Our House was T.P.'ed

 I guess you "arrive" in high school when you wake up in the morning and find that your house has been toilet papered.

 Saturday morning I opened the blinds and turned on the Christmas tree lights, looked out the window and saw that our house was toilet papered. I told Brady to come and look - because this is all his fault - LOL! He looked and laughed. I told him he had to clean it up (of course).

He put on his shoes and coat and cleaned up the toilet paper - AFTER I made him take pictures :-D. It rained a few hours later - and I was really glad it was all picked up. I am really glad we don't have any big trees.

 Brady felt "LOVED"... Oh, I don't know... maybe noticed. He posted on facebook and hoped someone would confess or tell on the culprit - but it's still a mystery who showed Brady love.

 

Winterland Parade

It is time for Meridian's Winterland Parade!! It was held on December 4th at 10 am in the morning. This year we were smart and took sleeping bags to sit in. We were warmer this year even though it was snowing during the parade. Here is Brady waiting patiently for the parade to begin, with some characters in the back ground. We always wear Santa hats to the parade - very festive.

 Here is the beginning.

 Lots of fun floats.

 Stuffed animals.

 Cars that look like Santa.

 Singing and dancing.

 Spiderman??? Not sure what this has to do with Christmas... but he was there protecting the streets in Meridian.

 Beautiful Princesses with Reindeer horses.

 Pretty girls. Lots of candy was dropped in our laps. One of the things about being bundled in sleeping bags, you can't get up and get candy off the ground. I think because it was snowing - the crowd was smaller and so people dumped candy in adult laps. It was fun.

Santa!!! It really is Santa and Mrs. Santa... and the end of the parade.

No Shave November

During November it is a tradition not to shave the whole month - No-shave-vember. Instead we have scruffy looking boys who get to enjoy having whiskery faces.

 Here is Jason's fuzzy face. He's pretty cute, but Sharon doesn't like kissing these whiskers - LOL!

 Now on to my 16 year old. All of the high school boys didn't shave this month either. I thought Brady would win over Jason, but his whiskers are blonder and harder to see. But, WOW - he is a hairy 16 year old.

 You can hardly notice his whiskers in the photo, but he had quite a good beard going on. To bad you really can't see the blonde whiskers.

Neck action. He sure look scruffy. It was funny sending him for Thanksgiving and all the teasing my family gave him. My brothers and nephews don't grow hair like my boys. Both of my boys take after their fathers genes. I don't know if that is a good thing, because they have to shave every day :-(.

Now that it is December, Brady is clean shaven again. I like him better - not so scruffy. Jason has decided  not to shave all winter, much to Sharon's demise.

Happy Thanksgiving

It is easy during the Thanksgiving Holiday to reflect on all the wonderful things in my life to be thankful for. I thought I would list some of the things I am grateful for.

My Heavenly Father and the knowledge that I am his daughter, my elder brother Jesus Christ who is my Savior so that I can live with Heavenly Father again, and the Holy Ghost who gives me guidance through out this earthly experience while I am far from Heavenly Father.

I am grateful that I have the gospel in my life. That I know the Plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness, and what my purpose on this earth is. I am thankful for a living Prophet and Apostles to lead and guide us in these days. I am thankful for local leaders and teachers who serve me, teach me and encourage me to live as I should.

I am thankful to have been born to good parents. I am thankful for my brothers and sisters. I am thankful for a wonderful childhood. We had enough to eat, a good home, a great neighborhood with lots of friends and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been a great life.

I am thankful for my children, Jason and Brady. I am thankful for the fulfillment I feel at being a mother. These boys have brought such joy to my life. I am proud of the men they have become and I love them.

I am thankful for the education system, and that I was free to attend school. I am thankful for the friends I had while growing up and the activities I enjoyed. I am also thankful for the education my children enjoy, for teachers and schools.

I am thankful to have been born in the United States of America. I am thankful for the freedoms I enjoy in this country. I am thankful for law enforcement officers and our military that keeps us free. I'm thankful for a  government that this country was built upon.

