tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47101948526041071972024-02-06T23:23:58.899-07:00Raspberry Kissesneverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-88325268276511359092009-10-05T21:04:00.008-06:002009-10-05T21:48:59.122-06:00Wednesday...<div><div><div><div>BLEE was diagnosed with a type of vasculitis called Henoch-Schonlein Purpura, or HSP. It is pretty rare. In very layman's terms it is an allergic reaction to a cold virus that she had a couple of weeks ago that barely registered on the radar. HSP presented itself first as two sprained ankles and bruising on the bottom of her feet and in between her toes. We couldn't think of an instance that she had gotten hurt or complained - she isn't graceful though so we didn't think much of it and gave her some ice and firm kicks to wear. A day later the spots showed up. They were slightly raised and bright red. These spots were inflamed vessels that eventually burst, turning the spots into a deep purple bruise, in some cases they look like a blood blister. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389324438406008514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7GqkC2wnub5hzlhdaLaFzo8do_plNvelAKyw41Bkwf5ol_NLrUAskF9QcOdPtfZoRUMN6i6jV2Wn17wZ5Nk7efiOpKW2-Xh8viO-Rwn16bFcPGAZLv7f1ykf6tp9yLfeA0w8IfL2EQDL/s400/hsp+038.JPG" /> <div></div><div>It attacks the joints (knees, ankles and feet) causing arthritis, bruising and swelling. Swollen areas have an elevated temperature as well. It is quite painful, but happy day! not contagious. It is viral so there isn't much we can do but treat the pain and swelling with ibuprofen. We take her in for frequent urinalysis to keep a close eye on her kidneys. She should recover fully with no lasting effects (if we keep it out of her kidneys). </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389324639728709250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMURx40nQa8Kg2sDahDQC6aaLf9f2iv4jGQz6F6xhmQkLk-eqhW90UCoLpXhXGrAm92nXabT3PG5T2lmwdoaV0hW1Vi7l1CG-KIuPLn7yKnEde2LNhxACS5IFJKcVjOAOX7Rh95GGnlcu9/s400/hsp+040.JPG" /> <div></div><div>It could all be over next week or last a year. She has had it at least a week and not missed a day of school so far (she is quite motivated by a bike, helmet and bike lock a local business gives out for perfect attendance). She has been such a trooper though. Walking is quite painful because of the swelling. The bruises and arthritis probably don't help either. She thinks that it is cool that she gets to wear her slippers to school (seriously they don't make shoes for marshmellows) and being carried around the house has not gotten old yet. We are lucky that she is so young, just 10 years older and the prognosis changes drastically. Apparently adults just aren't as resilient. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389324226480500274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYckJWFmnCiQcp6j1KijrPZDr4QeKiYLW14mXmF7wZFZ4b1GOSy3OGsW-TUQW1xy63Jp5ZQlqm7rUDAUbO-ZIbH9ZJBNPDR54hyphenhyphenCy8YACv31QJRAdMLi_LZqQIZyS5MYtwPwwtoH46KFXN/s400/hsp+037.JPG" /> <div></div><div>Today was the best day that she has had since last Monday. She went to school while I hunted down a wheelchair for her. When I went to pick her up she came almost skipping out. I was so relieved. We shared happy hugs and huzzahs thinking that the worst was over, but during tonight's bath we found a new wave of spots and the swelling has come back with a vengeance (probably the almost skipping part didn't help). The spots are so numerous that they are melding together. She looked at me with her half numb face (she had two cavities filled today and is still very swollen and numb - can't win sometimes - just ask the Packers) and with her crooked little mouth, half smiled and said that it would probably not be over until Wednesday night...we have been saying since the beginning it could all be over on Wednesday.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389324843129139906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhFLozJgXSuRCqLxOM7m8h4YFaplrgGRABySUWeljlMa4bJyB5EBto7tLDv6ql6WYXXFeBk936RuDZ-1aThCErRZcgNOrwUVL6SToQfJ9HDqKTcLb2pWKY-NAeUWdEc-oQ8DYqAfyzy9r/s400/hsp2+003.JPG" /></div></div></div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-22816783796198563852009-07-06T18:57:00.003-06:002009-07-06T19:53:07.979-06:00InheritenceMy grandparents recently died after a well lived ride. They had been married for over fifty years. They had two girls together and raised eight amazing children (my grandfather was married to my dad's mom for several years - my dad being baby #7). So a lot of life lived. I as one of about 50 grandkids received an inheritance of about 150 canning jars (I think we all got about that many!). I was totally stoked being handy in the kitchen and in need of more jars for my tomato crop this year. There was a catch though - remember if it sounds to good to be true it probably is... I had to empty a life time of canning out of said jars.<br /><br />My grandmother canned everything so we started a guessing game of what we thought had been in the jars at one time before the tiny organisms took over. Green beans were the easiest. They looked pretty good - at least River thought so. They were probably done in the 90s. '93 was the latest marked jar and '61 was the earliest. Beets weren't so bad either. They had kept their shape and the color was amazing - a beautiful sunset salmon, EEP has slippers that color. Next were cherries. They looked like, well, cherries. River wouldn't touch them (I started covering everything with cherries at this point). We opened apricots, peaches, and pears - all quite sloshy it made me think of "HOLES" and "sploosh", a very descriptive word brought home. Plums were a little gelatinous. At one point I thought I had opened spiced peaches but the kids figured out it was tomatoes with seeds. So far everything was worth the effort and our garden soil was going to get a rich boost.<br /><br />The last two boxes (eight in all) sat too long to get put into the garden (I will post pictures - the corn is thigh high!!). I decided to use the toilet and disposal. This is where it may become to gross for the weak stomachs in the group...I opened the box and found most of the jars were half empty...no there was no juice on the outsides, so I guess it could have been worse. Inside the jars were masses of white and pink gloppy matter. I made the mistake on the first jar in not having enough air in my lungs for the whole project. I had to breath...It was b-a-d! The smell was the kind that lingered in the back of your throat and you could actually taste it in your mouth. It was probably toxic - I'll let you know if we die this week. Apparently at one point this had been some sort of meat. I am assuming the first few jars were...beef, maybe lamb? and the rest we're fairly confident were chicken. I haven't been able to eat any chicken since...we need to let that one mellow for awhile.<br /><br />But now we are DONE!!! Shiny, clean jars fill my shelf waiting for fall to come around! I am sooooo glad I have a dishwasher!!! Blessings all around today. How amazing is that though?! My grandparents gave me the gift that keeps giving. My children and I have had the most bizarre bonding experience that we are most likely not going to forget anytime soon (smell <em>is</em> the strongest memory). In the fall we will bond again over steaming tomatoes and peaches and in the winter we will giggle over spaghetti and peach cobbler. What memories they have given us! And I thought I was getting empty jars! I can only hope that I leave something so miraculous for my grandchildren!neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-22905123313842786532009-06-24T23:00:00.010-06:002009-06-25T01:23:28.953-06:00Seriously!<div><div><div><div><div>Wow it has been so long since I have not done something and here I find a moment and decided I should write a little bit down to prove I really did leave my house this summer.<br /><br /><div><div><div>Well obviously school is out, and not a moment too soon. We started our summer vacation a day early and headed over to Yellowstone. We stayed with our friend's family at their cabin in Island park. The weather was so crazy that our appearance changed drastically from day to day. One day we looked like we had been marooned on an island and were burned and bitten and the next we looked like a bunch of wet dogs. On the day we went home we looked like under dressed penguins in two inches of snow (Seriously you would have thought that none of us had seen snow before). It was amazing! The kids were so great and never complained. BK asked if it were Christmas. Yes, mine are the ones in shorts and t-shirts.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351159669109942258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELBH8hIjMMLkCsKI-KEjDoDQjwFUoxWHTKDpqnaMM8MlG_qtOghTGfUNSKXdAYCCJMc900y8x5hyphenhyphen9kLQ27QLJWP_X3GD6InFAq0CjZ-dpL3G4n5i8jZW-W-Zv1xMkOojrYXyxBUXpBhc3/s400/Willie+Yellowstone+005.