I (insert heart icon) Craftiness

     We've been able to eat standing up lately because the kitchen table is covered with rubber stamps, card stock, ink pads, rubber stamps, ink pads, craft punches and paper trimmers.  Why?   Last week the 16 & 17 year old young women in our ward (I'm their advisor) came to make and decorate some Valentine's Day pouches. We will fill them later with Chex Muddy Buddies and give them to some lucky people who are also our ward neighbors.

    Since the kitchen was already a MESS, I continued on, making boxes, filling them with candy and selling them at the place where I exercise away the Valentine's Day candy calories that were inside the candy that didn't make it inside the boxes.  I wanted to make sure several times that I wasn't selling inferior salt water taffy and cinnamon gummy lips.

    Last night, Rich told me, "You're getting behind on your blog."  He's lucky he didn't say, "You're getting a behind," which, could happen if I keep quality-testing the goods.

A Medium-Olde Mormon Mom

'Tis what I am.  I've been writing this book, off and on.  Mostly, off.  I'm not a Middle-Aged Mom, mind you, because when I think of "Middle-Aged"  I think of the Middle Ages, when people didn't brush their teeth, or shower.  And, what did they use for toilet paper?  I'm going to be 53 years old pretty darn soon, which is older than young. If I were middle-aged, then I'd have to commit to living to be at least 106 years old, which I am not planning to do.  However, if I did succeed in sticking around that long, I might be lucky enough to have a nice article written about me in The Week magazine, which I just love because it's articles are concise.  Like this one is.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I made a dozen of these boxes last year and filled them with goodies.  I gave them away as monthly prize drawings for 12 lucky students who did well on their reading quizzes at work.  (See previous entry below.)

I then made another dozen this year, with lollipops for the tails, which was a lot easier than cutting out 72 feathers.  I love making things with card stock and have a lot of fun making things  when the holidays roll around.

Where I Work

I work in this computer lab every Monday, Wednesday, and every other Friday.  It's called a "Writing Lab", but what mostly happens is there is 6th and 7th graders coming in to take an Accelerated Reader quiz on books they've just finished reading.  I help them find the quiz they are looking for, and reprint their reports when they forget to leave the browser open and their report doesn't automatically print.  The lab is mostly used by the language arts classes, but is also used by the social studies, health, and home economics departments.  I also do other things, but helping the students with the AR Quizzes is about 75% percent of what I do.  I enjoy my job.

I'd post something, but have to go and make dinner.

It's my penance for accidentally throwing away receipts I was going to turn in to the school where I work, for reimbursement for buying supplies to make fabulous prizes for the drawing I have monthly. I was going to buy Papa Murphy's because it's Customer Appreciation Day, which has now become"Turn Your Receipts in As You Buy Things For School Prizes" Day. Dang it. By the way, there is only one photo of me cooking in existence, and it was taken so long ago that it isn't in digital format. Hence, the stock photo that I use on Facebook to advertise our 11th Annual Mexican Food Potluck Party that you are invited to next Friday and Saturday, September 10th & 11th. 6:00 pm both nights.

Happy Birthday Megan!

Happy 15th birthday, Megan! You're a talented, graceful dancer, a wonderful and witty daughter, a great photographer, blogger, seamstress, and I'm so glad that you're continuing with learning to play the piano even though your official teacher (Lori) moved away. I love you very much and am very grateful to be your mom. (And someday, I will learn to use Aperture and crop this photo!)

"Babe"

Happy Birthday, Melissa! This photo was taken when Melissa was three years old. Her Dad and I began calling her "Babe" when she was a toddler.

This is Melissa's third grade photo. She'd been taking ballet lessons for a year by then. She was an excellent student in school, and in her dance lessons. She was a little younger than this when Maria was born.

Melissa (9), Maria (1) and Kevin (6) take a break on the front porch swing after helping me in the kitchen on a hot summer day. (Maria's apron is her bib.)

Melissa and daughter Madelyn after Melissa's guest performance at Ballet Arts of Southern Utah annual recital. 2005

This photo of Melissa was taken at a family photo shoot. She has planned most of our photo-taking sessions. Melissa has a gazillion talents: she's an excellent photographer, a gracefully strong ballet dancer, is generous, thoughtful, smart, crafty ( you should see the jewelry she designs and makes), a great and witty writer/blogger, and is a wonderful cook.

We love you, Babe!