Ron & Kim Marx

House Update

2012-01-01T21:40:00.000-08:00

HOUSE UPDATE

Probably the No. 1 thing I am asked, after How are the kids doing? is How is the house coming along? So here is an update, without current pictures, of what's going on around here. We are doing so many little things that take a lot of time to get done, that sometimes I don't have a great list to rattle off as an answer. Tonight, I have lists for you.

To set this up, here are a few pictures from early fall 2010

These serve the purpose to remind you and me that the item on the list might read:

Build brick wall. But the work and effort required to cross off that line item is huge. So far we have done everything ourselves. We also must fit in our to-do items with left over energy from earning a living, serving in church callings, and the many other joyful distractions of life.

So without further ado, here is the list of how the house is going:

2011 Property Accomplishments

1. Took down two large trees. Cut up and stacked for firewood

2. Trimmed the pine tree, cut up branches and stacked.

3. Cleared backyard flat.

4. Created a garden area

5. Received a free Tuff Shed, placed and leveled for a garden shed

6. Built a chicken coop

7. Rototilled manure into the backyard soil.

8. Planted grass seed/set-up timed watering system with hoses and oscillating sprinklers.

9. Bought and planted 5 shade trees, 6 fruit/citrus trees.

10. Built Ron’s workshop.

11. Gutted Casita

12. Placed a shower pan and tiled casita shower

13. Installed vanity, sink, toilet in casita

14. Scraped off popcorn ceiling in casita

15. Relocated door of casita to south wall.

16. Retextured ceiling and some walls.

17. Installed three new windows in casita

18. Installed travertine floor

19. Painted and installed ½ of baseboards

20. Hung new closet rods

21. Installed water filtration/softener system

22. Installed commercial water mineral filter

23. Installed hot water heater for casita

24. Took down unnecessary fencing in the front yard.

24. Leveled front yard.

You might wonder why we put so much effort into the backyard/garden, etc., when it is the living conditions that needed improving. Well, after 2 1/2 months, I had had it with the dust flying everywhere. The dirt here is poofy, and was blowing like crazy. Hense, the need for grass to cut down on the dust. The bigger benefit was a place for the grandchildren to run around and play. We could sit out and have family dinners on the grass. I sat on the backyard swing and enjoyed the evenings.

The other line of thought was I know that this whole process will be a 5 year project. Why not be able to enjoy the yard as we go? Why not get trees planted now, so when we're done with the house, they've matured and look nice? Why spend 5 years building, then wait another 5 years for the fruit trees to grow and mature? So we planted along the perimeter outside of the area of construction. I have not done anything with the front yard, and probably won't until after the construction is finished.

Today Ron and I were discussing some things we need to do. He ends by saying, "I think this time next year we'll be ready to start the house." I replied, "I thought this time next year we'd have a big hole in the ground and the basement started." That's when I decided to make a list of what we need to be doing next. By the time I got to the end of the 2012 To-do List, I'm afraid to say I think Ron was right. I don't see the extra money and time in the next year to get the list done by July and start the basement, but I'm always open to miracles.

We'll finish up the casita and get it complete. I'll use it to host our Sunday family dinners, visiting and home teachers, other miscellaneous visitors, but I don't think we'll actually move into it until we're ready to start demo on the main house. The three rooms we're camping out in now are actually larger than the casita. We'll see how it goes.

2012 Property To-do List

1. Convert new casita range for LP Gas

2. Mount propane tank and pipe to kitchen for the range

3. Add more electrical outlets on kitchen wall.

4. Install cabinets + microwave + dishwasher

5. Paint & install baseboards and cove molding in front room

6. Install 3 new ceiling light fixtures

7. Have Cox put cable in casita.

8. Trim the 3 large widow frames from inside.

9. Get blinds for front 2 windows. Make curtains for bedroom window.

10. On outside, add mortar around the window frames that were replaced.

11. Get architectural foam to trim out the windows on outside walls

12. Repaint outside of casita to more closely match the workshop

13. Put a conex storage in backyard for work materials.

14. Grade new driveway approach

15. Prepare ground between workshop and casita for cement.

16. Pull up some of the existing cement in front of casita prepare for new pour.

17. Pour driveway. Pour driveway into the shop. Pour entrance area to casita

18. Install garage doors on workshop

19. Paint epoxy finish on shop floor

20. Install the individual heating/AC units for the casita

21. Temporary power pole for workshop.

22. Hardwire electrical connections for the water filtration system

23. Pipe in more water spigots around property

24. Bring storage trailer (semi trailer) here from Glen’s house.

24. Build wooden steps to access trailer easily. Paint to match workshop.

25. Continue going through our packed boxes, rearrange, label clearly, donate extra

26. Move all storage boxes currently being stored in the house to the trailer

27. Finalize house remodel plans.

28. Begin permitting process.

You may ask why mess with drive way, etc., before main house construction, isn't that poured after completion? Yes, normally. Since when do we do anything normal. Much like the backyard, I don't intend to spend the next 5 years driving up to my house on pooffy dirt. Walking to get into my car and getting my Sunday shoes dirty. Since the driveway approach is from the opposite side of the property than the house construction, I'll take the cement now. We'll leave about a 10 foot strip that will be poured to match up to the garage when we're done.

Hope this answers your questions about how the house is doing. Next up, review of the end of our year.

September

2011-09-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures of our last month.

Rebekah volunteered to interpret at a music festival in the Boston area last weekend. She sent me this picture that someone took of her on stage. kinda cool. I had never thought of having an interpreter for music/songs, but I'm glad she can provide this service.

It's that time of year, out with the spring garden and in with the fall garden. I saved about half of the tomatoe plants. The eggplants have finally taken off and are doing well. Ron added in grass clippings and more manure and the tilled the ground over. (Notice: the back brick wall is now beautiful! check that off the to-do list. Still haven't painted the fencing around the garden though :(

Aren't these pretty!

I'm hoping we can get another go-round of tomatoes in a few weeks. I gave the remaining plants major haircuts and they're growing beautifully now.

These are some of the lovely Young Women in our ward. Each ward in the stake was asked to have a building open house. This was our room display about the Young Women's program of the church.

The first table was about the individual classes, logo, etc. The middle table was a girls' camp display and the third table was about Personal Progress. When visitors came by the girls walked them through each of the displays and explained what they do in the program. I was so proud of them! They were understandably scared and nervous, but they did a fabulous job.

It's wedding season! Last weekend was Ashley's bridal shower. It was fabulous! Yummy food, great ward, family, and friends support for Ashley as she gets started with her own home. She is so lucky.

I'm sorry, I know it looks dorky, Ashley, but it is the obliquitory wedding shower pose.

Other non-filmed activities for the month:

I started a juice fast. Several blogs and people on facebook had mentioned this so one night I watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, and decided to give it a try. I'm three weeks in. I can't go the full 60 days at this time, but I will probably go another week or two. I have a year plan so I'm really hoping this helps jumpstart better eatting choices. blah, blah, blah. Who wants to hear about somebody's diet???
One day I clean one side of the drive way of various tools, trash, left over remodeling supplies, etc. It filled two trash cans. And moved several things to the shop. It may sound dumb in print, but I can't tell you how bad it bugs me to drive up into a mess. And there are several mess spots at this time. So cleaning one area gave me excitement and hope that the other 4 areas I have in mind will get cleaned up as well. One improvement project around here that didn't cost any money. finally.
Ron spent a saturday afternoon hooking up the water heater to the casita. Wiring plumbing, etc.
The Relief Society general broadcast was last Saturday. President Uchdorf gave a fantastic talk. I love sitting back and just melting into the bench like he is talking to my soul.
I ordered strawberry plants yesterday, so I guess I will spend this weekend (in between conference sessions) getting some beds reading for planting.

I think that recaps our month. We're busy, but just regular folks like everyone else. Every Saturday has us working, serving, or enjoying our family. I'm looking forward to some cooler weather. I have one request, that fall lasts more than a week. It's nice to enjoy cooler weather and not just go from hot to cold.

2011-08-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Lectures for Adult Children

I still have more lectures in me, the children are just not around to hear them. Now we have brief conversations. They tell me what they think, and I'm there saying "You're kidding, right?" There is no discussion or exchange of ideas, they just leave the house. Hey, kids, I still have more to say!!!!

Some lectures are ageless. Take for example, "Nothing good happens after midnight." But other lectures are for older children and understanding. When you were 14, you didn't need to know about the complexities of renewable energy and government subsidies - now you do.

Lecture One:
Do the Math in Your Head. Do it While They're Talking to You.

The media is your source of information, but that information needs to be filtered by you against the truth you know. And for heaven's sake, learn to do the math in your head and not just believe them.
Case in point. Child: I think any new government building built going forward must have solar power.

Back on December 9, 2010, Las Vegas city officials gathered with the news media to tour the new solar parking structure built by the City of Las Vegas. These were the facts given on the news account:

The solar structure was built with a block grant from HUD for $1.2 million
NV Energy was giving the City of Las Vegas a rebate check for $400,000
These sites are projected to give an energy savings of $26,000 per year.

Good News!!!! Isn't this great!!!

No.

Net cost to City (actually fed govt cause it's a grant from HUD): $800,000 divided by 26,000/yr = 30.76 years to RECOOP cost of installation. This is recoop your installation cost. It is not until year 31 that you start realizing a profit of "free energy."

Just because City officials gather and news reporters spit back a press release at you, does not make this a wise use of money resources. Learn to do the math in your head as they're talking to you.
Why would we want to build all govt buildings going forward with renewable energy only? It is not cost feasible yet.

Second Case in Point: Hybrid Vehicles

I was thinking a hybrid Tahoe would be the best of both worlds. I could get the Tahoe size that I would prefer, and a hybrid. I could save money on gas! It would be more affordable. Score!

Let's do the math.

MSRP on a Tahoe: $37,445
MSRP on a hybrid: $48,974
difference in cost just to buy a hybrid: $11,529

MPG Tahoe: 15 city/21 hwy
MPG hybrid: 20 city/23 hwy
5 mpg savings.
30 gal tank. For simple math assume gas is $3/gal. One tank would be $90 in either vehicle. How many miles do I have to drive to earn back my $11,529 so that I can really start taking advantage of the hybrid extra miles per gallon?

Miles traveled in Tahoe (15x30) 450 miles per tank
Miles traveled in hybird (20x30) 600 miles per tank
150 miles per tank difference. which in the hybrid makes for 7.5 gallons saved. 7.5 times our assumed $3/gal is $22.50 saved with each tank full.

I paid an extra $11,529 to save $22.50 per tank full = 512 tankfulls of gas. If I fill up 52 times a year, thats 9.8 years. I will have to own and drive this car for 10 years to just recoop the extra cost of buying a hybrid. At 600 miles per tankfull, in ten years I would have driven 307,200 miles.

I usually do not keep a vehicle for 10 years or 307,200 miles; therefore, buying a hybrid will not save me money.

So my lecture to you would be: Just because the media, your friends, your president, etc., are telling you you could save so much money with renewable energy, that's not necessarily true. Do the math for yourself. Or, in older lecture language: You have a head on your shoulders, use it.

2011-08-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

Brad's Birthday Dinner

Carson (16 mos.) A game with a ball? I'm in.

Happy Birthday Brad

Scott & Matt sync their apps

Parker (16 mos.) has decided to explore the world on two legs now.

How our group looks now -1 (+1 with ashley's sister Callie)

2011-08-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

Out Back

The garden started like this in April.

My gnome was keeping watch over the new squash plants.

In May the ladybugs showed up.

Things really started growing.

We moved the 7 week old chicks out into their new fancy coop.

By the time June came, we were in business.

He was doing his job well.

Chicks were growing.

Started getting a harvest. I loved loved loved the spinach. It will now be a constant in my garden. For the first time I have been successful with eggplant.

Too much dirt. It was really windy this year. And all this dirt was everywhere - in my face, the house, the car. It was no bueno.

Ron spread manure and planted grass seed. Added a few shade and fruit trees. Rearranged trailers.

August. The garden is now an overgrown jungle! But it's still producing just fine. The corn did amazingly well this year. I've canned whole tomatoes and salsa. I've blanched and frozen summer squash.

Last night's pickins.

The grass has been fabulous! The little toddler grandsons can play on it, the older ones run around. It's cooler. Kruger likes laying on grass instead of dirt, and it keeps him cleaner. I love grass in the back.

Where all the cool chicks hang out.

The girls are getting big. They're 5 1/2 months old now.

This is the inside part of the coop. They spend their morning hours in here away from sun.

Half of them sleep on this top roost at night, the other half are on one on the outside. A couple still like to sleep on the ground.

This week I've received my first two eggs!!! These smaller half-sized eggs are called pullet eggs. (a pullet is a chick under 1 years old, after 1 year they're called hens.) One was green with brown speckels the other was a perfect shade of tiffany blue. I was really surprised that the Americanas started laying first, I was expecting one of the other two breeds I have to be first with their brown eggs. I expect in the next few weeks they'll all be laying consistantly.

That's the update. The grass backyard has been wonderful. I still have my same to-do list I had in March - painting the back brick wall, painting the garden fencing. Now I'm going to add some terraced rock levels in the back of the garden too. When it cools off it'll get done.

2011-06-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day, Grandpa

(aka Grandpa with a mustache)

Love,

Hallie, Parker, Charlie, Andrew, Carson

2011-05-18T01:23:00.000-07:00

ON A SUNNY SATURDAY MORNING IN SAN DIEGO

This, my friends, is Bradley Mitchell Marx walking across the stage in full academic regalia.

Wow.

Let's just stop and take this all in.

As he strolled across the stage, I had an overwhelming appreciating for all the hours of hard work that has gone into achieving this great goal. Brad & Kara have done this together, and I am so proud of them.

Kara, Brad & Hallie

Insert your own comment here...

The whole fam-damily.

Marxism at its finest.

whoo-hoo Brad, congratulations. We'll all just keep celebrating, while you go back to studying all day for the next couple months.

2011-04-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

Snapshots of my life lately:

Andrew kicked this board in half. I was impressed.

My chicks arrived. All 16 of them. This is the two Ashley's holding them.

Hallie was pretty excited to hold one.

I'll have to grab some updated photos. This was them at 3 days old. So stinkin cute!

Ron's mother had a birthday!

Random shot of Scott and I.

Ron scored a killer trade-out deal on this shed. Then they got the sign people to load it onto the trailer and drove it home. It's perfect!

2011-04-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

April 6, 1830

"The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April—

"Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church;

"And to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand;
"And this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen." (Doctrine & Covenants Sec 20:1-4)

Pictures of the Peter Whitmer Sr. farm where the Church was organized.

