All caught up and back again.

About a week ago, our rainfall for the month of March was at 30% of normal. After this weekend, we are at 100% of normal! We are still way behind for the season overall, but we are on our way to recovery.


Better than the rain we've been getting (Vancouver got almost 3 inches this weekend!), the mountains are getting snow! They are expecting another 1-2 feet tonight. It is really good news because a month ago Mt. Hood was quite bare! No kidding. It had patches of snow, but it had more bare spots than snow. Scary. We are hoping that snow just keeps on piling up!

So tonight Ryan started his new term. He will have classes every Monday and Tuesday night. Fortunately he does not work on Monday or Tuesday so we will still get to see him in the afternoons. Today we had Family Home Afternoon before he left for school.

Acadia wanted to know what was the difference between her school and Ryan's school. She just cannot imagine no recess, playtime, coloring, etc. Funny. Cute.

Happy Easter

I hope you enjoy your Easter celebrations today! My cold is mostly gone, but it's still bothering me enough not to invite anyone over for dinner. We did enjoy a wonderful morning at church. Now I'm going to make my family some ham, potatoes, and green bean casserole. Yum!

Wishing you a Happy Easter!

Morning Surprise

We awoke this morning to an Easter surprise!  The Easter Bunny decided to visit us a day early! We got four movies: The Incredibles, Bambi, Mary Poppins, and The Best Two Years. (We've watched the three Disney movies already today!) We also got a Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition of Monopoly - Cool! Of course, Acadia had a basket full of goodies and had fun finding all the eggs that bunny hid for her!

Since we had so much fun hunting for eggs today (Acadia hid them all again for Ryan and I to find - she used the same hiding places Easter Bunny used! Too cute!), we have an e-card for you...click here.

I did take video of Acadia today, whenever I get around to it I'll make still photos and post them...but it's not likely to happen today. Stay tuned!

I'm slacking.

Yeah, I've not been posting as much lately. But I am finally getting over this cold, so maybe that will change.
I was doing pretty well, so yesterday I devoted the whole day to our friends, Beckie and Jack's temple sealing. There were lots of errands to do before hand, to get ready for the party we were throwing for them afterwards.

I was fortunate to be with Beckie in the "Bride's Room" as she dressed for her sealing. She has waited so long and they have worked so hard to get to this point. It was a great day!

Of course, the sealing was beautiful! Then afterwards we took some pictures, here are a couple:




This one is with Bishop Crawford

That evening we had a reception for them at the Smith's home. We had munchies and a beautiful cake topped with the Portland Temple:


(All flowers (including corsage) were purchased at Aunt Kris' shop, Ladybug Landing.  Tons of comments on how beautiful they were!)

Everyone had a good time, it was a great day to celebrate!

---

But this morning I woke up to a little scare! My congestion had grown worse, not better and when I blew my nose...well, let's just say it wasn't the normal color. I had no fever so I didn't think it was an infection, but just to be safe I called the advice nurse. They offered suggestions which have helped. I'm to keep an eye on my temperature, if it rises or if the symptons don't improve with treatments, I should go in. So far my temp is good and the meds help. *Keeping fingers crossed!*

So that's been my last couple days...you're now up to date!

Let's Talk Movies

1. What is your favorite movie of all time?  The Lord of the Rings (the entire trilogy, it's too hard to choose which one is best)

2. How often do you watch this movie? We usually watch some part of the movies at least a couple times a week.  Sometimes everyday, for just an hour or two at a time.

3. What's your favorite line out of the whole movie?  So tough to choose one..."Don't be hasty", "Po-Tay-Toes", "Look's like meat's back on the menu, boys!", "I always like going South, somehow it feels like going downhill."... But I think my very favorite is, "May it be a light for you in dark places when all other lights go out."

4. Who's your favorite character from this movie?  I love so many of the characters...but you know I've got to go with Aragorn!

