The Witch Is On Her Broom

The house is all spookily decorated. The food spread is near ready. I can hear people coming..........and I can't wait to scare them! Gotta love Halloween! :)

Standing in Line Rant

I'm not going to say what I did this weekend to giveaway what made me so irate but doesn't everybody know there's an unwritten rule that each individual needs 3 feet of personal space?!?!?! So I'm standing in line.........for 45 minutes (you can imagine how long the line was) and the group of people behind Lance and I were completely obnoxious!

Rule #1 There IS an unwritten rule that each individual needs 3 feet of personal space. My personal bubble is at least 6 feet around in such public places because I get claustrophobic (minor). You don't need to push on my back or arms or lean up against me. The line isn't getting any shorter, you can see that I can't move forward anymore than you can. If I move up 3 inches to get away from you, please don't move closer to me. Shoving isn't necessary. I'm a stranger to you and I just might bite. Please don't touch me, especially in lines.

Rule #2 I understand that you're addicted to nicotine and must smoke every 15 minutes, which is your business and I don't care. Please don't do that in my personal bubble, that's when I start caring. I don't want to smell like you, I don't want to inhale that nasty air. After you take a long puff and need to wait for the cancer to set in before you take another puff, please don't rest the cigarette near my face. Again, that's in my personal bubble and that's when I start caring. There are acres and acres of wide open space, can't you please walk 20 feet away and smoke there? I mean, there are kids around for heaven's sake.

Rule #3 Just because you're on a cell phone in line doesn't mean you need to shout. Again, since you insist on shoving/pushing at my back and touching me every 10 seconds, you're basically yelling in my ear. I'm not deaf (although I may be now) and I don't need to hear your conversation.

Rule #4 While talking on the said cell phone and to the friends you're in line with, I don't appreciate the dirty language, especially dirty language yelled in my ear while shoving/pushing at my back. It doesn't make you look very intelligent and besides, do you feel better after having spoken such words? Probably not. Have a little decency in public, not everybody wants to hear that. Do you not see there are kids around?

Rule #5 When the level of obnoxiousness becomes so irritating that it affects the public in general, please mind your manners for the sake of everyone. I don't see anyone not respecting your personal space, please respect those around you.

Interesting Thought

"Many blessings in life are missed because worldly judgment was applied to what was really a spiritual decision."

Gregory A. Schwitzer, "Developing Good Judgment and Not Judging Others," Ensign, May 2010, 104–5

Magichords Barbershop Concert

Last night Lance directed the Magichords barbershop chorus at their annual concert. They did such a great job and improved so much from last year, I'm really proud of them and they all had so much fun doing it. He also had a few other guests singing for the evening, one was a female quartet from Boise and then a male quartet from the Boise chapter. The headliner quartet was Social Insecurity and I cannot tell you how funny and great they were! They were a senior quartet so each of the men were over 60 but you couldn't tell, they're voices were so crystal clear it was phenomenal! Great job Lance, the whole evening was awesome!

Mom's 50th Birthday Party

Dad wanted something special for Mom's 50th birthday so I contacted all the siblings and spouses and decided to have a surprise lunch together with all of us kids. Christine came down from Rexburg and Adam was able to even get work off. Everyone was there but Scott (on a mission in Switzerland) and Lynnette who had to work. I reserved a little room at Tomatoes so it was great to be secluded enough we weren't interrupting other people. It was so nice just to eat and visit as adults. Mom loved being with us kids and visiting, it was great!

Then we went to Joseph's house which we decorated with streamers and balloons. We had regular candles and one mega candle/firework.

I gave the grand kids kazoos (which I took away once we started the presents) and the adults some confetti poppers. The grand kids loved giving her the pictures they colored and drew for her. They loved handing out the other gifts as well, anything they could do to help, they were more than willing.

Joseph and Trish had their kids trace their hand print, taped it to a straw, and put a picture of the kids in the middle of the hand print. So cute!

It was a fun day, thanks for being the best mom and best grandma, we love you!

Afternoon Outing With Charity

Here's the bus pulling up to the stop at the Library.

Charity waiting to cross. The sun is always in her eyes so she cups her little hands around them to see who's picking her up and to see the bus driver wave her across.

What a cutie. Love her little hillbilly toothless grin!

