We're Tired

Packed for camp. Tents. Sleeping bags. Duct tape. Shovel. Tables. Air mattresses. Duffles. Backpacks. Flashlights. Extra batteries. Bug repellent. Sunscreen. First aid kit. Toilet paper. Rubber mallet. Firewood. Glitter. Streamers. Sunglasses. CANDY and S'MORE stuff. Hot chocolate. Rain ponchos. Mega medications. Camp chair with built in footstool. Scriptures. Toothpaste. Toothbrush. Lots of baby wipes (I don't want to smell them).

I think Allison and I could go on for a long time. We've planned, fund raised, prepared, packed, loaded, sack lunched and we're ready to go. Just think, in 12 hours my camp should be set up.

Now all we need is sleep and sunshine. Have a great week, WE WILL!!!

A Complete 180 From Last Week!

This is my sweet honey, alive and well, napping with Charlie, who loves to stick close by when Steve's home. The significance of this beautiful picture of domesticity? Well, it's just one of the many blessings that have come my way. I would be very ungrateful not to acknowledge them!

First, Steven was in a car accident. No, that's not the blessing! He was traveling at the height of rush hour at about 70 mph and was sideswiped in his Saturn sedan by a big pick up. It really scraped up his passenger side and he did hit the guard rail on the driver's side kind of hard. He was told that he could have very easily been killed but he came out of it without even a sore neck or back! If I could have my way I would ask the blessing to extend to the insurance company fully restoring my car and not totaling it out (it's a '99 so I'm a little concerned).

Second, Michael got a job!!! He's going to work at the Best Buy in American Fork. There is no way he could have received this blessing without a few angels in his corner. Nancy, Kaci and Raliegh! There are no words I could use to fully express the gratitude and relief you have brought into this Mom's life. I'd be baking cakes, making candy, waxing cars, whatever you needed, if I lived closer! Oh, and Brent? Thank you for being a sweetie. I think if you weren't such a nice guy then others may not help someone you were related to so blindly.

Third, my wonderful in laws, Bette and Tony Faria! They were able to step in and cosign for Michael's student loan. The love of grandparents is truly a wonderful blessing! And I received a copy of my credit report in the mail. You know what? I can't see what the fuss over us was, but I'm thrilled my Mom and Dad in California were able to do this very necessary service for my sweet son.

Fourth, Girls Camp. I know, right? But the preparations have caused me to stop to appreciate many things. The other night I stayed up until midnight just studying scriptures. At first I was searching for ideas for devotionals but then I decided to mark the scripture mastery scriptures and that led to... get the picture? It was a nice evening, quiet and calm but for "Bridezillas" playing on the television (well, Alli, Em and I do have some guilty pleasures). Even with the ballistic brides I felt inspired and happy.

Fifth, women in the ward I work with. There are so many great people that are supportive and loving. It's an easy thing to take others for granted, especially when we're not always paying attention to things that are going on behind the scenes. They have made preparing for camp this year half the worry for me. Jennie and Rebecca, you rock!

Love to all!

Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom

Sixty seven years ago today George and Helen Ellsworth were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple.

They met when a mutual friend told a recently-returned-missionary George that there was this cute girl working at Johnson's Drive-In that George had to meet. The cute car hop in her white satin capri pants came to see what they wanted. George appreciated the view as young Helen bounced off to fill their order. When she came back she was flustered and spilled the entire tray of Root Beer and Hamburgers in George's lap. George went home, changed his clothes and quickly returned to the Drive-In. He went home that night and told his younger brother, Joe, "I've met the girl I'm going to marry."

After dating a short time George bought Helen a beautiful cedar chest for her birthday. She was the only woman he had ever kissed. One evening he looked into her eyes and said, "I'd like you to be the mother of my children."



They stood under a grapefruit tree during their reception at Frank and Annie Ellsworth's home, Helen's new in laws. As they left their reception at her new in-laws home they ran through the citrus orchard and Helen got a tear in her veil. She never repaired it. Just a few years ago Helen was in Mesa. The neighborhood has changed but the grapefruit tree was still there.



Helen and George lived through World War II. They had seven children, losing two at birth. Their family, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, numbers more than 140.

Daddy passed away from us on January 26, 2003 but today is his 67th wedding anniversary. The greatest thing he ever did for me was to love my Mother.

Snap Out of It!

I have a hard time coming up with things to write every week and, sadly, I've got the blues. The second computer is still having internet troubles (so tired of IT difficulties) and we're all trying to share time on Helen's. I finally got a turn! Here's a brief overview of my mundane existence:

1. Lots of rain. Upside? Everything is green and growing. Downside? Lots of mud to watch out for on Charlie's paws when he runs in and out.

