I...NEED...SOME...SUN!

I love where I live.  Almost all the time. 

We get 4 seasons.

Not every where gets that.  

I like all the seasons, or at least something about all of them.  

I'm not sure if my favorite is spring or fall.  

I love it when everything turns green and is in bloom but spring can sometimes be cold and yucky here.

In the fall I love that the leaves are changing and it is cooling off and people around me are finally starting to put on more clothes.

(one of the problems with summer, many people with less clothes.  Seriously, COVER UP a little people!)

Summer is always good because, well, its summer.  Long days and less schedule.

In winter I love the snow but hate the cold and the dark.

All of that being said leads me to the first sentence.  

During the winter my little Treasure Valley gets some pretty bad inversions.  That's when all the yucky air is trapped under clouds or whatever is keeping it in and it stays grey and stagnant for days or weeks.

Currently we are going on weeks.

It's cold.

It's depressing.

It's dreary.

It's depressing.

And It's depressing!

We even quit running outside for now because it hurts to breathe that air.

I hear there is still a sun in the sky somewhere.  You just have to get high enough.  I haven't been out of my little valley so I can't say that for sure.  I have seen some pictures on facebook so I think it is up there somewhere.

This is a picture from above all the crap that we have down here. 

I stole it off fb.

That's what is trapping all the grey, depressing air.  

But look...there really is a sun and a blue sky up there!

(unless it's been photoshopped)

Roberts been to McCall and ice fishing in Cascade and he says the sun is there, and even had the nerve to tell me he got a sunburn on one of his trips.

Still don't know if I believe there is a sun up there.

It really does look pretty cool from up above it all.

 But, I am below.

I...NEED...SOME...SUN! 

That's All!

Update on my Goals

It is really hard for me to believe that the first month of 2014 is almost over!

WOW!

Anyway, I decided it was time to check in with myself and see how I was doing on my goals for the year.

1. Write on my blog- I have to say that I am doing pretty darn good on this one so far.  It has been more than a week since my last post but I've written quite a few times so I'm ok with that.

2. Monthly temple attendance- Well, I haven't been there yet this month but I am going on Friday the 31st.  Ya, I know I am barely squeaking that one in but it has been planned that way.  I'm getting off work early and going and I'm super excited!

3.  Spend less, save more-  This one is...well, its ok.  I have chosen not to spend on some things and done well but then did buy something else that I probably didn't need.  I guess if I look at it that way, at least I didn't buy every time I wanted to!  On the save more issue, I have added to my savings accounts so I guess there was success on that front.

4. Run a half marathon-  Of course I can't actually cross this one off until May when its done but I have been working towards it by working out and running.  I will be officially signed up for the chosen half marathon by the end of the month.

5. Be kinder-  I don't really know what to say about that one.  I think I probably need to keep improving.  Well, not probably, definitely.

I think overall I have done a fairly good job so far.  Unfortunately the first month is usually the easiest to stick with it.  

We'll see how it's going in about August.

That's All!

How could I have missed this?

I had a "first" last night.

How could I have missed out on this?

For 45 years...

Last night I got my first ever MASSAGE!

It was HEAVENLY!

What have I been doing my whole life that I have never had time for this?

Well, aside from raising 5 kids and trying to run a house and have a job.  

But seriously?

I know people get them all the time, and I have wanted to try it for really long time, but I'm a big baby and just a little (ok a lot) insecure about my body.

I know they see tons of different shaped people, but it is still hard for me.

Anyway, unbeknownst to Robert I got a gift certificate in my stocking this year from him 

(Thanks Mackenzie) to get one and then I actually did it.

I was afraid it would hurt me because like I said earlier, I'm a baby. 

I will admit there were times it was a little uncomfortable but so awesome when she was done working with that particular muscle. But, overall it was awesome and I think I have a new 

"must do" to add to my budget and schedule.

Somehow...

I'm also thinking that if one massage is good then how wonderful would it be to have a whole day of pampering at a spa?  You know, massage, facial, pedi... The works.

Now, to figure out how to make that happen!

Ya, I could totally get into this!

That's All!

Quilting

In recent years I have discovered a new love...

Funny how my hobbies evolve.

After I got marred I took up cross stitching and did tons of that.  

Then I started toll painting with my friend Angie.  We sawed and sanded and created and painted all kind of things.  We did craft bazaars and  then painted some more.  It was tons of fun that turned into tons of work.  My kids were little tiny guys back then and I spent all of nap time painting and creating.  I even took some classes and spent tons of money on patterns and books and paints and brushes and whatever else I needed to keep me busy.  I hate to think of how many board feet of wood I went through.  

Eventually I got tired of that...well, not so much tired of it as I got started on something new.  

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking was the best ever and I went through the same motions of collecting ALL the stuff I could to use to create my awesome pages.  I got into this with my BFF Nan.  We spent hours every thursday dragging our little kiddos to each others houses to spend the day scrapping together.

I have to say this was probably the best hobby because the end result was a history for our family.  Also some of the best memories for me.

Sadly my kiddos got big enough and Nan and I both got jobs and the free time for scrapping came to an end.  

Then she totally KILLED the dream by moving away.  Ok, it was her husbands fault.  I still blame him.

Anyway, I still have all my stuff and I have an ongoing dream of getting "caught up" but I'm not doing much with it.  I do still love it and someday I will get to it~I hope.

Now to my new love...

Quilting

I'm not very good at it but I do love to make them.  I usually just make up a pattern and go for it but occasionally I use a real pattern.  I have a couple that I have done that I am really happy with.  I made one for all my kids for their senior year.  Jordan's wasn't super awesome because I was really new at it but it was still a little awesome. The other 3 kiddos were really cool.  Not perfect, but perfect for them.

