Goals, update 4

Any new notes I've added this month are bold.  

Completed goals are red.

1- Sew at least one new item of clothing for me. -- This is why I made these goals.  I get a project part way done, then let it sit!

2- Make living room curtains (hopefully for our own home) -- Still waiting on news on "our" house.  Well, the house we wish was ours at least.
 
3- Go one mile (run/walk) in 12 minutes or less --  Mumble, grumble.  And it turns out running may not be a recommended exercise for people with IC (interstitial cystitis).  I just might not be imagining feeling worse when I try it!  I'm doing some more research, then I may have to alter this goal somewhat.

4- Clean out and sort jewelry boxes -- I did it! 

5- Catch up one year of scrapbooks -- January and February of last year done!


6- Read the entire Book of Mormon -- In the process
 
7- Get a new family picture taken -- Done!
 
8- Clean out my bedroom closet
 
9- Sort my craft type items (including sewing)
 
10- Make a new temple dress (does not fulfill goal #1)
 
11- Be involved in at least one PTA project at the elementary school
 
12- Get last year's blog book printed and bound -- I am making some fixes in the formatting of the book, but it's coming along.
 
13- Make some nice hair pretties for MY daughters --  I did make a new one for each for picture day, but I really should make some basics for them still.
 
14- Read some classic literature -- I plan to do more of this, but I have technically accomplished this goal.
   
15- Plant something and keep it alive -- We've got live plants in our fish tank.  We've killed off several fish (oopsie) but we've done some good research and improved things.  We even have one plant that's growing all the way from seed, and doing quite well in there.
 
16- Improve dysphonia to be able to sing again with less pain -- Still in progress, and frustrating.
 
17- Learn two new hymns on the piano -- I've learned a handful on the ukulele!  But I gotta get back to the piano.
 
18- Plan and enjoy a family vacation (even if it has to be in Utah County)
 
19- Back up all digital photos on new DVDs (or other storage device) and store safely -- my laptop is backed up.  Still need to do my desktop.
 
20- Participate in fruit and vegetable co-op when possible and learn new ways to enjoy produce
 
21- Create a 7 generation pedigree chart -- I did it! 

22- Finish quilts for the girls' beds -- Or maybe just buy some.  Really depends on where we're living and how the girls' rooms are arranged / decorated.
 
23- Take a class through the community programs
 
24- Follow FlyLady principles to get/keep the house in a happy state.  -- Working on it.
 
25- Read a book by a church leader -- I'm most of the way through "The Coming of the Lord" by Gerald Lund.  He wasn't a general authority when he wrote it, but he is now.  The book is about the end of days and the Second Coming.  He wrote it entirely based on scripture and latter-day doctrine.  This is not a supposition and assumptions day which I really like. 
 
26- Spend $1,000 to improve financial outlook (pay off debt faster, put in savings, etc.) -- This might end up being earnest money on a home.  I'd consider that money well spent.
 
27- Look at the stars more -- It's awfully cold outside right now, but keeping this goal in the back of my mind has helped lift up my eyes when I am in a position to enjoy the stars.  So: work in progress.  I just downloaded an app on my phone "Google Sky Map".  Makes looking at the stars really fun.  I recognize constellations now!  (As long as they're drawn out for me :))
 
28- Clean the Sharpie "artwork" off the playroom walls 

29- Update our family's emergency preparedness -- we worked on some of this for Family Home Evening last week.  We went through our 72 hour kits.  We removed everything that was out of date or otherwise "wrong" and made a new list of things to add to them.  

30- Learn to use the lenses and settings on my camera -- My nephew has been using an awesome camera since Christmas.  He's taken a photography class and is now working things out on their new camera.  I read and follow his blog which has at least given me some new ideas.  But I haven't done all I want here yet.
 
31- Return and report progress on my goals -- I've been setting the updates as an auto-post.  I update this copy/pasted document throughout the month and on the 6th it will automatically post for me.

 The girls participated in a gift exchange with their Southern Cousins for Christmas.  Lizzie got to go all glam to church on sunday (and despite the super glue holding on the fingernails there were only 2 left when she got home, lol).  It was the perfect gift for her!

