10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY and A GIVE AWAY

24 April - 1 May, 2011

"A dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live fish to swim upstream."  W. C. Fields (Quoted by Alto Brown on Iron Chef America.  A show that Doug and I watch together :)

#1  "WORDS WITH FRIENDS"  A fun "Scrabble" type game for Ipods, Smart Phones...  Doug lets me play his games on his Ipod.  (I am a ZUNE fan.)  We always have a game going between the 2 of us, and play a few rounds before we go to bed.

#2  Easter Sunday at my in laws was very nice.  I can skip the food tour.  It was great, as usual.  My in laws go WAY above the basic for us.  The egg hunt is fun.  Mom and Dad filled over 250 eggs with money and candy and of course the "Special X eggs" (1 per child).  The hunt is done in age groups, but here is what I love, you can egg hunt with cousins until you have graduated from high school.
Next comes Grandpa's Grand Event.  Any one who wants to can bring a raw egg prepared for abuse.  The one that lasts the longest wins.  (And what a prize.)  The eggs come bundled well.  (Too well to be opened and checked after each round ;-)
Some years they have been dropped out of an upstairs window.  Some years Doug has thrown them over the garage.  This year, to save shoulder problems, Grandpa ordered a balloon launcher.
(First they launched water balloons over the garage to trick the group.)  This year there were about 15 entries.  (No age limit.)  There were about 6 rounds of launching.  At first, you check if you can, look for structural damage...
Finally few enough are left that they are opened. 

This year's winners were Kristin and Tessa (team)  and MARK!
And the prize?  You get to pick something from...."GRANDPA'S CLOSET"!
It took Mark awhile to choose, but he picked a sweet straw golf hat.  (Probably one we gave him a few years ago for Father's Day ;-)  (Ashley and Mark just moved.  I will post pic when I get it from Ashley.)  Wonderful grandparents.  And wonderful traditions.  Thank you.

#3  I was invited to an antiquer's lunch at Marci's last week.  It was fun to visit and see what Marci has done with her house.
Dorothy was the lunch hostess and the food was great.  I loved her Garlic Chicken Pasta and will share her recipe soon.

#4  Emily had "Hagermann's Bakehouse Cafe" certificates that were about to expire, so she took the boys and sent Me and Lindsay to lunch.
I was hesitant to order the "Berny's Reuben" because I have eaten at the best.  (Katz' (Oh, the flavour) and Carnegie's (Unbelievable size), both in New York City - heading there this August :)
I was pleasantly surprised by Hagermanns.  It came looking skimpy.  The meat was good, (but not like the amazing Katz) but the sandwich was really good.  Not sure if it was the dressing or sauerkraut, but it was good.  Still, the soup was better.  It was a tomato bisque that was amazing.  (The owner's dad was behind the counter, and he told us it was - and it was.)  We highly recommend the Tomato Bisque.  Thank-you, Emily.

#5  On Tuesday night I went to our Relief Society (church women's group) Birthday dinner.  Emily went with me.  It turned out to be a pleasant evening.  (No idea why I hate to go.  I always enjoy it once there.)
Plus, I got a new recipe I am EXCITED to share soon.

#6  Doug and I went to the temple on Wednesday night.  Since he gets home from work so late, he took the whole day off.  (It was a comp day for working week ends in the beginning of April.  All the better.)  We came home and had cereal for dinner.  Yep, we wanted that.  (But how do I end up with 12 OPEN boxes of cereal in my pantry?)

#7  Emily picked Layne up most of the week.  (She is a teacher, and off track.)  Then she took the boys somewhere fun every day.  Such a great Aunt.

#8  I am excited at what I am finding to sell this week end at the Antique and Craft Flea Market.  (I was o.k. doing it in the cold, but I am thrilled to have an extra week and a wonderfully spring week end coming up for the sale on Saturday.)

#9  I made a really good pizza for Pizza Friday, on Saturday.  MAXWELL'S PIZZA was on "GOOD THINGS UTAH demonstrating pizza how tos.

I learned to really have floured counter.If
I learned to go "hand to hand" as I turn the dough.  (And it worked.)
I learned to use less sauce than I have been using.  (Family thought not enough.)
I learned he used 1/2 mozzarella and 1/2 provolone cheese.  It worked super.  (I actually used too much cheese.  Is that possible?)

#10  A few weeks ago I heard something good that someone had said about me.  It has made feel different.  The person has no clue I heard about it., but I now feel different about this woman.  I feel less invisible.  I also feel more powerful as to differences I make.  I know from this experience that I must let others know the good things I think about them.  (Hmmm.  How do we do that?) 
 
If you are a follower, to celebrate my 200th post, I am having a mini GIVE A WAY every day this week.  Today's give away is for a set of IKEA kid's cups and 6 super strong magnets.  Check to see how I used them.  We have really been pleased with them.  I do not wash them in the dishwasher.

The winner is (just running over to "random.org".  Be right back.)
#51....  AMY!!!  Congratulations, Amy.  Leave a comment by Saturday, 7 May, letting me know how to contact you.

Tomorrow I am "random.org"ing for "WHAT I BUY WEDNESDAY".  There is still time to be a follower.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY

WELCOME BOBBI!  THANK YOU FOR BEING A FOLLOWER!

"You can not help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself."  General Norman Schwarzkopf

10 April - 24 April, 2011

I had a great  and fun week.  I enjoyed my own vacation while my sister was here.

#1  I finally got Brooklyn's picture put on my family tree pillow.  (It is a tree pillow that I kept watching at "Linens and Things" when they were going out of business, and finally bought.)  I have teeny tiny pictures in charms with scrapbook safety pins.

#2  My sister and I visited 9 D.I.s and 2 Savers.  We did it on the way to other things.  (More about what I found, and what I looked for, on Wednesday.
WE HAD FUN, AND SUCCESS.

#3  (I asked Debbie before she came if she wanted to see the Carl Bloch art exhibit while she was here.  She said no.  She does not like museums...)  While my sister was here she mentioned there was an art exhibit she had heard good things about.  Could we get tickets?  WHAT!!!  I ASKED YOU ( ;-)
We went to Provo hoping to get in on stand by, and got right in.  (We got there about an hour after opening (10:00) on Monday morning.  When we left  the exhibit at about 4:30 on Thursday afternoon (a BYU graduation day) the wait was about 1 hour.  The exhibit is open until 9:00 p.m., but evenings WILL be crowded with youth groups and those that can not go in the daytime.)  The art was beautiful.  I was glad she got to go.  (And we went to a D.I. and Saver's :)

#4  Logan and I had a fun date.  We took Aunt Debbie to the airport and went to the last D.I. we had on our list.  Then we went to lunch, "with a play place and chicken".  Logan was very good.  (He picked "Mouse Trap" as one of his toys.  I was glad it was going to HIS house.

