Christmas is upon us.....

'Tis the season. So many wonderful things at this time of year. It has been a joyful day. Being a secret santa, going to my son's orchestra concert and watching David gritting his teeth, covering his ears and begging to leave for the duration of it.( Irritating at the moment, funny now. ) Enjoying my children's anticipation in looking forward to next week. (Don't we just love watching them stew over what's under the tree?) In spite of all of the wonderful blessings this day (and every other day) I'm feeling very melancholy. A friend of mine from junior high & high school passed away a couple of days ago. I don't know the details of his death, and sadly I don't know much about his life in the years since high school. We recently became Facebook friends, but didn't "talk" much. It's sad how we lose touch with people. I wish I had told him what his friendship meant to me during the difficult times I had in school. He was such a sweet guy. It makes me think, do I let those people I love know how much they mean to me? I'm only 34, but life is seeming shorter every day. I hope my friends and family know how much they mean to me. I am terrible at keeping in touch and telling people how I feel about them. If you are reading this, then you are one of those people I love and care about very much. I hope you know that.
Merry Christmas and remember what's important at this time of year. Not things, but people.

Mock Margaritas

Had these with our Cafe Rio salad last night. YUM! Here's the link to the salad recipe I used.
http://www.beckyhiggins.com/recipes/2009/01/cafe-rio.html


Mock Margaritas

Lime Slices, if desired
Coarse salt, if desired
1 can (6oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed (3/4 c)
1 can (6oz) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed (3/4 c)
1/4 c powdered sugar
3 cups crushed ice
2 cups club soda or 7 up, chilled

1) Rub tops of glasses with lime slices; dip in salt to coat
2) In blender, place lemonade and limeade concentrates, powdered sugar and ice. Cover, blend until slushy. Add club soda; stir gently. Pour mixture carefully into glasses. Garnish with lime slices.

Yummy Stuffed Peppers!

Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
3 large red bell peppers, halved and seeded

1 (14 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, drained

4 servings brown rice, cooked according to package directions

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1 can corn kernels, drained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

and rinsed

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 tablespoons grated

Parmesan cheese


Prepare peppers, place in pan. Cook Rice according to package directions. Mix everything but the peppers & cheeses together. Fill peppers with mixture. Bake at 400 about 30 min. Mix cheeses together and sprinkle over peppers. Bake another 5 minutes or until peppers are tender.

November

November is upon us. Wow!
Morgan's Halloween party was a hit, I guess she had kids upset with her that they weren't invited and "everyone" was talking about her party. Does that mean I am a cool mom now? I guess this is going to become a Halloween tradition. I had a good time, Morgan hangs out with some pretty good kids.
Blair was interviewing for a job at Hill Air Force Base. He went through the first interviews and made the cut, and they flew him to Ohio for the next set. He got back today. We thought he'd have it for sure, but they gave to to someone else. I'm trying to be happy for the other guy-he needed it pretty bad too, but I'm really struggling with this. I guess I'm used to getting my way.:)
He's been out of work for about a year and a half now, and it's really getting to me--It's tough having him underfoot all the time and depressed---
David has been having a super hard time at school, bad enough I'd call it regression. His teacher got a new rewards system in place (with some motivators from me...Legos, action figures....) and he had his first good day in weeks. I hope it lasts. Yesterday I was having to wrestle him onto the bus while he kicked and screamed. Yesterday was probably his worst day this year.
I am sick, AGAIN! This time it's some respiratory thing, I have a cough and I feel like someone is sitting on my chest. I also have a lovely "smokers" voice.
Morgan came home from school sick today, she has the barfy's. She seems to be doing better tonight, hopefully she'll be OK to go to school tomorrow.
On a lighter note (after all my whining) Broden is doing well and most days enjoys school. He's been a great motivator getting us to church and is taking his preisthood responsibilities seriously. I'm very proud of him. He's started writing stories, and he's pretty good. I'm impressed with his abilities. Of course it could be I'm just a bit biased.
Tomorrow I tackle applesauce making for the first time ever. I hope I don't poison my family. :) Tonight I made chili with my garden tomatoes, I am kinda proud of myself. Again, I hope I don't poison anyone.
Off to feed the fam! TTFN

