You could totally make that!

I've raised my son well, folks.

First some background:

Whenever my sisters and I go shopping, we never go to buy. We always look at something and say, "we could totally make that!". Be it a modern painting, a cute pillow, clothes or holiday decor, we just KNOW we can make it.

And tonight, when I was looking at my friend's

ModBE

sight, my son came in with me. We saw a cute skirt and he said, "you could TOTALLY make that!"

He made my day.

My five for today:

1. My son. I love him to pieces. Plus he's great at math. He's finished a whole math workbook this summer and is ready for another one!

2. The FrontRunner. Yesterday was my first experience using it, since the freeway was shut down. Instead of being home at 9:00 as was predicted, I was home by 8.

3. A full tank of gas in the car.

4. My sisters who brought me lunch today. You are the best!

5. My husband's brownies. No matter what variation he uses.

I Love Gardening, Part IIIV

Yesterday for FHE we made our garden go from this:



To this:



As you can see, I forgot the before and after picts, but you get the general idea.

My Five for Today:

1. The kids helping us weed. For all of 10 minutes. Then they started throwing gloves at each other. But it was fun to work altogether for a moment.

2. I'm grateful that the mean man at the Admissions window this morning only threw a marker and dropped the F bomb. I'm praying he doesn't come back with a weapon (if he does: I love you all!).

3. I'm glad I have a brain. Isn't it nice to be able to think for yourself?

4. I'm not tired today!

5. One of my sons who reminded me that I don't love him because we haven't gone camping. I'm contemplating a trip right now. I love that boy!

Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit

Good news! My daughter, for quite possibly the first time in her life, ate beans last night! Miracles never cease!



Other things for which I am grateful:

1. My wedding ring is back! It fits now, it's clean, and it came with another proposal from my husband. I said yes!!

2. Sleeping in. Until 8:00! For a girl who wakes at 5:00 every morning, this is a real treat.

3. This work week is over. Without going into details (because it would bore you to tears), this week was CRAZY! I had training sessions to present, issues the president of the U himself said to address ASAP, and people taking the week off. I'm glad it's over.

4. Tennis at night with my husband and kids. It's usually full of blood, sweat and tears, but it's fun.

5. Hair care lessons with my daughter. The girl HATES having her hair done, and I'm not around to do it anyway, so we've been having 5 minute "how-to" lessons so she can do it herself. She's a natural! She can part her hair, and do a regular and a side pony tail so far. And use hairspray correctly. Mostly I just like spending the time with my girl.

Karate, by my first son

I love karate. But I've never been in karate, but I still love it. My best day of my life was when we tried out in karate. We got a short lesson from a real karate teacher. And my dad was in karate. My mom bought a karate movie. I think karate would be fun.

Kittens, by my daughter

I love kittens! They are the cutest things in the world! And they love toys, and they come in my room everyday, and they're playful, and soft. And snuggly. And cute as a little bug flying, except not that cute. Maybe a little scary because they bite and scratch. They love to go under my bed.

What Made Me Laugh This Week

1. The bus driver yesterday who missed a green light but couldn't very well yell, so he just acted out yelling. Yes - he mouthed all the nasty things he wanted to say, complete with jerking his body and flinging his arms. But he was totally silent.

2. The guy on the bus this morning who was talking to his wife. He sounded EXACTLY like Kip on Napolean Dynamite, so much so that I had to keep looking at him every so often just to see if maybe it was him not dressed up like Kip. I was so TOed when it wasn't him, but I laughed. Silently.

3. The skit some people in my office did for some training I was in charge of. They were such good sports and were so hilarious. Sometimes I wish I was a drama queen.

4. My new all-time favorite phone call at work: some guy called and wondered about donating his testicles. Why he thought freshman admissions would take them is beyond me.

5. This kitty video. It's so true!

Lee Jeans

As you all know, I LOVE my sisters. Every last one of them. There is nothing better than being related to your best friends. I used to spend gobs of time with them, and I don't now (something about working full-time or some horrible excuse like that...)

When my sister Liz was in Oregon, I would have my Liz Withdrawal days, and now that Jess is in Provo, I have Jess Withdrawal days.

But today, today I have Jeanette withdrawals.