#5  Leslie gave me and Debbie pedicures.  It was great.  Thank you very much, Leslie.
(The sad part is that a 1/4 bottle of nail polish remover spilled on my (very large and expensive) wool rug.

#6  After 1 hour of looking on line, flooding the area with water, patting all the water out, and LOTS of stress, we lifted it to dry for 2 days and it was fine.  SO HAPPY!

#7  Debbie and I went to/had Cafe Rio, 3 times.  (Her request.)

#8  Since my surgery my voice is way off.  It is hard to get enough air to sing, and it is not on the right note.  But I can still whistle on key :)  (Too bad I can not do that at church.)

#9  Doug won a Chili's gift certificate at work in an emailed number problem contest at work.
And, the visiting accountants gave him 4 tickets to their box for a BEES baseball game in May.  (I like this better than Chili's.  He loves the game and I love reading with the game in the background.  My dad was a baseball fan, too.)

#10  Debbie left on Wednesday.  Doug took Thursday and Friday off.  We had a wonderful week-end together.  There was no one home but us.  On Thursday we had tickets to the Carl Bloch exhibit.  (The exhibit is in Provo, UT and open until May 7th, 2011.  Tickets are free, but must be pre- reserved.  There are stand by tickets available, but there may be quite a wait.  (See wait time above under #3.)  (http://carlbloch.byu.edu/)  It is worth it.)  We loved going together.  Our whole week-end (Thursday and Friday) was very nice.

Stephanie Williams (Follower #54).  Comment by Saturday to get the Give Away basket (- the basket too hard to mail).

This is a good time to be a follower.  I will have a small GIVE AWAY (random.org) for followers, every week day next week to celebrate my 200th post.
1 Frame and monogram tape
2 IKEA cup set and magnets
3 a Princess clippie from BITS AND PIECES (See the side of my blog)
4 ...wait and see...

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY!

WELCOME TO NEW FOLLOWER, SMCOLTRIN.  THANK YOU FOR COMING.

10 April - 17 April, 2011

"The future is as bright as your faith."  President Thomas S. Monson

#1  My sister and her son are here visiting.  We are (really) enjoying the visit.

#2  When Logan was a baby I discovered a song that would soothe him when he was upset.  It worked so well that we all used it.
("I love you, "Logan". Oh yes I do.  I love you, Logan, and will be true.  When you're not with me, I'm blue.  Oh Logan, I love you."  from Bye Bye Birdie)
When I sing it to Brooklyn, it makes her laugh.  :)

#3  Lots of years ago (about 15) I watched a movie I liked.  It got "lost".  Eventually, (about 3 years ago) so I could forget about about it being "lost" I ordered the video of it.  (It was cheap.)  I finally watched ""Vanishing Act" (with Mike Farrell, Elliot Gould and Margot Kidder) with my sister.  It was fun.  (Let me know if you want to borrow the video.)

#4  My basket of wheat grass that I am growing for Easter is growing great.  Keith gave it to me last Easter.

#5  I had a $20.00 Barnes and Noble card (I paid $10.00) that was about to expire.  Leslie traded me for a $2.00 Amazon card. 
I bought 3 DVDs.  "Les Miserables (25th Anniversary Concert), "Fitzwilly" (love this Dick Van Dyke movie at Christmas time-or anytime) and "Gaslight" (1944 + bonus 1940.  A good olde suspenseful movie.)

#6  I had an extra avocado from a meal and made a peanut butter and avocado sandwich for lunch.  This is a recipe from my childhood.  And my mom's childhood.  (My grandma had an avocado tree in her backyard.) 
It may sound terrible.  It may look sick.
It is so good.  (From my mom's family we also learned how good it is to put a slice of plastic (American) cheese in a peanut butter and jam sandwich. mmmmm

Peanut Butter & Avocado Sandwich

#7  Game Nights.  Lots of game nights.  And, after one game night, 6 of us made a midnight run to the Taylorsville DEE'S for cheese fries.  We played "Pit", "Skipbo" and a few games of "Scattergories".

#8  Matt, Debbie and I went to "Ensign Peak".. It is my favourite local spot to visit.  (It has a great family hike, but it was raining :(

Ensign Peak

#9  We went to Ashley's VERY FUN Super Saturday.  Look what we made.  (Actually Ashley's Aunt Christy did a TON of the prep work.  There is a "squiggly thing" on the cupcake that holds a picture.  We are copying Christie and putting a hook on the back for balloons. 
Thank you, Christie, for all of your hard work and fun ideas.  Thank you inviting us, Ashley.

#10  Late night cheese fries, again, on Saturday night.  Company is fun.

SOME THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY!

WELCOME NEW FOLLOWER, RACHEL.  Glad to have you here.

"Enjoy life.  This is not a rehersal."  sign at RIB CITY

20 March - 10 April, 2011

#1  I am feeling better.  I had lots of fun playing "dinosaurs" on the floor with Logan.

#2  Mark and Ashley celebrated their 1 year anniversary.

#3  I never got to see "TANGLED" at the theatre, but it came out on DVD.  (Darn.  I fell asleep watching it.)  (Fell asleep the 2nd time, too.  At least I saw some different parts.)

#4  While channel hopping I found "FAME"  "the original Glee".  I set up a few episodes to DVR.  It was fun to watch again.  I was telling my kidults about finding this show from my childhood.  Then I found out it was from the mid 80's.  We already had 4 children by then :c)

#5  I went to a local antique show with Wendy...

#6  ...and spent no money.

#7  We enjoyed a fun play date and lunch at IKEA.  I bought something that I "crafted with", and will  have a GIVE-A-WAY for most the supplies.  (See What I Buy Wednesday and A Craft)

#8  I love General Conference week end.  They are my 2 favourite week ends of the year.

#9  My mother in law asked each family to listen to the conference talks and write our own verse(s) to "Follow The Prophet".  A new conference family tradition :)
My Verse
"Apsotle Elder Nelson, speaking for the Lord,
He knows some are worried, waiting for the word.
"Do not let your fears, now replace your faith".
Obedience to commandments,
keep body and spirit safe."

Sat. a.m. session
April 2011
also quoted President Monson, "The future is as bright as your faith".

Mine and Leslie's Verse
"President Monson spoke of temples,
how fast the numbers grow.
You will find some peace if you commit to go.
It's not just a building, it's filled with so much more.
You'll be renewed and fortified
when you walk through the door".

#10  We did a really fun and easy and cheap craft while the men attend the Saturday night conference meeting.  (See the monogrammed frames from Follow Friday and A craft.)  I will doing a giveaway for the supplies to make the frame to a follower the first week in May.)

