Craft ideas HELP

Ok, so Teri, since I know you read my blog every once in a while, I have a question for you : where did you get your metal letter stamps? The ones you used on your washer ornaments? I've got all kinds of ideas, and I want to get some of those stamps... I can't for the life of me think of where you got them... or what size you have. So that's the info I need for you! And I am so glad to read the updates, and how great he's doing. I wish we were there to see him, and help you out. I'll be sending something cute your way, I've just got to finish some projects and then drop it all in the mail!

Next, I have to admit something : I am an impulse buyer. I'm horrible. I just bought {AND I DO MEAN JUST BOUGHT! As in 1 minute ago!} Adobe Photoshop Elements 7.0 on ebay. Ugh! I saw it, and was like, well, I'm going to need to, so I might as well, plus I've been selling things on eBay, and had money in my paypal, so it's not like it'll cost me anything, and it's not like it was very expensive-$23.00.... Yup just awful, so dang impulsive... Which reminds me, I need new tennis shoes... Bandit ate the last ones...

Hmm, so now I have to run home and get that $10 Kohl's Cash, so I can get my shoes!! Maybe the checkered ones... or maybe the all black ones!! Now I don't know! And I don't know what they have there!! Oh decisions... and Shark wonders why I'm impulsive. If I don't act fast, I get so distracted and bogged down with all the choices... Act fast!!

Love to those who have ideas ♥

PS: Kohl's did NOT have my shoes, so I bought a pair of capris instead, they cost $10. I was sad about my shoes... but now that it's getting to be summer, it'll be all flip flops, all the time. But, when we go camping/hiking and stuff, I'd like a pair of tennis shoes. So I'll have to get some new ones anyways. The search is on! My capris sure are cute tho!

Jazz up and some food

So, when we lived in Utah before, ok, so before we were married, Shark's mom got a some Jazz tickets, and Shark and I went to a few games. Now, I'm more of a football fan, I grew up watching basketball, football and even baseball. But I love football! Well, I have found that ANY sports event I go to, I become a Fan. I cheer, I do the Wave, I holler, I clap. Oh yeah, no holding me back! {We got invited to go to a Colorado Rockies game last year! It was awesome!} Well, the Jazz are doing awesome this year. I didn't watch the regular season, but Playoffs, the excitement and energy is so high! I love it! Plus, all of Shark's family watches the games. If the Jazz win Friday night, they advance to the 2nd round, and knock out the Nuggets... Now, I still have love for Colorado, but let's face it, some of CO's teams are just awful... not the teams as a whole, but the players are jerks. *cough*Jay Cutler*cough*Brandon Marshall*cough*Carmello Anthony*cough* {Jay Culter made $22 million dollars last year, Grandpa Favre made $12 mil....Aaron Rodgers made $8 mil.} Oh well, come one Jazz, Bring the Noise!! Yayayay! [PS: I've also heard that theatres that are owned (were owned) my Larry H Miller, play the Jazz Playoff games on the big screen - FOR FREE!! I love FREE stuff!! Go to KJZZ online and find out more - HERE!]

Now for Food!! So I made Beef Potpie Wedges from Rachael Ray. I added potatoes and carrots to the mix, but they weren't cooked all the way, I'll have to microwave them first next time, or sautee them more... I also omitted peas (Heather's Steve doesn't like peas, plus I forgot them at the parents' house.) I also didn't COOL the meat mixture before putting it on the pie crusts, the first crust melted into a blob.... BUT - all in all, delicious and easy.

POTD for 2.29.10 is : my melted potpie wedge. I flipped it over, so the melted side wasn't down....

Love to all who get excited for things... ♥

Project 52 : Date nights

Ok, so I know that I am going to be starting this 101 in 1001, and I'll have my plate full with that going on. But, once we get things mellowed down, and I stop signing up for things our schedules open up at bit, I really want to do this Project 52 : Date Nights. SimplyModernMom is putting this little project on, and I love it!

Her ideas are so easy and so cheap. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, just the 2 of you. I love how they take turns, they switch off week per week, and the responsibility is shared. I love it! I'm going to be writing down all the ideas, and making lists. I think this is something Shark would be willing to do, he's always up for dates. :)

So definitly, this is on my TO DO list. I've been looking over some of the things on her list so far are just awesome ideas.... But I know that with Shark's full days at work, and me doing my 101 in 1001, there is just enough time for us to kiss goodnight. But, starting in May, Shark will be working 4-10's at the Abatement, and then heading to FedEx, and then maybe he'll be trying to get on to do Fogging (those noisy trucks that pump out the Mosquito killing fog at night) after FedEx, so it looks like we're not going to have a whole lot of time... But as I get further into this 101 in 1001, I think we'll have time... But this is definitely I want to.

Go over and check out her blog, she's got some really good ideas. So in love with this idea.

