Tired?

Are you tired of seeing my eye? I know I am. Sorry about the absence. This month has been extra crazy with Christmas things. I was also sick for a week so that threw me WAY off! What I have been up to other than Christmas craziness? Here is a list of a few things that have made me happy!


1. NOG! "It's the NOG!" in the words of my 8 year old. Half of our family doesn't tolerate the lactose so we go for this holiday drink. Good thing about this is it's less fat and calories then the normal low fat eggnog. Best part about it is it tastes SUPER yummy and it doesn't upset my tummy!

2. I read this one day while I was sick. Yes I do think it was one day. Well maybe a day and a half. I could NOT put it down. It has all the requirements that I need for a good reading: romance, suspense, and great characters. If you haven't read this- do! I highly recommend it!

3. My favorite show of the year is GLEE! It was a sad day when I heard that no new episode will be shown til APRIL!! WHAT?!? Are you SERIOUS?! Luckily I have the soundtrack on my iPod and I haven't deleted the last few episodes from my DVR. Here is the best rendition of "Don't Rain on My Parade" I have EVER heard! (pause the music player before you play this!) EDIT 12/23 -Apparently they took down the video I had on here first. Now we just have the audio and not the video. You can watch the episode on Hulu if you want to see it!



There you go! A few of my newest favorite things. And now you don't have to see my eye anymore! Now I need to go see if my Christmas cards have arrived yet in the mail so I can send them out!!!

Playing Around...

Today instead of making my grocery list (obviously my favorite thing to do), I decided to play around on Photoshop. I wanted to see how the effects work and mess around with them a little. I first took a picture of my eye. Cropped it close up, then tried a bunch of the different effects. Here are my favorite ones. The one on top is called Mosaic Tile. You can select more or less tiles, grout size, and lighten the grout. I like how it turned out.

Next one below is pretty freaky. It's called Glowing Edges. I think it looks like an alien eye or some sort of science fictional character! I can't help but love it!

This one is Rough Pastels. I like how it looks like a painting on a canvas.

This one is my absolute favorite. It's called Dry Brush. I'm pretty sure this effect will be used again. I absolutely love the look it gives to the photo. All the texture in it is smooth and enhances the lines.

This is a slow and steady learning process I am having with this program, but I am totally loving it. I am blogging my progress so I will be able to look back and see how much I grow. Hopefully someday I will be a pro at this and can make great things with my talent. One thing I do know is my grocery list is not growing. I guess I need to focus on that now!

Heavy...

Yesterday my friend asked me to go to a weight training class at the gym with her. I was reluctant at first, but decided that I needed something to motivate me. I hadn't been to the gym in almost 2 weeks, so I had to get my butt into gear somehow!

If you know me very well you know that I am pretty wimpy when it comes to being "strong" or "sporty". I just don't do well in those concepts. You might know also that working my arms at the gym is my least favorite activity. I will work my legs up the wazoo before I do anything with my arms. Going to this weight class I knew there would be arm working, and it freaked me out, but I decided it's about time my arms got some attention.

The class was hard, but I LOVED it! Thanks to Heather for making me go with her. She had to help me, but I felt that I could do most of the stuff (especially after she showed me how)! I had very little weights on my bar, but I feel that with practice I will be able to add on more.

I can't help but think of how parts of our life sometimes gets hard and heavy and we just don't want to work on it. We will carry on with the easy parts, just because it's easier, but the things that are uncomfortable we ignore. There are things in my life I know I have been trying to neglect, but I am going to try to lift a little at a time and hopefully be able to get strong enough I can lift it all. Even if it does mean I may be hardly able to move the next day. :)

Nature...

I love Oregon and I need something to distract me from my kid who is home from school. She is pretty much better from her sickness except for a very persistent cough. I took these pictures when we went there last month. Love the green. Love the trees. Love the water. Love the sand. Oh and I even love the spiders. (Only if they are perched safely away from the house and in the middle of their webs!)

Bathroom Redo...