2. Getting ready for camp. It's down to crunch time, only two weeks left. Time to find all the equipment, make sure everyone has their forms filled out and, gulp, make sure we have enough room to take everything and everyone up into the mountains.

3. Keeping things going. Trying to motivate myself is hard lately.

4. Worry and stress... I feel great about Chris in Maine (no worry). Allison and Emily have stellar grades and are anticipating their mother looking into insurance and taking them to get their driving licenses (stress). I'm so sad about Michael (worry and stress). He's tried everything to get a job (hasn't he, Marianne?) and still no luck. He's really down about it and worried about how to continue school. Sadly our unemployment woes have followed us and our credit took a hit so we can't even cosign for a loan. I hate not being able to help him!

Not the happiest post I've written but I'm trying to look for a silver lining in all the thunderclouds we're under (figuratively and literally). The quote "most people lead lives of quiet desperation" keeps running through my mind and I'm trying to banish it! I have so many blessing to be grateful for and I need to snap out of it!

It's Not Over Until I Sing

I believed I was ready for last night's Girls Camp clinic and the wrapping up of the craziness that has been my May. Snort!

Our sample was to be dutch oven cooking. Everyone does the "cobbler" thing so I chose to use one of Helen's tricks; biscuits from the dairy case dipped in melted butter and cinnamon sugar. Original and delicious. When last I posted I had already experienced the fear of running out of butter (became distracted in the store by daughters' desire for Dr. Pepper) and sugar (ditto). After coating half of the biscuits I realized I had run out of cinnamon (never happened before!). I scrambled with Alli and we realized we could mix colored sugar sprinkles in with the sugar for fun. The sugar actually coated much thicker without the dusty cinnamon in it.

The other sample was to be Hot Chocolate Grasshopper Shots (thank you, Michael, for introducing us to this one). Using a Thin Mint, or the Keebler equivalent, you take a tiny bite off of opposite sides. You then use the cookie as a straw to sip the hot chocolate through, flavoring it slightly and giving you a yummy cookie to snarf down. As I was throwing things in bags to take to the church I found we were out of hot chocolate mix. I've had tons of the stuff from my dry pack canning and it had to be last night that I ran out.

I dropped the girls off at the church, Allison in the kitchen willing water to boil, and ran to the store to get the drink mix. There and back in 15 minutes, thank you very much, and the "gas tank empty light" turns on. I realize I wouldn't get stranded but it scares me every time it happens.

I run into the cultural hall with minutes to spare, feeling prepared at last, to find all the CPR dummies and bandaging materials laid out. It was First Aid Night, not camping skills night. What are you going to do? We had yummy, sugary biscuits and we'll have the hot chocolate next week.

ps. There's nothing wrong with the food pictured above... I thought it would be a nice touch to use some Halloween black sprinkles to simulate the ashes that will inevitably be in all the food they cook at the campfire. Pretty clever if you ask me.

Where in the Heck Did May Go? I'll Tell You...

It's the end of May and I was wondering where it went. Do any of you have the same feeling? I raced from the middle school to pick up the girls. We then raced to the grocery store to get things we need for the Girls Camp Clinic tonight. We've thrown together some dutch oven cooking. As I sit here I've been thinking "why is the month gone?" I pulled out my planning calendar and realized I've substituted 10 out of the 20 school days this month and then I noticed the activities we've been involved in. wow.

Above you'll see a photo of Allison singing at Ralston Valley High School's "Jazz on the Green" festival. The sunglasses were not a cool jazz statement but were worn because they were facing the sunset. They did look cool though.

I spent two days sewing/altering formals for the girls. It was a fun and creative outlet even if it always feels a bit rushed.

Don't you love how Emily's jacket turned out? I was rather pleased with it. She looked totally gorgeous in it.


As Allison was walking out she stepped right out of her shoe. This was an honest act of gallantry on Christian's part. Could we have set up a pose any better? Yeah, but it would definitely not be an "awww" moment.

Threw this one in because they have such cute tushies. Didn't tell Emily that's what the shot was for until after I took it.

Now glance up at Emily's wrist corsage and Christian's boutonniere. I do good work, no? The afternoon of the dance I did three faces of makeup, three heads of hair (with Alli's help) and made three wrist corsages and a boutonniere. What was I thinking? Oh, yeah, that all the flowers and supplies together were the cost of one corsage?

