30 Apr 2008

The end of another month! Where does the time go?!? I can only imagine how fast time will go in another 10 years. At any rate, I'm heading down to the school today. Hopefully I can help a few kids pick up some letters today. Sounds and Letter Names. Should be intense - I hope it's fun for them too.

The girls are all doing well. After being around a one year old - I am more appreciative of how big and independant my girls are! What a blessing! Maybe tomorrow I'll get some more histories done - or some layouts.

My desk is piling up a bit again. I really am going to have to tackle the clutter soon. It just gives a feeling of disarray to my life! Actually, the whole house needs some spring cleaning. Always plenty to do - just lacking the energy. I really have more than enough time.

Well - I better get my materials gathered. Have a great day!

29 Apr 2008

I didn't blog yesterday - too busy! I finished sewing the scripture bags (35) for our Activity Day girls today. Worked on it yesterday, too. It's just something sitting around waiting to be done that I decided to finish. The girls will get their bags in a month! Also babysat the 3 boys yesterday and today. Today is my last day! I have decided to pursue other opportunities - to be announced a bit later. Still setting things up.

So I am looking forward to a crash day sometime soon. When - I don't know, but soon. My brain is a bit dead - so I don't have much to post about. I'll be at the school tomorrow morning. Hopefully I can make some progress with some of the kids that really need my help.

That's about it. I thought about taking a picture of the bags - but I am so sick of them right now that I can't take the picture. Plus they are stuffed into a big plastic bag to be out of the way.
Have a great day - hopefully I'll have more to write about tomorrow :)

27 Apr 2008

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. The b-day party really took it out of me. I took an afternoon nap, even! So I'm back just for a minute today. The girls did the scrapbook pages for Snow White today. So fun! I'll have to post some pictures of them - maybe tomorrow?

Have a good Sabbath! We will here!

25 Apr 2008

Good Friday Morning! I'm off to a great start. I'm cleaning my washing machine as it has been smelling funny lately. Probably because I've left my clothes in there too often (overnight). Anyway - found this great site that tells you how to do it: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/397607/how_to_clean_your_toploading_washing.html?page=2&cat=6

Becky, and any other interested parties: I found a link for a tour to Google Reader. It walks you through and gets you going. Hope it helps: http://www.google.com/help/reader/tour.html

So I did one layout yesterday - but it's more of a office decoration - with my year's resolutions on it - and questions to ask myself before committing to something. Very fun!

That's about it this morning - I'm baking a cake for the family birthday party tomorrow. We're doing a bike rodeo then having a barbecue. So fun! Have a good day!

24 Apr 2008

I thought that pictures was so pretty, too! No - I found it online in a slide show someone had made of pictures of the area (in New York). So nice to be able to access such great pictures without having to take them myself! Makes a great frame for the layout too!

So I did some more pages yesterday - here they are:

I used an Andrea Gold Template for the Nauvoo page and a Kissed Studios template for the Bonnet page. Other than that - I made it up myself. The map I got from Google Map (in 3 pieces which I pasted together, marking the various homes along the way). It's coming along so well!

So today I'm taking it easier. I went back to bed and slept for a while this morning. Felt so good! I might go back. All of the sudden I'm sneezing and having an allergy flare up (like in the last 10 minutes!). Paper or dust, I'm sure. So - I might not have a layout for you tomorrow. Oh well! Progress is progress.

Make it a great day!

23 Apr 2008

Thanks for the compliment on the background, Melissa! Every time I think about changing it - I think - Nah! There is a link on the side bar toward the bottom to the gal who I got the background from - if you want to see if it's still available. :) Oh! I have to mention - I found Joseph, Utah yesterday. I didn't know where it was - but after searching Utah for Parawan and Panguitch - I found where Joseph is. I was thinking about you!

I've got to double check to see that I have everyone's blog's listed on my google page - so easy for me to check - I often leave it open all day as I'm working so as soon as it's updated I can go and read it. Love that!

