Self Portrait Tuesday

Wow, what an interesting challege this week by Lelly. The challenge was:

the very nice taxman (who is happy that you filed your taxes!) has given you a $100.00 'virtual' refund. you can 'spend' this money to update one item in your wardrobe.what item do you choose? is it a favorite pair of every-day jeans that have gotten so faded they need to be replaced? do you need a new skirt because you've lost weight since last spring? how about exercise outfits? new shoes? a funky top for date night?

So, actually I have several things I would like to update about my waredrobe and it's pretty hard to pick just one item. I have over the last couple of years updated my waredrobe for work. I work as the HR Manager for a vegetable processing plant - we don't have dress nice. Jeans and shirts are fine there. I decided I wanted to dress nicer, so I started buying some nicer stuff. I need to keep the stuff simple though because if I go out into the plant, it's wet and slippery and cold, etc. so it's not like I am wearing suits or anything. Well, for casual wear, I don't have any clothes that I LOVE. I have some jeans that are OK and a couple of shirts that are OK. I have a couple pairs of capri pants that are good. I actually have lost about 10 pounds since late November (that's when my hubby thought it would be a good idea to own a scale). So, I now weigh myself daily and am aware of my weight. The scale can save your weight and tell you how much more you have to reach your goal, so it's kind of fun (when it's going down, that is). I really put on quite a few pounds with baby number 2, who is now 26 months old and clothes weren't fun anymore. I see some people dressed cute and I think, "wow, I used to have clothes like that."

I have wanted a long white flow-y skirt for a long time, I have wanted a denim jacket for a while. I need some new shoes. I need new jeans and shirts. Get this - Sunday while getting ready for church I discovered three shirts that either had bleach spots or stains - these were discovered while I was ironing them - so annoying! I always buy button up blouses and wear them daily. I don't really have many other style of shirts for work/church. I really would like to branch out, but it's hard. And NOW I am down three of them!

So, actually this weekend I received birthday money ($25 by Saturday) and so I went shopping for real! Here's me at Old Navy finding some treasures - the long white skirt that I have been wanting and a demin jacket - the last normal one they had in the whole store, not one of those short waisted ones or one that looks like it's be ripped up!

Not the greatest pic - I had our small point & shoot camera in my purse. My hubby took it for me 'cuz I just couldn't hold the camera and my goods while trying to get a decent shot. Oh and I didn't actually buy the hat!

The rest of the story on the shopping trip will be posted in an entry decicated my birthday day! I had a great birthday (yesterday 4-16) and have a lot to say about that.

I think if I had to pick only one item to update my waredrobe with only $100, it'd be shirts and I'd need a fashion consultant to come with me to scan the pants I already have and then help me find something other than button up blouses to wear. I typically consult the girls in my office for fasion advice! They're really helpful (they've got a place in my birthday entry too). I did get a new pair of jeans on Saturday and they are fabulous! Costco - Levis for $16.99 - love them!

What if . . .?

Two days in a row posting an entry has got to be a record for me. I was just cleaning our computer/craft room that I like to refer as the "junk drawer". Anyway, I was cleaning out my e-mail inbox too (I think I am avoiding cleaning the rest of house!).

In my e-mail, I found a great analogy that I'd like to share. You could easily substitute the word "Bible" or "Scriptures" in here. I know there are some people of other faiths who scan this blog every now and again and I don't want to turn them away. :-)

Wonder what would happen if we treated our Book of Mormon (or Bible) like we treat our cell phones?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we spent an hour or more using it every day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?

This is something to make you go...."Hmmm....where is my Book of Mormon (or Bible)?"

Oh, and a few more things--Unlike our cell phones:

One Plan fits all.

Unlimited usage.

No roaming charges.

You always have reception.

You don't have to buy batteries.

No weak signals AND

We don't ever have to worry about our Book of Mormon (or Bible) being disconnected because Our Savior already paid the bill! :-)

This made me think how I am - 5 days a week my cell phone never gets left and is fret over when lost. Saturday my phone gets left home most of the time. Sunday my scriptures come with me and my phone doesn't. It's always nice to have a kick in the pants like this analogy to make me bring to the front burner what is important. I have a feeling that if we treated our scriptures more like our cell phones, we would certainly be in better shape than if we place more importance on a phone!

We had a great lesson today on Selfless Service and although I did not share this in class, I did think of Jill's Good Mail phenom! I think it's a simple act of selfless service to send out "thinking of you" mail/packages. What a great way to brighten someone's day!! We sang the hymn Have I Done Any Good? and it's such a wonderful hymn. I'll just share the words to the second verse.

There are chances for work all around just now,

opportunities right in our way.

Do not let them pass by, saying, "Sometime I'll try," but

go and do something today. 'Tis noble of man to work and

to give; Love's labor has merit alone. Only he who does

something helps others to live. To God each good work will be known.

