Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Traveling Bucket - Take Two




Here is the 2nd version of the traveling neighborhood bucket that I made.

For Family Home Evening last night we made a treat and then we let the kids pick where they wanted to ship it off to.

If I wasn't housebound, I think I'd go and get a couple more buckets to make to get passing around. They are so fun and easy to make!

Well, life is dull here, so this is about as exciting as it gets for today.

I think we're going to put up the Christmas tree today.

GASP!

Well ya know....it's exactly 1 month from today until Christmas!

Friday, November 21, 2008

How not to plan a wedding but how to pick your man!



I can't believe it's believe it's been 16 years ago today that Tracey and I were married.

I remember as a kid that the years seemed eternal...summer seemed never ending, and yet as an adult the years seem to be flying by in the blink of an eye.

I seriously don't know what I was thinking when planning my wedding. I mean, I flat out insisted that Tracey wore a white tux. Okay, seriously....WHAT WAS I THINKING? He says that he is still scarred to this day from the flat panel (which oddly enough he prefers flat panel now) bell bottom, white pants.


Oh and then there is the kitchen curtain bridesmaid dresses and yes people...take a close look at the mothers dresses....SAME print as Jana and Michelles, only a different color.






Oh please...where was J Lo the wedding planner when I needed her?


And then there were there were the carousel horses as table top decorations and the photographer that couldn't shoot a photo to save her life. Jen...where were you? Oh yeah..you were probably still in Jr. High.

The one thing I DID do right in regards to my reception was my cake (thanks a lot crummy photographer for not getting a decent photo of it!), and ice cream crepes for the dessert tray.

Another thing I did right from my parents point of view, I'm sure, was doing my entire wedding, dress included for $1,200!

All of those silly frivolities aside, I'll tell you what I DID do right. I chose to be married forever to the love of my life.

Sure we've had rough spots over the years, and it still makes me crazy that he can't seem to wipe up the counter after making toast, but I wouldn't trade him for ANYONE in the entire universe.

Tracey is my best friend, my listening ear and such a great dad.

He loves our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to the point that I am in awe.

We've had such great testimony building experiences...especially over the past year that have brought us closer together and more focused on our goal of being an eternal family.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him or look at him and thank my Heavenly Father for the blessing that he is in my life, and for what a hard worker he is to provide for our family...allowing me to stay home...even though there are days that I'd rather eat my hair than listen to the kids begging for something one more time!

So Tracey John Lee...I want you to know how much you mean to me.

I love you baby.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Little things you might not know about me....


So my cute friend Michelle that is looking way too good for having her 5th kiddo also had this fun diddy posted on her blog.

I'm at a loss as to what to post today so I thought this would be fun. And heaven only knows you don't want to hear me drone on about my woes with my near 14 year old. I swear...I just don't know what to do with that girl and I'm darn near in tears about it.

Anyhow, this is much more fun!

If you're inclined, play along. I'd love to see what you've been up to in your life!

Here's how it works. Change the items to bold that you have done in your life.


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii (Can I go again please?)
5. Watched a meteor shower (By myself at 3:00 AM one night...kinda scary!)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis (Many, many times just this past summer...blech...the things you do for boys!)
10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (I've been in a rain storm at sea...does that count?)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (Do Cabbage Patch Kids count?)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (Does a 1/2 count?)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (Well at least how to order at a bakery in Germany!)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (at times)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt (Just a few weeks ago in fact!)

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (as of last Friday I officially own ours! HA HA!)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (When our family lived in Germany, incredibly somber & life changing!)
67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (Thanks to Randy Ewell!)

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (Allthough I don't remember it)
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (only used ones for us!)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (Cover story thank you!)
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (I've seen the outside...does that count?)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved some one's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one (I've lost grandparents, but I wasn't very close to them)
94. Had a baby (Been prego 7 times! Ack!)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day


Looks like I've got some more things to chalk off before I die!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

It's weigh in Wednesday again!


Wow. I can't believe another week has passed along. I did relatively good with the eating but could have done better with the exercise. It's always so hard to get back in the swing after being sick and hosting mother nature.

