Finding beauty in Alaska

It starts out with rainbows and sunshine...

2012-01-31T14:20:00.000-09:00

and ends in bloodshed

She-devil met the tv stand and it didn't go over very well. They seem to have made up because she hasn't stopped running like a wild banshee through the living room.

I clicked. I clicked it up!

2012-01-30T15:23:00.002-09:00

I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet girl, who after two hours, decided to snooze a little:) I learned some new editing techniques for the background and skin. It's not perfect but it's leaps and bounds better than my last. The above is what I'm submitting to Courtney's link up. The one below is just one that I love.

Enjoy!

Can't ever over-think it

2012-01-26T14:50:00.001-09:00

I had a play date today at 10. This would run fairly close to the end of my workout. I usually get pretty sweaty, and knowing this I decided that I would brave it, and take a shower at the gym. It's pretty clean there and not too big so I could deal. And I really didn't want to go hang out at a friends house all sweaty under my arms and in my butt.

It's only a shower...I don't need to pack for an extended vacation. So I packed my duffel bag and off I went.

Got my sweat on and was feeling pretty good. Went into the shower area, locked the door and then looked at the shower floor. I didn't think about my feet. Oi. What do I do? It can't be that bad. Should I wear my socks in? Or is that stupid? What do I do, what do I do. I turned the shower on...let the stray hairs go down the drain and...got in.

Don't judge me. I know I run the risk of serious bugs. Mental note, next time bring flip flops.

I also need to remember to take a cooler shower cause there's no fan. I felt like I was going through menopause and having the hot flash of my life! I haven't instantly started sweating after a shower since I lived in NH. And...I forgot deodorant. That's just swell. So I get all my clothes on and open up the door cause I can't stand it anymore and not two seconds after I hear my name.

"Meggan"?

'Yaaaah...'

"Ummm _____ kind of had an accident".

'Are you serious?' (obviously she was but apparently I needed to hear it again.)

"yea, she was standing and then peed and then said she had to go"

'ugh. awesome. ok.'

The only positive thing is that it's nice having two children, different ages, that are pretty close in size. So I stripped she-devil from the waste down, put on her brothers blue sno-puff suit and him into her purple coat. I left feeling eyes on me wondering why I was sexually confusing my children.

I guess it all worked out in the end. I got to go home and put deodorant on.

It's official

2012-01-25T15:18:00.002-09:00

I decided to take the advice of my sisters and a reader, and register myself for the half marathon. I was ~~hoping~~ thinking that I was going to have some super awesome eye awakening moment which would, in turn, give me mass motivation to workout harder and longer. Please keep your laughter to yourself.

No such luck. Instead, I didn't make it to the gym yesterday. Today I went and the scheduled workout was speed training. I made it through half before I slowed it down and just sprinted randomly. Then I came home and shoved pieces of the kids lunch into my mouth while making my own lunch.

Yup. I'm right on target.

Ants in my pants

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-09:00

It's the time of year again when the "crazy" takes over my brain and I find myself bored. No, technically I'm not 'bored', but find myself uninspired. So when I can't shake the crazies anymore I start searching the Internet. For houses. Moving is always the answer isn't it? Nothing like packing up your life, finding a "new" and "exciting" place to take up residence for a while.

I wonder where this comes from. I lived in one place for 21 years. Then we moved to Utah. And it's been a yearly cycle since then. I can't stay put for very long before I want to do something else. I started a random series of posts about traveling somewhere diff every week...here and here. And I watch HGTV religiously. More than desperate housewives if you can believe that! Point being...I have something in me that can't. sit .still.

This past Friday we went and looked at a house that a friend of Matt's is moving out of. I had built up so much anticipation about this being the house because it was big and had land. Well, the layout sucked and Matt really didn't want the hour+ commute every day. Back to the internet. In the smart part of my head i know it is smarter to stay where we are. The rent is good and we are able to pay down other debts we have. But I'm stir crazy and all of my other hobbies just seem so....boring.

I'll be grateful when the weather gets a little better, and I can find healthier outlets than sitting and daydreaming about going to Puerto Rico, or Ireland and ALL that would be involved in that trip;)

So friends, how do you spend your mid winter days?

Conversations

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-09:00

Sassy pants- I'm going to be angry when I get home from school today.

Me- why?

Sassy- Because spiderman is being a RE-tard and not coming back to me.

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Dad- Did you hear that everyone in the family is dying from colon cancer?

Me- No?!

Dad- yea apparently that's how your great grandmother died but Nana said it was something else. She was only 58. Your Uncle has scheduled his colonoscopy.

Me- have you had anyone play with your butt yet?

Dad- No. I need to make an appt though. I'm hopeful I have it so that I can pass it on to you.

Me- haha...that's nice.

Dad- Yea, it's the little things that I can do.

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A conversation in my head

I think massaging your feet while putting lotion on works really well. I should tell Matt that. Haha...that would get him. Man, I should use this as a piece in my blog.

I'm kind of special.

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A runner's theme

2012-01-17T11:10:00.000-09:00

Ok, so this may not pair up with every runner that I know...but it does me;) I've dubbed it my theme song.