Love to all those who LOVE to date their husbands!! ♥

just a little bit

So, I made another Rachael Ray creation last night. This was way good! There were all kinds of spices, herbs, that I've never heard of. But it was way good! I made Mushroom Goulash with Pierogi, I used 6 oz of mushrooms, and I browned 1 lb of ground beef, drained it and then cooked the mushrooms with the beef. I had to put meat in it, and it was a great addition! The flavor was great! It took a bit longer than 30 minutes, but that's ok, cuz I started cooking around 6:15, and Steve & Heather were ready to eat around 8:30.... But it was ok, cuz I ended up baking the Pierogi, after I boiled it, but it wasn't too bad, it worked out.

I also completed a craft last night, but I can't show you! My sister is getting married having her reception in July, and she sent me some pictures, and said, go wild, get creative, make something. So I've got a few ideas, and I finished one. But I tried a new technique, I tried antique-ing the edges of some paper, and I think it turned out way freaking cute.

Here's the antique technique I tried. And with that picture I kinda give an insight into my project that I can't show you. The technique is pretty easy, I just slide the paper along the ink pad. SO easy and SO cute!!

And a POTD for 4.28.2010 : the flowers Shark got for me!

love - to all who love LOVE!! ♥

Something new

So - I guess I couldn't wait until May 1st to get started on my 101 in 1001... I'm just so impatient! Well, I get Rachael Ray's Magazine, and there were a few recipes in there that sounded actually pretty good, and not very difficult to make. And, I went to her website, and entered in the Big Deals sweepstake, and I got to browsing around the site. I found some more recipes, not crazy recipes, with totally out-there ingredients. And they are totally worth a try. So I printed out the recipes, and bought all the stuff to make them. Monday I made : Taco Pasta Toss.

And it was pretty dang good. And it looked good, too!

Well, after our Sunday excursion, Shark NEEDED a new white shirt. So I went to Kohl's, my SIL filled me in on the 50% off deal going on there. I bought 3 white shirts for him, he tried 2 on, liked those, so I took the 3rd one back. Well, Kohl's knows my weakness... Shopping. I tried desperately to NOT walk passed the Junior's clothing department, I really did try! But, the registers on the North side of the building (the Men's secion) were closed, no associates were around! So I have to walk to the South side of the building, passed the Junior's... I veered.... I bought 5 shirts, and I took 2 back... I'm such a spender... But I took stuff back, and it was pretty good...  But Shark's old white shirt was going to get tossed, until I had an idea! I have seen how you can transform an old shirt into a pillow! So, I'm going to use the pocket, and as much of the front as I can.... And the back is mostly good! We'll just have to see how it turns out, I've got ideas in my head, I just hope they turn out they way I see them in my head...

Here's to making my ideas come to life.

Ooh - I went to a wedding reception, and I even brought a gift. I made the Temple Frame, and this is the same Temple frame I plan to put on my Etsy store.

How awesome is that!! I love how these turned out, and how great they look!

Love to all who have food in their fridge! ♥

Attempt to Church and FREE stuff

So, I got Shark to agree to go to the Young Married Ward on campus. So we got up yesterday morning, we got ready to go, and we headed out to Ogden. We ended up going to the wrong building, so we ended up leaving and going to the real building (I had me heart set on going to that ward, and no other wards would cut it for me!). We found the right building, it was a block south, just 1 block! And we got there just in time, but as we were walking in, there was a guy in the parking lot, who had locked his keys in his car... Shark and I both took notice that this guy would NOT be able to get his keys out himself, so helped. Well, I just kinda stood there, and dropped some advice every now and then. I also called the Ogden police, who are NOT open on Sunday, and they do NOT do lock-outs. So they were no help at all... But we eventually got this guy's door open. Another guy in the parking lot had an Air Wedge, and that cracked the door open just enough to fit the hangers in. We put 2 hangers (well, 1 hanger and our truck antena) in the crack and popped the lock up. By the time we were done with his car, it was too late to go into church... Plus, Shark has a cut on his hand, and it opened up, and got all over his white church shirt.... But we also saw one of Shark's friends, Nate, while we were at the church, Nate helped out tons to get into this guy's car. We chatted with him for a little while after the guy left. So we went back to the parent's house, and on the way, we saw a porch swing on the side of the road, and it said FREE on it. We love FREE stuff! So we talked to Steve & Heather about it, and we went and picked it up and took it to their house. They like it.

