Hopefully this will save the trees, they are beautiful Mulberry trees and we would hate to lose any of them.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
FRANKENTREE...
We have three beautiful trees in our back yard, going from north to south. The one on the north is darker green, taller and has bigger leaves. The one on the south is smaller, fewer and smaller leaves, and the leaves are a pale green. The tree in the middle is pretty much midline with its looks, height, leaf color, etc. But the middle tree has dark sap running down from some of the main branches right at the top of the trunk. We took several pictures and took them to the local nursery to seek advise. They said that the trees to the south are getting too much water, easy fix...water less. At least that would be easy for anyone but my husband who has the motto "if some is good, a lot is great". So the guys at the nursery weren't concerned about our trees until we showed them the picture of the sap. Apparently we have some sort of beetle boring down into the tree. They said that we needed to BOLT the tree by drilling right through the branches and putting huge permanent bolts through to brace the branches if they start to get weak. Thus the name FRANKENTREE...(named by JT, who apaprently has a name for everyone and EVERYTHING!)
Hopefully this will save the trees, they are beautiful Mulberry trees and we would hate to lose any of them.
Hopefully this will save the trees, they are beautiful Mulberry trees and we would hate to lose any of them.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Back to School
Today was the first day back to school. Bri started the 5th grade. Bri has a male teacher for the first time and he is a wonderful teacher. The kids all want to be in his class. She also has some friends from last year and some girls from our ward in her class. She is excited for a new school year and also excited to learn about the states, since I told her this was one of my favorite things to learn in elementary school!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Our dog is a faucet...
Yeager is the classic Pavlov's dog. If he sees you eating he starts to drool, especially if it is something that he has tasted before and knows that he usually gets a nibble. We were camping and I got a great shot...
We also wore him out so much while camping that he slept on my lap the whole way home. He apparently was having a good dream because he was smiling in his sleep!
We also wore him out so much while camping that he slept on my lap the whole way home. He apparently was having a good dream because he was smiling in his sleep!
Ward Campout
Our ward campout was a lot of fun. We find that we like to steal my nieces so Bri has someone to play with, and we decided to take them with us to the campout. We were really glad that we did because there were no kids Bri's age there, there were a many that are younger and a few older. They had a good time getting dirty, wading in the river, sliding down a dirt hill, roasting marshmallows, watching movies in the tent and having a lot of fun together. We are so glad that Bri has such a close relationship with her cousins, it makes being an only child more bearable!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
37 Obscure Facts About Me
1. Do you like blue cheese? I LOVE blue cheese salad dressing, but I have never tried it plain.
2. Have you ever smoked? No.
3. Do you own a gun? No, we did have one but sold it for cash!
4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? Mountain berry...I think that is what it is called, not sure if it is even still a flavor! Bri loves any flavor and enjoys making it herself, even though she usually waters it down too much and it is not very flavorful.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No. I like going to the doctor. I usually don't even get nervous before surgeries, although I surprised myself before my hysterectomy by being SCARED TO DEATH!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like hot dogs, we have a fireplace in the backyard and love to cook hot dogs and roast marshmallows! (A marshmallow is not good just toasted, it has to CHAR to be really tasty!)
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Story.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? I don't like to drink milk and water is so boring, usually a diet coke!
9. Can you do push ups? I could in junior high...don't think I have tried since then.
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I love my wedding ring, that is a given. But if I were to choose something else it would have to be my silver necklace and bracelet set that my mom bought in Hong Kong and gave to me a few years before she passed away. It has oriental dancers and the pieces are shaped like little fans. It makes me feel pretty, which is the point of wearing jewelry.
11. Favorite hobby? Scrapbooking.
12. Do you have ADD? I often get distracted by shiny things, is that the same thing?
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Both, glasses around home and when I am working at the computer, contacts usually when I go out and want to wear cute sunglasses.
