....my favorite things

all things...yellow

2011-03-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

I would say that yellow is very fast becoming one of my favs! I absolutely love it. I mean, who doesn't love a sunny yellow flower or a bright yellow smiley face? Just begging you to "don't worry, be happy". We have sprays of sunflowers in our Library at work and they are there all year. I love how they tell me to smile all the while.....and sometimes that is hard to do when 5th graders are involved! Let me tell you!

Today I would have loved to have this amazing yellow polka dot umbrella (wait is it polka ...like the dance? or poka??). It rained off and on.....
I am having a bit of spring fever....or maybe yellow fever....because I cannot wait for my roses to bloom! I didnt get all of them pruned back before the first snow....so a little more work than usual....but I still cant wait!!
....and I just want these shoes so very badly. But only to go with.....
...this sweet little outfit!! oh yes!

Check it out!

2010-09-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

ok....so I have this other blog...yeah I know! ha! But, it is way my favorite and I tend to neglect this one. (sigh) But give it a look see!
oneintheuniverse.blogspot.com
I lalalove it!!!

Addiction!

2010-05-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

I am so addicted to this little device! It is way more fun than it should be!! Unfortunately...I waste too much time on it. I am so hoping that is because it is new and shiny and adorable and handy..... it follows me around wherever I go too! *sigh* I will go downstairs and turn around and there it is, smiling (always smiling) at me.....and saying... "come play". I always give in. How can I resist? Then I go upstairs and ...BOOM!...there it is again! Of course, I give in! *another (much bigger) sigh*......

How To Train Your Dragon

2010-04-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

This movie is SO amazing!!! I know it will more than likely be my favorite this year! It is so brilliantly smart. When I saw the previews...I thought, man! I don't know about the animation of the dragon. But, I was so surprised at how very much I loved this movie! You know when you are leaving the theater and you think...."I want to see that movie again.......like RIGHT NOW!!!" ?? Yeah....that!

Alice!

2010-03-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

Took the grandsons to see Alice In Wonderland today! Love Tim Burton and this movie was so much better than I originally thought it would be! Absolutely LOVE the actress that played Alice. Of course, loved Johnny Depp!!! (who doesn't?) Even though he was mad as a hatter! ha! But the animation and the art work....fantastic! as you can see by the picture below!! Love those flowers! I just loved every little thing about this movie! One thing I love is that they put the Jabberwokie poem in there....well only partial. But how many kids (or grown ups for that matter) know that poem? And who was the big, bad villain.....the Jabberwokie! LOVE. IT!

The grandsons asked me afterward...what is a jabberwokie??? So, we started talking about Lewis Carroll and then about the poem. As in the words of Brandon..."That movie was AWESOME!!"

Sunday

2010-03-09T07:43:00.000-08:00

We had a celebration for Alex's birthday on Sunday. (Check my other blog for the recipes!!) But, Emily sat down on a little stool to eat her chocolate covered strawberry.....I thought it was so cute.
Then Ames sat on her lap and we all laughed!! Had to take pics of it! ha! What a hilarious pair they are. Family Sunday dinners are the best!!!

Grandma Porter's and Cinnamon Rolls!

2010-02-12T09:02:00.000-08:00

Alyssa and I went to my mom's house and while there made some cinnamon rolls! It was so fun. We all laughed and carried on like school girls! ha! Then when the rolls were rising we ordered Grandma's favorite...barbecue chicken pizza without cheese. Yum!! We love hearing her stories about family and mostly about her parents...well, her dad actually. Her mother died when she was 3. How sad. Alyssa is named for her...Mary Elizabeth = Alyssa Mary Beth! Lovely.

welcome back and happy day!

2010-02-11T09:49:00.001-08:00

We had everyone over for dinner on Sunday....even Ken was home!! Ken and I made Julia Child's
Beef Bourguignon. I add Ken because he was my right hand man and regular go-to guy for the 5 hours it took to make!!! AND it was well worth it. Everyone absolutely enjoyed it. (if you want the how to you can go to my other blog...Peggy Cooks Things.)
And, yes, we did light ALL 20 candles and set that little carrot cake on fire! ha! I was a little disappointed in the recipe. I need to remember to go to my mom's and get her recipes and copy them!!!

Alyssa is HOME....sort of!

