44~ it's my birthday!!

Forty Four things about me... If I can think of that many??

1. I am anxious about being 44

2. I wasn't about 40, 41, 42, or 43...

3. 44 just seems

4. weird & older- not old-

5. just older-- does that make sense?

6. I wanted to be an actress when I was a kid.

7. I always wanted to have a big family & I Do!

8. I am deeply in love with my husband

9. He is my very favorite person to be with always

10. He is my whole world & my greatest joy

11. I'm obsessed with cooking tools & products & cookbooks & electrics & dishes & it's getting ridiculous especially since I work at Williams Sonoma!

12. I love laundry & ironing- except I can't get caught up here lately. I proposed a NO CLOTHES day to help with the catch up--- no one went for it. cowards.

13. I also LOve fabric & I feel extreme guilt buying it when I have so much already.

14. Fabric-- it sucks me in-- right now I want/need some Sarah Jane by Michael Miller!!!

15. I could possibly be a vegetarian if it weren't for fast food cheese burgers or the ribs I learned to make in my new pressure cooker-- oh man, they are to die for!

16. probably the best present I ever gave myself-- for my 40th birthday I gave myself permission to stop going to public swimming pools. My life is better for it.

17. Lucky for Trent, Wende takes him swimming a lot.

18. I have the world's best friends

19. I LOVE being a mom & my kids - THEY ROCK!!

20. We are not perfect & I wouldn't even want to be anyway- which kind of makes them perfect.

21. Having missionary boys- changed my life.

22. And... made me realize just how much I Believe.

23. Having grand babies in my life is 100% beautiful.

24. I love to hear my kids make music.

25. and watch Chloe dance.

26. One of my favorite things is to listen in on Trent singing - a new occurrence- it's awesome.

27. I can make bubbles on my tongue.

28. sometimes I can blow them off & they float to the floor.

29. I refused to get physical therapy on my broken ankle (3 years ago) and now I have a permanently fat ugly ankle.

30. I can be really stubborn & that is not a good thing.

31. I wonder if I am doing what I was meant to do with my life?

32. I want to be a good person

33. I LOVE to recycle & I am passionate about it.

34. I struggle with wanting to lose weight. I know I need to.

35. But at the same time- I like myself just the way I am.

36. Until I have to get dressed... blah

37. I don't like ice cream but I make up for it with my love of GOOD cake.

38. I love to shop at Costco- especially on Saturdays. The crowds & samples- love it.

39. I collect fiesta ware- all different colors- but my serving ware is all RED.

40. I loathe paper/plastic plates... at my house- I am happy to use them anywhere else.

41. Primary is my favorite place to be at church.

42. I teach Relief Society- I like that too.

43. I love this blog. It's the most successful journal I've ever kept & it is 5 years old this month!

44. I love comments so please say hi!

time flies... kind of?

1. Yesterday was a big day. 2. we hit the ONE YEAR MARK 3. aka: hump day... to be exact. 4. Yep, missionary jack left - 5. one. year. ago. yesterday 6. *sigh* 7. It feels like 10 years 8. It feels like 1 week 9. all at the same time? 10. I miss him terribly 11. BUt I have such happy thoughts of him being a missionary. 12. yesterday I pulled out of the dryer~ 13. one of his favorite t-shirts~ 14. and started to cry. 15. Brian wears some of his clothes... but I haven't seen him wear this particular t-shirt? I'm not sure how it got into the dryer? 16. Missionary Jack is a trainer now & doing well & loving it. 17. His emails are so fun to read! 18. I wish all of you could read them. 19. today 20. Brett's parents drove home 21. and I don't have to work 22. and it is still spring break! 23. 5 weeks from yesterday... 24. is Brian & Laura's wedding!!!! 25. last night Brian took me to see their apartment. 26. It's darling 27. 100% nicer than our first apartment. 28. it's just one town over from our town 29. nice 30. it's amazing what can happen in just one year.

That is why everyday is important. I hope you have a GREat day today.

it's a negative list... anyone who calls to "see if I am ok" will be taken off my reader list. This is my life, if you don't like it don't read it.

