Christmas Card!

For all of you that don't get a Christmas card from me (because I am too cheap to pay postage for Everyone) here you go!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I cannot believe how long it's been since I posted!! Time seems to slip by way too fast! I do love this time of year. I love the crispness that is in the air (not sub-zero temperatures, mind you). I love the Christ centered thoughts and actions all around. I love the mysteries of the gifts. I love thinking of what I'm going to get loved ones. I love shopping for them, wrapping them and seeing them open them. I love the excitement in my childrens' eyes. I love the decorating. I love other people's decor. I love the yummy food. I just love this time of year. I don't love, however, the impatient, grouchy, irritable people that I seem to run into. I don't like the parking lot brawls that people get into over a parking space. I don't like the lines we must stand in! I don't like what all the delicious food does for my figure!
I also like reflecting on the past year. It seems so much has happened, yet I cannot recall any 1 monumental thing. Just a lot of little things. It seems since school started we cannot be rid of illness. It seems 1 of us has been sick for months now. Buddy started it with his "allergic cough." That boy coughed for a month straight! Then I had a raging case of tonsillitis. Then Buddy again. Then Lewlew, then all of us. Right now Lewlew is very sick. We just got back from the doctor and he is 90% sure she has a U.T.I. But we were unable to get a urine sample so he's not 100% sure.We're hoping to get a sample tonight and start her on meds right after that. Buddy just moves from one sickness to the next. He's seeing his doctor on Thursday and hopefully we can get some answers. But we've not had anything extremely serious and for that I am very grateful! I am grateful we've not had any major, expenses this year. I'm grateful we are happy! I am so thankful for my great family and awesome friends. I am very grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ - for His atoning sacrifice. I'm grateful for this season to remember Him more intently. (is that correct grammar???)
I also like this time of year to set goals for next year. Not "new year's resolutions." Just goals - or things I'd like to work on and/or accomplish in the coming year.
It's a busy time of year and it doesn't matter what you didn't finish today, it will be there tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. And it doesn't matter if we're ready or not, Christmas will be on December 25 and New Year's on January 1.
On that note - Merry Christmas!!

A Story of a Girl and Her Teeth - or Lack Thereof

When Lewlew started losing teeth, she REALLY lost some teeth!



She lost this one (her upper right) biting into a corn dog on 11/12/11

 

She lost this one (her lower right) eating chicken on 11/21/11.



Bret and I pulled this one (her upper left) with pliers as she slept on 11/30/11. Don't worry, it woke her up and it bled more than the other two. But the next morning her memory was fuzzy because I said she lost it in her sleep and she looked at me funny but didn't say anything.



Happy Birthday Lewlew!!!

At approximately 7:25 this morning Lewlew turned 6 years old. I cannot believe my baby is 6!! She is in Kindergarten and loves it!!! She loves learning and playing with friends. Her newest love is reading. It's crazy to me how much she can read! Her favorite color is purple and loves to eat pizza, chicken nuggets and "Panda chicken". She has such a language of her own. "Chicken noodle soup" is really the gravy we put on Hawaiian Haystacks. "Frenchie frenchie on your chicken" is really fried chicken. The "Orange store" is really Maceys. She loves her brother and sister, she loves her dad, but she is still her mom's girl and I am ok with that!!
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl. I love you tons and tons!!!!

Home Grown

On a complete side note - today is 11-11-11.

 These are the pumpkins we pulled out of our garden. Notice the one on the right is a tiny bit flat. That's because we didn't rotate it properly - whatever that means! Actually none of them are very "great" looking but they sure got big! These are the biggest we've had. No, we didn't carve them. Are you kidding. That would have taken hours and that just isn't our thing - taking hours isn't our thing.

              I ordered this cute little pumpkin decoration. It sure was easier than carving the messy things!

Family Get-together

So close to the middle of September, Mister's family had a family barbecue picnic at a nearby "park." We had the usual stuff - hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, salads etc. It was great! After dinner some of us visited, some played. A few played some games of Hillbilly Golf. This is a game that Mister's Dad made himself and it's always a hit.

