24 Apr 2009

Sorry to miss yesterday. After my post on Wednesday, I ended up taking Kimball to the doctor - she had a fever all week and it was time. So now she's on some antibiotics that seem to be helping. Still has a cough. On the mend, though.

So much going on here...I did pack a box today and felt good about that. Getting ready for the funeral tomorrow..... My game came today :) A little tweaking needed I think. The girls are excited to play it, though.

Just really trying to get some rest. And snuggles :) Taylor is snuggling me right now :) Love that girl!

Have a great weekend!

22 Apr 2009

So that's the date....I didn't remember earlier. Thanks for the info, Aaron. I'm pleased to say I had researched that topic previously. Unfortunately it doesn't help us for several reasons. First, termination was voluntary (he wasn't fired); second, we didn't recieve any cobra offer at all (which is a bit strange I think); and third, his company is too small (from what I remember from the details) to have it apply to them. Ugh! At any rate, the withdrawl is gone! 2 doses and it's all gone! So pleased about that.

Got 3 books in the mail :) So happy! They turned out so good - even with some blurry pics (my fault). It's a part of me and my system. Can't make things perfect - so I might as well enjoy what I can do.

Lots of gardening today - weather is expected to turn around (and get yucky). My hands will be happy to have a break. More tomorrow....

21 Apr 2009

I'm ready to post again, I think. So much to add.....for those who can't check my family blog - the loss was a very little being. Especially sad. Funeral this weekend. I will be making a memory book for them in lieu of a baby book - more subdued and classic looking. Also - Kari - let me know when you've got pics for me. We'll pull it all together. No rush :) at least not yet....

Can't remember if I put on here that with the upheaval in the job - we had a change in insurance. Temporary insurance which led to having to pay full price for prescriptions. Thus - I skipped a prescription for a month. Over the past month I've had strange things which I realized yesterday were withdrawal symptoms. After investigation - I discovered that my prescription was not as expensive as I had feared and I renewed it. I had enjoyed the more vivid life feelings - but withdrawal is just too much for now. You might wonder why I put this on here....I want to dispel any myths that I resemble superwoman or supermom. I don't. I rely on many things to keep me going. I do what I can - and like all of you choose what is a priority for me.

http://www.insideredbox.com/
This is for Cory and anyone else who wants to have the codes every week - as well as the release info.

So my game has shipped - now I'm just waiting to see how it turns out. Unfortunately, the "learning games" don't have a discount for volume ordered. We'll see what we can see...I'm currently working on a birthday present for Kimball. Bookish - related to the previous idea. Should be fun.

Saw this great commercial - for freecreditreport.com - a guy playing a guitar singing a funny song about living in his girlfriend's parents' house. Aaron did I puncuate that right? It just came on and made me chuckle.

There are probably some other links that I promised people that I've forgotten about. Please feel free to remind me :) I'm happy to share them. Have a great evening!

19 Apr 2009

A somber day here - we've had a loss in the extended family on DJ's side. Don't want to put too much info on here as it is a far too public forum for this. Family can check the family site....
That's about all I'm afraid. More later...

18 Apr 2009

Oh, what a night.....(like the song....)Long story short I got the least sleep at 1 1/2 hours. Thus - I caught up during the day today and hopefully will get a good night tonight. It's the last sleepover for a long time. I forgot how negative that age of girls can be. Didn't enjoy that considering all the effort I put into having a nice evening. All in all, though, I think most everyone enjoyed most of the evening. When the pranks began after the first round of sleepers, I had to step in and prank the pranksters. They decided it was time to go to sleep. :)

How much can 8 girls eat? I didn't count the waffles, but I know this much: 5 quarts of ice cream, 3 lbs of strawberries, 3 cantelopes, 3/4 bag of Doritoes (costco size), half a costco veggie tray (didn't like the dips, though), 2 lbs of M&M's, 1 bunch of grapes, 1 tube of Ritz crackers (with enough cheese slices to go with), one pound cake, 2 trays of puff pancakes, a dozen eggs, half a pack of lil smokies (big size pack), 2 liters of sprite, 2 quarts of grape juice and miscellaneous other stuff including peanut butter, syrup and jam. And that's just off the top of my head - without going out to look and remind myself :)

