NEw glasses-help or hindrance?

I had to get bifocals and today was the first time wearing them. I had to take motion sickness pills and working in the library was a little getting used to with them. Do you like them?

It's SNOWING!

It is 10:50 p.m. and it is snowing. It looks so pretty out there, but it is so cold. It is to get down to 14 tonight. We had rain all day today so you know the roads are going to be awful in the morning. I wish my camera wasn't broke, this morning it looked so pretty with the trees covered in ice. It was awful for Tulsa and Fayetteville. Alot of people without power. Our power went off for awhile early this morning. Donnell got home and it was still off, but came back on around 8:30.
Our family room is so cozy, we put the blanket up over the dining room entry , and it is so warm in there. I do my housework and go back in there for a bit, then back to the kitchen to cook and such.
I made the cutest cards tonight-even if I say so myself!! I will see if I can borrow Sereinty's camera tomorrow and post them. THe chances are very high we might lose power tomorrow. Today the neighbors' trees were hanging in the road and with all the rain and snow falling, they will probably be heavier.
We had yummy food today, chicken tacos(with very healthy tortilla shells)for lunch. For dinner, we had pork chops in mushroom soup over rice, steamed broccoli, and corn.
Well it is getting alittle chilly in the dining room so I am off the the family room.
Love to all!

Winter weather

Well today it started freezing rain and the libraries closed early. I had just run in to get Brinae's book and almost missed it. Some of the schools closed early as well. The van had ice over all of it and my steps.
It is below freezing and still coming down. The weather guy said that it is to keep up all night, I don't understand why they wait until morning to announce some closings. We are supposed to have staff meeting in Van Buren tomorrow morning, but I just find it hard to believe we will be going. I would like to not have to set my alarm for early moring. Brinae is excited they already cancelled Seminary so she can sleep in. My thoughts on the ice here is that the pwoer companys should use thicker cable(Canada has very heavy cables to withstand alot of ice and snow), ours here keeps snapping with the weight and they are predicting alot of power outages. I hope we don't as we are all electric. I have a plan though, we can hang blankets in our dining room doorway and stay in the family room and use the fireplace. We can roast hot dogs(have to buy them first!!!!!) It will be like little house on the prairie type stuff-ha ha!
So if I don't post for a few days or if Mom doesn't hear from me she will know we are out of power.
Today was a little harder for me eating wise. I did not too bad, but feel I could have done better.

I got the Josh's school samples sent off to the teacher today. I sent some of his semester tests.

I made shrimp scampi homemade and diet for lunch today. It was pretty good, I love shrimp.

I'm hoping to make some cards tomorrow.

I should go and fill up all the pitchers just in case. I think I'll take a hot bath too.

Love to all!

Wow it is an epidemic of good proportions!

Today at Church word had spread of our weightloss challenge and after Church the kitchen got full of people wanting to join!! We will be a ward of new looking people soon. In Relief Society I had explained how we are starting a weightloss support group on Wed. nights. We will get together and share ideas, recipes, etc. We will take turns taking the motivational binder home-this binder will hold success stories, recipes, etc., they will write how their week is going-what worked, what didn't, they will need to find something uplifting to put in it. They will bring it back the next week and someone else will take it home. I am very excited about it. I explained how we need to take control of our lives and live the way we are meant to. We need to follow the advice found in scriptures and leaders. I told them how our bodies are Temples and mine needs mayor reconstruction!!!! We all laughed and boy those sisters seem excited. I told them that this is the year I am going to lose 100 lbs. I gave them all permission to get on my case if they think I am slipping! So I will only post our Waid challenge totals and todays are:
Wayne-1.2
Donnell-3
Tyler-2
Josh-4.8

Bridgette-3
Pam-1.4
Brinae-4
Sasha-2.6
Serenity-0

Who Hoo to us! I am down 13 lbs in 3 weeks. Brinae was so excited about her loss this week. I believe we are all at the point of no return. WE all WANT this so bad and for so many different reasons. My fear is that I will lose it and because of my age that I will have so much hanging skin. I want to be healthy, I want to run and not be weary, I want to wear cute clothes, I want to be able to see my feet, I want to be able to see what I'm washing in the shower!!!! My list goes on forever!

