Na, Na, Na, Naaaaa, Na, Na, Na, Naaaaa,

Hey, Hay, Hay.... Goooooood Bye!

We love you boys dearly....we will miss you sorely...

but sianara senors. 

The girls only club is back in town. 

On our last night together I made us all go to a mandatory Fall Fest

that I agreed to volunteer my mad face painting skills at.

It was a lot of fun....

at least M and I thought.

It was two towns over from us in Indialantic.

Everything was free....

hotdogs, all the soda you could gluten down, Wendy's frostys,

popcorn, treats galore, and prizes for the games the likes

of which I have never seen before!!

Plus a scary haunted house, water tattoo table, hay ride,

and of course the highly sought after 

face painting table.

ha! 

We had to wait for Kev to get back into town anyway....

it was a great way to pass the time and enjoy the blustery out doors for a while.

 A sample of my skills.

This girl requested a rainbow across her face.

I delivered the goods.

Last night around 9:30 pm the boys headed off into the night in the van.

They are driving for the first time to their annual hunting trip 

in South Dakota.

They are almost two days behind schedule....

Kev was surprisingly delayed on his recent trip.

But no worries...it will work out and they will have a 

wonderful time.

M and I gave lots of hugs,

blew kisses,

M ran after the van to the corner and we waved together until 

they were out of sight.

Then we turned and high tailed it back into the house and shut 

the garage.

As we were walking in holding hands M says,

Finally, now the real fun can begin.

A mother, a wife may think this....but only a little sister can get 

away with actually saying it out loud.

Pretty funny.

This was the last picture in a little Sabbath Day book M made at 

church today.

This is the two of us on the couch watching 

whatever we want!!!!

This is an accurate depiction of us...

we always sit huddled up on the far right hand side of the couch

sharing a blankie.

This way I can utilize the little end table and put my water there and reach

my floss, nail file, chap stick, lotion, and both remotes.

The second we walked back in the door last night we switched off

"The game"

Good riddance.

We put on our DVRd X Factor,

after we watched a quick house show that we never get to view

while the boys are home.

We stayed up until 11:00!! 

CUZ WE CAN.

 We are tracking the boys progress on the computer.

We can know where they are at all times.

It is pretty cool and fun.

They are making very good progress.

M is building legos....has been for 2 hours.....

she is singing her made up songs while she builds.....

no boys here to tell her not to sing.

I just finished writing in my gratitude journal......

Sacrament was on gratitude today.

It was a wonderful reminder.

Now I am doing this.

Next....hmmmmm.....we'll see.

Sandy's comin to town....

No School Day.

Perfect.

I wonder if the kids would rather be in school, 

than scrubbing tile grout?

School was canceled yesterday due to a category two

hurricane, Sandy, (locals like to call her)

 coming our way.

Thankfully it has not been to bad.

We also had to cancel our Trunk or Treat Fall Fest

The Primary has been planning and preparing for 

over the past several months....

but eh...

it is only a party, 

there will be others, 

and our big assignment is taken care of for the year.

(even though sadly it did not even happen).

So, 

here is how the kids and I spent the better part of our day.

We went all out,

moved the fridge, took out the oven drawer, got everything

off the floor in the pantry, 

etc.

 We scrubbed our brains out....

but the truth of the matter is that our work does not stack up 

to Kevin's grout.

Ours does not look "like new".

I don't get it.

It is something I will never get,

because I am willing to live with this mystery.

I plan on never doing this again.

But I am really happy K inspired us to do it once.

If feels soooooo clean and sparkly....

and for once, 

It actually is.

 Last night I was worried about the flag being whipped

 so hard in the wind.

  It was getting shredded to pieces.

I asked the boys to take it down when they got home.

Ryker came in and said they couldn't get it down because it had 

wrapped all around and knotted onto the pole.

Great.

I wondered how we would eventually get it down.

Problem solved.

When we went out this morning I thought I saw a dead bird 

on our lawn, 

R went to inspect,

it was actually the eagle off the top of our flag pole.

