NatScraps6

Made for Monday

2012-01-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

Some people go to therapy, some take prozac, others run and I like to glue stuff but lately I have had the desire to progress to a more technical form of glue, also known as sewing. I have considered sewing classes, but most are offered along with making items such as a quilt and I just don't fancy spending hundreds of dollars on something that will look like some amateur made it, namely me and I wouldn't buy a quilt even in it's perfect state. Gasp, I live in Utah, am a home maker and don't like quilts! I'm the one.
My other option was to pay $25 plus supplies, for a class, where I could make a pillow case. HHmm, I just can't get the math to work out on that one, so I am going it alone.

If you have yet to venture into a fabric store by the name of "Material Girls" then keep it that way. This place alone, has caused my need to buy fabric, thus forcing my need to learn to sew, thus causing my need to clear out a cupboard to store fabric which I must now buy, along with all the other fun gadgets that are must have's. I admit I took a little convincing that my new "cutco" knife wasn't going to work as well as the pizza cutter circular thingy but since that point WAS made, I probably need one in every size? as well as the king size cutting mat and ribbon storage? Don't you think?

Can you just see this space, begging to be filled?
Anywho, my first daring project, an IPAD cover.
I figured if it looked all pretty, then I wouldn't have to search for it. Boys don't think floral fabric is cool, at least mine don't.

So I made this last night, whilst listening to Les Mis and wiping snot down my face ( Not quite as bad as when we saw it live in London)

Here it is (images taking completely on manual mode, indoors with no flash for my teacher Heidi :)
I have decided already that sewing isn't the problem as much as , reading the pattern. I need to learn the language. e.g instruction- "sew in the ditch" ??????
Now on to my next project.
I kind of like the idea of "Made for Monday" maybe that'll be a theme.

Felt Good

2012-01-18T17:17:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it just feels good to do something simple, with no brain required, like crafting with felt.
Thanks to pinterest, I can no longer be satisfied with the same mantel decor, year round and last years won't possibly do, when there's new pins to be copied daily.
In the past couple of weeks I've made several, really simple crafts thanks to Youtube tutorials and blog posts, all linked to me by the wonderful world of "pinning"

First off, a simple skirt for Asha, made from ruffle fabric. One straight stitch and an elastic waistband and I look like a sewing diva, which I am absolutely not.

Second I made a ruffle scarf or 5. Well once you get started it's pointless leaving leftover wool. These make great gifts.

Then my latest creation. The Valentine wreath.
Boyd actually said to me "what are you going to do with that?"
It is true, crafty items, however much I love to create them, don't stay in my house for long, it's just not a crafty place. So for now it sits on my mantel waiting a better home.

Also by way of exciting news, I am going to take a couple of photography classes in a few weeks so my blog pictures won't be so awful.

If it works for you.

2012-01-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

I've seen a lot of info lately on getting organized. Little file folders for the counter, buckets with lids and draws, uniformly labeled with pictures so that a 3 year old can tidy up. Yeah right. The sad thing is, many of us are desperate to clear the clutter that appears every day, as soon as someone walks in the door with mail or a bag of any kind but these ideas rarely work.
I am guilty of rushing to walmart, or target if I'm feeling really posh, to purchase matching linen totes and a label maker, in hopes that this will cause my people to want to keep things picture pretty. The trouble is, they do absolutely nothing for the mess unless you actually use them.

So I will share with you some of the best advice I ever got from a professional organizer and also share that if you follow the rule, it works.

RULE- Do not start, by trying to organize! I knew you were going to like this.
Spend the next few weeks, watching your families behaviors and patterns. It will feel a bit like one of those nature shows on TV, you could walk behind them with a video camera, whispering in a British accent, "notice how male of species, can't seem to reach hook, 3 inches above where he dropped his outer garment"
Then it's time to plan your attack.
After you have gathered the data, you are far more equipped to come up with a plan that works for you and your people.

Here are a few of my wins.

Wet shoes often come off at the front door and rarely does anyone return to retrieve them So an open topped basket tucked in the corner, quickly solves that problem. When the bucket is full, rarely as this is not our main entry, a quick yell to collect shoes and we are good to go.
Oh and by way of observation, I have noticed people are far more quick to offer to remove shoes when you have a wood floor than they do with carpet?

This is storage in the basement. Not painted and pretty but very functional. Cheap Ikea shelves, of course, that you can add on to and place at any height you want or leave huge gaps for things like luggage. Very easy to build, no skills required.
Duct tape and sharpie for labels and you are organized.

Our back/main entry and most used corner of the house has always been a pain point.
I would kill for one of those mudrooms I see on the pinterest, with matching umbrellas and rain boos set on decoupaged baking trays but alas, I don't have a bedroom sized space attached to my garage door so this is what is working for us.
(this one is a semi win)

Particle board shelves, the height of an average shoe and painted white, is a great place for me to put all the shoes left on the floor, right as you walk in the door.
That's why I call it a semi fail. "They" still don't put shoes away but I can, very quickly, when it is bugging me.

A very small wall, but with 2 sets of coat hooks, we have a place for coats, hoodies, aprons and a dog leash.

Sometimes the things already attached to the wall deter me from using it but just by cutting a hole for the phone, (yes people, I have phones plugged in to the wall and so will you when you have lost enough cordless ones to go this route) we have a great space.

This cool feature, however, is an epic fail. It was designed for gloves and hats/winter or goggles sunblock etc/summer with the added function of a seat for putting on shoes or being on the phone but it is actually just a shelf where we dump anything needing to go to the garage or being brought in from the car.

This is a cool wire rack I found at claires that fits inside my closet perfectly. It is right where I get dressed and I can see everything so no more bundles of things in a drawer.

Most simple but most used, tub on the stairs for things needing to go up.

Finally my favorite thing, the kitchen counter clearer. Partial win, partial fail.
I had a small wall, again hindered with light switches but I used it anyway. It has evolved as things worked, I added to it.

The wall hanging file folder where I can put mail and school papers, the tubs for pens, lego guys and the odd marble found on the floor. WIN. The family home evening board that doesn't get used but was a gift so I feel obligated to have it hanging. FAIL. The awesome notice board which my kids look at, as the rest of us not living in the past use a phone calendar, is a WIN/FAIL. Win because I like how it looks and makes me happy, Fail because it only works as long as I update it and I haven't much this month but I will now ;)

So what do you think? What are some of your awesome organizational tips. Please do share.

Order!!!

2012-01-03T07:48:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered, if wearing a really bad, white wig and dropping a hammer, whilst shouting "ORDER," would cause instant calm to come around you and silence?
I'm sort of having that feeling today and no hammer was necessary.
There's still decorations to take down, let's face it, they could stay until next year without anyone else noticing, the fridge is bare and this beautiful winter sunshine is reminding me that I haven't dusted or... well anything cleaning wise since...ages ago.

Yet all is calm here. No anxiety ridden deadlines, no offices to decorate, weddings to plan, Christmas to prep for. Just a few things on a task list that aren't life or death and a quiet moment with kids in school to reflect on some of the recent merriment.
There was the bachelor party that took place in the back of a truck, coolest thing ever.

Of course, Santa came in very strange attire as per tradition of finding whatever you can around the house.

We had our last Christmas with ALL our kids, unmarried anyway. (Notice how the table is growing)

There was something else?
Oh yes I remember, A WEDDING!!

I'll post more wedding pics when we get the good ones back.
Then we rang in the new year with some of our oldest buds in the U.S. Lauren, Whit and their family.

Along with a little dancing.

and some huge fireworks, I love that they are no longer illegal.

So, I raise my glass to erasing the first 9 months of 2011 and propose a toast...

To You all!
my friends,
family
and other blog stalkers...
To 2012,
our best year yet!

CHEERS!!

Christmas is coming.

2011-12-21T07:28:00.001-08:00

This has been the most strange lead up to Christmas, what with all the wedding craziness occurring. I mean, I love to spend the few days before Christmas in Mattress stores and sowing the cutest pink flowers but I have definitely felt a lack of Christmas spirit, despite the salt shaker full of bells that I am shaking over my head regularly. True story, cute gift from a friend.
I thought I'd scan over the last few weeks happenings to see if anything Christmasy has occurred and I would say, indeed it has.

The family movie.
I loved this one, very clever. I will be adding to my list of "must watch" Christmas films.

The beloved school concert.
I appreciate this as a way to score parent points for showing up. At around 99 recorders playing "jingle bells", I would say MAJOR parent points. Oh and the 99 is because at least one of them was miming (I taught her that trick)Actually not too bad a performance.

The local Girls Night Out.

My most looked forward too, Christmas lunch with my scrap ladies.

I love these girls, they are my therapy.

Our yearly tradition to see the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestras Christmas special.

These tickets seem harder to get every year but there were tons of empty seats so I highly recommend the standby line if anyone is ever wondering.
Jane Seymour was marvelous, I loved the Christmas story told in a real English accent.

And of course it wouldn't be Christmas in Utah if we hadn't scoured the valley for the best "Griswold" display of lights. I'm drawn to the blue and green but the best award goes to a home just down the road from us, that has a musically , coordinated display which includes the opening sound test, for the dolby digital movie thingy.
Very cool.
So I think maybe Christmas feelings don't come from a store but in fact time spent with friends and family feeling grateful.I know I'm grateful for my Santa baby who has a big tub that he's placed on the very top of our closet and try as I might, I just can't reach the darn thing. That may be the reason for my lack of Christmassy feelings but this morning I grabbed a bag of twiglets and ate a couple of roses (English Christmas necessities) and low and behold, an angel appeared in front of me singing heavenly chords and declaring peace to all men.

A wedding sneak peak

2011-12-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

It's only 3 weeks away and my scissors and glue have been going crazy.
I'm so excited for Curtis and Shelly but let me tell you, I would much prefer to plan a wedding for some one else and then have them do this one for us.
I hope us Mums can sit back on the day and enjoy it.
Yeah probably not going to happen.

The guest book is ready.

The brides dress is finished (and stunning)

The bridesmaids will be pink, oh so very pink.

The candy is remaining packaged with the constant cries of "can I have one?"

And me... I don't know what to wear! Any suggestions?

Don't you dare!!!

2011-11-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been walking through the mall with your head down and collar up, so as to avoid those people who want to point out how dry and scaly your hands are and how their magic lotion will make it all go away? Bunch of baloney! This is Utah in winter, I have scales within an hour of lotion.

Anyway on my recent trip in which I have to say I've gotten very good at "no thank you", with a smile, I got a....
"Mamm".....Who me?
"could I interest you in our Green tea weight loss.....blah blah?"
OH NO YOU DIDN'T JUST CALL ME FAT!!!!!! (She did, didn't she?)

So off I wandered, after my "no thank you" with a smile, pondering why this stick insect might think I would need her potion.
Sure I had added 20lbs to my awesome rocking "last years" body but it's been a rough year and there was a trip to England with every kind of yummy treat available that I HAD to have. (Including faggots which my kids now request and for some reason we can't buy in the U.S.)
Besides doesn't she know I don't drink tea?

Anyway, happy to report. I have lost 9lb in 3 weeks on the "stop eating crap" diet.
Yep, the same old rules still work.

I petition we ban people selling lotions, expensive curling tools and green tea as well as those darn helicopters that are so cool but break within a day of getting them. It actually puts me off my enjoyment of window shopping the mall.

Time Out

2011-11-15T10:13:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had so much to do, that you promptly sit on the floor and do nothing, whilst the whole time thinking, how much better that "nothing doing" would be, if you had a huge lump of cake on your lap? Just wondered.

Lessons from London

2011-11-07T03:31:00.000-08:00

When I started to scroll through my 400 pictures, I wondered, how can I possibly blog a trip to England as awesome as the one I just had? I realize after seeing other people's trip pics, that the thing I enjoy most is noting the cultural differences and learning things so that's my plan.
Lesson 1.
Jet lag sucks and that is why I am up at 3 am blogging.

Lesson 2.
Westminster Abbey sits right across the street from the houses of Parliament (never knew that)

Lesson 3.
Cheaper accommodations for tourists are now available in London at the Parliament Square resort.

Lesson 4.
You gotta pay 30p to p.

Lesson 5.
The underground is VERY underground.

Lesson 6.
Rush hour lasts, well most of the time.

Lesson 7.
Platform 9 3/4 is no longer on the platform at Kings Cross Station but in a shed around the corner with a wait line for photo opps.

Lesson 8.
When in a hat store, you must try on all the hats.

Even when someone else thinks hats should be of the baseball type.

Lesson 9.
I should really go to bed and get over this jet lag.
More to follow.

Book Review and Give away.

2011-11-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

I have never been much of a reader. Since discovering Dyslexia is hereditary and comes in all shapes and sizes, I have wondered if my lack of comprehension or inability to focus on a book, has had something to do with this.
Last year I won a kindle and since then, I have been ploughing through many fun reads. Mostly short, chick lit. Nothing I would recommend ;-)except to a few special friends who enjoy the same junk as me but I was recently inspired, to pick up an actual paper book and was very pleasantly affected by it's content.
I would like to share with you a book that was written by a neighbor of mine. I am sharing, not because she is my neighbor or because she asked me, she didn't but because I really enjoyed the book. I read it in a day which is an absolute first, possibly last, for me and was very impressed with the way Stephanie was able to capture the very easily sidetracked, mind of mine.

I thought at first, this book might suit the teen to young adult reader but once finished I realized I learned a lot about myself and how I might view people in certain situations.
In brief, it is the story of a senior in high school, with a great future ahead of her. She makes a mistake which unfortunately can't be hidden away and repented of in secret. The author shares the emotions and reactions of those around her including the other party involved. The book left me wanting to read on but since this was based on the authors own experience, I kind of know how it turned out.
Anyway, I loved the book. I encourage you to watch the you tube trailer.

The author, Stephanie Worlton, is a fantastic woman with a great family.She does tons for the scouting community and can work a power tool like no other. I admire her and appreciate her sharing her story. I hope she writes more, she really is a great writer.