Enjoy.

sexy i and know it - lmfao

Powered by mp3skull.com

Registering, rewards, consequences

2012-01-10T21:10:00.001-09:00

So, the half marathon that I'm going to run is open for registration. I haven't done it yet. Not because I'm chickening out, but because Matt told me to wait. You see, I asked him and encouraged him that he should run it with me. So now he wants me to wait for him, to get in better shape. So the dilemma here is, do I wait or do I go ahead and register since this is my goal? I don't want to pressure him to do it which will turn into him calling me a nag but I also don't want to pay exta money as the time gets closer. So blogger friends....what should I do? I've been thinking a lot about reaching these goals that I have set out for myself. How do I actually achieve them? Should I reward myself? I have tried setting up rewards in the past and have basically decided mentally that it wasn't worth it so I quit. So should there be a consequence? And what kind of a consequence? The only thing that comes to my mind is an awful haircut! So again I ask you...readers of my blog, what should it be? Reward? Or consequence? And what would it be? I'm counting on you to help me. Pass the word that Meggan here in Alaska doesn't want to be a failure anymore so she needs help! Think on it, tell your friends I'm accepting advice and get back to me;)

It's THIS year

2012-01-04T14:09:00.000-09:00

I just had a conversation with my sister in law about all the things coming up soon and how it is finally 'the year' that all this is going to happen. No more saying "next year", for "next year" is here. In six short months we will be making our way back east for a family reunion (of sorts). Then it will be three weeks of visiting my family, coming back here and preparing for a possible visit from sister in law.When she leaves it will only be a short while before the holidays come again and we try to make it to California to see my in-laws for Christmas.

Crazy.

And all that thinking has had my mind wander to the fact that I am getting older. Matt will be 28 tomorrow and me? I'll be 27. -GASP- The thing is..I don't feel 27. I still feel like I'm a young girl out of high school. Granted...I'm a different shape (thank you kids!) and I have forehead wrinkles. But it doesn't seem like it has been almost 10 years since I left high school. Or that I have been married, 25 days shy of, 8 years. The only thing that keeps this in check is watching my kids grow. Sassy pants is six years old now. And Mr hippo...1.

So where do you go from here? I think I'm just going to try my best at living in the moment. It's daunting to do with small kids. That right there is probably the only thing that I can pinpoint feeling older. Chasing them around is quite a task. But I need to step back more often and look at them for the little people that they are. And really...the nicer I am to them, hopefully, the better care they'll give me when I'm ready to sit by a window and drool.

Part 3? nope....I'm a quitter

2012-01-01T21:22:00.000-09:00

So this post is supposed to be part 3 of the year in review. But you know...I really couldn't bring myself to post 2011 things in 2012. Instead...

Goals.

Most of us have them. How often do we reach them? I don't think I have ever written out goals or resolutions before the year starts. Why not start? I always have a ton of things that I want to accomplish so I think it's best to narrow it down to the things that I really want to do.

Like for example...run a half marathon! I know. It's kind of a reach since I'm not super excited about running. Ever. But, for goal sake, I told myself that I wasn't going to have another baby until I did something pretty awesome. It's usually always " well when I get down to my marriage weight". See how well that worked...two kids later. So aside from losing some pounds which is always on the list, I'm going to run a half marathon. I've already picked it out and everything. So the first step in getting this accomplished is registering for it.

Weight. It's always a goal. But I think I'm going to scale it back and just shoot for 15 lbs. I have more than that to lose but it's a struggle to lose one at this point. Not for lack of trying either. I'm going to switch some things around in the working out department and hopefully that will help. But 15 lbs, that's where I'm at. And it will be awesome to achieve it!

I actually just read an article HERE that sums up one (large) aspect of my new year. It's all about positive thinking. This past year in particular has really shown me how much your thoughts play a role in life. I think I have made some huge strides in the right direction, but I would really like to make some more. I'll include the article at the end if you want to read it.

I would also like to be a better person and mother. Some characteristics I'm shooting for:

Kind

Thoughtful

Patient

Selfless

I think I am these things in a small degree. No, I'm not tooting my own horn. Quite the opposite actually. I want these things to be a part of me. I would like kind thoughts and actions be a part of my everyday life. I'd like to get the impression and act on sending someone a "thinking of you" card or calling when I think I should. I have been the recipient of those things and I love how I feel. I love that someone thought and acted upon those inspirations. So I think if I can work on that it will help me to be a better wife, mother and friend.

So what about you? Any life changing goals on your plate?

You can read the article

below

Living the Abundant Life

At the advent of a new year, I challenge Latter-day Saints everywhere to undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for what I call the abundant life—a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings. Just as we learned the ABCs in school, I offer my own ABCs to help us all gain the abundant life.

Have a Positive Attitude

A in my ABCs refers to attitude. William James, a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher, wrote, “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.”¹

So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.

Charles Swindoll—author, educator, and Christian pastor—said: “Attitude, to me, is more important than … the past, … than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.”²

We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.

Believe in Yourself

B is for believe—in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles.

