and then I need to remember my body and great mind are gifts, and I need to treat them like they are, healthy food, good exercise, and enough sleep.

--Every now and then I need to stop having such high expectations of others and myself.

--Every now and then I need to remember that Faith, Hope, Charity, and Love are more important than high scores, the next level, keeping up with computer networks, the unfinished craft, or even the next expectation I put on myself to accomplish.

~Every now and then I forget that it doesn't matter in the slightest little bit what other people think of me. It only matters what I think of me. And, what He thinks of me.

~And I remember that the little bit that I am doing right now is ok.

Weekly Plans

YEAH! Lucas found my phone! So everyone even though I don't ever really use it, I not am reachable again--It was somewhere in all our camping stuff--don't ask I don't know.



I always have grand plans--so this is no different, but I am not going to be upset if I don't follow it. But I did this for Zola when I worked for her, just more work related.



So this is my plan for my blogging days---I think if I blog daily, as a reward, I will accomplish more of what I desire.


MOTIVATION MONDAY--Get you up and going!
TOTALLY CRAFTY TUESDAY-- Something I am working on--I will NOT add anymore crafts to my already overgrown pile of "need to do someday" pile of crap--I mean crafts...
Wild Warrior Women WEDNESDAY-- When I was in High School we were the Arapahoe Warriors and the WWW-wild warrior women--did service projects--so I want to feature, do, or find someway to be a WWW!!!
THANKFUL THURSDAY-- Just what it says--we have SO MUCH to be thankful for, I will just add to my list every Thursday.
FUNNY FRIDAY-- Fridays are for FUN! So I will post a funny story, picture, or something to lighten us up for the weekend!
SOMETIMES SATURDAY--I don't always have time to blog on Saturday so sometimes I will blog, sometimes I will not....
Sunday--the day of rest--so no post


Again, I think this will go on hold until I return home...
But since today is umm...Thursday?

I will write another thankful list

Mostly my Denver thankful list--with some Sanford Thanks thrown in....

1. The sound of the girls laughing as I type
2. Awesome ward members of my mom who watch my girls
3. Being with in walking distance of the Temple
4. An incredible strong mom and family
5. Sprinkler systems
6. Eclectic weed eaters
7. facebook--
8. Blogging
9. The Library--anywhere!
10. Book Sales
11. People who enjoy being nurses and are good at their job!
12. Family (those that are blood and those that are not)
13. Pizza
14. Fast Food in general!
15. Chipolte
16. Support from everyone, even those I wouldn't expect it from
17. My computer at home
18. Puzzles--yes random, but they are a great relaxer to me!
19. A good pair of comfy, cute jeans
20. Good cartoons--yeah Backyardagians!
21. Pet Stores
22. Songs that you can sing too at the top of your lungs!
23. Time out as a type of disciple
24. Stoacks (sp?) green chili sauce!
25. Being useful to someone who needs help
26. Making lists and getting them done
27. Planning--food, activities, parties.
28. learning something fun and new
29. Purple Grapes--but white grape juice
30. Picking Vegetables out of a garden

Gone to Denver!

Hello All,

I am off to Denver so I will be blogging from Denver
I will mostly be blogging on my Dad's blog so don't be suprised if you don't hear from me for a while.

Thanks
Amy

lots of gabber--enjoy

How to Clean Silver (THE EASY WAY!)

(I don't know how it would work on jewerly)
Since I was cleaning small salt and pepper shakers I used a mini bread pan. I lined it with aluminum foil and covered the shaker (one at a time) with Baking Soda

Next I poured boiling water over it until it bubbled like this-

Sorry for the gross sink drain-

And I kept pouring a little bit of boiling water on it until it stopped bubbling completely

Then I took it out and wiped it off--that was it--nothing else--See before and after below--not bad for no elbow work-

I have scrubbed silver before-with special powders, gels, and other such stuff---

this worked almost just as good--with no work

(but it still smelled like rotten eggs--I think that is the way the tarish must smell)

Before--kind of blurry--

sorry-there was black in the detail work-you can't really see it.

Kind of get the idea anyway.

