Saturday, May 31, 2008

Over Her Dead Body - messenger bag

I just watched Over Her Dead Body (mega funny, but plotless) and discovered a bag on it that I want, but can't find. The character played by Lindsay Sloan (friend from Sabrina: The Teenage Witch... remember her?) was using a leather messenger bag with an adjustable strap... adjustable with a buckle. It was cute, not huge... and apparently disappearing... I can't find it anywhere!! Or anything like it! So, if you know about it, please let me know asap. Thanx!

Hotdogs roasting on an open fire....


It's more summer stuff that I love! Not so much the hotdog part... but the making fires and staying outside late starring at it, playing with it. The bad news is that I can't just go to bed... I have to shower or else EVERYTHING stinks. :)

Lemonade Stand Season


Today, Reilly insisted on having a lemonade stand... we didn't have much lemonade, so we did the next best thing! Kool-Aid!! Oh Yeah!! They got more tips than they sold cups, probably because they're so cute! Hah!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

First book finished in over a year!!

Beth (http://www.kis4kay.wordpress.com/) told me to read it, and, for once, I read a book someone suggested! So, you have to read it to get my blog (do it!), but I was surprised at how much happened in the book. It's very well written; very descriptive, so it was EASY to imagine what was happening. I'm worried now, because I want to see them movie... I wonder what they're going to leave out... it seems to me that everything matters, but there's really no way to fit it all in. Well, I think I'll wait a bit to watch it so that I can avoid being totally let down.

Really, though... READ IT!

Hallelujah Lortab!!


Mmmmmm... drugs....
Since I've been home, I haven't needed to take any of the perscribed medication from my doctor, Lortab, but he had me start doing exercised to bend at the joint they worked on ... the first toe joint right next to where my bunion was (hahaha, was... good times). It hurts like a mother and as a result, I have to take more meds now. :( I was so excited that I wasn't taking anything and was able to start putting weight on my foot... oh well. I walked around with no assistance yesterday, but had to take a Lortab before I could fall asleep. Hopefully it won't keep happening...

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Dinner is Served!


For dinner tonight I'm making cream of chicken noodle soup in bread bowls... is your mouth watering? Well, it should be because my chicken soup is the BEST!! Yummy, yum, yum!

Attempt Numero Dos!

Here's number two... it's about how to share the gospel with others. Too many Mormons think that it's a debate to be had between religious giants, when, in reality, the best way to convert others (the way the Savior spread the word) is to go into it with the intent to befriend and fellowship. What ever happens after that will be on the spirit present and the person who is listening. I have a new neighbor that I totally can relate to. Her husband is an Army recruiter who is a leader over many other recruiters. As a result, he is constantly out of the house and she rarely sees him except on Sunday (his only day off). Dustin has a similar schedule, so we jokingly call each other single moms. :) She is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but has been very accepting of how I believe and asked a great deal of questions. I NEVER seek out missionary opportunities because I am terrified of putting people off or making them think that I judge them one way or another, and I think I've been blessed to have been given this experience. Whether she joins or not, I don't care. She's been a great friend and I wouldn't push her conversion for anything.
P.S. Le Mot is French for 'the word'... how clever am I???

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

My First Attempt at a Handout!



Based on Pres Monson's New Era message from last year, I made a handout to go with my talk on Missionary Responsibilities. I thought it turned out really well... tell me what you think!

More updates!

I had an appointment today with the doctor that operated on my foot. He took some xrays and redressed my foot. I was shocked at the change! I didn't think of it at the time, but I should take pictures of the xrays for my blog... it's on the list for my next appointment (next Wednesday), so keep checking back for that. Until then, compliment me on my new foot!! :) :) :)

Monday, May 26, 2008

Surgery Update!


So, here's the skinny! On Wednesday last week I went in for foot surgery and had a terribly painful experience. Because I'm doing it through a study center (that researches the effects of a study drug on pain relief after the surgery), I went into it not knowing how it would turn out. Man, did that scare me!! I had a one in two chance of getting a placebo... one in two! That's a 50% chance of NO PAIN RELIEF!! Tell me that wouldn't scare you... Anyway, well, I got the placebo and, as a result, failed the study. I asked for too much pain medication after the surgery and the nurses told me that I gave them some 'great data.' Whatever. So, I've been doing great since then, though. No worries! I haven't had any pain reliever since 9:30am yesterday. I can sort of move around (with the help of some crutches), but I am starting to be able to put weight on my foot with no pain. Tomorrow I go to get my foot redressed and exrays, so I'll let you know more later! Hooray for normal toes!!! :) :) :)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Preschool Graduation

Reilly's almost done with preschool and her teacher is having a graduation ceremony for everyone. She's so excited, but bummed that it's over. She's had such a great time there. :) So, the ceremony is next Thursday, and I can't go, but Nina and Dustin are going and taking pictures. Stay posted for those, I'm sure they'll be cute!

Goodbye Gym!!


Since I won't be very active after surgery, I just thought I'd say a quick thing about the one thing I'll miss! Oh, the gym! How I will miss thee.... I'll have to spend week after week sitting with my leg elevated uncomfortably! Tis a sad, sad day. :( :( :( But when we meet again, how happy we will again be! I look to that day. Until then, my sweet!

My Birthday Present to ME!



My friend just had bunion surgery and told me allll about it. She did it through a drug research center. They paid for the surgery (from a licensed orthopedic surgeon), her recovery time in the hospital and travel and lost wages. After her right foot (left is scheduled for June 4th), she made $1200!!! So, I'm doing it too! I will have my right foot done on May 21st (hence the happy birthday shout-out) and will be at the hospital from Wednesday until Friday. Call me if you want to know how I'm doing, or wait for post-op blog photos! Wish me luck!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Food, Glorious Food!


