The Challenge

It has taken me 2 weeks to be brave enough to take this challenge from Lovely Lindsey . It was a bit difficult for me (as it seemed to be for all of you) because I believe it is so hard to toot our own horns. I wonder if I would find it easier to toot my own horn if I was consistantly busy tooting other's horns for them too? It's a thought.

Although I do compliment others for their talents on occasion, I believe that I should do it more, more, MORE so that those are the thoughts that are constant in my head instead of some other ones that are running around in there. So, in keeping with that thought, good job those of you who did the challenge! I am so proud of you!

Anyway, here it goes for me:

5 things I like about me:

1) I like my blue eyes. They are dark and sparkle in times of shear joy and even when I use my "angry eyes". One time, I even tried to get them to be even darker! I wear contacts anyway, so I decided that I might as well get some colored contacts. I went to the optometrist to get some dark blue colored contacts, but after trying a bunch on they came to the conclusion that they didn't have ones dark enough to make much of a noticeable difference on my eyeballs. It made me feel great just like the time when Mike had to get a tooth replaced in the front and they had a tough time matching the "white" of his enamel. And he doesn't even use tooth whiteners!

Natural blue eyes that man-made stuff had a tough time improving on - Bully for my peepers!

2) I like my hair. Of course, I LOVE THE COLOR OF MY HAIR because it comes from a bottle (there is no red in my hair naturally), but I love that my hair has always been something I have loved on me. Whatever style I invoke on it (yes, even that "look" in the 80's WAS considered style) it continues to work for me. I still have bad hair days especially when I REALLY need to see Sonya to tame the uprising of the hair follicles (see you Tuesday, Sonya), but most of the time my hair works for me in anyway I ask it to. It has always been soft and touchable. OK, not so touchable in the Permed 80's look, unless you like a CRUNCHY sort of feel, but it works for me!

3) I like that I can fix stuff. Even though I am definitely NOT a deep thinker, I can fix stuff. I can fix lots of plumbing problems, some computer problems, the budget (although, sometimes that does require deep thinking), I can install light fixtures, I can even program my VCR, etc.

I know that all this might not sound so very impressive, but I like the fact that I don't always have to wait to have Mike help me fix something. The exception is when I really need that extra muscle on a project and we ALL know that Mike has the extra muscle for me to utilize!

I can look at a project or (I know this sounds foreign to some men) read directions and get what needs to be done DONE.

4) I like that I am organized. Maybe my organizational system is a little confusing to some people, but I love that someone can ask me where something is and I can say, "Try on the left hand bottom shelf about 1/3 of the way in from the right" and they can find exactly what they were looking for. Maybe this is just a woman thing. I constantly tease family members when they can't find something and say, "Where you looking for it like a man or did you look like a woman?"

I know for a fact that my organizational abilities have crippled some in my family. They choose not to expend the effort in finding things themselves because it is so easy to be lead right to it by me. In fact, Mike (on occasion) after "looking" for something himself comes to me and says, "I swear I tried to look for it like a woman, not a man, but I still can't find it!"

5) I think I'm funny. OK, I might be the only laughing, but sometimes I am so dang clever! My goal is to never offend, but to bring a little humor to the conversation. Now I'm sure that when I am dying and my life is passing before my eyes, I will know I probably DIDN'T reach this goal, but for now HUMMMM. I can be witty and enjoy myself with others all while looking a little goofy. I mean not Jenny McCarthy funny, but I can hang.

I did have at least one other thing "I LIKE ABOUT ME", but I am not nearly as brave as the movie queen is to write it out loud, BUT I DO! Oh yeah, I am proportioned! Lucky me!

That was refreshing. I am sure that the girl in the mirror thinks so too. She too often gets trashed on a daily basis (maybe even more often than that.) I think because I did this list I might be able to look her in the eye today and smile - and really mean it!

Thanks Lindsey for the Challenge!

Exploding Boxes Measurements

I had such a great time last night at Kristen's house with all you girls! Thanks for being my guinea pigs for teaching this craft. I am feeling much more confident now!

