31 Oct 2008

Halloween! We have lots going today - so pics will probably be tomorrow. Hope everything is well with you. More later.....

30 Oct 2008

So sorry to miss yesterday - just too busy! I painted the new "Music Room" - it ended up white ;) Still trying to get everything in its place so pics will have to wait another day or two. We are working up big plans for Halloween. The girls have the day off - otherwise we wouldn't be doing as much :)

I didn't do my pages yesterday and won't get today's done either - but hopefully I'll catch up tomorrow. It's so nice being home on Thursday mornings!

Well - have to run. Still putting the room together for lessons this afternoon. Have a great day!

28 Oct 2008

So much to do today! I'm going to have to start running soon. I got 11 pages done yesterday and am just printing my first for today (8 to go). Not too shabby! I do have some other things to catch up on too - so the work continues.

Yesterday Jared took a trailer to get wood. Ended up overloading it and amidst getting almost stuck in the field, getting out whilst popping a tire, and putting on a recently filled spare that leaked - it was an eventful evening! And yes - we did watch some Heros ;) Season 2. We're into disk 2. Such fun! Thanks for passing them on to us, D!

Well, as much as I would like to just sit here and type - I do have to hustle. Here's a look at my schedule:

Go shopping for Activity Days supplies
1 maybe 2 piano lessons around noon
3:00 Kimball to duet practice
3:45 Mckay gets home
Taking dinner to a gal I VT - she had a baby
Kimball has a band concert tonight.

There are some other things that just aren't going to happen. Alas! Can't do it all. This is probably more than enough. I have Becoming Jane from the library (due tomorrow) that I'm hoping to watch sometime today. Yes - like I have a lot of time to sit around and watch a movie. Alas!

Maybe I can put it on the girls computer whilst I work here?

Have a great day!

27 Oct 2008

Happy Birthday DJ! We are having a wonderful day here with him home. What a great day to have off. I'm still hoping to get layouts done. I'm two days behind - that means I have 15 to do today to be caught up. Hope I get there!

I am officially finished with the first book - last layout printed today. It's for DJ's grandma Dona. So excited to be done with it. So tempted to just mail it off for an early Christmas present (one less thing to do). Hoping that we can get a family pic taken soon - thinking of Christmas cards/postcards. Such fun!

Well, It's 2:12 and I better get on with it. One down - 14 to go. I'm really gettting a system down. Now if I can just stop downloading cute kits long enough to get something done :)

Have a great day!

25 Oct 2008

Hey everyone. I'm back in the chair today. That sounds a little crazy - and it is ..... Another 5 pages to go today. It's all good. I have to pass on a great template set idea if you are the organized type. Here's the link: http://www.godigitalscrapbooking.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_dnld_info&products_id=3022
Money well spent, I assure you! I got this on Thursday or Friday and am having so much fun getting all organized. It really is fun having everything matching - and looking clean and crisp!

Andrea Gold has to be my favorite template designer. Always has freebies - and I've bought several of her sets. Such fun!

So progress continues. I hope to have more updates soon for you. Thanks for looking and extra thanks for comments!

have a great weekend!

24 Oct 2008 ps

Forgot to put this on. Check out www.artscow.com
So many freebies if you sign up (which is free!). I'm going to get my Christmas pics printed this way! If you want to see how a book looks - you can check out this blog that gave me the tip on this site: http://digitreats.typepad.com/creativeteam/
She shows books that she ordered - very helpful! Anyway - just thinking of ideas for Christmas (semi-homemade).

24 Oct 2008

I had such a great day yesterday! Got my "life right now" album done - in the Real Simple Card holder size. Feeling great about that. Also did a quick flip book of "the plan" by Merilee Boyack (sp?). That way I can show my kids what they are supposed to be able to do.

So today - we're making spiders with some cute kits we got at a local store. We were trying to save them for a rainy day (with our friend R) but when she's here it's never rainy! So today is the day - just in time for Halloween!

I imagine some would like a look at my little album. If you are not one of these - feel free to look away....

Wanted to put on the recipe for those interested parties:

Coconut Pumpkin Loaves

5 eggs

2 cups canned pumpkin

2 cups sugar

1 1/4 cups vegetable oil

2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant coconut pudding mix

3 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground nutmeg

3/4 c. chopped pecans

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and pumpkin until smooth. Add sugar and oil; mix well. Combine the flour, pudding mixes, cinnamon, baking soda and nutmet; add to the pumpkin mixture. Stir in nuts.