 Sabrina got her very greatest wish -- bath stuff.  She was SUPER excited since she's chosen a very similar gift for a friend's birthday party and really wanted it for herself.

 Kate is not pictures.  She was busy hiding, reading the new book she got :P

Lizzie has been studying the moon in school.  She often peeks out after dark to see what phase the moon is in.  This is a picture she took one night that I though was quite pretty.

After the holidays Lizzie came home from school one day asking if the school had called me.  Uh... no?  Where they supposed to?!  They said they would (and apparently didn't.  Bummer).  See that blackish bit at the end of Lizzie's tongue?  She got it STUCK on a frozen pole during recess.  Oopsie!  I bet that won't happen again!

Michael was gone for several days a while back.  I was pretty sick when he left and we never enjoy when he has to travel.  The first night he was gone I peeked out my bedroom window to see if it was snowing.  I saw this beautiful buck standing at the bottom of our road!  I grabbed the camera and stepped onto my front porch.  Unfortunately he turned and wandered away just as I was ready to take the picture.  He's been perfectly circled in light.  Michael told me he sent the deer to keep an eye on us ;)

While Michael was gone, my mom invited the rest of us to her house  for Family Home Evening.  We got out the costume box and scriptures and put on a dramatized version of Nephi, Sam, Laman, and Lemuel's return to Jerusalem for the Brass plates.  I videoed it so Daddy could see it later.  It's quite funny and was highly enjoyable as well.

Last Friday (14th, I believe) Lizzie finally lost her first tooth!!!  The tooth fairy brought her a cute little coloring / sticker book.  (Our tooth fairy brings little gifts instead of money).

 She loves finding new things to stick through the gap in her grin :D

I decided that in order to have a better outlook on my health this year I would put a little puff ball or something into a container every day I felt healthy.  This in order to appreciate how many days I am able to live without pain that seems non-stop sometimes.  I was excited to see my pile grow and be grateful for the health I enjoy.

Unfortunately between a number of things, including a really nasty cold, I have yet to put one puff aside :(  It seems to be backfiring!  This was supposed to be a positive thing, not a bummer!  Oh well.  It's better than last year so far ;)

Many of you know about my new niece who was born two days ago.  Emma is a real miracle baby.  I will eventually dedicate a post to her, but not today. 

Welcome to 2011

 Finally I have finished putting together the pictures for our ode to the New Year.  I currently involved in some knock-down-drag-out fight with a nasty cold, but here it is, finally:

We celebrated the New Year with my family, as usual.  My sister and her family from Nebraska were able to be here which was very exciting.  Sadly there were two or three people on antibiotics for strep and two more who missed out because they were sick.  Some nasty bugs going around!

Here is the "upstairs" party which was pretty quiet and relaxed.

 As opposed to the downstairs party which involved the Wii, a puzzle, and a fair amount of hilarity.

 As the evening wore on we all gathered outside for The Burning of The Goat.  I'll include the video also.  If you listen through the video you'll hear the explanation of how the goat burning came to be an integral part of our New Years un-Resolutions.

Then Joe and Amy (who spearheaded this year's celebration) did a crash course on helicopter piloting.  (Remember the lit-up plastic helicopter toys that the girls got from Grandma?).  Only one toy was lost on the roof!  And they were beautiful.

Finally the clock struck 12 and out came the bubbly.  It had be set outside to keep cool, but as soon as it was opened it froze!  As the carbon dioxide left the apple cider the freezing point of the juice rose so it started freezing (okay, I'm not smart enough to have through that all up, Dr. Matt explained it to us.)  Freezing sparkling cider doesn't stay in the bottle, in case you were wondering.

 

Eliza's eyes began to droop and many others watched out the front window to see the occasional firework, and the new year was officially here.

Jens (bottom left) opened the back door to shout "Happy New Year, World!"

Indeed, I hope it is a happy one for all.

Goals, update 3

1- Sew at least one new item of clothing for me. -- I found a pattern I'm willing to try!  That's progress.  Now I just have to buy the pattern.  And fabric.  And buttons.  I bought the pattern, and even cut it out!  Now to sort through my fabric stash to choose some to try this out before spending money on some "favorite" fabric.

