This is just cool

This is just cool.

It's better to click on the link and watch it bigger.

December 2010 Blizzard Timelapse from Michael Black on Vimeo.

D.I.Y obsessed

This is it. This is the year I become a crafter. I have never desired to craft before, but with tons of simple-jillable tutorials out there--i just gotta.

Pillow Tutorial HERE.




Not exactly a tutorial HERE, but pictures of how it is done.

Fun Link

Remember this picture? One of many rotten things my son has done. You have to check out THIS SITE for stuff that other people's rotten children have done. It'll suck you in.

Magic Jack

Has anyone tried the Magic Jack? Reviews seem to be about 70% good, but the negative comments are really bad.

I am thinking about it. Anybody know anything?

Christmas in July

I'm totally obsessed with handmade. I want next year's Christmas to be a handmade Christmas. The problem with that is that I am shooting all during October and November and it takes up all of my free time. So if I do this, I have to start early. Like July. I've been wanting to make my own stockings but I never have time. I swear 2011 is the year. So I've been checking out handmade stuff--because it is all over the blogging world. So this is on my list of things to make in July---who's with me?

One of my favorite photographers made this. It's a Jillified craft (meaning crafts for non-crafty people) and it's super cute.





And what kid wouldn't want this felt board (I want this):



My girls would go ape doo-doo for THIS PLAY TENT:




I totally think it would be fun to try out THESE DOLLS--but make it into a nativity set. Use the wooden spool ones for the adult people, but the clothespin one for the baby Jesus.





Or fun MONSTER DOLLS:




Fabric covered earrings:



And if I'm super ambitious THIS TEPEE (NOR--this is up your alley)

Buy here

I'm a pimp for my friends.

Need Gift Tags

Tipped off (again) by How about Orange:


Need gift Tags get These cute ones HERE



and these HERE

Lovin the Holidays

I just found two things that I thought were great ideas.

First: Hot Glueing the graham crackers for a gingerbread house. I have avoided doing gingerbread houses because I didn't want to deal with making it stick together. THIS GENIUS came up with the idea. I'm totally doing it next year. Brilliant.



And from her blog I linked to THIS IDEA of writing notes in stockings. When the season is over and you are packing up your stuff you write a little note to yourself that will be unveiled next year when the stockings are unpacked. You write hopes for yourself. That sounds super fun. Like a mini version of at time capsule.



And check HERE how to make your own fun tree skirt.

LET THEM PLAY!

For anyone with children in the Mesa Public School System.

CHECK THIS OUT.

The state passed a law that all schools have to review their current recess policy. It has been suggested that MPS go to a structured recess--somewhat like P.E.

THIS IDEA IS LAME.

So make your voices heard. Go the meeting tomorrow night.

Or--your more likely option is to GO HERE GO HERE GO HERE and leave a comment.

Let our kids be kids and run and play. They don't need any more rules.

sidenote: the more they pull this bullcrap, the more I consider homeschooling, as long as someone else is teaching my kids and they still leave in the morning and come back in the afternoon. So more like home schooling at someone else's home.

rude and offensives sidenote: This law is probably due to America's fat kid problem. Here's an idea--fix the nasty preservative mostly tan colored food lunch program.

D.I.Y. Christmas

I know it's a little late, but I just got tipped off to this awesome list of Do It Yourself projects.

Look HERE.

Also, I had a friend suggest getting a large vase from IKEA, and get that glass etching stuff from a craft store, and etch on an initial of the family and fill it with large ornaments.

I thought that was a good idea.

I also like THIS idea for t-shirts. I totally want to try it.

Prep and Landing

Prep and Landing is on tonight! ON ABC. It's the cutest little Christmas cartoon that I love. Oh, and the kids like it to.

Watch it!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I realize the economy sucks and we are beyond broke. So I realize I will get none of this for Christmas. However, I thought I'd give you a head start on next year when things should be looking up. (hopefully for everyone). I'm not sad, I'm actually beyond happy for all of the things I have--a house that I should be in for years, enough money to pay our bills, the prospect of better income in the future. But that worldly side me still has yearnings. So here is a place to start:

This Bike.




This Dress





One of these ties for Beck



This Camera Bag (yes it's a camera bag!)