1. I am crabby
2. so this could be a bummer of a list
3. read with caution & a...
4. grain of salt.
5. It is so incredibly cold here- like the coldest day of my life was yesterday.
6. crazy cold + insane wind = misery (aka: -12 degrees)
7. I am realizing we were blessed in so many ways when brett was out of work.
8. Besides the obvious blessings ... now I can't imagine how I kept from spending money!?
9. Now money is flying out of my wallet for stupid stuff
10. like jr. high school fees & college tuition & doctor's appointments that are not covered by insurance & a new vacuum because our old one died. blah.
11. I want to go to work & leave it all behind
12. or buy new pots & gourmet vanillas-
13. or move to Brazil & live on the beach... not really
14. I'm not a "fun in the sun" kind of gal.
15. For example~ I saw myself in a full length mirror today (fully clothed) & nearly started crying.
16. How did I get this way?
17. I've been trying & trying & TRYING
18. to finish sewing a lap quilt that I started last October.
19. Something comes up every time I start. Tonight I almost screamed when I realized I won't get it done again.
20. Megan was supposed to find out the gender of her new baby today
21. At 11:30 our time...
22. But her appointment was canceled due to freezing conditions.
23. blah & swear words
24. we were so disappointed.
25. Trent was going to beat someone up- if he could only get to Arkansas????
26. Today I went to the Ogden Cannery (a place where our church cans food for people all over the world in need) as a volunteer & cleaned. It felt good to do something- good for something.
27. Tomorrow will be a better day. I just know it!

30 for june

1. it's been a long day
2. yes, thank heavens! I'm feeling better
3. amazing - since last week I felt like hell. really bad. I'm still a little tired, but oh man so much better
4. funny, Jill commented on yesterday's post... how could I pull off a BBQ if I was sick?
5. HA! brett was thinking the same thing-
6. he took me out of the house to target yesterday, we walked around for 10 minutes & I was wiped. out. hmm? maybe he had a point?
7. so later we went to see WEnde's new house & sat on her new couches.
8. it was glorious to be out of the house.
9. I guess what I really missed yesterday, was that we had no plans & rarely do on holidays unless I work really hard to make it special.
10. I guess sometimes it just stinks knowing you don't have plans & even if you could do something there is no one to do it with anyway. that's just not cool.
11. today scouts was canceled.
12. it's the last week of school, everyone is over the top busy, and I knew I would be exhausted
13. I was right.
14. Besides visiting trent's class to herd a group of kids through rotations of "mountain man" activities... (Thank goodness I sat most of the time watching, I'm not contagious- just tired.)
15. I went to the H.S. talked to teachers & counselors
16. then spent the rest of the day on the phone trying to get doctors on the phone, referrals for doctors and appointments with doctors. (who knew this was so hard to do??)
17. because this weekend Hailey had two seizures-- at home.
18. hard
19. I love hailey
20. i hate seizures
21. so we will be spending some time this summer with doctors.
22. that is if we can get in... ? thank goodness we have health insurance & a are so blessed to live close to Primary Children's Hospital. Sad & shocking -there are so many other kids sick -that there is a line in front of us. It's easy to take good health for granted.
23. What a great hospital- we are so blessed to live close enough to go there!
24. after school, Hailey finished some HUGE homework projects- YAY hailey!
25. Brian finished painting the living room & mowed the front lawn- YAY Bri!
26. He starts his new job tomorrow...
27. teaching at the Provo MTC
28. he is so excited to be teaching an advanced Spanish speaking class of missionaries!
29. today missionary jack emailed & we got a wonderful letter
30. going to bed now....

february list- one day early

1. I came home early from church, because I started sneezing & sniffling.
2. It's 6:00 PM and I have a full blown cold & headache.
3. I decided on a word for 2010 months ago.
4. It's LOVE.
5. I chose this word because of this talk during October General Conference.
6. It is worth reading no matter what your religious preference is-
7. and really made an impact on me.
8. My favorite gift that I gave this year for Christmas is membership- in my newly formed cookie of the month club.
9. I couldn't think of something really wonderful to give one of my favorite families.
Then it just came to me.
10. For January I took over a couple dozen of these
11. I am shocked that this recipe is not on my cooking blog! It is one of my favorites & declared the best cookies ever by Brian.
12. For February I am really looking forward to making personalized valentine cookies.
13. I think this is the best present.
14. The credit goes to Michelle's dessert of the month club.
15. I knew that would be too much for me so I opted for cookies...
16. I used to HATE valentine's day growing up.
17. Now I make it really fun with my kids & sweetheart.
18. We have a special dinner, decorations & presents.
19. It's one of the best days of the year!
20. I called megan this afternoon
21. sad news--- Charlie has a cold too.
22. Poor Kid!
23. I remember being a complete nervous wreck the first time megan got sick.
24. We got a batch of fresh new snow this morning...
25. Now it is melted into a yucky, dirty mess.
26. which means mud
27. which means muddy dog foot prints... (swearing under my breathe)
28. Good News~ My Valentine cards are going out soon!!!