Got the nicest email from my friend S in Alabama....really don't know what to say - you are too kind. I'm so lucky to know and count you a friend too. Thanks for always picking me up when I need it :)

DJ is still here - in case you were wondering. We were thinking that he'd be going tomorrow - but we play it day by day. He's enjoying Harry Potter and the Half Blood Price. I need to get him a bigger MP3 player so we can put more on it. With all his driving - he could use some more options.

Stake Conference tomorrow - we'll see how that goes. Not sure how I'll be feeling tomorrow. OK - so I'm about to let you in on a personal secret.....I love watching PBS on Saturday nights. Here we have: Keeping up Appearances (with Hyacinth Bucket), Are you being served? (about the store), a couple that I don't remember the name of but enjoy nevertheless, Red Green, One Foot in the Grave (with Victor Meldrew), and Dr. Who. I don't start until Lawrence Welk is over - just not my demographic. I know it's probably not what most of you watch on Saturday night - but it's a special treat for me each week. It was really tough during pledge weeks - I think there were 3 Saturdays where I didn't get to watch my shows. So glad they are back. My favorite is probably One Foot in the Grave. I laugh all the way through that show - I guess I can identify with the character somewhat. Give it a try if these programs are available to you. You might not like Britcoms - but then again, you might. I first was introduced to these through spending time with Mimi - we used to watch one called Mother and Son.

The evening draws ever near and DJ should be home from work around 9pm tonight. Have a great evening all....and Sarah - we did plenty of living in the house last night to last the rest of the time here. I'm ready to move.....just waiting out my time.

17 April 2009

Another day missed. Alas! We had a busy one - with a call to Child Protective Services and piano lessons. Enough said about those.....today we're getting ready for Kimball's sleepover. I'm off to the store, etc. Have a great day all. Feel free to call me anytime late tonight. Part of the deal is I attend the sleepover. :) I hope you'll be dreaming for me :)

15 Apr 2009

Still here - just didn't get a post on yesterday. Getting lots done - had a good outside day yesterday. Looking forward to warmer weather for more outside work. Enjoying the heater keeping us warm today (no wood left). Adjusting to having much less stuff. Texting now - getting used to my "smart text" which was a lot crazier than I thought it would be. I think I have the computer stuff taken care of. We'll see. No emails this week....on the computer stuff that is.

Wishing I could take a nap - I might take one anyway. :) It's amazing how many muscles are used by mowing the lawn (even with a power mower). I'm feeling it.

Tonight we're going to the cemetery with Activity Days girls. Should be interesting. Cemetery Scavenger Hunt. I think this is the last activity for me...what with being a single mom and all. Hope your day is great. I'd have some cocoa - but the cocomotion is packed! Oh well!

13 Apr 2009

Well I'm a lot smarter than I should be - now - about computer trojans. Crazy! Hopefully I haven't broken any computers in the process. Registry edit - etc. I think we're good. I still need to check DJ's laptop - but I did find stuff on the girls computer. Maybe that was it?!?

We keep experiencing change around here - now DJ is going on Wednesday. Could change....but that's the current info. At any rate - it feels like he's gone already as he's driving truck today and tomorrow.

I think most of the funk I've been in is due to the stress of the job/move stuff. I've been wondering - and today when I had a different opportunity come up (which I had to decline) - I got really excited. So, maybe I'm going to be OK - once this is all behind me. Good news for me (and my family).