#11  My sister is coming for a visit.  :0)
I want to get my ironing for all of April done before she gets here.  Conference Saturday I ironed 17.  Monday I ironed 12.  Wednesday I ironed 17.  Almost done.

#12  GOT A HAIRCUT.  (First 1 in 6 months.)

#13  My ROWENTA iron broke.  This was a special iron.  Doug took me to Sam's Club to buy it on 21 September, 2005.  The day we took Leslie to the MTC.  (No, I was not happy.)
Up to that point I had paid Leslie to do our ironing.  ($1.00 per item.)  That morning I was helping HER iron.  I knew if I was going to be ironing again, it was time to replace my ROWENTA, so we went to Sam's on the way home.  (I got the big ironong board, too.  When Mark left, I got our sweet Stevie Dog.  Although Doug does not care to have dogs, he let me get Stevie.)
Back to the iron story.  This one broke the way that all mine have broken.  They do not stay on and I see sparks where the cord goes in the iron. 

So, why am I happy?
About a year ago Wendy C. found a nice ROWENTA at an estate sale and bought it for me.  No delay at all in my ironing.  BIG SMILE

#14  I am finally caught up with "Things That Make Me Happy".  (I actually thought that I posted this on Monday.)

SOME THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.  It's already tomorrow in Australia."  Charles Schultz

6 March - 20 March, 2011

2 WEEKS AGO

Last week was a busy one.  I intended to get my 10 things typed and posted, but did not.  So I am combining the last 2 weeks.

#1  I had intended to make cute cake pops for our Cub Scout cake auction with Ashley teaching me and Elana some fun ones.  As the week went by, that was something I crossed off my list.  Then Saturday morning I got a text from Ashley saying that she had made 20 cake pops for Saturday night and would bring them to me.  They were so cute.  Thank-you, Ashley.

#2  Emily took lots of us to "Pirate Island" in Orem for a fun family activity (since there was no school that Friday).  There were 13 of us.  The kids had lots of fun.  Thank-you for sharing your deals/coupons with us, Emily.  (Hilary paid the extra.  And I bought 10 paper pirate hats for the "X marks the "game :-)

 #3   Doug and I got to hear Mark and Ashley talk at church on Sunday.  This was the first talk Ashley has ever given.  They both did a great job.  We were glad we went.

#4  We went to Lindsay and David's church meeting on Sunday for Brooklyn's blessing.  The blessing was very nice.  Everyone came to our home for dinner after church.  We had lots of help, and the weather was wonderful.  I enjoyed Sunday a lot.

LAST WEEK

6.  O.K.  This is one of the FUNNEST things I have done in a long time.  My sister and niece were visiting my brother, sister (in law), and their 2 children.  On (or is it "in" ? ) Staten Island..  My brother is great about calling me and telling me what they are doing.  (I so love that city.)  So on Wednesday, they called when they were all heading to Times Square.  If you read my blog regularly, you know what happened.  I told them with camera was up, and they came and found me.  Me on my computer in Utah, and them in Times Square.  I gotta say this was a real highlight of my week (actually month).  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PLAYING WITH ME.  (I took this picture of my computer screen.)  You can go to Times Square (and watch fire trucks and strangers) by clicking on the earthcam link on the left side of my blog.

7.  One day I was  #1 on our bracket game the whole day.

8  .I have wanted some things printed since last July.  Leslie printed them, and some other things, for me.  Thank you, Leslie.

9.  My kidults, grandkids and friends came over to watch "Darby O' Gill and the Little People for Saint Patrick's Day.  I love when the family is around.

10.  On Thursday I got to go with our cub scouts to the land fill.  (I thought is was a dump, but they are different things.)  I thought it was fascinating.  And the boys were good, too.

11.  I am loving the BYU games on t.v.  It brings family home.  And...

12.  I am loving all the comments on our Family Bracket Facebook page.

13.  Do you know what these are?  They are french fry cone baskets.  I saw them many months ago in a World Market ad.  Mark went to get them up for me, but they were sold out.  (Two people had bought them all.)  They put me on a waiting list (I wanted 4) IN CASE they ever got them in again.  (He did buy the paper liners for me :) 
Four months later they called and had my 4.  And they sold them to me at the sale price they were at the time :)  Not totally sure how I will use them since I only make sweet potato fries, and even then, not often.
Vegetable sticks?  No, I have plenty of veggie trays.  Homemade ice cream cones?  I am sure I will think of something :o)

14.  My niece taught me to make this very fun happy face.   d[*o*]b    Thank you, Ayley.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

Do you want to participate in our get healthier game?  Commit to do more each day.  The first follower/participant give away drawing is March 15th.  You need to sign up (and be a follower) to win.

"The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing."  Stephen Covey

27 February - 6 March, 2011
As always, not in any particular order.

#1  For the first time this year (2011) we have 2 working, legal cars at our house.  Whoo Hoo.  (Thanks P.K. Auto.)

#2  I had a great day on Tuesday.  Felt great!

#3  My family WAS happy that our basketball team was #3 in the national polls.  (Happy family makes me happy.)  Unfortunately, we are now ...#8.

#4  One day last week I had 150 hits on my blog.  That is my most hits in a day since I have kept track. :)

#5  I went to book club on Thursday.  It was great to be back.  I love book club.

#6  I had a great MARCH FORTH.  Got lots of little things done, and got a lot done in Lincoln's room/Grand kid's/playroom.

#7  On Friday Emily asked if she could take me to lunch.  Of course she picked the only restaurant that would get me out of the house.  I love "RIB CITY" in American Fork.  Their ribs are wonderful.  The owner is on sight to great guests.  I had seen her share a recipe on GOOD THINGS UTAH for Cuban Style Pulled Pork Sandwich.  It looked so good that I decided I would get one to go :)  It turned out that it is not on their menu, but she brought me some of each of the meats to try. mmmmm   

THEN, Emily went to the A.F.D.I. (Thrift store in American Fork) and said she would read in the car while I treasure hunted.  Since I still can not drive, this was a perfect day!  Thank-you, Emily.

#8  I have been pretty darn mad at my local newspaper.  They no longer run the 2 medical columns that I like.  They don't have the local television and movie columnists that I like.  And finally the big one.  They got rid of my favourite columnist, Ann Cannon.  (Some of my favourite columns of hers are the Diet Dr. Pepper and slippers at church, and the family reunion.  But there are many more.)  And I do not like the replacement.  The new column(s) are by authors/speakers that I am suffering overload from them. 

Then I heard Ann was writing for another local paper, now.  I BLINGOED her, and found her blog.  Yea!  I can keep reading her wonderful everyday life stories.  (Made me happy :)

Then as I read I learned that she was not terminated.  She was just making changes.  (Made me happy :)

#9  I had lots of fun making my "X marks the spot" and playing with it with Logan.  Yes, We had real treasure.

