Housework Haiku

All day long I work
my hands do clean and wipe up
melted snow and mud

Holiday Happenings

Christmas is over, and it was fantastic. I fixed Elizabeth's sketch book purse by using my seam ripper to take out some of the lines and the lay was much better. (Please tell me another word to use.... lay of the fabric. What else do you call it?)

I really love this little play kitchen Santa got for Leah. It was only $60 and is

very sturdy and nice.

I was bound and determined to make this one, but it never happened. I had all the plans to go to Ikea in Utah over Thanksgiving and get the supplies, but our Black Friday meant Flu Friday.

I love this toy kitchen. (Copied from Ohdeedoh.)





Nathan got a hydration pack.





Sledding does make you thirsty, ya know. I don't know where the snow

went in this picture, but it was there.

See!

Leah went down the hill saying "more, more, more" all the way down.

I feel a little bad about complaining in my last post about financial woes. Did it sound like complaining? I was just stating the facts. I actually still feel like I am stuck in November. It is still Thanksgiving time for me. Everywhere I look there are blessings. Even when I get a large unexpected bill that wipes out my piddly savings, I am grateful that the savings was there. I can feed my kids and make them gifts and they are healthy. I have sight and a home and my husband works and most of all I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

A friend told me money problems are the best problems to have because they are easily fixed by simply earning more and spending less. I couldn't agree more.

Rage Against the (sewing) Machine

I felt inspired about six weeks ago to start making Christmas presents. I thought it was only because I wanted Christmas to be more meaningful and homemade. I'm glad I listened because we have had a load of financial poop dropped on our heads. It has been nice to have some presents that I didn't have to spend hardly anything on.

I thought this one would be my favorite. The idea is, but I just couldn't make it right. It involved math and measurements and pattern making which are all apparently beyond my skills.

It is a sketch book and pencil holder made for Elizabeth.

I have made little crayon rolls before. I don't know how but I ended up with too many pencil pockets and it made them a tight fit- which makes the front bunch up and look not so cute.

I do like the buttons on the back, it keeps it all together tightly and she can carry it around like a little purse.

Even with the bunched up front I hope she'll like it. Carolyn said "That's for me right?" I guess if she likes it then Elizabeth will. The sketch book was bought with a Michael's coupon for $6 and the twistable colored pencils were only $3. Not bad I think. Maybe when I want to look at my sewing machine again I will make another in the right width. Right now the machine is not my friend. I'm glad I made it, but there was some muttered words uttered that children should not hear. (don't tell).

p.s. I know nothing about the band rage against the machine and have no idea if their music is good- or horrible.

Tis the season for portraits

Eddie's cousin wanted pictures for his Grandma Arnold. I kept thinking we would go take some outside. It is snowing. It never happened. So, I took some brown fabric and hung it up to make our own home portrait studio.

Leah's is awfully cute.

I like pictures that show some personality.



The next model was very uncooperative and this one was unfortunately the best option.

This week Nathan came home from school and told me what a good day he had- because when someone kicked him all he did was tell the teacher. When I hugged him he squeezed back.

I suggested chapstick but she refused.

When I look through our pics there are just about none of me. So, I let Nathan take this one. Abreva is not working on this cold sore.

And, the dad.

Wait, this one is cuter. He does have hair, it's just hiding in the background color.


Also, my pictures always look kinda blurry on here. They are better on my computer file. Is that because I use free ninety-nine blogspot? Oh, well. They aren't great, but they are taken. In my book it counts.

Linked

You wanna copy my bag? I mean the bag I copied from Tiny Happy. Or, you wanna make some onesies, or shirts, or anything stenciled follow this tutorial where I got the know how.

Pretty much I love to search for crafting tutorials and copy them. I just don't have time to come up with my own ideas. I say copy others! That's why they made the tutorial in the first place.... right?

Also, remember that I set a goal about running? Well, do you also remember once I posted about a very hurting hiney? I pulled a hamstring (origin-hiney). And it hurt like the dickens and I haven't run for a stinkin long time. So, I will have to do my 10K later. I'm very grateful that I can walk/run again with out pain, but I'm a wimp now.

Trying to get Fired

I have an ambition lately. It's probably not a good one, but I have to admit to the readers of my blog (yes, all 4 of you) that I aspire to be canned. Fired. Let go.

I really don't want to be the housekeeper anymore. I'm waiting for the day when husband will come home and say "goodness, gracious we need a new housekeeper. Our current one is doing such a lousy job. Let's fire her" Then he will go to the newspaper and flick his wrists to make it pop open so that he can see the services section where he will find and hire a maid. And, I will be so happy I will get my handbag to go out shopping to celebrate. Wait, I don't like shopping. But I do have a new bag.