2010-02-02T15:33:00.000-08:00

Alyssa came back from Maryland today. BUT, she is already down in her new place in Orem! Yike! It is a yellow house.....so, they call them "the yellow house girls"...kinda cute. (I know, Alyssa, you hate that word!) They even have these yellow t-shirts with a house and stick figure girls....way cool! There are 6 girls living there besides her and they all seem really upbeat and cool.....so I think she will have a fabulous time!!! Each girl has their own room! AND Alyssa has her own exit from her room!! There is also a house next door that is owned by the same people. It has guys, but I don't think a color pertains to them! ha! Alyssa's landlady is young and cool. Her step-dad owns the two homes and she is landlady for the "yellow house" and her brother is landlord for the guy house. This is Alyssa in her new digs. Welcome back, sissa. We missed so, so much!!

the rest of the story

2010-01-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

ok...Wednesday night at Urinetown the Musical, the actress who played Miss Pennywise, got injured during the finale of Act I. Paramedics were called and so was an ambulance! They cancelled the rest of the show. It was decided that Emily, my AMAZING daughter-in-law, would work all day Thursday on that part and perform THAT night! Even I had butterflies in my stomach for her. I have been doing theater for a few years and I can't even imagine doing that!! I drove down and saw it ...mainly because I wanted to show support for her. She was absolutely FABULOUS!!!!! She killed the part in total awesomeness. I loved her way....WAY better than the other actress. (shhhh-don't tell anyone I said that!) This is a picture of her as Bestsy Two Shoes...which she also rocked in!!! and Ames as Officer Lockstock ...(OH and his sidekick is Mr. Barrel! ha!) Great show, Awesome show!! Alex and I are going tonight for the closing performance.

Need a bridge built here!!

2010-01-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

I don't think I have ever missed an opening night of any of Ames's shows! And this is one show I REALLY wanted to catch opening night!!! BUT, because of UTA and those little high school brats stealing all of the tickets...it is sold out as well as tomorrow nights! EESH!!! (Crying buckets of tears here!) So ridiculous! I do have tickets for Monday and closing night as well......and I will probably just show up a couple of times, with out warning, and buy a ticket at the door!! ha! I just hope those little neanderthals realize what a treat is in store for them tonight and tomorrow night!! Gosh! What madness! I will be thinking of you Ames and Emily!! You guys will be so ridiculously and awesomely amazing!!! Rock it out!

How Many?

2010-01-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

I just read Emily's blog about favorites and she wrote about TV. It really got me to thinking about what I watch. I am so addicted to some shows. I mean, Alex told me about a show and said I should watch it (actually he told me about 2 shows! ha! Just what I needed!!) So, 30 Rock! O my heck!
Talk about addiction and withdrawals! I watched all seasons frantically. Couldn't get enough and when I was caught up.....I really missed Tina! That woman is so amazing! Can't wait to get home and watch the episode that aired last night! The other show Alex mentioned is Chuck...o my heck!! I am SO in love with this computer nerd who accidently becomes a spy! It is called a "dramedy" and I swear they better NOT kill off Captain Awesome! I know I will stop watching it if they do! Hopefully he is just kidnapped. yeah, and there I go! ha!
There is Lost, Office, NCIS (hello! it's Dinozzo, come on!!) The Closer, White Collar(stars one of the characters that was in Chuck!!), Burn Notice, CSI's and not to mention my 4 Reality shows...SYTYCD, American Idol, Survivor, and Amazing Race....O wait! 5 reality shows, cause there is also ANTM. Gosh! or as Tina would say..."blurg"
But my most fav and the one I am so anxiously awaiting is PSYCH!!! Man! Those guys make me laugh SO much. I need to get season 3...can't believe I don't have it! I know it is pretty corny and people tell me that it is easy to figure out the plot...and I say to them, it isn't about that! It is about Shawn and the Guster! I even get Tweets from Lassie! ha! Yeah, I am pretty pathetic!

AVATAR...revisited

2010-01-14T11:33:00.000-08:00

OK...so I just found out that Ken will be here tonight about 5 or 6. He will have his 10 hours off here!! WOW...like that doesn't happen very often! So, yay me! But he just sent me a text asking if I wanted to go see Avatar tonight. Ha! DUH!!! I will take every opportunity to go see that movie again...and again and again and...you get the picture! I cannot stop thinking about it. Such a great movie...so different that any others. Go see it if you haven't!!

Just Found Out

2010-01-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

I just found out that Derek....my awesome grandson has a blog of his very own! Yay, Derek! I love that he is doing that. Maybe it will inspire me to keep up with this one! ha!
Christmas is a blur and New Year's...well....not fun at all being sick and having your own pity party! YUCK!!!
Ames and Emily and Alex stayed the night on Christmas Eve. We had so much fun playing Super Mario Bros. I laughed so hard!! I am now addicted to that game...even though I suck big time at it! If Alex plays with me ...I am always yelling "save me, Alex!!" ha! Christmas morning was so fun as we tore into our presents. I love seeing everyone's faces as they get gifts that surprise and delight them!!
I actually went to sleep about 10 pm on New Year's. Pathetic, I know! But, I was not feeling at all well. And, I think my body just shut down on sleep mode for about 48 hours!
One thing we did over the Holiday that I loved...is we went to see the movie AVATAR on Christmas Eve!!! I totally fell in love with that movie! I immediately wanted to watch it again and again! Now it has made over a billion $ worldwide!!! Glad to see such a great movie accomplish that!

way too long!!

