Oops! Slipped up again. . .

I really intended to blog sooner than a month.  Time got away from me.  Guess I've been busy.

I got the airline ticket for Alexa to fly from Salt Lake to New York to join us on the high school music dept tour in June.  Should be tons of fun and lots to see.  She will fly back to Salt Lake and then back up to school because she will be in the middle of her second semester at BYU-Idaho.  She is having a fabulous time in class and with all her new friends.

I also got the airline tickets to fly out to Phoenix in October.  It will be a great week! I am so excited to spend a week with cousins and my sis!!!!!

Still trying to workout and take some weight off.  My body adapted to the higher protein, low carb diet and won't let go of a single ounce of fat.  I've had some great workouts, too.  Very frustrating and not sure what to do from here.

I am an assistant track coach this year for the middle school and that starts the last week of March.  I was hoping to be a little trimmer by the time it started, but no such luck.  It should be fun.  The kids are great and we are just laying a foundation for them, which takes a lot of pressure off as a coach.  Don't have to worry about training Olympians, just get them started on their skills and see what they do best.  It is a very short season, only about 7 weeks.  Megan and Scott have started track at the high school already.  They went right from ending cheer into track.

Really looking forward to driving out to Utah at the end of June to see Bry, Mark and that sweet grandbaby!  Korbin has gotten so big, he's 33" tall and not even 18 months old yet.  While I am visiting with them, Megan and Scott will be at EFY.  It is an amazing youth program in our church.  The youth have a great experience meeting new people and building their testimony.  If the youth have hope in Christ, they can withstand a lot of the bad things in this world.

For right now, we are all set for Scott's Eagle Court of Honor tomorrow.  Family coming in to town and friends from all over the area.  It will be wonderful to have it all done.  I don't think he realizes how big a deal it is to have achieved the rank of Eagle before age 16.  He will someday, but it means that I can begin to ease out of the local troop committee.

I am not hurting for things to do, but would be nice to let one thing go.

Meg is getting ready for her Junior Prom.  We got her dress on Wednesday.  Now it needs a little bit of altering (which I will not be doing) and a black shrug.  I will post pics after Prom.  Tomorrow we get shoes, jewelry and the shrug, if at all possible.

Like I said, always lots to do.  Work is going pretty well. I love being at work only 4 days a week.  It is so flexible.  I can take a day off or bank them until I need to use them.  I have to days banked right now, but will use them up with the middle school track season.  I will need to leave work at 3 each day for practice and earlier on days we have away meets.  I can use the banked time a little each day.

I have been meaning to post my new year's resolutions.  Just haven't come up with them yet.  I don't really begin things at New Year's, but work on new things year round.  The create a list means I would have to take the time to sit down and think about it.  It is usually going from one project to the next with me, so beyond that takes quite a bit of thought.

We'll see how this goes.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Love Ya,
Bren

No Way!!!!!

Unbelievable, I haven't posted since December.  My humble apologies.  Life has been busy and not slowing up any time soon.  We had State Honors Choir in January, the weekend of our Anniversary.  There have been cheer competitions almost every weekend.  It's fun to be active and support my kids, but some days it gets long.  However, it has paid off for our Cheerleaders.  They took two routines to State competition last weekend.  Cheer Dance took 3rd and the Varsity Non-Stunt did not place, but the privilege was being there.  The coach was not too impressed with the Non-Stunt routine before regionals and told the team they wouldn't perform at regionals, but pulled it together right before so she let them compete at regionals as it would give them experience and we'd paid the entry fee.  Darned if they didn't do well enough to go on to State!  They were awesome.  Both routines were performed very well at State - the best they had done all year.  It was a good trip for all.

Now, I am planning Scott's Eagle Court of Honor for March 16th.  Cake is ordered, so are Eagle Scout cups and two extra Mentor pins. I have the program pretty well outlined and need to tweak that tomorrow.  I am going to speak in the program and need to prepare my talk of 5 min or so.  Some family is coming for the event and it will be good to see them, too.

This weekend will be a trip for an Aunt's 80th birthday party.  should be fun to see lots of the relies there!  The following weekend (9th) is District Solo & Ensemble Festival for our high school musician's (vocal and instrumental).  There goes another day.  Then the 16th is the Eagle Court of Honor.  The 23rd is the Scouts District Pinewood Derby - our local troop runs it and the concessions.  Wow! Next is Easter.  Did I say time was going fast?