2- Make living room curtains (hopefully for our own home) -- I'm putting this off for a while.  We're hoping to own a home within the next year, and I'd much rather make curtains for my own living room.  Putting an offer on a home tomorrow (12/13).  If things go well (fingers crossed, but it's a short sale so nothing is certain) I'll have some wonderful windows to make draperies for.  Funnily enough, since I remember this goal, as we've been looking at homes I always take note of the living room windows :)
 
3- Go one mile (run/walk) in 12 minutes or less -- I know I need to get started on this one to be able to accomplish it at all.  My ankle is doing much better most days.  I still am very cautious about running, jumping, or anything else that might result in a re-injury (which is sadly common with what I did).  Haven't started cardio, but I have been mostly healthy for a few weeks now!  I lightly turned my bad ankle the other day while looking at homes and had to take ibuprofen and use a cane in the last house.  Care with the ankle will be a necessity.  I have been more active at least.  Working on not overdoing it, but still do enough to head in the right direction.

4- Clean out and sort jewelry boxes -- I did it!  I got rid of some old / worn out things and added worn out / broken items to my jewelry working things instead of my jewelry wearing things. 

5- Catch up one year of scrapbooks -- I really am hoping to get the latest update of my scrapbooking program before I dive into this one.  I get a major discount since I use their last edition, but it's one more thing to add to the list.  I did finally find the disk for my most recent version at least.  So I'm working on this. I've finished the first few months, so it's coming along.
 
6- Read the entire Book of Mormon
 
7- Get a new family picture taken -- Done!  And I love them.  They are even printed, picked up, and are going out for Christmas. 
 
8- Clean out my bedroom closet
 
9- Sort my craft type items (including sewing)
 
10- Make a new temple dress (does not fulfill goal #1)
 
11- Be involved in at least one PTA project at the elementary school
 
12- Get last year's blog book printed and bound
 
13- Make some nice hair pretties for MY daughters  I did make a new one for each for picture day, but I really should make some basics for them still.
 
14- Read some classic literature -- I just read "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley.  We picked it up once at a book store and it's just been sitting on one of our many book shelves.  It took me a while for me to get into the language again.  I've been reading modern / juvenile literature too much! Fascinating story.  It wasn't as creepy / dark / scary as I thought it might be.  Sad, yes.  But it has a lot to think about regarding friendship, aspirations and treatment of fellow-men (or monsters). I plan to do more of this, but I have technically accomplished this goal.
 
 15- Plant something and keep it alive
 
16- Improve dysphonia to be able to sing again with less pain -- I have been placing my fingers on my throat to feel for tension when singing and sometimes when reading to the girls.  I can recognize the tension and usually correct it.  It's obnoxious, but necessary.  Seems to ease some of the pain too.  Still in  progress
 
17- Learn two new hymns on the piano
 
18- Plan and enjoy a family vacation (even if it has to be in Utah County)
 
19- Back up all digital photos on new DVDs (or other storage device) and store safely
 
20- Participate in fruit and vegetable co-op when possible and learn new ways to enjoy produce
 
21- Create a 7 generation pedigree chart -- I did it!  Okay, so it didn't end up being very hard... but I also have an idea for a fantastic dynamic family tree mural.  I just have to own the walls first O.o

22- Finish quilts for the girls' beds
 
23- Take a class through the community programs
 
24- Follow FlyLady principles to get/keep the house in a happy state.  --Still working on this one.  I'm not doing great right now, but I am getting there.  I need a timer that works.
 
25- Read a book by a church leader
 
26- Spend $1,000 to improve financial outlook (pay off debt faster, put in savings, etc.) -- This might end up being earnest money on a home.  I'd consider that money well spent.
 