At the parents house, I made a pie, just like all the others I've made. And we finished Fablehaven #5, Keys to the Demon Prison. It was AWESOME!! I highly recommend the series to everyone who likes books. Next we are going to finish the book we started, Slathbog's Gold, we were half way into it when we got Fablehaven, and since Kurt is going to be working on Sunday's starting in May, we decided to read Fablehaven as fast as possible. After we finish Slathbog's Gold, we're going to read Peter & The Starcatchers. I'm excited for Peter & The Starcatchers, I just bought the 3rd book! I like the Peter books alot. :)

Ooh, if you're looking for FREE STUFF, go to Rachael Ray's magazine site HERE and enter in the Big Deals Sweepstakes. Join her little site, and then you can enter in the sweepstakes. She's giving away TONS of stuff, and I could love most of it!! ;) Also, you can subscribe to get her recipes emailed to you. I've found a few that don't seem too wacky, and aren't full of crazy hard to find things. So I'll be making some of those. If I find a whole bunch of recipes I like, I might have to up my goal count... So check out Rachael Ray's site, and get entered. :)

Love to all who LOVE free stuff!! ♥

Could NOT resist

So, there is a Blockbuster going out of business in Roy..... and they are selling EVERYTHING!! So - I had to take advantage.... I know it's not May 1st yet, but I had to go check it out. I ended up buying 6 new DVD's. The Brothers Grimm, Juno, Whip It, The Core, Ocean's 13, and Elizabethtown. There was tons there that I could have bought, but I bought movies that I've already seen, and ones that I liked. I was going to buy Where The Wild Things Are, but I haven't seen it and I've heard mix reviews, so that might have to be a See-it-First. And I have to ask Shark what movies he would like to have.

Some of our friends from Colorado are visiting in Utah, someone is getting married. We went to go see them last night, after Shark got off work. We went over for just a little while. It was so awesome to see them again. I've really missed them. Heck, I've missed having friends to talk to. I'm hoping things get going and Shark and I start going to a young married ward. I've really got to get into something. I mean I love crafting, and that's been my past-time for a while now, but hey, even the crafter gets lonely. And with Shark working until 9 each night, I've got to do something.

Oh, speaking of not waiting...I have already started crafting projects for my 101 in 1001.... I'll post pictures after I officially start. I've got some way cute plans in my head that will hopefully come to fruition.... I'm getting ready for my 101 in 1001.... You bet your bottom!!

love to all who have goals and ideas.... ♥

Snow rain hail lightning SUN?

Every now and then, a call for change is shouted. Well, yesterday I heard it. I needed a 3rd column for my blog, and I figured out how to do that. I googled it, and went here Blogger Buster. So, if you ever want to know, this guy had the easiest to understand instructions. (Remember to use ALT+F, and copy and paste and you can FIND the exact wording you need!!) So I have my 3rd column, but with that 3rd column, I needed to find a new layout! It's seriously like a line of dominos.... One thing makes something else happen. So I found a new layout, and I tried really hard to get it to looks sort of how our old one did, I liked the blue and brown, but I got to looking and found a few sites that have AMAZING layouts!! Aqua Poppy Designs, HOT bliggity BLOG, My Style Backgrounds, and Simply Blog It Backgrounds - to a name a few. Click on the names to go see for yourself!! So of course, I have changed it again, from what it was last night. :) I just couldn't help myself when I got to searching for new layouts!!

Change is coming, but not 'til May 1st.... again I couldn't wait, and got started on some projects and things ahead of time, but I won't finish them until after my start... Unless I really can't contain myself, and then, oh no, I have to start more crafts and start more things.... Whatever will I do?

So yesterday, it was all sunny in the morning. But I checked the forcast, and I knew what was coming. A big huge thunderstorm!! Yeah it was pretty dang crazy! But we survived, now if we can just suffer thru the rain and storms thru Friday, the weekend is supposed to be NICE!!

Love to all who have to deal with change - ♥

101 in 1001

The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

My start date is : May 1st, 2010.
My end date is : January 26th, 2013.

That is : 2 years, 8 months, 25 days OR 143 weeks OR 32 months!

My list is not any in order, and some of the goals are conditional on completing other goals....

