Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Donate

Donate - To contribute, especially to a worthy cause.
March 31, 2009


Our contribution to the Annual Carnival at Valley View Elementary. This has been going on, in one form or another, since I was a kid. Back then it was a Halloween celebration, but has always been a very successful PTA fundraiser. The 4th, 5th, and 6th grade kids bring cakes for a cake auction and the cake walk. Jack wanted to do a Chocolate Lovers Cake. So we made up the cake, homemade chocolate buttercreme frosting, and covered it with chocolate sprinkles and Andes mint chips. It should clog up someone's arteries nicely.



I think I may have finally found something that Jack will eat for breakfast. I made some egg mcmuffins today with english muffings, eggs and bacon and then tossed them in the freezer. He ate one after school and wanted to just keep eating one after the other. Yay! Now I just have to remember to make them once a week or so . . . It's still less work than making 4-5 dozen muffins at a time. I may have a free Saturday this week, so maybe between conference sessions I can make up a bunch of stuff to have in the freezer for him. I also made up another batch of ranch dressing today, plus of course, the cake. It was a big cooking day for me, so we had a very uninteresting dinner, but it filled everyone up and no one complained.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Retreat, Windy, Tumble

Retreat - Retirement or seclusion
March 28, 2009



Our room in St. George had a lovely view of the pool and the sun was shining . . . what a nice break from the cold and snow.


Windy - Stormy or tempestous.
March 29, 2009



After a nice warm day, the winds came up in the late afternoon and the temperature plumeted. We enjoyed the warm while it lasted . . .


Tumble - To mix up; to turn over and over.
March 30, 2009


When we got up to head back home, we noticed all the tumbleweeds that had been pushed up against the fence during the previous night's windstorm. It was quite a sight.



Lane surprised me with a weekend trip to St. George to celebrate our 17th anniversary. I know, our anniversary is on April 24th, a month away, but it was just easier all around to get away now rather than later. How fun to escape the snow and the cold for the sunshine and warmth of southern Utah. We had no plans while we were there, so it was just a nice weekend full of resting and relaxing and enjoying being alone. Every couple needs that once in a while. Thank goodness for kind parents who are willing to watch the kids for us. We did a little shopping and a lot of eating and just had a really good time. It was not so much fun on our drive back home to find that it had snowed while we were away. I'm not sure how much snow, but enough that it hadn't all melted off by this afternoon like snow this time of year tends to do. Hopefully spring will "spring" some time! I know this is typical roller-coaster weather for Utah, but it just gets so tiresome about this time when we have been teased by a few warm days, only to have it turn cold again. And I realize also that it won't be long before I'll be complaining because it's too hot!


















Thursday, March 26, 2009

Mess, Step & Progress

Mess - disordered clutter; a jumble; a large quantity
March 26, 2009


Some messes simply aren't worth cleaning up. Addie is reading really well now and so she is forever reading storires to her dollies or anyone who will listen, and this is her idea of "putting everything away neatly." Luckily, this bookcase is in a dark corner of the basement where I don't have to look at it. Remember how when we were in kindergarten we were only read TO? It was all about graham crakers, warm-ish milk and those really weird paper straws, show & tell, and napping on our mats on the floor. Somewhere along the line Kindergarten got serious!


Step - One of a series of moves toward accomplishing something.
March 25, 2009
I came up with "step" because when I looked at this picture, it reminded me of a baby's first footprint, which made me think of baby's first steps. So THAT made me think of the progression of size from Addie's tiny (I know, dirty) feet to Taylor's big feet, and how growing up happens one step at a time - and hopefully we are always moving, or stepping, towards accomplishing something.



