A little Christmas

It has become a tradition to have a family dinner on Christmas Eve.  My sister's family and my mom and dad usually come to our house for dinner and then we open up the Christmas Eve Jammies.  Mom and Dad were with their sons this year in Oregon and we missed them but we still had fun!  This dinner is my favorite part of Christmas, which you'll note is the day before Christmas.

Lining up for the food, youngest to oldest . . . . . . hey! What is Trudy doing in the Front of the line!!!! (probably helping!)

I'd heard that hors d'oeuvres were much easier at Christmas time - NOT!  At least they are pretty!

And they mostly tasted good!



McKay joins right in with the cousins . . . . the way they treat each other you'd think they are all brothers and sisters!  Poor McKay
is like an only child in this household.

Gotcha Stevie!

The Bainters

And since our family picture didn't turn out . . . . here's our boy!

Milk Math

I've made the switch . . . . . the switch from "non organic" milk to "organic" but not for the reasons you might expect.

First of all, I've never purchased "organic" products mainly because of principle.  The principle being that my dad, and grandpa, and great grandpa, and probably great great grandpa were all farmers.  I've seen the devastation that one little pest or one little weed can have on an entire crop.  I'm convinced if we didn't have pesticides and herbicides we would all starve!  Food would be in short supply, and much, much more expensive.  I'm willing to ingest a little of this stuff in order to eat. P.E.R.I.O.D!!!  I think a starving, bag of bones, environmentalist may even agree with me.  (probably won't happen in the near future though) 

I know you can't read these dates, but the
difference in expiration dates is amazing!!!

So why did I make this hated switch?  It's cheaper for us.  What?  Cheaper????  A few months ago I found out that because there are so few organic milk producers, and they have further to transport their product, they SUPER pasteurize it, meaning that when you buy it, the expiration date on it can be over a month away . . . . . The organic milk I bought a few days ago, doesn't expire until January 28th!!!  For most of you, expiration dates don't really matter a whole lot, but in our family of three, (two of which don't enjoy milk on anything other than cereal) they matter!  We will probably (bar baking, if I do any baking) not even get through the half gallon of milk I bought by January 28th.  So here is the math:

1 gallon of regular milk - approx $3.00+ with at least half of it thrown out at the expiration date making it necessary to buy  another gallon of regular milk at $3.00+ = $6.00 a month.

1/2 gallon of organic milk - approx $3.40+  (lasts over a month in my household)

Result:  ORGANIC MILK IS CHEAPER!!! 

And that, my friends is milk math!

It's time . . . . .

Fa, la, la, la, la, la, Time for another rant.  I've been being too nice on my blog.  I've gotten soft.  I'm too worried about who is reading and whether or not I'll offend someone . . . . . or hurt someone . . . . or WHATEVER!

Christmas time!  Oh, how I hate this holiday.  Not the whole "Christ" thing.  Christ should be in your life all year, just not on Christmas . . . . . what I don't like is the whole commercialism thing, the unrealistic expectations thing, and all the other stupid things we put ourselves through.

One thing irritating me especially this year, by good intentioned people, that are just trying to carry on a conversation because they are standing in front of you is one of the two questions:  "Are you going to Utah this year?"  and "Are your kids coming home for Christmas this year?"  What the heck?????  Is there some law that states . . . . . "You must bring your kids home every year for Christmas?"  When my answer is "no" to both of the above questions, the look that comes across everyone's face is one of pity, or unbelief.  Again I say "What the heck?"  I'd rather spend our money visiting and being visited during the warmer times of the year, when it is cheaper and we can GO TO THE BEACH!

Christmas to me is like another birthday . . . . . a time of the year that I tolerate because it happens every year whether I like it or not . . . . . one that if I could take a pill and skip it it would be fine with me!  More than fine with me!  In three days I can happily cross it off my calendar and hope for the year to slowly crawl by so that December seems an occurance that will happen in the far far far distant future.  The only thing I like about Christmas is the music and the card giving, and card giving I am told is "old school" and "going out of style."  YIKES!  one of my only pleasures is going out of vogue.  geesh!