After

--now remember I didn't scrub or anything-just wiped off with a paper towel when finished--not perfect, but WAY better then scrubbing!

----------------------------------------------

Garden Loot from today

That bag is about 2 feet tall

and stuffed full

stuff was falling out when I was carrying it into the kitchen

The top 1/3 is green chili peppers (Or jalapheno's)

Then Green Beans

and 1 zuchinni at the bottom

-------------------------------------------
working with Green beans

I just blanch them and freeze them

The bottom mess is all the ends I throw away-

Yes I know I am throwing alot of the green bean away, but I line

all my green beans up and cut with a knife and if a little extra is left--it goes in

the trash--spare me the lecture, Lucas already gave it to me.

THE JOLLY GIANT GREEN BEANS

The dollar bill is clean, I washed it with my clothes on accident earlier that day.

I like the color of Green Chili Peppers--so enjoy

THE JOLLY GREEN GIANT GREEN CHILI PEPPERS

again the money is freshly laundered, so therefore clean.

One crazy one on the end was growing between so many branches of the plant that it was totally misshaped...Thought it was neat.

---------------------------------------

So I got most of the upstairs railing finished
I don't know if I will ever finish this project. If the weather is still nice when I come home from Denver I really want to get the doors upstairs and around the windows in the back done.

But I will settle for finishing up the railing and the door I have scraped up there.

I also wanted to thank Rose Porter for suggesting to me to paint the trim brown--I really like it brown and would have never thought of it myself! THANKS!

----------------------------------------

Picked alot of the garden

The garden was plum full---but not with plums. I had A TON of green beans and green chili peppers. and a big zuchinni!

It took about 1/2 hour to pick everything, and that is how long I thought it would take to pick and freeze everything. I am not canning this year again....maybe next year....will life ever NOT be hectic?

The last few years I haven't gardened well because ...

2005-newborn Sedona

2006-no excuse, but Sedona was only 1 and that is a hard age to get stuff done with.

2007-Pepper was a newborn--was in Denver for most of the harvesting season

2008-Primary President/Story time leader/Personal issues

2009-Dad in hospital/Primary President

So I have had some excuses I guess.

Maybe next year I will be a perfect gardener--including starting plants inside, without killing them.

------------------------------------------------

I am just tired of having projects and never

1. Learning how to do them

2. Starting them-then getting stuck and just abandoning them

3. Thinking they have to be perfect so I never start them for fear of messing them up.

I just need to really perge my craftroom and ligthen that room so I feel less pressure to make/create/do things.

I need to find something I am really good at that I enjoy and is easy and cheap--any suggestions?

I almost feel like I enjoy collecting the craft stuff and organizing it more than I like to use it.

When I did Pepper's baby book I bought things one page at a time--a little more expensive, but man it worked way better that way for me. Maybe I will have a huge craft sell

(like a garage sell, but only sell my craft stuff)

I will let you know

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I raked and shoveled the apples that have fallen off the lawn

I have a love/hate relationship with tree's. I love the way they look in spring and fall, but hate the apple trees mess--they stink when they fall off the tree and rot-they are slimy to touch, BTW--while I was mowing the lawn--I didn't rake first and there were so many apples I literally got the riding lawn mower stuck in the apple slime. The back wheels were just spinning and making applesauce all over the back of the lawnmower--gross!

Plus each year I think I will do so good and make Pie filling, Apple Juice, Applesauce, and apple jam---in all the years we have lived here I did make pie filling last year--sign--

I do love the crab apple tree in spring, but I hate the mess and I have a feeling that that tree will be trimmed way down this upcoming spring.

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As I type I can hear a mouse sneaking around in my kitchen. I will have to set a trap--it ate the tops of the cupcakes I made while I was at my Primary meeting---grrrr...

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I really have to start writing down the things the girls say--Sedona is such a drama queen I can't even believe it, but she makes me laugh so much

Pepper is starting to talk and sings and does so all the time at home. Her favorite sayings right now

1. I hungry

2. Potty Mommy

then when finished

3. Show mommy -and shows me she went potty

She is totally cute and totally spunky--

I love my little girls so much sometimes when lucas isn't home I just want to go upstairs and all of us sleep in Sedona's bed, but then I remember the last time I slept with those two girls (camping) and decide wisely against it--if I want any sleep!