2011-04-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from a conference talk that I have been pondering lately:

"One of the brethren yesterday stated that practically every speaker up to that time had said something about the depression. I suppose I will not be out of place if I too say something about it. I would like to place the blame for it where it belongs. It is so easy for mankind to blame somebody else for their own mistakes, and so easy for us, because of our human nature, to take credit when the thing that is accomplished is something that pleases and benefits. But we never want to shoulder a responsibility for our mistakes that do not please, and so we endeavor to place that kind of responsibility somewhere else and on others...

"Now, brethren and sisters, let us shoulder our own responsibilities and not endeavor to place them somewhere else. The responsibility for this depression is partly mine; it is partly yours. It is the fault of the farmer, of the merchant, of the educator, the business man, the professional man--in fact, men in all walks of life. That is where the responsibility belongs. And why? Because of a failure to heed the commandments of God.

"The world today is full of selfishness, greed, the desire to possess. For many years we have been living extravagantly. Our wants have been supplied-not our needs alone, but our wants--and we have wanted much. Most of us have been able to obtain them, and now a time comes when we find ourselves somewhat curtailed, hedged around about, not having so many privileges, and our desires are not so fully granted, and so we begin to complain. But we should get rid of our selfishness and greed, our desire to possess that which is beyond the needs and blessings which are really ours.

"It is time for men to humble themselves, to repent and seek the Lord. I think the general theme of this conference has been that of repentance. I think it is most timely. I have been crying repentance up and down through the stakes of Zion for years. I think it is needed.

"Depression has come because we have forsaken God..."

I timely message from (at that time) an Apostle, Joseph Fielding Smith, October 1932.

I'm betting the messages this weekend will be about faith, hope, repentance, missionary service, with a You can do it! attitude. I'm also betting they will not be as bold to call the people to repentance as the Apostles of earlier times. We seems to get told what we need to hear much nicer these days.

I wonder how the saints would react to a bold message as above, or even a Brigham Young type talk?

What do you think?

2011-03-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

...BREAKING NEWS...

Oh, my email inbox.

I am drowning in my email inbox (4,491 messages right now). I really just need to do a massive purge and "Oh well" they're gone. I just keep thinking there's something important in there not labeled yet I'll need. In an effort to curb my obnoxious inbox, I decided to "unsubscribe" myself from a lot of emails that I don't need.

What an experience. I was getting probably over 50 emails a day, and most of them from things I didn't care about.

Dear Carnival Cruise Line: I've never been on your ship. I have a preconceived idea that it is for younger, drinking types, party cruise, so I will probably never go on your ship. Why do you send me an email every other day?

Dear Vacations-to-go: I'm a firm believer in you. I've used your products in the past...it's becoming the distant past. I do not forsee my traveling continueing any time soon. I love you, I know where you are, I'll call you back.

Dear Pottery Barn/Williams Sonoma/Target/Lands End/et cetera:

Again, Love You. Wish I could be with you - but it's just not happening right now. The mere fact that you dump an email a day into the inbox will not change that fact.

Dear Avantec Software: I don't know who you are or why I get your emails. I'm sure I downloaded some program of yours along the way. Your emails were only occationally, but this year you've ramped it up to every-other-day. I don't even know who you are and now you're constantly in my face. P.S. IT WAS NOT FUNNY that when I unsubscribed from you, you sent me emails in german for a couple of days just to play with my mind.

Dear Republican Party: You've made me increasingly frustrated the last five years. And you gave my email address out to the County, City, candidates, every conservative organization; I was getting 5-10 emails from various people on any given day. We're done. If you spent half as much time getting decent candidates as you do sending out emails, we'd all be doing better. I will continue to vote. Can't guarantee it will be along party lines.
STOP EMAILING MEEEEEEEE.

But by far the most irritating offender:

Breaking News...

Let's just say that my definition of breaking news is: Something that is major, perhaps life changing, an emergency, something I need to know about now - it can't wait until the 4,5,6, or 11 o'clock hour.

Channel 8's definition: Every little nit picky story out there.

It's only 2:27p.m. and this is what they've sent me today:

Body outside of bar
police have been called to the scene
Repeated with - more on our 4 a.m. newscast
The body has been identified
Pictures of a suspected kidnapper (from a crime 5 days ago, mind you)
Family releases pictures of the slain person from 1,2,3 & 4 above
Accident closes 95 at Ann Road.
Pictures of a suspect released from a crime earlier in the week.

If I was driving away and noticed the accident on 95, that would be helpful. N.O.N.E. of the other emails matter. All of them could have waited until the newscast tonight. To get the occassional 9.0 Japan earthquake, I have to wade through 10 useless emails a day. KLAS, as much as I love you, we're done.

Dear KLAS: I have been a fan of your news team for over 30 years. But your "Breaking News" emails have got to stop. They are clogging up my inbox. I would gladly "Unsubscribe" but that takes me to a form to fill out asking my email address, password, and something else. What the??? I don't know my password, I just know I DON'T WANT YOUR EMAILS ANY MORE. Perhaps you could put George Knapp's investigative team on this breaking news item: People can't unsubscribe from you.

Everyone else: I look forward to your emails.

2011-03-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

Dear Carson:
Oh, how I hope you are the pianoman of my future. You must convince your parents at about age 7, that your life will not go on if you do not have piano lessons. You will promise to do well in school, continue practicing your free throws (because we all know that the game can be won on good free throw averages, and to be honest, not to hurt your feelings, but just from observing the last 12 months, I don't think your height is going to get you a slam dunk shot on the team - but if you can out manuever and always make a swish, you'll be a real asset.) So to repeat, convince your mom that you can do your school work and play sports and read your scriptures and learn to play the piano.

This you must do because in about 10 years, on a Sunday evening I'd like to find myself fixing Sunday dinner as usual and you can play lovely hymn arrangements in the background. And I will smile. And when you come over on the off days, you can rock a mean Amadeus. And I will smile. And you can learn Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin songs and Uncle Scotty will sing them. And I will smile. And maybe we could talk your cousin Charlie into playing too, and you two could do duets. And I will smile.

See all of the grandma smiling that is in my future? o.k.? Deal.

2011-03-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

Bathroom Tile

Scott wanted to learn how to tile. Ron likes to do everything himself because he ~~thinks he's~~ knows he's Superdad and nobody else can do things as well as he can. So I say, "Superdad, you have to remember that Scotty is a Superdad in training. How will he ever become Superdad if you don't teach him?" So, Ron stood back and let Scott do the tiling. It was probably the hardest four hours of his life.

Getting started.

Matt was a great help scraping the popcorn ceiling off of the bedroom. I think he was glad not to be in the way of the tile experience.

Not bad. 5 courses up then the border and continuing upward.

Next wall.

Classic Scott concentration shot.

After lunch, Scott had to leave. He and Matt went out with friends shooting. This was probably great timing because the 3rd wall had some circles that had to be arranged to fit around the plumbing. Ron finished up this wall. My assignment all day was to open the boxes of tile, spread them around and mix and match the colors so they went up 'randomly' on the wall. We put up multicolored slate. Some boxes had almost all gold, some had almost all green. So it was necessary to shuffle them a bit.

Then we added a border around the edges. Today's project done. It took all day. Ron did great letting Scott help. I heard the 3 boys discussing the floor tile. We bought a pile of travertine with a couple of buckets of random cut pieces off of craigslist last summer for next to nothing. I was wanting to do the bathroom and kitchen/family room area. As they were doing the math, we were 16 pieces short of being able to do that. Ron had picked up 17 pieces of another shade of travertine from a lot he was hired to clear all the junk off of and grade. So the boys decided to put smaller amount, which was a lighter shade in the bathroom, and put the main amount in the main room. You following this? I love how they get together and pow-wow and think they've solved the problems of my universe.

So while I was shuffling the bathroom tile, I kept looking at the other tile. After Ron reached the end of the bathroom, I announced our next tile project.

Ron looked at the floor and knew he was in for a lot of time in front of the tile saw. I would like it on the diagonal, from the new front door, making an L shape for the kitchen area, and into the bathroom. Leaving a space for carpeting in the main sitting area. Bordered with 4" strips. I had my arguments all ready on how I know it would be easier just to lay them straight, less cuts involved, etc. But it would look 100% better laid on the diagonal... Ron just dreads making all the cuts. And he took a piece out to his tile saw and sure enough it's not big enough to do this size tile on the diagonal. In Ron's words, "I'll have to cut it half way, then turn the tile around, trying not to break it, and cut the rest of the line." Me, "but it will look so much better on the diagonal. I'll stand here one morning and make all the cuts for you, then you just have to lay it." That offer didn't go over too well. My new assignment is to take a straight edge and mark diagonals on half the tiles. And take the buckets of extra pieces and mark off the 4" strips for him to cut.

When all is said and done, Ron even invited Scott back to help with the floor tile, "You know it's easier to tile a floor than a wall."

Before we can tile the floor this is what needs to happen:

Grout the shower tile
Finish installing the new front door.
Take out the old door and frame and sheet rock that hole in.
Move the travertine tile outside
Remove popcorn ceiling from the main room.
Retexturing (ceiling, around where the windows were installed, etc.)
Primer new texture areas. Paint whole thing
Then we can tile the floor.

I'm excited. I think it will all pull together so nice.

I'm also excited about the tiling costs. The bathroom tile was on sale with a 15% off coupon, so we were able to purchase the bathroom tile, grout for both bathroom and floors, plus the mortar, and the travertine for under $500.

2011-03-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

St. Patrick's Day

Family BBQ

Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm. These are green funeral potatoes.

The family gathers. Ashley braided a shamrock in the back of Charlies hair. So cute. Shout out to Parker on the right - He's 1 today (3/18). He looks bald. But he's not. Ashley was buzzing Drew's hair and decided to buzz Parker as well. He just has such fine blonde hair, you can't even see it.

Kruger is always near the table waiting for something to drop. The backyard is far from finished - I think you could say it's not even started - but I go ahead and set up table and chairs and we have a fine time eatting and visiting. When the kids are done, the backhoe becomes their make-shift fort.

Andrew and Hallie playing tick-tack-toe. Charlie getting ready to burst into tears because she wants to play too. And with the girl set, not the extra spiderman (boy) set that was also on the table.

Dish up. On the menue: bbq chicken, lime jello w/cubed pears, green salad, green potatoes, green brocolli, german chocolate cake (not green). We got together tonight because Brad & Kara were heading back to San Diego. It was nice to have them in Las Vegas this week.

Sunset dinner.

Family visiting.

2011-03-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

When Grandma Tried To Be a Photographer and Instead Became Snippy Mean Grandma

Brad and Kara are in town visiting. It is Brad's "last spring break, ever." I've been wanting a picture of the 5 grandchildren together all year. So today we met up at the park. Let's just get it out there - I am not a photographer, and I am not a patient kind grandma when trying to get 5 little ones to all look one way. Somehow I thought that the 6 year old and the two 3 year olds would just stand there always looking the right direction and smiling and we would just have to deal with the babies. All five were all over the place. I don't like becoming the snippy mean grandma. I've been on to YW activities tonight and the grocery store, and 7-Eleven because the grocery store didn't have any ice, and now I've had time to calm down. Looking at the pictures was pretty funny. I set my camera on high speed action shots so that I have a string of 50 frames of the same shot. It's pretty funny to watch it in action and what they were all doing those few seconds.

Here are some 'out takes' where we just couldn't get them all together.

The cast of characters are, backrow: Hallie, Charlie, Andrew. Front row: Carson & Parker

If you give them balls and tell them to throw them up in the air - they also turn and chase after them.

If you tell them to throw up their balls on the count of three - someone will throw it up on the count of two.

Oops - where's Carson? He would cry every time he got sat down on the ground. Kara was trying to talk him into participating. Hallie was swinging her arms around making all kinds of poses. Charlie was holding tightly to Drew's hand yelling at him to cooperate and stand still. Parker was just hanging out. He was quick to crawl away from the set.

Carson sitting down crying. I have 35 pictures of Drew smiling at the camera as he grabbed hold of the top of Carson's head and turned it toward the camera.

It's finally looking the right direction, but he's having no part of this. Hallie and Charlie are looking great. Extra points go to Drew for keeping his smile up the whole time as he helped with Carson. Parker was looking all over the place but remained stationary.

Not bad. Capri Sun's and cookies kept them all still for a few minutes.

Next time I'll show the better looking group shots.

2011-03-12T10:07:00.001-08:00

What My Garden Looks Like
March 12

The peas are coming up

The radishes are poking through the surface

The tomatoes are planted and caged

A lot of barren ground

Now the waiting begins. I planted 3 different varieties of tomatoes just to see which ones we like better. I also planted eggplant. I've never been successful in growing eggplant, but I keep trying. I also planted anaheim chilis. Another plant I've never seen through to fruition.

This year, just for Matt, I planted okra. I was raised on okra. I hate okra. But I decided I could fry it up on Sunday dinner for Matt this summer - if it grows. My dad asked me how many seeds I planted, I said I bought two packages, but only planted 1/2 of a package. He laughed and said I'd have enough okra for the whole town. "Make sure you cull those real good, you probably only want one or two plants."

I've yet to see any lettuce or spinach from my earlier planting two weeks ago. there's a whole row of corn planted. Two varieties of yellow squash. The normal crooked-neck that I've been successful with in the past. Then I bought a package of heirloom seeds for yellow squash. My grandparents always "put their garden to seed" at the end of the season, and that's how they got seeds for the next year. I'd like to do that but the seed packets at the store are almost all hybrid - which means their genetically engineered to do well, and sterile, so you can't save the seeds to plant again. I've read up on heirloom seeds and looked at several seed providers, but I wasn't ready to take it on this year. I think you have to work a little harder with the seeds to have them come up, etc. I'll read some more about it and perhaps start with the winter garden to use some heirloom seeds.

The garden is 24x12. The fencing around it came from a demolition job site Ron did last year. I am excited about my jumbo colored tomato cages. I bought them at Habitat for Humanity Restore (they sell construction related items for cheap) last January. They were $2 each. Star Nursery is selling them right now for $7.99 each. Deal.

We'll see how many seeds germinate, survive wind storms, hot sun, crickets, ants, and all other creepy crawlies to produce some vegetables this year!

2011-03-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

What My Garden Looks Like
March 12 - Part II

Upcoming Projects

To prove that pictures can be angled to show all the best in life, I present to you my projects around the yard to take on the next two weeks or so.

First up: Repaint the back wall to remove all graffiti. We came over here in December so that the loser teenagers would stop using our property as the hangout and canvass for their boredom. It has worked. We haven't had any issues since we've moved in. It wouldn't be so bad if it was 'real' in the hood artwork, like maybe for instance something like this:

but no, we have bored teenagers just trying to figure out how to spell their names and curse. So the back wall needs to be painted.

