Christmas Eve....

I don't know what it is, but this year Christmas Eve just doesn't feel like it is really Christmas. Maybe it is because my kids are older and some of the thrill of secrecy is gone. Who knows. We use to go drive around and look at Christmas lights but they are everywhere now so you really don't have to go looking for them. The kids are old enough that they don't need any entertaining from us.

I do remember that the fun part is not the reason we celebrate this time of year, but this year that is the part of the season that I am missing!

I don't want my kids to be little again by any means, but I would love to be feeling some of that old magic that use to make it so hard to fall asleep.

Merry Christmas everyone, my your Christmas be filled magic. And may we always remember the joy of the special baby born on Christmas night!

Time is flying.....

So......It is officially the last month of this year! Weird to think of it that way isn't it? Most people are thinking of it as the month of Christmas (with good reason). I too was thinking about how close Christmas was getting, until Megan updated her Face Book status this morning.

She was probably thinking it would be funny or clever, but it almost threw me into a panic.

Status Update Dec 2ND 2009 9:06 AM "85 days 4 hours 58 mins until I'm a legal adult. Wow"

What parent is ever thinking they are going to have there kids really be old enough to be a real adult? Certainly NOT me! I was totally unprepared for this statement this morning. I have been thinking ever since about the post I made for my Dad (the Cinderella video) and how now even though I am not the Dad, it totally applies to me. Here and now!

Time really is flying! I would like to apply the breaks and just slow down for just a little. Take more time to enjoy all the giggles and silly moments I failed to write down. All the times we have argued but ended in a hug or something of the like. The times that didn't.

I also keep thinking, that for someone that was never going to have kids, I am sure having a hard time with, thinking of them being ready to go out on their own.

I hope that as my kids do grow and venture out on their own, that I have taught them well and given them the desire to succeed and be amazing adults, but that I have also given them the desire to visit with me often even after they take on their new adult life. If this is the case, then I will have been successful.

Megan I love you and you truly inspire me to be a better Mother and woman! I wanna grow up and be a lot like you! ;)

I should be glad....

Well, now that all to company has gone and my house is semi back to normal, some sort of sickness has come upon me. :( Dang it!
A couple of months ago when the swine flu/H1N1 was floating around our house, I managed to remain in pretty good health. So I am wondering why did it hit me now?
I should be glad, that it is now and not when I had a house full of company. I still keep thinking though, it would have been better to be sick while I was off work rather than now, when I am suppose to be going back to work. What a bummer!
Makes me think though how grateful I am for my health! I really don't get sick too often, but when I do I am always reminded how blessed I am to be healthy! I guess I can deal with a cold and the quiezzies if that is what it takes to remind me to be grateful. For grateful I am!
Night I am going to bed early!

Worn out...

I guess this last week must have worn me right out. I didn't feel like I over exerted myself that much, but I have been feeling like I just might be getting sick. I have had a bit of a sore throat, and hot and cold and headache. Blah! I even stayed home from church today.
Megan and Ford got up and went to a farewell for Joseph Jensen this morning. He use to be in our ward when we first moved into this house. I can't believe he is old enough to be going out on a mission! Makes Ford almost being old enough all that more real to me. I hope for me that time will so slowly and that for the Jensen's time will move quickly!
I need to go to bed, because I can not afford to miss any work due to being sick! Wait..... I can't afford to miss any work for ANYTHING but especially not for being sick!

Why is it....

Why is it that now that Thanksgiving is over it seems harder than ever to find something to blog about?

My company (some of them) left for Idaho this morning, and when they left I have to say that it seemed oddly silent! Even Chet said that is was weird how quiet it was after they had gone home.

Some of the rest of the day was spent putting the house back to it's original state. It wasn't very hard because all we did basically is push all of the furniture to the outer edges of the room. So when we were done we just pushed it back into place. You might never have known that they were here.

The pictures are of the morning after Thanksgiving after a bunch of them got back from their early morning shopping trip. Crazies!!!!

Mmmmm....."Goodwood BBQ"

Tonight was almost as good as Thanksgiving. In some ways it may have been better, because I didn't have to cook! :) Yay!
We set up an adult date night while Bret and Melinda were here from Idaho. We got together and went out to Goodwood BBQ for dinner. There was 10 of us all together. Trent & Melissa, Chet & I, Bret & Melinda, John & Linda and Brent & Martha. The only problem with going as a large group is that not everyone can visit with everyone else.
We did have a great time visiting everyone. I really wish we live closer, so that we could spend more time visiting so that we didn't feel like we had to cram as much as we could into such a short amount of time. We really do have a good time when we all get together. Not to be rude, but especially without the little ones! Thank you Parker family for coming to Utah! It's a good time.

Whew! Happy Turkey Day!

I bet the whole world heard my huge sigh of relief when the feasting was over at my house today!

First of all I really have to say that over all I really had a good time. I didn't take on the wholemeal like I have in the past so it was much easier to prepare for. (note to self, delegate!)

Also I had a lot of people here that were very willing to help and the kids are all getting old enough now that even when the feasting was over, there really wasn't much of a mess! I vacuumed and you might never have known that 25 people had all just been stuffing their faces in my family room.

There was a ton of food! Melinda (my sister in law) made orange rolls, yummy! My Mother in law baked a turkey and did the mashed potatoes and gravy (oh ya, and stove top stuffing). Cris (my brother in law) made baked Mac& cheese again, Yummy! I baked a turkey, made candies yams cheated and bought pies and rolls. Chet also deep fried a turkey! Next year I think we will only Deep fry! It comes out so much more moist! (and Chet can do that part! )

Anyway, after dinner my sister in law Wendy and I cleaned up the food and the kitchen while the others played a game. There were far too many bodies down there for my comfort, which is why I chose to do the dishes. Makes sense right?

It was also my nephews birthday today so after a while everyone headed over to play a game of ultimate ball at the church and then go celebrate Derek's birthday. I have to admit it was very quiet after they left, and very nice! I did get over before they got done and took some pictures. It looked like they had a really good time!

Round about the time we were settling into our normal routine here at the home front they all came home to just into bed so they can get up at an entirely unnatural hour (2 AM) and go shopping for the deals! All I can say, is better them than me! Let me SLEEP! 8AM will get here early enough as it is!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am so grateful it is over for this year! :)

This is it....

Well..... this it it! The final few hours before Thanksgiving Day and the dinner for all of Chet's family that come make it. Looks like it will be about 25 people instead of 32 to 36 that we had originally counted. Whew! I can relax a little bit....(NOT). Then I found out tonight that they are all pretty much staying here at my house as well.
Got my house all clean today, with much help from Megan and Ford. I would really be lost without them!
I really am grateful for family and the chance we will get to spend time with the Idaho crew over the next few days. This should be interesting for all of us. I have such different house rules from them. SO now not only do I have to play host, but I have to try to figure out how to be tactful at the same time, and all at once! Tact is NOT my best outfit. Wish me luck.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and spend a few extra minutes counting the blessing that you might other times miss and know that the Lord is great and amazing! He loves us and the proof is everywhere you look! How blessed we all are! Thank you to all of those who care enough about me to look in and see how things at the Parker house are going. I love you all!