1. Start Etsy store
2. Get pregnant (start our family)
3. Walk the Bandit every weekend (weather permitting) {2/32}
4. Start FHE & continue for 4 solid months {0/18}
5. Monthly date with Shark {0/32}
6. Get out of debt entirely!!
7. Make some furniture for our house (Knockoffwood.blogspot.com)
8. Eat 1 piece of fruit a day, 5 days a week.
9. Continue family prayer and family scripture
10. Pick something new to craft as Christmas gifts
11. Create décor for our house (more Christ oriented)
12. Go to the Temple once per month {1/32}
13. Learn to say “I love you” in 10 different languages (In vinyl, on canvas/frames), Learn Italian phrases
14. Do 1 useful crafty project a month {1/32}
15. Visit 3 new states {0/3}
16. Go on a family vacation each year (summer with friends)
17. Go on a carriage ride each year, and at least once in each season.
18. Go shooting/hunting with Shark, kill something.
19. Find and cook 1 new recipe a month {1/32}
20. Start a general conference tradition and follow thru for each conf.
21. Get wedding dress cleaned and preserved.
22. Start book about heart – Fingerprints on my Heart
23. Start digital scrapbooking
24. Sell little red truck, buy 4Runner
25. Add 50 *GOOD* movie to collection {16/50}
26. Create family holiday traditions, and follow thru
27. Prepare my home spiritually for children
28. Start taking pictures every day, POTD {0/365}
29. Blog at least 3 times a week {0/429}
30. Make quilts/quietbooks for all babies born in the family
31. Make decorations for every holiday
32. Start food storage
33. Start college fund for children
34. Find a place to live with a fence
35. Start scrapbooking our life (ProjectLIFE)
36. Make a monthly trip to DI – Drop off!!
37. Get started on the FHE books/games
38. Strengthen relationship with the Savior
39. Read Ensign cover to cover each month
40. Strengthen and maintain relationship with Shark
41. Do my visiting teach every month for an entire year {0/12}
42. Get better at personal prayer/scripture – Daily
43. Turn a pair of jeans into a skirt – WEAR IT!
44. Sew 2 shirts using a patter – WEAR THEM!
45. Learn to make plastic bag purses
46. Support my husband in all his ambitions (motorcycle, concealed, hunting)
47. Create a garden (potted plants)
48. Get a tan by being outside (playing, working)
49. Go to general conference at least twice in 1001 days {0/2}
50. Start collecting Living Scriptures DVD’s
51. Start on geneology (with Heather)
52. Leave the country
53. Go to 2 college football games {0/2}
54. Go to a pro Hockey game
55. Go to a Jazz game (go nuts, Superfan!)
56. Make an apron, wear it when cooking
57. Identify 100 things that make me happy {0/100}
58. Identify 25 things I like about myself {0/25}
59. Plant flowers in the yard, keep alive for a season
60. Take an Excel class
61. Be in the audience for the taping of a show
62. De-clutter master bedroom and keep it clutter free for at least 3 months {0/3}
63. Learn to knit {5.9.10} /crochet
64. Host a dinner party
65. Bake a cake from scratch for someone’s birthday, make fondant!
66. Use Wii Fit everyday for a month {0/31}
67. Get an iPhone (or smartphone) {5.17.10}
68. Visit 10 restaurant I’ve never been to (let Shark order for me at least once) {0/10}
69. Write a letter to each of my kids, to open on their 18th birthday
70. Have family pics taken once a year, get at least 1 print to hang in the house
71. Save $5 for each task completed, $10 for each uncompleted
72. Quit biting my nails for 1 week {0/7} for a month {0/31} for 3 months {0/93}
73. Drink 64 oz of water a day, 5 times a week for a whole month {0/20}
74. Complete 1 photobook/album per month {0/32}
75. Edit and keep up with this list weekly {0/143}
76. Condition myself to wake up at 7 am or earlier everyday for a month {0/31}
77. Kiss in the Rain
78. Take a road trip with no plans OR drive till tank is ½ full, take pictures, turn around
79. Walk on West Coast beach, take a swim
80. Go thru the house and edit everything, if I don’t love it, toss it!
81. Identify 101 things I love (am grateful for) about Shark
82. Hold hands with Shark more
83. Roll over 401K into an IRA
84. Read 100 books {1/100}
85. Send 5 postcards from somewhere other than home
86. Write a letter to someone in my future
87. Send a message in a bottle
88. Travel to WI, catch fireflies with Shark
89. Make crème brule with a blow torch {First -5.11.2010!} I have to do a final - all by myself!! :)
90. Send birthday cards to everyone on my birthday calendar
91. Start a Bunco group (or join one)
92. Get a fireproof box, organize important documents inside
93. Learn Photoshop
94. Take my camera out on 10.10.10, 11.11.11, and 12.12.12 – document all photos taken
95. Buy nothing for a week except for groceries
96. Have fresh flowers in my house for 1 month {0/31}
97. Go to the Dentist
98. Take pictures in a photobooth each month {1/32}
99. Clean the house/where we live *thoroughly* once a week {0/143}
100. Set up a dinner exchange group/dessert exchange
101. Make another list and start on it!

Once I complete a goal, I'll link it up to the post, I want to blog about everything I complete. I've posted my list in the left sidebar - I think it looks pretty cool.  I'm not starting this until May 1st, then goals completion will commence!!

Love to all who dream of the future!! ♥

Collard Bowls

So, since my introduction {or induction} into the Collard family, I have learned that everything is bigger. The laundry load is bigger, the dog is bigger, the vehicle is bigger, the serving size is bigger, the boots are bigger, the sports are bigger, the books are bigger, the mess is bigger, the fish are bigger, EVERYTHING! And I love it! It's not so much that they have a big family, but the boys are all the size of mountain men!

So when we were reading on Sunday, and Heather announced there was ice cream in the freezer, I decided I wanted some, and Shark pointed out the bowls. [Now, I know where the bowls are in his parent's house, but he pointed to some bigger bowls, ones that I had not seen used, except for serving food!!] Here they are :

So we used these big huge bowls. Heather wanted a little bit of ice cream, so I found a cereal bowl, a normal sized bowl. I took pictures, cuz they are ginormous!! The big bowls are about the width of the 5 quart ice cream bucket! I put a spoon by the bowls so you could grasp the size!!

I still don't have my camera back from Kurt's friend, but I will get it!! Eventually.... I've been trying to complete some of the crafts I have open/started.... We'll just have to see....

