Bits and Pieces

I woke up today feeling so yucky and haven't gotten much better. Both girls and hubby have colds (but Sedona went to school since she is the least affected), so life isn't that wonderful here. Hopefully Luke will feel better since he had to go trucking today! :( That makes me so sad to know he is feeling bad and has to drive instead of sit around and watch Blue's Clues with Pepper and me.

Last night I didn't sleep well and wrote about 10 posts in my head, but alas, I can't remember a single one of them today--which might be why I don't feel all that great today!

My media fast has mostly turned into just a Facebook fast. I logged on once to see pictures of a friends new baby! I had that great list of things to accomplish, but mostly it isn't going to get done. I think I finally got all my online banking up and going! Not on the list, but needed done! Yeah...now I won't have an excuse...I will be responsible, take my finances by the horns and look them straight in the eyes! I will know daily (OK weekly) where I am at and not worry about bounced checks or what account to write what check out of. I will say that my net worth is pathetic. But considering that we owe less total than alot of people own on a house mortgage makes me feel a little better (but not much!).

We finally ordered parts for our bathroom. We have lived in this house since 2004, owned it since 2005, and never had a working bathroom. We have most of the parts we need for the bathroom, we just buy things a little at a time here and there. We have been waiting for plumbing to be fixes, but it couldn't be fixed till we bought our fixtures. Lucas did some good loads so we sat down, I showed him what I liked--then had to go--so he went in and found what we wanted for about 1/2 the price of the ones I was looking at! Way to go!! So maybe this bathroom will be finished before Luke's B-day in October? OK wishful thinking---maybe this bathroom will be done by Christmas!


Pam (sister-in-law) has a family friend who was in a motorcycle accident. Denise had just won a motorcycle so her husband got one too so they could go riding. I don't know any details really, but Skip is being moved to an acute care facility soon. Reading her blog is like Dad all over again. It is almost surreal reading someone else going through this and using words in her blog almost word for word what I wrote. I keep her in my prayers all the time.


The family went up to Creede on Saturday to see a car show and to look at the cute little shops. I could spend SO MUCH money if i had it. Maybe I am not rich because I already spend to much money on junk! If I had unlimited money, my house would be full--image the show Hoarders! OK, not that bad (but you have all seen my scary room), but I would buy stuff I wouldn't need that is for sure! Anyway---the car show was ok (just like very other car show in my viewpoint), but I saw an old friend. Rose was there! Rose was the costume mistress at the college I went to. She looked so good. It was fun seeing her and getting caught up on her life a little! That was fun!

Well I am off to go work on Lois's family history---only 933 names left to match and merge--then I will start her other files! Wow--she is going to have a great reunion with these people in heaven!!

Media Fast Plans (Revised)

Hello all---

This is the first day of my Media fast. Yes, I am blogging, but I am allowing myself that much, because I use it as kind of a journal.
There are alot of loopholes--I can read to my kids, I can read books to help me do things (like how to clean a chimney), I can listen to classical music (thru YouTube), I can have the kids watch movies, I can use the computer to do Family History, finance stuff, or to help make my lists and such. So see there are lots of ways I will still be using Media, mostly I have given up Facebook, looking at others blogs, and the useless Internet surfing that normally consumes good portions of my day!


I have big plans for this week....


So I have changed this to figure out what I want done each day.

Friday:
Morning: Take Yee Rah homecoming dress shopping---Bank---Libary in Alamosa---Grocery Shop (make a head meals)
Evening: Pay Bills & Apron Swap Invite


Saturday:
Morning: Pull Garden Weeds & Black Plastic
Afternoon: Cut down all flowers and clean up
Evening: mow Lawn (I think it is Stake conference this weekend?)

Sunday
Morning: Stake Conference
Afternoon: Lois Family History & MAKE AHEAD MEALS
Evening: MAKE-A HEAD MEALS DO!