I singlehandedly credit Jean with saving my sanity when I had 3 three year olds. That was back in the day when my husband worked full-time plus, and went to school at nights. He was an awesome dad and husband, but the days were still long and hard. It was also back in the day when gas prices were cheaper, so Jeanette and I would make the 45 minute (30 minutes if you're Jeanette) to each other's houses and visit. We would dream of our next money-making possiblity, some of which included writing romance novels, making crafts, selling cards. We would go shopping at the DI, thought of THOUSANDS of home decorating projects, play at the park with the kids, or visit each other's libraries. We wrote emails to our favorite author, Jenny Hansen. We made each other lunch. We wondered what to have for dinner. We worried about our brothers. We did our makeup. We would go to high-end stores and them dream about how we "could totally make that for cheaper." We refinished furniture. We listened to music. We would dream, and then make a pact that if the other one ever stopped dreaming, we would let the other one know.

I love my sis! I miss her! I miss her kids!

My Monday Five:
1. ALL of my sisters. I could/should write a tribute to all of them. They make my day.
2. My family. I love my kids and husband. I'm glad for the time that I did get to spend with my kids ALL day long!
3. Rainy weather.
4. Thursday off!
5. Going to bed early tonight!

Who Am I?

There have always been 3 "hates" that have defined me:

1. I hate pets.

2. I hate sewing.

3. I hate gardening.

Recently, however, I have had a love/hate relationship with a couple of my hates. For instance, I hate pets. Then we got kittens. Yes, they took over the kids' bathroom (now the "Kitty Bedroom"), they poop and stuff (but in their litter box), and they have their toys all over the house (chewed on straws, paper wads...). And, they really want to get on the kitchen table, which is such a big, HUGE no-no for them at our house. One time one of them DID make it to the table and even SNIFFED my food. Ewww! But this is what's weird: I STILL ATE IT!!! My husband even volunteered to trade dinners, because he knows how I feel about pets sharing MY FOOD on MY TABLE, and the kids put the kitten in time out (their "bedroom").

I have to admit, though, I kind of like them. Love, them, even. They are now part of the family. Truly, how cute are they?



Then there's the sewing. I have often said that sewing was put on this earth to personally torture me. My sisters all love sewing. My mom loves sewing. My dad even loves sewing - he taught me how to make a puppet once. But me? HATED it.

Except lately I've been making doll clothes for Bryn's dolls and staying up way late to do it. Because I'm enjoying myself, not because I have to. And the other day, I made this:


It was so fun! But I thought I hated sewing!

Gardening, however, I know I still hate. This is what happens to flowers I plant:


Needless to say, I don't quite know who I am anymore. Do I like pets? Do I like sewing? I know I hate gardening.

It's okay to change, though, right?

What "hates" define you?

I Had a Great Idea for a Post...

But don't have my pictures available, so oh well.

But here's my five:

1. Walks with my husband in the evening.

2. A rodeo on Thursday!

3. Homemade tortillas. I made them over the weekend from Money Saving Recipes. Sooo good!

4. My sisters. I can always count on them!

5. Seriously so blessed. It makes me laugh.

I Feel Rich When...

I eat warm, homemade bread

I can read the words of Heavenly Father whenever I want to

I can hang out with my family. My husband, kids, sisters...

After a few days of no floss, I FINALLY have some (that's actually what inspired this blog...).

I think of all my true friends

My kids draw me pictures to hang up at work

I can pick fresh from the garden strawberries

My husband calls me at 3:00

I get a homemade bracelet from my son. It doesn't fit, but I hang it up with my jewelry anyway.

What makes you feel rich?

Cooking...It's as Easy as 1, 2, 3...

I LOVE cooking! Or rather, reading cookbooks. It all started in college, when I had a one hour bus layover downtown. This usually happened at lunchtime, and I was usually STARVING! And I was usually poor. So instead of forking out $7 for a piece of pizza everyday, I would get the free Chick-Fil-A sample and wander to a bookstore and look at recipe books. It was the closest I would get to food. Pathetic, I know.

HOWEVER, reading cookbooks grew into a hobby. Now I like to read them just for fun, for my "unwind" time everynight before I go to bed.

I also love recipe websites. Here are my favorite three:

All recipes. My favorite part is the ingredient search. Once I had 1/2 cup of orange marmalade in the fridge. What do you do with that? (Besides use it again for the gross recipe I originally bought it for?) I typed it in to the ingredient search and later that day made some delicious orange muffins my whole family enjoyed.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks I love her commentary, her pictures, her food (well, I'm sure I would like it anyway. I haven't actually made some of it!).

And last but not least, my friend's blog. I hope she doesn't mind me mentioning it (if so, just comment and I'll delete this part Kathy!). I love tried and true recipes! Especially the money saving kind!