Chorus: Then wake up and do something more than dream of your mansion above.

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love.

What a wonderful hymn and it was a fabulous topic of service. We focused on the small acts of kindness that are usually the greatest service to others. It can be easy to follow those promptings to do a kind deed for someone else - if we only listen!

Can anyone guess what this is?

Looks like some hair on the floor, no big deal, right? Need another hint?

For those of you who guessed a "lock of hair" - you're right. Sorry no prizes, I think everyone got that one right!

So from what occassion do you think this lock of hair comes? If you guessed "First Hair Cut" - you're right! Sort of.

First hair cuts are such a joyous occassion, aren't they? A sign your baby is growing up and turning into a toddler. It's sad to see the long locks of hair drop to the floor. It's hard to pick just the perfect lock to save for the memory book. The toddler look is so handsome (for my boys at least) and it just makes you realize that kids grow so much faster than we want them too.

I am going to have to admit and confess that I was not quite as joyous as I could be following this "First Hair Cut". Let's see the results:

Yes, you guessed it folks! This is Paden's First Haircut HE GAVE HIMSELF!!!! He has only one strip of his bangs left and there's a chunk off the top/back part too. He cut quite a bit of hair off!

Here's before (this was three days before he cut his hair) - his hair is messed up here from jumping on the trampoline, but I think you can tell that he has much less hair now than he did! Crazy kid! I was in the computer room. Gunnar has his kids safety scissors that he gets and cuts paper. Apparently, he left them where Paden could reach them in the kitchen, so Paden decided to give himself a haircut. He came in to me and the first thing I noticed was that he cut a slit in his diaper right down the front middle (he didn't have clothes on - common theme with my boys). Then I saw pieces of hair on his belly and in his diaper front. THEN, I saw the chunks of hair missing. I couldn't do anything but laugh!!! He kind of needed one anyway. We haven't fixed his hair yet either. We normally take him to the barber shop in Quincy, so we'll be taking him sooner than we thought I guess. To see the results of Paden's real First Hair Cut, you can click here for a scanned image of his scrapbook page on the subject.

SPT (I'm early this time!)

It is actually Monday night and I am post dating (well, I am going to put the time I finish this, it will be Tuesday to some of you) this so I am on time for Self-Portrait Tuesday! Lelly's challenge was this:

this week's challenge: in your easter bonnet, with all the frills upon itwhat are your fondest memories of easter as a child? are you chocolate, or jelly beans? did you ever actually have an easter bonnet?!?as you gather with family and friends (in their matchie clothes), remember to get yourself in that group shot!! when you were finding those perfect outfits, did you remember to find something for you? will you snap casual photos around the family table, or will you troupe out on the lawn for a staged shot?

So, the Easter morning was not exactly what I would have expected it to be. I guess I expect Holidays to be a different routine for getting ready for Church, but no such luck - same ol', same ol'. We have church at 11am, which is a good time for us. If we've not washed something, I can get it washed before we need to get ready. If I haven't finished up (or started rather) the RS bulletin, I can finish it. If we have to prepare lessons, we have that extra little review time in the morning. So, it's good. However, if I do have to do some of that I end up still rushing around before we need to leave and practically shove everyone out the door in a grumpy rush! We are getting better about trying not to be so rushed because we shouldn't be!! It's silly. So, Easter Sunday really was no different. Our Sacrament Meeting was pretty good, I thought. I actually remember some of the thoughts that were shared, so that's always a plus. With the two boys not being able to sit still EVER, I sometimes feel like I can't remember anything. Paden went to Nursery with no issues. It was kind of funny because Gunnar just took Paden over to the Nursery leader right after the closing prayer and away they went to the Nursery. Gunnar came back and then had me take him to Primary which never works because he gets all clingy if I take him. Our RS lesson was fabulous about personal testimony. We were planning on heading to my in-laws house after church. So, in the rush to church on time and the rush to get home, changed and out to my in-laws' house, I got ZERO pics of us in our nice clothes for Easter. Then, I got to thinking, I have all boys - we don't get new Easter clothes anyway - it's the same old stuff they always wear. Paden got a new white shirt a month ago for my nephew's wedding and new shoes. He loves wearing his froggy tie. Gunnar actually had to wear his khaki pants with brown shoes which he usually refuses to do. He always wears charcol gray pants with black shoes. Well, I could not find one of the black shoes so he had to suffer with the others. Usually they wear the same thing every Sunday. I, however, was able to pull out springy clothes for the springy day we had! White skirt with green & blue stitching in some flower type pattern with a green 3/4 sleeve shirt and white sandles. It's really one of my favorite outfits. If I lose too many more pounds, the skirt will be too big and I will have a bittersweet feeling about that!

