Here is our faithful van. She is almost 12. She recently had 3 well deserved days at the spa.

(Mechanic, but don't tell her!)

She had a door handle repaired, 2 new side mirrors installed, tires, oil and lube job, transmission something-or-other, etc., etc.

See these small slits? The ones that are hardly noticeable in the console?
The AC, radio and CD have just not been working great for a while, so we had it opened up to investigate...

JACKPOT!!!

$90.00 worth of change!

At least that is what I paid to have it removed, thanks T & T.

Reunion #1

This is the part of the summer I always look forward to. Reunions just make me smile. I love the chance to escape the heat by heading to Heber. I love the afternoon rain, family, night time card games, dirty babes, baths in the utility sink, sleeping in the tent trailer,fresh air, and night skies full of stars.

The pictures speak for themselves!

Except that I must elaborate on the slip-n-slide. R is asked to set this up every year, no matter which branch of the family is in charge of the reunion. He starts with a fresh layer of hay on the hill, followed by a loooong roll of carpet padding. That is carefully covered by large blue tarps and finally, the plastic sheeting is rolled out over the top. This is a labor of love and takes a while to set up. He suits up and stands at the top of the hill with the hose and several bottles of baby shampoo to aid the slipperiness.
As you can see, it is hours of fun for everyone... even R!

Ta-Da!

Well, we did it!

My people came through, like always, and we made the cake.

See for yourselves...

I baked the top tier and made the fondant.
(The bottom 2 layers are styrafoam.)My sister and K helped to frost the rounds and then we covered them.

If you make a silly face for a picture, of course I will post it!
I was so happy with how the rounds turned out. It was a great start.
...and then, T put her fist through the top tier.

I straightened the tier as best as I could. Fondant is very forgiving. I toyed with the idea of hiding the remaining dents with the flowers the florist would bring. Then R reminded me that although it was a favor, it was still their wedding cake. Oh, yeah.

As I thought about it, I realized that a lot of what I do is "good enough". Not great, or super, just "good enough".

I wanted to be proud of this project.

I didn't want to have to hide the flaws.

I stayed up and baked a 2nd night and then, instead of delivering the cake in the morning, I spent the day frosting and covering a new top tier.

It was even better than the first,
perfectly round and level.

And, all 3 layers sprinkled with edible glitter.
(Thanks, other sister)

I felt pride as I set up the cake on the stand the bride's mom had provided.

The florist arrived with the flowers and ribbon that the bride wanted to use.
Together, we finished the project.

Ta-da!


(The bride smiled.)

I Have People

I think I must be one of the smartest people I know. HAHAHAHA... Yes, it is funny :) Seriously, though, I admit to being proficient in many skills, while not expert in any. The reason I am ok with that, is one little secret...

I have people.

My friends are the most amazing people ever! Collectively, they can do ANYTHING!

And... it's a darn good thing, cause I need a lot of help and they ALWAYS come through!

For example... My project for the next couple of days...

I AM MAKING A WEDDING CAKE.

FOR A RECEPTION.

A REAL ONE... AS OPPOSED TO A PRACTICE OR IMAGINARY ONE.

You may ask how this came about... good question!

I have 2 sisters who make cakes of all types and have been paid for their talents. My Indiana, soon to be Washington, sister specializes in using fondant. When we have had the treat of E being in town, I have watched her at work. I think it is amazing.

A few months ago, a new friend in my ward said she was making a wedding cake for a niece, but the niece wanted fondant. She had never used it before, but had heard somewhere that I had. Together, we helped my sister make the fondant and decorate our little brother's wedding cake.

Skip to now. This same friend agreed to do the wedding cake for a friend in our ward. As a gift. Knowing she had a busy summer schedule, asked me to be the assistant.
Of course, I would be happy to.

Now, she is out of town with her daughter and a new grandson.

Now, I am the head baker/decorator.

I have made the fondant.
I am baking the top layer that will be sliced and shared.
I am gathering the pedestal, ribbons, styrofoam forms, etc.

I have called my people... in this case, my sisters.

They are coming Friday afternoon.

We will make a gorgeous cake that will make the bride smile.

I love that I have people!

It's Time

For what? I just am not sure.

I have remembered, just now, something that I have told my children over and over.

"When everyone and everything is bothering you, it isn't them with the problem."

After I whisper these words in the ear of an overly frustrated child, I usually try to lovingly escort them to a quiet place where they can be alone. They may read, nap, have a snack... doesn't matter. They can re-center, re-evaluate, re-adjust, re-new. They may emerge when they have found their smile. Sometimes it takes a while, but I make sure to let them know they are not in trouble or grounded. I just help them to make a graceful exit.

So now, I try to figure out what the problem is. With the heat of summer sucking the life out of Arizona, I think it is doing the same to me. At the same time, something is stirring. Surprising breezes in the evenings and more...

I just can't put my finger on it, yet, but it feels like change is coming. Change always comes. As much as I profess to like adventure, I also like predictability. (That is why R is so right for me.) I feel like I need to batten down the hatches. I would even sit on my chicks, but I am sure they wouldn't like it!

Maybe I am simply feeling the weight of undone-ness. Corners, projects, a pile of zucchini and a crate of apples to use before they decay are all calling to me relentlessly... The children are growing up minute by minute... able and needing to do more and learn more.

The new list and responsibilities for the children are slowly making a difference. One of my favorite new assignments is that the 4 olders each have a night to plan and prepare dinner. I shop and assist. Try it, you'll like it!

Tonight, we even had an impromptu dinner with friends... The ones who let us live in their home for 6 months and still like us. We ate, laughed, talked and teased.

When they had gone, we talked about the good people in our lives. They enrich us and bless us.

They teach and inspire.
They motivate.
They don't notice what is un-done.
They even help when we need to make a graceful exit.

So, whatever it is time for, we are ready.

DONE!

I have had it with this week.

Summer school and summer band both ended last Friday. I had looked forward to a reduced schedule, no time constraints, not having to load into the 500 degree mini-van, and having my boys home to get stuff done.

I am wondering when we will get stuff done!

I made a great schedule and charts.

I established time limits and rewards.

I encouraged, suggested, plead, ordered, and then freaked out!

Boy , did I ever freak out. I am really great at yelling, and I hate it! (And hate is a bad word at our house.)

Everyone is really determined to practice their agency this week, but no-one seems to like the consequences. I am on edge until the last part of the day, wondering if anyone is going to do anything.

My children are miserable and keep asking if they can ...find friends, swim, play wii, go to the library, visit cousins, etc.

How do they not get it???

If they finish by an appointed hour, then the answer is yes... to all of the above!

Yet here I am, having to be the ultimate enforcer of chores and lists while I am trying to make dinner.... and yelling about it!

Calgon, take me away!