The "Before" Of My Garden

This is the first year I've been excited to get out and work in my yard.  I don't know what it is this year.  Maybe it's the chickens.  And I've been reading about gardening with chickens.  My backyard is a disaster right now  and as embarrassed as I am, I've decided to share the pictures of my garden "before".  I'm hoping this will motivate me to get it in order so I can show you the "after" pictures.  So, here goes.  I'm sharing.  Please keep an open mind and check back soon to see what it becomes.  It can only get better, right?

Happy Birthday To Me!

This year for my birthday my mom and sister gave me the best gift.  A plane ticket to Florida to celebrate "Grandparents Day" with Kevin, Caroline, and Christian in September.  It means so much to me.  Every year I get an invite to join them at their school and it kills me that I can't be there.  It is in September, right after school starts and I know it will be difficult to get away because work is so crazy then, but they are willing to pick up my slack so I can go.  I can't tell you how much that means to me.

Also, this year, I'm on a diet.  The Ideal Protein diet and it's working very well and of course I can't have cake.  Laurie made me the most thoughtful cake.  I could eat the whole thing by myself-and I did!!!!  Isn't it amazing?  She's so creative!  And the plate is a bonus.

Countdown to Grandkids-4 More Days

I'm starting a countdown for when my grandkids come to visit.  I should have thought of this a couple of weeks ago but better late than never.  They will be here Friday and today is Monday so 4 days to go.

To get ready for them I went coupon shopping.  I got:

30 boxes of cereal
30 boxes of Hamburger Helper
Toothpaste
Body Wash
Glad Press N Seal
Chicken

Ok, not everything is for them but I had the coupons so I had to use them, right?

Sunday Afternoon

I don't know what it is about Sunday afternoons that I love more.  I love curling up in my lounger with a soft pillow and blanket and taking a 2 hour nap.  A shorter nap and I feel cheated, a longer nap and I'm groggy.  2 hours is perfect. 

I love cooking dinner in the crockpot.  I know I can use it any time but I only use it on Sundays and my family looks forward to pot roast, chicken or pork ribs.  When I don't use it they are always disappointed. 

I love going to church and feeling the spirit.  Today I went and listened to one of my employees speak in her ward.  I've grown very fond of her and she's had such a hard life.  Her mother isn't a mother to her, she's poison.  I told her I want to adopt her.  She goes to a singles ward and I felt the spirit so strongly.  It was a perfect service. 

Of all the wonderful things I love on Sunday, the best one is a little weird.  I love the sound of the dishwasher after dinner.  I can hear the same sound during the week but it doesn't sound as soothing as it does on Sunday. 

Do you have any little things that bring you great joy on Sunday?

I'm going to Granny Girls-come with me!

Come join me at Granny Girls tonight, 7:00 pm at the Vogue.  Jessi will show you how to get started with your tatting (bring a shuttle and crochet thread) and Coleen  will explain her couponing method.  We will have a raffle (tickets are $1) and don't forget something for Show & Crow.  See you there!

Lessons on Blogging

I'm taking online classes on how to improve my blog.  Want to know what I'm doing wrong?  I need to:
1--blog every day!!!!!!!!!!
2--take better pictures
3--include a picture with every post (I'm very visual and I like posts with pics)
4-link to blogs that have posts that I like.

Watch me in the future to see if I improve.

Digging a New Retaining Wall

We started yet another renovation project.  Brad has wanted a retaining wall in the front yard and so that was my Mother's Day gift from him.  I must say that I wanted a wall around my tiny flower patch as well so I really did want this for Mother's Day, it wasn't just him giving me something he wanted.  Although that wouldn't be beyond him.

We wanted to get it finished this weekend but it hasn't stopped raining turning it into a giant, yucky mud hole.  I hope the rain stops so we can get it all put back together.

Summerfest

We started planning the activities for Summerfest and I'm so excited to get started.  I'm really pumped about the crafts we are going to do.  Metal stamping, plastic canvas, friendship bracelets, paper beads and so much more.  By the way, does anyone have a recipe for homemade Mod Podge?  We are going to use a LOT of it this summer and I would like to keep costs down.

Craters of the Moon is the first field trip of the summer and the kids are so excited.  Pictures coming soon.

It's My Birthday!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted here.  It's my birthday today and I had to share what my daughter sent me. It's a cookie bouquet.  Isn't it fun?  I don't want to eat it but I'll force myself.


LOVE IT!

Cruise Countdown

My first cruise begins in 6 days and I'm getting so excited.  I've been shopping the Kindle store for some good reads.  Any suggestions?