I'm off to a decent start this week though. Yesterday I did my new Firm workout. Oh man. Do I EVER hurt today. My cheeks are screaming with pain, and not the cheeks on my face either.

This morning I did my duties of going to the gym and did the treadmill for 30 min. and lifted weights for 20 min. or so.

Let's just say the scale wasn't my friend today. Again. What's with that thing?

I guess it could have something to do with the fact that yesterday I made up for a relatively good week of eating with a momentary break down of candy and peanut eating. Dang gas station treats.

Anyhow I'm up .2 pounds. I guess that's better than last week. Good news is I measured myself yesterday and I'm actually down close to 2" around my waist, and I think close to an inch off my hips and even 3/4" off my legs. I guess I'm just building muscle. Sounds like a good excuse anyway.

OH WAIT! I can't do math. I just looked at my original post. I'm actually down .8 pounds. I'm .2 more than when I started keeping track at the beginning of the month. Hmmm...Sweet!

Have a lovely day everyone!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Neighborhood Traveling Pail






So I totally stole this idea from my Sister In Law. She made one of these when we went scrapping the other night and I loved it so much that I wanted to make one myself. I ran to Roberts yesterday and picked up the pail. I had so much fun making it in the afternoon. I actually want to make a couple more to circulate around our ward.

I know that some of my neighbors peek at this blog, so I'll have to figure out someone that doesn't look at this to send it to. Maybe we'll even send it to someone that we don't even know very well, so they can't make the connection. So to you neighbors that DO peek here, if anyone asks you don't know where it came from. Got it? :0)

I just love how it turned out so much that I had to share with all of you non-neighbors!

Thanks for the idea Jana!

ETA: Here is the poem that is on the top of the can:

This is our traveling Neighborhood Pail to say "We love you! We think you're swell!" Enjoy these goodies we have for you, then here is what you have to do....Fillit with treats and give it away, Share love with your neighbor for this special holiday!"

I then printed out a copy of a Christmas tree that has a tag attached to it that says something about hanging a copy of it in your window where everyone can see so that as many different people can have the bucket before Christmas as possible.

I don't anticipate getting it back, but that's okay! it will be fun to see how many homes in the neighborhood it hits.

I think I'm trying to put off running...



Man. I feel lazy. Then again that could have something to do with the fact that I had 2 extra boys in bed with me for a good share of the night, so I actually ended up sleeping across the foot of the bed. Why I didn't just go get in Aaron's bed, I don't know.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share the other two layouts that I did scrapping the other night.

I'll have to post a photo of the cute bucket that I made yesterday afternoon to pass around the neighborhood.

Well, I guess I'll get my runners on. (My mom should like that term!) And then face the mountains of cleaning to be done today. Other than that...not much going on here!

Enjoy!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Witchy Woman


SHOCK! I know, I know...for those of you that know me you know that you are witnessing a miracle right before your very eyes. Yup. I scrapped Halloween stuff. How can that possibly be? I'm surprised that it's not one of the official "signs of the times" because like I said...it's a miracle.

I had so much fun scrapping with my sisters the other day. It was truly, truly a perfect day with maybe the exception of sweet pork burriots for dinner. Yeah. I might be the only person on the planet that just doesn't love sweet pork.

Anyhow, here is one of the layouts that I did. I did two others as well, but I need to get the photos figured out.

TFL!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

I need YOUR help!

So you know my cute hubby that I think is ever so talented with his videography? Well he "whipped up" another Doritos commercial for a contest that they are running. This one I ABSOLUTELY love. I mean, I loved the other one that he did...but this one? It's awesome.

The scoop is that Doritos judges will pick 5 winners. At that point it becomes open voting and the winner gets a million bucks!

Right now we are just trying to push his video into the "most viewed" arena, so if you wouldn't mind taking a moment to watch his video....two or three or four (hundred) ;o) times that would be awesome!

Also if you are bored and want to spread the word to your friends that would be groovy!

Thanks!

The Ultimate Search Doritos Commercial

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Doritos - Mans New Best Friend

So Tracey and one of his buddy's decided the other day to made a video to enter into the Doritos commercial contest. Who knows what will happen. I know what I would LIKE to have happen...walking away with a million bucks for 1st place! Heck, we'd even take 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th place at this point and walk away with a cool 25K. Anything to ease the stress right now! LOL!