I am thankful for my health. I'm also thankful for emergency response teams, fire fighters and medical personnel. I am thankful for doctors and nurses and the fine medical care I have received in my life by skillful people and healing hands. I am especially grateful that we have access to medical services.

I am thankful for my home. My biggest dream in my life was to own a home. I am thankful for the stability it provides for me and that it keeps me safe and protected. I'm thankful for the warmth and comfort it gives me and my family. I am thankful for beds, kitchen, bathrooms, washing machines, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, light bulbs, TV, chairs, carpet, windows, pillows, blankets, and on and on. We are so blessed to have all of these conveniences and comforts.

I am thankful for music. I am thankful we can carry it around in teeny tiny Zunes and iPods. I am thankful for the talented musicians who share their talents. I love singing in church (love it!), especially in Primary (just singing out loud). I am thankful for our piano and Brady's talent to play it. I'm thankful for my sister Cindy's singing - it is beautiful and it opened up a love of music in my life. I am thankful I can play the piano and sing a little too.

I am thankful for my business and my customers. I love not having stress and pressure that comes with a regular job. Being self employed ROCKS! I have been very blessed in my career through my life. Very blessed! It has been great to have been able to provide for my children and myself. Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I have been in my life. Heavenly Father sure has blessed me!

I am thankful for this beautiful world we live in. I am thankful for 4 seasons of beauty. I am thankful to live in the beautiful state of Idaho - it is beautiful! I am thankful for trees, flowers, grass, vegetable gardens, animals, birds and butterflies. I am thankful for the sun, for rain, and for snow.

I am thankful for food to eat. I am thankful I am a pretty good cook (at least my children think I am). I am thankful for my food storage. I am thankful to be able to taste. I am thankful for chocolate.

I am thankful for my body, my eyes that see, my ears that hear, a mouth that can speak, laugh and sing. I am thankful for hands that can do many things. I am thankful for legs and feet that lets me be mobile.  Even though I am not as thin as I would like to be - my body works and lets me do the things I enjoy.

I am thankful for my talents and abilities. Being a good mom, a good teacher, having an artistic eye, ability to decorate my home in beauty, that I can garden, that I can draw and paint a little, that I can scrapbook, and that I can have an happy loving life. 

I am very blessed! 

Change of Plans for Thankgiving

In Idaho, we have been experiencing snow storms, blizzards, cold temperatures and wind. I knew the weather was going to be pretty bad for the drive from Meridian into Pocatello Idaho. A week ago I called my Mom and told her I didn't feel like I should go and that I shouldn't send Brady. She talked me into still coming. I also spoke to Brady and he still wanted to go. I told him I could get him a round trip airplane ticket, but he got sad that I wasn't going to be there with him. I decided that I would go anyway. I've had major anxiety attacks all week - then the storm came in and my anxiety only increased.

I watched the news reports on the weather and the roads and finally made the decision to stay home and get an airplane ticket for Brady to return home.

Below is a map of the road conditions in Idaho today.

_____Driving Conditions Good

_____Driving Conditions Fair

____Driving Conditions Difficult 

 Closures/Blockages

There have been lots and lots of slide offs and major accidents.  

Tuesday afternoon when I finally made the decision to stay home, I had a calm, peaceful feeling come over me. The first time I felt calm in over a week. I know the right thing for me to do is stay home.

I will be making Thanksgiving Dinner here. Brady flies in Friday afternoon and Jason and Sharon are off work. We will have a nice feast and enjoy the day together on Friday. That gives me Thursday to make pies and other goodies, plus a little more time to thaw out a turkey.

I am really sad that I won't be seeing my family and helping my mother make dinner. It is nice to know that I am the glue that holds the family together or as they say "the life of the party" and that I will be missed. I always love being with my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. We always have a great time together. Plus, they love my homemade dinner rolls. This year Mom will have to make the rolls - she can do it!