Halloween

So Halloween is creeping up on us. I have to say, I'm not a fan. I like dressing up as something goofy and who doesn't love candy? I just hate the spooky, gory stuff & people that jump out and scare the kids (and me). David is pretty excited this year. Can you guess what he'll be? You guessed it! He's a clone trooper again! I guess it is kind of nice that we do the same costume every year with him. :) Morgan is throwing a party on Friday for her friends. I hope they all have fun, I'm a little overwhelmed. :) Her friends are all pretty good kids though, so hopefully no problems. Broden has, yet again, said he's going to opt out. He gets totally freaked out by the scary/gory costumes. I wonder where he got that? However I think, like in years past, he'll decide 10 minutes before we head out for trunk or treat that he wants to participate. I imagine he'll be some kind of soldier or a clone trooper as well. I am being completely unoriginal (according to my daughter) and taking a page from David's book. I am wearing last years costume of Rosie the Riveter. It's great! Jeans, comfy shirt, hair pulled back, and retro makeup! Hey, at least I dress up!
Well, I'm off to clean the house for the craziness tomorrow! Hopefully we'll have some fun pics to share. TTFN!

Shakespeare & Swine Flu

Impromptu mosh pit at the awards ceremony. Gotta love these free spirits! I do!



Team Pictures on the last day.



Duos & Ensemble. I don't have any photos of the Monologues. Morgan was in the Ensemble, you can kinda see her in the back with her orange vest on. This was when it was over and they were cleaning up the props and PB&J sandwich that attacked Brian.

The ride home......

The Shakespeare trip was great! What a wonderful bunch of kids! I was unable to see all the performances, but the ones I saw I was so impressed with. Our group was so well rehearsed and super well-behaved (for a drama team :)) Sadly our team didn't place, but they had some seriously tough competition. Mrs. Poulsen got sick while down there, but what a trooper! She just plugged on with a smile! The other teachers & parents that attended were a blast, and I made some new friends. Sadly a bunch of kids came home with....you guessed it.....swine flu. Swine Flu is a recurring theme around town! Working at a grocery store I get to see loads of these sickies that come in to the pharmacy to pick up their Tamaflu. Of course, while they are at the store they need to grab their gallon of milk, tissues and whatever else sounds good. Now they come to me! Yeah! They get to share their germs with me! So guess what. I managed to come home uncontaminated from the Shakespeare trip and caught it from work. Now, I am not 100% sure I have the swine flu-or whatever the politically correct term is- because I REFUSE to fork out a small fortune to a Dr. so he can stick a swab up my nose and prescribe me something that may or may not work. So fluids, rest and more rest and eventually I will be back to my somewhat normal self.
Enjoy the photos of the Shakespeare trip!

Losing people, swine flu & insomnia

Moving around kinda sucks. Facebook is great for finding lost friends, but what if you can't remember the last name of that amazing lady that lived downstairs from you in Germany? Or someones name is SO common you have 1000+ hits and aren't sure where they live now? I have met so many wonderful people in our adventures, and I feel terrible that I've lost touch with them. All of them have had a positive influence in my life. I wish I could "talk" with them again.

So Broden had a bug yesterday. The barfy's, fever and headache. SO much fun! Morgan wasn't feeling too hot either, but I think she slept it off. So far so good I don't have it, but my luck Thurs morning will come around and I'll be sick. I am a chaperone for Morgans Shakepeare trip down to southern Utah. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be fun!

I am addicted to the internet. It's 12:30 am and I am blogging and skulking around Facebook. I am not even really sleepy. Whazzup with that? I guess it could be that I am normally just getting off of work right now...but still!
Ok, so I guess I'll go plant some seeds on Farmville...:)

September

Sept 11th. I've been thinking on where I was and what I was doing that day. I was at Ft Campbell. I barely made it back onto post before they locked it down. As I pulled up in front of my house, my neighbor running out and yelling that the world trade center had been hit by a plane and the Pentagon was on fire. Armed soldiers at my kids school. Calling my mom and waking her up, telling her the horrible news. Humvees & MP's patrolling the streets. That feeling of helplessness, mourning for those lives lost, anger and confusion-wondering how people could do this to each other.Worried about Blair leaving for Afghanistan, proud of him and our soliders. Sleeping alone, not knowing if I'd get to say goodbye if he deployed. Kids having no teachers on the 12th because they couldn't get on post with the one gate open. Wanting to hold onto my children and never let them go............ *After Sept 11th*
Broden with his Thomas backpack walking to school, guards waiting to check my ID. If I remember, they checked it near the crosswalk and again at the school doors.