Progress - Forward motion or advancement to a higher goal; an advance; steady improvement.
March 24, 2009
Tonight was pack meeting and Jack earned his Readyman pin. He has just a few more little things to do and hopefully next pack meeting he will have his Arrow of Light ceremony. Jack just loves scouts, and the way the program is set up with different goals and areas of focus are just perfect for the way he operates. He also has fantastic Webelos leaders who make everything extra fun for the boys. We are so proud of Jack's accomplishments.
I've gotten behind again. I think Molly is the only one reading this, and I talk to her at church every week. So this isn't exactly breaking news. But it's good to know that I have an audience of 1. Thanks Molly! I'll bring treats down sometime. With EXTRA sugar. And don't share with Brian or the boys.
Today I got my hair cut off, AGAIN. I go through this miserable cycle about once a year. I have had short hair for quite a while, then I get this stupid idea that I want to have long hair. So I go through all the AGONY - and I'm sure many of you are familiar with said AGONY - of growing my hair out. This is truly a miserable life experience since there are phases when you can't get your hair to do anything at all. It's too short for a pony, or even a clip, but not long enough to tuck behind an ear, so it just hangs and is awful. My 6 year old calls this phase "Blobish." I don't know where she got that word, but it is truly appropriate. Blobish. It just kinda sums up how miserable it is. Then when my hair is finally long enough to do a little something, I remember why I hated longer hair in the first place and go get it all cut off again. So I am back to my short hair phase, and will be wanting to grow it out again in the winter, if tradition holds.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Appropriate & Prophet


Appropriate - Suitable or proper under the circumstances.
March 23, 2009



It was SO cold today, especially cold since we have had several warm days. It was definetly a soup kinda day! This soup turned out really good. I started to follow a recipe . . . the key word being STARTED, but then I just kinda started chucking stuff in. You can't really go wrong with soup, can you? Again, it involved making a rue, and that rue made the soup delightfully thick, just the right amount of thick, though. I threw in some leftover sausage and some dehydrated zucchini I found in the freezer, among the other veggies and such. I thought it was really good. There are PLENTY of leftovers, as there always is when I make soup because I lack the ability to gauge when it's "enough." Thats ok, the next several days are cold, too, so we can enjoy it again . . . and again, and luckily Grandma took some home. I don't know if I will ever be able to re-create it though, beyond the rue, since I gave up following the recipe. I tried to make bread to go with the soup, but was having what I can only call a "bad yeast day." I haven't had to scrap my yeast/water/sugar mix and start again for a very long time, but today I made 6, yes I really said 6, attempts and just couldn't get foam. I don't understand why. I tried different kinds of yeast, even different mixing bowls and still couldn't get it to foam. I just made bread a few days ago, and everything turned out great. So after 6, yes, I seriously stuck with it through 6 tries, I gave up and went with muffins.


Prophet - One who pronounces or interprets by divine inspriation; a spokesman.
March 22, 2009
My books by our beloved, and much missed, prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. The biography is not mine, but borrowed from Grandma last May when Addie was having her surgery. I am about 3/4 done. I know, I am a painfully slow reader anymore, but I have really enjoyed this book. It presented President Hinckley as such a real person, that I don't know how anyone could read even a few pages without being inspired to be a better person.
For FHE tonight, we watched "Horton Hears a Who." I know it's animated, and I know it's Dr. Suess, but I think that movie/story is extremely profound. What a wonderful world this would be if we all lived by the mottos "A person's a person no matter how small" and "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. A (insert word less offensive than 'elephant') is loyal, 100 per cent." Even the teamwork demonstrated by the Whos in order to be heard is a good lesson. Then there is the demonstration of faith, commitment . . . I could go on and on (maybe I already did) on the virtues of "Horton Hears a Who," but I'll just leave it with this: there aren't many movies that I consider good enough to own (shut up, Lane) and this is one of them. Even aside from the fantastic animation, the story is a true life lesson for all of us who aspire to be better people.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Haven