I love this little girl. She wanted to help out with Grandma's 50th birthday so I picked her up from the bus stop. Since she had hot lunch that day she was a little hungry and needed a snack, I figured any fast food place had ice cream cones. Not so. Avoiding back tracking I stayed at the end of town I was at and stopped at Jack in the Box. Charity got a strawberry milk shake with whip cream and a drizzle of chocolate, smart girl! We both shared that and she must have been starving because she downed that thing real quick. She had $1 in her backpack and I had some spare change in the car because I knew she'd want to buy something. Which is quite funny because the first thing she told me was, "My mom told me not to ask you to buy anything for me." Ha! I knew better than that so I was prepared with coins which she was delighted about.

I learned so much from her and we had sweet conversations. When we got to the bank she was given a sucker and then whispered in my ear, "Do you think I could have two more suckers so I can take them home to my brothers?" After getting in the car I told her she could rip into those suckers and start eating them to which she replied, "I don't think so, because when I get home it wouldn't be fair to the boys if I ate mine already." At each store we went into she wanted to buy something so I tried to teach her what prices meant and how much money she had. It was so funny, as she was paying for a little craft at Michaels with her $1, the cashier gave her change back and you should have seen how big Charity's eyes got. "You mean all that is mine?" She couldn't leave without buying a little something for her brothers. No matter what she said, it was Devin this or Quentin that. She kept saying over and over how much she loved her brothers and couldn't wait to go home to give her mom and dad a huge hug and kiss. It was so sweet and I enjoyed our afternoon together!

My Favorite Halloween Joke

Why couldn't the witch and skeleton have babies?

Because he had a hollow weenie!


(Credit to Matt Tipping October 2008 on an evening carriage ride in Charleston).........really miss the Tippings!

Winterizing, Skulls, and Projects

I haven't had anything to blog about lately, nothing new is going on just the day to day routine. Midterms are next week for Lance. Work has been slow for him (I could say work has been dead for him, but you don't realize how many mortician jokes we get on a daily basis. And all of them we've heard a million times). We've been slowly but surely winterizing the yard. I cleaned out the flower beds this past weekend and the pruning has already been done. Just a few things left and we'll call it good. I really wish we could take out the huge pine trees in the backyard that line the fence. They offer great privacy from the library parking lot but those needles are nonstop and I'm sick of raking them up.

We're getting ready for our Halloween party. Lance found the last few pieces of clothing needed for his costume and we're frantically gathering decorations. The second living room we're transforming into a spook alley which we're so excited about but there's lots of work to be done! Halloween decor is way over priced. I mean, for a plastic skull and a cloth body stores want $50 for it. Sheesh! This is where craigslist and the DI comes in handy.

I'm redoing a few pieces of furniture to transform my "studio" into an actual studio. I've never taken on a project like this so it's been an awesome adventure and I've learned so many things. One thing I've learned is that I love tools of any kind and I especially love it when I know how to use them. :) ("Know" being the key word there!) Last year Santa gave us a sander and by us I mean I bought the sander, slapped both our names on the tag, and I predominantly use it. (By the way, I love being Santa, it's great!) The second thing I learned is how to use glaze and antique a piece of furniture. By the way, love Sherwin Williams, they took all my coupons and I got tons of paint and glaze all for a whopping $8! I've finished painting, sanding, and antiquing the cabinet. Now I'm going to decoupage the back of the inside of the cabinet with scrapbook paper, and create a stencil with my cricut for the front of the two doors. It'll probably look nothing like I'm picturing it in my head but I've got to put the last few steps on hold while we get ready for Halloween. The dresser won't be nearly as much work and I'm hoping to have that done by Tuesday. Eventually I'll take down the two large pictures and replace those with a few shelves and other accessories. Two years ago I bought some wood and a magnetic sheet to make a creative board out of so when I come up with ideas, I can post the sketches up there or any other inspiring ideas. Yeah, that's been in storage for a while but maybe before Christmas I'll actually get around to finishing the studio. I can't wait but I've been having a blast working on it!

Charity Never Faileth

"I consider charity—or “the pure love of Christ”—to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient. UAdd a Note

I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.

There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.

Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited. The American educator and politician Horace Mann once said, “To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is godlike.”

Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others."

- President Thomas S. Monson

Why I Love Bloggers

I saw an ad on tv the other day about Martha Stewart launching her own line of pet products. Then I saw she was on Oprah showing how to make bloody mary's and showed her "essentials" for crafting. I then found myself a little confused, I'm not sure I don't like Martha but I'm not sure that I like her either. She has her own brand in Michaels, Kmart, Macys, Walmart, Costco, Lowes, Nintendo, and PetSmart. She makes houses, wine, flooring, paint, craft supplies, pet products, books, magazines and various housewares. She has her own magazine, tv shows, radio shows, and media company. Who knows what else she does? Of course who can forget the stock market controversy?

