Back to real life again.

Spring break has come to an end.

What a great, fun, unplanned, unscheduled week we had.

The week began with our big annual ward cake auction and spagetti dinner.

This is the one fund raiser we do each year to benefit the youth program

and help with high adventure trips, scout camps, etc.

My Choffy cake went for BIG BUCKS!!

It is a pretty hot ticket item around these parts.

Grab the RECIPE HERE if you'd like it. 

The pictures below are a few of the items we bid on and won.....

the I-Phone cake by one of our young women,

Ryker and Aaron's cheese cake (mom's recipe),

Giant chocolate cup cakes.....

There is Tina and Christi w/ Tina's S-more Cake....SUPER YUMMY!

Toby's Tower of Doom-nuts.

It was a fun night and a huge success. 

We also had a court of honor for our scouts.

Toby got his Eagle....Great job!

Ryker is in the pipeline for his.

 This is where the week got really good....

for me : ) anyway.

I was pulling jobs and projects out of my hat like a magician.

The kids would have been happy sitting the days away in front of the
computers and gaming systems.
But not I.

I certainly don't mind a portion of each day being taken up with that past time,

but while there is still breath in my body I will help them 

make other,
 better choices on how they spend the majority of their time....

even on Spring Break.

I had the gang out cutting, and hacking down dead wood in our yard,

they dug out stumps, 

Axed through limbs and carried them out.

I LOVED IT!!
(and truth be told....I don't think they minded it much)

This got them energized to put on their backpacks and ride to 

Walmart for something they needed for their gaming system....

cuz oooops, I'm stuck at home trying to get caught up on some important things.

ALRIGHT!!  See you in a while...You go boys!

Cookie was here with us for a short visit as well.

She is always a welcome guest.

The weather has been pretty chilly, but we managed one afternoon at the 

beach with friends.

It was so relaxing and enjoyable to sit and visit and listen to 

the waves wash in and out.

The kids had a blast creating this Lord of The Rings structure.

LoVE the work of imagination!  and Team Effort!

 Another Favorite project:

The ceiling of the play room.

I have been putting it off forever, because it is
soooooo hard and tedious.

Well, that is because last time I did it by myself, probably pregnant.

This time,
I demonstrated  how to wipe every slat and groove,

moving the ladder and rinsing the cloth often and squeezing almost all of the

cleaning solution out so it doesn't drip into your eyes, etc.

Then Ryker and Ethan finished the job!

Having older BIG KIDS IS A DREAM!!

When they have something they really want to do,

and all they have to do is get "mom's job list done first"

They are angels and extremely hard workers.

It's called LEVERAGE.

It keeps the peace and makes everyone happy in our home.

M dusted and vacuumed the entire house,

she is happy listening to my little ipod.

Look at the team doing dishes, they figured it could be done

quicker if one rinsed and the other washed.

GOOD JOB GUYS!

I Love spring break.

I get sooooooooo much done with these guys around.

I kinda hated to see them go back so soon.

Hope you had a wonderful Easter.

Go for it .... WREAK HAVOC!

Today I made a good choice.

Whooohooo!

I made a deliberate decision to put this cake, and the pile of extra 

frosting into the trash, rather than gorge on it myself...

(like I would normally do).

HA!

I did it!!

I cried just a little bit, 

but surprisingly not because I was mourning my loss,

but because I felt proud and THRILLED that I was being the 

master over my addiction.

I took charge.

I know I have a problem with "Baked Goods".

I admit it.

My name is Melissa.

I am a baked goods addict.

I cannot get enough cookies, brownies, cake, or chocolate

of any kind.

If I take one bite,

I cannot satiate my desire for them.

I will eat these items for breakfast, snacks, and lunch.

However, 

Lately

I have been feeling sluggish.

I am still working out a ton, 

but have snuck on a few extra pounds.

I have also been taking some crazy long naps,

and waking up still tired!

I have always prided myself on being like my dad, 

only needing a snappy little 15 minutes to re-charge my battery.

Two  - 2 hour naps this week.

This scares me, and tells me I have a problem that needs 

addressing.

I can no longer shilly-shally around.

