Does

Journaling and reading the scriptures count if it is after midnight?

An early Easter

dinner with Natalie.

Gary wondered tonight, when I was taking this picture, if people think that what he is wearing is the only thing he has.  Well, let me explain.  Once he comes home from anywhere he asks, "Are we going out again tonight?"  If the answer is "no," then he heads straight upstairs and gets "comfy."  So it is not all he wears,  but I guess I need to take more pictures when he's not "comfy."

The countdown

chain for Disney World!

 

 

The next big event we have coming up is our Disney World vacation with the whole FAM!   We are going to be there over Thanksgiving.  I'm very excited!

 

When Tiffany was here, Misty sent a package with a DVD of some home movies showing the kids, her garden, and Lydia's new bedroom.  She also sent us each a set of papers to make into this countdown chain.  Every day I get to cut a chain off, and that means we're getting closer. 

 

Apparently Lydia thought the chain was a silly idea, but I don't.  I feel like a kid again!

 

 



While I'm being

a football widow (and Gary is doing the stats for the varsity game), this is what I was doing.

It's been quite

a few years since I've seen Gary on the sidelines of a football field.

In high school I could always spot him on the sidelines (from a long line of players) by his skinny calves and because he would always stand with his legs and feet crossed.   When I watched him at Snow College and Southern Utah State College, I could find him on the sidelines because of the same stance.   I don't think that's the reason he was nicknamed "crazy legs" in high school,  but it was always an identifying factor for me in the stands.

Later, as he was coaching at Provo High, I would still see him standing that way.   I didn't capture him doing that yesterday at Timpview's sophomore game (wearing the brimmed hat).

But for sure he still has the skinny calves (though you can't see them in this picture).   

 

Maybe I'm just jealous.  I would like his skinny calves, and he has always said he wished he had my more rounded (Anderson style) ones.        

This afternoon

Gary asked me if I had on a new outfit.  I told him that the top is kind of new (bought at our Heber shopping trip with the sister-in-laws),  but that I had worn it several times already.  He didn't remember noticing it before.

Then he said, "You look nice today.  I don't know why.  Well, what I meant to say was that you look extra nice today.  Because you always look nice . . ."   By that time we were both laughing.  He needed to stop while he was ahead.

But, hey, I'm not proud.  I'll take compliments anyway I can get them.  And to be honest, I don't mind that Gary doesn't notice my new clothes.   Then I can subtly slip in new ones without him noticing.  But I do appreciate being told  I look nice, even if he can't understand why.

Favorite Places

I was sitting in the sunroom tonight thinking about a talk I have to give and going through some personal papers (trying to get inspiration and ideas about what to say).  The sunroom is definitely my favorite room in the house.  I actually spend a very small percentage of my time in there, but maybe that is why I like it so much.  It is more like a retreat. 

This is not a Better Homes and Garden shot, and the best view is looking into the back yard, but this is what I saw as I sat there.   It makes me feel happy and peaceful. 

The last two days have been wonderful.  We got all the products entered in the website, so now I am back to spending less time, and I feel much less pressure.  It is also perfect timing, as Lydia (our 14 year old) is coming in on Monday for a week.  I told her a few weeks ago that I as worried she would be bored, and her response was, "You and grandpa are never boring."  (Very sweet, but if she only knew!)  We are excited to have her come.  

Yesterday's

activities.

Dig a hole.

Dig a bigger hole. 

 Dig such a big hole that you can't get out of it.

 Go to Costco and have a picnic under a tree.

 Walk blindly behind the tree.

 Load the tree in the car.

Come home and plant the tree.

Keep repositioning the tree,

with the criteria being that it is

what you see when you walk  in the front door

instead of the chicken coop.

Well, it may take a few years.

The Marilyn

Method.  Tonight is the first time I've heard that term. 

We went to dinner with Natalie and Trent and got into a discussion about customer support, which Natalie does on the phone and through messaging, and which a deal with a little bit in emails.  We were discussing how, even in emails and messaging, you can tell what someone's attitude is by how they write, and many times don't write, in their messages.  With some people you can just tell that they need to be in charge, be right, or come across as the more knowledgeable one. 