Add to this my workouts.  Yup, still trying to keep my body in shape.  Much harder this time.  I think my body has adjusted to the meal plan and is clinging to every fat cell it can.  I still feel great after the workouts, but not as much success with the body re-shaping as I had the first time.  Other workouts don't work as well.  I did try the Insanity workouts for about a week and a half, but wasn't the same, besides didn't feel good with the bulging disc in my neck - way too much jumping.  I really feel it's a better workout with the P90X.  That's what I am sticking to.

Just when I think I might get a break, I won't.  Track season starts for our Middle School and I am one of the assistant coaches this year.  Need to be there every day for about 8 weeks.  The kids are great and we are just helping them build a foundation for the events.  I attended a CPR course tonight, which was pretty informative, but amusing with the group that was there - a town rescue squad.  Some pretty funny guys.

Well, that's a quick 'catch-up' for now.

Always face the sunshine and the shadows fall behind!   "Helen Keller"

Have a wonderful week!
Love Ya,
Bren

A.W.O.L.

Hello,  I know, I know, long time since I posted anything.  So much has happened and trying to keep up is hard.  The Caribbean Cruise in October was fabulous.  We had a cabin on deck 1 (very low on the boat), but after a couple nights of high swells on the ocean, I won't complain.  The cabin was very nice, roomy and had a much lower degree of sway than those cabins on higher decks.  Kinda weird watching Pirates of the Caribbean 3 for the giant whirlpool scene when you are on a large boat that is rocking like the one you're watching.  Very Surreal!   The beaches and people were wonderful, I even managed to snorkel.  It was great fun.  This is me and Bry at our last stop - Grand Turk.


Scott had a ton of fun being in the musical our high school did this fall.  They performed The Music Man and he was in the quartet. Scott is the 2nd from the left in the red/white jackets.  So many hours put into preparing and it turned out very well.

Then it was on to the holidays and preparing for that.  I need to be done with shopping/making things two weeks before Christmas so I can get boxes in the mail without having to scramble.  I sent boxes to Arizona, Utah and Texas.  Christmas cards were very simple this year.  A picture of an outside tree and a simple note on the inside.

This was taken after the first snowfall in early December.  I love the lights at Christmas - they remind me of peace, joy and the star that guided the wise men long ago.  I see so many people struggling with so many things right now.  (depression, grief, money, health, change, feeling alone and the list goes on)  If there ever was a time mankind needs the message of hope that Jesus, the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, brought to the world, it would be now.  The war between Good and Evil still rages.  The promise we all have is that if we choose the right and follow Him, we will have peace and share Eternal Life with him.  This life is only temporary, a test for us to see if we will choose to follow Him in all our trials.  A big task for us mere mortals.  I have seen it in my life, that when we make the choice to follow Him, He can guide and direct us, He can give us strength and help us feel His love.  This is my testimony to you, to share that I know He lives, He was born and died that we might be able to return home to our Father in Heaven.  That hard task is done, now all we have to do is implement it in our lives.  In doing so, we can find the peace and joy right now that He promised and in our future.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Love Ya,

Bren

New Technology. . . Me Likey

So, for my birthday I bought myself a Kindle Fire.  Talk about a time sucker.  Wow!  I have spent way too much time playing games.  It is just a fun way to change gears after a day of work.  I was able to find lots of free books, which I plan to read on our cruise next week.  Also lots of free games.  I can check my email, keep my calendar and lots of other things.

I am very excited to be going on the cruise next week - now down to 6 days!!!!  I am all packed.  Only taking a carry-on luggage piece and a large bag I am calling a purse.  :)   Not quite in the fitness shape I had hoped, but the time-sucker got me.  Friday we'll see if we can get to Miami.  Of course, we are flying on American Airlines.  All we have to do is make it to Chicago and if the flight is cancelled there, we will at least have lots of options.

Tim has made it to Gwen's in Texas.  Gwen is doing well now that Greg is home from his deployment.  Alexa is now in Utah with Bry, Mark and Korbin.  Yes, I am jealous.  Megan is doing well so far for the school year. She likes being able to drive and has been a huge help with Scott's Cross Country practices and Musical practices.  Always lots of things going on.  Scott's just about complete with that last merit badge so he can turn in his application for Eagle Rank.  What a long haul.

