Mom, has left the building!

Yay, the long awaited for day is here. I am on my way to Provo for Women's conference. Of course I am only about an hour and a half later than I wanted to leave. That is not so bad, considering the things the hamster wheel required of me this morning. So my family will have to muddle through without me. Really all they need me for is food and transportation and the occasional funds. A big thank you to my sweet husband for manning the fort while I am gone. I know they will be fine, no one can starve to death in just four days, right? I hope I have everything. I was just double checking my list and realized I had not put my camera in. Yikes, what kind of stalker can I be without my camera? So yes Super Stalker is back in business and it will be fun to see just whose pictures I can get this time. Elder Holland is probably still blinded from my flash last year. I am very excited that my three sisters and mom are coming, but I am a little bit worried that so many people will cramp my stalking style. We will see. So look forward to a fun filled post when I get back next week. :)

Generations

Going through some pictures, I found these two and couldn't resist a post about the blessing of family. Of course the older picture is me as a baby, my mom holding me, with my grandma and great grandma looking on. I love how everyone in this picture are looking at me as if I hold the future in my hands. My Great Grandma died when I was in kindergarten so I don't really remember her. But I love this picture anyway.

Then there is the picture of Diana as a baby, with me, my mom, and my Grandma Tanner. I know that I am very blessed to have had my grandparents alive for as long as I did. I was well into my thirties before they died. And I feel blessed that Diana was able to get a picture with my Grandma. One of my favorite things about my Grandma was her love of reading. I treasure my set of Anne of Green Gables books that she gave me when I turned twelve. Also she always smelled of lemons because of a lemon scented oil she would always use for dry skin. There was mint growing outside of her back door. I have too many wonderful memories to mention. So hurray for the blessing of belonging to a family.

The Harmonizer

I got one of those e-mails containing horoscopes that promises me bad luck if I do not pass it on to those in my address book. Well, I hate those things and hence I am not doing it. However, I read my horoscope and it fits me to a tee. How does that work? So I thought I would post it here and maybe it will ward off the demons of bad luck.



LIBRA - The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22) Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible. 9 years of bad luck if you do not forward.



So what do you think? Creepy, huh.

Seven Facts about Me!

I have been tagged by my friend Elizabeth (http://loveitorleavitt.blogspot.com/), so now I will have to rack my brain to come up with 7 unique and interesting things about my self.

Here are the rules: 1) Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog 2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. 3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. 4) Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I am a Broadway musical geek. Yes, I can sing the words to almost any Broadway musical, especially the old ones. I get this from my mom, thanks Mom. When I was growing up, we always did housework while listening to Camelot, South Pacific, or Oklahoma or some other musical. To this day I still do this. My favorite house cleaning musical is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It is so upbeat and fast paced that it helps you work faster. My first date was to see Okalahoma at the Fifth Avenue in Seattle. When we first got a VCR, the first movie we ever taped was Brigadoon. Last year I was able to see Suessical and Wicked, two recent musicals that I have been dying to see. Truly a dream come true. I loved that last week's American Idol was Andrew Lloyd Webber. I knew all but one of the songs they sang. So if I could find my ipod, you could see that it is filled with musical soundtracks. Another great one is a Year in the Life of Frog and Toad. If you like that kind of stuff, check it out. If I divulged my secret dream, it would be to star in a Broadway musical. HeHeHe

2. I don't like breakfast foods for breakfast. Leftover dinner is my favorite thing to eat in the morning. Actually I don't really like to eat breakfast. This is a terrible life long habit that started in High School. With early morning seminary, I always liked to sleep until the last possible minute. So sleeping was more important than eating to me, and to this day it is the same way. I am trying to change this bad habit, as I know that it will improve my well being. But it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

3. I ordered my first pair of bi-focals last week. This was a day of joy and happiness for me. Two years ago I went to the eye doctor and said that I thought I needed bi-focals. He agreed, but told me that if I wanted a cheaper option, I could just lift my current glasses off my eyes and then I could see up close. Of course I went with that option and was grateful he would suggest it, instead of just collecting the money from me for the more expensive option. But this has become beyond annoying. Of course it only matters if I want to be able to read the directions on medicine bottles or things like that. I have been counting the days until April when my insurance would cover new frames and lenses. So Wednesday was the much awaited day. I wondered to myself what does this say about my life, when getting old people glasses is so exhilarating. Boy, it is sad to be old. So next week I will be able to post a picture of my new stylish look.