This Top



And possibly this dress



This Cardigan



Ooh and maybe this



These Trousers


And while I'm being greedy how about an iPad

The Theater (read with a brittish accent)

My friend's son is Tiny Tim in a Christmas Carol at Chandler Gilbert. Her other kids are in it too as cute little extras.

It is such a fun play! The actor for Ebenezer Scrooge was so fun and entertaining. It was a musical and my kids loved it.

I was very impressed with the talent.

So go. For reals.

Here is the link.

I believe my friend's son is Tiny Tim for today's matinee and tomorrow's night performance. Another very cute kid is Tiny Tim for the others.

Seriously. Your kids will love it--and you will enjoy it too.

Dear Murphy

Dear Murphy's Law,

Up Yours

Truly, it's the end of the year in which we have made less than we have in our entire marriage due to Hyrum going back to school. And I knew--just KNEW at the beginning of this year that if crap was going to go down--it would be this year.

So I said--Bring it on. But I didn't really mean it.

For reals--you started with the cars, and then continued with the cars and then are finishing it up with the cars. HMMM let me see if I can list them--A/C on the suburban, brakes on the burb, something else I can't remember on the burb, steering column on the Honda, New brakes, new clutch and then we rounded it out with a new CV boot. I get it our cars our old--but for real--that is ridiculous.

And now--The freaking Garbage disposal??? It's only 3 years old. Brand new when we put it in ourselves when we bought the house. IT's a dumb disposal. And I tried to thwart you--when it started leaking I just shoved an empty bowl under it and then emptied it daily. Screw you murphy. But you got me--the old use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without just isn't cutting it. I can't bypass it. It's not that you don't work--you grind like a charm. Meanwhile spitting brown slushy goo all over the cabinet underneath. You're a clever little jerk. And since you are connected to the drain I can't really do without you.

So off Hyrum goes to throw down a whopping $169.99. Yes disposals cost that much. Well, they do if you don't buy the crappy Badger brand that we had before. You suck.

Remember the other day when I accidentally blocked that crazy girl from getting onto the road--remember her kind gesture to me? The one she did for an extended period of time which made me wonder if her parents ever loved her?

Well--same to you pal.


Sincerely your most hateful victim,

Me

Punch

I got a hankerin' for a new punch.

Does anyone have a good one they love?

Let me know.

Another Christmas list

Okay, along with the galoshes, keep your peepers out for this little "How to train your Dragon" getup. Supposedly it's at WalMart.

Call me if you find it.

THX

Local Goods

Thought I'd pimp this for a friend of mine.

Go, love, buy.

Treasures

My camera broke and so I forgot about what was on the memory card. Then I just uploaded some stuff and this was on it.

Is this as funny/freaking adorable to anyone else besides his parents?

On my list

In case you are from out of town and are wondering what to send someone in a different town (ahem) you could always send them THIS.

They may just love salt water taffy as much as I do.

Check out all of their yummy stuff HERE.

Smile on my face

This video made me smile. Thanks Michelle for sharing.

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Santa's little helpers

Okey dokey, it's Christmas shopping time and I thought you all could help.

I want to get some galoshes for the girls. So if you see any on clearance or super cheap somewhere--e-mail me or call me. I need 10/11 sort of size. I need 2 pair.

Also probably some for Beck--so look out for those too.

And if anybody has some Barbie crap they are trying to get rid of . . . dresses, or a car or something I'd love to have it (in good condition of course). I plan on buying a barbie--but not any barbie crap--so if you are getting rid of some--let me know.

Thanks!

A day of rest

The Sabbath Day--Judaism and Christianity got it right on that one.

Yesterday I started with a photoshoot, hit two soccer games, ate lunch, mildly napped, sped off to another shoot and followed it up with two Halloween Parties where we kept the kids up until 10:30.

A day of rest is needed indeed.

So this morning I was thinking--Oh I am SO glad it's Sunday. Which of course in my busy brain toppled over a set of dominoes--mostly thinking about Mormonism and how, whether you agree with it or not, it really has a lot of things right.

Point #1 Sabbath Day

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy in Mormon terms means a day of rest. It's the day you spend with your family, you worship at church, you rest. No boating, or playing at friend's houses, or work (some people have to--which is understood). But I wake up and think--I don't have to clean the house today even if it is crappified--it's Sunday. I don't have to schedule the kids outings with friends--or go to any soccer games. I could mostly be in PJ's for most of the day--minus 3 hours of church. I can nap and read and snuggle with my kids. It's funny to think if this as a commandment. But it's funny to think that back in Biblical times they knew. They knew that our day would be TOO busy--that we really would need to be forced to take a day off--to rest--for our Sanity. It makes it easy to say no to things--"sorry, I can't, it's the Sabbath". It's great. And I'm enjoying my super chill--cereal morning, kids playing with each other Sabbath.