Be honest with yourself, with others, and with your Heavenly Father. One who was not honest with God until it was too late was Cardinal Wolsey who, according to Shakespeare, spent a long life in service to three sovereigns and enjoyed wealth and power. Finally, he was shorn of his power and possessions by an impatient king. Cardinal Wolsey cried:

Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my king, He would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies.3

Thomas Fuller, an English churchman and historian who lived in the 17th century, penned this truth: “He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.”⁴

Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities.

You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.

Face Challenges with Courage

C is for courage. Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently.

Said the American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.”⁵

There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming. At times you may feel like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember—David did win!

Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve.

Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”

May we remember these ABCs as we begin our journey into the new year, cultivating a positive attitude, a belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the courage to face whatever challenges may come our way. Then the abundant life will be ours.

A year in review Part 2

2011-12-31T06:00:00.000-09:00

Love

Best Missionaries Ever:)

Birthday Dessert

Summer time

moose poo

bangs:)

First campout

moving!

And There's a part 3...in 2012. I'm an awesome planner:)

The year in movies and photos Part 1

2011-12-30T14:56:00.001-09:00

This is a year review...so it's along one:)

Bath in Holiday Inn Express

Alaska Highway

The evening break

Ready to get out!

Last leg

Welcome "Home"

Don't dry on high! LOL


It was sign;)

If I didn't bore you completely come back tomorrow for the rest? Or most of the rest;)

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T10:08:00.004-09:00

Merry Christmas from Alaska! We hope you all have a wonderful time with families and friends!

A frigid photo shoot

2011-12-15T12:38:00.000-09:00

My friend Carmin asked me to take some new family pictures for her. They adopted their son and are hoping to adopt another child. It's also winter here and do you know what that means? It was stinkin cold out when we did them. I think we were out for maybe a half hour but they were troopers and I think we got some cute shots. What do you think?

These aren't all of them....but you get the idea:) If you are interested you can see this cute family HERE.

And Pinterest challenge you ask? Well I did it but I can't show it because it involves Christmas gifts. Hehe. Hope you are all having a great holiday season. I'll be back soon.

The influence of "manna"

2011-12-08T15:53:00.001-09:00

Holiday pin

2011-12-07T13:38:00.001-09:00

I'm back! And this weeks pin was super easy and quick! I took inspiration from this:

and this:

and came up with this:

Please excuse the lackluster pictures:/ I don't have a fancy mantle and with the Alaska winter of barely any light and snowing...I get some mediocre shots. Oh well:)

Have you conquered any pins this holiday season?

Thanksgiving in pictures

2011-12-05T21:20:00.001-09:00

Click on images to enlarge

We all know where the "good intentions" road goes...

2011-12-02T08:17:00.001-09:00

BIG plans for sassy pant's birthday this year. I wanted a pirate theme. Starting with some cute invites for the friends he has made this year.

I found this clipart and was going to do up a whole invite myself on the computer.

And the decorations and favors inspiration came from this:

(website here)

Cute right?! I also have a kids project book called "sew magical for kids". In it is a Kraken, pirate ship and pirates to make. The proper amount of time to make this would have been, oh I don't...September. Not a week before like yours truly ~~did~~ tried. Do you know what you end up with when you start things the week before the event or deadline?

No decorations. No finished kraken. No finished pirate ship!

See how the Kraken has no mouth? Pathetic.

No super cute homemade birthday cake either. Wal-mart got our business.

But I guess it turned out 'o-k' for the boy.

He was all smiles. Even after I kicked him back outside when he got home because I didn't even manage to have it all set up before he got home. Keep the lame-ness coming people.

But there were candles....

And he blew them out. And wished, I'm sure, for a better, more organized mother! No...actually he wished for a pirate ship like the one at his old preschool. Go figure.

Happy birthday buddy. I think I'll start preparing now for next year and hope I'm on time!

it's so FLUFFY!

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-09:00

We had the opportunity to go to the the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center while the family was here. Best part? We got there and it was FREE! I think mostly because it's the off season and was the day right after Thanksgiving? That's what I'll tell myself anyway. It was definitely very cool.

There were tons of Bison and Musk Oxen. We saw a moose with one antler and some baby moose.

It looked pretty sad but I'm sure it wasn't. They really are quite large and cute at this age. Did you know that moose are in the deer family? And you are supposed to run in zig zags if one is chasing you because they get confused. I'm pretty sure I would just mess my pants!

We also got to see some baby bears! Well, they were two, so still young. It was feeding time so they were up next to the fence and I was able to get right in with my beautiful lense!

Isn't he cute?! Even cuter with an electric fence between us;)

After that we continued our drive and got some other really nice shots.

There was a guy trying to climb it, but he left just as I was getting ready to get him in the picture. Boo! Smart little she-devil remembered the water from a previous drive so she said to me "Mommy...waterfall". Yup, a frozen water fall:)

Tomorrow, a slacker mom birthday party...

Things that you do on vacation...

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-09:00

Spend money

eat out

go on rides

spend money

stay up way loo late

make memories

spend more money

We did all of that. As well as play a game called 'Things". Have you ever played? I recommend it. Nothing can bring out the more interesting side than having to think of things that you wouldn't put on a resume, or things that you wouldn't want to find in your attic or even things that should have an expiration date. Haha, cause you might get answers along the lines of: winning a peepee contest, Sable (2x) and (my personal favorite-NOT) Meggan's period!