4. I love Almond Roca. But I like to eat in in a strange way. First I eat all the chocolate and nuts off the outside and then I can eat the yummy toffee all by itself.

5. My favorite food would have to be salads. I love any kind of salad and would rather order a salad at a restaurant most of the time. One of my favorites would have to be Chinese Chicken Salad. I love this at most any restaurant. Applebees has a great one. When we went to the Springs Preserve recently, I got one at the cafe there. It was a Wolfgang Puck place and the salad had fresh pieces of ginger and candied cashews. Way yum. If I am trying to be frugal, Wendy's asian salad is not bad. Of course I could always make my own, as I have a fairly, fabulous recipe for the stuff.

6. I am the queen of procrastination. Recently I read something that said that procrastination is a sign of perfectionism. I suppose that could be true. Although, I really would not consider myself a perfectionist. For whatever reason, there are some things that are almost impossible for me to do. These include returning library books on time, in fact returning borrowed things from anyone, not good. Consider yourself warned, do not lend me things. Also I am horrible at mailing things. I am not quite sure why, but if you ever come to my house and leave something here, just kiss it good bye. It is highly unlikely that I will mail it to you. Sorry, but that is the way it is. Perhaps I have a secret phobia of the post office. Hopefully my many other endearing qualities make up for this gaping deficiency.

7. I love Avocado sandwiches, Artichokes, alliteration, Anne of Green Gables, Amazing Mrs. Polifax, and anticipating good things to come.

Ok there you go. That is the best that I can come up with on such a crazy Saturday. Diana had to be at the church at 8:00 am to go on a hike with the activity girls. Marion had a 8:00 am soccer game and a service project at 10:00. I had to be at the church at 10:00 to set up for the girls camp fund raiser dinner tonight. There is also the ward talent show after the dinner. I signed up to do a lip sinc and I am not even sure what I am going to do. I have to make some food for the dinner tonight and I need to prepare my lesson for tomorrow. Then there is the normal Saturday jobs like laundry and house cleaning. So I tag Jennifer, Amie, Jessica, Karianne, Susan, Lisa, Bailey, Stephanie, Emily, Leticia, and Jen. Have fun girls.

Oh Dear

Which Movie Mom Are You?

My Result: My Big Fat Greek Wedding's Maria Portokalos

Maria Portokalos may not have been the focus of the movie, but that's the only way she would have had it. You, like Maria, are the backbone of your family, but you do it without ever wanting to be the center of attention. You know what we're talking about — your kids always seek out your well-thought-out and sincere advice, and your husband knows who really wears the pants in your house.


You consider motherhood a delicate balancing act — you're strong and tough when necessary, but it's tempered with love and respect. Fiercely loyal, you always act with your family's best interest at heart. And that's just the way you want it.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=moviemomogt&c=50652

Adventures is Swimming Pools

So this winter we turned the pump to our pool off in order to conserve electricity and our check book balance. Because of this, our pool transformed into a slimy, swampy marsh, that Shrek would have been proud to call his own. I did not even take a picture of it at its worst. Lets just say that there was a brown, foamy growth on the top of it. Yikes! Not very sanitary for swimming. And there was a lovely mosquitoe population growing as well, complete with little swimming larve. I was a bit concerned that I would not be able to get it back.

But I am happy to report that after just a week of working on it, it is back to being sparkling clear water again. I am sure that there is a parable for repentance in this, but I don't have to time to elaborate on it at this time. As I was working on it Monday afternoon, Diana decided that she should swim. I advised against this, as it was only about 80 degrees in the air and the pool was only 65 degrees. But she was undaunted. Needless to say this swimming session was not very long.She was determined to retrieve one of Jared's lacrosse balls that had fallen to the bottom of the pool. I think that it was just too cold for her to stay under long enough to get it. Eventually she did get it, but I ran out of memory card space before she did. At least it is going to be ready for the hot weather that should be coming our way.

