Busy Day

Good thing I am feeling well, cause it's been a busy day. Sweet Bonnie Hall brought me dinner tonight. So I made her my decadent Chocolate cake with fudge frosting. I also made some lemon poppy seed bread. 

A lady called me from Utah to tell me her ex-son in law had died and his two boys aged 18 and 21 were up here trying to arrange the funeral. I called the Bishop with all the information and he made phone calls to the boys and the mortuary. The Relief Society is doing a luncheon/dinner at 5pm tomorrow. I love how this church works. I called Jill Huntsman and within an hour she had the food all lined up. My secretary Peggy sent an email out asking for help setting up and serving tomorrow. My counselor, Crystal can't be there tomorrow night so she is making the ham and funeral potaotes. Tiffany and I will be setting up with whoever shows up. The Bishop wants us to stay and make sure everything goes well as we know nothing about the family and Stanley was inactive so no one knows much about him or his family. I told the Bishop that we would stay but we really needed a priesthood holder there. Now that's the Gospel at it's best.

For now it's time for me to go to bed.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful that our ward will pull together and do this for the family of an inactive man that no one knows. It just makes me appreciate our members so much. They are truly following in the footsteps of the Savior.

Back To The Land Of The Living

I am back almost all the way. No sore throat, just the cough left. I actually made brownies for the kids and spaghetti for dinner. It was the easiest thing I could think of to make. And even then I had to sit down in the middle of stirring the brownies. What the heck. That's what I get for sleeping for 3 days. Tomorrow I'm going to get my house cleaned. It is a mess.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful to be well. I think it's like trials. It feels so good when they are over with. I didn't realize how good I felt until I got sick. I am blessed.

Cold Has Returned With a Vengenance

Woke up Sunday and couldn't swallow. My throat was so sore. I sent Tiffany a text to get someone to go to Ward Council for me. Peggy ended up going and I went to bed. I just couldn't stay awake. I woke up today with the same thing. So I have been in bed all day today too. Kept thinking should I go to the doctor or just wait it out. I really was too tired to go to the doctor. Enough of the sickness.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Tommy who helps me when I'm sick. He is so good to me. I am blessed!!

Birthday Mug for Grandpa

 Grandpa and the mug Hayden made him for his Birthday.

Vermillion Cliffs

I left to come home at about 2pm and it was awful. I drove in fog so thick you had to stay behind a car to make sure you didn't run into anyone ahead. It was like this all the way from Salt Lake to just before Pocatello. And the I started coughing and coughing. I seriously thought I would have to pull over and call Tommy to come and get me. But I made it with the Mug Hayden made and gave to his grandpa in tow. Isn't it cute. Amie takes the kids to a ceramic place and they make things.
I also finished this last page of my trip with Kathy. Scrap weekend was tons of fun and if I hadn't gotten sick I would have gotten more done. But it was fun to hang out with my friends and have such a good time. It's good to be home.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my safe trip home. I am blessed to be watched over by a loving Heavenly Father.

Day 1 of Scrapping Weekend

 Kathy and Me

Snowflake Temple

Fun day scrapping with my friends. I made these two pages today and started another one. Then I had to go to bed early because I was tired. But I am having so much fun with my friends. I love reliving all my good times. That's the wonderful thing about scrapping. You get to go there again through your pictures.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my friends. I really need them. They make my life so much FUN!! I am blessed to have them.

What a Drive!!

I drove to Utah today and boy was it a drive. Outside of Pocatello it started getting icy and it continued all the way to Salt Lake. 55 mph so you know that it was bad. No one was driving fast. But I arrived safe and sound. I am so tired that I'm going to bed. But my cold is much better today. The power of prayer.
I showed Harrison how to submit a name and print out the bar code to take to the Temple. I am going to find him some names so he can do his own. I just love this family. So sweet....
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the safe drive I had today. I saw three cars off the road and every time I was so glad it wasn't me. I am blessed.

Mesa Temple Page

Mesa Temple with my Cousins and Best Friend

Today I woke up coughing and feeling sick. What the heck. I am going scrapbooking tomorrow. So I spent the day doing nothing, drinking juice and sitting in my chair organizing my pictures. Then I made this page. Hopefully tomorrow I will be all well or at least well enough to go to Utah. I have prayed all day to be well enough to go, so now I must have faith. I started packing my stuff to show my faith.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my ability to scrap pages. I am grateful for the memories that it brings back of good times. I am truly blessed.