Turns out...our family has a bunch of dirty minds in it;) Shocker. So do I invite church friends over to play, or not, for risk of them finding out our true colors....

2011-11-29T09:12:00.001-09:00

It's 9:14 in the morning and all I hear is Sesame street and sniffling from the only other [little] people in the house. Scratch that....all I hear is Mr Hippo crying because his sister lost her entertainment so now she has to focus all her energy on terrorizing him again.

Yea, the company has left. I have to say that it was probably the ~~weirdest~~, ~~strangest~~, most different vacation I've experienced. I don't think we stopped for more than an hour at a time. I also now have an arsenal of OTC drugs for preventing a cold, fevers, coughs, diarrhea and sore throats. My poor in-laws got sick after Thanksgiving dinner. Like, bed ridden, can't function kind of sick. So the hubs and I were left to entertain a very busy bunch.

We did a lot. Enough that I will use it as material for blogging this week:) But as for right now...I have a house that needs cleaning.

How was your Thanksgiving?

Can I have a minute to myself...please

2011-11-22T21:36:00.001-09:00

I'm not dead blogland. Though I doubt any of you actually thought I was. It's just been SO stinkin busy here with family and holidays and a birthday today. So I have things to tell and show.

But not now.

And I'm sorry, tomorrow won't be a Pinterest post. Got some serious baking and Thanksgiving prep to do and my mother in law won't let me get out of it O.o!

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-09:00

My first guest post for

It's busy around here and I slacked a tad with my pinterest this week. So I asked my awesome sister in law from Pursuing Perfection to fill in this week. She's a stay at home mom to two crazy kids and is never without some sort of project going on. Which means, something had to give...and right now it's her blog. So if you stop by there and she hasn't updated, just remember it's because she's too busy filling her life with more exciting things:)

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Hi Everyone! I'm excited to be here guesting on Meg's little piece ofblog-land! Today she asked me to post something Pinterest related, since it is Challenge Wednesday, and she's been so busy with planning forholiday guests that she didn't have time to do any Pinterest inspiredprojects this week!! So because I can't be there person, the least Icould do was be there in Spirit and help take the load off by postingone of my Pinterest projects for the week!

Ironically...this project actually "came before" the pin, this week!That's the beauty of Pinterest however, you can search on literally ANYtopic and find all sorts of pins to different websites, and it's awesome! So the pin for this project could have come from a pin like this one:

Found via Pinterest

My husband actually inspired this....I'll be honest and admit that I have been skeptical about the whole " coupon, deal finding" kick that my husband recently ventured into. It really just sounds like a whole butt-ton of work! And I'm already trying to do a billion things at once around here! So when he left for an underway, leaving me with strict instructions to use the coupons for my holiday food shopping this week, I smirked to myself. " Alright honey, I'll try" was all I said, and off he went.

Unfortunately for me, I have this weird thing inside of me that has a REALLY hard time blatantly ignoring a request my husband has made, even when I really....REALLY....want to. So this morning before packing my two hooligans into the car and heading off to the grocery store I gathered the coupons he set aside for me, took a brief glance through the sales flier, and off to the store I went.

And I kid you not...with a stack of coupons that's largest value was fifty cents, I knocked 10$ off my total grocery bill! And every single thing I bought, I was going to buy with or without a coupon! Now ten dollars may not seem like much, but it was a large enough sum to make me blink, and think to myself " Holy Crap! I just saved 10$ without even trying! Maybe he's actually onto something..."

So I came home, put the kids down for naps, and spent the entire nap time ( instead of sewing like I had planned) researching extreme couponing. The site located in the pin above is one of the site I am now following, and spent the better part of 2 and 1/2 hours reading. Another site I found inspired me to make this:

Here's a peak at the inside:

I am a sucker for printables ( they're my favorite pin!!) and this girl made up some really cute category dividers and the cover art that you can print for free here!!

It was really simple....you just need to collect the materials:

And put it all together and there you have it! A nifty coupon organizer! It's actually going to be a Christmas gift for my husband. He wanted me to make a coupon wallet for him....which I may still do....but through my research I found that most heavy duty couponers find that wallets can't hold all the coupons they use, so they just cart their binders to the store. Which is funny....because there was one lady at the store today walking around with her coupon binder and I thought to myself " oh, see, she's using coupons too!" Man, I'm such an amature :)

Anyway....if you're curious about couponing here are the sites that I would recommend in my limited experience of only a few hours of searching :

Money Saving Mom ( I've been following this blog for a while)
The Krazy Coupon Lady
Keeping Life Creative

Thanks Meg, for letting me hijack your blog today! And I hope I've inspired some of you to take the couponing plunge! Now I'm off to go clip...