Next up: This is the area where the chicken coop is going. It needs to be cleaned out. that is a big rusted metal something or other in the middle of the picture. There's lots of trash on the ground to clean up. We've made several trips to the dump already. I could walk around today and fill up Ron's trailer, but he has it at a job site.

Finally, this one is really bugging me: We've done a lot of dead-tree clearing in the last two months. A lot of cutting up logs and breaking up branches for firewood. Most of what we've done so far, we burned as our winter warmth. There is a pile of logs that were a live tree we trimmed that are stacked for next year. This tree happens to be one Ron dragged home from a demolition site. it's smack dab in the middle of my backyard and I want the pile gone. Then see the tree trunk in the upper right corner? That's a huge dead tree that has to come down. Oh, man. This is a lot of work. But it must get done.

But wait, there's more:

The fence around the garden needs to be painted black. I had a lone can of spray paint with a little in it and I check it out and yep, it will look good. So before the corn grows I would like the fence to be painted. I'm also on the hunt for a cute old-fashioned garden gate.

I'll report back in a couple of weeks and let you know how I'm doing in the project department.

2011-03-07T20:10:00.000-08:00

Catch-up
Not to be confused with Ketchup or Catsup

1. I have a twitter account. That I never really use. But you better believe I was person number 1,240,001 to sign up for charliesheen. Just in time for him to tweet that he was an "unemployed winner"

2. The garden ground is ready. Some cold-weather items were planted two weeks ago. The first little signs of green are sprouting up. The end of the week, all the other summer vegetables will get planted.

3. I ordered chickens. Pretty excited. Five of each.

Americaunas - tiffany blue pastel eggs

Barred Rock - brown eggs

Rhode Island Red - brown eggs

4. I haven't been updating much and didn't know blogger had made it way easier to add picture.

5. Ashley - not to be confused with Ashley Your Cousin, Lisa's Ashley, or Ashley Noel - posted the funniest blog. We're still laughing about it. If you don't think it's funny, well then, we just have different humor. And when you take a look at it - overnight it seems like, Parker has changed his look. he's gained a little weight, and man he sure looks like Drew now. But I'll stop now, because really, it's a funnny read, you should go over there.

6. Matt went on a date with Charlie. He called to say there were headed to CiCi's Pizza and had no idea what to do after that. I suggested if he had $10 to go to Claires and let her pick out some cheap jewelry. She loves that stuff. An hour later he sent me a picture text message of her getting her ears pierced. Nooooo, that wasn't my suggestion. Luckily he checked with Ashley first for permission.

7. Ron's working now. The wind is blowing like crazy at our house. Things are happening. Slowly but surely.

I think that just about covers my exciting life.

2011-02-22T11:49:00.000-08:00

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Well folks, I have now written my 2nd Letterto the Editor of my whole life.

The first one was to Merridian Magazine. Years ago when Senator Reid became Senate Majority Leader, they ran a glowing article on how great it was to have someone that had LDS values and beliefs in this office. I had the letter written before I even realized it.

They never responded to my opinion. But they also have never written another glowing article on his nonLDS-values voting record. I'd like to think my letter had something to do with that.

I've always subscribed to the Church News. Then a while back, it started coming with another section called Mormon Times. I didn't ask for this publication, it just showed up. I've glanced thru it with my Church News.

Last week I was dumbfounded and amazed to see the name of the Church misspelled on the front page. I set the issue aside deciding to write the editor. Today I finally sent off that email. I received a quick reply!

Editor:

I was disappointed to see the glaring error on page 1 of your February 12, 2011 issue. As writers for a paper called Mormon Times, Ms. Moreton and Ms. Morrill should know how to correctly capitalized the name of the Church.

Kim Marx

Kim,

I assume you are referring to the capital "Day" in what should be "Latter-day Saints." You are absolutely right, and we apologize for the error.

Aaron

Perhaps I should catapult this new-found Letter to the Editor success into responding to substantial issues misrepresented in the media today.

2010-12-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

The Best Part About Being A Grandma...

Cute Recitals!!!

Tonight was the dance recital for Charlie. Her studio does dancing and singing, and each age group did a singing song, as well as a dance number. Then there were a few group numbers. These kids were so cute. And of course, my granddaughter, Charlie, shined.

The parents.

Charlie posing with her mom. Matt and Ashley are strict with Charlie dressing modestly, but this cracked me up. Charlie was miserable and ichy in her dance costume and after two weeks of fighting with her about it, Ashley put a tshirt on with it. That seemed to do the trick, no itching, scratching or complaining from our little dancer tonight. Modest is the Hottest.

Charlie's first number, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

A star is born.

Our angel in the manger

Jenn & Carson came to watch the show. Drew kept entertained with a few cars in his pocket.

Singing with the group.

Parker and his big blue eyes just hanging out with the family.

No dancer anorexia here, a plate of cookies for a job well done.

Congratulations, Charlie. Your recital was lovely.

2010-12-14T22:30:00.000-08:00

Carson's Busy Night

How do you enjoy your daddy's graduation?

Find a seat with your mother. "Hey everybody, my eyes are the same color as my mom's."

Cheer and dance to the brass band and loud music.

Jump over into my grandpa's lap.

Fall asleep listening to the brass band.

Cheer and Shout.

Walk the hallways with my other grandpa. (did you notice my mom put me in a Rebel red and grey sweater - I'm so stylin)

Then I decided to walk along the backs of the chairs.

My mom stopped all the fun to hold me up and start yelling.

That's my daddy!

Yeah!!!

The Happy Graduate, The Happy Wife, The Happy Baby
Jordan Richard Shields
College of Urban Affairs, Bachelor in Communications

Congratulations

2010-11-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

Dear Ashley Noel:

I know you are anxiously awaiting the engagement post, and it's coming, along with Drew's birthday, my new harp, property progress, Texas trip. So much to blog about. So far behind.

Since you are away this semester and missing the day-by-day details of Scotty's design classes, this blog's for you.

This week's project assignment started out in the loft.

Then he moved to the dining room table.

It spilled over into the livingroom floor.

When he ran out of room there he used the couch in the family room

And finished up on the kitchen table.

As a mom, the dining room picture is my favorite. That table is not my actual dining room table - that table is in storage. The table I have sitting in the dining room now is technically my kitchen table. I have had that table for 23 years. I look at all of the stains and nicks with fondness remembering all of the school projects over the years that have taken place on that table. I love it. To see it used as project-central again warms my heart. It makes me smile even more to realize I did n.o.t.h.i.n.g to help with this project, unlike projects in the past. Nothing like figuring out science fair projects the night before they're due.

But I digress.

These pictures are just to offer you a glimpse into your future for the next few years. I am going to assume that your newlywed pad will not have the space that these five rooms offered; therefore, the mess will cover every inch of available surface in your small apartment making it 10 times worse to live through.

For your patience in this process, I thank you now.

Secondly, the cost of these design projects will undoubtedly take up money that you had previously budgeted for . . .food/gas/power? When you stop and realize that you just worked four days so he could complete this assignment, your first reaction just might be to cry or be mad or maybe even scared (whatever will we eat next week?).

For your patience, faith, and budgeting skills, I thank you now.

I don't know if the next six years will have him always building models. I imagine it will switch to computer face-time using CADD at which time you will see the back of his head for hours on end. You'll want to be talking, he'll politely nod and not hear a thing because he's trying to get another project done.

You guys are going to have so much fun!!!! When he walks across the graduation stage, I will also thank you then.

2010-10-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hallie loves reading about and dressing up like Fancy Nancy. She has a lot of her books. Hallie decided in celebration of her three years of life, a soiree (that's french and fancy for party) was in order.

Her mother made her a brand new tutu for this day and she got her very own birthday tiara (that's fancy for Crown that the Princess wears)

As the hostess (that's fancy for girl that's having the party) she welcolmed all of her guests.
Hallie's friends all adored their accessories (that's fancy for extra stuff). They were even allowed to keep them as a souvenir (that's fancy for something that reminds you of a special place).

The buffett (that's fancy for table with all of the food on it) was all kids finger foods. Her mother even made peanut butter & jelly sandwiches fancy by putting pretty toothpicks on them. Bagel Bites, grapes, cheetos, all the food that boys and girls enjoy.

For the story about Fancy Nancy and Butterflies, Hallie decided to dress-down (that's fancy for dressing more comfortably).

Hallie's mother even made a fun game. It was called "Pin the Cherry on the Sundae" Hallie was thrilled her mother called the game this because pin the cherry on the sundae sounds so much fancier than pin the cherry on the bowl ice cream.

"Ohh-la-la" (that's french for Look, how wonderful). The mom's of all of Hallie's friends had fun at the party, too.

Hallie's friends were so creative and fancy making their butterflies.

Thank You for inviting me to your soiree, Hallie.

Happy Birthday, you are gorgeous (which is fancy for more beautiful than beautiful).

2010-09-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

To Glee

Or Not To Glee

I'm going out on a limb.

I started reading/hearing about Glee last year. It seemed to be mentioned on blog posts, facebook status'. There were groups gathering to watch it together. "Here's a picture of so-and-so and all of her friends that were over last night to watch Glee." Overhear conversations with people talking about it around me.

What in the world were they talking about and why hadn't I seen it? I finally figured out that it was on Tuesday night. Hello people - Tuesday night is NCIS. I had to turn to trusty ' ol Hulu to figure out what Glee was. I spent a lazy Saturday afternoon getting caught up on all things Glee. Well, not all things, but a few episodes.

Are you kidding me people? All I can say is Thank You that I don't have pre-teen and teenagers right now. I have spent a couple of months now thinking about this show. And what was the hit show that had to get turned on in my house or else they'd (the kids) socially die? Simpsons. Can I tell you how much I hated that show and it didn't get very much play time. Next up: One Tree Hill. It came complete with an opening credits dance on the couch, and lead to this poster being prominantly displayed on a bedroom door in the hallway:

Which is o.k. because I had this prominantly display in the hallway across from it:

So I've been racking my brain to think about the story line of One Tree Hill. From what I can remember it was one of the kids was from a divorced family, a few of the parents were dating. Kids feeling inadequate like they didn't fit in. The sports crowd, the cheerleaders, the geeks. who likes who. Then the later episodes got really fuzzy and I think one couple got married.

So that lead to my next thought: If I can't really remember the plot line after 5 years, did it really effect the kids that much? But then I had to think: Yes. what you bring into your house really affects the kids that much. And it affects your home that much. So Yes, it matters.

Which leads me back to Glee. Take away the toe-tapping song and dance and what do you have? The characters and story lines are unbelievable. Why would a mother who doesn't allow her kids to watch rated R movies, or or is selective about the music lyrics they listen to, or guards the computer against pornography intrusions, all of a sudden allow Glee into their home every week?

I really didn't want to go into detail on the storyline, but it can be found here.

I'm not setting myself up as the poster child for correct media choices. But I am just wondering out loud why so many are praising this show and why no one has spoken up to say that what it represents is flat out wrong.

2010-09-12T19:24:00.000-07:00

You Can Travel The World,

But Nothing Comes Close to the Golden Coast

On July 21st, Ron and I celebrated our 30th anniversary. We wanted to get away. Somewhat close. Definately cooler. This was mid-July - it was hot here and I wanted c.o.o.l. I had never been to Yosemite National Park, so we decided to take a little 2-day trip to drive over the border and go to Yosemite.

We stayed the first night in Bishop. It had this great little movie theater. I called the theater number from our hotel room and received a nice recording on the movie of the week, what time it would be playing, and the brief description of Invictus starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. I was kind of excited because I wanted to see that movie when it was in the theaters, but hadn't, so here we were in this little town, with the cute old fashion recording of the movies playing that week. We headed off to the theater. F.Y.I, 2 tickets, popcorn, drinks, all under $20. That doesn't happen in Vegas. I didn't notice the marquee as we walked in, but the previews started, and then it rolled right into Leonardo DeCaprio's latest movie, and it kept going, and kept going...and I kept thinking "man this is a long preview, it's almost like the start of the movie. Where is the rugby movie???"

We ended up watching Inception, not Invictus.

The next day we drove over to Yosemite and drove through the park. It did not disappoint

There was water, trees, babbling brooks, big rocks.
Really big rocks.

El Capitan.

Half Dome.

Cool and refreshing waterfalls. Because the west coast had a longer-than-usual spring, the snow melt-off was delayed. When we first considered going I checked out the internet descriptions and they all said peak waterfalls were in May, by end of July they would be dried up. So then we decided to wait until next spring to go - then CBS news did a story on how remarkable it was that the waterfalls were still going strong, so our trip was back on! The waterfalls did not disappoint.

This classic shot has all three landmarks in one view - El Capitan, Half Dome, and at the very right, Yosemite Falls.

This is how we look after 30 years together, standing in front of the landmarks.

I loved just riding through the park and looking at all the trees.

We had stopped at the grocery store in Bishop and bought some deli sandwiches and snacks for lunch. We ate lunch in the park and had a great day.

The really fun part was at about 3:30. We had finished seeing the things we wanted to, so Ron mentioned we had time if I wanted to keep heading west and go to San Simeon. this is the great part about the whole 'empty nester' situation (I don't hate many things, but that title I hate-- I just can't think of any other descriptive word for Yippee, the kids are grown, self sufficient, on their own, and we can do whatever we want.). There was no reason why we couldn't spend another day, find a hotel on the way, and go to Hearst Castle.

2010-09-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

West Coast Represent,

Now Put Your Hands Up

After a night in a below-average hotel, we continued on until we ran out of land. Then we followed Highway One south. The beaches to the north were definately different than the sandy beaches to the south. Most of Hwy 1 was a winding road with a cliff drop-off. I'm scared of heights and it was quite an unnerving drive. There were several pull-offs to stop and view, but I was too scared to get out of the car. But this is what I couldn't believe - here on this little pull-out, with a 500 foot drop, would be a family standing there for a photo - are you kidding me? Talk about child endangerment. There would have been no way I would have ever pulled over with all the kids in the car, then let them pose on the edge just to get the Pacific in the background. One brotherly love push or "you're standing too close to me..." and someone would have gone down. I was just amazed people put their children out there for pictures. Absolutely crazy.

These were some sea lions lounging out in the sunshine.

Our destination - Hearst Castle. I was soooo excited. I've always wanted to go here. I didn't know this but there are actually four different tours, plus you can walk around some of the gardens on your own. There's a huge visitor's center with films, etc. We were lucky enough to grab two last-minute available tickets, and it was the tour that included the kitchen. Score!

I loved the industrial lights
Being a Kitchen Aid fan, this hobart mixer is divine.