The pole had been blown down in the night.

huh.

Be careful what you wish for : )

Eye of the Sparrow.

I had to put this up on my blog.

(mom and dad, this ones for you)

It came to my mind this morning, 

I had just gotten up and 

was reading my sister's comments on a recent blog post.

A few of her comments seemed so random and confusing,

(at the moment, before I fully woke up I guess)

She asked in her p.s. if I was "holding a turkey?",

I thought, now that is random,

and it reminded me of this debate recap that is also very random,

and I love it!

p.s. yes, as a matter of fact HB, 

I was holding a cousin to a turkey, a really giant chicken I believe.

It was a beauty.

Not smart with my white shirt.

Goooooo Mitt!!!

Keep Trying that Thing.....

I just found out that we are not getting up to 

run at 5:15 in the morning.....

Sooooo, 

I choose to stay up late and put a yummy post together.

K is out of town, so I have time to kill and stuff to catch up on.

First let me admit that since it became "Fall", 

I have been eating pumpkin pie

every day.

I have made two pies since October started.

Keep in mind, 

no one but me likes pumpkin pie in our home.

I did however just discover that our next door neighbor,

Charlie,

(Herbie's dad) LOVES it!

I sent M over yesterday with a large, slightly warm, piece of pie.

It was heaped with a giant mound of home made whipping cream.

Nothing is better in the fall.

I usually heat it up for breakfast, 

and then top with the cold whip cream.

I also eat it for snacks during the day.

I find it very comforting and enjoyable....

plus

I consider it fairly healthy because of the pumpkin....

lots of fiber.

The picture does not do my pie justice.

The lighting was poor, and the piece was ill formed.....

I am working my way through the last half of the second pie now.

Kevin has been on my case for ever about scrubbing the grout of our tile.

I have always been like,

why?

what's the point....it is just going to get dark again.

besides, no one knows it is supposed to be white,

it looks grey, plus it adds personality to our boring white tile.

(what was I thinking when I chose that 13 years ago????

I have a feeling it had something to do with money, and the idea that I 

was probably not going to have to live with it very long to begin with.....

moron.)

Anyway, Kev would not give it up.

I finally said, if you want it done so bad.....

go for it my friend.

So he and the boys did.

?

I came home from some half day volunteering event at the school this past 

Saturday and found 1/2 of the kitchen floor completely 

amazingly, startling white.

It literally looked like new.

They spent several hours on their hands and knees scrubbing their brains out.

Then Kev mopped it 3 times....

Take a gander at the mop he came home from the pawn-shop with.

Pawnshop?....for a mop?

I asked Ryker why they didn't just use our normal mop....

they couldn't find it.

I said, well how did you get the water wrung out?

Oh, dad would just hang it in the sink (in the garage) and grip the head tight,

then I would twist the handle.

?

whoa.

That is very interesting.

I admire K's dedication, and drive.

I plan on assisting the kids with the remainder of the floor this Saturday.

question: Do you prefer the dark or light grout?....just checkin.

K and all the boys recently went on another late night shark fishing trip.

L's friend Aiden joined them on the adventure.

They have been on other grand fishing adventures.....

but this one was different, in that it was a bit on the windy side,

so the water was rough,

which made the ship rock,

which made many, many, men and women loose their supper.

It was a vomit fest extraordinaire.

I really thought they would be cured of these trips with that 

miserable experience.

nope.

I have heard talk of the next one.

All righty.

I am excited to report that I will be working the polls on election day.

I have been trained, 3 hours worth, and am ready to go.

This may be the only picture I get to represent the actual event....

camera's, and pictures are strictly prohibited.  

I will tell you a lot more about this later.

 McCauley had a fun field trip to Green Meadows last week.

Here are a few cute highlights.

 We attended a wonderful reception last week.

Everything was beautiful,

delicious, and enjoyable.

It is fun to dress up and go out and enjoy the company of good friends.

Did I mention it was fun to dress up???

I went to my "mandatory" Choffy meeting tonight...

just kidding....I wouldn't miss them.

