30 Nov 2008

Well, we're getting ready for church here. A couple of chuckles this morning - McKay singing "good tithings we give to you and your kids" - silly! Kimball tried to correct her but she was sure she was singing it correctly.

We had quite the adventure yesterday - way too much driving and jostling for me. Trying to be a good sport and go along doesn't always help me feel great. Well medicated sleep helped - now I have to get in another little meal before church.....

We took our SB friends N & A with us and really tired them out too :) They enjoyed the beauty of the countryside, though. I have lots of pics to go through - in time :) More later, I suppose!

Have a beautiful Sabbath (captial S).

27 Nov 2008

Happy Thanksgiving! We are having a wonderful day here. Didn't get my pages done yet - oh well! I'm on vacation!

Hope everyone enjoys the day and truly feels gratitude for all the many blessings we have!

26 Nov 2008

I am so excited to have DJ home for a couple of days. My house looks so great right now - much thanks to him. The piano tuner just left and my piano sounds wonderful. I'm so grateful ;)

Hope today is wonderful for you. I will do the last picture pages in Chuck & Sue's book today. A bit of vertigo - but as long as I'm sitting still I don't notice :)

25 Nov 2008b

I think it's b - maybe I didn't post already? Who knows! At any rate - I enjoyed your comments Sharon and left a special message on the family site :)

So - I finished the histories. Just so you know - it's totally overwhelming trying to pack my mom's 64 pages of history into 3 pages in my book. What to put in, what to leave out....Alas! For those who read it I hope I did OK. My hormone headache worsened as I worked and at least one of the Excedrine I swallowed is stuck to the side of my throat - I even tried to eat something and it's still stuck - and I still have a headache. Guess it's time to go to bed!

All in all it's been a productive day. Now for some well deserved relaxation. Have a wonderful evening all!

25 Nov 2008

I'm hoping to finish Chuck & Sue's album today. I have 3 histories to complete - and eight pages to do. Totally do-able I think. It's been a nice couple of days and I am so excited to have a few days vacation from my regular routine. No activity days, No piano lessons! I think there was something else - but I don't remember what.

Thanks GG for the Church News. So enjoyed getting it and reading it yesterday. What a thoughtful gift :) Hugs and Kisses!

Well - It's time to start my car so it warms up a bit before we drive off. Have a great day all!

24 Nov 2008

Just a quick blog as my house really needs cleaning and I still have 5 pages to do today. Yes- I am caught up and staying current! I can almost see the end of Chuck & Sue's album :)

Had a nice day yesterday but still haven't got the hang of later church - I need 2 meals before we go and have only managed one. By the time we get out I'm shaky :( We'll get it figured out yet!

Hope your week is shaping up to be wonderful! Have a great one!

22 Nov 2008b

Found these at the dollar store - thought the'y be a good addition to a wedding gift. I wouldn't give Voodoo Dolls in general - but these were so cute I had to make an exception. Don't know if the picture will go big or not - so this is what they say:

Pink Doll: Stop Nagging, No more shoes, No more purses, Let's order pizza, Give me the remote, Dishes don't do themselves, back rub, lets watch sports.

Blue doll: Listen to me, Buy me Jewelry, Make dinner, pick up your clothes, Wash the dishes, Mow the lawn, clean the house, Rub my feet.

Anything that helps communication - Right?

Anyhoo - just had to put that pic on for those who I told about this that were still wondering. Have a great afternoon!

22 Nov 2008

I'm so sorry to hear about the migrane - so been there! Alas! I did get in and am on some antibiotics. That's good :) Unfortunately, I'm not feeling it yet ;( So - life continues anyway. Kimball has a practice and a performance today and we have a wedding to attend. Busy day....

After getting caught up on Oprah - I'm grateful for the ability to forget. There was a gal on that remembers far too much and still feels the emotion of those things. Things we don't think about!

Well - I have only 5 pages to do today - YEP I got caught up yesterday! That's such a great feeling. Let me see....19 days to go (times 5 is...... 95 pages). Sounds like a lot and is - but compared to what I've already done - it's nothing!

We're wishing a safe trip to Chuck & Sue as they travel to Missouri. They left at 5 AM this morning (or that was the plan). Long drive - but I think they enjoy those long drives.

Have a great day!

21 Nov 2008

Greetings! And Happy Friday! If you were here I'd sing you - "OH what a beautiful morning!" - like I did for the children in my car this morning. They were all smiles. Sillyness does that :)

Well - I have to go to the doctor today.....and get some antibiotics. Just can't put it off any longer. Truly feeling terrible.....Alas! This is one of the many fun parts of the fibro - frequent certain types of infections. It has been a long while since my last one - so that's good. I just really need to get better.