thanks wende for the great photo shoot- I can't wait for ya'll to get one

misc. 25

1. is anyone else out there excited by the return of A. I.?
2. Hailey is over the top about it tonight!
3. I quilted janae's baby quilt today...
4. I just need to bind it. It is so cute.
5. i made 5 small quilts for Christmas.
6. two didn't turn out like I wanted.
7. I thought about never piecing a quilt again, a lot.
8. I was so mad.
9. I'm tired a lot lately.
10. january is so dreary here. the air is dirty (really dirty) and it's ugly.
11. sky let me borrow one of those lamps that are supposed to make you feel better.
12. if it works- I'm on it.
13. I wish it would snow. old snow is yucky. new snow=beautiful.
14. last saturday night brett & I went to the movies... wow
15. we saw "have you heard about the morgans?"
16. I liked it. Not love-- but I really liked it.
17. It was clean! So rare...
18. lots of great shots of cody, gotta love that?!
19. The boys were home for the weekend.
20. I just love knowing they can come home if we/they want to. LOVE it!
21. Brett worked from home yesterday & it was such a nice day.
22. I love having him around during the day.
23. yesterday I searched for a new soup recipe
24. I found this one- made it- loved it- I love this blog!
25. I put up my Valentine's Day decorations last week, too early?

new month... new list

1. Two weeks from today...
2. the missionary comes home-
3. and goes back to being Brian.
4. He doesn't want to do it-
5. but it is time.
6. The mission home- assistant to the president- called a couple of days ago.
7. Just to make sure we had his travel plans-
8. Ummm-- ya-- we are aware he is coming home!! just a little...
9. He asked me if I wanted to pass on a message to him?
10. my reply-
11. Next time you see him kiss him right on the face as hard as you can & tell him that is from his mother.
12. Do you think he will do it?
13. Two Weeks AGO-
14. Charlie was born.
15. The time is already flying by....
16. I have a couple of Christmas presents for him and I bought fabric for a new quilt-
17. because he needs it- that's why!
18. Chloe has been sick all week-
19. we took her to instacare Sunday night - their diagnosis- a reaction from the flu mist she got on Friday afternoon.
20. Still sick - yesterday- i took her to her doctor because I knew after looking down her throat it was strep...
21. Oink
22. it's swine............................
23. Poor Thing!
24. Low grade fever, tired & achy, headache-
25. I guess I thought H1N1 would be worse. don't get me wrong- she is totally WIPED OUT!
26. She even said- she thought it would be worse, mostly she's just tired. The doctor says- yes it can get worse, turn to pnuemonia etc... I just don't know what I was thinking it would be like with all the media hype?
27. so now-- will we all get it-and even worse?
28. The doctor told us to make sure we all had regular flu shots (it's coming) and forget about the swine flu shot... it's gonna get us probably anyway.
29. not nice.
30. maybe I should go back to bed & rest up? I mean, just in case? You never know....?