Trip to Salt Lake City

Friday morning about nine o'clock, my friend Elizabeth picked me up and we headed up to Utah. She has been training for the past 3 months to run the Salt Lake City half marathon. Her husband stayed home with her two small children and so she needed someone to keep her company and help her drive home. I was glad to take a little trip out of town. So off we went on our little adventure. We had fun on Friday stopping in Saint George at a kitchen store. I bought some powdered eggs and margarine for my food storage. Once we got to Provo, we went out to eat with her parents and Aunts. It was lots of fun and I had a chance to show off my football stalker pictures.

Saturday morning we got up at 4:30 am so we could be on our way. We went and picked up her brother and headed up to the tracks where we dropped the runners off. Then her parents, sister-in-law and I went out to breakfast. After that we drove over to the middle of the race just in time to cheer as they ran by. And then we drove down to the Gateway where the race ended. I was very proud of my friend, she finished in 2 hours and 32 minutes. She did great especially considering the fact that she had a horrible cold. It was fun and exciting to see everyone at the finish line. I have never been a runner my whole life, but I could almost see how it might be fun. So a great big congratulations and good job to my friend Elizabeth! You go girl!

We then went out to lunch in Bountiful and then my friend had a hair appointment. While she got her hair done, I ran over to my aunt and uncle's house in Centerville. I was able to see some cousins as well. Even though it was not very long, it was good to see them. After her hair was done, we drove back down to Salt Lake. I wanted to see if we could see President Hinkley's grave. Neither of us was quite sure where his grave would be, but we ended up driving right to it. It looks just like it did at the funeral on TV. I loved this part of the trip. As I watched the funeral, I wished I could be there, and this was the next best thing. After this we drove back down to American Fork where we spent the night with Elizabeth's aunt. Today we drove home. It was a nice trip and it felt good to get away even if it was just for a few days. Now I just have to wait 10 days until I drive back up for Women's Conference. Yay. And everyone survived just fine without me. So hurray for a great husband who sent me off for a fun girls weekend.

What's your sign

See if this fits you. I am a Libra and I think this fits me to a tee, although it is hard to decide.
How many members of your astrological sign does it take to change a light bulb?
Aries: Just one. You want to make something of it?
Taurus: One, but just "try" to convince them that the burned-out bulb is useless and should be thrown away.
Gemini: Two, but the job never gets done--they just keep arguing about who is supposed to do it and how it's supposed to be done.
Cancer: Just one. But it takes a therapist three years to help them through the grief process.
Leo: Leos don't change light bulbs, although sometimes their agent will get a Virgo to do the job for them while they're out.
Virgo: Approximately 1.0000000 with an error of +/- 1 millionth.
Libra: Er, two. Or maybe one. No - on second thought, make that two. Is that okay with you?
Scorpio: That information is strictly secret and shared only with the Enlightened Ones in the Star Chamber of the Ancient Hierarchical Order.
Sagittarius: The sun is shining, the day is young and we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid light bulb?
Capricorn: I don't waste my time with these childish jokes.
Aquarius: Well, you have to remember that everything is energy, so...
Pisces: Light bulb? What light bulb?

Clark County Fair

Well I think it is certain, I am a city girl. Much as I love the country and loved every vacation spent at my grandfather's farm, I just don't quite fit in completely. Last Friday, the choir that Diana sings in performed at the Clark County Fair. I went with a friend and her two small children. We got there early so we could see the animals and ride some rides before the performance. Here is a picture of the butter carving contest. You don't see that in the city. And what's not to love about sculptures carved in luscious butter?