#10  LES MISERABLES!  The new one.  IT WAS WONDERFUL.  We watched it Saturday night on PBS.  It was so good, that realizing I have no LES MIS DVD, I went to Amazon to buy it.  As I read the reviews, I realized there was a weak spot, so I waited until I had seen it all.  Still thinking about the purchase.  But, this 25th Anniversary  Concert does have some amazing performances.  Besides some quality performances, the sound quality is great.  And the special lighting effects are a very well done surprise.  And some wonderful bonus features.  (Four Jean  Valjeans from different well known companies/eras singing together.  Ah!) 

A side note - I am getting rid of my old videos, and replacing some with DVDs.  So I watched "The Man With One Red Shoe" (1985).  I remember liking it.   Turns out the much funnier movie with the same plot was 1997s "The Man Who Knew Too Little".  SO FUNNY.  I already have that one on DVD.  (And strong PG-13)

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

WELCOME TO SHAYLEI HALLING, OUR NEWEST FOLLOWER!  THANK -YOU.

"Happiness is not a destination you arrive at, but a manner of traveling."  Margaret Lee Runbeck

13 February - 27 February, 2011

#1  Doug used 1 of his left over vacation days from last year.  He took Tuesday off, giving us a 4 day holiday together.

#2  We got a pre-paid Visa card for Christmas from Doug's parents.  Doug also still has his birthday birthday money from his birthday in August.  And his birthday money from his birthday in August, 2009.  (I know.  Weird, huh?  That's Doug.  Few needs and easy going.)  Anyway I wondered if he wanted 2 new suits at a buy one-get one free sale, and he did.  (The truth is this- .Doug is not a clothes-or spend money on clothes man.  We have been married 32 years.  In all that time he has gotten 1 new suit.  His mom bought it for him (custom made) in Hong Kong when they picked his sister up from her LDS mission there.  She got home in 1989.  (No, he is not still wearing it.)
Since then we have bought suits from thrift stores.  (The last one was when Lindsay got married in Sept., 2005.)
I still need to hem them.  To frugal to pay for that.

#3  On Monday (President's Day) Emily and Hilary used their deals and coupons to take the family to "Incredible Pizza", which has now changed hands and is "Planet Play".  (If you have coupons, use them quick while they are still being honored.)  We had a really fun afternoon.  Logan, Layne, Lincoln and Ari participated in the dance contest.  We had no clue that they would dance for 1/2 an hour, but they ALL stuck with it.  They were each rewarded with a $3.00 game card.  Layne played "THE CLEW" game and won a very big monkey(?).  
Very fun day.  Thank-you Emily and Hilary.

#4  One night I was watching t.v. (Blue Blood.  What can I say.  I like crime shows.  I was reading my father's childhood Frank and Joe Hardy books by 7.)  Any way, there was someone that looked familiar.  And older.  I could not place it, so I re-wound it and asked Doug.  He did not know, BUT the next morning when I woke up, he told me what show the guy had been on.  (He had remembered in the night.)  AND HE WAS RIGHT.  (He had never watched that 10 year old show either.) 

We are the part of each other that is missing.  I am so happy we have each other.  We each think we got the better deal.

 #5  On Wednesday we enjoyed a great play date at FREE ZOO DAY.  Leslie did all the work pulling the wagon since both Lindsay and I have had surgery.  Thank-you, Leslie.

#6  We really enjoyed the RUSTIC TOMATO TART that I made last week.  It was fun to make the free hand tart crust, and the tart was so good.

#7  GUESS WHAT!  Emily won an IPAD from KSL television.  She was watching the news while she was getting ready for work on Friday, and they asked what you would not give up in this down economy.  She emailed that she would not give up her daily deals/discount coupons.  They read her response on the air - and said she won an IPAD.  (She needed that.  And of course she is thrilled.)
She and Logan took TRAX downtown that afternoon to get it.

#8  I tried 2 new successful recipes this week-end.  Both of them are ones I will keep.  I will share them on Saturday with the "PLANNING OUR MENU" post.  (A main dish/breakfast and a dessert.)

#9  Do you watch "Amazing Race"?  We do.  It is a family game/activity.  This week they were in Australia, and one challenge had the teams dressed as kangaroos - and wearing cool shoes with rollers that helped them to bounce.  It was so funny - and fun.  It was especially fun when there were several teams together forming a TROOP or MOB (yea, I looked it up :).  We were all laughing. A lot.  (We missed you, Christy.)

#10  Even though I can not drive, yet, I have my van back.  (Yea, another $450.00 in car repairs.)  But it is back.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY... LATELY

"Where there is great love there are always great miracles."  Willa Cather

#1 I went to the neurosurgeon on Tuesday and do not have to wear a brace anymore.  I can bend "with deliberation" and ride in cars  Whoo Hoo.
After my appointment Doug and I went to lunch at TOCANOS (in the Gateway) with a "glad you can go out, mom" gift certificate from the kidults. 
TOCANOS is a Brazilian restaurant with salad bar(s), hot sides,and servers that bring a great variety of meats to your table throughout the dining.  It was really good.  (Now I know why my kidults + Lincoln and Logan love it there.)  I was really impressed with the quality and attentiveness of the servers and management.  THANK-YOU VERY MUCH, KIDS.

#2  Doug (and Mark) took me grocery shopping on Saturday.  And Lindsay drove me to Cub Scouts.   I got to go to church on Sunday.  I am happy I can ride in cars, now.

#3  Emily brought home BBQ ribs (from Market Street Grill) on SUPER BOWL SATURDAY since I could not go to the SUPER BOWL PARTY at Grandma's and Grandpa's.

#4  I read John Grisham's new book, "The Confession".  I enjoyed it AND it is great to be able to read again.

#5  Yep, I can read again.  I have had fun reading blogs on the computer.  And I am happy I can post on MY blog again :-)

#6  In several places, and with different themes, I have seen the year long "52 P" Project.  It involves taking a picture each week that will illustrate your year.  I am happy to be doing that.  (Only 1 problem.  My memory card has been lost since Friday night.  UGH!)

#7  Ashley has a pair of earrings that I love every time I see them on her.  Leslie, Lindsay and Hilary looked at the store they were from, with no luck :( 
Mark and Ashley checked at both store locations.  No luck :(  Then one day a box came UPS.  Yep!  Mark and Ashley had ordered the earrings for me on line.  THANK YOU!  I love them.  A lot. (Not sure they were me, but they are now.)