Another good thing today-Josh got set apart as Deacons' President. He is such a good boy and cute too I might add. I hope and pray that he will always have the desire to do what is right, that he will want to serve others and show his gratitude to his Heavenly Father. I love him and am so proud of him.

Brinae had so much fun at the Church dance last night. She came home all bubbly and telling us all the details. It helped that the cute guy that she likes asked her to dance!!! After the weigh in this afternoon, she informed me this was the best weekend!!!! She has decided that even though she has already earned her Young WOmanhoond Recognition she is still going to go ahead and do the new value that has since been added. The value is Virtue so she is thinking of what projects she can do that would exemplify it. I really am proud of her, she had the choice to do it or not. She is doing both early morning and home study seminary.

We had barbq hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner-Donnell did an exceptional job on them. he also made what he calls armadillo eggs-they are jalepona peppers with cream cheese inside them and wrapped in bacon, he grilled them and they were yummy. Chicken and fish this week again!

I need to go but I love you all!
1.4

Slumber Party!

OUr house is pretty lively right now. Brinae has Sasha, Whitney, and Shelby over for a sleepover. I m ade turkey chili for summer and now they are hanging out in her room. Donnell was teasing them he was excited-he wants to sit around and tell stories!
They have night planned on Rockband, Wii, movies, and games. I found 100 calories packs of microwave popcorn, so even brinae and Sasha can have some.
Brinae and Sasha have Seminary meeting and dance tomorrow night. The girls are alll staying until late afternoon.
Cassandra has a truck at her disposal for finding a job. Hopefully she can find one she likes and that will pay the bills. Her boyfriend Roy is taking the first discussion on Sunday> I hope it all works out, I don't like it that he stays with her, but I amtrying to let her know that we care and love her and the kids regardless. He seems very nice and I hope that he is.
I told Pam today that soon I am going to need my "cheat" day to be on Saturday so we can go out to eat. I am dreaming of Red Lobster-coconut shrimp, shrimp scampi, and crab legs-mmmm!
I haven't had any lean cuisines this week. My fat content for the days have been less so hopefully I have a good loss this week. Sunday is the day!
I need to go and do the dishes.
Love to all!

I've been tagged!!!

Okay here goes:
Donnell's fave 5 things:
1. Me-I'm his E.W.
2. Family
3.DUck Tape-he believes this can fix the universe!
4.Toilet books(Ripleys Believe it or not, Guiness Book of wqorld Records-always reading them while on his throne)
5.Smallville

5 things on his to do list:
1. take me to Hawaii(he really wants to)
2.He wants to be in Ripley's believe or not
3.He wants to be fit and fine in 2009!
4.Someday he wants to build the house he has planned for our retirement.
5.He wants to be more spiritual.

5 snacks he loves:
1. coke
2. slim jims
3. beef jerky
4bar-b-q ribs
5bar-b-q anything

5 facts you might now know about him:
1. He is super smart in math-people call him the human caculator
2.He is super romantic, he plans the most awesome date nights and takes my breath away-even after all these years!
3.He makes the best gravy-just ask CIndy
4.He is so funny and witty-makes us laugh every single day
5HE is a seasoned actor and has been in many community plays.

5 places he has lived
1.California
2 Arizona
3. Canada
4 Arkansas
5 I think Ohio

5 quirky things about him:
1. He is growing his ear hair (for RIpleys Believ or not or Guiness Book)
2.HE likes to eat cauliflower and grapes together
3.He has been known to steal my jeans
4.He can shakes his lips and jaws like a dog and throw saliva
5.HIs motto is "I'm not afraid of it" this is for everything-he will try alot of things
-wearing a tutu, etc

Most of all he is himself and I love him. He really is my bestest pal, the one I can't wait to spend time with, the one that always makes me feel like I am so special. I am so blessed! He is so awesome with all my friends and has always been extra kind to my single mother pals both in Canada and here.
Enjoy and almost everyone has been tagged that i know of, so I tag Melanie.