Skipped...

So I skipped yesterday's post on purpose. I had house guests arrive for the night, and since they were only there for the might I felt inclined to spend as much time visiting with them as I could before it was time for us all to go to bed.
My sister in law from Colorado Springs come to Utah for the funeral of her Grandma. Not a happy occasion for her but for me it was nice that I got to see her and her kids (there are 6 kids). I am glad that they chose to stay at my house even if it was just for overnight. Thanks Jen. Sorry Dave that we didn't get to see and visit with you too! I miss you more than you could know!
I will try to post again tonight to make up for the post I skipped, but we will see if there is anything to post about by then.

Looking for ways to serve....

Today's lesson in R.S. was on giving service to others. It really stuck in my head because service is always something I would like to improve on but almost always seem to forget when life gets moving at what seems to me to be mach ten!
As this truly is an area I would like to improve in, just know that I will be looking for was to give service. I am not sure just how to go about this, but I am sure that if I am looking the Lord will let me know. If any of you have any ideas please feel free to share with me. Or if any of you need any kind of help or service please let me help you. I feel so strongly that I need to be doing more of this.

Dancing........

This is the post I was trying to make yesterday, but I finally made it work. So here we go again.
I would like to make a special post just for my Dad.
First and foremost, I am sure I need to say thank you for not killing me on the many occasions that I am sure I deserved it! ;)
Second, I need to tell you thank you for teaching me to "dance". Not dancing as the word might suggest, but swaying to the music life puts on for us, at any given moment, and finding the steps in time with the tune.Learning to be flexible, and turn this way when we really want to turn the other.Bending when it doesn't feel natural. Always being willing to learn new steps to a new tune as life is always changing and so is the music that accompanies our life at any given moment.
What an adventure life's dance has become. Can't wait to hear the next tune. Thanks for "dancing". I love you!
So the video post is the tune that brought these thoughts to my mind. I hope the song touches your heart as it does mine.

Steven Curtis Chapman - Cinderella (w/ lyrics)

Frustrated....

I had a really good blog all typed out with a video and song I was going to post, but I couldn't get it all worked out together and that is how it needs to be posted. So, when I can figure out how to make it work I will post it. Till then just know that right now after about and hour and a half, working on this I am very frustrated!

Another meet...

Today Ford had another swim meet. Before the meet began two students held up the flag and everyone sang the national anthem. Standing in the pool area listening to mostly teens and the few adults that were able to be there sing that song and hearing it echo off the walls, just gave me a thrill! I had goose bumps and my eyes teared up. I am so grateful to live in a country like we do. No it's not perfect, but it is SO good! Also to see the youth, those who are coming up behind us to pick up the pieces or to carry on what has been started, with their hands on their hearts singing along, was just touching to me! What a great way to start off a meet! They haven't done this at all of the meets I have gone to, but I was glad I got there in time to see it done at this one! (It was a home meet)
I also have to say that I was again so proud of Ford! They put him in an event that he didn't think he would even be able to finish, but not only did he finish, he did so very well, in my opinion.
I am glad that for being in a sport this is the one he ended up choosing. It has been so good for him, and it has been a lot of fun for me to watch!

Cleaning up....

Today after work I spent the day just cleaning up and organizing some things. I finally got to take the bottles I didn't fill canning out to the shed. There were very few of them left, which made me feel pretty darn good! I rearranged the freezers so that I could take advantage of the price of Turkeys this week.
I should be getting ready for Chet family to be getting here next week but somehow I just can't seem to get motivated about the whole thing. Maybe because time seems to be moving SO fast. I swear November just started and here Thanksgiving is a week away...... wow where had the time gone and who was suppose to be keeping track of the clock?
Anyway this week looks as though it is going to continue moving forward with brute force, Ford has another swim meet tomorrow and Megan has to work. Chet has some out of town work that he needs to be getting done and I am just plugging away as usual. Grateful that I am able to plug away.
My body has been reminding me of late that no matter how much I say I am not getting old, it is out to prove me wrong. So, I have to say I am grateful that I still work the way I was designed. Maybe not as efficiently as I use to but I do still work!.

Swim meet

Ford Had a swim meet today at Layton Surf n Swim. Not my most favorite place to attend a meet at. All the same it was a pretty good meet and Ford beat one of his personal times. Yay Ford! Megan came and watched the meet with me as long as she could. She has a prior event she needed to attend. Her Friend was the lead in her school play which opened tonight. Ford get a little frustrated that he is not faster or better, but it will come with time. He is glad that he got on the team (with some encouragement from Megan) and is planning on continuing to swim through his senior year. I am having a great time watching him swim and improve on self!

Laaaazzyy!

Today has been nothing but a lazy day! I ran some errand, got gas in the car (so dang expensive!) Bought goggles for Ford for swim... That sort of thing. Really not worth blogging about.
I am however, so grateful for today. Being able to get out of bed and have a very full if uneventful day. Being able to walk, drive and attend to things that need to be done around the house. I have been thinking about all of the people who would give so much just to have an average day. I am truly blessed!

A very nice day!

We here at the Parker's house had a very nice day. If I sound surprised that is because for me Sunday's can be a struggle. Trying to do what I am suppose to do and not everything else that always seems to be in my face. You get the drift.
Anyway, yesterday I made a loaf of bread for a friend of Chet's but we ended up not being able to take it to her because she ended up leaving. So we got ready for church early this morning and went to take it to her today. It was very nice to meet her and get the chance to visit face to face. I had a headache that was building into a migraine and Chet's parent were coming over for dinner after we got out of church. So after meeting Chet's friend we went home so I could take more medicine and get some stuff in the oven so dinner could start. I had promised Kati I would be at church and though I really didn't feel up to going I went for Relief Society, and I am glad. Sister Sage gave a really good lesson. By the time I got home, The headache had eased a little bit so I was able to get dinner finished almost the same time that Chet's folks got here. The only thing missing from dinner was Megan, because she had to go to work. After dinner we turned on the movie Up! and enjoyed spending the evening with Chet's parents. Now my headache is trying to ebb back in, so I will take some more meds and be off to bed. What a very nice day indeed.

Whoops!

Well, there you have it! I finally missed one whole day! I didn't even think about blogging yesterday. That is horrible of me I know, but for sometimes going weeks without making any new posts I think that making it for about half of the month before completely skipping a post is pretty good. Don't you? Anyway, it was Friday the 13Th so maybe I can just blame it on that and be done.