#8  I am really happy (and so grateful) That Leslie and Lindsay dye my hair for me.  I used to dye my own hair all the time until about 1 year ago.  One of my daughters came home from work with a story about a woman (now known as SPOT) who had missed a part of hair and walked around with a large gray "spot".  Yes I do appreciate their attention to detail :)  (If I had shaved my head at the beginning of my spine problems, I wonder how long my hair would be now?)

#9  While everyone was gone on Super Bowl Sunday, the little screw fell out of my glasses and the lens fell out.  No reading or computer use until someone could take them in.  (I looked hard for the screw.  Even used a magnet.)  When Doug came home, he found the screw still in the hole.  He fixed them for me :)

#10  I can cook again (and unloaded the dishwasher).

I will post pics when the memory card is found.
On "What I Buy, Wednesday" I will share one of my favourite treats to buy when we are out.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

WELCOME NEW FOLLOWER,  MEGAN!  I am glad you stayed after visiting.  Thank-you!

(Only 7 followers away from a drawing for some of "MY FAVOURITE THINGS").

"Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things."  Doctrine and Covenants 59:7

14 November - 21 November, 2010

#1  We had a boutique at our house last Saturday.  We think it went pretty well considering it was a first year boutique.  Everyone made money.  And the socializing was fun, too.  We are planning to do it again next year.  I made A LOT of my Mexican Meatball soup and... 

#2 ..we had some soup (and other food) left from the boutique on Saturday.  It made me very happy to have left overs for dinner during the week.

#3  Sunday was a wonderful day.  Church was great.  (Stake conference and I always like the Saturday night meeting, too :)  But the best part was that mom decided mid-week to celebrate November birthdays on Sunday.  I was so tired after a busy week, and mom made made all the main food.  Thank-you so much, Mom.  It was really a treat for me this week.  (And not even my birthday.)

#4  I FINALLY GOT A PERM!  I have (really) needed one for about 1 month, but was putting it off until closer to the holidays.

#5  I had my semi-annual Dr. appointment.  My cholesterol was was 206.  Yea for me.  (i never miss taking the stupid medicines I hate.  I know.  Two words we don't use.))  Some of my numbers are not good, BUT SOME ARE:)

#6  Play date was fun.  We took the kids to JUNGLE JIM'S in the Fort Union area (Salt Lake, UT)  We got our kid's tickets thru SCREAMIN DAILY DEALS for only $4.00 each.  (Adults are free.)
Most of the time we were the only ones there.  The workers were happy (and nice) about running the rides for our kids.  ($4.00 (regularly $8.95) bought a wrist band for unlimited rides. ( There are video games/games that use tokens that are not included.  We did not use them.))  The kids really had fun.  We think the rides are geared to ages 2-6.  Our kids are in that range. 
We liked that each ride had benches where we could watch the kids.
For lunch we bought corn dogs and a pitcher of root beer.  It was reasonably priced.

#7  Wednesday night we went to see Hillcrest High's production of "Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella".  It is one of our family favourites.  (We have the Julie Andrews version, the Leslie Ann Warren version and the Brandy version.  Yea, we like it ;) 
Hillcrest always does a very nice job with their musicals.  (They use LOTS of students for a full production.)  Their backdrops/scenery were great.  PLUS, we got to see 3 nieces/cousins that were in it.  VERY NICE, HOMERS.

#8  BYU won the football game.  That meands (I think) that we will get to be in a bowl game.  And (maybe) go to a bowl game.

#9  Leslie's hold at the library finally came, and I am reading the new John Grisham book, "THE CONFESSION".  (For the first time E V E R I am reading 4 (very different) books at the same time.)

#10  I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY THAT DOUG HAS ALL OF NEXT WEEK OFF :D

(I made a new recipe for Thanksgiving Day at Grandma and Grandpa's.  I loved it, and will post it this week :)

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY (2 weeks worth :-)

WELCOME NEW FOLLOWER "THE OLD GEEZER"  I am happy to have you (but I feel bad calling you that :-)


TODAY'S  http://www.screamindailydeal.com/ deal is $3.50 for a ride on the Christmas Riverboat Cruise on the Provo River from CLAS ROPES.  We enjoyed the Halloween cruise we took.

With everything going on, I never posted "MY 10 THINGS"  last week.  So I will squish 2 weeks together.

31 October - 14 November, 2010

#1  I am very happy (thankful) that we are able to vote.  And I did.  (Also happy that there are no more commercials, signs and phone calls :-)

#2  Very happy that Leslie is getting published.  She had a short story accepted for her school literary magazine.  Yea!

#3  ALWAYS the Halloween Party at Grandma and Grandpa's makes me, and everyone else, happy.   Grandma and Grandpa work really really hard to make this a fun night.  Thank-you very much mom and dad.  Great party this year.

#4  Christy and Leslie made "soup-in-a-pumpkin" for us the week after Halloween.  I love it.  Thank-you.

#5  So happy that Doug got my Christmas lights up before it got cold.  Thank-you, Dear.

#6  Lindsay and David invited us to dinner at their new house.  It was fun (and made for an easy dinner for me).  Thank-you so much.

#7  I had a good experience picking Layne up from school on day.
I clipped my keys on my purse and read until it was time for him to get out of class.  I picked up my purse to get him, and had a thought that I should leave my purse in the car.  O.K.  I set it on the floor and went to remove my keys-but they were not on my purse.  I had missed the clip.  If I had taken my purse, my keys would have been locked in my car.  So happy I listened.

#8  I took a fun class from Sue Neal (at Robert's Craft Store)  I made a small Christmas Memory book for 2010.  I am glad I talked myself into it.

#9  I loved seeing "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (at Hale Center Theatre Orem) again.  It is a fun play with great music.  I went with Hilary, Leslie, Lindsay and Wendy C.  VERY FUN PLAY!  Thank-you, Leslie for getting the tickets.

#10  Happy Birthday Charles!  We love you.  I am glad you are our son.

#11  I made a new REALLY EASY and VERY GOOD Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookie recipe.  I got the recipe from My Little Gems.  (I have seen it a few other places since then, but I saw it there first.  The recipe is at the end of this post.)

#12  I am happy Emily is out of the hospital :D  (She was in the hospital for 16 out of 30 days, and had surgery.)  

#13  And, this week I do have a top happy thing.  Doug and I celebrated our 32nd anniversary on November 10th.  I love my husband so much.  I am so thankful, and feel so blessed to share our lives together.

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
recipe from My Little Gems  (http://mygratitudeattitudes.blogspot.com/)

1 boxed yellow cake mix (see note)
1 16 oz. can of PUMPKIN
3 tea. pumpkin pie spice
1 cup chocolate chips

THAT'S IT!
Mix the pumpkin pie spice into the pumpkin.  Stir it well to make it smooth.  Add it to the cake mix with the chocolate chips.  Mix until there is no dry mix left.