Inheritance

2011-11-15T13:45:00.001-09:00

So the fourth book in the Inheritance series came out this past week. You know...Eragon? It's been much anticipated because the author has taken forever to write the last book. Not surprising since he's only 24! Anyway. I've been reading it. And for some reason it has taken me longer than usual to finish. I usually blow right through books. I guess maybe having busier and busier kids is putting a damper on my style;) In any case...I got to the super involved part of the book and couldn't stop. I put it down after the major battle ended and went to bed at 215 in the morning. Needless to say, my dreams were a bit on the wild side!

And I've been making crazy references to it. It's been amusing...to me at least. haha.

This picture was taken a few days ago. And it screamed a magic reference.

"Mom, I think we need to call someone. She-devil has cast a spell on brother".

I never said they were good or witty references.

But references all the same. ;)

Operation: I'm thankful!

2011-11-09T09:07:00.001-09:00

October 31st is the kickoff to the Holidays, starting with November.

Thanksgiving.

So what better way to start November than to use:

(click HERE for download)

Every night, as a family, we take a card and write what we are thankful for and stick it in a mason jar. I should decorate it and make it super cute like Jen, but I haven't.

See how cute hers is? She used another free printable for her lid. And since she used the cute leaves I couldn't very well copy her;)

So I've got my plain old mason jar with my thankful cards. But at least I made up some place mats and the kids made some turkeys with Aunt Sable:)
When Thanksgiving comes around the plan is to read them all and hopefully try to keep our minds centered on what the Holidays are actually supposed to be about. Thanks pinterest for your printables and thanks Jen for the idea:)

Considered this pin 'full to the brim with completeness'!

Tis the season

2011-11-07T13:04:00.000-09:00

It started snowing here October 31st. It has snowed pretty much every day since. And you know what?

I'M FLIPPING EXCITED!

Why? Because I love sledding. You may or may not remember THIS post with my ridiculously goofy giggling. The only problem right now is my lack of winter gear. We came up in January this year and at that time I had just had a baby and wasn't exactly in the "go make the best of winter" mindset. I had moments obviously...but nothing consistent.

I've got these:

on my list of purchases. Aren't they cute? And what's even better is that Sorel advertises their products for Alaska conditions! Sweeeet! That will definitely help me since we got about 5-6 inches last night and lots more snow in the future:)

What about you? Are you as excited as a tornado in a trailer park for sledding? Or a fat kid eating chocolate cake? Or any other inappropriate comparison you can think of:)

dazed and obviously confused

2011-11-03T12:29:00.000-08:00

So, we have caught the flu here. Fun. It started Saturday night with she-devil vomiting at 830-ish. None of the rest of us have had that,...it's been the other end. :/ I know you were super happy to know that. I have been queasy for the past 3 days or so. And with this has come fatigue and light headed-ness, and some form of delirium.

Take for instance that I made grilled cheese last night. I didn't burn anything. In fact Matt and I were having a feisty conversation about me using the pan on the stove over the panini maker we have. Him saying it was faster and me arguing it wasn't. Of course none of this is relevant to the point of this...I just needed something to make this post seem worth reading. haha!

Point.

The fire alarms went off. Who knows why...like I said...nothing was burning. So I opened the door and grabbed a towel to fan the alarm. (matt told me to) So I see the white thing on the wall and go over to fan it. I'm fanning and fanning until Matt says

"honey,...that's the door bell".

Operation:The hills have eyes

2011-11-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Another project completed and given to you by the:

Well, around here it's not hills.

It's owls.

Where did all these birds come from?

Her.

It's been a little sew crazy around here. All the costume making and pillow case making, I think Aunt Sibil got antsy. She wanted to make something. So where do you turn to when you need something fun and quick and easy to make?

PINTEREST!

10 owls were sewn and half are waiting to be filled!

Consider this pin DEMOLISHED!

I just want to look grownup

2011-11-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

Do you ever go to open houses for the fun of it? I do. I'm not sure what draws me to go into other peoples homes that are for sale. Maybe because you know it's like the only time that anyone's house ever looks that good. And that organized. The downfall is when I leave I feel like my own home(while 90% clean 90% of the time) doesn't have any "ebb and flow". We kind of just buy decent things and leave it at that.

We did better this time. As in, buying varying shades of brown furniture. We think out of the box;) Room accents would be the pile of toys neatly stacked in the corner, my lap quilt on the back of the couch, and cords staring at you from the tv stand. So after feeling inspired to get some cohesiveness...I went to Joanns with a plan.

More brown. Ha! I used some handy dandy home decor velcro to hold up my newly sewn t.v console cover. Now Mr. Hippo isn't so enticed to suck on the PS3 cords and I don't have to stare at the mess behind the curtain. Then the basket. For the toys. It's just big enough to house the baby toys. Which means I make the other kids' toys stay up in their rooms. Win again.

Now all I need is something on the walls so it doesn't look so much like an asylum...

p.s. Day one of November aka the Thankful month= hot showers!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T13:53:00.001-08:00

Hope it's not as scary as realizing that this is your gene pool!

Or as frighteningly awesome as these costumes are!

(pj's aren't int the main event)

AH!

Operation: quinoa and black beans

2011-10-26T11:21:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh I have been a slacker in the dinner dept. No seriously. I have. I'm not entirely sure why? I know that the apparently rising cost of food has put a crimp in the amount/ingredients we need to sustain us for a week. If I go to costco, all I can get is the basics for recipes. If I go just to Wal-mart/carrs, we run out of stuff every week so it has to go back on the list. And really, I don't like having to pay for hamburger weekly. The sticker price just kills me.