5. What scene do you love the most?  Another tough choice!  Smeagol catching a fish in the Forbidden Pool...Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn talking on the wall as they are waiting for battle to begin at Helms Deep...Eowyn killing the RingWraith...Gandolf pulling Sam through the window at Bag End...Aragorn revealing himself to Sauron (scene from the extended version)...Aragorn jumping off the boat in Gondor...Smeagol ridding himself of Gollum...  I can't choose one favorite, they are all awesome!

Funny you should mention the mutt.

(Mom asked about Simon in a comment she left for my Some Sabbath entry.)


We have come to a point where a decision needs to be made. And it's going to be an expensive decision, most likely. The past two weeks have been really bad with his tail. We have gone back to using the cone. But he can't eat with it on, so we take it off while we watch him eat, then replace it immediately when he's done.

Yesterday we took the cone off, Ryan went to go put the food in the bowl. When Simon started eating, Acadia noticed he had pulled off the bandage. It had only been a minute or two! And in that short time he had already managed to spray the entire kitchen with blood! It was another thorough job and I'm just glad it wasn't in a room with furniture or carpets.

Ryan threw him outside and he hasn't been in since. I think this is the first night he has ever spent outside since we adopted him 7 years ago!

We realize we have 4 options.

1) Keep him as an outside dog. (That would be fine when the weather is nice, but not realistic during winter.)
2) Give him away.
3) Dock his tail.
4) Put him to sleep.

We were really close to ending it all. We were ready to just put him down. But after we sat on the idea for awhile, we started thinking we should bite the bullet, pay the money, and dock his tail. It will be another several hundred dollars, but hopefully it would solve the problem once and for all.

We just feel like it would be a better lesson to teach Acadia to take care of him, and not just get rid of him because he is annoying right now. Truly, he is a good dog, it's just this stupid tail problem!

Monday's Mutterings

1. Stink:: skunk
2. Renewal:: recommend
3. I remember...:: way back when
4. Loneliness:: sad
5. Ooooh:: la la
6. For real:: no kidding
7. Titanium:: strong
8. Get down:: yelling at a dog
9. Rupture:: break
10. Dramatic:: hehehe - redheads

Some Sabbath

I mentioned we're all sick. Did I mention that we are all REALLY sick? Ugh, this is NOT fun, as we have all repeatedly stated.


Poor Acadia seemed be to the best off, then just before bed her ear started to hurt. No fever, so I doubt it's an infection. We suppose it is from the cold and pressure in her head. Gave her some more meds and sent her to bed. An hour later she was still up and crying. For the remainder of the night, Ryan and I took turns staying with her as she laid and cried all night. We tried everything. Applying heat, flushing her ear with warm water, eating, drinking, cold meds, pain meds. The best was the pain meds which helped, but did not take the pain completely away.

So, it is 11 am on a Sunday morning. Cadi still has an earache and a cough, but other than that, she seems fine. She has energy at least. :lol: Ryan is achey, coughy, stuffy, and exhausted. I think he was up a little more than I was with Cadi. I only got up less than an hour ago and the reason was so I could give Cadi more meds. But since she is up and wanting food, I've decided to stay up for awhile at least. I have major sinus problems and a cough that feels like it's shredding my lungs.

I've broken my own rules and let Acadia watch whatever she wants today. Currently we're on Disney Channel. Typically on a Sunday we only watch church videos or other programs that help us think about Christ. I just don't have the energy to maintain that rule today. Acadia has never had a problem with it, and wouldn't if I enforced it today either. It's just me feeling lazy and awful and complacent.

So no church, no BYC meeting (aw shucks!:lol:), no fireside tonight. I'm hoping that we all get enough of whatever we each need so tonight and tomorrow are much better!

Spring

We have been in a Spring like state here in the Northwest for awhile now. This has been great in one way - beautiful weather, warm temps, open windows. However, our area is facing serious low water levels. Imagine that, in Washington! But it's true. So we have been very grateful for the rain that has come this week! And we are hoping that our spring is more like a winter for awhile at least.

Here we go again!

We are all sick with colds here. It started when Acadia started coughing earlier in the week. Then a day or two behind her, Ryan and I both started.


