My House Full

UFOs!!!!

2012-01-06T16:54:00.006-06:00

I'm surrounded by them! I've counted about 100. Yikes!

For the uninitiated, UFO = UnFinished Object. That means some sort of project that was started (or in my case, about to be started), but not completed. The list includes:

5 Block-of-the-Month Quilts. I don't think any have all the blocks completed.
About 30 sets of pajamas. Um, yeah.
13 skirts and dresses for me and the girls.
3 more quilts, 3 x-stitch Christmas stockings, and more.

I hope to make a big dent in this pile this year. I've joined a Facebook group that was created just to encourage each other to finish things this year. I need to be accountable to someone!

Goals for 2012

2012-01-04T13:37:00.010-06:00

Most of these goals will be a stretch, but if they are too easy, what's the point, right? They are categorized by the many "hats" I wear.

Child of God:
read the entire Bible
read the Book of Mormon (multiple times? or read at least 20min/day?)
read the Relief Society lessons each month

Wife:
(keeping these goals private)

Mother:
help my Scouts earn their next ranks
help Anna learn to read
potty train Zeke and Lydia
help Zeke learn all his letters, numbers and some sounds
get kids to all Dr needed (this is more than just check-ups)

Visiting Teacher:
100%

Housekeeper:
deep clean house
do weekly cleanings

Repairman:
repair all the currently known issues, including: light switch, broken door, mirror, mixer

Begin kitchen remodeling

image source

Cook:
start making sourdough bread
dinner by 6pm

Blogger:
3 posts each week

Bookkeeper:
reconcile all accounts
update accounts weekly
create a budget we can follow

Daughter/Sister:
call at least 2x/month

Friend:
participate in a social group (book club? sewing club?)

Artist:
Finish at least 30 projects, focusing on ones previously started

image source

Student:
Read 30 books, including at least 12 classics

Individual:
Aerobic exercise at least 3x/week
Eat more fruits and vegetables

image source

Sugar as poison

2011-04-27T13:57:00.002-05:00

I watched this video a number of months back, and I have been meaning to share it since that time. If you have the time, it is very informative. If not, here is the gist:

Our body processes different sugars differently. Glucose is not the same as fructose or lactose (our 3 most commonly ingested sugars). Dr Lustig asserts that in order to break down fructose to be usable by our bodies, a number of harmful by-products are created. These by-products, in his opinion, are responsible for many of the issues Americans are facing today. Weight gain. Insulin resistance, and eventually diabetes.

I can't say that I know enough biochemistry to know if he's right or wrong. But he does work through the chemistry, and I think he may have figured it out.

Why is this a big deal? Well, some companies have been pushing fructose as a safe alternative to diabetics, since it doesn't create a blood sugar spike. It may very well cause more damage than the white sugar may have done.

My take-away from this? Cut back white sugar, fruit juices, high-fructose corn syrup and regular corn syrup. We already know they aren't good for us, and now we can see at least one theory of the kind of damage they do. Eat lots of fiber. It counteracts the damage caused by fructose. Also, I will continue to avoid sugar alcohols, or what we call in our house "fake sugar." If something natural like fructose can cause so much damage, I can only imagine what something created in a test tube can do.

I stand corrected

2011-04-26T13:18:00.002-05:00

Here is a wonderful explanation of the name of James in the New Testament. I always thought that the King James translators had changed it. While it is still very correct to say that James' real name was Jacob (Yakov), the name of James was more very convoluted mispronunciation of his name over the years. I would still argue that if the King James translators noticed this, they kept it as James in consideration of the King. Who would want to be the one to tell him that the famous apostle didn't really share his name?

I finished!!!!! Bible in 90 days

2011-04-08T15:41:00.003-05:00

I have now read through the bible twice. Yay! This time was a struggle. I visited California in January, and didn't read much while there. I've had some other projects going - I was in charge of rechartering our pack, and I've been making a quilt for a friend. I still need to work on a blanket for my nephew (it's taking much longer than I hoped!), but I'm still glad I took the time to read again this year. I forget about different passages and learn new things each time.

This reading was different than last years - my husband bought the official Bible in 90 days as a Christmas present for me. This meant instead of the familiar KJV translation, I was reading the NIV translation instead. I do have to say, it was easier reading. I only have a couple complaints with the translation: I don't agree with the verses left out. I believe they were part of the original text. And I don't like how the word Jehovah is not found in the entire book. (please correct me if I'm wrong!) Instead of Lord of Hosts, they put in Lord Almighty, and for Lord of Lords, they put in Sovereign Lord. I think some of the meaning is lost with those changes. Still, there were interesting changes in some verses, as well as some very interesting footnotes on alternate meanings. Reading this has really driven home the article of faith: "We believe the Bible to be true as far as it is translated correctly." The KJV has mistakes in it, as well as the NIV.

