Exercise...here I come!

Yay, I finally got up off my you-know-what and went to the mall to do my walk! Hurray for me! And it felt so great. This winter has taken all of the motivation for exercise out of me, but, no more!! I'm fighting back. Thankfully, I haven't gained any weight since the beginning of winter, but, I'm not in great shape either. I would love to go walking outside, but, the air is so bad and dry. So, it's the mall for me. It's free, there's bathrooms, drinking fountains, cute outfits to look at, music to listen to.It's great! And..I don't have to worry about how I look cause all the other ladies are looking the same way I am, determined to lose those extra pounds! Yes, I know there are gyms, but, I'm not a fan. I can do pilates, hip hop abs, run up and down stairs, and lift a few weights at home. Now, it's just getting back into doing that. And I'm going to!

Need a giggle?

My friend posted this on her blog and I had to do the same! Enjoy!

Save the whales! Collect the whole set.

A day without sunshine is like . . . night.

On the other hand . . . you have different fingers.

42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.

I intend to live forever--so far so good.

Borrow money from a pessimist - they don't expect it back.

Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have.

When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane and facing the wrong direction.

For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism.

The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Change is inevitable . . . except from vending machines.

Get a new car for your spouse - it'll be a great trade!

How many of you believe in telekinesis? Raise my hand...

If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving isn't for you.

Swashbuckled!

For the past few years, Richard and his Dad have been working on a game that they (along with a few cousins) invented quite a long time ago. It is finally finished! They have created a game company called "Fun At Home Games" and their first game is called "Swashbuckled!" It is a great game! You carry cargo from port to port (trying to make the most money is the object of the game), but, it's not easy. You encounter pirates, Lord Nelson, storms, wars and treasure islands along the way. It teaches geography and history as the cities are from the 1806 time period. I admit that as a girl, I do love this game!

It is now at Deseret Book, BYU bookstore, Games People Play, UVU bookstore, Amazon.com, and funathomegames.com. A few game distributors will be taking it as well. We are encouraging friends and family who live farther away from us to order online at www.funathomegames.com.

Let us know if you have questions about it. I will post more pictures of the game this week.

I have a vision of green grass and trees with leaves!

You know, I've about had it with stuffy noses, coughs, fevers, not sleeping, and staying in the house for over a week! I'm not great at staying in doors a lot. I love the great outdoors, except for the cold. So, I've been a big wimp lately not wanting to brave the cold. I know, I know, I have it good compared to other states or countries that are below zero! Still, I hate cold.
For 8 days now, I've been dealing with sick kids. Yes, all three! We thought they were doing better on this past Saturday so we decided to get out of the house and do some things with the kids. Bad idea! Sunday was bad and today Preston and Sara woke with fevers AGAIN! Ethan made it to school today, after missing all of last week, but, probably to catch someone else's cold or cough again, but, at least he's out of the house for a bit.
So, for my entertainment last week, Richard so lovingly went to Blockbuster and rented some movies for me. My lifesaver! I've watched "The Bachelor" (cute), "Bride and Prejudice" (loved it!), "America's Sweethearts" (dumb), "Sydney White" (funny movie), and "The Waitress" (pretty good). Not sure what today's movie will be. I do need to get onto Heritage Makers and work on my scrapbook. Do something constructive, you know?
I can't wait for spring! I love grass and trees WITH leaves on them, walking at the park, having picnics, playing catch with the kids......Okay, I'll stop.

I love days like this!

Today I did have the plan to clean, finish the 'bottomless basket of laundry' along with all the bedding, play with kids, maybe take them to the library, and go to the post office and store. Do you think I did any of that stuff??? So, Richard started coughing a lot last night and on through this morning, a nasty deep chest cough that came out of nowhere. He checked his sick hours that he has available, (he had some built up) so I convinced him to stay home and rest. Now that I look back on my day, I did nothing but make french toast for breakfast, make lunch (called warming up chicken noodle soup), pick up toys a few times, watched a Baby Story on TLC and played monopoly online! Oh yeah, and had an hour and a half nap. My sister-in-law took her daughter and Preston to preschool, and Richard took Ethan to and from school. It was great! I don't even feel guilty cause I think I deserve it. I've been busy! But, is it this way with anyone else? The hubby stays home and throws off your whole schedule for the day? It was worth it, I must say.
Now tomorrow is a different story of course. It will be busy. Ho hum. But, I am going on a ladies night out tomorrow with some friends from church. Hogi Yogi and then to see the movie "Enchanted"! That gives me something to look forward to.
Thank goodness for days like today, though, that keep me sane!

I got tagged!

So, it's my turn to do the 5 things list. And, I am going to tag 5 people: Amy Lockhart, Holly Ward, Bethany Chambers, Tristi Pinkston and Emily Hartvigsen.

1. 5 Things on my To Do List:
laundry (it's always there!)
organize file drawers
clean out boys room, box up old toys
put photos in scrapbook
practice piano

2. 5 Jobs I've Held:
US water technologies (dumb telemarketing job)
Larsen's Health Foods
Good Earth Natural Foods
Piano teacher
Mom :)

3. 5 Places I've Lived:
Orem, Utah
Provo, Utah
Liverpool, England
Lancaster, England (among a few other cities)
Warren, Rhode Island

4. 5 of my Favorite Snacks
chips/salsa
white cheddar popcorn
cheese/crackers
candy
crackers/artichoke dip

5. 5 Things I would do if I were a billionaire
Pay off school loans
Go on a month long trip to Europe
Set aside $$ for kids college
Retirement savings
Shopping spree!!!!

Holiday Fun

Here are some photos from the holidays and Ethan's birthday. We had a lot of fun attending the Festival of Trees. We saw amazing trees and gingerbread houses! The kids had a great time there.
Ethan also turned 7 in December and wanted to go bowling. So packed up his cousin and a friend and went to BYU game center.
Christmas was great! The boys were spoiled by grandparents and a bit by us as much as we could. Since both of our families are within 2 blocks of where we live, we spent Christmas afternoon with my family, then the evening with Richard's family. We had a really fun time.

Excited for Christmas, despite....

So this season has been challenging financially. We had some $$ set aside for Christmas that we were so excited about! Then of course, what happens?? It all goes out the window to car brakes, cell phone bill that went way, way, way, way over (sob,sob), Salve Regina wanting $$ for books that weren't covered by our financial aid for his MBA, doctor bills and meds for Preston's asthma, and a few other things. Why does that always happen around this time of year? Oh yeah, Trials! Hmmm...how about in January or February instead. Oh well.

But, I am still loving Christmas time! I love being with family and shopping for everybody. I actually enjoyed making Christmas cards and newsletters and one big thing I did this past Sunday was accompany our ward choir in a Christmas choirside. Now you have to understand, our choir director is 91 years old and has had her calling for about 40 years! She loves the Mormon Tab choir, so she likes to do music that they do. Anyways, we performed about 9 songs that included 3 Handel's Messiah songs (yes, the Hallelujah chorus) and some other nicer songs. So I have been practicing like crazy lately. This Sunday we are going to her husbands rest home and putting on a program for their sacrament meeting, then we are heading back to our ward to do a musical program for our sacrament meeting. At least this keeps me at the piano. I do miss the ease and more simple songs we performed in our ward choir in Rhode Island! (Thanks, Holly!)

I hope eveyone's finale of Christmas shopping is pleasant and successful! And may no financial troubles come your way!

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

These guys are great! I love a good acapella group.

2005 Miami U. Cheezies a cappella: Facebook Song

This is pretty funny! To all of us addicts!