POTD : the big huge bowl alongside the little one and the spoon!

Love to all who love ice cream, milk, chocolate, spoons, or cereal!! ♥

you and your heart

Cause you and your heart Shouldn't feel so far apart.

Yesterday I had a cardiologist appointment, and I was kind of worried, just a little. The doctor bunped up my meeting with him to before my echo, and then he cancelled my echo all together! I was like, Oh no! What did he see onthe stuff from Colorado?! But when I met with him, he said he had all the info from CO, and that no repeats tests were needed. He was forthright, and honest and blunt. It was new to have a doctor like that, I'm used to pediatricians, who sugar coat everything, and never tell you how bad it really is. {Example: When I went in for the OHS this last time, I had NO idea they were concerned about the scartissue!!}This guy just laid it out! He said that younger is better for having kids, underlying heart disease or no, and that in the margin of risk : there are 4 groups, Small, Medium, Large, and That's the most stupid idea I've ever heard. {Doctor's words exactly} and that I am between Small and Medium Risk. But that every pregnancy is a small risk, healthy woman or not so healthy. So yayayay!! That will be our "project" for this summer... ;)

When I had to the open heart surgery, the doctors were saying that eventually I would need a pacemaker. But not like NOW, it would be more around early 30's or so. This doctor said 50% of Adult Congenital Heart Disease patients need a pacemaker. The "pulse" muscles will eventually slow down, and then a pacemaker is needed. There are signs in the EKG and the echo that tell that I am in the 50% that would need a pacemaker. But we already knew about the pacemaker. It was all just alot to handle, infomation overload.

Well, since I was down in Salt Lake to go to the hospital, just East of the temple, I stopped by the temple to walk around. As I was driving to temple, Jack Johnson's new song came on the radio : You and Your heart. I cranked it and sang it outloud! I love that song. Amid all the construction, the temple was still gorgeous. There was a young couple getting married (I know I have no ROOM to call other couples YOUNG, cuz this couple actually looked older than Shark and I!!) and I did the whole flashback thing, thinking back to when Shark and I got married at that very same temple. Thinking back to how I felt {it was even so real, that I started to get a little woozy from the heat!! It was warm outside, but I was prepared this time, I brought a bottle of water!! Booyah!} and how much I love him. I wrote down what I was thinking about all the info the doc just gave me, and I felt a complete calm come over me. I may not have the struggles of temptations that others have, but this heart stuff is my trial in life, that is what I will be dealing with for my whole life. I am so grateful to my husband, who has been standing strong next to me for all of this. He is absolutely amazing, and wonderful. I was handpicked for my, and I for him. And I think back to the miracles that brought us together. I am so thankful that I was ready to meet him when I did, and that I was where I was and when I needed to be. I found this quote, that fits perfectly : It's nothing short of a miracle when you find the one you're looking for.

Ooh - So when I was at work, I was thinking that I should write a book, and what it should be called. I was tinking and thinking, and came up with a bunch of ideas but this one sounds so dang good!! It's now the name of Etsy store, as soon as it's up - VERY SOON!! But it's going to be called Fingerprints on my Heart. I ♥ it!!! Shark likes it too. {Really, so many doctor's have touched my heart, literally.....}

Today I have a video : it's that awesome song.. if it works.... PS: Don't forget to pause the music on my blog if you want to play the video!!!

You And Your Heart lyrics

Love to all who have hearts♥

to finish

So, I have at least 1 project in the works {yes, I'm being Mysterious...very very mysterious!!} and I'm hoping to get it done this week. I know that 'THIS WEEK' is way open ended and a big window for completion, but that's how things are going to go for a while. My weekend was taken by shopping and partying for the cutest little girl ever!! [I don't mind, my weekend wasn't going to be filled with anything but sleep anyways.] But this project will be posted on Etsy, as soon as I get it done. Shark saw it yesterday and commented on it, all on his own, no provocation from me!! He said it looked good, and it's not even done yet!! I've been working on the iSpy bottles/jars, and those aren't too hard to complete, so now I just need to post them. And I have a new idea for another iSpy thing, just using my resources, and hoping things work out. I got some frames to make some more stuff for the Etsy store, now to just buy a few more things to comeplete them, and then get at least a million Saturdays to work on them, and make them, and we should be ready to go! HA!

I'm still training at the Depot, I just wish I could get a final schedule, rather than, just show up anytime and we can train you. I'd rather have 5-10pm or 2-7pm called out. When I'm left to my own devices, I get lazy and unmotivated. So I'd rather have someone telling me when to be where.

Also, in the on-going story that is my heart, I have an appointment on Thursday, with a new doctor, in a new hospital. I'm hoping to get the results from the CT scan the Dr's in CO did the Friday we left. Also, the doc I'm scheduled to go see on Thursday is an Adult Congenital Heart Disease doctor, so I'm pretty happy that I'll be going to see him. He should know all about heart diseases and stuff like that. I'm happy about seeing an Adult CHD specialist. I'm hoping he knows what's going on, and what has happened when my heart was "tickled" last year. Here's hoping something gets figured out.