Heavy duty ovens. when Mr. Hearst was at the residence, there would be meals fixed for at least 100 people. There would be a great mixing of guests too, from the paperboy who sold the most subscriptions to the famous movie stars of the day.

I LOVED this spice cabinet, and I think I'm going to copy it. No more digging around for that container of cinnamon, the cabinet is very narrow, so everything is right where you can see it.

This is an indoor swimming pool. The pictures don't do it justice. It's just beautiful. And on the roof of the pool building were the tennis courts. I have pictures, but since I took 100s of pictures through this house, I won't upload them all here.

Just a random hallway we were walking through. How cool are these columns!

I liked this bedroom that had a mini loft for the play toys.

Gorgeous views from all windows.

This was Mr. Hearst's office. My vocabulary just doesn't have enough adjuctives to describe everything we saw.

Cathedral windows.

And of course, the famous pool. The guide told us that once a year there is a BBQ for all the tour guides and grounds keepers and they are allowed to swim in this pool.

This was an unexpected part of our anniversary weekend, but by far it was my favorite part. I definately want to go back and take the other tours that they offer. Not sure of who William Randolf Hearst was or what this house is all about? Further reading.

Thanks, Ron, it was a great anniversary get away.

2010-08-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

Catch-up Post #1

(not to be confused with Ketchup, Ashley's 5th food group)

We Have a New Home

subtitled: a New Project

Here are the stats:

1/2 acre
community well
2,000 sq. ft. or so main house
550 sq. ft casita
vacant for a year
not one single window left intact
comes complete with artwork provided by neighborhood kids

Sounds like a dream doesn't it!!!

I had been looking for about 8 months. My friend/realtor hooked me up with a sweet daily listing of any mls properties that were under $50,000 and I believe the longitude line was north of Alta from west to east. I have to admit I'm a west-side girl, but the majority of the properties tended to be center to east.

It became my bedtime habit-- brush my teeth, say my prayers, check the mls listings. We had a small budget and the goal was to get something inexpensive that we could just hang out in until the economy improved, maybe five years.

So one night I saw this little gem. Oh, the possibilities. And to have it be a half acre--bonus. (ron comes with lots of trailers) I had looked at thousands of properties that were under 1,200 sq. ft. on small lots, and needed to be rebuilt on the inside. Having to rebuild the inside was pretty much a given. I occassionally would drag Ron out to look at prospects. But when this beauty showed up, I couldn't believe my eyes!

It will definately take a few years and a few phases to rearrange things on this site, but when we're done, I think it will be perfect. First up is building a garage building. We're in line to go before the Planning Commission for a variance in size and height (for the current size/height of the home, if we waited to build it with the remodel, it would have been o.k., but we kind of need this building first.) Next we have a cosmetic freshening up of the casita. Then we will live in the casita and have a garage while we 'remodel' the main house.

The main house is expanding in all directions: sides are moving wider, the rear is moving deeper, the ceilings rising upwards, and we're even going deeper with a basement.

Is it the 'perfect' neighborhood? no, not my first choice area (remember - I'm a west-side girl), but it's fine. I'm renting in a pretty nice neighborhood right now and have been broken into/things stolen several times. My last house was in a nice neighborhood - broken into, shots fired (and I'm not talking about the shooting park). So if people think it's dangerous I just remember all the nice neighborhoods and previous experiences and smile.

This property perfectly fit our needs right now, so I'm excited. But you're more than welcome to bring on the comments, because I've already heard them all. And through them all I just keep thinking of that bumper sticker you sometimes see on clunker cars: Don't Laugh - It's Paid For.

Stay tuned for the progress updates.

2010-08-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

You've had a BIRTHDAY, Shout Hoo-ray!

Brad celebrated being another year older and wiser too on Friday.

Sunday was Hallie's 3rd birthday

Brad & Kara & Hallie, meeting Parker last March.

Hallie spends lots of time at the beach. Lucky girl. You can read about her fabulous so cal life here. Her birthday party this week is a Fancy Nancy themed soiree {that's fancy for party}. I can't wait, I think it will be a hoot to watch.

Sunday was also Ashley's birthday.

We gathered for dinner and cupcakes.

Happy birthday, to you.

Rebekah joined in on the party via skype. Drew and Charlie thought it was neat to talk to her on the computer.

Mr. Chill Parker found his voice tonight. He just wanted to be with everyone at the table being part of the fun. I gave him a taste of icing. He loved it.

This is the Ashley that was not having a birthday. Ashley Barnes, you made the blog. If we can trick her into staying around for awhile, I will celebrate her unbirthday on June 25th. I decided that today.

A very Happy Birthday to our August birthdays.

2010-08-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

It's That Time of Year Again

This morning Ron got this picture on a text message:

"Grandpa, I'm all ready for Shark Week, I've got my shark onesie on."

We're gathering tonight for terrifying tacos, shark week t-shirt craft, and more amazing shark rescues. Then we'll send the scared little ones home and let their parents deal with them not being able to sleep.....

2010-07-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

I Think I Need a Sunrise,

I'm Tired of Sunsets

Rebekah has accepted an interpreting assignment in. . .BOSTON!!!

Before she packed up her car, we gathered together at Macaroni Bar & Grill. Boston is 2,708 miles away. That's pretty far. I have a hard time getting down to San Diego for a visit, but Boston? I've always wanted the kids to do what they're interested in, and Rebekah is deffinately talented at sign interpretation. She's interested in several colleges that are out in that area where she could further her studies. I'm so proud of her for making this hard decision. I will be praying for her greatest success in this endeavor.

She will miss the exciting things in Vegas life, like Sunday night dinners at our house, movies with the fam, but Boston sure has enough activities to try and fill up her time.

It seems that Agustana wrote their big hit especially for her. . . you know you want to sing along

She said I think I'll go to Boston,
I think I'll start a new life,

I think I'll start it over
where no one knows my name.

I'll get out of {Nevada},
I'm tired of the weather

I think I'll go to Boston,
I think that I'm just tired,

I think I need a new town,

to leave this all behind.

I think I need a sunrise,

I'm tired of the sunsets,

I hear it's nice in the summer

Some snow would be nice.

Boston, where no one knows my name...

Boston.

2010-07-27T22:48:00.000-07:00

Lake Powell 2010

The participants:

"You can call me Scotty-clause, minus the ho-ho."

Jenn & Jordan, with Carson's first lake trip.

Matt & Ashley, Drew, Charlie, and Parker's first lake trip.

Some activities in no particular order:

Drew discovered talking on the radio. He like to get in the ski boat and call captain grandpa inside the houseboat.

Intense nightly games. Next year we start Ashley out with a major handicap.

Drew and Charlie took turns driving the houseboat.

Every night before bed, Ron would help Drew catch a fish.

Carson and Parker spent a lot of time chillin under their toys. I'm not looking forward to the walking toddlers next year!

One of the yummy meals. I think this one was grilled chicken and fettuchini alfredo.

Plenty for everybody.

Charlie just hangs out in the bow of the ski boat watching everybody. One of these times she'll try one of the toys.

Drew enjoyed tube rides with anyone he could talk into taking him.

Every year it seems there is a song that reminds me of summer and going to the lake. I was wondering what this year's song would be. This is Scotty "I want to be a billionaire so freakin bad" he sang this song over and over and over and over... and over. It amazes me how he'll hear a song twice and then know all the words to it. Look for him in a few years on the cover of Forbes magazine, right there next to Oprah and the Queen.

Ashley and Parker floating in the water.

Charlie loved swimming with Grandpa this year. She thought the slide was scary. She thought the tube on the ski boat was scary. She thought everything was scary, so she just floated with Grandpa.

Carson swimming with Jordan.

Jenn learned that going to the lake with a baby is totally different than going to the lake as a carefree teenager.

2010-07-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

Lake Powell 2010

Part 2

Parker's shades

I can't believe I was quick enough to grab my camera and catch this shot. I waited too long to call doggie daycare for a reservation for Kruger on a holiday weekend, so we decided to bring him along. He was so good! He pretty much stayed on the front patio, or roamed around on the sand near where we were anchored. I could sit on the patio and throw a tennis ball for him to chase. Kruger doesn't naturally like the water, but he got used to walking into it and we pulled him in a few times to cool him off.

The kids had a few toys to play with inside during quiet time.

2010-07-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

Thank You. Thank You Very Much

Every week Carson morphs more and more into a little Jordan. Jenn came to the lake very excited because finally there is one trait that she can claim came from her. Carson is starting to do the 'Elvis lip' that Jenn does all the time. I just barely caught the start of him lifting up his lip in this picture.

2010-07-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

Stay Tuned

We've had a busy summer so far. It's my goal in the next couple of days to get our lives caught up on this blog. So many more things to tell you about:

Annual Lake Powell trip
Indoor s'mores
Rebekah's farewell
Our 30th wedding anniversary

2010-06-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Party at the Marxes!!!

We had a Brazilian BBQ for Scott's homecoming. Family and friends were invited. We served rice, beans, pork barbacoa, kind of a Cafe Rio style dinner.

The girls helped me for two weeks before this to make paper chains and pinwheels in the colors of the Brazilian flag.

The dessert table, and Jenn and Ashley with the new babies.

We set the food up in the front courtyard, and it left more space inside for everyone to gather and eat.

Scott mingled and did his best to remember English. During the first couple of days back, every now and then you'd glance over at him and he would just have that far away stare. I knew he was thinking about being there instead of here.

So many of Scott's cousins came, it was great for him to see everyone and catch up.

2010-06-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Elder Marx's Homecoming

On June 3rd, Scotty returned.

Here's his nieces and nephew holding up signs waiting for him. Drew remembered Scotty, but the girls were just over a year when he left, they had grown up a lot while he was gone.
Scott was looking overwhelmed in the airport. He was glad to see us all, and couldn't hardly remember how to say things in English.

Brad and Kara came up from San Diego. I was so glad to see them too. It's tough for them to get away, Kara works weekends so Brad can stay with Hallie, Brad had just finished up finals for his semester so he had some time during the week.

Another pair of worn-out missionary shoes for my collection.

Ashley mentioned our non-huggedness here. Kara wrote about the homecoming as well, here. And here's Jenn's version of the story.

Here is Scott with the next in line to be a missionary in our family, Drew. He still needs to grow a foot or two, but I'm sure on that day when his parents send him off, we'll all think the time has just flown by.

Whoo-hooo! This part of mom-duty is done. No more Tuesday night emails, no more holiday phone calls, no more worrying about them, just enjoying the kids and their lives. Kind of like closing out that chapter.

If you get a chance to talk to Scotty, he loves to speak Portuguese, or talk about the greatness of missionary work, or the greatness of Brazil, or how big all the cars and roads are here. He has some interesting stories.

2010-06-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

JUNE 3, 2010

WOOT, WOOT.

2010-06-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

Andrew graduated from kindergarten. There was a lovely program that all the kindergarten the classes did. I'm glad I get to tag along and watch these things.
All of the children entered in singing a song. They then each went up to a microphone and gave their name and what they'd like to do when they grow up. At first I thought this would take forever, but it actually was very entertaining. Drew always mentions he wants to be a "cooker at McDonalds" which kind of makes us chuckle, where in the world do they come up with this stuff? When it was his turn he said he wanted to be a chef. I think he should start preparing for that by cleaning up Sunday dinner dishes every week. I'll help him realize his dreams and give him time in the kitchen.

2010-05-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

Go Parker, Go Parker, Go Parker, Go Parker

Sunday was Parker's blessing. It was a beautiful Sunday (except for the wind).

I pointed the camera at Matt & Jenn to break up the "my son is better than your son" banter.

Ashley did a great job at setting up the buffet for us. All of her brother's and sister's came from Arizona to support them. We missed her missionary parents and Brad & Kara.

I was asked to bring a non-chocolate dessert. I was just staring at these in the car on the way to their house and thought all the swirls looked cool. (I was planning on blue frosting, but I ended up only having red, very red, and pink food coloring. Then orange. what's that all about? I couldn't bring pink cupcakes for Parker, so orange it was)

Drew was so gentlemanly to get Charlie a drink.

Then he snatched a carrot.

Which was impressive because he had all of these wonderful options to choose from.

Once again, while the adults ate, the babies slept. I think we're running out of time to leave these two little ones on the couch though.

Here's the Mr. Chill Parker himself. It's going to be interesting to see how his personality develops. Way to go Matt and Ashley. You have such a beautiful family.

2010-04-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

Five Weeks From Today.

Five weeks from today, I will wake up and fix Scotty whatever he wants for breakfast.

Five weeks from today, he will follow me around the house because he's used to being constantly by someone's side and if feels weird to be alone.

Five weeks from today he will say things like, "Whatever you fix will be fine." "I don't remember having soooo many clothes." "We are so blessed to have so much." "That shower felt so good." "I love my bed." "Why does my dog keep growling at me?" "Video games are such a waste of time."

Five weeks from today I will be busy getting ready for a BBQ and family & friends shin-dig. He will be nervous about not remembering how to say things in English.

Five weeks from today *SHE* will come into town. *SHE* has butterflies about the thought. I can't tell you what he's thinking about the whole thing. He doesn't know *SHE* has school Friday morning and won't be in town on Thursday for the actual deplaning--um we'll rely on the whole loving-heart-full-of-forgiveness-for-all-mankind to carry us through that little situation.

Five weeks from today he will profusely compliment me on everthing that happens all day.

Five weeks from today he'll tell Drew all about Brasil and a mission, because 5 year old Drew has been saying the line, "Scotty is on a mission in Brasil" for 2 years and has no idea what that really means. Charlie has no idea who Scotty is. Hallie, ditto. Parker and Carson have never met Scotty.

And then five weeks from tomorrow, it all slowly starts getting back to normal.

2010-04-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

Whoopie!!!

For some time now I've been wanting to write a post about the hits and misses at Williams-Sonoma. I've also wanted to write about the greatness that was Sister Clark's kitchen. My first experience in her kitchen was 9th or 10th grade. My young women's class was meeting there during Christmas break to make cookie plates for a rest home or something like that. As was usually the case, I was kind of confused. How in the world do you make a 'variety of cookies and candies' to put all over plates, how are 8 girls all going to fit in the kitchen to do this? You know, I just go with the flow and try to figure out what everyone was talking about. Being a convert and raised in a smaller kitchen, I was at a disadvantage.

Sister Clark's kitchen was magical. It was H.U.G.E. She had tons of pans. Back at my house, two thin cookie sheets. Here, they just kept coming out of the cupboard. A never ending baking supply! This was not all, it was loud, and confusing, and her other kids walking through, her older son teasing the girls that were there, it was just chaos. I had never experienced anything like this in a kitchen before. Through the whole baking process, I just remember Sister Clark laughing and enjoying it all.