Love to all!

A filled Saturday

This morning I went to a card class. I made the cutest cards, I will post them later. IT was fun, I miss getting together with the girls in that group. We usually crop all day after class, but I only stayed long enough to make a birthday card. I came home and puttered abit, took a nap, and then when I got up I found Aden here. Donnell had gone over to Cassandra's house and Aden wanted a sleepover so Donnell brought him back. We were enjoying watching him play the Wii, h e gets so involved and does very well. He talks us through each step.
Josh's ears are giving him problems again tonight. Donnell doesn't feel so great either, I think we are all ready for bed.
Tomorrow is our 2nd weigh in-could be scary!!!
Love to all!

Scrapbook layouts and cards I made for my library classses

WInter layout I taught in ALma, I love this paper! Ity says Baby It's Cold Outside Brrr

CaRD and matching envelope for the class I'm teaching tomorrow. i love these colors together.

Another card and this one they can pick between this saying and the pic below.

Valentine card, if this was for my at home, I would be using glitter on the heart and jazz it up. The edge needs to be scalloped, but I couldn't find my scallop scissors.

Matching envelope to the card. Hope you enjoy them.

Love to all!
I

WAID'S 1ST WEIGH IN

Well yesterday we all gathered around the scale after Church to face the music and the results were very good, they are as follows:
Boys Team
Wayne- 11.6
Donnell-12.2
Tyler-5.6
Josh-5.8

Girls Team
Bridgette-5.6
Pam-4.6
Brinae-2.2
Sasha-7.4

It was a very good first week, Saturday night we got together for our "last chance" workout. We played basketball and did the BIggest Loser Cardio-I sweated! Sweat and pee equals pounds-that is what I tell myself!!

Today I did storytime in Van BUren library and had 42 four and five year olds. They were great, I read to them and we sang for a hour. They had a good time it seemed. I loved it of course-that is what I love to do.

I need to go and make my dinner, I think I'm going to have salmon on a piece of whole wheat toast with some vinegar and some steamed broccoli-sound good?

Love to all

Instant Messenger fun

I am working in Cedarville Library today-getting to play head honcho!!!!I had to sign in using my own account , and all of a sudden, Kris(I haven't talked to her forever), my mom, my sister, my neice, my sisterinlaw, were all on-it was a reunion!!!~! It is so much fun to chat with everyone and catch up on things. I miss them all. I brought some stuff to work on for the Mulberry's card class next week, I will try to post them later today. Donnell has taken Josh to the dr, his ear hurts.
Mr. Bill just came with delivery so I need to go and do my job.
LOve to all!

Santa BABIES

Noah*Serenity's youngest) and Anna(his 6 week older cousin). Priceless aren't they?

Rockband pics-don't buy your tickets yet!!!

Abby(cassandra's youngest)

Our family's talent leaves alot to be desired!!!! If fun is the winner that we take all trophies-it is a blast to play. Donnell, Josh, and Brinae have their own band "Strikin a Toon" and have unlocked many songs-they think they are the cat's meow!LOL

A Baby Changes Everything

this song by Faith Hill is amazing! I was driving home from town before Christmas and it started playing, I just started bawling and sobbing, it just hit me so hard, I love the words, the music, the voice and how she sings it. I love the message and how a single event changed the world and led to the event that would allow everyone a chance to gain eternal life. Here I am tearing up again, let me know if it impacts you like this too.
The next new song on my playlist is When you believe by David Archuletta-Brinae says she is going to marry him!! He may have come in second on AMerican Idol, but he is amazing and so grounded for his age. I believe this is a remake but I love the message, and he can reach the ranges with his voice.
Music is the universal language and how beautiful that we can share with everyone, different emotions, memories(Gloria-hahaha), with this medium. My wedding song is Bryan Adams Everything I do-I have to tell you that after 17 years of marriage, when I hear this song, I still get butterflies in my tummy remembering dancing with DOnnell at our reception. Love is grand!!
I am so blessed and I love ya all!
Love to all!