What to do  . . . . . What to do?  I'm sure I'm not alone out there. . . . or maybe I'm just a freak of nature :)  LOL!

Nonetheless, I'm trying to have a Merry Christmas and wish the same to you.  Fa, la, la, la, la!

Flashback Friday

Before I "flashback" . . . . . . Yesterday and today have been a snow day for us!  Our county closed down the school  system yesterday before it even snowed.  We've got maybe 3 inches of snow now and are out for another day today.  I slept in and OH! it felt good not to have to get up for seminary this morning!

Journal Jar question . . . . . this is a fun one . . . . . "What was your most embarrassing moment?"

I have a lot of embarrassing moments, but thankfully can't remember most of them! The one that comes to mind is one that not just embarrassed me, but mortified me!

This occurred several years ago.  It was the Christmas season, and Lincoln and I were at a get together at a friend's house with some of his co-workers and friends.  We were mingling, and I lost track of Lincoln.  I wandered around a bit trying to find him and when I did find him I came up behind him, gave him a pat on the butt, and then snuggled up alongside him. 

I knew when I patted that butt that something was amiss!  This butt was much too skinny to be my husband's!!!  I looked up into someone's face that wasn't my husband's face and felt horror!  . . . . . the guy had on the same clothes . . . . khaki pants . . . . .white shirt . . . . but the hair was red . . . . and the face confused . . . . and then all the sudden his expression changed to one of "I gotcha"!  Of any guy in the room to do this to, I'd picked the worse one of the bunch.  There was no way he was going to let this pass without a good razz.  Razz me he did . . . . . for years!

I hadn't even realized, up until that point, that I had the habit of patting my husband's butt.  Now I make sure I know it is HE, before proceeding with my habit!!! 

I remember a similar experience when I was a little girl of grabbing onto my mother's leg and then looking up and finding that the leg was not attached to my mother!!!!  Oh! what embarrassment.

(An apology to my parents . . . . b.u.t.t. was and probably still is not an acceptable word in our household growing up . . . . unless, of course, it was used in the phrase "I'm going to kick your butt" usually said by my father!  lol.  I still can't say it without feeling bad, but typing it is easier!!! ha!)

Catching my breath

This last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind.  Time has flown and I've kept so busy that some of my normal every-day-stuff I do has been put on hold, including this blog!  The time has been spent doing so many things that I know you all do too at this time of year . . . . . . mine include:

~stamp club
~feeding missionaries
~shopping for my "away" children
~getting their stuff sent
~sending out the Christmas cards (as many as I got made!!) feel lucky if you got one, HA!
~dentist appointments
~more Christmas shopping
~husband being gone :(
~cookie exchange party (I won the "most unusual" cookie award, is this a compliment??? LOL!)
~cooking the cookies to exchange!
~visiting teaching (almost done!)
~helping someone else with their Dr. appointment
~wrapping presents
~baby shower
~accompanying two different soloists
~swim meet
~run to the airport (not a minor event!)
~talking on the phone with BOTH my brothers (a miracle!)
~orchestra practice
~orchestra performance
~dealing with a mold issue at the townhouse - holy cow! when mold decides to grow it doesn't take its sweet time!

Whew!  I think things are slowing down now, I hope things are slowing down now, maybe things are slowing down now :) 

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Flashback Friday (sort-of)!!!

I wanted to add more highlights of Halley and Ryan's visit . . . . . .

On Saturday we planned to go shooting at the shooting range.  We went and purchased ammunition, spinning targets, a clay pigeon launcher and of course, clay pigeons.  We got to the range nice and early, then got kicked out of the range nice and early!  We got all set up and didn't even fire one shot!  Apparently, during hunting season there is a two week break from the range.  There weren't any signs stating this fact, and the gates were wide open!  Over 200 hundred dollars spent and it was a dud!  At least that stuff keeps well . . . . . . . .

Saturday evening brought the BYU vs UTAH game.  Ryan's parents came to watch the game with us, and I think for the first time ever we had more Ute fans than BYU fans in the house.  Needless to say, there was a lot of cheering going on.  The women however, (except for Ryan's mom) were not watching the game.  For the life of me, I can't remember what we DID do . . . . old age is the pits!!! :)

At some point in the weekend we played 15 rounds of Mexican train dominoes . . . . . . . . even I got tired of playing dominoes, though I've had a hankering to get them out again since!