Today's POTD is : Bandit snuggling with his little hedgehog squeaker toy. Squeak Squeak.

Love to all who have unfinished tasks...yeah I know you do!! ♥

Baby blessing!

So Saturday we set up for the wedding reception baby blessing!

See, it does look like a reception tho, not really a blessing. But when you think about it, it really was a reception! Our joyful reception of Whitney, into this world!! She's so dang cute! ♥

Anyways, we got set up here at Clinton City, Saturday afternoon, and started cooking the pork in our 5 collective crock-pots. (Heather and I went to DI, and I found yet another crock-pot, a really nice one, for $8, so I HAD to have it!!) We had everything set up by 3, and came back Sunday morning to make some salads and get some ice ready and the chocolate ready.

It was such a beautiful day, lots of friends of Steve and Heather were there. It was great!! So much fun!!

POTD : little Whitney smiling real big!

Love to all who smile☺

Don't Change or Do

So, I went to my SIL Heather's blog, and she got a whole new layout. I think it's super freaking cute, I wanted to see what cute layouts they had. I went to LeeLou Blogs to see what they got. They had a way cute layout called Spring Fling Layout, of course, the layout is green, blue and orange!! It has stars and is freaking cute! Well, I tried to put it on my blog, to try it out. BIG MISTAKE!! Holy crap! I had to go back to the basic layout, and then fix everything and re-do everything on my blog. I had to fix my font and my layout and my pictures!! It was such a pain! So here's a word - Don't ever change your layout unless you for sure know that you want to change it! Don't believe the hype, change is not good!! ;)

However, if you can change to make yourself better, I say FULL STEAM AHEAD!! In fact, I keep seeing people that blog everyday and about everything, and then they get their blog printed to a book! I love that!! I'd like to try that. However, since I started both jobs, I don't even have time to eat! (Seriously, I woke up so dang hungry this morning because I only ate lunch yesterday!) Plus, I'd like to be more regular in taking pictures. We'll have to see if I can get up on taking pictures.

Things have changed so much in the past week-2 weeks alone! I went from being lazy and bored out of my mind to not having enough time to eat, and having so much to do and so little time!! The scales of time are so easily tipped!! I'm happy to be consumed with work. Shark still has his 2 jobs; he works at Mosquito Abatement {kills mosquitos!!} during the day and then he goes to work at the airport for FedEx, as a package handler. And I have my 2 jobs; I work at Clinton City Recreation Department, I take care of the Facebook and I help out at the reception desk, and then I work as a cashier at The Home Depot, I'm still in training at the Depot. At the Depot, they say to wear a blouse or a collared shirt [just not a t-shirt] and I laughed cuz 'ALL MY SHIRTS ARE COLLARD SHIRTS!' Hahahahhahahaha!

Slightly more change to come yet : Shark and I were talking about where to look for a place to rent. I found some places in Ogden, and even called the people to get more information about the places. No one called me back. I take that as a sign, you're going NO-WHERE!! So Shark and I talked more about it, and we even talked with Steve & Heather about moving, and we have all come to the decision to stay where we are. But, in staying with Steve & Heather for a little while longer, I asked Shark if we could move in more, like get my crafting stuff in the house, hang some pictures in our bare-wall room, get a little more organized, get a dresser in the room instead of using the entire room as a walk-in-closet : Shark agreed. So this weekend we are going to be moving more stuff into the basement, because I still have no idea where some stuff is, and I have no idea where to put anything new! {New meaning papers and notes and pay-stubs.} So, right now, where we are ok being here and everything is going good, and we're still trying to get settled in our jobs, pay-checks regular, we're happy to have a place to stay, and happy to be close to his family.

Love to all who change, or don't change... ♥

City Council

So I went to my first ever City Council Meeting! Well, it wasn't a "real" City Council meeting, it was a special meeting, to hear the public's opinion of the potential loss of $83,000 from the City of Clinton Cemetary's Perpetual Care Fund. The meeting was open to the public, the council room was packed, there was some critics and some supporters. I don't live in Clinton City, although I work for the city, and what happened effects me in NO WAY, but I listened to both sides, and from what I've heard, I think I understand the situation. I found myself getting mad, and defensive about the side I was on. Shark's mom and dad both went and both stood up in defense of the city manager. It got pretty heated, no one got escorted out by the big police presence there, and most people were considerate. The meeting started at 7pm, and it ended around 10pm. In the end, a written reprimand of the city manager, the mayor and the city council was issued, as was the city manager getting docked 3 days' pay. It was a pretty good first time city council meeting. I learned a whole lot.

One thing I l♥ve about my little dog, and all dogs really, is when they bark in their sleep! The muffled bark is so dang cute! And when they run in their sleep, I just love it! Doggies are so cute! I love mine!!