____________________________________________________
Later-------
I love driving through Lakeshore/Benjamin and watching people bringing in their harvest. It is starting to feel a bit like fall. Though it's not cooled off enough yet for me. :) Smelling the hay as they cut it, looking at the corn growing. Watching the red-taile hawks cut and dive through the air. I love fall.

It's the middle of Sept. Wow. What have I done in the last month? I finished all the blocks on my gingerbread man quilt. It's cute! Still have the borders and actual quilting to do..... to machine quilt or to hand quilt...that is the question.

David is signed up with a study at BYU for kids w/ autism. He's thrilled cause he makes some money, and I am hoping the research will get us closer to a cure, or at the very least a cause. Broden was disappointed, they deemed him "too normal" for the study and not "normal" enough for the control group. Poor kid! :) He was so looking forward to some easy money!
Everyone is back in school. Blair & the kids. I am back to full-time at Maceys. Garrett (my nephew who's been living with us, has a job and is closer to his enlistment into the Army. :D
It's late and I better get to bed. I leave you with a question.....What IS Normal??

Busy Summer

It's been a busy summer!I went to Heber Valley Camp with Morgan for girls camp. Her THIRD year! I can't believe how grown up she is! We had a wonderful time. It was very peaceful up there. Loads of wildlife! We saw quite a few deer as well as an infestation of pot-guts. They are kinda cute in a rodent-y kind of way. :)
Got home and was surprised with a visit from my husbands family. The came early the following morning and some stayed the weekend and some are still here living with us until they can find a place.
The 4th was a nice mellow day of good food, fun and family. Of course a few fireworks as well. :)
I went on a great "girls" trip to Boise with my mom & my sister and got to meet my mom's cousin and her family. What a blast! It was a much needed break from real life.
The 24th was pretty uneventful for us. We watched part of the parade que up in front of the house (we are in the staging area). After they cleared out and we could leave our driveway I took My sister-in-law, Morgan and David (that was a mistake) to the quilt show downtown. David whined, My SIL and Morgan looked around at the lovely quilts and I visited with a dear friend I don't see enough of. FYI- My mom & I actually entered some quilts into the show- mine looked rather shabby alongside the others, but you ahve to start somewhere-right?
We just had a great family get together at Ma Jewel's place and got to spend time with cousins, aunts & uncles I haven't seen for awhile.
My Great-Grandma Bessie passed away recently at 101, and we have her funeral on Sat. I miss her. I've missed her for years, she has been living too far for us to be able to see her, and now she's gone. I have wonderful memories of 4th of July celebrations at her home in Gunnison, as well as some Thanksgiving and other occasions. I am glad she's finally able to be with her husband, and I look forward to someday being with them again as a big family.
Now it's time to look forward to school. Broden starts 7th grade and will be at the Jr. High. He is very nervous about it. David will also be in a new environment this year and so I expect some good stories to post here!
Later!

Karlene's Banana Oatmeal cookies

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups shortening
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp. soda
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups mashed bananas
• 3 1/2 cups oats
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Cream Shortening and sugar. Add eggs. Mix or sift dry ingredients together and add with bananas. Mix in oats and nuts and drop on ungreased pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Loosen from pan after removing from oven.

My demise.....

So I've actually been doing really well on the no soda thing, but sweets.... ahhh the sweets. Cookies and peanut butter bars, doughnuts and chocolate.....*sigh*

On another note, the Walter Wick exhibit was fun, David got bored fast, since there was minimal hands-on stuff. I should have prepared more so I could engage him better. In the same area of the museum there is another interesting exhibit. Art made of trash... yes that's what I said, art made out of garbage. The boys found this more fascinating than the Walter Wick exhibit. It was different. :)
We went for ice cream at the Creamery on 9th and then headed to North Park (Provo, not SF as SF North Park is currently a big pile of dirt & weeds waiting to be developed into stores that very few people in the community wanted anyway....no, no bitterness here....) Where David was reminded multiple times that slides are for downward motion.... especially crowded slides. Thus the meltdown and the lovely sight of mom half carrying half dragging him to the car. Which was not parked close. David is not small anymore. He was NOT cooperating. It was a sight. I'm sure at least one spectator (and there were lots) thought I may be kidnapping him. I had a horrid headache for the rest of the day. Aneurysm from the strain? Stress related? Hmmmm.
Ok, so I'm off to eat another banana oatmeal cookie (it almost sounds healthy, doesn't it? Too bad it's not) G'nite