Sunday's highlight for me was singing a duet in church with Halley.  My dream has been to be able to play duets on the piano with her, but our talents don't quite click together in that area.  In the area of singing, Halley is much more talented, but I think we pulled it off.  I can't remember when I've been more nervous and my knees were almost clacking together behind the podium!

Sunday evening was supposed to be the end of H & R's visit.  Their time here was split half and half with Ryan's parents.  Ryan's parents called at the last minute and let us have them for another day!  I cried tears of Joy!  We quickly got out the Christmas decorations and "decked the halls."

Halley and her dad . . . . . .

Halley, McKay and Ryan . . . . . .

Myself and Halley . . . I don't know what was up with our camera. It usually doesn't blur moving images so much!

Monday was a bonus day . . . . . yippee!  Halley and I got some alone time because Monday was a "back to normal" day.  We got to finally have a chance to talk a little and we went and got our hair cut.  We topped off the evening by meeting Ryan's parents in Rockville and ate at a nice restaurant, their treat.  (always a bonus)

Sadly, it all had to come to an end.  I noticed McKay watching their vehicle until we couldn't see it any more.  He's growing up . . . . . . it is the first time he hasn't cried when Halley left . . . . but I know we all felt like crying.  Don't be sad because it is over . . . . . be happy that it happened (or something like that) - Dr. Seuss

Day Trip!

I found out recently that there is a Norman Rockwell exhibit showing here in DC.  Lincoln and I really wanted to go and so we asked my Mom and Dad and Halley and Ryan if they would like to go to it.  They all did and so we all went the day after Thanksgiving. 

This was a very enjoyable exhibit.  Steven Spielberg and George Lucas both collect these paintings and have made them available for the first time ever.  The paintings are much more vivid and alive in person.  If you live in DC and like stuff like this, it is well worth your time to go and they are in a Smithsonian . . . . meaning its a free exhibit!!!

I didn't take very many pictures and so stole this from my mom's blog!!  We are waiting in line to get into the Rockwell section. 

After we went to the exhibit, we ate in Chinatown.  Ryan learned how to speak Chinese on his mission which added an extra layer of enjoyment to the meal.  At lunch it was fun to talk about which paintings were our favorites and why. It was surprising to hear which painting were the favorites.  

We are so blessed to live in this area and try to enjoy it all that we can.

Savoring Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday. It is simply a time to eat, relax, and enjoy your family. This year was extra special because our daughter Halley and her husband Ryan were able to come and spend a few days with us. I tried to savor every moment. It has been 2 years since she and he have been here.

Enjoying the bounty. . . .

I made my mom sit down for a minute so she could be in a picture . . . . 

Halley and Ryan . . . . . while she was here we both went and got our hair cut.  She cut off 8 to 10 inches I'd say.  I got a few inches cut off of mine as well!

Lincoln was being silly about having his picture taken again . . . .  so sorry hon, I chose the best one of myself, yet again.

After dinner we played cards . . . . . .

And decorated gingerbread (graham cracker) houses.  This is becoming a tradition . . . . .

McKay was never far from his sister's side.

Getting started . . . .

Laying out a plan . . . . .

In full building mode . . . . .

Zane was especially creative . . . . . do you see his hanging snowman.  I think it was meant to be a "Ute" in anticipation for the Utah vs. BYU game.

Halley's creation.

Ryan's "Ute" house.

Opening up the Christmas season by singing Christmas carols.  More of us got involved, but no pictures of that :(  Stevie sure got into the singing this year!

The gingerbread village . . . . . .

Flashback Friday

Journal Jar question:  "Did your mother or grandmother sew, quilt, knit or crochet?  Tell about some of the things she made."

