Better late than never.

+

What is funnier than watching a bunch of eight year olds that haven't ever been roller-skating?

 

 

Maybe a few things, but this rates right up there.

 

Yes, no judging. 

Justin had his 8th birthday party today...3 1/2 months after his birthday.

 

Hey, we've been busy!

 

Justin, going down again.  Mitch trying to give pointers.

 

Careful buddy.

 

Getting ready for cake & ice cream.

 

This was funny. 

Until the kids started coming to the house, he didn't realize he'd be getting gifts today. 

 He got so excited. 

 

He had so much fun.  We don't usually have 'friend birthday parties', but they do get one when they turn eight.  So this was a treat.  All the little boys that came had a lot of fun and were such good sports to try something new.  We were there for two hours and it was amazing how much improvement they made in such a short amount time.

 

We never think to go roller-skating. 

Maybe we'll try to remember to go a few more times this year.

Do any of you go roller-skating?

 

It was a fun day.

 

 

 

This is just a random picture of the sunset the other night.  I was making dinner and looked out the window and loved what I saw. 

Thought I'd share.

 



Mind games

Right now I'm:

 

*Singing at the top of my lungs with Whitney Houston.  Pandora is rocken out the best music this morning!

 

*Thinking about a note I have thought to write and mail since Monday.

 

*Wondering how my Grandma is feeling this morning after her surgery.

 

*Listening for the dryer to stop so I can reboot the machines.  Will the laundry ever end? Scratch that.  I'm glad that we live a good life.  I guess I'd rather say, Will I ever catch up?

*Looking at the return air vent in the office and wondering why I never take the one minute it would take to vacuum the dust (and 'ahem' cobwebs) off of it.  ......  there, done.  Guess I just needed to say it out loud.  Ü

 

*Checking this weeks menu and see what needs to go on the grocery list.

 

*Back to thinking about the laundry.

 

*Getting plans ready for music in Primary.

 

*Wondering, did I get my scriptures read this morning?  I don't remember doing it.  Come on guys, I don't even remember what I packed Layne for lunch, for heavens sake!!  I'd better fit that in. 

 

*Deciding if I want to run errands now when it is 13°F or wait till this afternoon when it is 15°F.  (Lets be honest. That really reads,  I'm not running any errands today.)

 

*Going to empty the dishwasher and clean up the kitchen because life is just better when the kitchen is cleaned up. 

 

Have a great day.  

 

(source)

Wouldn't it be the coolest if Layne saw this on my blog and wanted to make it to store our food from the garden this fall?  Ya, I think it would be cool too.  Ü



Keeping it Real

(source?  If you know please let me know)

 

You know how a new year is. 

You want to change a few thing.

You want to set a goal or two.

 

I see other bloggers choosing a word for the year to inspire them.

That didn't really work for me. 

Mainly because I didn't choose a word, but I really don't think it would have made much difference.

 

What I found to be a better way to go at the new year was to be honest with myself.

 

Q- When did I become so lazy?

A - When all my children went to school.

Q - Why?

A - Sad story really.  I had a lot of plans for when that day came.  Awesome plans.  There was quilting, shopping all by myself, temple going, etc. in the plans.  Then I was shocked to find myself pretty much depressed and lonely.  I really don't like to say the "I didn't know myself any more after the kids grew up" because that isn't how I feel, but I did loose my sense of routine and a realization that I may have a mild form of ADD.  Self-diagnosed, of course. 

 

My solution?  Get better routines.  Any routines.  Something I could focus on.

So here it is, January 22, 2013 and here are a few things that have preoccupied my time these past couple of weeks:

Homemade marshmallows. 

Josie gave me an electric kettle for Christmas.  Something I've wanted for a long time.  It is so nice to use when cooking and even more fun for hot cider and hot chocolate in a flash.

 

Just good food in general, although this fried rice was yum.

 

 

Caramel Puff Corn

aka: crack corn

(you can't stay our of this stuff)

 

 

Putting pretty butterflies on my fingernails.

I've never worried about my fingernails.

Never. Ever.

So this one is proof that I'm looking for ANYTHING to get out of what I ought to be doing.

 

 

Actually, I am a really busy person.

My calendar is always pretty full.  Seems like I'm always running here or there.

But, I've lost any sense of routine and I feel like I am always just barely pulling it off.

 

I think if I was able to pull together a routine that I stuck with, it would make a difference in all the other areas in my life that I'm not really thrilled about.

 

Tell me about your routines.  Do you have specific days that you do things?

Monday, laundry? Tuesday, bathrooms?

Exercise first thing?  Scripture study early or later in the day?

 

What works for you?  I'd love to know.

 

I've got to pull it together cause these guys are growing up fast and I might miss it.

 

 

 

 

You may want need this recipe.

 

Caramel Corn Puffs

 

2 sticks of butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup (light)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 packages butter flavored corn puffs (the popcorn in bags without kernels)

 

Boil butter, brown sugar, & syrup together for five minutes.  Take off heat and stir in vanilla and soda.  (watch out, it will bubble up)  Put both bags of corn puffs in large bowl and pour caramel over the top, stirring till well coated.  Spread on large cookie sheet (or two if needed) and bake at 250°F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  Let cool.  Sometimes we leave it in the big Tupperware bowl.  Sometimes it ends up in baggies.  It never lasts very long around here.  Ü

 

Introducing...Crash & Eddie

(source)

 

My sister Geri & her hubby Jason came to spend Christmas with us.

(it was awesome)

We may have scared them a little and hope they will still come see us again someday.

 

It only took Geri being here for about 25 minutes when she made the most observant statement I think I've ever heard in my 38 years of life.

 

"Those two remind me of Crash & Eddie from Ice Age."

 

Those two, meaning Mitch & Justin, and HOLY COW did she hit the nail on the head or what?!

 

They are best pals one minute playing with their dog Jimmer, baseball, football, shooting their guns, or whatever it is they do, and then before you can blink an eye, they are out for blood and the race is on. (and I'd advise getting out of the way)

 

 

 

They come up with the craziest ideas, that usually involves making their sister scream.

They are the rough and tumble type and there is a constant giggle, that keeps the rest of us suspicious at all times.

 

They play hard and they fight hard ....

 

 

they are Crash & Eddie.

And we love them.

 

(Crash is in black.  Eddie is in red.)