Crazy Without My Vacuum

I once told Dee that I could handle ANYTHING, as long as I have my washing machine and my vacuum. I have six kids...four of them are boys...very active boys. My life revolved around either sucking it up, or putting it in the washer. I have sucked up many a scorpion, dirt, sand, dish soap (do not ask...It was when Ethan was very young, and it seemed like a good idea to use our old central vacuum to clean up a mess...it was a good idea until soap bubbles came pouring out all the wall sockets!), beads, jelly beans, hard boiled eggs (there again, the boys were having too much fun, and when I checked, they were putting hard boiled eggs in their oscillating fan and shooting them all over their bedroom.) As long as I can vacuum it up, nothing was to tough to face.
Move forward to this morning. I was happily vacuuming, when I smelled that awful "the belt is burning" smell, and my beater bar in my old kirby vacuum has bitten the dust, so to speak. I feel a bit lost, but my knight in shining armor is stopping at the vacuum store on the way home to replace my old beater bar with a shiny new one! I feel so...well, how do I spell relief? V A C U U M!!

A Meal To Remember

I have a husband that is soooo talented!! He can do just about everything (except nurse a baby...and I did, at one point when I was so exhausted from many sleepless nights, think that the Lord couldn't possibly have placed the appropriate items on a man's chest just for looks!!)One of his many talents is cooking Chinese Food. He can make just about anything...Kung Pao is something he has become very proficient at. I just love his Hunan Chicken! And, yesterday, he took our snow pea garden bounty (yes, we actually have grown snow peas, and are picking quite a few of them each day, and when you plant something in your garden that costs a lot in the stores, it sure seems like you save money!)and made Beef and Snow Peas. Now, I am not a beef eater, but I did sneak some snow peas, and they tasted just fantastic...fresh from the garden and then stir fried to perfection with the best sauce...I am so lucky!!!

It's Something That We Do

I have always felt that when we are given the opportunity to speak in Sacrament Meeting, we are not speaking "for a good performance" or "for praise of the world", but we are being a tool in our Heavenly Father's hands to answer the needs of someone listening. I have been wondering what "changes" in a marriage, why the "more experienced" couples that I see photos of don't look the same way that engagement and wedding photos with new young couples look. Now, I know we change as we age, but the love grows...so why doesn't it always show? I have heard wonderful reasons, great explanations, and have come to many conclusions myself, but not until today, as Dave Simonson spoke of Pure Testimony - the doing part of living the Gospel - and shared the lyrics of this Clint Black song did I see what that love, while not always in the eyes, in the smiles, shows, but in another place...deeply in the hearts of those who are blessed to share eternity with someone. Here are the lyrics to "Something That We Do".

I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
I still believe the words we said
Forever will ring true
Love is certain, love is kind
Love is yours and love is mine
But it isn't something that we find
It's something that we do
It's holding tight, lettin' go
It's flying high and laying low
Let your strongest feelings show
And your weakness, too
It's a little and a lot to ask
An endless and a welcome task
Love isn't something that we have
It's something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can't tell where I end and where you start
It gives me heart remembering how
We started with a simple vow
There's so much to look back on now
Still it feels brand-new
We're on a road that has no end
And each day we begin again
Love's not just something that we're in
It's something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can't tell where I end and where you start
Love is wide, love is long
Love is deep and love is strong
Love is why I love this song
And I hope you love it too
I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
Love isn't just those words we said
It's something that we do
There's no request too big or small
We give ourselves, we give our all
Love isn't someplace that we fall
It's something that we do

Weekly Update for Jan 18-24

Another week under our belts, so to speak. Whether we progressed or not is up to you. Here's what went on...
Dee - At work, good progress made on all projects. His presentation on the Belgium transition went very well, and he endured another week of an "echo-ey" India meeting (he's asked for a rug to be put in the room - to decrease the echo- for months...Can't anyone find a rug in India?)It was his turn to feed the engineers for the weekly engineering breakfast. I made banana muffins and cranberry muffins, we had fresh eggs (go chickens!), tortillas and fresh salsa (it wasn't too hot after all!),fresh sqeezed orange and grapefruit (go trees!) and then he also brought some of his famous pulled pork (go...well, we don't have a pig, but we have a good smoker and I have a good rub recipe!)On our projects, he finished setting the granite for the outdoor kitchen...next week begins the polishing!He is still searching for engine parts...not many on the market this week! Did a quick hike on Saturday to prep for the 11 year old scouts map and compass hike.