If you have been to my house you have seen my little tiny bathroom that's at the front of the house. You step up a couple steps and there you have it, a little tiny bathroom. The ceiling is very low, I can even touch it standing on my tippy toes. Oh and the thing I really dislike about it is there is a stinkin' window right to the side of the toilet! I can't do anything about the window, unfortunately, but I can do something to make it not seem like a midget bathroom. With some ideas from my friend and some inspiration from a pillow I have I gave my bathroom a little makeover! Here is the photographic evidence:

Before and during pictures (click to enlarge)

Now for the BIG REVEAL!

Looking into the bathroom from outside it.

Above the toilet some much needed decor.

We installed a hand towel ring for your hand drying convenience.

Towels are a work in progress. I like them but Marshall's didn't have enough of the print I wanted (the big one), so I am trying to see if the other one (the small one) will work.

Rug is also trying to win it's way into my heart. What do you think?

Finishing touch is the window valance I made. Big thanks to Darla, I could never do things like this without her inspiration and drill!

Project complete!

Canning Adventure...

Last week a couple friends and I split some boxes of produce. We got them for a good price that Sara so kindly organized and picked up. Stacie and I decided we would can our portions of produce. Well, my dear friend Stacie had never canned before in her life! I, on the other hand, have canned many a times during my life with my grandma and step mom. That being said I am not used to being the one all knowing about what I am canning. So with a little help from this huge jem:

Stacie and I were on our way! First day we did salsa with our tomatoes and jam with our peaches. The next day we did tomato sauce with the rest of our tomatoes (we had a lot of tomatoes that were VERY ripe). Then the last day I whipped out the pears. Here is a collage of the fruit of our labors!

Who wants to join us next year?

I now declare blog strike -OVER!

I suppose I was on a blog strike. At first it wasn't a conscious decision to be on a strike. I really didn't have anything to blog about. Then came the first day of school. Everyone was blogging about the first day of school. The kids in front of the house with their backpacks on. Looking so cute in their new school clothes. Big huge grins strewn over their faces. We took pictures like that. We really did. But what happened after those pictures were taken was something we didn't really see coming. It may seem like nothing to you, but it is definitely something to me.

Separation Anxiety

No I wasn't the one having this problem, my new 1st grader was. It had been slowly creeping it's ugly head just when the summer had started. We can't even say that there was a real trigger, because it was so gradual. Then first day of school happens, and BOOM, it's ugly head is there in full force taking over my sweet sweet child. Because this child is usually such a sweet, happy, and bouncy kid this thing made her seem like someone I didn't even know. It really scared me.

When it came time to possibly blog about this occasion. I sat down on my computer and looked at the cute pictures of the happy child.

Then I lost it.

That is when the strike truly began. With time and counseling my child is doing lots better. The big ugly head that is separation anxiety only comes up a little now. We are having lots of help with dealing with this from her teacher and a therapist that we are taking her to.

I can now share the pictures from the 1st day of school. But you will have to go to the family blog to see them! Let me know if you need an invite to that.

Feelin' crafty...

So here is what I have done in the past few weeks:

I read Confessions of a Shopaholic.
I read Shopaholic takes Manhattan.
I read Shopaholic ties the Knot.
I read The Time Traveler's Wife.
I read The Actor and the Housewife.

I babysat for multiple people.

I helped my kids with their summer schoolwork that I so kindly bestowed on them.

I did laundry, but did not iron, so therefore I have a nice ironing pile waiting for me.

I started a Facebook page, not sure what I think about it, but it's fun to see old friends on there.

I forced my friend to let me and another friend help her pack up for her move.

I gave some much needed cooking lessons to my very young, but dear friend!

I wore my new THE FRAY T-shirt not once, not twice, not three, but four times since the concert. (I may have to post a picture!)

Last, but certainly not least.....
I got CRAFTY!!

This is big for me since I am so far from crafty! Luckily this craftiness was helped by an idea on a website. Here they are:

A little Giraffe!

The Giraffe and (anorexic) Elephant!

Back side is MINKY! (so soft!)

I made these for my friend's little girl that just turned one last week. I LOVE how they turned out. I even had to draw the template by myself. Even though the elephant is anorexic, I don't care! I'm also going to make a couple tote bags this week. I'm in a sewing mood!