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351160957525425618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmf9f7JYDf45eFjb8wueIrOu0D_I3ZmL-Z7giZCR3LHD44DAIFgNExmX9CFQREWE1-eNZ7oZWFp-jWMIIjU8SvHCb1QmjLVi_uumNZRTShp4gL2NgOCZuX9eF8GbemD79laCDWgJpVaEI/s400/Willie+Yellowstone+030.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>The Park was beautiful as always. It has been 20 years since the fire and there is still a lot of evidence of it, but even more so was all the life that has been slowly growing in its wake. It was neat to rediscover the scenery with my children who have never been, whereas I "grew up" amongst the buffalo (long story, three years and <em>a lot</em> of ice cream and late night Firehole). The family unanimously voted the Fountain Geyser as our favorite sight.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351130401083355138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUeqh1PXNN9ObHvRvnUh5NZpX8uwVv_RPou6PWMg-ot4x8nvw5-sS4XFpYV4WIepUFeuF8-Q59sVrlHhFVx7MF5GOfhvN0qMDFfBIWO0Z2qWHLzi_bsw2Dk0iahNxQ4RHjb0VcxjCtgVU/s400/Fountain+Geyser.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><p>We came home long enough for me to do laundry, two days of Wood Badge Staff training, BBQ with neighbors, high council talk, and to repack. We were off to the Fathers' Day Golf Tournament in Lava.</p><p>This is a long standing tradition in our family. We go to Lava to play golf and see if anyone has gotten better since the last year. Who knows, maybe we have PGA potential among us. It has been going on for 11 years and we have only missed it twice due to spring babies (both of which were boys incidentally - B decided to hold off on coming so I would have a chance to get my name on the plaque - hasn't happened yet...). </p><p>I think this year was the most fun, plaque inscription or not. We got to play with JP's brother and his wife. I had some amazing drives if I do say so (you take a million swings and odds are one has to connect). The weather kept us from getting sunburned or bitten and even primed us for our most memorable moment. </p><p>It started to pour and JP, BK, and I were driving our golf cart, tempers may have been up to begin with, people were trying to pass us, but we were already waiting - patiently...seriously! Some how we found ourselves going down hill in the rain. As breaks were hit (I may have said stop somewhere in there) we just kept going and going. We spun a very wet cookie. I really thought much more was going to happen but JP jumped out and grabbed the frame of the cart and stopped us with those pricey spiked FootJoys of his. Apparently my face was priceless and for that I am grateful that no one had a camera on the fourth hole. I have since then taken his head off the chopping block for that experience.</p><p>JP brought back a piano we bequeathed from his mother from that trip (hence the removal of head from chopping block). He has spent the last day and a half sanding it down (I know, bonus points). He was able to get his sisters engraved Hancock off...we love you Aunt K, but it had to go!! This weekend we will finish staining it and finally be able to bring it in the house (he hasn't complained about his car getting booted from the garage, do you think he is running for hubby of the year?). B has been practicing her piano lessons at the church and on a keyboard here at the house...her teacher has not been impressed with keyboarding practices. We are all looking forward to plunking keys at all hours of the day and night.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351151631208509522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnLcIz25-0xZTTzYAmN66bPFdgTzTJ2ToXLuboQr0bMoeoO5YuGjKVVNJS7ZxVH4nb4i_oiTkVfqN4ru86wk5oKSRrJdfEziWJgPSA77MFHm6hnSpUe8MaePqfLGgygfi7W3ep8Wni_Td/s400/piano+007.JPG" border="0" />My sister and her family are coming to visit this weekend and hit the water park. Seriously, how much fun can one person have? I need to have a presidency meeting and prepare for another basic training for scout leaders next week. I have back to back reunions just around the corner and then scouts, another trip, then another reunion, and then scouts and then school <em>and</em> Wood Badge. My DVR is running out of space! Did I mentioned that I am an agoraphobe and never leave my house!<br /><br /><p>On a calmer note JD is standing!! He isn't walking yet but he is solid enough on his feet that he can pound the drums to death. He likes to get standing and then clap for himself. He usually is rewarded with ample applause from everyone in eye sight. At 15 months he may just be my most advanced child yet...seriously!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351146849450303490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGoBKDu7uBvD34Neo6uItrHXg24P_PAPJck4Fs1QDco5-WeDHk_FAa21s2Xo6F6ryCpvqwjOPkwwaTR1AHLu6YwlNxJON4wfaPMcgNU-6x5g9jtx_x_uSR_E6v32fmgByUpR6NpZm3KjD/s400/piano+003.JPG" border="0" />Now my laundry is clean again. I have contemplated taking it from the dryer to the suitcase, it would save a step or two. Regardless of what lists may be waiting my attention (clean the garage, fridge and freezer and reorganize the pantry) the laundry is done so the rest of it can wait another day. There is just something peaceful about clean laundry.</div></div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-48184119439728340842009-02-25T21:58:00.005-07:002009-02-26T00:59:28.718-07:00Truly, Madly, DeeplySo we are in the thrifty scout shop again (my most favorite shop in town). This time in search of a shirt for a woman in my sister's ward's troop. JP has become an expert in shirt finding and always gets the best patches and shirts for me so it was no surprise when he pulled a great looking shirt. It <em>was</em> a surprise when he asked if I thought it would be a good fit for himself! He is sooooooooo adorable.<br /><br />So tonight I find myself happily humming as I sew on patches for him. He has been so good about all of my scouting. He even "volunteered" to be a merit badge councilor. I know I can come off as quite socially disabled - talking about patches, patches, patches, critters, absently-minded tying knots in everything, and wood badgering everyone in khaki to death (but you will thank me if you go).<br /><br />Yes, it was love at first sight (probably), if only we could remember when that was...neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-41580556485721250612009-02-16T11:14:00.004-07:002009-02-16T22:44:29.237-07:00BackHopefully that has a double meaning and I am going to put more effort into writing here. We are back from an overnight visit to the hospital with Baby JD. He had a <strong>bad</strong> case of croup.<br /><br />I took him into the quick care where we interrupted a staff meeting. Everyone was super helpful. His sats were still at 98%, but he was working really hard to keep it that way. They gave him three doses of one kind of medicine in the quick care and switched when that didn't work and sent us upstairs to our pediatrician for two doses of something else (I was a little sleep deprived). JD hated the nebulizer so much that he threw-up all over. From there we were admitted to the hospital where they started giving him the steroids intravenously, and he finally started improving.<br /><br />We were on the peds floor and they had no food for babies but were willing to blend anything on their menu - fajitas or burgers...seriously! He wouldn't eat anything we brought him except pudding...not really surprising there.<br /><br />The best technique we found to calm him down was a fist full of hair. Between doctors, nurses, rts, and whoever the lady with the spiky black hair was we did not sleep. It is so nice to be home. Now I just have to retrain him to sleep on his own and with my hair out of his mouth...keep your fingers crossed.neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-4935423051505827392009-01-01T12:23:00.003-07:002009-01-01T13:55:52.567-07:00Happy New Year!!<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4999736/?GT1=43001">Here's a fabulous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">slideshow</span> of New Year celebrations around the world.</a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?<br /></span></strong>Besides the obvious (you only have baby 4 once), I would love to say that I have done some really crazy thing but I am not that crazy so really crazy comes difficult to me.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">2. What are your New Year's resolutions for 2009?<br /></span></strong>I am currently working on compassion and empathy. I know that some of you are thinking - start small this is too big, but I think I'm ready for big.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</span><br /></strong>Do I count? My sister had one too. Cousins!!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">4. Did anyone close to you die?<br /></span></strong>Yup.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">5. What countries did you visit?