2009-11-10T09:34:00.001-08:00

OK....it really has been a LONG time since I posted on here!!! EEEsh...where to start!? My mom fell and broke her hip! Yep 87 years old and this is the first time she has broken a bone!!! The surgeon said her bones look really strong for someone her age. But, if I am not at work, I have been down at my mom's. I really think that I can now just go down once a week. There are so many things I have put on hold that remain to be done. But, hey! they didn't go anywhere...they are still here and waiting for me! ha! funny about things like that! She is doing very well. What a blessing.
OH>>>and my oldest grandson, Peter just turned 13!!! holy freakin' cats!!! a teenager! He is such a dear little thing! ha! JK Peter!! But, I do think you are awesome!!

First Cutting

2009-07-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

why can't I just keep it simple?

2009-06-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

I always feel like I need to post pics with my posts! Why can't I just write something? (needless to say, I am jealous of Michael and "five a day") I think I am interesting....but maybe not.
The comings and goings here are pretty mundane. This past weekend, Alyssa went to Zion's on a camp out with some of the people of her singles ward. She came home with out a voice, with a sore throat and cough. Last night she was so bad she felt like she needed a blessing. With Ames down in Provo and Ken gone, I asked if she wanted me to get someone from the ward. She said no and then tried to contact some of the guys from her ward. None could come...(kinda strange??) So I asked her if she knew anyone else she felt comfortable asking....she got a hold of someone from her old singles ward...and he came right away! He had a fellow with him and they were both in church clothes. I had goosebumps when I opened the door and they were standing there. With tears in my eyes, I asked them to come in. Gosh! I love the power of the Priesthood! They gave Sis a blessing and come to find out Jaman knows Emily (Ames's True love). Small world. I am so thankful for those young men. They will never know how they impacted my night!!
Now I am drinking Airborne cause I feel the same thing coming on!! O boy!! Ames is just getting over it too....and Alex has had it! Can't we just enjoy the summer??

Amazing!

2009-06-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

I can not wait to see this show!! Singing In The Rain at Hale Orem Theater.

Boy, I tell ya...sometimes life is tough and then you die! That is what my daughter Aubry used to say to me growing up. But this week has been tough in more than one way. It was like I kept hearing her little voice saying that inside my head! But, thankfully I have this amazing daughter living with me and even though she herself has gone through refiners fire this weekend...she has remained positive and upbeat. Cheerful, in fact! she is yet again someone I look up to! You go girl. And I think we both have felt very grateful we have temples close by to run to so that we can be spiritually uplifted and close. We are never alone. I watched "The Other Side of Heaven" last Sunday and got this phrase stuck in my head....Hazzah for Israel!! That is all I can say, for I know this is certainly not the last trials I will face, yet I can now say.....bring it on cause I will be fine. Hazzah for Israel!

Long Weekend

2009-05-26T14:26:00.001-07:00

So....I usually have Monday's off anyway, but I was so tired this Monday...really didn't do much. Just chilled! Went to see Night at the Museum 2 with Alex and Alyssa and then went out to lunch. Fun times! Here is one of my favorite pics of Ames and Emily....Amesily! And it actually was raining! ha! Go figure....

Absolutely Adorable

2009-05-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

This is a table and stools that I painted for the Nursery in our ward. I got the table for a whole $5 and the stools for less. I cut down the legs and painted it from a Mary Englebreit book I have. The kids LOVED it and were so surprised when we opened up the door to the toys! Let the tea party begin!!
(you can check out our Nursery blog @ nurserywonderings.blogspot.com)

Making the Greatest Stuff!!!

2009-04-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

We did it again!! We did it in about an hour and a half this time!! (Last time it took 2 1/2 hours! ) But this time it will be so much better!!! Looks and smells delish! Alyssa is getting really great at rolling out the dough. She did them super thin this time. The sauce is the best in anything I have ever had before!!! So, this precious Lasagna is for Sunday dinner and we can't wait!! Alex, Ames and Emily will be here and Ken is here for the day!!! It is so fun to cook with Alyssa. I think we laugh more than we cook! ha! (2 tsp. Tsp?)(2 eggs...gently fold...fold?) Unfortunately I took video instead of photos! Silly...I know

17...Again!

2009-04-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

Alex took me to the movie today. We saw "17 Again"...we both loved it a lot! Alex even said he underestimated Zac Efron! ha! The movie is hilarious and moving....I mean we laughed the whole way through! Zac proved that...yes! he CAN act.....he just needed a great script. Alex said it is receiving great reviews...but I never concerned myself with that. Those reviews are deserved and the guy who wrote it did a fabulous job! Be sure and stick around for the credits when it is over....it's worth it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW9TkWY6Cng

Ames and his true love, Emily!

2009-04-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

For some reason I cannot get the Valentine template off my blog! but for this post, maybe it works! Cause Ames is ENGAGED!!!!! to Emily Dabczynski. We love and adore her and they are a perfect match!

Spring Fever??