We're all doped up on cold medicine and the house is a mess. But at least when we're done with it this time, hopefully it will go away. Last time one or two of us would have it at a time and it just kept cirulating. It took over a month to get it out of our house!

Ryan stayed home from work yesterday and today. I'm skipping a Stake Women's Conference today. Cadi's bummed because she was looking forward to the babysitter she was going to have. I told her that next time we'll try to get the same girl.

---

On a seperate note: Today is Susan Roser's birthday!

Happy Birthday Susan!

We will have to call her soon. I cheated and sent e-cards and an on-line gift certificate for her gift. I hope she doesn't mind. With Cadi sick and Ryan and coming down with it, I just didn't get anything in the mail earlier in the week.

Top Five

1. What are your five favorite all time TV shows?

The Mole (why didn't that show make it?), Dr. Phil, Today Show, Friends, X-Files

2. What five things you want to do before the year is out?
Go to British Columbia to go whale watching, Learn sign-language, Finish painting the inside of my house, Catch up on my scrapbooking (yeah, right!), Reach my weight goal

3. Who are five people (alive, dead, or otherwise) you would want to have dinner with?
(Okay this isn't necessarily to have dinner with, but to spend time with - but I guess that goes for all of them...) Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Jr., Gordon B. Hinckley, Sariah, Aragorn (not Viggo so much as Aragorn)

4. Where are five places (cities, states, countries, etc.) you would like to visit?
New Zealand, British Columbia, Church History Tour (I'm lumping that as one - deal), New York City, Washington DC

5. What are your five favorite desserts?
Bobbin' Bo's Norma Jean Sundae, Leatherby's Black and Tan Sundae, Strawberry Cheesecake, Marionberry Pie ala mode (or Marionberry Pie ice cream), Ranger Cookies

If you were born 12 years ago, you'd be graduating from Primary today.

Ryan joined the church 12 years ago today. Fittingly, Acadia's class talked about baptism. It was neat for her to come home and share what she learned about and then for us to be able to tell her that it was the anniversary of Daddy's baptism.

We sang "Happy Birthday" to his baptism day.

One year ago I wrote more about this important part of our family history. You can read about it here.

Tonight we are going to a fireside at church. The Sister Missionaries will be leading a discussion and answering questions. One of my Mia Maids who is just coming back to church is coming. She and her brothers came to church with us today. I hope her mom will come too. We have also invited the Reamer family and hope that they will come.

When I think about how much the Gospel has changed Ryan's life and therefore mine and Acadia's, I am reminded how important it is to try to share it with others. What if it could help benefit someone else's life just as much? And of course it can! We need to be willing and ready to share it with those who cross our way. And just think, someday it could be the 12 year anniversary of their baptism. They could come home from church and be able to tell their spouse and children of the difference it has made in their lives.

It could happen.

Ice Cream Makes Everything Better

My Mia Maid and I had a good time getting ice cream today. She was still very bummed, but was handling it well.


The good news is that two teams have told her that they would save a position for her. They are so confident in her abilities that she won't need to try-out or even practice with them at all until she's ready. She should be ready to go by the time games start this fall. She said that there were 4 teams trying to get her this year. One went to State and took 2nd place. She won't be able to play with them this year, but at least she'll get to play on the other teams.

What I hadn't realized is that she isn't just missing out on soccer, but also track. All her friends play different sports throughout the year, but are on the track team together. It's a really fun time for them, they train together, hang out after meets, etc. So, she's missing out on the sport and quality time with friends.

With her two favorite things taken from her for awhile, she's been left wondering if she has any other talents. She had just taken her first piano lesson in four years the day before the injury. And she can't really play any other instruments right now either. She does like to write though. She's been using writing as her outlet, where running used to be. She also is interested in learning photography. She wants to take a class next year in school.

I did find the opportunity to remind her that Heavenly Father loves her and cares about her and her arm. I also suggested that she watch for the opportunities that come her way during the next few months that wouldn't have happened if she were on the track and soccer teams. She agrees, but is still sad - understandably.