</span><br /></strong><em>Seriously</em>?! Do movies count? I did <em>buy</em> something that started it's journey in China...<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?</span><br /></strong>Color in my living room, paint party anyone?<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">7.</span> <span style="color:#ff99ff;">What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</span></strong><br />March 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">JD's</span> birth day.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">8. What was your biggest success?</span><br /></strong>Any day that I had two rooms clean top to bottom <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">simultaneously</span>.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">9. What was your biggest failure?</span><br /></strong>My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">toewriting</span> is still illegible. BEANS!!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</span><br /></strong>Broke my baby toe - maybe that's why my writing was bad...<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">11. What was the best thing you bought?<br /></span></strong>A couple of long sleeve tees that cover my belly button (hard to find!)<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">12. Whose behavior merited celebration?<br /></span></strong>The armed forces, mothers that provided a variety of food for their children (whether it was receive well or not), postal workers (my mail arrived each day wind, rain or snow), and volunteers - you know those people who say I am busy, I have a life, a family, religious duties, a dog and two cats, soccer treats this Saturday, cub scouts, swimming lessons, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">etcetra</span>; but there might be more that I can do.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?</span><br /></strong>I choose to be happily ignorant here.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">14. Where did most of your money go?<br /></span></strong>Ha! China... :o)<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?</span></strong><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Playaways</span> at the library!!!!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">16. What song will always remind you of 2008? (It's never actually a song from the year in question)<br /></span></strong>Lump...long story...or maybe not. My kids have discovered music and love it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hmmm,</span> that was surprisingly short.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">17. Compared to this time last year, are you a. happier or sadder? b. thinner or fatter? c. richer or poorer?<br /></span></strong>a. happier b. Much, much, much thinner - don't be jealous, giving birth can do that to you. c. richer, in many, many ways.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">18. What do you wish you'd done more of?<br /></span></strong>Camping, hiking and doing the outdoors thing - it really wouldn't take much...just once.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">19. What do you wish you'd done less of?</span><br /></strong>sheep herding<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">20. Did you fall in love in 2008?<br /></span></strong>How could I not, have you cuddled with JD?!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">21. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?<br /></span></strong>Hate is a strong word, but I would like to have some words with a person or two.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">22. What was your favorite TV program?</span></strong><br />Psych gives me a good release of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">endorphins</span>. Sadly it had little competition, what happened to prime time?<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">23. What was the best book you read?</span><br /></strong>The possibilities are endless. I think I will let this question dangle, there seems to be a hurricane brewing, run!!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">24. What was your greatest musical discovery?<br /></span></strong>That my kids absolutely love whatever I play and sing the words and dance and make it their own.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">25. What was your favorite film of this year?</span></strong><br />Lars and the Real girl, Prince Caspian, Penelope etc...it is what we do - movie, popcorn, cuddle.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">26. What did you want and get?</span></strong><br />change<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">27. What did you want and not get?<br /></span></strong>A five year plan.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">28. What did you do on your birthday?</span><br /></strong>I really can't say<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?<br /></span></strong><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Consistency</span> and planning<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?<br /></span></strong>Clean, modest, and comfortable for an on the go mommy (easy to nurse in).<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">31. What kept you sane?<br /></span></strong>Good books; church; friends and family, and lists.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">32. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.</span><br /></strong>Watching the news doesn't really prepare you for much.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff99ff;">33. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.<br /></span></strong>I ain't gonna wear<br />The clothes that you like<br />I'm fine and dandy<br />With the me inside<br />One look in the mirror<br />And I'm tickled pink<br />I don't give a hoot<br />About what you think -Pork and Beans by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">WEEZER</span>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-60302397714522258022008-12-21T23:33:00.004-07:002008-12-22T00:25:59.439-07:00New Scarves for the Special Olympics<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JJ</span> and my Mom donated a scarf each. I just wanted to showcase their workmanship here before I send them off to Headquarters. Amazing aren't they!! The picture does not do them justice. Mom's has a lot of texture in her pattern and JD approves of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">JJ's</span> color variation and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tassels</span>. <div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282503193567897586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdALOJkD6d3la0ATeSyRPvf9f5n0oj04O1AwI-tI82IQcHPHvaEuVOJ9rPNRjI4pnEI0xV8GHuLttZj5SSNM3XPPE1VLZ7431r4wVV1f420TmdlerLK1C3FM_DUu1V1pr9NSR1EQV9ggXa/s400/010.JPG" border="0" /> <div>I don't want to darken their gifts with sadness, but there has been a turn of events in next years World Special Olympics. I don't know all of the details but it sounds like economic events in the country have put a huge damper on the games. But Bogus Basin and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Brundage</span> Ski Resort stepped up and are graciously hosting the alpine skiing events anyway. A local Boise bank is providing medals. Too bad for all of those hockey, ice skating, and etc. participants. I saw a volunteer coat on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ebay</span> last month, sign of the times.</div><div></div><br /><div>Thank you for your help Mom and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">JJ</span>. Some skier will be cozy, warm and so excited!</div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-81214682303927060392008-12-12T19:43:00.007-07:002008-12-12T20:13:20.901-07:00Christmas Miracle<div><div>Now, I know you are thinking the miracle is that I have posted to my blog, but I am happy to announce that it is <em>SO much more</em> than that. Drum roll please...the kids have learned how to take off the empty roll <strong>AND</strong> replace it with a new one!!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279100835869255106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO2J1_N_KjVXs8so1gFPiOHn0Ir7im4oyvCKp3UZ9dWy63oC0OnL2YVlMMvAPMQcE7ud3J46n09Jxmp2AzDuuk7I2xjZbsY5l0PiQzwy8yjOcVMy4GcI4oaxQf45PenWi1cKaMtlCW7M5/s400/christmas+miracle+022.JPG" border="0" />Evidence #1: Notice that the new roll is backwards (flap going backwards). Such a small thing when it comes down to it. The replacement alone is advanced housekeeping, we can overlook the misdirection. I know what you are thinking - how do I know it isn't JP going around the house replacing empty rolls....<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279100993543819506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBCSmSYqwbXI8uwmEb6COvtObwsHUPg7JBztGUFpBxk16Vc912EKwv0soDAYmTD7phyWTkNed0nMzDK-jtBl_PBqW-OTursuBv0SKZjeZCmvdxT22yK6Izxxz9UiMJXjtoE2J_G78UblZ/s400/christmas+miracle+023.