On The Road Again

I guess you all realize my posts will appear with l o n g gaps of time in between!



Just in case you are interested, I thought I might share my observations on the road between Las Vegas and Carson City.



On our weekly jaunts we see:

Several houses of ill-repute (interestingly, many are closed -- Yay!)

crazy and insane drivers who are severly challenged by the two-lane road

wild burros at Beatty

the most poorly managed McDonald's in the country (even when you only order a vanilla shake for you-know-who)



We've discovered where it is acceptable to eat. A sign that says "Good Food" is not a great indication of good food! We've learned what places have acceptable rest room facilities. And we know the most likely places for police speed traps.



Now, if there were more of an interest in this type of information, I might think about publishing what I've learned in my travels -- but how many people do you know besides your Dad and I who think they need to make this trip on a regular basis?



Love you all. And by the way, Dad and I will be home this coming weekend. FAMILY DINNER!

Defending Myself

Thought I should write a few lines to defend myself and my lack of blog postings.

But now that I think about it, there is no defense! I've been a slacker and I apologize. Apparently I've been listed as missing in action on other blogs -- but I have returned. I will try to post more frequently. Promise.

It is true that Kimberly is gone and life around here will soon grind to a complete halt when Brooke and the boys desert us. Dwayne keeps saying we should get a dog. (I don't think so.) There is still so much to keep us busy. But I was thinking today . . .

I will think of Kimberly when:

I see a white pick-up truck on the road
I walk by the door to 'her' room
I cut a watermelon into chunks
Shania Twain sings about 'Bein' a Woman'
I wonder where I need to be on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. night

I think the list will continue to grow.

We had so much fun helping her get situated in her apartment. When we left Carson City on Monday morning, we took a detour to Lake Tahoe. Not really a detour . . . since you have to go back through Carson City to get home! Dad wanted to stop in and visit with Kimberly. It had only been three hours! Talk about separation anxiety.

Only three weeks until we head back again for the girl's first game.

Funny thing is: There are so many things during a week that remind me and Dwayne of each of the kids; and the grandkids, too. Fact is, we're pretty lucky people!

Hi this is Kimberly.
I am just posting for mom, dont stress- she is still alive.
Just wanted to le you all know.

and FYI: there is no sunday dinner this week because she is up here in Carson cooking for me and Dad.... just in case she forgot to tell you because she occasionally does that.

She loves you, but wont be home until monday.

100 List

Okay, I'm going to make the attempt. Can I think of 100 things about myself?

1. I'm the mom
2. I'm the oldest in my family
3. Sometimes I feel like I'm the oldest person in the world
4. Almost all my children are taller than me
5. I can multi-task
6. I'm pretty flexible with my schedule
7. Having said that, I can be moody
8. Dwayne would probably call it hormonal
9. I am a cat person
10. I like dogs, too -- just not as much as cats
11. I am a good speller
12. Sunsets are my favorite things
13. So orange must be my favorite color
14. I hate to shop
15. Trying clothes on is depressing
16. I love to teach
17. Do I have 83 more things to go?
18. I count things -- complusively
19. I'll count how many cars go through a turn signal
20. I'll watch through my rear view to count how many go through after me
21. I love the rain
22. I don't care too much for the wind
23. I have an eye for details
24. Trivia is my friend
25. Dwayne is my best friend
26. There's not much time for friend-type activities with the women I know
27. I probably wouldn't enjoy them anyway (not the friends, the activities)
28. I hate to waste time
29. Who am I kidding? I don't have time to waste.
30. I love to read
32. Almost anything
33. Even bumper stickers
34. Which is sometimes not so good
35. Traveling is fun
36. Riding with Dwayne driving is not always so much fun
37. Having said that, many times I'm impatient
38. I am the information booth for my family
39. Laundry is not my favorite chore
40. Neither is cleaning toilets
41. My family means the world to me
42. My children are my best friends
43. My grandchildren are the cutest kids in the world
44. Seriously, no competition
45. They are also the smartest - no competition here either
46. I love to laugh
47. I'm grateful for a sense of humor
48. I'm a survivor
49. Life is good
50. I can type FAST
51. My workspace needs to be clean, uncluttered
52. That doesn't mean that it always is
53. Before I start a project, I need a clean space
54. Black pens are better than blue
55. I think I'm creative
56. I know I'm competitive
57. Watching my kids create or compete is the greatest
58. I'm logical
59. I'm not particularly emotional
60. But I do cry at movies
61. And when I'm reading
62. I have a good imagination
63. I need reading glasses
64. They are sometimes hard to find
65. My eyes are sensitive to the sun
66. Sunglasses are a must when I'm outside
67. I love the feel and smell of clean sheets
68. I love the sense of accomplishment I feel when the house is clean
69. Ironing isn't so bad
70. I wish I had more time to cook
71. Wrinkles are gross
72. Wrinkles are earned - most of mine are laugh lines - gotta love that
73. I didn't like my name when I was little
74. I love my name now
75. Music makes me happy
76. I can think of a song for almost anything
77. I am a so-so singer, but that doesn't stop me
78. I resisted having a cell phone for a long time
79. Now that I have one, I usually leave it someplace instead of taking it with me
80. I like to drive cars better than trucks
81. My scriptures are my friend
82. I tend to give away more of my time than I should
83. I rarely regret it, though
84. Being a dependable person is important to me
85. Being on time is a big thing
86. Being late is rude
87. I love to learn
88. Learning something new is exciting, I'm not picky about the subject
89. Construction lingo has become second nature to me
90. I like to smile at strangers
91. They sometimes don't know what to do
92. I need time by myself on occasion
93. I wonder why?
94. Hanging pictures have to be straight
95. If they're crooked in your house and I'm there, I'll have to fix them for you
96. My nose is crazy sensitive
97. I can track down almost any smell
98. This isn't always a good thing
99. I'm an optimistic person
100. I love life