Thanks for being such a great hostess, Kristen! The PB M & M's were delish! About the Diet Coke though....... :)

I told all my fellow "Papering With A Purpose" girlfriends that I would put the measurements for the cuts for the Exploding Boxes on the blog, so here it goes!

The first layer (that creates the outside walls of the box):
(4) 5X6 inch cuts (score the bottom 1 inch of each of these)
(2) 5X5 inch cuts (all from the same, or coordinating paper)

(4) 4X5 inch cuts (score the bottom 1 inch of each of these)
(1) 4X4 inch cut (this is for the middle layer)

(4) 3X4 inch cuts (score the bottom 1 inch of each of these)
(1) 3X3 inch cut (for the center of the box layer)

(1) 7X7 inch square (for the lid) (score 7/8 inch around all 4 sides of this paper)

Let me know if you need anything else!

Losing 7% never felt so good!

Today was the last day for the challenge Mike and I were doing from the Tri-City Court Club called "I Lost It At The Club". It was an 8 week challenge to see who could lose the most % body weight and receive monetary rewards at the end. It has been a difficult 8 weeks especially for my kids. They are used to baked goods at least a couple of times a week and good full-on fat dinners. Heck, it's been a difficult 8 weeks for ME!

Although looking back it really wasn't that hard because my focus was not on following a "diet" (remember DIE is the root word in diet), but to follow a different lifestyle. I mean, Mike and I still went out to eat on occasion (especially before fast Sunday) and 4 weeks ago I made sugar cookies in celebration of Valentine's day. We just watched what we ate before, during and after those "extra caloric moments". I really didn't say NO to everything and I think that made all the difference. I did write down everything I ate, counted calories, tracked my water intake and the workouts I did (I realize now that Wednesdays are the hardest days for me to workout. Hum, didn't know that before!)

Anyway, all that "paying attention" paid off in that I lost 14 lbs or 7% of my body weight. But better than that - I lost 10.5 inches around my body. NICE. I used to think that my clothes were just shrinking in the dryer (stupid clothes), but now I realize it wasn't shrinking clothes that were the problem because now my clothes fit better. That is nice.

I am happy with my progress. I would like to lose more weight, but what I'd really like to focus on is the clothing size I want to be in. I think that scale weight is a terrible indicator of what you are doing great for your body. It can't measure your body fat loss, your stronger cardio system, the density of your bones, etc. Keeping track of my eating, working out and inches lost is much more gratifying for me.

14 lbs lost or not, I am still the same bubbly, fun-loving and talented person I was before (how's that for blowing my own horn?), but I LOOK more like that person I see in my head. If you could see in my head, you'd say, "She's NICE LOOKING!" My psyche had to throw that in. Sometimes when I have lost weight in the past, it seems like that weight loss is the only focus. It's like NOW I am actually someone to compliment or notice because I look thinner. That (for some reason) has really thrown me for a loop. I am still the same person with the same talents and abilities I had before I lost weight, why only compliment me now? Maybe that is a sore point for me and I am the one with the problem. Maybe those other compliments were there all the time, but now, because what I have done is SO visual, compliments are more apparent and constant. Sometimes, maybe I am just a head case. I guess that is something I will have to figure out for myself.

But ANYWHO, Mike and I will start again in a few days really watching what we eat etc. Even at a lost of 1 pound a week, after a few weeks the inches lost really add up (it seems for me that every 10 lb loss = 1 smaller dress size)! Right now, just to appease my kids of course, I am going to make Chocolate Chip Cookies! Yea for me! I mean them, poor underprivileged them!

All Tied Up

So, I must admit (even though I don't want to), I baby my baby, Brigam. I think there are a lot of things he doesn't get away with because I have always hated meeting those "last born kids" that have been so spoiled that they are brats. I bothers me when I meet those that think the world owes them something (OK, I'm off my soap box).

Even though I don't think that Brigam is a spoiled brat in anyway, I have been somewhat lacidasical in giving him responsiblilities. Sometimes I think I am lacidasical because he is just so dang entertaining to have around and I feel that if I give him too much responsibility that he will lose his ability to be entertaining to ME. And on an entertainment budget like our family has, you'll take free entertainment where ever you can!