I'm not saying she's not talented and a genius businesswoman. I mean, she's worth how much? (According to Forbes back in 2007 it was $638 million). What about all the people behind the scenes? Do they get any credit for coming up with all those cute crafts and handy home tips?

I think I'm neutral on my decision of whether I like Martha or not. I can't let the controversy slide but I can't put aside the fact that she's built this million (if not billion) dollar empire.

This is why I love blogging and bloggers. A great way to connect with people all over the world but also a great way to share crafting how-to's and handy home tips. For example, let me highlight a few that I've come across lately. (Credit for all projects and photos are linked to that particular blog).

Here's an old door that was repurposed into a book shelf. L-O-V-E the red and especially the old hardware on it! She's made a toddler bed out of an old door. Genius!

What about these cute pumpkins made out of what??? A toilet paper roll!? Genius!

Can I throw in a shout for jewelry? I love making jewelry and I'm certainly not calling myself a genius!

And how about this great mural? WHOA!! Genius!

FANTASTIC photography by Joan Perry of my favorite place on earth - Charleston, SC! (Confession....I read her blog everyday). Genius!

How to hem your jeans and not look like a dork - genius!

Mmmmmm pumpkin pie - genius!

Oooooh look at these goodies! Genius!

Oh so chic, love these handbags that my sister in law makes - genius! (Heaven knows I can't sew)!Need organizing tips? Genius!

So what's your opinion on Marth Stewart?

Bleh

I've noticed other bloggers are happy it is autumn time and note that they "love this time of year." I can at times appreciate that, but this year I'm finding it hard to do so. Spring was unseasonably cold and wet which made this summer seam quite short. I do like to see the leaves turn color, especially next door where their main tree out front is already half gone. Today the weather dropped 10-20 degrees and poured rain making me quite sour. I'm not ready for the wet and sloppy days to begin. I just need a few more weeks of summer.....

Grandpa's Cabin

About a block away from this little cabin are remnants of my great grandparents home that burned down several years ago. They had nowhere to go and some nice gentleman let them live in this cabin for free. When Dad was growing up, he moved here to Elba to live with his grandparents during high school. I've seen this home a few times before but this time as Lance and I stopped while camping, he lightly pushed the door to see if it was open. No lock or wood was anywhere and the door came right open. I was a little scared to walk in and wasn't sure if the floor was going to hold me so I quickly took pictures of the rooms. I've never seen this before and my dad hasn't been in there since high school. My great grandparents (Pettingill's) lived and died here, Grandma being the last in the 1970's. I'm not sure if all this property inside is theirs or not, I know a few years ago the actual property sold to a local and I think he may use some of it for storage? I'm not really sure. I need to figure out more of my family history, obviously. This trip was a gold mine, never in my life did I ever think I'd see inside this cabin.

Little outhouse.

The living room.

This room is to the left when you walk in the front door. There were about 6-7 of these large barrels of grape concentrate. I kicked one and it sounded quite empty.

The kitchen.

Old green shag carpet between the living room and kitchen.

Old yearbook page I found on the kitchen floor.

This room is to the left of the kitchen. I'm not sure what kind of a nest is on the window sill and I wasn't going to find out.

Grandpa's dryer to the right of the kitchen.

City of Rocks

Who knew there was cactus in Idaho?

The rock we climbed was maybe 15 feet. I'm terrified of heights but I conquered my fears on this baby!

Johnny explaining the water holes to Lance.

Bath Rub Rock. This is another popular one for rock climbing and on the top are large holes (as seen above) where water is trapped all year round.

I don't know the name of this rock but just so you can get the idea of the size, can you find the five rock climbers below? Hint: one of them is center right, he's shirtless and is hard to find.

This is Camp Rock. A quarter of a million pioneers passed through this area of Elba and Almo to find gold in California. They wrote their names and year in this huge rock using axle grease. I can only imagine their thoughts as they crossed the country and then pass through here finding these magnificent rocks.

Pumpkin Rock - the actual name. When I was kid we'd come here quite frequently and my grandpa Pettingill always wanted to see Molly's Nipple. I have to yet to discover who Molly is.

Teddy Bear Rock. Although from this angle it looks more like a dog.

Old remnants of a home on private property. I found a few dates, 1909 and 1905.