Happy Birthday to me!

Last week was my birthday and my birthday present from DH was redeemed last night! We went to THE FRAY CONCERT! You remember my love of their new album? Well I am even MORE in love with it now! Seeing them perform live was amazing and I can't wait til they come again!!!

p.s. I posted a new playlist so now you get to listen to The Fray! Aren't you so happy about that?

YUM-O...

The 4th of July holiday just a couple days away and I have not a clue what we are going to do. So far we are going to hit the parade in the morning. After that, who knows. What I do know is that I want to share with you a super yummy dessert I made a few weeks ago. Here it is:

Simply Sensational Strawberry Shortcake

(if you click on the top picture it will take you to the recipe)

The recipe is from from Kraftfoods and it is so DELICIOUS!! If you need a nice summer treat here you go!

Great Deal...

Just a quickie...

I follow quite a bit of blogs on my Google Reader. If you don't use this you are REALLY missing out. Anyway, I am getting off track a bit. Today on one of these blogs there was a great deal added on to the recipe that was posted. Basically you need to just go to the blog and see what I am talking about. It's Real Mom Kitchen, and there is a coupon code for this great site, called Shabby Apple, that sells super cute dresses. I really like this oneIt's called "l'Ete" (click on the picture!)

There are a TON of way way cute ones. Go check it out and then comment back on here and tell me which one is YOUR favorite!

(p.s. I have been posting EVERY day this week! All posts have been on the family blog, so go check them out if you haven't already! YEAH for me!)

Guess what...

I'm ALIVE!

Were you starting to think otherwise? In fact I have been so alive that I have not hardly been home, I've been running around so much!

Guess what else...

I have a PLAN!

My plan is to do a post everyday this week until I am caught up with all my happenings. I may or may not post on THIS blog. Remember, I have my family blog that is private. I share more detailed things about my family on there. If you don't have an invite to my private blog send me an email or comment if you think you deserve one!

Today my goal is to download all my pictures from my cameras. Then tomorrow I can start my posting.

Wish me luck!

Things that make me happy...

Today is Memorial Day. I am going to put off the downer thoughts and focus on today's happy things. To start off our ward had a breakfast this morning. I got to make cinnamon rolls for it. I made the dough last night and then got up early to roll it out and bake the yummy morsels! (For the recipe I used head on over to the awesome Pioneer Woman!) I tweaked the recipe and used cream cheese frosting on mine.

Wow these babies were TASTY! And I still have half the dough in my fridge just WAITING to be make into scrumptious little bad boys.

While baking I got to be in my favorite room in my house. While there I rekindled my relationship with a long lost friend...

Oh rolling pin. You probably thought I had forgotten about you after all these years!

After being home for a little bit is was great to walk down the hall and spot this...

The kiddos home and playing games with each other. Their hair has seen better days (i.e. yesterday, now why did I not take pictures?), but that's ok they are playing well and we all were up early.

My newly made darling friend, worked the night shift and her hubby was sick. In comes me to SAVE THE DAY and watch her baby! True story is I actually swiped the baby out of her mom's arms and told her I would bring her home in a few hours. The girls LOVE to play with her and I do to for that matter. We had a good time, and it all pays off when you see this...

Zonked out from all the fun!

Last night I made some great progress on my Photoshop abilities! I was so HAPPY to actually figure something out! Thanks to Ace for teaching me some cool tricks! Here is fruit of my hard work...

I call it "First Dance." That is sort of obvious when it was their first dance after being married. My little brother... LOFF HIM!

Now I have to think thoughts about how I LOVE fitting into my pants, so I won't go eat all the rest of the cinnamon rolls.

Downer thoughts...

Ever have those times when everything you think of is just a downer? Well I am thinking I am starting to think that way and I want to stop it. For example...

My bedroom is so sad to look at. I still have my dresser from when I was a baby. Same with hubs. My bed is just on the frame. My quilts are 9+ years old. I REALLY need to organized things in there, but I REALLY don't want to!