Making Smoothies

Smoothie Time

I made this smoothie this morning for breakfast. It was delicious. Yogurt, banana, strawberries, milk and ice. It was heavenly. I'm making one tomorrow because it was soooo good.

I made a layer taco casserole with my canned pinto beans, corn, hamburger meat with taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, cheese and tortilla all layered together. The kids and Janna really liked it. I needed to make something that I could just put in the oven because I had to take Bailee into town for dog food for the little dog she is dog sitting and then I had to be at the church at 6:30 to meet with the Stake Relief Society Presidency. We went out and visited some of our sisters with them.

And my most amazing feat today was downloading the scriptures onto my ipod. It took me forever to figure out my Apple ID and my password. But now it's all ready. I can read my scriptures at night when I go to bed. And I made a note on my ipod that tells me what it is so when my tired old brain forgets I can just look it up.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the Gospel today. I am grateful for the sisters in our ward. And I am especially grateful for Sister Berk and her councelors. What wonderful women of God they are.

Winco Again

 

 My Gamma Lids

Austin and I went to Winco this morning to get some groceries. What a job it is. Thank goodness for Austin. He helps me bag my groceries and puts them in the car. We had a good laugh when we were putting a 50 pound bag of flour on the bottom of the cart. We had to work hard to get it on but we managed.
I made corn bread tonight. I am trying to make Marie Callendar's and I had found a recipe that called for a Jiffy corn bread mix and a yellow cake mix. It really tasted good and a lot like Marie Callendar's but it was too cake like. I am going to try not beating the cake to see if that will make it denser. I'll get this figured out yet.
I took my recipe for homemade laundry detergent to Mary and visited with her for a little while. I just love her to pieces. If she wasn't taking care of Harold full time we could have some good times together. I told her to get the stuff for her soap and I would come over and help her make it.
Janna, Austin and I went to Walmart so I could get some white buckets for my flour. I have been putting the Gama lids on my buckets one at a time. They are can be resealed over and over.
That's been my day and it's been a good one. I love my life in Rigby, Idaho.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful today for Mary. I am grateful that she had become my good friend. I am blessed to know her.

Beautiful Sabbath

Making Bread Crumbs in my Ninja.

Austin and I went to church today. Bailee was sick so it was just us. Abby Long gave her farewell talk and the chapel was packed. Plus Elder Passmore gave his homecoming talk so I really felt like I was in the wrong ward. 

Relief Society went well and Sister Petersen gave the lesson. I wish she would do something different. Always the same. And she won't attend the Teacher Development Class.

I made bread crumbs from left over bread in my Ninja. I really love it. So now I have lots of bread crumbs to cook with.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my sweet Austin. He is so helpful to me. It is a blessing to live by this family. I am truly blessed.

Grand Canyon Page

Grand Canyon with Kathy

I worked on templates and made this page today. It was so fun to scrap again. I am going to have to keep it up so I can catch up. I started my laundry and did dishes and that's it. A wonderful lazy day.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my wonderful friend Kathy. I am so glad she comes to see me. She is just the best. I have always been so blessed with wonderful friends.

Bread Making Day

I made a batch of Whole Wheat Bread this morning. It was sooooo yummy. Also make granola bars for Janna, Black Bean Burritos for lunch/dinner and brownies for dessert. I am tired of baking today.
I worked on Templates for our swap and worked on getting more layouts ready for Scrapping Weekend.
Had to arrange with the Stake RS when we would meet with them and when they would visit some of the sisters in our ward. Finally got that figured out. Coordinating 6 womens schedules is quite the feat. But we got it done.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my kitchen. It just fits me so good. I can get in it and cook up a storm. I am blessed to have such a wonderful space just for me.

Going to the Temple

I went to the Rexburg Temple with Sue this morning. I was pretty tired and had to keep telling Mattie Foster "Matt" Ingram to listen carefully because my mind kept wondering onto other things. Just one of those days. But two more endowments done and I printed out a few more names.
I delivered 3 more birthday gifts and took Annalisa and Nichole's stuff to their house. Then it was on to the vets to pick up the Thyroid meds for Molly. But as I looked for my purse I realize in getting all the stuff to my car I had forgotten my debit card. Back home on an EMPTY tank. Janna put a little gas in my car so I could make it back to town. Some days I really think I need a keeper.
Tommy, Janna and I made Salmon Patties and Fried Potatoes for dinner. The kids hate fish so they had to eat cereal.
Then it was off to the Book of Mormon class at the church. It's an adult institute class and Sue and I decided we needed it. So we are going to go. It's every Thursday night until April. I'll miss next week but should be here for all the other ones. It was taught by Brother Black and he was so wonderful. I got so much out of King Benjamin's address. And the thing that touched my heart the most was when he said that the Savior will bring us clean and pure to The Father if we have repented of our sins and we are to remember them no more. Not to drag them along through our lives but to forsake them and forget them.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the adult institute class. It was just what I needed so I will want to study and ponder the scriptures. The Lord knows what I need and the wishes of my heart and here is the answer. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father!!!