Ok, I am totally rambling, I must have a need to empty my head right now.

So, Easter growing up for me was nothing really special. I only remember getting an Easter basket one year of my childhood. My family was not religious and I really had no clue what Easter was really about anyway. My mom (single mom of one me) was not made of money, so I really didn't care about Easter baskets. We usually had a larger dinner than normal, I guess that's what you do when everyone says there's a holiday. It was usually ham, I think. Although that memory is a little fuzzy. I know that when I was a little older (somewhere between childhood and pre-marriage), I thought I would do holidays better than what I had when I was a kid. So far, it's not been too much better. Working full time doesn't give me the time I would like to "do up" the holidays like I would like to. So, I do have some goals for next Easter because it's such an important holiday and we never hear in the media about "the true meaning of Easter" as much as you do with the "true meaning of Christmas". I really have a need to teach my children the true meaning of Easter and not let it get lost with the frilly bunny stuff. We did get our boys a dollar store basket with a bottle of bubbles (3/$1) and Paden got a new car and Gunnar got a baseball glove and ball. They were there when we bought the stuff and we even let Paden play with his car when we got home. Then on Sunday I told Gunnar the Easter Bunny was going to meet us at Grandpa's house since we'd be there anyway. We didn't really make a big "to do" about it and neither did the boys. They are the youngest of the grandkids (only great grandkids are younger, then there's Tess who's the same age as Gunnar) so they get to hunt eggs all by themselves. They found about a dozen each, which is just right. The wind was blowing, so it was a little nippy to be out anyway.

So, finally to the part where I reveal my SPT portrait. It's going to look like this one should have been posted last week for PLAY! We didn't get that Easter Family Portrait. Oh well, maybe next year. We did have a great time doing this:

- yep on Sunday! It was a family activity and I don't feel one bit guilty about it. I know some people wouldn't really find playing outside and jumping on the trampoline a reverent Sabbath day activity. However, I think it was a great wholesome family activity and I am glad we were all able to be together and enjoy ourselves. Family is the most important possesion we have and I am grateful to have the family I grew up with that raised me and for the family I married into. Every one of them have a special and important place in my heart and there is no place I would rather be but with family on Easter Sunday. My parents and grandparents are in Arizona and I would have loved to split holiday weekend time with them as well, but they seem to think that Arizona is the place to be in the later winter/early spring! We'll see them soon!

Here's some more fun pics of our Easter Sunday:




Great day all in all and I took a gabazillion pictures (seems like). I think I have shared enough already (probably too many). TTFN!

Self Portrait Tuesday on Wednesday, again!

I have a lot of great "excuses" why I didn't get my pics up on Tuesday - the one that I think is valid is becuase after working all day, I got home at 6:15pm, ate a PB&J sandwich, went to dollar scoop Tuesdays at Baskin & Robbins, went to Big R too look at baby chicks, went to Staples to look for laminating sheets, they didn't have the right ones, so we went to Office Depot, THEN came home, got the kids ready for bed (one already fell asleep in the car), #2 dear sweet boy had issues going to bed, laid down with him for a while, finally he fell asleep, went to couch where I fell asleep by 9:30pm! At work we are installing a new time & attendance system and we were training and learning the new system, so my brain and eyes were (still are) tired. We started on this project on Monday and next Monday we go live with it. Yeah, it's a crazy plan, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Anyway, so for SPT, I didn't really get a huge chance to play with friends, as Lelly suggested. Friday night, we did our monthly big trip to Costco (as a family). Saturday, my hubby had to umpire baseball games, so the boys & I did our grocery store trip and cleaned the house. The boys played outside in their sandbox for a bit. Sunday, we watched the first session of Conference at home, then headed to my in-laws' house in between. Some other family members also came, so I was able to get some pics of family with a couple of me in them. That's my play date for the week.

These are my nieces (they are sisters), Jaye Dean, Katie & Cassidy. Jaye Dean is 17, Katie is 12 (I think) and Cassidy is 15 (turning 16 nex month!). Yep, even the youngest one is almost taller than me! They are sweet girls!! Some other family that we had the pleasure of are:

Top: Zoey with the beloved fudgecicle.

Middle: Hank with Paden & Megan putting on her smile at the sight of the camera.

Bottom: Lilly with Grandpa

So, even though I caught Lilly with her eyes closed, I am sure she'll think that one is better than the one I caught of her on her dad's lap with a great face. I would hate to emabarss this almost 16-year old!

Family is great and I married into a pretty big one (well for me anyway). It's fun to have gatherings at Grandma & Grandpa's house, even though it's getting smaller as the kids get bigger. Tess & Gunnar were outside when I was taking pics, so I didn't get them - bummer. And no pics of Susan that I could find, so she's saved for today!

I really need to get ready for work, I need to leave in about 25 minutes!