This simple little activity probably is not remembered by any of the other girls that were there. It was really an insignificant Christmas break day. But to me, it was life changing. I wanted to be like that. I wanted my cupboards full of whatever I needed to get the job done. Most of all, I wanted the noise, I wanted my house to feel like it was alive with life. And I wanted to laugh and enjoy all the chaos with my kids. So thank you, Sister Clark, all those years ago for opening up your kitchen to a mia maid class and being such a great example to me. I can't tell you how many times as I reach for a cookie sheet or start up my mixer I think of that day.

A couple of weeks ago I stopped in to Williams-Sonoma. I needed a new cork-stopper-pouring-thingy for my oil cruet. They didn't sell the one I wanted any more :(. I broused around. I was just in the mood to buy something. You know how every now and then you just want to shop? There hasn't been any extraneous shopping for a long while. I had a little extra money and just looked around.

I bought this Whoopie Pie pan. I thought it was ridiculously priced, but I was in a mood for chocolate and the picture looked so good. I saw it and knew it would be something fun to make for Drew. He walks through the door every Sunday asking if I made dessert. I thought he'd love these.

I used the internet to get a recipe to make them from scratch. None of the recipes said anything about a whoopie pie pan. They said to drop a spoonful on a cookie sheet and flatten out into a circle. So I used both methods.

I needed my trusty 'ole Betty Crocker cookbook to tell me how to make buttermilk (substitution section on the back cover).

I cursed the single oven in the rental house and made a mental note to make sure and put a double oven in the new house remodel.

The last two cookie sheets waiting to go into the oven. I have to say for two weeks I've been telling myself how stupid it was to get the pan, and once i saw online how you were supposed to shape the cookies, I was really mad I had bought the pan.

But this is what they looked like coming out of the oven. The regular cookie sheet cookies thinned and spread out and didn't retain the original shape. Score a point for the pan.

The recipes all included the filling, so next time I'll try to do that from scratch, but the night before I had picked up this 'creme filling' to whip up instead. It's not natural, but definately the twinkie/ding dong filling taste.

Finished product from the Williams-Sonoma Whoopie Pie pan.

Whoopie Pie pan on the left, regular cookie sheet versions on the left. If you're going for looks, the ridiculously priced pan was winning so far.

Wouldn't you know it, I'm all excited to show Drew this dessert, and if his parents didn't show up this week! That's totally ok, they've come the last 100 weeks or so straight, so one missed week is understandable. (way to accomodate the home teachers....)

Bekah and David enjoyed the dinner. Bekah loved the dessert. Her review: definately better with the Williams-Sonoma Whoopie Pie pan. The cookie portion was thicker and moister and just over all tasted better.

Which leaves me needing two more pans to accomodate the recipe/size of the family. Hopefully I can find them on the internet sold by somebody else for a fraction of the cost. And did you notice how many cookie sheets I had out there? That didn't include the other two on another counter that had breadsticks rising on them. Thank you, Sister Clark. I learned so much about how to run a kitchen and a family all those years ago from you.

To recap: The Whoopie Pie Pan was a hit, but the price is really too much. I'll have to do another post on WS with some of the other hits & misses, while you wait, here's a miss.

Just pick up 3 pies at Marie Calendars when they're on sale for $5.99. Eat and enjoy the pies, wash out the tins, and there you have breading pans for years to come.

2010-04-11T21:09:00.000-07:00

Carson's Big Day

Carson was blessed today. The meeting was wonderful. Carson is lucky to have such a large family that cares for him. I'll let Jenn put up pictures of the whole group, and the beautiful luncheon she prepared for us. Here's some random shots of Carson's Marx Crew:

Matt, Ashley, Drew, Charlie & Parker

Bekah & David

Matt, Parker & Ron

Charlie

while the adults ate, the babies slept.

2010-04-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

Easter Egg Hunt 2010

Parker looking so fly.

Charlie finding eggs.

Ron and Carson were looking for the Golden Egg

Drew on the run

"I Found IT"

2010-04-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Hallie was in town for a visit.

She liked the farm animals.

She didn't feel too great, but managed her best smile (the fruit snacks helped.)

Brad, Kara & Hallie meeting Parker.

Couldn't resist this shot of brotherly love.

Hallie (2 1/2) and Charlie (3)

2010-04-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

Random Pictures From Things That Have Been Going On.

The two babies were here together. Carson on the left, Parker on the right

I am still in the midst of my two-year dog sitting assignment. Approx. 53 days to go. And yes, Scotty, I taught him how to catch a frisbee.

I hung out with these kiddos while Matt and Ashley went to dinner to celebrate their 7 year anniversary. Before the hour was up, I called Parker: Drew-Charl-uh, Parker... same problem, different generation.

Ron got a hair cut. This is my favorite view after a new haircut. I love a clean shaven neck.

Drew and Charlie spent the night during spring break.

2010-04-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Charlie's 3rd Birthday Celebration

Sunday March 28

(the day after the actual 3rd birthday, but this girl's up for a party any time...)

Rebekah wanted to make sure I officially noted in the blog that she and David attended the feast and festivities.

2010-04-03T23:35:00.000-07:00

I love Easter. I love the family gathering for a special dinner and Easter egg hunt. I love the symbolism of spring and new beginnings. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. These prophet God just say it so much nicer than I do.

2010-03-28T21:42:00.000-07:00

It's been a little busy around here!

Thursday, March 18th

Matt called at 6 a.m. and asked if I could come get Drew ready for school because Ashley was going into labor. Yahoo!! finally a baby is going to come. {no labor pictures of Ashley}

Drew was off to school. I came back home to do some work for the company. Back to Matt's house to meet Drew's bus at noon. Just as I'm explaining to Drew and Charlie how they're coming to Grandma's and I'll get them McDonalds for lunch and the Princess Frog movie and Drew can play video games all he wants at grandmas....Jenn calls. Her doctor is putting her in the hospital, but Jordan's at work, could I take her?

I kind of paniced for a few moments then I remembered Ron's Mom. So off to get the original Grandma Marx to see if she could help me with Drew and Charlie for a little bit. We drove through Mc Donalds and picked up grandma great, and headed to jenn's house. Video games would be at Jenn's house instead of Grandmas. Jenn gets settled into the hospital.

Finally I leave the hospital, pick up Drew and Charlie and get Grandma Marx back home so she can attend to a humanitarian night.

Drew and Charlie enjoying popcorn and the Princess and the Frog movie. Pizza has been ordered.

At 8 p.m. I start waterproofing Scott's bed with plastic since I have the kids and no night-time supplies. They can wear some old t-shirts for bed time.

Just as the bed is ready we get word that their new brother is born and they can come meet him.

Drew and Charlie meet Parker at 10 p.m. They think he's pretty cute.

Charlie unwrapped the blanket to check out his toes.

After meeting Parker, Drew and Charlie realize just what a busy day they had had with all the things their mom doesn't usually allow: video games, pizza, capri suns, fruit roll ups, ice cream cones, they were exausted and fell asleep in their own beds a few moments after this picture.

I arrive back at the hospital just after midnight. It's now March 19th.

Jenn's been put on oxygen.

At last, there's a new grandson....again.

Cute new family

Parker Hilton Marx

3/18/10 8:55 p.m.

9 lb. 14 oz. 22 inches

Carson Peter Shields

3/19/10 7:53 a.m.

8 lbs. 9 oz. 20 inches

WE ADORE THESE TWO!!!

2010-03-12T13:08:00.000-08:00

Cheers!

Here's to speedy deliveries, healthy babies, and happy mommas.

2010-03-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

AND NOW YOU WON'T STOP CALLING ME I'M KINDA BUSY...

Oh, that I had Lady GaGa's problems.

My phone is silent. When it rings, I run to check the I.D.

Ron Is Hott still calls, but thats not the caller I.D. I'm looking for.

There are two, yes T.W.O. new babies due any time now in this family. Ring phone, ring. I want to meet these little guys so bad.

While we all impatiently wait, I have added a new inspiration video to my sidebar. Definately worth the watch.

And here you have, in one post, the dichotomy of my video interests.

2010-03-03T14:23:00.000-08:00

Double Digits

Elder Scotty sent some pictures of how he spent his p-day this week.

He asked me a couple of weeks ago if it was o.k. to go to the dentist because his mouth hurt pretty bad. My only concern was that the instruments and utensils used by the doctor were sterylized and I asked him to check with the mission office because they usually had lists of doctors that were o.k. to use locally.

My concerns were a little unfounded, the dentist office looks as modern as here in the states. Cleaning and filled cavity for $30 USD. He didn't know if that was a good price or not!

This is a statue to the great soccer player, Pele. He's in a city that has the english translation of three hearts, Pele's hometown.

We're in double digits now on the countdown - less than 100 days left.

In other family news, Ashley and Jennifer are in their last week/two weeks. We are all so excited to meet these two little boys.

2010-02-28T23:00:00.000-08:00

G.E.O.G.R.A.P.H.Y

I have had a many phone calls in the last two days. Everyone wants to make sure Elder Marx is o.k. from the earthquake. I have been so touched at everyone's concern. I'm assuming he didn't feel anything. I won't know for sure until Wednesday.

For a lot of people, like me, geography class in 8th grade was along time ago.

Here is a visual of where Scott is serving:

View Larger Map

He is in the Belo Horizone Mission which is about 2,381 miles away from the earthquake area.

For North American comparison, it's comparable to the distance between Los Angeles and Savanah, Georgia.

Which is why I don't think he felt it, and I'm assuming he's o.k. But I am so thankful there's so many people who care about him and inquired.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I should mention that another Elder Marx (Brad) served from '01-'03 in Santiago, Chile.

2010-02-16T07:54:00.000-08:00

A Few Favorite Past Olympic Moments.

Wouldn't it be cool if the two baby boy cousins on their way next month grew up to be curling teammates!!! I would be their number one fan.

Since I'm older than most bloggers, here's one of the greatest ice dancing numbers, ever.

I H.A.D. to have Dorothy's haircut. My mom was horrified because you needed a new item in order to achieve this hair style. A curling iron. So not only did she have to pay to get my hair cut, but then to buy a curling iron as well. And she was possitive it was going to burn my hair off at the roots. No Joke.

2010-02-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

Random Comments

Can anyone tell me what's going on with the random comments I'm getting. I'm beseiged. The comments make no sense. They're going back to old posts and leaving them. Has anyone else had this happen? What's going on?

2010-01-20T00:09:00.000-08:00

Saturday's Goal:

Keep these pants free of paint.

They're one of my favorite pair - because they're D.A.R.K. they're the pair of choice today because they're C.L.E.A.N. Note to self: be careful. As I take the picture I examine a little closer. They also look S.H.O.R.T. I have some pairs that are average, some that are talls. I think I should stick to the talls from now on.

Ron left early to move equipment around. It's cool, cloudy, and I'm really having a hard time talking myself into getting up and out of the house. It's painting Jenn's nursery room day.

I'm going to need a breakfast drink. As I leave del taco this song comes on:

So old-school Jenn.

Sugar, caffeine, and loud music - I'm ready to get started now.

Sneak Peak. I'll let Jenn post the finished room pictures. And this picture does not do justice to the hugeness that is now Jenn. Give her a few moments she'll let you know how she can't breathe, can't sleep, can't bend over, he's kicking her sore....

We painted the dresser and the bedroom. It took all day.

I'm so bad at achieving goals.

2010-01-06T22:05:00.001-08:00

The National Family Holiday
a.k.a. Kim's birthday

The kids did a great job thinking of how to celebrate my birthday. We started with dinner at Dick's. I had heard this was a fun restaurant where the waiters were rude. Um, yes, they're rude, but also kind of on the raunchy side. So....I was glad we got there early in the evening (less than half the tables were full when we got there) and had kids with us. . .I think it tamed things down a bit. By the time we left they were getting louder and busier. I had mentioned several months ago I wanted to eat there, and my kids remembered and they planned stop #1 on the National Family Holiday Tour at this restaurant.

This is Charlie's hat. It says, "High Maintenance Princess in Training." If you notice in picture #1 the table behind us was full of elderly patrons. And if you can enlarge picture #2 at all, this old man wore this hat loud and proud all through dinner. I kept staring at it and wondering if the fragile woman sitting across from him had any idea what he was wearing. It just kind of surprised me he kept it on.

Stop #2 on the National Family Holiday Tour was Chuckie Cheese! I love to play skee ball. So we played arcade games.

This is the only good picture of Drew, he runs from game to game in this place making all other pictures a blur.

Charlie enjoyed all the games. whether she knew what she was doing or not.

Skee ball competition. Even with Rebekah removing her stillettoes, she could not pull off a high score.

Tickets

Matt & I decided we would compete best of three on this pinball game.

Matt's highest score.

My highest score.

Ron stepping up to the plate

One coin. Played forever. Totally smoked our scores. He's a pinball wizard.

Cashing in the tickets. The final total was around 360 tickets. Drew and Charlie cashed in on 3 tootsie rolls, 1 play microphone, 1 annoying little gun with lights and noises, 2 crazy straws, and 2 bracelets.

I cashed in on a cute pair of shoes, a new purse, and paper white flowers. A wonderful evening - Thanks kids.

2010-01-04T21:35:00.001-08:00

This is the kitchen table light we inherited with the house.

It was tied up and held together with a cable tv cord.

During breakfast, I decided this was my last morning staring at open electrical sockets and bare wires.

15 minutes to dissasemble.

One trip to Lowes.

15 minutes spray painting on the back patio.

6 hours drying time.

15 minutes reassembling.

Viola!

We had dinner under this light.

2009-12-29T22:16:00.000-08:00

FAMILY HOLIDAY TOGETHERNESS CONTINUES

CHRISTMAS DAY

The family came back over to talk to Scotty on the phone in Brazil!

Jenn and Jordan waiting for their turn on the phone. They've kept a busy 'family' schedule for the Christmas holiday weekend, zig-zagging across the valley to attend everything.

Charlie talked to Scotty, mainly because she likes talking on the phone. She was 15 months old when he left. He'll be amazed at the big 3 year old when he gets home.

Catherine was so nervous to talk to Scott, but after a few moments it was like the good 'ole days.

Jenn & Brad visiting.

Bekah wasn't able to join us Christmas Eve, so she opened her presents after the phone call.

December 26th -- Next gathering: Marx Family Christmas Party. 75 of your closest relatives.

Matt & Ashley

Hallie, Brad & Kara

Our family with Ron's parent's.