My girl's room needs help. I want to make them new quilts, but I am not creative enough to think about what to do. I want to paint it, but I have to make the quilts first so I know what colors. Their armoire(sp?) doesn't fit all their clothes. They really need something else.

I am going to the gym everyday. But at the end of the day I am SO POOPED! I can't even enjoy my shows or my husband (in that order). Maybe I shouldn't go to the gym. If I don't go to the gym I will get fat and then I will be tired because I am not exercising.

I hate the summer in Vegas. It has already hit over 100* and it's just the beginning. I really don't like being hot.

Ok like I said I really need to stop thinking this way. I think the reason I wrote this is to get it out of my system. Now I will try hard to think positive thoughts and get the downer thoughts away.

(I just realized that I said I wouldn't complain on here anymore. Darn it!)

New toy...

I realized that the last couple posts were a little on the complaining side. I wasn't really complaining, just letting you all know my thoughts. Like I have reminded before about the title of my blog. My little journal for you all to read. I love to share my thoughts with my family and friends. I will try to be more positive, for myself and my diligent readers. (all 10 of you!)

Hubs and I made a purchase of a new toy for ourselves. I have been lucky enough to play with it a little. Although I have NO idea how to really play with it.

We have upgraded our old Canon PowerShot S230 to a Canon Digital Rebel XSi. In order to even turn it on I needed an additional purchase.


I feel like a complete DUMMY trying to use this thing! I am getting better. The great thing about this camera is that on full auto it will take amazing pictures. Since I am not working anymore I needed something to spark my interest and keep me entertained. I am sure this camera will take oodles of time to figure out, therefore providing me the means to keep my mind off of being lonely.

I also found a GREAT deal on Photoshop on Ebay this week. I await the arrival of the other piece to the many puzzles I will be playing with! While these things are puzzling to me, I am truly excited to expound my knowledge on something new!


If anyone has great knowledge of any of these PLEASE share with me! I am going to look for some classes to take, oh and keep on reading my awesome book.

I'm sick...

and tired. Oh and I'm also sick of being sick and tired. I took myself to the ER yesterday morning at 2:30. My throat hurt. Is that a good reason to go the the ER? Well it was good enough for me because it had progressively gotten worse. I couldn't sleep or hardly swallow my own saliva! You should hear the super sexy voice I have! The dr. gave me steroids to make the swelling go down, are they the same kind that give you big muscles? I was also given some antibiotics and pain medication. Then after 3 1/2 hours sent on my merry way home to, hopefully, get some MUCH needed sleep. Sleep came and then went. Not enough. I'm feeling a little better today. I have faith in my little Z-pack(antibiotics). I haven't even used the major pain drugs they prescribed me. I'm tough like that. I think I may muster up some strength, now I'm sure those weren't muscle building steroids, to go take a much needed shower. I should probably eat, it's now 11:00 am. I had 3 bowls of Life cereal yesterday. I may have 3 more today. It's the only thing that sounds good. I like the way it feels on my ailing throat.

Getting old...

When I got married all I wanted was to be older. EVERYONE told me I was "just so young." Which I really was, so I guess they were just telling me the truth. I shouldn't complain. Anyway, back then and even now I am not complaining about getting older. I still feel like I did when I was 20, even though I am now closer to 30, it's really no biggie. It just seems like I should enjoy the ride since it's gonna happen whether I like it or not. Well lately I have been noticing true signs of change in my body. It's really sort of starting to freak me out. Most of the things are so WEIRD I'm wondering if it's just me? Since I am not afraid of being embarrassed I'm going to list some of the things I am noticing:

~ZITS! What is up with the zits man! I am getting them in places I have never had them in my LIFE. i.e. back, neck, face, and even one in my armpit the other day! Oh and I have one growing inside my nose right now! WHY OH WHY??

~ Gray HAIR!! So far the gray hair tally is 6. They are no longer in my head, thank you. Although the time will come I probably shouldn't pull them out anymore!

~ Speaking of hair, I am getting little tiny hairs all over my NOSE! I seriously have to pluck the hairs that are all over the OUTSIDE of my nose!