Other than the singing, the highlight of the trip was when we discovered that Diana has finally reached a huge milestone in her life -- she is 48 inches tall. Woo hoo!!! This means that she can ride all kinds of rides that used to discriminate against her for her lacking verticalness. You know like rides at Disneyland and best of all our local swimming pool. They have a fun water slide and you guessed it, you can not ride it unless you are 48 inches tall. This has been a source of life long sorrow for Diana, well maybe just 3 year sorrow. Never mind that 5 year olds who happened to have the luck to have tall genes could go down the slide. Never mind that she could swim well enough to get out of the exit pool. No due to some fun sucking liability lawyers, those afflicted with shortness are denied the joy of going down the slide. Well those days of deprivation are over. Now she will just be denied because her mom will say, "Why should we go and pay money to the public pool when we have a pool in our back yard?" Which really means I would rather sit in my air conditioned house and watch out the window while she swims. But I digress. Back to the topic at hand, the fair. So Diana got to go on some rides that she couldn't do last year. Actually she was a really good sport and went on little kids ride with our friend Eliza.

We had a great time seeing the animals. My favorite as usual was the baby pigs. They are just so cute. We also got to witness a goat judging contest. Now I have to admit to knowing absolutely nothing about goats and I am very content to leave it that way. But it was interesting to watch none the less. A young girl won, and from the smile on her face and the way her mom hugged her, you would have thought she won a million dollars. I myself don't get that excited about goats, but I am glad that goat judging exists for those who do find it something to jump up and down about.

After the animals and the rides and the obligatory snow cone, it was time for the choir to sing. Sadly the acoustics there were not very good and so it was extremely difficult to hear the kids singing. Diana actually gets to do a duet for part of one of her songs. I am excited to hear it better at her actual concert. Well actually I will be at Women's Conference, so I will have to see it on video after that. Here is a short slide show of the days experiences.

Amnesty Now!

Yes this week is one of my favorites weeks of the year. Amnesty week at the library. This is a glorious event that happens once a year. It is a pitiful commentary on my sad life that this is such a joyful occasion for me. For the past few months, I have been waiting for this week to come because we lost the case to a Lizzie McGuire DVD. So happily today, I went in, and they said "No problem" and waived the fine off my account. Also there was a CD that we checked out on Jared's card that is now lost. I know that I will find it later today now that it is removed from my account. In fact, I told the librarian just that, but she did not even blink an eye and just removed that from Jared's card as well. Oh happy day! I saw one of the librarians there that I know. She helped me when our house was broken into and my wallet was stolen. I don't know why, but she remembers that and asks me about it from time to time. She said to me "Hey, I haven't seen you for a while, maybe since amnesty week last year". I am slightly amazed that warning alarms don't go off when they pull my account up and that they don't just cut up my card. But that is the beauty of the library, they seem to be inclined to forgive seventy time seven. I hope that is enough. Now for at least three weeks, until the books I checked out today are due, my account is all clean and shows a zero balance.

A few more things

I was in such a rush yesterday when I posted about the stratosphere that I realized that I missed posting some pictures. This t-shirt was hanging up in a window of the gift shop at the stratosphere. I thought it was pretty funny. What do you think?





Then I thought it would be funny to get my picture taken with this cut out advertisement for a concert. Sadly now I do not remember the name of this country star. Anyone recognize him? Not taking my stalker responsibilities seriously enough, am I ?

Good Morning!

I found this article, with video included and it made me smile, so I thought I would share it with all of you. I love this clip from Singing in the Rain. And I think it is impossible to sing along without embracing the sentiment of the song. So good morning to you and you and you!

Ten Sunny Ways to Make Your Day a Good One!

A good day is when I wake up remembering that a good day happens by CHOICE not chance!

A good day is when I live the day in the present, being grateful for the little things in life.

A good day is a day that I look back on and smile, because I allowed myself to be open to something new without realizing it at the time.

A good day is when I can feel anger, pain, sadness, etc. but not let it take over.

A good day is when I relax and go with the flow.

A good day is drama free. (My choice, again.)

A good day is when I'm aware that I'm a kind and compassionate person and treat myself that way.

A good day is when I don't use excuses to paralyze my thoughts and dreams or allow fear to keep me from stepping out and doing something I believe in.

A good day is connecting with people who are on the same self exploration journey as I am.

A good day is the realization that EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY no matter what happens.

