When I grow up

Somedays I wake to find thoughts of dishes, schedules, chores, errands and all the other mundane topics shoved to the back of my mind and replaced with the question I've been asked since I was just a wee one. What are you going to be when you grow up?
My birthday is just around the corner and this question is on both my conscious and subconscious mind. One day I have the elusive answer only to find I wasn't quite as sure as I thought and decide to rethink my decision. This leads to more doubt and then I do what I do best decide not to decide. Makes total sense right?

Maybe it's time to not wait to figure it out but go and try it out. I know that I will waste some time but I can help but wonder what mistakes I will get to make. Maybe, just maybe I will make enough mistakes to find my answer. Then the time won't be wasted and I will have new and exciting topics to write about. I will continue to write my attempts and failures and there results.
And so it begins...

End of Darkness

I know that many people (my husband) hear its the beginning of Daylight Savings and moan but for me it is time to rejoice. I count down the days to the shortest day of the year knowing that from then on the days will be light longer. I love waking up to the sun!
It means time outside which with all my boys is an extremely welcome time of year. I love spring. I am not a cold weather person so spring brings hope of warm days to come.
Though here in Idaho it will still be awhile before the "Snowbirds" decide it is warm enough to come back we do have days were we receive a glimpse of spring. Today was one of those days for which I am truly grateful.

My big sister

Happy Birthday Teresa!

Growing up in a family with 8 children being spoiled, in the traditional sense, is rarely heard of. I realize now how spoiled I really was. I always had a friend to play with even if my friends privilege was revoked (which hardly ever happened. Yes, I'm an angel.). I was hugged and loved and reminded how wonderful I am. My parents never missed an opportunity to remind us how much we meant to them. However with 8 children, a demanding job, all our activities, church callings and for mom there was also the babysitting kids, sometimes personal attention was extremely limited.

This is where Teresa stepped in. Teresa, for those who don't know, is my oldest sister. Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he sent her first. She forged the way for the rest of us. How grateful I am to her for being the "first". She broke mom and dad in on all the hard stuff like bikes, sleepovers, being the first teen, makeup, sports, driving, dating and college. She was blest with an ability to lead which she developed to an art. Teresa introduced barbies, music and dance, boys and the world of fashion into our home. To list her talents would take forever so here is a sampling; she dances, incredibly intelligent, gardens, teaches, travels, wins baking contests, designs, writes, expert hostess, wonderful mother and makes great smoothies.
An invitation to one of her garden tea parties is a great privilege.



So many of the major changes in my life are marked by her influence. Like when I dented the van and had to spend all my money for my senior year's school clothes on fixing the van. She sent me clothes while she was on her mission because she knew how I was feeling. Then when it was time for me to leave for college she was my first roommate. She helped me register for classes and find a place to live. She helped me plan and arrange my wedding.(Did I mention she was pregnant at the time.) Teresa has been there for births of babies, blessings, baptisms, babysitting, birthdays, accidents and illnesses. She is a wonderful bargain shopper. Which with 6 boys is the only way we can shop. She is always thinking of how she can help others. Most recently she has been there to take care of our mom and I know mom will agree, she has done a marvelous job.

Teresa, you give so much and expect so little. You make the world a better place just by being in it. You see its beauty and share your findings. You make me want to be a better person. Today on your birthday I wanted to celebrate your birth. I know I am not the only one, though you make me feel most important(another Teresa specialty), but I am privileged to be in your life and you in mine. You have style, grace and beauty which have only improved with each year. I love you.

Elevation

This certainly doesn't happen every day! Today while Justin was at work an airplane crashed a block away from our restaurant! The plane was an amphibious 1946 Republic Seabee that took off from the airport about 10 A.M. and suffered power failure seconds into take-off. From there it went through the power lines right behind the restaurant and crashed! Took out power for more than half the city for most of the day. Justin got a day off!!

The two men in the aircraft survived the accident and and were rushed to the hospital, and power was restored at about five-o-clock. Just in time for me to make it to work. Lucky me.

One scared ladybug

Today I was looking for Preston and Trevyn because I knew they hadn't finished their jobs and were most likely doing something they weren't suppose to. I found them outside on the sidewalk throwing something into the air and then watching it drop to the ground. Preston was getting rather upset. Trevyn kept telling whatever was in their hand to fly. My response, "What in the world are you doing?" They replied matter of factly "Trying to get this stupid ladybug to fly!"



Time for mom to solve the problem so two little boys can get back to work. I took the ladybug in my hand to examine it. It was quite dead. I informed the boys of the current state of the poor little ladybug. Preston replied that I was wrong "its not dead mom it's just scared." Yeah, scared to death. The Monte Python Dead Parrot sketch came to mind.

He continued to explain that it just needed to live on the roses and eat aphids. It would then take the aphid food home to its babies so they all could live. They would then come back and eat more aphids to protect our roses and thank us for the food. Preston has a wonderful imagination.

I skillfully distracted them and tossed the ladybug into the rosebush. They were very happy their plan worked and I was able to get them back inside to finish their jobs.

And we all lived happily ever after...until they found the ants.

Howdy Pilgrim

I mentioned before how I am reminded that I am not living in a metropolis. Further evidence on this matter was again presented when Justin was looking out the window of the restaurant and noticed a bit of a traffic jam, which is cause to stop and stare because such novelties rarely occur in Burley. The cause of said traffic jam was a wagon train! This was no little train either. It consisted of not one, not two, not three but four covered wagons and a buggy. No, we do not have any Amish in the area. We just live in the sticks. Tractors, bulls, tumbleweeds why not wagons?

Funny how that happens

Many of you know of Justin's little spill on the motorcycle he took last summer. Well, during his recovery we had a chance to talk about what he would do if he could pick any profession. Many of you also know that Justin is a talented artist. He said that if he could pick anything he would like to try custom painting on motorcycles. He got his wish. He just finished custom painting the motorcycle he wrecked. It is being rebuilt and Justin got the chance paint it as part of the payment for replacing the bike. Just from a few people looking at the pictures he took with his phone he might have three more vehicles to do. We'll see how it turns out.
Not bad for his first job.

Front Fender Gas tank Rear fender

Thanks for letting me brag about my awesome talented husband.