Transfer to three greased and floured 8 X 4 X 2 inch loaf pans. bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Wrap and freeze (if you're not eating it) for up to 6 months. Yield: 3 loaves.

**Actually, I used wheat flour because that's what I had on hand. Also used vanilla pudding, 1 tsp cinnamon and 2 of nutmeg, and no pecans. That's just what I had - and no car to go get anything else :) Other than that I followed the directions.

Hope today is great for you! I have one more treat - especially for Grandpa Gene:

She knows part of Called to Serve :) And sang it most loudly on the front row of the stand - just to the right of the microphone :) Last Sunday in the program.

23 Oct 2008

So I ended up home this morning - instead of the library thanks to a non-functional truck :) It's actually been quite nice as I had no previous plans so I got to make it up as I went. I made some yummy pumpkin/coconut bread. Very tasty!

So I have some pics to share of the pumpkin crazyness. Here they are:

If you're missing out on all this fun - I do have another huge pumpkin you can come over and do....

We had such fun! I got pics of my two little ones in the pumpkin too - but thought these pics were enough for today. Anyone want the pumpkin/coconut recipe?

Have a great day!

22 Oct 2008

I've been thinking it's the 22nd for several days now :) Silly! I'm actually ahead on my pages - which is good since a migrane has been chasing me since yesterday afternoon. I'm thinking I probably overdosed on Tylenol last night ;) But the migrane was gone this morning. It's threatening to come back - so I took more Tylenol. If I don't catch it right at the first hint - I have a tough time getting it under control. All in all, though - things are good.

We tried making some Crystallized Pumpkin yesterday - tasty but not quite what I expected. And way sugary (could that be influencing my headache?). So - probably won't do any more of that. Planning to can the rest of the big pumpkin later today. We're heading to story time first thing today.

So glad you enjoyed the link, mom! So sorry I haven't been commenting on everyone's posts. Life is just so crazy!

Hope to post pictures later! Have a great day all!

My Family

Having trouble posting to my family - here's one reply:
I'm going to be a Chinese lady and hand out fortune cookies :) Taylor will be a bumblebee, Hinckley a pirate - she really likes saying ARRRG! Don't know about McKay and Kimball - they haven't informed me yet. :)

Also wanted to pass on this link from ABC that I got in my email. The Match-o-Matic:
Http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139

I thought it was fun!

21 Oct 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3eZvEIdmq4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QVQSZA9zSk

Got sidelined just for a minute today by these links. Check them out ;)

Later!

20 Oct 2008

Took yesterday off from the computer - so now it's 10 pages today! Really making great progress, though. I can see the end of the first book!

Had such a nice Sunday. Really not sure what made the difference - just spent time with each other (whole family) and it was happy time at that!

Well - I have to get going. Have a great day!

18 Oct 2008

QUick post - 10 pages to do as I skipped yesterday. DJ had the day off and we had a wonderful day - the best in a LOOOOONG time! He took me to breakfast....then we did some needed grocery shopping. We thank Cory for watching the kids :) Then we came home (after getting the kids) and put everything away. We took it easy (well I did) for a couple of hours and then got a babysitter (Kimball helped Cory out with babysitting - secondary babysitter) and left our kids again and went to a corn maze. We LOVE corn mazes. It's probably some of the best time we spend together. I hold the map - and give directions. He holds my hand and keeps me upright (cornstalks in the path and uneven ground). We figured it was the best weather we're going to get so we needed to go. We went 6.15 miles!!! or maybe just a bit more....Didn't get lost. Did I mention I'm really good with maps? Wish it was a marketable skill :) I'm so Mr. Monkish though, I have to keep my eye on the map - that's why DJ must hold on to me. And every now and then we would have to stop so I could re-orient the map. ;) Must mention also we did that distance in one hour and 25 minutes.

So I'm doing the pages today. Hope today is good for you! Ordered these books today:

The design book I saw at the school library - It looked so good about design that I wanted to get a copy for me :) The others are something I found in a serch about a series of unfortunate events. They sound really interesting - so should be fun. Have a great day!

15 Oct 2008

Not so quickly today....it was such a good move yesterday not to sign up for additional projects. I got songs printed out for my holiday binders (surprise A!) that I'm doing for friends/family/etc. Of course, they have to be done before December starts so that they can be used this year. It was fun getting them done and working with other sisters. So many commented that that's what they should have done too (their own projects instead of starting something new).

OK - some pics....

Me and a mystery buddy who doesn't want to be identified....she looks really good, though :)

The view from the Parking Garage in Boise on Friday evening. No pictures of how lovely I looked at the time ;) The snow is a comming!

