All My Sunbeams

As if I needed help.  Jess @How About Orange posted this–and its quite entertaining.  Kinda.  http://www.85qm.de/up/BigRedButton.swf

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I live in an arid part of the country–and have since I went to college.  Not that I’m in the desert (any more), but still, humidity is not a big thing here.  I’ve noticed this have a BIG effect on my feet.  I struggled for so many years with cracked, dry feet.  Finally–I’ve discovered the summer solution:

You may not think your footwear has anything to do with your feet being cracked & dry, but I say it does!!  I actually did a bit of research before I bought my first pair last summer.  To sum it up–the open heel on sandals and flip-flops creates too much pressure on your foot–not enough support for the sides of your heel.  So your foot is squashed and the sides dry out and get cracked.  When I wear closed heel shoes–this doesn’t happen.  My heel is enclosed–no gravity-squashing.  Some other benefits:

1.  They’re fun and girly w/o being uncomfortable.

2.  I can use and abuse these things (I don’t expect to wear them more than one summer)

3.  they’re cheap

4.  you can wear them barefooted.

5.  they slide right on and stay on (thanks to elastic)

But the best thing is no more cracked feet. 

For more great tips head on over to shannon’s.

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Tonight I was catching up on some episodes of “Jon & Kate + 8“.  and in a small aside I LOVE the DVR–makes life so much better!! But I’ve realized that Kate is SUCH a better mom than I am!  When I grow up I want to be here–totally!!  Not that I need multiple sets of multiples, but I was watching how she manages to do stuff w/her kids–not hide from them like I tend to.  And on the episode where it shows her going shopping–how much would you think she spends/week to feed her family of 10? 

$300, $400? 

nope.

she averages $150/week!!!  Can you believe it.  In part of the interview portion she said:

When I’m not working (she’s a nurse by profession) I feel my job is to save money and make his [Jon’s] paycheck go farther.

Jeff happened to be sitting next to me in bed working on his laptop as I’m watching this.  I looked over at him and he’s being oh so good—not looking back at me–concentrating on his computer with this hint of a smirk on his face.  “I’m not saying ANYTHING” was what he said. 

Yeah…sure you’re not.  You’re just letting me give myself a guilt trip!! 

I’m realizing that I’ve just gotten SOO lazy.  I used to comb the weekly circulars for all the deals and plan everything out–but then Jeff got a job that pays what I feel is a decent amount of money and I got lazy.  Hmm–and I wonder where my kids get this tendency from.  I know I’ve got to get my GIANT rear in gear and be better at planning menus, healthy menus, and not just going out and spending money here there and everywhere in between.  Because I’m talented at that. 

Yes sir–hidden talents. 

So someday–when I grow up–I want to be Kate.  She’s one of my heroes. 

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tonight for fhe we went to sunset pool in longmont–it was so much fun!!  the kids have been there everyday, but its been quite a few years since jeff has been back.  we towed them around the pool, watched people do flips off of the diving board, went down the slides a few times.  and then disaster struck–nathan managed to step on a bee!!  I was able to get the stinger out and then the lifeguard gals–who were obviously really bored and excited that they had someone to rescue–came over and helped bandage up nathan’s foot.  he’s doing much better now–i think the dosage of cold-stone helped.  still, it was a good fhe. 

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Super Saturday, August 23rd 9am-2pm

First of all I’ll tell you about our Service Project.  We have decided to compile Newborn Kits that we will send to Salt Lake to be dispersed thru Humanitarian Aid.  We are looking for donations of either $$ or items.  Here’s the list of items that are in a Newborn Kit.  If you choose to donate $$ instead–it goes in the “Other” category on a tithing slip–make a note of Newborn Kit. 

You can stop holding your breath, here they are…the projects for Highland Lake’s 2008 Super Saturday!!

Halloween Blocks  $7.00–includes blocks, letters, paint, and wire. 

Magnet Board  $12.00–includes wood, paint, letters, and sheet metal.

Marble Magnets $4/dozen–includes glass marbles/pebbles, assorted scrappy paper, magnets & adhesive.  If you’d like to make photo versions bring photos with you–people’s heads should be small. 

Animal Blankets $17.00–includes animal and blanket supplies–contact Brigit with any questions on colors/animals. 

Hair Ribbons, 5 options, you are required to bring a small sewing needle. Contact Wendy if you have questions:

1.  ribbon #1 $1.50 

2.  ribbon #2  $2.25

3.  ribbon #3  $2.50

4.  supply list–bring your own ribbon! 

5.  hardware (metal clip) only: $0.25 each–get as many as you want.

All-Weather Wreath:  $5.00–includes plastic bags and wire wreath frame.  You can decorate this for any season.

Holiday Banner (Thanksgiving option shown) $7.00–includes felt, rope, & various supplies to make letters with.  This project must be done that day–we will not have separate kits made up.  *sorry about the picture–the only good place to hang in my house was REALLY backlit!*

Thanksgiving or Happy Birthday available.

Picture Frame: $4.00–includes wood, asst paints, adhesive, & papers.  If you’d like to bring embellishments you are welcome to. 

The classes we’re offering are:

Candy Making

Freezer Jam

Interior Decorating–let me know if there’s anything specific  you’d like to know about so our instructor can be prepared to answer your questions.

Childcare and Lunch will be provided–we’re asking for volunteers to bring dessert.  Also if anyone has a HI-TEMP glue gun, please bring it. 