All that aside, I feel shagrinned to say that my 6 1/2 year-old son does not know how to tie his shoes. I have tried tie shoes in the past, but because I don't want to tie them FOREVER, I have repeatedly gone back to the velcro shoes. Brigam doesn't care. He thinks velcro is the greatest thing ever made for shoes. I have tried to get him tie shoes. He's got some tennis shoes Uncle Nate bought for him that tie. He thinks I am crazy to expect him to learn to tie shoes when velcro is such a much more convienent option.

I try to tell him, "Brigam, you have to learn how to tie your shoes sometime."

"Why?" is his reply.

"Because you just have to know how to tie shoes." I answer.

"Don't they have velcro on big people's shoes?" He asks.

"Yes, but big people velcro shoes are for people that are 80 years old and can't bend over long enough to tie their shoes." Is my great answer to this question.

"I can velcro their shoes for them. I know how to velcro shoes." And he's content with that answer and thinks his answer should be good enough for me.

It's not. I know that when he starts to play football in middle school, the coach won't be thinking good thoughts if Brigam keeps bugging him to tie his cleats and asking him why they don't make Velcro cleats.

But then my great "mom mind" had a terrific idea. Bribery. It has worked in the past and it could work for me now.

Brigam has been on a hunting/olden times (meaning Viking, not pioneers)/rock hunting kick (I know it's a lot and these items really don't mesh together, but sometimes it's hard to stay up with Brigam's imagination). He's been begging for some hiking boots for his "adventures". I have refused to get hiking boots because they don't make Velcro hiking boots.

But yesterday, I was out with Annette Sims and we went to some second hand kid's clothing store. I was perusing the store when I see a lovely little hiking boot in just his size. The price was right for bribery ($5.99) and I think that the previous owner couldn't tie shoes either because they looked brand new. Bonus for me!

I brought them home and couldn't wait until Brigam came home from school. When I told him I had something for his adventures, his interest was peaked. When I showed him the boots, it was all he could do to NOT let his eyes pop right out of his head. He was so excited because on the side of the boots was a little metal tag that read "WATERPROOF". Little thinks bring him joy. He was ready for all his adventures, until I told him the conditions: "You can only have these shoes on if YOU are the one tying them." That through him for a little loop and I tried to teach him a bit, but, let's face it, it's afternoon, 3 of my 4 kids are home, homework had already been ENDURED and my patience was somewhat lacking. He wasn't getting a "fresh" teacher. It took me about 30 seconds to realize my next great idea from the "mom mind" - get someone else in on the teaching. I told him to find his sister (she is a magical teacher) and have her help him. He took off like a shot to find her.

It wasn't 5 minutes before he was back and showing me how HE COULD TIE HIS OWN SHOES! I tell you, that Mykie is a MIRACLE worker! My child can tie his own shoes and it only c0st me $5.99.

It's kind of nostalgic, you know. He's my last one that had to learn. Now I just have grandchildren to look forward to learning these types of things. Geez, I hope Mykie's around then too!

It really was A SPENDED DAY

Yesterday was a really great day! First, my husband made me a delicious omelet and I didn't even have to ask! It was like he read my mind! Actually, I noticed that he had one and said, "That looks good." I didn't even mean for it to be a hint, but he made me one anyway.

Then we had the great day continue at church with a great talk from one of our newest ward members. She spoke of Motherhood and how it is the greatest calling. I know that the media and the world wants us to feel like that really isn't important and that we, as women, are being forced to waste our time and talents as mothers, but I want to stand up and say NO! That's definitely NOT right! I love being a mom. The other day, Briggy was zonked out on the couch, Mike was getting his 40 winks and the other kids and I were in the kitchen just talking. They were eating ice cream (something I really miss - darn that scale!) and we were teasing, laughing, communicating and I thought, "Wow, I am really having joy in my posterity. I really like these people!" I love that I like to be with my kids.

