Caught In The Act

The last while, everytime I would go to use my camera there would be all these pictures I never took on it. My six year old would say, "It wasn't me, mom." Well guess what? As you can see my calprit was caught in the act by herself. She really couldn't say much, could she? The little stinker!

I'm not Fabulous, I'm Famous!

Look at me! It's my dream come true! I am Tracy Turnblad! I finally got what I wanted. The two-disc Hairspray collector's set. It has all the background info about the evolution of Hairspray. Did you know that Jerry Stiller played the part of Wilbur Turnblad in the 1988 tv movie version of Hairspray? So, his role as Mr. Pinkie was a guest cameo. I did not know that. Ihave a question for you. If the sixies even came back what hair style would you choose? Just food for thought.

Rykers Cousin Tex

This is Tex. We had the opportunity of meeting him this last summer on vacation. This dog belongs to my sister's family. I forgot that I had taken a picture of him. He had a rough life before coming to my sister's family but they have sure given him lots of love. Merry Chritmas, Tex, to you and your family.

At School

Kinsley wanted to take Ryker to school for Show and Tell. That meant I had to get Ryker at lunch and keep him in my classroom all afternoon for Kinsley's 5 minute experience! Well, Ryker quite enjoyed the Drama/puppet center in my room.

It is a cloth-sided house with the puppets inside. He would run and attempt to jump through the window of this house (approximately 12 inches off the floor) , get high-centered in the window and wiggle and squirm to get the rest of the way inside. Then he would attack and wrestle the puppets, lick the faces of the children who were at the center and bolt out of the playhouse door to do it all over again. It was just too stinkin' cute! ........ but exhausting!

Little House on the Prairie

I love this place! Every time I pass it I think I should stop and take a picture. This was during the summer. I can just envision a little homestead and the small pioneer family that could have lived here. There is a small stream near by and the view just draws me in every time I pass. I just thought I would share it with you.

Big Ben is gone

We lost Ben, our beloved pet dog (we nicknamed him Clifford, Houdini, Big Ben and Gentle Ben). He passed in his sleep the night/morning of December 6th, 2007. He was a Newfoundland cross. He weighed aproximately 175 lbs and was eight years old. We all miss him and a saddened by his passing but are finding great joy and peace in our new puppy, Ryker. Ryker is 3 months old and weighs aproximately 4lbs.

Our family's Newest Addition

Introducing Ryker. Born September 1, 2007. Adopted December 1, 2007. Ryker stnds about six inches high and has very fine features. He is male so now Steve has a son to be proud of. Ryker is a fun puppy and has lots of energy. You have to be on guard for the smallest thing because that is what will end up in his mouth. Steve says this is my Christmas present but what that means is the family has a dog and mom gets to take care of it. Rachel says "I am sooooo in love with him, MOm. He's so cute!" Kinsley said, as she was hugging Ryker, "I have waited so long for you!" Yes, both the girls are in love with our pup. Steve has taken quite a fancy to him, too.

Do you see what I see?

Look closely. Who do you see? Yes, that's me playing dress-up at our ward's Nativity display. This year they had a stable set up outside of the church with costumes for the children to dress up in. What can I say, the afternoon shift was quite slow so I decided I would dress up for pictures. When was the last time you played dress up? (Oh, for those who can't tell, I am a shepard!)

Making Babies

I have spent the last week making worry dolls for our local women's shelter. I made twelve and I am very proud of my efforts (as you can plainly see). My wonderful friends Marlan and Leslie helped out too! I made three nationalities with two boys and two girls of each. Each has a draw string bag for the children to keep their personal belongings in. Aren't they beautiful? (Ha!Ha!)

I Had Lost My Will To Blog

Sorry about the absence. The "car" incidence took a while to get over. I had to give the car back to Steve. He never really intended it for me anyway so now he has a car that, on occasion, I drive. It is parked in the garage for the winter now.