The top of the world

So as promised, here is some video of Jared's birthday adventures on top of the stratosphere. He has been looking forward to this for a very long time. I told him he could bring one friend with him. He went through many, many kids before Andrew on our soccer team agreed to go with him. I called and found out that you have to be sixteen in order to go up there all by yourself. Bad news for me, as I had hoped to just drop them off. Marion said he would rather stay home with Diana and her two friends, so I was the lucky parent elected to go. For any of you unaware, I do not like heights. I was fairly sure that I did not want to go up to the top, but it is amazing what a mother will do for her child. So I went. The other good thing was that I was reading a great book and knew that I would have something to keep me busy. Here is a picture of me right before we made our way to the elevator. There was a rather long line to the elevator. While waiting in this line, there was a video playing telling us about the rides at the top. This video assured me not to worry there was a comprehensive safety plan in place and that emergency professionals were on duty 24 hours a day. Instead of reassuring me, this did just the opposite. If there was nothing to worry about, why have all these precautions. My stomach was beginning to do somersaults.

Finally it was our turn. I liked the elevator because we could not see out the windows when we went up. Much to my surprise, it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe I am not as afraid of heights anymore. Its either that, or I was distracted by my desire to take pictures and videos to properly document the festivities for my blog. I'm thinking this is a good thing. There are three different rides. The big shot, which shoots you up 160 ft in the air. The x-scream which is a teeter totter thing. And Lastly Insanity (here's a ride name to inspire confidence) where you sit in a seat and are swung out over the ground and spun around. You will be able to see it better in the video. I was extremely happy that they did not try to insist that I had to ride the rides. That would have been a deal breaker for me. No way, no how would I have gone on any of those rides. Not even for a million dollars. This is keeping me from going on the Amazing Race, that my lack of physical stamina. Jared loved all the rides and since he had an unlimited pass, he went on each ride about seven times. It was actually very pretty up there. I guess anything can look pretty from a far enough distance. So it was a good birthday celebration for him. I liked this better than taking seven 13 year old boys bowling, which is what we did last year. So now I can say that I have actually participated in some of the Vegas life.

Happy Fourteenth Birthday, Jared!

Yes, in honor of this special day, I have made a slide show of Jared's life. Lest you think this was prepared for his funeral, let me assure you he is still alive and kicking. In the very short future I will post about his birthday adventures atop the Stratosphere. They were very exciting and blog worthy. But for now, this tribute to my sweet, second son will have to suffice.
Jared, I am so pleased with the fine young man you are growing up to be. I admire the fact that you are a good student, dedicated musician, and great sportsman. A true triple threat. Any mother would count herself lucky to have you as a son, and that is exactly how I feel. I am so grateful you are a part of our family. So here is to you--hip, hip, hooray! And a very Happy Birthday!

It's that time of year.

You know what I mean, flowers are blooming and birds are singing. And I keep sneezing so violently that I won't be surprised to one of my lungs or an eyeball pop out of my body. Usually, I do not seem to be affected by pollen allergies, but this year for some reason it is really getting to me. Of course the fact that you can write your name in the pollen covering my back patio might have something to do with it. I took Trent to a doctor and asked about allergy medication for him. The doctor said that really Zertec is the best stuff and it has just been made for over the counter sales. So I got some for him and me. The bad news about that is that it seems to make me extremely drowsy. And it really didn't seem to make that much difference. So I can't decide which is worse the illness or the cure. Yikes I hope it gets better soon.

Bleuberry Coffee Cake

This is a very delicious and easy recipe that I got from a sister in my ward (thanks Linda) One of the best parts of it is the cruchy, yummy top layer that the coconut makes.
Hope you enjoy!

2 C. flour
1 C. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
mix above dry ingredients together

1/2 C. shortening - cut into dry mixture

2 eggs, beaten
1 C. milk
Combine and stir into dry ingredients.

Fold 1 1/2 C. blueberries (fresh or frozen) in to the batter.

Sprinkle top with 1 1/3 C. flaked coconut.

Bake in 2 greased 9 inch layer cake pans for 25 minutes or one greased 9 x 13 pan for about 30 - 35 minutes.