Molly Dog

We love this crazy dog. 

Today I took Molly to the groomer. I made an appointment with the vet because she is losing her hair and the groomer said that's a sign of Thyroid deficiency. It seems to be a problem with Shelties.
I made Lasagna, Foccacia Bread and a green salad to take to the Barnes. She won my dinner in the Service Auction we had at Relief Society and I am just getting around to making it for her. I also made some for the Murri's. Denise has been having health issues lately and I thought she could use some TLC.
I went and picked up Molly at 3:30 after the vet took blood for a Thyroid test. He called me after I got home and said it was low so he is going to put her on medication and see how it goes. He said that's probably why she is so chubby. But she was a very good dog for him.
I packed all the dinners up at 5pm and delivered them with Bailee's help. Also delivered another birthday gift to Rayna down the street.
Now I'm done and ready to relax. What a busy day it was.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the sisters in our ward. I know it's what we are down here to do.

My Ninja

Ninja

I cancelled our presidency meeting for today. I wasn't sure what was going to happen with Colleen and I needed to get Nichole to her guitar lesson in Rexburg by 5pm. And today I am truly Tired.
Yesterday my Ninja blender came that we had ordered. That cute little money tree that the Ingram Family gave me turned into this. Now I can make smoothies all day long.
Another pot of Taco Soup for the Bradshaw's this time. It's a perfect quick soup and easy to travel with. And I delivered another birthday present to an inactive sister in our ward. Took the kids to YM/YW and also made spaghetti for them. I am one tired girl for sure now. And my kitchen is a huge mess. My sweet husband helped me clean it all up. What a guy!!
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Tommy. I am grateful that he will help me with anything I need done. I am blessed to have him as my eternal mate.

Too Cold For School

Nichole, Annalisa, Marissa and Bailee hiding on our way to Broulims.

Bailee and Marissa

They closed the schools today so the kids are home. Bailee was sad but the rest of them were happy, happy, happy.
I  put a roast in the crock pot so we can have dinner tonight. 
I balanced my checkbook again. Why oh why don't I do this everyday and it wouldn't be such a hard task.  But onward and upward, I got it done.
I went to the Hospital and picked the girls up to stay at my house tonight. Their mom might be home tomorrow and they are so excited. They really miss their mom. I took Annalisa to violin lessons in Rigby and went shopping at Broulims for hamburger buns for our Barbecue sandwiches.
Grateful Statement: Annalisa said I should be grateful for her and I decided that was a true statement. I am so grateful for the opportunity to really get to know these cute girlies. I am grateful to be able to serve Colleen. I am blessed!!

Beautiful Sabbath

Today I went to Ward Council and then Harley brought all the kids to church at 12:45. Annalisa and Nicole came with them. Sacrament was good. The Gibson's spoke and did a good job. Then it was off to Sunday School, taught by Brother Zimmerman.
Esther taught our lesson in Relief Society on learning always. It made me think that I need to study more. I have always loved to learn things so I think I need to start learning about the Gospel. I'll have to work on that.
Randall, the girls dad, was home when we went to take the dog out after church so the girls are with him. Colleen is having a few complications so she's not sure when she will get out. I hope she is alright.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the Gospel. I am grateful to be part of this church. I am grateful that I get to rub elbows with such good saints. I am blessed.

Mexican Candy

 Laundry Soap Janna and I made today. The last batch we made was in July.

 Tommy and Janna hung my Ironing Board holder on the wall.

 Annalisa eating Mexican Candy

 Nicole on the way home.

 Bailee's funny smile.

Today was a busy day. I took the girls to their house to let out their dog this morning and evening. Went to Broulim's to get the stuff for Tacos for dinner. 

The girls dad came and got them and took them to see their mom. She is doing much better.