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Here is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JP's</span> powder room. Notice the empty roll just below the new one? Ya, ya, ya, it's my empty roll too, but still evidence #2.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279101232947725122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2g5Bs2Y6tuRo7MDNE45guWEw0Mp5UhbJ8FN2Z10kwf-DDiKVeX4Tddkv_cZKc2NKd8J3DML3E6QluLGVGB596TVW6rahYtAll5tyHgblvAffw3S7PjVHReKuLOJ1baF0zWkaYNqFKtmcV/s400/christmas+miracle+024.JPG" border="0" />Evidence #3 is the standard way a new roll should look if I had anything to do with it. Notice the flap coming forward? The triangle fold comes from three months at Three Bear Lodge. Good times...</div><div> </div><div>Any way, I hope that you find your Christmas miracle just as I did. It doesn't matter how small or inconspicuous. Find it and be joyful. Make your Christmas AMAZING! Merry Christmas!!!</div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-55306269859261382742008-11-26T21:16:00.004-07:002008-11-26T21:29:20.607-07:00Snow! Sort of...So last week we had our first sort of snow. It started out as a sleety rain and gradually turned into ginormous soggy cotton balls and started to stick. The girls were so excited they headed out in flip-flops and Ts. They back tracked quickly and redressed more appropriately, their own idea - it is amazing what an inch of slush will make you do. BK admired their bravery from the doorway.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273188728056387330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJnVO123Vvuv7_04hy5yEZrS3nkoj4htTrMUp9JjhfoGTqrWG0XtVYtbvehSHXfj8d79gyQwhjkSuoQ6HfS-DfyjAk_2o7PV3mReo4tX44VbL0poUUBygbjzkr0ovOeJeH7ND8_7pGTTS/s400/first+snow+003.JPG" border="0" /><br />They made it about 15 minutes and then trudged in with heavy shoes and soggy socks. We are so ready for winter! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-91961928334482835442008-11-22T13:33:00.005-07:002008-11-22T13:42:34.271-07:00Red Ribbon Week<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTvdjhq9Ew8IOI52AqVHDaDY2xZwNFBwM6FF76LVRCYTb_AMZNf84shqoVwgKUgVwEimU1fIKMHJpTNUnGe8yhZBEJhtxcLvczAfSpvKAVMZVbkW033TbkHOyyE7La8CAG9FwwYq3ugDC/s1600-h/ff+261.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271583889348377330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTvdjhq9Ew8IOI52AqVHDaDY2xZwNFBwM6FF76LVRCYTb_AMZNf84shqoVwgKUgVwEimU1fIKMHJpTNUnGe8yhZBEJhtxcLvczAfSpvKAVMZVbkW033TbkHOyyE7La8CAG9FwwYq3ugDC/s400/ff+261.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sock it to Drugs (Crazy sock day)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF8b9DUtsx4P3bxG0y_MmIPbF-rTDYTFkyOEu2kMvuDeYzWjNcObtVr9xcAUG7W7doglH89QNjnb4sflHTFndC2Jyw2YpXD76OfzjspJAyLqpG3xnYuF_TFU8_0He1U-CgbjBMDgs2kbA/s1600-h/ff+266.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271583686691801042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF8b9DUtsx4P3bxG0y_MmIPbF-rTDYTFkyOEu2kMvuDeYzWjNcObtVr9xcAUG7W7doglH89QNjnb4sflHTFndC2Jyw2YpXD76OfzjspJAyLqpG3xnYuF_TFU8_0He1U-CgbjBMDgs2kbA/s400/ff+266.JPG" border="0" /></a> Red-y to always be drug free (wear red)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7nC3-ku9oZ_iXIg1Y8SKrKlSSUMl9gj4QS0VTsZEGVobVwYPaF7mMr1g3txGSC_4bfm616EA8srjlJouLUEdz3BwuXrMTguMQz86vOjE1DAXI0xpTFH6y-M5Ug5Wry1bk_y5xiycNtQp/s1600-h/ff+274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271583469377872466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7nC3-ku9oZ_iXIg1Y8SKrKlSSUMl9gj4QS0VTsZEGVobVwYPaF7mMr1g3txGSC_4bfm616EA8srjlJouLUEdz3BwuXrMTguMQz86vOjE1DAXI0xpTFH6y-M5Ug5Wry1bk_y5xiycNtQp/s400/ff+274.JPG" border="0" /></a> Make Drugs Walk the Plank (pirate dress - prelude to that nights Fall Festival Theme)<br /></div><div>We also had Hats off to being drug free (hat day). It has just been a fun reminder and good dialogue starter for keeping our kids drug free.</div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-2615868116308510232008-11-22T12:27:00.008-07:002008-11-22T13:31:53.867-07:00Pirates Don't Cry or Do They...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp-0Z5LaUAb-mLoICUe5sUPvhf32YObagtiMiYgAgGs8UYYV3VzLCGXZa12kyjc_FjEHbS4Fitsk-nU-UGH3ta-oX1JlsxBYVcZhSvx2-Ir4nKKUp5cKwxR4xqBxLWJh-9FJDnKiF8UiU/s1600-h/ff+245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271581239027673970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBp-0Z5LaUAb-mLoICUe5sUPvhf32YObagtiMiYgAgGs8UYYV3VzLCGXZa12kyjc_FjEHbS4Fitsk-nU-UGH3ta-oX1JlsxBYVcZhSvx2-Ir4nKKUp5cKwxR4xqBxLWJh-9FJDnKiF8UiU/s400/ff+245.JPG" border="0" /></a>Change is always a big deal in our house. I have tried springing it on them and I have tried the gentle persuasion and reminder of upcoming events but it always comes down to the same thing. Tears.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271575553739433362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeiALsBZO8m6FqToYe9P9vdB9ZsoEcqCr7ep-0itzEEaZ9s8P6yxBpeU6eT4so1yeNt3t31m7CGQlgsjNdsUuZ-tQvD7yEoOlUuKQX0RYoliTe7tL2cIQ1fXBGxgdosLBJ7HkhozAgYR_/s400/ff+256.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div><div>We started early this year with our Halloween costume finding. The girls wanted to be witches (not the scary/ugly ones but the pretty ones like princesses), we had a spider for JD and BK didn't care. So we found suitable witch costumes, and happened across a pirate costume. IT WAS AWESOME!! It was such a great find because BK to Daddy could fit into it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BLEE</span> had pirate day at school for Red Ribbon week and was able to use it then and then BK could use it at several Halloween occasions. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271575277580448562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYDQoAsEbnUfyJcqdGYzTJ-5jv-h3onF6Wjq0AhPNnxArJmrBjkMfdULmmWbyi2WX7z1g6LcZ_FiywCVGp_tEdICeBvK1kQgspO2x6D0suh8-ZscqmoVJr0i3l0VzYBRA_m73O0ZCy0KQ/s400/ff+276.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>When we finally got it on all he wanted to be was a Pooh Bear (a suggestion from his older sister). So we tried Pooh Bear. Thank you C & W! Though the tears streamed in that one also. It did help when the candy started flowing though. Someday he will look back and ask why it looks like he was crying in all of his Halloween <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">picts</span>. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271576094762593410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRra1R-PGq2De3iKAsfNXZOp_MgD87nbULTsm3txKHkvaS7g2VIkMXiXv9yu-uW88aVgBELySBzRigx4SlafUe-R1YkmItNNvHKtTXxEZiP80Q8jU3JqFDBcC36BaoWfPH_K8C5adquQ0/s400/ff+258.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-35214743482798938142008-11-12T16:25:00.011-07:002008-11-12T21:21:03.923-07:00OptimisticI would like to think of myself as an optimist. This is why I get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blee</span> ready for school with my mask pushed up on top of my head and one eye closed. It could happen. I could get her ready for school and quietly slip back in bed for a few more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">zzz</span>, couldn't I?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267989995243029618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt3Pl2Ufu7QC0_pFx-dskkJAgCdNKm1rLx6y_UEti5564aWvy8zqdgsIGa3cTUlG64ecSk7wz_QJV_7YQtWoaeNQuPiphHX8KyerUxQhRNnuZN3z487TGiI6GjOl6TFX4AWeMp3gLlTd0/s400/sleepy02.gif" border="0" /> The issue has become sleep deprivation. This week JP and I took the opportunity to push JD out of our nest. He is 7 1/2 months old. He hasn't been excited about the move and it takes him awhile to calm down.<br /><br />It was especially tough for him last night. JP just went back to work after being home for a week. So we started out late-late even for me. Then at 5 am <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">EEP</span> and BK came creeping, panicked into my room. A robot with "grabber" hands was coming after them. Their night light was out and I had just put the last bulb into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">JD's</span> light.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267986614508010690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik51YmSBUxqh2Dro1mY0AB41yO9rtTPaxB1y4hwSJqul2ynM1z2s79QePSKnbjaCFubUvIhjWN0bypoVyom6XBwLWshiT8oXolRxFANzm9IQPmzz6Pra3C0LqaZyearXiOYg-E_1jecz1g/s400/empty-nest-big.jpg" border="0" />So my empty nest quickly filled with whispers, grinding teeth (Princess <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">EEP</span>), quiet giggling, and finally soft snores. This was followed by a 6 am feeding and a jarring alarm soon after. So I am optimistic. There will be a nap in today's itinerary.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267983597054989186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d4Z1r8DdTYY/SRujK6kME4I/AAAAAAAAASA/JmCNpnd48vg/s400/sleeping+sun.jpg" border="0" />Tonight should be better. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">JD's</span> bottom teeth finally came in!!!neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-84593752474889214432008-11-05T18:40:00.003-07:002008-11-05T18:56:40.480-07:00Who's Who?So can you figure out which one is Bk and which is JD? The teeth will always be the give away for me. JD is 6 months in his picture and BK is 8 months in his. Highlight the area underneath each picture to find out which is which.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8B0IHGz6QeVtpRVS2UKae_R_2Q9KTJ7ontisQKlx_tyGiLAHbX3q5moAnJ8zeAyDDqz7px2l3Ornwdcy170vJ5wJl4L8eyxgk3x15-a9lZ7I5Z4EEVsIunPve0JA4N1MbkKh6E9IvQPd/s1600-h/mistakes+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265356139810436930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8B0IHGz6QeVtpRVS2UKae_R_2Q9KTJ7ontisQKlx_tyGiLAHbX3q5moAnJ8zeAyDDqz7px2l3Ornwdcy170vJ5wJl4L8eyxgk3x15-a9lZ7I5Z4EEVsIunPve0JA4N1MbkKh6E9IvQPd/s400/mistakes+011.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000000;"> JD<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfjwpBDA8DHij94upBmQmREUcOGF3piq3Pox6aJ1TH7JZo1jmAW_78B9vtfevKgwWw-i3odhyphenhyphenZ5ooaJK0OY-O4wYM4UQp1rHgkMse4NKR9FtMKIWx9rJhsNp8KV_YgnXabG0RXm7LSaek/s1600-h/Family+(182).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265353941205019586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfjwpBDA8DHij94upBmQmREUcOGF3piq3Pox6aJ1TH7JZo1jmAW_78B9vtfevKgwWw-i3odhyphenhyphenZ5ooaJK0OY-O4wYM4UQp1rHgkMse4NKR9FtMKIWx9rJhsNp8KV_YgnXabG0RXm7LSaek/s400/Family+(182).JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000000;"> BK</span><br /><br /><div></div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-38328357609426227402008-11-02T19:01:00.003-07:002008-11-02T21:09:26.397-07:00Fall Festival<div>I just wanted to put down the finer points of the PTA Fall Festival before the sieve is empty. The Fall Festival is a free carnival-like party at our school given in thanks for all the support of our PTA fundraiser. This year we ran with a pirate theme so the kids could dress up. It was October 30th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. If you have pics email them to me and I will add them to my blog.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264264450566015810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FMJaXumB5k_fOW5MJbcFcvuvqHN6_Sar5PbPGflTMqxYGWTacR9AyZmU31ULpYubknRHPyQifZvN9ZNiyCPVURhWUwgo3jtmNj1cFV8l_g0HcLOGtmeklQfp1dO9S6EPhtQN0YxNbQtY/s400/ff+275.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;">Some of our PTA mommies that have <em><span style="color:#cc6600;">absolutely nothing better</span><span style="color:#cc6600;"> to do</span></em> on an afternoon than plan a shindig for hundreds of people.<br /></span><div><br />We ran five game booths, 1 craft booth, and the ever popular DJ NIX (who will be having a baby and won't be able to be at our Spring Carnival). We also served free chili for the whole family, a bake sale, and sold school T-shirts. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our games were: </div><br /><div><em>Bowling for Skulls</em> - 6 2-liter soda bottles covered with skulls and a b-ball, <em>Eyeballs Everywhere</em> - red plastic cups duct taped to the bottom of a small kiddie pool and ping pong balls colored like eyeballs, </div><br /><div><em>Walk the Plank</em> - a balance beam that the kids had to walk down and back (I was skeptical but BLEE loved this one the most and said that it was very challenging), </div><br /><div><em>Trolling for Treasure</em> - fish pond, </div><br /><div><em>Creepy Crawly</em> (?) - cooked spaghetti noodles with plastic spider rings. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our craft booth was a coloring contest. It worked out really great and kept kids busy. We gave out Starbursts for the top three pictures in 4 and under, 5-7, and 8 and up groupings. We had planned tootsie pop spiders, but couldn't find the pipe cleaners. I choose to do the coloring next year too.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We spent $25 on the orange punch from McDonald's - 24 gallons ($8 dollars off regular price). They check out their 10 gallon igloo and seriously JP was busy, let's never do a 5 gal. We did do a 5 gallon igloo for water (full time job). We opened 36 1-gallon cans of Chili served with tortilla chips (two or three boxes ?) and sprinkled with cheese (20lbs) - $350 (including some cups, bowls, plates (bake sale) and tootsie rolls for booth prizes).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We paid the lunch ladies to serve the chili and DJ NIX to do her thing ($$$ WELL SPENT on both parts). I don't believe we have to pay the janitors but after learning how to run the automatic mop we didn't need them for anything else.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>For our next function we will need to buy more prizes for booths we usually get those bulk from Oriental Trading or the like. Plastic bracelets and tattoos and candy always go well. I'd like to steer clear of choking hazards...they just end up in the trash as soon as we get home.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The bake sale was sensational. Lots of donations. Cookies, cupcakes, and goodie bags seem to sell the best. Larger items that are more pricey sit until the very end. The bake sale was with the t-shirt sales. They were the only things that cost money. We brought in a huge amount of money. Next year I would like to keep record for how many shirts we sell so we can see what the profit is (we make no money on t-shirts). It would be fun to see what our kiddos bring in on a well stocked sale.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This was our third festival that the board has done this together and I think that it went really well. We really couldn't have done it without the men in our lives though - THANK YOU! High fives all around.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am glad that it is done and went well. For me the best part was running the automatic mop. I so need one in my house. I wonder if they make the like of it for toilets...</div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-2881586337410068172008-10-26T12:49:00.004-06:002008-10-26T17:37:28.975-06:00Watcher in the WoodsAs a child I steered into scary stories (not movies they were to vivid afterwards). I enjoyed making them up, the scarier the better. I even won young authors in 5th grade for one of my ghost stories. I liked the thrill, the adrenaline rush. But I am over that now. I am an adult that likes the safety of safety. Halloween is cool, but like my daughters I choose princess witch over hag any day.<br /><br />So you know that creepy feeling that you get when you are being watched? The hair on the back of your neck stands on end, you get goose bumps, you scan the room for all exits and grab the nearest thing that could do some damage. My weapon of choice is usually the pen from my journal and my 20 Questions hand held game, a pair of scissors is also nice if available. I figure if it came down to it I could huck the game and gouge out the predator's eyes...never mind that for athletic as I grew up, hitting the broadside of a barn was never in my repertoire.<br /><br />Any way, this is a feeling I have been getting a lot lately. It is especially nerve killing when JP is not around. I am a night owl in every sense of the word - though I don't do mice (I miss you Gilwell!). I enjoy that peaceful time when the kids are dreaming, the house is finally clean and I get to think about grown up things like NOTHING. So it is quite discombobulating when I get that creepy feeling...<br /><br />So I grab the pen and the game, ears alive and stealthily roll over...only to be met by this:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmAcCzbsLnTzsvsjyHhU0am7fuXyBy_nUyCOwj3557ZHm4gYMd5F7Koz1F73vMHVpZKY0uDyhb0-1EPbiWFsO1Cnbo_9yDOw93GGlfMS0DQ13x4BS2xbSUqMDmM8Ml8ij1VV_deEC7Dgr/s1600-h/blake+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261537190303359666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmAcCzbsLnTzsvsjyHhU0am7fuXyBy_nUyCOwj3557ZHm4gYMd5F7Koz1F73vMHVpZKY0uDyhb0-1EPbiWFsO1Cnbo_9yDOw93GGlfMS0DQ13x4BS2xbSUqMDmM8Ml8ij1VV_deEC7Dgr/s400/blake+008.JPG" border="0" /></a>Once I have eye contact with my assailant instead of gagging and torturing me, he giggles, he coos, and he blows raspberry kisses. Frightening, I know. It is 3 in the morning! It is becoming a habit of JD's. I am getting better at not letting my gargantuan imagination ahead of me, but still I may already be out of like, ten years of life for it.<br /><br />I guess it could always be worse he could be awake <em>and</em> crying or it could actually be the scary one legged man from <em>Thump, Drag</em>.