Creative Friday--No Creativity Edition

It had been two weeks since Michelle and I last got together for Creative Friday, so we had a lot of catching up to do.

I love my calendar alerts!

Eva was the only one who did anything creative. She made clothes for her glow-in-the-dark dinosaur and then a pouch (with some help from Michelle) for her stick pony (sadly I don't have a photo).

After a couple of months of fruitless searches for white shipping tags, I finally found some online (through ULINE) in 1000 quantities. Michelle and I went in on them together and will be properly supplied for years!

Eva was cracking us up as she excitedly called a friend to see if she could play (notice her crossed fingers).

Michelle and I talked the whole time, we didn't even get any of our project stuff out. We had to catch up on life chat and spent 2.5 hours doing that. Ahhh, what a relief.

**Thoughts??**

Comment Window Tidbit: It actually snowed today!

Sunday Thoughts

As part of today's Relief Society lesson, the teacher invited her return-missionary daughter to share some of her thoughts/experiences regarding prayer. The first thing she said was, "I encountered all kinds of people on my mission, there were some who had never even heard of the concept of prayer." These words stung me and tears instantly came to my eyes. Prayer is such a huge part of my life that it never occurred to me that it wasn't an option for everyone. I know lots of people don't take advantage of the opportunity to pray, but it was devastating to me to think of people not knowing about the possibility. I would be so lost. I start and end every single day with a personal prayer, we say family prayer morning and night, plus prayers over the food and miscellaneous prayers in our minds throughout the day. Heavenly Father is never far from my thoughts. I can't even imagine what would be there in His place!

**Thoughts??**

Comment Window Tidbit: We have our first Court of Honor with me as Advancement Chair Person this coming Tuesday. I've decided this time is like being thrown into the deep end of the pool from the high dive!! I'm going kicking, screaming and plugging my nose!

Odds and Ends

I'm hurting for stuff to post about because my days are so much the same thanks work. If I could post pictures or tell stories about work I'd have some entertaining (and disturbing) stuff to share, but I can't.

We missed Whitney's penpal Luci's birthday somehow but sent something a couple weeks late. Whitney drew all over the envelope while her fancy lemur watched.

Cathy texted me this mistake-filled message a few weeks ago and it keeps cracking me up.

This is NOT winter weather?! I've got daffodil leaves poking up already!

Michelle sent me this cute Valentine.

Patsy sent me a cute Valentine too!

I don't have a picture of this, but I went to get my eyebrows waxed today because they were so out of control. I pluck them regularly, but somehow overnight I wake up looking like a Wookie! I think my stylist was a bit disturbed by the situation and went at them with a vengeance. She did a good job, but took more than she usually does (I only get them done a couple times a year) so now I feel like there's a lot more of my face...not necessarily in a good way. I'll probably just need to get used to them, but for today I am in hiding.

**Thoughts??**

Comment Window Tidbit: Birthday alley is officially upon us and I'm ill-prepared yet again. I wish I was chock full of good gift ideas, then I don't think I'd mind it so much.

Steps

Remember when I used to sit in my car and read while Whitney was at art class? Well now that I'm a step-counting, pedometer-wearing girl with a goal of 11,000 steps a day I've been using that time to walk. It's funny that I never even considered doing that before, but it's an unfamiliar neighborhood and I like to read so it just didn't occur to me until recently on a day I needed more steps.

I only had 6,318 when I dropped her off at class today, so I drove over to this hill, parked my car and walked. The one flaw in my plan was that I parked at the top of the hill, which meant I had to hike up it when I was tired and ready to be done, but other than that it was great. I had 10,220 when I got back to my car, so I'll easily hit 11,000 by the time I go to bed.

**Have you gone walking recently?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I put myself to bed at 7:20 last night!! I read for an hour but was asleep by 8:30. I felt soooo much better today. I'm like Debbie-Downer when I don't get enough sleep!

3-Day Weekend Euphoria

Guess who spent the majority of her day off cleaning her "office"? That would be me.

BEFORE

AFTER

This photo really doesn't capture the amount of work that went on, but I cleaned out the wrapping paper station which is on the side of the filing cabinet, I sorted through all of our stash of gift bags (there were many that were too ugly to keep), and sorted through a bunch of church pictures and things which normally live on top of the filing cabinet. I hadn't realized how much that mess had been bothering me until I actually cleaned it up.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

This project is not a one day affair, but I made serious progress and feel greatly relieved by the elimination of much of the clutter. 