october 09

1. what's my problem?
2. I am not blogging regularly.
3. maybe you do- maybe you don't- know....
4. I've debated it for years now-
5. telling the world that is, those who read- and there are just a few of you........
6. Gosh- I can't even type it.
7. I suffer from the "D" word.
8. I take meds for it.
9. But- have felt so overwhelmed this summer-
10. that last week I went back to the doctor (mostly because brett made me, man I love him)- with the symptoms that took me there years ago- to increase my dose.
11. I'm feeling much better already.
12. such as: not napping twice a day- or snapping at everyone like a gone crazy mad woman- or sitting playing computer games & not accomplishing anything...
13. I don't know why i need them?
14. I just know- I do. I am happy & grateful everyday for my over the top glorious blessings in this life. But I need them & I'm thankful they help me.
15. Now I am behind in everything.
16. and my better self cannot stand being behind on anything!
17. So, I am playing a little catch up.
18. My house looks like summer hit it.
19. I'm working on that & a load of Christmas projects.
20. of course, I've taken on more than I can probably handle.
21. But- busy- that's better for me.
22. On a different note.
23. It's FALL here now-
24. It came just in time!
25. Last Sunday was the Primary Program- the kids put on Sacrament meeting- this weekend it's Conference Weekend. My two favorite Sundays back to back!
26. I turned the heat on today
27. It rained all day yesterday.
28. I went with friends to a late movie last night (I never do that) & LOVED IT.
29. I went fabric shopping with a friend on Monday & fell in love with more fabric & want it all.
30. I went V.Teaching & took conference kits yesterday!
31. 21 more days until I meet my Grandson. Oh I just can't wait!! Yes- I am truly blessed.

30 for september

1. Who doesn't love September?
2. It's one of my favorite months for sure!
3. It's been a whole year (almost) since I broke my ankle.
4. i was such a big fat baby... that I refused to rest as much as I should have
5. and wouldn't do therapy. NO No no, I didn't need it!
6. when I asked the doctor last month why my ankle is so big-
7. he said it -healed wrong- didn't I do therapy?
8. oops.
9. nothing I can do now. I guess it's my own fault. I didn't want to be slowed down.
10. One of my scouts asked me- what sports I'm good at?
11. I thought & thought & came up with--- I'm a good walker, except... I told him...
12. while walking the dog last year I broke my ankle.
13. the little brat started laughing.
14. On Sunday I was released from being the Bear Den leader
15. and put in as the Webelo Den leader.
16. ya- it's all good- I want to be where trent is so that is nice
17. Webelos is different from Bears- I have a lot of reading to do.
18. I love routine, after the summer.
19. It's nice to be in a quiet. still. house. by. myself. for a little bit.
20. I know I have said this before... but the older I get the more I like to be alone.
21. for a bit.
22. BYU plays their first game on Saturday.
23. I get to hang my new BYU flag outside on the front porch!!! woo hooo
24. Too bad it's an away game
25. against the #3 Oklahoma...
26. but it is on ESPN- so we can watch it.
27. I hope they make a good showing. Oh please win- wouldn't that be somethin'!!
28. Megan was given an induction date for my new grand baby.
29. so I can be there... I love her doctor already
30. It's next month- Oh I can't believe it - It may just be the most amazing experience of my life.

31 for august

1. August is a special month for me
2. three of my six children have august birthdays. Loads of fun!
3. I was finally tested last week for rheumatoid arthritis....
4. I've been putting it off---
5. the test results came back today NEGATIVE
6. {deep sigh} what a relief!
7. pain in my hands is only bad when I work a lot-
8. or quilt a lot-
9. now that I know I don't have an autoimmune disease- I am doing it anyway
10. (with the help of ibuprofen)
11. I am on the state Legislative Action Committee (LAC) for PTA this year.
12. Our first meeting was last week
13. interesting
14. I thought about quitting or just saying, "I'm too busy." No one would blame me-
15. but I know I need to stay involved/busy or my spirits run low-
16. so I went & I am glad I did.
17. I am amazed that this year I will:
18. become a grandmother,
19. witness the return of my missionary,
20. see my middle son off to college,
21. have a child in High School,
22. one in Jr. High School,
23. and--- one in elementary school.
24. that is CRAZY!
25. ONly one thing is for sure....
26. I better enjoy it because it won't last!
27. Brett & I are starting to feel lost as we see them leave
28. or find ourselves alone on weekend nights??
29. What in the world- where is everybody?
30. school starts in three weeks
31. even though I am not in school- the start of school always feels like a new beginning-
It's going to be a good year!