<br /><div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-30751042792623671122008-10-22T13:05:00.005-06:002008-10-22T13:08:05.470-06:00Dibs<span class="blsp-spelling-error2"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;color:#ffffff;" >EEP</span></span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" > just came up to me and called dibs on her photo albums. Now I don't have a problem if she takes her things with her when she goes but seriously, why does it have to be attached to my impending death?! Should I tell her about the estate sale and foundation for blind snails now or just let her find out at the reading of the will?</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d4Z1r8DdTYY/SP95lDrf2fI/AAAAAAAAARQ/O6nf_mD7n5M/s1600-h/rip.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260056567341898226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d4Z1r8DdTYY/SP95lDrf2fI/AAAAAAAAARQ/O6nf_mD7n5M/s400/rip.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-18733030688932407692008-10-22T11:51:00.003-06:002008-10-22T12:26:37.163-06:00Like MikeIt has been warm recently and we have been taking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">advantage</span> of the weather to get our yard ready for winter. The kids have loved all the outdoor time. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EEP</span> seems to be less and less effected by the sun this summer. Hopefully her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">photosensitivity</span> will soon be a thing of the past.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuDtmGsqVRikZPnlBS3IUbdy4UpnNTsQSA1LWvOqrEt5QSb9yEbveFyC9R4ziBnOB99DZy4U_JVnuQMxt2KZFKLsF8ZN4ynq4jlPILjwsimcs5NaUpbFTvledV0yruaPmwDhL9YaBQNfC/s1600-h/food+blog+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260037763067837906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuDtmGsqVRikZPnlBS3IUbdy4UpnNTsQSA1LWvOqrEt5QSb9yEbveFyC9R4ziBnOB99DZy4U_JVnuQMxt2KZFKLsF8ZN4ynq4jlPILjwsimcs5NaUpbFTvledV0yruaPmwDhL9YaBQNfC/s400/food+blog+005.JPG" border="0" /></a>No, JD is not just blinking. He actually fell asleep with his tongue out. Apparently it takes some effort to get to sleep in the Packer household. He certainly isn't doing any slam dunks, but twenty minutes of shut eye is just about as exciting. JD has had such a tough time teething that he really doesn't sleep longer than 30 minutes. It is almost creepy how you can set your watch to it. Between him and BK the stock in sleep has skyrocketed.neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-11593826291756342012008-10-21T14:00:00.010-06:002008-10-21T14:39:33.041-06:00Projects<div align="left">So because this month has been so harried I am faking my Treasure Hunt Tuesdays - sorry Jenee, I will do better. I am still the photographer and these are even new this past week they just have no artistic value what so ever. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259704485705954802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8GQiY5wXAnUDbd9MA5TDBgQYuCjNLWaMLD-QHyEgsrvDHysQATtZNRZ8T_VueSMqXr9DsubbszHbrLG00fDBUiLhPPRLevgYl4tYxSKJ94PJ9Zs5pwsuD3amzWxg6b8Xt2cpj2AqS0pa/s400/ella+049.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;"> The fence before the project began<br /></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259703349157514770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2FAQv8jKq3sxYoum7P21OQ5aeuQvcbwsxZpmyB8gRV0rYA_SqXoVAYJ6yq34X1RQ5oVzdWV-bqermtuQA7jppoMJSgIbcy5To5Wq1Uhst6A1sMP0kV-e5GyOGfzx92hoxEtr0kkJ3vS_/s400/dinner+rolls+005.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;">Our fearless leader power-washing the old stain off.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div align="left">We had to redo the fence stain. JP and I both thought that we could stretch it out for another year but our CC&Rs said that it was time.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259702685901234690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSMP2eH-tWQdLUMJ1MCFq-Wtlc3yQKfLaqq0qI8UwELHDWRGe0UvSOswjznJlt94wbB0Ckwf9doTS6MClbkB5UKCvAlSLNQlV_PQhJ-67Gpg2CnhCg-UJ-WeK289mRlMuJJs8u_zAR8CA/s400/snickerdoodles+005.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:78%;">Silver to cedar with just a little water.<br /></span><div><div><div><div></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259701766709118242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn8MBgUbUovPBhCsAKQ79EC1ay1lLvtX503fiW3H7khvpfSG406RHGJdFECTEcraC3vvhrW0NrBK_WAhkNGer33RN24qPHfKp8Dchge8RAObhvjdGBIjCSuBLPKbtJLyHiSxwBBk5onOV/s400/ella+050.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;"> Freshly washed fence.</span></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><div><br /></div></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259702135707559378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfNDYAWGfHipZFwnRo8p-AzJwKBr2RN-FgYmWq7Igq-sHUFvOfImjcH7ivcOonMwvw5gYo1vW7zwbwvQ_2qONKE4gOvjZwMIbjNqoJDnSJAXIINISbyYhFLNsPsqba7YyNsz5YLUXvQ_H/s400/ella+048.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;"> The help - they excepted payment in bubblegum...which we later cut out of their hair.<br /></span></div><div><div>JP spent three days taking the old stuff off and it took us about two hours to put it back on. I didn't want it to need it but the results were amazing. Perspective can always change from beginning to the end. Thank you JP!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259701932107488338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxcylgUroHfTx8YmB2OoZkenKZu5Ls948BT61DdfxptQmjtr-3u90et441F4jf9TR5anySfxlSFDw9qAfSzSV0SCBWKUZtqO9lk8HkMovF8FW0a-I6KX4vBF8dGg90aNA5uQw1cJd1zqn/s400/ella+051.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-52677993591268968112008-10-19T20:35:00.006-06:002008-10-19T21:15:22.754-06:00The Little Things<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSql71AUfyOZ7pzEBW_vLJskyCrGz5akgefqwoJTiLr5QqbquUQ2zs6I-tB-mmL-JVBRnBzj6ym7TPJMEcFDLuvTNFBI8zBxOzV81QsLBumXYjEW6iBrBny6TyL4qz_8UCuR8dPWBAQ6xA/s1600-h/love_girl6.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259067991966150482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSql71AUfyOZ7pzEBW_vLJskyCrGz5akgefqwoJTiLr5QqbquUQ2zs6I-tB-mmL-JVBRnBzj6ym7TPJMEcFDLuvTNFBI8zBxOzV81QsLBumXYjEW6iBrBny6TyL4qz_8UCuR8dPWBAQ6xA/s400/love_girl6.gif" border="0" /></a> So this month has been a little overwhelming. I have had meeting upon meeting (don't forget the one in Spanish) and LOTS of training meetings that I am over through both Scouting and Primary. PTA has had their cookie dough fundraiser ($10,000 less this year than last) and now we are off to thank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">everyone's</span> support with a free Fall Festival. I just have to make it to the holidays... For those of you that think that we over-active mommies are superwomen my house and meals have reflected those abilities. Let's just say without JP none of this would be possible. <div><div></div><br /><div>So realizing that I am <em>not</em> superwoman (though I am divine by birth-<em>learned that at one of my meetings</em>) I have come to a crashing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">halt</span>. This morning I rolled out of bed (please don't ask what time) and made it just in time to breath and slap on my happy face before the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program started. As a Stake Primary Representative I get to go to them -7 total - the other women in the presidency took pity and I was assigned just my own ward. Knowing that none of them would be dragging all of their children to than much church I grabbed and ran with that suggestion. </div><br /><div></div><div>I always love these programs and recognize the intense efforts that go into planning and executing them. It can be very intense, especially when your stake does TWO a year and have any amount of Sunbeams (the three and four year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">olds</span>). So bravo to all those leaders involved.</div><br /><div></div><div>Any way, after a beyond crazy month I got to see my 7 and 5 year old twirl and dance their way through another awe-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">inspiring</span> program (no - twirling and dancing is not actually part of the program, it's just what you get when the Packers are on stage). The real tear-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">jerker</span> was when my 3 year old stood up by our pew and started singing all the songs with the primary! I think that <em>Book of Mormon Stories</em> was his favorite. We were sitting next to the music leader and he was doing all of her actions fervently. He has now found the woman with the real power. After <em>I Love to See the Temple</em> (of which he sang <em>every word</em> with robust) he turned to me and said, "Mom! Mom! They know your favorite song!" He is so ready for primary next year.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259067769956897762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis35e2FDGtUei2LnemIQIBhmcm7kF1Zir-AqAlDSNwFtmJ8jvrFIZls7e0etDOwZ8u8rxWhCHDV5Z2qkLOmIVwu3gqJSkfLZWENgbfSXX7s-dIOLWLy6GHKbA9WFJI4f3SbBsSJPiLvNjv/s400/title.gif" border="0" /> <div></div><div>They are why I do all this craziness and in the end they are what keep me sane.