2009-03-03T08:24:00.000-08:00

Tulips are starting to poke through the ground . Trees are starting their process of evolving into leafy grandeur. Sometimes the sun IS shining! Kids are getting more hyper as "nice" weather comes and gos. More people are getting out and walking or jogging or starting the work in the yard. But, the one thing, to me, that signals spring is really coming is.....MARCH MADNESS!!! Print out those brackets, baby, and lets get ready to rumble!!! (hypervintillating going on here!) And am I bummed that Utah lost to BYU Saturday....ha! I hope this is a wake-up call for them! They play NM in the "pitt" tonight.....o boy! Come on guys! You can do it! This is the time to hit hard and not lose steam! But, I gotta say....UCONN is looking pretty tight right now. Sunday, March 15th can't come soon e-nough! (selection announcement) ha! My hands are shaking and ready to print out the brackets! O yeah...... and for those who don't know me well and are surprised by my addiction to this basketball frenzy that is absolute madness.....it started when I was growing up in Calif. with UCLA winning 7 straight titles with John Wooden! (Gotta love those Bruins!) But I will say, right now....today.....Go UTES!!

I Love to See the Temple

2009-02-27T19:14:00.000-08:00

Alyssa and I went to the Jordan River Temple today to do baptisms. I love doing that with her!! We were told there would be a 3 hour wait! YIKE!!! But, Alyssa forgot her recommend and we decided to go back home and get it. On the way home I asked her if she still wanted to go back knowing how long the wait was.....she didn't want to decide, so I said let's go back and see. When we got there they said the wait wasn't quite so bad now and asked if we wanted to do family names. We jumped on that! And we were out of there in 1 1/2 hours! not too bad....plus we got to watch these adorable little deacons get baptized by their YM leaders. How cute is that???

Flower Power!

2009-02-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

Ames and Emily came and spent Saturday night and Sunday with us. It was so great having them. Emily was so thoughtful. She even brought me flowers! I love that girl!!

Shhh, I'm Reading

2009-02-24T17:56:00.000-08:00

I just read an e-mail from my beautiful daughter, Aubry about reading...so I thought I would update this blog with what I have been reading lately. Working in a library at an elementary school, I try to read at least a book a week.....sometimes it is many more than that due to some being picture books. But I noticed over the last school year there is a series of books that hardly ever are on the shelves in our library. Students are forever looking for it and then placing holds on it. SO, I thought "why haven't I read this series?" I started on the first book of Fablehaven last Wednesday and am now on book 3. The characters are so easy to get attached to and I actually laugh out loud at some of the antics and sayings of Seth...the younger brother of the heroine and a 6th grader! (That says it all right there! ha! Especially if you have a 6th grader anywhere near you!) Very good books! Good over evil and all that. Magical creatures that live on magical preserves! and of course...there are the fairies!

Presidents Day Concert

2009-02-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

Every year Midvale Arts Council sponsers a Presidents Day Concert at Hillcrest High School. The Youth Ambassadors were there handing out programs and welcoming people. Then they lead the Pledge of Alligence. It was a good concert and was nice and short! Yay!

Valentine Pixie

2009-02-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

At work we draw names to be a Valentine Pixie all week. Either we make something or spend only a dollar. Each person fills out a questionaire about their likes and the one drawing a name will use it to help them in getting something each day to surprise that person. Then on Friday--today-- you let the person know who their pixie is. It is way fun and everyone really gets into it! My pixie is the mom of a really good friend of Alyssa...Julie Daye. She works here too. Well today was the last day and she got me this fabulous mug. I love it. She pegged me (no pun intended!!) so well, cause I read a lot.....and the mug is perfect!

It's a Hard Knock Life!

2009-02-06T07:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday is one of my tough days at work. It was made especially long as two of my classes had substitutes. The students really took advantage of that...in a big way!!! They were very disruptive and noisy. One class was so bad that I hit the counter to get their attention and told them that I was very dissappointed. It isn't how we behave when our teacher is here ...it is how we behave when she is NOT here that is important! The last class of the day was Kindergarden....precious and adorable! They are so good and quiet. They quickly get their new books and they actually listen to their teacher! What a concept. (Sometimes I think that the 4-6th grades need to come in and observe the Kindergarden students to see how to behave in the library!) So as this class was leaving...one little girl whispered to me " I fixed your pillows" and she had a huge grin on her adorable little face. We have 2 sofas and 2 rocking chairs in our library....I know, I know...kind of unusual. But she had put 3 pillows on each couch and a pillow on each rocker. We really never put the pillows on the rockers but I left them right where they were! What a reminder ..."out of small things come that which is great". That one act cheered up my day like none other! That one simple act of thoughtful kindness! I love it!! Thank you ,Thank you little Kindergarden girl!