Lately, I've been getting sick of eating the same four meals and left-overs weekly. You know, the standard meat and potatoes, pasta and sauce, baked casserole, pizza, left-overs - REPEAT! I'm soooo DONE with that! So, for lunch... yes, I said lunch... today we had philly cheese steak sandwiches that we MADE at home. They weren't identical to those from the resturant, but they sure spiced up my day! It's bound to be good now! :)
On the menu for dinner... kabobs! Lime shrimp, teriaki chicken and marinated beef all served with a variety of grilled veggies... yer jealous now, huh!?

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Is Winter Gone For Good??




FINALLY!! We've started being able to go outside without jackets! Horray for good weather. :) I got Sean a new bike (his first non-hand-me-down) and Reilly inherited Fiona's old one (plus training wheels), and they've been RIDING IN STYLE ever since!

Animal Week!




Reilly's preschool went on the last feild trip for the year. It was sooo much fun, minus the whining kids (mine included). They got to ride ponies and pet all kinds of animals. I didn't get pictures, but they learned sign language for all the animals ... it's way cute to watch the little kids showing off their sign language. Also, funny story... true story... when Miss Laura (their teacher) asked what pigs give us one of the kids shouted, "BACON!" It was hilarious!


Sean could have gone without the experience, but he got pretty excited to watch the boy peacocks struting around waving their feathers at the girl peacocks. He laughed pretty hard at them.

Gardening Season!


Last summer I redid the front yard's foliage and kept the grass green and beautiful... but TOTALLY neglected the backyard. Since we grill out a lot, I always wished that we had as pretty a back yard as the front, so it's my project this summer. This is what it looks like now, after a major facelift (weed killer galore... plus a new patio)... I should've gotten the before picture a long, long time ago... YUCK! After top soil and grass seed, all I have to do is water and wait. Hopefully by the end of the summer I'll have a really great after picture to post!

Monday, May 5, 2008

Beth's Euroblog.


My sister, Beth, is off to Europe for the summer and is keeping a blog of what she does whilest she's there. It's so fun already! Check this!


New Band and Name

My bluegrass band had some new major changes recently... most of which were the loss of our lead singer/guitarist and how we could replace her. So, we've been auditioning new girls and may have hit the jackpot this Thursday. We've got three new girls coming to audition ... two of which we already like. I'm excited to see how everything works out. I'm thinking that we'll handle it the same way that we started the band... who ever sticks - sticks!

But the main reason for the blog is that we're having the hardest time coming up with a name. So, if you care, please give me some feedback. What do you think of our options?

Morgan Creek
Morganskill
Spivey's Corner
Plain View
Diane and the Dirty Laundry Band

Sew... you think it's cute?




While I was at the fabric store looking for a fabric for my skirt project (shown below), I was so totally unsuccessful, however, I found a really cute print for Reilly and decided to change it up. Reilly, Nina and I looked for an easy dress that I could make for her and found several. This is almost what it will look like, but, as you can see from the picture of her, it's waaaaayyy toooo big for now. I'll have to bring it in, or wait a year so she can wear it. Guess I should've measured it first... oh well... live and learn... and then, get Luvs. When it's finally done, it'll have a dark pink (still need the fabric) sash around the waist-ish part and a hem at the bottom.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Young Women's Project


For our Wednesday activity, the Miamaids made cafe-style aprons. We are having a pretzel making activity soon and thought it would be a good idea to have aprons. They took WAAAAYY longer than I anticipated, but they were so worth it. Check them out! Cute! Cute! Cute!!

Friday, May 2, 2008

New Project.


Last summer I worked FOREVER on making a bathing suit, so I want to make something else, but it has to be easier. I went to the craft store for a Wednesday activity (we made cute aprons) and happened to go on a day that the Butterick patterns were $1 each (up to six), so I bought six patterns and want to get started on a new skirt. I really like both skirts (the right a bit more), but I can't find fabric for either one!! The paisley is the closest I've come, but I'm not even sold on that one!

Puppy business!


Here's our dog ... MAYA! We've had her for about four months. I'm not excited to have her, but the kids love her. She's a smart little thing ... she learned to fetch in a day and loves to play tug-of-war. She's a typical terrier and has extremely hard time giving up control... or in other words, she's a barker.

Blackberry madness!


I got a Blackberry this week and LOVE IT! It's been so nice to check my email whenever, whereever and to be able to plan my life without telling people, "I don't have my schedule right now, but I'll call you..." and then forget all about it! :) :) :) Call me a conformist, call me a wannabe, but don't call me late, uninformed or unprepared!! Hah!

I made my kids my ringtone, too. It has a recorder on it and you can use those recordings for ringers or alerts. So, my kids say, 'answer me,' for the ringer and, 'read me,' for the texts! It's so much more fun to answer my phone now! :)

**Wink! Wink!**


Sean learned how to wink! He was making one of his eyes smaller than the other, so I made him keep doing it until he could close one while the other was still open. Now he winks at everyone! It's too cute!!

Reilly lost a tooth!!!


A few weeks ago, we noticed that a permanent tooth was growing

in behind Reilly's bottom baby teeth. She's like a shark! So, we set up an appointment for her to have the baby teeth pulled, but it would've cost us almost $200, and I'm cheap. So, we've been wiggling them for a while. This morning, one came out!! Hooray! She's so excited to have the Tooth Fairy visit.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Fire Safety 101




For Reilly's feild trip this month, we got to go to the firestation. The kids had a blast talking to real firemen and we all learned a lot about how most fires start, how to avoid getting traped in a fire, and, most importantly, which Hollywood movies are totally inaccurate! Highly enlightening.