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I have a friend coming over to help tomorrow after 2:30--but would it be bad if I just had her teach me more about sewing instead of helping to clean/work?

I should be working, but I am going to do something I haven't done in a long time. I am going to try to be up by 6:00--ok 6:30 and work like crazy until the girls get up...then take a nap when Pepper takes one. Can I do it--Yes I can!

I will tell you more about it tomorrow

It is almost midnight-thirty--I guess I better go to sleep!

I have so much to say when I just sit down and start typing---

hope you enjoyed some of it.

count down has started!

So I am leaving for Denver on Sunday, and still have a house load of stuff to do...
BUT my main goals are
1. Garden-as much frozen as possible
2. Apples-Do SOMETHING with those stupid apples so they don't go to waste AGAIN this year!
3. Good cleaning of the house
4. Finish painting the railing upstairs!

Wish me luck!

another give-away

OK so I didn't want to be one of those people who post a whole bunch of giveaways--but I need to post this one!

I have been trying to make an aapron for MONTHS now and I am totally stuck on the bias tape--I am not confident enough to continue....so maybe I will just win one instead


Check out this cute Aapron!
http://aprongoddesses.blogspot.com/

so cute!

cute hair bow give-aways

http://tinydiva.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway_25.html

go here to see the cute hair bow give-away!

I hope I win the happy birthday ones or the halloween ones!

camping--

La Jara Resovier

So the Larson family went camping last weekend and had an interesting time.

Pepper is not quite old enough to take camping and have her parents enjoy it!

We arrived at our spot and enjoyed a nice little time of fishing and watching the sunset.

SO PRETTY!

Cute little mess of a girl

funny face

(great movie btw-I suggest everyone rent it-unles you don't like chick flicks)
and can you see all those hairs at the top of her head sticking up--that is where she cut her hair off this summer.

Lucas fishing--LOVE THIS PICTURE!

wish you could the fishing pole--

it looks like he is comtemplating life.

The next morning we woke (that is assuming that I slept, which I did very little of)

to a nice drizzle of rain.

We "enjoyed" it as long as I could and then packed up and headed home.

We left around 4:30 and were home the next day by noon...

short, but nice to get away for a while.

However, I found that even if you are camping for 1 night or 6, you still pack almost the same amount of stuff (yes more food and clothes), but really you pack almost the same amount.

and if anyone is interested. I have a camp packing list...I am posting it for your enjoyment.

(I also have a packing list for the sanddunes and up to denver if anyone is interested)

CAMPING LIST
Tent/stakes
Sleeping Bags
Pillows
Flashlight
Camera
Trash bags
Wet wipes (for clean up)
First Aid Kit
Glow Sticks
Umbrella
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Matches
Pocket Knife
Toilet Paper
Small Table
Guitar and Music
Camping Chairs
Towels (small & Large incase they fall in lake)
Work Gloves
Wood?
Walkie Talkie
Small Dust Broom for Tent
Bucket to do dishes
Bandanna
Cards (and other activities you can play in the tent during rain)
Water Bottles
Duct Tape
Scissors
Hatchet
Baby Backpack
Guns and ammo
poncho’s
if you have small children a portable potty chair

Pet Items
Rope
Food
Dog bowl

Cooking Items
Dish towels
Soap
Spatula-with a long handle so you don’t have to reach into the fire
Frying Pan
Paper plates
Paper cups
Napkins
Sippy Cups
Hot Coco
Marshmallows
seasonings
cooking oil
a kettle to put on the fire
a hot pad
lots of water!
spoons/forks/knifes

Dinner
Hot Dogs Ketchup Relish
Buns Mustard Mayo
Marshmallows
Breakfast
Pancakes Milk Syrup Butter
Snack idea's
Muffins/popcorn/granola bars/tin foil/red-hot’s/cinnamon/Apples
apples cooked on fire, wrap in tin foil with red-hots & Cinnamon
Lunch

Hamburgers

Buns

For the Kids
Toys (outside/digging)
Crafts-
1. Glue to make sand paintings
2. Paint & Paper (Make stamps of rocks, leafs, and so on)
Scavenger Hunt—find and take a picture or do.
1. Skip rocks
2. Walking Stick
3. Pretty Flower
4. Round Stone
5. Litter (and pick it up)
6. Fish
7. See some wild-life
Backpacks to hold treasures and hiking stuff
Star gazing
Wood gathering ---Longest stick, biggest stick, crookest stick. etc.