Spring Fair

I just finished up with the Spring Fair at Holt Arena in Pocatello last night.  It was a fantastic event and we did very well.  Next, I need to get everything together because Brad and I leave on our Miche Bag cruise on Saturday.  This is our first cruise and I'm starting to get a little excited.  I have asked everyone to give me their best cruise tip and I've gotten some really good ones.

Does anyone out there have one for me?

P.S.  My son just gave me his.  He said "Just eat as much as you want and don't fall off the ship!"

I'm a Granny Girl

I just joined the best once-a-month girls group.  It's called Granny Girls.  We meet the 2nd Thursday of each month and learn old arts and some new ones too.  Last night we learned how to make those adorable chunky crochet headbands with the cute flowers.  It's easy to become a Granny Girl.  Check out the blog here.  Next month we're learning how to make necklaces out of old tee shirts.  And don't think you're too young to be a granny.  A Granny Girl is any age as long as you want to preserve the traditions of our grandmothers and create some new ones of our own. 

Granny Girls...Where Lost Arts Aren't Lost

Hopeless Hubby

After reading what Out Of The Ashes Collectibles said about there not being billions of men, just one that was cloned (giggle) I started thinking about some of the other things my hubby does.  I'm sure he's not the only one in the world who does things like this:

Tweeter (hubby): Wifer, where is the ketchup?
Wifer (that's me): It's on the top shelf of the fridge.
Tweeter:  It's not there.  Are you sure you bought some when you went to the store?
Wifer:  Yes, I'm sure.  I put it there myself.
Tweeter:  Well, someone must have taken it.  It's not here.
Wifer:  I get up off the couch, go to the fridge, move one item to the side and hand him the ketchup.  Then I give him THE LOOK.  You know the one.  It says, you are hopeless.  I then tell him that he'd better die first because if not, he will starve to death and never be able to find a thing in the house.

Does your guy do anything like this?

Does your hubby drive you nuts?

Ok, so is it just my husband or are all men like this. 

I came home from grocery shopping a couple of weeks ago with a 2 liter Mt. Dew for my tweeter (translation: husband).  I always get him one and he is usually grateful.  This time he said "What did you buy that for.  I quit drinking soda".  Now, this was news to me and I told him so and offered to take it back or give it to someone else.  I'm all for supporting him when he decides to make a healthy switch.  He just grumbled a little and no more was said about it.
Fast forward to the following week.  I came home from grocery shopping and he said "Why didn't you buy me a soda?"  Now I'm confused and said "I thought you quit drinking it" and he answered "Well, I just cut back on it".  So I buy it and he doesn't like it and I don't buy it and he doesn't like it.  Do they all do things like this? 

What does your man do that drives you nuts?  Let's see who has the nuttiest hubby.

Kindle Clothes

I've been busy making "outfits" for my new Kindle.  I love repurposing old clothes into something great.  These are made out of old sweaters.  My Kindle crashed last night and I'm missing it.  I went online to find out what to do about it and I hope their fix really works.  I would hate to have to send it back to be repaired.

My New Kindle

I feel so lazy.  My last post was last year and it's Jan.18th already.  Where does the time go? 

My husband gave me a Kindle for Christmas.  The funny thing was, I got him one also.  We both love them.  He wanted one to put his scriptures on and I just love to read.  I'm especially loving the free books from Amazon.   I "bought" about 13 new books last night-all free.  The last book I read was a freebie called "The Justice Game".  I was a little leery about the quality of these books because they didn't cost anything but "The Justice Game"  was truly one of the best books I've read in a long time.  That's why I "bought" the other ones.  I think the authors give them away hoping you'll like it and buy their other books.  I will be looking for more from Randy Singer soon.

New Year

Good-bye 2010, hello 2011.  What a fabulous year I've had.  I have really enjoyed blogging and am so glad I started.  I began the year with a goal of blogging every day and I didn't quite make that but I think I did pretty good.  It's fun to look back at the old posts and see what I did.  I plan on blogging away into 2011 and hopefully just recording what I'm doing in my life.  Here's to a great new year!

Christmas

What a wonderful day!  Going to church at Christmas time is so special.  I truly enjoy going all year but at this time I love worshiping my Savior and enjoying my family.  My mom wrote the most touching letter to my siblings and I.  I cried all the way through it.  Brad even said it was the best part of the day.  I love being with my family and am so grateful for the wonderful adults they all are and for the fabulous grandchildren they are raising.  Austin and Carson are getting so big and we love them!  I know the years are going to fly by and before we know it, Brad and I will be great grandparents.  I can't wait.  Kevin is living in Spain and learning Spanish and when he gets home he will be a young man.  Caroline and Christian are just so sweet.  I loved watching them open their Christmas presents on Skype.  I love technology that helps me feel close to them.  I am so grateful for the birth of Christ and for his mission here on the earth.  The plan of salvation truly is the plan of happiness and the only way to really enjoy this life.  I've been on both sides and His side is the only way to true happiness.  Merry Christmas to everyone and especially to my loving husband and eternal companion.  "I would do it all again".