The answer to this one, is yes, yes and YES!  Some of the most cherished possessions that I have were handmade for me or my family by my mother, my grandmother(s), my sister or Lincoln's grandmother.  We have been the recipients of a bountiful array of quilts, baby blankets and afghans.  (and no, afghans are not people from Afghanistan, they are crocheted blankets!!!)  One of my treasured quilts is one that my mom made out my old dresses and clothes.  It is like a time capsule.  I can look at it and it takes me back to my childhood.

Mom and I quilting one of her "Sun Bonnet Sue" quilts for one of her grand-
daughters.   Mom . . . . Let me know when you put on another one of them!!!



My mom  has always handmade the bulk of her gifts to us and our kids.  She is in the process of making quilts for all the grandkids.  It has taken her several years to get through them all, but she is getting to it!!!  She made all her grandsons Levi quilts which she knocked out pretty fast, but for the granddaughters she is making "Sun Bonnet Sue" quilts, which require her to hand embroidery each square on the quilt.  I've helped her quilt 2 of them.  It was a pretty ambitious project for her!  (she's got 14 grandchildren!! 7 boys and 7 girls)  In addition to what she makes for her family, she has either crocheted, cross stitched or sewn something for each new baby that arrives in the ward she lives in.  She's done this for as long as I can remember!

Just recently, Lincoln and I decided to tackle our crawl space and make some tough decisions.  We lived here 12 years and our crawl space has become packed with stuff that we have emotional attachments to.  Things that people have made or given to us are some of the hardest to get rid of.  We had to take a good look at some of the stuff  we were keeping.  We decided that we would keep a few things, at least one for each person in the family.  Even though some of the items were threadbare and falling apart and stained it was hard to stuff them in a bag and take them out to the trash.  OH SO HARD! 

I, personally, kept the "memory" blanket my mom made for me, oh so many years ago, the one made out of my clothes when I was a child.  It is tattered and torn from the loving use I've given it.  Someone besides me is going to have to dispose of it, and they will wonder why I was keeping such a rag. 

 

I've often felt a little sad because I haven't been able to make blankets and quilts for my kids.  I didn't make any because we have so many.  No need for more.  But really, I need to count my blessings and be happy and thankful for the shower of blessing others have given to us!  I AM thankful!!!

Not all Gruff

Lest I leave an impression that my Grandpa Young was all gruff, I must add some other things that I remember about him.

My grandfather was an awesome scriptorian.  He knew his scriptures thoroughly and he had chapters of scripture memorized.  The pages of his scriptures were so thin from use that we children were not allowed to touch them.  The pages were fluffed up from use and the book was "fat" because of that use.  My grandfather served a mission for the LDS church while his family was still young.  Five kids, and a wife that were left behind to take care of the farm, milk the cows and all else that it entailed.  Now that is dedication . . . . . for all involved!


Grandpa and Grandma Young
(Alva and Emily)

My grandfather had a love for music and had would sing songs for us.  "Preacher and the Bear" was one of the songs he sang.  He also sang us "Mares Eat Oats" as we sat on his foot and he gave us a horsey ride.  He also had some humorous monologues memorized.  One was about the plight of a married man, that he recited at my husbands and my wedding reception. 


He would have us pull off his boots when he'd come in from work.  Oh my! he would go most of the week without a bath, and he worked hard.  There was nothing like the smell of grandpa after a week of farm work . . . . . oops, I was trying to be positive!!!



Grandpa loved Nilla Wafers, and grandma kept them in stock for him (and us)!  He also loved ice cream and root beer floats, which we were often the recipients of too. 

Grandpa loved to dance.  He could do a mean "Charleston" and would dance to "The Beer Barrel Polka" whenever it was played.  My aunt had an organ that was in my grandparent's home that I played a lot.  I played music from their era, and we had a lot of fun with it.  Christmas carol's were another high point.  We always sang them on Thanksgiving after dinner, which is a tradition we try to keep up. 

We spent a lot of Sundays at our grandparent's house.  A lot of times there would be cousins there to play with.  We would watch "The Waltons" or "The Wonderful World of Disney" or "Lawrence Welk" as a family.  Grandpa also loved to watch baseball.  You couldn't switch the channel even when he fell asleep.  We tried it once and he woke up the second the channel changed!!  He watched a lot of baseball through his eyelids!!