I have started on Christmas gifts (at least the ones that I putting together or making).  Kind of mulling other ideas around in my head.  We are just 10 weeks away from Christmas.  I know, I know, no one wants to think about it yet.  But it is coming whether we're ready or not.  With mailing gifts, you have to be on top of things or gifts don't make it in time.

Well, 5 am comes early. I love teaching seminary and my 4 students are awesome!!!

Love Ya,

Bren

Back In the Swing

Well,  the kids are back to school -2 of them anyway.  So far so good.  Meg is enjoying her driving license and we give her opportunities to drive a few places and run some errands, but not too far just yet until she is more comfortable with the whole thing.  She passed the behind the wheel test on the second attempt, which was good because the tester emphasized the same things I tried to tell her.  It was also humbling and made her pay much more attention while on the road.
   Scott is busy with Cross Country, joined the musical (The Music Man), joined Student Council and still wrapping up with Scouts.  Last week he was in a Cross Country race when he came upon a runner passed out on the course.  He stopped to be sure the guy was breathing and help him finish the race.  It took about 10-15 seconds to bring him around and another runner from a different team also stopped to help him out.  Scott was recently certified in CPR and knew what to look for and what to do.  Yes, he really is a Boy Scout.  He came that way, I can take no credit other than encouraging him to stay as good as he is.
  Alexa is still working on her room.  Getting it cleaned out, packed for storage and packed for heading out west.  She is really excited to stay with Bry, Mark and Korbin until January when she heads to school in Idaho.  Nervous for school, though.  She will do fine.  The hardest part to live through will be having her wisdom teeth out on Monday.  I am taking 2 days off of work to be nearby if she needs anything.
  I bid on a Cricut Create on Ebay and then read the description more closely.  It said 'heavy usage and door hinge is broken, but works."  Oh, great.  Of course, I won the bid on that one.  I was apprehensive about it coming, but decided to try to make the best of it - there was a 30 day return policy so I did have an out.  It arrived and actually looked in good shape, except for the door problem.  It didn't look broke, in fact, upon closer examination, it was not attached to the hinge bar.  Didn't look like it ever had been.  I pried the two pieces apart just enough to fit over the hinge bar and slipped it on.  Prefect!  Looks like new.  There was no cutting mat or cartridge so I picked those up at Michael's Craft store.  I was all set to see if it really did work, when I discovered that it did not have a blade or the housing for the blade.  Back to ebay to find a 'Buy It Now' cheaply priced set.  Found one, paid for it, waited a few days, dropped it in when it arrived and everything works great!  When it was all said and done it cost $100, but that is a lot cheaper than one brand new, so I still feel like I got somewhat of a deal.   Now to find the time to use it.   :)
   The weather has been so nice and feels like a perfect way to end the summer.  I really don't want to wear shoes and long pants just yet, but those days are getting closer.  I did some sewing for the girls - adding a few inches of fabric to the hems of dresses and skirts - I don't understand why stores can't sell them long enough.  Most girls really do want longer dresses and skirts.

Have a great start to Fall!!!!

Love Ya,
Bren

End of August??! Already????

My apologies on being lax in posting.  My 'giddy-up and go' went somewhere else far, far, away this summer.  I have learned that I wasn't the only one plagued with this type of event.  I do not know if it was the tremendously long stretch of warm, humid weather; if my battery was just that empty; or too many things going on to get motivated to do anything.  Lots of people I have talked to (and believe me - I can talk and talk and talk) were all suffering the same lack of umph.   I tried 3 times to get busy with the P90X and am doing OK on this last attempt.
    I got discouraged because that wonderful genetic stamp across my gut surfaced AGAIN.  Which stamp would that be?  the one that says, "Inflate to 40 lbs".  YUCK, YUCK, YUCK.  It takes a lot of umph to want to even begin the workouts again.  Here's what I don't get - I feel really good when I do workout.  My strength improves, flexibility and even my innards seem to feel great.  So why wouldn't I want to workout - like all the time?    I never have a want of things to do, there is always, ALWAYS things to be done.  I want to keep my flexibility - which I was losing at an alarming rate two years ago.  I like a wide range of motion and who knows how long I will be able to keep that.  Another reason for participating in the Badger State Games - as long as I can - I will.  After being back at it for the 3rd week, I feel my strength back.  Mondays are usually the push-up, pull-up days.  So I counted how many push-up I did on the 20th.  71!!!!  I feel rather impressed with myself.  There are 6 kinds I do, but that is the total of all of them.  Not bad for a grandma!
   So what has been keeping me busy?  The kids, work and the mundane house stuff.  Fred planted not one, but two gardens this year and everything did very well.  Here's what we've either frozen or canned so far - no, we are not done yet:
      22 Qts Dill pickles
      67 Bags Green Beans (varying amounts in each bag)
      21 Bags Green Peppers (varies also)
      5   Bags Broccoli
      6   Bags shredded Zucchini
      14 Qts Green Beans
      24.5 Qts Spaghetti Sauce
      14.5 Qts Plain Tomatoes
      24 Pts Salsa
      7   Qts Salsa
      7   Qts Stewed Tomatoes (has green peppers and onions in it)
      35.5 Bags Corn (3.5 c in each bag)
      21 Qts Tomato Soup
      7   Pts Pizza Sauce