Sign-ups are open till Sunday, July 27th.  Payment is due also on Sunday, July 27th. Make checks out to me–Alison Love. :)  I will be mean about it this year–not nice like I was last year. 

you can also email me with what you want to sign up for. 

I know I’m looking forward to Super Saturday, hope you are too! 

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When you’re a kid you’re raised with certain habits & traditions that seem completely normal to you.  Its not until you grow up and meet other people that you realize that you might not be so normal.  And even though lots of people have looked at me funny when I do this–I still think this is the best way to butter corn on the cob:

Take the heel of a loaf of bread–slather it with butter, then slide that all up and down your ear of freshly cooked corn, roll it around on that piece of bread.  Where did my parent’s learn to do this?  I have no clue! However, here are the benefits:

1.  Butter doesn’t slide off and all around.

2.  Butter is evenly distributed

3.  The butter-ing device is completely edible–i.e–NO WASTE!! 

4.  No storage space wasted on a plastic butter-dispenser. 

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If I made a list of people to meet in heaven–this guy is near the top!  Ammon is one of my all-time favorite people from the scriptures.  Not only was he a prince–but he was a sword-slinging missionary too!  You gotta be sure that there were some girls crying when he decided to put on his nametag and go convert the Lamanites.  Personally–he can come water my sheep anytime. Or walk the furry sheep-looking dog we just got–either way. 

So today I was thinking of doing an FHE based on his example of Service.  Cause you KNOW that Ammon was all about Service w/a capital “S“!  I’m pretty sure the song “Called to Serve” is all about his example.  I remember hearing someone say once “The song is ‘Called to Serve’ because of Ammon’s example.  It would be pretty odd to sing ‘Called to Preach’”.  Amen to that.  Anyhoo–here’s what I’ve come up with, and know that this is geared towards a family w/young kids like me:

Song:  for families w/younger kids “A Happy Helper”

Scripture:  Mosiah 2:17

Lesson: ST:  Look, Feel, and Help by Karen Ashton

Story:  Mission Impossible?

Activity:  You’ve been Served! - Cut out  THESE hearts. Put each players name on a strip of paper. Then have each player secretly pick a strip out of a hat (make sure they don’t get their own. Whosever’s name is on their paper, they must do a service for that person sometime during the week. Once the service is done, they secretly put their heart on the service that they did. Remember, don’t tell anyone who you picked because next F.H.E they will try to guess who served them. - Alyssa Lumley

or for those of you who really like to get into your scriptures:  Act out the story of Ammon & the sheep!  If you don’t have a giant stuffed sheep hanging around the house like we do (thanks G&K)you can use pillows. 

Treat:

Heavenly Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies (Makes 24)
Brownies
1 - 21.5 or 23.7 package of your favorite walnut fudge brownie mix
• Cook brownies according to package directions using a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Cool
Completely in pan on a wire rack.
Peanut Butter Topping
10 ounces peanut butter chips
1/2 cup butter
14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
1/4 cup walnuts (chopped into small pieces)
• Melt butter and peanut butter chips over low heat, stirring constantly.
• Stir in sweetened condensed milk til smooth; pour over cooled pan of brownies.
• Put chocolate chips and shortening in small microwave bowl and microwave until
melted, stirring every 30 seconds to avoid scorching. When melted, stir to mix
thoroughly.
• Drizzle chocolate mixture over brownies from a teaspoon.
• Sprinkle walnuts over the top.
• Refrigerate until firm (at least 1 hour). Cut into squares.

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Alma 26:12

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak, therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things.

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After living with different 5 year olds–I’ve realized that the things that they worry about are not the same things that we would.  Take miss K for instance.  Last saturday we were up in Rocky and after picnic-ing we decided everyone was going to make a pit-stop.  If you’ve ever been to the ‘facilities’ inside the camping and picnic areas of Rocky, you’ll know they’re a nice-ish latrine–there’s some positive pressure air-flow going on which makes it feel like you’re sitting on a fan.  However refreshing this may or may not be–it was sort of worrisome for miss K.  Of course she was in alone at first and then said she didn’t want to cause she was scared.  So in goes mom to the rescue.  A little hand holding was required because:

“It’s a LONG way down mom!”

“Yup, but you’re ok–and there’s even a handle for you to hold onto”

“uh-huh, but its a LONG way down if you have a little butt” (meaning people with little butts are more likely to just fall in)  she continued to explain “If you have a GIANT butt you’re ok.”

“you mean like mom’s?”

“yeah”

“you’ve got a little butt, right?”

“yup”

“so its a long way down for you?”

“yeah.  but grown-ups have GIANT butts so they can’t fall in.”

This really isn’t something that I worry about when I’m using the ‘facilities’, but apparently it is a real concern for a 5 year old with not so much junk in the trunk. 

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Dewey–this is everyone.

Everyone, this is Dewey.

Dewey is the newest member of our family.  He comes by way of adoption from the Longmont Humane Society.  We hadn’t planned on bringing him home till saturday, but they are so swamped there that we felt now was the time.  I truly think that Dewey was meant to be ours.  He arrived at the shelter at about the same time that Colin overcame his fear of dogs.  We saw him when he was still a ‘found dog’.  I kept checking the website at LHS and sure enough–he came up last week.  He has just blended into our family so well, he gets along with the kids and enjoys running around with them–or just laying at my feet under my desk.  If you’re asking what type of dog he is–i can only guess a cocker-poodle mix perhaps.  but he is full grown, and as far as we can tell housebroken (hallelujah!) and as of yesterday–neutered.  Plus he came with a micro chip–so he can’t get lost ever again. 

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