These were good times!  Fun memories . . .  . .

Flashback Friday

Journal jar question (yes, I did put one back today!):  Tell something you remember about your relationship with your grandfather. 

Grandfathers. . . . . hmmmmmm.

I have had more experience with my grandfather on my father's side. . . . . . Grandpa Young was a hard worker.  I remember very little about him except for the "high emotion" times.  I remember one time wanting to go out and do chores with him.  He sternly told me that he was in a hurry (I believe it was getting dark and he needed to finish in the daylight) and I could only go with him if I could keep up.  Grandpa's stride was huge and he could walk fast.  I remember having to run to keep up with him!  I remember feeding the horses and watching him milk the cow on that occasion.

I remember he'd be the one to get after us if we were found doing something he didn't approve of.  One day my siblings and some cousins and I were digging in a freshly dug drainage ditch.  Drainage ditches were much larger than regular ditches.  We were having tons of fun digging out chairs to sit in and we were trying to tunnel through the dirt.  Grandpa found us and I've never seen him so mad.  He gave us all a "dutch blessing" and told us in no uncertain terms to STAY AWAY FROM THAT DRAINAGE ditch and there would be "H" to pay if we came back.  We were stunned!  How mean!  We were just having fun!

Well it was after he died that I read his mother's journal and found out why he was so adamant about us staying away from that ditch.  This is an excerpt from her journal, as I read it I got cold chills and had a new appreciation for how grandpa must have felt when he found us playing in that dirt and how much he loved us because of the anger he showed toward us:

Harvey and LeRoy herded the cows in the summer. One afternoon Val’s  boys Wallace and Dell came to play. I told them to take the cows to the pasture and watch them while they played, and not to play around the drain the county was making through the land. The banks were high and it was an inviting place to play hide and go seek. Which they did and the bank caved on them. It completely covered LeRoy and buried Harvey to his neck. Wallace and Dell were covered almost to their waist. Tee Bohn our neighbors boy was playing with them he didn't get caught in the cave in.

He said "I am a boy scout" ran about a quarter of a mile to Hampton’s and got a shovel and told them to get help, Harvey could feel LeRoy’s head against his leg. Wallace and Dell were on the other side of Harvey. Harvey told them to run over his hands so he could dig for LeRoy’s head. When the soggy dirt fell it locked LeRoy over against Harvey. they got his head uncovered he had passed out, LaVelle helped dig him out. When I got there he was lying on the bank very weak, The other three boys were still in the sod up to their knees. Their noses were bleeding and they looked a sight. When I saw they were still alive I sat down by LeRoy and cried for joy.

LaVelle put him in the little red wagon and wheeled him home, There was no men to help as they were all working on their farms. I called on our Heavenly Father for help, he answered my humble prayer.

Harvey, Leroy and LaVelle are all siblings of my grandfather.  I still cry when I read this and wish Grandpa would have chosen to explain this to us rather than get mad and storm away.  As always he had a lot of work to do and little time to get it done.  Now I at least understand why.  This is one thing I would like to talk to him about one day. 

I LOVE YOU GRANDPA!

PS- The journal entry is from my daughter Halley's name sake . . . . . Mary Halley Wilkin Young Jensen.  She was known as "Halley."

Be careful what you blog about . . . . .

Today is Veteran's day, and my veteran had an agenda for today . . . . . because he reads my blog!  We did some work around the house, went to the shooting range, and then finished up the day going to Applebees where they were offering a free meal to military veterans. 

You like Lincoln's shadow clicking our picture?  The range was full when we arrived and we had to wait our turn.  The smell of gunpowder is a smell I like.  Sulfury and smokey . . . . it brings back good memories.

Before when I've been shooting with the family, I've never gotten my fill of shooting.  Usually I got to shoot just enough to wet my appetite for more. 

Today I shot until I couldn't shoot anymore.  I think this is the first time I've used a scope.  It almost seems like cheating in a way.  Lincoln has a nice little one-shot 22 rifle that was fun to shoot and had no scope!  FUN!