Monday
Morning: Spring Clean two rooms
GO TO LOIS HOUSE
Evening: FHE & Apron Swap Invites

Tuesday
Morning: Clean out Garage some
Afternoon: Clean Cars out (Vacuum) & Wash Cars
Evening: Figure out how to do Quicken

Wednesday
Morning: Work on Christmas and Birthdays & Laundry
Afternoon: Paint the rest of the porch
Evening: Pack for Denver

Thursday:
Morning: Spring Clean Kitchen & Laundry
Afternoon: Organize Magazines a little & Finish Library bag (Tandy)
Evening: Catch up on what needs done

Friday: DENVER!
Yeah!


See if I can clean out Chimney--SCARY FOR ME!!



This is a big list I know....but I have a week....If I work on 3 things a day I can accomplish it!
Since some of them are big (Lilac bushes) and will take all day, I better use my day wisely in the other pursuits!

Here we go!
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I know today's post is kind of boring, like most my "List posts"---but they really help me stay focused and motivated.


Well off to the library---Yes I am on a NO media fast, but the kids aren't and I can still read to them.

Mountain Getaway Part 2

A view looking down at the valley--much prettier in person!

Wish I was an amazing photographer and could capture the beauty!

See Lucas hand---See how huge that fish is!!

We saw 4 Big Horn sheep at the upper lake

Lucas feeding the masses (ok a group of about 7 guys asked Lucas to get them fish---they traded for granola, dried fruit, and propel water flavors)--see I told you he was a good hunter/gatherer

You can't see it, but there is a Big Horn Sheep literally about 10 feet from Lucas...awesome!

Tug watching over our cabin
When we first pulled up--a guy came right over and said

"I have heard that sometimes when people come up here there is a bug here,

can I take a picture?"

Mountain Getaway Part 1

Lucas way up on a big rock

We fed the hikers up there. This was breakfast burritos that we shared, we also shared Bratwursts, fish, and S'mores. We were the "favorites" on the mountain. I loved doing this and will remember to bring extra food every time we go up!

One of Lucas's "Hunter" rewards. I don't like fish at all, but ate more of these fish then I have ever eaten of fish in my whole life. They were good!

More of the wonderful Lake

Still not sure if I like fishing or not....I do like "fly fishing" better than "sink and wait fishing"

Lucas was a great Hunter/Gather this trip!!

The sun would hit the mountains they would GLOW! It was so pretty!

Our Cabin

This fish has the coolest colors--Pink, yellow, blue, greens. You can't see all of them-but it really was pretty

Inside the Cabin--I swept it out--and someone has even left a toilet seat to be used outside--How nice of them (No I didn't even touch it!)

Lucas has some great fishing locations

A man and his faithful friend

The water was really clear

More beautiful views

All the way up the trails were balanced rocks like this. I think they are neat.

Remembering

so I didn't blog on the 11th, it was the 10th, but I thought---I blogged on September 11th and could only talk about Christmas!
What is wrong with me...

I think Sept 11th is an important day in our history. Rarely has America been attacked on our soil...Dec 6th and Sept 11th I think are very important days. They are to remind us that we are not unbreakable, but we are strong. Think about how you felt the days after the 11th. I was scared, I was worried, but I tried to be nicer to my fellow humans. I wanted to connect to them more.

We were living in Arizona at the time and I remember being scared for weeks anytime one of those really low flying planes came into land.

BUT...I also feel in our land of peace and plenty, we are very spoiled. We forget so quickly the hardships that others face. People are now talking about the 11th like it wasn't a big deal and our children don't even bat an eye at it (and I didn't either since I blogged about Christmas!).

I do want to share my thanks and up most gratitude to those who served to protect our country, in any way, shape, or form. The government officials who keep an eye for the bad guys...really who had heard of all these bad guys, and within minutes the news were spewing out names of people they had been tracking for years....The soldiers, the fear, boredom, and utter terror they live with....I am forever grateful to anyone anywhere who has fought for our freedom.Korean war, Vietnam War (conflict), Desert Storm, and any of the unknown battles that take place that I have no clue about...the local law enforcement, they keep my community safe. They keep the bad guys away from me and my children! Right now in our town we have a great cop. He is a great combination of compassion and justice. He didn't make the girl who re-ended another boy at the school feel like a moron, but he held her accountable...That isn't always the case with some of our other lovely cops we have had in the past---(like the cop who pulled me over to flirt with me...really!)