Per Day (or so)--clothing and personal items
Amy Lucas Sedona Pepper
Pants Pants Pants Pants
Shirt Shirt Shirt Shirt
Socks Socks Socks Socks
Underclothing Underclothing Underwear Diapers
PJ PJ PJ PJ

All Kids Extra
Hair brush Lotion Camera-Film/Batteries
Toothbrush Pain Killer Cell Phone
Toothpaste Allergy Medicine Chargers (car)
Floss Cold Medicine Day Planners
Hair Accessories Night Medicine Pillows
Tweezers Nail Clippers
Chapstick Blankets

CAR BAG & DIAPER BAG
Diapers Wet Wipes Music Drink
Snacks Toys Books

Per Person
Shoes (water shoes/boots/hiking/or at camp)
Extra set of clothes
Wash cloth
Hat
Sunglasses

Summer
Sunscreen Bug Spray
Sandals Swimming things (goggles, suits, floating, toys)

Winter
Coats Hats Gloves
Scarves Boots

Hello Everyone--Dyson Give away!

Organized Chaos is a fun blog I ran into--Here is a give away that she is doing--she does many!Hope you enjoyhttp://www.myorganizedchaos.net/

To Do for Friday

So I have Annie's girls today, but I am still determined to get stuff done.

Here we go!

Laundry--keep it going all day!
Done--1. Freeze the beans and Peas in fridge
Done--2. Check Garden for anymore veggies that need Frozen
3. Start a rice blanket for the girls
4. Clean kitchen
Doing--5. Look up Apple reciepes
6. Start picking Apples
7. Do Apples the rest of the day.

Wish me luck! I will keep you all posted!

Next projects...

So tomorrow Sedona's teacher is coming for a home visit--which means I will clean the house better than normal, so that naturally means I will find lots of stupid odds and ends stuff to keep me not focused on my task--One which I am hoping to be a really cute flip chore chart that I found on a blog.

They took a three ring notebook and turned it into a chore flip chart.
I have a brain book for myself, which I need to get into the habit of using again, so why not give one to my kids...
The notebook is flipped on it side so it stands up by itself and each child have a ring with her chores on it. It is great, but I can't find the picture--When I make mine I will take a picture so everyone can see what I am talking about!

Off to get ready for scout activity! Have a great night everyone!

Train Wreck--maybe I will submit this to Cake Wrecks.

So I have learned some things in the last few hours.

1. Making a cute cake is no longer on my things to do...it is not worth the time, trouble, mess. To make a really cute cake you need more patience than I have and more practice than I am willing to put into it.

2. Good music makes even the most boring task interesting.

3. I like coming up with cake decorating ideas more than I like to do it.

However I did make the train cake--

Enjoy--but don't mock....

The full train from the side ( I tried to fix the major frosting mistake on the front one--

This is from the top --see I tired to fix the side...
The engine couldn't go worse...
Candy toppings include

Lolipops
Chocolate carmels cut into pieces
Nerds
Blue Tootsie rolls

The wheels and headlights are made out of dots-smoshed flat Last picture ( I am sure you are saying THANK GOODNESS!)

Cute cake to come....I hope

hello all!

I am very excited because one of my goals is to do a cute cake before I turn 30--Well that is coming up quicker than I want to admit, but I think I might get this one off the list....today!

The cub-scouts are having their kick-up tonight and I was just going to do another boring cupcake thing, until I looked up cute cakes--I saw one that was a train--and I have a perfect cake set to do a train--they are mini loafs--of about 2 cup-cakes put together in size.