Although plans have changes, it will be a nice Thanksgiving holiday with my children here and good food. We have been very blessed this year and I have a lot to be thankful for.

I'm especially thankful that I have the gift of the Holy Ghost and know that a calm peaceful feeling is a prompting from the Holy Ghost. I just need to recognize it earlier. I am safe and not out on those dangerous roads. I'd rather be safe then sorry.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families - especially my Family. I love you all!

Canceled Flight

We planned that Brady would fly into the Pocatello (Eastern Idaho) this week to spend extra time with family for the Thanksgiving Holiday (since I am working).  He doesn't have school all week and we thought he would have more fun spending time with cousins, then sitting around here. I will be driving up Wednesday to spend the holiday with my family.

There isn't a direct flight into Pocatello or Idaho Falls from Boise. The flight had to go through Salt Lake City and then on to Idaho Falls.

Brady was scheduled to arrived in Salt Lake City around 3pm today and was suppose to leave at 4:50pm to Idaho Falls.

The Flight was CANCELED and he is stuck in Salt Lake City. BUMMER!

Thanks goodness his father lives in Salt Lake City.

We are trying to get him out on a flight this evening to Pocatello since nothing is available into Idaho Falls.

Unfortunately it leaves at 9:50-10:45 this evening. I hope it doesn't cancel.

More hours to sit in an airport waiting for the flight. If it is canceled, at least Maurice can get him for the night. Poor little Brady!

This is such a Bummer!

Update: He made it! The flight left at 9:50 pm as scheduled... It's been a long, long day. It is hard to ask family to venture out on the terrible roads and weather to pick Brady up at the Pocatello airport. Thankfully, Cindy and Kelly will pick him up from the airport at 10:45 pm and let him stay with them tonight. They are the best!

I've been a nervous wreck all day long!! It was nice to know he would be safe in any outcome that happened.

Now, I just hope the roads are clear by the time I leave on Wednesday and that I make it to Pocatello OK and back to Boise. I hate snowy weather and icy roads! So far it looks like it will be super cold, but the storm should be over by Tuesday night through next Sunday. At least I won't be traveling in bad weather and hopefully the interstate will be cleared of snow and ice by the time I start driving.

Honestly....it's times like this when I wish I had a husband to lean on AND let drive - ha ha! Oh the joys of being single ;-)!

Service To Others

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" John 13:35

 Brady was busy doing a lot of service this week. Saturday morning he woke up bright and early at 7am to join in "Rake up Meridian" and didn't get home until 11am. I am happy for his willingness to give up a Saturday to help others.

In the Strength of Youth handbook, it says:

"Service to others is one of the most important characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is willing to bear other people's burdens and to comfort those who need comfort. Often Heavenly Father will meet the needs of others through you.

At 12 noon he left to help out a Boy Scout Eagle project at Meridian Elementary School.

They repainted things in the parking lot, the drop off zone and playground. He didn't get home until 4pm. He worked hard Saturday.

I am glad that he is willing to do service. On Wednesday night, he was giving service by raking lawns in the neighborhood with our church's young men's youth group.

The Strength of Youth handbook also says:

When serving, look to the Savior as your example. Although He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served those around Him.

As you devote yourself to serving others, you will draw closer to Heavenly Father. Your heart will be filled with love. Your capacity will increase, and your life and the lives of those around you will be blessed.

Book Review: The Dickens Inn Series Conclusion AND Cinderella

Lately I have been having a HATE relationship with the TV.  Instead I am in a "listen to music" and "read" mood.

The last 2 books from the Dickens Inn Series by Anita Stansfield have been sitting by my bed for a couple of months. I decided it was time to get them read.

My review of the first 3 books in this series book is here.

For me this series is about forgiving yourself for past mistakes. I think Satan is very deceptive in making us feel bad about ourselves, so that we don't move forward. It's easy to think "I have made too many mistakes in my life compared to others" and that "I am not worthy of forgiveness or blessings". When we continue to beat ourselves up, Satan wins because we don't live our best life and move forward.