Haven - A place of refuge or rest; a sanctuary.
March 21, 2009
My most favorite room in my house - my living room. I LOVE the paint color (thanks Joe!). I don't have the courage to choose paint this dark, so I turned the paint selection process over to a friend, and it's PERFECT! I love my leather couch, I love my candles, I love my lamps . . . I just love this room! It's almost always clean and just a cozy room since it gets the afternoon sun. Whenever I do manage to read, this is where I go. The other side of the room has a chair from my Grandma Walker's house that I had rocovered, and the pillows on the couch were made from the leftover fabric (the maroon-ish color). Sorry the picture turned out so dark, but when I tried to lighten it in photoship the colors were no longer true. I guess you'll just have to come over!
My neice did a great job in the pageant, I hope that she is very proud of herself. Unfortunately, she did not place, but many of the contestants did an excellent job, so it must have been a tough decision for the judges. Marissa had a lot of people there to support her and cheer for her and I hope that she had a good experience.

Memorial


Memorial - a monument, ceremony, etc. that serves as a rememberance.
March 20, 2009



This evening was the memorial service for my sister in law, and this is a section of the flower arrangement we bought. Her favorite color was lavender, and she loved roses. The memorial was very nice, although it is always hard to say goodbye to a loved one.


This is just a spare for today. We don't have many pictures with all 5 kids and my parents, so this is a keeper. We are not a very affectionate family - see how we are all trying so hard to not touch each other or stand too close? I know that shouldn't be funny, but it has become a family joke about our not touching and our very, VERY short visits.
My SIL's memorial was very nice. It was well attended and many of my relatives travelled some distanct to support Troy at this difficult time. It was very heartening to see so many people go to such an effort to be there. There were may gorgeous flower arrangements that Cris would have just loved. She was a very girl-y girl that way. We had a family barbeque today, Troy didn't come because he felt, understandably, that after this trying week he just needed some time alone. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who was missing Cris today, because she came to almost every family event, even if Troy and the boys couldn't come. We love her so much.
In other news, tonight is the Miss Pleasant Grove Pageant, and my neice Marissa is competing. There are 15 contestants, so it sure to be a long pageant. I hope Marissa does well. She has had a lot of success with her platform, which has something to do with collecting books for the Women's shelter, I think. She's collecting books for something anyway. She is playing the piano for her talent and she is a really good pianist. I saw her briefly earlier at the family do and she was excited, but a little nervous.
Also at the family do, my other neice, Markee, was experimenting on all of us as she prepares to take her EMT test, or whatever that certification is. She currently is working up at Pioneer Valley Hospital with my sister/her mom. She already has her CNA and is headed up to Weber State for Nursing school when she graduates later this spring. Talk about having a plan! She is well on her way already. I wish I had had that much direction when I was graduating.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Breakfast

Breakfast - The first meal of the day.
March 19, 2009


I am not a huge fan of breakfast food. Unless it's breakfast food for dinner (Brinner) and I love that. My typical breakfast is a muffin if I have remembered to bake, yogurt, or an apple with peanut butter. I always have apples on hand so that's my breakfast more often than anything else. I accidentally grabbed the smooth peanut butter today, that's just not as good as Super Crunch! Saturday mornings are the best because Lane brings home donuts on his way home from work. He doesn't have a Krispy Kreme discount card anymore, so he just stops at Maceys. There's just nothing like those Krispy Kreme though; I can eat about 4 of them before I realize it. Yum! I've been know to have cookies and cake for breakfast, sometimes a granola bar if I have any. My poor kids - they have been on their own for breakfast since they were big enough to pour cold cereal from a box. I just don't do breakfast. The end. I'll eat cold cereal for lunch, dinner or a snack, but not for breakfast. Now Brinner, as I said before, is a whole other matter. Since Lane is asleep for Sunday dinner a lot, we have taken to having sausage links and french toast or frozen waffles, or something like that. Pathetic, I know. (Again, my poor kids!) If Lane is up, he'll make fried eggs and pancakes for Sunday dinner. We love Brinner. Someone should write a song about Brinner. Speaking of wonderful foods, I have single-handedly eaten 2 boxes of Girl Scout Samoas. I think that those cookies are what is eaten in Heaven. They are THAT GOOD. Turns out there is even Samoa ice cream. I have 2 quarts of that in my freezer. That's something else someone needs to write a song about. Oooh, and drizzle a little Magic Shell on it . . . Yummers! I don't care what the bottle says - a bottle of Magic Shell is only 3 servings.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Obituary