December 28th - Going to the movies as a family. We usually do this on Christmas afternoon, but with Scott's phone call it didn't work out this year. Instead we went on Monday night to the movies. With the kiddos along, we went to The Chipmunks. It was 80 minutes of squeaky, falsetto chipmunk talking.

December 29th - The family fun for the week wasn't over, Drew and Charlie spent the night. I can't believe I was lucky enough to snap this shot of Charlie getting grandpa to dance!

2009-12-26T04:21:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS EVE - THE DINNER

This year's dinner had some good and bad points. Christmas blessing #1 came when I was grocery shopping. I have wanted to try prime rib for several years, but the cost has scared me away. This year I went to Sam's Club and bought a pot roast and figured I would make other nice dishes to go with it. Needed Garlic. Which meant I had to stop at Smith's on the way home. In SC's defense, they sell garlic - but it's about 30 cloves, for only $3, but still, what am I going to do with 30 cloves of garlic??? As I walked into Smith's, they had moved a refrigerated thing at the front of the store where you that had various items for a Christmas dinner. I stopped to look at the meat, it was the prime rib roast - but they had the manager's marked down sticker on them. I couldn't believe it. Right there was the roast that was normally 9.99/lb. on sale for 2.99/lb. I was so excited. Merry Christmas to me, and thank you Smith's butcher.

That was a good point.

Mid-day on Christmas Eve was time to start cooking. I've had double ovens in the last 3 houses, so I didn't stop to think at all about my oven situation. This house has one...small...oven. Whoops. Once the roast was in, nothing else would be cooking. Had I thought through my logistics the day before, I would have sent Ron to storage to find one of my roasters. But now we'll have to deal with the one oven situation. I fixed the potatoes, and drove them over to Ashely's to bake. I adjusted the vegetable dish I was going to make and just steamed green beans....pumpkin pies did not get baked.

That was just a point where I was irritated with myself for not thinking of the oven situation ahead of time.

Ashely walked in and asked what she could do to help. She was kind enough to get the deviled eggs ready.

I placed the plate in the fridge to stay cool until dinner was served. Nothing worse than warm deviled eggs. But the fridge was kind of full. I put the plate on top of a container of sour cream. That was surrounded by towering yogurts.

A few minutes after the fridge door was closed there was a crashing sound. The plate of eggs fell down the back of the fridge. So plate of eggs ruined. Smeared yoke filling all down the back of my refrigerator. Cleaning the fridge wasn't on my to-do list, but guess what I did at 11 p.m.
This was a bad point.

We had a kid's table this year!

The menu:

prime rib
glazed carrots
steamed green beans
potatoes au gratin w/mushrooms and blue cheese
cranberry salad
jello with stuff in it
crescent rolls

The dinner, if I do say so myself was yummy. Not because I enjoyed it that night (i never enjoy it after I've cooked all day..) but on Sunday after church Ron and I had the leftovers and it was great.

You might ask - where are the Christmas plates? The Sunday dishes are blue, couldn't use those (blue plates would have clashed with Christmas tablecloth), the china is still packed away. I had Ron take me to the storage trailer to get what I thought was the bin of Christmas dishes, but when I opened it 30 minutes before the food was ready to set the table, it was only the dessert plates, and two serving bowls. So no Christmas plates this year. That was a bad point.

It turned out to be a lovely meal, everyday white corel plates and all.

2009-12-26T03:27:00.000-08:00

UNWRAPPING CHRISTMAS EVE

Ashley and Jenn both at 6 months. March madness is on it's way.

The girls with the My Favorite Things of the year gift:

vanilla candle
flat cheese grater (you know how hard these are to find?)
Extension cord - but not just any extention cord, the plug is flat so it fits nicely plugged in behind furniture, and the other end will take a 3-prong plug. One day this year they'll all reach for this extention cord and thank me
utility scissors, because you just can't have enough scissors around the house
Ferer Rocher chocolate candy
Crisper baking pan

Drew as Bumble Bee

a quiet moment at the end of all the excited unwrapping time.

This is the closest picture we have of Drew opening up this present. It was a shirt. A rather cool shirt with a Tiger, and his name spelled in the stripes of the tiger...but his initial reaction was of great disappointment that it was clothes. Funniest moment of the evening. I must add that after 4 days, this has become his favorite shirt and he has been spotted wearing it 3 of the 4 days.

I like this picture of Kara taking a picture of Brad

Charlie & Hallie

Necklace No. 47 . See Explanation.

Next year I think we will definately add singing. I could have done three different songs on the harp - so my goal for next year is to have 3-5 good Christmas songs the kids can sing. Even if they complain about doing it.

Two year goal: have enough/old enough grandkids to act out the nativity.

2009-12-16T07:26:00.000-08:00

Hallie is F.A.M.O.U.S.

The first week of November, Ron & I traveled down to San Diego to visit with Brad and Kara and Hallie.

Hallie is growing up so fast. Isn't this just the cutest picture of how she puts away her shoes when she comes home!

That's just to catch you up a bit on what we were doing when I wasn't blogging. On to how Hallie is famous.

Back in the beginning of August when I was in San Diego, Brad and I had this conversation:

Brad: Have you heard of some lady that was in a bad private plane crash and blogs about it?

Me: Nie-nie?

Brad: What?

Me: That's her blog name. Stephanie Nielsen.

Brad: Oh, whatever. Well, we're going to her sister's house for dinner Friday night.

Me: Thinking hard. Hmmm. Don't remember any of her family members that live in San Diego. We continue on chatting a bit. He tells me about this couple in his ward that they enjoy doing stuff with.

Then I put the pieces together.

You mean Elizabeth?

Brad: Yeah, the Bryants.

Me: YOU KNOW LIZZY WRITES?

Brad: who?

Me: Lizzy Writes, About Whatever She Fancies. You know her?

Brad: um, I don't think so.

Me: No, that's Nie-Nie's sister-in-law. Oh, my gosh. I didn't know you knew her. That's right, they did move to San Diego, he graduated ASU and got a job here, she's pregnant with a boy and just had the most darling baby shower...

Brad: You'll have to talk to Kara, I don't know all this blog stuff. [which is a total lie because I know Brad is a closet blog reader...]

Me: That's so weird you know Lizzy Writes

Brad: That's so weird you know more about our friends than we do.

Me: You're going over there for dinner? That should be a treat, she looks like a great cook.

Now. To tell you the truth this conversation really bugged me for a while. I have a list of blogs that i read. Many of them are extended family to keep up with their lives. Then there's another list of blogs I have come across as I've stalked, and literally, peaking in on these blogs is pretty much like stalking someone. But they write and put it out there, so I feel o.k. stalking. Lizzy Writes just has cool style. She enjoys cooking and entertaining and so I peak in on her blog to she how she's given the latest halloween party or whatever. I just like her style. but she was just someone out there. Not someone that knows my son. That makes her real. Can you stalk a real person? That thought kind of creeped me out.

Great. My son has become friends with Lizzy Writes and now I'm going to have to stop reading her blog cause that's just weird. I broke up with Lizzy Write About Whatever She Fancies.

I vowed to stop clicking in on her blog which worked for a while until curiosity got the best of me one night and I wondered if she'd had her baby yet. You know what I saw? Kara in a picture! Yep, there she is 2nd from the right. During my absense (of a couple weeks...) she had changed the blog name and layout, but it's still Lizzy Writes to me.

This week - Hallie got a shout out in Lizzy Writes! I was scrolling through the Decked Out Lizzy Writes abode, and right there next to the wooden nativity for little hands to play with was Hallie's name. I only know one Hallie. Sure enough that link clicked over to Brad & Kara's Blog.

Thank You to Lizzy Writes, aka Simple Fancies, for watching out for Hallie and providing a nativity for her to play with. I have my own simple wooden nativity just waiting for her little hands to come play with on the 23rd.

(And now, since it's after 8, I'm going to try and track down Miss Hallie who is actually here for her aunt's UNLV graduation....I would love to get a quick hug and kiss with that little cutie before she flies away)

2009-12-14T19:38:00.000-08:00

I love Macayos - almost as much as a pure native does. Did you know our new habitat is LESS THAN A MILE from a Macayos? Whoo-hoo. For the last 4.5 years when we've trekked across town to sit down at Macayos I would try and convince the waitress and powers-that-be that the northern end of town needs a Macayos. May I suggest Decatur & 215. But now, we're less than a mile away again.

Non-LV readers don't know about Macayos. It's a half step up from La Tolteca (without the ability to buy tortillas by the dozen, salsa by the quart, and chips by the pound) You know...I actually should do a whole post on the greatness that is La Tolteca, and how there are no corn tortillas in my freezer, therefore a trip south is in order, or someone driving by needs to pick up a few dozen for me...

Back to Macayos and why my sink looks like this.

A week ago Saturday I kept busy all morning and at 3 layed down for a nap. Big mistake. I was more tired than I realized and woke up at 6:30. Who wants to fix dinner on a Saturday night, starting at 6:30? So I say to Ron, "We should just go over to Macayos."

Ron panics. Thinks quick. He needs to nip this in the bud or it will be Macayos for dinner 3 nights a week. To which he responds: Don't we have leftovers in the fridge?

And I'm all like, It would be so much faster just to go over there.

And He's like, I know there's steak in there, some roast beef.

And I'm all like, Yeah, there's meat. But there's nothing else.

But he's all like, we shouldn't waste the food.

And I'm all like I know how to pick my fights and $25 at Macayos tonight just isn't worth it.

So....I took potatoes, peeled, boiled, cut up, cooked, mashed, served.

Fixed vegetables.

Heated up the roast beef.

30 minutes later Ron had a complete meal. My sink that was totally clean at 6:30, was full of dishes again.

And I was all like, pollo espinaca would have been so much easier.

2009-10-16T09:01:00.001-07:00

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT BRAD & KARA

(Opening Disclaimer: This should never be construed as I love one more than another, I think more of one's education than another's, or any of the other thousands of ways it could be miscontrued, but see me through to the end of the post. And ALL of my kids are dang awesome, educated/getting educated/working and living productive lives)

Kara joined our family one week after completing nursing school. It was a stressful semester for her. She could work full time and live a much more lavish lifestyle, but she chooses to instead be a full-time mom to Hallie. As she describes it, I'm a mom first and formost and on my 'off' days I'm a nurse. And finally, she supports Brad's busy schedule, for which she gets mad-dog props.

Hallie is a cutie-pie. And to hear that little girl talk is a crack-up. My favorite is hearing her say animal names in spanish.

Brad. I want to call him every other day, but always hesitate. I don't want to interupt a much-deserved nap, or his only few minutes with Kara that day, or is he at work, or school lecture? He is: full-time law student, part-time law firm researcher, writes for one of the law review publications, serves as executive secretary in his ward, avid sports fan. Busy List!

The reason for me metioning Brad & Kara is:

ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS.

I love, love, love this man. Not in an "I love you I want to marry you" kind of way - but in an 'When he talks, I listen" kind of way.

This week's TALK

After reading this, I was so thankful for Brad & Kara and how they are sacrificing at this time for Brad to go to school. What this country doesn't need is another lawyer - but it sure does need more lawyers that are filled with faith. Brad will be such an asset.

2009-09-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

The CREATE Video On My Sidebar

"In the end, the number of prayers we say

may contribute to our happiness,

but the number of prayers we answer

may of even greater importance."

Today is the General Relief Society Broadcast. I love this meeting. I have attended almost all of them since they started with President Kimball in the late '70s. Each meeting will bring messages that touch your heart. Last year was no different.

My inner conversation had started at least 18 months before. Do any of you carry on these conversations with yourself? Searching, wondering, thinking about it. In the end, for me they always lead to feeling sorry for myself. You'd think I'd stop having these conversations! But sometimes things just strike you and you just mull it over and think about it. 18 months before I had bought a Christmas CD which I loved. I read about the artist and it dawned on me she had fully developed her talent, she went to school, she worked professionally, and she was raising a lovely family. Then came the bad thought: Why didn't I do that? A couple of months later I was talking to a friend at church and she was talking about how she was playing in a community orchestra one night a week. She had had all three children while playing in this orchestra. Again, Why didn't I keep it up? I could have done that. I would have really enjoyed that.

Then in the midst of all the negative thoughts a couple of points rose to the surface, 1) You can still do it. 2) You did the best you could - you were a little busy with a young family, and for you that was what you could handle.

"Creating and being compassionate

are two activities that we as

His spirit children can and should emulate."

I decided I could still do it. I could have picked up my flute, practiced up, and kept going, but I kind of wanted to try a different instrument. And if I get a do-over, I'd like to play the harp. It seems so cool. So I researched a little. Found a teacher. Purchased a harp, and got started.

That was June. Four months later in September I had gone through the summer lessons and I was terrible! Not really terrible, but a beginner. I was discouraged I didn't have the time to practice like I used to in high school. I figured out that back then, my life was totally my own, so if I practiced all afternoon, no big deal. But now. There are demands. Things to take care of and do. I can't just drop everything and practice. So frusterating. Also, just because you can play an instrument, why did I think I'd be able to play another one at the same level? Weird brain of mine. I was wondering if I had made a mistake, who was I to think I could do this?

"Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment.

We develop ourselves and others when we

take unorganized matter into our hands and

mold it into something of beauty."

As Pres. Uchtdorf began to speak, it was as if the topic was chosen for me. His words calmed the inner turmoil I had been feeling for 18 months. I hadn't missed out on anything. I had been busy creating a family. And now, I can learn to create music again. And don't be so critical of yourself. and... and... and...

"I also pray that the Holy Ghost

will amplify my words and bestow

upon them additional meaning, insight, and inspirations."

Thank you.

It was nice of the church to create a little video of my personal message! I hope you enjoy it and that it inspires you as well.

Full text here.

As for the harp lessons - they continue on. It is harder than I ever imagined. There are so many technical things that happen besides just playing notes. Little nuances in hand position. I have a problem placing my thumbs higher and bringing my fingers in flat, it's a constant weekly comment in my notebook. I'm excited to be learning. Sometimes I just can't practice as much as I'd like, and I don't beat myself up about it, there are times when being compassionate trumps being creative.

That is the story of why I have the Create video on my sidebar. I can't wait to hear today's talks and what my inspiration for this next year will be.

2009-09-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

CATCH-UP

I failed last week, wait, 10 days ago! to give a proper Birthday Shout Out to Jordan. Happy Birthday Jordan!

Last Saturday Charlie came and spent some time with me. I was on the couch with my broken ankle so I wasn't doing a lot of playing, just observing. She kept me entertained. At this point, she had decided it was times to give her little ponies a drink of water. She kept handing me the Wii controler and wanted to play with it, but I don't know how to work any game consoles, so we just stuck with the ponies and coloring.