For my friends that have not read the bible all the way through - do it! Set a time to start and finish. 90 days means about 45 minutes to an hour each day. Consistent reading is the key to finishing. I was amazed at how much easier it was when I wasn't trying to catch up. And I love how the scriptures end up being in my head all day. I plan to continue this as a tradition for myself every year. Hopefully it will get easier each time I do it!

Tabs I have up in my browser

2011-04-08T15:14:00.004-05:00

1. Money Saving Mom shares Walmart's new coupon policy. Important things to note: coupons for free items cannot be printed from the internet. Any overage will count towards other items in your purchase.

2. Positively Splendid shares a tutorial on covering boxes with fabric. I realized how cheap muslin can be - so I think I'm done with buying boxes that break for the kids' toys. These will likely last just as long, and I can reuse the liner in a replacement box as necessary.

3. A friend from my quilting guild used these paints in a quilt. The quality was amazing. These are not what you'll find at the neighborhood craft store. I don't have a project planned that would use these, but it looks like it could be great fun.

4. Once I have a working stove again, I plan to get back to canning preserves, jellies, pickles, salsa , etc. These reusable lids and rings might work out to be money-saving. The cost isn't much more than what I buy at the grocery store - and those aren't reusable! I'm not sure how well they work and how long they really last. Perhaps more searching would tell? I might just try them out and see how it goes.

5. The more I look at disposable diapers, the less I want to buy any more of them! After doing some research online, I found that hemp fleece should work the best as a "soaker." Absorbent material is a must in this house. Bed are frequently wet by morning.

Yes, I always have ongoing projects. Some take months to start, and some never happen. A post in the future may just be a list of those projects floating around in my head!

Songs

2010-11-11T11:37:00.003-06:00

Just a few songs I've enjoyed listening to on YouTube the past few days:
Mister Sandman

Nature Boy - this is so hauntingly beautiful. I love it!

Never on Sunday - this one cracks me up.

They Say It's Wonderful

A few more summer freebies

2010-05-21T22:04:00.003-05:00

This is as much for myself as anyone else. My kids have fun getting rewards, and these are all great things to do!

From REI:
http://www.rei.com/passport
Print the "passport" here:
(just realized they linked to last year's) http://www.rei.com/pdf/kidsPassport/pta_journal_09.pdf
And then print the form to send in for your prize:
http://www.rei.com/pdf/kidsPassport/passport_to_adventure_mailer.pdf

From Half priced Books:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/free_PDF_downloads.html
Their flyer:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/pdf/flyer4up_english.pdf
And the reading log:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/pdf/generic-log2-C_english.pdf

Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/
Their passport (reading log):
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/resources/events/2010/summerreading/pdf/2010_PassporttoSummerReading.pdf

Cinemark Theaters:
http://www.cinemark.com/summermovieclubhouse/index.htm

Bowling (check to find one near you):
http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/
The list of participating locations - there's a lot!
http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/all_centers.php

Lowe's - free projects for children:
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Home Depot:
Kid's workshops

Of course, check your local library. Ours offers weekly activities, story time, and prizes for reading.

I'll be posting more as I see more. Summer can be lots of fun!

Summer means reading, and free stuff!

2010-05-13T13:29:00.002-05:00

First offer that I have seen this summer - I know, it's still spring, let's not get too technical - is from Borders. This one is very simple. If your child is 12 or under, all they have to do is read 10 books, list them on the form, and get you to sign. Then bring it in to Borders and get 1 free book. You choose from 10 titles. Most of them seems like great classics. this promotion lasts until August 26th. I hope to post about more summer fun as I hear about it.

Bible in 90 days - #3

2010-02-15T15:03:00.007-06:00

I've been thinking a lot about King David, and his fall from grace. When you read the whole story in such a short time, the contract is stark. He was an amazing man, with such strong faith and trust in God. He refused to kill Saul, even though he would be justified in doing so, and had multiple chances. But when life became much easier, he let Satan creep in. It's interesting to think about what was a sin, and what wasn't. David stayed home from war. A sin? Not sure, as we don't know the circumstances. Then he was hanging out on the roof of his home, and noticed a beautiful woman bathing. A sin only when he continued to watch. He wanted to know who she was. No outright sin there. But when he found out she was married, he should have stopped there. Even after he laid with her and got her pregnant, he could have admitted his wrong. But instead he tries to cover it up. When that doesn't work, he makes sure her husband is killed in battle.

