New Silver Bug from Dana

Dana saw my blog talking about my limited supply of bugs and went right out and bought me this one.

The rock wall

Danton was the rock "butterer man", Dan was in charge of rock placement and I was the smoother. You might think that the smoother is a easy job but it actually takes a lot of skill, elbow grease and strength. I smoothed and leveled between each and every rock. Dan and I have the raw finger tips to show for our work. Danton was a trooper and helped us all day until it was finished. He even bought pizza!

We collected the rocks from a river bed. . . .not!

The right corner was done a few days earlier that's why the mortor looks lighter. Whew, all finished. Next job. . . .painting the walls. We do need a gas stove too, but that will come later.

All covered in pink

My Valentine cake for Sunday dinner with the gang. It was sort of an experiment. I baked two heart shaped cakes. Filled a heart shaped cake pan with ice cream, let it freeze, then kinda melted it and put it between the two chocolate cakes. It was kinda runny. . .oops. My pink colored Cool Whip was a bit on runny side when I poured it on top of the cake. What can I say, I was in a hurry, dinner was in a few hours. It tasted as good as frozen cake and ice cream can taste. It's the festivity that counts.

My bug collection needs help

That's all I have. . . . . .

Gotcha

Lately, Ethan hasn't allowed me to take a picture of him. Well I found this picture in my picture file, and guess who took it. The man himself via a mirror. He's looking pretty suave and sexy. I think he's quite a handsome young man. It's a good thing he doesn't read my blog. Gotcha Mister! !

What a dork!

My Valentine Bug

The black dice are hung when Ethan drives it.

To manly size it. He's a good sport.

Picture Picture on the wall

Picture picture on the wall, what story can be told to all?

This is a painting of my mom's face attached to a cartoon body. This was painted in 1958 in Italy by an Italian artist named Regazoo in Verona. I treasure this painting. I got the picture as I was born in Italy when this was painted.

The next painting was painted by a Vietnamese painter from a photo we sent to my dad while he was in Vietnam, or maybe it was done in Korea. My dad was stationed in both places for a year at a time. The photo from home did not have my dad in it, thus the artist added him. Dan thinks it looks like a Oriental family. It sits on the floor in my living room until Dan decides the Oriental Family can be hung on the wall. . . .never mind the sentimental value.

I'm the little girl dressed in blue. My youngest sister wasn't born yet to pose for this fine portrait.

Do our eyes look slightly slanted? Look closely

My Valentine Gift

Last Saturday, Dan brought home this cute little black end table for our living room. Billy is so sweet to me. I love it and him.

Smiling Jesus

This is my favorite picture of the Savior. I love his warm and inviting smile. He looks so happy and welcoming to take upon himself all of our burdens. I so appreciate his generous offer and use it often.

Remodeled Family Room

The remodel of the family room is coming along. Dan put in the cabinets last year and tiled the floor in front.

This is where the gas stove will go. Dan and Ethan laid the slate today.

Some of the rocks that will be used to rock the corner where the stove will be. Dan is going to do all the work. I think he's crazy, but it's a manly thing to do.

Once the rocks are in place. We will paint, then carpet and last but not least, set up the 57 inch TV. The room was made for the TV. We knocked out a bedroom to enlarge the family room. We have our priorities straight, again, it's the manly thing to do. I'm told this is not a girl's room. So I'll get new furniture up in my family room and they can have the old stuff. Yeah baby!

*Special thanks to Megan and Jon Kenney for all their help painting the room. We could not have done it without them. Another special thanks to Dana for all her help with touch up painting, she is the Queen of Touch Up!

They're all gone. . .bitter sweet

All the puppies are gone. Last weekend, we took three of them down to Mark's Ark and the owner bought them for 75 a piece. . . ouch! The place was run by guys with long hair and looked like hippies, nice ones though. We couldn't sell the puppies for 350.00, 250.00,150.00. On Tuesday of this week, I put them back in KSL for 75.00 a piece and I immediately got a call from a lady that wanted the two that were left. The boy and the Runt. We had to meet her in Layton that same day to make the exchanged and she was very excited to get them. She said they have already named the boy, "Chunky Monkey", since he was the biggest of the two.

It's bitter sweet for the boys. Danton was sad that he didn't get to say good bye to them. The little boy was so tame and liked to sit on Danton's back.

Danton and Ethan were in hopes that we would keep one but NOPE. Dan is done with dogs. I don't feel like I could house train one at this time. They are a lot of work and the boys don't realize that as I would be stuck with it all.

I hope they have all found wonderful homes. It was a great experience having puppies, one that we won't soon forget. Thank you Cricket for having them and now having to deal with saggy boobs, which we all have to see as well.

I think the total damage was only 250.00, a great learning experience.

Those were the days we'll always cherish

Our first born, Brady loved to give kisses when he was a sweet tiny baby. In a blink of an eye, he is a grown man that we are extremely proud of. I can almost feel his little lips on my cheek and smell that unforgettable smell of a baby. To think I wished away my sons' childhoods to have more time for myself, a cleaner house, less laundry and a full night's sleep. Shame on me. Can I go back for a moment in time? ? ?

Puppy Love

I'm sure everyone is getting sick of hearing about and seeing the puppies, but this is a "HAVE TO" post. My cute little neighbor Livi Kenney comes over most everyday to take a puppy or two home to play with all day. It's good for me. The little things are restless in their big box. I think even Livi's parents are falling in love with the little boy puppy. In the green ribbon, that's him, yep. So now, every day, she comes for the little boy. Somehow, I think the boy knows when Livi comes for him. When I reach down and pick him up, he's seems content and happy to go. We then put him in my little pet bag and he sits there quietly. The other pups are too restless to sit still in the bag. They try and jump out, it's quite a sight to see. The Kenney's have names him Norman. Megan, if you are reading this, "Norman needs a good home." We haven't sold one of them so they are all going to the pet store called Mark's Ark in Taylorsville tomorrow. Well actually only three get to go tomorrow. The owner wants only a few at a time. So I guess that means that Norman gets to spend the weekend with Livi. I think Norman loves Livi too. The End.

