Vacation, Chocolate and Lasagna, oh my!

Did  you miss me?  You didn't even know I was gone, lol.  My family and I went on a trip to Island Park, Idaho, and it was the BEST!  sigh.

we managed to snag a kid who was taking photos of his grandparents and asked him to take one for us.  ;)

It was gorgeous weather the whole time we were up there - didn't really rain till the day we left.  That was the day Jackson Hole got snow in the mountains!  lol

We did have 2 times where we had buffalo in the road...second time was pretty scary, I was afraid it was going to broadside our car!  But they didn't threaten anything...and one of them even went down the road in line with the cars, it was hilarious!  I took photos of it, but didn't realize until we got home and I looked at the photos that the windshield was so DIRTY!!  lol  so...it's not the best picture.

Now we have to come back home and deal with the regular stuff, ya know?  But it's good.  ;)  I have a sink in the kitchen, with a faucet!!  That means we have running water in the kitchen again!  ( everyone sing Cool and the Gang with me..."Celebrate good times, come on!")  the kids are excited to not be washing dishes in the tub anymore, lol.  Me too!  Hubby says next project is figuring out what's wrong with the dishwasher...sigh.

here's the sink before the faucet...

And here it is after last night.  

It was cool that we were able to get it replaced for free.  I tell ya, Price Pfister is good for their guarantees!  We purchased this faucet a while ago, and have had to contact them twice.  Both times they were friendly and replaced the issues with no hassle.  (and no this is not a paid opinion, lol)

anyway - so there's that.  I still like the tile around the edge. 

I am making some changes to my home.  I decided a couple of weeks ago that I have way tooo much clutter in my life.  When I go back to work, it's going to be an effort to keep things clean again, (adult children are SOO not helpful...sigh) so, I've decided I really need to evaluate how my kitchen is set up, how my desk is situated, and get rid of some of the tacky nick-nacs that I am not emotionally attached to.  Hubby is going to be in a little shock, I know.  My autistic son is already having issues with the changes we've already made with the remodel.  I took the paper towel roll holder down because it's not in a convenient place, and he wasn't happy with that either, lol.

So - last night we picked up a free entertainment center that hubby suggested last year I get for my painting supplies.  He's so brilliant...there are sooo many times I'm thankful I married him!!  

Anyway - so now it's time to clean out the desk, situate the entertainment center, and fill with my art supplies!!  It's going to be an official office/studio now!!  wow...I think I'm excited.  ;)

I'll post some photos when it's all situated.  I'm still trying to decide how it's going to work...sigh.

And - because I'm still a silliness lover...here's the wacky holidays for today!  And just as a SHOUT OUT to Brownielocks and her site -- it's where I get these holidays from...there's a button on the sidebar that will take you to their page.  They are awesome, and I've had so much fun getting the information from them.  ;)  Sorry folks...I didn't make these all up.....(should have mentioned that sooner....sigh)

Yesterday was chocolate milk day...and I'm sorry I didn't post it.  Everyone go celebrate today in it's honor!!  Doesn't everyone like chocolate milk??

Anyway - today is Lasagna day!!  Now if only we had the stuff to make it....sigh.  Will have to look into that for sure.  ;)

And - National Chicken Wing day...but I'm not really into chicken wings, tooo little meat - but for those of you who are, enjoy!  ;)

Happy Pioneer Day!!

My hubby has pioneer stock in his mother's side of the family.  It's kind of cool, I think, that his mother is a Daughter of the Utah Pioneers.  He could be a son of, but didn't want to get into all that.  I think it's cool.  I don't have any ancestors who participated because my parents were both converts before I was born.
However....
I did have ancestors who came over to find a better life.  That kind of counts.
So, even if you didn't have 'pioneer' stock in the technical term, you are of pioneer stock if you had someone who came to the US in search of the American Dream.
For some, that dream involved religious freedom...which was something we are very blessed to have.
Most of us will be watching the great 24th of July parade and having BBQs.  You know me...any excuse to party!  ;)
Have a great one!

That's me!! lol

Today is Gorgeous Grandma Day!  Isn't that a hoot??  Who would have thought??  sigh.  I think it's just another gimick, but since I'm a grandma now, I guess I'll lay claim!!  lol

Here's a shot of hubby and I from Valentines last year.  ;)

And here we are being grandparents on Easter. 

Don't you just love that huge bow in her hair? lol

Hope all you gorgeous grandma's out there have a great day!!  ;)

Just want to say Thanks...

Today is Nelson Mandella International day.  If you don't know who that is, you should look him up.  He was an amazing man.  I'm afraid I don't know a lot about him, other than he did great things in South Africa.  Watch the movie Invictus, and you'll get a general idea.  ;)

He did a lot for many people in the world when it came to race and freedoms.  He was an example of fortitude and forgiveness.