So - I spent a little time last night working on 3 pages for my Past (history) book. I'm rather pleased with how they turned out. Take a look:

These are for one of DJ's ancestors - Daniel Allen Jr. I think there are 15 pages of history on him (8 by 8 with a half inch margin on each side) so I have 12 pages to go. I'm working on a map page - always helpful, and look forward to many other interesting pages. I am so glad for towns and cities that have old pictures or pictures of the area (outdoors) - it works so well for pages like this. It's tough when I can't find a picture for a place. So many ideas, though! Daniel was a tanner - so look forward to pages related to that.

Well, I'm off to the school this morning. Yesterday went really well with the boys. I so enjoy the time I can spend on the computer - kind of sad that I will be at the school :) Important too, I know.

Have a great day!

22 Apr 2008b

So I just organized my histories and found I've done 17! Still many to go - and some have several versions to look though - but all in all progress! It feels so good! I'm not sure how many I'll end up with as there are some still "out there" - and I'm not sure how to organize them - Alphabetical? or by families - which gets complicated too. Any thoughts from you out there?
I'm hoping to use some sort of ribbon tags to mark where individual's stories are in the book - and match the ribbon on the pedigree chart (at the front of the book). Beyond that????

Anyway - we're moving along on these stories. My Greatest Love Story album has not had any attention at all! Hopefully I'll get back to that soon. :) The picture pages that will go along with the stories (in the family history album) are going to be so neat! I'm putting pictures of places I'll never visit and things that go with the story on the accompanying pages. It is going to be great. I guess that's why I'm kind of waiting - I'm not sure where to start with it. I don't want to have to rearrange a bunch. I'll probably end up doing that anyway :) Just had to share the progress!

22 Apr 2008

I am racing to post today. I didn't post yesterday because I was babysitting 3 boys - and they are here again today. An experiment if you will.....which has made more of my limitations all too clear. A little depressed about that.....but more realistic perspective. I'm not sure if I will be continuing this adventure. What a time! Seriously they are great kids - really easy. I just am too set in my ways and used to my routine to give it up. :)

So enjoyed a call from Grandma Jo & Grandpa Gene! It really perked up yesterday. I took all the histories I had printed out and edited them (some were really so in need of editing - I just wanted to send them to you, Aaron~!). I made it through and now just need to go back through them. I'm hoping to update the files on the family site so they are 8 1/2 by 11 size (normal person size). That probably won't happen today, though. Currently I have 5 children in the house and 2 at school. The boys ages ate 5, 3, and 1. And yes - I have changed 4 diapers between yesterday and today and 2 were poopy. I am more grateful for my girls and how easy they let me take it.

So - that's whats up with me. I have enjoyed taking a minute to catch up on everyone's blogs. Reg - I loved the red shirts and wished I were closer. I know between all our girls it would be a lot of fun! Ola - the tent looks like it's a lot of fun. I wish it was warm enough to camp out here! Kari - that poem was precious. So true for that age. The little guy here is used to squaking to get his way (UGH!). Sharon - looks like some fun times. How's that shoulder coming? Cory - it seems like too long since I've seen the kids. Hope you are coming to the bike rodeo on Saturday (10 am). I think that covers everyone! Please know I think about you often even if I forget to comment on your blog. Sarah - haven't had a chance to check but hope to soon. You are always up to something fun!

Loves to all!

20 Apr 2008

Such a nice Sunday. We've been taking it easy. I don't have VTing today after all! I understood more in Spanish Branch. Probably because they used a lot of the same words over and over. It was about the organization of the church relating to the offices of the Priestood - or Sacerdocio :) Very good stuff. Hopefully I'll just keep learning more and more.

Well, we're working on our project so I can't write much. Have a nice Sabbath~!

