Sharing a few scrapbook pages...

You will need to click on the picture above to read what I have journaled.  I have been working on my scrapbooking skills.

These are just a few of the new items in our home. 

This is the newest member of our family.  Anyone with an idea for a name just let us know.

Two guys...1 girl

Me and my boys...I couldn't sleep last night and the thought went through my mind I should do a blog listing all the avantages of being the only girl in the house.  My mind went blank.  When I asked Gary this morning what he thought...his mind with blank also.  Hmmm, there has to be some benefit. 

A few things did come to mind... #1... I can take off my jewelry  it remains in the same spot til I want it again.  No one is borrowing my earrings, necklaces and braclets.  This was not always the case with three daughters in the house.  #2 ... My make-up stays in the same place.  Since my girls have moved away, I have been able to keep the same eye shadow and lipstick now for at least 4 years! this also applies to any and all my personals...hair stuff, femine products, etc. #3... No one borrows my socks, tights, shoes, etc.  When I wash them  and put them away they stay there til I want them again.  #4  I do not have to go grocery shopping.  the guys like to do this and they always bring home yummy treats just for me.  #5... the best one of all.  No one uses my craft room. If I don't finish a project I can leave it out and the next day pick up where I left off.  Nothing is moved or missing.  I love my girls, but they always used my crafts tools and I was lucky if I could ever find anything. 

So being the only girl right now has it's perks.

But it also has it poops.

#1...I am the only one that does the dishes. #2...I'm the only one who cleans the bathroom   #4 I'm the only one who does the ironing and mending. #5 I always have to put the lid down on the toilet.  #6  The dinner table conversation in almost always about sports.  #7 When we watch a t.v. program it is always pointed out how many 'hot' girls were seen.  #8  Action movies come first.  Sports and commentary are rated at the top also.

Being the only girl can get a little lonesome at times.  This is when a good visiting teacher is important.  Do not get me wrong, I love my boys. But I have come to realize I need 'girl time'  and I have found a remedy.  this is what I've done...

1.  I always do my visiting teaching.  I get to talk with 5 different women each month .  I also go to Enrichment activities.  Even though most of the women are just young mothers, I get a boost being around them. 

2.  I started taking piano lessons.  Sister James is great and she has the most wonderful sense of humor.  She teaches me other things too, like knitting for example. 

3.  Family History.  I go to the Stake Library and the women there are so delightful and helpful and just plain fun. I also participate in the Stake Humanitarian Project each Wednesday and I get to sew and learn skills for other sisters.

4.  Reading.  I have found that I really like to read.  So I choose titles that I think may be uplifting to women.

5.  I go next door and spend time with my neighbor Barbara.  She has the cutest little dog, Tater, and we just enjoy each others company.

There is probably lots more so say on the matter....but I think this is enough. 

 

Who colored the sky?

Today this is what I saw when I looked out my kitchen window this afternoon.  OOOO, pretty!

Angels we have heard on high....

For many months now I have been in the market for wind chimes.  It blows so much here that I wanted to make use of the wind.  What better occupation than to make music?  Chimes are not cheap.  Yes, I know you can go to any dollar store and pick up chimes.  But I wanted a set that made beautiful music.  Something that cheered me when they tickled my ears.  Everytime I go into any store or outdoor craft fair I go directly to the chimes.  The only ones I have found that sound any good are very expensive.  So I saved my money and decided the next time I come across a sweet sounding set I would bite the bullet and just buy them... 
I didn't have to do that.  Yeah, Yahoo!  This is when having a stack of boxes in your garage is worth it.  I was rummaging through some of my treasures and lo and behold I found a set of chimes.  My mother sent them to me years ago and I never put them up because we were in the process of moving.  This is just a simple set, but the sound they make is glorious.  I just Love It. The glass or whatever the material is these little angels are made of make the most lovely music.  It really does tickle my ears and makes me smile each day when they greet me with their song. 

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing over the plains.... my chimes give this song a new meaning.

These Boots are Made for Walkin'

These boots are made for walkin'

and that's just what they'll do

one of the days these boots

are gonna walk all over you....

-nancy sinatra

These are the words from a popular 60's song that we listened to on the radio when we were kids.   I know it all too well.  The reason I share this is because my son Garrett recently pointed out that I have a lot of boots.

I really was not aware of this fact.  I love boots.  But growing up in Phoenix, Arizona you really don't need to wear boots.  It's just too warm.  Of course, many people do.  I just didn't wear them much.  But since I have moved to Prescott Valley, I can wear boots all the time.  I also noticed that I prefer suede.  Even my slippers are little boots.  

While visiting Kim she was given these cool brown suede boots and I snatched them from her.  Who wears suede boots in Hawaii?  She can have them back when she returns to the mainland, but for now they are mine and I love 'em!  I've been wearing these boots to church on Sunday, only problem with that is you really should be selective on what you wear with this type of foot apparel.  Thank goodness I live in this little town where we don't make a stink about fashion.  But I will have to make a few adjustments in my wardrobe.  It just gives me a good reason to sew.

Do the boot scootin' boogie!

Something to share

Happy New Year!

Gary and I had a wonderful holiday season.  We had the opportunity to visit Kim and her family in Hawaii.  The weather was beautiful and the company was delightful.  The first day we watched a surfing competition.  The waves were incredible and so were the surfers and all the other scenery male and female was interesting to say the least.

We camped on the beach one night in this little grass hut with Kim and the grand children.  The next morning we played on the beach, Nate with his Tonka Truck

Lili with her boogie board.

Gary fulfilled a life long dream

He jumped from a plane at 14.000 ft, drifted through a cloud, saw whales in the ocean and landed

safely on the ground. 

We visited the Buddha Temple and rang the gong to ensure happiness.  Baby Mason did his impersonation of the Buddha.

We relaxed in the calm water at Lanika Beach

These people are pointing at giant sea turtles in the water.

Visited the Honolulu Zoo where we compared the size of

an orangatangs hand to Lili and G.G.

But mostly, we enjoyed spending time with Kim, Nate and the three grand kids. 

We  miss our sweet babies.