Today we got the first real snow of the season. BOOOO! I keep thinking that I really should live someplace besides northern Utah. It is a guarantee to have snow every year, and if it is not snowing it is still cold. I keep wondering why the Lord said no when I was wanting to move someplace else.
(Deep sigh) Oh well, there is the fact that I really would miss the mountains if I ever did move, so that is one good thing I suppose.
Today was mostly uneventful, so there really isn't much to blog. I did take dinner into a gal, that lives just down the road She just had her fourth baby and finally got her a boy. :)
Oh and I baked bread all day too. I really wish the bread maker could make more than one batch of dough at a time. I did try to make some of my own dough yesterday, and I have to say that the bricks I produced were NOT what I was trying to achieve. I will try again with another recipe. Oh well live and learn right?

My Honey :)

Today is a day I celebrate more than most any other day of the year! 43 years ago Chet was born!!! I am so grateful to have him in my life to be my friend, the Father of, and example to, my kids. My lover and one constant! He lifts me up when I feel like I can't get up, and keeps me grounded when my head is floating in the clouds.

He has inspired and directed me, stayed by my side through times when, I am sure, it would have been MUCH easier to have just walked away.

Looking back over the years, I am amazed at the people we have grown into and I need to thank you, for helping me grow into a woman and mother, that I am sure I would not be, if not for your encouragement and direction!

I look forward to the continual celebration of our life together and of your life in the coming years! It has been an awesome ride and I am looking forward to the rest of it! I love you, Happy Birthday!

Mellow day......

Not to much to blog about tonight. Today was just one of those mellow, kind of winding down sort of days! I spent the afternoon putting away hoses and things that need to be out of the weather, and trimming the trees (so I don't need to worry about doing it in the spring, before it gets to warm).
I had planned on coming home and taking a nap, but I never end up taking a nap when I plan to and today was no different. But I did relax after the yard work and just hang out in the house.
Also I did make Chet some cookies for his birthday tomorrow. Now I am just doing the daily blog thing and I will be off to bed! My eyes are burning and I am so tired!

Stepping up.

This post is mainly for me to say how amazing good friends can be! Even if they are not able to fix things for us the out pouring of love that we have felt form everyone since yesterday has been incredible!
Things still are up in the air but knowing how many people have sent their love and prayers in our direction makes it easier to deal with!
Chet told me today while he was working, that he is completely overwhelmed with all the response he has received from his post yesterday. He said he can't believe how many people have come out to lend their support, and he doesn't feel worthy.
So, I am so grateful for all of the friends that have stepped up and made Chet feel for the first time in a long time that he has friends. Not just people that say 'hi' in passing without really caring how you are, but ones who will, stop whatever is going on in their world to, call and find out what they can do. The love that has been shared with us has been amazing! Thank you all SO much, we love you more than words could express.

Toady......

Today I am reminded that not everything goes as planned and that sometimes there is a curve in the road you might not have seen or planned for.
Today Chet made a mistake at work that could cost him his job. Hoping not, and more than hoping, praying!
Chet services about 400-420 air machines between Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada. For the most part there is one key for all of these machines. Today he left the key in one of the machines, and someone stole it. This is where things get kinda sticky. If the thief breaks into a machine and get away with money, Chet will likely lose his job, because he was responsible for that key. Can you see how the road has started to get a little curvy?
It is a Monday night and I am sitting here at 10:10 pm waiting and wondering when Chet will stop working for the night. He is out trying to collect all of the machines that he can, so that if the said thief does actually try to get into a machine, they won't get away with any money. This is however, only the beginning of many long work days for him. He will have to go out and change ALL of the lock on all of his machines now. ALL 400 and however many of them that there are. He told me on the phone that he guesses he won't be seeing us for quite a while. :(
We do have some very amazing friends though, and there has been so many offering to pray for us and whatever else may be needed. I am truly grateful for good friends who help ease some of our burdens! Thank you all so much!

Sunday.....

Well, we are closing in on the end of another Sunday. Today was a beautiful day, and this close to winter I enjoy every last sunny day that we are blessed with. There really isn't too much for me to blog about today. It was a mellow day (as it should be). I finished the batch of apple butter I had in the crock pot and made a loaf of bread for a friends family. No matter how many times I take people bread it always makes me smile at how happy it makes them! There really is nothing like fresh homemade bread, to make someone smile. Chet and I have decided that it is also a good way to get into peoples homes and get to know them a little bit better. All while giving them something to smile about. Maybe that is what I will do for my close friend/neighbors for Christmas gifts this year instead of a goodies tray. What do you think about that?
Anyway, I am grateful for the continuing beautiful weather we are enjoying, and will be glad for it for as long as it lasts!

Some days!

Some days you just know when they start out that they are going to be good. Have you ever had one of those days? Well, let me just tell you that today was NOT one of those days!
First it was a first time in quite a while that I was able to sleep in. I usually enjoy this immensely, however; toady after sleeping longer than usual I woke up with a raging headache. No fun :( Oh well, this too shall pass right?
Next the real fun began when I tried to get Megan out of bed. I must be gentle as I write this because she reads my blog and I don't want her to feel like I don't love her. (I do love you Megan, no matter how difficult you and morning can be for me!)
First off she asked me to leave her alone while she tried to wake up. I told her she can't try to wake up, she just has to get up because she will just go back to sleep! See, we have been over this before....and over and over. She just got mad, but finally got out of bed. Anyway, to make a very long story, after much disagreement she finally got up and got going on her house work.
Then the real fun began. Megan and Ford can be so kind to each other, but these times are few and far between. Mostly is seems like they look for ways to torment and annoy each other. Mean and De-meaning works are often slug around at one another and toady it was the same in that respect, the difference toady being that it turned mean a physical. Megan saying something the earned her a slap in the face from Ford. Now bring me into the picture and you have to complete crazy picture. I lost it! (shame on me) I swore at them both and told then they were some not so choice names (bad Mom award). Thanked them both for such a wonderful day and stormed up to my room. Wow! Some days I just wish I could go back to bed and start the day OVER! I am really looking forward to the day that Megan and Ford stop looking for ways to make the others life a living hell and decide that the other person really isn't so bad. I have faith that this day will come. I am just not sure it will be in my life time.
Oh and by the way, the fight out of the way the rest of the day was not so bad. Of course, we weren't in the same place for more than the time it took to eat dinner, so that could have something to do with it.
On days like this I am reminded about the time in my younger age that I said I was never going to have kids. I know the Lord knows what we need, I just hope I am learning the right lesson from all of this do that I can stop having this lesson repeated.

Finally Friday!