I am thankful to know that we ALL struggle with certain things. I am also comforted to know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, my sins are forgiven when I repent and try to do better each day. I am glad to have the knowledge that I am a daughter of God and He loves and blesses me.

That is what this series is for me...forgiving ourselves and moving forward.... These books are uplifting for me, I loved them.

Book 4 was probably my least favorite in the 5 book series. I liked it and it was good to see that most people struggle with individual challenges.The book seemed a little slow.  There was a group of women that stayed at the Inn for a get away together. They were able to support each other in the trials they were going through. They helped each other keep a positive attitude so they knew they could tackle and overcome their individual trials by being there for each other. Isn't life always easier to endure when you have a listening ear from dear friends and family?

The other obstacle explored  in the book was about Chas and Jackson preparing to go the the temple to be sealed together and have their children sealed to them. They had to overcome challenges Satan threw at them as he made them feel unworthy for this great blessing. The theme is overcoming trials and challenges to obtain gospel blessings.

 Here is the review of the book:

Dickens Inn, Vol. 4: Tranquil Light

When a group of friends reunites at the Dickensian Inn bed-and-breakfast, little does Chas realize that the promises of a blessing are about to be fulfilled. As these women share their tender feelings and innermost secrets, the words of Charles Dickens take on greater significance for them— The pleasure of a generous friendship is the steadiest joy in the world.

But even as these heartwarming events unfold, a secret from Jackson’s past threatens to sabotage the happy life he and Chas have created together.

Jackson finally turned to look fully at his wife. . . . He tried to form the words to tell her about his relationship with Serena and all that he was feeling upon realizing that she was dead. . . . He’ d believed his past was put away. He’ d believed that his skirting the truth and omitting facts had been sufficient in his relationship with his wife. . . . Now it suddenly felt like he’ d sinned against her.

Will Jackson’s doubts and guilt jeopardize the plans he and Chas have made to be sealed as a family for all eternity? Is their love strong enough to overcome the painful shadows of the past?

Beloved, bestselling LDS author Anita Stansfield delivers a startlingly soul-searching and richly romantic story that resonates with emotional truths and captures the essence of the meaning of redemption. Tranquil Light is a triumph.

Book 5, Every Graceful Fancy... I LOVED this book!! It was the best book of the 5 for me. I pondered it for several days - trying to understand why it effected me in just a warm light. It may be the Cinderella theme. I LOVE Cinderella stories, since I was a small girl. Every year I would watch Cinderella and cry and cry for that poor girl and then she was swept away by her Prince Charming. Always my dream - to find my Prince Charming and have a fairy tale life.  

When I came home from work that day after pondering the book and the Cinderelle feeling, I checked the blogs I follow and the first blog I read was "One Shoe Can Change Your Life". I tingled! She wrote everything my heart was feeling as I read the book and pondered it.

This is a quote from the link above - which you should read:

"Fairy Tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten".

An answer to a silent prayer that she wrote this blog on this day? My feelings were very tender after reading her blog that day. It is inspiring to know how we touch each others lives - even when we don't know it.

Also there was another post I read next day from a divorced/single mom I follow called The American Homemaker. It was about Cinderella too - wow! It must have been in the air.

She has a sign in her house and it says:

"It's Never To Late To Live Happily Ever After"

That is a great saying for me too - a divorced woman who failed at "living happily ever after". Isn't there always a hope of "living happily ever after". I believe in fairy tales and Prince Charmings and 2nd chances that there is always the hope that  "One Shoe CAN Change Your Life" !

ANYWAY, back to the review - from the book:

Dickens Inn, Vol. 5: Every Graceful Fancy

What could be more unlikely than a romance between a traumatized and unwed expectant mother and a charming, wealthy, and ambitious young man with philanthropic dreams of astonishing proportions? Acclaimed, bestselling LDS author Anita Stansfield does not hesitate to take on tough and sensitive issues, and has a gift for handling them with wisdom and compassion.