19 Apr 2008

Today has been much busier than I had planned it to be. Alas....hopefully tomorrow will be much slower paced. I'm ready to climb back in bed! DJ ran his race - don't know how quickly yet. Hopefully he's not too sore tomorrow. If so - well it was his choice ;) so sympathetic I know :)

I got a bunch of page protectors today because they were on sale - and because I'm going to need them for some projects. I came across a cute book at JoANN's - Instant Memories Fairy Tales, Ready to use Scrapbook Pages. I'm excited to have my girls act out stories and add their pictures to the pages - instant storytale scrapbook! I'm planning it for a Sunday project. I think it will be fun. Plus - it comes with a disk with the images on it - so I can use them again and again. They had several different theme books - all looked so fun. I've discovered that the books don't go on sale at JoAnn's so you can use your coupons on them! Great fun!

Anway - I'm chilled so I'm going to climb back into bed. Have a good evening!

18 Apr 2008

To answer your question, Aaron, I hope to have a picture on the left side of each 2 pages - so it would go picture, text, picture, text, etc. So something to look at every page you turn. It's really getting fun. I am planning on transcribing the memorials for my mom's parents - a big source of stories. Should be lots of fun. That will be tomorrow. Today I have a big history to do. Also need to get some treats made for the school carnival. I'm tempted just to send in some rice krispies :) I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of baking I could do. So...I might not do any at all. The pressure is off!

I had the craziest dream last night. Dreamed that our Stake Pres. declared that it was Cream of Mushroom Season. DJ and I were really excited about that and cheering. Crazy! DJ told me I needed to share that bit of insanity with you all :) Hope you enjoyed it.

What else? Nothing much. So much I could do - but I will probably wait to do. It's better to not feel too stressed about things that really don't need done - remembering my word of the year - Priority.

So - I better get the history done. Have a great day!

17 Apr 2008

Dragging a bit. It's all good - The work is getting done and I'm having some computer time too. The activity went well - although many of the girls didn't know the parts of speech. It's all educational, I guess! They all thought their letters were funny when they read them at the end!

So I'm hoping to make some bread today. A new recipie....so we'll see how it turns out! Kari has a great recipe for wheat bread that I want to get sometime. Really tasty and makes a tall loaf. Not as dense as other loaves.

So I did another history yesterday. Very good stuff. As I'm thinking about the new album - I'm thinking of doing the ancestor section like these old stories I used to read - Illustrated Classics I think....with a picture on the left side and the story on the right - every time you turned the page. Does that make sense? I want it to be something my children enjoy reading and looking at. I'm realizing it's a longer term project that I originally thought. I think my inclination is to rush through something just to get it done. With something like this - I want to do it right. So....it might take a while. I'm thinking if I can get one history done each day (optimistic I know) then I'll get through them easily enough. I don't have a count on how many histories I have....

Anyway, I made a rice krispie treat yesterday - purple hearts. Who knew that cookie cutters work great on these things? I colored the marshmellow mush before mixing and it turned out great. Just wanted to share.

Well, I better get on with my day. Still have a lot to do. Make it a good day!

16 Apr 2008

Don't be fooled by the calling - we still have lessons to teach - it's the packaging that's different. Teaching without teaching. But really, it is the best calling in the church! I made up the cutest letter to send to a missionary. It's a missionary Mad Lib. http://www.4shared.com/file/44327103/d8b78a66/List_for_DearElder_Mad_Libs.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/44327069/6ffaaec9/Dear_Elder_Mad_Libs.html

So much fun to do. Anyway- I need to snuggle so I'm rested for tonight. Have a great day!

15 Apr 2008

Hi there! I'm doing my blog early today. Got a busy week ahead - I'm going to make pancakes for Kimball's class tomorrow morning to help with ISATS :) Also Activity Days tomorrow night. DJ is going to the Temple Friday morning for our Fill the Temple day. I'm babysitting so I won't be going. He's also got a half-marathon on Saturday. Well - that list doesn't look as bad as it sounded.

We are doing well. Our new 3 year old is doing great - and getting bigger every day. I'm enjoying a snuggly nap when I can get it because I know the naps won't last forever. Other than that I am continuing working on the stories. Wow - yesterday's stories were amazing! Even when I read through and fix them as I'm reading I still have little errors to fix. So the work continues!