We talked about lots of stuff. She is the oldest in her family. She talked about her sister who is a Beehive. Her sister is into gymnastics and dance. My Mia Maid would like to learn to dance, but doesn't want to crowd in on her sister. She has never appreciated it when it's happened to her. Besides, the sports are her thing more than the interest in dancing. So she chooses to support her.

We talked about her friends at school. Drama, drama, drama! I remember those high school years! How fun to be on the other side of it now, hearing about all the crazy drama instead of being caught up in it!

In the end, we both took home some left over ice cream to stash in the freezer. We had a good time. She thanked me and I told her I just wanted to help her have a positive end to her rough week. I didn't say the words "I love you" or "I care about your situation". But I hope she felt it, because I really do.

Toys

1) What was your favorite toy as a child?

I really liked Barbies, My Little Ponies, and Pound Puppies. But my very favorite toy was Amy Ann, my Cabbage Patch Kid (which really wasn't a real Cabbage Patch Kid, but she looked EXACTLY like one)

2) What is your favorite toy now that you're "grown up"?
My Yamaha Clavinova.

3) What is the most dangerous toy you had growing up?
Gee, I don't know. The Sit-n-Spin? You could get so dizzy on that thing! Or if you tried it standing up, you could fall down. We may have had a more dangerous toy, but I can't think of what.

4) What is the most dangerous toy you have now?
The computer! I could waste my whole day on it!

5) What one toy do you wish you had/have?
Black Lacquer, Baby Grande, Yamaha Disclavier.

2nd choice - Honda Odyssey, fully loaded of course.

More realistic choice - (don't laugh) a toaster oven that hangs above the counter

Acadia as "Mr. Toad"

Ryan likes to read to Acadia out of the "Frog and Toad" books. Tonight as he was reading to her before bed, she was drawing pictures of the things she had done today.


Ryan reads, "Mr. Toad sat up in bed and began to write a list." Ryan then stops reading for a moment, looks at Cadi sitting in bed and writing (or drawing) a list of things she did today.

He said, "Cadi, you're being like Mr. Toad!" She was even sitting cross-legged, which could be seen to look like froggie legs.

Very cute moment.

My First Real Test

Last night was mutual. We took the youth to the temple, walked around in small groups and talked about it. In my class there is one girl who is new to church and doesn't know much at all about it. I had the other girls tell her what the temple is for, what we do there, how they feel. It was good. Afterwards there was a devotional where we were challenged to "Aspire to something higher." It was a really good evening.

However, one of my girls was having a rough day. A few months ago, she injured herself playing soccer. Her arm has been in a cast, and more recently in a brace. She had been hopeful that it would be healed by now. Yesterday she went to the doctor's office and they learned that there is still a problem. They don't know why it isn't healed, but it looks like this is going to last until the end of summer or even fall.

This would be discouraging enough but to make it even more difficult, soccer tryouts are coming up and this soccer loving girl isn't even going to get on the team this year. (She already missed the end of last season.) As you can imagine, this along with other annoyances that come with having your right arm (she is right-handed) injured and facing another 6 months of healing, was just too much for her to take.

She had put on a brave face but later as we had some quiet time at the temple, she became tearful. I held her as she cried and offered lame phrases of comfort, "It's not fair. I'm so sorry. Life stinks sometimes.", etc. After a moment, I took the other girls to walk some more and let her have some time alone.

I wanted to really talk to her and tell her that I knew Heavenly Father cared about her and her arm. I wanted to tell her that I know she is a strong person and I can see that this trial could be an opportunity for things we don't know about yet. But there were other girls around and I'm not sure that she was ready for that part yet anyways. Right now she was just sad and needed to let that out.

I am going to call when she gets home from school today to invite her out for ice cream tomorrow. I'd like to talk to her and see how she's doing after a couple of days letting it all sink in. If it feels appropriate I'll try to express some of those things then.

From the very first day of receiving this calling, to work with 14 and 15 year old girls, I've worried about finding away to build a relationship with each of them. I don't know what to talk about when I'm with them. I know they consider me old (and I guess to them I am). I don't know if they want to talk to me at all. Sometimes I feel like I'm failing miserably. So I don't want to mess this up. I hope that she feels comfortable with me. I hope I can show love for her without it being awkward.