Anyway go to the link to check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsJ0E4ReOH8

http://hopesjourneybook.com/

The author is giving away a signed copy and I would like to add mine to that prize. leave me a comment and I'll randomly pick someone to send it out to.
I will close the contest Nov 16th 2011.

As part of Hope's Journey's blog tour, they will also be giving away an autographed copy of Hope's Journey to one lucky winner. To enter, simply visit the author’s blog and leave a comment on the BLOG TOUR page.

http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Plus, for a few bonus entries, “like” Hope's Journey on Facebook or become a follower of Stephanie’s blog. It's that easy!

Halloween for Dummies.

2011-10-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

1.Don't bother to decorate your house when you are going to be gone much of October and have to put it away the day you get back.
2. Don't use scarce, valuable, free time to make crafty Halloween things when you should be planning things to do in London or Packing.
3. Halloween will still happen, even if you don't have that cute banner you saw at Miss Shelly's house.

4.Halloween Decor can be purchased quickly and cheaply at walmart and doesn't require a specialty fabric store that carries giant ric rac , amongst other extremely cool stuff like vinyl fabric.
5. Get king sized candy and you'll be the bomb, whether you decorate or dress up your whole yard or not.

So now that the rules have been clearly stated, and I have established that I am a Halloween dummy.
I have to share.
I've see these cute fabric banners all over and figured I didn't need to reinvent the wheel. Just do a "case" study. Copy And Steel Everything.How hard can it be? How long can it take?
I made a huge mistake when I walked into Material Girls, a little store in South Jordan. I was so blown away by all the fabric that I immediately started planning in my head about 20 years worth of projects.
Anyway, I grabbed what I needed, went to town, ignored the fact that I have a family and any other responsibilities or things to do, like plan and pack for a trip.

Love my cricut. Love even more that Boyd could fix it after I dropped it.

Fabulous Fabric and several hours later.

I didn't like that the letters were too dark to show up so...you guessed it. I went for round two.

We always do better the second time around. (Don't tell that to your first child though, not cool)
Then I couldn't possibly put a lonely banner up so I dug out the decs and and got festive.

and just so you know I am a total dummy, I WILL NOT buy king sized candy!

Heart on a sleeve.

2011-10-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

They say you wear your heart on your sleeve and if you are Justin Bieber, that is true, trust me I know, since that is our Halloween costume request this year.(I draw a line at the haircut though)

But I would have to say, I am wearing my heart, in plain view, on my butt...and upper arms....a little in the legs and...well you get the general picture.

Why is it, that when things blow all out of control, that we turn and punish ourselves, by doing the one thing that we are 100% in control of, namely taking care of our physical health?

That being said, this picture is not a witches concoction, to zap all who hinder my happiness but a sweet young gal, helping to add to my growing heart exposure. Also know as Sub zero.

Oh and this is my therapist, who flies here every September to keep me company in my search for sugar. Love you Mum.

Have mercy on the weak.
All I can say is, ignore all previous posts where I tell you to de-clutter and get rid of clothes that are too big. I need pants.

Craftaholics Annonymous

2011-09-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

Friends,
Today one of my favorite blogs to follow, is featuring me as a guest. Well actually, my crafty space. Go and check it out.
But I have to warn you, this may also become your favorite blog and turn your house into a mass of glued stringy things and beautiful pillows. I got the "How to" for these rosettes from "craftaholics anonymous"

Enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-31T18:15:00.000-07:00

Public Transport

2011-08-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Having grown up in England, I love public transport. You can get anywhere you want in the country and the journey can begin within a few streets of your home.
For high school, I would jump on a public bus at the end of my street, which took me to the town center, where I would hop on a bus or train and head to all kinds of adventures in Oxford or London. From there you can catch a train to France and on to anywhere else in Europe. It is such a common thing that by aged 12 or so I was quite comfortable with timetables and the Tube (underground train) map. It is actually easier to get around this way than trying to navigate a car through the city, much of which is a no drive area now and then parking is a nightmare with nothing less than a months salary to pay for it. (exaggerated)
When I took Asha to England, she had quite a fascination with all the options, so we did them all. Train, Tube, double decker bus and of course the famous black taxi.

Why am I sharing such worthless info you say, wheres the up to date pics or the sunshiny, summer happenings of a Utah family? Well, the trax has been extended to Daybreak so we took the kids for a ride.

We hopped on at Day break, paid $12 for a ticket that covered all 4 of us for ALL DAY, trax, frontrunner or bus and headed up to Trolley square.
We hopped off, walked a couple of blocks to the English store, stocked up on good chocolate and when I stay stocked up, I mean, enough to last a month but we finished on the trip home. We walked a lap around whole foods. I had to get out quickly because I could feel my pit hair growing, so many "healthy" people in there and it might be me but why does everyone look so sickly?
Anywho, we walked back to the trax, hopped on and headed home.
The kids thought is was like Disneyland and are bugging us to go again, any day of the week.
I love that my kids will have freedom to head to some really cool places downtown without the stress of traffic and parking.

First Day of School

2011-08-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

I used to dream of the day I would have time to myself, the kids would be all safely delivered to their various schools. I'd do all those unfinished projects, uninterrupted by someone with a lego shoved up their nose or actually clean up the house and have it stay that way until about 3:05. The reality of that day is nothing like I imagined it.

I find myself walking around all sad the day before and then when the morning whirlwind begins and I jump to the pre school business of drill sergeant ( HAIR? check, TEETH? check, do you have your books,your pencil case, tissues, lunch, duct tape, well you never know) all whilst making crepes and getting some pictures taken. Then we drive off in plenty of time, only to realize that, several hundred other people, will be driving the same street, for the same drop off time.
I deliver first, big boy to his very first day at a brand new junior high.

Then park, to walk in my baby, her request, to her very first day of a new school.

We head in to her classroom and find it still. In this school the kids all gather in the gym and line up. The teacher comes down to collect them.
So I have to leave her there with a hug, which was my request, knowing she doesn't know another sole, and this will be the hardest school year yet for her.

I try to keep it together as I walk back to my car.
My heart hurts.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-24T08:27:00.000-07:00

The sidetracked home executive.

2011-08-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

Do you ever find yourself heavily involved in a task, say working on your budget numbers, since your dog just cost you 320 unplanned dollars, then realize you have a huge pile of other bills and papers that need sorting?

Interruptions from hungry kids, annoying phone calls or before mentioned dog and a hour or so passes.
You need the loo and on walking into your room your greeted with this..

Oh yes that's right I was folding laundry before I got the sudden urge to check on a bill. So as I'm now taking the laundry back to the laundry room (for people to collect) where it will sit until they run out of something to wear, I almost trip on this....

because lets face it, putting the vacuum away obviously is not part of the instruction to vacuum up all the cereal you just spilled. So whilst collecting parts to put away, I notice something on the table,

can you see it? Must fertilize.

So here I am, much later, shoving the piles of papers across my desk, so I can finish my budget but "squirrel" the computer is so much more colorful and full of pretty pictures of other peoples pretty lives (have you discovered pinterest?)There goes my productivity. Does anyone else get easily sidetracked?

I need to get a life.

2011-08-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, a 40 year old, bachelor and FB friend from England, posted a question. "who's out tonight?"
well of course me because all would not be well in the Wold household, if Boyd didn't take me out on a Friday night date.
He then suggested, since he was 7 hours ahead, that he would drink me under the table, to which I let him know, that wouldn't be much of a challenge, since I haven't had a drop of the juice in 22 years. To which came his response, that I have pondered, happily for days, that, I need to live a little!

Bwah ha ha, I am rolling and laughing so hard I couldn't even respond.
Yes indeed, I should "live" to go drinking on a Friday night instead of say going here

driving

watching my awesome kids do this.

The funny ending to the story is, we backed our boat into the driveway at 9pm (still 75 degrees outside) unloaded, ran in to shower, blasted my short hair dry, kissed my showered kids goodnight, (Curt was home watching a movie) hopped on the back of Boyd's R1 (not a comfy ride but exhilarating)and zoomed along the highway at *%^ miles per hour, heading to a late movie, I thought again to myself....

Yeah, I definitely need to live a little!!

21 Days of Gratitude Challenge

2011-08-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

I am taking part in a challenge and todays challenge is to post an A-Z of Gratitude in a social media.
So here it is.

A to Z of gratitude.
A- Asha my baby girl
B- Boyd my handsome husband
C- Curtis my oldest boy
D- Dads mine and Boyd
E- England (I get to go in a couple months)Yes Mum you did read that correctly!
F- Food good bad or ugly.
G- Grandparents
H- Health
I- Individuality
J- Jordan my hard working son & Julia my sister-in law
K- Knowledge and desire to obtain it
L- Lesley my Mummy
M- Matthew my brother
N- Nourishment
O- Organization
P- Playtime
Q- Questioning minds
R- Ronan my youngest son
S- Scrapbooking my favorite memories
T- Transformation
U- Understanding, mine of others and them of me.
V- Vacations with my family
W- Work, any kind
X- Xamples everyday ;-)
Y- Youthful feelings
Z- Zac my nephew

Choose to be happy.

2011-07-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article today that explained how every feeling is a choice and we could choose to be happy or not. Hhmm, try telling that to someone in a dark state of depression, "hey, misery guts, stop choosing to feel that way..." I was skeptical that this article was written by one of those chipper, perfect people who wears home made vintage flowers in their hair at the gym (yes I have seen this) who's kids do no wrong and who has a brightly colorful sofa and white rugs but I read on.
It actually gave some practical advice on things you could do to help your moods and one of those things, was to identify that which makes you happy and do more of that.
I can do that.
I got thinking: eating chocolate, visiting England, glueing things, being pampered, shopping, girlie trips and high heels, some of the things I thought of, I couldn't share..
My list went on but most required, money, other people, me leaving home forever or some serious weight gain. Until...
I thought, a clean house makes me happy. I didn't say I love to clean and lately, since most of what I do, is undone and unnoticed, cleaning hasn't been high on my list of priorities. Still, I put on my high heels and set too.
What do you know, whilst mopping my wood floor, I heard the ping of another load of laundry and as I'm changing it over to dry, I find myself with happy thoughts of how blessed I am to have such an awesome washing machine!!!!!!! Shut the FRONT DOOR!!!!
I was feeling happy and I haven't even dented my list yet.
It's true, people.
What makes you happy?I insist you do it now, unless it involves Ryan Reynolds or Ryan Gosling (loved him since the notebook)or Matthew (no surname required or... DB( full name, undisclosed to protect my hubby;-)

Get Crafty

2011-07-21T16:25:00.001-07:00

Nothing can take me away from the real world, as quick as a good glue session and no I haven't taken up sniffing it.

Boyd, Ronan and Curt are off at scout camp and Jordan is...well "out" as he puts it, most of the time. So Asha and I have to fill our long, lazy days, doing something.

Thankfully, I was invited to ANOTHER two baby showers, so I figured I'd make something but since there is rarely enough notice to get detailed, I settled for this. 4 cupcakes in a cake box.

The cup cakes are made from baby socks and burp clothes, wrapped in a coffee filter and ribbon. Then I added 15 "thank You" cards because we all know the onslaught of casseroles about to appear and they require a note of thanks.

Wowing people, is in the wrapping, not the price tag and I have learned a lot from other blogs and pinterest on this stuff.
So, I'm at the shower and one girl had her little cutie with her. She was turning one and it jogged my memory, I actually knitted her a little cardi. Yes I said knitted! the thing is, I never gave it to her because I was embarrassed. It was a bit wonky. I told her about it and became the brunt of a few good jokes.
Anyway, I got home dug out the cardi, then proceeded to make some boot socks for the now, one year old as redemption and figured, she can pass the cardi along as a joke, at the next shower.

Now I have Asha in line for the next pair of socks. They are pretty cute.

Missing My boys.

2011-07-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

Home School

2011-07-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

I thought it was about time for another room makeover. This time is not technically a room but a space I found and re purposed.

My sweet little Asha has really struggled in school and for all her hard work and efforts, was just not progressing. I was told many times to not stress and that she would get it, things would just click and I had to feel confident that the trained professionals knew more about my baby in this instant than I did.

Lesson- trust your mother gut!!

After neurological testing, she was diagnosed with severe dyslexia and performance anxiety, which I always thought was just shyness but apparently it is linked to their fear of failure. Imagine trying for hours a day, to memorize simple words, that ALL of your friends can read and spell and knowing you WILL get them wrong :( My heart hurts just thinking about it.
Anyway, after gathering tons of info from experts, I am full of hope, that with a special method of multi sensory training, an awesome tutor and gobs of effort on hers and my part, that Asha will be able to read and function in a classroom eventually. 10% of people suffer with some form of "learning disability" I hate that term but that is how it is described.
(Just for kicks, here's a list of successful people with dyslexia:
Einstein,Tom Cruise, Richard Branson(virgin Atlantic)Charles Schwab (bank)Winston Churchill, Jon F Kennedy,Tommy Hilfiger, Andy Warhol, Cher, Jackie Stewart (racecar driver)Kiera Knightly to name a few.)

So for now, Asha and I will be working together at a "home school" to fill in the gaps of the past 2 years and get her on track with learning. It was not my plan to be "that" Mum, with baby strapped to breast, walking around in tie dye, keeping my kids from the worldly clutches of society but after attending a home school conference I realized there are many just like me, that had to seek an alternative to the "one size fits most" way of learning. It is a blessing that I have the time and means to do this and that's why I am painting.
This "school" required a space without distraction, with room for books and curriculum. I found it in a dark loft area at the top of our stairs.

We started by adding a sunlight tube which is incredible. It adds daylight where a skylight wasn't an option. I painted a very light bright blue then added storage (gotta love IKEA, although I miss my girls trips to Cali)

Then I used a method that I learned about designing spaces to fill it with things that would inspire. For Asha that is artwork so markers and crayons, plus to finish off, the most comfy chair in the world for reading. Asha and I sat on every chair in every store and this was her pick. I was thrilled since it's so cool looking.