Drop on a sprayed cookie sheet.  These do not spread, so I can get about 16-20 on my cookie sheet.
Bake at 350* for 10-15 mins.  (Mine take about 15 mins.)

NOTE You can also use a spice cake mix and eliminate the pumpkin pie spice.  I have not tried that, BUT, that makes it a 3 ingredient cookie.  WoW!  I am trying that on Thursday.

UPDATE ON SPICE CAKE MIX - I made this with a Pillsbury spice cake mix, and many liked it better.  Then I tried a store brand cake mix (the same night ;-)  It was for the "Harry Potter party.)  and it was not as good.  It also was more of a brown, instead of pumpkin orange.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

10 October - 17 October, 2010

"Happiness is an empty washer AND dryer when you get ready to do laundry."  ME

#1  YEA!  I am happy Emily is home after being in the hospital for a week.  (Stupid infections.)  And she did not miss her whole "off track" :)  (But she can not go to Disneyland with her friends :(

#2  Woo hoo!  Lindsay and David and Logan closed (and are all moved in) on their first house.  To see all the hard work, visit "QUINNEY CORNER" on my sidebar (?)  We are all sooo happy.

#3   I enjoyed helping Hilary and Lindsay with the Jet Blue Boutique.  It was fun to have followers come visit us :)

#4  I am so happy/thankful that we have 2 cars.  Then when the brakes go out (or the radiator explodes) we still have a car for Doug to drive to work.  I am also quite grateful for my mechanic. They always try to fit us in.  (PK AUTO-About 11400 South on 7th East in Sandy.)  Nope, not getting paid.  They do not even know I have a blog.

#5  I am happy Hilary went with me to get a new cell phone after mine was stolen at Winco.  (They turned it off right away so we could not hear it ring:(  I have a really hard time adjusting to "new".  I hate learning how to do something -again - and then trying to remember it.  Hilary helped me find one quite similar to my stolen one.

Then, Leslie programed the whole thing for me.  THANK-YOU.

#6  On Tuesday Lindsay and I took Logan and Layne to Emily's class carnivals.  We got to help run some of the "booths".  (Emily was in the hospital, still.)  I did decorating cookies.  Lindsay did "Tape the nose on the pumpkin".

After the first carnival ended (the a.m. class) a very shy girl came (late) with her mother.  The girl clung to her mom and did not want to participate.  Luckily we had Layne and Logan and another sweet visitor.  They were willing to play Halloween Bingo, Bowling... with her.  It felt like she had needed to come late.  She needed to be the one in the centre.  I think her mom needed it, too.  She was thankful.  It felt really positive.

It was a fun morning.

We left quickly when they were over to pick up Logan's Halloween costume.  (Lindsay loved it at Old Navy, but it was sold out when she went back.)  Leslie looked ALL over on line.  We could find it for at least double, but...

Then, she checked KSL.com.  BAZINGA!  She found one in West Jordan for (drum roll) $7.00!  (We were already 1/2 way there :)  It is in super condition.  (I am so happy I do not have to hear Lindsay worry about Logan's costume anymore ;)

We finished our fun Play Date by eating lunch in the car at Sonic.
Good Day!

#7  I am happy all 33 miners were brought up safely from the mine in Chile.

#8  Macey's case lot sale.  (Darn.  It is over.)

#9  I have wanted this cake pan for several years.  The one I have been hoping to find at a good price is metal, and way more expensive.  Then I saw this one at "Bed, Bath and Beyond".  With my $5.00 coupon it was about $16.00.  AND, I LOVE SILICONE! ( "Bed, Bath and Beyond" has something we are getting Logan for his third birthday, AND the GIANT cupcake pan-silicone.  This is what I will be using my next 2 $5.00 coupons for :)

My cookie/cake pan review-  Price was great.  I let it cool in the pan and it released wonderfully.  The print was not as defined as I thought it would be, but it totally pulls off the effect.  My biggest problem is that I could only fit 1 layer on my cookie sheet, so I had to cook them separately.  Oh well.

As always, if you live in my area you are welcome to borrow things.

#10  (closely related to #9 :)  I used my cookie/cake pan to make a chocolate cake for Sunday dinner.  I recently saw on BYUTV show, "Living Essentials" about using pureed beans as your oil in baking.  (The guest was Crystal Godfrey and her blog is http://everydayfoodstorage.net/  .  I had a hard time finding that out.)  She said to use black beans in chocolate/dark things, and white beans in light/white.  I think lots of us have had the brownies with beans, but I wanted to try more.  (Lots more.  More about what I've done next week :)

I made my cake with a cake mix and pured black beans (1/2 cup pured black beans instead 1/2 cup oil:).  (I also used dehydrated canned eggs, but they are much more expensive than real eggs so I won,t do that often.) 

I made the cake on Saturday night.  After completely cooling the layers, I covered them with a plate to keep them fresh until Sunday.

Frosting was a breeze.  First of all, the frosting was left over from Emily's carnival.  (It was Macey's frosting. mmm)  The whole assembly only three minutes.  And some of that was showing people :) 

The result was GREAT!  It had a more homemade taste and texture.  It was a big hit.  (Yea, bad picture, but super cake :)

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

3 October - 10 October, 2010

"If you have integrity and love you have all of the great virtues."  Lowell Bennion

#1  A home alone Monday.

#2  We had a great play date visiting the WITCHES at Gardner Village.  (Took our lunch, and spent NO money:)

#3  Organized the storage room because...

#4  ...Macey's case lot sales make me happy.

#5  I am so happy /thankful that we live in a time with medical knowledge.  What an amazing time we live in.  I am sad that we do not know it all.   I am especially grateful for antibiotics.

#6  The other night Doug was channel hopping.  It was just a glimpse, but I instantly recognized it.  "STOP.  Go Back!"  I was right.   L&O, U.K. (LAW AND ORDER, UNITED KINGDOM :)   Yep, another dose of my comfort show.    (On BBC on Friday nights)

#7  I decided not to go to the Antique Show.  (I did not want to spend money.)

#8  BYU WON!  Happiness reigns at our house.

#9  Sunday dinner at Mom and Dad's house.  Last big family BBQ of the summer.  Easy dinner, but sad to loose summer.

#10 "Live within your harvest"  (I liked this thought.) I am happy about all of our fresh tomatoes and zucchini.  I will miss them.    Doug and David did a good job on their gardens.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions."     Dalai Lama

29 AUGUST - 5 SEPTEMBER, 2010

As always, not in any particular order :)

#1  Happy Birthday, Elana.  I am happy to have you as a daughter-in-law, and in our family.

#2  I am happy we know what our next baby grandchild will be.  A GIRL.  (Due in January.)  I already have 2 grandsons, and Lincoln.