In this compelling conclusion to a remarkable series, the Dickensian Inn once again proves itself to be a place of warmth and welcome — a place where, under the gentle tutelage and friendship of proprietors Chas and Jackson Leeds, the light of the gospel and the miracle of forgiveness change people’s lives and bring peace and healing.


Every Graceful Fancy is a story of courage and quiet heroism, a captivating novel about people and the choices that define them. Ms. Stansfield’s gift for creating an engaging story with characters we know and love sweeps the reader along in these pages toward a genuinely satisfying, happy, and graceful ending.


Filled with an artful balance of tension and conflict offset by a tender love story, this final volume of the Dickensian Inn series provides a compelling read, proving that the Inn is indeed a haven for healing and comfort, friendship and unconditional love. A gentle and satisfying conclusion to the Dickensian Inn series. - Shauna, Utah

I really enjoyed The Dickens Inn Series and am sad it is over - especially after book 5.

Frugal Living, week 2

I spent $45.72 this week

OK, this wasn't my best week for being frugal. Bad habits are hard to break. The reason I hate to go to the grocery store is because I impulsively purchase items. It is rare that I leave a store without spending $100. This is the reason I just hate to go shopping.

If I purchased the items I needed, the cost would have been $11.66 with tax $12.36
Overspent $33.36
I am happy that I didn't spend $100 --- but am discouraged that I didn't keep my shopping to the things I needed for this week.

It is even hard for me to coupon shop and lately I haven't been opening the newspaper and browse the ad's - because I spend money when I do it. If I don't look at the ads or coupons, then I don't shop - which means I don't spend money. I know that many people purchase items with coupons for free, but with my small family, I have found that most of the items purchased on bulk sales/coupons don't get eaten and expire quickly. I do use coupons for items I regularly purchase, but that is it.

I am also a brand name shopper. I like certain brands and that is what I purchase. I know that I CAN be more frugal and that is why I am doing this exercise. Day by day I can achieve my goals.

One way to motivate me to stay on track is pulling out this book, "The Tightwad Gazette". It keeps me on track when I read and think about it daily. I also like to read Dave Ramsey's book or listen to his program on the internet when I have time.

I started reading The Tightwad Gazette at the beginning again this week. When Amy (the author) was a young bride and mother, she watched daytime TV that said:

"Nowadays, a family has to have two incomes to make ends meet."
"Nowadays, it is impossible for a young couple to get into the housing market."
"Nowadays, families cannot afford to raise more than two children".

She says she raised her fist and shouted back at the TV: "It is not true, it can be done." And so her quest began.

Personally I know it can be done. I've been doing it all my life. I have always been a single mother doing it on my own. I was married for a short time, but I still was the main support for my family - actually it felt like I had another dependent instead of another bread winner. If I can raise a family on my own - then why does it take a husband and a wife? I have a different perspective, because I've done it, and Amy Dacyczyn did it too.

Amy said her challenge in life became how low could she get their food budget and still have a varied, healthful diet. She made it her personal mission to see how much she could save. In 7 years they saved $49,000 and were debt-free on an income of less then $30,000.

Basically it's not what you make, it's how much you save. What can I do to save more money - not make more money to spend. I've been pondering this a lot this week. I want this!  I want to purchase a gently used car with money down. I want to be debt free, including my house. I know I can do it if I am wise about the money I am spending.

I like this quote: "The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket" - Frank McKinney Hubbard (1868-1930)

2nd week into my frugal living, I am more committed than ever. I am sure that I can make it through the rest of November without going to the store for groceries. Everyday when I come home from work, the first thing I do is build a fire to cut down on heating and electricity.

The menu that I made last week worked out well. This weeks menu:

Breakfast: Cereal

Lunch: Sack lunch for Brady and leftovers or soup for me.

Dinners:
Monday: Leftover Sunday dinner which will be meat loaf.