14. Middle name? No, my parents didn't believe in middle names for their girls, but the boys all got middle names...life is so unfair. I wanted Bri to have a middle name so we picked Gabrielle, or maybe stole it (thanks jen!)
15. Name three thoughts at this exact moment. I really should be working. I hear Bri talking to her dad and it is after midnight, it is going to be hard for her to get back to a normal sleep schedule for school next week. I had a really great day today.
16. Name three drinks you regularly drink. Diet coke, water, Diet Mountain Dew, (Diet Anything!)
17. Current worry? I constantly have things to worry about, but my biggest worry is that I am not doing enough for my calling...there is always more that could be done...
18. Current hate right now? My short nails that I have had to have for typing the last seven and a half years. I am excited for my new job so that I can grow them long again.
19. Favorite place to be? Home, we just love to hang out as a family. (oh, and Paris!)
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Just the three of us, watching movies and a bit of sparkling juice at midnight, nothing grand (and by sparkling juice I mean Diet Coke!)
21. Where would you like to go? Everywhere, my ultimate dream would be to compete on the Amazing Race and get to travel all over the world. (By the way, the Amazing Race starts again on September 28th...FYI)
22. Name three people who will complete this. Not a clue, do people still read this blog?
23. Do you own slippers? I love slippers, can't live without them! The only time I don't wear them is on hot summer days. My office is in the basement with a cement floor so even while working during the summer I will pull them out to keep my toes warm! (I have thyroid issues and unless it is 100 degrees I am usually chilly.) :)
24. What shirt are you wearing? My IN-N-OUT Burger T-shirt from California.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never have, but I hate it when my sheets slide around, it goes along with the whole chilly thing, I need my quilts and blankets on me all night or I freeze!
26. Can you whistle? Yes, a talent I attribute to my father, who is always whistling or singing something.
27. Favorite color? Green, or more specifically army green. Maybe I should have joined the military!
28. Would you be a pirate? They travel the world don't they....
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't, but put me in a car....
30. Favorite girl’s name? How can I say anything but my daughters name!
31. Favorite boy’s name? That one is harder, I would have to say Gabe.
32. What’s in your pocket right now? No pockets, I am wearing my pajama pants.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Bri imitating the moves of the gymnasts on the balance beam tonight during the Olympics.
34. What vehicle do you drive? A 1995 Honda Passport, which I love!
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had? I thought that I broke my leg when I was three while riding my tricycle...but as it turns out...my 13-year-old brother was pushing me as fast as he could and he is the one that broke my leg!
36. Do you love where you live? I really do, or else I would not have moved into the house next door to be able to stay in our neighborhood! We love it here!
37. How many televisions do you have in your house? Three, family room, master bedroom and a smaller one in our spare room for Bri to watch DVDs.
2. Have you ever smoked? No.
3. Do you own a gun? No, we did have one but sold it for cash!
4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? Mountain berry...I think that is what it is called, not sure if it is even still a flavor! Bri loves any flavor and enjoys making it herself, even though she usually waters it down too much and it is not very flavorful.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No. I like going to the doctor. I usually don't even get nervous before surgeries, although I surprised myself before my hysterectomy by being SCARED TO DEATH!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like hot dogs, we have a fireplace in the backyard and love to cook hot dogs and roast marshmallows! (A marshmallow is not good just toasted, it has to CHAR to be really tasty!)
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Story.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? I don't like to drink milk and water is so boring, usually a diet coke!
9. Can you do push ups? I could in junior high...don't think I have tried since then.
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I love my wedding ring, that is a given. But if I were to choose something else it would have to be my silver necklace and bracelet set that my mom bought in Hong Kong and gave to me a few years before she passed away. It has oriental dancers and the pieces are shaped like little fans. It makes me feel pretty, which is the point of wearing jewelry.
11. Favorite hobby? Scrapbooking.
12. Do you have ADD? I often get distracted by shiny things, is that the same thing?
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Both, glasses around home and when I am working at the computer, contacts usually when I go out and want to wear cute sunglasses.