So what this means, when it comes time to vote, I'm going to be begging you to beg everyone that you know to go and vote for them. (That is if he makes it to a voting round).

Anyhow, it's kind of a silly commercial, but fun.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

It's weigh in Wednesday


Ick! Ick! and more Ick!

Oh I cannot even begin to tell you how frustrated I am with my weight and the way I look right now, but hey...I guess I can look at it as I still have a goal to work toward...something to do....right?

So after running with Tracey for the first time in over a week this morning (brrrr!), I hit the gym to get my accurate scale reading. Unfortunately I am up 1.2 pounds which doesn't really make me smile.

BUT....

There is always a but, isn't there?

I weighed in AFTER running 2+ miles, AFTER eating breakfast and stinky ol' flo hit today as well. I often gain up to 3 or 4 pounds as a result of that torture, AND I haven't exercised much this past week cause I've been so sick.

So, I'm really hoping for something more positive next week.

If not I'm going to just forget about trying to look better and eat cheesecakes every meal for the rest of my life!

:0)

On a happier note. Tomorrow begins the 2nd annual WRMK warehouse sale! YIPEE! I can't wait to go. Here's hoping I can beg Tracey for a buck or two to spend.

Monday, November 10, 2008

So I know it's not spring....


but I was messing around a little bit with some of my spring-y WRMK stuff. That's the joy of the scrappy world is that you often work 6 months in advance if you want to try and get something published.

So while Tracey was out playing with Doritos on Saturday (quite literally...I can't wait to show you when the video is done), I was at home doing a little scrappy stuff. I managed to finish the mini-album for my friends baby and also did this card.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Oh the PAIN of Max Payne


So last night we decided to go to our second movie of the weekend. On Friday night I gave Tracey the option of going to see Forever Strong, The Secret Life of Bees or Eagle Eye. He chose Eagle Eye. (Wasn't that nice of me to give him a "dude movie" option). I actually really liked Eagle Eye once I figured out how things were happening.

So last night we decided to take advantage of no kids and go see another movie. I kept trying to persuade him to go and see Forever Strong, but somehow the lucky butt chose Max Payne.

As we were sitting in the theater before it started I leaned over to him and said "I've got bad vibes about this one".

Sure enough...half way through he leaned toward me and said "I'm sorry."

So yeah...DO NOT waste your money. Don't even waste a dollar at red box when it comes out. Not even the somewhat decent looking Marky Mark could save this one for me.

However all was not lost because I have in hand our tickets to go and see Twilight on opening night for our official anniversary!


Thank heavens for that.

So...anyone want to go and see Forever Strong with me?

Friday, November 7, 2008

Thanks G&G Lee!


I think Tracey and I are some of the luckiest parents on the planet. Dan and Karen are always, ALWAYS so willing to take our kids so that we can have a break from the constant "mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom, ........." You get the idea. Oddly enough I am not sure that our kids realize that their father is a capable body that also meet their needs.

Anyhow, months back Tracey and I decided that we were going to run the Snow Canyon 1/2 this weekend for our anniversary, so I called Karen up and asked her if she wouldn't mind taking the kids for a couple of nights. Sure enough, without a moments hesitation she agreed.

Since then we decided not to run the half, for various reasons....NO...not cause I couldn't handle it...hee hee. Well actually, I might not have been able to handle it this weekend since I've had a yucky cold and have had a hard time with what exercise I have done this week, but she still offered to take the kids so we could have alone time anyway.

I am counting down the seconds. I LOVE my kids, but wow....I've felt insanely overwhelmed with them recently. Okay...I'll be honest...I've been insanely overwhelmed with JM recently. That is one HARD kid to take care of. For sure.

We've got such a great weekend planned...dinner and a movie tonight, a long run in the morning and then Tracey is filming for a contest with a friend, while I will scrap without having to beat the baby off of my table, a late lunch and then Christmas shopping for our kiddos with a little cash I've set aside just for this weekend! I'm sure I'll be able to convince him to take me to Cold Stone as well where I shall indulge in my very OWN creation!