On Monday I decided to take back control of my dietary needs.

I am putting my physical nourishment back on top.

I WANT ENERGY.

I WANT FUEL FOR MY BODY.

I got out my cute little food journal.

The last time I wrote in it was on March 1, 2012,

that was also the last time I stepped on a scale.

Well, accountability is back in town,

and it feels really good!

I am excited.

Three days into it.....so far so good.

I found this little snippet from Jillian Miacheals,

(this was after I had already wreaked havoc on the cake!!)

I do have a problem with wrecking, or wasting food.

I have a firm belief that it should not go to waste....

cuz, well.....THAT'S WASTING.

and that's wrong, throwing money down the toilet.

M.U.S.T. F.I.N.I.S.H.I.T.A.L.L.

But I am going to get over that mind set.

NO.

I am THROUGH with that mind set for myself.

If if is crap, put it where it belongs.

If the kids didn't eat it, ruin it.

It's not worth it.

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

I do not have to be perfect in my eating.

Only CONSCIOUS and AWARE of what my body needs to 

feel alive and healthy.

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

I know something about myself.

I don't enjoy eating A cookie.

I don't like a slice of cake.

I don't want one brownie.

One piece of chocolate is pointless.

If I put one in my mouth.....

I WILL WANT IT ALL.

Of course there are public circumstances which make

having a normal serving possible,

and I guess that will be the perfect time to indulge.

But left to my own devices.....just saying no is a 

better option.

I am an all or nothing person.

I am grateful for the gospel and its guidelines and boundaries. 

They are a blessing to me,

specifically the Word of Wisdom.

Clearly I am still mastering the concept of 

moderation in all things.

Update:

No nap for 3 days.

Feel great.

Today was supposed to be my day off.....but the weather was so 

wonderful, and I felt so good,  I ran 6 miles before dinner.

Yogurt tastes like CHEESE CAKE

100% Juicy Juice is a yummy sweet treat - try Orange Tangerine!

Choffy is my CHOCOLATE Life line.

Thanks for letting me go on about this.

I have probably said these same things all before.....

but when it comes to a head,

best to take it on 

again.

I am on the wagon.

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

I don't need it.

I choose a better way.

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

 Random nugget:

 This is K every night with his head lamp.

Good Christmas gift mom and dad.

I really liked the word shilly-shally when I saw it on Monday

.....glad I had the chance to fit it into my post.

Word of the Day for Monday, March 11, 2013

shilly-shally \SHIL-ee-shal-ee\, verb:

1. to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate.

2. to waste time; dawdle.

noun:

1. irresolution; indecision; vacillation: It was sheer shilly-shally on his part.

adjective:

1. irresolute; undecided; vacillating.

Great mistake—Make up your mind and don't shilly shally.

-- Agatha Christie, A Caribbean Mystery, 1964

Change is in the air....

This is it....the beginning of the big goal for 2013.

My ticker proclaims it,

we have 9 month, 3 weeks, and 1 day to complete the kitchen ceiling.

I was very HAPPILY surprised when I came home one night to find 

this going on.

Wow!!!

Kev had told me no.

no not now.

no not here.

no remodling.

It will be too big a mess, to much of a pain.

But somehow, he caved.

YEAH!

I haven't really nailed what swayed him in my direction,

but I have wondered about one idea.

The kids and I enjoy watching Property Brothers.

We saw it for the first time at my moms while we were on vacation there.

I decided to set a timer for it.

Every so often, 

maybe once a week, we will hang out and watch 

an episod together.

Kevin thinks we are nuts.....

you are watching this for entertainment?

But maybe it gave him the idea.

We really get into the excitement of the up dating 

and fixing up the homes.  

It is fun to see the transformation and 

talk about what we would, or wouldn't do if it was our home.

Maybe K got swept up in the DIY vibe.

 I love the fan being gone.

I will keep you posted on any new developments.

Recently my mom started sending me her 

 coupon inserts once or twice a month.

I have really appreciated that.

Then two times ago she included an article she thought I would 

enjoy on menopause.

Gee, you shouldn't have....thanks mom.

I actually really liked it.