If your still reading this extremely long post, I would like to explain dyslexia in brief.

startbyt ryingtoreadt hispar agra pha ndtheni magineso meofthewor psbei ngh ighero rlower onthep agel ikethe yare3p thenb eari nginmindp,b,andd alllo okthes amewell thatishowsh ehas todecod eapara graph.Th enimagineh avin gtore writeit quicklywi thy ourw ro ngha ndan pthat ishowhe rbrai nfunct ions.

It is not simply reading backwards.

What side are you on?

2011-07-14T16:49:00.001-07:00

I realize there are two sides to all stories but in this case, I only know one.
English People in America, fought for independence, Won and I get to have several days of eating fried carbs without guilt and lots of fireworks and lets face it, who doesn't love fireworks. ( Hobbs that's who, poor puppy had to be in the basement in his crate with a blanket over him and a loud movie on)

So why my lack of British pride you wonder on such a holiday. Well I grew up in the great country of England with all its pleasantries and traditions. We are not huge on flag worship, unless it's some Royal Affair or of course the world cup but still, we have a loyal duty to the Queen and all things British. It is quite a multi cultural place and I had friends of all different backgrounds. I never could understand why one of my best friends, a Pakistani/Muslim, was allowed to wear trousers to school when the rest of us had to wear skirts or why my good buddy in junior school, raised Jehovahs Witness, was allowed to skip assembly, when I had to sit through it in total boredom.

Over the past decade or so I have watched the laws change to accommodate various religious preferences. One of the most ridiculous being that an already overworked nurse, had to turn the bed of a Muslim patient to face Mecca, wait for it, 5 times a day, for prayer!! Not a big deal in Utah but I would guess Pakistani/Muslim are the dominant immigrant in the UK.
I see this great nation trying to go the same way.

So why my racial rant? I am in no way racist at all (everyone says that I know but really I am not) I make my point to my fellow Brits now living in The beautiful free country of America.
It saddens me when I see one of my own refuse to stand to honor the flag or repeat the pledge of allegiance.
I chose to come here. I love it. My family and I benefit from our freedoms and liberties here.

I have said out loud to many an immigrant back home, if you don't like our ways, go back to your home. I feel the same here.

So there, you get to see a little of Natalie, Telling it how it is.
God Bless America, land that I love,
Home of the free and the Brave.

To all who serve for my freedom, including now, my brother in law, who left his wife and 5 young kids to serve in Afghanistan, I am grateful and I will continue to feel blessed in this land.

Life goes on.

2011-06-22T14:02:00.001-07:00

Even if it does feel like this sometimes.

If it didn't I would've never made it to 40 and gone here,

With these guys.

I wouldn't have gone here and spent two hours painting a cup and saucer that never returned from the kiln.

I wouldn't have had so much time to hang with this girl

Or these guys

I might've just sulked and let my tantrum continue and not been super happy to have my baby home safe and sound.

Yes, life does go on so I might as well roll with it.

Point Break

2011-05-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what your breaking point is?
I've been taught, that we will not be given more trials than we can handle but as I have watched one adversity be piled on top another, I do ask, "are we there yet" I've even wondered how people walk away from church forever.

It became apparent to me today that, that statement was not true. That actually we would be pushed to the point of breaking and our very faith will be shaken out of us.

And so my Son sits alone, heart broken and spirit broken, sobbing on a plane home from Virginia. There will be no crowd or balloons waiting for him at the airport, there is no celebration for a medical discharge or partial service. Just an underlying tone from our surroundings that he couldn't hack it. He will live forever with disappointment that he didn't finish what he set out to do.
What waits for him is uncertain. There will however be a Mother and Father who love him unconditionally and who have not and will not forsake him in his time of need.

Where is my maker now? He promised to take care of him. Were our prayers not good enough? Was our faith and trust a signal to say, Hit me again ,I'm strong enough and I liked it?
Well how do I go on?
All I asked was to comfort him, give him peace. He prayed constantly for that peace.
But it never came......
His name was in the Temple, faith and prayers of many others.
But it never came.....

What loving parent wouldn't comfort there own child?

Another Wednesday Past

2011-05-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Wednesdays Past

2011-05-04T16:01:00.000-07:00

The Royal Wedding.

2011-04-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

I can't imagine how awful it must be to "NOT" have an interest in the Royal wedding and have to be subjected to all this frivolous pomp and media frenzy. It has taken over our TV's and whilst I, for obvious reasons, am thrilled and excited to see all the coverage and live pics from home, I really do feel for anyone wondering why as much energy isn't placed on "real" news.
Anyway, I'm excited. Not so much because they are Royal but more because I love a good wedding and honestly, since leaving England, weddings have been quite a let down. Of course I don't have any family here and Boyd's have followed the traditional Utah theme of, do the best you can on a very tight budget because lets face it, your 20, you have school loans and no place to live and no car of your own and well, you know the story. I have seen some beautiful dresses and cakes and I was lucky enough to go to a wedding at La Caille (The cute bride won the grand prize at the huge bridal expo and it was quite fancy)but the thing I miss is more cultural.

The wedding is planned very far in advanced. They are rare, since most folks have only one or 2 kids and many people choose not to get married these days. (I have 4 cousins, all within a few years of my age, Only 1 of them is married )The wedding is a big deal. Top hats and tails a must, Hats for the Ladies or those new fancy feather clip things but ALWAYS a new outfit. It doesn't matter how tight your budget, you have to have a new outfit for a wedding and then another for the reception. Weddings are strictly invite only and it is required that you RSVP!!! Have you ever heard of such a thing. Children are not welcome unless specifically named on the invite! and only very close friends and relatives will get that invite. This will include the wedding and always a meal after wards. The venue is quickly transformed for the evening and music arrives in the form of a DJ or band. There is always a bar whether you pay or they do and also a buffet of food and treats for the evening guests. This is less formal and requires a different outfit. Sometimes the bride will change into a cocktail version of her dress and there are many more folks invited to this part of the affair. Then, when it comes time for the Bride and groom to leave, they do so, tossing the bouquet and zooming off in there decorated car. This is when the party amps up, Dad takes off his tie that's been choking him, Mum kicks off the heels and we have a right old knees up until the very last guest decides to leave. Sometimes the wee hours of the morning.
Now tell me that doesn't sound awesome.
Weddings are rare but usually well thought about and planned and so, like with Kate And William, by the time you get to them, you are so thrilled for the couple and this truly does look like a fairy tale.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

Feeling creative.

2011-04-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

Usually my creative moments include glue. Today, I feel this urge for something girlie and since Asha won't humor me with hair bows or flowers for her room, I wondered what feminine flair I could inject into my house without groans from the He's.
I know PINK CUPCAKES!!!
I should probably mention, I have never made cup cakes before and frosting has only been with a knife or a tube of the toothpaste like stuff you buy ready made and squeezable. How hard can it be ? Ha Ha.....

Of course I go to google and watch a You tube tutorial, I really do feel blessed by technology. The first video suggests a zip lock bag with the end cut off.

HHmm , not quite the look I wanted, so I cut a bigger hole.

Oh yum, now that looks like the fat powder snow you just want to jump in but still not quite what I see in th stores.

After a bunch of attempts, (yes I scraped it off and tried again) I pulled out the big guns and went to an actual icing bag with pointy tip thing.

Now that's more like it!
Of course I couldn't leave it there, I had all kinds of fun.

The problem, no one will eat my cupcakes!
I guess they'll be decorating my counter until they go moldy or I get visitors, LOL, moldy it is.

My Elder's Easter

2011-04-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

There's no Easter Bunny!!! There, I said it, I can't tell you how much it urk's me to hear of kids getting hundreds of dollars worth of loot and more than a months worth of candy delivered, anonymously by an "Easter Bunny". It's bad enough that our entire Christmas season has been commercialized but how we can buy into this, same kind of spending at Easter, really saddens me.
I thought it might be that I grew up in a place where we don't celebrate every date on the calendar. For me, Easter mean't a chocolate egg, maybe 2 if my grandma got me one as well. I've heard of eggs rolling down the hill, chicks to celebrate spring but a Human sized rabbit that sneaks in your house and steals more of your already tight budget to ruin your kids with more sugar and expectations......well I'm not sure where it comes from but it can stay with the Leprechaun and Cupid.

Our family, well I'm not a total wench, of course we hunt for eggs, but 2 bags of mini eggs thrown around the house, found within minutes, is plenty to share and I usually buy my kids a pair of spring shorts and a colorful t-shirt (let's face it, no one in my house is wanting a spring Sunday dress)For us, Easter is a time to talk about Christ, show gratitude and celebrate Eternal life.

Today I received this letter from Our Elder so I wanted to share:

Dear Everyone, This week has been a really good one. I spent this week reading "Jesus The Christ."if you haven't read this book before, do it! haha anyway this week i was reading that book and i was following the life of the savior. The last week of His life. It was really an eye-opening experience to follow the life of the savior. I learned many things which i never would have even thought about. I realized a lot of little details that i would have missed simply just reading the accounts out of the new testament. When i read about certain parts, it really made me think a lot. I really felt bad for Judas, for instance.It got me thinking about who Judas was. Because his weakness was money. Well someone else's weakness has been money. Joseph Smith...both of them had a big weakness to money, and the only difference between the two of them was the action that they made. One is now revered as the "son of perdition" and the other "has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it."The thing i thought of was: what is my weakness, and how can i keep from becoming a slave to the devil like Judas.I think i received my answer though during the week and i thought that I'd share that with all of you this week.You see, Judas, I feel, was a seeker for attention. He probably followed Jesus Christ because he had a huge following. I feel like it was because of the popularity of Jesus, he followed. Surely when the popular guy invites you to hang out with them in High School, you go. The thing is that Judas, i felt, didn't gain a testimony until after he had betrayed his master. So the lesson i could gain from him, is i need to gain my testimony right now, and not linger and procrastinate the day of my repentance. This easter was one to remember the divinity of our Savior, who reaches out to all and beckons to "come, follow me." I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He IS RISEN! he did it only because he loves us so so very much. i know that my weaknesses are there, so that my heavenly father can test me and see just how ready i am to become like him. i am, though, going to do all that i can RIGHT NOW to become more like him and i encourage you all to do the same. SincerelyElder Curtis Ross Hickman

Feeling Blue?

2011-04-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wake up with the massive urge to just change something? Like a major hair cut, (oh wait, did that, my next option would be to shave it off) or move house, so you don't have to look at what needs cleaning anymore,(not an option, a nice motor home is worth more than my house these days :( ) So my next thing is to decorate something....anything..... But what?
Kids rooms, done, My room, possibly but where do I get the most impact for the least $$$ ? Accessories in the Family room!!
It seems like I just barely did that.(I checked, spring 2009)

I took out orange and added blue to my lime green. Loved it.

Now I'm finding myself drawn to purple, I mean the dark grape kind of color and no I wont be decorating with grapes any time soon.

So what's your favorite color?
It's funny how kids can answer this off the top of their head but we need options. Well what sort of blue? or on what? I like to wear grey but I like to scrapbook with orange, I love teal but wouldn't wear it and Lime green is an awesome addition to chocolate brown but maybe not for house exteriors (daybreak, just saying)
And my favorite color seems to change with the seasons. I'm such a fashion victim.

Oh well, So is it me, or do you like to change things too? and how often is too often?
Suggestions please.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

2011-04-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

Pushing a wheelchair around Disney land is like taking a stroller to a market or Fair. It was regularly tempting to ram people right in the ankles, which I refrained from except the one time it happened on accident when I wasn't driving. It's actually surprising how many times people stop dead in their tracks to maybe contemplate the state of the union, without warning to me, who may have gotten a nice momentous run going. Fortunately my 140lb braking system, called "lean back and pull" worked surprising well but had we been equipped with airbags,they may have deployed on occasion.
As a whole, Disney was very wheel chair accessible and accommodated us with short lines and the odd slow down of a ride, mortifying to my "Cryp" friend.(we decided she was the Cryp, as in cripple, so that made me the Cryp Keeper)But to my buddy, who is pro at doing Disney felt very restricted, not being able to zip around getting fast passes and all other clever tricks I've now learned.

FYI- there was no parade!!!Your joking..... Have you ever.....? Just felt wrong and my friend ,can you believe, has never been to a show there!!! Shocking!

They go to ride rides and the state of my sensitive to motion, stomach knew all about it. I do however, do them all, just have a to take a break between sometimes.
All in all a great trip.The sun was shining,I got in some Relief Society without the casserole and am I ever grateful I don't share a bathroom with 6 girls regularly.

Cruella was awesome, totally rude to people, I want her job!

Getting in my practice for the week.

Still the happiest place on earth, unless your a pin trading addict, then it's possible your worst nightmare. I hadn't heard of pin trading, thankfully, I had to convince myself, several times, that I didn't want to start being one.......not yet anyway ;-)

What kind of Rollercoaster?

2011-04-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I am heading to Disneyland. This would usually be a woohoo but I am going without my kids and that in itself just feels wrong. I'm the Mum who has taken my kids to Disney World, on a cruise, to England, to Tepanyaki's. So this just feels all kind of wrong but to be honest, and I know there will be rolls of eyes and puleese... comments. I am going to help out a friend. My friend had an accident and had to have a bone removed from her foot. Her family is having some struggles so she planned a trip for her 2 daughters, to bring 2 friends and head to CA for spring break. Now because of the accident she would have to cancel unless someone would go with her. So you see, I'll be pushing a wheelchair around with one of my most highly strung friends (not exactly R & R).
This got me thinking about rollercoaster's and what kind I might be on. I decided splash mountain. You float along and are quickly introduced to the first bumps of life, not too bad. Then before you know it, your climbing, life is all good then
the inevitable crash to the bottom. Ah you breath a sigh of relief, Sit back and enjoy the ride and the music, even though your wet through from your recent crash. You try your best to avoid the thorns and Briar's and I'm sure it's no coincidence there's the odd big butt in the scene (I'm talking about Brair Bear)Then low and behold, another drop and another.... Yep I'm definitely a splash mountain kind of ride.