Obituary - A published announcement that a person has died, often containing a short biography of the person's life.
March 18, 2009
Cristal Renee Walker 1964 ~ 2009 Cristal Renee Walker passed away Saturday, March 14, 2009, at her home in Sandy.She is survived by her husband, Troy Walker; two sons, Levi and Tory; her parents, Thomas Cross and J'nette Phillips; and brother, Tommy Cross. Her family will always remember Cristal as a loving wife, mother and daughter. Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, March 20, from 7-9 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc. at www.diabetes.org. Online condolences at www.larkincares.com
The obituary for my SIL was published today, which really gives it a sense of reality. I saw my brother briefly today, he seems to be doing ok, all things considered. He looked tired.
Our beautiful weather is going to continue through Sunday. It was about 67 degrees today, and instead of going out for a nice walk, I opted to take a nap. I would have been better served by th walk, but as it turns out, I am inherently lazy. Tomorrow is less busy than today was, so hopefully the whole family can get out for a walk tomorrow evening. It helps that the days are longer now.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Timpanogos


Timpanogos - The highest of the Wasatch Mountains in north-central Utah, rising to 3,662 m (12,008 ft).
March 17, 2009
Every day when I sit at my kitchen table, this is what I get to see outside the window. Aren't you jealous? Plus, Mt. Timpanogos has a great history in both Pleasant Grove and my Walker heritage.
A memorial service for my sister-in-law will be held on Friday evening. My sister from Wisconsin is coming in tomorrow afternoon so it will be nice for all of us to be here to support my brother and nephews. Thanks to all who have offered kind words and prayers. We have all been strengthened by you.
I still haven't submitted my state taxes. Please, I am counting on you to not let April 15th come and go without reminding me, several times, to send it in. I am holding out as a personal protest but we are approaching the 11th hour and I really need to get it in. Everytime I think of it, like right now, it's late in the day, and I don't want to be bothered. So I am counting on you!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Umm . . . I got behind a little bit.

Aroma - a smell; an agreeable odor.
March 16, 2009


I am quickly running out of "bread" words, but thought aroma was good for today since everyone that came in the house while they were baking said "Umm . . . bread!" There's just nothing like the smell of baking bread!


Truth - The quality of being true, genuine, or factual.
March 15, 2009

Just trying to think of something that is Sunday-ish.



Unexpected - Coming without warning; unforseen.
March 14, 2009


I'm breaking the rule because this picture wasn't taken today. It was taken at my famliy Chrismas party last December. This is my oldest brother Troy and his wife, Cris. Cris died unexpectedly in her sleep last night, and I wanted to remember her today. She was one of the kindest people I have ever known.



Irresistible - Completely fascinating; impossible to resist.
March 13, 2009


Everyone knows that cookie dough is better than the actual cookies!



So time kinda got away from me the last few days. I got word early Saturday morning that my sister-in-law Cris had died. This was completely unexpected and shocking. The cause of death was not obvious, so the EMTs had to take her to the medical examiner. The report came in today and she died of a heart attack contributed to an enlarged heart. I wasn't aware that she had any heart problems but she has had some medical issues that have troubled her for the last few years, and perhaps that was a factor. It is so hard to beleive that she is gone, and she will be so missed. My brother and 2 nephews are kind of lost without her. Prayers on their behalf will be appreciated. I'm not quite sure on any funeral plans, since they were waiting for the ME to release her body before they did much. We are all so sad.