And, just for fun, here's a recipe my husband made last night, which is soooo good!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
1 c peanut butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
chocolate chips
1 tsp baking soda

Mix altogether and bake. Don't overbake. Delicious!

My Tasty Five:
1. Cheesecake
2. Homemade bread
3. Homemade cookies
4. Sweet and Sour Meatballs
5. Anything with zucchini

It's a Dog Eat Dog World

Sometimes I'm reminded that I don't live in a perfect world. Like when my alarm doesn't go off and I wake up an hour late. Or when I spill honey on my pants (the ironed ones even!). Or when I get to work with my honey-splotched pants and remember that I have to give a presentation in front of 40 to 50 business people. Or when I forgot to bring a fork for my lunch and we're not allowed to steal from the office supply.

OR (and this is the part that gets me), when you're in the meeting with 40 to 50 business people, someone else who's making a presentation COMPLETELY points out a co-worker of mine and how she doesn't quite do her job so well. AND THAT'S THE FIRST MY CO-WORKER HAD HEARD OF IT. Or even me, and I'm her boss.

Now, it's not all bad. I did take a shower last night, so I was able to get ready for work in time. And my wonderful husband made my breakfast and lunch today so I wouldn't starve myself, or, worse, use my credit card to buy lunch. And breakfast. And snacks. And my honey splotch faded, and my presentation is over. And who cares - one fork gone from the office supply isn't going to cause the state's flagship institution to file for bankruptcy.

But being rude? Seriously. Stop it!

Can't we all just be nice?

My Five:

1. Bunnies and chipmunks, and deeeeeep, caaaalming breaths.

2. My husband. I really couldn't have made it out the door this morning in 25 minutes without him. And he makes awesome crepes and spaghetti.

3. My third-born child. He wakes up most mornings before I leave and tells me that he loves me and good-bye.

4. A fan for my desk.

5. Visiting teaching done! (Thanks to my partner who scheduled them early in the month!)


UPDATE - 1 1/2 HOURS LATER:
THE OFFENDER SENT AN OFFICE-WIDE EMAIL APOLOGIZING AND CLARIFYING WHAT SHE MEANT.

PHEW! LIFE REALLY IS GOOD!

Just Keep WalkinOOUUMP!

"Just keep walking."

"Just keep walking."

"Just keep walking."

That's what I told myself on my morning walk today on break. AFTER I tripped. See, I thought that if I kept walking, I would eventually catch myself without looking like a TOTAL freak. What I ended up doing was walking myself into the ground. I was so worried about hurting myself, though, that once I knew I would hit the cement, I immediately rolled onto my back. AND, I was trying to keep my legs together because I was wearing a knee length skirt. BECAUSE I LIKE TO FALL LADY-LIKE, THAT'S WHY!

Despite my best efforst, though, I think the biker who was right behind me who almost hit me got a eye-full, if you know what I mean.

All in a days work...

My Thankful Fors:
1. Walking into the ground and then rolling saved my life: I didn't even have one scratch!

2. The guy behind me DIDN'T run me over.

3. Being able to laugh at myself. It comes in handy. Daily.

4. My mom. It was her birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday Mom!

5. My husband calling me at 3:00. I love an afternoon pick-me-up! (Sometimes I really DO need a literal pick-me-up!)

Sunday Five

1. My wedding ring came off! After 3 kids and 14 years of marriage, my ring no longer fit. But try as I may, it wouldn't come off. It hurt to bend my finger, and sometimes my circulation wasn't so hot. But now. Now it's off. Which is great and sad all at the same time.

2. Fasting. I had a definate answer to my prayer and fasting today.

3. My kids played together all afternoon and evening and there were hardly any casualities.

4. Leftover apple pie (wonder why my wedding ring didn't fit?).

5. No more leftover apple pie!

I'm Thankful For...

Here's Wednesday's version:

1. Wildlife. I see a family of deer some mornings at my bus stop in Kaysville. And there are bunnies and chipmunks that live outside the building I work at. I see them a lot on my breaks.

2. Book suggestions. I just started the Little Lady Agency, recommended by two of my sisters. I love it when people share the knowledge!

3. Fourth of July. We are so blessed to live in a free country, where we have access to our religion, education, and choice!

4. Last Sunday's Father's day celebration. I regret to say that it took me all week to finally appreciate it, but getting together with my family was good. Even if one brother was high and another was drunk. I love all my brothers and sisters!



5. Ice cream sandwiches. No need to elaborate on that one...