Twenty Things That I Will Never Do

Twenty Things That I Will Never Do

1. Love folding clothes.

2. Hate Utah sunsets.

3. Watch Back to the Future again.

4. Cheer for the Utes, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, Nebraska or any other college abomination. (he he)

5. Stick my head out of a dressing room and say, “Hey! This two is way too big. Could someone grab me a zero?”

6. Call a radio station to request “Red, Red Wine” or "Last Christmas."

7. Quit loving pizza.

8. Ask my husband if "that girl is prettier than me".

9. Eliminate capris from my wardrobe.

10. Refuse a hug from the sweet small people that live here.

11. Wish that Dwight wasn’t on “The Office.” Because he is great.

12. Choose vegetables over chocolate.

13. Be in Times Square for New Year's Eve.

14. Get tired of shoes or purses.

15. Enjoy a Charlie Sheen movie.

16. Be less than thrilled when I get messages from my forever friends.

17. Wish I wasn’t a daughter of converts to the LDS church.

18. Apologize for being nostalgic.

19. Stop feeling deeply reassured whenever I read Doctrine & Covenants 50:41.

20. Look at a plate of mashed potatoes and say, “You know, I don’t really care for starches.”

What a kid

My little Jedi.

He spends all day on his projects. He builds, and builds, and builds. And changes things, and builds more.

After completing this pirate ship I knew we had to get a picture. It was so cool to see his face when I said it was worthy of one.

And when he got home today? This is what came out of his backpack:



I ♥ U mom Vere (very) Mut (much).

From a kindergartener? Priceless.

I am loving this

You know, I signed my boys up for soccer this year because they all wanted to play.

I'm not a big soccer fan overall. Too much running and not enough reward.

But I was cleaning the kitchen last night after the kids were in bed and I had the sudden and unexpected thought, "I'm going to miss it."

We are about halfway through the season and I am loving this.

I have enjoyed seeing them learn and grow in skills and confidence.

There is truly nothing that compares to watching them score, or better yet, see them make a big stop as goalie.

I really like being the soccer mom; I just didn't know it.

Good Things Utah

It was a total blast! I almost decided at the last minute to chicken out, but I am so glad I went. My sister was with me, which made it even better.

If any of you in Salt Lake have the chance to go, DO IT! Everyone is very nice and it really is amazing.


Some fun pics:








And I can't believe I'm really exposing my vulnerability, but here is the video segment:

Nice weekend

Very interesting to have a grill-outside-and-go-to-baseball-games-holiday that was so cold and wet!

But we still enjoyed ourselves. The soccer games went on as planned, and two of them scored goals in their games.

We had a family potluck and bbq, with a pinata as a surprise from a brother-in-law .


The Bees game was chilly and empty and we lost, but again, being with the family was fun.

I haven't watered outside for a week and that is simply awesome. My favorite part of crazy spring weather!

I'm busy getting started moving things for carpet next week. I'm taking the opportunity to organize as I go. Badly overdue!

And for those of you locals in Utah, my window segment is on Ch.4 at 10 am tomorrow!

Friday?

Are you serious?

How can it be Friday?



I swear we just did this weekend thing.


I don't normally like weekends. Weekends are routine-less. I am a routine kinda person. The big exception there is L-O-N-G weekends. They make me smile. I feel like we're cheating the system a little.


So, I am ready for the chaos, a few soccer games, a tiny bit less rainy weather, a delightful Bees game with the extended fam, and some yummy burgers. No preformed patties in my house, thankyouverymuch. It's fresh ground round with Lipton Onion Soup mix or I don't want to see it.



Nice. Long. Weekend. Have yourself a good one!


And no, I have no idea why this post is in italics, and I can't get it off. Go figure.

Bloggy goodness

Ok, I am having so much fun! Thanks to Rocks In My Dryer, I have found the neatest site. Scrapblog lets you make online scrapbooks or custom blog headers for free.




I made my own, obviously, and then started helping my sisters with theirs. Check it out.







You should try it. *Disclaimer* very addicting!

My six year old will be thrilled

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 65% Robin 65% Hulk 60% The Flash 60% Wonder Woman 55% Green Lantern 55% Superman 50% Iron Man 40% Supergirl 30% Batman 25% Catwoman 15%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

When is enough enough?

Pondering questions...

Balance. The answer to happiness in the life of a woman, right?

Is that painting with too broad of a brush?

Since our work is never done, when are we finished with anything?


If the laundry hampers are never empty and the dishes are being dirtied as I wash them then when do I know I have done enough?

When my husband finishes a full, exhausting day at school, teaching and moulding young minds, he works for an extra hour or two and drives home. He then becomes a dad, and assumes all of those responsibilities, as well as church assignments and hopefully a bit of relaxation.