Life's Let Downs

So, last week I was all excited about my new car (as evidence by the picture in my blog). Now, you get to hear ..."THE REST OF THE STORY!" (Paul Harvey, maybe you are all too young to remember). The dealership was prepping the car for my enjoyment when they discovered the trunk light wasn't working. On futher inspection, they found body paint dust in the trunk which lead to a call to the other dealership they had got the car from and found out that my car had previously been rear-ended! So my dealership sent it back. At least it's good to know that there are people out there who still demonstrate integrity. So, they madly found me another car. While this was going on, on the home front I was discovering that my wonderful husband's birthday plans were not so wonderful after all. He saw this as a way to get him a souped up car, too. ("Oh, I'll never really get to drive it! I will be driving my company truck."). So his name is on all the paper work! We are co-owners. He drove it home! I pulled it ahead about 15 feet to park the car into the garage. I drove it to work on Friday and home again(with minimal errands). He drove the missionaries home in it and showed it off to a few people on the way home. Then he announces he is going to take the car to fill it with gas (the only time he should be driving it as far as I'm concerned) and is gone until after I have fallen asleep at home. Right now I HATE THAT CAR! (I guess it is better to hate your car than your husband.) If you are given something for your birthday is it wrong to assume it is yours? Now, my birthday has been defiled. I am just really upset about the whole thing and what's worse is, my husband doesn't get it.

Super Saturday Craft in My Sister's Ward

I signed up to get a this kit from my sister's Super Saturday because I thought it was so cute. Debbie decided to paint it for me and gave it to me for my birthday.Pretty awesome, hey?!

Our Relief Societydecided not tohave a Super Saturday this year. What a shame! For some of us, this is the only time we take to craft. I can't wait to display this at our ward's Nativity Display the first part of December.

My Birthday

Well, look at me and my new birthday present. Who knew that my sweetie Steve would be able to pull it off. I was at work when Steve walked into one of my grade meetings and tossed me a key that said Happy Birthday, Mona on it. I got to drive the car on Saturday. I visited my fabulous friend Joanne and took her for a spin around the block. We both loved it. As I drove away from her house she had me exclaim,"It's me!... And I'm Fabulous!!!" as I peeled away from in front of her house. The sound this car makes as I shift her from gear to gear just makes me smile (a big cheshire cat grin smile). It is not about how I look to others it is truly the way I feel in the car. The car had to go back in the shop to get ready to come home - either Monday or Tuesday.
I made my birthday cake with the icing my mom used to always put on my birthday cakes when I was a kid. It was a first. I have never made it because I thought the recipe was too complicated but making it this year was very comforting. This is the time I miss my mom the most. The cake and icing was green (my favorite color) and I put little pig sprinkles on it. It was definitly made for me. Happy Birthday to me!

Tag from Joanne

I responded to Joanne's halloween tag when I commented on Kathy's blog. Seeing as I am such a fan of Halloween (not) I am not going to comment about it on my page. Oh, the best thing about Halloween is that the day after is my birthday! And, no ..... I won't be getting a GT Mustang convertible for my birthday this year either - Bummer!!!

My Little Princess

Instead of school pictures this year I got a little creative. Doesn't she make the cutest little princess? Well, maybe I am biased. Ever since her friend Jessa's princess party last December all she has wanted to do is wear her princess dresses (she has quite a few) or her Sunday dresses everywhere. I thought that this picture would capture these memories of time. After all, having a fifteen year old daugther has taught me that these "princess days" won't last forever. Here's to all girls being princesses!

Fun In The Leaves

This is my family having fun in the leaves at the park near our house. The photo shoot was stressful "Okay, you guys, no fun until I get the pictures I want for my blog!". Yes, I stress! but the pictures turned out and I had a nice time with my family when I put the camera away.

Fall: Mom's Favorite Time of Year

Fall has always been my Mom's favorite time of the year. Now that she is gone I am starting to notice the beauty in fall. Here are some pics.

My Faith Garden

This Sunday afternoon I began work on my new history/journal/scrapbook venture. My First page is entitled Faith and shows my faith garden. In 2003 I wanted a garden but lived on an acerage that had no water source. After a number of years complaining about it I went to a class where it was suggested that I plan as if I did have water and believe I would have a garden. As you can see by the picture that I ended up with a beautiful garden. When it would need watering I would pray and within 24 hours it would rain. Also, my two children are in the picture and they, too, are their own miracles. The Savior loves us and is mindful of our needs and our wants. Enjoy! (Alma 22:16)

