1. it is almost christmas.....
I am pretty much done, but have a few odds an ends to finish and pick up.
How do I pick up a Large piece of furniture while a kid is waiting in the car without spoiling the surprise?
2. Kate's birthday is right after Christmas
Fortunately, she wants a mother daughter shopping trip this year, and I don't have to rack my brain for ideas, but it is a party year and I'm not sure I am ready for a bunch of 10 year olds to invade.
3. I already bought my Christmas present... so no surprise there.
4. I got a new phone and can post tony blog anywhere now (yeah)
5. I still need to figure oh how to upload pics from my phone to my blog. I got it figured out to Facebook, but need to work out other glitches.
I am in the process of getting addresses updated right now to send out Christmas cards (if your has changes please let me know), but I am very unsure on what to do with a little problem.
You see, Katelynn's baptism is 3 days after Christmas. I am also sending out baptism announcements to many of the same people on that list. The question is:
IS IT TACKY TO SEND OUT BOTH IN THE SAME ENVELOPE????
I know I have a lot of updating to do over the next couple weeks but I needed to do a simple post because......
After 5 years in the primary in my ward (2 years as chorister, 3 presidency) and another 4 years as a primary teacher in previous wards (9 years total). I was released from my calling as 2nd counselor in the primary presidency.
Some of my thoughts...
I really felt the mantel of this calling being lifted over the past few months. This were getting harder to accomplish and this month alone I could not think of anything to do for sharing time. I felt that all my idea were gone.
Things really hit home when Paige, the other counselor was released a few weeks ago. I knew that time was about up.
I am really excited for the new presidency and all of the refreshing change and growth that they will bring to the kids of our ward, but I will miss them dearly.
Even thought I know I have spent most of my time with the children I look forward to the new challenges and callings that are in store for me soon
This past weekend was my annual trip to the DAR State Conference. Since it was only 45 minutes from home this year I decided to make the commute to and fro.
After a long day of meetings on friday, where I was in charge of instruction the JR members (under 40) as the Page Chairman, we head to the mall for an escape. And found ourselves back just in time to prep for our formal banquet. (yes I wore the blue dress-my sr. prom dress)
It was a lot of fun to dress up and spend the time with my friends, until I had to get up at 5 am the next morning to make it to the JR Breakfast. I was very tired most of the day, but that didn't stop me from working the wait staff at the hotel and convincing them to give us extra deserts. They just kept saying, 'don't tell'. I ate soo much choclate at lunch that I felt like I would bust.
Saturday Night was White Night (Pages (JR) wear a white formal)
So of course we had to hit the mall to get our makeup done. It's tradition!
And then we posed for picture after picture.
With Grandma:
Sara and Celeste:
Sara and Matt (her boy):
With the State Regent (Pres) and the President General (in red)
It was a great time, and I cannot wait for next year, but I hope that the hotels AC doesn't fail in the middle of the heat streek next time.
Well, I decided that as I get closer to the big 3-0, I really should stop while I'm ahead. But the idea of not having presents and cake threw that one off so I will have to deal with getting older. It is a good thing David is a few years ahead of me, I make it easier.
Since today is actually my 28th birthday I though that I would check to see the news of the day.
I found out that I was born in the year of the Monkey, and a lot of great things happened on this day in history (not to mention me being born)
In the headlines today:
2000
The funeral Mass for Cardinal John O'Connor in New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral attracts thousands of mourners, including US president Bill Clinton.
1996
South Africa approves its constitution granting equal rights for blacks and whites.
1987
Democratic presidential hopeful Gary Hart withdraws from the nomination battle because of questions about his relationship with model Donna Rice.
Yesterday I was going throw my closet trying to decide on a formal dress for an upcoming DAR conference, and I couldn't decide which one tho wear.
I need two formals- one All White and One of any color.
Out of all my dresses I didn't have a white one so I went in search of one on ebay....
.... and found this dress for only $38 including shipping
Out of the 29 possiblities for a colorful dress, I narrowed it down to 4 possible choices. Now I really need help to decide which one to wear. I know the pictures don't show the color the best, but it is the best I can do with this OLD camera.
Leave me a comment, or send me and email with your pick!!!
#1- royal blue with a layered chiffon skirt
#2-light blue with a cute beaded jacket
#3- dark purple velvet top with crepe skirt
#4- Plum strait dress
OK- right now after looking at the pictures I am leaning toward #1 or #4, but let me know what you think.
Two months ago when I was aproached and asked to babysit a couple kids for some friends, I thought no problem. My kids are great what could a few more do to my day.
Now I know that they tend to control my day. Add a 20 month old boy, a 5 year old girl, and a nine year old boy to our mix and the house becomes a lot more lively.