#3  I got my nephew's address.  AND got a letter mailed to Chile.

#4  THANK YOU SO MUCH, LESLIE FOR TAKING MY CAR IN FOR INSPECTION.  I absolutely HATE taking it in.  I sit there terrified about what I will have to spend.  (I needed rear tires and something fixed so I could squirt water on the driver's side window.  DONE)   I usually pay a kidult to do it, but she just did it.  And then took it back when repairs were made.  I LOVE A NEWLY LEGAL CAR.   THANK YOU, LESLIE!!!!!

#5  Doug looked on line and figured out how to fix the windshield washer thing.  The Internet makes me happy.  Doug makes me happiest.  Thank-you, Honey.

#6  Remember the 2 matching shirts I found on National Thrift Store Shopping Day?  I needed them to wear to an "Alice in Wonderland Tea Party" that I was invited to. I was one half of TWEEDLE DEE AND TWEEDLE DUM.    It was fun.  The party was outside and decorated so well.  The food was really fun, too.  I especially liked the crumpets with clotted cream and the cucumber sandwiches.  Thank-you, Paula.  It was fun.  (But my kidults thought we were too old to have a costume tea party :)
(I had a picture here, but it disappeared.  Doug will put it back Wed. p.m.)

#7  Book Club was this week.  I really enjoy book club.  This month one friend was there who lost her husband a few weeks ago.  The next day, another book club friend's husband passed away.  I am thankful for friendships formed in happy times that help support thru times that are hard or painful.

#8  For Family Home Evening we met at Lindsay and David's not owned, yet house, and leveled the ground for their shed.  The FREE shed that I helped them win.  (Remember the 97% credit I got?)  The shed is in and filled, now.

#9  Does this make me happy?  Leslie showed me how you press "next blog" and visit random blogs.  I do not have time to play with that, but am happy I learned what it was for.  (I do wonder if I am missing a GREAT craft idea or wonderful, delicious recipe.)  Did everyone else already know this?

#10  I am happy this week is not (supposed to be) as busy as last week.  I have a few projects that I want/need to work on.

I have 2 recipes and a craft to post this week.  I will also add something to "my favourites" GIVE AWAY basket.  I hope we all find plenty to be happy about this week.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK and something for the GIVE AWAY BASKET

" A good home must be made, not bought."  Joyce Maynard

22 August - 29 August, 2010

#1  I have done 100 posts this year  :-)

#2  Doug took Monday off (for his birthday).  We were going to go to a baseball game, but ended up not.  What did we do for his birthday?  We flipped our mattress, watched Logan and I went to a funeral. 

#3  We went to Classic and climbed in the jungle for a fun play date.  It was one of our last summer play dates before Layne and Annie (the girl Leslie nannies) started kindergarten. 

#4  It was a busy week with Hilary and Lindsay working long hours getting ready for the boutique.  The boutique ended up being slow.  Because of very windy weather, it was held inside.  We had a nice day together and friends and family found us. 

#5  Leslie made her first pie crust.  She did a great job.  She made a chocolate cream pie and we made a fresh peach pie together.  (I will post the recipe and blog address later this week.)  The peach pie was so good.

#6  Emily bought a fun homemade ice cream book for me.  It has recipes sized for the smaller freezers.  I have enjoyed it.  A lot.  Thank-you very much, Emily.

#7  I thought of a GREAT idea for my brother-in-law's birthday.  I hired someone to make the playing card holders and they came back so much better than I thought they would.  He did a great job building them.  My idea made me happy.  The finished product made me happy.  I hope they work well, and I will still be happy.

#8  There was a television show in 2004 that I really liked.  My nephew copied some of my old videos (happy) on to DVD (happier) for me. Then my sister-in-law said it might be easier if he copied them from on-line.  I came home and looked on-line.  I FOUND THE WHOLE SERIES ON EBAY.  All 41 episodes on 10 DVDs for ONLY $25.oo and FREE SHIPPING!!!  (HAPPIEST:)  (He said I could offer less, but I couldn't.)
The show?  "MYSTERIOUS WAYS"  Great show.  And I have all 41 episodes.

#9  I am happy Lindsay and David have their appliances.

#10  Doug's car is fixed.  The head gasket was not ruined.  YEA!

Did you see the ice cream book that Emily bought for me?  She hunted all over and found one for you.  I am putting it in the basket of my" favourite things".  Watch for there to be 60 Followers and one of them will get the contents of the basket.   

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

15 August - 22 August, 2010

"Happy talk, keep talking happy talk.
Talk about things you like to do.
You got to have a dream.
If you don't have a dream,
How you gonna have a dream come true?" from South Pacific

Not in any particular order.

#1  PBS broadcasted the play "SOUTH PACIFIC"  I really enjoyed the production.  And I did not remember the ending, so was happy when it ended...happy:-)

#2  Did you know Wednesday 18 August) was National Thrift Store Day?  I had no idea there was a National Thrift Store Day, but I HAD to celebrate it.  O.K.  It was just lucky.  Leslie was off work and we decided to go to a thrift store to look for a particular book.  On our way home Hilary texted me to tell me.  I did find one thing I was looking for.  Two matching shirts in different sizes.  I will explain why I needed these later :)
Thank-you for going with me Leslie.

#3  Swimming!  (We had to give the pool back on Saturday:(  Welcome home, Michael and Kate and Kids.  Thank-you :)

#4  I read a really good book.  I finished it in 24 hours.  I could not put it away.  I will do my August book reviews next week.  (If you can't wait, just ask.)

#5  We went to my niece's baptism on Saturday.  It was nice to share the day with Kate.  (The dinner was very nice, also.)

#6  DVR!  O.K.  I do like it.  I really like it.  :)

#7  Emily brought home sandwiches from "Village Baker"  mmmm  (She bought them because it was the last week of summer.  Not for me.

#8  The radiator in Doug's car blew up!  No.  I am not happy about that.  But...
I have been working to only use cash.  Each payday I take an amount that I decided on, out of our household account.  I have enough left in the household account to pay to replace the radiator.  Points for me.
 (Of course it could turn out to be wasted money.  It could have happened because of a bad head gasket.  Then we need a new car.  I have not saved that much money in that account.)

#9  We had a great storm Thursday.  I had the windows open to enjoy it.  The thunder just kept rolling.  It smelled wonderful.  I love summer storms.

#10  I tried a new recipe that we really liked.  It is easy and fairly healthy.  It is called Mexican Lasagna, but since it isn't, I am calling it simply, Corn Tortilla Bake.  (Both my daughters-in-law hate casseroles :)  Doug and I like this so much (even the left-overs) that it is going in my "30 Day plan".

