The Monday Ladies

I wish I had a picture of my group of ladies here in Grantsville to show all of you but it is nearly impossible to get us all together at the same time. Too many of us have to chase after kids, etc. So my one measly picture will have to do.



This picture is from cheese making day.

Since I moved to Grantsville I have been lucky enough to have a group of ladies to hang with once a week. My sister started a group that meets on Mondays and we have learned everything from gardening and herbs to how to make our own soap and lotion. I have loved being a part of this. Not only do I get to learn more about being a true granola (although I doubt I will ever get there since I refuse to give up wearing a bra!)but I have made some great friends as well. These ladies are wonderful and I love having some women who are a little older and wiser to learn from. Some of the other things we've done:

1.Planned our gardens and ordered seeds together in bulk to split up.

2.Made our own soap, lotion, lip balm, salt scrub, and tried shampoo although that one didn't turn out so great.

3. Made an herbal salve for burns/ diaper rash and other skin irritations.

4. Grafted a whole homeopathic kit.

5.As I mentioned, we made cheese. Now I know why cheese is so expensive. It takes a gallon of milk to make about a pound of cheese plus it takes a lot of time. This is not something I plan on doing by myself unless someday I have my own cow (which is not totally out of the question, I would like my own cow or at least one to share)

6. Some of the ladies got chickens and one even hatched some in an incubator. That was a fun educational experience for my girls and I. I had never seen a chicken hatch before. (I wish I could have gotten chickens, I really want some)

We also have some great things planned like going for a hike in the canyon to identify the herbs that are growing wild up there. We can also suggest things we want to learn or do. The best part is that my kids are usually so entertained. Most of these women home school so their kids are there and the older ones help take care of the younger ones. It is so nice.

I really am so glad that this has been a part of my life. I love being around like minded people who don't think all of my "natural" ways are weird and I like knowing that there are some people out there who are more quirky than I am. (although sometimes I revel in being the "different" one)

What's wrong with America?

A few days ago I was listening to Glen Beck. I really like this guy, he just makes sense. I wish I were able to listen to him more but since my kids never let me listen to anything but the likes of Raffi it is a rare occasion that I get to tune in. This particular evening Glen was talking about how much little things add up to define who we are. Take for instance people who wind up getting fat, he said it wasn't because they pig out (although I'm sure some do) but rather it was the one little cookie here, the donut there, the soda pop at the party, whatever it is it is all the little things that add up. HE talked about kids growing up and parents allowing them to watch inappropriate things or play video games that they shouldn't. That parents rationalize that it's just one TV show or just one movie or just a magazine, what harm could it do? Well, by themselves perhaps not much but over time all the little things wear at a person and break down their morals and self esteem. I was in total agreement with Mr. Beck on this. It is so true.

So time for me to get on my soapbox. Last night my honey and I got the rare chance to go to the movies. It has been a very long time since we've gone to the movies and since we were celebrating my birthday we got my niece to babysit and headed out to see Ironman.



(a great movie might I add) I had only seen perhaps one preview on this movie but just from seeing that I knew this movie would have the typical super hero good versus bad violence that they all do. And, just from the movie marquee it also looked a bit scary (Ironman's suit is definitely a bit creepy). Just before the movie starts a family with 3 small children come in and sit in the row behind us. The youngest was about Lili's age, I'd guess 4 and the other 2 were not that much older. To see IRONMAN! A 4 year old! Ok, am I bit off or is it not obvious to any person with some intelligence to not that this movie would be inappropriate for a 4 year old? I know as a parent that there is no way in you know where that I would ever take my kids to see this movie. It was violent and scary (any 4 year old would be scared seeing a scene of a kid crying for his father who was about to be shot point blank by bad guys) Kids this age do not know that what they are watching is not real. AS much an any parent might think that they aren't paying attention or just won't get it they are wrong. I am sure that this movie would have an affect on any kid.

So Glen, I have to agree, it's all the little things that add up and most of it has to do with stupid parents. That is what I see as the problem with America. Parents who don't parent. Parents who want to be their kid's friend instead of teaching them the difference between right and wrong. Parents who don't care what their kids watch on TV or what they do while on the internet or playing video games. That all they care about is whether or not their kids will leave them alone. I wish that parents would wake up and do what's best for their kids instead of what is best for them.

p.s. My husband, trying to give these people the benefit of the doubt said: "Maybe they couldn't find a babysitter." To which I said: "well then they should have just stayed home (or at least gone to see Horton Hears a Who or something)."

Editing

I have finally tried my hand at photo editing in Photo Shop. My hubby is a master with this program but I have been intimidated by it for a long time. I have just never felt like I had the time to sit down and learn how to use it. Last night my sweetie took the time to show me a few things and this is my first attempt at making my pictures look cool. I'm afraid though this may become an addiction since I love scrap booking but had pretty much given it up because I could never make my pictures look as great as the ones in magazines. I still have a lot of things to learn and a lot of practicing to do but at least I'm not so scared to give it a try.




By the way, the picture was taken yesterday in front of our house. We had gotten a fun sprinkler for the girls to play in this weekend since its going to get hot. They couldn't wait to play in it so we donned the swim suits and spent most of the day outside. Sofi was a little hesitant to run through it but loved splashing in the water.

Groupie for a Day

Since my life is pretty much like "Groundhog Day" I decided to create a little excitement for myself today. I took a little trip....a trip back in time. Back to the time of pimply faced prepubescent boys, braces and bottle cap glasses. A time when hanging pictures of New Kids on the Block all over my room was a very cool thing. A time when the biggest worry I had was whether I would happen to see my "true love" that day AND if he would say anything to me or not. Boy oh boy, those were the days. Yes indeed, 13 was such a great age....NOT!

So back to today, if you know me well enough you will know that I am a HUGE fan of American Idol. I love it. I've watched it faithfully since ...about the middle of the first season, when I discovered it. I seriously can't get enough of it and I go through withdrawals throughout the week just waiting for Tuesday to arrive so I can get another fix. Nothing can be planned on Tuesday nights because AI is on. (I can't tell you how many times I have chosen AI over enrichment...is that bad??) Wednesday nights...same thing. I love love love American Idol. I even love Simon.

This season of course has been no different. I have taken a particular liking to little David Archuleta. I fell in love with his voice during his first audition and have been routing for him since. Maybe it's because he's a Utah boy and who doesn't want to route for the home town kid? Maybe it's just that he puts a smile on my face when I hear him sing (do I sound 13 yet?). Who knows what it is. I just like him. So of course when I heard he was coming home for a big celebration I just had to be a part of it. That's right, I dragged my sorry 30-something self (and my 2 little kids) to the Gateway mall today to see the child prodigy in person. I was not prepared for what I would experience. There I was, and old lady (practically old enough to be his mother...ok..aunt)amongst a multitude of screaming teeny-boppers (do they still call them that?))just to catch a glimpse of good ol' Archie. And you know what? It was so fun! I loved it! I felt young again and for a brief moment there was something to be exited about. I didn't scream but I did laugh (mostly because I couldn't believe all the mayhem over this kid) and I took a few pictures. I hope you enjoy....and I hope you vote for him because I really really do want him to win. (just a note, I want Archie to win but I still do like the other David very much and will vote for him too...at least this week). Anyway, if you're a David Archuleta fan enjoy the pics.

Classic!

Sorry to post another video but this one just had to be shown to all the world. Ok, if not all the world, at least all those who are alumni of the 172nd ward. Thanks Lori for permission to post this.