And that's how I feel today...I just want to get off and dry out in the sun.

Simplify.

2011-03-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

As you know we recently overhauled Ronan's room and ever since, Asha has wanted to "sleep-over" in it. Ronan has no problem with this, since he doesn't like being alone (Jordan was the same way, despite their constant bickering about wanting their own room)
Of course I put this all down to the "coolness" of Ronan's room but actually, Asha's room is an overwhelming mess of stuff. She saves every piece of paper and string (it's the crafter in her;-)and despite me planning the room with buckets of buckets and cubbies and drawers, everything is shoved in to any available space and that includes floor.
I had a conversation with Asha that surprised me and reinforced a general rule of how I live my own life.

Me:Why do you like Ronan's room?
A: He doesn't have stuff everywhere.It's easier to clean up.
Me: Would you like your room to be easier to clean?
A:....stares blankly, like she wants to say Duh but knows I don't like that so much.
Me: are you willing to get rid of stuff so it is easier to clean?
A: Yes
Me: How about if we get rid of everything!! Just leave some notebooks and pencils?(I will keep the stuff in storage in case you change your mind and if we don't miss it, we'll donate it.)
A: Sure, then I could have a desk?
Me: That was easy, but I don't have money for a desk right now.
A: I do....

And she proceeds to browse the IKEA catalog as my heart swells with pride, my baby loves IKEA too.

So I donned my industrial overalls, not really but it was a showerless, sports bra kind of project and we went to work.

One large bag of trash, 3 bags for the DI and about 3 moving boxes of "stuff" to keep in storage (in case this experiment doesn't work)And we are done.

Well I thought I was done until I climbed up into the bed to change the sheets and unloaded this lot. She has 39 kids, 42 if you count the 3 dead ones she has in a box complete with headstone (Hobbs loved them too much)
It wasn't as hard as I thought, she didn't flinch as I packed up and threw out all kinds of stuff. At one point I had a rock and a ball in my hand and she said "you can get rid of that" I did and she immediately corrected "NOT the ROCK!!"

So here it is: All but 3 of these buckets are empty.

She color organized all her markers and crayons.

And finally she opted for this table because it was only $20, she hasn't picked a chair yet 'cos she'd like a lime green one.
I'm thinking I need to make a cool notice board for above the desk :)....my next project.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

Ronan

2011-03-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

I use my camera as a reminder of events and activities and it seems my camera has been buried for a few weeks but today I wanted to share some pics of my littlest man on his biggest day so far.

Tepanyakis is always a fave for my people since I think they had a internal womb relationship. Ok so I had cravings for their noodles and HAD to go there a lot to take care of that.I was pregnant, it's not like we had a choice.

Then the birthday favorite party for me, the sleep over. It requires, snackage, an ice cream cake after midnight, a bunch of games and ear plugs. Cheap and cheerful.

But this b-day was a biggie for Ronan because he turned 12 and received the Priesthood. Our awesome Bishop, despite having surgery, a reaction to drugs and now blood clots, came over to take part. (and that's why he's the youngest most awesome Bishop I've ever know, pwft... blood clots...no biggie, I'll be there)

The only thing missing today was his Big Brother, who he misses terribly but who has got him reading his scriptures and writing regularly.

On that note. Curtis was able to perform his first Baptism yesterday as well as ordaining someone to the Priesthood. He is doing great in the area of Harrisonburg and is so full of joy and spiritual growth. So far so good. I love that boy, I miss his face.

Out of this world

2011-03-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

As promised.
My latest room makeover project.
Since Ronan is in his own room for the first time since birth, we decided to give him exactly what he would love.

His favorite colors, purple and green.

An industrial desk and mural of solar system on the ceiling.

All his stuffed toys on a rope ladder (yeah, big tough guy loves his Teddy's
A collage of friends and family outlined with metal tape.

I don't have great photog skills. It's not nearly as dark as it looks but with the blinds open it was glaring and closed it looks dark.
Anywho, he loves it.
Happy 12th birthday Ronan.

Just hanging out.

Goings on

2011-03-06T15:25:00.000-08:00

Since this blog has become somewhat of a digital journal and letter to home, I need to stop all the current goings on for a minute and report on the previous goings on.
I seem to take too long between posts but I get the thrill each time I unload my camera, to bask in the recent and yet already forgotten, memories of yesterday.
February has been and gone in a flash.
The Month of love. The month I actually made some crafty decorations for my mantle to brighten my mood in the dull, cold months of winter. Did I remember a picture? no! but I did take this shot of the pile of stuff waiting to be put away for about 2 weeks after valentines :)

February is also the month of Boyd's birthday and this year he turned the big 4-0.
We both planned many moons ago, since we both turned 40 and celebrate our 15th anniversary in the same year and since we never got a honeymoon(unless you count 2 nights in midway, worrying about your kids, which I don't)that we would take our selves off to Hawaii to celebrate. This being said, I couldn't actually NOT do something for Boyd's birthday and he's not big into gift's (unless they are for me, which I appreciate) so I had to come up with something to do. I was going to throw a party but lets face it, we haven't seen most of the "friends" since the last time we threw a party so I decided this would be something just for him (oh and me;-) something that he would love and that would make his day special.
I woke him at 4:15am, a first for our marriage.
Told him we had a plane to catch and then handed him some lightweight pants and shirt, an obvious sign we were heading to the sun.
Then with one holdall containing beach towels, shades, his kindle and a few other things, we headed to California for the DAY!!!

sunshine, palm trees, a little sushi and ice cream on the beach,

and we were back, sleeping in our own bed by midnight.
Perfect.
February was also a month to celebrate scouting and both Boyd and I received an award from the district. His was a big deal and was awarded for the several times now he has helped start and organize a scout troop into action. It is pretty exciting to see these goofy, armpit farting, 12 year olds, get a guide and a plan and act on it. They turn into fine young men, Eagle Scouts. Heading out on missions and to college, the young leaders of tomorrow, the husbands for our daughters. My award, well I think they are just amazed that someone as poised and debonair as me, can pull off the level of bad jokes that I do and become one with the 8 to ten year olds at pack meetings :)I am also the only winner of the award to be wearing Fleur de leis(scout symbol) , bling and not having 2 inch roots (oops did I really just type that!)

And just so you know, we also do normal things like, go shopping, with boys who don't like to.(My first venture to a mall since my English family left and I was shopped out.) So there's an app for that. Yes they are playing tennis in the shoe section of Nordstrom. Really?

And so another month bites the dust but not before I bite off a huge room make over project. Ronan's.
This is the before, watch this space (It is complete but we haven't revealed it yet, it's a birthday gift so I will as soon as he turns 12, tomorrow!)

Scrappy Days :)

2011-01-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

Nothing can sooth my soul quite like double sided, acid and lignin free tape runners. (Well at least since I gave up fries and chocolate as a comforter.)
Monthly, I get together with my girls for a late night of giggles and glue and together we create some of the coolest family history you can ever have.
That's your own!

I started scrapping when Curt and Jordan were just perfect little cherubs and I have books that document everything from weddings, births and ordinations to Trips and dogs and Pakistanie London :) The thing they all have in common, they make me smile. Every memory, good or bad is part of my journey and I love taking the time to remember.
(Oh and there's several more of these albums)

This group of ladies, plus a few more not in the picture, are some of the most talented women I know when it comes to crafty stuff.
So if you need to let off steam and want to stick it to something, come join us.
Next month we are cropping for a cure and then March is Scrapbook USA.

Boys versus girls.

2011-01-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

So after hanging all day, an impromptu sleep over is occuring and I had to giggle at the difference between boys and girls.

Boy- Grabs pajama bottoms but only because mother suggests it, has no intention of moving from bean bag, removing video controls from hand in order to put on said pajama bottoms but smiles anyway 'cos they remind him of his favorite thing, HOT SAUCE.

Girl- Pillow, sleeping bag, pj's and change of clothes for her and all her kids because they cant be home alone, apparently Bob (the leopard) is out on a hot date and cant babysit tonight. Then there's a book, some craft supplies, lego and of course your snow hat because it might be chilly and a microphone?

BUT does she have a toothbrush?
Another couple thousand bucks wasted on braces.......

Sick Sucks!

2011-01-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

Why does being sick suck so bad?
You get to lay around in bed, with bad hair. You get to read a whole book on your kindle, without guilt. You learn all kinds of news from the TV, like Oprah has another sister and it might, might not rain, snow, fog. You contemplate why meteorologists have such a cool title and credibility when really you and I could make as accurate predictions by looking out the window. You even get to eat double dark chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate chunks because it's medicinal and you haven't been to the store because your sick and have bad hair and are reading and watching junk TV.

hhmm....maybe being sick doesn't suck.
So why am I such a grouch? Must be another reason.

Suggestions please?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

Just Chillin'

Game Over.

2011-01-15T07:09:00.000-08:00

This past couple of weeks has been like a video game, the good kind where you get to do all different levels and try really hard not to loose a life or in our case get hurt. I had the control paddle, every decision being up to me.
"What shall we do today?"
"Whatever you like"
"What ever I like" hmm.....
Level one, new years eve party~
I made a decision after my first couple of sad, lonely new years eve, that I would always open my home to anyone that wanted to come over. Some years have been huge, some small (this one) but I will always do it. So don't ever be home alone New Years, come and make some noise and mess with us.

Level 2~ We toured Temple Square
I love it here, especially at Christmas time but taking people who are not LDS makes it so much more enlightening. I realize what a great job the church has done to explain what we believe and our history. I especially love the model of the sSalt Lake Temple, with open sides, so you can see each room. Oh and the display of "Book of Mormons" in so many languages, that blows my mind.

Level 3~ A lesson in "curling"
I recommend it for a fun date night. It's so hard!!
(1 life lost, Julia hit her head on the ice)

Level 4~ Downtown tour
We just happened to tour the capitol on the day the Governor was sworn in.

Pause game for a moment.

Level 5- skiing(2 lives lost ;-)

Level 6- Snowmobiling (same 2 lives lost)

And finally
GAME OVER~
I'm shattered. With all the shopping, oh you know these folks can shop and then the other chores of daily living as well as about 800 miles in my car.... I'm going to sleep for a season.
Wake me up in spring will you, it's blooming freezing here.

In case you were wondering,

2010-12-27T13:28:00.001-08:00

Yes, Santa-baby did get me a new camera for Christmas (a little early actually) so now my life can continue, documented.
I just need to take a moment to highlight some skills I've generously passed on to my off spring and I'm not talking about my ability to out eat ANY challenger on Christmas day or the noises of aftermath, of out eating everyone, which could rival an entire rugby team or military salute I would guess.
I'm talking, mad crafting skills. Oh it makes my heart flutter, to be presented with this notebook on Christmas eve.

I love to write and have a notebook on me at all times with lists and plans and thoughts and tons of Asha's doodles.
But why so much love?
Well this book was made from scratch!!
She hand picked a ream of paper in my favorite color, had it cut to size then bought chipboard, also cut to size. She chose stickers I'd love, cos who doesn't love a panda rock band? ("look Mum, the guitar dude is holding a pick, can you see it?")
Then proceeded to use my new, yes I didn't know I was getting it yet, "cinch" tool which punches the holes then binds the book with wire.
Tell me that isn't the coolest flippin thing you've ever seen!!!
Then the melt your heart message inside which I get at least an infinities times a day from her, whenever she can find a scrap of paper.

Oh and while I'm on the subject of gift's. I think Santa-baby needs to be Boyd's new title because I'm sure if I handed him a list as long and extravagant as Marilyn Monroe's, he'd do his best to get it for me.
So here's the thing, did you know my husbands a geek?
I understand some of you may not know that because he is somewhat of a closet geek. He doesn't openly rave about the latest gadgets, although trust me, he knows all about them and whether they are worth having. He was also one of the few geeks to not get beat up in high school but I love Geeks!!! We celebrate them in our house, after all they do end up running the companies and keeping us all globally connected. I am one who just expects certain things to work and for him to take care of all things technical so then why the need to share?
Well every once in a while, he just shocks me with his nerdyness and I think, man that's cool. This occured with one of my Christmas pressies. I had mentioned how much I liked my friends new Pumas, she got them to remind her of me :)I instantly began to covet how cute they were and my hunnies techy brain goes into action. He uses some online tool called "google goggles" to zoom in and blow up an image so he can see exactly the style of shoe then proceeds to order them online for me....
Nerdy or what?

Man I love that guy,I think he used the same nerdyness to find the exact watch that Sandra Bullock wore in the blindside and then got it for me back in June.
Love love love me my Santa-baby nerd :)

Something missing.....

2010-12-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

I did really well up to this point.

I remember back when my Dad passed away, how my brain just seemed to think he was at work or out for the day when he wasn't around but there are certain occasions where someone is just NEVER missing. Christmas is one of them....

Spot the little visitor at our table. Still here in spirit.

Baby it's cold outside....

2010-12-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

Cold and raining and yet a perfect day to go to Temple Square, or at least half of Utah thought so. Packed!!!!
I absolutely LOVE the light's on Temple Square and since this was the very time and season that Boyd proposed to me, it's only fitting that we go, every year. This year we went inside and saw some of the newer exhibits. I plan to go back after Christmas with my English peeps because there's some pretty cool, newer stuff.
It was amazing how busy everyone was, noisy, visiting, taking pictures and group shots. We sat for some time, just still and looked at the Christus and it was amazing to me, that the noise could disappear in my own head, if I just focused on what we came to see. I think this is a lot like life really, sometimes there's so much noise and goings on, that we don't see what really matters.