2009-09-24T20:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Brad,

Our convo Monday went something like this:

B-rad: you know that lady that was in a plane crash with her husband, you read her blog?
The Mom: Nie-Nie?
B-rad: yeah, she's going to be on Oprah Thursday.
The Mom: Oh, really. I don't watch Oprah, but I'll have to tape it that day. I'd like to hear what she has to say.

Uh, I taped it. It's Jay-Z and Barbra.

Thanks to the beauty of DDR, I could fast forward through the interview w/Jay-Z because, Oprah really doesn't interview, she talks at her guests the whole time. They should have shown more of the Crazy in Love video, less talking. BUT the funniest was the fact that Oprah, with all her millions, can't bounce!!! Can you believe it? Oh, so, sad. I can bounce better than her.

Then comes the Barbra interview. I slow down and think I'll listen. I like her. (not that I don't like Jay-Z but it's just the whole Oprah interview style that sends me over the top.) Then they start showing pictures of Barbra's vacation food. hit fast forward. Wait, they're laughing, back up. Play. Barbra says something about success doesn't change you, it brings out more of what you already are....And Oprah, OH. MY. GOSH. She's says, "I said that."

Let me put this in caps to emphasize my point: IF YOU'RE INTERVIEWING SOMEONE, BE GRACIOUS AND LET THEM TAKE ALL THE CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING. OPRAH, STOP ONE-UPPING YOUR GUESTS AND BLABBING AT THEM THE WHOLE TIME. YOU HAVE BARBRA IN YOUR STUDIO AND SHE DOESN'T DO INTERVIEWS, SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO HER...

There, I feel better.

More fast forwarding...Barbra doll...awwwwe, here's her singing. Now I know what I can get your grandma for her b-day next month. I've been pondering that all week, she's oh, so hard to buy for. A new Barbra CD, she'll like that.

So let's review: Jay-Z, brief moments of good music, lots of flapping Oprah mouth, no bouncability, Barbra, singing.....No Nie-Nie.

Thanks for the tip and allowing me to only have to actually listen to about 10 mintues out of an hour of Oprah. And you think Glen Beck is irritating?

Love, Mom

P.S. Funny spoof

2009-09-23T13:33:00.004-07:00

I've been so busy

hopping on crutches

more updates to come

This makes two posts in a row showing my feet. That's just somehow wrong.

2009-09-04T21:10:00.000-07:00

Hollar!!!!

Yesterday was just one of those days. Started at 4 a.m. and ended at 10:45 p.m. Appointments and responsibilities stacked up on top of each other. I was exausted when I returned home at 10:45. And Kruger was hopping around and begging me to take him on a bike ride. Can you believe it? I was dog tired, but I had to take the dog for a jog. Just after 11, I fell into bed. I reached for my laptop to check email for the day. And that was it. I was out. No blog reading for me on the 3rd.

Do you know what I missed on the 3rd? I didn't realize it till the morning of the 4th when I started on to a few of my daily clicks. There it was, on my first click. A post referencing ME, on my favorite blog. Wow. Hollar!!!

So, here it is, check out my mini fame. Don't read Nat the Fat Rat? You really should. And order one of her custom onesie's while you're at it so she doesn't have to go get another soul-sucking job.

2009-09-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

Loyalties and Flip Flops

I miss our old ward and stake. And to all that have sent messages of hello - right back at you. We're hoping to drop in on Chicken on the Hill for some fabulous food, visiting and cooler weather.

It's not that I'm not happy to be in the Highland Hills Stake, I'm just . . .new. I haven't been to any stake meetings yet, don't really know the Stake Presidency. I'm well seasoned enough to know that they are men called of God, and give it some time, you'll love them. But I wasn't there yet. I was just attending my meetings and trying to meet new people.

This Sunday, in one brief moment, it happened. I fell in LOVE with the Highland Hills Stake. Isn't it cool how the process works? A simple written announcement, that not many people noticed, caught my eye. It was as if the Stake sent out a personal welcome to me!

I took my back row seat in Relief Society and was handed an announcement sheet. There, buried after the scrapbooking, cannery order, play group, and cub scout activities was this little gem:

"RS GENERAL BROADCAST: The Stake Relief Society is hold a dinner and then viewing the broadcast on September 26th. Dinner will start at 6 p.m. They will be holding a "flip-flop" and "sidewalk chalk" drive. Please bring in donations of these items. Also, they encourage us to wear a summer dress with flip flops that evening."

Do you see that? Flip Flops. I've just been given permission to wear flip flops to church!!! Woot.

Oh the possibilities, which ones shall I wear? Today I was sporting the brown beaded pair. Blue paisley, plain black? So many choices, so little time. I know, I know, a pedicure is in order, I tried yesterday but my favorite foot handler, Tammy, took a day off. I'll get in sometime soon.

But I digress. This announcement is monumental in my world. Permission...no...encouragement, to wear flip flops. To church.

I will bring sidewalk chalk. I will bring flip flops. I will wear a summer dress and this evening, flip flops. As I sit in the chapel in my flip flops, I will soak up the words of love and encouragment from living prophets of God.

And then come Sunday, I will follow an Apostle's admonition, and put my flip flops aside in leiu of my "Sunday best"

I'm going to LOVE this Stake.

2009-08-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

"It seems now, more than ever, it's cool to be a Marxist."

Yeah, buddy. I'm telling you, we're a cool family...

http://www.glenbeck.com/

2009-08-26T15:00:00.001-07:00

SELF-REFLECTION

2009-08-17T22:41:00.000-07:00

LOL

This is the funniest blog post & comments I have read in a long time.

LOL

2009-08-08T21:34:00.000-07:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, Hallie

2009-08-08T21:13:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks, it's my mom's birthday.

Nobody worry - I've got the cake and clean up thing under control.

Dude, I have it made. My sister will take care of everything and I can just watch cartoons.
Happy Birthday to Ashley.

2009-08-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

It's my Daddy's birthday

Happy Birthday

YEAH!!!!

2009-07-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

29 Woot WootFor our 29th anniversary Ron bought me a huge boquet of carnations. I can hear the gasps already from flower elitests....before you judge him, it's my request. I LOVE CARNATIONS. Please don't bring home roses. Oh, I'll take them with a kiss, place them in water and enjoy. But if you want to make my heart go pitter patter, bring carnations.

Here's a few facts from 29 years:

States visited: 20
Countries visited: 4
Cruises: 5
Trips to Hawaii: 3
No. of temples we've been to: 15
Trips to Lake Powell: 20-24
No. of children: 5+4=9
No. of grandchildren: 3

Gosh, we've been busy.

2009-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

OUR BALANCING ACT

Warning: this is way long, like Iliad-long, and there are no Spark notes.

THE SET-UP

Three years ago we had what I called the perfect storm: Ron invested in adding grading and paving to our business, and in doing so made a couple of mistakes, like $30-50,000 each mistakes. We can recoup from that. Then a contractor didn't pay us, we had to sue, ended up with pennies on the dollar, ended up being almost a $70,000 loss, no problem, it's going to be tight, but we can recover. Then there was another expense that came up. We had three things that hit all within a couple of months of each other. I was ready to move on to a new year and get those months behind me.

THEN...the next year rolls around and it seems like we just can't get on top of the bills again, every month is hard. A few personal trips we planned ('cause in the past if someone suggested something 4 months out - no problem, we're in.) barely panned out. By the end of the year I finally ran all the company reports to take a look at things financially. We were down 30%, no wonder I felt like it was a struggle all the time. Up to that point we had ten different years where we made so close to the same amount every year, Ron joked it was a fine oiled machine. We definitely had taken things for granted. But, whew, glad to know there was a reason for the tough times. 30% drop was alarming to me, so I started asking around to several other contractors we know "you guys slowing down?" Many of them would give me a look, "No, we can't keep up with it all/just added another crew..." SO, then I would get all down and out like we were the only losers that couldn't do well. BUT then after feeling sorry for myself for a couple of months I realized in conversations that some of them were just now working on projects we had complete 6 months before. DUH, we're the first in with the ground work and utilities, they're at the end of projects. Now the tide had turned, they were noticing the slowdown in work too. Whew, it's not just us.

NOW to this year/or year 3 in the story. Once the banking crisis hit, it was like a faucet was turned off. Did I mention that last summer we did two jobs and then the owners couldn't get financing - Yeah I did - Work gets slower and slower, projects get smaller and smaller, competition for bidding gets larger and larger. For the last year and a half Ron and I have had conversations about how to handle the slow down and the money, what's our worse-case scenario? For the record, Ron is Mr. Optimist. I'm the more the realist. We balance each other out. Not that I'm not positive or optimistic, but someone has to make a Plan B. and C. and D.

THE QUESTIONS
Earlier this year I really started pondering how bad was this going to get, and when will it turn around? I tried my best to understand CNBC, and all the other newscasters that scream at you to get your attention. I observed as I was driving around town. Do we need to be drastic or just hang in there? I was a mess. So I do what anyone does when they're a mess. I called my dad. He's very well-read in financial stuff and world news. He chats with me about various stuff. And regulations. And who started what with regulations and deregulations. I don't want the history, I just want my answer. You know dad, this is what I'm seeing: 1) The stimulus package is supposed to open up funding again. Great. I know several projects approved ready to go when the owner can get funding. BUT we do commercial work. 2) I drive around town and the commercial shopping centers only look half-full. Our neighbor is in commercial lease management, his centers are at 40% occupancy, he's worried. So....even if a bank is going to fund, you have to show something like 70% tenant commitments to the bank to get a loan. Who's going to get that when everything else in town is half empty? 3) we know several engineers and they're either going out of business or about to because they don't have any work. If they're not working - there's nothing coming down the pipes for us to do.

"So, dad, how long do I have to hang on??? If you tell me 6 months, I think I can do that, if you tell me longer, I don't know what we're going to do."

So my dad with his Texas drawl asks: How long after an engineer completes a project till it reaches your company to install? And I think, well, easy 6 months. Maybe more. it has to go through plans check, red lines, funding, out to bid, get awarded the bid, then permitting and start. 6-9 months.

"Well then, there's your answer. Watch the engineers, when they get busy, you're 6-9 months away from getting busy yourself."

I hang up stunned. Still in a mess. I know, he's right. BUT I didn't have time to think about it anymore because I had a stake welfare training meeting to get to...

SOME ANSWERS
I sat down in the chapel with all the leaders in the stake and to be honest, my mind was still back at my convo with my dad. All this stuff was running through my brain. I just wanted someone to tell me it will be back to normal and in what month. Less than 6? I can do less than 6.

The DVD started. My notes started. I'll share them, in case you haven't seen - and even if you have, your notes were probably different.

Elder Hales: Joyfully living w/in our means. Use resources wisely. Do not covet. Avoid debt, be content. Exercise faith in the Savior to do better and be better. Our ability to serve is increased/decreased by our self reliance. Change lifestyle & place of residence to live w/in your means. Be a good employee.

Sister Beck: Organize teach & inspire sisters. *great quote on relief* education/money/social/ and emotional well-being. improve skills: home industries, accounting/bookkeeping.

Bishop Burton: basic welfare principles. Seek out the poor. Promote personal..?. Sustain life - not lifestyle. Downsize where necessary. Provide commodities before cash.

Stake leaders remarks: What can we do to help our members receive personal revelation and raise spirituality in individual members? More temple attendance - esp. if out of work. Utilize prayer roll. Use General Conf. talks for inspiration. Keep commandments, pray, ask for revelation D&C 20:47. Have gratitude and serve. Plan for your future. Read Book of Mormon for greater spirituality. NO dispair, depression or giving up. The scriptures say, 'And it came to pass' - not 'and it came to stay'. Be where you're supposed to be, do what you're supposed to do, and allow the Lord to bless you.

What a fantastic 90 minutes. And now I at least know, this won't be over in 6 months. The church wouldn't go to all the trouble of this DVD and asking all stakes in the U.S. to have training meetings if this was a temporary situation. And in a strange way, relief. This just wasn't my situation, others must be having the same conversations at their homes. It's time to hunker down and trim expenses to get through.

THE MONTHS MARCH ON
Some areas of the country have hurricanes, some flooding, some tornadoes, or forest fires. I decided an economic storm was sweeping through our area. Much like tornadoes and wildfires, it can devastate a home to ashes and leave the one next door standing fully intact. That's how I've felt this year. As we sat down to look at the refinancing paperwork, I ran another company report. I knew it was worse. I struggle every day of every week. Always twice as many bills as income. I now have reoccurring nightmares of the voices that call everyday wondering when Invoice #...will be paid. That part is not fun. restless, sleepless nights. So the income for the company this time was even more dismal. Six months into the year, we're down another 40%. Yep, that's right - doing quick math, we're down over 70% from a 'normal' year. And we're only half-way done.

So we looked at the options. IF the company did the same amount of work the 2nd half of the year, yeah, we probably could work out this refinancing. BUT what if it continues to slide down? What if we go from steady, low dollar jobs, to a job then a few weeks of nothing before another job. If that happens, there's no way we could sustain the household expenditures. By the time you do the payment, property taxes, HOA, utilities, that is a rather large chunk of change. Honestly, Ron & I could live on much, much less than that monthly figure.

Is it wise right now to spend that much on our personal lives? Would it affect being able to pay our employees? Are we throwing good money after bad? Are we prolonging the inevitable? When will we go back to normal? Will we be sorry? Are we making the right decision?

I'M SORRY
So, when all along we thought we were refinancing and staying put, we decided to not keep the house. We're trying to keep the business going and must reduce our expenses. So...to anyone who might be reading this (you're still reading this?), if you didn't know we were moving, I'm sorry. It really happened so fast, and we were incredibly busy. I didn't tell many people. It took a couple of weeks to figure out what/where everything would go, then it took a couple of weeks to pack and move it. So so exhausting. and hot. and humid. What do you do with the household items of a 4,000 sq ft house? It almost all fits in a 40 foot tractor trailer. We're just storing everything for now. The office is moved to Matt & Ashley's extra room. The food storage is in Jenn & Jordan's extra room. And we are in Bekah & David's extra room. The storage for the company is in another tractor trailer and a few other locations.

I was ready to rent something else. Ron is just certain some out-of-town jobs will come through, so why rent if he has to work out of state? So the compromise was hang out at Bekah's for a little bit. 6 month limit. If nothing pans out by then, we need our own place, our own stuff.

THE END of the epic post
I don't know that we will ever go back to 'normal'. We will adjust to a new normal. I'm very optimistic for the future. We truly believe we just need to make adjustments for about 2-5 years. I don't have all the answers or details for my next year, but I know without a doubt that the future will be wonderful. There will be other houses, other grandchildren, other church callings. We will be blessed beyond our ability to comprehend. Is the worse over? Probably not. Will we be sorry we made this decision? Maybe, but I don't think so.