</div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-33066315453417956842008-10-14T02:14:00.009-06:002008-10-14T02:41:54.396-06:00Super Powers<div><div><div><div><div>Seriously. I really am having a hard time say more than that, though if you know me I don't give up that easily. I am just completely in awe. </div><div></div><br /><div>I keep hiding every pair of scissors that we own and <em>more</em> keep popping up. My number three baby has this super power to find them. He is like a magnet. This month he has cut every piece of paper that he has come in contact with and then some. Some have been important but most have not. He gave himself a pretty amazing haircut after which I was positive he would have been scared silly to touch the things again. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256925474924498274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLhg5zAjx42Molr-F_LN0oOgGy5I6YJAzD9SwHwj05ZjK5So5xw8W8xudoBdh02ZwLTssf5OZy0kIWB07gkTUL1-rr0-P2mDZkFPfbHWxfvCCd0l94DdoAQoGoUuvrj2dH6K3cjDcdzr1/s400/001.JPG" border="0" />But I confess to being overconfident in my persuasion skills. He has found them again. This time it was his shirt. It was a sweatshirt and red to boot (he pretty much will only wear red and it is quite chilly now so the need to have warm red shirts is mounting).<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256925049689840786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrLwneEBPxGjq4GE6pQbgfs01qxtuXIdixpjWYXu76ICk65eXHx6dpvd2_alORvfqWpMxHePfZtUlvIh6N8TfFjqFmLDSa39AuCDxy6n6WA4a24_64jacr7nuZVWiF445pwvrwolC7jen/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /> <div>Now for those of you that are wondering where the mother and father are in this picture that I have painted of a three year old shredding his shirt they were front and center and even talked with him about his picture he was drawing (monsters and a pirate map, very ferocious). I just wonder what it was like raising Clark Kent...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256925171895556098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRRAvLIXNS_tj4PdfYkI4ILIhETgwoIgyQ81vGuF7ffOUkWoi5xxccdheviSBy54-ThAR4wjrY3GVcOSZ6nOBLtmKEx1vc_DeDoRFJyZgEHa9O20obdEADHlUNF0eWnjcITukvOh0pTfu/s400/007.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-28410762832652458932008-10-06T21:02:00.008-06:002008-10-07T01:36:03.721-06:00Treasure Hunt Tuesdays<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs48KfPV9BOGN7Gnm4FoZ3nVTZES46LKI397x1308ullRT-WXLWgUQkZGLL0a6wAt6BqKVLJKj-x2_e0EWOoyM6Omoqidm6AAZaLggMkL78LWBZQhEnjZsCkwquLal3W7_eiylvTZDp7Ia/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254292262072542290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs48KfPV9BOGN7Gnm4FoZ3nVTZES46LKI397x1308ullRT-WXLWgUQkZGLL0a6wAt6BqKVLJKj-x2_e0EWOoyM6Omoqidm6AAZaLggMkL78LWBZQhEnjZsCkwquLal3W7_eiylvTZDp7Ia/s400/001.JPG" border="0" /></a> The theme for this week was "Fall". Here in Idaho we usually don't get much of an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">autumn</span>. Things go from green to gross quickly. The last few years it has been amazing to actually see a color change. It must be all of that global warming. <div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254292008686219362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6Ngm5MXM15Auf90g-SZ30-MyBmKf-iY4azKz0heogH7eONCid6VXQM9UB5ww_Izpl4WA74YeZOkcl8DVBQSwnpNkjt1xZHFelHrfBC4pfValEVL25WJoxsi1Oa0xmhk97jJUiORTX5k9/s400/006.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div>So I went with nostalgia vs. the norm even though we do have some spectacular colors this year. My best memories of fall have always been the crisp air coming into a hot humid house full of the aroma of baking. My Mom is an amazing artist in the kitchen. I remember quite literally hundreds of donuts dripping from dowels at harvest time, the lid popping on jar after jar of peaches late into the night, and scores of pies - mostly apple with a dusting of those special pecans pies just for Grandpa. It was a breathtaking sight that put the senses into dizzying spirals of joy. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254292400162153778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64vb6bul80Eob5cJv-ZXKkJWIhQtALPGwntLvoe1_Uolb7NLU2zHcRdtyn5_xi-dvyvogfacy39o1xfGubmX8IeMGZqrMkcuNO19aCYCskruPm0rYtMvQ8BJ0aHKZwYZHsRbI8sDrtoSq/s400/007.JPG" border="0" />This week we made four peach pies, not the apple of my childhood, but then peaches were held with reverence and a jar was not opened until the first snow flake flew. Words can't do the aroma justice and it can't be captured in picture so close your eyes and see where your senses take you. No special ingredient needed.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254292527659646178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalnpgP6f6MWofkM0skZQcTFwDetaDKroL2hMqkk_JlYYwWVdynLuos6f4RMF3uSU7VoiS3CtxJY_-tcTpFjhOC_so7klfKCp7UYVuNviluMOAznHisnyOyZH6em2_reGz5WXv5vj0pqsm/s400/008.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-91442941202602785912008-10-05T12:09:00.007-06:002008-10-05T13:19:52.686-06:00WARNING!<div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Do not proceed if you have a weak stomach or are easily grossed out. I have pictures that may be offensive.</strong></span><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>I have a bit of a foot fetish. I love pedicures. There is something amazing that happens in a tub of hot soapy water. I love it. I walk around in slippers or barefooted most of my days and shoes that are open in the back (sandals, flip flops, clogs) the few times that I have to leave the house so you<em> should</em> only have to imagine what my feet look like - but I will show you.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253740324169059330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogm0qTMhU4uddhxbNbZJJo8ux9n5JUVkRz26Tq7l5ubK3G41_9Y4EccjLPtjSTQJeY2GxpP9LyyJg1O0RkSpTGx9ZrX16PeRJc82E0Lx7AGhBb8DPPKhjUmjovROd884I1hMAelIuyd-b/s400/snickerdoodles+008.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;">The green comes from mowing the lawn in my flip flops. It actually gets into the cracks and won't come clean. I know OSHA would not approve, but the neighbors don't care as long as the lawn looks manicured. The deepest crack is actually quite painful, it is deep enough to actually hit nerve. I can't feel anything through the callous. I know, my diabetic husband has better looking feet.<br /></span><br /><br /><div>JP is a good sport and very supportive when it comes to taking care of my feet (mostly because he is terrified that I may kill him one day by rubbing him to death with my rough feet). So he recently purchased a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PedEgg</span></span> for me. I had wanted one, but I am really no good at going beyond the coveting stage, I'm just no good at shopping. The first time I used it I went into the procedure (removing that much of yourself is a procedure) a little skeptical. But I must admit I was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">WOWed</span></span>! I had pink skin and everything. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">PedEgg</span></span> is easy to hold and the best part about it is that it collected the 5 pounds of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">callous</span> that shaved off and I was able to toss that rather than hope I vacuumed it all up before JD rolled into it. The most amazing thing was that I actually had sensation back in my heals. It was crazy amazing.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253741001685770082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAiMSlWOtyrY_4oP0Jf-AhSMwryhGCJ4i2ei7bd00Eh3eiZjgoOn8Ioc8k5FlTzk2lrYXctZkuF1tYs49TG_bdLTN5NO2Xvsm3ngIqeP6IKYM09xnkbvs-yf6mByFmojMjukTJzjHgZEk/s400/snickerdoodles+009.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:78%;">Only about an hour has lapsed between foot photographs.</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">You can still see where the two deepest cracks were, but I but everything else is gone.</span><br /><br />So for those of you that have been on the thresh hold and been holding out for proof consider it delivered with ribbons and bows. Buy it, love it, live foot happy.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253751471433891330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEQOBC1kJSRW3YdBJDLfFpcZfC_4UYjen5UAjVwedBmILhXUdqGxpWHT5Q92pP4jdtVgN_sFigGma61benH7S6q8cXpgXoVM3RqW8OCnA3fRRlMDwHkq5E-i9DUikOupvHDC1AVGkkg9m/s400/pedegg.jpg" border="0" /></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-6683707147586470352008-10-02T00:28:00.002-06:002008-10-02T00:53:58.735-06:00¿Dónde esta el baño?Okay, so most of you all know that I speak fluent "Dora" Spanish. I have also retained quite a bit of high school Spanish, but drop me off in a Latin country and I would only be able to find the bathroom and stinky green cheese. Keep this in mind.