Case Lot Loony-ness

Ok, apparently according to the spell checker, loonyness is not a word. Well it is to me, and so I am using it. I guess the spell checker has never met me, I am the poster child for loonyness, but that topic is probably best saved for another post. :) So in an attempt to assuage my feelings of guilt and inadequacy in the department of food storage, I took myself to the case lot sale at Smith's today. After I filled one cart with just cases, I got another cart and proceeded to fill it to overloading, with other types of food that do not come in a case. The poor checker was a very small, Asian girl. I pushed my second cart up, which was filled to over flowing, and she started to check. Then I retrieved my first cart of case stuff. It felt like it weighed 200 pounds. I am sure it was more than this wispy girl. Then she said "Wow, is that yours also?" This was more polite that the "You gotta be kidding me" that she must have really been thinking. After both of my carts were bagged, they asked me "Would I like help out". I usually always say no to this, but this time I was glad for help, and of course I took the lighter cart. Then came the daunting task of fitting it all in my car. Amazingly I did manage to fit it all in. Now the even more impossible task of finding places to stash it all over my house. Yikes. Sad news for me though, they were out of the 20 pound bags of rice that I always stalk up on at this time of year. Now, I need to drive around to other Smith stores on a quest for rice. Wish me luck.

Mozart Beyond the Grave

When Mozart passed away, he was buried in a churchyard. A couple days later, the town drunk was walking through the cemetery and heard some strange noise coming from the area where Mozart was buried.
Terrified, the drunk ran and got the priest to come and listen to it.The priest bent close to the grave and heard some faint, unrecognizable music coming from the grave. Frightened, the priest ran and got the town magistrate.
When the magistrate arrived, he bent his ear to the grave, listened for a moment, and said, "Ah, yes, that's Mozart's Ninth Symphony, being played backwards."
He listened a while longer, and said, "There's the Eighth Symphony, and it's backwards, too. Most puzzling."
So the magistrate kept listening; "There's the Seventh... the Sixth... the Fifth..."
Suddenly the realization of what was happening dawned on the magistrate; he stood up and announced to the crowd that had gathered in the cemetery, "My fellow citizens, there's nothing to worry about. It's just Mozart decomposing."

I heart Susan Tanner

I will miss seeing and hearing from Sis. Tanner at church meetings. Very shortly after she was called, she came to a regional training meeting here in Vegas. Because of my then stake calling, I was invited to the meeting. I felt an immediate connection with her as I heard her speak. She told about her calling to be the General Young Women's President. She related how she came home to find a message from her husband telling her that she needed to go and meet with President Hinkley. She then said her first reaction was "I don't want to meet with President Hinkley." Since then I have heard her speak many times and have benefited from her wisdom and faith. Last year I managed to snap a shot of her at women's conference, and I am so glad I did since she will not be there this year. I attended her class and one of the things she said really stuck with me. It was when her daughters told about how she would repeatedly say "Has the day of miracles cease, I say, Nay!" I love that optimistic attitude.
I also got to hear Sis Dalton speak as well last year and I look forward to being led by her. She told a very funny story about her only daughter at the conference. Apparently, one day when she was dropping her daughter off at kindergarten, her daughter fell and she accidentally ran over her with the car. Fortunately, it was winter and between her daughter's snow suit and the snow on the road, her daughter was not even hurt. Sis Dalton just brushed her off and said, "Go on into school." Sis Dalton did feel a bit badly though when she noticed a tire mark on her daughters back. You gotta love and relate to another mother like that. :)

You gotta have friends

Here are some pictures of Jared and a friend of ours named Bailey. Their family was in our ward when we first moved to Vegas. We have done so many things with them throughout the nine years we have lived here. These two have been good friends for a very long time. They are only a year apart, but look how much taller Jared has grown. The picture where they are younger, was taken at a ward dance. Someone else put the funny captions on the poster that was made. I am not quite sure but I bet that picture was taken in 2000, so eight years ago. This other picture was taken during spring break. Here's to good friends, and my how you two have grown.