He gave his Son

2010-12-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

I will never really comprehend what it means, that God "gave his Son" for me but I think I may now understand, just a little more, how hard that was.
This past week, Boyd and I gave our Son, back to the trusting care of his Heavenly Father, as he uses him to be his hands, in serving and teaching the people of Virginia.
Oh it all sounds very dramatic and like someone died but I can't actually imagine feeling any worse than I did, the few days after he left.
With suitcase in hand, he was whisked away in what seemed like a YouTube video waiting to happen.
(I can just see it, the mini van slows slightly , door slides open and suitcase comes flying out, followed by a young man in suit. As he picks him self up of the floor, he hears the door slam shut and sees some arms wave out the windows as they speed off)

And that was that. No phone call, text message, email. Just wait.
Know that he will be safe.
Know that he will be an excellent missionary.
Know that he is prepared as anyone you've ever known.
Know that nothing can explain your feelings.

Then wait for your heart to stop hurting.......
Just wait.........

Scratching my head....

2010-12-21T12:43:00.000-08:00

As per my English Tradition, upbringing and choice, I send out Christmas cards every year. Being a crafter and all that, I make them. I find no burden in this and they are usually my first and most important to-do. I send alot and the postal service are picky about lumpy things so they are usually simple and have a little update about my family since most people getting them don't see us regularly. I like to receive them too so please do send me one :)

Anyway, I just got news from my Mum that a family member of mine called her to complain quite zealously (I'm being polite, he was not) about how disgusting and offensive it was to him that I had send him a Christmas card with all the mumbo jumbo BS of religious..beep beep beep etc. you get my drift.
My first thought was to laugh, I'm not shocked since he's been this kind of "unhappy" his whole life but I did stop and think for a moment, what might be offensive in my card.
*A photo of my family, together, laughing (I do have black fingernails, offensive?)
*I did report that my family is happy and healthy, employed and safe (offensive?)
*I have a son, dedicating 2 years of his life to serve others (offensive?)
*That I have gratitude for things like, scouts, education, good memories (?)
but no, I'm pretty sure it was my reference to Quote"me being grateful for this time of year, to reflect on my Saviors birth and all that my family is blessed with"

Instead of him being grateful that one of his, only 2 nieces (and 2 nephews )had taken the time to send him well wishes, he took it upon himself to upset my Mum by berating her over the phone for my disgusting behavior.

Well I won't apologize, I celebrate with a conscious effort to remember my Savior in ALL my days but especially at this time of year.

I heard this poem and wanted to share.

‘Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house,

not a person was praying, not one in the house.

The Bible was left on the shelf without care,

for no one thought Jesus would come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.

And Mom in the rocking chair with babe on her lap,

was watching the Late Show as I took a nap.

When out of the east there rose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

tore open the shutters and lifted the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

The light of His face made me cover my head.

Was Jesus returning just like He had said?

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,

was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name.

When He said “It’s not here,” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love,

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without sound,

while all of the others were left standing around.

I fell to my knees but it was too late,

I’d waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,

Oh if only I’d known that this was the night.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear.

The coming of Jesus is now drawing near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call,

we’ll find out that the Bible was true after all.

Merry CHRISTmas everyone.

Thank You Cell Phone

2010-12-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

You may be the worst creation of our generation and the route of all evil, according those older people but you have been a lifeline on many occasions. Literally, those calls that got us to a hospital in a hurry or more importantly to transfer money when I just had to have those boots that were beyond my budget.
I have often captured a moment in time with my little camera and so I have to share these latest snaps.

Jordan's Road rash - He had a motocross accident, big jump, came down sideways, snapped his handlebars. Messed up his shoulder but it seems to be improving. He had ALL his safety gear on luckily.
Ridiculous bills coming from ER, make me wonder why I budget at all.

My little Honda Fit, ploughing it's way home after the first big storm.

Some things are just awesome to me still, no matter how many times I see them. The first, fresh, untouched snow and sunshine together.

I thought this Christmas tree was fun.

Finally I got rid of my long mop and feel "Hot" again :)

So I love my little phone and I DO switch it off during movies.

Lost my camera.

2010-12-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

My life is packed with events so when it comes to blogging, I grab my camera., download my pics and am quickly reminded of all the fun things we have done lately.
The problem arises, when i loose said camera!! It's like my life hasn't happened. I have no recollection of anything.
That may be a good thing because some of the happenings of the past few weeks are things I want to completely forget,
like:
being told your not welcome at the family Thanksgiving party,
2 trips to the ER
A day spent with another son in surgery
A car breaking down on the day of the record blizzard that didn't happen.
Cars being trapped in the garage by a broken door.

I could go on but I have forgotten.....
Fortunately, there was one event that was worthy of getting out Boyd's "real" camera.
I made pies from scratch!!
Banana cream, was a hit.

The main benefit of making my own pie was that, as good as that crust tasted, I couldn't get over the fact that I had put LARD in it, solid coagulated animal fat!!! I just couldn't eat any but a sliver.

It was also a consensus that none of us actually like roasted turkey and we would much prefer a chicken.
There really are bonuses to having your own family get togethers.

We hung out and vegged until heading to the theater to watch "tangled" cute show.

So there it is, I have no record of The festival of trees, my new haircut, shopping for missionary attire, large amounts of snow or my favorite lunch out with all my scrap friends. They must've not happened.

How great shall be your joy.

2010-11-14T20:47:00.000-08:00

If you bring but one soul unto me.
I always thought that one soul was me but watching Curt make the choice to enter the house of the Lord was one of those moments of joy that make all the years of worrying and wondering, worth it.

There is such a peace in knowing our children look up for their guidance and not around about them. It was an honor to share this occasion with Curt.

I have to say that this day was possible because of the Priesthood that has guided Curt on his journey to manhood. I thank God daily for the blessing that Boyd has been to me and to our family. He walks, quietly in the ways of the Lord and leads us by example.

Seriously?

2010-11-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

So my sweet friend, who I met online through a healthy transformation group. Planned and gifted a cruise for her parents 40th wedding anniversary ( Big cheer for 40) She and a few of her friends also celebrated their 40 birthdays this year and so she organized quite a large group to go on this Western Caribbean cruise.
Here's the bummer, her boss (she's a pharmaceutical rep) canceled ALL leave until February due to a new product launch, talk about being slave to "the man". Anyway, with her newly transformed good attitude, she let it go, knowing there was little she could do but feel bad, and we choose to not feel bad. SO........

Skip forward a month or 2 and I finally meet my friend face to face in Denver ( That reminds me I need to blog about it) We are like soul sisters, crazy similar. We like fries and ice cream, have unhealthy relationships with buildabears and almost the same haircut.

Well we fly home on Monday and by Wednesday she calls me, missing me of course ;-) but says "so the cruise that I couldn't go on, well they have delayed our launch and now I can go!" yipee I'm so excited for her then she says "BUT...... my husband can't get off work so I have a spot, bought and paid for and you just need to get there" LOL that's me laughing.
" When?"
"Monday"
"What this Monday?"
"Yes the 5 day away Monday"

How many reasons could I think of not to go? well the list was long and detailed not to mention my expired passport which I have to renew at the British Embassy but you know me...
"Sure"
and that was that.
I flew to Miami, my awesome, favorite of Boyd's cousins, actually my favorite of his entire extended family. Jenny picked me up at around Midnight, took me to her home and we chatted til the wee hours, Man I love that girl. Then she gave me a morning tour of Miami beach with her cute little boy Porter.

I think Miami may have trumped California for my favorite place but I would need better clothes if I lived there.
Then I met my friend and had the perfect week.

We worked out everyday.

Check out my treadmill numbers!!! (There are in KM ph and look well impressive compared to Mph)
There are plenty healthy food options if you choose them. We did.

and I had the time of my life.....think dirty dancing....Patrick Swayze...this was totally like that complete with end of holiday show and dance people and fancy waiters and bingo.
Perfect.

Smiling.

2010-11-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

I like smiling, smilings my favorite (qt ELF)

If you lack smiles, might I suggest a dog.
Always happy to cuddle, kiss, doesn't care if you smell or left him all day alone or even forgot to feed him til 10 o'clock. Better than a build-a-bear or a snuggie. Quick to forgive. you can totally make fun of them when they get a haircut, I mean you can't do that to anyone else ( Especially if you happen to be the hair cutter)
Yep, love my dogs, they just make me smile.

Baby turns 9 :(

2010-11-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

I keep telling my kids they aren't allowed to grow any bigger but just like when I tell them to clean up there room or go to bed, they just don't listen to me.
I asked Asha how come she listened to Dad and not me and she said "cos he gives us punishments" Boyd's not a mean guy in case you were wondering but apparently his method of motivation is a little better than mine so guess what.....
Next time Asha grows an inch or a year older, she's in big trouble!!!!

We stop the traditional "party" at age 8 since it ends up being a riot of kids we don't know or even like a whole lot (oops did I just say that)in fear of leaving someone out.
We do the "take a special friend somewhere special" option and Asha chose .....drum roll.....Build a bear. Of course she did, she has gone there on her birthday every year since she was born. Lily and Tanner are her besties right now although she does have a couple of buds at school that she adores (little miss social. It was good time and we had to finish with sees suckers (um um good)

This girl is just a mini me, what can I say. messy, creative, social, loves to eat, boy am I in for teenage trouble.

Our Little Picasso

2010-11-03T06:18:00.001-07:00

Asha did, what any creative child would do with an old cardboard box, when asked to take it out to the rubbish. She created an art gallery!! This occurred within about 5 minutes of being asked.

Not everyone is smart, someone has to decorate, that would be our Asha.

The Letter

2010-11-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

As a Mum who's heart is full, I have not words to describe this feeling.

My sweet baby, Elder Curtis Ross Hickman will be given back to his Heavenly Fathers Care for 2 years as he serves the people of Richmond Virginia. He enters the Missionary Training Center on December 15th 2010.

Making The Climb

2010-11-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

Living in Utah, I am surrounded by mountains. People always told me the mountains are to the East but you can literally see mountains all around so it took me a while to figure out a mountain from a MOUNTAIN!! LOL.
I arrived in the State at night in May of 1996 and my then 3 & 4 year old sons were sleeping. The next morning, or at least when the sun came up, my jet lagged boy, looked out the window and said (in his best British accent)" Mummy, these hills are massive" Indeed they are and ever since I have desired to climb to the top.

I know people do this and I have always had an excuse of time, pregnancy etc but really I just wasn't in good enough shape and it scared me, it's not an easy task. 4500 feet to a total of 11,000 ft. 8 miles each way, approx 8 -10 hours hiking with your water/food etc on your back. possible wind storms, heat..... I was scared.

After starting the Transformation challenge in February and reading about setting goals and mapping a course, (they used a mountain reference) I knew now was the time and I really did have to plan a date based on least chance of snow etc.
I mentioned it to a few friends and before long I had many people interested. I sent out the invite and a total of 18 gave me a maybe, then 10 for sures and in the final week I got excuse after excuse until my husband, son and one neighbor where all that was left to join me. I thought the neighbor was a rock star til I got the text at 6am.... So the 3 of us headed out and it couldn't have been a more perfect day.

It was long and hot but my body worked hard for me, the only breaks I took were because of my families varying pains, all of which they pushed through and made it to the summit.I listened to the LDS General conference in my ears and heard so many references to things symbolic of what I was doing at that very moment. The last mile, we literally climbed rocks and I was more terrified about the descent than anything.
By the last hour I was jogging along the trail, just full of energy and life and I can only imagine now the rush I will get when I cross that finish line in Denver after completing my first half marathon.

So no medal for this mountain but a huge goal accomplished with 2 of my favorite people. It was a joy to spend the day with Curtis before he heads out to climb a mountain of his own.

Many wish to start this journey, many quit before making it to the summit. Yes it is hard but we CAN do hard things. I challenge you to get out and do something hard for you. This is how we grow.

Everything but the soundtrack

2010-09-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

I know some of you have been waiting for this blog but honestly, I'm not sure how to put into words what we experienced here this past Sunday.

I feel like we spent 24 hours in a movie! That's what I get for stating recently that my life is so boring it wouldn't make a movie.

It began Sunday afternoon as a smell of smoke and a few signs of a possible wildfire on the other side of the mountain where we live. Within a few hours we could see billowy smoke and small flames.

We loaded our car with our dogs, supplies and photographs and watched in wonderment with neighbors as we saw fire trucks and police cars hare up the street.
At this point we really had no concern at all.
We stood around watching with neighbors, woo hoo something exciting on a Sunday afternoon but eventually the smoke was stinging our eyes and we could feel ash landing on us. We had gotten word from a neighbor, who had left her car at a barricade, at the entrance to our neighborhood, that they were evacuating homes and if we left we could not come back in. Suddenly, it wasn't as entertaining.
We received a reverse 911 call, then bull horns declaring the need to evacuate. We were all still quite calm at this point, surely just a precaution. Then a hammer on the door from authorities and we were told to leave. We did so, again calmly without panic and went by the local school which was set up as a make shift shelter. I really just wanted to know if there was a number to call for info and who knew that twitter would be the most accurate way of communicating. Cell phone service stopped working right away due to excess usage which was a quick lesson in emergency preparedness. Walkie talkies are handy.
I had arranged for my older boys to meet us at a safe place as they were in separate vehicles and that's where I headed. As I pulled out of the school lot, I could see the flames quickly coming over the mountain and had the thought that this was not going to be a safe place for long but still calm, I drove away thinking that fire was heading straight for our little cove and feeling confident the firemen would take care of it. I headed down the main road whilst hundreds of cars headed towards the fire, they were lined up and parked and sitting on roofs like it was a drive in movie. I suppose the sight was quite magnificent to someone who didn't actually live here.

(My home sits 3/4 mile between this pond and the fire.)

(My home is directly below the point of this V.)
I sat in a parking lot, waiting like a mother duck for her ducklings to cross the road. My heart was beginning to be troubled but I assured myself that I had no attachment to material things and yes, in case you were wondering, I had ALL my scrapbooks with me.
The flames spread fast and thick and as the sun went down, the orange glow was no longer a beautiful magnificence but the reality that our home and the homes, possibly lives, of our whole neighborhood were in danger.
This was my view.