Ahhh Summer

What a great weekend. Saturday we drove up to Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon and played around in the water at the bottom of the falls for awhile. We watched a kayaker in the swiftly running and high water of the Provo River. Drove back down and visited Ma Jewel in Orem, had lunch with her and collected some of her rubarb. Spent some time playing at Pioneer Park in Provo and read the memorial there which has a couple of ancestors names on it. Had Pizza & root beer floats for dinner.
Today we made it to 2/3rds of church. Afterwards I made my first rubarb pie ( Grandma Bessies Rubarb cream pie recipe) to take to dinner at moms. Ma Jewel came over and we had a wonderful time visiting with her and Maren's fam. The pie turned out well according to Papa & Ma Jewel who would know as they'd had Grandma Bessie's pie before. The two older kids went to a fireside (by an actual fire), but I haven't heard the report.
A wonderful start to summer! Tomorrow we are off to see the Walter Wick exhibit at BYU art museum. Should be fun!

The Biggest Loser

Ok, I am in LOVE with this show. I am actually motivated to move my fat bum and DO something after I watch it. I did SO good today on my food. Not so great on the moving...but ya know. My friend Amy and I are doing kickboxing tomorrow, holy cow it kicks my butt!
Went to Goblin Valley and Horseshoe canyon with Ma jewel, Uncle Stephen & Aunt Rhonda. My grandmother is SO cool! She is in way better shape than I am!Our hike in Horeshoe Canyon was so great. The sand hill on the hike out about did me in, but it was worth it! The art was so cool to see, I had a super time hangin' with the fam, and BONUS I actually got some exercise!

The wind was kickin' and we had sand in every nook & cranny of our tent (and our bodies) It was a bugger getting the tent up in that wind, but it was fun.

Pics to go up soon hopefully. I am such a slacker... but I am out in the yard as much as I can 'cause it's finally stopped snowing!

Oh and we raised almost $500 total for Autism Speaks! I am STOKED! Last year we made$180. Next year I think we can do $1000!

Fundraiser yard sale

*APRIL 18th 9:00am-3:00pm* It's a Fundraiser! We are raising money to help fund Autism research, awareness & advocacy in our area! Please come out & help support our Utahns with Autism!
We still can use some volunteers & donations of:
*Items to be sold
*Baked goods
and of course you can drop by and just make a monetary donation!We'll be at 1200 East Canyon Road, Spanish Fork. See you there!
The net proceeds of this event will benefit Autism Speaks through our participation in Walk Now for Autism. For more information on the upcoming walk please visit this site: http://www.walknowforautism.org/utah/abbott

Holy Cow!

A month! I haven't done anything here for a month. Ok, so I work full time, have 2 kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders, a hormonal teenager and my own business....but that's a LAME excuse!
Home sick from work right now, word to the wise: Don't drink spoiled milk. Trust your hormonal teenager when she says the milk smells funny.

Another random thought...I've gained back the 5lbs + 2....:( Ya think it's the 2 slices of Bday cake I had for breakfast? Or the one I had for lunch? Or the Caramellos I had for dinner? Or the slice of Bday Cake I had for a midnight snack after my shift?

weight update

ok, so no idea why the tbll thingie doesnt show my progress. I have lost 5 pounds as of last monday. :)

Stalkers

Ok, So I seem to have picked up a stalker at my workplace. A guest that likes me a little too much. So I have a question. Why do people who like to stalk look like this?

I would probably be ok with my own personal stalker that looked like this.....

Thoughts?

Ok, I admit, I am a little creeped out, but it is easier to joke about it. :) (I promise we are taking precautions)

Decided to do it!

I'm going to post my progess. I am at my heaviest weight ever, and it was depressing to see the numbers on the scale. I've already started making changes. I've cut out pop (oh I miss caffiene!) and am paying closer attention to what goes in my mouth. (especially avoiding chocolate).

