It's my party and I'll Lie if I Want to!

That's right, Happy 37th birthday to me! A little bit about my new history. I was born in 1973 which makes me the youngest sibling in my family (by two months). I had Rachel when I was 18 years old and Kinsley came along when I was 28. I totally look my age (maybe even younger!) and I am so excited for the freedom of coming out of the age-closet is giving me! Thank you to all of my friends who will help me keep my secret and have a wonderful November 1st (another great gift for me).I'd say I'm Fabulous but that saying belongs to another friend so I will just say this: Do you ever feel that the world is a black tuxedo and you're a pair of white socks? I'm that pair of white socks! Love you all.

Thanks for the Memories

Thanks to all who came for a fun night out of visiting and jewelry shopping. You will be happy to know that Steve (on his own accord) told Lot he would have a jewellry party the end of November for the guys to come and do their Christmas shopping! Just to give you a heads up. It was good to touch base with everyone. Thanks again!

Chuck

Season four of Chuck starts Monday, September 20th! I can't wait!!!!!!!!

A Gong Show Called Work

Unbelievable! What's next? Within days of the start of school my afternoon assistant found herself in the hospital. She just got out this afternoon and the earliest she will be back to work is Thursday. Yeserday the e-mail was down. Today the phones in the school were not working. Our secretary could be out for the whole week. For the afternoon assembly there was no sound.... the children were restless and misbehaving. I guess the length of their week is almost over so I have no idea how the rest of the week is going to go. Oh, I had a little boy pee out on the playground and run around showing himself to other children on the playground until he was caught. Please, teach your children that this behavior is not acceptable. Not acceptible is different than gross. Fingers up their noses and in their mouths at the same time, that's gross!!!! The good news is my jewelry party is tomorrow night and I am looking forward to it. I love the jewelry and can't wait to see the new stuff. Well, I must be getting back to cleaning my house. I need to give the impression that it is always clean. What's the moral of the story? The moral of the story is when work is part of the stress focus on other things such as jewelry, parties, and friends! Hope to see you all there.

Putting Out the Fires

Well, I drug myself to work again today but by lunch time I was having a really good day and came home happy. (It must have been the chocolate binge at morning snack time). I was able to step outside of my self and help others. People are sick, not all at work, short-handed, etc.. It's a condition all around the school. It's much better to step out of yourself and help others, then your day seems to be better. Just a reminder to everyone about my Fifth Avenue jewelry party Wednesday, Sept. 15th from 6-9pm. It's an open house format so stop in any time. Thanks to all my friends who lift me up when I am feeling down!

Marlan Says No Pictures Necessary

What a week. Day 7 of school was deemed to be an inside recess (Grade 1). It was definitely rough. Friday came and I numbly drug myself to work and back. Saturday I had a refreshing trip to the Hat with Peggy. Do you ever wonder sometimes why it takes you so long to connect with a person because when you do it was like you have always known them? Sunday we are planning a picnic in the big city with Rachel. I really can't wait. I am so happy for her and miss her. I'm glad she still gives us time. This week I went in Kinsley's bedroom to hurry her along before school. She was putting on a cloth belt I had never seen before. When I questioned her about it she was illusive. It made me more curious and I began to push for more info. Apparently, she had needed a belt and had lost the one she had so she had taken the handle from her dolly's diaper bag, cut it off and made herself her own belt. On some level I was very proud of her creativity. Plus, it gave me a great idea to use some pieces of my scrapbooking ribbon for belts (for her of course). We saw the Sourcerer's Apprentice last night at the movie theater and Jeff (the theater manager) said he was trying to put a proposal forward to use the old co-op and put in 4 screens there for a bigger movie theater. I think that would be great. Even the parking would be a big improvement. Here's to a larger movie theater here in town!

Escapism Supported

Well, it has been a while since I have posted. I got an e-mail from my cousin saying she was catching up by reading my blog but it is not very current. I apologize for that. This summer has been especially stressful for me... lots of construction on my street, lots of people gone on vacation (and not me) and weather being losey for summer, just about sums it all up. In August I was driving past a used car lot in town and saw an older RV. I have always been fascinated with them and never found one where I wasn't turned off by the outside condition or color or the inside condition and color but I still keep looking. I went and had a look. I loved it! I could totally see me and my family (including the dogs) be able to escape in this RV. And true my nature, became obsessed with how I could help make this happen. To cut a long story short, ten days later I went in to negociate a deal and the salesperson offered the RV to me for the price I had pre-determined. It is a 1979 Vanguard RV Model C on a Dodge Chassis (this was important to Steve!). I have cleaned my new toy for top to bottom, made new curtains and hung them up, re-papered the kitchen area, and changed out all the screens. It has air conditioning in the back and everything works! We used it last weekend at Cornfest and it was fantastic. It is now sitting in my driveway so I can play in it here. Steve can have his Mustang! I'll take the RV any day!

May you continue to trust in the amazing plans God has in store for your life. And be open to be used as love and light in others' lives... Zachary Levi

Have I told you how much I love my new favorite show... Chuck!

See You In Two Years

Moroni's Quest brings people together in very powerful ways. Tony was in my tribe. He's heading off on his mission. He will be the third of my crew to go. Brian is in Oregon, Carson is on his way to Ontario, and Tony is on his way to the Baltic States. I'll be studying up. I know that they will all be fantastic missionaries. I look forward to hearing from each of them and seeing them in two years. Thank you to Tony's family. You are wonderful people who I can now call friends. Bye!!!!!!!!!

Seminary Grad June 6, 2010

Rachel, Amy and Bishop Allred at Seminary Graduation. Both girls look beautiful. I'm a very proud mom.

Dog Daze

Well, I'm thinking I'm a little off my rocker (most likely obvious to those who know me ) but today I really questioned my sanity as I went for a bike ride with my daughter and took my three dogs with me. Now, LuLu, being a minature daschund doesn't have the legs to keep up with Ryker who is part Jack Russell so only a picture can describe what my attempt looked like. Ryker pulled Cricket completely around the lake and LuLu just enjoyed taking in the view. When we returned home LuLu was the first to crash on the top of the sofa (I'm not sure why) and then Cricket (probably her first real workout ever).

It's About Time

It has been a long while since I have blogged. In ways I have missed it. It other ways I have not. Work has been crazy busy this year as I have not had a full time assistant and it takes me longer to provide the same things for my students. Rachel's grad has been building since September 1st of last year and came to a head on Saturday. She looked beautiful And I have never felt more proud to be her mother. I was was so proud of Amy and Rachel as they had, really, the only two modest prom dresses at the grad. Rachel wore her hair in an updo and looked like a princess. I was on the decorating committee for SuperGrad and made 26 centerpieces with a Vegas theme. I took the afternoon off on Friday from work to help decorate. It looked nice. My sister and neice were the sole representatives from my extended family while Steve's family blew their performance out of the water with both of his parents, His sister and their family, another sister and her oldest, and Morgan. I'm settling back in to life a little more calm. It has been a long, rapid ride!