(My home sits in a cove behind the lowest point of this flame.this picture is taken about 7 miles away)

Curtis had not arrived, I called him only to find he had headed further up into the canyon to help a friend pack he was on his way now and described the smoke so thick and orange that he couldn't see back into our cove. Jordan also had to head towards the fire as his wallet and ID etc was in his car in a parking lot. The roads were barricaded at this point to try and keep a track for emergency crew.
Suddenly not so calm.
Asha was upset, her whole family of soft toys were in that fire and to an eight year old that was devastating but we reassured her they were having a fun party with no grown ups home.
Jordan described this as he sat for 1 hour in a 3 mile procession.
"There is something eerie about sitting in blocked traffic while people walk along side you with back packs and horses on lead reigns (too freaked out to get in a trailer)" Like I said it was like a movie with no soundtrack.

Once my kids arrived we had to make a decision where to go. ( We had so many offers for us and our animals, it was overwhelming).Honestly, we sat there for hours but it felt like minutes. While I had accepted that all I needed was right here with me, it was still sickening to not know what tomorrow would hold or how our life would be from this point. Numb I stared as the fire looked like hot lava crawling down and enormous mountain.

We prayed in faith. Surely if God could part the red sea, he could blow this fire in another direction. I knew he could, I believed it with all my heart and actually I felt peace. Having been evacuated from our summer camp ( not nearly as dramatic) with torrential rain and mudslides, yet seeing the ground solid and dry as we drove, I knew we would be protected.

We have truly been blessed, I have seen miracles, I had my prayers answered. I have gratitude to so many. If I was in need of humbling, then this did it. I cannot imagine what that fire looked like to the personnel working through the night to put it out.

Today, I sit in my home, with green grass and ALL my neighbors survived, although a few homes did not. The community outpouring of gifts and love is also a site to see.
1600 homes evacuated and only 83 people that needed to stay at the shelter. Food from all local businesses and now clothing for those still in "HOT" areas.

As the days have passed I have heard, speak of blame or should've/could've but in my little corner of the woods, we speak of gratitude and miracles because we truly saw the hand of God protect us, our homes and the many many people would worked to put that fire out.

Did I mention my Mum is visiting from England? Welcome to Utah!! This is the most beautiful place on earth. We are a community that know's how to love and serve and care for one another. I feel blessed that I got to witness the power of God and also the nature of man this week, because I'm happy to report that for the most part, it is GOOD.

The old me.

2010-09-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Every once in while, my old self appears it's ugly, judgmental, all knowing face, in an effort to better the world with my truth telling mouth. Today, I leave all my positive, see the light and love of all things furry, as I share with you my, not humble at all, opinion on modesty and clothes of our time.
Having recently returned from my faboosh trip to Cali, I found myself humming the song "California girls, they're undeniable..." Undeniably the worst wearers of daisy dukes I've ever seen. I have quipped and complained my fair share about why on earth, I'm the only one on the beach in knee length shorts and a t.shirt at 90 degrees, when trust me, I could totally rock the little white skirt with a boobtube and cowboy hat, yet the term "modesty" comes to my mind. It always felt like a rule I wasn't convinced on but now I have started to see this more as for our own protection. I don't mean I stay covered to protect some sado, perv from checking out my hotness (I told you this was Un humble, not a word...correction,for my Mum ;-) lacking in humility)But to protect my eyes from having to see someone else s nasty varicose veins and cellulite legs.
Clisty commented that the only people who look good in daisy dukes, are 19 year old boys and I have to agree, I saw one!! No Joke. Yet this seems to be the flavor of the month in style. Have mercy. I cannot tell you how many people I saw that would've been stunning in a longer short but that opted for the DD. While I'm on the subject of latest styles and my inner B... juices are flowing, I need to give my honest opinion on "Designer" jeans and the boutique.
Having been blessed from birth, or so all the boys told me, with a ghetto booty, (that is, large butt, small waist) sister got back, junk in the trunk, however you refer to it, It has been a beast, trying to find jeans that fit. They always have a huge gaping flap in the back, that is useful for smuggling popcorn into the theater but not much else. So I went in search of "designer jeans".
This term used to mean, you got a jean made carefully by a quality designer that actually worked with people and didn't just order in a job lot from south America, made by 5 year olds. The result, was a fab pair of jeans that cost an arm and a leg but not as much as the 5 pairs combined you have hanging that don't fit. (When I say fit, I mean the fit that would have an ex boyfriend weeping at the thought of having overlooked you for the blond who now wears DD's and a boob tube and just shouldn't.)So hear I am after my first beautiful experience, a size or so smaller and in need of new jeans. The term boyfriend jean, could best describe mine since they would probably fit Boyd (my Boyfriend)
So my complaint. Now ALL the stores sell "designer jeans" only they are not, they are just name brands with huge price tags, probably shipped from South America and fit just as crappy as the jeans you could buy at any walmart. To add to my complaining they are all covered in pockets and studs that say, "hey look at my butt, flattened and sausaged into these jeans I paid too much for, in an attempt to look awesome and unique, except don't notice they are the same as my neighbors". I can't tell you how often I see gorgeous girls in ill fitting jeans that they paid a fortune for.
Now onto the boutique. It used to be a small store that had one of a kind clothes. You went there because you were guaranteed that whatever you found in your size, was not replicated in any other size or color, again, warranting the higher price tag. Today the boutique is a slew of angel wings studs and rhinestones which, as adorable and cute as they are, all start to look the same, therefore making all people wearing them lemmings (I confess I have one, appropriate when riding a Harley, me thinks.)
So why does this frustrate me so?
After all, I really have detached from caring two hoots about what anyone else is wearing (you will notice this if you see my kids around)but it leaves me high and dry when I am trying to find new clothes that look good, stylish, cover everything, make me feel good and age appropriate ( yes I'm referring to you, 45 year old in skin tight angel t.shirt and hoodie with jeans with thick white stitching)
that also is a hazard to my eyes. I can't tell you how many sales assistants have told me I should wear the stuff made and marketed for teens but I'm not ready to step into the Relief Society box jacket either.
Such a dilemma.

Case in point, someone who could benefit from some modesty or shirt....no I'm not talking about Boyd, look harder. It hurts my eyes so.

Ok I'm done. Back to my bright sprightly self. Hope you all have a fantabulous day.

Our $2000 tomato.

2010-08-31T15:07:00.001-07:00

No we didn't just win, "best in show" at the county fair, this is actually a reference to about how much we've spent over the years trying to grow vegetables. Who ever said growing a garden is provident living is apparently much greener thumbed than we are but this year we finally have started to see the fruits or vegetables of our labors.
We have tried the tub planters, which apparently only grow if a stray sprinkler waters them (we never did it on purpose) A huge back yard plot, which became a weedfest very quickly since no one wanted to go out there in the rain. A square foot box made out of 2x4's plonked smack dab in the middle of my pathway (the book said somewhere where you'll remember to care for it)Then finally this beautiful structure of meditative permanence.

We paid far too much for pre mixed soil that hasn't grown so much as a weed.

So you see, this little tomato has quite a price tag and since getting it, we have had quite a harvest. so I had to share. Pictures anyway, your not getting the fruits of our (well Boyd's) labor.

Cashing in our Disney day

2010-08-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

Back in March, our family took part in the Disney "give a day, get a day" program. We each made 3 children's blankets to be given to a child that is often with no personal belongings.

In return, Disney gave us each a free day (total value $380, not too shabby)
Not only did we get these cool badges which we wore with pride all day but

They actually had a mini parade to honor volunteers with a bunch of muppet characters in work clothes. Very Cool.

So if you thought Disney was the happiest place on earth before then imagine it being free and then the happy goes up a notch.

I'll let you in on a little secret, The last week in August(or the week before Thanksgiving) is the best time to go to a theme park. It seems everyone is back at school but us and the parks are still open, full, peak season hours.

We had so much leisure time with short lines that we went on all the little in betweener rides AND even hung out in toon town for a bit.
Am I the only person on the planet, despite meeting Mickey many times, that is still shocked at how small he is? He is a mouse after all.

My Happy Place.

2010-08-31T12:41:00.001-07:00

We just got back yesterday from a relaxing trip to Sunny, southern California. As I started browsing my gazillion photos,I realized I couldn't possibly do this trip justice so let me just say that we love this place. We went to a few theme parks but had tons of time to just hang out and enjoy the relaxing ocean. We walked, ran on the beach, ate all manner of "bad for us" food, confirming the fact that it makes you feel junk. This is part one of a few days in pics. Hope you enjoy

Where we stayed.

Where we played.

Can you guess which picture I took ? I must be the only blogger on the planet that hasn't got mad camera skills! Or have I ? ;-) Maybe I took this silhouette to conceal my man's hotness. You'll never know.

Bragging Rights

2010-07-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

It's not uncommon as I drive around that I notice the little vinyl decals on the back of people's vehicles that show pride in a achievement. I see the "Parent of Honor Student" or "I love my Eagle Scout". I see various team names and numbers and I smile. I see the parents with a row of kids and a dog and I smile.
Recently I have noticed the weird little "ragnar" logo and wondered what the heck is that? I see it all around. Now I know what it is, it makes me smile. I see the 13.1 and the 26.2 and again I smile.

The thing is, I didn't used to. I considered it bragging!! I mean I'm not likely to put a "my kids not on ANY team" sticker on my car or a "sat and watched TV for 6 hours straight" decal am I. Our church has started doing a good news minute where they ask, is there any good news? you get the "my son got a mission call" big news or a funny " I'm caught up on my laundry" happy news but I always felt that what might be my good news, could actually make someone else feel bad about their situation. So I tended to not say much.

I have changed my thinking in this. I am so grateful for all the good things that happen in my life that I should be able to share them and show that gratitude. My true friends are happy for me and my achievements. I would LOVE to celebrate your achievements.
I smile when I see those decals because now I understand more fully what it means to run a half or full marathon for that matter. Six months ago I wanted to die running one mile so 26.2 is a BIG DEAL!!
Ragnar? Well ask someone with a sticker and I know you would be proud of them and wish you had it in you to EARN that sticker.

For me today, what would my stickers be?
2 parents, 4 kids and 2 dogs (I consider 2 parents, a big deal)
17.4 (I have worked so hard to be healthy and the bodpod measured me to have 17.4% bodyfat, a big deal)
My Puma (speed agility, black beauty, all goals of mine. Oh and I have 15 pairs of pumas, a big deal:)
Maybe a national Honor society sticker with an Eagle scout sticker over the top.

So I say, celebrate and show gratitude for the things you work hard for. Be motivational to others. This is where we find happiness and Joy. Someone will always feel bad when reminded of their own, hard situation but how we feel is always a choice we make and is not in our circle of control. We can only control our own feelings.

I choose to be happy.

Book Club

2010-07-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

This is a gathering of friends I have met through the Transformation website and book. We are all in this together, making positive changes and supporting each others desire to be more happy and healthy.
We had a pot luck style taste test, where we shared some of our favorite, healthy recipes.

These yummy cheese cakes taste as good as they look, totally low fat and containing protein. Who knew that was possible!!
Danielle has lost 50lb so far and is so bright and happy. Now her husband is joining in and this program is helping him deal with some PTSD. :)
We just chat, support one another and share some of our struggles, our plans and our achievements.
It is a great feeling to be around a positive, energetic group. I just love it.
Your ALL invited to the next one :)
www.transformation.com

Finally

2010-07-20T10:01:00.001-07:00

a BMW we both like.

Big Air!!!!

2010-07-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

So I have to do the bragging thing now.
We have started a Big air contest in the family since everyone is getting better behind the boat and the winner is based on height, distance, general coolness and of course landing it in style.

Current champion.

BOYD

now they are working on their switch, or riding with their bad foot forward so that they can throw some turns into their mad big air skills.

Eat It!!!!

2010-07-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

Picture me singing these words to the tune of Michael Jackson's "Beat it"

These are the pics that don't always make it on facebook but they do seem to provide us with the most entertainment.

You'll notice there aren't any of me! This is not because of my lack of wipeouts, merely that I am the one with the camera most of the time and trust me when I go down it is so fast and frequent, you'd have a hard time filming it.

Weekend catchup

2010-07-06T09:27:00.001-07:00

Catch a ride.

Catch some rays.

Catch some air.

My greatest catch.

Caught on film.

Caught my heart and gave me goose bumps.

Now I've run out of catch ideas but Carrie Underwood was gorgeous and so powerful, I loved her music and bought her CD on the way home at about 1am, "up to the wal-mart"

My very favorite part of the show was watching 260 young men receive their Eagle Scout award, the largest Eagle Court of honor ever, knowing my Jordan just earned the highest rank a boy scout can earn also. It is tradition for all Eagle scouts in the room to join then in the Eagles nest and on this occasion they asked all eagles in the stadium to stand and hold up the Eagle award. I was proud Mumma and there were thousands...

A great 4th of July to celebrate freedom, liberty and justice for all.

World Cup Fever

2010-06-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

While I am indeed grateful, to live in a beautiful land, my freedoms here allow me to hang my flag and announce with pride, that I am in fact English. Still loyal to Her Majesty the Queen and to the team called England as they play the USA in round one of the world cup.

I actually couldn't care less about the game and I hate to hear all the excuses from England about why they haven't won the competition since before I was born but today, since my house is divided I feel it necessary to support the land that gave me birth and so far, most of my life experience.
I just hope, if US does score, tie or even win, that their goals are clean and good because I just can't stand to hear the excuses.

Look what our neighbors did during the game :)

In memory

2010-06-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

Memorial day always falls at the end of May and it is a tradition for Boyd's family to get together at the cemetery down town and place flowers at his Dad's graveside.We always have a nice picnic and it is great time to celebrate family and remember loved ones gone before. Last year we buried his grandpa, whom Boyd loved so much and the headstone had just been placed so we were able to visit this also.