Blood Sport

I have a sister-in-law who has a very active 2 year old. He is always getting injuries which she is kind of enough to share on her blog. So following in her footsteps, I will post this nice shot of Jared when he came home from Lacrosse practice the other day. When he walked in I said "Hold it right there, I need to take a picture for the bog." He of course gave me his best teenage eye rolling face. But then he did cooperate and even gave tips, like be sure to get the lion logo in the shot. I think secretly my kids like being put on my blog. Even Trent does not seem to mind it. He has checked to see what comments his cat dissection pictures elicited. This injury actually looks much worse than it is. For any of you who are unaware Lacrosse is a pretty violent sport, and I guess they were not kidding when they wrote that disclaimer about being maimed while playing it. Life for Jared is pretty crazy right now. He had Lacrosse 4 days a week and then soccer twice, but he usually misses one of the practices. Then soccer started today, so each Saturday he has a soccer game and then Lacrosse as well. Sometimes they over lap, but most of the time he will be able to go to both of them. At least he won't be bored.

Pat's Ponderings

Well I find my self home alone due to Diana being at a friends house and the menfolk gone to priesthood meeting. I wanted to record a few of the things that have happened in the past week.
Last Sunday night I received a call informing me of the death of a sister in our ward. It was rather unexpected, in that she went to bed Saturday night and just did not wake up the next morning. This sister happened to be one of Diana's primary teachers. So I had to break the news to Diana. This sister was 65 and in relatively good health. Someone at the funeral said that she had come visiting teaching the Thursday before she died. At the visit the sister who would die 3 days later, said she wasn't feeling well, but that she thought it was allergies. I would like to sign up for dying in my sleep that way. It sounds like the ideal way to die, since it has to happen eventually.
So Friday was the funeral. I took Diana out of school so she could attend because she said that she really wanted to go. I thought it might be a good way for her to have closure. Diana did even go into the viewing, which I hope will not scar her for life, but I don't think it did. The other teacher of the class was there and she seemed very upset. I think that it helped in a way to have Diana there. Even though I knew the sister who passed away, I do not feel the same sense of loss that Diana and her remaining teacher feel. Diana's living teacher reminded her of how Sis. Winward had just taught them a lesson about the Resurrection. I think that is very comforting to know that this Sister who died had such a strong testimony of the plan of salvation.
This whole experience had made me take a closer look at my own life. Sometimes we get no warning of when we might die. So just like we always hear, we need to be living each day as if it were our last.

Hammond Look-alike Meter

I thought this was very interesting that even though we are not biologically related, this thing said Jared looks more like Marion. I figured that it would come out like Trent and Diana's which says they both look equally like us, which really is the same as not at all. Strange.

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Hammond Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Hammond Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Pedigree - Descendants

One Month and Counting

I can not let today pass by without commenting on the fact that Women's Conference is in exactly one month. Hurray, and hurry up and get here. Boy, I hope I manage to survive the rigors of the Hamster Wheel for one more month. It is grinding me up and spitting me out lately. Especially this whole time change thing. I know that it has been long enough that I should have adjusted, but I still can not beleive that it is already time to get up each morning. It seems like it takes the jaws of life, just to get me out of bed each day. And then I need those jaws of life to use on getting my kids up as well. Sheesh people, could we not just work with me here? So I will go on each day, knowing that I get to run away from home for several days in May. And Sherry Dew is the keynote speaker the first day. Yeah, I love to hear her speak.

Memo to Trace Adkins

So for any of you who did not watch the Celebrity Apprentice, this post will not make sense. Just ignore it. But for any of you who did watch, I saw this wheat grass at the grocery store. Realizing that I had my camera with me, I could not resist snapping a shot of the sought after item by the BSB. Perhaps I will even be inspired to try some wheat grass juice myself, after the merits of it were extolled by the Back Street Boys. Thanks Trace, for some of the funniest comments about wheat grass and the Back Street Boys.

A New Addition to our Family

I am so excited. Look at our darling new kitten. Isn't she just scrumptious? One of our friends in the ward had kittens and was looking for a home for them. I know I said that I would never go back to the state of cat ownership, but how do you say NO to such a cute, fluffy little face? I couldn't do it. And surely one cat will not be that bad, right. Diana is so excited, she can hardly stand it. She has always wanted to have another cat. I think we will name her Emmy, which just seems like a cute name for a fluffy little fur ball. Now we will have to get all set up for a little kitten again. Oh, and just one more thing about this kitten: April Fools!