Point #2

Word of Wisdom. The word of wisdom was a revelation given to Joseph Smith--a law of health for the people in 1833. Most people know that Mormons don't drink coffee, alcohol or tea. And we don't smoke. Those seem obvious with health benefits. But also in the Word of Wisdom is the instruction to eat meat sparingly, "Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;". And lately, since I have been in more of a pursuit to eat things naturally, I find this next excerpt to be even more intriguing and divinely given, "Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving". Think about the idea of Joseph Smith saying, "Fruit should be eaten in the season thereof"--meaning--you should only eat fruit in it's season. That would have sounded odd in 1833--well of course that is when you eat fruit and vegetables. But fastforward to 2010 when you can go into ANY grocery store and get whatever fruit you want from any season. Think about it--it's not really natural. Things shipped from Chile or New Zealand so we can have it in the opposite season. It's not good for the earth God created for us and it's not good for us. And to eat with prudence. Hello obesity--it's talking to you. I am amazed at the Word of Wisdom, given so long ago--before research was available, to give us a law of health to live by.

Point #3

We have people who take care of us. Each family--whether a single person or traditional family--has home teachers. Two men that stop by once a month to give a spiritual message and check on your needs. They offer to help with things, they make sure things are going well in the home. Each woman in the ward has 2 women who do the same thing. Bring a message once a month and stay and chat and maintain a friendship. They are there to see if you are doing ok, and if there is anything they could do for help. A bishopric (the clergymen in charge of the ward). They are also around to instruct, aid and befriend. Add in the teachers of the children, youth and adults as well as just the strength in numbers of a ward family. Heavenly Father didn't want us to be alone--and if you are in a functioning ward--you shouldn't be. That--is divinely inspired. The best thing is--that's it's a worldwide church. Anytime you are anywhere, you should be able to stop in and be befriended and if need be--get help. This gave me tremendous comfort when I backpacked Europe, I knew that if something went wrong--all I needed to do was find a local Mormon church and everything would be just fine. I love this. I truly do.

I could go on, but as a Mormon, I am teaching a class today in Sunday School. (oh and the church is run as a volunteer organization--teachers, bishop, home teachers, visiting teachers, choir people, all of it--we do it of our own free will and choice--I love that too).

Enjoy your Sabbath.

On my mind

ON my mind: The president, Laundry and Diane Rehm

#1 The President is going to be on the Daily show. Ok, Mr. Barrock Star--you are a president, not a celebrity, although you think it's the other way around. YOu've been on The View and I saw ticker tape on CNN that said you were going to be on Mythbusters. REALLY? Guess what--we are in so much debt, pretty soon we will be flying a Chinese Flag. So how about you take some of this spare time, sit down with one of the financial guys and pound us a way out of this mess. Thanks

#2 I processed 173 pieces of kid laundry today. Yes I counted. I don't suggest it--it makes laundry even longer. I did not add in Adult laundry, or towels.

#3 Not once but twice this week NPR has been called out. And I found myself talking out loud to the radio (Kizzy asked me what I was doing). First was when Juan Williams was initially fired and your program was discussing Fox News. A caller who listens to both NPR and Fox news pointed out that at least Fox news welcomes the other side for banter. Not so much with NPR. I laughed, and clapped. Do I think NPR is as biased as Fox News? No. Do I watch Fox news? No. But NPR is left of center. Diane I listen to you and try to make a claim that you are impartial, but sometimes--when I dare say you don't notice it, your tone of voice becomes very pointed when you react to a comment of certain right of center guests. I have tried to justify it as good journalism, but I can sense your irk. And then today when you had Juan Williams on and he suggested that NPR's leadership was full of leftist ideology. You with your shocked tone said something to the effect of "NOT ME!" gasp. Then you said you could make a list of all of the people you have on for balance. I take that challenge. I want to see that list. It's not even, your subjects for programs aren't even. You lean Diane. Just admit. At least in Juan Williams' discussion today he admitted that all journalist have a bias--that as a human being--experiences create your view of things. He went on to say that one could still be a good, honest journalist.