Productivity continues. I have seven pages to do to be done through today - Yep - caught up! It's looking very manageable. I have a three histories that I need to finish for this book. A couple I was waiting on others for info on (my mom's side) - but I've decided to go ahead and work with what I have and I can always update it later. Other than that - it's just doing the pages!

Want a little peek? Here's one of my favorite pages:

Well, better get back to it. Have a great day!

Two more things...

You need to check out this: http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/
It has a feed you can subscribe to - for you google readers. This is the bread book DJ got to make us bread. We still haven't tried everything (don't know if we ever will). It is so tasty, though. Wanted to share!

Also found this great worksheet about chronic disorganization. Probably will appeal to the more organized to make sure they are organized :) Still...here it is: http://www.nsgcd.org/resources/factsheets/fs001.pdf

Later...

Sorry for the poor lighting - but you get the idea ;) Love you!

20 Nov 2008

Hello again! Making great progress today. As I've been behind a few days - I just keep opening 5 templates each day - and leave my computer on 24/7 - I'm hoping to shut it off today - Fifteen pages to go. Silly, I know....For those inquiring minds - I will NOT be doing a big project next year - other than learning Spanish. REALLY! I'm still working on the word for next year - the one that encompasses all that I want it to - We'll keep you posted.

So much to be thankful for! I love this time of year - other than not being able to get warm enough. I love my heavy blankets that I can use (finally!). It's really great! I got my Spanish Primary song book & CD and the Himnos CD's (words and music). So - when this project is done - I'll be singing in spanish and making a Singing House: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e1fa5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d2217befabc20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

I used the story in my latest talk for Church :) Great story!

Well - I better not interrupt my productivity too much. Have a great day, all!

19 Nov 2008

As I'm writing this the last picture page for GG & Bruno's book is printing out! Finished! I still have to finish Chuck & Sue's and Dan & Kaye's - but the first two are done! I'm feeling really good about this. I am planning on mailing it just after the first of December - so you still have time to get your pages done, Becky. You can even put them in after it arrives :) I will be mailing out the story disks about the same time.....so everyone can eagerly await that ;) Merry Christmas all! Oh - before I forget - will you all update your address at My Family? That will help a ton and ensure you get your disk!

So I'm at the computer again today. Not much longer to go, though! I'll be done before I know it (hopefully!)

Have a great day, everyone!

18 Nov 2008

I had such a tough time settling down and doing pages yesterday! Crazy! Anyway - I'm back here on the computer again today - hopefully to be super productive.

Sunday was really good - except for the part when we came home and the kids had decided to make play dough. The dough part wasn't too bad - just a big messy - but the food coloring was another matter. Hinks had taken the green and spilled it by the girls computer. What a mess! I could have done without that Sunday!

Last night we made a movie for A's dad - we even showed them how to play UNO. I think they had a good time....:) This is turning out to be quite the experience!

Have a great day everyone! So enjoyed reading your blog this morning, Sharon!

17 Nov 2008

So I am so behind......but that's what today is for, right? Anyway - working on it :)

Just wanted to say hi - hopefully I'll have more to say later....

15 Nov 2008

Saturday is a special day. I hope it turns into the good kind of special because it's been the grumpy kind of special so far :( I've got McKay working on a school project - the little ones doing projects too and Kimball is having quiet time. She went to a party and was out late so she's tired this morning.

I am going to dig deep into the pages - got lots of stories done yesterday. I think I only have Grandma Jo's left to do for their book. Pretty good! Now to the pages!

So nice to talk to Grandma Jo and Aunt Becky and Uncle Tony yesterday! Everyone sounded so young on the phone! Maybe phones are getting better? Hope the birthday was great!

Well - on with my work. Have a great day!

14 Nov 2008

Happy Friday! What a great day! I got a picture book ordered from Snapfish (per Oprah's offer - check it out today http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow_20081029_messy). Another gift down! SO I'm about ready to head out on my morning bus run. I so appreciated what my friend A said - It's part of the mission (Spanish Branch). Gave me some great perspective. I am glad to be able to help (to drive, have a car, etc!).



Well - I better get going or some kids are going to be late!



Have a great day! Here's a quick pic of my nephew (from the picture book)

Later!