The broccoli, pickles, green beans, and corn are done.  We might do one more batch of something tomato.  The carrots are next and will be canned.  The bags are vaccuum seal bags that last for a long time.  It is a lot of work now.  However, in January, February and March when we want some summer - these will taste absolutely wonderful.  There are also potatoes, which we've eaten a few.  Just not sure how we will store those.
    All this work wears one out.  One evening we did 13 Qts tomato soup and went to bed about 12:15 - 6am came awfully early the next day.

Alexa has worked at the cheese factory this summer and her last week in next week. Scott has begun cross-country and ran his first race yesterday as a Freshman.  It was very humid and he forgot his inhaler.  He finished in the middle, but was the first freshman from our school to finish and he felt good about his time and placement.  Megan took her road test for her driver's license and didn't pass on the first try.  Tuesday she tries again, I hope it goes well.

I have tried to do some cleaning here and there around the house, but it is a huge project overall.  A little at a   time will have to be enough.  Trying to clear off my craft/scrapbook counter in the store-room so I can get back at the kids' scrapbook/photo albums.  I can report some progress has been made.

Gwen is back in Texas and has their rental house about ready for Greg to come home.  He will be back stateside in mid-September.  The cats adjusted well to the new home.  She starts school next week and that will keep her busy.

Tim is finishing up his things getting ready to head to Texas to Gwen's the end of September, just after Alexa leaves for Utah. Yes, I will have kids scattered about the country.  My retirement plan is to live with each one for a month or two, then on to the next one's house.  So far, they are all OK with that plan and I like to travel.

Have a great week!  May Autumn be a welcomed guest in all our homes!!!!!  The cooler air feels wonderful.

Love Ya,
Bren

Oh Summertime!!!!

Yup, we're in the thick of it.  Young Women's Cycling High Adventure is done (Meg biked 100 miles and canoed 13 miles in western Wisconsin) the last week of June.  Young Men's Cycling High Adventure is done (Scott biked 140 miles last week in Door County).  Both had a great time.  Meg was at young Women's camp last week.  She was excited to be a Youth Camp Leader this year and be in charge of a few things.

Alexa is busy working at the cheese factory and doing pretty well.  Hasn't hit any more deer.  She's gone to a few graduation parties, but other than work, not much else.

Scott's Eagle project is complete WITH the write-up.  :)   Now just a partial Communications Merit Badge to wrap up and do all of Lifesaving Merit Badge.  Once those are done, the Eagle Rank Application can be sent in.  Target submission date is August 10th.  The end is finally in sight.  :)

Scott got his wisdom teeth out today.  Didn't take too long and the extraction went well.  As I was driving him home with his mouth full of gauze he was trying to talk to me - hilarious!!!  I couldn't understand a word he said, so he tried sign language (of sorts).  When I told him I had to watch the road, he leaned forward and towards me to try his make-shift sign language where I could see and still see the road.  I almost peed my pants I was laughing so hard.  :)  However, I did not and he has had absolutely no problem playing Call of Duty on the PS3.  Imagine that.

The garden is now in full swing with beans, broccoli, zucchini, green peppers and pickle cucumbers.  The tomatoes haven't even started yet or the corn.  We will have bumper harvest on all of this.  We may need to get a second chest freezer.  Going to buy lots more quart canning jars, though as we only have 30 empty ones left.  I know it is a lot of work now, but will taste oh so good in the winter and next spring.  I made stuffed peppers for supper tonight and it was wonderful - peppers just picked yesterday.

Have a great week and try to keep cool!

Love ya,
Bren