My life does not have compartments. I do not turn off being one thing and drive to another. So while I revel in the flexibility of my days, I also struggle with the challenge of knowing when I have done enough. I have a love affair with to-do lists; mostly the sense of accomplishment that comes from crossing things off. Being finished.

When can I watch a show on TV without feeling the guilt pulling me from the bedroom into the kitchen? Or how do I feel good about diving into that book on my nightstand while there are two loads of clothes wrinkling in their respective baskets?

I want that little "Hey slacker! You haven't earned a vacation yet" voice in my head to shut off sometimes. Once in a while can't a girl have a tired, lazy day?

Sherri Dew, former RS leader and revered author once said :"We no longer have the luxury of spending our energy on anything that does not lead us and our families to Christ."

Hello? Anyone else feel the need to jump headfirst into the guilt pool with me?

I conciously try to make wiggle room in my life. I like not being busy. Some people work better that way. Some need to be busy. I do not. I love knowing that if my sick child calls from school, there is a 99% chance that whatever I am working on can easily be postponed. I don't like my calendar all full - it stresses me out. I dislike appointments, driving, and sometimes (gasp!) shopping.

So I am perfectly suited for home.


Cooking is something I love and am good at. Laundry sorting is therapuetic to me. Vacuuming is soothing and enjoyable.

While I love it within these walls, though, too often the guilt of what I'm NOT doing gets in the way of the joy. I am working on getting there. Just as soon as I find balance.

Congrats, Kristy! Amazon GC coming your way later today!

Fastest way to a clean house

Yes, it's a carpet sample. More importantly, a swatch of my new carpet, courtesy of the US Congress. Thanks for the stimulus package, George.

BUT, we have to wait till the remainder of the new railing is in, which will be next week sometime.

So carpet will be laid two weeks from today. I am very excited. Not quite so excited about the prospect of moving my entire living space (including the out-of-control disorganized office) downstairs. Ultimately I suppose I am grateful. Obviously, some decluttering and organizing has needed to happen. No time like the present, eh?

Some simple things I find very satisfying

clean kitchen tile

newly mulched flower beds

my child's laugh

an empty dishwasher

sleeping with the window open

flowers in bloom

a quiet house

a noisy house

rain

kids getting along

being barefoot in cool grass

a juicy peach

peanut butter and chocolate

the smell of Strider's deodorant

finished projects

the book I just can't put down

date nights

watching my child score a goal

5 minutes of fame

So, Thursday was the big day. The channel 4 crew came to film my windows being cleaned by Sargent Steam.


Joyce Mathie (owner) was great to work with and she did a great job with the steamer. I was so nervous to begin with, but I was more at ease once we started. The camera only needed two quick shots of me 'looking pleased' at the final product, and no audio, so I don't think I will be too embarrassed, but you never know.




Here is the cameraman getting a good 'before' shot.

Here she is doing the windowsill. Take note of the left side of the window, where you see the yellow/brown house.

Squegee power.

The windows after. Look at the yellow/brown house again. Wow!

This is the reflection on the outside of the house. They seriously have not looked like that since they were installed.

I told you we did some sprucing up to get ready for the filming. I got some planters and a few packs of annuals planted. Windows are so shiny!

I also got the xeriscaped sidewalk strip all cleaned out and ready for summer. I love this bed.

Pic from the other side of the entry. Our burning bush is huge this year!

And we are supposed to air on May 28th. Hope it all goes well! Maybe they will be kind in the editing room!

Which Disney Princess are you?

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?


I even took this three times, with slightly differing answers on a few questions. I guess that means it's really the right one!

Two hundred

My post last week brought me to 200 posts, by the way. Purty Cool!

In honor of the 200 mark, I'm offering my first giveaway!

I've been trying to walk more, which leads me to take stock of what's on my MP3 player. That led me to wonder what your music style is. I wonder if we differ widely or if we are similar in musical taste.

Sooooo, I am hosting a giveaway to my faithful readers who didn't give up on me over my absence. My favorite place to download music is Amazon because almost every song is .99 and it works on my player (ITunes does not).

I will give the first person with a correct guess a gift certificate to download a few of your favorites! And sorry, my dear family. You know the answer and you're ineligible :)


Leave me a comment on this post telling me:

1. Who your favorite artist/album is.

2. Who you think my favorite music artist is.

I will close the contest next Tuesday night, May 20th at 10 pm MDT.




I'll give you a couple hints.
1. It's a female pop artist
2. She was born in England
3. She has 2 albums

Good Luck!