CORN TORTILLA BAKE
adapted from "Vegetarian Times"
Serves 6

1 can black beans (or kidney or pinto)
1 can seasoned tomatoes  (I use Petite diced tomatoes w/ chipotle chilies)
2 cups frozen corn-defrosted
8 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups monterey jack or colby jack cheese-grated  

In a bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes and corn.
Spray a large square baking dish.  Line with 4 corn tortillas.  (I have mine go up the sides a bit.)  They can over lap.  Spread 1/2 the bean mix over the tortillas.  Sprinkle 1/2 the cheese over.  Top with 4 more corn tortillas, the rest of the bean mix, and then the cheese.  HOW FAST IS THAT?  (Cheap and easy, too.)
Bake at 400* for about 15 mins.  (A little longer if corn is frozen.)
Can serve with sour cream.  This was so quick and good that we forgot the sour cream.
REMEMBER THE FLAVOUR COMES FROM THE TOMATOES.  BE SURE YOU LIKE THE KIND YOU USE.

Each serving contains ABOUT
315 calories
15 grams protein
10 grams fat
41 carbs.
25 mg. chol.
8 grams fiber

If you are local to where I live (Salt Lake, UT)  and work on food storage, check out MACEY'S.  This week they have Libby's canned beans and corn priced at 3/$1.oo.  (Only $4.oo for a case of 12.)

Last week I posted a MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH recipe.  I heard that I had (opps! Forgot) not put pictures on.  They are there now.  Sorry.

----------------------------------------------------------

WHEELER FARM FALL BOUTIQUE
28 AUGUST, 2010  (This Saturday)
10:oo a.m. - 6:oo p.m.
6351 South  900 East
Murray, UT

My daughters will have a booth there.  You can win one of their cute *Princess* clippies.  I am adding a princess clippie and headband to "my favourites" basket.  I will add something each week until I have 60 followers.  Then I will random.org a winner for the basket contents.

You can also buy a Princess clippie at the boutique or website http://bitsandpieces10.blogspot.com/ .
Also included in "my favourites" basket is a cute photo album ready for pictures and included embellishments.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK!

8 August - 15 August, 2010

"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things."  Henry Ward Beecher

WELCOME NEW FOLLOWER, STEPHANIE!!

#1  I am SO happy the yard sale is over.  Everyone sold something.   (I bought a griddle and a fun building toy for the boys.) 
Another yard sale down.
 
I did learn some things.
May sales are much better than August sales.
I want to get a canopy.
Either way, the sale is over and I get my garage back.

#2   Last week-end Doug got a new computer for me.  This week a lady from my church came over and taught me how to work on Family History and Index, using the computer.

#3  "MOVIES ON THE LANE".  Four Mondays during the summer Grandpa has neighborhood movie night.  He uses a blow up big screen and projector.  Everyone (family, friends and neighbors) come.

Grandma makes dinner before hand for family.  Thank-you, Grandma and Grandpa for a fun summer.

#4  Leslie made me happy.  She took donations to the thrift store for me. (Three trips.)

She weeded ALL the front yard.  (She likes it because she can listen to books.)  I like because... you know why.

It was also Leslie's week to do kitchen.  She does the best job of all kidults. 
THANK-YOU, LESLIE.

#5  Everyone, except Layne, was here for Sunday dinner.  And at the same time.  :D

#6  I am happy everyone helps with meals.  Emily got the Chicken Cordon Bleu for last Sunday.  Hilary got the scones from Sconecutter for this Sunday.  (We order them and pick them up on Saturday.)

.#7  Swimming!  (So sad summer is almost over.)

#8  After looking lots of places for "Cupcake Pebbles" (a newer Post cereal) @ WINCO.  Emily helped the kids "Pebbles Cupcakes" (like Rice Krispie Treats.  They frosted them and put sprinkles on them. mmm

#9  Doug spoke in the hospital branch on Sunday.  It was quite relaxing.  There were the 3 men leaders, a couple that does the music, and us.  The meeting lasts about 1/2 hour.  It was nice.
Then we went to our church meeting and substituted in the nursery with Hilary.  Add this to our Sunday dinner, and it was a very nice day.

#10  Lindsay and David ended up with a major cabinet problem.  Their granite counter tops (from the house) were not going to fit.  So they were going to have to get a less expensive counter top - and have to wait 2 weeks for it.  Doug gave me an idea, and I followed thru on it.  And paid for it.  And it worked.
How many points can I have for solving the problem?  :)

I am filling a basket with some of my favourite things.  When I have reached 60 Dear Followers, I will random.org a winner of the basket.  Today I am putting a fun boy fan photo album that I made.  I am including things to embellish it.  These are fun to leave on a table  (and could be used for a holiday gift).


Later this week I will add a cute hair clippie that Hilary made.  She and Lindsay are busy preparing for the fall boutique at WHEELER FARM on Saturday, August 28th.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

1 August - 8 August, 2010

"I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.   Arthur Rubenstein

#1  Emily had cataract surgery on Monday.  Everything turned out fine.  She will get her other eye done this Monday.

#2  Swimming.

#3  I got 22 things ironed on Friday.  YEA!   (I wanted to get ironing done so I could focus on the yard sale.)

#4  I got my pineapple cutter ordered from Leslie's Pampered Chef party.  (I borrowed Kate's and loved it.)  Debbie and Karyn got it for me.  Thank-you very much.
 
#5  Lindsay and David took out the glass shower doors in the house they are working on.  I hate shower doors.  (We have REALLY hard water.)  We have always had them (and replaced them when I couldn't stand them) because I did not want the kids constantly splashing water on the floor.
WAIT A MINUTE.  I DON'T HAVE ANY KIDS:)   Shower doors out.  Shower curtain in.  (O.K. I do still have to remove the 2 side bars and bottom track.  They are caulked in and it was late Saturday night.   30 points for Lindsay.

#6  I am happy we have hired a gardener.  After being gone for over 2 weeks, it needed help. (The only thing we have gotten from the garden so far (Doug's and David's) are 2 zucchini and 1 potato.)  It is night by the time Doug gets home from work.  I feed the gardener, too.  Thank-you so much, Mark :D

#7  Book club makes me happy.

#8  Leslie came home from doing respite care for a week.  :)

#9  I have an advertiser.  I could not figure out how to show her button, but I will do that tomorrow.  (Actually a kidult will.)
Welcome Megan.  Megan sells "Pampered Chef".  She is who we use when we need a new seasoning or gadget or...  I (sort of for now) have her link on the right side of my blog.

#10  Doug bought a new computer for me.  YEA!  (Oddly enough I am doing my 10 things on my "baby" computer.)  I want to start doing family history and needed more memory and a bigger screen.  Thank-you so much, Dear.