Also, the fact that I'm trying to eat healthier and Matt has been on his own variation of food intake. Which means, things that I would would he couldn't eat. (low-grain with veggies ie no carbs) And I certainly don't care for eating a cow every night of the week. -see reason above-

The point of all this being is that I found a new recipe that called for things already on hand! Woo-hoo! And I'm kind of on this quinoa kick;)

Behold:

I made it and it was delicious. Sassy pants raved about how good it was too. It had a little heat to it so I added some sour cream and that made all the difference. But, I did not take a picture:/ Lame.

So, did any of you get inspired to tackle a 'pin' this week?

p.s. blogger didn't like the recipe link so if you want to try this go to allrecipes.com and search quinoa and it should come right up:)

Ruining dinner

2011-10-25T17:24:00.001-08:00

I've got to say that living in Alaska definitely has it's perks. One being that on any given day we can see bald eagles. Or moose. Or bears. (Bears I could do without, unless they are behind a fence)

The fam and I went down to Seward to the aquarium and saw this rotund mammal:

(long video)

It was huge. I don't know if the video gives it justice...but my gosh:) It was pretty neat seeing it do all it's tricks. Granted it had to, to get fed :)

On the way back we saw this:

This eagle was just standing on the side of the road! In the wild! We pulled over like the apocalypse was happening and it was totally acceptable...why?, because we live in Alaska! We were all trying to figure out why it was just standing there.

And this is what it was trying to fly off with:

yummmmmmmy

Take a ride on the crazy train

2011-10-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

Halloween is now like a week and a half away. Since I have a son that is old enough to not let me get away with sitting at home with the lights off, I had to think of costumes. Do I buy? Or make? Well, I certainly don't want to fight the people in line trying to buy costumes. I'll make them. I have never made a piece of clothing. No, I take that back. I made some baby night gowns for she-devil and they came out like,...poo. But she wore them so they were ok I guess. I won't give details yet just so if it is an epic fail...you never knew the difference:)

I also have this hair brained idea that I can run a half marathon next year. It's in June. So it's in 8 months and I already feel like I can't do it. Mostly. But I've got this thing with giving up things that seem to difficult so I'm really going to try to quit sucking. Ha! I'll keep you posted on how things progress.

And remember how I mentioned that I was going to team up with my sister in law? Well, she has gotten super busy with trying to take over the world. Which means that you are stuck with me...here...in Alaska. I'm hoping I can get her to participate in the Pinterest challenge occasionally. Speaking of that, do any of you want to get in on that? Either via link up, or a post? Just throwing that out there. Maybe I should wait till I hit 50 followers....so follow people! Follow!

Ok, I'm out to get some rest before I sew for the next few days straight! Wish me luck!

It's the little things

2011-10-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello again! It's week two of our mission to productivity instead of just pinactivity:) This week I tackled some house keeping tips. The inspiration came from this free printable:

I liked that it broke things down as 1) basic cleaning everyday and 2) assigned days to do the heavier work. Granted I don't have all the things on this list, but I am still finding it very helpful to keep on task with things. Especially doing laundry daily. I hate folding so I am finding that if I do one load a day, I am more likely to get things put away the same day instead of having a pile in the hallway! So I've got my sheet hanging up on my white board.

You can find the blog author of this printable at My 3 Monsters . She is very funny and actually got some heat for this sheet. Haha I made a rhyme. Ok. Another pinterest pin

COMPLETE!

My unofficial book reviews

2011-10-17T09:31:00.001-08:00

I've worked through some stuff and finally took some 'mental time' for myself:) First on the list is:

I found this book to be an o-k read. I have previously read the Hunger Games and this book follows kind of the same story. Minus the gore. Actually, I think Jen and I talked about how they are but aren't very similar. Haha, I know that doesn't really make sense, but it would if you read it. It's about a girl that gets 'matched' for marriage to her best child-hood friend. The government controls all of it. Even when you die. But when her grandfather dies he leaves her with words that get her mind going to change how things are.

I fund it a quick read and entertaining. The second comes out in less than a month and I will be reading that one as well:)

Next was:

I think I am WAY behind the eight ball on this one. I just started hearing about it when my Aunt in Arizona was less than impressed the theatre in her town didn't have it in opening day! I didn't even know it was a book. Luckily I went to book club and it was on the reading list for October.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing style was a little different so it took me a few chapters to get the hang of it per say. It's about a Jackson MO and the changes that were taking place in the 1960's with segregation. Or, the changes that MO didn't want to happen. A young college graduate applied for a writers job and not having any experience was told to write something worth reading. She decides that enlisting the help of the African American maids is the best way to go. She gets the inside scoop of life with white women, and not all being bad.

I'm ready to go see the movie, but will wait until Jen starts and finishes it...so she better get on it!

Now my reading list is empty. I'm patiently waiting for the next Ally Condie book, and the fourth Eragon book is due out in November also! Pretty stoked about that. So till then, I'll just prepare for the next Pinterest Challenge!