Every year, as people are in thought and memorial mode I of course think of my Dad, taken too young at just 46. May 30th 1992. My babies were just 1 and 7 weeks old. He didn't get to see them grow. He didn't get to meet my husband who treats me like a queen. He didn't get to meet his other 2 beautiful Grandkids, who he'd just love to bits. He didn't get to grow old and retire with my Mum, taking their caravan to muddy fields and complaining about the foreign, naf food that's taken over the world, he didn't get to continue to prop up the bar on a Friday night with his brother.

This is a picture Boyd created of him, taken from his usual spot in a deck chair on camping trips.
Sometimes I just miss him being in my life but I know that this life is eternal and I will meet him again and we will soon catch up on all the goings on and he'd be proud of me and all I've accomplished.

Sunday's at ours

2010-06-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Since my kids got older, it seemed, Monday night home evening was often interfered with, work and other activities threw off our groove so we decided to switch it to Sunday. For some reason, everyone has respected that Sunday is a family day and so in order to have our whole crew there and happy about it we needed to come up with a plan.
Each person takes turns with different responsibilities for our activities but the most sought after job is, choosing and helping make dinner. The kids pull out the recipe books and make a choice. You know it was good when the next kid chooses the same the next week.
I really enjoy this practice as it's not always me doing everything.

So far, Jaime Oliver is the favorite books of choice although my full English meal was a hit. I did Bangers mash and Beans, Toad in the Hole, shepherds pie and trifle all at the same time. Oh so good :)

The Science fair

2010-05-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

Asha's class of 7 & 8 year olds, had a little science fair.
Being my child, she was more interested in a craft project than science but she did decide she wanted to blow up a volcano and since I am the queen of paper mache, thank you blue peter, I figured she could try some different items that would fizz up and we'd go from there.
Thanks to google, how did we ever learn anything pre web days? I discovered that, mentos would explode a coke bottle and so she built her volcano around one and painted it. She also made a big display board, complete with blue sky, (not sure where she got the idea a sky is blue, we have only seen white clouds lately) and also a dinosaur. Thanks to Disney, my daughter thinks that every volcano has dinosaurs living in the midst.
She first tried to blow up cups but the liquid ahd to be in a bottle.

Anyway, she did great and loved it. She had a huge smile as she demoed her findings.
I actually learned allot that day
1) Parents need to back off and let the kids do the work, it was sad to see the obvious parent projects and then as the kids couldn't even tell you what they did they got all sad and embarrassed.
2) Parents create unnecessary stress and work for themselves.
3) the messier and smellier the better.
4) Parents can be disrespectful, as they chat and let their kids run riot around the room while a child is trying to talk about their work. Just saying.
5) you need large amounts of mentos as kids will help themselves as they walk by :)
6) 20oz soda is more expensive than 2 litre.

Lagoon

2010-05-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

My sister in law took up clogging and as part of that fun , healthy activity, she was coerced into performing in a competition at Lagoon which, if not traumatic enough, was amplified in the stress zone by the fact that we all came to watch :) This was her second year and she really did great. I have to admit I am thankful that Asha has not chosen dance as her passion in life, as I'm not sure I could keep up with all the make up and hair pieces and false eyelashes on little ones, not to mention how unflattering metallic spandex is.
So with this fun comp came some discount tickets and since the weather was freezing and included a hail storm, we just stayed for a few rides but I got some pics and am happy to reveal that my kids are up for most of them.

What can I say, this kind of talent deserves a picture :)

Tooo Long.....

2010-05-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

I know I know, it's been ages since I posted and some are wondering if we all died or at least if we all are sat at home doing nothing (ah now wouldn't that be nice for just a moment)
anyway, here's our last little while in a nutshell.

The kids got to go to the renaissance fair and we got to spend the day with people who like to dress up and fake being English. Did you know that during this era, the most dominant thing happening was people trying to sell you overpriced plastic swords? a cultural experience I was glad to only need to do once. Luckily, whilst jousting, one of the knights (who are actually world champions, it really is a pro sport here),took a good chunk of the long thingy to the shoulder and we saw blood and everything. SCORE!!

we took several trips to St.George in search of better weather. The kids love that we can swim, even at night. We are ready to move here if it snows one more day.

I did some prom hair and make up.

Before (she'd kill me for posting this)

After
don't anyone get any ideas, I only do this for my extremely good friends :)

Took a field trip to "this is the place" I really love this place and would like to spend time there without kids so I can actually listen and learn.

We continue our family night dinners despite the empty seat.
We miss Jordan so much but he he is doing good. Mostly staying positive and selling a little. He is learning so much from this experience that it is so worth while. His bed was only empty for a night as Asha has taken to sleeping there :) I hated to see it empty so I don't mind at all.

As for me, I am happier and healthier than ever, thanks to a mind/spirit/body program I have been working on now for 18 weeks. Those who have known me a while would think I was always happy and looked great but actually I felt the total opposite and was just really good at faking it. ( your shocked? I was good wasn't I?)

Anyway, Like I said, I am feeling great and would be happy to share with anyone willing to work hard for that peace. I had no idea how close I always was to being happy and healthy.

I'll try to be better at posting.

Miss Him already.

2010-04-26T12:01:00.001-07:00

Someone once told me that having kids was like having your heart walk around outside your body but watching them drive away, knowing you won't touch their face for 18 weeks, is like having your heart attached to the bumper of their car and it just keeps pulling.

I miss my baby so bad :(

Oh Scrap!

2010-04-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

It seems I'm not the only one in my house that loves to scrap.

But I am the only one who buys supplies and wishes my dog wasn't as keen on scrapping as he is.

He can work magic with a box of tissues but this day he glued it too, it's like the new botox for dogs, keeps your fur firm all day :)

Disney give a day...

2010-03-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have seen adds from Disney, to give a day of service in exchange for a 1 day ticket into a disney park. We weren't planning a disney trip this year but seem to migrate towards Cali most summers so I thought it might be great way for the kids to "earn" their entry. There is a huge list of services to choose from but since some had an age limit we opted to make blankets for achildrens "circle of love" foundation. Often, kids taken from their homes or refuges have no personal belongings at all and so these blankets are given to them to keep.
Asha and I picked out all the fleece, enough to make 15 blankets and we set to cutting and tying them.

It was allot of fun, we hung out in my room watching movies as we tied. I think we watched 5 movies over 2 days so you get the idea this wasn't as quick as it may seem.

It was actually nice to have the kids hanging out, interacting and helping each other. I will definately be looking for deals on fleece so we can do this again (minus the disney ticket)

Each one of the blankets was kissed and hugged by us all, even Curt and Boyd, then tied with a heart ribbon and sent on it's way.
I hope some little child will feel our warm hug as he wraps this blankie around himself.

Ronan is special.

2010-03-09T13:08:00.000-08:00

I don't mean that in a "politically correct" way of saying "spaz head" although that's exactly the word that I'm thinking now that I post these pictures.
You see Ronan is, entirely his own person. Since birth he has caused people to wonder why he's "different". He's completely chilled, so laid back he could fall over. Not in a hurry for anything, usually with his hands in his pockets.
There are so many things I LOVE about Ronan but mostly it is how huggable he is. He always wants a hug and kiss, I know he just turned 11 and I wonder if that'll go away but for now, he is happy to display affection and doesn't care who thinks he's nerdy or who feels the need to race or beat him at something.
This is him with his nerdy "spaz head" friends, They are so much fun.
Happy Birthday Ricearoni, Ronius Maximus, Xavier, Rice.
Love You

Favors for friends.

2010-02-25T12:28:00.000-08:00

I Remember when I was going to college and had to rely on you all to be my guinea pig?
Can you please LET me cut your hair, or do your make up or give you a full body, aromatherapy, massage? Some things were better than others. Those freebies continued for years after I had full skills and got paid by others but I am grateful that people let me DO stuff to them BEFORE I had a clue. Just imagine a bikini wax from someone who hasn't done it before!!! OWWEEE.

Anyway, yesterday I returned the favor for a friend who is in Phlebotomy training, ha, "phleb" just sounds funny to me. "your such a phleb!!" even Ronan cracked a smile and raised an eyebrow when I said the word.
So for those who don't know what a phleb is, I didn't, it's the nice lady who takes your blood and says "just a little scratch" LIAR!!
My neighbor asked and I obliged, here's the picks as proof.

She got credit per poke and luckily had enough after 2 from me or I might look like a watering can today.
The things we do.....

In search of Sun.

2010-02-25T08:05:00.000-08:00

Boyd and I took a quick trip down to St.George in search of sun and freedom from....well anything really.

The drive looked something like this!
Pretty slow and scary. It would be quite peacefully mesmerizing if there wasn't always some moron 6 feet from your back lights.
The Parade of homes provided our entertainment and I decided that if you don't play golf, you just wouldn't fit in in St. George but then since when have I wanted to "fit in"
We saw some pretty cool looking homes, a bit more contempory and my style.

I was mostly drawn to all the little patios and out door living spaces.

The thought of sitting out in the morning with the paper and a big mug. Leisurely looking glam with my hair pulled up on top of my head and a loose, cotton shirt of Boyd's, over my tan, sculpted body. Ok OK that was a movie but you know what I mean.
Since the dogs have un done, all the wonderful attempts at our out door living space, you know the one we took months over last summer, I think they are search of a golden bone or dead body or maybe just the ball that's actually under the sofa. Well since then, I only dream of such things and maybe there not being snow on the ground so for now, trips to St. George is it.
We are going again in a couple of weeks.

Superbowl Sunday

2010-02-23T12:41:00.000-08:00

Looks something like this.

More Junk food than is possible to eat, depite best efforts by me,

in a brother in laws home "sports themed" theatre,

with a screen bigger than your 6 foot tall son,

and electronic recliners and seating for all.

It's a fun tradition, mostly about food and commercials and maybe a little betting thrown in for good measure.
I LOST! but I gained...about 5lb that is :)

Boyd's B-day

2010-02-23T12:29:00.001-08:00

So who says we are old?

Fortunately, not to old to do this!

It's called ifly and after a little training everyone got to do it.

What a blast, Ronan looked like a flying squirrel with his little smile and cheeks. Boyds face flapped pretty good in the 100mph wind. We have a DVD to prove it an make eternal fun of him because of it :)

silent night

2010-02-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

No it's not Christmas already but rest assured it will be a silent, peaceful night tonight. I have been waking up restless over the clutter and disorder that surrounds my days. I am in an endless cycle of laundry, dishes, dust and dog hair (non shedding HA!! it's a good job he's so flippin" cute) Any Mum knows what I'm talking about. We seem to be in a non stop cyclone of mess and no one seems to notice or care but us. Is your violin out yet?
Well, I see these shows on HGTV, talk about a sanctuary for sanity or in other words, a quiet, happy place that no one can mess with. Maybe a big bubble bath or reading corner.

Today I conquered a place that will bring a smile to my face when ever I enter it.....
My closet.
I know I have talked allot about shoes lately, what can I say, they have been with me all my life and since the age of about 13 they have remained the same size. Ok there was the jump for 7 to 9 when I came to the US, not as bad as being a 40 if I'd moved to Europe but the blow was softened by my clothes size going from a 12 to an 8. That's why I stay here, really. 10 stone sounds better than 140lbs though....I am sidetracked.

I just wanted to share my new happy place.

I added a bunch of shelves. Home depot will cut the wood and Boyd helped me level and screw. Now ALL my shoes have a place and YES, there are a few openings to be filled.

I discovered, where would we be without google, that if you roll up magazines and shove them in your boots, that they stand up tall and will line up nicely, 2 lines may be necessary.

and finally a place for the pile of bags. They have become the accessory of the moment but what do you do with them all, really? I'm asking. What do YOU do with yours?

So once more, the West Jordan DI is the place to be this week and if you need me, I'll be sat cross legged in my new happy place, humming kumbyahhhhh.

Ready when you are :)

2010-02-04T08:06:00.001-08:00

I finally chose a vanity and sink.

Who knew, European plumbing was a different size than American? NO COMMENT BOYD! Of course I wasn't going to put a standard home depot sink in my "loft style" basement but fortunately my Hubby, who has exactly 48 more minutes patients than our hired plumber, was able to install a few adapters and voila, bobs your uncle, running water, power flushing toilet (don't drop your phone in it) and an almost complete guest bathroom. I need to get a mirror and shower curtain but rest assured they are only a choice and an hour away and could be ready as soon as you decide to come and stay. I must warn however, that Jordan has taken to the idea of his own room and has been told he can't stay in it, the guest room, not the bathroom in case you were wondering, unless he's a guest. He said he was moving out today and he'll come visit tonight. Ya dig?

Friendship

2010-02-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

It's been over 10 years now since we built our first house in Provo. The whole street emerged in a matter of months, ruining the existing view for the neighbors "below" us. Our homes were squeezed together, meaning less yard work for me but more house for our meager starter home budget. We all moved in together, some of us hung out together, some even had babies at the same time. Eventually, as life happens, most of us have moved on and yet we stay in touch and still laugh together or sometimes at each other :)
Last week our crazy friend Shelly, ran a half marathon in St. George. Of course she invited us to run but since we obviously have more brain cells than her ( she did have 5 kids in 10 years) or less free spirits, you choose, we declined and went anyway as the cheer squad!!!
Hey any excuse to hang out for the weekend with no bedtime, curfew or "MUM!!"

This is the gorgeous home of Jen's uncle, so cool, I would love to see it in the hot sun with the pool all cool and wet. Anyway we stayed there and discovered on the way to it that there's an actual biggest looser ranch down the road.

Of course we went in, hoping for a glimpse of someone famous but they don't actually film at this venue. Bummer.
Then on to the marathon.