So while September 11th is already passed, I do think about it often. I will never be able to forget the images of burning buildings, people covered in ashes, and the worst, those people jumping to their deaths instead of burning to their deaths.

War and acts of violence and totally beyond me and my understanding, but I believe as those in the Book of Mormon, that anyone who is trying to take away our freedoms (or the freedoms of others) need stopped, and I thank those who do just that!

Wedding Bells

THE WEDDING

In no order what so ever.....

Josh (my Step-brother-in-law) and his new wife Michelle

The Bridesmaids


The Groomsmen

Yee Rah (Our exchange student from Korea)

and our lovely Sedona

Yee Rah again :)

Suzie "Dancing" down the isle with her grandson William

Some of the wonderful decorations

The Cemermony took place under the gazebo

The Buffet line that had AMAZING food!!

Really SO YUMMY!

Josh and his Mom Suzie

Lucas and Pepper weren't really that miserable, that is just the face they were born with!

The cake and punch

The Reception area

Very Pretty Garden Location

Waiting for the Wedding to start--we look so happy!

So pretty!

Look how pretty! The Grooms Cake was very cool!

Newly home Elder Phillip

and Best Man

Some of the Grandkids and cousins Sedona is hugging William (Josh's (the groom's) little boy)-and the two girls--Dang! I can't remember their names. They are Suzies sisters kids.

Random thoughts

Today is September 11th?, but I am already full swing into Christmas....CHRISTMAS!? I know!
I like to have Christmas done by October...a little anal, but it saves that last minute splurge on stuff I don't really want to give people.

So I started my list of people to give too....

Husband
Sedona
Pepper
Yee Rah

Mom
Mom-in-law
Step mom-in-law
Nana
Grandma Cluff
Grandma Bev

Dad-in-law
(he looks so alone on this list) :(

Angie & Brad Family (my side)
Larson Family (yet to know we have)

Uncles & Aunts
(I will not name them all)

Teachers (Sedona has 4 this year)
Kitchen Staff (head start)
Bus Driver (head start)
Principle (2)

Friends

Church Leaders

Garbage Man

Who else DO you send Christmas gifts too?
And what do you get for all those "non-big gift" people? Like teachers, or bus drivers....
What do you sent as gifts to those you Mail things too?

Like I said...I know it is early, but I am already getting it done.

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Home Making--or whatever the crap it is called now.

That sounded very bitter, but it was not. I just don't know what it is called....anyway

Last night we had a great homemaking night. We learned how to make....

1. Lip balm
2. Lotion
3. Soap
4. Fire starters
5. Butter
6. Cheese
7. Laundry detergent

IT WAS SO GREAT!
I am so grateful to live in an area where the people have so many talents.

I would have never thought to make my own lip balm--I always have them everywhere! Now I can make it for much cheaper--and I can add my own smells!

Plus ricotta cheese--I would use it a ton, but it is kind of expensive, not anymore (well, not if I owned a cow, which we do not...)

What is something you wish you knew how to make, or do...that you just never have done?

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I am trying so hard to be a morning person, but my body (and mind) fight me like crazy! I get up at 5:30 two days a week, and try to be up by 6:30-7:00 and rest of the week, but man it is killing me. PLUS the hours between 9 and 11 just fly (it use to be 11 till 2--so I am getting better)...so when I want to be in bed by 10:00 I have to set my alarm to remind me to go to bed.

any other suggestions?
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girls are in the tub yelling for me, so I gotta go. I hope to post pictures next time. So be prepared :)

Wonderful Morning--kind of

I woke up at 6:20 and headed out for a run, but was so exhausted that I only got 1.91 Miles walking.


then I came home crawled into bed until 8:15--got Sedona ready--and then crawled back into bed till 10:45.

Yep I had a wonderful morning...

but now the rest of my day---

here is the list
1. Finish blogging (DUH)
2. Shower
3. Clean Kitchen
4. Do my House cleaning routine (but skip a few of the less important steps)
5. Finish reading Mockingjay
6. Dinner (super easy Chili--cause I have...
7. Relief Society tonight


What does the perfect morning look like for you?

Nightmares

I have nightmares.

When I dream, it is almost always a nightmare.