The man that was unwilling to defend himself against the King that chased him down, was willing to kill one of his trusted soldiers to steal his wife and cover up his sin. How quickly he fell!

On a different topic, two Psalms that struck me as I read them:

Psalm 13

1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

If you think of the enemy as being Satan, the verse takes on a whole new meaning.

Psalm 37

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

I want to make this into a plaque on my wall. Beautiful, simple, and profound.

I am now halfway through the bible, and almost caught up again. I'm in the middle of yesterday's reading.

The bible in 90 days - #2

2010-01-11T21:22:00.003-06:00

I have fallen behind again, and caught up again. The Old Testament is hard for me to get into. So much of it is so repetitive, that I have to force myself not to skip.

Still, there are some things that I've noticed, that I don't know if I had realized before. Joshua didn't first show up when the spies went out to survey the land and people. No, he was there as a companion to Moses on mount Sinai. I do not think he went up the mount, and saw what Moses saw. But I'm sure he learned much from those experiences as well as from Moses' teachings. He shows that in his response to the 10 spies who were afraid.

One thing that is so difficult with the Old Testament is how harsh the judgments seem to be on the people. But then you have to think of what they have seen and heard. The Israelites saw the Red Sea part. They saw springs suddenly start in the desert at Moses' command. The Lord talked to the people from a cloud. Food showed up from nowhere. And yet, they complain multiple times about how it would have been better if they had died in Egypt. How could they be so faithless? How could they forget those miracles so quickly? But then, would any of us done better? I would like to think so, but there are many times that I'm not so sure.

The bible in 90 days - #1

2010-01-04T12:32:00.005-06:00

I decided to take the challenge from Mom's Toolbox, that I came across from a blog I subscribe to. I'm reading the King James Version, since that is what I'm used to. I am on day 4, and have just finished reading Genesis.

A few things strike me. First, is how many good parents have their own faults, as well as children that make terrible mistakes. Cain killed his brother out of jealousy. Lot's sons-in-law laughed at him. His wife turned back. And his daughters made him drunk so they could become pregnant by him. Isaac favored Esau, even though Jacob was the one who truly feared God. Reuben slept with his father's wife. Simeon and Levi killed a town because one man slept with their sister. Rachel stole her father's idols when they left his home.

What is to be learned from all this? Perhaps we need to be all the more watchful and vigilant in doing what is right. But also that we all make our own choices. I cannot force my children to be good, but I can teach them.

Today's reading was mainly the story of Joseph in Egypt. I seemed to understand more this time of why and how Joseph tested his brothers. He either hoped that they had changed for the better, or that he could keep his younger brother with him. It is amazing how much Joseph endured for so many years, and how quick he was to forgive his brothers. I hope I can become as forgiving.

PPD

2009-10-23T12:04:00.003-05:00

This article in the Ensign really hit me last month. I realized that they described me over the past few months. I have been doing much better the last couple weeks, but it still isn't easy.

I thought back to a PPD risk assessment given by my OB back in California. I could mark yes to many of the questions during my pregnancy.

Long distance move? Check
Unplanned pregnancy? Check
Financial troubles/reduction in income? Check
Little assistance from family? Check
Death in family? Check - even though he didn't pass until months after
PPD after previous pregnancies - probably

It didn't help that I never trusted my OB, and was even more disappointed with how he treated me during delivery.

Before I go further, a note to my sweet husband:

Postpartum depression may be difficult for a husband to understand, and sometimes he may react with confusion, frustration, anger, guilt, anxiety, or embarrassment. It may be helpful for him to engage in counseling or reading to increase his understanding of postpartum depression and to learn how he can be most helpful. His doing so can benefit both him and his wife.

I know that this is probably hard for him to understand, and that he probably will blame himself for my troubles. I guess I've been trying to protect him. This is not his fault. I think that I've always known that I'm prone to depression. It's never been this bad before. But I'm doing so much better. I feel like I'm one step away from being "me" again. I think a lot of that has to do with me admitting to myself what it is that I've been struggling with. It has taken away the guilt of all the things I haven't accomplished over the past 8 months.

Oh, and as I have been thinking about this, I've been thinking about comments my dad made years ago about my mom. About how it seemed that she didn't take good care of herself after having a baby. I suspect that she suffered from PPD as well. I love you, mom.

I can say that the hardest thing about this is actually admitting it. To people I know, even. Hitting "Publish Post" is a struggle.