I had orientation tonight at the Depot from 5-10pm, I learned all the secrets of the Depot!! I start training tomorrow 5-10pm, and then again on Friday 5-10pm. The City job has been flexible, and Shark's mom tells me they will be flexible with my Depot job. One thing that kinds sucks about working until 10, is that Shark has been home for about an hour already and is usually sleeping. He leaves in the morning before I wake up, and I get home after he's already sleeping. BUT - that won't be my schedule permanantly. It's just for now. :) I've also told them about the doctor appointment on Thursday. So I won't have to work during my appointment.

POTD : Bandit's mark in the house. You can tell how much fun my dog has had that day by how muddy his little paws are!!

Love to all who know what city they live in

April Blizzard

Check out the SNOW!!

And that, my friends, is Spring Break in Utah.

♥- all you snow bunnies

Sabotage by who?

IT'S MYSELF!!

Ok, so you know how I posted that I would get more pictures taken, cuz I'm such a bum, a sloth really. Well, yesterday I was making my infamous (yes infamous, so yummy you eat a TON, and then the spice hits you, and you have to down a whole gallon of milk...) Shrimp Noodles, when Kurt texted me, saying, Brian found a camera in his car, is it yours? I replied, is it a Canon? It probably is mine. Why would it probably be mine? CUZ I CAN'T FIND MINE!! Yeah, I sabotage myself all the time. I set goals and then take away the means to accomplish them.... Well, I found a way to accomplish this particular goal, once I realized my camera was indeed left in Brian's car, I went to my fall-back, my cellphone!

Anyways, so yesterday it was raining, and Bandit was going nuts, I decided to take him for a walk anyways. So we walked to the elementary school 2 blocks away and walked around the walk/run path behind the school. Once I was on the path, I left Bandit off his leash. No one else was around for him to chase, and he needed to get his energy out. Once off his leash he ran and ran and ran. If he was a ways away, I'd shout his name, and start "running" towards him, he'd bolt at me, and veer away at the last second (good thing I wasn't really running at him, or he would have plowed me over!) and then I'd start "running" away from him, and he'd bolt ahead of me again. He loved it, and all I could do was laugh. We were outside for about a half hour, it was good to get out and walk a bit. Bandit was soaked, but he loved it. My shoes were soaked thru (even though I dodged the puddles), my sweatshirt was dry on the inside, but dripping wet on the outside, and my jeans were soaked as well. When we got back to the house, I figured Bandit would just lay down and fall asleep, NOPE. He immediately charged Trigger and they started play fighting! But, this morning, I could tell my little dog was really tired.

When I turned the light on this morning, Bandit moaned and rolled his face into his pillow (yes, my dog has a pillow, 2 actually, and a blanket!) He didn't want the light in his eyes. Such a goofy little snobby dog.

Around 8 or so, the rain turned to snow, and it accumulated fast! But the time Shark got home, around 9:30 pm, there was about 4-6 inches stacked up on the deck railing. I didn't get a picture last night, because my fall-back doesn't have a flash, and I didn't think about it this morning. (I didn't even grab my lunch!) But I did take a picture this morning from the City.

I drove Shark's truck today: my truck had more gas in it, it snowed and his trucks drives better in the snow, the snowplow snowed my truck in- Shark said he had to lay on the gas to get over the wall of snow. But he started his truck, and it was all warm when I jumped in to go to work. :) There was about a foot of snow on the deck this morning.

Note to the curious : Don't EVER move! Transferring medical files from state to state is such a pain! I'm just putting that note out there, go ahead take it.

I have an appointment scheduled for next Thursday, April 15th at 2pm, for an Echo and then to talk to the doctor right after. The appointment is at Primary Children's, I'll have to try really hard not to stare at the Pneumatic tube system... Cuz I know where it's routed and where it goes... So now I just have to : 1) make sure my medical files get to Utah by then 2) make sure I have insurance to cover me. Those 2 things are coming very easily!! Ugh!! I'm hoping these go easier than they started out to be...

So far so good. More later today I guess. ☺

♥- love to all who are scheming on thing, that's a sabotage

New day

It's Monday! Yayayay! Well, I am at work, I work at Clinton City Recreation (look us up on Facebook!!), I work at the front desk with Cathy and Ginger, and I am also the Facebook coordinator. I set up the Facebook, get the raffles going, and I'm trying to get more Fans for Clinton City Recreation. Today I got a phone call from Home Depot, I have orientation on Wednesday evening from 5-10pm! yayayay!! I'm so happy to hear back from them. It also means I can work at the city up until Wednesday without conflict from the Depot! The City is so laid back, and easy going. It also is pretty awesome, cuz I work with Shark's mom!