As we were talking, Natalie told about a work associate that she deals with only in messaging (she is in another state).  This work associate is usually very rude and has a know-it-all attitude toward Natalie in her messages.  Natalie has talked with a friend at work about how obnoxious this person is.  So she was very surprised when she observed her friend's messages with this same woman. 

First of all, Nat said that this friend is very intelligent and knowledgeable.  Yet in his messaging to that associate, he wrote like he was helpless and didn't know what to do.  Nat was even more surprised when this rude associate responded back to her friend with all sorts of help and smiley faces in her message.   When she expressed her disbelief to him, he told her that uses the "Marilyn Method," with that associate. 

It took us a minute to realize that the "Marilyn Method," was penned after Marilyn Monroe.   I don't know if Marilyn Monroe was or acted  helpless, but there were certainly a lot of men who were ready to be with her (and come to her rescue?)

 Interesting approach.  I think we all use that method at times (that is if we can put our pride aside). I've just never looked at, our thought of it, as a "method." 

 Hmm.  I think I may use the Marilyn Method a little more with Gary.  

I'll let you know how it goes.

I can't put my finger

on why exactly.  But I'm feeling very uninspired and unmotivated.  I've had the sewing machine set up in the family room for two weeks, and I've gone through a pile of mending and sewn five aprons. That should make me feel accomplished.   But, I think I'm overwhelmed by the, umm, 20 or more aprons that I have cut out and ready to sew. 

It all goes back to when I was on a "finding cute fabric for aprons" kick.  Do you know how many cute fabrics there are for aprons out there?  Especially cute cupcake fabric.  I haven't been on the fabric kick for 2 years or so, but I still have the fabric.  I went through the process a few months ago of cutting out most of the fabric using the various apron patterns I have.  That was progress.  But now I need motivation.

But I have a headache, and what I really want to do is make chocolate chip cookies, grab a book, snuggle in a blanket, eat the cookies, and not feel one ounce of guilt while doing it. 

I'm still debating. 

Ok, this is

SCARY!

Me at 89

Gary at 90

(according to the "aging booth" app on my phone)

That's just not fair.  Why do I look so much older than him with my sagging jowls?

I was at

Gary's second ballgame today.  They lost horribly in the first game, but they redeemed themselves tonight.  I have to admit, I never thought I would find myself in the stands as a coach's wife. It seems much more relaxing than it used to be.  Maybe because I'm not running after little girls and also because he is not the head coach.   I've taken pictures of Gary two of his four baseball uniforms.   His hair is a little greyer, but other than that, he is still looks the same in a baseball uniform.

You may note a couple of little things.  His stance reminds me of Angelena Jolie at the Academy awards, minus the split in his pants.  And, second, my rotating shelf is bare.  I'm afraid that St. Patrick's day is going to get ignored this year.  I'll move straight in to Easter and bunnies in preparation for our annual Bunny Hollow get-aways with the girls.  Yeah!

I need to

Learn to compartmentalize better. I become consumed with one thing (lately my job) and have a hard time letting it go. I am only supposed to be part time (20 to. 25 hours per week), but I can't stop until everything is up to date. But, of course in a business that thrives on new orders, it is never up to date.

This is not a new dilemna for me, just a different venue.

Resolve: Tomorrow I will allow myself 4 hours for work, 2 hours for yoga, 1 hour for cleaning, 1 hour for Dr's appt., 1 hour for reading, and the rest sewing and whatever else comes up. Pretty good plan. I'm hoping that publically committing to it will make me accountable.

We will see . . .

I give

up I just typed up a very intelligent and insightful blogpost. Not once, not twice, but 3 times on my ipad. Only to push some button that completely deleted them. I'll probably never have such insight again. I'm stopping before I erase this.

It has been a

Busy but good week. I have been working up at the studio every day. Lee is in the Congo for two weeks picking up their adopted daughter, so Loralee needed more help. This is the fourth child they have adopted, and they are all between 5 and 2. They are such cute kids. I am amazed at how she gets everything done.