I have 0 money so I am improvising with what I have---and I might even enter into a contest that I found on another blog--if it turns out ok.

Wish me luck--pictures to follow--I hope it turns out! If pepper stays asleep for a little while longer it will help ALOT!

PS: can I just tell you that it is very annoying to try to make a cute cake only to have your HUBBY come in and tell you a couple tricks and the cake looks SO much better--he didn't do it with this one, but he has in the past--I AM the one who is supposed to be the good cook, but alas--he is still better at that than I am. The only thing I have found I am better at him is
1. Singing (and only because he didn't grow up singing, I think he would be better if he learned and practiced
2. Some video games--
but really those aren't very important in the grand scheme of things....

Temple Trip

TEMPLE TOUR

We arrived at them Temple at 10:35-and our tour started at 11:00

We split the group into 2--the older (about 5 and up) and the Younger (4 and younger) and went our different ways.

This is the older group...I was with the younger group so I am not sure what they were saying here.

The younger group--They tried to find nice shady spots for us to sit in while we were looking at "a point of interest".



The words on the Temple--


Angel Moroni

the pretty temple flowers. I really liked them.

The Older group again

The younger Group

Pretty Flower on Temple Grounds

Trying to Get all the Primary kids to take a picture

Attempt #2

Attempt #3--Hope Kelanee got some better shots than I did--

After we went to a cute little park and had Pizza and let the kids play a little.

The ride home for me was horrible! I am terrible at directions or remembering how to get places, SO I got lost and was lost most of the trip home (until I got to the road that goes to Ojo and Antonito). I was very frustrated and in alot of stress so I had a nice time, until then!

Hello Cyberworld & Sedona's Starts School.

Why I play in Cyberworld!

I have been thinking alot about why people even Blog, and I think I blog in order to fulfill a few things....

1. My need to stay focused...when I blog (and take pictures) I want people to see the progress I am making, including myself, and this helps keep me motivated.

2. Gives me a distraction. Some days I am just not interested in doing housekeeping stuff (ok, actually just about everyday!), so logging on and writing for 10 minutes (1/2 hour) gives me just a little reward from the daily routine.

3. Makes me feel like maybe I am contributing to the world. I have found that I like to give, and be recognized for it...I know we are supposed to do secret works, but we all like praise and if I can do/write something that helps someone else out then I feel good.

So here is my TO-DO list for the day--Pictures to come as I finish jobs--

1. Work on my mountain of Laundry!

2. Go through Toys and give MANY away

3. Bring some Toys downstairs

4. Dishes (always dishes)

5. Follow my schedule really well--So far--NOT SO GOOD!

I will post my schedule later in the week.

Sedona started school today!

The bus doesn't pick up Sanford kids anymore, funds cut and lack of bus drivers, so we took the stroller today, and hopefully will take the stroller until it gets too cold--then I was thinking maybe I make some more rice socks and heat them up so the girls can stay warm and I can still get my 5 minutes of exercise in...

Anyway...Sedona walked right into her classroom right up to the teacher and said

"Here I am!" and then stood there until the teacher looked at her and Sedona said something like

"How do I look?" the teacher told her ....

"You look so pretty!". Satisfied Sedona went right to a chair and sat down...other kids were still clinging to their parents, but not Sedona. The teacher just smiled and said ...

"you know what you are doing, huh Sedona?" And Sedona just smiled at her....then Pepper started to go in and I told her...

"no only Sedona", which caused a little whining until I told Pepper to tell her Bye-bye. For some reason saying good-bye to someone makes it all ok for Pepper. Since dropping Sedona off, Pepper has asked about 20 times
"Where Dona?" Poor little girl is so sad to not have her sister to play with all day.

(peppers sad face)

Also, Sedona took her time getting ready today--She wanted to wear her pretty dress--her matching shoes, her sparkly bracelet, hair in pig-tails, and of course her fingernail polish--where did I get such a girly-girl?

This is Sedona putting on her toe-nail polish!

Don't worry, it isn't real polish, or else I would have made her do it over paper in the bathroom.