Easter weekend was pretty awesome. We went over there Saturday, Shark was still at the house, working on his motorcycle. And I took the Bandit over to the parent's house, and then we went for a walk. We walked to the City Rec Building, it's not that far, maybe 4 blocks. It was nice to get out of the house with the little dog. He's been living a different life, since we moved. We haven't been playing with him as much, and since Shark and I both have 2 jobs, we haven't been home as much as were before, and we weren't home very much before! So we went to the Rec building, and hung out with Shark's mom. I also went in and added some stuff to the fliers, I added the FACEBOOK button on them. Then we went back home, and watched the afternoon session of conference. Then we read our new Fablehaven book!! It's freaking awesome!! Then I got it in my head to make cinnamon rolls for Sunday. I found this awesome recipe for Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls, it was super easy, I was waiting for the dough to rise, and then Shark and I went home. When we got to the parents' house on Sunday morning, the Easter eggs were hidden, and the rolls were baked. I felt so bad, that I just left them. But, Shark's mom wasn't worried about it, she was too excited to sleep anyways. His whole family LOVES holidays, and gets so excited! The kitchen table was loaded with Easter Baskets and toys and movies and candy!! It was pretty awesome! Then we read some more. Then some friends of the family came over, and Shark and I watched Planet 51, it's pretty cute and funny, for a little kid movie. Then we read more and more!! We're about half way thru the book already! We at lots and lots of food and candy. It was alot of fun to hang out with his family. The boys all got shorts, Heather and I got scrapbook paper for our Cricuts, and the dogs got a bubble gun and bubble wands. All of us got movies, and some water-shooters (the shooters look like fun-noodles.) That Easter Bunny done did good this year!! :)

By last night's end, my head was hurting so bad. I took some Tylenol after dinnertime, and but it didn't even touch it. I took some more, still nothing, so finally I took some Ny-Quil, and figured if I can't madicate my headache away, I'll sleep it away. I woke up this morning, no headache!! Now, it's about noon, and my head hurts a little now. We'll just see how this headache develops.

Oh, and lately, I've been hurting for pictures, so I started carrying my camera around with my everywhere, have you seen my last few posts? No pictures!! I'm such a bum. Big time slacker. This one! So, I'll work on that, trust me, I' m trying.

Shark and I, well, I am in the process of looking for a place to rent. So far, no dice. Shark doesn't really know about my search, but he soon will. I'm not really sure how much we can spend on a place yet, as I have no gotten a paycheck from my jobs yet. I can figure out Shark's income, but not mine yet. Looks like we need another notebook for Money... Oh well, it's the easiest way for me to keep track of everything.

Also, I've got tons of stuff from DI, I got some frames (way good frames, for way cheap), the frames aren't terribly big, but for my purpose, they will work. I got some jars for iSpy bottles, and some little trinkets and toys and keychains and games; now to figure out if sand or rice would be better.... I found a clear glass brick, it had someone's name on it, but I peeled it off so I can put my name on it. I found 6 little wooden blocks, painted white with a letter from SPRING painted on each block.... I already have an idea of what to do with them. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter all have 6 letters... So, I might keep them white, and Mod Podge seasonal paper on the block and vinyl letters on each side, not the ends. So craft stuff is on my list.

Love to all who still check up on me, I'm getting back on track....

Fatness

So, pretty sure working at the city is going to make me fat. The slushee machine at the concession stand is working, they bring over slushees anytime someone goes over there. There is tons of candy leftover from the Easter Egg hunt. They are stocked with Easy-Mac and chips and all kinds of candy. I just pig out everyday I'm there. Plus, they have random potluck days that are just awesome. Then, they have people go and get lunch for us, and I just eat what they bring me. We get lots of promotional stuff, like coupons for Free Value Meals and stuff like that. So yes, I beleive I am going to get fat working here. I wish I had the welf control to bring in a salad or something. Maybe next week...

Oh, I got my Carmen Electra DVD Set, so maybe I won't be fat.... well, when I think about it, I'll be walking around at the Depot while I work there, so maybe I won't be fat.... Or, maybe I will start walking the dog every night after work or whenever I can. I'm also looking to start excersising (that's why I bought te entire DVD set) so that I can get into shape. I'm hoping that excercise and working out will get my heart into shape, my body into shape, get fit. We're hoping to get an appointment with a doctor here. I'm not really sure how to go about getting one tho. So I just called the pediatric cardiology department at U of U, the U of CO gave me a referral doctor here in Utah. So we're just waiting to see if I can get in... I'm still not sure what my schedule is. I'm hoping, if my appointment is far enough ahead, that I can schedule work around it, at the Depot and at the City. I'm thinking that's a good idea. I just really need to get my heart stuff figured out for sure.

Anyways, while I'm on the subject of hearts. I am a member of the Adult Congenital Heart Association. I get newsletters, information, and all kinds of new stuff. Well, they are having a webinar on Adoption as an Option for CHD Patients. Meaning : what I need to know, as a CHD patient, if I want to adopt a child. Well, that made me think. First of all : Shark and I aren't really talking about having kids right this minute, and I guess I never thought about what we'd do if I wasn't able/allowed to have kids... And I never ever thought it would be difficult to adopt, me having a heart condition and all.... The things you don't think about... It's all going to happen one way or another.

Wow, look at my loop of thought... somethings just don't seem connected until you get sidetracked. Hmmmm.. Oh well.

Much love to all who have ♥s!