Tuesday: Wild Rice Soup

Wed: Chicken Enchiladas

Thurs: left over Chicken Enchiladas

Friday: Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine

Saturday: Leftovers - wild rice soup, enchiladas.

Sunday - Leftovers.
Brady flies to Pocatello to spend time with the cousins before I can leave for Thanksgiving. The airline ticket was purchased last month. He flies into Idaho Falls one way for $114. School is out for the week and I thought about taking a week off of work. However, when I don't work - I don't get paid. I decided to work - because I know my clients want a clean house for the holiday and family visiting. I will be pulling in houses and working Monday, Tuesday and half a day on Wednesday. They will be hard intense days to get the work done and bring 5 days into 2 1/2, but I will be taking 4 days off to rest and see my family. I am excited for a break and to see my family.

I will need to purchase some Christmas presents before I leave for Thanksgiving. I am committed to be frugal and not get carried away this year - because I really don't need to.

I'm motivated to keep on track. I have been able to save money during the past week - and I feel like I am on track. I just need to stay motivated.

Brady Loves Science!

This is a Chemistry assignment Brady, Amber and KyLynn did, complete with pictures.

A lot of the information is WAY over my head... so you may just want to look at the pictures - ha ha!

Methane Combustion Enthalpy Lab

They wanted to find how much energy was produced by the combustion of methane in KJ (kilojoules).

This is what they did: Method: (Part 1)

First, we set up a Terrill burner, a five gallon bucket almost of water, and a two liter bottle full of water. We then attempted to achieve a "perfect" flame with our burner.

Next, we noted the position of the gas valve at the "perfect" flame setting. We then turned off the flame and then submerged our burner, while still attached to the gas valve, in our five gallon bucket of water. We then carefully placed the mouth and part of the top of the two liter bottle of water in our five gallon bucket of water, making sure none of the water from the two liter bottle escaped.

Finally, we carefully positioned the burner under the mouth of the bottle, and turned on the gas valve so that it matched the position of the perfect flame. The methane from the burner then went into the bottle, pushing out the water, and we timed how long it took for the bottle to fill up completely with methane.

Method: (Part 2)

First, we set up a ring stand with a 600 ml beaker, with 500ml of water in it, and placed the Terrill burner underneath, so that the beaker is about 1 inch above the inner cone of the flame.

Next, we light the Terrill burner and set it underneath the beaker. When it is under the beaker, we start our timer. We then check the temperature of the water roughly every two minutes, then record its temperature along with the time it took to achieve that temperature.

We then got to 80 ͦ C, and recorded the time to get to that temperature.

Copper Plating Lab   Introduction: Wanted to copper coat a piece of metal

Method: 1. Clean the metal  • Physically cleaned metal with water and steel wool

Put into sulfuric acid/water mix (H20 + H2S04) -- Chemical Clean 1

• Put into Hydrochloric Acid solution (HCl) -- Chemical Clean 2 • Rinsed in water

2. Coating the metal • Put nail polish on parts we didn't want copper to coat to

• Attached metal to a rod attached to a magnet (pumping electrons in) with copper wire

• Dropped attached metal in copper sulfate solution

• Waited 30-60 seconds before removing the metal • Rinsed it in water • Buffed the metal with quick light strokes

• Repeated process about 6 times through • Lastly, buff the metal with several quick light strokes until shiny

• Remove the nail polish (done at home or on own time)

Conclusion: (Brady's was the quarter above)

I wish that we had brought our own nail polish, since there were only two bottles in the whole class, I felt rushed, and did a poor job. I also buffed my quarter a little to hard on the final buff, and ended up removing a small portion of the end result that should have stayed on. If I had to do it again, I would have been more precise when painting the quarter and buffed it more gently.

The teacher set the table on fire... What a Crazy Fun teacher. Now that is a way to get the attention of your students! Brady loves Science!

I am thankful that I am a Mom! I love watching Brady be excited about school, science and getting a good education!