27- Look at the stars more -- It's awfully cold outside right now, but keeping this goal in the back of my mind has helped lift up my eyes when I am in a position to enjoy the stars.  So: work in progress.  I just downloaded an app on my phone "Google Sky Map".  Makes looking at the stars really fun.  I recognize constellations now!  (As long as they're drawn out for me :))
 
28- Clean the Sharpie "artwork" off the playroom walls 

29- Update our family's emergency preparedness 

30- Learn to use the lenses and settings on my camera
 
31- Return and report progress on my goals -- I've been setting the updates as an auto-post.  I update this copy/pasted document throughout the month and on the 6th it will automatically post for me.  Good reminder for me.

My Life According to Shania Twain

I just thought this was kinda fun :)

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. You can't use the artist I used. Try not to repeat a song title. Repost as "my life according to (artist name)"

Pick your Artist: Shania Twain

Are you Male or Female:  Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
Describe Yourself: She's Not Just a Pretty Face  ;)
How do you feel: Still Under the Weather
Describe where you currently live:  I'm Outta Here!
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Rock This Country!
Your Favorite pastime:  Dance With the One That Brought You
Your Favorite form of Transportation:  In My Car
Your Best Friend is:  Any Man of Mine
You and your best friends are:  Forever and For Always
What's the weather like:  Raining On Our Love
Favorite Time of Day:  When You Kiss Me
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:   It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing
Name your Superhero/Villain alter ego:   Juanita
What is life to you: C'est La Vie
Describe your current boy/girl situation: Two Hearts, One Love
What is the best advice you have to give:  Whatever You Do, Don't!
Thought for the day:  Blah, Blah, Blah
How would you like to die?  Ain't No Particular Way
What is your greatest fear:  Home Ain't Where His Heart is Anymore
My soul's present condition:  Wild and Wicked  (O.o  Okay, maybe not...) That Good
My motto:  Don't Be Stupid
How you feel about your family:  God Bless the Child

Christmas Presents

I hope you all have had a very merry Christmas.  We certainly have!  Naturally I have a great many pictures of the event.  I have compiled them in several collages.  You can click any one to see the itsy bitsy pictures better.  

We begin with the countdown to Christmas:  I let the candle burn all the way down.

Now we'll skip straight to the kids, cause let's face it: they're the cute ones.  Of the presents they're holding, many are family gifts that the girls just opened.  I particularly love Sabrina's pose with the "Polkatonics" CD.  (That's the second one down on the right.).  Sabrina was most excited about the puzzles and pattern games she got from Santa, as well as dress-ups for her Build-a-Bear she got for her birthday.

Lizzie got a scooter, a Build-a-Bear (to gradually collect clothing for), and a jewelry box from Santa.  She also got a little bitty FurReal Friends puppy that wags his tail and moves his head when you pet him on the back.  She really wanted the deluxe version (the Go-Go Puppy), but the puppy "will do".

Check out Kate's face in the middle here!  She could not believe Santa had brought her a ukulele!!!  She learned a little bit on the uke in school and loved it.  Hers is a nice one and it's PINK!  Pictures later of her first ukulele lesson and video of her first performance. She also got the most deluxe of all art sets (well, not literally), including pastels and paints, and all that good messy stuff.

Proof I was there too.  I got to unwrap a bunch of great new kitchen things.  A lot of these are things that have been "on the list" for some time now, and  black Friday was an ideal time to buy them.  I also got a cute pair of boots I'm excited about!

Michael got to open the Black Friday spoils from Home Depot -- some screwdrivers, measuring tapes, power tools, etc.  I also got him a digital picture frame already loaded with hundreds of pictures that he can take to work.  There are pictures from each of our childhoods (a few at least), one or two from when we were dating (the only ones we know of in existence), and some engagement / wedding ones and naturally plenty since then  It was a fun (and time consuming!) job getting them all ready for the frame.

Michael would like me to point out that he actually got more pictures of me with my tongue sticking out than I got of him.  Apparently when I feel silly as the center of attention (as in, opening presents in front of a camera) I tend to stick my tongue out.  Good to know.

Here are group shots with the girls in The Line (you know there has to be a picture of The Line) and their awe inspired glee at the new television.  They had SUCH a fun morning!

This evening we went to my mom's house for dinner (a nice drop-by-when-you-want-and-I'll-feed-you affair).  My brother was there and gave Kate some tips on playing her new ukulele which of course she had taken with her.  He taught her how to read chord charts and how to find the chords for a primary song (they're written in above every song).  Then she came down and performed "Reverently, Quietly" with 4 whole chords in it! 