14. Middle name? No, my parents didn't believe in middle names for their girls, but the boys all got middle names...life is so unfair. I wanted Bri to have a middle name so we picked Gabrielle, or maybe stole it (thanks jen!)
15. Name three thoughts at this exact moment. I really should be working. I hear Bri talking to her dad and it is after midnight, it is going to be hard for her to get back to a normal sleep schedule for school next week. I had a really great day today.
16. Name three drinks you regularly drink. Diet coke, water, Diet Mountain Dew, (Diet Anything!)
17. Current worry? I constantly have things to worry about, but my biggest worry is that I am not doing enough for my calling...there is always more that could be done...
18. Current hate right now? My short nails that I have had to have for typing the last seven and a half years. I am excited for my new job so that I can grow them long again.
19. Favorite place to be? Home, we just love to hang out as a family. (oh, and Paris!)
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Just the three of us, watching movies and a bit of sparkling juice at midnight, nothing grand (and by sparkling juice I mean Diet Coke!)
21. Where would you like to go? Everywhere, my ultimate dream would be to compete on the Amazing Race and get to travel all over the world. (By the way, the Amazing Race starts again on September 28th...FYI)
22. Name three people who will complete this. Not a clue, do people still read this blog?
23. Do you own slippers? I love slippers, can't live without them! The only time I don't wear them is on hot summer days. My office is in the basement with a cement floor so even while working during the summer I will pull them out to keep my toes warm! (I have thyroid issues and unless it is 100 degrees I am usually chilly.) :)
24. What shirt are you wearing? My IN-N-OUT Burger T-shirt from California.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never have, but I hate it when my sheets slide around, it goes along with the whole chilly thing, I need my quilts and blankets on me all night or I freeze!
26. Can you whistle? Yes, a talent I attribute to my father, who is always whistling or singing something.
27. Favorite color? Green, or more specifically army green. Maybe I should have joined the military!
28. Would you be a pirate? They travel the world don't they....
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't, but put me in a car....
30. Favorite girl’s name? How can I say anything but my daughters name!
31. Favorite boy’s name? That one is harder, I would have to say Gabe.
32. What’s in your pocket right now? No pockets, I am wearing my pajama pants.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Bri imitating the moves of the gymnasts on the balance beam tonight during the Olympics.
34. What vehicle do you drive? A 1995 Honda Passport, which I love!
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had? I thought that I broke my leg when I was three while riding my tricycle...but as it turns out...my 13-year-old brother was pushing me as fast as he could and he is the one that broke my leg!
36. Do you love where you live? I really do, or else I would not have moved into the house next door to be able to stay in our neighborhood! We love it here!
37. How many televisions do you have in your house? Three, family room, master bedroom and a smaller one in our spare room for Bri to watch DVDs.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Before I go on...the good news
First off, before I go any further...you are now hearing from the newest employee at Bri's elementary school. I got a call from the principal while we were on vacation and he offered me the SEM teaching position. I will do this for part of the day and also work as ground duty and helping the teachers with clerical needs. I will be at the school for a few hours every day and get off at the end of the day when Bri is done with class and we can come home together. When my work day is done I can actually relax, unlike now when my work day never seems to be done...just a never ending work day!
School starts in one week, now all I have to do is put in my notice at my other job! (That will be harder than it sounds, it has been a good job and such a blessing while Bri was younger!)
We had a letter waiting when we got home that said they needed to add more 4th graders to the split class and remove some of the 5th graders, so Bri is no longer in the split class (sigh of relief...I think I was trying to talk myself and everyone else into thinking it was a good idea) and now she is in a class with her best friend from last year and several girls from our ward. She is very excited!
We also had another amazing call while we were gone, but that one is still in the works...maybe news on that later... (sorry!)