I just woke up. We don't get the paper and never look at the services section. Worst and best of all I will never ever be fired. Guess I better go mop. First look at these onesies I made and forgot to mail for the shower.

I'm just doing my part to instill a bit of baby sibling rivalry in my soon to be here twin nephews.

I freezer paper stenciled these with fabric paint. I'm really happy with how they turned out and am now in love with freezer paper. I would marry it.

Leah throwing a party for herself

"Look me hat"

"Look me horsey"

Moon Lake

My Sisters Sandy and Sheila striking a pose at our 1st family reunion. Susie sang "The sun will come out Tomorrow" very fancily and poised with these bad fake teeth in her mouth. I have not EVER laughed at anything so hard in my life. Which is saying a lot.

Hey when are we going to Moon Lake again?

Sam, Chris and Reese need this experience.
I DIDN'T (but almost) lose bladder control from laughing at this picture while organizing today.

Lewis in Idaho

Will is just cracking me up lately. (I Facebooked this but want it written here too so I remember.) I sat Will up on the counter and hugged him with his head to my chest. He sat for a few seconds hugging me then he sat up and said "I hear something in you is it a baby?". I laughed and said "No, it's my heart" and he said "is it breaking?" I could have died from the cuteness of it.

Also, today he was watching Arthur and they were spotlighting a child in Lewiston, Idaho. He came running in the kitchen and said "mom, they said Lewis in Idaho" and then he ran back in the TV room. I didn't even catch on until few hours later he told Leah that HE was Lewis in Idaho and on Arthur. (William Lewis). So funny.

Fibroma

This is Elizabeth at her fourth birthday party. She is a July baby and her party included water play. Notice how curly and cute her hair was at that age. I loved it.



Carolyn and Elizabeth eat popsicles in Spokane at Carolyn's kindergarten parade day. Elizabeth's nose is very scratched because she fell face first down the concrete front steps of the duplex we rented.

Another popsicle picture of the kids outside of Apple Knoll which is the apartment complex we managed in Vancouver, WA. Although I want to very badly I will never forget Apple Knoll.

Elizabeth as a baby, finally a picture of her tongue. Can you see her tongue bump?

There, now you can. She was born with it, and had it for 8 years 3 months and 18 days (Carolyn's math) and our family doctor removed it this week in about one minute. It was gross to watch. Elizabeth thinks she is a new woman with a bumpless tongue.

The End. Goodbye tongue bump.

Word Origin

I've been seeing and hearing the word gubernatorial lately. As in a gubernatorial speech. I just had to find out how this word relates to the word gubernaculum. It was just too interesting to me. Do you know what a gubernaculum is?

Wikipedia Definition of gubernaculum:

...............The lower part persists as the gubernaculum testis ("scrotal ligament"). This ligament secures the testis to the most inferior portion of the scrotum, tethering it in place and limiting the degree to which the testis can move within the scrotum.

(apparently women have a gubernaculum too. But, of course the ovaries are not nearly as free moving as the testes.)

Sorry. But, I do like anatomy.

SO, next time you hear the word gubernatorial as in your governor giving a gubernatorial speech you will know that it means HE is the head honcho. He rules the roost, and has your nads by a tether. Wikipedia said so.

Halloween

Do you want a coupon off my fridge? Goodness Gracious. Worst thing is most of them expire and end up in the trash two months later. But heck, if you want a dollar off of a jamba juice come to me first.

Silly boys. Nathan loves this costume 3 years ago it had a shirt and pants and knee and elbow patches. Now he just wears the vest, but he doesn't want to be anything but a ninja.

You should have heard her say "bibbit".

I'm not sure what the angels pose is for, but they are ready for action.

Something wicked this way comes.

Swagbucks- Updated

So, my friend Dee has this swagbucks button on her blog. I kept watching her earned gift cards increase so thought I might as well give it a try. So I got myself a little swag button. Click on mine and do it too, that is if you can find it.

One day I'll take the time to figure out how to put it where I want it. For now we'll play hide n' seek.

*Update

I copied a banner, and not the swidget. (The banner is a tiny thing at the bottom of the page.) TA-DA --------------> there it is. Click it and join with me. Free money is fun.

Must Make

I made this today for class parties tomorrow. It is so very yummy. Something in my brain thinks it is healthier for you than regular sugared pop corns because it is honey instead of white sugar. How do I rewire this untruth? For the love of my pants fitting someone help me figure that one out.