Today would be a good day to honor him by remembering the founders of our own nation, and what they were trying to accomplish.  sigh.

It is also National Hot Dog day... so those of you who love that particular food, enjoy!  I don't mind a good turkey one that's grilled...  ;)

I'm finally getting to enjoy the summer a little bit.  We've pretty much finished the kitchen and now need to take stock on what's left to finish.  Unfortunately that list keeps growing...which is what happens when you purchase a 53 year old house and have to deal with maintenance.  ;)

Well...have an awesome weekend.  I know I will.  ;)  Tomorrow is National Ice Cream day...just in case you need an excuse to eat ice cream during the summer....

AWESOME!!

Okay - am running around like crazy today, but had to write a short post about this article at the Deseretnews.com.

I'm not a big pageant fan as far as watching them.  I think the women who compete in them are braver than I am for sure...and I wonder what drives them.  But after watching Miss Congeniality, I appreciate them a little more.

Well...even more after reading this article on two LDS women who upheld their standards for the pageant of Ms United States.  I recommend anyone who is interested to read it.  And then look at the comments at the bottom.  Really??  sigh.

It amazes me what people think and how they feel they have to comment on everything.  The internet has definitely changed polite conversation and public voices.

I'm hoping that these women will have an impact on future pageants and encourage the directors to pick outfits that they can choose to be modest in.  It's just awesome, that's all I can say.  ;)

I'd post a photo, but there's a great one at the Deseretnews site.

Have a great day!!

Embrace Your Geekness! And other silliness...

Okay...so I never claimed to be a geek, though I guess I married a partial geek (he does NOT carry a pocket protector with pens in it!) but there are some things that we are both very geeky about.

Why am I mentioning this??

Today is national Embrace Your Geekness Day!  So...I guess we're all proud of the fact we can work the VCR/DVD DirectTV remote, whatever, lol.  Can troublshoot basic computer issues (is the computer turned ON?) and figure out email on our phones (though we still don't read it there, lol).  How about you?

It's also National French Fries Day!  Now that's a day to celebrate!  I love specific french fries.  We have a local mom&pops here that has the best french fries, and of course fry sauce!!  We do homemade fries all the time (baked NOT fried) and sometimes we make sauce...  sigh.  What's your favorite place for fries?

We had a good weekend, seemed a little short, but still am almost finished with the kitchen. Saturday night went to see the King and I with my mother-in-law.  The cast did a great job - I was really impressed with how they did the theater piece.

But I think I liked the original film with Yule Brenner a little better, I told my hubby I guess we need to rent it now so the kids can see it.
But the thing is, now that I'm an adult (well...gosh, I guess I am anyway) my views on it are vastly different than at a carefree youth.  My first thought was where does she get off telling a king that she doesn't have to do what he says??  And then to interfere with his government?  She should have been executed or sent home on the first ship available.  I realize that it's basically a love story...sort of.  But it's also a tale of how England tried to force it's ideas of civilization or proper social behavior on everyone in the world.  Whether it was right or wrong.  Yes, there were many issues in that country (Siam) that needed fixing, but it takes longer than a couple of years to change the mind of a people steeped in tradition.  sigh.  Okay...I guess I'm off my high horse now.  ;)

Anyway - going to be in the 90's all week...so still in the swing of summer.  ;)  Hope you have an excellent day!!   Be sure and eat some french fries...lol

Fond Farewell and We Love Teddy Bears!

Lol.  It's national Teddy Bear picnic day!  I vaguely remember the song...but I like it.  Teddy bears and picnics are a good combo.  ;)

It's also Don't Step on a Bee day...which is silly -- who wants to step on a bee??

and for those who like Pina Coladas, it's Pina colada day as well...I don't like the coconut, so I'm not a big fan of the virgin ones.  ;)  To each their own...

Sigh.

So, I got to spend the day with my hubby doing trailer shops for the Minions movie.  Can I hear a large groan??  It's cute an all...meant for kids...but it wasn't that thrilling to me.  I got to see Jurassic World again and finally see the middle part that I'd missed before.  We both like that one.  Have to say though, the 3D kind of makes it look like toys are being used...not that impressive.  The regular movie is fine.  ;)

Also want to mention that President Packer's funeral was today...we got to listen to part of it.  He was such an amazing man.  We are all going to miss him and his stalwart character.  I wish his family well.

Till we meet again...

Did ya know?

That I had other blogs?  I do!  Not that it's an earth shattering discovery, lol, but just a gee whiz info.  I have one that focuses on food - and one that showcases my art.  You might want to take a look into them sometime.
I just wrote a blog on making ice cream without an ice cream maker on the food one.
I haven't really posted my current paintings on the other one... life really does get too crazy some times.  ;)

Here's one I painted a couple of years ago...entered in a contest last fall.  ;)

I'll see what I can't get done on that for next week.
I'm contemplating creating a new one for writing, but I'm not sure I have the time...I barely keep up with the other ones...lol
Anyway - have a good one!! Enjoy the gorgeous day!