School starts in one week, now all I have to do is put in my notice at my other job! (That will be harder than it sounds, it has been a good job and such a blessing while Bri was younger!)
We had a letter waiting when we got home that said they needed to add more 4th graders to the split class and remove some of the 5th graders, so Bri is no longer in the split class (sigh of relief...I think I was trying to talk myself and everyone else into thinking it was a good idea) and now she is in a class with her best friend from last year and several girls from our ward. She is very excited!
We also had another amazing call while we were gone, but that one is still in the works...maybe news on that later... (sorry!)
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Congratulations Tricia!
My niece Tricia is getting married in September. We went to a wedding shower for her today. She will make such a great wife, she has been waiting for a long time to meet Mr. Right and we are so happy for her!
Tricia, holding Melissa's baby Sean
Carolyn and Mariann
Me and Marf
Bri and her cousins
Tricia, holding Melissa's baby Sean
Carolyn and Mariann
Me and Marf
Bri and her cousins
Friday, August 8, 2008
Getting ready to hit the road
We are getting ready to set off on our summer vacation. Bri starts school in a little over two weeks, I can't believe the summer is almost over. We are heading for San Francisco and the bay area for a week. We have a lot planned and we are excited to get away!
I may have some job news coming my way next week also...I hope to be able to share some good news about that when we get back from our trip.
Bri's school just posted the class lists and she has been put in a 4th/5th grade split class. I am a little hesitant about this but the letter we received made it sound like it will be a good thing.
The letter said: "Some of the benefits of the split class are: 1) Only the best-behaved students are invited (teachers usually take a lot of time dealing with classroom management- that should not be the case in this class.) 2) Students will be able to progress more at their own level- there will be more individualization in this class. 3) This class will be "capped" and will not be allowed to be come overcrowded. 4) The teacher is excellent and has experience teaching both 4th and 5th grade. 5) Bri will receive the full 5th grade curriculum just as any other 5th grade student"
Hopefully this will turn out to be a good experience for her, there are only 23 students in the class, ten 4th graders and thirteen 5th graders, but none of her close friends are in the class.
I may have some job news coming my way next week also...I hope to be able to share some good news about that when we get back from our trip.
Bri's school just posted the class lists and she has been put in a 4th/5th grade split class. I am a little hesitant about this but the letter we received made it sound like it will be a good thing.
The letter said: "Some of the benefits of the split class are: 1) Only the best-behaved students are invited (teachers usually take a lot of time dealing with classroom management- that should not be the case in this class.) 2) Students will be able to progress more at their own level- there will be more individualization in this class. 3) This class will be "capped" and will not be allowed to be come overcrowded. 4) The teacher is excellent and has experience teaching both 4th and 5th grade. 5) Bri will receive the full 5th grade curriculum just as any other 5th grade student"
Hopefully this will turn out to be a good experience for her, there are only 23 students in the class, ten 4th graders and thirteen 5th graders, but none of her close friends are in the class.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Too busy
I told myself that this week I am too busy to blog...but how can I not! I have been trying to catch up with work and also do a little extra to have some spending money for our trip in a few weeks....so work, work, work!
Last weekend I had a good friend call and want to go to lunch. It was so nice to visit with Jenny May and her cute little family.
Then on Monday my sisters and a few nieces got together and went to lunch. Melissa had her baby in November and (because I am a slacker aunt) I had not even seen him yet, although I am trying to convince Melissa to do a blog...(hint...hint...)...so that I can see them more often. They live about three hours away and we don't get together as much as we should.
Well, back to WORK!
Last weekend I had a good friend call and want to go to lunch. It was so nice to visit with Jenny May and her cute little family.
Then on Monday my sisters and a few nieces got together and went to lunch. Melissa had her baby in November and (because I am a slacker aunt) I had not even seen him yet, although I am trying to convince Melissa to do a blog...(hint...hint...)...so that I can see them more often. They live about three hours away and we don't get together as much as we should.
Well, back to WORK!
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