We hit the bullseye quite a few times.  Watching everyone fire their different type of handguns makes me want to acquire one of those.  I remember shooting my dad's 22 and 44.  I'd rather go for the smaller caliber.  My goodness, there were a variety of guns there today.  Some of them were so loud it'd make you jump even with you earplugs!!!  After a while I stopped being so jumpy though! 

The rest of the story

I had to giggle when someone commented on my "flashback friday" that she was impressed that I remembered my bus driver's name.  Our bus driver in our early years was unforgettable.  Anyone who rode that bus could not and would not forget her name.  I know her name, I know her last name, I know her husbands name.  One reason is that we lived in a very small community.  Carmela (Car) was not only our neighbor, but my mother's friend and Car and her husband were the only token non-Mormon's of the area.  They were catholic and as far as I know they did not practice their religion.  Quite an anomaly in a Mormon community!

Car is a very colorful person.  She was the only person I knew who could cuss and get away with it, she could talk your leg off, and she tormented the children and teenagers that she came in contact with.  I really should feel privileged to have been a target of her consternation. . . . . underneath it all I think she really liked us but just didn't know how to express it underneath all of her crustiness.  (she is really a softy I'm think'n)

Car and her husband kept peacocks.  We loved driving by her house because of the peacocks.  Seeing them with their tails all spread out in their finery was a treat.  We also hated driving by her house . . . . because Car had eAgLe EyEs.  The next time you saw her she'd say something like "you were driving kind of fast the other day weren't you?"  or "didn't you see the stop sign the last time you drove by?" and stuff like that.  It's as if she thought we were going to hit one of those precious peacocks or kill someone in our thriving metropolis of 50 (maybe 50) people! 

Car never waited for you at the bus stop.  If you weren't standing in line ready to get on it, she'd pass you by.  Even if she saw you running frantically to get there.  Even if you just had seconds to go before you made it to the bus stop . . . . . you'd be in her dust.  I saw her dust a few times!!  We watched for her bus like a hawk.  When it passed the corner about a half mile away, we'd yell, "the bus is coming!" and all head to the bus stop . . . . . too funny!

How many years did Car drive bus???  I'd say it might be into the 40's.  I know she drove bus before I rode it, and she was still driving it when my nieces and nephews rode it.  I didn't ride her bus all of my bus riding years . . . . my mom and dad drove bus and another dude "Manly" drove also . . . . . and yes I knew his name . . . . . he was our bishop!!!  (and we called him by his first name, ha!)

Our search continues

We have been in search of a hobby for McKay.  Something that he would have passion for and would want to spend time doing.  Something that wasn't a video game!!!  Since he likes shooting type video games we thought he might like to shoot for real.  Lincoln and he went and purchased a couple of guns, ammunition and a yearly pass to the shooting range and they were all ready to go!  He was going to join a 4-H rifle club, but they only meet on Sundays.  bummer!


 Target Shooting really is a lot of fun and I think it is a good thing for anyone to understand the power of a real gun and learn to handle one safely.

 

Here is my gorgeous hunk of man!

Standing . . . . . . (which is harder)

And sitting.

I thought McKay would come home super excited and begging to go every weekend.  Alas, it was not so.  I think he enjoyed himself, but wasn't a passionate as I thought he'd be.  Lincoln had kind-of scared me away from going with them by telling me how primitive the shooting range was.  PRIMITIVE? Now that I see these pictures I'm thinking he just didn't want me along.  (just kidding, he wouldn't do that)  I know he knows how primitive our family's shooting experiences were so he just must be spoiled with the military ranges he goes to.  I'm thinking I need to get out there and shoot with them!  It is always a fun time!  For those of you who may think we are horrible . . . . . . I say don't knock it til you try it!!!!

Flashback Friday

Journal Jar time!  Today, when I picked a slip out of the journal jar I told myself I wasn't going to stick it back in and pick another . . . . I'm tempted with this one, but will give it a try.  "Describe a typical school day as a child in elementary school."

I really don't have many memories of my younger years.  I remember events that had high emotion associated with them, but otherwise I need a huge jog in memory to recall anything!