13 Nov 2008

Happy Thursday! We are doing great here. Just printing out and assembling the last of the Christmas Story books. Yea! Something finally done! So - I have some pages to catch up on in the family history book - but I'll get to it. Just trying to enjoy the day a bit before lessons begin.

I have found that I do enjoy teaching the lessons! Wasn't sure if I would - but am pleasantly surprised! It's going really great!

Well - I have work enough to do ere the sun goes down, for myself and kindred too - ere the sun goes down. Don't remember the rest - but I think of it often :) Have a great day!

12 Nov 2008

Things did calm down last night. I just had to chuckle this morning - thinking of the "veteran" parents and imagining their perspective - on Vetrans Day!

Things are going well this morning. I'm printing out day 3 of my Stories in Hand stuff.....Such fun! Didn't do my pages yesterday - not sure if I'll get them done today, either. We'll see!

We have a friend over and Gracie, Emery and Shilo! Speaking of Shilo - I better go and keep an eye on her. Have a great day!

Miss Ohohoaugha (Sheridan)

Right on schedule with the pre-teen attitude:

It says: Dear, you

from now on I will not care....grades, sisters (McKay) Activity days....etc., etc.,

You noncaring daughter

P.S. I'm thinking about going Goth.

So - for any who thought I was a good parent - here's proof that I'm not. ;) If you don't laugh - you cry!

11 Nov 2008

So I don't know how i do all I do either.....if that helps at all. I'll have to remember to do the eights thing - thanks for the compliment, Reg! But first - I felt compelled to help yesterday as a friend who has just herself and her son had to send her son to a different school that the one she works at. They moved and the bus wouldn't come get him. So I spent two hours (almost) at the school just working on getting him back enrolled there (where my kids go too). In order to accomplish this - I will be his transporation. So - beginning today I pick up and drop off McKay and this guy (A). I know I said no more crazy projects - but this isn't for me and it doesn't take much. His mom doesn't drive - doesn't have a car. Truly I am blessed and can give them this gift.

OK - I am so close to getting my Christmas story books done. With all the crazy around here - just doing them for local people. If you want one - I'll start a list for next year :) Really I will! They have a scripture, song, and story for each day in December up thru Christmas Eve. It has been a tradition around here since 1997! I love it as a tradition as we gather the girls close and bring in the spirit of Christmas. If you don't want to wait for me - here's a site to check out.....
http://www.theideadoor.com/Holidays/Christmas%20Pages/Christmas%20Stories/Christmasstories.html

Ok - the eight things.....
Eight Favorite TV Shows - in no particular order

1-That Underground History show

2-Heroes

3-Monk

4-Scrapbook Memories

5-Oprah

6-Frasier

7-Modern Marvels

8-The Apprentice

Eight favorite Restaraunts

1-Outback

2-Macaroni Grill

3-Red Robin

4-Local Mexican Restaraunt

5- Local Chinese Restaraunt

6-Local Mom & Pop Diner

7- Local Breakfast/Lunch place

8-Carinos

Eight books I'd recommend:

1- Another book about design (that's it's name)

2-Escrituras (scriptures)

3-The Beekeeper's Apprentice

4-The Game

5-A series of Unfortunate Events

6-Anything Dr. Seuss

7-Anything by Simple Scrapbooks

8-The dictionary

Eight things that happened yesterday:

1-Got up at 4:30

2-Did 10 pages

3-Blogged

4-Sat in the "office" at school for 2 hours (almost)

5-Saw a Police Officer closer than I was comfortable with (at the school)

6-Read a book with a boy

7-Spent time with my girls

8-Went to bed ;)

Eight things to look forward to:

1-Having "the book" done!

2-Did I say having the book done?

3-Reading another story to my girls (when the book says young adult - believe them!)

4-Going to sleep

5-Christmas!

6-Thanksgiving!

7-Visiting Utah next spring

8-No piano lessons on the week of Thanksgiving!

Eight things on my wish list

1-Unlimited ink for life!

2-A couple of days to sleep

3-A weekend getaway with DJ (we figured out how long its been - too long!)

4-Cleaning service in my home

5-Meals prepared for me for a week

6-My desk tamed

7-A clear mind

8-Health

Eight things I love about Fall

1-Cooler Temps

2-Sweaters

3-Hot cocoa

4-Roasty Fire

5-Quilts on my bed

6-Water without ice

7-Rain

8-Car Heater

Eight people I tag:

1-Grandma Jo - looking forward to more frequent updates

2-Becky - love the grateful posts!

3-Aaron - always has something on his mind ;)

4-Cory - if she can fit it in....

