Outdo 2010

Hey! Three posts in 2010! I think I can top that! First off, a friend is in Eastern Europe right now adopting a special needs child. For her amazing story go to http://kareensjourneyhome.blogspot.com It's an incredible experience. Also, there are awesome pics of Ukraine!

Alaska

I gave Trent a fishing trip to Alaska with his Dad, Grandpa and Uncles. Pretty nice right? All I really expected in return was simple. Some pictures, some phone calls, a little detail please!?! Not too much really. I sent him with one of my cameras and instructions to take lots of photos. My phone conversations? Almost non-existant. A quick call to tell me he didn't know how to work the camera. Another quick one in the midst of fish cleaning and packaging. I think there were two more besides, but they were so non-discript I couldn't think about them if I tried, so I won't. Oh, and all the photos of beautiful Alaska that should have come home on the SD card? Let's see there is a picture of his Dad laying down in the cuddy of the boat sea sick. There are two identical pictures of the cabin. Three pictures have boats in them. Two pictures show pine covered hills. One picture of Grandpa. Did you count them? Yes, that makes nine. Here are the rest.....

Yes, this is Steve. Lucky for us his hat is labeled, since his face is completely in shadow. What did I ask for? a picture of all the guys together....What did I get....I get Steve.

If I have to settle for a picture of one single guy, the least you could do is smile....

One picture of a fish. Yes, a fishing trip and ONE picture of a fish.

This must be the BIG fish they caught! He looks awfully small to be the 135 pound halibut I heard about. You fishermen and your tall tales.

Finally, a picture of someone holding a pole. At least I think there is someone back there.

Yes, I have twelve pictures of Trent's trip. Yep....thank goodness Grandpa knows how to take pictures!

Great Views

I had a very vivid dream about this....

Really thought I was here.....

And woke up to this.......

Happy to be exactly where I am!

Pathetic....

I just noticed on a friends blog that I haven't updated mine for 7 months! To top that I only had 5 entries last year. Sad. Unfortunately this is my first post this year and while I type Jayden is clogging the toilet with paper! Bye!

I'm Tackling It

I'm going to be productive,...and creative,...and crafty. (I hope!) For years, Trent has asked, "What are you doing with this?" (in reference to an old bookshelf, a never used stool, and a display shelf for miniature tea sets that was in an unfortunate shade of green. Not a bad color ten years ago and it did match the $20.oo floor lamps I bought at Kmart, but hasn't matched my decor for 6 or 7 years now.
"DON'T THROW THAT OUT", I shriek in a panic, followed by a meek, "I'm going to paint it..."

So, these items have made multiple moves from home to home; each time with good intentions. I even spent $100.00 on the paints, brushed and faux producing products I would need...all while Trent in the background mumbles about it not being worth it, and will I really use these supplies? When did I buy these, you may ask? Last winter...

Well, Friday Trent cleaned out the garage and I jumped on the opportunity to use said garage for my project headquarters. "Let's not park the cars in here today, honey", I say. "I'd like to paint in here, it's so clean without any dirt or leaves; just what I need."

I almost jumped on the opportunity...I started three days later - today! One coat of barn red paint currently adorns each item. And I've officially decided never to paint anything with dowels EVER again. So, now for your opinions, yes YOU, my one and only follower. First, my vision: a coat of red followed by crackling for effect and then a tan to cover (almost) the red followed by a brown glaze. Similar to a clock Andrea's ward did. I can do it when someone stands next to me and walks me through the whole thing. On my own? Who knows what could happen...

Let's start with the stool...
I'm thinking leave the top red and crackle/tan the bottom portion. Ideas?

Next bookshelf...

Leave the inside red or tan?

Crackle/tan the exterior.

Last, the dish displayer...

Garbage?

Continue toiling with long hours of labor just to paint the dowels?

Cover the red with tan, sand mildly in some areas. Use crackle in strategic locations only and then glaze?

I should mention these will all be in different rooms and hopefully not overwhelming....

All suggestions welcome (Andrea!)

YES! I Love Vinegar!

Vinegar, one of my best friends, has just climbed the ladder and is in position number ONE! I know the smell is slightly offensive, but for cleaning power alone it is Numbero Uno! Cole has always been so good with gum. Out of the wrapper, immediately in the mouth - chew, chew, chew and to the garbage. No fingers pulling it out of the mouth, no bubble blowing, no sticking in little brothers hair. But, .... all good tales must come to an end ...

Cole, "I think I'll take this gum out of my mouth while I'm in the truck. I'll be nice and put it on the car seat and not the new truck itself. Oh, but wait, not only will I put it on the car seat, I will sit on it! Oh, but I can't do this while we're home, no, no, no, no, NO...I will do it while we are in Heber City and going to dinner. Darn it, there is ice water and an industrious Grandmother to chip away at the stray gum, while Mom takes care of a hungry Baby J! Drat, that wasn't fun enough. When we get home I will chew gum while jumping on the bed. That's a great combination, right! Opps, the gum just bounced right out of my mouth. Now, where is it? I can't find it! I will look now. OOOOH, I've been missing this Spiderman, now where is his car. I really must play with Spiderman now, I'll look for the gum later. I forget about the gum, but that's okay. Mom will find it right? Yup, Mom found it. She doesn't look too happy. I guess it is kind of a mess. It's in the sheets. There, there, there, here, over there, and here. Oh, and there's some more over there, .....and there and I just put my hand in some more. What? It's on the mattress protector, too? I don't know how it got there. Mom, are you sure these are the only sheets you own for my bed. You have some extras for your bed right? Oh, they are a different size? Oh well, I can sleep in my sleeping bag....."

Gum + hot vinegar = the best solution I've ever seen! I thought the sheets were done for. It was smashed in and spread in strings from one end of his sheet to the other. A little search on the Internet and I found a solution better than ice! You microwave your vinegar, use a little scrub brush and VOILA! It melts and disintegrates! Right before your eyes! Yes, vinegar has saved the day. Oh, and it works best on sugar-free gum. Gum ball gum took more work. Had to heat up my friend a bit more for the sugary stuff. No more gum for Cole, ... EVER! I really mean it, kind of.

Personal Guarantee: You'll laugh and cry

You can't help but smile, funny, funny lady:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

A name you'll want to remember - Susan Boyle.

Very interesting father and son:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gHvATmUsSg

I was laughing so hard, it was silent.

By the way, my personal guarantee doesn't cover anything, but if you didn't laugh, smile, and tear up just a little bit-you might be dead-check for pulse. Okay, now admit it, you downloaded the video didn't you!!!