Isn't my Mom cute? Or as Allison and Emily say, "It's my cutesy, wootsy Grandma!" She keeps complaining that there aren't any good pictures of her. I beg to differ and here's my proof. I have no idea how annoying my life would be without her but I sure don't want to find out. We need our "Lucy and Ethel" moments to keep us both young, and humble.


Last choir concert of the year, The Collage Concert. The kids have a lot of fun with it. Emily above? "Dig in the Dancing Queen." Oh, baby, it was cute!


Shades of Blue sang a beautiful rendition of "Skylark." Tie dyed shirts? Seniors. Navy blue? Juniors. This group will include Emily next year!

The Collage is a fun show because there are different acts that perform in addition to the choirs, kind of like a talent show. The groups or individuals must audition to get a spot. Well, Allison and Emily grabbed one of their friends performed a song I found called "The Alto's Lament." It was absolutely hysterical and the crowd loved them! The video won't fit on blogspot (too many MB's) but it is posted on my facebook wall. I couldn't be more proud of how well they did. Emily commented "I really feel like I've come out of my box." Any of you who know her and watch the video would agree exponentially.

Today was a six hour recess with 120 7th graders. I'm tired but I have a smile on my face and a song in my heart for my awesome Young Women and can't wait to go over camping skills in an hour. I will sleep well tonight!

Mother's Day is Over, Thank Heavens!

I've always been anti Mother's Day. I believe in loving and honoring my family every day and I tend to go into sugar shock at all the sticky sweetness of it all. (and WHY is this all underlined and HOW do I turn it off? I can't! I'm sorry). My family did it just right. It all began with a toasted bagel in bed, cut into thirds; one with cinnamon sugar, one with PB&J, and one with cream cheese, diet Code Red Mountain Dew and Rx's on the side.

Later, I opened this featured card from my sweet missionary in Maine...



So how was the rest of the day? Present for Mother-In-Law not finished (but really close). Tears. Church. Made cookies. Had a steak dinner. Watched some of the "America's Next Top Model" marathon. Took a great nap during the ANTM marathon. Started a puzzle with Emily (Star Wars Empire Strikes Back, harder than it sounds, people). All topped off with a good night's sleep. Can't get much better than that.

I don't know karate, but I know kuh-razy, and I will use it! (Shanghai Noon)

My April was kuh-razy and I didn't take the time to appreciate it. Therefore, in no particular order, I am posting some things that have made me smile thus far in May.

1. People who comment on my blog. Thank you for letting me know you're there!

2. I found my lost mix Cd's from Brittany! They make housework rock!

3. All the positive feedback I've received from teachers I've substituted for. I've missed teaching more than I realized. And I really smile when students come into the classroom and say, "Yes! It's you! You are my favorite substitute!" That and kids who run up to me in Sam's Club and Target and hug me.

4. My adorable husband. He is so loving and so good at making me feel special and beautiful. He also makes me laugh and smile, hence the goofy picture (please, no one tell him it's here!).

5. The Weight Watchers "Hungry" Muppet. Oh, and Flo from the Progressive commercials.

6. Michael surprised us with a visit home. He'll be here for a whole week! Thanks Nick and Diana!


7. Thankfully I mop my floors because I turned with the girls' Birthday Chocolate Cheesecake in my hands and it SLID right off the plate and onto the floor (darn cardboard packaging!). As I tried not to cry I was reassured that it was all good. The floor was clean, Charlie was held at bay and Steve, Helen, Allison, Emily, Christian and, yes, even I ate a piece of an extremely good chocolate cheesecake. Hey, don't judge! Do you know how long it's been since we had a cheesecake in the house?

8. My adorable, precious 17 year old daughters. They are pretty easy to please. The final remnant of the garage sale? A 4x4x4 foot box that made Emily squeal. Yes it's in our basement. Yes it's been cushioned on the inside. Yes, they're listening to music as they sit in it. No, Charlie does not like getting in it with them, and YES Emily has slept at least one night, that I know of, in it.

9. My missionary son, Chris, who writes to me and makes me happy. His last letter? All about numbers. "259- total number of e-mails I've saved, 39-ties I have (I came out with 12), 135-days until I fly home, 8-months worth of pictures on my current SD card, 46-Reese's pieces I just ate..." It's really hysterical. And if you knew about his greenie companion he's been trying to train you'd admire his ability to have a sense of humor. Huge jerk of a kid who has been called on the carpet by the Zone leader (Chris is his District Leader) and the Mission President many times and still was a, well, a bad word. I said 'was' because I heard in Chris' e-mail this morning that the bad word is out of there.

The peasants rejoiced.

And I smiled.