Yay! It's finally Friday! I made it through this (what seemed like) very long week! Funny how some weeks seem to just fly right by and then there are others that just drag on forever. This was one if those drag on forever weeks. Nothing bad happened, and there were even some highlights, (ie drink & dinner with Kim). Just in general I guess this week seemed long than usual. I do have to say though, when one of the girls at work said that there were only 12 more working days till Thanksgiving break, I almost had a heart attack right there on the spot! I haven't even started thinking about that, and I really should since Thanksgiving is being held at my house this year with ALL of Chet's family (about 32 to 36 people). Which reminds me, does anyone that reads my blog have some folding chairs that I might borrow for Thanksgiving?
I did talk to a lady in the store yesterday who told me she had just finished wrapping her Christmas! I almost threw up right then and there! I wanted to say "come on, Do you even remember Thanksgiving?", but I restrained myself. I am sure it would have come across very rude.
We actually did have a little bit of stress today. More Megan I think than anyone. Unless you count Mom & Dad (Chet and I) having to cover the expense....
Megan's car broke down today on her way to school. A timing belt later and we can go pick her car up tomorrow. Oh boy! The joys of owning and operating vehicles. Then again, this was a fairly minor expense and I am so grateful that it was not anything worse than it was.
Again I am grateful for our cars and the ability to come and go with the ease and convenience with which we do.
We REALLY do have more blessing than we could ever really acknowledge! I am trying though.

Such fun!

There are days that are good day and there are days that just go by. Then you have days that are just such fun you would like to do them over again. Today was one of those days for me.

Of course it started out with work, which I can't honestly say was fun...but it wasn't bad either. I got done on time, and was on my way to have a drink with my very good friend Kim. We had so much fun talking that we sat at the cafe for two and a half hours! We laughed and giggled and just had an all around good time!
Afterwards, I came home to Megan because she said she was missing me. It is nice to be missed by someone that I sometimes wonder if she even likes me at all. We watched a movie together and just sat. Ford came home from swim practice about halfway through the movie and felt the need to be chatty, so we paused the movie for a little while. I love that my kids want to come home and talk to me about there day or whatever it is that is on their mind at the moment. If I have done one thing right with them it is making sure they feel like they can talk to me whenever about whatever!
Chet has been gone to Idaho for work since Tuesday and was on his way home today, I was just waiting for him to get here when he called me and told me that Kim and her hubby Greg had invited us to come over and have dinner and play games with them, if we were interested.
Megan and Ford didn't want to go so Chet and I went by ourselves and enjoyed an especially fun evening of French onion soup with Chicken kabobs and mushrooms. A fantastic salad! And turnovers for dessert. Followed by games, which made us laugh! I think that laughing was more fun than the game playing, but a good time was had either way!
When such fun is had it makes rolling out of bed worth it! Night all, work comes early in the AM.

Not so good at this

Like I said before, I am not so good at this game. I spent yesterday afternoon at Megan's new school making sure we had the classes that were going to be able to make sure she can work out enough credits to get graduated, and by the time I got home I was focused on laundry and I can't even remember what else. (tells you how exciting my life can be)
I didn't even remember that I hadn't posted anything until today. Right now in fact. I want to keep up with the challenge so I am making a really quick post just so I have made some kind of entry to count for everyday. SO there you have it. Now I have made a post for yesterday, and Chet comes home tonight so lets see if I can remember to make one tonight. I know there will be things to blog about today :)

An adventure in hair

Ok, so I decided today, that I was wanting a change. I made an appointment to get my hair done, as this is the most simple and easy way to achieve a quick change.
Now that I have achieved this level of change however I am not sure that I am happy with it. First of all you must keep in mind that Chet likes blond hair. When I went in I asked for a dark all over color with highlights added. So they did a light color weaved into my hair before they added the dark all over color. As they were doing the light I thought it looked like it would be a good amount of light. Not to much... not to little....
Well, as you may or may not be able to tell from the photo, there is WAY too little light! Not to mention, I asked to go just a titch darker than my natural color. Ummmm....this is also way more than a titch darker!
It really doesn't matter, I am sure I will get use to it and it will always be able to grow out or be redone. My biggest issue with it is that I really want Chet to like it! I did send him a little picture I took with my phone and he says that he likes it from what he can see, but he knows that it worries me.
Funny after all this time that I am still so worried about making sure I try to look good for him. I guess when you stop caring about how you look for the one you love that is when you maybe need to examine where things are at for you both. I am glad that I still care and worry about looking nice for him.

Anyway, that is the total extent of what went on today. Getting ones hair done, as fun as it may be (from time to time) is a long and drawn out process and one I am glad I don't have to go through very often. Which is why my hair will be the color that it is (unless Chet hates it) for quite some time!
Till tomorrow :)

Ok so I missed

Ok So I am not good at this game already! I missed posting last night so I am posting now and I will try to again tonight.
Ford had swim practice and Megan worked late last night, so it was really quiet kicking around my house by myself. I am getting better at it all the time. I use to just in the car first thing if I knew I was going to be home by myself for very long. Instead last night I put some of the last apples I have to do on to juice. I am so close to being finished with canning and I think the world will hear me cheer when I am done this year. We do have a lot of yummy things on the shelf for us to enjoy over the winter now though. Anyway, that is how I spend my afternoon and evening. We will see what today brings.

The Challenge

Ok, so I am going to see if I am up to the challenge Mary Ann sent out. I am going to try to see if I can find something to blog about everyday this month as it is Bolgger month. Ha, not sure there is that much going on in our life that needs to be blogged about, but here goes!

Today was the first day of my favorite month. For two reasons, first and foremost it is the month Chet was born. If you don't know how I feel about birthdays, I LOVE them if they are for people I cherish especially, because it gives an opportunity for me to celebrate the life of someone that has touched my life in some special way that only they would be able to do! So I get to celebrate his birthday. Yay!
Secondly it is the month of Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday in the whole year! This month is a time for me to reflect on all the many things that I have to be grateful for in my life. I think of this often anyway, but for some reason this month everything seems brought to the forefront of my mind. I think over times and things in my life that have changed me and helped me become a better person and the people and circumstances that also have helped shape my life. It helps me remember, even in times that are not so good, that though things might not be going well right now, sometime in the future I will look back at the things I have gone through and be thankful at least to some degree for the life lessons that were learned. Anyway these are the things that were on my mind today. Hooray for November!

My Son

I just need to make an entry about Ford. He is such a good guy. The only person I have ever really seen him be mean to is Megan and , well.... what are sisters for? (not that I like it at all)

Anyway, today was fast Sunday, and as usual Ford was the first one to stand up and share his testimony. As I sat there and listened to him and his sweet thoughts and feelings, I was so impressed with the fact that he is almost 16 (less than a month) and he is still getting up every month to share this with our ward.