Autism Walk 2009

Join Our Team!
http://www.walknowforautism.org/utah/abbott

Event Information

Walk Now for Autism is a family-friendly event so bring the whole family along. There are activities for the children, resources for families, light refreshments and entertainment.
Date:Saturday, May 2, 2009
Location:Utah Valley University
Registration opens: 8:30amWalk Start: 10:00am
Map: http://www.uvu.edu/visitors/visit/find/index.html
Parking: Attendants will direct you to parking from University and College Drive
Directions: Utah Valley University is located in Orem, Utah just off of I-15 University Parkway exit (#269) at: 800 West University Parkway Orem, Utah 84058

teenagers

I am not old enough for this! Morgan is 13, pushing 21 and killing me! She is a great kid and for the most part pretty mellow. The last couple of days it's been full blown hormonal chaos here. I can't look at her without her flipping out at me. Broden is 12 and starting this too. He starts crying the second I talk to him! AHHH! I am going to need alot of Zoloft to get through these next few years. HELP!!!!

A busy Month

Wow, January is almost gone! We've had a few fun things happen this month.
David had his pinewood derby and did really well with his pickup truck he & his dad made. It went way faster backwards than forwards, but we discovered this too late to "count".

Broden finally decided to recieve the Aaronic priesthood, I was so glad he'd finally decided to do so! He turned 12 in September and was really unsure if he wanted to make the commitment. I randomly asked him if he thought he was ready one day and he suprised me with a yes! We made an appt with the bishop, but Broden was unable to make it as he was at his YM activity. In the process of visiting with the bishop, his councilor said something about his son (Broden's best friend) bribing Broden with $5 to go ahead with the oridination. AHA! Now I know why he decided to go ahead with it! I touched base with Broden afterward, and he confirmed that was why he wanted to. I told him" Well, we wouldn't have let D. pay you the $5" and a voice behind me says,"I wasn't really going to pay him!" Boys... Broden decided to be ordained for free, and it was a neat thing to see his dad pass on the priesthood.
Broden also earned his 2nd class in boy scouts. ( I have no idea what's involved with that, I am a horrible scout mom.) It sounds like it was pretty involved, he's got great leaders thank goodness! Morgan has been rehearsing for her plays and productions. She recently presented her Shakespeare segments for the parents, sadly I had to work, but I heard she was fabulous! She ia also preparing to try out for the Shakespeare team in April to go down to the festival in Cedar.

They are also doing Mulan Jr. this year and she is working hard on her parts. (and soon I will be working hard on sewing costumes) She wants to become invloved with the community theater as well. My little drama queen. :)
Blair started the new semester and is plugging along. He's doing well. I'll be so glad to be done with this faze of our life!
As for me...still at Maceys.....

changing status

Ok, so I've decided to go ahead and make our blog public, at least for awhile. I really don't like that you have to have a Gmail account to log in.
So we'll see how it goes.
:)
On another note, I am so sick of being fat. I'm tired all the time, and I hurt allthe time. I'm going to work on this this year. I'm thinking about posting progress on here, but I'm not sure. Thoughts?

Christmas 08

In December we went up to Salt Lake to a Christmas market they put on at the Gallivan Event Center . It was really small, but brought back great memories of being in Germany and going to the different markets there. I was able to share some fun memories with the family and we ate alot of delicious treats.

After that we headed on over to Temple Square to see the lights. It was a very pleasant night to be outside wandering around the temple grounds. The lights were beautiful. They had an organist in the Tabernacle playing Christmas hymns, I was only able to stay and listen for a minute, David started having problems, so I took him back outside.

By this time the kids were starving, and we went out to Litza's Pizza for dinner. I always eat WAY too much, but I am addicted to their garlic bread. (Especially w/ extra butter).

This trip was a great way to bring in the Christmas season, and probably my favorite memory of this year's holiday.

As we do every year, we made "gingerbread" houses out of graham crackers. We even made a real gingerbread house, but I can't believe I didn't get a picture of it!

Taking Down Christmas

It's that time again. Dismantling the tree, undecorating the house. This is my least favorite part of the holiday season. It's back to "real life". Blair is off shooting with his brother, the kids are all doing various activities, so it's a good time I guess. :)

My sister headed back to TX today, it's sad. I'll miss her, her kids were so much fun! I wish I'd been able to spend more time with them.
I get the next couple of days off of work, and hopefully I can get caught up on the many projects I have waiting for me. Lots of sewing, a room I really should get around to painting, cleaning, and of course undecorating.
Things I have accomplished this last few days: finally finished painting the bathroom walls! ( still need to do the cabinets), went to work, fed my family, balanced the accounts, started a blog and got dressed EVERY DAY! :P
Happy 2009 everyone! Still waiting for my copies of pics so I can post them. Hopefully soon!