What I did tonight

What a fun date with my daughter - a small concert with David Archuleta (her first love)!

Shock and awe when we told her. Anticipation. Giddiness. Satisfaction that he was so nice. Giddiness. Happy dreams when she came home and went to bed. All kinds of joy when telling all her friends tomorrow!

*Thanks to my friend Bil for an amazing favor for my daughter!!

It finally happened

Have you ever had something happen that you've long feared or worried about? Well, I have. It happened yesterday, and I survived.

As many of you may know, I've always feared earwigs. I didn't like them as a little girl, then I saw "The Wrath of Khan" and it sealed the deal. (Note: I know that bug probably wasn't really a giant earwig, but it sure seemed that way! And I've always been afraid of them crawling in my ear. Why else would they call them EAR wigs?????)

Anyway, every time I do vegetables from the garden, I am on high earwig alert. Somehow today I was distracted by the chard. Next thing you know, I felt a pinch on my hand. When I looked, there was the offending earwig securely attached to my palm. They really do pinch and hang on!!!!! Knowing I had to exert some self-discipline so as not to encourage phobias in my sensitive children, I contained all screaming in my head. I did shake my hand a little freakishly, though, till I got him to release. Then I killed him!

After calling Dale for some adult sympathy, I finished the vegetables and knew I was just a little stronger than I thought I was before. (And the truth is that it really didn't hurt that bad or for that long. Just so you know.)

If any of you have had a similar "I've always feared..." experience, please feel free to share it here, or at least call me for heartfelt sympathy!!!

If You Give your Son a Job....

If you give your son a job to sweep the sunroom...

You might feel the need to check on him.

If you go in the sunroom yourself to do the checking...

You might notice that the plants need watering.

If you water the plants and the water all overflows due to rootbound plants...

You might think you should repot the shamrocks.

If you get out the stuff to repot the shamrocks...

You might decide that you might as well repot every single plant in the sunroom (even the gigantic ones!)

If you finish hours later with all the newly potted plants...

You might think you need to clean up the mess.

If you use rags and towels to clean up the mess...

You might decide you should throw a load of rags into the washer.

If you put the rags in the washer...

You might realize how dirty the washer is and start wiping it off (with a rag you want to add to the load.)

If you wash off the washing machine...

You might start wiping off the dryer.

If you wipe it in the right place...

You might see that there is cat pee down the side of it.

If you want to wash off the cat pee...

You might decide you have to pull out the washer and dryer and clean the floor under them while you're at it.

If you pull out the dryer far enough...

You might discover a dead - and decaying - mouse under the dryer.

If you don't gag while cleaning it up...

You might realize you were right that the laundry room has been particularly stinky lately.

If you realize the real source of the house stink...

You might now know the source was not just your stinky teenage son.

If you remember you have a stinky teenage son...

You might just give him a job to sweep.........

Happy 5th of July!!!

Our Favorite Chocolate

(blog hijacking in progress)

Our journey to the dark side (of chocolate) is complete. Way complete. And Amano Artisan Chocolate is Cheryl's and my favorite. Amano is sponsoring a couple of contests wherein the winners receive a year's supply of chocolate. I'd rather have that than an iPad - that's how much I like it. In the Guess the Origin Contest you attempt to guess the country of origin of the cocoa beans that Amano used to make their newest chocolate. In the other contest called, "Promote Amano's Guess the Origin Contest", you just have to blog about the Guess the Origin Contest and fill out an online form. That's what I'm doing and I'm doing it with Cheryl's blog because I don't have one of my own. She'll understand. -- Dale out.

I'm a little sore today

I'm a little sore today from exercising muscles that don't normally get exercised. Thanks to my friend Marsha for introducing me to another fun experience in my life! She is an avid golfer. For years she's said I should learn. I've never had a burning desire to be a killer golfer, but I have often wanted to try for the sake of having the experience - that's what I'm all about, right?

So, to the driving range we went. I have a newfound respect for golfers. It's hard! I somehow had this image that it was a rather leisurely sport. But for a novice like me, there were an awful lot of things to think about:

Which club am I using? Are my feet in the right place? How straight is my arm? Is my elbow too close to my body? Did I follow through?

And who knew about all the science behind the shape and length of the clubs!

Clearly I have some practicing to do before we really hit the course, but I am beginning to see the attraction. I get how enjoyable it could be to walk around outside in the sunshine, enjoying the views and chatting with your friends. I'll see if I can learn to hit the ball well enough to at least give it a try. I'll put my muscles on notice!