Video of Kate:

Here are a few assorted pictures from the evening.  Of course I have to take pictures of Sabrina with her favorite younger male cousin.  He is so cute, and the two of them together have such a stark contrast.  We need to throw cousin Abby in the mix with her red super curly hair just to show the full range the family covers!  The picture of an envelope on the top left reminds me of a birthday card one of the girls got once.  It was signed by a woman who had been married some 40 years and she signed it with her maiden name accidentally!  I admit, I've done the same thing at random times, but I've only got 10 matrimonial years behind me so I'm totally off the hook, right?  The Family Tree is really cool (and I thought it was really cool that I happened to have a perfect size frame in my closet!).  It goes from my mom (top left) all the way to Adam (bottom right).  That's the Adam and Eve fellow.  You know, lived in a garden, ate forbidden fruit... that guy.  My sister made these and had them printed for everyone in our family.  It makes the years seem so short to see all those generations on one page!  We have some awesome family names in there too including a man named Frodi.  I guess that's why we tend towards hairy toes.  The last picture is just one I snapped as we were leaving.  Looking into the perfect postcard view of a happy home full of family and love.

So after all that... from our house to yours:  

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas Eve, 2 of 2: Tilly's Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse;
The stockings were hung by the table with care,
In hopes that great presents soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of candy canes danced in their heads;

 

And papa in his blankets, and I in my robe,
I just settled down with some music turned low,

When from the girls' room there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Down the dark hallway I flew like a flash,
Peeked into the bedroom and choked back a laugh.
The nightlight that shone with a comforting glow
Gave a glimpse of the children, I crept on tiptoe,

When, what to my wondering ears I should hear,
But Sabrina was shouting, her voice full of fear,
With a quiet small smile I slipped over quick,
I knew in a moment the dreams she did pick:
Her young voice did call out her sisters by name,
And she whimpered and whined and did dole out the blame;
"Stop Lizzie! Don't touch me! I want to put those in!
No Kate! That's my spot! Get out of the kitchen!
Let's put in the flour! Let's roll them in balls!
I want to bake cookies! But let's eat them ALL!"
I sat on her bed to soothe down her cry,
She cuddled against me and let out a sigh.

Then back to the front room with work still to do,
I lugged out the packages, trimmings, and food.
And then, once again, down the hall I heard proof
The girls were so restless, mama must have goofed.
As I once again trod down the hall with no sound,
Out the bedroom door Lizzie did wander, and frowned.
She was dressed in her jammies, tripped over her foot,
Her blankets she dragged back to where they'd been put.
She picked up her teddy bear, taken aback,
When she saw mom stood right there, not smiling a crack.
Her eyes blurred with sleep, she shuffled back quickly.
Dove under her covers and closed her eyes firmly. 

I checked in on Kate, that girls was my hero.
She slept through the crazy night, earning her halo!

Returning to gifts I tied up the bows,
Then ate up the cookies and drank my cocoa.
The tree lights did twinkle with presents beneath,
And stockings encircled more gifts like a wreath.
Favors from friends of the best kind of smelly,
Shrink my reserve and enlarge my full belly.

Sorting the books upon the bookshelf,

I hop in the tub with a book for myself.

 My eyes start to droop, as does my head

So I pull on my jammies and climb into bed.

I tried to roll over but stopped, slightly irked,
There was Lizzie, where in my own bed she now lurked!
Laying a hand on her, slowly she rose,

And glumly it's back to her own bed she goes.

The whole family in bed, a few slight snores whistle,
Morning will come softly, like the down of a thistle.
With a sigh and a stretch I quietly sigh:"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

 

 

 

**Note: In actuality thus far the girls have been sleeping soundly.  Michael helped me with the arranging / tidying, and is now keeping my up (totally HIS fault) way past my bedtime watching a movie.  I also will likely not take a tub tonight,it's just too late.  This tale does very accurately describe our usual night, though.  Right down to Lizzie sneaking into our bed.  Little punks ;)