31 for july

1. my birthday is this month
2. that means emotional highs & lows because I am such a weirdo
3. brett just read that sentence & smiled- he knows me so well.
4. I dreamt last night that the missionary was coming home
5. I was waiting for him at the airport
6. missing him now
7. he is doing well, but was sick last week
8. he wrote in his email that they thought he may have the "swine fever"
9. he doesn't- but was given a "big shot" in the rear & some meds?
10. I guess it really is everywhere!
11. Even though he is still a missionary,
12. he was called to be a Branch President (leader of a small congregation)
13. more than a month ago.
14. he asks us to pray for him all the time
15. my advise is always -to be kind- he is so young, but I know he has the Holy Ghost & the priesthood with him.
16. He lives in a city called Los Lagos & will probably stay there until he comes home...
17. In 142 days
18. there is some real tough stuff going on in our extended family...
19. things I have promised not to blog about.
20. it's hard, really hard & sad.
21. my family are talkers, brett's family is private, we are very different that way.
22. everyone thinks I am a loud mouth- (shoot, even my own family)
23. I guess they are right-
24 I mean, hey- here I am writing my thoughts randomly & posting them on the Internet.... truth hurts.
25. well, not really
26. I've accepted my loud mouth status for some time now.
27. my sister & her family are coming tomorrow & spending the weekend with us. My nephew Marcus gets married next Saturday.
28. I'm excited for the fourth & hope it doesn't rain during our small town festivities.
29. It is raining today
30. Nice & cool & beautiful--- 60 degree weather.
31. What in the world is going on in Utah this year?

list in the middle of the month?

1. brett comes home today-
2. he hasn't eaten dinner at home for almost 2 weeks.
3. he was home for a couple of days
4. friday & saturday...
5. then left sunday morning
6. I really miss him. It's getting to me-
7. He comes home tonight.
8. He has no plans for leaving again anytime soon- hooray!
9. i really love rain-
10. but it has rained so much that i miss the sun- truly miss it.
11. My house faces north & is very shady in the back
12. so unless it is really sunny- even with the lights on-
13. it's dark in here...
14. all the darkness makes the rain seem worse than it is.
15. the dogs won't stop barking
16. WON'T STOP
17. they are sick of being cooped up in this house too.
18. I finished two twin quilts for Chloe's room last week & they are off at the quilter.
19. They are the prettiest things I have ever made & I can't wait to get them back.
20. i am working on a pillow for the front porch right now that is taking 5 times as long to finish as I thought it would.... it's just a pillow--
21. I worked at my darling neighbor's wedding Saturday night-
22. the cutest wedding EVEr- loved it- absolutely loved it!
23. I miss creative thursday terribly.
24. even though we met for lunch last week- it's just not the same.
25. I wish I could sit & sew all day...
26. Tonight I am starting to read out loud a book with chloe & trent. I hope it goes well. Trent & I read a lot together during the school year- it's a little tougher in the summer.
27. We are reading one of my childhood favorites-
28. Ramona the brave by Beverly Cleary.
29. I want to write a post on the missionary.
30. Somehow I just can't. It's just too precious to me.
31. he is doing so well, only 157 days left- his letters are so beautiful, but then I am his mother...

30 for june

1. I feel deeply connected to commenter's.
2. I think i know them & love them--
3. for caring enough to leave a comment.
4. I'm not sure why it matters so much
5. but it does.
6. I chew gum,
7. loudly.
8. I snap & pop it. blow lots of bubbles & it's really hard to keep quiet with gum in my mouth.
9. I am way to addicted to this blog & wonder if I should take a break...I wonder that a lot.
10. my husband likes it. He reads it- so that is a good sign to me that it's a good thing.
11. he is a really good person.
12. I'm not that good or nice.
13. I'm often negative & work on it daily.
14. moment by moment
15. We finally canceled our voice mail.
16. I never listen to it or answer messages.
17. I felt like I was leaving a false impression that we would eventually listen... we won't
18. life's too short- I hate listening to messages so I'm done with it.
19. I really am not a good phone talker & don't like to, so rarely call people unless I really need to.
20. I would so much rather email.
21. I love email
22. I hate forwards & almost never open them.
23. there is so much going on in my life that never makes it onto this blog
24. good & bad & complicated
25. but I don't want to focus on those things so I don't write about them
26. I look for NieNie postings everyday
27. I pray for her- a lot
28. We have a great garden planted
29. and loads of perennials in the west side flower garden
30. Even though we have a small yard
31. I love it... especially since my sweetheart is so great to help so much in that area... not my greatest talent.