For activity days I've made a Dear Elder Mad Lib. It's going to be a lot of fun for the girls! We're also making sewing kits. Should be fun! Trying to get everything gathered up today so we're ready for tomorrow.

That's about all for us. We were going to do the garden beds last night but the weather turned yucky - so we scratched that. Maybe tonight. I've promised DJ that I won't do it myself during the day today.

Anyway - have a wonderful day!

14 Apr 2008

Today has been a busy family history day. I've been working on stories all day and am wrung out. It's amazing to read these stories of faith. It makes my trials seem so much smaller! Anyway - sorry for the short post but I'm really tired. More tomorrow!

13 Apr 2008

Ok - after plugging and unplugging things - my new hard drive is working! I have yet to open PSE and see how many things I can open at once. That's going to be fun!

Today I stayed home from Stake Conference. I thought about making lunch while everyone was gone but just couldn't pull my sorry self out of bed. I finally 'woke up" about 12:20 - just before the fam got home. I feel so rested!

Yesterday was nice so DJ was working on getting the Square Foot gardens going. The little ones enjoyed climbing in the piles of "soil" and got so dirty he let them get their swimsuits on and rinse off outside. Those girls can't wait for swimming weather! It's going to be fun! We might have to get a bigger pool this year. :) Haven't told DJ that yet.....

So glad you're enjoying the stories, Grandma. It's been fun to share them with everyone. You should see the big 3 inch binder with all my copies in it. There are many stories to go for both sides of our family.

No new layouts yet. Still have to gather some pictures for them. It's so fun, though!

Well, I'm missing out on a family snuggle - so I better go! Have a wonderful afternoon/evening!

12 Apr 2008

Well I'm back - sort of. In checking my hard drive info - I don't see the new drive at all although my BIL assures me it's there. I do have a power cord to connect yet - maybe that will help?!?
I'm hoping to get my family story on the family site today. What else? We have a lot of running around this afternoon and evening - so I better make this short.

Have a great day! More later....

09 Apr 2008b

Just a quick note to let you know - DJ has bought be a huge new hard drive. 500Gig! I'm really excited as the one that has been my "main" drive is just 10gig! I kept having error messages with it being filled up so quickly. So - my computer is taking a trip tomorrow to my BIL Ed's house, with the new hard drive. Everything will be put together and the return date is unknown - so if you don't hear from me for a few days - that's why. I think I might go crazy not being able to do what I love to do!

On the brighter side - my house will probably get cleaned. I'll probably bake a bit more....I'll have to do something!

Anyway - just wanted to give you a heads up. I can't wait to be back up and going!

9 Apr 2008

Where did yesterday go? I thought I blogged - but I guess I didn't. Life is going well here. Busy as ever! Tomorrow I'll get working on some family history. I've been playing with my programs and have decided I need to upgrade my fotofusion. Now to save up for the upgrade! It will allow me to save bigger sizes and make my own mattes, among other things. I really like the program in that it is easy to convert templates from 81/2 X11 to 12X12 etc. That's probably my favorite feature. I'm learning more about PSE too! Each program has some really great features - so depending on my project, I choose which program to use.

Well - I was at the school today. They had an assembly about Opera. Such fun - the kids really seemed to like it. Some really unique individuals in the Opera group!

Anyway - I better get going if I'm going to get anything done!

Here's one last link for you: http://danandsherree.com/2005/08/17/pse_organizer_shortcuts.php
It lists many photoshop shortcuts - lots of fun!
Have a great day!

7 Apr 2008

Back to the usual. Didn't you love that last session of conference - especially the talk to the young mothers? I know I'm not as young as I used to be but I still consider myself a young mother (probably will until all my kids are in school). It was wonderful! I can't wait to go back and read the words again and again. Gives you a feeling of hope!

