Thursday, January 31, 2008

The sweet sound of jazz

My youngest daughter is a freshman in High School. She auditioned for the jazz band. Not only did she get in, she made it into Advanced Jazz band. How sweet is that. She loves to play jazz. She has also decided to become a music major so she can be a music teacher. She plays the trumpet now and is working on clarinet, percussion and piano. This summer she plans to borrow a bunch of instruments so she can become familiar with as many as she can get her hands on. What a fun goal. So let the music play...

Mile War 30+5=35

Monday, January 28, 2008

The best thing to do...

This is a sad and wonderful day. Sad for all of us because we will miss our Beloved Prophet. Wonderful because I can just picture President Hinkley hugging and kissing his sweet wife whom he has missed. The best way to honor this amazing servant is to live like he counseled us to live. That's the best thing I can think of to do today.

Elder Brady got transfered today...do you remember when he was playing Pit with us? We will miss him, but wish him well in Corona.

Daddy is feeling better, but not great yet. So girls, please send some prayers out for him.

Life is great and I love all the rain we are getting.

Mile war 25+5=30

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Mile War

My son in law and I were talking about tredmills and excercise. From that conversation came the "mile war". I walk in the morning during seminary for 2.5 miles. On a good day I will come home and run 2.5 miles on the tredmill. It is great for my body, but most helpful to my brain. So my little post today will be...I am grateful for a body that works.


Mile War 15+4+5=24

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Onto the Lord of the Rings

I finsihed the Tristen and Isolde series. The movie is good but the ending is so different from the books. In the books, after many trials and pain, they live happily ever after. I am going to start The Lord of the Rings series next. I thought it would be a good thing to read since my husband and at least one of my sons-in-law likes them. Caleb, do you like them?

Tonight was a youth fireside. The super cute Amy and Paul Fransen spoke on the word of wisdom. Amy spoke about the health of the soul and Dr. Paul spoke about the blood and guts aspect. He had some very effective stories to tell about the importance of seat belts, etc. We used the chocolate fountain to top off the evening. Maybe not a good follow up from the theme of the evening, but very tasty and a big hit. We were suppossed to have the fireside at our house but daddy is very sick.

Good thing for dad it is a 4 day weekend. He has spent the time in bed with a 103' temp. He was so sick he couldn't even read. Now you know that is really sick. I hope tomorrow his fever will break and he will be on the mend.

Last night was the stake dance. Our stake was in charge. They had a raffle for an Ipod. Can you believe it? Josh Ryan won it. Let's just say Cray Carlson was involved. That explains it.

Not much else to report on. So loves and kisses to all.

Mile war 15 miles

Monday, January 14, 2008

Whispy Clouds

Today was one of those days where you say to yourself, could this day be any better? I'll paint you a mental picture. A light breeze, white whispy clouds painted across blue sky, the green hills falling along the horizon and a comfortable 75 degrees. Did you enjoy that picture? I love living in Redlands.

The other day we had similar weather, but the wind was crazy. I thought for sure some trees would have blown down it was so hard. We live where there are a bunch of palm trees. The trees all look like they are wearing skirts. I think it looks so cool when one of the palm trees drops their skirts. We just had some rain, and then this crazy wind. It is perfect skirt dropping conditions. So a bunch of big skirts dropped. Silly me, I should have taken a picture, sorry.

Our master dream bathroom was great except for one thing. The water was cold. So for those of you who have complained about the cold shower, no need to fret. The warm water is here!!!!! Daddy took the heat protector thing out of the handle and now there is glorious warm water...even HOT water if you want. If you are ever in town, stop on in and take a nice warm shower in the dream bathroom.

Q&A time. Does anyone have a great mac and cheese recipe?

Happy finals week to Kellie and Carlie.