When I was his age.......well, lets not talk about what I was doing at his age. Instead let's just say my life was headed in a very different direction, and standing up to tell anyone that I thought the church was true, just wasn't going to happen. In fact, at that point in my life I wasn't really sure how I felt about the church.

So for Ford to be getting up and not only sharing his testimony, but having one that is truly his very own, is something that I am so very grateful for! I hope that he will continue to let his testimony grow, and continue to share it with others. If he does, I am sure that he will be a great missionary!

Not only that but I want to make sure that he knows that he is a great example to me! That I am grateful for as well.

Now we're cookin!

Ok, So this isn't the first of our canning this year, but it is the first I am blogging it. This is Spaghetti Sauce. I started it Saturday afternoon, it simmered all night and all day toady. I have just now finally finished up with all the clean up and stuff, giving me time now to sit and report.

The first thing I bottled this year was Zesty Tomato Soup. It turned out beautiful but the night I did that I was up super late and blogging about it was the last thing on my mind! I was just glad to get it done so I could go to bed that night!

I think the one bad thing about gardening is, that it seems that everything all comes on at once! I suppose that is really not a bad thing, because then it lets you share the spoils with others if you don't have enough time yourself to get it all done.

I have given away all of the zucchini that people will take and sent tomatoes home with several and even sent a cantaloupe or two to people that I know enjoy them like I do.

I did go out to the garden toady and found that even more things are ready, so it looks like I will not be slowing down for a while. Tomorrow I plan on making some salsa and some tomato veggie soup. Mmm Mmm good! Anyway that's all I have for now. I love having a garden!

The fruits of our labors.

Well fall is quickly approaching and if you know me at all, you know fall is my FAVORITE time of year.

There are a lot of reasons for this, the temperature the changing of the leaves, Halloween ect.

One thing that means the most though is our garden! So much time and effort goes into planting, weeding and tending the garden, it almost takes on a life of it's own. It almost becomes one of your children. For those who never garden, that concept may never make any sense, but to me it is all too true! The worry and care you put into a garden is much like that of your children. Hoping that by taking the time you do, things will work out for the best! I feel that they are so similar that I even pray for our garden, mostly giving thanks for the blessings of being able to tend and watch it grow.

Now, the fun begins :) The fruit of our labors are starting to come about. Everything did really well this year, the melons have had a bit of a struggle and are a little behind, but they will make it. They will just be a little late. (again, like my children) What joy and peace I get from having a garden! I am grateful for being able to live in a place both big enough to have one and with good enough soil and the likes that it grows well here. Hope you enjoy, and when it is ready I will share pictures of what yummy things we glean from having our garden. I hope you enjoy, I know I do :)

Another garden post

So we just got home from St George today, and I would be lying if I said I didn't give my garden a thought while I was there. I have been fighting the squash bugs quite a bit and I was afraid that when I got home all of my beautiful plants would be shriveled and dead.

We did end up having a happy ending though! Yay for good spray and blessed eyes to see where the eggs have been laid. When I got home not only did the plants look great, they have grown just in the few days I have been gone!

When I was younger I never thought I would ever even think about planting a garden, and didn't understand the joy Mom & Dad seemed to get from doing so. Now that I am older and have planted my own garden for several years I can totally see why they gained such joy and fulfillment from planting and tending a garden! Thanks Dad & Mom for showing me that a garden can be so much more than just a lot of work! You taught me this and so much more!

I was getting quite dark when I took these pictures but it lets you see just how big the tomato plants are getting.

Garden update

So just a quick update on our garden.

Everything is coming along nicely. So far we have had peas, beans, peppers and zucchini and yellow squash. The corn is taking it's darn sweet time, but it is growing too.

I sprayed for squash bugs today, I hate those sneaky like things! They make me crazy! Last year I fought tham all season, and they did end up getting two of my plants. I am hoping to have better luck this year, I only found 3 of the little buggers today and I sprayed the heck out of the plants, so I hope I have the upper hand. Anyway, this picture is from last week and already this week things are bigger, but I will take more pictures next week and maybe thnigs will have doubled in size! We can only hope! I love the garden! It helps keep me calm.

By way of comparison (This one should be on the bottom)

Just by way of comparison. The last time we were at Shoshone was 1997! Look how little my kids were! Chet's folks looked the most different after the kids. Kinda fun to look back! I sure hope we don't go that long in between visits to the Falls next time.

Shoshone Falls

So today was Fathers day, and we decided to go on an adventure! :) We picked up Chet's Dad & Mom and headed to Idaho. Idaho? You might say. To that I would say Yes! There are so many beautiful places in Idaho and I love going there.

(This sideways picture by the way wouldn't turn and that is why it is sideways.) My cousin told me about a month ago, that Shoshone Falls was flowing really high this year, and we haven't been there since the kids were little so we decided today was a good day to go. Last time we were there Chet's parents were there with us, so it was fitting that they went with us today.

On the way there it started to rain. Not hard really but very steady. I was hoping and praying that when we got there, it would clear up even if for just a little bit. Prayers work! By the time we got there, though it was really cloudy and it did rain a fine mist on us a little bit, it cleared up long enough for us to enjoy a good hike. After words we went to grab a bite to eat, and just about the time we were finishing lunch, it not only started to rain, it started to POUR!!

It continued to rain on us just about the whole drive home. Clearing up about the time we hit Ogden. Such a good day! I love spending time with my family!!! I love them so much and I am so glad Chet's parents came with us to enjoy the day as well.

Thanks for the rain....

See my nicely weeded corn :)

So today, I have been being very grateful for the sun shine. After so many days of rain I was very glad to be working outside in the sun!

I do have to say though, that I am grateful for the rain! It has done such good things for our garden. After worrying needlessly about the rain washing the plants away, I went out today to find all is well and even that the weeds are for sure loving all the water. I spent quite some time pulling weeds in the corn, but had some other things that needed to be done so didn't get much else done in the garden, but I wanted to continue with the picture catalog of how the garden grows. I have never done this before and am really looking forward to seeing how it will all play/picture out!

Aahh... the garden

One of the things I look forward to and dread at the same time ever spring, is the planting of a garden.

I look forward to it because I get a great deal of satisfaction out of watching things grow and caring for them, and of course the yields at the harvest in the fall.

The things I dread about planting a garden are the time it takes to plant, getting the rows straight (which I never seem able to do) losing plants (to bugs or disease) and trying to find someone to care for it if I have to go out of town. (which always happens in the summer)

This year I had grand expectations for myself and I was going to get everything in by Mothers day. HA! Well, that didn't happen, due to some unforeseen sprinkler problems. I had no water out to the back of our property by the garden. You can't plant without water so I had to wait. We finally got the water issues resolved and I went shopping! I love shopping for veggies and can sometimes get carried away :) This time however I was very controlled. (perhaps I should take Megan with me every time!)