~ Gas. Yep I have been having even MORE issues with my belching. Although I think this one really could be just me. But I had to list it just in case!

~ Eye bags. Even when I get a good nights sleep it seems like there is still a little shadow under my eyes.

~ Teeth. I just realized that a lot of old people have dentures! I have this one tooth that seems to be a little loose. But it could just be my imagination.

Even though I feel fine and young, all these things are starting to make me think otherwise. Please tell me if any of these things are way abnormal so I know to go see a doctor!

Life...

I remember when I was 18 and just married. I was the cute little wife that made a lunch for her hubby and kissed him off to work. I cleaned my little apartment and read books. I don't really remember what else I did. Then 2 months went by and I was feeling sort of sick. After peeing on a stick the night of hub's brother's open house, our future was inevitable. We were going to be parents not even a year after being married! We were so shocked, we both sat on our hand-me-down couch in our teeny apartment and stared at the wall. After that I was the cute growing 19 yr old pregnant wife. I would sometimes make a lunch and kiss my hubby off to work. I spent many precious moments hanging out in the bathroom vomiting. I think I watched Regis and Kelly so much that I thought I was truly friends with them! Then I started working at an elementary school as a teacher's aide while my belly grew and grew. After my darling daughter decided to be just about 2 weeks overdue, I had a little baby. My life changed in ways I never knew it could. That little girl is now 8 years old and she has a little sister 28 months younger than her. Those two children are my best friends, besides the hubs. I could not imagine my life without those girls! They are what make my life complete. After raising them to be old enough to go to school they are now on their own for 6 hours of the day. That terrifies me! My babies are away from me for most of the day.

Now I am the cute, hopefully shrinking belly, wife. I make lunches for my kids, and kiss them off to school. I ask hubs what he is doing for lunch, make sure he eats something. Then I kiss him off to work on the days he doesn't leave before I wake up. I stay home and I exercise, read, cook, clean, do mountains of laundry, watch a little too many GG that I really truly think I am friends with them.

My life is good.

Need a little Faith…

For our Primary Activity last month we had the kids plant some Rye grass in little pots. My friend who is the 1^st counselor had done a test run to see if the grass would grow. She did this over a month before our activity. Well nothing happened. I think she actually planted the seeds 3 times. When we did it at the activity we had no idea if the seeds would actually grow. My girls had faith that theirs would grow. The Primary president's husband has said he asked all the kids if anyone had grass growing. No one did, but WE DO! One is doing better than the other, but they are growing a ton! They love their grass!

A couple weeks ago hubs had to go out of town for work for most of the week. I hate it when he's gone, and I don't think I can function, let alone sleep. But this time I had faith that I would be fine and guess what I was! Well sort of. I ended up getting sick, BUT it was ok because the kids were so great at taking care of themselves and hubs was actually able to some home 6 hours earlier than he was originally scheduled.

Last week I decided that I need to quit my job. Now this was not an easy decision. I liked working, but I couldn't handle the bad way that I was treated by some of the other employees. (FYI: hubs works there and no it was not him who was treating me bad!) After I put in my notice I got a little freaked out when I thought about being home by myself while the kids are at school. After all, that was the WHOLE reason I got that job, so I wouldn't be alone! After the initial shock faded I decided that I would have faith that it will all work out and miraculously my fear subsided and was replaced by a peaceful feeling! I am actually now looking forward to being home and discovering myself and drenching myself in projects and being able to have more time to be with my family.

Today I realized that having faith is actually not easy. In the scriptures it reads: "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."- Matt. 17: 20

That last phrase that I put in bold is so profound to me! Imagine that if you just have enough faith that NOTHING shall be impossible to you! Grass will grow. Being home by yourself won't be horrible. Fear will disappear. You can move a mountain!

I think we all just need a little faith…

Cute Posies...

One of my great friends is having a cool givaway on her site. Here is a picture of my little one wearing some of her creations:


And hubby too:


(the girls think it's HilAriouS when they do his hair and dress him up! I do too! They did this when he was on the computer.)

(he's going to KILL me!) Oh well!)