5-Julie - if she can fit it in....

6-Jeremy - I so enjoy his posts

8-Oliver - what a great little man!

Thanks for sending this on. Have a wonderful day! Wish you were here toasting marshmellows with us :)

10 Nov 2008

Just a quick update. I did get up early this morning - and am still current on my scrapbook pages. YEAH! I also spent some quality time at the school today - I think they're going to run out of books for me one of these days!

I've been working on my secondary Christmas project today - and almost have it done! YEAH!

So I'm feeling pretty good about things! Emery is over playing for a couple of hours....and they are having lots of fun together.

Hope this finds you well!
Have a great day!

8 Nov 2008

Saturday! What a week it's been! Still many things to do today- hope I get them all done. I am almost caught up on my pages (8 to go to be caught up thru today).

Yep - that's about it. Well - I better get back to it. Have a great day!

7 Nov 2008

SOrry to miss yesterday - I was on the computer but didn't get the blog done. Working on additional book issues.....

Just wanted to let you know I'm still here!

A couple of funnies - DJ as he was combing his hair this morning was told by Kimball that he should leave it spikey - she tries to convince him almost every day and he continues to resist :) Silly....

And yesterday as I took Biscut to the doctor - for a rash on her face - asked if the doctor was going to get rid of her freckles. I told her to be sure to ask and followed up by asking if she wanted them off. She said no. The doctor was able to reassure her that her freckles would stay ;)

Have a great day!

5 Nov 2008

What a change a day can make! Praying for the new leaders of our country......

Today I'm most thankful for the gift of smell. As I was in the grocery store - I enjoyed smelling the flowers - almost a herbish smell mingled with them. Very nice. Now I am roasting 2 chickens per the Oprah show directions - Cristina Ferrera (or something like that) had a wonderful recipe that I'm trying with accompanying ideas on how to use roasted chicken (like it lasts that long!).

Making good progress on a couple of projects - too many going at once I think.....but it's all good!

Just wanted to check in and say Hi!
Have a great day!

4 Nov 2008

So if I remember how DJ says it's spelled - estaca.....

Life continues like crazy here. We are having a great time. Today was less crazy....I have baking plans for tomorrow and I couldn't face doing pages today. Alas! I'm wondering if anyone has any input or suggestions on how to easily incorporate the pictures and stories for everyone. I was thinking of using Word and inserting the pictures where they would go - and just making a crazy big file. That way everything is oriented correctly and ready to print (and for those who want to just have an 8 1/2 by 11 - you just print and put into page protectors in a binder. Clean, easy.
Any other program suggestions? I don't have acrobat - although I did think of that too....

Anyhoo - thinking about that. Just wanting to make it easy for everyone. Easy is good. :)

Hope today has been good for you. More tomorrow!

3 Nov 2008

BIG ANNOUCEMENT!~

We're heading on a mission.....to the Spanish Branch! We made the decision and things are finally in the works. The biggest sign of the change is that when we spoke to our Bishop (Sunday before last) - we told him we were planning on attending Spanish Branch sacrament meeting starting this next Sunday. So we get a call yesterday asking us to speak in Sacrament in our own ward. Two sacrament meetings next Sunday! YIKES! But it is a sign that things are coming along and change is happening. It's not an official mission - but we are regarding it as a family mission whilst living in our own home! What could be better than that?

What to expect different on the blog - random Spanish words thrown in here and there....like Stahkah (that's how it sounds to say Stake in Spanish). DJ can correct my spelling.

I think this will be an excellent opportunity for our family to draw closer together and be more responsible for our gospel learning. We haven't been good about reading the manuals, etc.....now we will really need to do that or we will miss out on a lot! More details later.....

In other news:

I got a bunch of pages done yesterday but ran out of ink (on a Sunday!). Today I went and stocked up again so we're up and going once more. I have so many to print out and get into the book - but it's a good thing! I was really pleased with how the pages were turning out. I just need to take time to sit down and type up Grandma Jo's personal history interview (or parts of it) for the book.

Had a couple of good crash days to recover from last week. Onward and upward now! Have a great day!

2 Nov 2008

Sorry for the gap-I was in bed most of yesterday. Should be today too, probably....I'm taking it easy at any rate. Got 25 pages to do today. And yes - they will get done.

Here's a pic of our large group:

And yes - that's me in the middle of the back. I'm a chinese lady. Handed out fortune cookies "Old chinese fortunes for all!" Such fun. Thanks for stopping by!