Yesterday I spent the day out working in the garden. The first few hours I was by myself, but Chet came out and helped me. He dug the furrows so that the water will go where it is suppose to, which is so nice. I can't even tell you how long it took to get everything planted but it is in and I hope things grow well.After the rain we had I am really surprised it didn't wash everything away really but I went out and took some pictures so I can keep track of how things go this year. It may not look like much now, but with lots of TLC and help form Heavenly Father it will be amazing this fall!

I can say that I am looking forward to the harvest and making spaghetti sauce, soup and salsa. Mmmmm I can almost smell the pot simmering now. I love to garden! It is a lot of work but the rewards are so great in the end.

P. S. Planted tomatoes, potatoes, peppers (4 kinds) banana squash, butternut squash, speghetti squash, zucchini and yellow squash, beans, cucumbers, corn, cantelope & honeydew melons and pumpkins! If I can find a couple of other things I may plant them as well.

Always for a reason!

You know, I believe that things always happen for a reason. I would never hope to assume that I know all those reasons but sometimes you just do.
Today in Relief Society our lesson was given by a great lady (Sybil Jemmett, who also happens to be my neighbor across the street) and when she got up to give the lesson she announced that she had prepared the wrong lesson. Things being what they are, it all work out ok and she gave the lesson she had prepared. It was a wonderful lesson on the talk given by Dallin H Oaks, about service to others.
I just have to tell you, this was one of those times when I just knew, that this was the lesson we were suppose to have gotten today! There was a fantastic spirit in the room and the lesson kind of took a turn towards selfishness and how it affects our being able to serve.
I was reminded of a time when service to others was pretty much the last thing on my mind. I had let me life take a turn in a direction that I never thought it would, and I was, as it were, 'far from home'. I was at the time meeting with a wise Stake President, and he told me "that if we as Humans, could over come ONE sin, we would be able to over come every sin!" Then he asked me if I knew what sin that might be? When I told him I didn't know, he told me it was the sin of Selfishness!
He was of course so right! As he reminded me, every sin I had ever committed had been done out of pure selfishness. Be it out right, or disguised, it had been done in selfishness.
I think it is human nature to be selfish, to want things and to want someone to make you feel important or special. Day to day I am sure that we don't get all that we feel that we need.
I probably don't think about this point of teaching, I was able to have, as often as I should, but I do think of it often. Days like today, when it feels like an opportunity to share it with others I am grateful for. It is something that I KNOW has helped me in many points of my life, but most especially in my marriage and Family. When I start feeling like things are just really out of balance and not going well, I often think, am I being too selfish in one way or another? Often the answer to myself is yes! I am not even close to perfect, but I do try to step back and re-evaluate where my mind set is at these times.
This lesson today was for me! To remind me to step back, and remember that we are All, or should be, in this together! Family, friends, ward members, community members, whatever we may be! If we are in it for good, we are in it for each other! Thanks for all of the service which has been rendered to me and or my family! I will try to return the favor, and focus on serving rather than the alternative. (Sorry if it seems preachy, didn't mean it that way. Except for to self)

I hate the wind!

Our weather here this year has put on a stellar performance! You can't even guess fro moment to moment what you are going to get. It can be sunny one minute and then the next it is snowing like crazy!

With that in mind, that as we were sleeping Sunday morning, we had no idea that the wind was winding up to take a swing at us.

It was about 6:50 am and I heard a noise like I had never heard before. So much so I can't give it a proper description. I can only guess it might have been a little like what you might hear just as a tornado blows in. Only not quite such a devastating scale. It was so loud, I woke up so fast and was out of bed before I knew why. I went to the window to try to figure out what I had been hearing, but all I saw was stuff blowing around the yard. No big deal really, it has been doing a lot of that. Then Chet got up to see and he look beyond where I was looking (just in the back yard) and said "holy crap! The barn's gone!" I looked out farther to the back of our yard, and sure enough the Bishops cow corral roof was lying sort of on the ground, and sort of on top of an old car, a pickup bed trailer and Chet's tractor implements. It was really kinda funny at first. but after having gone out for a close up look after church, and seeing the damage and how far the wind had moved the roof, it wasn't really very funny. Actually I was glad it dropped it where it did and didn't bring it up closer to the house. Anyway I have never been a big fan of the wind, but it does seem to make me more nervous when it starts whipping things around now than ever before. Hope you like the pictures.

On The Mend

After about a week of being sick with Heaven knows what, I think I am finally on the mend.
Being sick has of course done what I am sure it has meant to do, and that is make me ever so aware of and grateful for good health! I haven't been sick too much this school year, so I suppose I had begun to take for granite that I would continue to have good health. Even when the rest of the family all got sick still I was up and running on full. That's when it snuck up on me. Making me reflect back and take stock in the fact that for the most part I really have goo health and for that I must be sure to give thanks. Without the bad stuff we would never truly appreciated the good stuff. Here's to the good stuff.

Happy Valentines

For all you sappy couples out there, Happy Valentines day. I, on the other hand, am not really one of those; one day a year sappy type people. NO... not me! Nope, I like to be sappy all year long! So when V day comes around Chet and I usually don't ever plan much. I think there was one year we actually had a plan with friend of mine and her hubby. Then when she found out that Chet had bought a gun for me that day, it kinda threw her off. (she has no use for guns, poor thing) It was still fun though.
Anyway, We just don't plan things for Valentines Day, this year was no exception. At the last minute, I told Chet we should take the kids and go to breakfast at Doug & Emmy's. Yum! I love their scones!
Megan had traded out her schedule for today where as she had a date, and Ford isn't dating or working yet, so he had no plans, so we went to breakfast.
After breakfast we just went home and had a mostly typical Saturday, only not as much running around as usual?! Chet and I went out to pick up a few things, and then came home to get some dinner. We had decide, without the knowledge of the kids that we would eat at home, (save a couple bucks) and just go out for Ice Cream later.
Cold Stone has some very wonderful things that will be assured to add a couple inches to the waist line, but that is where we went. I don't know about all of their stores, but the store in Layton, has only about 4 tables for patrons to sit at after they get their Ice Cream. (Dumb I think, but what do I know they seem to be busy ALL the time.) Anyway, we managed to get a seat just as a rush of people came through the door. (Whew! That was good timing for us :) ) I have said that we love to watch people, and Cold Stone is no different, there was an interesting array of people there tonight. This one couple in particular came in all dressed up, like they had been to a dance. The girls dress caught every ones attention, strapless and short. It is cold out side and all I could think was that she was crazy! To make a sort of long story short, we invited them to share our table with us, because there was nowhere else for them to sit. It is never easy to sit with someone you don't know, but I am so glad we invited them to sit with us. We had a really good time visiting with them. When we first told them they could sit by us, the poor guy looked like he would rather do anything BUT sit with us, but since there where no other options, his date took us up on the offer. They turned out to be coming from Clearfield Highs "Valentines Dance". She was graduated and goes to school up at Weber State, but He is a senior this year. We were talking and I told her she had beautiful eyes, and her date got all excited and said "see!" turned to me and said "I tell her that all the time! I love her eyes!" He was so cute about the whole thing, and she said, "ok... So I know it's kinds cheesy, but look what I got today!" and she put her left hand up on the table, so we could admire her new promise ring. She said she was just so excited and wanted to share it with someone, but she had already told her Mom, so she told us. They were really cute together, we visited with them a little while longer, then wished them the best. As we turned to leave, I heard her say to him, "Now aren't you glad we sat here! " With a huge smile on her face. I couldn't tell you their names, I forgot to ask.
I hope, that they can, in their time together, have as much love, respect and Fun as Chet and I have, and I also hope they are strong enough to weather any storms that will come their way. I remember young love, and I have to say I am glad for mature love!
Happy Valentines Day!