My recital went great! The kids did pretty much as I expected. I was so proud of them getting up and playing in front of such a big audience. They really were brave! I was a bit nervous - OK really nervous - but hid it well until after the recital when I felt really sick. After getting some food in me - I felt a lot better. Crazy how that works :)

We played the most fun game yesterday after church - Scattergories Bible version. Kimball, DJ, and I played that is....One of the most fun I've played in a while. Got it at the DI. Also - we found Who wants to be a Celestial Heir? For $2 I couldn't resist. It was pretty good - easier in levels 1-7 and getting harder (finally) in level 8. Probably good for the seminary crowd....

Well - I'm at that part of my post I can't think of anything else to add - so just have a great evening!

11 Apr 2009

Such a funny this morning - had to post it first thing before I forgot. I told Taylor she's a big girl now - what with her birthday and all. She said "I know! I'm not afraid of anything. Not spiders, not Ghost Pirates (from Scooby Doo Ghost Pirates)." McKay says "What about paper cuts?"

Had to chuckle!

We finally have an update. DJ leaves on Monday. He'll be back for his truck and misc. other things I think - but he is moving out. Mixed feelings about this. Finally making progress - but really going to miss him. Hopefully we can get some things done today amidst other events - birthday party, piano recital, etc. I'm so blessed that we had him here for almost two months from the day he was offered the job. Just a short time to go before we join him. :) So I begin the life of a single parent!

Well - I'm off to add texting to my cell phone plan - so many times it would be useful. Hope everyone has a great day!

10 Apr 2009

Did try to blog yesterday - battling a bot of some sort on the computer. That's a bad thing from what I'm told. Alas! I'm not even sure if I'll know when I win. Crazy, I know.

Printing out the programs and certificates for my studio recital tomorrow. So exciting and a bit nerve wracking. I'm playing duets with all but two of the performers. No pressure there.... I'm planning on crashing a bit tomorrow morning. In theory that is - not sure if it will happen in real life. Maybe Sunday?

Got some grocery shopping done and feeling good about that. It really is a big ordeal at times. It's also tricky because I'm used to having my freezer that I can fill. So I buy accordingly. Also shelves I can fill. Now it's a totally different type of shopping but I still try to do a bulk shop just because I hate to do it any more often than I have to.

Well, running out of steam. Better take a quick rest. Have a great weekend!

8 Apr 2009

This morning I took McKay to the doctor. She's been coughing for a week and said her throat hurt this morning. She looked really tired too. Turns out she has an ear infection and pneumonia! We got some antibiotics and she should be feeling better soon.

I'm hoping to get some bread made today. Nothing like fresh bread to bring your spirits up! Have a great day all!

7 Apr 2009

Hey there! Been busy here - got all the old screen ripped down and it's ready for DJ to put new screen up (for the porch). Also finished up a couple more windows - paint flecks scraped off. I'm taking it easy for a minute now.

Wish I had something more exciting to share....life just continues as always. Here's a funny - Hinks just brought me a picture - of me on my bed. She says, "It's you with long hair and big buns!" and laughs. Not sure what that's supposed to mean....

Kimball has a piano recital tonight. Looking forward to that. Have a great day!

6 Apr 2009

So enjoyed reading everyone's blogs. I had just a minute while waiting to have some files uploaded. Thanks for sharing the idea and info, Aaron. I starred it ;) Well - I got plenty of sleep last night. I even got up a couple of times - which never happens. Crazy fun.

I'm working on getting dinner going as well. So this will be short tonight. FHE and all...

Hope your week is great!

5 Apr 2009

Well, it's a lovely day in bed here. As I started getting up this morning, I found that I had bruised a rather important sitting part of myself as I rode Kimball's bike yesterday to the redbox only to find that it was not working (2 miles round trip). We were still able to find another copy of Bedtime Stories and watch it later. I reminded myself that this is why I have a big ole granny soft seat on my bike. :) Her seat really is just a normal seat - but that doesn't work for me :(

So today I'm just catching up on facebook. Such fun! Finding friends all over the place. I think I've already packed my yearbooks or I would go through those and remind myself of people I want to find. Anyway - I'm enjoying myself during the break between conference sessions.