Suzzy-I drove, and drove, and drove...to North Pointe, to Glendale College and back again over and over and over. As earlier posted,I made salsa, molten at first, but toned down just fine...for some anyway. I also got this boatload of bananas for four bucks, so I made banana muffins, banana bread, and worked to freeze the rest for future treats. Did more pantry organizaion - more containers for herbs, spices, etc. and some gluten for bread making (now I have to become proficient at it, as I have all the ingredients,etc. but lack the skill!!) On projects, I completed painting the stucco on the outside of the lower courtyard and now am working on the inner courtyard. I also finished the sixth Harry Potter...soooo good!

Kayty-started second sememster at Glendale Community College. Loved ALL her classes! Especially likes her hour long private voice lesson and her piano class, though she was not too happy that her first solo piece for her diction class is in French. Got to party at Party City an extra few days -coworker has pneumonia. Went to Friday forum at the Institute, and went to a Single Adult Skating Party last night.

Nathan-busy week. Football weight workouts, school - good grades still (still on principals list), speech team practice- memorize and memorize speech-for tournament yesterday. It was his first time to compete. Didn't win or anything, forgot part of his speech once, but did better each time, so we were just so pleased he got to compete! Also went with church young men to "Speed Street" and had a great time. Worked on truck engine...deliveries of racing cam and gaskets were a real hit!

That's it...Next week, more granite, more painting, more motor work, maybe some welding, Kayty's first women's choir practice...the fun never stops!

Salsa-ed Out!

I don't know what happens to me. Maybe it's all the blogs I read from many talented men and women who grow, can, dehydrate, store, etc. food. Maybe it's the "Molly Mormon" in me...trying to use resources and make better than the store can. Anyway, when my Bountiful Basket order came, tomatoes were offered, as well as extra veggies especially used for salsa. I was inspired, so I ordered. I picked up the food Saturday, and figured to start yesterday. First, I was going to can the salsa, but I decided that I really needed to have a "safe" recipe to use, so I just found a recipe and set out on my quest: homemade salsa.

I first stopped at Food City after Nate's school non-football workout, and got roasted chilis, jalapenos, cilantro, etc. Great price and chilis were still warm! I then spent hours peeling and chopping tomatoes, chilis, cilantro (thank goodness I didn't have to chop onions...with my hubby and his severe onion allergy, that made it easier, though recipe finding was hard!) I mixed the first batch. I wanted Nate's full critique (I can't eat ANYTHING hot anymore...too bad.) He said it was great, but too chunky, so I put it in the food processor. He loved it. I made another batch, and another batch. (I neglected to notice that he was downing milk like a baby!) Finally, he thought it was too hot. I decreased chilis, omitted jalapeno. Dee got home and tried it. Loved it, but later again, he was taking anti-acids. Still too hot! (And Dee loves hot things!!)I stirred in crushed tomatoes before jarring it and putting it in the fridge outside. I have many large jars of molten salsa! I don't think I am going to try that again... A full day of work, and nothing too eat. Looks great, smells great, but fries your tongue to smithereens!! So much for "Molly Mormon", or should I say, "Senora Molita Mormona"!

What's Been Up

I love Google Reader...I get updates from all the wonderful people whose blogs I follow. I eagerly look, especially, for word from my dear Las Vegas family. I check and check, and sometimes wonder what they are doing when I don't hear! Silly me...with two busy, sweet wonderful kiddos, I just can't figure why Mommy doesn't just stop and write!!(I am truly being facetious). Anyway, then I look and I just go over the big things, not the everyday things (plus, I want to include pics and sometimes that just isn't possible!)...So, since Dee is at meetings before Church on Sunday, maybe this is my chance for a quick update.