Melon soda

2009-09-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

Smitten Kitchen recently had a delicious recipe for what she calls "Melon Agua Fresca." We called it "cantaloupe soda." Because we're refined like that. Anyhow, Tom put it together for our family night. He skipped the water, and didn't bother to strain the fruit. In case you're wondering, melon purees amazingly in the blender. We don't have a very fancy one, and it was so smooth. Oh, and we used bottled lime juice. It tasted wonderful. The fun part was that it was frothy. I wish I could share pictures, but I didn't pull out the camera before we finished it off. It was sweet, but not super sweet.

Next is to try this with watermelon. Or make the watermelon lemonade I saw. Yummy!

504? IEP?

2009-08-17T18:06:00.001-05:00

I've learned a little about it, but need to learn more. Last year was quite the struggle with David, and I don't think it's going to get better anytime soon. My understanding is that he doesn't qualify for and IEP. The medication just wasn't enough anymore - we didn't see much difference - so I'm trying to gear myself up for the new school year. Honestly, if he's not getting any work done at school (and it's getting sent home for him to do), I would rather homeschool him. For those that don't know, he's been diagnosed with ADD for 3 years now - he's 8.

I'm having a hard time understanding the difference between an IEP and 504, other than an IEP seems to offer and guarantee more. The best that I can understand is that an IEP expects and improvement in performance. While the 504 is just modifications in place. But I'm not exactly sure that that is correct. I've been reading books, asking questions, and not getting very far. One group just talked about getting a different diagnosis when I posted a question. His teacher didn't want to start the process last year (felt it was too late in the school year). Tomorrow is "back to school night" when we find out about teacher assignments, and the teachers are there to meet the students. I plan to ask questions of the teacher and principal then, but I feel like I'm going in blind.

Last year was much better than the year before (his 1st grade teacher hated him, I swear!). But we still struggled to get to finish his work. Any of it. He's been identified as gifted, and was finishing less than his Kindergartner brother.

I can't blame school - he's like this every day, for every one. The only difference with homeschool is that I would be able to control the amount of work required for him. But he loves being with his friends at school. And I'm not sure I'm ready to take on that responsibility yet, either. I've been barely keeping up with the basics lately. If I feel I need to, I'll do it. I just know it'll take a lot of work from me to get him to succeed.

Anyhow, I know I'm rambling. Any advice for talking to the school? Starting the process of getting a 504?

Am I ready to fly?

2009-07-14T12:59:00.004-05:00

It is so easy to try to shelter myself and my family from everything. It's time to risk falling.

Anyone that truly knows me knows I don't usually take big risks. Case in point: Junior High Track and Field. At the beginning of the season, they had everyone try everything. I guess I did pretty well in the hurdles for my height/weight/age class, so they had me be part of the hurdle relay at a meet a few weeks later. In my defense, I had not practiced the hurdles between that time, even once. Well, when my turn came, I choked. I ran up to the first hurdle, and stopped. I then stepped over the first hurdle. I tried to break into a run for the next one, but skidded to a stop again. Swung one leg over, then the other. By this time, the tears started to come. My teammates were cheering me on. But I repeated my embarrassment with every one of the remaining hurdles. I could barely see them with the tears streaming down my face, blurring my vision. I crossed the line, handed off the baton, and my team finished last. By a long shot. Friends put their hands on my shoulders, but I just wanted to hide. Why couldn't I have done what I did a few weeks ago? Nothing amazing, just jumping over them? Fear. Fear overtook everything else.

Of course, leaving my hometown so my husband could work on his PhD was a leap of faith. But what have I done here? Keep to myself for the most part. Time to change that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA_uwWPE6lQ

Stop the ride - I want off

2009-06-25T11:33:00.002-05:00

The past couple weeks have been hectic. Our sewer line broke, so we had to be super careful with our water usage until we got it fixed (done, thank goodness!). One grandpa has a mysterious illness on top of his advanced Alzheimer's. The other has colon cancer. Our Stake President from CA got in a car accident, in which his wife died and he punctured a lung, did some serious injury to his back, and other problems, I'm sure. My best friend from high school's older sister died of an aneurysm. The kids mashed the little fins on the AC, so it's barely working - and it's 100 degrees outside all this week. My husband's stepdad is in the hospital from a stroke. My sister lost her baby. All I can wonder is, what's next?

A friend reminded me of a "thanks journal." I think I'll have to make a post later today of just our blessings. Since, somewhere in all this, there are many.