Here is a brief insight into the new additions to our life.
First there is James:
He loves to follow me around, climb up to get things out of his reach, he thinks he is the funniest guy in the world, and loves to make you laugh. He loves to throw balls, and play outside in th dirt (very diffrent from my non dirt girls)
Then there is Sami:
She loves to learn new things, is a great source of enertaiment for Maddie during her day here, and has the amazing ability to fall asleep, and stay asleep ANYWHERE when she is tired (which is almost everyday) She also gets along great with both of my girls and loves all things girly.
And Ben:
Ben is definently the ringleader of the group. Being the oldest (9). The other kids love too follow his example (which is very good most of the time). Though he is talkative and funny, he also is very helpful and considerate of the other kids. He loves to read, and do puzzles and play with James. Right now he is useing Kate's piano books to teach himself to play.
This change has helped me to get a better hold on the organization of my house. If I didn't have such good kids to watch I think I would go crazy.
Right at the desk where you are reading this, you can probably build your very own mini crossbow. No knives, wood, electric appliances or any other expensive equipment are needed. All you need are some basic office supplies, ten minutes, and these instructions. (check out the link above for pictured insturctions)
Steps
Line up two of the pencils parallel to each other and secure them with tape, leaving at least a centimeter untaped at both ends in order to leave a space for the rubber band later. Repeat for the other two pencils.
Create a cross that looks like a lowercase "t" with the two pairs of pencils. Secure them in that position with either tape (electric tape works best), rubber bands, or glue.
Unscrew the tip of a cheap or useless pen. Unscrew the other side of the pen, and then take out all of the inner mechanisms. (Save the ink cartridge because that will be used as the ammo later.) After doing that, you should end up with a hollow tube.
Secure the tube to the vertical side of the cross with tape.
Stretch a rubber band horizontally across the crossbow, anchoring it between the two pencils and going over the pen in the middle.
Wrap a piece of tape around the middle of the rubber band where it passes over the pen.
Tie a rubber band between the pencils and the bottom of the hollow pen. This is to add elevation, which will come in handy later.
Put the ink cartridge back into the tube so that it's sticking out slightly.
Stretch the rubber-band to the end of the tube.
Grab the ink cartridge, pull it back further with the rubber band, and let go.
Tips
Try experimenting with different types of bolts (the "arrows" used by your crossbow). Some bolts might work better than others, due to their size, shape or weight.
The bow isn't very good at long distance shooting, so if you want to pierce something, shoot it from very close up.
Use a bendable ruler for the base. It will give a little more flexibility, offering more power when the projectile is released.
Use a binder clip as a trigger.
Warnings
Do not aim this at people or animals, even as a joke. Accidentally letting go of the rubber band from something as simple as someone bumping into you might cause a serious injury.
If made poorly, the crossbow won't work well and will be hard to handle.
Do not look into the end of the crossbow while loaded. Use common sense.
10 Years Ago -- I was in my senior year of high school. Probably skipping class with one of my friends (i did that too much). I was working full time evenings at the local movie theatre.
9 Daily Uses -- Books, Internet, Computer, Microwave, Lotion, Gel (gotta hold the hair in place), calculator, radio, cell phone.
8 Things on My To Do List -- Dishes, Laundry, Paint the bathroom, Paint the patched spot on the ceiling, get ready for a garage sale this spring, pay bills, go throw my closet, clean and go throw our storage room.
7 Places I Have Lived -- K- Falls, Roseburg, Seattle, Kent, Riverside, Upland, HERE!
6 Things I Enjoy -- Reading (DUH), chips, smiles from my kids, singing, good friends, chocolate.
5 Facts You Don't Know About Me -- I have a hard time buying things for myself. I love the sale racks, and am a sucker when I find a great deal even if I don't need it. I have a baked potato with cheese and ranch on it almost everyday for lunch. I am anemic and I get iron infusions to keep me up to par, but I haven't been in for almost a year so I am really feeling slow. I drink Pepsi for my energy right now.
4 Jobs I've Had -- Hostess at a Mexican Resturant, Box Office at the movie theatre, Asst. Manager at a jewlery store, Decorative Lighting Consultant
3 Bad Habits -- I almost always forget to send out birthday cards on time (SORRY), I procrastinate almost everything till the last minute, I hate to file things so I use the pile system until David files them for me.
2 Books I Last Finished -- Midnight Star by Catherine Coulter and Mountain Laural by Jude Deveraux
Happiness is a byproduct of helping others. No man ever finds happiness by thinking of himself. True happiness comes when we lose ourselves in the service of others- -when we are merciful to our fellowmen."
—Royden G. Derrick
St. Patrick's Cathedral attracts thousands of mourners, including US president Bill Clinton.