Sunday Dinner

2009-02-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Ames came home for Sunday Dinner. It's the first time he has been home since he moved right after New Years!! It was good to have him. He brought his "friend" Emily. We fell in love with her. She is so cute and adorable. Ken was able to be here as well. And Alex and Alyssa...it was so fun! We even had turkey and mashed potatoes!! We talked and talked at the table then did dishes and watched Court Jester!!! so fun

Lovin' My Blog

2009-01-23T20:05:00.000-08:00

Ariella put me onto "thecutestblog" and I am having sooooo much fun with it! yay! And Alyssa showed me playlist.com.......well actually I had an account already cause I have a playlist on FaceBook! ha! Maybe now I will post more regularly! The opperative word is "maybe", Ha!
We are all good. Ken is driving truck all over. Ames moved to Provo and is going to UVU (which he really LOVES). He is in the musical "All Shook Up" and has the part of Dennis at Hale Center Theater Orem. We are excited to see him in it!
Alyssa decided not to move. After praying and fasting ...and much "wrestling", she said she just got the feeling she shouldn't move....that she should be here. Well, I am glad she is!
She is working at Macey's Grocery Store and going to SLCC. She also loves going to the temple and does that quite often. She swears she has the best Institute teacher ever!!!
Check out Alex's blog......he has put up some new stuff!!

New New Day Dawning

2009-01-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

I don't think I have been more inspired by a President of the United Sates than I have been by Pres Barrack Obama. I truly believe in his sincerity. I think he really believes he can make a difference. He is smart and hard working. He is only one man though. I pray that he will put people around him that has the interest of the nation and not of themselves. I pray that he is protected and that he will make time for his wife and two little girls! Hail to the Chief!!

A Very Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-17T08:06:00.000-08:00

We are hoping that all our family and friends have a joyous season and that your New Year is Rockin'! We are all healthy and happy ....and yes, even loving the snow! ha! At least for now....cause it feels all Christmasy. I even shoveled snow yesterday! ha! And sang Christmas Carols the whole time!! We are getting ready to move Ames and Alyssa down to Provo! (Sad, sad day for me!!) They will be going to UVU...at least for the winter semester. Who knows where it will go from there!
Alex is in his own place and loving it....he is so way busy with work....which is good, cause not many people can claim that nowadays!! He has his fingers in so many pots that it is hard to keep up! ha! He is one very freakingly talented guy!!
Ken is driving truck and loving it enormously! He goes all over and at times it is hard to keep up with it all. I am "with my by myself" or very soon will be and struggling with that. So...any of you out there...call me, e-mail me.........I would love that!
My other kids have blogs and the links are here! Check out Alex's, he has some of his work on it! Amazing!!
Have a wonderful time of year!!! Merry Merry!!!
(Ames was asked to sing at the grocery store where he works....Macey's. They had a 2 day open house and he sang for about an hour. The loud speaker in the background is hilarious as well as all those Ritz crackers!! ha!! Enjoy!!)

Election Night

2008-11-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

OK
I haven't kept up with this very well....
But, nevertheless....some info on the fun times we had on Election Night. I admit there wasn't much watching of the returns....ha! And it seems that what we did watch we were laughing at Ames!!! (They vote in Alaska?)
As soon as Barrack delivered his speech we turned on "Singing In The Rain" as Kimmy had never watched it before!!!

Alyssa's project for Youth Ambassador

2008-09-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

Alyssa carried her love of reading and theater to the students of East Midvale Elementary...reaching over 7oo children. They learned that "Reading Rocks". She had characters from books come to help share her love of reading. Tom Sawyer...he can pretty much convince anyone to do anything! Peter Pan, Dustfinger and Harry Potter and Snape! The students loved Harry and Snape....who put a spell on Snape (actually Ames slammed against the wall! ha!) They loved it!
She is finished with her project but is thinking about going beyond and helping the Hispanics in our community. We found this amazing website about the library and how parents can help their pre-school children prepare to be great readers! You go Sissa!!!

Home at last!!

2008-08-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

Brother and Sissa together again! They are going to school together and Institute. How fun is that? They are looking to put in for BYU next semester and get an apartment together. O boy! ha!

A Very Happy Couple!

2008-07-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

Aaron and Corinne's wedding was fantabulous! ( that is fantastic and fabulous all rolled into one!)
They are so happy and they deserve that. We got to meet a lot of Corinne's family and friends and fell in love with them all. Congrats to the newlyweds!!! We love you!!

Latest from Tokyo!!

2008-06-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the latest pics we have gotten from Elder Bell in Japan!! Here he is with Brother Tabushi, who is way in-active. He loves musicals so he and Ames hit it off.
Yay ...you go Amesie Boy!!

So Cute!!

2008-05-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

A friend sent this to me! It is so cute. Don't ya just love bears???

"I Cannot Tell a Lie"

2008-05-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

Derek as George Washington! Yay! Derek and I made his wig while I was in Tucson. He did a whole presentation and I wish I could have been there! He had to do this as a biography report. Way to go Derek! Feels great to accomplish something eh?

Me and My Mom!!

2008-05-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

This is my fav pic of me and my mom! Dig those socks! (Wish it was in color so I could see what they really looked like! ha!) This was more than likely on a Saturday night and she was putting pin curls in my hair (which I hated!!ha!) Her hair is already in pin curls. I love my mom. She is such a great lady! Have a great Mom's day..mamasita!!