I liked that it was an unexpected surprise and a little extra.

I had thought it was only the coupons,

which was enough, and already very thoughtful....

However, 

A bonus told me she was thinking about me....

and my aged stage in life.  : )

I mentioned how much I enjoyed the addition the next time we spoke.

A few days ago I received my latest manilla envelope package.

This time I found not only one article,

but THREE!

Yowsers!  

Mom must think I'm sitting around here doing nothing.

I have been dragging them around with me.

Setting them here, then over there on the table, then they were by the

toilet for an afternoon,

then I had them with me while I ate lunch,

(maybe not in that order)

then in the office by the computer while I was waiting for things to 

download or upload.

I have enjoyed the spiritual messages and 

the thoughts on gratitude.

But again, even more than the printed messages on paper,

as I read them, I also got to be reminded of

my mom's thoughtfulness and caring for me.

Thanks mom.

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

Here is my BONUS for you, 

my faithful readers!

There have been many times that I have discovered I am out of 

Lipton Onion Soup mix when I need it for a recipe,

namely Sunday's Roast dinner.

I finally took matters into my own hands and found a recipe for 

Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix

2 1/2 T. Dried minced onion

4 cubes beef bouillon, crumbled

1 t. onion powder

1/8 t. salt

1/8 t. ground black pepper

Combine and store in airtight container.  

This recipe is the equivalent of one soup package.

(If adding to liquid, there is no need to crumble bouillon cubes).

I have used this recipe a few times.

I have been very happy with the out come.

I hope this BONUS Detail comes in handy.

Love,

M

Collage Madness.

Hey, like I always say, better late than never, 

better in than out,

and don't save for tomorrow what you can do today.

I don't always take my own best advice,

consequently I have a huge onslaught of recent photos I planned to post about

that have built up.

Hence the gazillion collages.

This will save us all time I guess.

First - ETHAN turned 16!!!

Wow!

I have decided that turning Sixteen is a WAY bigger deal to girls than boys.

Eh, yeah, whatever.....seemed like any other day to him.

All he asked for was a full sized store bought cake and two jugs of 

chocolate milk.

Check and Check.

I generously added his own case of root beer, beef jerky, 

and carnation instant breakfast drinks.

Oh yes, 

and his new phone case.

Lately he has been working on a big school project for an event called

"Decade Day".

 He put a lot of effort into his research, 

and info board to display for the night,

but he also had to come up with a canvas painting.

He ended up hiring a girl from his spanish class to paint it.

I asked if that wasn't cheating, he said no, he was only asked to 

come up with the prop, he was not required to make it.

Ok....if you say so.

He paid her $20......if you ask me,

she was robbed. 

Can you believe what an artist she is?

This looks just like the real painters work.

He is also pitching for the JV baseball team and really enjoying it.

Valentines has come and gone, but I just wanted to keep tabs on one cool detail.

M wanted to make valentines for the 19 kids in her class.

I didn't feel like heading to the store to buy any of those

cheap-o run of the mill tear apart valentines,

plus I didn't want to waste money on candy....

so I decided to throw out an idea and see if M would go for it,

knowing she probably would take a pass.

I said hey!

Wouldn't it be fun if you made each person in your class a personalized

valentine this year?

Hey, and you could tape one of my special chocolates on each page

as a unique treat.

OK!

Great idea mom!!

She spent the next four days hammering out her little creations.

They were a feast for the eyes,

here are just a few.

I love the words she choose for each of her classmates.

We just got done babysitting Cookie Quigley for about 10 days.

She is a fun little dog,

but

She is a dog.

Here are a few of my likes and dislikes about her.

I do NOT like her skin tags, but I do like how soft she is.

I don't like that she is always hovering around when the kids are gone,

and yet...... gosh dang it, I don't mind it that much either.

When I'm at the table she comes and will stand right over my foot 

so it is touching her belly.

Good Heavens Cookie.....really?

She will mill around and wait until I get on the couch for a tiny siesta

and climb over and get right into the spot behind my knees.

Cookie is kind hearted and loving.

She makes everyone feel special and important.....except for Lawson,

she comes to me for protection from him.