So today I've got braces on the mind again. Kimball has an appointment in another 4 months (after today's appointment). We're waiting on 3 teeth to come in and she has her upper eye teeth that are currently not moving (not in either). So - making plans to earn some extra money to pay for those braces. Should be pretty straighforward. I just hate that feeling of worry - even though there's nothing to worry about.

Don't have any more pages done yet - I've got to record some movies to DVD today and free up some room on the TIVO. Also - feeding the Spanish missionaries tonight - so I better practice some Spanish before they get here (they are the ones that teach the class). We have a preparation for Kindergarden thing tonight - and FHE. So it's a busy day. Should be fun.....

Have a great day yourself!

6 Apr 2008b

Are you up for a few layouts? Been working on them and wanted to share....

Two more for the traditions album and one for the Past, Present, Future Album

I decided to put Agnes' story facing her picture page - it was the most straightforward way to do it.

Working on printing out Pedigree Charts for the book - as part of helping the girls see where they fit in. Should be fun! Have a nice evening!

6 Apr 2008

The other day a ward member stopped by and while visiting commented on the grain shortage here. Then they passed along some alarmist rumor about a global pandemic that would occur shortly. Had to chuckle as I found this article in an unrelated search on www.lds.org
Combatting Spiritual Drift—Our Global Pandemic by Russell M. Nelson Nov 1993 Ensign

Maybe they didn't get the memo? Seriously, though. How many times do you hear rumors of this sort that you may or may not take seriously. I'm sure you know people who believe every doomsday rumor to come along. I do. Is this what it takes to get going on getting your food storage? I visited a home recently where they had boxes (case size) of rice stacked in their living room - enough that it represented more rice than people in the room even with us visiting! The real sad part is that they don't have any other place to store the stuff. I really hope they like rice. :)

Just random thoughts. Conference was wonderful yesterday afternoon and this morning. I know it will be quiet all too soon - teaching the children to enjoy it is a challenge.

Well I'm hoping to get a couple more traditions pages done today - things I just thought of. I'd really like to get some ancestor pages done too. We'll see!

Have a wonderful Sabbath!

5 Apr 2008

Conference was nice. I look forward to the time that I will hear it all - we are at a noisy child stage. Alas - some really took to the conference packs and some did not. I'm thinking we'll have the girls off to bed early!

So I'm enjoying the family stories. The picture disk came yesterday. I'll upload some pics today....to the family site.

Have a good day - evening - etc.

4 Apr 2008

Getting ready for a trip to Costco - the coupons start today :) Yesterday was good - just busy. Sorry I didn't post...Nose is 100% better. Looking forward to conference.....

Hoping to get a few layouts done today....OK - will you settle for just one?!? I made it all myself - no template. A bit cheesy - but that's me!

I only have time to do one as I'm hoping to get another family story on the family site for everyone.

I know it's short today - sorry. Have a wonderful conference weekend!

2 Apr 2008

My nose is just about back to normal. I can "thin" my nostrils (flex inward) again! I haven't been able to do that. Almost all sensitivity is gone! It's all good.....

So today I've taken Becky's idea and spent a bunch of time doing fun stuff with my little ones - 30 minutes at a time interspersed with 10 to 20 minutes of work. Still got things done and the little ones really love it! Now to do a page or two.

Actually I got these done this morning as well. Just used a quick album that was a nice freebie snag! Very springy. These are Easter Egg hunt pictures. Such fuN!

Onto my afternoon. Have a great day!

1 Apr 2008

Great suggestion, Grandma Jo! I'll have to add that to the info....

This morning is going well - the nose just keeps improving. The doctor visit yesterday went well - he thinks I had inflamation in my chest wall or ribs....but we're watching it. I'm hoping to get my grocery shopping done today. Got more pages I want to do - so I better get on with it.

Just whipped this page together - so us I think. DJ is the Ham and I'm the cheese. Here's another gem:

Talks about an evening drive to Idaho Falls....So fun! I'm getting really creative with my pictures because I don't have a ton from that time in my life...guess I was otherwise occupied.

Well...Hopefully more tomorrow. Have a great day!