Dee: Busy week at work. Given two new projects on top of the many others he is doing. Transition from Belgium is finally working on its own. Meeting with India uneventful. Progress on back yard - cut most of the granite for the counter top on outdoor kitchen. Also found exterior paint (hooray for Craigslist!) so I can paint the stucco in lower courtyard.Progress on 1960 Panel Truck-still looking for engine parts, i.e. aluminum heads, and desperately trying to spend very little more money. Starter in the Jeep went out on Thursday (I had to cancel my cub scout meeting 10 minutes before so I could help him.) So very glad Dee can fix ANYTHING, and so we got the part at AutoZone - still under warranty, so saved over 150 dollars - and got it all put together tht night. Went with Nathan on church scout trip in Flagstaff.

Suzzy: Got back to regular cleaning schedule (hopelessly OCD!)Cooked up various meals with the round steak that was on sale that Dee overbought (Never send him to Safeway with round steak on sale and ask for just three...thought that meant three packages=7 round steaks!)Exercised, ran, hiked with friends from Church on Wednesday, got my haircut (first since September), got Nathan to weightlifting on Thursday and Friday at school at 6 a.m. Organized my family photos, ordered missing ones, put in files and am now ready to catch up family scrapbook (I am at the end of May now!),continued work organizing pantry, got more seasonings, etc. ordered for years supply. Finally decided that I should get that plaid red, tan and navy plaid fabric on ebay...playroom gets my patriotic touch, and our bedroom will get repainted (I never finished the red anyway)and will now be my favorite sage green. SOMEDAY, our bathroom with get the same green paint, and will have slate floors and a snail shower!Cubbies had to cancel, but excited for next week: Pack Meeting.

Kayty: Last week of rest before college starts next week, sooooo that means she slept and slept and slept. It doesnt really bother me...I can work and she just sleeps right through, but her room....let's just say, it has a lovely ceiling! Boy, what is going to happen in there next week if she doesn't clean it on MOnday...listen for piercing screams. Worked at Party City...bought stuff on sale at Party City (I swear, the executives have figured out that the more she works, the more she spends!!!Keeps that corporation in business, I dare say!)Planned a birthday party for herself (she loves to have her friends and family over for a party)Got her few college books picked up (over $200 for 3 books...can you believe it!)Slept and watched movies and texted in her spare time.

Nathan: Turned 16...so, talked on the phone, and talked on the phone, and talked on the phone!!! Went to football training on Thurs and Fri, went to speech team practice every day after school. Progress on 1960 Ford Pickup-worked on engine, got on Craigslist, asked tons and tons of questions. Built "sled" with guys at church and attended the three stake Ididarod in Flagstaff. Though they took no first place in any individual event, they ended up doing so well in all events that they won! So very exciting!! Our ward gets to keep the trophy for a year! Will be interviewed by bishop today so that he can be advanced in the Aaronic Priesthood to the office of a Priest (he will be able to bless the Sacrament then)

Not so happy things this week: Kayty's A1C - 7.3...so hard with Halloween, Christmas, and sales...better luck in March!; Adam and his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day - so glad that your Mommy and Daddy are there to take the sad away and make a happy picnic and bike ride!; Nathan truck parts-sometimes people are so eager to sell that they neglect to give all the info. needed - so we sell the rockers to a fully informed buyer, and then get the right ones!

Miracles this week: Jocylyn, born to Kelli and Patrick - welcome to the world and to the wonderful Wilkins family; Gracie and no cast - no break, just a sprain...prayers are answered!; flight 1549 - landed with No deaths!

Laura Bush Wannabe

I just love Laura Bush's hairdo. To me, it is what I want my hair to look like. It looks well groomed, yet not time consuming, and it will work with my very thin, very fine, stock straight hair. Every time I go to get my hair cut, I pull out my picture of Laura Bush that I carry in a baggie in my wallet. Now, mind you, I do not carry a picture of ANYONE else in my purse/wallet...not even my sweet grandbabies. Well, my hair is too long, and driving me nuts, so I called and made an appointment with Terri at Mario's (she has cut my hair for a long time). She doesn't know me by name, but when I said I was the Laura Bush lady, she laughed, and said she would put down "Laura Bush" in the appointment book for tomorrow. So, I will be Laura Bush...I guess I have finally made it!