Happy 4th Weekend...and other stuff

                   (picked up this clipart somewhere...sorry don't remember where)

So, I hope everyone had an awesome 4th!  It was so hot...sigh.  We set up the pools so the little kids could play, and then NO ONE CAME OVER!
Does that tell you how much of a looser my family is?  lol...not.  But even my brother commented when he came over that hey, we are the only ones going to each other's events.  sigh.
We had breakfast with them and then they came over and had dinner with us.  Oh well.  At least we love each other! lol
My daughter had come over with hubby and granddaughters in tow, and that was fun, but then they decided to go to the city park with all it's craziness and they were going to come back, but then oldest granddaughter threw a royal fit and they took her home.  Fine.
Hubby mentioned that he feels he needs to invoke his mothers axiom now..."don't include us in the punishment of your kids!"
and the fireworks the neighbors did were awesome! I can't believe how big they were...they looked like professional stuff, not the kind you can buy at the venders.  But, we watched for about a half hour and then went in.  ;)

Anyway - so we got the sink installed Saturday!!  It looks sooo awesome!

I promised you photos, so...here we go.  ;)

Here is the bench before I painted it.  It took like 2 hours to get it all prepped...nails sank, filled, sanded, etc...ugh!!  I hate finish work!!  totally understand why I haven't finished any of the other rooms we have done besides the sunroom, which is now finished because we put the last piece of trim in the doorway, lol.

Here are two angles of the painted/finished bench!!  I love the color, lol.  You'll laugh...the brown is Mushroom Bisque!!  My family thinks it's hilarious.  The light color on the seat is Cauliflower....and the yellow you see in the top trim is roasted corn.  ;)  Sense a food pattern?  But it was totally not on purpose!!!  I have some cushions that I got at Sam's Club that are actually lounge chair covers, lol but they match perfectly and I just need to roll the edge under a little so they sit better.

  

And for the final tadah....

The new sink!!  It's 9 inches deep!

See the tile around the edge?  That was my suggestion for covering up the issues we had trying to get the mold out of the counter top...sigh.  The router kept slipping so we had some holes in the formica that wouldn't be covered by the sink...we looked at all sorts of options...new counter, etc., but time and money (money being the biggest consideration) made us lean toward the tile.

Hubby sanded what was left of the formica under where the tile would sit, and then put it down.  He had already put a thick piece of plywood where the sink was going to sit, but he wanted to make sure the tile didn't pop after a month with water, etc.  We put the trim around after someone had told him that the water would get under the tile and make it lift.  We have caulked the heck out of this puppy!  If I could show you a REAL close up you would be able to see the shine of the clear caulk.  It's a waterproof one that is not supposed to shrink or get mold, etc.  I hope it works...sigh.

My daughter thinks it's terrible that I wanted the sink above the counter (that's so old fashioned, lol) and I'd have to push stuff up over the tile AND the sink edge now...  But I wouldn't do that anyway, I'd take stuff over the counter edge and into my hand or the garbage can.  ;)  Personally I LOVE it.  hubby even installed the faucet, and it looks awesome.  Now we just have to hook up the plumbing and the water filter guy is coming over on Wednesday, and everyone can't wait to have water in the kitchen again, lol.
We told my sister-in-law that we've been washing dishes in the tub for 3 months and she had no sympathy...she's never had a dishwasher her whole married life.  UGH.  Can I just say UGH!!!???

And - just to keep up with the wacky holidays...today is International/World Kiss Day!  So grab your significant other and plant one on him/her in honor of the day.  Like we need an excuse, right?  lol.

It's also Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day...which is my hubby, so I should have totally planned that one!!  :(  sigh...sometimes I have no brain.  I sent him with a big lunch...maybe he hasn't eaten yet??

Anyway - Have a good one!

Happy Canada Day!

Well...since my hubby served an LDS mission to Toronto Canada, we have always been somewhat tilted toward the Canadian side of things.  ;)  If you've read my blog during October, you know we celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving, so we get turkey twice a year!  ;)

Today is kind of a double celebration (ha, kind of a pun actually) as our twins were born today!!

here's a bday photo from when they were like 8...Grandma was helping with riding the new bikes.

here they are about 19 or so...the one on the left side and the one on the far right.  ;)

Here they were 2009.... we were all at Fish lake and they decided everyone had to have braided hair, lol.  twin 2 on left, twin 1 on right front...

Here is kind of the most recent photo...2012.  Kind of hard to tell...but the one on the left is twin 1, and the one right behind me in the middle is twin 2..on her wedding day - her hubby is the one to the right of her.  Fun day!!  

sigh.  Can't believe how fast time has gone.  Well...

So - hope you all have an awesome Canadian Day and celebrate with the ones you love.