I have returned

As I stretched my legs this week while reclining outside of cyberspace, I realized a few things.

1. My house does not automatically get cleaner because I regain an hour of internet time each day. That would require replacing that hour with actual cleaning.



2. The Jazz can play some insanely frustrating basketball.



3. Knowing a TV film crew is on their way to your house can spur some MAJOR yard spruce-up.



4. Soccer schedules make dinner time very challenging.



5. My children are wonderful. Why do I forget that so often?



6. Mother's Day really is one of my favorite days.



7. I am married to the most supportive and caring and resilient man alive. There are many many days that I do not deserve to be his wife.



8. There is a reason not many people read the Old Testament over and over again. It's boring and repetitive.



9. Ants love cat food. I think more than the cat does.



10. Spring is intoxicating.

Catch ya later

I am taking a bloggy break. I need it. My house needs it. My husband and kids need it. I won't forget you , I promise. I just need a couple days to regroup. or a week. or so.

I leave you with happy Jazz winning thoughts, and Happy Mother's Day to all present and future and desiring mothers.

May 8

May 8 is such a special day. It's the day you joined us and forever planted your unique stamp on our hearts. You were my second largest baby, yet it was my fastest labor, my simplist birth.

You are the one that has grown up slowly. Each birthday we say "He's been ___ years old for so long!" You were a baby forever. A toddler for the longest time. That clock is speeding up, and I know that, but thank you for allowing us to savor every day so far.

You are handsome and smart. You are kind and thoughtful.

You went to Chuck E Cheese last night with your grandparents and then fell exhaustedly into bed. When you woke up, the first thing you did was run to your desk to grab the treats you bought for your brothers with your prize tickets. That moment defines your character.

The one to sometimes need convinced that you deserve our love, you are consumed with empathy and thoughts of others and their well-being.
You are the ultimate example to Daddy and me. Will I ever be the soft heart that you are? Will I ever put the needs of everyone around me above my own as you masterfully demonstrate to me daily?

My little Jedi, I love being your mom. You...so handsome, easily distracted, bright, funny, with the quick temper. I love all of you. Your sandy hair and blueberry eyes and all of you. Your daydreaming and pretending when you should be cleaning your room. All of it.

Enjoy your special day, Mr six year old. And I'll enjoy mine too. Because you are in it.

Talk about shoes

Wow. Take a look at the bloggy carnival today at the Lazy Organizer. Last week, purses. Today is shoes. I am amazed at those I've browsed so far. So many people hardly have any shoes! I guess I feel a little over abundant and kind of silly LOL. But here we go.
If you think I'm about to let you see my closet, you've got another thing coming. But I lovingly hauled them all out to the hall for you to peek at.

I have so many flip flops that I just brought out one of each. In the interest of space.

These are my Sketchers slip on sneakers and my Eastland clogs that I wear most every day when it's not flip flop season.

I buy at least a pair of shoes a month. At least.





By the numbers...
Pairs of shoes (as far as I can see): 36
Pairs not pictured: 5 - three pairs of boots and the flip flops I'm wearing today (Penn State) and the pink flip flops I bought yesterday :)
Pairs I threw away while doing this post: 3
Sizes: 8.5 to 9.5, usually 9
Pairs that fit comfortably in my closet: about 15
Most expensive: $60 (New Balance sneakers) and $55 (Eastland clogs)
Least expensive: $1 (dollar store flip flops)

Show us your shoes!!

Easy homemade granola

Yummy Granola (easy and versatile)


1 cup honey
1 stick butter
6-7 cups old fashioned oats
3-4 cups cereal **
cinnamon
any boosters you like


Melt honey and butter in a large saucepan or dutch oven.

Add in remaining ingredients. Mix well!

Feel free to mix in other boosters: wheat germ (I use about 1/4 cup), coconut, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc. Note: Original recipe adds in other ingredients after baking, I add them in before.

Divide between 2 baking sheets and bake at 250 for 20-30 min. (I bake 15 min, turn and mix up a bit, then go 8-10 minutes more.)

Let cool completely. If there's any left after the kids get home, store in an airtight container.

Eat as a snack, mix into yogurt, eat as cereal with milk. Y-U-M!


**Recipe called for multi grain flakes. I think any healthy cereal works. I love raisin bran (in the photo above), and have also used Kashi Good Friends cereal, which is a blend of flakes and 'twigs' and is great.


Original recipe courtesy of Joyful Nine.

Altered letter craft

When princess was asleep today I finally got around to this decoupage project that I've been wanting to do for a week now.

I got the letter on clearance and the other embellishments were free from a friend a while back (Thanks, Sonja).

So easy and a nice relaxing 30 minutes today!