Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Jog or Blog?

I woke up before 5am from a bad dream and could not go back to sleep. We had our last PTO meeting before the summer last night, and therefore I had a dream about PTO.  Since I am up, do I go jogging or doing some blogging? I am in desparate need of both, so maybe when I am finished here I will put on the 'ol running shoes. I want to explain that although I have seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth, I have begun writing in my journal again. It has been a few weeks since I started and I feel much better now that my thoughts and experiences are being recorded. It is easier without the pressure of providing a cute anecdote or pictures. I love ldsjournal.com!

The first couple years of living in our house, I spent much time (and money) trying to make this large space feel like a home. I painted, crafted, and designed like a woman posessed. Then I lost the appetite and interest.  The economy fell and Chad and I turned our focus on preparedness. For a year we built up our food storage and preparedness supplies. I feel much more knowledgable and prepared in that area. We have an EXCELLENT preparedness committe in our ward and they put on the BEST classes and activities!

Naturally, I found myself a little interested in decorating again.  Springtime seems to do that. So I am posting a few pics of some projects I have been working on.
I sanded and repainted this old picnic table for our backyard. It had splinters and old paint and sat under our porch neglected.

 
Our contractor put up number stickers in our window to serve as an address so workers would know which was our house.  Not the most attractive solution, but it was functional enough for 3 1/2 years. But then we put up dark sun shades on the windows to cut down on power bill and now you can't see the address numbers. So I found these address tiles at Home Depot and voila!


With the  back porch  bare, I managed to talk Chad into getting a patio set, sure that if we actually had something to sit on, we might spend more time out there. I found this set on sale for a screamin' deal and got a few pillows for mother's day.


My friend Marci posted on her blog a wall hanging she made using a large canvass, black spray paint and lots of words cut out with her cricut. I wanted to make one too so we got together last week and worked on mine, along with an idea she had for teacher gifts. I hung it downstairs since I do not have a thing on those walls. I love it! Thanks, Marci!


For Christmas the kids gave Elaine a cricut machine and only recently I have gotten my hands on it, to learn its potential in order to teach Elaine, of course! With being Beehive Counselor and ward camp director, I have been needing to get some projects done. Jennifer came over and showed me how to cut out vinyl and here is something I did for the girls' room door. Don't worry, the boys will have their revenge very soon!






I absolutely LOVE my kids' teachers this year! Miss Evavold (Miss E.) and Mrs. Chrisman care so much for their students and it shows in many ways. With being on the PTO for 2 years (soon to be 3) and volunteering in Ressa's class regularly, I have gotten to know these women well and feel so grateful for the impact they have made in such a short time.  Today is the last day of school and here are the plaques we made for them. I already had the wood and everything, so a couple sheets of vinyl was all it took!





Well look at the time! I guess I will have to go jogging tomorrow! I hate it when that happens!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Dare to Derby!

This year Chad was determined to make fast and furious pinewood derby cars for the boys.  Especially for Jackson, to make up for a disappointing showing last year.  So Chad spent countless hours (and dollars) on making the finest cars ever! I missed the first boys' first derby last year because of the foot surgery I had to have, so I was glad to go and see what the big deal was.  Our troop rented a track this year and this couple from Mesa brought out this nice electronic track and big screen that gave instant results. Pretty fancy!


Here are the cheerleaders!





I love this picture of Miles biting his shirt in nervous anticipation!






I am sorry to say that Jackson's car finished with similar results of the previous year. BUT he gets first place from his mother for being such a good sport about it. Each race, I could tell he was disappointed, but put on a brave face and waited for the next time. And the next time. This year Chad put on this oil on the wheels (yes, this kind was legal!) instead of graphite. Well it turns out the one of the scout leaders was putting extra graphite on all the cars' wheels before the race. Chad took a look at Jackson's wheels and they were all gunked up! Carson's wheels weren't as bad, but he still finished in 3rd place! Well, it was a good night anyways. Only one more year in cub scouts. One more year for redemption!




Thursday, February 18, 2010

Valentines & enchiladas


On Tuesdays, I have Taco Tuesday at my house(formerly known as Taco Wednesday). This is a playgroup thing I started a few months ago. This week my friend suggested a Valentines Party afterward for the little kids not yet in school. We don't ususally have this big of a turnout for lunch, I assure you, but promises of candy and hearts was too much to resist.


For some reason, Lauren was under the impression that this was HER valentines/birthday party. So when it came time to go outside, she discreetly informed me, "Mom, I don't need my friends to sing Happy Birthday to me. We can just do our valentines."  That was so selfless of her.


I didn't get very many pictures, but here are the few I did take.