The idea is go get your sets of balls to wrap around one of the rungs on this ladder thing. Each rung is worth different points. I think the top rung is 1 point, middle is 2 points and bottom is 3. So this score would be 6. The first player or team to reach a pre-determined score (usually 15) wins.

                                                 Aunt Gina is winding up for her first throw!

Lewlew gets her turn - but she gets to stand a little closer. It always helps if you have your hand on your hip. Kylie and Katie are taking notes!

                                                Meanwhile Noodle and Zach play La crosse.

                                                    Zach is on a team and he's quite good!

             Some of them liked to show us how flexible they are. Way to go Maddie. Enjoy it while you can!

And then there's Lewlew who just "wanted to look at the sky." So dang cute!

 The best part was the Smore's - and oh my goodness were they delicious! Most of the family made their Smore's the "normal" way. But this is how I love them! I've talked before about this little bites of heaven! Good thing there were only 4 cookies left or I would have eaten more!



1st Annual Tuphloha Labor Day Softball Game

On Labor Day, we got together with some friends and had a little barbecue and softball game. It was SO much fun! Can't wait to do it next Labor Day!

Here is Bestie showing her stuff!



It's time for Noodle to hit a home run!



Meanwhile in the outfield...

 This girl was amazing! You can tell just by looking at her that she's going to hit and hit far - and she did!

                                                     This little guy was quite the player!

            Buddy smacks the ball. Mister is standing by giving advise and my good friend is playing catcher!

                                                                 It's Lewlew's turn!

                                            Now it's time for Mr. Muscle's to give it a shot!

 Here's another one of my good friends. She's the mom of the other kids. She's awesome!

                                                            Bestie pitched for a while.

                                                   Don't worry - this was a home run!

                                                    Tay is ready - using the wrong bat!

   This guy popped a good one. He also pitched for a while. He's married to the girl who is the mom of the other kids - so that make him their dad!

 Yep this one was a goner!

Here's a cutie ready to hit the ball!

We all had such a great time. It was so fun to ge together with great people for food and games. There was also no shortage of laughter. We are blessed to be surrounded by amazing people! Love you all!!!

Nature's Beauty

Just one of the reason's I love it here.

The Things They Say...

I have to post this and then I'll post what we've been doing the past month!

I started to open the hood of the van yesterday and Noodle got all interested and came over for a look. She looked at the motor, stood back, put her hands on her hips and with such an all knowing adult voice she said, "Nice utters." I had to sit down, I was laughing so hard. I'm not sure what show she as seen, but I think she was meaning to say "Nice Rutters" but I'm not even sure about that. When I told her what utters were, she was grossed out. Clearly that was NOT what she meant to say!

After the "utter" comment we went to a local pharmacy where there is a blood pressure machine. I allow my kids 1 turn each, even though the sign says "Not for use by children." After Buddy and Noodle had their turns, Lewlew looks at me and says, "I wanna try the love pressure." Had to sit down for that one too!

Where do they come up with these things!

Sassy Lu's

My friend told me about this blog. Click here to view it and enter to win FREE giveaways!

Fruits of our Elbow Greese!

This is from just 1 picking of our garden. I'm impressed! The garden work worked out well this year. Every week the kids and I weeded our garden. There wasn't even much complaining. We knew that every Tuesday morning we'd be up early and weed until it was done. Because of my new best friend (you're still my best BEST, Bestie) Preen we didn't have tons and tons! So sometimes I made up things for us to do if weeding didn't take long enough. All in all, I can't complain.

So after having all of these tomatoes I decided to bottle them. They'll be good in recipe's this winter! Noodle donned her apron (or my apron) and jumped right in. She wanted to do every step of the process - at least once. Although cutting the tomatoes wasn't her forte'!

1st Day of School 2011

Buddy and Noodle started school on Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011, and they were nervous. This year they are attending a new school so they didn't know anyone. But they were ready! The day didn't turn out quite as I expected. The week didn't turn out as I expected. Actually so far, this school year hasn't turned out as I expected. But then, that's life.