On a more positive note, the weather has been beautiful. I was hoping to get out for a nice long walk today, but time got away from me and it didn't happen. My one little crocus in the front yard laid down and died. I don't know why - it's still bright purple. Maybe Jack or one of his little friends stepped on it.


Taylor and Lane are going to do baptisms for the dead tomorrow evening. What a great experience. I only went one time during my mutual years, and this is Taylor's second trip already. I'm glad that Lane is going because the YM president was put into the bishopric yesterday, so Lane is likely to be released next week.


I made angel food cake (from scratch) tonight for FHE treat. It turned out ok - not great. I wanted to do a chocolate fondue, so it was ok for that but the texture wasn't quite right. I still have cinammon bears for dipping in chocolate so that was yummy. Jack has discovered the beauty of cinammon bears, so I have noticed that my stash is depleting more quickly of late. I guess I'll have to hide them. I don't share.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Tangle


Tangle - To twist into a mass; to ensnare or enmesh; to involve in such a way as to confuse.
March 12, 2009
I'm still taking advantage of these beautiful, spring-ish days. This mass of twigs and branches will be a beautiful, albeit uncontrollable, bush in the spring and summer. It looks so barren now, but kind of interesting how it weaves in and out of the chain link. It will fill in so much this summer that you won't even be able to see the fence at all.
I helped my dad stuff envelopes with the invitations to their 50th Anniversary party next month. The list that originally started out at about 100 names has grown to about 250. It's amazing how many people they know! I just hope lots of their friends come to celebrate this huge milestone with them.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Stubborn

Stubborn - Inflexible; determined to have one's own way; not easily overcome.
March 11, 2009


Parsley anyone? This plant simply won't die. Not only will it not die, it's taking over the yard. There are several little clumps of it around, including in the lawn. I have tried and tried to kill it and it just keeps coming back!


So I have to brag just a little bit . . . I am down 5 lbs in about 3 weeks. Bless that Wii Fit! I have been getting in 30 minute of exercise daily for a couple of weeks now and am seeing some success. I am really excited about it, sucess makes me want to do more so that's what I remember when 5 am comes around and I have to roll out of bed. Accountability is the key, and the daily reminder on the Wii Fit calendar and the graph that shows my small, gradual weight loss is extremely encouraging. Next time you see me, pretend to notice the difference.


I got out and walked today while Taylor was at piano. I got through 1.66 miles in the half hour, but tackled a lot of hills. There are a whole lot more hills than cedar out there in Cedar Hills, and that makes it a good place to walk, lots of up and down and quiet streets. My new shoes help with alleviate the shin splints I tend to get on hills, but don't provide much support for my terrible arches. I even put in my arch supports today, but I was still sore when I finished my walk.


I made that Pampered Chef chicken club ring for dinner. We used to have it all the time, but we haven't had it for a while and I had forgotten how good it is. I only used one can of croissants since Lane was in bed, but I could have easily used 2, and should have used 2. Jack didn't get filled up and I would have liked another as well. Lesson learned. I forget how much Jack likes to eat! I don't know what I'm going to do with him when he's 15. Luckily, I only have 1 boy.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Preliminary

Preliminary - Introductory or preceeding.
March 10, 2009


What a difference a day makes . . . When I went out to get the mail, I saw this tiny little crocus shooting up. The crocuses have always brought me some degree of hope for spring after a long winter, and this is the first one I have seen. The sun is shining today, the (1) crocus is trying to grow . . . maybe we'll get spring after all!


I got the bills paid today and my checkbook balanced; that's truly a chore I hate. I put it off until my pile of debit receipts will no longer fit into the cubby where I keep them. I didn't get my state taxes submitted yet, though. I only owe about $60, but I just don't want to pay it any sooner than I have to. I need to get it done or April 15 will come and go and I will forget to do it. I got in a short nap this afternoon, only about 20 minutes, but it was just what I needed. Now I think I need a bowl of samoa ice cream before bed.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Dishearten & Myth

Dishearten - To cause to lose spirit or corage; to discourage, demoralize, or disprit.
March 9, 2009


Just when you think we are on the verge of spring . . . Living in Utah, you would think I would know better.