31 for may

1. I can't always help Trent with his 3rd grade math...?
2. Don't judge me-
3. he is currently working on geometry shapes & terms.
4. I'm pretty much an idiot.
5. I love, love, love being a Bear Den leader.
6. I am shocked by this-
7. I disliked doing scouts when I was jack's Bear leader.
6. I think I understand boys a little better now. And- I've lightened up a little.
7. The future benefits have become crystal clear.
8. Plus, I don't have to dress up, wear make up, no one judges me-
9. just follow the book
10. piece of cake, kind of....
11. There are only 196 days until the missionary comes home.
12. smile
13. has it gone fast for you?
14. It has been an amazing experience for me.
15. It goes without saying...
16. it has been life changing for him.
17. I am excited for Jack to go now
18. well, kind of- I mean mostly--
19. I am embarrassed I had so little faith to begin with
20. Sometimes I feel like a little kid-
21. learning everything the hard way.
22. I guess it wasn't... little faith
23. More like- motherhood growing pains-
24. those are powerful!
25. I don't believe in jinx's
26. I do believe in the power of positive thinking-
27. and positive language (even though I called myself an idiot earlier in this post- I was being sarcastic)
28. it's fantastic & sometimes shocking what positive words can do!
29. We are finally having a real spring here in Utah.
30. Every other year (it feels like) we go straight from snow to 90 degrees.
31. Not this year-- 60's & the tulips are GORgeous!!

30 for april

1. I hate the smell of peanut butter.
2. I really hate it.
3. I don't eat it almost ever- just because of the smell.
4. Trent is still obsessed with owning a cell phone.
5. Our neighbor told us at church last Sunday that Trent asked him if he could borrow $100 a couple weeks ago.
6. He asked him why? He said he, "needed a blackberry- with a plan."
7. Trent is sitting & reading this list right now with me as I type & just said, "that's what I really want!"
8. I replied, "I know."
9. Jack doesn't want to go to Prom & I am deeply dissapointed.
10. I think you are only young once.
11. He will regret it. Especially when he has a daughter & learns first hand how badly teenage girls want to go to prom.
12. even though I went to the temple yesterday I lost my patience & yelled at my kids last night... pitiful
13. Trent immediately upon walking in the door from school today, "I SET A GOAL!"
14. Me: "WOW- GREAT- what goal did you set?!!"
15. Trent, " I am going to wear this shirt every day this week!"
16. I am overcome with pride.
17. I bought a puzzle for Brett to do during conference.
18. I am working on my quilts.
19. If I don't do something while I listen- boom- I'm out like a light! zzzzzzzz
20. Trent just now... upon walking in from the garage after playing outside, "mom, if you see any strangers or kidnappers- give me a rifle quick!" ?????
21. what in the world? boys?????
22. One of our families favorite shows of all time Even Stevens is back with reruns on the disney channel- we are so happy!
23. I haven't been following American Idol very closely this year....
24. I got so mad the last couple of years when my favorites didn't get picked!!!
25. It's probably better this way. It's just a TV show right?
26. I emailed the blogger moms & told them we are moving for April Fools.
27. I feel bad about it now.
28. I hope they don't kick me out of the blogger moms!
29. I love Easter but all this snow- has my mind in seasonal confusion-
30. I am trying to remember that in 4 months it will be over 100 degrees!