Then I went back to Broulim's to pick up a prescription for another sister who had surgery last Friday. Back to the girls house to get church clothes and one more trip to get their phones they left there. We have had a lot of laughs today. 

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the sweetness of these two girls. They are truly so easy to take care of. Their mom has taught them well.

New Cookware Set

 My Birthay Gift from Janna, Dean and Amie and Tommy

My wonderful kids and Tommy gave me this Cuisinart Cookware for my birthday. Tommy says I am spoiled and I guess I am. I used it to make dinner and it was wonderful. I guess because I cook so much they think I deserve it. I do have a wonderful family that thinks of me.
Janna took me to Bed, Bath and Beyond to pick out my cookware and then we went to Home Depot. I found a Ironing Board hanging thing so I can hang my Ironing Board up. Then it was off to Walmart to get the stuff to make laundry soap with. I am down to my last little bit and so is Janna so it's time to make some more. I lots of people are making their own soap because one Walmart store was completely sold out of the ingredients to make it when I went shopping with Mary. So yesterday we went to a different store and they were stocked up. That's my job tomorrow, making laundry soap.
I made pizza dough and Nicole and Annalisa made their own small pizzas. I think they had fun doing it. Their mom's surgery went well. So now she just has to heal. I think she will be getting out of the hospital on Monday. Their dad is with her so I'm not sure how long the girls will be with me. They are very polite, sweet kids.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the wonderful, thoughtful kids I have. They truly light up my life. I am blessed beyond measure to have them for my very own.

Nicole and Annalisa

 The girls eating a Pazookie.

Molly is excited to have someone to play with.

Nicole and Annalisa are staying with me for a couple of days while their mom has back surgery. They are such cute kids and so very helpful.

Today I pretty much didn't do anything. I just hung out in my sweats all day. Janna, Tommy and the kids took me to Los Albertos for dinner for my birthday. I had the nachos. They were yummy. 

It's been a quiet good day. I was going to go to the Temple with Sue but the road are sheets of ice so we decided to skip and go next week. It has been so cold with the wind blowing and freezing everything. 

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my Savior. His sacrifice for me is so huge I can't even comprehend it.

Mary and Me

I made two batches of cookies this morning. One batch to freeze and one to eat. After two batches I ran out of steam. I picked up Mary and we went to Walmart this afternoon. I love hanging out with Mary. She is just so sweet and nice. We have a lot of fun laughing and having a good time.
I came home from Walmart, put my stuff away and made meatballs and rice with barbecue sweet and sour sauce. So yummy. Then I went over to the Church with Ashley so we could do the Visiting Teaching Report. It took us awhile but we eventually found the right pages.
Now I am blogging and going to bed. My head really wants my pillow.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for a friend like Mary. I am blessed to have her in my life.

Presidency Meeting

We had our presidency meeting this afternoon. All is well in the Rigby 16th Ward Relief Society. I really work with some wonderful women.
I made Chicken and Rice for dinner and took the kids to YM/YW. While I was just vegetating in my cozy house my door bell rang. It was Austin and a group of leaders and kids wanting to know if they could do anything for us. They went to the chicken coop to see if there were any eggs and went out to the barn to see the fainting goats. They also brought Tommy a Book of Mormon. Austin's idea. Pretty smart boy.
Janna went to get the kids 'cause my car is so out of gas I wasn't sure I could make it home and I keep forgetting to gas it up. Senility strikes again.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the women I work with in Relief Society. They are truly the "cream of the crop". I am blessed to have them all in my presidency.

Delivered Another Birthday Gift

I delivered another birthday gift to a sister in our ward on my way to Broulim's to get some veggies for Tommy. I also went to King's and got a new crock pot. This one has a lid that you can secure to take places. I really need that for taking meals to the families in our ward.
I also did a ton of dishes and made beans and corn bread for dinner.
I made two layouts with some Jiffy pages from Scrap Girls. So easy and fun. And I made a couple more templates.
That's been my day and now I'm off to bed.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the sisters in my ward. They receive me with a smile. I am blessed to have this calling to get to know so many wonderful sisters.

Taco Soup for The Guiterrez

 Taco Soup for The Guiterez Family

Storage Room finished by my daughter. All the blue label on the left are cans of White Wheat. Time to be making bread, lots and lots of bread.

Made Taco Soup.

Put a Turkey in the oven.

Studied my lesson some more.

Got ready for Church.

Taught my lesson. (Stress all gone)

Delivered soup after church.

