pta convention 09

It's been a busy week for us all, I'm sure!

These last few weeks before school gets out- are jam packed with loads of goodness- plays, parties, college orientation (already?)

Plus, all the ol' regular activities- scouts, ballet... you get the idea.

Spring also brings- the Utah PTA convention at one of my favorite places in the whole world- BYU campus. Oh again... how I love that campus!

Yesterday I drove down by myself- I had to be there early & stay late for some legislative issues. The older I get the more I enjoy being alone with myself. Interesting... the younger me hated being alone & always wanted to be busy (well I guess that hasn't changed but I am doing better.)

I guess being in my 40's now- I'm finally coming to terms with myself & who I am.

(most of the time)

Brett was so great to work from home, get the kids off, be there when they got home- order pizza, the whole mom bit- he's so supportive of me always. I don't think I give him credit here on this blog enough- he is the best!

I found this fabulous parking spot right across the street from the Monte L. Bean life science museum. When Brett was in school I would take Megan & Brian there. It's full of taxidermy animals- kind of gross now that I think about it- but two toddlers loved it & it was free. The best price for our little college family. It was delightful walking down past the bell tower in the morning sun as the bells played "Come, Come Ye Saints."
And look at this-
Right down from my car...
loads & loads of blooming lilacs!!
I took this shot as I came around to the Wilkenson center. I love it. the sun is coming over the mountains, students walking & the Y in the background. Happiness. There is just a feeling here-

This year in PTA I am the region legislative representative. My goal is to educate & increase awareness of what the PTA locally & nationally does for children. Increase my own awareness & knowledge of local & national issues & use my voice to hopefully make a difference.

I love legislative issues, the legislative session, being at the capitol, etc. This position is a good fit for me & has made me excited to be involved on a different level.

At this meeting I was sitting next to my PTA friends, Charity & Natalie- (I should have gotten a photo) Charity was worried about here parking spot & left to move her car- I was of course telling her about my Fabulous spot near the bell tower- gush gush.
I met Janae for lunch- we shared a mint brownie- the verdict is in... hers are SO MUCH better! I feel so privileged to have experienced her mint brownies in real life.
Ms. Utah spoke- she was surprisingly excellent
Ryan Shupe & the Rubber band was there- they are FAntastic!
I went to three classes:
1. Legislative VP 101- been here before
2. Legislative VP- what is the National PTA's agenda
3. Protecting Children from Abuse
I checked out all the vendors trying to get fundraiser commitments, & I won a Marie Calendars Pie!! woo hoo- I didn't want to carry that around all day- so I called my newly engaged nephew Marcus aka: BYU student extraordinaire & he came & picked it up. I hope it was good, I don't even know what flavor it was!? Later I stayed & voted on this next year's resolutions.
As I walked back to my car... I saw something in the distance on my windshield?

WHAT THE???
how does that scripture go-
pride goeth before the fall
I guess I didn't see the "Y zone only parking" that was not clearly marked on the curb.
dang it!
When will I ever learn? I tell you I am just like one of my kids...
The good news?

I had a dinner date set up to meet Jill & this oh so fabulous Bacon, Blue Cheese Burger!

Jill is the best.

I talked and talked and talked my full blown head off & she was so GREat!

Jill is one of those people who just get it-

she is amazing & so warm & kind & even brought me Chocolate chip cookies!

I am so lucky to know her in REal life.

Thanks Jill!

I came home to find my two guys waiting for me.

Brett & Trent

What a great day

gimping around

{Okay- I've tried to write this post twice & something is up with blogger- here I go again.}

It's been a slow week of sitting around the house. I had only left the house twice 1. my doctor's appointment 2. arctic circle drive thru .... until yesterday. Blogger moms kristy & karrie came over & picked me up to go to our "therapeutic Thursday" at janae's where we worked on projects & ate lunch- including Kristy's amazing artichoke dip (get the recipe here). I tell you what- It was so great to get out of the house!! I worked on cards & guess what I went up & down 4 stairs- I know, I know- Impressive. That therapy girl who made me learn stairs at the doctor's office, I guess she knew what she was doing.... Look what came in the mail!!!

Woo Hoo Fantastic Good Mail from Jill! Look how cute this package is-

And can you believe these cards? She is so for sure the GOOD MAIL QUEEN!

thank you jill- you have no idea how much you brightened my day :) Well I was feeling all adventurous & went with Brett to pick up my car- that's been in the shop- perfect timing to get some warrantied work done & guess what? I DROVE- then we went to Costco to get some milk... and guess what... they were out of those carts that drive around. Darn it- Brett offered to push me on a flat bed cart, that guy is always thinkin'. I declined. Instead I gimped around on crutches. My armpits will never be the same. When I got home, my foot was all swollen again- so ya, I over did it a little.

anyhow- it's been a good couple of days & I am feeling so much better.
today I had a little PTA meeting
I made dinner (with help)
I did some dishes
folded some clothes

real life it feels good

gettin' it done

Well, I finally did it-

took a break from blogging to get some work done around here!

I'm not going to mention all the things I've been doing,

but I am going to list a couple.