School days for me always started with a bus ride.  I remember the bus drivers more than the kids on the bus!  Carmela, one of our bus drivers, scared all of us kids to death.  She would ask us questions as we would get on the bus, that I am sure were meant to keep us tongue-tied and befuddled!  I would try to make myself as invisible as possible to avoid her glare and questions!  Her bus was a safe one to ride, however.  She didn't allow any horseplay or noise what-so-ever.  You DID NOT want the wrath of Carmela!  As a side note, my mom didn't teach us to call those who were older than us Mrs. or Mr., Sir, or Ma'am, Sister or Brother, we always called the adults in our life by their first names.  Was this common back then?  I know today, it is a bit disrespectful, but we didn't think anything of it!  I even called my piano teachers and Sunday school teachers by their first names  . . . . . . .

The rest of the school day was typical . . . . class, recess, class, lunch, class, recess, class.  I HATED recess!  Recess time meant socializing.  I am JUST getting so I feel comfortable with socializing.  I'm best at home, with no phone calls, with a project to do a book to read or the piano to play.  I make a wonderful recluse!  Recess was a painful experience.  Again, I just tried to make myself invisible, tried to find a spot where no-one would notice me and the time would drag by until the bell saved me and we could go back and have some structured class time.  I loved working on my own.  Group projects scared me and I still roll my eyes in church when teachers put together "group" discussions.  I guess I've kinda gotten over some of that though . . . . now I have book club, stamp club, cooking club . . . . . . . . one of those clubs I even am the "head" of.  Goodness gracious, no need for invisiblesness now!

Flashback Friday

Journal Jar question:  What things do you enjoy today that you also enjoyed as a child?  Describe them then and now.

My mom instilled in me a love of reading.  She had me convinced that I could read before I went to school.  Back in those days, they didn't teach you to read in Kindergarten.  First grade was the first venture into reading.  I'll never forget, one day, the teacher asked us to read a book and then come to her desk and tell her what the book was about.  I looked at the pictures, made up a story and was flabbergasted when she told me "nope, go try again."  I don't remember much after that, but I do remember the dismay of discovery, that "reading" was more than just what came out of my own imagination!

My family loved The Bookmobile.  It would be a great day when we saw it driving into our neighborhood.  We'd come away with stacks of books.  Books that were not just set aside, but were well used and read by the time The Bookmobile came around again.  I still love reading and get excited about going to the library or finding an ebook for my reader.  I don't think a day goes by that I don't read in one form or another.  Reading is the best way for me to unwind at the end of the day.  I like to read until my eyes can't stay open any longer.  When I was younger, I could stay up reading until the wee early hours of the morning . . . . but these days I rarely make it past 11:00!!!

Let the Holidays begin!

 The Bainters invited us out to Noah's Birthday party.  As part of the party we carved pumpkins.  There is nothing better than spending time with family, and having a project to do is even better!  Above is all of our pumpkins we carved.  Below is earlier in the process . . . . . we are all deciding what we are going to carve.

 Cutting the tops out of the pumpkins!

 The most fun part of all (sarcasm) removing the seeds and other gunk . . . . .

 Oooooooey Gooooooooey!

 "Poking" out the outlines on our pumpkins.

 Earlier in the day, Lincoln and McKay went to a Guard Halloween party.  McKay and he stopped to buy some hair paint.  McKay wanted orange, but all they would find was white.  At the party, one of Lincoln's co-workers asked McKay if he dressed up to be his dad!!!!!  Too funny!!!!  Here are the three "white-heads" of the family.  I think their hair is pretty, (excepting McKays, that is!!!)  When we are at a store, someone told me that McKay was the youngest old person they'd ever seen. . . . . . .

 Mom in action . . . . .

 Ceci . . . . . . .

 Stevie . . . . . . .

 My gorgeous hunk of man . . . . . .

 Zane . . . . . .

 McKay . . . . . . .

Dad and McKay . . . . . . .

 The Birthday boy, Noah . . . . . . . .

 Trudy . . . . . . . .

 Stevie . . . . . . . . .

 My man's pumpkin . . . . . . .

 McKay's pumpkin . . . . . . . . .

 and my pumpkin . . . . . . .

FUN TIMES!!!!!!