Again - an unnamed vandal spreading cobwebs and Halloween cheer to a local home that is empty (we miss you Nate & Tina). :) Just wanted you to know we are keeping the place up!

The Party on Saturday. I caught just the end of it. Looks like it was a lot of fun!

The giant pumpkin - weighing in at 115 lbs. You really don't get the full scope of how huge it is - I'll put better pics on later :)

And finally, a visual representation of what is taking most of my time these days....remember the Illustrated Classics series? Pictures on Left, words on right? That's kind of what I'm doing....All well protected behind plastic :)

For those who look close - yes that is one of the Series of Unfortunate Events books that I put on this page. Really - what they had gone through was so much a series of unfortunate events that it seemed truly appropriate. Even the foot....read if you dare!

I have 4 pages to go today and am still on track! I know I'm nuts - It's just how I am. Well, back to the grind! Just wanted to share some pics with you! Have a great day!

14 Oct 2008

Really quick - got yesterday's pages done - working on the last one for today before heading out for Super Tuesday (Relief Society). Haven't signed up for anything - so taking projects of my own.

Sent you an email, Becky! Thank you!

Well, Loves to all!

Sheridan

PS - Also been adding stuffing to a thinking chair we got for Mckay's birthday - from a family member who had outgrown it. What a project!

13 Oct 2008

What a busy weekend! It was a lot of fun, but very exhausting as well. I'm in the 2 month stretch now - from now until December 10th. It's going to be busy, crazy, etc. But well worth it!

I can't pretend I didn't feel touched by your comments in your last post, Becky - about what if this day is it. Having had a focusing experience a few years ago - I remember my thoughts about getting things in order, and making the most of my time. I want to spend special time with my girls - and make sure they know I love them and will drop things to be with them. I can't ignore those parts of me that insist that work gets done, progress is made, etc though. I am striving to feel peace. I think that's the trick for me - greater peace.

Since this is the 2 month rush - please excuse me if I don't post as often as in the past. Maybe I will - maybe I won't. We're also working on making a "piano studio" for me - in our front room (formerly family room). DJ has agreed to help and work to make this happen and I'm grateful to him. What a lovey! It will be better in the long run - but has a lot of work to make it possible....:) All started as a result of needing to get the piano tuned - suddenly seriously out of tune - considering the location as a cause (outer wall), and looking for a solution. That's probably enough about that.

Additionall, I could use some ideas and help. With my crazy projects - I'm feeling like I'm running a little low on ideas for homemade gifts (for my girls to give their cousins on DJ's side - family drawing). Realistically - do you have any ideas that the girls could primarily make on their own? Limited help from DJ & I ..... or any ideas at all!

I really hope to keep the blog up because it is so therapeutic for me. I hope you enjoy it too!
Have a good day!

9 Oct 2008

Real quick - busy day. Two more busy days ahead. Just wanted to say hi. I did a few pages today - even though it was busy. More next week!

Have a good weekend!

8 Oct 2008

So I watched the Singles 2nd Ward last night - and really enjoyed it. Wish DJ had been able to see it :) Some really funny stuff.

Still going strong on the pages - getting the 5 done each day. I have 2 extra days done - so I just will need to do 5 extra on Sunday and I'll still be good (taking Thursday-Saturday off).

I wish I had something more exciting to share - I'm working on a quick album - Life right now. I'm using a Real Simple Card holder (from Target) - so they'll be little pages - but it is going to be fun. Hopfully I'll have time to work on it later ;)

Well, back to the grind! Have a great day!

7 Oct 2008b

Ok - Pork is for stew - any meat will do :) Just found a good price so I thought I'd do some up - Ended up with 18 pints (a full canner). Quick instructions - you have to pressure cook pints for 75 minutes, quarts for 90 minutes. 1/2 tsp salt per pint (1 tsp per quart). Pre-cook the meat in water and use meat and water to fill jars.

Still don't have everything done - I'll be up late tonight trying, though :) Enjoyed time with the Elders and took time to visit with my niece - Jessica who is starting piano lessons tomorrow! Very exciting! We're swapping for a half-hour of household help. I think I'm getting the better end of the deal.

I wish you were here, Sharon - just for the fun and laughs we'd have - in addition to getting some stuff done. You have a unique ability to find the humor in almost every situation. I so love that about you! And you would probably make me sit down and just chat. Which is probably what I most need.

I have movies due back at the library/movie store tomorrow and I haven't watched them all! I'm thinking after I get my five pages done - I'm staying up watching them tonight ;) Kimball is watching the presidential debate tonight - a school assignment. I'm curious to see what she thinks at the end of it....