I am right of center Diane, but I listen to NPR so how right can I be? Just ask someone who is from the right--NPR is not played on their radios. Just like Fox is not played on the left.

So, I'll keep listening to NPR--mostly for the non-political interest stories that I love, and I'll wait for some news organization to either be half and half---or, if ever, just center.

See the part of the interview I was talking about HERE

Again? For real?

Seriously Trader Joes? How is it possible that you have combined yet ANOTHER chocolatey Sea Salt treat that just makes my mouth water.

Button up Naturally

My friend hooked me up with a cool button for my natural blog.

Head over there to get one!

Have a looksy

Modcloth gets me every time.

Dentists. ARGH.

I just spent the last 2 1/2 hours in the Dentist chair.

Which gave me a lot of time to think . . .

Who in the HELL would ever want to be a Dentist?

Sincere Search

I am so sick of thinking about this. I decided to get more info from any/all of you. I know you either know some information or know someone who would know.

I REALLY want to switch schools. My kids are doing great where they are but it is so BLAH. I want a more well rounded approach to education. My neighborhood school is out.

I am seriously sick of thinking about this. I just wish it were easy.

So this is kind of where I am stuck right now.

Part of the reason I want to switch is that Annabelle is VERY creative. And I think her current schools is just not developing that. Also, she HATES math. She can do it, she just hates it. I think it is because her school is all about timed drills and math facts. They are not good at the application part. She said something to me once that made me realize she doesn't know WHY she does Math--she hasn't learned the application part.

I am considering Edu-prize in Gilbert.

This is what I know/heard/think so far:

Pros:

• Colorful classrooms (fun stuff on the walls)

• They integrate science, art, and language (I saw on their walls a project that was a representation of the kids learning about Arizona for science, so they painted an Arizona landscape, then wrote a poem about it and overlayed with with velum over their painting)
• Small student/teacher ratio
• High Parent involvement
• They are an excelling school with high test scores
• Nice facilities
• Seem to encourage creativity
• They have fun events for school where the kids show what they do, and get to do it creatively (her current school has NOTHING fun or creative)
• I've talked to a parent at Edu-prize and they LOVE it.
• It has tons of great reviews on greatschools.net
• They have a garden
  

Cons:

• No one in my ward/neighborhood that I know goes there. (right now I have it so easy, I know everyone at the bus stop and can have someone else get my kids if I need to)
• No bus system--would have to drive every day
• It seems too colorful and happy which I interpret as not serious about education--I am a very back to basics school theory sort of person, I just think their current schools is TOO much like that. I would really like to find a happy medium. I know I sound contradictory--that is why I need your help.
• They have combo classes. 3/4, and 5/6. Annabelle is a lazy kid and I think she would regress/not challenge herself and just go with whatever is easier so I fear she won't be pushed. She is pushed at her current school and does well because everyone is doing the same thing.
• My friend told me a story of when she worked at a public school a few years ago. She got a transfer student into her classroom from Edu-prize. In the child's folder he had excellent test scores and was supposed to be very smart, but she said he wasn't even reading at grade level. She said that other teachers in her school had had the same experience. They had discussed it and thought that Edu-prize shady and fed their kids test answers (or something like that). So that freaked me out.
• Parents that have kids their LOVE it. And the scores are seriously unmatched. All of their performance is at 94% or greater for all of the subjects in the school. So that makes me question it--how do THAT many kids do so well, it seems to good to be true. And if I was a parent and my kids came home with those scores, why would I know any different? I would think my kid was doing great. I want to have a parent compare their Edu-prize kid with another kid that is at a good public school. Does that make sense?
• They don't do Spalding Phonics which is how I learned and how my oldest two learned and they are so good at reading. And good with really difficult large words. (to be fair I don't know what they teach in their Kindergarten)

So what do I do? This may sound random, but I don't want my kids to have TOO soft of an elementary school experience. I don't want them to be so used to small focused classrooms that when they go to Junior High in a large public school, that they FREAK. Would that happen? Am I crazy?

See why I am so stuck? So what do you know? Who do you know? If you know anyone with a good or bad experience at Edu-prize send this link to them.

Or do you have any other suggestions?

Seriously, anyone with an opinion, good or bad, whether you know me or not.