If you haven't seen my post about the article of Obama's mom, check it out! It is great!

HA!

2008-04-03T08:43:00.001-07:00

Yeah...so the second part of Ames's video is actually NOT him!! ha! It is one of the Elder's that was in his apartment! HA!!

Check out my Slide Show! (Ames's video is the next one!! Check it out!

2008-03-25T23:25:00.001-07:00

New from Ames in Japan

2008-03-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

OK.......Ames sent us some videos and Alex put them together! ha! Good to know Ames is as crazy as ever!! ha! Man I love that kid! The first part is Ames singing this crazy song and THEN the next part is his comp...Elder Jack, secret filming Ames singing crazy in the shower! ha! My favorite part is that you can tell Jack is silently laughing as the camera shakes!!! HILARIOUS!! Then the last part is Ames tapping in Tokyo! ha!

MORE!

2008-03-25T08:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a better one! The spin at the end is sick! (you don't have to watch the whole time...I think their's is only like 2 min.)

Nonabajona!

2008-03-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

Adam sent me this adorable picture of my onlyest granddaughter! She is so adorable! I am so glad she is in our family! Hugs and Kisses to you princess!

Do Da!

2008-03-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

OK....so I was mistaken,I said I only got 2 NCAA games wrong!! Ha! That was before the 2nd half of the games played. Uh...yeeeeah..... ha! those two regions were the upset of the century! Making NCAA history of upsets! Well...let's just say now that I have 1/2 the teams right! ha! Man! Gotta love March Madness!! Teams I am impressed with: Michigan St. (Mazoulla and Anderson! wowzers!) and Notre Dame. We'll see if my pick of Louisville taking it all will happen. Who knows? It could happen!

Friday! O how I love thee!!

2008-03-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

yep.....Friday's are the greatest!! Especially when you have it off! ha! Whoever came up with "spring break" is a genius! Not that I am getting a whole lot done. I worked all day yesterday on one wall in the dining room and last night I could barely move my arms!! Holy cats! There is not enough Ibuprofen in the world to ease my pain. Ha! AND sad the AZ Wildcats lost last night. Pook...and I had them moving on in my bracket....but losing to Duke. I got all but 2 first round games right.... Man! I lalalove March Madness!!

I've got the dining room blues!

2008-03-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

OK.........working on our new dining room! Oh my!! this is gonna take some work! 80 year old wallpaper that has been painted over many times....gonna be so hard to take off!! Not looking forward to it. We are doing the archway first and getting that out of the way. I remember painting the bricks on the archway to the kitchen and how long THAT took! oh boy!! I might say that when it is all done, it will be a beauty to behold! ha! Whenever that will be! Well...I have the next 5 days off....maybe I can make headway! (And don't think by the title that I am painting the room blue! ( the pic was taken the begining of Dec. so it looks a lot different now! no 2x4's and the archway is coming!!)

Happiest Place on Earth!

2008-03-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

Alyssa just left for TOUR! Man! Disneyland for 4 days(plus a performance there for Production Co.), Wicked, Hollywood workshop!!, Dinner cruise, singing a mass with a standing room only congregation on Easter. It's a rough life....but someone's gotta do it! ha! I don't envy the bus trip, but I do envy all the rest! ha! You go sissa!!

A Mother's Touch

2008-03-14T10:15:00.001-07:00

AMAZING GRACE
Never underestimate the power and influence of a mother!
I just read this article written about Barrack Obama's mother. Here is the link to it: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23623222/
It is worth reading. I really want to read his other book now. I read "The Audacity of Hope" and it really convinced me of the authenticity to this man. And now I know the why of it all. I do not doubt the great influence a mother can have on her children. The part I loved was what he treasures. A revealing look compared to those other candidates!

And the winner is??

2008-03-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

OK He has won twice as many states. He has 200 delegates more. He by far has the popular vote. He is tied with super delegate votes..............why don't they just give it to him already?? Let him move on to campaigning towards November! VP? Yeah...right! They (the Clinton campaign) are calling it a "dream" ticket..........Ha! I call it an "In your dream" ticket!

Voice Control!

2008-03-07T15:32:00.000-08:00

Man o man! well...it's gone! It's official! yike! My voice is barely a whisper! I hate, hate being sick!! There are so many things I need to do and now have no energy to do them! I had this whole week off with big plans to make headway on the archway in the dining room! Alas! Nothing was done! But, it will still be there when I am feeling better (better than what?) Ha! Build a bridge and all that!

Happy B=Day to Alex!!!

2008-03-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

OK....happy birthday Alex! You are one amazing son! I love you tons. And to anyone out there in the cosmos.........GO OBAMA!!!!

BIG Night!