The Quilter's Apprentice

2009-06-18T15:03:00.000-05:00

The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
A quick, easy read. Amazingly clean. Sometimes I think she struggles with describing the quilts, although being a quilter myself, I know many of the blocks by name and can visualize them without a description. She does a wonderful job weaving the stories into the plot. I think she could have done more description, as well and development of the relationship between Sarah and Sylvia. It seemed a little too scripted - it happened too easily. I am curious to see what she does in the next book, although I have a feeling that she could have combined the two into 1 (this book was only 266 pages). Oh, and I wished that she had told the story behind the "contrary wife." I think it's so funny that I'll have to make one myself someday!

View all my reviews.

Love Walked in

2009-06-18T15:01:00.000-05:00

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I loved the premise. Sadly, the author is foul-mouthed, loves to focus on sex (even if she doesn't describe it explicitly) and with that she pushes her belief that sex is something to be played around with - to experiment until you "find the right person." And still, I fell in love with the characters. And I loved how she switched back and forth from Cornelia's point of view to Clare, winding the stories together. Wonderfully written.

View all my reviews.

The Bread Baker's Apprentice

2009-06-18T14:51:00.000-05:00

The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread by Peter Reinhart

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable read. I have not had a chance to try the recipes - that will have to come later. But I am very interested in playing around with retarding the dough and seeing the effects it makes in the flavor and texture. I have not read a whole lot on artisan bread, and this was helpful in learning the science as well as some the techniques. I now understand what the "windowpane" test is. It does have only 2 recipes for whole grain breads (whole wheat, and whole sourdough rye), which was a disappointment, but know I have a lot of new ideas of how to play around with the bread recipes I see.

View all my reviews.

Just for a laugh

2009-05-29T11:14:00.001-05:00

That guy deserves a $20 tip!

If Jesus hadn't gotten baptized, would that have been a sin?

2009-05-21T12:42:00.006-05:00

That was the question that caught my attention in Primary. My answer is different in some ways than the one given them. First off, I would say yes. If he hadn't gotten baptized, that would have been a sin. But he did get baptized. He himself said it was "to fulfill all righteousness." I believe that Christ was perfect because of all the things he did. If he hadn't done them, that would have been a sin of omission. At every point in his life, he had an opportunity to choose right from wrong. The difference between him and all of the rest of us is that he ALWAYS CHOOSE RIGHT. All the time. Every day, every minute. He was not exempt from the law. The expectations for him were not low, but higher than all others. That is why we worship him, stand in awe of him, and thank him for his sacrifice. Not because it was easy - it was impossible for any other to accomplish - but because it was hard.

Along those lines, this post has got me thinking. Am I ready to say "yes" to the role God has assigned me? Can I do my best to choose the right, no matter how hard it may seem? I know there will be times when I fall, but am I selling myself short? Giving up too soon? It's time I listened to those promptings, to do those things I know I need to.

Baby fat

2009-05-18T13:23:00.004-05:00

So, I always have gained a lot of weight during my pregnancies. From 45 pounds to 60. Now that I'm no longer pregnant, and our baby is 3 1/2 months, it's time to lose the 20lbs that are still on me. Baby fat is cute on babies, not on my thighs. How is it that we end up with skinny babies, anyhow?

This post is purely to motivate me. To actually EXERCISE. To say no to that 2nd helping of dessert. Okay, and the 3rd and 4th. And sometimes the 5th. I know that I'm not "obese." But I am not healthy, and none of my clothes fit. I'm tired, and my back hurts.

What my mother didn't teach me - folding sheets

2009-05-15T15:20:00.004-05:00

I saw this wonderful video from LivingOnADime. Of course, I start wondering why I had never seen this before! I know it may seem silly to some, but when you have a large family, all space-saving tactics are very important. 7 beds, 7 spare sheet sets = a lot of space if you don't know how to fold them! The video is simple, but does a great job of demonstrating what you need to do.

So, the question is, how many other things did my mom not know about? How many things did I miss?

Sweet!

2009-05-08T18:18:00.002-05:00

I found an awesome deal through another website. The Mars candy corporation is giving 250,000 coupons for a free candy bar every Friday through September. Anyone that know me knows I love chocolate! Of course, I'm trying to lose 20 pounds of "baby fat" right now, but it will be a treat for the kids, right? (Hahahaha!) Check it out! You can only get 1 coupon each Friday, and a total of 4 for each street address (the coupon will come to you in the mail).

www.realchocolate.com

A New Approach

2009-04-30T15:23:00.000-05:00

So, I've tried separating blogs into categories, thinking that people would only want to read about one topic. Well, I've decided that it will be the whole me. Not just part of me. We will see where this leads. As it grows, I will create a directory of sorts, so you can find certain topics. Now to add real content. Haha! I'll just have to remember to do this in baby steps!