I don't like that she gets up so early, or that she has accidents,

but we really do enjoy her when she stays with us.

On this night at tennis, she walked M for the solid hour.

She did not want to stop......soooooo much to see, smell, and discover.

People fall over them selves goooooing and gawing over small dogs.

McCauley has been asking to get her hair cut for over a year.

Aunt Keri trimmed it over the Christmas break.

Not good enough.

Finally she broke me.

Why should I care?

I said, ok, lets go outside.

Snip, snip, snip.

She was happy as a clam.

Still talks about how much she loves the length.

Lawson got his retainer, and a phone.

There he is with his phone bag.

He calls it a satchel.

I LOVE that he carries his phone in that sak.

It's cool. 

His phone is safe in there.

He hops on his skateboard and off they go.

Here is the mask L made (creepy). 

He asked permission to go outside and destroy it.

Please do.

He has also made some modifications to his sak, 

he didn't like the plant pattern 

that was on the front.

(I had wondered how long that would last, I had made the bag 

for myself to begin with....it had a cool flower pattern on it,

I was not going to tell him that).

Now it is even better for a kid his age.

Duct tape seals the deal on coolness. 

Here is a fast paced movie re-cap.

You won't want to miss it.

More Books full of Words.....

My friend Tina is on this big kick to read 52 weeks 

of Motivational books 

this year.

I benefit because she passes the titles on to me.

I am in her Downline for CHOFFY....

she is my "Mentor" you could say.

So,

I write them down in my planner.

I hear about them through her and read some of them.

This one you have probably read yourself.

If not,

you should.

I remember I had my own copy a long time ago,

 because I had heard that,

"this is a must read book".

but for some reason I remember not being able to really get into it.

Very strange, because this book is so small.

What couldn't I "get into".

The goodness started for me immediately this go round.

I am going to give you a quick gauge on the book here,

because I would like a short wrap up myself.

I need to get my own copy (again)....Tina wrote her name in the front of hers,

which tells me she definitely wants it back.

I want one that I can highlight the dickens out of.

I won't give you the story line, or even messages from every chapter, 

only a few of my favorite nuggets....

there are WAY to many to include, this will give you a taste of more

to come when you read it.

"I will persist until I succeed.

The prizes of life are at the end of each journey, not near the beginning; and it is not given to me to know how many steps are necessary in order to reach my goal.  Failure I may still encounter at the thousandth step, yet success hides behind the next bend in the road.  Never will I know how close it lies unless I turn the corner.

I will consider each day's effort as but one blow of my blade against a mighty oak.  The first blow may cause not a tremor in the wood, nor the second, nor the third.  Each blow, of itself, may be trifling, and seem of no consequence.  Yet from childish swipes the oak will eventually tumble.  So it will be with my efforts of today.
I will build my castle one brick at a time for I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking.
I will persist until I succeed.

I am nature's greatest miracle.

I am not on this earth by chance.  I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand.  Henceforth will I apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.  I will practice, improve, and polish, to deliver with excellence.  I will concentrate my efforts on the challenge of the moment....

Today I will be master of my emotions. 

If I feel depressed I will sing.
If I feel fear I will plunge ahead.
If I feel inferior I will wear new garments.
If I feel incompetent I will remember past success.
If I feel insignificant I will remember my goals.
No longer will I judge a man on one meeting;  no longer will I fail to call again tomorrow on he who meets me with hate today.  This day he will not buy gold chariots for a penny, yet tomorrow he would exchange his home for a tree.
Today I will be master of my emotions.

I will act now.  I will act now.  I will act now."

These are just a few gems from the Greatest Salesman.

Even though as the title states, it is a story of a salesman,

it is applicable to each of us.

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

I also just finished listening to -

This book helped me get A LOT done.

trust me when I say my kitchen has never looked better...

(not counting the floor)

I cleaned out drawers, wiped down cabinets, painted around the 

handles, dunged out the fridge.  

Plus I ironed all of Kev's shirts and my items as well.

Reorganized our closets.....

anything I could do within hearing distance to my kitchen 

cd player was happily accomplished.....

lots of baking and cooking as well.