Tina runs these fantastic meetings for our little band 

of local Choffy soldiers.

She tries so hard and does so much.

She deserves every scrap of fantastic success that comes her way.

She motivated us tonight by challenging us to get out of our comfort zone.

She gave us a little poem to take home,

here are my favorite pieces of it....

 I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I couldn't fail.

The same four walls of busy work were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before.

But I stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.

But I could't let my life go by just watching others win.

I held my breath and stepped outside to let the change begin.

I kissed my comfort zone good-bye and closed and locked the door.

HOLD IT.

No WAY do I want to leave my comfort zone for good.

I am leaving that door wide open.

I want to come and go as I please.....

I definitely want to leave,

but how would I ever relax and unwind after being 

"out of my comfort zone" all day?

NO THANK YOU.

My comfort zone is my home.

A place to come back to.

You know what I mean?

Yes,

Leave.

but I need a place to catch my breath,

to regroup.

Celebrate my successes and failures in peace.

Gather supplies and muster courage for my next outing 

"outside the zone".

....... I think that is what makes it possible to leave our

zone in the first place,

the knowledge that we get to return.

Sometimes it only takes 20 seconds of outrageous courage.

just 20 seconds...

way less than a minute of bravery.

or 10 minutes to decide now is the time to make just 5 of those 

uncomfortable phone calls.

or 1 short hour to hold it together to teach 

or take a brand new class.

what ever it is for you,

keep trying that thing.

mamo

I was just going to brush over the last few weeks and 

leave it off my blog....

cuz turns out it was no big deal.

Then I decided I had learned a few things, and thought I may

as well share my thoughts after all.

Here is the short story made long.

As I was approaching my 40th birthday I began considering the 

notion of scheduling my first mammogram.

I had my birthday, called my insurance company and yes,

starting at age 40, they will pay for a baseline mamo.

I hum-hawed around for weeks,

then months,

continuing to have a the nagging thought in the back of my mind 

to schedule my apt.

Finally I did it.

I got in.

It was not so bad.

Check mark.

Done.

I got a call the next day from my doctor, 

saying that the radiologist wanted to 

take another look, 

there were some calcification clusters in my left breast.

No big deal.

Pretty common.

Went back in the next week for a second mamo, 

and an ultra sound.

Got another call fairly quickly saying that the radiologist 

suggested a biopsy of the area.

hmmmmm.....

ok.

The biopsy was uncomfortable, 

it was not horrible.

I had a Stereotactic Biopsy, which is all done by machine.

You lay on a table w/ a hole in it...

you get raised up and squished, 

and you pretty much get worked on like you are a car.

You lay very still for about 20 min.

You are kind of scared.

You aren't sure what to expect.

The doctor talks you through it, step by step.

You will feel a pinch and a burning.

Now you will feel some tugging and resistance.....

if you are lucky like I was,

you will have a thoughtful nurse in the room.

She will come over and hold your hand that is laying there 

with out asking,

she will just know what to do and how to comfort. 

She will pat your back and use a soothing voice to say 

how good you are doing.

After you will get taped up,

then wrapped tightly w/ a big ace bandage thing,

you will carry your bra home in your purse....

so bring a jacket, 

because I felt a bit awkward at this point.

But it was not too bad.

You are tender for a few days is all.

No exertion for 24 hours. 

 I wasn't going to say anything to anyone UNLESS I actually ended up 

having cancer.

This only lasted so long.

I did end up mentioning to my mom,

and my work out friends about my biopsy.

What I thought would happen, 

did happen.

My friends reached out to me with concern and love,

my family fasted, prayed, sent a beautiful package the day before my apt.

and so forth.

Geeez.....

now my initial reaction is to be kind of embarrassed that 

I even mentioned it,

because like I told them all along....

I'm sure it will be fine and work out.

It did.

I did not earn these gifts....or need to worry anyone.

I know that is ridiculous thinking.

I did not let people down by finding out my results were benign today.

That is the best news ever.

The hoped for results.

Thank you for going through this experience with me.