2008-03-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

Big night tonight for the Presidential race...Go Barack!! I am so glad we have a performance of Little Women, that way I won't be torturing myself with the results. (o please let him win Texas!!!) By the by...Little Women is going astonishingly well! ha! (well...nothing astonishing about it....great talent foreshadows great shows!!! and Craig you did amazing last night..........DeeDee you make me cry every freakin' night! Insane talent! I love it!)
Just go win it big Obama!!!

The week off!

2008-03-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hallelujah! I am so, so glad I have the week off! Now maybe I can make some headway on our dining room. ha! Yeah. And Happy Birthday to my sweetheart! I love you tons!!

Little Women cont.

2008-03-01T16:17:00.000-08:00

OK we had opening night last night. The cast did amazing! The audience was about 90 strong and seemed to like it. Hopefully they will spread the word and others can enjoy this show. We have had people who have seen both the Broadway show AND the touring show and they said ours is by far better!!! (than what?) So that is a HUGE compliment!

The March sisters....forever!

Little Women

2008-02-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

ok Little Women open tonight! yay!! Great cast and a way great show!! high entertainment! break a leg guys!

One Voice

2008-02-08T21:09:00.000-08:00

Good luck tomorrow Barack!!
Yes We Can!

Michelle!

2008-02-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

O my goodness! Alex, Alyssa and I went to the Salt Palace this morning to hear Michelle Obama speak. She is one classy lady and I was so, so impressed with what she had to say. I truly believe if things are to get better here in the USA we need a change of committment, not only at the top but in all of us. Here it is 2008 in the history of our world and I do not think it is all rosy and bright...what we are to leave the next or future generations. It is not for them to clean up after us. We must initiate change now...in health care in education, in the economy, in fostering good will not just here but on foreign shores.
this is a music video that is excellent.
I think I would vote for Barack just for the fact that he was smart enough to marry Michelle!! ha!
It was thrilling to stand there and repeat the words "Yes we can!" over and over. I love that.
It isn't one person that will change things...but all of us together!

Trying Times

2008-01-22T16:02:00.000-08:00

I always try to "look on the bright side of life". But at times it is pretty hard! It all began with coming home from Christmas in Tucson to hear of my niece Maryn's husband collapsing at work and dying. Joey was 2 days from being 25. The cause? We have no idea! The autopsy found nothing wrong! Hard thing for a young girl to go through. My heart goes out to her and his family and...well, Maryn's family too. Then a lady that I visit teach, her brother died in an avalanche accident last weekend. And now on the news, Heath Ledger died. Hard times. But then I get a wonderful e-mail from Ames in Japan and he talks of "hope". How we have that eternal hope of living with God again and that it is up to us. Time to look on that bright side, I dare say!

2008

2008-01-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

WOW!! A brand new year!! Holy Cats, where does the time go?? We just got back from spending a wonderful Christmas in Tucson. Can't wait to get our family pics!! But, it is good to get back to everyday living and back to eating right! ha! I'm already working on next Christmas with some amazing ideas!! Things I am looking forward to:
Little Women- end of Feb (Midvale City, I am choreographer and probably "gopher")
Spending a week tending my "Little Men" in Tucson!! End of April
Alyssa Graduating!! yay Sissa! June (and then watching my 4 boys here in Midvale while Aubry
and Chris go to England!!!)
And July 12th Aaron and Corinne's wedding!!! This will be the highlight of the year!!!
Ames comes home about 3rd week in August!!!Yay!!
I lalalove dancin' through life!!!

Twilight

2007-08-12T07:24:00.001-07:00

OK....Alyssa and I have been reading the series "Twilight" by author Stephanie Meyer. So many people told that we HAD to read them. So we proceeded to do just that. We are so hooked!! Only thing is we didn't have to wait for consecutive books to come out ...ha! She already has three out and they are so amazing. The third one just came out this week....and we had to put our name on a waiting list to get one!! Why hadn't we even heard of this series before?? Real life characters in a science fiction sort of setting! I would never read anything to do with vampires, but these books have you rooting for them all the same. What have I come to now??? ha!
Favorite character is............. by far......... Edward!!!

Harry Potter

2007-08-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

OK...I admit I am glad I read the book!! I wasn't going to beacause I had heard that Harry dies.
I couldn't face our hero doing that. I mean, shouldn't the good guys win and all that?
Parts I loved: The whole "Snape" thing!!! (I knew it! I just knew he was a good guy!!)
George Weasley's comments about his ear! HILARIOUS!!
Neville's courage!
All the past students and family coming to "fight" (especially Mrs. Weasley...oh
my! I laughed so hard!!)
Yes! even Harry's sacrifice and that he got to come back!!
Ron's BOOK that he gave Harry!! Ha! A chapter on Compliments!!!!! so, so
funny!
I lalaloved the ending....well was it really an ending? I mean, you have their children now. Can we PLEASE go on?? ( And boy o boy is the movie going to be amazing!!!) and yay!! good wins!!!!

The Show WILL go On!