Lengthy comments welcome.

I have got to make a decision. It is drivng me C-R-A-Z-Y.

I"m mean

My mom is mean. Ask my friends. And my brothers and sisters. And my husband (he is scared of her). And I am too.
I've never said "no" to my mom. That wasn't allowed. She told you to something ONCE.
I am way too soft compared to her. I need to mean up more. However I still often hear the words, "You're a MEAN mom!"
And I delight in hearing that.
Mostly because I grew up with this poem on my mom's wall:

How To Be A Mean Mother

A mean mother never allows candy or sweets to take the place of a well-balanced meal.

A mean mother insists on knowing where her children are at all times, who their friends are and what they do.

A mean mother breaks the Child Labor Law by making her children work--washing dishes, making beds, learning to cook and doing other cruel and unpleasant chores.

A mean mother makes life ;miserable for her offspring by insisting that they always tell the truth.

A mean mother produces teenagers who are wiser and more sensible.

a mean mother can smile with secret delight and pride when she hears her own grandchildren call their parents "mean".

What the world needs now are more Mean Mothers . .. and Fathers.



My mother is mean. And she's a GOOD mother. And I hope my son in law is as scared of me as Hyrum is of her.

Love you mom.

The bus

Remember the bus I told you about? My kids loved it. Thanks Mar--for the ride. See more pics HERE.

Distracted

I got distracted today from my household duties. I found these. Look HERE. Complete with other fun stuff and tutorials.

I have been wanting to do a quote board like that for a long time. Now just to do it. First I should finish my other spray painting project. Oi.

Thirty Something

It's fun to be a thirty something when:

You have friends like these



That you stay out 'till 2 a.m. once a month with

Who happen to ALL be brunette

When one buys a bus

And you make a dance video inside it

(This is the inside)



For Reals

THE BFG

You must read this book to your kids. Boy or girl. My kids are 6 & 8 and they loved it. I think older kids would too. Roald Dahl is a brilliant, entertaining author. He also wrote Matilda, James and the Giant Peach and many others. I will be reading more of his book. I LOVED this book.

Read it and let me know what you think.

Is your Family Proctected?

The internet is a whoreish place. For real. I'm on twitter and I linked over to a random topic and the icon of one of the people's tweets was all trashy boobs. Whoreish.

I had my friend's computer guru husband recommend a blocker for my internet. And this is what he gave me:

Open DNS

I set it up a while back. I have to say that it is pretty confusing for anyone who is not computer savvy. He had to help me a bit. But I love it. I set the privacy controls specifically. I have mine set on High blocking content, but have allowed photobucket, and specifically said no You Tube. I think YouTube scares me most of all because it can be fun, and then turn whoreish in two seconds. So if figured we don't really need to watch youtube.

Anyhow, if you want a simpler version, they came out with one:

Family Shield

I set up the account for my computer. I am the only one in the family with the password.

The great part is that when you test it, you don't have to type in some sort of pornographic term. You can use "exampleadultsite.com"

When I type that in I get this:



So it makes me feel better to have this on.

So do it, set it up. It's FREE!

They have a phone number, so if you need help--I'm sure they probably will help you set it up.

To any of my friends who are local, I am more than happy to come to your house and show you how to do this.

Halt the Whoreishness

This is Funny

Someone randomly posted this when I was nerding out on the Dave Ramsey live blog.

Just thought it was funny.

FPU on Sale

I will keep preaching the word until everyone listens. It's a life changer. Even for those of you who think you're good at budgeting, truly--you could be better.

You know how much I love the other man in my life DAVE RAMSEY.

He just came to Phoenix, and I talked to one of my friend's who went, and she LOVED it. Knew she would.

Anyhow--his Financial Peace University is on sale.

It's a class you can take locally. And it's more in depth of all of the stuff he teaches. It's a lifetime memebership, so once you purchase--you can take the course as many times as you want over your lifetime. We actually bought ours in 2002, and have never had the time to use it.

But we will this Spring, so we are going to take it. It's worth the money--I can guarantee it.

And it's ON SALE. And I don't know how long it will last.

Click HERE to either buy it, or watch the video on his site to learn more about it.

The more the merrier.

GO BUY SATURDAY

A few of my friends will be selling their awesome goods here. You know the necklace I wear that everyone always love? Yah that. And the headband? Yah that. And my lipgloss.