Welcome Ashley and Tawnya

Welcome to the Balls Book of Mormon Challenge. . . . Ashley and Tawnya! I figured if you saw your name and it was posted on my blog, it would cement your commitment to continue with this challenge. Anyone is welcome to to take the challenge and read the Book of Mormon by June 1st. Email me and I will add your name to the list.

Sending Cyber Kisses to my Sisters

I don't have any pictures of our little lunch date today with my sisters so my puppies will have to do. Kisses to my sisters, they are the BEST. They drove up here in this terrible weather. The roads are like ice. They said they saw many cars off the road in the canyon. That's dedication and LOVE.

Dan asked me if I enjoyed them and I said, "Oh yes!" He asked me if it was a lift and I said, "Oh yes, just what I needed." Isn't it funny how family can make things all better. Both of my sisters are wonderful. Tawnya is six years old than me and Miss is 11 years younger and yet we all fit together like three peas in a pod or three bugs in a rug. Tawnya and I are going to grow old together, once we get rid of our husbands. . . .jk. We got stuff we need to do for Heavenly Father in his temples.

Kiss Kiss

Well we went to Hamiltons and had a lovely and ever-so delicious meal. The conversation was marvelous. We got caught up on things and discussed our aches and pains and the newest vitamins and cures. We should have been doctors or pharmacists. I passed out some of my secret medicine. . .wink wink, to Tawnya. Her neck was killing her. We both are a mess. But this too shall pass. There is so much to look forward to in life.

Miss is busy with her active family, going in all directions. She's the most patient person that I have ever met. She's an amazing mom. When she was born, she instantly became my baby. I feel like I took part in raising her. She was MY baby. Does she ever do anything wrong? NEVER! She is without guile.

Tawnya is also amazing. Her mother-in-law is living with her and that should speak volumes of what kind of person she is. Anyone that can do that deserves their place in the Celestial Kingdom. Tawnya is like the mother figure and takes such good care of everyone. I love em both. Kisses and hugs to my sisters.

Tawnya, Michele and Jan

Barack Obama first black president of the Unidted States

I just hope and pray that Obama is a man of his word. That he will honor our Constitution, and keep it intact. I will pray for his success in behalf of all of Heavenly Father's children.

Barack Obama has been sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America, at a historic ceremony in Washington DC.

Mr Obama swore his oath of allegiance on the same Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his inauguration in 1861, held by the new First Lady Michelle Obama.

Earlier in the day, those gathered in Washington's National Mall erupted into cheers when Mr Obama appeared on the inauguration stage.

Hundreds of thousands of people were in the city to watch the ceremony, many of them having travelled great distances to be able to say that they were there.

He used his inaugural speech to say the US was entering a "new era of responsibility", and vowed to begin the work of "remaking" the country.

Scarfs, scarfs, scarfs

I made a hat and scarf for Jess, my daugther in law. She wanted a splash of hot pink with her black. The other funky scarf is called a "Fleece Boa". I made it for some one's birthday that's coming up and a little ear warmer. I had fun making it. And last but not least, is the beginnings of a Harry Potter scarf that Brady requested. All you have to do is make a request and I'm all over it.

So you think you have sold a puppy?

NOT! sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh. Today we got a call from the people that bought one of our precious little girls and they wanted to give her back because the wife is allergic. . . .yeah right. Well she's back with the gang and seems to be happy as a little lamb.

We are getting desperate people. . . .anyone that reads this and wants a puppy for FREE, yes I said FREE, please call me or let me know. I can not potty train five little pups. I'll even deliver! A once in a lifetime opportunity. . .don't let it pass you by. LOOK AT THAT LITTLE FACE! How can you say no to that?

Book of Mormon Challenge

On January 11, 2009, Jess wanted to challenge everyone to read the Book of Mormon by June 1st. The only takers were me and Danalin. So girls we have 135 days left and we need to read approx. 3.74 pages a day. Good luck and happy reading.

Potty Time. . or just relaxing?

The potty chair that grandma gave Baylee for Christmas. Konnor loves to just sit and relax on the comfy chair, all he needs is the Sunday paper. I'm glad it's good for something.

ONE of the puppies found a good home tonight

Mother and daughter time alone together, saying their good byes. No eye contact, or the tears will flow.

How can you help but love that cute little face poking out of the box. Precious. I think she was saying, "Pick me, pick me." We took a few of the puppies to PetSmart last week to show off the pups and hopefully find some buyers. Well we didn't. There was a nice lady and her two year old that were admiring the puppies. But that was as far as the transaction went. Well, this lady thought all week about the puppies and was upset that she didn't get our name and phone number. With a little stroke of luck, Dan happened to list them in the paper. Well, the lady found our ad and called us. She was so thrilled to finally track us down. Her little two year old kept saying, "I want a puppy, I want two puppies." Dan piped up and said, "we're having a 2 for 1 special and it's your lucky day". Well they just took one home. One of the littler girls, not the runt but almost.

One Down and only four more to go. . . . . .

I think I miss her

Just horsing around having fun in the sun

During one of the warmer afternoons this week, we let the puppies frolick outside on the deck, They are six weeks going on seven.