a mother's best friend...

Don't you just love vacuums!! I don't know if there is a household item which provides more instant gratification!! It's a mom's best friend. Gone are the cracker crumbs, cookie pieces, and other snack-like paraphernalia that somehow "mysteriously" appears on the family room furniture and floors (despite the much asked question--"is this the kitchen?" which is always answered correctly but then promptly forgotten). Is there a sweeter sound then a vacuum sucking up all the "I don't want to know what's in there" objects as you stick the end of the hose into the dark recesses of the couch? I dare you to find one!

Gone are the days when you have to actually see the destruction lurking under things; now you simply put on some attachment that allows this wonderful machine to do it's magic almost anywhere and away you go. In fact, I seriously think they have mothers design these attachments with that in mind-- "what is the greatest distance that I can safely eradicate this unknown substance and not witness it in the process?"

Now I do admit, there are times where the blind cleaning the blind isn't the best (under a child's beds for example). If someone could actually make a vacuum that could suck up small animals (or at least giant dust bunnies which multiply at an astonishing rate) think what a joy that would be? Gone would be the clutter, the smelly socks, the items that have long since lost their identity and purpose. In a flash all would be pristine! Imagine if said machine could fit into small storage spaces too!!

Got to love vacuums when short notice visitors are headed your way, and within minutes at least one part of your house can look good! It's great when someone comes to the door and you are still in your sweats, and it's noon...especially if you don't have a spray bottle handy to do the "just got done working out look" (see previous post). Have a vacuum handy and just click it on for a sec as you answer the door and voila....you're covered. (As long as you don't let them past the front door!) Shoot! I'm giving away all my secrets!!

Stay tuned for the next installment of my second favorite appliance, entitled..."a love affair with the garbage disposal!" Do we sense a theme here?

New Hobby

Before I had my radiation and had to be isolated for awhile, I learned a new hobby...how to crochet. I started with mittens and bandages for the humanitarian efforts in other countries, and it has grown into something that is getting out of control. I have had fun looking up patterns online and making scarfs, hats, headbands and accessories. I now can't go to walmart without leaving with several skeins of yarn and different sizes of crochet hooks. I am getting quite the collection, but it has been fun to have something to create and work on during these yucky cold months. I think Cassie, and my nieces and nephew are getting tired of all my creations. I hear the first step to overcoming an addiction is admitting to a problem. Hence this blog entry. :) Thanks for all my cute models (Cass, her friend Rachel, my two nieces Jaydee and Jessa, and a nephew Max)

a riddle

What has....
an abundance of multi-sized brightly colored polka dots

more streamers than a pep rally on steroids

lots of chocolate, strawberries and whip cream (the three most important food groups)

more firelight than a forest fire and requires hyperventilating to put it out

a wonderful husband enlisting enterprising sisters, and parents in subterfuge

very thoughtful, and tasteful gifts (not one black, fiber filled, arthritic relief thing in the bunch!)

a houseful of family all saying "happy birthday!"

drum roll please......

Valorie's Surprise 40'th Birthday Party!! ( a day early!)


It's my first official surprise party. I thought I could read my husband so well that he couldn't pull something over on me without my suspecting. I have to hand it to him, I didn't have a clue. It might be due to my "vibe meter" getting older and not working as well as it did 20 years ago. It might just be Kelly is getting smarter and more subtle in his advanced age, but whatever it was, Monday night was full of fun and surprise!

He coordinated it well, he knew I would hate some big production so I appreciated just having my family in attendance. He also knew once he got my crazy sisters involved it would take on a life of it's own!! I appreciated that nothing was black and dreary, everything was bright and cheery and it made me smile. I received fun gifts but my favorites were a book written by my family full of sweet, thoughtful and silly things that made me laugh and cry.


And from my husband, a new shiny black professional kitchen-aid mixer! I can make sweet things in greater quantity...is there a better gift than one that keeps on giving? He knows with my sweet tooth, I'd much prefer something that I can use daily instead of something sparkly! I love this man! He also could have got me a gym membership to go with the new mixer, but he didn't, am I spoiled or what?

A big thanks to everyone who took time near and far, to make this terrible number "40" not quite so terrible! Love you all.

Sweethearts Dance

On Saturday Ryan went to Sweethearts. It was strange thinking this dance a year ago was his first date, where has the time gone? He wasn't able to attend the day date due to work, but had a great time that evening. He asked a beautiful girl named Allyson and he had a great time. Kelly took some pictures of the group at the gorgeous house they had dinner at.

It is so great to see a group of teenagers that dress modestly and have such great standards. I am grateful my son has wonderful friends and they can have a lot of fun, doing good things.

who invented mornings?

You know you are NOT a morning person when:

you frequently mix up cayenne pepper and cinnamon on your toast.

your children want to use your morning hairdo as a science experiment for defying gravity.

when you sleep in sweats so when someone stops by in the morning, you can mist your face and look like you just got done working out! (shoot I just gave away my secret!)

your children wait to ask your permission for things during that incoherent part of the day because most grunts can be interpreted in the affirmative.

your idea of a hot breakfast is frozen waffles and an efficient toaster.

it's Saturday and you are in the van, ready for carpool.

all your creative writing occurs after the sun goes down.

bragging rights....

I have an incredibly talented husband!! This is a very belated post, but Kelly made me these beautiful candle holders for Christmas! They are out of maple and mahogany. I wish I had better pictures so you could see the detail. I just love them.

January Fun....

Yes I did use the month January and fun in the same phrase! I am happy to report that it is possible! Last Saturday, all my family that was in town got together for a fun activity. Grandma and Grandpa rented out this gymnasium in Provo and all the cousins, and adults had a great time. We sure missed Seth and Anna, and Taylor and Lucy's families!!


My camera battery died, so I didn't get many picture other than the Sumo wrestling stuff. My sister Shelly forcefully persuaded me into a sumo suit. I promised my kids I would put it on our blog as proof that it really happened! (You'll just have to look close, they didn't say what size the pictures had to be!) My sister Letha was with me, we wanted to use these and our current pictures as before and after pictures of our January weight loss goals being accomplished! :)



These are my beautiful sisters (Lucy and Anna who weren't there are beautiful too!) We have a lot of fun together and I'm so grateful to have all of them in my life!