Completely Plagiarized Blog

Earlier this week, I got to go on a road trip with my cute niece Jessica to visit my mom in southern Utah as well as do a little business. As is common, I forgot my camera. That was sad 'cause she brought along one very, very cute baby! And, I did a rare craft project then had no way to show it off. Fortunately, Jessica had hers. When she posted her cute blog entry, there was no question about whether or not I should just cut and paste it. Hope you don't mind, Jessica! (Besides, isn't copying a form of flattery???)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

A trip to see G & G Witzke....

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This week, James, and I ventured down to Southern Utah to visit his great grandparents in their new Casa.

We went on a little shopping spree for a few decorating odds and ends. James probably thinks his second home is the Home Depot. He has spent more time there than in his nursery:) We took a little Applebee's break to get refueled before we braved the feisty crafters at Robert's.

We decided to do a little DIY project for a blank wall in her sewing room. This was the inspiration for our artwork.

We applied scrapbook paper (.60 cents) to craft board ($4 each) with a little Mod Podge.

Cost: about $20.00!

Voila, the finished product.

(P.S. Thanks for teaching me to Mod Podge Aunt Cheryl..you have fulfilled a dream of mine;)

James decked out in a teddy bear ensemble my grandparents gave him.

It was so good to see you Grandma and Grandpa Witzke, we love your new pad! Love you lots!

XOXO,

Jessica and James.

Mature Young Men

I saw an interesting demonstration today on how young men develop. It was a function of our Sacrament meeting at church today.

[Allow me to interrupt for a moment and provide some quick lessons on LDS meetings and practices for my blog readers who are not familiar with them. #1 The Sacrament is administered by teenage young men. The 14/15 year olds prepare it before church, the 16-18 year olds administer the prayers to bless the bread and water, and the 12/13 year olds pass it to the congregation. #2 In lieu of a preacher who delivers a sermon each week, the speakers for each Sunday meeting are members of the congregation. #3 Many young men choose to serve a volunteer mission for the church at the age of 19. They serve in some location away from home and family for a total of 2 years which means they return at the age of 21.]

We had an unusually large congregation at church today. One of the speakers was a young man who's leaving this week to serve a Spanish-speaking mission in Portland. Another speaker was a young man who just returned this last week from a mission in California. They both had a ton of family and friends in attendance. The number of people attending was 1 1/2 to 2 times what we normally see.

It was interesting to sit back and watch the young 12/13 year old boys passing the sacrament. They were clearly facing an unusual situation. They handled it beautifully. There were no adults telling them what to do, they were well prepared, and they managed the large crowds very well. I couldn't help but think how neat it was to see these boys showing leadership and maturity when so often we simply don't expect that kind of maturity from 12 year olds.

The first speaker today was a 15 year old boy who spoke about the importance to each of us to read and study the scriptures. He did an impressive job at public speaking (before a large crowd), and he had solid, interesting information to present. Again, it's not exactly what the rest of the world sees in 15 year olds.

The next speaker was the 19 year old leaving on a mission. He was a little awkward at times, but he was very sincere. He joked a little with his friends who were there to support him. He taught some doctrine by making a reference to a scene from the movie 'Avatar.' But he spoke of his excitement to go help other people for the next 2 years. What an awesome commitment from a 19 year old. I know that's not what many boys his age are thinking of.

The final speaker was the 21 year old young man who just returned from a mission. He was articulate and he spoke with conviction. With all due respect to the 19 year old who had just spoken, he showed how much growth he had experienced in the last 2 years. And he still had all his friends there waiting to welcome him home. They hadn't all gone off and left him while he was gone. He was happy he'd gone and happy to be home.

Essentially, in one hour's time, I was able to see the life cycle of an LDS teenage boy. It was so fun to see. There was a huge difference between the 12 year olds and the 21 year old. And you could see the landmarks with each boy of a different age. But each age group had their strengths, and they showed how much young people are capable of if we just believe in them and give them a chance. When we expect that they can take on responsibilities and that they can be leaders, they respond to that. I see it in those I don't know as well, and I see it in my own son. And yet, they all bring their own age-appropriate awkwardness, quirkiness, and fun to what they are doing as well. It was good to see it all around.

Thanks, boys, for showing me such an awesome display today!