I was really looking forward to an anniversary trip this summer - but with everything as it is - that is postponed indefinately. Ugh! Oh - and this is different too - DJ has to get to bed early as he is getting up at 2 am - (yes, you read that right) to take a load in the truck. He has to leave so early so he can be back to get another load later. Crazy stuff!

So enjoying conference here. I'm sure my kids are quieter than they were last year. We've gotten smart and turn on the close captioning, too - that way we can still see what's being said even if we can't hear.

Well - the last session is quickly approaching. Better get things rounded up. Take it easy!

4 April 2009

So enjoying conference! How about that first talk?!? They have all been great. I've also been working on my game. I'm ready to share a peek. Here it is:


So what do you think? Also above is a great pic of a gal in Spanish Branch who is expecting - ready to ride her motorcycle home! I had never seen a woman in this condition on a motorcycle - so I had to take a pic.

Can't think too much right now - maybe later? Hope your day is going great. Loves!

3 Apr 2009

Getting ready for conference tomorrow.....and reading the past conference talks. Some great finds in the re-read: Many talks about what I've been thinking about - Simplicity, Sufficient, etc. In particular - L. Tom Perry's talk. Also enjoyed "You know enough."

Found some great things that I don't remember hearing about the Sacrament in Elder Oaks talk:Even a person who slips into quiet slumber does not interfere with others, and the reminder of Elder Holland's talk about how the young men should dress to officiate in the sacrament. Good stuff!

I'm just finishing "Come to Zion," so I have a ways to go. I just think this is the best way to be prepared to listen to conference. It works for me. Have a great day!

2 Apr 2009

I'll email you with more about the game, Becky. It is really fun and is played along with another game....Turning any game into a gospel game. That's the basics. I ordered some more books today. I so love that artscow! I need to order something from shutterfly as they sent me an email about a free book offer. Love that!

Today I'm getting ready for piano lessons. Not too much to do. Just six lessons ahead of me. A little overwhelming to think of - but once I get into it - it goes well and is fun. I need to get some dinner going ahead of time, though. It doesn't seem to come together if I leave it to last minute.

Something occurred to me this week. It was about this same time of year that DJ and I got engaged - many years ago. We had a 2 month engagement. I get to have a 2 month solo-mom gig until we move. Just interesting to me. Makes me wonder - will it go faster this time than the last 2 month wait?

I'm also thinking a lot about how much stuff I really need. And how much shelter we really need. I have no idea where we'll end up - exactly - but there are such a variety of homes out there. What is enough? Some would say a bedroom for each child is a necessity. Others might say that sharing is good for kids. I know what we've done so far. I'm just really thinking about it. Not that I get to make a decision for a while....waiting on the house to sell. Actually waiting to list it before we wait to sell. Another thought in my mind - do the circumstances of the time influence what we need? Any thoughts you'd like to share? As we basically get a chance to start all over - I'm wanting to be wise. What would you do if you could start over?

Well - enough thinking. I'm off to email Becky. Have a great day!

1 Apr 2009

Happy April Fools Day! We're having a great day around here. Some shopping, some resting, some plastering, and some fun designing my game. Check out previous posts if you have no idea what I'm talking about. I've found that www.artscow.com has a section where you can get "learning games" - I'm still in the design phase but will let you know once I've completed and ordered a set if it turns out as great as I'm hoping. Blank cards, they print your designs for you. Should be good - I'm just wanting to double check....anyway - since Deseret Book hasn't taken my idea - and if this works - you will be able to order your own game set. I might give Deseret Book one more chance after I'm done designing, though. :) I was just excited to find a place that would print it. And they have different card shapes. I'm planning a circular game - 3 inch circles to be specific. The game comes with a plastic case even. Price as I remember for the printing is $13.99. That's for a single game. If you order in bulk - you get a discount. Still pondering ideas.....

Let's see - anything else? Activity days tonight - Prayer Pretzels. Should be fun :)
Hope your day is going great! More tomorrow!