Daisy's and flip flops.  (That was definitely Kenzie.)

Justin's-hockey/Boston Bruins and Batman
(because those go together right?)

Colten's-soccer
(this one has pictures of him from 3-senior year)

(Sadly Jordan's pictures were pre digital, or probs on my old computer)

I'm currently working on one that I am really excited about.  And a little scared.  I guess we will see how it turns out.  It's one I found on pinterest.  I liked it so much that I ordered the actual pattern instead of trying to make it up.  I'm just in the beginning stages of making it now.  The funny thing about pinterest quilting,
I can pin the quilts at rapid speed.  I have tons of them on there I love, but doubt I will ever make very many of them.  At least it is good for ideas.  

The biggest problem with this little hobby is that it is a very expensive one.  The tops aren't too bad but the batting, backing, and mostly the quilting are ridiculous.
 That would be why I have 4 or 5 tops done and folded up and put in a closet.

I have started learning free motion quilting. That is doing the actual quilting part on my little sewing machine.  It is really kind of fun.  I've only done small ones, but people actually do up to king size quilts this way.  

Maybe someday.

After a lot of practice.

A LOT OF IT!

My cute niece Hannah (one of my favorite girls ever) got a sewing machine for Christmas this year.  Grandma helped her make a pair of pajama pants and I told her I would help her make a quilt.  

Yesterday was the day.

She came over in the morning and picked her fabric out of my scrap box and we picked a design and away we went.  We just did a small lap quilt so it wasn't too much for her to handle.  She is new to sewing and straight lines can sometimes be a problem.  Who am I kidding, sometimes they are a problem for me!

After we got the top done I had enough leftover batting from other projects we were able to piece together so we actually go to finish the project.  She did all of the sewing herself until the machine quilting part.  That took both of us.  It can be tricky to feed that through sometimes.

In the end we got it all done and I think she is pretty happy with it.

Maybe I have helped create another quilter for this world!

Somebody has to keep us all warm right?

That's All!

Toe Surgery in Argentina...

So I know I have't written ANYTHING about my missionary I think since he actually got his call but since I'm trying to do better I thought I would add this little tidbit I got today.

I have been feeling better in my stomach. I had nasty diarrhea for 2 weeks straight. NOT FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I did have a different problem. Like in the hospital problem. Not sickness but another problem. A few months ago, well like 6 months ago I started to get an ingrown toenail. Anyway it was way bad. So I finally called the mission nurse. I went to Mendoza city to get it checked. It was pretty infected. Anyway Saturday I got it removed. Oh my goodness was it bad. It was kind of painful when the doctor put in the shot to numb it. He cut it out then dug out the infection. Then he stitched my toenail to my skin. SO I have like 6 stitches in my toe. Super awesome right?! I go back tonight so he can look at it. Then I get the stitches out in a week or 2. Don't worry I will take some pics tonight and send them next week. 

Now, add to that a little text conversation I had with Jen Ayhou (a lady in our ward with a son serving, not only in the same mission as Justin, but also right now in the same area...

Jen~Hey there happy Monday:) How is Elder Miller's toe?

Me~Ha! Good as far as I know.  Today was the first I had heard of it.  He said he has 6 stitches

Jen~Aww.  Ted was telling me he had to buy his own anesthetic so I was sure you must have been in on that.  These independent boys.

Me~Oh geesh! Didn't hear that one.  I'm sure he's trying not to worry his momma.  I put money in his account for Christmas and he took all of it out.  I'm guessing that's what he did with it.

Jen~ Oh gosh and I just blew it.  I'm so sorry.

Me~ Ha no problem.  I'm really not worried although I should probably get him some more money;)

First of all, I really am not worried. I knew from skyping on Christmas that he had been having some stomach issues, but knew nothing of the toe issue. I have complete faith that the Lord is watching over him and he will be protected but holy cow!  He had to buy his own anesthetic?  What does that even mean? I'm picturing him walking into the hospital with a brown bag that has the skull and crossbone or Mr Yuk  logo on it

  . 

 I'm kind of laughing inside at this because I'm so confused about it. Probably it just means that he had to pay for that if he wanted it above and beyond whatever or whoever pays for the doctor and hospital...right? I can't wait till next Monday to question him about all of this.  And probably get the pictures.

I have had 2 other kids have ingrown toenails removed, and neither of them ever had stitches so I am kind of interested to see what the heck they did to him. I'm glad he finally went to the mission nurse and am hoping he has a speedy recovery.  I can't imagine that is to fun with all the walking he does.

Oh, and 11 months and 10 days till I see his cute face!

That's All!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hello 2014

Both my younger boys wanted to know what the big deal about new years was.  Why does everybody go so crazy.  I told them it was so they had a reason to party and get drunk.

It made me think a little about it and about how nice it is to feel like you are getting a "clean slate".  A chance to start over and try to be better or do better.

I have already been working on my 2014 goals.  

Obviously, I'm writing here again.  

But, even before the new year started I made a few decisions that were good for me financially and while at the mall the other day I caught myself mid sentence and said something nice to the driver that made me irritated.  No, he couldn't actually even hear me but I could and so did Mackenzie. 

 (I think she was a little impressed)

I also just got done searching out which half marathon I want to start with.

 I think I found it. 

 It's in May. 

 Guess I better get back to running.

Tomorrow

In other news, the thing I am most excited about in 2014 is that this is the year 

my missionary comes home!

I haven't even written anything about his mission and he has been out over a year.

It has been awesome and I'm so excited for him and his experiences.  Skyping Christmas day was the best/worst part of the day.  Seeing his cute face and talking to him was the BEST!

Saying goodbye, well...another story.

It's all good though.  He is learning and happy and I get to have him back 

THIS YEAR!

What could make it a better year than that?

Happy 2014

That's All