How do you do that? How do you find the balance? I want to be someone who she will trust and who she knows loves her. But I also need to be her leader. I don't think it's wrong to have a friendship with the girls, but it is important that they respect me as their advisor. I can't be on the same level they are. I think they should see me as a source of spiritual guidance.

But how? I guess I better figure it out by tomorrow!

The Day After Tomorrow

Ryan and I just watched "The Day After Tomorrow", a kind of cheesy end-of-the-world movie.

As soon as it ended, we were flipping channels and quickly noticed that all the stations had the same thing on. Just about an hour ago, Mt. St. Helens had an earthquake, not real big - only 2.0. But after the quake, a very large plume of ash shot up out of the mountain. The plume rose straight up 36,000 ft!

The plume and ash are now blowing to the Northeast. There is no sign of it affecting Vancouver or Portland at all. They aren't overly concerned about it. We've had regular earthquakes up there and minor erruptions for the past few months.

For us it was a little exciting because of the timing. Turn off a movie where half the world freezes over to see breaking news in our backyard. We're really bummed we weren't outside where we could see it though. It's been a beautiful, clear day - it would have been quite a sight!

Make new friends, but keep the old... one is silver and the other gold.

Last night the Reamers came over for dinner and we had a BLAST! They are lots of fun and all night we both kept saying how scary it was that we are so much alike. Just little things that would come up in the conversation. We did talk some about the church. Things like the "missions of the church", which led into temples.

The girls got along great too! And I mean REALLY WELL! As well as Cadi's gotten along with any other kids over here. This is especially surprising because Rebecca's two years younger than Cadi. I was afraid that Cadi would get bored with what Rebecca wanted to play, but nope - they had so much fun together!

I'm going to invite Jessica to Enrichment this week. Although, I know she works and I'm not sure if she gets back in time, so we'll see. I hope it works out. But we do know that we've made some friends and we're planning on getting together again soon. :thumb:

I just got a call from Beckie. She and Jack are inviting us to have dinner with them and the missionaries tonight. BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers. Yum! We're there! I told Beckie that Acadia has the lesson tonight for FHE and asked if she can share it with them. Of course she said yes.

The Williams are becoming more and more like adopted grandparents for her. Beckie watches Cadi everyother week for me while I have mutual (on the Wednesday's Ryan works). They also have Cadi come spend the night sometimes. I'm glad that they have such a neat relationship since Beckie and Jack are our best friends here.

---

Monday's Mutterings:

1. Usher:: Wedding
   
2. Cherish:: Value
   
3. Mistreat:: Abuse
   
4. Forum:: Discussion
   
5. Systematic:: Orderly
   
6. Warning:: Signal
   
7. Wash:: and wear
   
8. I wish:: I may, I wish I might
   
9. Candles:: PartyLite
   
10. Metallic:: SU! pencils
    

How Great Shall Be Your Joy

Last night was a ward activity. We had dinner - hotdogs, baked beans, chips and corn bread. And there was sack races, square dancing, and line dancing. There was a good turnout and it was very fun!

I wish I had taken my camera! When we got up to square dance, Emily Davies (one of my Mia Maids) called out at me to "Look!". Acadia and Emily's little brother, Garret had coupled up and were walking around with arms linked. SO CUTE!!! They square danced with us, complete with Dosidos and Promenades (sp?). As a mother I have to put in my two cents that I like Garret! He is cute, being raised in the Gospel, a sweet boy and as much of a gentleman that you'll see in a 5 year old. And I like his mom! (She's the YW president.)

After square dancing was over, the line dancing started. We were about to join in when I noticed a family walk in that I didn't know. They seemed to match the description of the family we are to "escort". The missionaries had already left so I walked up to them and bluntly asked if they were the Reamer family. Why, yes they were! So I introduced myself and Ryan. We helped them get some food and watched as their daughter, Rebecca quickly joined the other kids playing out on the floor.