I made this flag in a window frame. I had an old flag & bought this window frame about a month ago hoping I could put them together. It's going to hang on my front porch. I saw exactly how to do it on Joys Of Home! I love this blog... it's fantastic. Check it out if you haven't!!

I totally cleaned the bathrooms & re caulked the downstairs bathroom sink & cabinet.

We invited company over for dinner...

(we had more than this, but I won't go into it)

Jack came back-

he went overnight to Helaman camp- an over night camp about going on a mission.

Before he left he & hailey had a melt down over who got the "new" free phone available on our cell phone plan. Jack won, being the oldest & serenaded hailey on his guitar with a new song he wrote- I get the new cell phone... hailey doesn't... to the tune of Adam sandler's Hanukkah song.
I tried to get a video but hailey was ticked & jack wouldn't have it-
I of course couldn't help but giggle- sorry hailey. Today sky & I took these four goof balls to EFY & dropped them off. Because of a mix up in room assignments it took forever- we got home 6 hours later. It was a little (a lot stressful) but it all worked out- fewww. Hailey about had a nervous breakdown.... it's all good- I hope they have fun.

I dropped off a dozen cupcakes at Karen's house & a dozen to Jill at seven peaks. Jill has never had a "good" cupcake so I am hoping she loves them. Chocolate fudge cake with chocolate mousse filling, vanilla butter cream frosting with sprinkles- Chloe kept making sure I didn't leave out an ingredient & ruin them- she was worried. I know Jill will love them no matter what- she's just that kind of gal.

So I'm home- with one less teenager in the house.

Wow- I think I'm missing her already...

*what have you been doing?

Man - Have I Had A Couple Of Great Days

Yesterday I left the house to go to breakfast with Sky & Lori then Christmas shopping at 9:00AM. I didn't get home until 2:45, had to go to Community Council, then later to work- Christmas business dinner for 90. Even though it was extremely busy I got so much done. I even made dinner early so everyone would have a decent meal - heck I & even got Trent's reading done with him before school. It goes on & on.

Today was even better. I got up early, breakfast done...etc. Left again at 9:00 and drove to Prove. I met Megan at the mall at 10:00 & got some really hard shopping done.

Thanks for your help Megan!

Then... now this is the amazing part, I met my new blogging friend Jill for lunch!

Let me tell you, Jill is one of my favorite bloggers. I already felt like I knew her & I had so much fun getting to know her more. I had many questions that she indulged me on & she gave me some fantastic tips on blogging & smug mug. It was like getting together with an old friend.

This is a picture of the dessert I had- mmmm. Jill brought me a great Christmas CD & some new Good Mail labels from her etsy shop.

Thanks Jill for meeting me for lunch- you made my day.

*what have you been doing?

*did reading this make you tired? I am going to sleep good tonight.

MY LOCOMOTEM IS BACK!

As you can see my modem is back! Hurray Brett for setting it up for me. He bought me a new one & I am so happy to be getting back to my blogging friends & email! Well I haven't checked my email. So many folks with A/C are emailing me. Some are very sympathetic & willing to think outside the box about this issue. Others like to remind me that the district doesn't have 60 million dollars lying around to put in full air conditioning systems in every school. WOW~I am so glad they told me, I didn't know that!?

(that was sarcasm)

The last few days have been good, here are a few of the reasons why.

Good Mail Wednesday three items!

Brittany & mom plus...

I sent Chloe's hair away & had to take a picture of it!

She is so thrilled at the idea of someone getting a wig made out of her hair.

There is a great web site about locks of love here.

This is the WONDERFULl birthday present Karen gave me yesterday. Thank you Karen, you're the bestest. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

Today the most wonderful thing happened...
I got good mail from Jill!
I love Jill~ her blog is linked on my side bar. I have been coveting these good mail labels all summer & she sent me some today! I just want you to know that getting good mail from Jill is such a thrill. I feel so blessed.
I can't wait to send some of these babies out on good mail! They are so, so, cute~
THANKS JILL!

This morning was late start for the H.S.
First an hour lunch, now starting at 9:30 every other Friday? What the heck is going on? Who's running the place...
Just kidding- I love late start because I think teenagers truly need the extra sleep. Brian thinks the whole thing stinks. It's a conspiracy against his class of 07' for sure.
Plus, an extra 15 minutes for lunch as a reward for good grades~ genius. It's like in kindergarten when the teacher gives the kids one m&m for turning in an important paper. They go all out for it!
(If I tried to bribe my kids with one m&m they would fall down laughing in total hysterics)

So...back to why I brought this up at all. I was taking Jack & Seth to school & saw Sky driving by & called her to ask her where she was going? She was getting a coke, then going to a boutique in Fruit Heights. She invited me along & this is what I bought there.
This cute little flying black cat on a broom for my Halloween door.
Brett says Sky has to go back to work right away... we went to breakfast wed., lunch Thursday & now this. What a week! Hey, I got the whole house cleaned remember? (that didn't last) I truly cannot remember the last time I had time with a friend - three days in a row. AMAZING


Well I'm happy to be back!



* What did you do this week?