With 26 disks!!!

I had quite a bit of project time.

(also did not mind my drive time in the slightest.)

oh dang.....

I just remembered I never got to my mother in laws scrapbook 

pages I have promised to send out to her.

hmmmmm.....

best get onto my next book.

No time to waste.

If you are familiar with Ayn Rand's style of writing.

This is along the same lines as Atlas Shrugged.

Really enjoyed them both.

Both are aimed at celebrating individualism.....

and the human spirit.

Rather than sinking and disappearing into the mush pot of collectivism.

Her books are the perfect description of our time, written in 1943.

I will never be able to make it sound interesting, 

but I enjoy her books very much.
They definitely get you thinking, contemplating.

They are so frustrating,

yet so rewarding.

Sad, upsetting, and then fantastically triumphant.

Maddening, and then understanding arrives in a nick of time.

GOOD Stuff.

The Fountain Head is based around architecture. 

What have you been reading?

What is your favorite book of all time??

Maybe you could describe Ayn Rands writing better than me....

would love to hear your take.

Would You Rather.....

Run one mile with a cracked shinbone

 - OR - 

do 50 sit ups on a hard surface with a cracked tail bone?

I think I would take the run,

sort of experienced the sit up scenario the other day (w/out the cracked tail bone)

I rewarded myself with a huge scab on my lower back.

Would you Rather have your house hit once every 6 months by graffiti vandals

- OR - 

once every 2 weeks by toilet paper vandals?

DUH!

would totally take the toilet papering.....with thanks!

We would never waste money on t.p. again. 

Always Lose 

- OR -

Never Play

Geeze.....I hate loosing, 

really I only loose at those lame raffles and chance drawings.

I ALWAYS Lose those....

and I really hate it.

Would you rather find the perfect pair of shoes,

the brand you want,

the size you need,

the price your mom will pay and purchase for you,

but the color is not quite what you wanted.

- OR - 

Find a totally different pair,

costing twice as much,

which you will have to pay $20 of your own money towards,

but is exactly what you want?

Just wondering.....

cuz

this happened to Lawson and I the other day.

I took he and McCauley shopping.

L needed a new pair of school shoes and some 

cleats for soccer.

He was looking for a pair of specific shoes.

I sort of warned him ahead of time that I was not 

going to pay a fortune,

but that yes, we could go take a look and see what was out there.

We looked all over the mall.

No sale at Dillards

....bummer.

Went to several other shoe places.

I kept finding really similar shoes that looked 

AWESOME!!!

and that were on SALE.

But he shot down pair after pair.

I was getting so frustrated.

We finally left there and headed over to Ross.

Low and behold.....

magically 

we found the shoe brand, size, and style in one pair of shoes.

To me, 

this pair was MADE FOR HIM.

We lucked out.

right??

nah....he didn't like the color....too femmy.

Are you joking?

He finds this other pair,

 as previously mentioned,

for twice as much, 

and locks in hard on these guys.

I personally thought they were really boring looking....

I said as much.

He said he didn't care,

he liked them and he would be glad to pay the difference.

Geeeeeeeezzzzzz.

This really hurt me bad.

I was so disappointed in his money sense.

Who is this kid?

Where is he getting all this cash he is so free with?

I am sure this sounds very controlling and kind of pathetic.

On the way home, 

he didn't know it, 

but I was actually shedding tears over the whole thing.

Literally holding back sobs.

So what is the root of my problem?

I guess I was bummed I could not bend him to my will.

Even though my will was the smart way to go.

Why couldn't he see that?

Why wouldn't he listen to sense?

I was let down that he has different money strategies then me.

I am always willing to compromise and bend to get 

a better deal.

That makes me happy.

All told,

 I was proud of this kid.

He knew what he wanted and was willing to stick to his guns to get it.

Even in the face of his glaring mother.

He never waivered.....

trust me when I say I was applying pressure.

I think it scared me because I saw a glimpse into the future.

My children have minds of their own.

I can only teach and be the best example I can be.

In the end,

they will get to choose and decide for themselves.

I know this is the right way.

It felt like the beginning of letting go....

only I was being forced.