Myth - A legend or folktale; a fictitious tale; something tht is untrue or only partly true.
March 8, 2009
Our favorite Sunday activity - Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel. Never has science been so much fun!
Grandma is now back from all of her travels, so we had family home evening with her again. I cooked up the smothered chicken again with the focaccia (also, again). For the lesson we had everyone tell what their favorite scripture story is and why. Lane is banned from the 2000 Stripling Warriors, so his second choice was Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty. Mine was the Brother of Jared, Jack chose a story about Joseph Smith, Taylor chose Job, Addie chose the nativity, and Grandma chose Nephi and Lehi's dream. It was fun to see how much the kids actually knew about the scriptures. Someone once posed the question at a church meeting: "How much would your children know about the Gospel if not for organized church meetings? How much would they know if YOU were the only source for gospel instruction?" That is very humbling. We try to make sure that at least half of our FHE lessons every month are scripture based. Sometimes we manage that, sometimes we don't. A few years back I ordered the Gospel Art Picture Kit from Distribution and that has been a tremendous help for FHE lessons, especially the last minute kind of FHE lessons, which we seem to have a lot. But mostly it is just a fun evening that we spend together doing whatever as a family. The kids have our undivided attention, and we have no distractions since Monday night is off limits to everything else. Plus, we have the added motivation of having Grandma come, that makes us more accountable to having something more than "game night" every week. Everyone should have someone like that to keep everything on track. Plus she adds so much to our Family Home Evening with all of her wisdom and the kids really adore her. We are so lucky to have her so close and willing to share our FHE with us.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Runner-Up


Runner-up - A contestant who finishes second in a competition.
March 7, 2009


I placed second again in the Maceys photo contest (Feb. 13 picture). Again, it's a big deal to me, even though I'm sure no one else cares much.


Today we had our annual roommate lunch. This is for us 7 girls who were roommates my freshman year in college at Snow College. What a great time we had that year! I don't remember how many years we have been doing this, but it's been a while. Some years we have had all 7 of us there, but today we only had 4. We missed Crissy who was with her sick grandma, and KyLee who had a conflict with gymnastics, and Lori but the rest of us, Tricia, Becky, Heather and I had a good time catching up on the events of the past year. I'm grateful to all of them for what they have contributed to my life (Tricia contributed my husband!) and for the life-long friendship that we have. I don't have any other group of friends that I get together with once every year and I really look forward to it each year.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Necessary


Necessary - Unavoidable; required; essential; needed.
March 6, 2009
One of the necessary evils of life - high grocery bills. Silly me, I thought I could get out of the store today for about $60. I didn't think I needed much! Magic shell is necessary, isn't it? And, of course Cheetos are also necessary, everyone knows that.
Lane and I had dinner out tonight at Wallabys. They have the best brisket! If anyone needs to try it out, make sure you invite me along. They have a smaller serving menu that is just the right amount of food so you don't have to waddle out of the restaurant wishing you had worn elastic-waist pants, now affectionately referred to as "cookie pants."
I have to sew a sleeve on the jacket and my then I'm finally done with it. I got the dress done a while ago, but I have been putting off finishing the jacket because I dread doing sleeves just that much. I'm proud to say that I had to take the jacket in about an inch and a half on each side seam. It is always nice to have something new to wear on Sunday. And speaking of Sundays, after this weekend Lane will have 3 Sundays off in a row. We joke that some members of the ward will be so impressed to see that I have re-activated Brother Funk. It's been quite a long time since he's come to church with us. I'm looking forward to going as a family again.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Focaccia

Focaccia - A flat Italian bread traditionally flavored with olive oil and salt and often topped with herbs, onions, or other items.
March 5, 2009


I had never made a focaccia before, but this was so easy and so delicious! I think it will become part of our regular bread rotation. We also like this cheddar loaf that I make. It's a round loaf that is flavored with sharp cheddar and a little garlic. I usually make bread at least once a week - there's just nothing like fresh bread, still warm from the oven, with your evening meal. I love the focaccia that Kneaders sells, so I'm glad to know that it is so easy to make at home.