Last nights nightmares included

Me trying to save my family, and extended family during the end of the world, not to bad last night, but a common dream for me....Variations on the dream--
there is a flood and I can only hold on to one of my children, the whole dream is me choosing which one to let go.
...or that I have in charge of a whole (primary) bunch of kids and there is no food, medical supplies, or help.
.... or an army is taking over my town and I have to hid my children so the bad guys won't find them, but they won't stop crying and the army men are entering my house....
...trying to get my family into the mountains to hid from the bad guys coming into town, I am alone with the girls and I can't carry our supplies alone, and Pepper is so tired and hungry and Sedona is sick....
and the list could go on...these dreams often keep me awake for hours after I have them. Last night wasn't so bad--I wasn't up for more than about 15 minutes.

I also dreamed (dreamt) that Lucas and I weren't married and I was hanging out at a club with a bunch of people from high school and a Sanford friend kept telling me, "wow these people all really hate you...what did you do in high school to make them hate you so much?"
Not really a bad dream, but not a good one either.

Last dream of the night--not so scary, but totally weird. I was driving my PT Cruiser and stopped at a red light. With the car in neutral, I get out of my car and watch it go down the road hoping that it doesn't hit anything. It keeps going and going so finally I call the cops and tell them what I did...stop at the LDS bookstore while telling the cops and buy a movie, before going to find my car and face the tickets and repercussions of my decision.

All and all I woke up about 5 times last night---I kept hearing things fall (I think they were in my dreams, but they would wake me up) and 3 times with unusual dreams. I think I deserve a nap today :)

I don't believe in France

So imagine this conversation



Women: I don't believe in France.



Man: Really? why?



Women: Well I went there once a long time ago. I believed it then, but since leaving France and having a strong disliking for everything French I just don't believe it anymore. My whole family is from France, but I just think they are blinded to the truth...that there is no France. Plus, alot of bad things have happened to me, my family, and society, and most of the bad things have been done by people who are from French or believe in the country of France.

Man: Um....but don't you know there are French restaurants, and I could show you some money from France--would you believe then?



Women: You are trying to convince me of France by using French things...convince me by not using french things.



Man: ummm....Ok, could I introduce you to people who have lived in France?



Women: No. There have been people in the past who were from France who treated me poorly, so I won't listen to anyone French.



Man: What if I TOOK you to France?



Women: I could go, even get a glimpse of the French life and remember it, but I still wouldn't believe it.



Man: I don't think the problem lies within people convincing you there is a France. There IS a France even if YOU choose to believe or not. People can show you things that OBVIOUSLY show there is a country called France, but you won't except them.
The problem does not lie with them not showing sufficient and relevant evidence, the issue is in your arrogance and unwillingness to believe the truth.



How many people do YOU know that feel this way about religion?

No fluff for now

Hey all--I can't get my blog to do a cute background, so no fluff--just the basic.

I only have about 3 minutes to write, but I think I am getting over this cold quickly!

That is amazing! Normally these things last weeks...

In exercise class today I was looking around (I normally don't wear my glasses so I can't see anyone) and Annie was totally kicking bum on every station (think curves on steroids)--she would be the gold star A+ student if we were being graded! I don't know how she does it!! the class is 1/2 over (3 weeks) and I have lost only 3 pounds--which is a pound a week, so I guess it isn't that bad, but I just wanted to see results faster... I will take my measurements some time this week and see if I have progressed any there.

I am transferring all my old notes from my high school Scriptures in to my new ones. It is taking alot longer than I thought it would...plus I have no idea what some of those mean that I wrote back then. It is kind of like taking a trip down memory lane. I had two seminary teachers--Brother Heap, who was AWESOME! The best teacher I EVER had...truly a totally amazing Christ-like man, and Brother Peterson. Brother Peterson was a great teacher, but we didn't see eye to eye on alot of things. We clashed a few times, but I still remember some of the lessons he gave clearly in my mind! Plus he helped me understand how to get over hurt feelings in a great Christ like way.

Well my 3 minutes are up--you wish I only had 3 minutes every day, but maybe tomorrow I will write more. I have to laugh because through out the day, I write blog posts in my head, but can't remember a single one when I sit down to write. Maybe I will jot notes down today and write a whole novel tomorrow...