On a sad note though it is so hard for me to feel happy being back at work after a productive Monday off of work. It felt like a mental battle all day today and then I had a Scout meeting after work that proved frustrating as well. I just want to go to bed and it's not even 7:00 yet. Calgon, take me away!!

Comment Window Tidbit: I don't know how I'm going to make it another 6 weeks until Spring Break!

Sunday Thoughts

I'm actually at a loss as to how to express the way I've been feeling lately. As I thought about this my mind harked back to one of my all-time favorite books The Screwtape Letters.

"Humans are amphibians--half spirit and half animal. (The Enemy's determination to produce such a revolting hybrid was one of the things that determined Our Father to withdraw his support from Him.) As spirits they belong to the eternal world, but as animals they inhabit time. This means that while their spirit can be directed to an eternal object, their bodies, passions, and imaginations are in continual change, for to be in time means to change. Their nearest approach to constancy, therefore is undulation--the repeated return to a level from which they repeatedly fall back, a series of troughs and peaks. If you had watched your patient carefully you would have seen this undulation in every department of his life--his interest in work, his affection for his friends, his physical appetites, all go up and down. As long as he lives on earth, periods of emotional and bodily richness and liveliness will alternate with periods of numbness and poverty. The dryness and dullness through which your patient is now going are not, as you fondly suppose, your workmanship; they are merely a natural phenomenon which will do us no good unless you make good use of it. To decide what the best use of it is, you must ask what use the Enemy [God] wants to make of it, and then do the opposite." page 40-41

During game night recently we were talking about how Satan remembers us from the pre-existence and knows our strengths and weaknesses perfectly, thus he targets those areas that will trip us up the most. They don't have to be huge, disturbing things, they can be the most basic of things that trip us up enough to keep up from doing and being our very best selves. I have been feeling this a lot lately and know that my stumbling blocks are the simplest of things (bouts of negativity, judgment of others, frustration with life, weariness, etc.). I wrestle with these things constantly and that sometimes adds to my frustration. I know that nurturing my spirit through prayer, scripture study and worthwhile use of time is the best way for me to combat my human side....I just wish it didn't take such constant effort!!

**Thoughts??**

Comment Window Tidbit: I am so thankful it's a 3-day weekend!

Shmalentine Rewind

This is the Valentine box Whitney and Randy came up with this year (Whitney's idea). I think it is super clever!

 The manhole lifts up to receive the candy.

My day at work was festive, Wendy made these gorgeous chocolate-covered strawberries (check out those stems) for the office staff.

We receive a bunch of deliveries for students and had to keep them in the office until after school. I thought this multicolored rose was heinous! What a terrible thing to do to a rose!

I cut out some pink hearts and taped them to the inside of Landon's locker and included a bag of Dove chocolate hearts for him, I'm bummed that I didn't take a picture.

My blogging friend Jenny's daughter delivered a morning-mix cd and a Ghiradelli chocolate bar! That was such a nice surprise. My desk drawer looked like a treat haven and cry for help. Ha. I love sugar cookies.

 Randy brought Wendy and I a Cafe Rio burrito to split for lunch.

He also brought all the gift-wrapping supplies needed to wrap a bridal shower gift I had for a co-worker AND he spent 25 minutes wrapping it perfectly for us (Wendy and I went in on it). I considered this a true Valentine's gift!

 I came home to my favorite truffles and a gift certificate for a pedicure. Those have become Randy's go-to gift for me but I'm okay with that.

My visiting teacher had dropped off this perfect-looking, homemade sugar cookie and note. She's always doing cute things.

I'm happy to report that I was in excellent form for this year's holiday and experienced no issues whatsoever. What a relief. I'm starting to view Valentine's Day as a treat fest to enjoy.

**How was your day?

Did you make sugar cookies?

What do you think of that rose?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I was irritated by the first episode of Survivor that I don't think I can watch it anymore. It seemed more like some cheesy Seduction Island type show. TV has just gotten gross, I may have to give it up all together.