We had a great time visiting! Ryan and James work in the same field and even work with one another at Intel. They had never met, but their work impacts the other daily. They are even on the same work schedule. Jessica and I talked about all sorts of things. Where we're from, our families, stuff like that. When I asked if they were planning on coming to church, the discussion became more spiritual. She shared with me her honest thoughts and concerns about the church.

It started out with little things like the classroom walls were white. She felt that the primary classes should have classrooms more fun. When I explained that the classrooms get used for several purposes, she better understood why things are fairly plain. I told her that most teachers do bring props, pictures, flowers, etc to help "liven up" the classrooms.

Eventually we were talking about real concerns. Some of which even us long-time members feel. Like the misconception that everyone at church is so pure and "I" have made so many mistakes. I hope that I assured her that we are all human, we all make mistakes. Every one of us has something(s) in our past we wish we could change. We usually don't call attention to it, though some will share their experience to help others learn from their mistakes. And we don't judge one another. We are all striving to be the best we can be, but not one of us has reached perfection! Thank goodness for repentance!

We had to end our conversation while in the middle of discussing her concerns about Joseph Smith. She was interested about Ryan's conversion and if he had a hard time accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet. Ryan shared with her his feelings of relief. He had been wondering why God's church used to have prophets, but that there weren't any prophets today. When he learned there were, it made sense to him. I told her that the only way any of us can know if it is true is to pray. None of us were there. There is no video of the actual event. No proof beyond the witness of the Holy Ghost. So we each need to read the account, what Joseph Smith claims to have experienced and then we need to pray. It's the only way any of us can know for ourselves. I told her I had done that and I have a testimony of it. I believe he is a prophet.

She told me when we were leaving that she had never felt as comfortable talking to anyone about Mormonism before. She said I seem "real" to her. I am glad she feels comfortable discussing these things with us. I told her and James that I don't like to be pushy about things. I believe in giving people information, answering questions, and then allowing them to make up their own minds. I bore my testimony that for me, I know the church is true. I've prayed about it, I've read the scriptures, and I know for myself. But I don't expect anyone to make their decisions based on my beliefs. I believe we all need to find out for ourselves, then live according to our beliefs and respect eachother's decisions.

At the end of the night, they had accepted an invitation to have dinner at our house Sunday night. I hope we can continue discussing the things on their minds. If they would rather not, that's okay. We'll respect that.

I called the Sisters as soon as we got home to tell them the Reamers had arrived just after they had left. They were so bummed they had missed them! But so glad they came and we saw them right away. They were thrilled to hear we were having them over for dinner Sunday. They were so grateful to hear we had already begun discussing the Gospel and that they seem to feel comfortable being open with us. They said that choosing us as the "escort" family had been an answer to prayers.

There is very little that can make you feel as good as knowing the Lord is working through you to help one (or a whole family) of His children draw closer to Him. I know I'm not perfect and I'm not worthy of having such blessings in my life. But I am sure grateful nonetheless!

How you know when you've had a good workout.

Today I hit the gym...finally! It was the first time this week - and it's Friday! Eeks. Well, it's been crazy for me lately. Being sick, then catching up from being sick, plus regular stuff - life happens.

But I am realizing that I probably won't be at the gym every morning. I can accept that. I just need to adjust my workout schedule. I liked alternating upper body one day, lower body the next. Except that I like working the lower body best, so I always start with that. Then if I miss a day, I start with lower body again! For the last couple of weeks, I've only done lower body! :lol:

So, today I decided I just need to do the whole body every time I go. And my arms were in shock when I picked up those weights! Now I'm starting to feel them and my abs. I like it when you can feel the workout afterwards. It makes me feel good about going to the gym. As long as it's not painful - I don't think I went that far today. Just far enough. :thumb:

From 1 to 5

Another Friday Five


1 thing that's on your mind right now

I need to make a phone call

2 songs you like

Bright Lights
I Think I Love You

3 things that make you angry

Dishonesty
Dishonesty
Dishonesty

4 things that make you happy

The Gospel
My family
Beautiful views of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood
Friends

5 people who have made a big impact on your life

My mom
My best friends during my teenage years: Barbie and Heather
Ryan, DUH!
Acadia

The Mommy Test

This was sent from my Mother-in-law, Susan Roser:


I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.