Shelly did awesome and we were pretty dang good cheerers :)Of course she had the " I thought I was going to die" reaction at the end and about 3 minutes later was ready to sign up for another race.
It was really cool to see all the people, every age, shape and size running and I was glad I am healthy and able to make the choice to NOT run :)

At first when we saw this girl with full on up-do brained hair and LARGE flower I thought, a bit OTT maybe but then we saw the cute guy all in black and their shirts had their names and "running in love" on them , we figured they were just married and although I heard lots of mumblings around me about what they'd rather be doing on their wedding day,of course like us, none of the mumblers were running! but I thought it was inspiring that their marriage was starting out with a pledge to be healthy together.
I had a blast, just hanging with Jen. We giggled and chatted til the wee hours of the morning. It is cool when your lives are really so different and yet you just get along and are happy for each others accomplishments. I've always loved the way Jen will jump at the chance to do anything, 9:30pm, "ya wanna see a movie?" sure, 2 weeks notice, ya wanna go to St.George?, sure. Choose a paint color though and it's a different story :)
After the race we headed to Vegas.

We seriously had the best view ever from our hotel. We shopped for hours or at least walked around the shops,there was a runway show and then the whole catwalk dropped down into the ground. Planet Hollywood was a fun hotel to stay at. We ate at the best sushi buffet ever ($$$).
The time went too quick, I want to go again....SOON.

Girlfriends are like shoes.

2010-01-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

Today I had a thought,it's surprising what crosses your mind when you are alone a good chunk of the day with only housework and drudgery to fill your brain. Whilst looking at my pile of boots in the bottom of my closet, wondering how I could organize them better, googleing it and then being sidetracked by many articles and blogs and wondering if I should kick a large child out, so I can convert his room to a closet for shoes.So during all that thinking, I wondered, How many shoes is ok? I mean, I read the average woman has 30 and who wants to be average? I do have a friend who only has about 5 , by choice and frankly I think she needs therapy. So I started counting, (do flip flops and slippers and snow boots count?)So then of course my A.D.D. mind starts to wonder and soon, as I am contemplating, getting rid of a few...GASP... I think shoes are like girlfriends. You need different ones for different things and although you may have a ton, there are only a few that will go the distance.

For instance The black boot- who can live without it, it fits, it's comfortable, it goes with everything, it's the one you would actually take care of and polish, maybe even re sole it. It's the friend who knows all about you and still loves you. Who lets you rant but calls you on your crap. It's the one you'd apologize to and make things right.

Then there's the trainers/ tennis shoes- they're good for a couple of hours but can get sweaty and mean your working.You always feel better when you've worked them hard. The friend who makes you do scary things outside your comfort zone but helps you feel better about yourself when your done, the one who convinces you to buy the purse that is too expensive but you deserve :)

sandals- they mean it's time to relax, cut loose have fun but in an easy way. They are the 9 o'clock movie or the meet me for lunch in an hour friend.

Then there's the snowboot- ever practical, reliable, ready for action when needed but doesn't get enough love from you.

Every girls love/hate- the stiletto/ the hooker heel- it makes you feel good about yourself, like your invincible, like you own the place. But beware;-) it makes you do things you wouldn't normally do. It's not always right for church or grocery shopping but she'll be sure you have a great night out with friends and liven up any gathering.

Oh I could break it down even more but I've already started thinking about other stuff
*SQUIRREL*

So what kind of friend are you?

Decorating.

2010-01-25T09:46:00.000-08:00

When I walk into a store, the kind that makes you smile and suddenly feel your wallet slip from your grasp, I wonder why I don't mimic that same happy sense of lust in my own home. I can just see a mantel full of shoes and rows of sparkly diamonds dangling on the kitchen counter. Frosted glass walls and brushed stainless doors.
Don't you just think these look like Modern Art?

Who needs a vase when you can decorated with these!!

I WANT one!!

2010-01-18T15:05:00.000-08:00

Today, I picture Veruca Salt, yelling and stomping around saying I WANT ONE Daddy, get it for me NOW!!! Ok maybe a little exaggeration but I did feel a certain special flutter in my heart as I wondered the car show.

My first sighting was this custom camaro, I couldn't have imagined a better use of orange on a car and oh how I LOVE my orange accents.
BUT WAIT... it comes all murdered out,

now THAT, is sexy
But wait there was more,

Then I decided,I must be a cowgirl after all because there's something about 600 horses, neatly compacted into a metal stable that makes me want to yell "YEEHAA" and do a seductive hip dance.

Oh why wasn't I born to arab royalty or the bratty, drug child of a rock star? They could never fully LOVE this like I would.
Sigh
Isn't this cutest snow car you ever saw!

January is back in session.

2010-01-09T14:22:00.000-08:00

I know it's January and I should be giving you my list of major achievement goals for the new year and decade.
Going to climb a mountain, jump out of a plane, start a company, loose 10lb, meet someone famous, invite them to dinner and become BFF's landing me on the front of a people magazine titled "Mormon Mommy does her own version of Big Love with Hollywood Hottie......Ok I'm getting carried away here but frankly I have Nothing for ya, Nada. No promises I won't keep past a month. Just January, another month on the calendar.

It's snowing and freezing, the kids are back in school, the gym is packed of course, a new semester for Curt, 5 days left to graduation for Jordan and I just barely packed up the Christmas decorations.
So no promises, just a pledge to:
.Not kill anyone in my household this year despite there ability to push to my limit.
.Spend my entire budget every month.
.pick up crap off my floor and yell at someone at least once a week.
.Do more than my body weight in laundry once a week.
.Start a diet most Mondays ;)
.Eat at In n Out burger more than I should.
.Give up drinking soda at least twice.
.Shop for fun things I can't afford.
.Feel inadequate.

.& Blog about it all.
Well that should keep me busy.
I'm already off to a great start.

Actually, I have found whilst reading other peoples blogs, that I find myself in awe of all that people can fit into a day. I wonder if I should be doing more. I mean I really like to follow the, simplify and family first, rule but then I am tempted into these other pursuits that could easily leave me feeling overwhelmed and very hostile towards the tasks at home that, given an option, I would hire out. Don't tell me, if money were no option, you wouldn't have someone else, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, driving your kids to school, etc.
So as I'm having an "I'm such a looser" moment, Boyd points out that anyone reading my blog would also think that I am a super woman kind of busy person and I shouldn't be so hard on myself.
So I will stop trying to keep up with "Business Housewife Divas" and tell you.
My life is very unglamorous but I choose the things I do, some I love, some I hate and therefore I add in sparkles and glue, good girlfriends and lots of hot hubby time.

Happy New Year to You.

Rewind part 2

2010-01-04T11:01:00.000-08:00

Our extended family party. Lots of yummy grub and a ridiculous white elephant game. I mean white elephants used to be fun, you try to find the most bizarre or shocking gift and laugh at who goes home with it but these guys like to play where you actually buy something half decent . The problem arises when you have people grouping and scheming to get the prize they actually brought or where a kid picks the gift they wrapped themselves and is going throw a mass fit if your kid actually took it from them. Times this by 35 people and the chances are you gonna leave with a crap wwf calendar and wish you'd stayed at your awesome girl friends Christmas celebration.

Q:So what do you get, when you cross a bunch of scrapbookers with a party?
A:An entire table full of bows and ribbons and tags all blinged out and smelling sweet.
I'm so glad we planned this lunch amid our crazy holiday busyness. These ladies and our shared love of all things gluable, have been my happy place all year long. We have little but adhesive in common and each has her fair share of drama, some of which let loose at the table but we all love each other and to just sit and scrap together. Anyone who mocks, scrappin or quilting or book groups has never had the privilege of a good one. The title and craft is just a cover for "quality girl time with no rules"
So which of these 2 events would you rather be at? They occurred on the same day.

If your still reading I will throw in another fun tradition.
Boyd making Chex Mix.

It stinks up the whole house!! I love it when people walk in and smile as they recognize the smell.
This year we decided to share the love and made 30 bags, each with a little tag saying "don't forget Santa "chex" his list twice , so be good for goodness sake."

We delivered them to the neighbors to help counter act the sugar high from all the sweets.
While I'm on the subject, I wonder if there is a single person I know, who isn't on a diet, wishes they were on a diet, ought to be on a diet or who is in great physical shape because they don't eat crap? So why in holy heaven then, do people feel the need to hand make fancy truffles or mice from hershey kisses and peanuts (pretty impressive)and deliver them to MY HOUSE? 25 plates full in all. It is a neighborhood tradition/requirement to drop something off. We have, sort of, been off the hook the last couple of years since we were new and didn't know too many people but not this year and this can really get out of hand. I've decide that the Joy and happiness we feel at Christmas is more from the sugar rush than the actual fun, cos we're all so busy making gifts for neighbors that we are not joyful at all.
Ok, I am kidding but I do prefer to get crafty creative and make something. One year I actually delivered protein powder with some shake recipes to a couple of friends. They were most appreciative.
So the problem only exists because I feel, out of respect for the person who slaved over there peanut brittle (have mercy, that was so good I ate the whole plate:)that I should at least try them ALL. When you add this to you required tin of quality street and 3 Christmas puddings it's just not a good balance.

Today was my first Gym day of the new year!! UGH> I'm almost caught up :)

Rewind

2010-01-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

It feels like the last 2 weeks have whizzed by in a blur and I'm not sure I'm ready to accept that they are done and over. I had some of the best times and experiences and I didn't share because, lets face it, I was too busy moving on to the next thing.
So this post is a big one but a re count of the last weeks happenings.
Every year I try to make Christmas about more than just presents. I'm not sure that I have succeeded yet but this was a close one. We had an activity plan for every day of the 12 leading to Christmas. Some involved finding something we loved, to donate or playing board games together.
I hosted Boyds company party and had fun with a white elephant game where we provided the prizes. Who knew people would get so excited over an external hard drive, a terabyte no less! Bunch of nerds.

Anyway, I asked, a bit cheeky of me really, if people would bring some donations for a local homeless shelter in exchange for raffle tickets for a prize. I was overwhelmed at the response. There are only 10 local employees and their other halves that came and this is what the collection looked like along with $300 cash.
The next day, we were able to go deliver this to local shelter.
As we pulled in behind a long line of cars and trucks, unloading all sorts of aide, a song kept ringing through my head
"I Saw God Today" I believe we can see the face of God in the people we serve but also in those serving us, standing in the freezing cold with a big smile and a Santa hat, ready to receive our small offering on behalf of the hundreds of families in need. I know if you want to see Christ you just have to look in the face of a man who acts in his behalf, using his own hands to replace the ones of our Savior.
This was my most precious moment this Christmas.
I also heard as we entered the building that Curt and Jordans's High school had raise $82,000 for them and turned it in that day. I am still choked as I think of it. Go Silverwolves!!
Then as we pulled around to the next block where people were lined up for lunch outside a soup kitchen, I noticed how half the line were holding the same tied up carrier bag full of pot noodles and such. Then as we drove towards the end of the line we saw a couple of young guys with the back of there hummer open, loaded to the top with these bags as they personally made sure each person had food for a couple of days. Again I was humbled and I smiled. You see I'm one of the few who still believes that the natural man is GOOD.I saw God Today and I'm grateful for that.

Now I'm all teary again so I will continue the rewind tomorrow.....

Christmas Eve

2009-12-30T15:44:00.000-08:00

Mum cooks

Asha sets the table

Of course someone needs a haircut

Everyone eats :)

Then...
Sargent Santa Came to recruit elves.

He had to test if we were elf worthy, then we got a gift.

Happy Christmas

2009-12-24T23:49:00.001-08:00

Temple Square.

2009-12-22T14:38:00.000-08:00

Right on this very spot is where Boyd proposed to me. They have moved the statue but we come here often to remember that special day.
This place looks beautiful any day of the week but magical at Christmas time.

Onesies with FEET!!!

How stinking cute is that.
So for the record you can't actually sleep in them as, aside from being boiling hot, every time you move, you feel like you got strangled by a hot towel. Just a tad claustrophobic.
Who needs a snuggie! You know you want some ;-)

Christmas Bears

2009-12-17T09:29:00.001-08:00

Ever since my first visit to Utah back in 1995, Boyd has bought me a white Christmas bear with the year embroidered on it's foot. Most traditions seem to start later or you have a few missing years but this one has held true and now my bears go all the way up the stairs.

I have these weird attachment to soft toys, as if they are all my personal friends.
One year I actually picked up one in the store, noticed his ear was all bent, put him back, started to walk away and then thought of that poor little imperfect friend being left homeless and of course I took him home. I know I'm a lunatic!! Just ask my Mum who threatens every time I visit, to get rid of my gorilla who sits, glaring at you in the spare room. His long arms hugged me all through high school heart breaks and I wuv him vewy much.

On the first Day...

2009-12-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

We went to Zoo Lights.
Not to be confused with the zoo that has animals for you to look at. They, of course are unaware it is Christmas and their corperate heads are trying to raise a few extra bucks and have people come at night when it is dark and they are all sleeping!!
So with plenty of lights to look at and warm enough clothes we wondered about in search of the few animals not effected by daylight savings and this is what we came up with.

the first species, described in my best David Attenborough voice are indeed of the human variety. My hat did spark a little curiosity with a cougar though.

The big Cats were out enjoying the weather.

This Cub was about 3 foot from my face with just a chain link between us. AWESOME!!! There were 3 baby cubs and an enormous mother who was giving us her best "Gosh you people are boring" look.
We saw 3 bob cats totally enthralled by a families "seeing eye dog" in training. They hunched down and stalked about like they were hunting it. The dog of course didn't bat an eyelid.
Then the cougar and me had a good chat about the state of the U.S. Health care system.....oh don't go there.
That was about it for me.

All my peeps spent some time in the Reptile and small animal enclosure while I opted for Brickbreaker, getting a new highest score, thank you very much :)
I was mostly entertained by peoples gasps and facial expressions and comments due to the stink that hits you when you open the door. Many less refrained younglins had words like potty and poopy to describe there new discovery and parents scrambled to respond in a loving, child like, way whilst thinking.
"What a *&^%$# smell, *&^%@#4"

Anyway it was a fun first night out although our expectations of seeing more animals was a little high. Next time we'll know we are going to look at lights and MAYBE see an animal but the kids had fun, we had hot chocolate and a ride on the merry go round and went home smiling.