Creative Friday--Minimal Day Edition

Monday was a minimal day at school (so the teachers could have meetings) so Landon and I were able to get to Michelle's house by 2:15 with drinks in hand! Michelle worked on some cute Valentines while I put a few packages together and wrote some cards. (Isn't it weird to see Michelle's newly painted kitchen cabinets in the background?)

Lucas is oh so pleased to be almost taller than Michelle and as tall or taller (the hair made it hard to tell) than Landon. Landon is almost exactly a year older than him and yet Lucas is closing in!

It always feels so good to write the cards I've been intending to write.

Our lovely mess!

We were delightfully kid-free for most of our time, but the last hour or so was spent with Max on the computer, Eva at the table with us working on Valentines and Landon and Lucas in the family room playing Rock Band (until I had to beg them to stop because I couldn't take it anymore).

This is my happy output for the day, 5 cards and 3 packages! I so miss sending and receiving good mail as in days of yore. My mailbox used to be such a fruitful place.

**Did you send any Valentines?

Can you stand listening to someone playing Rock Band?

Have you sent any good mail lately?**

Comment Window Tidbit: The new season of Survivor starts tonight, woohoo! I don't watch much TV these days, but this is one show I really look forward to watching each week.

12 on the 12th--February Edition

My grid is courtesy of Michelle yet again!

{click to enlarge}

1. I woke up to a nice rainy morning.
2. I always listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir station on Pandora on Sunday mornings.
3. Whitney was dead asleep and cocooned in comfort until I woke her up around 9:00.
4. I read the lesson for Gospel Doctrine, I love having time to do that on Sunday mornings.
5. Landon practiced his "talk" on me.
6. Our table was covered in some sort of dinosaur stand-off complete with mothers and babies for each breed.
7. Church for 3 hours.
8. I had my first meeting for my new calling as Scout Advancement Chair Person and came out of it feeling overwhelmed that I have to have all the awards organized for a court of honor in 2 weeks times but haven't been given any contacts or information yet!!
9. I spent an hour visiting teaching with these great ladies.
10. Whitney got to do the dinner dishes.
11. Randy, Landon and I went to a YM Duty to God fireside.
12. The glow of my headlight on my book before happily falling asleep.

**How was your 12th?

Did you document your day?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I got some good mail put together and sent today, woohoo!

Sunday Thoughts

Landon gave his first talk in Sacrament Meeting today and did a fantastic job! He prepared it completely on his own, practiced it for me once this morning and then gave it today in front of 400 people. He is light years ahead of where I was at age (13.5). 

He used Elder Bednar's talk from the October 2009 General Conference entitled More Diligent and Concerned at Home as material for his talk about "love in the family". He highlighted Elder Bednar's 3 suggestions for strengthening the love in our homes.

1. Express love and show it

2. Bear testimony

3. Be Consistent

But the most touching part of the talk for me was this personal story he shared. 
 

"I can remember a time when I was about five years old and I was playing with action figures on my mom and dad’s bed when my dad came in the room.  He took me in his arms and told me that he loved me.  He hugged me for a while until, being a five year old concentrated on nothing but my action figure; I told my dad that I already knew that he loved me.  He then explained to me that he wanted to make sure that I really knew it. I think it is in times like these that we find that we really do love each other as a family."

He is currently serving as the President of the Deacon's Quorum (for about 2 months now) and takes his responsibilities seriously. He never complains about going to BYC or his weekly presidency meetings before church. He calls the rest of his presidency to remind them of their responsibilities and he sets a good example for them. I am humbled and amazed by his character and spirit.

**Thoughts??**

Comment Window Tidbit: Goodness, I had an unexpected meeting at 3:00 then a visiting teaching appointment at 4:00 and now we have a fireside at 7:00.

Happy Saturday!!

I was up at 6:30 this morning to take Whitney back to Space Camp (she went from 7-11 last night), then I got donuts for the family (a very rare treat), filled my car with gas and had an hour at home before Cathy came to get me for our walk. We've been driving to various trails (all new to me) and then walking for an hour. We went on one close by today, but totally new to me...I'm giddy about it. It felt surreal to have such a nice trail with a gorgeous view just 2 miles up the road from my house! We had a great walk and talk, which I'm finding to be the perfect way to start each Saturday. I feel so accomplished getting the majority of my day's steps in before 9:30am, plus I get to socialize and breathe fresh air so I end up with a "life is good" feeling before I've even set out to be productive. As much as I adore sleeping in and lounging in bed reading, this new plan is way better for me.