The great speaker gave 10 things we should do as Moms-

1-Be at the crossroads. Be there after dates, school, etc. These are important times in their lives for true communication. ( I know for a fact this is true)

2-Be a real friend. Listen, laugh, joke and truly praise them

3-Read to your children

4-Take time to pray with your children; call down the blessings of heaven on them.

5-Hold FHE weekly and have the children be actively involved.

6-Take time to be together at meal times - share the day.

7-Read scriptures as a family.

8-Do things together as a family; birthdays, sporting events, recitals - sit together whenever possible.

9-Take the time to teach your children. You are their best teacher.

10-Love your child with Christlike love.

What a great reminder of what our real jobs are down here.

After a great lunch and a quick rest, we went with Tyler to have him receive his patriarchal blessing. What a fantastic spiritual experience that was. I came away KNOWING that our Heavenly Father knows and loves Tyler personally. He knows all about his strengths and his great abilities. He knows his very personality and HE likes it! What a super experience that was!

President James E Faust had this to say about the patriarchal blessing:

"The patriarch has no blessing of his own to give; the blessing is the Lord’s to give. God knows our spirits; He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows our capabilities and our potential. Our patriarchal blessings indicate what the Lord expects of us and what our potential can be. Our blessings can encourage us when we are discouraged, strengthen us when we are fearful, comfort us when we sorrow, give us courage when we are filled with anxiety, lift us up when we are weak in spirit."

Tyler was pretty quiet after his blessing and pretty much for the rest of the night. He went over to his friend's house for a few hours to see another friend off that was heading back to college, but I was glad I stayed up "papering with a purpose" and was awake when he came home. It was then that he waned to talk about his blessings and his feelings. He even wanted to read my blessing.(#1 Be at the Crossroads...) All I know is that I am even more impressed with what a great person Tyler is.

So even with losing 1 hour to "daylight savings" I truly had a full 23 hours of joy in my Sunday. Hope yours was delightful as well.

Did you notice the EXPLODING BOX CLASS offered?

Check my Feb 28th post for info about the Exploding Box Class at Kristen's house. Don't make me and Kristen eat all those goodies by ourselves and have only ourselves to compliment each other's boxes!

More people = more accolades!

COME TO THE CLASS!

Man's Best Friend has long floppy ears!

I have to tell you about my human/animal contact story from Tuesday of this past week.

I was all ready to be going on my daily errands, grabbed my armload of stuff to take to the car and walked out the door. As I turned around to lock the door, I hear something moving in the grass. My mind quickly goes to the worst case scenario option of "Please let that NOT be a skunk!" because we do have some of those around here. As I slowly turn around, I see a white blur scurry past me and stop at the edge of the drive way. As my eyes focus features finally catch up with it - I find out that it's not a skunk at all (there is no black on this creature), but a cute, fluffy bunny. Not just any bunny, but Rick. Brigam's bunny. What is he doing out of his cage? I don't know. So, of course, I ask him, "Rick, what are you doing out of your cage?" He doesn't answer (rude). So then I finish up the conversation by doing what every mother would do - warn them when they are doing something stupid. "Rick, you know you're going to get eaten by a dog." But I knew what I had to do. I had to change my persona and become the best

Elmer Fudd I could become. Basically, "Shhhh! Be very, very quite. I'm hunting rabbit." Without the gun, of course.

So I go to my car to unload my armload of stuff and turn around to continue my very one-sided conversation with Rick. "Come on Rick, let's go see if we can get you some food." Although I really didn't think this would work because, let's face it - he has food and water in his cage and then he LEFT. Why would my offering some get him to follow me? Surprisingly, it worked. As I walked the LONG way around him and turned the corner of the house towards the rabbit cages, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him hopping behind me.

As I get to the cage, I see what the problem is. Rick is a master at opening his cage door. It raises vertically and Rick uses his nose and front paws to open the cage. Usually he does it and sits there to wait for someone to notice, praise him for staying there and lock it up again for his "playtime" later. I tried to stop the problem by getting little "C" locks that screw together to lock up the cage, but Rick is apparently a gifted rabbit and (if he works hard enough at it) can un-screw the "C" locks. Rick must have opened the door, but had no audience for a long time and decided to venture out to "the great unknown".