things I have learned this week & the last couple of weeks---

* whenever cleaning the bathroom- don't set the lysol spray next to the hairspray.
* my head is now 99.9% germ free.
* I live in a zoo- (I supposed it was a good thing to spray myself- at least I didn't disappear?!)
* just when I think my puppy is potty trained...
I always step in it.
* missing church is not good for the soul.
* winter blues linger with me no matter how good my-
before winter blues set in- intentions.
* snow & ice is better than rain & mud any day - if you have two dogs.
* or a hyper nine year old boy.
* wiping dogs feet all day long is my job, whether I like it or not.
* I would rather clean the painted floor than change it- so I am not going to complain about it anymore.
* after reading michelle's post on progress--- I wish I would've picked a new word of the year. I've been thinking about that post ever since.
* I can try again- I bought Another pedometer yesterday. $4.99 at target. My third. The first one trent broke... the second broke when I fell & broke my ankle.
* I really love a snowy day~ really love it- maybe even more than my old favorite... the rainy day! this surprises me.
* sending good mail is better than getting it (kind of- in a different way?)
* I sent 5 packages & 7 pieces of good mail already this week- so I know these things.
* creative thursdays always seem farther away than just one week.
* it's important to me & I think to the human soul to have something in life to look forward to.
* there is a group of older gentlemen who meet at Target every morning to drink coffee & talk. I LOVE seeing them. I think they must be happy- especially since they wear cowboy hats.
* Next time I am there early I am going over & talking to them.
* seeing an older gentlemen with a Korean War Vet hat on makes me teary, happy & proud.
* saying hello & thanking him for his service & telling him my dad was there too- priceless.
* I have a serious sugar & chocolate addiction.
* the worst part- I don't want to be cured...

random

I have been trying to finish up some things around here & haven't had the chance to REally blog or read/comment on blogs. Sometimes life just takes over.

But I want to document a few things.

I took my scouts to the police station this week for a tour & then to get cookies at a bakery. They were really good. I found my old scout shirt from when I was Jack's den mother... 2000. It doesn't fit- like really doesn't fit. I'm talking 6 inches of open space. It's a scout jacket. I'm debating on keeping it as incentive to get rid of this extra weight or just getting a new shirt?

My word of the year necklace broke on Wednesday. Do you think that's a bad sign?

I have started posts on my word of the year over & over. I don't know why it's hard to document for me? I guess I am thinking it has to be this big deal- maybe because it is a big deal to me. But- my word, no surprise to those who know me (I had the same word last year) is CREATE. I have so much to say about this, why is it so hard to blog about?

Last week we fingerprinted & made plaster aparis imprints of our feet. some of the boys wanted to do it with shoes on/some shoes off. It was pretty cold & I was glad I brought wipes! Funny, secretly I would want to make mine with my shoe off too, so I let them.

My big project- okay, I have been doing Reflections on the council level- is almost done. The eight schools I have been working with are picking up their entries & awards today. Only one has come so far & the time frame I gave them to come is up in 20 minutes.... ? I. don't. think. this. will. ever. end. I love kids, I love the arts, I love kids & the arts & think it is so important for them. Thus I get myself into these things.

Yesterday was creative thursday. We celebrated Kristy's birthday & took her to lunch. Really great day. But, my camera battery was dead. Really not cool.

It is raining & I am so happy. I LOVE a rainy day.

Except for..... rain + dogs = mud.

Mud + the painted floor= mess. I hate the mess.

Yesterday Bronco peed on the carpet right in front of the door to go out.

Today he peed on the couch.

Animal cruelty is now a felony in Utah.

It's a good thing.

back to the list, it just feels right

1. I donated blood today.
2. Christmas music is so wonderful at Christmas time (not Halloween) I love listening to it while running errands. My favorites- Sleigh Ride by a philharmonic & Last Christmas, Wham.
3. Today I got 5 Christmas cards in the mail!
4. I also got a signed book plate from Alicia Paulson to go in her new book (I hope I get it for Christmas)
5. I sent away for it with a stamped addressed envelope & she even wrote me a note :)!!!
6. I'm so excited about this...
7. I've decided that canola/olive oil mayonnaise (1/2 the fat & calories- all the flavor) is one of the best culinary inventions ever.
8. I hate to admit it, but I love mayo. NOt plain out of the jar or anything weird like that... on sandwiches-- sicko.
9. Major Christmas & grocery shopping after donating blood is not a good idea.
10. I am so wiped out- my head is spinning.
11. Lucky for the fam. I put dinner in the crock pot this morning.
12. I love when I put dinner in the crock pot.
13. the puppy is really not potty training well.
14. It's all the snow. He doesn't like it. Can't blame him- who wants to pee in snow?
15. I love Snow.
16. I love all four seasons.
17. Right now... for now... I am loving winter.
18. I have sent nearly 100 Christmas cards.
19. I also sent the missionary's package & I'm praying it gets there on time.
20. He says it feels nothing like Christmas down there anyway- it's summer now.
21. I love Cherries & blueberries from Chile for sale for next to nothing at Costco.
22. A REal winter treat. $7.99~ and seriously so good.
23. I sent 5 packages today.
24. I'm making a cranberry glazed ham & shrimp scampi for Christmas dinner.
25. I bought two huge rolls of wrapping paper & matching ribbon at costco early this year & can't find either of them.
26. I remember putting them somewhere thinking, I won't need these for a while...
27. I finally went & bought another one today- I'm hoping to find the others & take them back.
28. I still have two packages to send.
29. I always have two left this time of year to both our parents- they are SO HARD TO BUY FOR!!
30. I want to get them something they will really love & get excited over.
31. That's my problem- they have everything...