Honey Flavored Popcorn

1/2 cup (8 tbsp) honey
1/2 cup margarine
10 cups popped popcorn
1 cup shelled peanuts

Heat honey and butter in a saucepan until blended. Cool. Pour over popcorn which has been mixed with peanuts, stirring as you pour. When well-coated, spread in a pan in a single layer. Bake at 350 for 5 - 10 minutes or until crisp, stirring several times. The difference between crisp (not brown) and burnt can be a matter of minutes. Package in plastic bags and twist tie.

Funny things said today in the Arnold home

Elizabeth to Dad:

"Dad, would you say your hair is brown or brownish-grey?"

Elizabeth and William at the dinner table while eating chicken:

E: Dad what kind of bone is this?

W: A dinosaur bone!

E: Dad what kind of bone is this?

Mom: Will said it's a dinosaur bone.

W: SEE! I told you! (very happy and excited he was right)

Garden Goodness (yes, still)

The owners of the land where we did our community garden wanted butternut squash. It did better than any of the other vegetables.

There is still more in the garage. And already some in the freezer. And, in our waffles.

Did I tell you that the gluten free diet has gone by the wayside?

These squash waffles are being eaten with way too much syrup. A friend told me to use the squash for any recipe calling for pumpkin. I found a pumpkin waffle recipe from smitten kitchen. It's good, the kids liked it but it's too pancakey for me to be called a waffle. The outside would not get crispy the way a good waffle should. Oh well, it has squash. And, did I say the kids liked it?

Also as I said before, we have plenty of pumpkin too.

I was surprised to find the seeds in this one sprouting. I've never seen that before. However, I am not the usual pumpkin gutter for jack-o-lantern making.

I baked it and scooped the insides out for pumpkin butter. I first saw pumpkin butter for sale at Williams and Sonoma. And what do you know the smitten kitchen had a recipe for it.

I tripled the recipe because that is how much pumpkin I had after cooking one. I added all the spices and sugar and about choked when I tasted it. It was a ginger/clove lick. I KNOW I did the measuring right. Her recipe was just way, way too spicy. So, I cooked up another pumpkin and added it to the pot. It took an extra 8 cups of pumpkin (the whole pumpkin, but a smaller one) to get a pumpkin taste back to the ginger lick. I wasn't sure if I liked it or not until:


I ate it (again, like SK) with vanilla yogurt, granola and pumpkin seeds. It's my new fall breakfast and is really, really, really good. Good thing I have a whole lot of it.

And it came to pass

Today William read the scriptures. It went something like this:

"And the Lord said to the people to run away and so it shall be".
"The people fight just so too much and the Lord is not happy in their innocence"

and my favorite.............

shoot, I forgot it already. But it included the word "smite" and it was stinkin funny. Maybe he'll read more scripture tomorrow and say it again. Good thing I have a blog or I'd a forgot this whole thing ever occurred.


And, this is a bad pic of me and a really good one of my hubby. He's always cuter than me. I don't mind.


Amen.

Called

Throughout the summer I thought my new calling was going to be easy. Then school started. Now there is quite a lot to do. And, I love it.

Finding new crafts.

Planning dinner parties.
Canning and storing food.

GOING to Relief Society.

Planning service projects.

This is one of our Super Saturday crafts.

And this is what went on while it was being made.

Painting of their own.

It really took some figuring out. Freezer paper or contact paper? Spray paint or acrylic? Definitely contact paper and spray paint. SO much faster.

You want one of these don't you? Well, come visit me and go to our Super Saturday. Which is actually on a Thursday night.

Keeping Score

Good:
My Leah is pooping in the potty every now and again.
I lost two pounds.
I don't hate my hair anymore.
Carolyn played and won her first tennis matches today.


Bad:
Loo-Loo has a fever and cough.

Ugly:
My piriformis is spasming so badly I can hardly push the gas pedal to drive.
Eddie is out of town and therefore unable to remedy my hiney problem.

At least Good wins.

Frosted

The night before last we had a frost. I didn't even cover the tomatoes. Oh well.



I told you we had lots of pumpkins (17). They are $5 at Walmart! So glad I don't have to buy any.


The kids didn't have school today or yesterday. Dad stayed home today to work, then play.

Yesterday we made Halloween cookies. What? It's October already. And, this kept them busy for an entire hour. Carolyn made these ones. Hers were better than mine.

As soon as this kiddo finishes her nap we are off for a bike ride on the greenbelt. I have to run along with since I don't have a bike. I hope they go slow.

Looks like we had carbs for lunch, with a side of carbs. That's what fall is for!