So thank you G&G Lee. Thank you for being so wonderful to take on such a huge task for a weekend. Thank you for being sensitive to the fact that we, well, I am in dire need of some kid free time....even if it means a workout of a weekend for you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

and....

I love you...both!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Who IS that girl?


Wow...um...would somebody please tell me when I got old? Okay, maybe 36 isn't really THAT old but sheezy...I'm starting to look a little age-ed. It truly seems like just yesterday that I was some silly 17 year old looking forward to my next date with Tracey. And look at us now. Wow-ee.

Well, this is the new me. Maybe dark hair makes me look older. Do you think? Maybe that wasn't such a good choice. I went and had it fixed last night and added some extreme red highlights, which you can't really see in this photo, and now I'm wondering if THAT was such a good choice. Sheesh...are women ever really and truly happy with their hair? Eh....who really cares anyway. It's not like anyone else has to go around living in my head of hair, which is probably a blessing for them. :0)

I just can't believe what 4 years has done to me. Don't I look so much more youth-ful in this photo?



I know...it's all of those boys' fault.

:0)

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Got Sisters?






Yeah...sometimes it really blows being the oldest boy in the house. That means, when you've grown a mammoth amount over the past year and you no longer have "boy" gloves that fit you, you have to turn to sisters hand me downs.

Never fear....if it means getting to play in the nasty white stuff that has come all to early, then so be it.

What? No SpongeBob for President?!?!?!


What gives? I can't believe that he didn't make it!

But guess who I did vote for. Dick Clark. Yup. I kid you not. Some guy running for treasurer in Utah. I laughed out loud when I saw his name and figured we couldn't go wrong there. Now before you go getting after me for voting for someone that I really didn't know anything about, he was the only one. Most of the spots I just left blank because I don't know any of them from Adam.

I do have to say that I was impressed with Obama's acceptance speech last night. Even though I really wasn't happy with either choice for president I have faith that our Heavenly Father will guide our leaders in a positive way.

Anyhoo....enough of that. Wanna hear my screaming deal for the night last night! So about a month ago Albertson's was having their buy one get one pound free of the 93% lean ground beef. Well they were short on their shipment so I had to get a rain check. I went shopping last night and much to my delight all of the 93% lean beef had a $2.00 off coupon on them so get this...I got 8 pounds of extra lean ground beef for $10.76! I was giddy!

So in the fashion of my good friend Michelle, I am having Weigh In Wednesday's from now on. I'll try to get to the gym every Wed. morning so I can have a more detailed weight reading. This moring...fully clothed I was 173.0, so I figure I'm about 1 pound more than my scale reads me at home, figuring that my clothing and shoes is probably 2 pounds...but never mind that. I'll just try to remember to wear the same stuff every Wed.

So there you have it! No SpongeBob for Pres....a screaming deal....and I'm exhausted from my workout this morning!

Oh and hey...I actually got scrappy yesterday! I even did 4 more cards, but I haven't photographed them yet.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

BOO! It's Election Day and that's SCARY!



Yup. I can't believe it's election time again. I know it's horrible but I'm sitting here contemplating if I even want to go and vote. I think I'd have to drive to my old neighborhood since I don't think we are registered here, and being as the only things that I'd truly care to voice my opinion over are local matters, I wouldn't be able to have that option in the old hood.

I'm also so pathetic in the fact that I am so un-educated about our choices for President. I guess being a resident of Utah I don't feel that it will make one lick of difference whether or not I go and vote since I don't think our state has ever won a democratic vote. Now I'm not saying that I'm a Democrat by any means, all I do know is from what I've seen of Sarah Palin, she should NOT be in office. (In my humble little opinion). The best was when she was questioned by a bunch of school kids about what the job of a Vice President is exactly and SHE COULDN'T GIVE A STRAIGHT ANSWER. Yup. Problems. So here's hoping that whomever makes it into the big office will at least have a clue as to what is is they are supposedly supposed to be doing. It will be interesting for sure. Scary in either way that it flows.....that's my opinion. Who knows. Maybe I'll go write in Sponge Bob for president. He seems like a happy fellow!