**What are your plans today?

Do you have good trails near you?

Can you believe how snowless we are?**

Comment Window Tidbit:I LOVE this!!

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” —Mahatma Gandhi

Five for Friday

1. I finally took the time to clean out my side of the closet! I don't know why I let it torture it me for so long, it was easier just to take the time to do it. I filled 2 bags for D.I. and have a pile of dress shirts to give to a friend from church. Now I actually have extra space and hangers in my closet and I don't feel like swearing every time I have to hang something up!!

2. One of our frequent flyers at work (kids who comes into the office regularly) brought us a framed print out of her grades because all her grades are over a C. We thought this was so funny, but we also know what a big deal it is for her. We've kept the frame on our counter for over a week and she checks to make sure it's there every time she comes in to the office.

3. Our Relief Society activity this week was a fun speed-dating type activity where we had a minute and a half to ask questions to the person across from us, then everyone slid over one chair and talked to the next person across from them. It was really fun and such a great way to get to know people.

These are the questions they gave us to start with, but as we got going we all asked random questions we wanted to know. It's amazing how much we could cover in such a short time. I have two different conversations that brought tears to my eyes.

4. I've been listening to Pandora so much that I finally paid for a membership ($36) to make it commercial free. I listen to it in the morning while I'm getting ready for the day and then all day at work too, and then at last week's game night I shared my Donna Summer radio station with the group. They didn't love it as much as I do, but I think it was quite nostalgic for Adam and Lori...Amy was baffled.

5. I had a bad headache on Monday and had to get a medicinal Coke (I only have 1 a week) to accompany the medicine I had already taken. I fled to the cozy to read and relax, but didn't feel better until it was almost time for bed. I'm just grateful it wasn't too painful for me to read. I finally finished Death Comes to Pemberly, which I enjoyed but ended up not totally loving it so I rated it 3.5 stars on Goodreads.

**How was your week?

Does your closet need to be cleaned?

What are you reading?

Do you listen to Pandora?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I am so happy it's Friday!! It feels so liberating to know I don't have any obligations after work and that I can sleep in tomorrow.

Wordless Wednesday

Comment Window Tidbit: I've had a better couple of days. Work has been super busy so that keeps things interesting. I'm glad it's not always this crazy, but for this week it has been helpful. Plus Randy brought a Cafe Rio pork burrito for Wendy and I to split (per my request) and that was fortifying.

Oh No

{Click to Enlarge}

I went to a Parent/Teacher conference for Whitney last week and was surprised by a couple things her teacher had to say. 

1. Whitney spends so much time drawing that she sometimes misses instruction and has to come ask me for help later. She also distracts others around her because they want to see what she is drawing.
2. She was assigned a partner to work with for a Revolutionary War project involving text and illustration. When Whitney's partner was asked what he contributed to the project he said, "Nothing, she wouldn't let me help!" (I was horrified by this until the teacher clarified that he is the kind of kid who is more than happy to let the other person do all of the work...but still.)

The projects were hanging up around the room but I spotted Whitney's immediately, she has a detailed style for sure.

Also expressed during this conference was that Whitney prefers to work by herself than in groups even if the assignment is specifically for the sake of learning to work in groups (uh-oh). This was the first time I have ever come away from one of these feeling panicked. This girl has a stubborn streak that makes me nervous. I know that often there are personality traits that don't jive well in childhood but can serve us well as adults, but I'm at a loss as to how to help her.

**Thoughts??**

Comment Window Tidbit: I am battling some attitude problems these days and am feeling rather unsatisfied with life right now. I think I have issues with repetition. It's hard to get up and go to work AGAIN every day, even though it's not bad when I'm there. I feel like I can't do all the things I want to do at home and I have been getting headaches which shut me down so the afternoon hours are useless. Wah!!

Good Mail?

I came home from work today to find that my mom had dropped off this little "gift" for me. Apparently part of the requirement for being the recipient of this gift was having a VCR, so that eliminated pretty much anyone else besides us. I would have been super offended if anyone else had given me this, but from it is funny.

Good mail for real from my visiting teacher was waiting as well!

**Thoughts??**

Comment Window Tidbit: I went for an hour long walk this afternoon, I can't believe it's nice enough to do this in January!!