Being at the studio has really helped me understand the products and the process much better. Lots of times there are questions I don't know answers to, and being there where I can ask questions on the spot and see what can be done, has really helped.

And, today I got my first paycheck!

As I'm trying

not to eat quite so much sugar, this is my new favorite treat (besides chocolate)

And the saga

Of the "Deep" continues.

Misty called today and asked me what I was doing. I told her I was taking a break from the deep. I started to explain, and she said that I didn't need to explain anything. Just saying "the deep" says it all.

It's amazing how free I feel once I've gotten the deep in order.  It's like cobwebs have been removed from my mind.  (I agree, I need psychoanalysis). Anyway, it is as done as it will ever be. I made Gary come down and exclaim, because I need praise and acknowledgement.

 I felt comfortable working down there,

because the two remaining mouse traps (with peanut butter)

have remained empty since we caught #4.

 If anyone needs any ribbon, you know where to come.

 I saw this cool idea somewhere. Take a jar with a lid.  Punch a hole in the middle of the lid, and pull the end of a string of ribbon through the hole.  Put the other end of the ribbon in the jar.  I probably have 30 3=yard spools of ribbon in this jar.  They pull out very nicely.

I'm feeling proud of myself today.

Just so everyone

knows that I have a life beyond mice, I have been absorbed with other things this week. 

I've been spending 2 to 3 hours a day learning the computer aspects of my job.  So far I'm loving it.  I still have a lot to learn about the products, but once I do, I'll be comfortable with it.  I also love the flexibility it provides.  

I've tried made these from the "Best Bites" cookbook.  They are really good!

I tried made these little tortilla bowls with the these molds. 

They are so easy and bake in just 8 minutes. 

I've made cupcakes with a marble inserted into the tin 

(after the batter is in)

to make them heart shaped. 

They aren't perfectly heart shaped

because the bottom is rounded and not triangle,

but they are still cute.

 

Now, back to the important stuff.  Thanks to everyone for your expressions of sympathy and suggestions on how to catch the mouse family.  I am happy to report, but freaked out about it also, that so far we have caught FOUR of them.  I told Gary that he is my hero for getting rid of them in the traps, and I really mean it.  I can't stand to see them alive, but then I can't stand to see them hurting.  I would not have been a good pioneer woman who had to go kill the chickens before she could cook them.  Or even worse, shoot the rabbits for dinner.     

Gary is

trying to clean up my computer that has no disk space left on it. I'm posting this on my new ipad that I got for work. It is really cool.

But I just keep getting sidetracked by my little unwelcome houseguest. I'm getting really upset by him or her, whichever it is. I've set out 6 traps, but so far, no go. He/she keeps running out from under the couch. Right past my traps and me. Right now I'm very frustrated by mice and technology (my laptop issues). I'll go to bed and see maybe my laptop will be fixed and the mouse will be thrown in the garbage because GARY will check the traps before I get up.

I'm an optimist (or maybe just have wishful thinking)

I think

we have a family living in our house.  And I don't mean me and Gary. 

The other day I saw this little furry ball moving across the carpet.  At first I thought it was a little ball of hair being blown across the carpet.  Then I realized it was a mouse.  A little baby mouse.  Because it didn't move too quickly, it didn't startle me too much.  The next morning Gary saw him in the bathtub and put him in a plastic container.  I threw the container away without looking at it. 

Then, just 10 minutes ago, I saw another little one come out from under the couch.  I am now getting a little creeped out.   The little ones are kind of cute, but where there are baby ones, there are probably parents.  I just told Gary that I would get traps, but that he had to check them every morning and get rid of it before I see it.   Right now Gary is walking around the room saying, "Here, mousy, where are you mousy."


It is silly to be afraid of them.  They are defenseless against me.  But at the same time, Natalie had a resident mouse that chewed through her computer cord before she was finally able to trap him.  Tiffany had one that chewed through her dishwasher pipe and caused it to leak and damage her floor.  I just have one (or maybe more) that has me nervously looking out of the corner of my eye for any movement.

I know this is not earth shattering stuff.  Pretty boring, really.  But I can't think of anything else to write about tonight.