<br /><br />Any way, I am the 2nd Councilor of the Stake Primary Presidency and I am required to attend a few meetings, some of which are meetings <em>about meetings</em>. One of said meetings was last week. It had been a long day and I dreaded leaving the clutches of my 6 mo. old. It would also require that I apply make-up and a dress, both of which require the use of heavy machinery.<br /><br />So I put in a real effort, kiss my ninos adios, and head to the meeting. The meeting lasts a mere 90 minutes or so and was chased with refreshments. Not bad...except that the whole meeting was in SPANISH!<br /><br />Now for those of you that roam the earth and check into church in whatever language, knowing that the spirit will be the same, you at least have the heads up that you are going into a situation that requires a different ear. It is like watching Evita for the first time thinking that you are going to see an action movie about the revolutionary Argentina only to find out it is a craptastic OPERA! You keep watching to find out when the cast is going to drop the bravado and just speak, but they never do. It is a little traumatic.<br /><br />So I sat through this meeting, it is late (it started at 8:30pm) and all I can understand so far is a word that I would swear was ice cream (helado). We had been prepped that we each might need to say a thing or two as well and I was wondering the whole time if they would get the spirit of what I was saying (some say that I convey more with my hands and eyebrows than all the words in the world). Luckily the meeting ran long and we did not all have to do our part. But in the future I will be a lot more sympathetic to those people with glazed eyes in meetings. Maybe we just aren't speaking their language and hopefully they will get the spirit of the message.neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-5542996183802264382008-09-29T02:12:00.011-06:002008-09-29T02:37:04.468-06:00Scarves #3, #4, #5<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2fSdL1fdZeLIJlT9PVMEI6wEW2e8Kw4hDL8yDYTrDbfAUBuak1svSfHR_UaNu0qQB3ZeSlwSTvdmYoyDpG1ZHNPyaL96FI3lTLAf1zGue8kAjFT85djfzMh7Rx1CyFlEUANf8q_okLnw/s1600-h/final+scarves+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251356210070841074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2fSdL1fdZeLIJlT9PVMEI6wEW2e8Kw4hDL8yDYTrDbfAUBuak1svSfHR_UaNu0qQB3ZeSlwSTvdmYoyDpG1ZHNPyaL96FI3lTLAf1zGue8kAjFT85djfzMh7Rx1CyFlEUANf8q_okLnw/s400/final+scarves+009.JPG" border="0" /></a> Okay, so I have finished five scarves to date. I hear that at least two more on in the works as we speak. I can't wait to see pictures of them! This has been so much fun and pretty relaxing. It has even been fun unravelling a scarf (it was a foot over the measurements, seriously some people should just not start too early in the day).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZBQEY2s5ytbiYNuMhfKAiDmbxXN5ppVb9BiKhrVChN2ONGW07Aime520KNOdyUuJB7jb7IN1gYyRdRQPKhOdb-T4SHiQ6KgUlaisRb35j1q1hbZS-15mfwh6qlkDZUyNKROqBSyozJf9/s1600-h/final+scarves+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251356083000446130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZBQEY2s5ytbiYNuMhfKAiDmbxXN5ppVb9BiKhrVChN2ONGW07Aime520KNOdyUuJB7jb7IN1gYyRdRQPKhOdb-T4SHiQ6KgUlaisRb35j1q1hbZS-15mfwh6qlkDZUyNKROqBSyozJf9/s400/final+scarves+008.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is number one. It was an experiment just to find out how many rows I needed (20) to get to the needed width. I am not crazy about it but it has no real character flaws.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauADZ4jgntrWUhWhUDRjxSF4t4t8HgxkhgCfuPu22_D8UjXeYRtC59NT9NaxTWZpS1Qsd2PuqZbrU967Z5vBQ9NRiejvPeBlDPpsAt6YJTWhqYHU3GLZTu5Q-KKJ_mZ7ljsJNxzWCjTn6/s1600-h/final+scarves+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251355941424002626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauADZ4jgntrWUhWhUDRjxSF4t4t8HgxkhgCfuPu22_D8UjXeYRtC59NT9NaxTWZpS1Qsd2PuqZbrU967Z5vBQ9NRiejvPeBlDPpsAt6YJTWhqYHU3GLZTu5Q-KKJ_mZ7ljsJNxzWCjTn6/s400/final+scarves+007.JPG" border="0" /></a>I liked these two much better. The consensus is that the more blue the better.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqD_HgB4n2kJoI0pikBjzgP_BLIF5Vaqdz6W1lEpEKWTIV-PFAAOFapgBphcm7rQ_mY5_F2IGdoi4vSMcdbOP3w32iUCpk8ZfNVfYlEUR9fLDapw4Qu7_jP-Hy-KfULYwlx7vcZ7Yn183z/s1600-h/final+scarves+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251355744746057122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqD_HgB4n2kJoI0pikBjzgP_BLIF5Vaqdz6W1lEpEKWTIV-PFAAOFapgBphcm7rQ_mY5_F2IGdoi4vSMcdbOP3w32iUCpk8ZfNVfYlEUR9fLDapw4Qu7_jP-Hy-KfULYwlx7vcZ7Yn183z/s400/final+scarves+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinayJqEOEsXNniHXA3fbbslkKOjPgSqWzFRXA4rpcjNoyj-M_FfeNUCKqHyUV4qLtvgMaXbaQQz3xNrVgm5GRJnWr0KBrJnO4cPOACNaopfS25nnxehIljXEtmE-bJI9y_IiXVsan4aYiI/s1600-h/final+scarves+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251355612752348402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinayJqEOEsXNniHXA3fbbslkKOjPgSqWzFRXA4rpcjNoyj-M_FfeNUCKqHyUV4qLtvgMaXbaQQz3xNrVgm5GRJnWr0KBrJnO4cPOACNaopfS25nnxehIljXEtmE-bJI9y_IiXVsan4aYiI/s400/final+scarves+005.JPG" border="0" /></a>I just finished with these last two and loved both of them. The kids asked if they could take them to bed. Apparently I am making at least two more in puffy pink next...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzDIknoJSAv_bp5p3iXwMSUvMhTRrN4pQGVhYnhhAVLpns_qJq6LrpKKb6fjk2W8CRveXe_Uv3-LKqHuy4yUJjfkk18Bn_O5Iexvvkr-FYck5Gg1MC7fYeqEsV1FkJU_3wqwCg4hnG47L/s1600-h/final+scarves+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251355484948711602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzDIknoJSAv_bp5p3iXwMSUvMhTRrN4pQGVhYnhhAVLpns_qJq6LrpKKb6fjk2W8CRveXe_Uv3-LKqHuy4yUJjfkk18Bn_O5Iexvvkr-FYck5Gg1MC7fYeqEsV1FkJU_3wqwCg4hnG47L/s400/final+scarves+004.JPG" border="0" /></a>Everyone in the house has had fun with this project. It has been a real family affair.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3QR_CAJqWgac6FEg-KI-9CTV3ekWNjH1J84JNuq4UA381gIePK8Q4v-AcRDYwbmHN6O5J47FqTscl54QSdshJ3LWXluXVA7cGv9U-ec5Os2CjsN6yYyBJto5QKaXL8CiRWhR72bSxH6W/s1600-h/final+scarves+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251355316391024002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3QR_CAJqWgac6FEg-KI-9CTV3ekWNjH1J84JNuq4UA381gIePK8Q4v-AcRDYwbmHN6O5J47FqTscl54QSdshJ3LWXluXVA7cGv9U-ec5Os2CjsN6yYyBJto5QKaXL8CiRWhR72bSxH6W/s400/final+scarves+001.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div>neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710194852604107197.post-55883362800063240052008-09-26T14:29:00.002-06:002008-09-26T14:52:05.829-06:00PerspectiveSo Sunday I was subbing in the Valiant 10 class. These are nine and ten year old boys. I walked in and the class was empty and the lights were out (no windows). So I promptly went looking - no way could that many boys be gone on the same day right?<br /><br />I talked to the primary secretary again and we started peeking into classrooms and restrooms (not me a male teacher). I ran into the parents of one of the boys and they assured me that their boy was ... somewhere. I checked the room again, still no kids, no lights.<br /><br />Ten minutes into class I decide to go set up any way. I found four boys <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">strategically</span> hiding behind chairs and tables, absolutely still and quiet. I recognized their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">prowess</span> and named them king of the hill and proceeded to teach them the gospel. They are good kids and followed along and asked and answered questions.<br /><br />The lesson was on Jesus Visiting the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nephites</span>. At one point we were talking about how the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Nephites</span> were so happy that they cried. The boys so did not relate to this. They could not fathom how the two reactions could happen together. We discussed it some and then one of the boys remembered a time when something "exactly like that" happened to him - he had laughed so hard he had wet his pants. Since it was the closest to what we were talking about the perspective stuck and suddenly all the boys understood. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Nephites</span> must have been <em>really</em> happy.<br /><br />I do believe that a gentleman out in the foyer had a coughing fit at this point (I had the door wide open). I don't have all the answers and it is good when they can relate the world around them to themselves. I do believe that they will remember 3rd <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nephi</span> for awhile at least. We left it at that.neverthelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283493091864120490noreply@blogger.com2