Mile war - 2.5 for today. Total 10 miles.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Pounding heart

My heart is still pounding from reading the Vampire books. I started them last Sunday and I finished the 3rd one last night about 1AM. I have asked Carlie to read the last few chapters of book 3 so I can talk to someone about it. She knows a little of the story because I have been filling the girls in as I have read. (I am pretty sure they were just being kind in listening)

Aunt Wendy gave me the first book, so I called her and talked with her about it. She was really sad when she finished reading the books, so she looked up the website and read the "deleated scenes". (Rick and Caleb...it includes pictures of really cool cars.) She found out that there is another book coming out this summer. I am thrilled. She also learned the same author is writing a book from the male love interest view point. How cool is that! Looking up the website wasn't good enough for Aunt Wendy, so she read them again. I would do the same, but I think I will take a break from them, my heart is still racing from the last time I read them. I don't think my heart can handle it....I know, I am such a dork.

I heard that, and am embarressed to say, that there is a 3 book series of Tristen & Isole. I will take a shot at those, then go back to the vampires.

Last night Kellie had a friend over and I was about 50 pages from the end of the book. She and her friend were hanging out in the living room doing a project and listening to music. I could tell my face was all red from what I was reading. So I went into Kellie's room, when I came out Carlie asked if I was okay because I felt really hot. I told her I had just expereinced a werewolf and vampire fight. She laughed, but I really felt like my breath was gone and very drained.

So my recommendation for these books are....READ THEM!

My mile war miles stand at 7.5 for the week. There was no tredmill action this week, I was too busy reading. Just so you know I also did laundry, went to the temple, cooked meals, and even mopped the floors. So I did participate in life, but took every free minute and read. Plus I didn't get much sleep during the week.

It is funny that some people's comments on these books are negative. They say we shouldn't be teaching our children these things. Well, I think I covered the part with my girls that, it is wrong to date vampires and werewolves. So just in case you girls have forgotten that, here is your reminder.

Yea for good books! (this comment dedicated to Julie)

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Potter - you say it like water

I have done what most of you did oh so long ago...finished all the Harry Potter books. My family didn't want me to read book 6 until book 7 came out. I finally read them. It is fun to be able to discuss them with people. Like, I know Julie thought the end of 7 was a little hokey. I enjoyed it. I am sad that Harry and Snape didn't get to have a moment like Harry did with Albus after they all died. Now that Harry understands what Snape did for him, it would have been great for them to have a little chat. I think I need to go back and read the last 100 pages again though. I am sure I missed some of the detail 'cause I was in a hurry to see what happened. I am very sad about Doby too. That is actually the time I cried the most. I loved how she explained the moment when Harry realized he needed to die. When I was reading I asked Carlie (who is REALLY into it) what happens to the dragon that helped them out of the bank. She said that is so not important. But me being an animal lover, I would love to know more about the nearly blind dragon. I hope she found her family and all is well with her. Yes, I know, I am such a dork.

My sister gave me the new Vampire books. So I think that will be my next casual reading. Have any of you read it yet? Jackie Hill loves them and read all 3 in a week. Stephanie thinks they are way too racey. Neither of these opinions surprise me.

Julie left today. I was glad I got to take her to the airport. It is hard to let her go. All the girls do this, but since the other girls weren't home, Julie brought such a balance to Carlie and Kellie. I am very grateful that she came home. I told the girls she may not be back for an extended visit until Thanksgiving. That is weird to think about. I am glad she was sad to leave and happy that she wanted to go back to Provo. I love that she loves her college life.

Carlie, Kellie and I went to Ontario Mills after we took Julie to the airport. It was the funniest thing. We are not big shoppers, not a bunch of entertainment there. So we walked all the way around it. Went into a few stores, ate lunch and then went home.

Many say how 'this' Christmas was the best ever. I plan on doing things different next year so I will be able to say that. This Christmas break was very good, but I can do better. So add that to my New Year's Resolutions.

We saw a car liscene plate cover that was so great today;
Just a little bit of pixie dust and here we goooo!

Farewell to Harry and hello vampires.

Mile war -
2.5 miles for Thurs
2.5 miles Friday
Total for 2008 - 7.5

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Wow, I had no idea...

I had no idea I was so good with words. Oh wait, I'm not. Julie is such a wit. The post before this one did make me laugh. Happy New Year...more to come later. For those participating in the "mile war" I have 2.5, thank you very much!