Whew!

Interesting Chili Recipe

Okay, I probably need to explain the title. Melissa's baby shower was this last weekend at Tony's Aunt Vickie's house. She served stuffed potatoes with this chili as one of the toppings. It was so delicious I told her I just had to have the recipe. She told me she was almost embarrassed to share it -- and you'll understand why -- because it's so SIMPLE. But it is delicious!

Ground beef or turkey (I used turkey -- it's my new favorite in spicy recipes)
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 can chili beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 bottle thick and chunky salsa

Brown the meat; salt and pepper to taste (could add garlic salt). Add beans and salsa and heat.

That's it! The amount of meat and salsa depends on how many you're looking to feed. For a milder chili, use mild salsa; for a spicier chili, use medium or hot salsa. Aunt Vickie puts hers in a crock pot, but this chili can be cooked on the stove top, too.

Enjoy.

Saturday Is A Special Day . . .

the day we get ready for Sunday! I know the Sabbath is a day of rest, but let's get real. Sunday seems to be one of the most hectic days of the week. It's like trying to get your family ready for family pictures -- once every seven days!

There's something to the song! Church starts promptly at 9am or 11am or 1pm. It's a strange phenomenon, but it doesn't seem to matter what time church starts, some people will always be late, so these tips should be helpful no matter what time you go to church. Our family knows, we arrive for church on time because (according to Dad) if you're late, everyone will look at you when you come in. Heaven forbid!

Seriously, Sundays can be less stressful with some preparation. Btw, the number of children in a family determines what time you set your alarm. If you're heavy in the girl department, add a few more minutes to get everyone's hair done. Just a few suggestions for a happier Mom on Sunday:

• Have breakfast planned and do whatever preparation you can in advance (put the plates, bowls, cups on the table before you go to bed on Saturday)
• Clothes should be washed, ironed and set out the night before
• Find everyones shoes and socks and put them with their clothes
• Make sure everything you need for personal hygiene is in the bathroom (Toothbrush, comb, brush, gel, hair spray, hair ties, etc.)
• Assign older children to help with younger children
• Assign Dad to take care of himself (you don't need one more person to worry about)
• Pack your 'Sunday' bag the night before with any items to occupy children during the meeting
• MOST IMPORTANT - with a large family, you may need to get yourself ready FIRST

When the kids were young and church started early, I would get up and take my shower and do my own hair and makeup before the kids were even awake (6:30 am). I know it sounds crazy, but it was the only way I could keep my sanity back in the day!

One last thought. We all know a family in our ward that is consistently late (hopefully, it's not you). And they arrive at church the same time each week -- ALWAYS 10 or 15 minutes late -- every Sunday. Don't you want to just scream: START 15 MINUTES EARLIER AND YOU WOULD BE ON TIME!

Avoid as many hassles as possible. Your children will be happier, you will be happier, the people in the ward who watch you come in late each week will be happier -- with just a little preparation.

Aunt Mary's Cinnamon Rolls

This cinnamon roll recipe is 'The' Christmas morning cinnamon roll. (Lauren's favorite) Warning: they take some time! (But they're worth it)

2 c. scalded milk
1/2 lb. (2 cubes) margarine or butter
2 Tbsp. yeast in 1/2 c. warm water
1 Tbsp. sugar in yeast water
3/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
6 c. sifted flour

Cinnamon filling:
1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar with cinnamon added
1 cube softened butter or margarine

Icing:
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. margarine or butter
3-4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
Milk

Melt margarine in pan while scalding milk. Combine sugar, eggs, salt and 1 cup flour in large bowl. Stir scalded milk into bowl with sugar mixture. Dissolve yeast. Stir yeast into bowl with other ingredients. Add remaining flour and stir. Do not knead. Combined mixture will be a very soft dough (sticky). Cover with cloth and let dough rise for 1 1/2 hours. Stir down and let rise for 45 minutes. Turn dough out onto floured surface and roll into a rectangular shape about 1 inch thick. (Add more flour to rolling surface, if necessary) Spread butter over dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. Raisins and nuts may be added. From long edge, roll dough and cut into rolls about 1 inch thick. Place close together in pan and let rise. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until rolls are golden brown on top. Ice cinnamon rolls while warm.

(Note: The dough is so very sticky it's hard to cut into individual rolls with a knife - even if it's very sharp! I use a thread to cut the rolls.)