31 for october

1. October is one of my favorite months.
2. Maybe my favorite... I think it's the combination of Conference weekend at the beginning of the month & Halloween at the end.
3. I am so thankful I didn't break my ankle in the winter! can you imagine that- dragging this boot in the snow? UGH!
4. The only other time I've ever broken a bone was when Jack was a baby.
5. I stubbed my pinkie toe on the vacuum cleaner (that was sitting in front of the closet?) at 2:00 AM.
6. I bent down to grab it & it was sticking out at a 45 degree angle from my foot.
7. Brett was working the night shift. I called in a panic.
8. I had to go into the ER immediately-
9. They gave me a shot then "popped" it back in & taped it up.
10. I had on my one piece- zip up- Mickey Mouse pj's- I couldn't get them off over the toe.
11. I wore a long coat.
12. My sister lived close at the time & came to sit with the kids.
13. I took the tape off after a week or so.
14. Three weeks later...
15. I did it AGAIN
16. repeat the story over again except this time I told them not to waste time giving me the shot.
17. I wore the tape the whole 5 weeks.
18. Sometimes... I learn things the hard way.
19. I wear shoes around the house.
20. or at least flip flops/slippers.
21. I don't like to walk around bare foot anymore.
22. I think I need a pair of really cute boots from Eddie Bauer now for ankle/emotional support ;)
23. My sweet friend Karen has come to my house two weeks in a row & cleaned my bathrooms.
24. I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude from this
25. to the point I don't even know what to say or do to show my gratitude.
26. We have 3 bathroom & 3 boys living here
27. and multiple male guests - if you get my drift?
28. It's a REAL BIG service people.
29. I want to eat an Arctic Circle hamburger kids meal with fries & diet coke everyday.
30. I don't.
31. Every Year I think I'm going to dress up as a witch and hand out donuts on Halloween- but I never do it- This year as part of my -more meaningful way of living (I'm laughing out loud) that's my goal for October! Should I be a scary witch or a nice witch?

30 for september

1. I wear an apron around the kitchen then forget to take it off
2. a lot- I'm kind of dorky that way.
3. I am such a mess- the few nice clothes I have I don't want to ruin
4. I ruin clothes all the time spilling on myself...
5. it's embarrassing - so, ya an apron helps.
6. This month is the missionary's birthday!!
7. I'm working on several birthday packages-
8. Or maybe one big package. I don't know?
9. I think the smaller ones are more likely to get to him.
10. For labor day I've done pretty much nothing
11. on purpose :)
12. Brett & I both stayed in our pj's most of the day.
13. read books
14. played on the computer & read blogs (ya he reads them too now & then)
15. watched MONK- love that show
16. and piddled around the house
17. until we walked over to Kristy's to return the chocolate fountain about 8:00 pm
18. I can't remember ever doing this before to this extent.
19. I have gone through two full rolls of contact paper this week covering books for the elementary school library.
20. I wish I would've secretly counted the books I've covered these past few years - that would've been fun to know.
21. I am planning a return to SPT tomorrow!
22. Woo Hoo I love SPT & I missed it this summer
23. I watched howie mandel & his million dollar show tonight
24. Trent said with a million dollars he would buy 5,000 Optimus Prime transformers & not share them. I'm rolling my eyes now...
25. For once in my life I can't think of anything to say...
26. I guess the list thing is - over - okay four more-
27. Jack bought a new pair of cowboy boots today- snazzy!
28. He says if Max pees in them he's gonna kill him.
29. He bought them with his own hard earned money from building cabinets all summer.
30. I love September- I felt Fall in the air today! Fall is my favorite season.