Operation Nutella cupcakes!

2011-10-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Pinterest challenge! What is this you ask? Well, if you are like us, then you find yourself spending ~~hours upon hours~~ time looking on the internet and 'pinning' all this stuff that you want to do, or make, or dream about. So Jen and I have said:

"TO HECK WITH PRETENDING TO BE CRAFTY"!

So if you come by on Wednesdays you will see what we have taken from our boards and done in real-life! We are really excited about this because who doesn't like amounting to things that they say they are going to do? Enough talk...let's get busy!

---------------

I like to cook. Well actually, I like to do difficult/new recipes. I think it makes me feel good about myself. So when I saw these cupcakes via Pinterest, I thought to myself "self, you should make those because you have a new found love of nutella". So I bought a jar at the horrendous price of $7.98!

So I made them. And let me tell you, they aren't a 'cake-walk'. ha...bad pun:) The recipe doesn't kid when it says the batter is thick. And swirling the nutella in them was a joke. I mean, I guess they got to it work since they have a pretty picture to suck you into wanting to make them yourself...but mine...no. I tried using a butter knife. So that may have been my problem. *note to self-try using a skewer or toothpick*

1 cupcake = 323 calories

And there you have it! As far as the taste...actually, a little dry. The Nutella helps. I think the batter is too thick. I may try with a boxed cake mix. Or maybe cooking them less. It said 25-30 minutes and I went 27. Should have gone 25. Oh well...maybe next time;)

Happy Halloween?

2011-10-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

If I thought clearly about having my sister here, and what things she may want to do as "sisters"....

I may have thought a little harder....

Co-author

2011-10-05T13:20:00.001-08:00

Hi! So I'm taking part in a new sort of adventure. I'm teaming up with my sister in law over at Pursuing Perfection. She thinks I can add some creative fun to her already creative blog and, what the heck, I say:) I'll still post here but it's probably going to be more of random catching up. But, because I LOVE all of my readers and don't want to lose them, please follow me over there! But not yet, cause I won't officially be posting until next week:)

September fun

2011-10-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

I forgot that taking pictures can be enjoyable, especially when the subject you are shooting wants to have their pics done. So my favorite for the month is of my little sister.

Thanks for the fun:)

I'm linking this up with Courtney at:

p.s. yes, she is cross-eyed...on purpose:)

2011-09-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

We've been eating our fair share of pudding around here lately since Aunt Sibil makes it:) So when I was asked by a recent reader to link up to her blog with a favorite picture, I couldn't resist.

linking up to:

Ordinary Inspirations

Gorgeous picture Wednesday

2011-09-21T15:52:00.000-08:00

Catching my breath and getting a second wind

2011-09-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

I had an awful few days last week/weekend. I haven't been that stressed out since we first moved here. The kids were cranky, Matt was/still is gone and the over-all adjustment period still isn't over I don't think. (moving here, school, Sibil)

But,

I have made progress! As of today she-devil has been diaper free for 10 days? She still sports the pull-up at night because I haven't quite figured out how to get her to understand what I expect of her. With sassy pants I think it was 'fear of God'. Plus he was older. That whole first experience was completely different than this one. But isn't that parenting? Major differences:

Sassy pants had no problems with peeing on the potty and loved getting little rewards. Number 2 was more difficult for him to do, either scared or whatever. He was dry at night right from the beginning.

She devil self initiated pooping all by herself and rewards don't mean squat. She's likes being cheered on more. Peeing was a huge pain in the butt. She didn't like to be made to sit but if I told her I had to go she danced right in with me and went.

We had some regression this weekend which put me in a huge foul mood. I think it was the switch in schedule and having Aunty here which is normal, but not normal for doing your business. And sassy pants was around...and there isn't any sort of calm when he's around:)

So we have made it over a huge hurdle in this house and I am feeling better about life. So much in fact that my SIL and I are going to start Mommy school in October. I'm getting myself amped up for it because I think I had an 'ah ha' moment, and realized that I am a stay at home mother. I should be throwing myself into the reason I am home. Enough of this tv watching, and get out of my hair nonsense. I'll be free to do whatever the heck I want when they are in school. Right?

Be of good cheer. If I can look at the positive and look to serve others(my children) then surely I should succeed!

And don't call me Shirley! lol

Big things in September

2011-09-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

Crawling. Pulling up. More teeth. Happier!

Here's to a another busy kid running amuck in my house...

Yes, I know

2011-09-10T17:08:00.001-08:00

I do have other things to blog about...really. And it will get done, because I am on a mission. But I wanted to share this lovely photo of Mr. Hippo.

He is 9 months already and crawling around the house picking up all the crumbs that got dropped after I vacuumed...go figure. Ahhh he's a cute kid. High maintenance, but cute. Ok, I will leave you with this 'womb-pulling' photo for now:)

I learned with this picture that I love my new 85mm! But besides that, I learned that the picture you are positive is a dud on the lcd will blow your mind when you see it full screen.

cc is welcome:)
f2.2 & 1/250

We came, we saw, we conquered

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

blue razberry jell-o

2011-09-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

So I've had three kids. Which means my body has been through three traumatic experiences. I'm also six years older from the first one. All this adds up to the number one reason I shouldn't go clothes shopping.