Buddy is 10 and is in 5th grade. When he got home from school, we both had a talk. He didn't want to change. Change school, change summer routine, change anything. It was a very hard day for him. Tears came to my already wet eyes and when he finally could take no more, he broke down and said, "I've been wanting to do this all day." Then I cried harder. Then he asked why I was crying. I couldn't answer. Because my son is hurting and my heart is breaking. Because there is nothing I can do to make this easier. Because if I could I would take his place. Because I love him so incredibly much. Instead I just shrugged my shoulders. When we were done, I talked to him some more and told him how important change was and how it would get better and before he knew it, he would love the new school. Then I prayed with all my might that what I said was true.

Noodle is 8 and is in 3rd grade. Mister went with me to take the kids on their first day at a new school. So he chose to take Buddy to his designated line-up and I took Noodle. We were just a couple minutes early so I just stood back and let her stand in line by herself. Every so often she'd look back at me and wave or give me a thumbs up or the "I love you" sign. At one time when she looked at me, I saw her as 6 months old, sitting in her saucer, smiling her toothless smile. It was like those movies where the parents have a flashback as their kid is getting married or graduating or something. It totally happened to me. I have to admit, I got a little teary eyed. I was so glad I have sunglasses on. I would never want her to see me crying or it would make it tons harder on her. But for just one brief moment, I was transported back in time. How could 8 years have gone by so quickly?

 This is Lewlew on Buddy and Noodle's first day. She doesn't start for 1 more week. Notice her outfit. The strips are actually "spirit sleeves" that she insisted on wearing. Not sure why she's wearing boots - it felt like it was 105. She promptly took them off when we got home.

This is Lewlew on her first day of Kindergarten; she's 5. She didn't get to go on the first day of kindergarten because she was sick, so her first day was really the second day of kindergarten. She's super excited! I on the other hand was not quite so excited. My baby is in kindergarten and she's not supposed to be my baby! It's like the end of an era. Only 2 or 3 tears were shed, but the feeling lasted a whole lot longer. (Maybe forever - I'll have to get back to you on that one!) Just yesterday she was small enough for me to carry. And last week she was still a baby. How can she possibly be 5 and going to kindergarten? Give me just a moment...WAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

This is all for now....

Water fun!

A few weeks ago, we went to the Living Planet Aquarium. The kids had a blast!

First stop: Stingrays! Buddy and Noodle each pet them several times. We got there right before their afternoon snack so they were really active. (The stingray's snack, not the kids' :) Many times, the rays would come up on the side of the pool looking for food and getting pet instead. It was great. We played in the water for at least 1/2 hour.

 Lewlew was content to just watch. She was having NO part in the petting.

Then we went to see my grandma. She's great! Her husband died a few months ago and but she seems to be doing well - staying busy - that's nothing new!

A couple of days later, we met Bestie in the Riverwoods for lunch. They had water shooters and the kids had a great time playing in the water.

Our last adventure before school starts. This was on a Friday and school started the following Tuesday! More on that later.

Know Your Onions...

I received the following information in an email a few days ago. I'm not sure what to think of it. I've never received food poisoning, much less from onions, but it is an interesting read. Please note: none of the following (in italics) is me talking. I actually don't know who is talking.

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people, there was a Doctor that visited many farmers to see if he could help them combat this flu, as many of the farmers and their families had contracted it and many had died. The doctor came upon this one farmer and, to his surprise, everyone in his family was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different, the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She obliged and when he tested it, he found that the onion was riddled with flu virus. It had obviously absorbed the bacteria and therefore, kept the family healthy.


I heard this story from my hairdresser: she said that several years ago, many of her employees were coming down with the flu and also many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop and, to her surprise, none of her staff got sick (and no, she is not in the onion business).


So the sensible answer would seem to be, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office (under your desk or even a windowsill). Try it and see what happens. We did it last year and none of us contracted the flu. if this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case..

Whatever, what have you to lose? Just a few pennies on onions!!