2007-07-19T08:37:00.001-07:00

I am choreographer for High School Musical in Midvale Ut. And during this show I am also running sound. We got there last night to set up and realized that the dressing rooms had been broken into and more than 1/2 of our sound equipment was stolen. They had rifeled through all the costumes as well....and wrote stuff on the mirrors with shaving cream. We lost mics, mic cords, 5 speakers and 2 sound boxes. We were all devastated....then in turn angry and also determined that it wouldn't get the better of us. We decided to do the show with only 4 wireless.....we usually have 10! But because our sound boxes were gone....had to use the only one left! Luckily our director took the mic packs home every night!! So we still have all our wireless mic pacs. It was good we did the show. We started 40 min late but the audience was patient and the show DID go on. It turned out pretty good considering a lot of speaking parts were not heard very well. The kids really turned it up a notch and started the show of their rendition of "We Will Rock U!" ha...got them pumped! They had tons of energy and did great. Yay us!!

Whew!

2007-07-18T08:24:00.001-07:00

Whew!! Where o where has this summer gone??
I have done 2 shows! As chorographer....one for Copperview Community Center Youth Theater. We had 63 kids in this show ages 5-18 and it was great. We had a packed audience every night!!
Now I am finishing up High School Musical!! Choreographer for that one too and also am doing sound! It ends this Saturday. We have had about 200 people every night so far. I always spend my summer doing shows! lalalove it!!
My daughter Aubry and her family come this weekend for a week and Adam will be in and out that week too!! Can't wait. I really miss my grown children!!!
I have re-done 2 rooms in our home. The laundry/sewing room and the family room. (Why did they put popcorn ceilings in in the 50's and 60's??ha!) So...there went June and July!!!
So, sad to say, I haven't done my "summer" reading. Of course I am awaiting for the last installment of Harry Potter....just like the whole world! (Harry better not die!!) August is my "free" month......so hopefully I will be able to visit the library and read to my hearts content!!!

Books by Henry!

2007-06-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

I just discovered this series of books written for children by Henry Winkler....yes! The FONZ!!
The series is about a boy named Hank Zipster. He has based them on his own life. Hank also has a problem with dyslexia. (as did Henry!) But this isn't what the books are all about. Oh No! They are full of fun and good times. How he gets himself into trouble and out of it and right back into it (typical boy!! ha!) I laugh out loud sometimes when reading it....having 5 boys of my own.....it brings things to a whole other level for me!! Try'em.....you'll love'em!!

Value of a book!

2007-05-29T15:53:00.001-07:00

I know I posted about my Soar reading group, but this is astonishing. We had been reading Inkheart (which my boss bought for us to read). And we didn't know what to do with the books now that we are done with our group. Should they go into Take Home Reading or the Leveled Library?! After talking about where to put the books, my boss asked if the kids would like to have them! I was elated. I brought the kids together and told them our delema about what to do with the books and then told them that we had decided to give them each their own copy. There was a hushed silence as it dawned on the six of them that they would indeed get to finish the book after all. Then, they all started talking at once, hugging me and thanking me very boisterously. I couldn't believe it! Were these the same kids who "hated" to read? Well, maybe they will read this summer after all!

Power of Lucky

2007-05-25T23:47:00.001-07:00

I just talked to a co-worker about this book I want to read this summer and she said she had just read it. She was very dissapointed that a Newbery Award winner would stoop to using inappropriate language for a children's book. Now, do I really want to read this book?

Summer Reading!

2007-05-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson....this is actually a poem as Woodson delves into her own family history, with women who inspired each other.

Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (I absolutely LOVE her books Inkheart and Inkspell....her 3rd book in that series-Inkdawn-- doesn't come out till next year!!!)

I will most likely be drawn to The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DeCamillo yet once again! I have read it 3 times already!!!
And I will most certainly re-read Eragon and Eldest.
Kate DeCamillo is one of my favorite authors and I really want to check out her book.....The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

Entertainment

2007-05-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

I work with six 6th grade students in Soar Success to Reading.
They hate school and they especially hate reading!
We happened to get through all of the Soar books and still had
a month left of school. I talked with my facillitator to ask her opinion
about reading a book I love and she went out and got 6 copies of
the book....Inkheart. In previewing the book, I could see a more
than casual interest springing up in several of my students. By the time
we finished chapter 6, they were all begging to go on. Realizing that chapter 7
only had two pages, I let them. They didn't want to stop there! So, did I have them
hooked? They realized that we would not be able to finish the book by the
end of the school year. I told them that the Public Library had copies available.
(Most of them live within walking distance to Tyler Library!) They said they never read
at home, especially in the summer. I then mentioned that the next book Inkspell is
even better than the first and that I bet they could finish both of them this summer.
One student asked if that was a challenge and I told him "absolutely!"
The reason why I titled this entertainment is that I realize children today have
access to a huge variety of electronic entertainment. When I grew up....BOOKS were my
entertainment. How can we compete with this? Thank goodness for great writers today
who capture the imaginings of my students! (Of course, it helped when I told them Inkheart was being made into a movie!)