Ugh!

I am surrounded by idiots! ( said with a Sebastian-esk accent. See little mermaid.)
Ok so I know that my goal for this year was to be more positive; however, there are times in a persons life when venting will do one of two things. It will either make the said someone feel better, or it will make them even more frustrated than they were to begin with.
Here's hoping this will make me feel better!
Working as a school lunch lady is a great gig! You work the perfect hours, you get the summer off, (without pay, but you get it off none the less) the kids are for the most part really fun and funny and all that stuff. So truly it is the perfect job for me. I have said for years now, if I had to go get a "real job" I would be in a lot of trouble.
Being a lunch lady does have it's pitfalls though. Such as, it is really hard to get fired from the district. It is relatively EASY to get hired on at the district. Their hiring process doesn't weed out the people that are a) unable to do the job effectively b) those who are LAZY and willing to sit back and let others pick up their slack c) somehow everyone knows that if you do things just right you can get away with almost anything!
Most days I have a pretty good out look about the whole thing. Some days though, the lack of work ethic some people have and the fact that they are allowed to have it just gets to me.
The problem the district has, is they don't want to get sued. And since we live in a sue happy world, that is a realistic fear. You might have good cause to fire someone, but they will try to sue the socks off you just because they can, and even if you win, you have spent time effort and money on something that got you nowhere. So, I see their point to a degree.
What I don't understand, especially in times like these, when there are people out there begging for work, why they can't do just a bit of house cleaning.
Take for example, one person I work with is so lazy, she leans on what ever she can lean on while she is working, and works with one hand while she leans on the other one. It takes her twice as long to do one job as it does almost anyone else. She is ALWAYS having some kind of crisis at home, that ALWAYS affects her at work. I have been told, that she is not capable of doing any better than she does. I guess I am a heartless person, because if that's all she has to give, then she should be down the road. No matter what her circumstances are! If she can't do the job, hire someone that can and will!
Another person I work with is of the opinion that what ever way she wants to do something, is the way it should be done. Even if the Boss has told us to do it another way. She will look right at you and shake her head and say OOOOHHH OKKKAY! Then turn right around and do it the way she wanted to in the first place! Not to mention, she has one speed, and it is not fast. She isn't the slowest person I work with, (see above) but she is not fast by any means.
This is what brought me here to vent today! I have no problem working hard. In fact I prefer it! I don't like though that if I don't pick up the slack that some of the ladies leave in their wake, that in some way it will affect me. If I pick up their slack, then I do more work than is necessary, or fair. If I don't do their work and sit around waiting for them to do it themselves, I would be late getting out of work everyday! And the district DOES NOT pay overtime! So however long we are there after the time we are suppose to be gone, is donated time. I don't know about you, but if I am donating time, it should be something I want to donate it to or something fun.
I am really having issues with this today. I would like to think that if I went to my boss, (whom I get along with for the most part) that things would change or at the very least improve. Alas, this is not the case. In fact I think it could be some of the cause. I can't say that at work though, because that would only make a whole new set of problems. Ugh! What to do?!
The positive of this whole thing, is that, I really like my job, most days. It will get better, even if it's just because I deal with it better.
Who knows, maybe I am suppose to be learning something from this. Maybe, it's that laziness is the ticket. Too bad that just doesn't work for me! Then again, I'm glad it doesn't!
Till next time.

Birthdays.

I love birthdays! I have always loved birthdays. When I was little, it meant that all of the extended family would come to our house, and we would gorge ourselves on much cake and ice cream. Then as kids do, run around on our sugar high, while the adults visited till it either got late enough for everyone to leave, or we just wore ourselves out. Fond memories, that I really do miss (sometimes).

Now that I am older, I still love birthdays, but for an entirely different reason. Don't get me wrong, I still love cake and Ice Cream! Love them both. However, with my semi heath conscious, older state of being, I TRY not to eat as much. That said, I have had dessert three times with in the last two days. Not doing so good on the healthy side of things right now. (DEEP SIGH) Oh well.

The reason I love birthdays now, isn't from the aspect of celebrating my own so much, as it is celebrating the people who surround me in my life. The fact that there are so many people who have such a profound impact in my life, on a daily or sometimes infrequent basis. They are the birthdays that I celebrate now. I celebrate their birthdays, because without that special day, whatever day it is, I wouldn't have that person in my life to give me guidance, support or love, for which I have come to almost depend on.

The reason this is something I wanted to blog about, is because for the first time I felt like this year in lot of ways, my birthday was celebrated like that. It was an incredible feeling for me to think that so many of my friends were celebrating MY birthday the way I have come to celebrate theirs.

Not only that, I just had a great birthday. I like that I am getting older, (my body would disagree). I hope that with that age, I might be able to acquire some wisdom as well. I have always told my family, I will never get "OLD". I don't intend to get "old". I intend to age, and hopefully, I will do it with some semblance of grace.

Thank you to all the Happy Birthday wishes from so many of you, you have made this year an extra special one for me. Also you have again reminded me of why I believe so fully in, celebrating my birthday, as well as the ones who have, in some way, big or small, touched my life. After all, life should be a celebration! One that we all share together. So next time someone tells you, "Happy Birthday", even if you're not happy about having a birthday. Remember that for them perhaps your birthday may mean more to them than you will ever know!