K even delighted me with what he knows I love the most.

Last night (kind of late) he was all determined to take off and go mail two letters

so he didn't have to worry about it the next day.

I held back making any comments,

or physically raising my eye brows at the absurdity of it.

I simply thought in my mind,

whatever floats your boat sweetie.

Ok, see you and Lawson when you get home.

This morning when I got up to teach in the wee hours of the 

morning,

I turned on the car to see a brand new full tank of gas.

He knows I love a full tank so much.

I knew he was sending me a message.

I got it loud and clear.

I think I am suggesting to share what's happening in your life

with those you love.

Let them love, serve, and support you.....

even if in the end you might find that 

Life goes on just as it did before.

You are healthy, happy, and very blessed.

Desperate times require......

......desperate measures.

Tina put this video up on her face book page a few minutes ago.

It hurt me real bad.

I had just walked in the door not twenty minutes earlier

from our own schools DPO (Delaura Parent Organization) meeting.

Talk about depressing.

This video could not have hit the nail harder or more square on the head.

Gotta love the women, (and men) driving PTOs everywhere.

It is much like it is at church at times.

The same faces showing up for all volunteer needs.

The same handful of parents donating and giving what they can,
when they can.

But truth be told it is never enough.

It is sometimes discouraging and a little depressing.

The conversation this morning with the six of us,
included the statement below, as well as many others...

"Well, last year during spirit week I think we made $6 on the tatoos,

should we lower the price to .25?"

What the?

Not everything is dismal,
so don't get me wrong.
Candy Gram sales are up!
The Garden Fest plans are coming together.
We are getting some great ideas generated for the big 8th grade
end of year celebration.
Not to mention:

My report on the Box Top Collections:

McCauley and I have been clipping and counting our brains out around here.

I am getting ready to send in our first collection for the year.

We compiled and cleaned up 1500 box tops.

Whooohoooo!!!

We put them in bags of 50,
being sure to take out any expired or unreadable tops.

At first I thought this only added up to be $15 for our school.

I was pretty ticked off.

.....but then after thinking it through....

this actually adds up to
$150 for our school!!!!

This is something to be proud of!

Before the meeting I decided I should quickly check the collection box

in the front office, and in the school store.

Bulls EYE.

The box up front was practically bulging.

It looks like I will be getting the boys involved in this job.

It makes me happy and grateful that at least some families are
opening their eyes
and attempting to do something for their school.

LOOK for these

It is not hard at all....

once you start being aware you will see them literally EVERYWHERE.

They are on hundreds of products you use every day.
Every time you clip one off and turn it into your school
(Delaura Middle School or SurfSide Elementary)
You earn .10 for them.
It is free.
It costs you nothing.
But think of how quickly it can add up.
Tina's school earned over $3000 last year.
We maybe earned $600......
but this is a new year, and I'm running the show in town now.
If you don't have children in school,
consider collecting for someone who does.

If everyone just opened their eyes and became aware of these little
money makers,
moms would not have to turn into hardened rappers,
like the well meaning mothers in our video.

Thank you for supporting your Parent Organization!!!
Thank you for ordering magazines!
Thank you for ordering cookie dough.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your monetary pledges!!!
You are appreciated.....
and hard to find.
.......................

One more thought:

.... use it or loose it!!

FYI.

I really love this.

The number on your scale is not where it is at.

Put the scale away.

My first Cardio - Sculpt class was a lot of fun yesterday.

Super excited about using all the equipment and having lots of variety and options.

There is not a class following mine 

= 

Super Fun Time hanging out after class sipping Dark Choffy as our

Recovery Drink.

I think it's going to be a good fit.

Weekly Round up.....

I am a week behind....

Noooooo!

I spent last Sunday compiling a wonderful baptism slide show video,

with music, etc. 

It was fabulous.....

just one problem.

I couldn't save it to share.

No Way. No How.

I worked and worked and tried every which way.

I still can't share it.

Lame.

That set me back, and helped me loose my drive to recap

M's special day.