Sick

Oh, I hate being sick at the holidays.  I don't know what I've got but I wish it would go away :(

Tonight is our annual seafood dinner at my mom's and I don't want to miss it but the thought of smelling fish is not the most pleasant idea.  I hope I feel better soon!

Snazzie Drawers

I'm so excited!  I finally got time to make the Starlet La Fleur pattern that I bought months ago from Snazzie Drawers.  If you haven't visited her blog you must do it now.  Click here to visit.  Her patterns aren't super simple and take a little time but so worth every penny and minute invested.  I can't wait to make the Kennedy Rose.  LOVE THEM!

Going to the Dr.

My mom gets to go to New York for a week.  While she's gone I can't get sick.  I have to be to work.  I woke up with a sore throat yesterday and it just got worse today.  Strep has been going around the day care center and I was getting very nervous.  I didn't want to be sick and not be able to stay home to get better.  I decided I needed to go to the  Dr. so I could get on antibiotics before mom leaves.  I don't get sick very often and when I do I just stay home and sleep and take aspirin and that seems to kick it.  I don't even have a Dr. to go to other than my gynecologist so I went to the Community Care Center.  The Dr. took my temperature, my blood pressure, looked in my ears, throat, and nose and told me I have...............A COLD!  I went to the Dr. for the first time in over 10 years and I have a cold!  Boy, do I feel dumb!

Thanksgiving

I'm getting ready to go back to work after the Thanksgiving weekend.  Thanksgiving is my all time, number one favorite holiday ever.  I love the food, the movies (we saw Harry Potter), the shopping (no, I didn't get up early) and the bonus days.  Friday always feels like Saturday so when I wake up and have another day to eat, shop, and go to movies (we saw Hereafter)  it's a bonus holiday.  Oh, by the way, Harry Potter was great and Hereafter was a dud.  I also finished up Caroline's Christmas dress.  I needed to get it in the mail by Friday so she could have it for her Christmas program on the 3rd.  I was writing up my gift list today and I don't have that many gifts to buy.  We are going to try to cut down just a little this year.  I seem to get a little nuts with the gifts.  Now, on to Christmas!

Kid Quotes

I was told I couldn't put this on my blog but it is just too funny.  I did promise not to use any names so here it is.  It's from a 4 year old boy.

"Mom, my penis wants to rule the world"

Mom: "No, your penis needs to stay in your pants!"

Dad: "Get in line behind every other guy!"

I couldn't stop laughing because everything has a little truth in it.

Kid Quotes

My co-workers' little 4 year old daughter was reciting the pledge of allegiance to her last night.  This is how it goes:
I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America
And to the republic WHERE WITCHES STAND one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Isn't that just too funny?

Kid Quotes

A friend of mine told me this about her 8 year old daughter.

As I'm about to pick up a "sleeping" little girl to carry her into the house I say, "let's see how strong I am." To which she says,(still pretending to sleep) "make two trips."

 How cute is that?

 

Sassy Savvy Style: Do You Feel the Need for ANOTHER Give Away...?

Sassy Savvy Style: Do You Feel the Need for ANOTHER Give Away...?: "...because I'm feeling the need to give something away! Okay, so quite honestly, this picture is crap, but you at least have an idea...thi..."

Kid Quotes

My co-worker's second grade son was watching a group of Jr. High School kids who were waiting for the bus.  He said "Mom, they're just a whole new breed of idiot". She laughed and said "Where did that come from?"  He looked very puzzled and said "From me".

I would love to be in his brain for just one day.

Kid Quotes

Jackson, again:
"Jackson, how did you get refried beans all over yourself?"

"MAGIC!"

Kid Quotes

Oh, Jackson, Jackson, Jackson! 

My sister brought him into day care and he was covered with yellow paint.  He had a play date with a little girl from his class and they found the cans of spray paint in the garage.  They were both covered from head to toe.  She was able to get most of it off with lots of scrubbing and paint thinner.  When I asked Jackson why he spray painted each other yellow he said "Because the blue was empty."  You can't argue with that logic.

Kid Quotes

One of the first graders was talking with our preschool teacher this morning about his school.

H. "Do you know where my school is?" 
A. "No"
H. "Does your family know where it is?"
A. "My family doesn't live here.  They live in Arizona."
H."So you live alone?  That's sad.  You should come live with me."

So sweet!