"Why?" my daughter asked.

"Because it's been laying outside, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty and probably has germs" I replied.

At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Wow! How do you know all this stuff?"

"Uh," ....I was thinking quickly, "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy."

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the daddy."

"Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face and joy in my heart.

My Dream

Last night I dreamed that Acadia and I went out into my backyard. It was HUGE!!! It looked like a big park, which isn't really such a stretch since we have a park right behind our house and a gate from our backyard going out to it.

I think Cadi and I were going over to the shed, which in my dream was on the other side of a hill. The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day! The grass needed to be mowed and as we walked we had to watch out for the dog "piles". Hmmm...This is all too true in real life! Someone has slacked off(that's putting it nicely) in his job to pick up after the dog.

I think there might have been someone else with us in the dream, one of Cadi's friends maybe. And Ryan was at the shed, where we were trying to get. Simon showed up and was running like crazy! It reminded me of  the day we almost had to put him down. When we took him outside before going to the vet, he seemed to get all this energy and ran all over.

I don't know if there was any meaning in the dream. It has been beautiful weather here. Of course, we're in a drought and will pay for all this nice weather later. But it has been nice to open up the windows and go outside without a coat on. The weather reports say that next week we'll be pushing 70 degrees! Not normal for this time of year! We'll have to take advantage of that - maybe go running in a park. We'll just have to watch out for "piles"!

Being an Escort

The missionaries called me last night to ask my family to be escorts for another family that is learning about the church. They are about our age with a 3 year old girl (who I hear is a total Princess - just like ours!) and a 5 mo. old boy.

It will be neat to get to know them and hopefully have them over to our place for discussions. I will be calling them later today to invite them to our ward activity this Friday. It should be fun. There will be dinner and square dancing, plus games and stuff. I hope they come!

Acadia: "This tastes like chicken!"

Me: "Honey, drumsticks are chicken."

Acadia: "No, I mean chicken from cow!"

Thanks to PBS

Acadia was watching a show and one of the characters said something that I repeated to Ryan, it went something like this:


Me - "Do you ever get the feeling a superhero is going to come down and ruin your day?"

Ryan - "Typically when I'm doing something evil and dastardly."

I'm done!

Today I received payment for the last of the e-bay items I sold. And that means I made my last trip to the post office today! (Well for e-bay related shipments.) I've been going just about everyday for the last couple of weeks. So this is a good thing!


And I think I'm done searching for the right paint color for our family room! Yay! Of course that means I need to go buy all the paint, but I can handle that.

It's been awhile.

It feels like I haven't posted for awhile. That's kind of silly because lots of people post far less than I do. I'm kind of a post-aholic or something. I post an entry usually everyday and sometimes more than once a day! Maybe I'm a blog geek.


Anyhow, there hasn't been anything noteworthy to say. Sunday we went to church. We drove a 10 year old boy that lives around the corner from us because his mom doesn't want to go but said he and his siblings could. The siblings were sick so they didn't come.

Church was great, good speakers, good lessons, good all around.

Monday was busy. We got lots of stuff done around the house. Some cleaning, some home improvement. I had a presidency meeting and afterwards went over to meet a new family in our ward.

They have a young woman who will be a Mia Maid soon. She will be coming to dance practices with the Mia Maids now though, so I wanted to meet her and help make arrangements for getting her to practices. Turns out her mom works evenings, so on Wednesday she'll come to my house around 5 and come home with me after practice too, until her mom picks her up a little after 9. It will give me a good chance to get to know her.

I also closed out a PartyLite show that I held this weekend and mailed out the starter show and signed new consultant agreement for my new downline.

Oh, and I got another quart of paint to try on our family room walls. This one is much better. But I'm waiting to see it during daylight hours to be sure. I'll know this afternoon whether I finally found the right color or not.

Well, that's been it. I told you it was nothing noteworthy. But my "need" to blog compelled me to share...sorry!