I struggled on whether I should write about all this. My family knows what's going on. Do other people really need to? Could it help others? Will they think we are just frivolous lousy business people? and personally morally bankrupt? To those I would say: we're doing the best we can. Our vehicles are paid for, we don't have credit card debt. Those nice vacation trips in the past - paid in cash or we didn't go. What about provident living, you should have 6 month's expenses in a savings acct? From experience, it helps in year one, continued to help in year two, but when you get half-way into year three, it's gone. Then I was worried about my kids. I hope they are not embarrassed. I don't know what they will face in their life, but I know there will be challenges. Whatever they are, I certainly hope we are examples to them of how to put a smile on your face and move forward with faith. This storm will pass. We have years ahead of us full of fun and excitement.

2009-07-21T11:27:00.001-07:00

THIS SURE EXPLAINS IT BETTER THAN CNN

2009-07-02T08:51:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday

Declaration of Independence
[Adopted in Congress 4 July 1776]

The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government...

2009-06-26T00:04:00.000-07:00

Me & The King of Pop

Michael Jackson's music has been the background of my life.

Back in the day, he was awesome.

When I was in elementary school, he was on Soul Train and Tiger Beat:

When I was a senior in high school, Ron & I rocked the night away:

Matt & Brad were my Pretty Young Things as little toddlers:

Just this week Bekah was telling me that Britney Spears is coming back to town and she'd really like to go (again...) and my response was, "Why would you want to go see her again, she's so screwed up." And Rebekah said, "Because she's so good."

I know what you mean, Bek. [wow - did I just use all 3 of my names for you in 2 short sentences?] His life was so screwed up, but he was so good.

So here's one last number. It just happens to be what I used to sing to you and your sister when you were babies, and it features your favorite fellow screwed up artist:

I don't care what you say, I liked him.

2009-06-15T23:58:00.000-07:00

Bees are our friend...in the garden

The garden in April

The Garden June 15th

2009-06-09T23:19:00.000-07:00

It's a miracle

The transformation that turns this boy:

Into this man:

52 weeks down

52 to go

No tears today - just a happy dance.

Check back in 365 days for more airport pictures!!!

Scott was speaking of miracles as well. Here's his letter this week:

Dear mother,

Well I guess every thing has to come full circle. Sometime a year ago today I was sitting in the airport and a nice man saw my tag and took me to get an ice cream. He was flying to Texas for business and he was a member from Alaska. We had an interesting talk about the weather, my family, and what the next two years would be like learning a language and teaching people about the Lords true gospel here on the earth today.

Looking back on the year, I must say that it has been a ride. From the ctm till now has been a rush of excitement with ups and downs, happy moments and sad letdowns, but through it all I’ve gotten stronger in the faith and closer to my Father in heaven and His Only Begotten. I can tell you with a whole heart that this church is true. That our God is a god of miracles. Sitting in that airport a year ago, I didn’t know that, I had a hope of that. I can now say that that hope has grown into faith. In the 3rd chapter of 1st Nephi there’s a promise that almost every buddy in the whole church knows that is the Lord never gives us a commandment except before providing a way (or method). Last night I realized as I was giving a message at an *integration night. That I came, I’m completing a commandment of the Lord that every young man from 19 to 26 needs to serve a mission, I’m doing my best and the Lord is providing the way -- and in my case the Lord gave my specific assignment in Portuguese. He is providing a way and is blessing me and my companion for our efforts. I can say with a firm belief that our God is a god of miracles.

The area is good. My comp isn’t too happy with me ‘cause I marked an appointment at 10 this morning and its p-day, so he isn’t too happy. He also isn’t happy that I insist on using the internet here at the chapel cause there’s only one cpu that works and will have to take 3 hours not 1 and a half (if we were to go to a internet cafe). But here the cpu are free and its faster and I don’t have to wait if there are a lot of people and there’s air conditioning in the room here so it’s way better.

So far every brasilian comp I’ve had has always told me that I’m the worst American when it comes to money. That I have a "gringo card" (as they call it) or in other words, a card that my parents give me money on. The thing is, yea, I get a little money but I’m not going to go spend it if I don’t have to, or if I don’t want to, or if there’s internet for FREE! but whatever. I’m just careful with my money that’s all.

We are teaching a good group of people that I have faith will get baptized. Nothing too important on the news here in the mission. Everything is good here in the promised land. I love you all and hope you all have a good week until week 53 HAHAHAHA CRAZY!!

Love the one and only Elder Marx

*integration night is when they have a game a message and people from the branch come and integrate with our investigators

2009-06-05T00:28:00.001-07:00

Somebody let me know when Rebekah updates her blog and it's safe for me to click on it again.
The Mom

2009-05-29T23:12:00.000-07:00

Gather Round Sista's...

and Show Me Where Your Waist Is.

I made these aprons for the girls for Mother's Day. A simple request sparked quite a conversation. "Now all you guys put your aprons on and let me take a picture."

Apparently the current generation feels like their waist is actually closer to their hips.

Me: They need to be tied at your waist.

Girls: This is our waist.

Me: No, it isn't.

Girls: Yes, it is.

Me: No, it isn't.

Girls: Where do you think our waist is?
Me: Find your belly button and go 2 inches above that.

Girls: Ewwwe. No. That's way too high.

Me: Well that's where your waist is.

Girls: Waists have moved.

If I'm lying I'm dying. That was the actual conversation. (Minus Kara who supplied her picture to me from San Diego and missed out on the actual conversation but confirmed the other sista's opinions by her own apron placement.)

Silly girls, the waist hasn't moved, you've just been hanging your pants too low. See model below for correct vintage apron placement:

Notice how the waistband is closer to the bend of the elbows?

Another waistline-measuring-how-to I read this morning suggest leaning to the right, to the left, and front and where your body bends is your waistline.

Despite their waist adversions, I am so incredibly proud of all four of these girls. Watching all of them balance the demands of home, school, work, church, and family responsibilities is inspiring. I am honored to be their mother.

2009-05-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hi There, How are 'Ya

It's official. I just downloaded an album from iTunes that was sorely needed in my library. I don't know why it took me so long. I can't tell you how many times at a stoplight I've spun that little wheel looking for one of these songs, only to say to myself, "Geez, you need to get that album on here."

I have now owned this Album in:

Album
8-track
Cassette tape
CD
iTunes/iPod

It joins itself right next to Boston and Breakfast in America as albums I have owned in all formats. These albums are the best. All the songs on them are great. You can listen over and over and never get tired of the music. They should all thank me for my 30+ years of loyalty.

It seems like lately artists aren't making albums where you listen to the whole thing, you just buy selected songs that you like. Maybe I could make an exception for Confessions by my boy Usher, but there are actually a few songs there that I hit skip on. So for now, these are my top 3 all-time favorites owned in all formats. There are a very few others, but they don't make the all-formats list. Don't feel bad Journey, Foreigner, The Police, The Best of Bread, I just didn't buy the album or 8-track.

Here's a glimpse of lyrics - do you know what all-time great album I downloaded?

Hi there, how are ya?

it's been a long time.

Seems like we've come a long way.

My, but we learn so slow

And heroes they come and they go

And leave us behind as if we're s'pposed to know why.

Why do we give up our hearts to the past?

And why must we grow up so fast?

Comment with your guess, and I'll let you know next time.

2009-05-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

A.W.E.S.O.M.E.
V.I.D.E.O.

Check IT out!

Thanks Brad & Kara

2009-05-10T23:16:00.000-07:00

A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

W.E.E.K.

Monday, Kara and Hallie came over for a visit. They were in town for some family events in Kara's family. Just watching Miss Hallie play at our house was so fun. I miss Brad, Kara & Hallie. I loved her little flip-flops, they reminded me she's our girl from Cali. Before long she'll be wearing cut-off capri sweat pants with something printed across her butt and hoodies, just chillin & cool.

She loves reading books and knows her letters.

Hallie sang and stomped the Dinosaur song for us. Something she learned from library reading time. She also played the piano while I played the harp. We make a pretty good duo.

Hallie played with grandpa's mustache.

Saturday was Ashley's Graduation!

Yeah! Mom!

With her parents, Richard & Joleen Hunt who are from Goodyear, AZ

Ashley graduated from the Business College with a degree in Accounting. We are so proud of you Ashley!

Sunday was SCOTTY CALLS HOME day aka Mother's Day

Scott sounded great. He has the inflection in his voice you'd expect from the language down there. He loves his mission president, and wondering what the new president will be like. He's in a little city 10 hours from Belo Horizonte, so he expects to be there for 6 months at least. Everyone from the family met here for his phone call. It was just GREAT to hear his voice. I miss this kid so much, but we are so proud of his willingness to serve. He's loving Brazil, missing American food, speaking Portuguese, and having a great time.

Grandpa Marx had his questions written down. They were some good questions, and I need to talk to him to find out what the answers were!

After The Phone Call, the boys BBQ steaks and we had a wonderful dinner. They surprised me with some thoughtful gifts, Cafe Rio, new shoes (oh, so hard to find in my size), and tickets to see Donny & Marie, and a spa treatment. It was a beautiful Mother's Day. Thank You so much.

2009-05-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

Grand Canyon Trip

The Scenery

Our plan for this trip was to go up to Mequite to a dirt trail that lead up and over the mountains. The total trail ride would be about 130 miles to the northern edge of the Grand Canyon. There is a campsite up there where we would stay Friday night. Saturday morning, visit the canyon, and then come home Saturday afternoon.

I enjoyed the trail ride and the Canyon view, some other parts of the trip were not as enjoyable. Here's a peak at some of the scenery.

We're probably 10 feet from the edge, but it was still too close for me. I know I'm not too coordinated on my feet, I didn't trust myself to look over the edge.
Our friends Kim and Chance DuVail that came with us.

Matt & Ashley

Are you C.R.A.Z.Y.?

2009-05-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

Grand Canyon Trip -

The Break Downs

Back in the archives of our family is the famous "Trip" to Lake Powell. What makes this trip stand out so far above the other 30 trips to Lake Powell was the break downs (8 flat tires. 10 hours of travel there and back turned into something like 25 hours)

I try very to hard to avoid these types of trips. But every now and then, they hit. Our Grand Canyon adventure turned into another trip for the archives of our family history.

Here's a list of the problems:

15 miles short of camp the trailer we were pulling with all the camping supplies got a flat tire.
Ron continued driving on it very slowly getting as close to camp as possible. 10 miles short of camp, the axle on it broke. The trailer is really done for now.
Piled as much of our camping gear as possible on top of me in the bousa car and continued on.
Kim starts setting up camp while Ron goes back for the rest of the gear.
Kim discovers the the ride out was so bumpy in the trailer that the ice chest was a mess. The eggs were all broken and swimming around in the ice water (major yuck). The foil dinners were wet and mangled. The crate with the kitchen dry goods and pans didn't fare any better. The salt container ruptured, everything had been just beat to death.
We're going to make the best of this and a fire was started, foil dinners rewrapped and cooked. Not too bad - but they could have been better.
The air mattress had a leak. 'nuf said.
Ron and Matt discussed many plans of how to get all of us, our gear, and out of commission trailer home.
We head out on our way home and a wheel on the bousa car almost falls off. After 90 minutes we take off. (1 p.m.)
It broke again. Another 90 minute fix.
Catch up with Matt and Ashley who had been sitting for 3 hours on the side of the road. Oil is leaking from Matt's motorcycle. The night before he took a tumble and the kickstand came up and put a hole in some part that hold the oil for the engine. We put half of a quart in the bike and keep going. (3 p.m.)
Matt was in the lead and took a wrong turn at a fork in the road. Ashley followed. Ron was last screaming at them that they're headed the wrong way. Ron drove insanely crazy to catch up to them and turn the back in the right direction. My eyes were closed. (6:30 p.m.)
Put more oil in Matt's bike.
Get 26 miles short of Mesquite and Matt's bike needs to stop so it doesn't totally run out of oil and burn up the engine. We leave him with a camelpack of water, backpack of fruit roll ups, beef jerkey, and granola bars. He will wait 3 hours...again. (7:30 p.m.)
Get to Mesquite. Ashley and I go buy JB Weld and oil. Ron heads back to Matt, Ashley & I get in one of the trucks, drive through Jack in the Box, and get on I-15. (8 p.m.)
Just as I get to the Bunkerville area, Ron calls and says his car is broken, come back.
We get to Ron 8 miles up the trail. He jumps in the truck with us and we start the s...l...o...w trip up the trail at about 15 mph. (9 p.m.)
After a few minutes, the stick that was holding the back window up broke. This problem started a few hours before we left on Friday, the window was proped in the closed position but the road was so rough it broke. Ashley was holding on to the window. If it fell inside the door, it would break for sure. Ron stops on the trail and takes the door panel off, removes the glass, and we continue on with an open window.
Get to Matt, JB Weld the oil pan, add oil. Ron gets on the motorcycle because he is more experienced and can ride in the dark back to Mesquite faster. Matt joins Ashley & I in the truck and we're going to s...l...o...w...l...y go back on the trail to where the bousa car is, Ron will ride into Mesquite get his truck and trailer and meet us back there. (10:30 p.m.)
Using the tripometer, we get back to the spot where the bousa car is and find it hid off the trail. Where's Ron?
5 minutes later we see his head lights heading ever so slowly up the trail
Then we can hear him. Thud, thud, thud.
Ron has a flat tire on his truck.
Wait around to see that Ron & Matt have lights, right size socket, and a spare. Check, all tools necessary - they're on there own. Ashley and I head back down the remaining 8 miles of the trail to Mesquite.
Get gas and caffeine to keep me awake on the way home. (11:30)
FINALLY 12 hours after we started, and 6 hours later than we thought we'd be, we got home. (12:30)
Matt & Ron got home at 2 a.m.

Our camp is still set up. The trailer is still on the side of the trail broken.

On Sunday, Matt & Ron leave at 10 a.m., head to St. George to get on a better trail that's driveable. Go to the camp. Get all our gear packed up. Go to the broken trailer, put it on another trailer that they had pulled out there, and brought it all home. They get back again at 11 p.m. Sunday night.

What a FUN weekend!

Ron & I have had some discussions on our different definitions of the word FUN. Ron loved the trip. I was anxious, nervous, worried, scared. Not my idea of fun. Today, in Scotty's Mother's Day Call, after he got done talking to everyone that was there, Ron got on the phone. All he wanted to know about was the trip mom wrote him about. He asked Ron if all those things really went wrong. Then he said, "How fun. I can't believe I missed such a great trip. I can't wait to get back home and go with you."

Those boys and their idea of fun.