I realize I will miss not having anything on her baptism 

later on,

 so here are a few photos and words about last Sunday.

McCauley was very excited.

We all were.

Her school teacher ended up attending, as well as our next door 

neighbor Charlie (Herbie's dad).

I quickly realized the smarts behind not holding a baptism right after the 

block on a Sunday.

It was pretty crazy and disorganized.

I am not going to get into a whole bunch of details,

because overall it worked out very nice.

Just know that behind the scenes there was some stress 

and discombobulation involved. 

As far as M was concerned I think the day went seamless.

K performed the baptism and confirmation...

beautiful.

Her primary teachers, (pictured below) gave the talk on baptism and

did a wonderful job.

They are both new converts to the church, and were very nervous.
They did wonderful, and brought a sweet

spirit to the meeting.

I spoke on the Holy Ghost....and also did quite remarkable... : )

E and R participated by playing the piano,

 and Lawson lead the music for the meeting.

M's little friends Izza and Claire said the opening and closing prayers.

I wouldn't change a speck of the meeting.

We missed having our families here with us, 

however we are extremely blessed to have such a 

supportive ward family.

I love them so much....

we all do.

 M got a few special gifts....

her "Comforter" blanket from the primary.

Sister Saxon, from our ward, embroiders something special 

on each blanket for every child that gets baptized.

What a sweet, generous service this is for us.

M is really into gymnastics right now, and her favorite color is green.

Sister Saxon nailed it as usual.

M ditched her other blankies just like that.

Diane, Kev's sister from Kaysville, sent McCauley

a beautiful white towel w/ her name and baptism date sewn onto it.

Her teacher gave her a pretty necklace.....

M kept saying how this day was so much better than any birthday she 

had ever had.

Plus she got the best gift of all,

the gift of the Holy Ghost.

.....................

I spoke w/ my sister Amy today,

at one point in the conversation she said, you never talk about the healthy 

things you eat.

Only about the times that you splurge, and about the garbage and sweets you eat.

(maybe not in those exact words)

Today would normally be no exception....

here is the amazing cookie dough Kev whipped up for us.

Mmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmm, Good.

But then I remembered the Kale Chips Tina made for us this past Friday.

Yeah!  You heard me right....

I said KALE CHIPS!!

BooooooYeah!

We were totally healthy that day.

Here is the recipe:

Put tons of cut, washed Kale (from a bag) on a cookie sheet.

Drizzle with olive oil.

Sprinkle w/ salt and garlic powder.

(did I forget anything???)

Bake at 400 for ......how long Tina?

These were sooooo, soooo, yummy!

We ate these and drank our ultra delicious,

healthy BRAND NEW DARK IC Choffy!

Thanks T!

ps - don't leave the house w/out doing a thorough teeth check after eating this stuff.

........................

Some news:

This past Thursday was my last day to volunteer at the front desk 

of Our Club.

The reason, is that I was asked to start up a new class, 

on a trial basis for now.

It will be every other Monday @ 11:00

- Cardio Sculpt -

Which I am super excited about!!

Lots and lots of options and variety available for this little guy.

At this time I will be volunteer teaching for the class.

So instead of sitting at the desk for 15 hours per month,

and this paying for my membership and helping out Our Club,

I will instead teach 4 classes a month and this will cover my fees.

So 4 hours vs. 15 hours.

It sounds like a great deal....

but truth be told I am going to miss my Thursday desk time like crazy.

I have enjoyed it so much.

I will miss my visits with other members.

The Choffy sipping time w/ Terry in child care,

laughing and chatting w/ Dawn the office maner, Irene

at the other desk, 

all of it.

I do lots of my planning, thinking, and reading at the desk.

Not to mention sell quite a bit of Choffy.

Plus I like checking out all the latest gossip magazines that

get brought in.

Dang it.

I will keep you posted on the new set up.

 Lastly...

Remember!!!

I'm serious!

Get up.

Get out.

Get going!

Get up!

Get out!

Get going!

Get GOING!!

MOVE.

You will be happy you did!