It's not fun to be forced.

He is loosening my motherly bands....

I didn't like it.

This guy is a good kid.

He is only 12 for heavens sake.

He has been enjoying his new shoes very much.

It is my hope that he will use that same stubborn determination

to withstand negative peer pressure and the 

press of temptation as it comes his way.

One more...

Would you Rather Be a woman with man's legs 

(no shaving)

- OR -

a man with a woman's arms?

Arrrrrrg!

This is Sooooo hard!!

What have I done?????

I am in deep frustration right now for two reasons.

ONE:

Last night I (innocently)

got on the computer to download a few photos from 

Saturdays family bonfire on the beach.

I plugged my brand new sparkly Christmas Iphone into 

my Mac.

I have been LOVING my new 4S Iphone.

I am in Love with Siri....

even though she tells me that is impossible.

I love the look I set up with my new home page picture.

It is a photo of the Fulton's back yard....

a beautiful picture of their pool area and the river behind it.

I aspire to a view like that someday....

I like the other picture I had for my other page that shows my 

apps.  It was also a water scene.

My new phone was fast.

It did my bidding.

I say it was fast.

It did my bidding....rather than does....

because somehow,

in my stupidity,

I accidentally RESTORED my new phone to my 

Old....hated 3G everything.

I DUMBED DOWN my phone.

To include my old welcome page photos, etc.

I can't stand the sight of it.

It makes me physically ill.

K is Totally ticked.

Well, he is not the only one.

We worked like crazy last night trying to get back what I lost.

no.

I still have my old phone in my new case.

How is this even possible?!!!

Isn't a smart company like Apple smart enough,

to save their customers from themselves?

Why would this even be an option?

Someone is inadvertently going to take it and be insanely furious!

Help me not do stuff like this!

Take away the danger.

YOU GUYS @ APPLE are the dumb ones!
and you're mean.

For Christmas K bought me IMac computer classes at our local

Apple Store.

I am excited.

I have a list of questions and ideas I want them to teach me 

how to do on my computer.

This is almost like marriage counseling.....

I am forever getting stumped on things.

Kev please help me make this four to a page invitation....

Kev please help me figure out how to open.....

Kev PLEASE!!!

HELP ME!!!

He is not a bit familiar with Mac computers.

He will work with me for decades.....

but we usually end up where we started.

I leave my idea in a heap,

choose a different strategy....

like cut and paste.

and then we both move on and never speak 

of it again.

So I am grateful to him for my thoughtful gift of knowledge.

Knowledge is Power.

Hadn't really planned on taking up my first hour class,

tomorrow, 

on the hope and dream of getting my 

new phone back to the way it was.

Will it ever really be back to the way it was?????

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

TWO:

For the last few nights I have heard movement up in our ceiling.

A LOT of action.

I have not woken K up on purpose.

I was being courteous.

Patient.

Respectful of his sleep because he needed to get up for work.

Today was the morning I decided would be the best choice 

to invite him to partake of the sounds,

since it is a holiday,

MLKD.

At 6:48 a.m. (waited as long as was humanly possible)

I made my move.

Kev.....

hey Kev....

.....hey hon,

do you want to hear this noise?

Can you hear all that scratching?

Do you hear that scurrying?

What do you think that is?

Do you think you and the boys can get up there today 

and take care of that?

before you head out of town?

What?

Go back to sleep!

No.....I can't...... listen.....

It is all in your head.

Excuse me?

Anyway....

in the end, he heard it.

The ripping, tearing, shredding, running, scampering, chewing....

does not seem to bother him.

It is the beginning of the end (of this house) for me though.

We have had a good long stretch of rodent free living.

(except for cockroaches)

But if this is how it is going to be......

oh boy.

Kev shot down my plan of he and the boys getting up there.

He said there is no way to get to that spot.....

(apparently not if you're a rodent) 

It is blocked off.

FAN

TAS

TIC.

Please leave me with a new pair of ear plugs.

I will just await the day for when the thing burrows through

and drops on my face in our bed.

I will just relax with the earplugs until that day.

..........

I wish things were back to when I had my 

new phone.