It's on!!!!!!

My sil Pam and bil Wayne came over tonight and said hey lets start the Biggest Loser, our family was going to start ourselves-so yep it is now an official Waid Challenge-girls vs the boys! Pam, Sasha, Brinae, and I are gonna whup some boys(Donnell, Wayne, Tyler, Josh's)butt!! We weigh in on Sundays after Church, so we are all planning our last feasts!!! I believe it is for 6 months-I'm hoping to be a new woman!!!!! My camera is broken, so I will borrow one and take our before pics(yikes!)
Jan. 2nd and so far so good!LOL We have been consistent on family prayer and scripture study! Our goal is daily on both, we have tried in the past and have veered off the scripture road so we are back on it. So many questions can be answered when we study them, I love the feeling that comes in our home when we are diligent.
My neice Jessie-I have always said she has laughing eyes(sparkly and twinkling), has started on the blog journey. It is fun to go and see her family-those little kiddos are growing so fast and will be fun gto see them do so via the blogs. I just miss all my family so much.
Josh is on a freeze out Boy Scout Campout tonight-no tents-they are in a cave-like setting. He has 15 degree sleeping bag so hopefully he will be kind of toasty. It is only supposed to get down to 49 degrees so he will be okay. He likes it cold-so much like his dad.
We are planning on my craft room layout, I can't wait, I will have to post pics as it will take awhile to get it exactly as planned. RIght now we are just working with what we have, it is still going to be cool. Cards and scrapbooks here I come!!!!! I will know where everything is(okay I know what you're saying-hush!)
Love to all!

Year in review

2009- another new year, can you believe another has been here and gone? I have been thinking about this past year and a few of the highlights I am grateful for are:
-Brinae earning her Young Women's Recognition(highest award for a young woman to earn)
-the birth of our sixth grandbaby Noah bear(10 lbs 6ozs)
-my mom going through surgery without too many complication-this gave me the opportunity to spend time with my brother, sister, mom and Glenn
-Cassandra attending Church most of the time with us
-Sam started Kindergarten and is loving it and a hit with the teacher(she thinks he is so funny)
-Josh turning 13 and having his first crush(it's a secret I can't tell who!)
-Brinae earning her scripture mastery for Seminary
-Brinae finish her 3rd and 4th level of Girls Camp
-Josh being called to Deacon's President
-Bryan's job at Beckert and loving it(he is doing great there-he is electrical engineer)
-Brinae being called to Mia Maids President
-seeing Serenity's knitting growing in abundance(this girl can knit anything-she has made her own patterns), she is also the knitting instuctor for the Library
-Brinae learning to crochet
Brinae is sitting beside and helping me with my list, can you tell????LOL

THe list can go on and on.......

I am very grateful for everything, for the joys, and the sorrows, and for the things that I have learned from them. I was so sad to lose our Prophet this past year, for his humor, his love, and his wisdom. At the same time I am grateful for the Gospel that we knew we would gain another loving one, and sure enough we did, Prophet Thomas S. Monson. I love this Man of God, I love his wisdom, his stories, his character, and his testimony.
I struggled alot this year within myself and am getting back on track. I am grateful for the new year and the excitement that it brings. We spent alot of time together today, we made new goals for us as a family. Goals that will help us grow stronger in the Gospel, in the home, and in ourselves. I love my family and am so grateful that I can be a wife,a mom, a Grammy, a daughter, a sister, a friend to many wonderful people in my world.
Love to all!