Anyhow, don't be scared! Take a peek at my cute Halloween peeps!

Can you believe my cute Maddi girl made her OWN Candy Corn costume? Not only that...she whipped this baby up the night before Halloween.

She's so funny. She's taking a sewing class at school right now and that is all she wants to do now. You should see the mountains of fabric we've got hanging around the house for PJ bottoms that she is making for all of her Lee cousins and some of her Dahl cousins for Halloween.



And you remember that Aaron was going to be Iron man? Well he changed his mind about 20 min. before we had to go to Tracey's work and decided to wear his Batman jammies instead. Funny boy.




I need to get the other kids dressed back up again so that I can get some better photos of them.

Well....happy voting! Vote for SpongeBob!



(The "other" people in this photo are my fun brother Rich and his kiddos that my kiddos just LOVE! I had to laugh that JM and Ethan happened to be the same Monkey!)

Monday, November 3, 2008

I've been photo tagged!


Jana tagged on her blog. She asked me to post a photo from May of 2006. Since I didn't take any photos on the 21st of May in 2006, I went ahead with the 4th folder, 4th photo rule, which is how the challenge was originally issued, but since I don't keep my photos that way, I went with the 4th day of photo taking in May 2006 and the 4th photo, which happens to be this one.

And boy oh boy is this ever a horrid photo. Let's just say life pre-SLR was not fabo! Hee hee.

Oddly enough this is my Tessa girl. I almost don't even recognize her. I can't believe how much she has changed in 2.5 years.

She's such a little sweetie all though I often feel so badly for her. She's a true "middle child" and I feel so badly that so often she gets lost in the shuffle of changing diapers or dealing with teenage drama. She's so sweet and draws each Tracey and I about 20 pictures a day. I love that she is still so eager to snuggle with you, and her face just absolutely lights up when she has 100% attention from you. I really, really, really, REALLY need to do better about giving her more one on one.

So thanks for the challenge Jana!

I tag all of you that want to play. I'd love to see a random photo stored on your computer!

Laying it on the line...It's OVER! Jen G! You are my winner!

Wow...one month of trying to be good...OVER!

You know I often wonder why I try doing these sorts of things, because I almost ALWAYS gain weight. If I just do my thing...I almost undoubtedly maintain or lose weight.

So I have to be honest...half way through the month I busted out my scale since I found out that by mid month I had gained nearly 5 pounds. I'm sure our trip didn't help, but I wasn't way thrilled about how badly my plan had backfired, so I had my constant guardian checking in with me every morning for the last half of the month.

I AM pleased to report that I am back to where I was at the beginning of the month, so I guess even though I gained 4.5 - 5 pounds in October, I lost it all, AND I've also lost 3/4" from my waist, 1/2" from my hips, 1/2" from my thighs and not sure about the arms since I didn't measure them.

The great things that I benefited from over the month are a MAJOR cutback on soda, as well as I made dinner nearly every night. Of course we went out to eat at lunch WAY too much, but hey...I'm doing better than I was for sure.

I'm also quite happy with my exercise level. I've heard it time and time and time again from many, many different sources that running is the quickest and best way to lose weight and I believe it. 20 pounds lost since May is proof! Even though I still don't love it, I guess it's my thing, cause it works. (Even though I was complaining my head off to my sweet hubby at how bad the cold air hurt my lungs at 6:00 this morning! He's so good and patient and encouraging to me. Thanks baby!)

However I'm stuck at a friggin' plateau, but that is also normal. But hey, one of these days this plateau is bound to crumble and I'll be back on my way to losing again.

So there you have it! Laying it on the line is OVER!

Oh and I put y'alls names in a bowl this morning and the winner of my 13 scrappy items or $13 bucks is Jen G!

Jen, I figure that you probably don't need/want any more scrappy goodies so maybe we can go to lunch and I'll buy. But then again...if you're totally hankering to have some MORE stuff to add to the pile you let me know sistah and I'll hook you up!

Thanks everyone!

Keep up the good work during this challenging season for exercise and eating goodies. Just think how happy you'll be to make it through without being a slave to calories!

:0)