Now there is a P.S. to this, for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions: "Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmers story, but I do remember that I contracted pneumonia and,needless to say, I was very ill. I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion, put one end on a fork and then place the forked end into an empty jar, placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs. Sure enough, it happened just like that.. the onion was a mess and I began to feel better.


Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago.They have powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties."


Here is another point: LEFT OVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS!!


I have often used an onion which has been left in the fridge and sometimes don't use a whole one at a time and so save the other half for later. Now with this information, I have changed my habits and buy smaller onions!


I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products,makers of mayonnaise. Mullins is huge and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters of the Mullins family. My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO. Questions about food poisoning came up and I wanted to share what I'd learned from a chemist.The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed. Ed is one of the brothers and a chemistry expert who is involved in developing most of the sauce formula. He's even developed a sauce formula for McDonald's. Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz.During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise.. people are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you, as he said that all commercially made Mayo is completely safe. "It doesn't even have to be refrigerated- there's no harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary", he explained. He said that the pH in mayonnaise is set at an environmental point that bacteria could not survive in and he then talked about the quintessential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick. Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the victim last ate onions and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says that it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's
not homemade Mayo) that spoils in the outdoors, it's the onions and/or the potatoes (ever seen a potato go black? Thought so..) He explained that onions are a huge magnet for bacteria,especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion and he says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator, it's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and exposed to the air for a while and can be a real danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you have put in your hot dogs and burgers at the vendors!).. Ed says that if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be OK, but if you slice that leftover onion and put it on your sandwich, then you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will take to even begin breaking down.

Take it for what you will. I (the author) am going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist.


And another point: dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions.




Please remember it is dangerous to cut onions to cook the next day. They become highly poisonous even if just left overnight and create toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning.

Ok, it's me talking now. I have to say I have never had food posioning or any problems with onions - that I know of. So I sorta wanna discount this as "it won't happen to me." But it does make me think... So what do you think????  Leave a comment and let me know...

To cut or not? That is the question....

So my mom and I were talking about how hot hair is and she said something like, "I can't believe Lewlew doesn't wear hers up more in the summer." And then I said something like, "She just doesn't want the hassle." Then my mom said, "We should cut it." So I asked Lewlew if we should cut her hair. She said yes. So last night I was looking at pictures of her with her hair shorter trying to decide what length I should cut it. Yep, I said I should cut it. What do you think? Keep it long???

Or cut it short?

It actually ended up shorter in the back. More like an A-line cut. And she parts it on the side. She can't stop looking at herself in the mirror - I think she likes it!

Grandma's Quilt

Since I didn't make this, I can post this pic on this blog instead of my Brag Blog.

My grandma pieced this quilt YEARS ago. I'm pretty sure she didn't cut all of these pieces out. I'm pretty sure she ordered the kit and then sewed it together.

I'm also pretty sure she didn't hand quilt it all by herself. I'm pretty sure she helped her friend Mavis quit it - although I'm not sure how many others helped. Mavis would put up a quilt in her living room and quilt for hours. If you helped her with hers, then she'd help you with yours. I really have no idea how much, if anything, my grandma paid her.
Note: the quilting is on both sides of each seam.

It really is a beautiful quilt - even if it's not my favorite colors. The stitching is gorgeous! I can't imagine how many hours it took to quilt this king size quilt. I don't think I could do it - I don't have the patience for hand quiting. But I'm glad to have this one...

Awards!!

For August's Pack meeting, Buddy received 9 award pins, a compass badge, and 2 compass points! This kid's amazing!


He only has 3 more pins and he'll have all 20. According to his Cub Master receiving all 20 doesn't happen very often. 2 of the 3 he'll get quite easily before the next pack meeting. The last one is the Aquanaut. It's going to take some work but we'll be able to get it I'm sure! In October he'll be awarded his "Arrow of Light." This is one of the only badges that you can wear on your Boy Scout Uniform. He's really doing well and is enjoying it! (It must be in his blood!)