It was a little cold today. We woke up to snow, but it melted off quickly. The sun shone all day, but it was still cold. I never looked at the temperature. Jack, Taylor and I went out for a quick walk after dinner before it got dark. Cold or not, it is just so nice to get out in the fresh air after a long winter of being cooped up! The ducks are out and about swimming in the low places in the canal where water has collected. The ducklings should be swimming about too, before much longer. We always enjoy seeing the ducklings. We are so lucky to have the Murdock Canal so close - it is a great place to walk and see the mountains on the east, and the lake on the west. What a great place to live!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Word


Word - The smallest meaningful unit of a language; speech; a brief remark, message, comment, command, etc.
March 4, 2009
My daily tools. You didn't really think I actually KNEW 365 words, did you?
It was cold and windy today, even raining right now. So I didn't get out for a walk while Jack was at piano. I did my Walk Slim DVD tonight instead. It is the equivalent of 4 miles. Turns out the Wii Fit must be doing some good - the video was hard, but my legs didn't burn during the "boosted walking" (jogging) part. I guess all that jogging with the wii fit is paying off! Again, if you don't have one, I highly recommend getting one. It'll cure your couch potato-ness.
I'm so looking forward to the weekend. Lane actually has a day off - yes, A DAY, and Saturday is my annual lunch with my college roommates. It's always so much fun to catch up with them.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Bribe

Bribe - To influence or induce by giving a token or anything of value for a service.
March 3, 2009


I don't like to exercise alone. Taylor is rarely interested in coming with me, but Jack is frequently willing. So off we went this afternoon for a nice long, brisk walk. Jack's mp3 players died after just a few minutes. The dumb thing won't hold a charge! Jack kept himself pretty amused talking to me, although he didn't seem to notice that I couldn't hear him over my own music. But he continued to talk, the whole time. Apparently I wasn't an essential part of this conversation. Anyway, since his mp3 player died, I bribed him with a new one if he agreed to exercise with me. He, of course, was agreeable and we found him a new one for less than $30. It's much nicer than mine! I should have gotten me a new one and given him my old one!

According to my pedometer, we walked 1.8 miles. It was such a nice day today - 67 degrees or so. A little breezy, but SO NICE to be out in the fresh air!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Laundry & Thoughtful

Chore - A daily task; a task that becomes unpleasant or burdensome.
March 2, 2009

Laundry. 'Nuf said.




Thoughtful - Attentive or considerate.
March 1, 2009
Sundays are a hard photo day for me. So I turned to my personal treasures. This is the only candle I have that I have never burned. It is a gift from my sister Sabrina. When I was pregnant with Addie and having some trouble with toxemia, I was admitted to the hospital for bed rest. I was very upset at having to be admitted, I was only about 31 or 32 weeks along, and somehow, barely after I was settled into a room at AF Hospital, my sister showed up bearing gifts, including this candle. It is mint scented, one of my favorite candle scents. Anyway, this is one of my treasures because of the thoughtfulness shown to me by my sister at a pretty frightening time for me.
So our Sunday Routine fell apart on us yesterday. We had 5 episodes of "Mythbusters" recorded and we had seen them all. I can't believe that we have seen all of them! Hopefully it was just the luck of the draw and we'll have better luck getting episodes we haven't seen for next Sunday. The kids watched "The Mask" and "The Pink Panther" and I fell into a Cheetos induced slumber. There's just nothing like a Sunday nap.