Well, much to do - must go. Loves!

7 Oct 2008

Well, I don't remember the name of the book - Kimball grabbed it right after I got home and I haven't seen it. I also got a DVD - Blacks in the Scriptures. I think we'll save it for a Sunday ;)

I'm canning pork today. It's going well.....I just have so much to do! Even feeding the Missionaries tonight ;) Crazy day! I remember praying for patience with my children - but not for any other patience. Seems like I'm getting the package deal today...if you know what I mean. Working on getting my dishwasher to drain again (again!). Just a matter of troubleshooting the various things that could be wrong to find out what is wrong. :)

Well, sorry this is short - but I have a lesson in 45 minutes, zucchini to shred, dishes to wash, etc. Plus I need to eat. Wish you were here :) Enjoy your day!

6 Oct 2008

Monday! It's been pretty good - not got as much done as I would like - still, there's time! We're on the second batch of juice (grape) and will be canning some pork tonight. Think stew meat. Anyway - that's good. I need to get some pages done for today. So, this is going to be short.

Won something in a raffle at the local LDS bookstore! Yeah! I never win anything - so this is extra fun! Took my bike and the biscut down to pick it up. My cell phone dropped out of my pocket on the way - quickly retrived it. It was in three pieces. Luckily - or more appropriately - blessedly all the pieces went back together when I looked at it at the store and it even still works!

Mt. Washmore again today - again!

Have a great FHE!

5 Oct 2008

I'll let a couple more people guess before I tell you what that page is all about :) I've been busy today - 11 pages. I have to get ahead as Thursday thru Saturday will not be productive at home :) More about that later.....

Conference was good - enjoyed many of the talks. I'm so on overload though, that I am having a tough time telling you any specific talk I liked. Some were really blunt. Looking forward to reading them all!

Well, I'm ready for a break. Loves to all!

Puzzler!

I did 9 pages today hooray! And now I'm done - for today. But I wanted to share this page I did with you.....it's a puzzle. Anyone know what is on it?

Have a great Sabbath! We're enjoying conference here :)

4 Oct 2008

So....I finally did what I needed to do - I counted to see how many pages I have to do. 319 - Give or take a couple. Figuring I want to be done by the 10th of December that makes for doing 5 pages per day. Not too bad....

And if I want a day off (or two) I need to do those pages beforehand :)

So looking foward to conference starting in just a few minutes! I do have a bit of shopping to do between sessions - a sale at and LDS bookstore ;) Other than that - I'm hanging out here.

Enjoy conference, all!

3 Oct 2008

Work went really well yesterday! Even having piano lessons - I printed out the 7 pages I had already done (after putting in new ink cartridges) and also did 8 more pages - all printed, trimmed and in the book! Very exciting. Hopefully today will be productive too.

Enjoy the break, Becky! Sounds like a lot of fun. DJ - I so wish you were here as I'm dying to watch some more Heroes :) Alas! Our date tonight (for everyone else's info) is at a local trade show :) that DJ has to work. Silly! Then he's off for wood with Jared tomorrow. Has to be done - we have enough for this year - but next year's wood has got to be gotten - it takes time to dry. :)

I got through all the blogs on my google reader - I'll check the others later.....Sorry! I am interested in what you're doing too - but it isn't at the top of my list. :( Hopefully I can enlist Kimball's help to make cinnamon rolls and Pumpkin Cake roll today. So tasty!

Well, I had the most interesting experience! Last night I had a crazy dream (as usual). The interesting part was that I got the message - I figured out what it was trying to tell me - message recieved! That was really cool - and helpful. Never happens so it was nice. Usually I just wonder - what was that about? But today - I got it!

Well, Onward and upward. Tomorrow is conference. Hope the day is great for you! Enjoy the talks, all!

2 Oct 2008

I have conveyed the message, Traci. Kimball was very excited and hadn't mentioned a thing to me about it ;) It's all good! She's writing you a message now.

Today is piano lessons and hopefully a few pages. I wish I could take time and post more here - but it takes time from actually doing the pages so I'll avoid that. Trying to be productive. It's really tricky when my SIL gave me season 1 of Heros to see if I would like the show. I'm hooked! It's a bit more violent than I would like - but the storyline and confusion is right up my alley! Silly - so I really have to focus on these pages....and then piano lessons today.

Well - back to work just wanted to say hi! So enjoy reading your adventures, Ola and Kari especially :) That's about all I got to today. Have a wonderful day!