Anyway, I turn around from my inspection of the cage and lo and behold, there is Rick. I grab a handful of rabbit food (right out of his own feeding dish, no less) and hold my hand out for his eating pleasure. Sure enough, he comes to eat, RIGHT OUT OF MY HAND! By this time I am thinking, "This rabbit is just playing with me. It wants me to think I can catch it, but as soon as I reach out to it, he'll bolt to the farthest corner of the yard (in no time flat) and sit under a prickly bush and laugh his little cotton tail off at me." But against my better judgement, I reach out and start to stroke his little furry cheek. He still stays and eats while I give the rabbit LOVE. Then I reach out for the back of his neck to pick him up, still thinking of his sneaky little "running" plans, but he stays still and lets me pick him up. He doesn't kick his legs or argue with me in any way. He just goes back into his cage, watches me re-attach the "C" lock and commences to play with the lock to unlock it again.

Of course, I'd like to credit Rick acting like a dog - eating right out of my hand and letting me pet him - to my amazing way with animals or my great impression of Elmer Fudd, but I am thinking that maybe Rick knew I was right about his impending doom. Maybe he already saw the dog that day and was just waiting for SOMEONE to help him climb back into that cage. Either way, I must say I have a way with animals.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to two of my most favorite people!

Ray and Mary Anderson

43 Years of Marital Bliss!

These two people are some of the hardest working and giving people that you will ever meet. I often refer to my mother as one of the elves from "The Elves and The Shoemaker" story. She is the one that makes everything perfect during the dark of night while everyone else gets their 40 winks. When you wake in the morning she has made whatever it is PERFECT! She never wants credit for this extra, extra, extraordinary effort. She just loves to see you smile and know she had something to do with that smile. She is truly humble and I love her for her wonderful traits.

My dad is quite the extrovert. He knows many people and not only by name, but by their needs and accomplishments as well. He is just like his mom in his friendliness and knowing the worth of each person he meets. He has always been supportive and encouraging to me and I love him for it!

These two are also something extra in that they truly love our Heavenly Father and our Savior. Right now they are on (quite literally) the other side of the world sharing their wonderful influence and their love and knowledge of the Gospel with those in Mongolia. The Mongolians are lucky to have them for the time they get them. Soon they will be back with us. Love them while you can!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! Thanks for everything you do for me, have done for me and for all the future support that I know will come my way from you both! I love you!!!!!!!

And the Calling is.......

A week ago Saturday, Mike and I had an appointment with the Bishop. I had a suspicion that it wasn't for Mike because he is the ward scoutmaster and once you have been called into that position, you either move or die so the appointment must have been strictly for me.

After the niceties were exchanged, the Bishop said that they were changing out the Relief Society Presidency (heart stops for a minute) then he said that he already had a new president (heart starts beating again) and that she had requested me to be one of her counselors. I think I was so relieved that the president was NOT me that I would have said yes to anything - even nursery - at that point! OK, maybe not nursery. I still had some wits about me.

Anyhow, I accepted the call to serve as the Homemaking Counselor. I feel a bit overwhelmed at the thought of enriching anyone.

I find it ironic that the Church is so skilled at teaching new things, but in an unorthodox way. For example, you get called to a position and after a bit you kind of get the hang of it. You understand the people you are serving, what's expected of you and you've got things pretty well organized and BAM; you are called to serve somewhere else. On the outside, and to someone who doesn't understand the callings we receive in the Church, it looks a bit inefficient. Someone gets good at something and, just when things are comfy, they have to go on to something new.

But in our Heavenly Father's plan it is efficiency at it's finest. Learn something - and learn it well. Then go on to learn something else to make you a better person. Not only by the skills you learn while serving, but from those you get to serve with.

I am excited to learn new things. I know a few things, but to have the opportunity to become more enriched with the sisterhood we share - I just feel very grateful.

P.S. By the way, I think that saying, "Congratulations on your new calling" seems a bit off since in our church we don't vote or aspire to have any calling. I think it is better said, "Congratulations on your opportunity to grow!" At least that lets everyone know what your purpose in serving is!