Oh, and for Emily, the cake picture is for you. Chet remembered what you said about you're birthday next year. So he thought he would apply it to me this year. He didn't think how long the word 'experience' was before he started, but oh well it made me laugh! See, even when you don't know, you inspire. :)

Having a hang up

Today I am having a little bit of a hang up. I have been trying to stay positive and look on the bright side and yada, yada and so forth and so on. Right now however I am having a not so up beat day. Even after having a venting secession I am still hung up!
In the eternal scheme of things it is a really trivial thing and I just need to let it go and look on a bright side, but I guess that's where I am coming into my hang up. Even on the bright side right now, it is seeming a little gloomy. (DEEP SIGH)
Oh well, this too shall pass right.
Chet told me I just need to get over it, things will be fine and again could be much worse than it is. For that he is correct, but still just telling me to get over it, just seems to minimize the distress this is really giving me.
Ok now I have sort of vented (again) I guess I need to be a bigger person and pick myself up by the boot straps and move on. (another DEEP SIGH)

Funerals

Ok. Now I know that this subject is not one that is fun to talk or think about, but I need to make a memo if you will of how things went today.
I knew that Ricks funeral was not going to be an easy one, and the only reason I went was to see his Mom & Dad. I will forever be glad that I did. It has been probably been Ohhhh, I'm gonna guess 10 years or so since we have seen Don & Judy Cleavenger.They have ALWAYS been so good to us and treated us like family. Today was no different. It did take Don a few minutes to recognize us. He hugged us both, but I held on for just a second longer and he hugged me tighter than I think I have ever been hugged, and he just flat broke down! Up until this point, I had fooled myself into thinking that I might get through this with just a few tears. HA! I was SO wrong! I promptly proceeded to cry with him. Then he grabbed Judy and the whole thing started again. They were so glad we had come! Judy asked if we had seen the program, and when we said no she got a little excited and said we "had to see it, cause it would make us laugh!" She was of course right. On the back of the program, was a picture of Rick taken right around the time that Chet and I got married. Sitting on his then truck, with his boots, levi jeans, bomber type jacket, his stunner shades and ball cap.( oh ya, we can't leave out the mullet ) WOW! Talk about a blast from the past! It was like I was there again, for just a mintue. The funeral over all was really good for what it was. It was different than any I have ever been to before. I have always been to LDS directed funerals, and there was none of that at this one. They didn't begin or end with a prayer, and when it was over it was like no one was sure it was over for just a few seconds. Very strange to me, and nothing I have ever experienced before.
Ricks Mom did say at one point that she didn't know what she was going to do now. I was, at that moment so grateful to know that there is more than this short life time on this Earth to look forward to.
I can also say that I hope I never have to go to a funeral like this one EVER again! Also I hope that Rick will now find the peace and direction that he never did find here in this life.

Things I have learned or (re-learned) in the past year.

( in absolutely no particular order! )
1. I love to shovel snow (for a little while)
2. I am grateful! (for SO many things)
3. Love continues to get better
4. Attitude affects EVERYTHING!
5. you can be mad at someone and still love them & them you.
6. Not everyone is blessed with common sense
7. I love the sound of Chet's voice
8. When I get really mad I clean or drive aimlessly
9. The things I do for others is really for me.
10. I am excited my kids are growing up
11. I am sad my kids are growing up
12. I love the gospel
13. I need to repent daily (if not more often)
14. Life is SO short
15.You can still care about people you rarely see.
16. I love not having a schedule when on vacation
17. If I pay attention I can learn something everyday
18. Giving a compliment is SO important! Even if it's to a complete stranger
19. I don't really feel old till I fall
20. Ice will ALWAYS win
21. My body is determined to get old, with or without my consent
22. I remember why I was never going to have kids!
23. I am SO glad I have kids!
24. Megan's room may never be clean
25 I love music
26. I still don't like being home alone
27. I am glad I don't like chocolate! ( I weigh enough thanks )
28. I miss having a SUPER close friend. It changes things.
29. Active LDS people don't always "practice" their religion
30. Non-LDS people are ALWAYS watching
31. You can stay good friends even over long distances
32. Long distances can drastically change a friendship
33. The older I get the less I care what other people think
34. I get more opinionated everyday
35. There is so much I want to see
36. California has more barns than one would think
37. Ford like to cook and experiment
38. Megan would starve if she had to cook to eat!
39. I really like "young adult" books
40. It's hard when scenery changes
41. My dog can make me laugh even when I am sad
42. My Mother-in-law has the biggest heart
43. My Father-in -law hates to be "the bad guy"
44. Making a list can make you feel better
45. My Parents are proud of me for whatever the reason :)
46. Anger makes you look old and mean ( I gotta work on that one )
47. NO ONE likes being told they've done something wrong (especially me)
48. My kids have some really good friends
49. Some of my kids friends are NOT so good
50. My kids can make wise choices even when surrounded by bad
51. Having a myspace has taught me a lot about Megan's friends and some of mine
52. Myspace and Facebook are good ways to shorten long distances
53. I like to work hard and keep busy
54. Not everyone likes to work hard, OR keep busy
55. I still think my hubby is cute! :)
56. I am still learning my religion
57. Good landscaping can compensate for a not so great house
58. The church is different outside of Utah
59. I'd like to try life outside of Utah
60. I like guns and shooting
61. People can meet and fall in love over the Internet ( who woulda thought)
62. The Lord has an individual plan for all of us
63. Megan is a very funny person
64. Megan & Ford are VERY stubborn people (wonder where that came from)
65. Megan & Ford are two of my favorite people!
66. Teen driving is a good thing (mostly)
67. I HATE going to the dentist!
68. Root-canal pain is WAY worse than it sounds!
69. I love Thanksgiving more every year
70. My brothers and sisters are such good friends
71. Nieces & Nephews are almost like grand kids (for those of us that are beyond little kids, but not at the grand kid stage yet)
72. I wish my family lived closer
73. I miss playing racquetball
74. I hate it when they split wards
75. I like Chet's "ice thing" more than I thought
76. I really like my job
77. Some people are easier to work with than others
78. I like my personal space. Sometimes more than others
79. My kids birthdays are harder on me than my own
80. Even old people can be dishonest
81. Auto Insurance companies are the most dishonest of all!
82. If someone is looking for a reason not to go to church, they will find it
83. Sometimes the right thing is the hardest!
84. I love sweets! (not candy though)
85. Angie Robinson makes the BEST cheese ball!
86. New Years is better spent with good company! (even if you don't feel very social at first)
87. Trunk or Treat is a real bummer for me
88. E-mail and TXTing are great things!
89. Cell phones are great things (how did we ever get along without them?)
90. I miss my hubby when he is away, even if he's just working late.
91. I love visiting my parents
92. My parents are still teaching me.
93. I have so much I still need to learn
94. Fall is my favorite time of the year.
95. Sometimes a weakness you thought you got over comes back (never let your guard down)
96. It is harder to stop swearing than almost anything
97. I don't like most forwards in TXT or E-mail
98. I love that my kids like to talk to me :)
99 A good friend can fix almost anything doing nothing
100. I love my life!
WOW that was harder than I thought it would be.