Made 4 loaves of Wheat bread for the family.

Made a couple of Templates and a layout of Kathy and I making Tamales with my cousins.

Blogged again. 

Going to BED!!!

Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the comforter that gives me peace and comfort when I need it the most. I am grateful for Lorenzo Snow and his teachings. I am grateful for so many things I couldn't begin to name them all.

Storage Room Getting Shelves

 Bailee wearing her new ski outfit. She's ready for the slopes.

 The kids hauled all this food storage out of the room so Janna and Tommy could install shelves. They are such hard workers. I am blessed to have them to help me.

 This blue chair was where Tommy was supposed to be sitting while Janna did the shelves. Well, that didn't work very well. He just could not sit down and take it easy.

 

Janna getting ready to do my shelves.

Storage Room

 Her and her dad did all this in one afternoon and the kids came and helped unpack and put it back on the shelves. I LOVE my storage room. All I need are the shelves on the other side for all my white wheat and it will be all done.

That's what we accomplished today. And I worked on my lesson for tomorrow. I will be so glad when it's over. I also delivered our first birthday pot holder to a sister in the ward.

Grateful Statement: I must be grateful for my grandkids today. They are so willing to help grandma. I love them with all my heart. I am a blessed grandma of 9 of the best grandkids in the world.

Toshiba External Hard Drive

 1 TB of Scrapbooking Stuff coming up....

Today we had a heater man come and look at the heater.
Went to Los Albertos for lunch.
Made General Tao Chicken for dinner.
Went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and a sports place for ski clothes for Bailee and Austin.
Going to bed because I'm sooooo tired from organizing my scrapping stuff.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my new External Drive. I am blessed to have such nice things.

Tommy's Surgery Done

 Tommy is on his way to Surgery. Don't you love the little blue hat.

They made him eat a cracker before he could get pain meds.

I was up at 3am because I couldn't get back to sleep. We had to be at the hospital at 5:30 so we needed to leave at 5am. Now that's too early to have to go some where. They started his surgery at 8:02 and finished at 9:20. Everything went really well. They implanted 112 radiation seeds. The doctor said they were very well placed. Hopefully that will do it. We finally left the hospital at 2pm. I was so tired I could hardly drive home. I promptly laid down and took a two hour nap.

I made dinner for the family and now it's time for bed. I need my beauty sleep.

Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Dr Tall and Dr Todd that were able to do the surgery on Tommy. Heavenly Father knew we needed doctors to make us better. And I am so grateful for this wonderful man I married so many years ago. Good times and bad I have been blessed to be his wife.

Balancing my Checkbook

Foccacia Bread

I spent the morning balancing my checkbook and paying bills. Never a good experience for me. I'm just grateful that I am able to pay them. Then I worked on my lesson I have to give on Sunday. I need to just get used to doing this, but it's never easy for me. But I felt good about getting so much accomplished. I also made Foccacia Bread to go with the Pasta and Alfredo Sauce we are having for dinner.
Harley came home from school and we hurried over to Bella Mia Salon to have Amber cut our hair. I finally found a wonderful stylist that knows how to cut my hair. So that's been my day.
Tommy spent the day on a liquid diet getting ready for his procedure tomorrow. They are implanting the seeds in his prostrate. I hope all goes well. We have to be at the hospital at 5am. So early....
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my Tommy today and the trooper he is as he has to go through all this stuff. He is a brave soul and I love him dearly.

Baby Bunnies and New Years Dinner

 Harley and Grandpa found baby bunnies in the hay barn. Bailee was so excited she had to go catch one. We think they are just adorable.

 Austin eating rolls. He loves them.

 Janna carving the Ham for sandwiches.

 Bailee went back out to get a picture of both bunnies.

Animal Lover for Sure

Now this is quite the picture. Bailee holding Gizmo and eating a pomegranate. Her first one. She liked it.
We had Ham, Baked Potatoes, Homemade Rolls, Deviled Eggs and Jello Salad for New Year's Dinner. It was just our little family. Ronnie had to work so he didn't come over. I spent the day cooking and organizing all my files for scrapping. I want to get it all done before Scrapping Weekend. I made the cookie, ice cream and hot fudge dessert Amie made for us again. It is called a Pizookie. What a funny name.
And look at me blogging two days in a row. I need to keep my journal up so I'm trying to do it every night.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for my Savior. I am blessed to know and love Him. And I am truly bless that He knows and loves me, even with all my faults.