Exhaustion

What a busy time of year. I must be getting too old to remember what September is like from year to year. I am a school teacher and this year I had 3 IPPs (individual program plans to be completed and signed by October 4th. There were many days I questioned why I was doing this job but, the crunch came to an end and I am okay again. I had an appointment set for Thursday afternoon and had a sub in. I smiled (and giggled all morning) and when then lunch bell rang I was out like a shot and I have not looked back. I am really enjoying my Thanksgiving break. I have cooked more in the last two days that I think I have in the last year put together. I have family coming for Thanksgiving dinner on Monday and my goal was to have most of the baking done before that day. So far I have made a blueberry jello, a turnip casserole, a sweet potatoe casserole, a scalloped potatoe/ham dish and three pumpkin square desserts (that's right, Joanne, I got the recipe!). My meat is defrosting so come Monday we will BBq our meat (pork chops and chickem breasts), cook the vegetables and heat up everything else. I have also started a sweater patchwork afgan. The top should be complete tomorrow. When finished I'll post a picture of it on my blog. I watched both sessions of conference today and it really hit my how old a lot of the men are getting. Brother Wirthlin looked so fragile I didn't know if he would make it through his talk or not. Well, I am ready for bed and a good night's sleep. I am exhausted!

Finally got Smart

I hired a cleaning lady just for a couple of hours a week. My daughter is now in school full time and I decided to use what would have been her babysitting money for someone to come in and clean. She comes on Tuesday and, if nothing else, having her come Tuesdays helps me tidy up by the time I leave for work that day. I walk into my house and take a big whiff and my house smells clean! I love it! My pictures are no longer dusty. I can stand my piano. (It's black and shows dust!) It is helping me stay sane and have more family time. I realize I am letting down all the Martha Stewarts and supermoms out there but, for this chick, it has been a treat a long time coming.

I descibe myself as a Jack of all Trades and Master of None. I sew, scrapbook, quilt, craft, write children's stories and poems, teach, sing, dance (I am such a big fan of So You Think You Can Dance and dancing With The Stars) and read. I love the series Men in Trees, Numbers and Without a Trace. I enjoy musicals and family appropriate movies. My absolute favorite color is green and my favorite number is 8 followed closely by numbers 2 and 12. I am a Scorpio. I am a mother and I lost my mom last year suddenly at 65 years old. Talk about life-altering experiences! It rocked the very core of my soul. My focus has turned more towards my family. I teach six year olds. Some days I ask myself why? Most days I enjoy every moment. I also have a book of quotes and thoughts that I have been keeping for many years. If I read something or hear something of interest I put it in my book.

Some of you have been asking about the title for my blog "A Pair of White Socks" so I will explain the title. There is this saying that goes like this "Do you ever feel like the world is a black tuxedo and you are a pair of white socks?" Well, I am an original white sock. Embarrassing things happen to me all the time and I had actually decided that if I wrote a book of my life I would call it "A Pair of White Socks". Well, this blog is probably the closest I will come to writing that book so I have named my blog "A Pair of White Socks". Over time I am sure I will share so of these moments with you but I have found a lot of the moments loose a lot when written down - hence the real reason for no book.

This was our family vacation this summer at the Winnipeg zoo. These are my two favorite girls in the whole world; my daugthers Rachel (15) and Kinsley (6). No, they did not really hatch out of the dinosaurs eggs! It took me quite a while to convince them to pose. This is the image I got. I have it on my desktop. It is my new favorite of the girls.

Well, today is a new day! I have a new favorite movie that has been in my head all weekend (nothing to do with the fact that I saw it in the theater three times this week. Yes, it is the movie Hairspray! I love the fact that the fat girl wins... everything! I am a musical junkie anyway. My mom took care of that. I have been working on collecting a lot of musicals from around the 1950s mark. I the quiet of my day I hear all of the different songs. They just make me happy.
I also have to mention my Fabulous friend, Joanne, who has been supporting me through setting up my blog. "Yes, I do have one ", I would say to her "but I have no idea how to get to it!" Now she has helped me find my way and now I am on a roll. Wild and crazy I am but if you were to meet me you would think I was Miss Prim and Proper! I do have my crazy side. I have been too stressed with work lately to be much fun to anyone. That's why I saw Hairspray so many times this week. You can't help feeling happy during and after the experience. take care and remeber this, my advice to the lovelorn, "It is better to have a broken heart than a carefree bladder!" I'm getting old enough that this asdvise isn't quite as funny anymore.

Hello!

Wow! What a step for me. I am looking forward to this experience.