My sweet sister offered to watch our kids so the hubs and I could go out on a date. She said we were going to go shopping for this date. (blog post on that soon to follow) Well, since I haven't been to a normal store in a while I thought "sure! why the heck not". -chuckle- I picked her up at her dorm and we went to the mall. More specifically to her favorite store, Forever 21. Now before you all start rolling your eyes and thinking "well what do you expect shopping at a 'teeny bopper' store!?", they have more adult sizes there also.

Let me tell you what I learned:

1. bringing snacks is a good idea only when they don't leave a trail as to where you have been

2. I'm not sure skinny jeans are made for anyone: a)under 6 feet tall or b) don't have legs that take up more than half of your body

3. someone needs to make a better mirror for dressing rooms

4. I need to exercise

Needless to say I left the store feeling horrible about myself and deciding that I was only eating salad at dinner. And nothing but celery from here on out. Too top it off I was at church yesterday and I had asked a friend if there were any younger girls that I could get Sibil to meet so she could make some friends. Well the very cute and skinny friend that she introduced me to asked if I was the 18 year old. I smiled thinking about the sweet compliment and said "no, I wish" to which she replied, "oh well I didn't know sometimes people look older than they are".

*chirp*

It's time to get the ball on the roll friends. I'm not going to be the jiggling jell-o Mom anymore.

Respite

2011-09-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

So the hubs as been home this week. Remember when I was super excited because it meant that I was going to get caught up on things? Yea. That never happened. Instead he came home and worked all day in the office also. I'm not complaining that he has a job that keeps him busy and well paid(so I can pay off our crap) but it would have been nice for some QT.

I mean I knew that the weeks were going to go by faster now that sassy pants is in school. But adding hubby working out of town and then working in town...I have lost track of days. It's flipping Friday already! He leaves tomorrow. And waking up at 7 isn't stopping.

-eye roll-

I also have a nudist on my hands. Well she keeps the diaper on most of the time. I was coming back from getting sassy pants from the bus and she slipped out the door before I knew it. She had on her brothers shoes and a diaper and was trying to run away. It was like she had on flippers. I'm pretty sure I saw my neighbor laughing. I don't know what was worse...the fact she ran out in her diaper,

or the fact that now the neighbors think I don't dress my kid.

Conversation time

2011-09-01T16:57:00.000-08:00

"Mr. Hippo, we need to talk. You see, I haven't been around babies that much and I'm not exactly sure what to think about you holding onto,...umm..you know. My boobs".

"oh. Is that what those are"?

"well, how about I grab this instead"?

"is that better? why are you moving so much Aunt Sibil"?

"well you are ripping my gums apart and it HURTS"!

"ow! you got my eye! It burns"!

"I'm sorry Auntie. Don't look like that"!

"She's ok Mom, you cut my nails so it couldn't have hurt as much as she said it did".

I'm desperate

2011-08-31T19:51:00.000-08:00

Desperate for Desperate Housewives that is! Yes, season 7 came out yesterday and since season 8 starts in less than a month, I have some watching to do. This also means that my picture editing is getting behind. Which is fairly annoying since I have some pretty good ones.

But in other news, the youngest (who will from now on be referred to as Mr hippo) is cranky. Like whining/crying/grumpy all day. I find it difficult to have sympathy after hours and hours and hours of this behavior. I know something isn't right, but it gets trying. And he and his sister have both have some less than pleasant bowel movements-I know that thrills you all to death-. I think I'm just justifying my tv watching as a result of the constant poo diapers and clingy children.

Man, I'm boring myself tonight. So with that, I am leaving you. I will go get myself some butterfinger ice cream *to eat my emotions* and watch some more DH *to enjoy someone elses fake drama*.

Night!

Meet 'Man-na'

2011-08-30T10:45:00.001-08:00

So the little bird 'flew the coop' as they say. And her little wings took her to Alaska!

The kids and I were pretty excited about going to the airport to pick up Aunt Sibil. We even made some cute signs per her request.

She loves the show Adventure Time, so I thought it appropriate to help her feel normal by having her favorite characters plastered all over a giant poster board for fellows airport goers to stare at and ask silly questions. My son was as helpful as he always is, and only complained 87% of the time we were there. In between asking for something to eat after we had just had dinner not even 20 minutes beforehand.

This picture is titled "anguish". Enough said.

There she is!

This was the smile she broadcasted as she saw her sign, and the kids that were so lovingly waiting for her. Then she started crying. I figure it's because she was overcome with ~~the realization that she was stuck in the 'last frontier' with this sign and kids~~ joy and she was finally off the plane:)

And her new name is Manna. (Per the speech inflections of she-devil) Like 'manana' only without the middle 'a'. We are still trying to figure out how you get that out of Sable...

Really Irene...

2011-08-26T14:43:00.000-08:00

So in the land of nod there was a hurricane scaring everyone out of their panties.

Which got me thinking...

The thing that makes me chuckle most, are people rushing to the store to stock up on things that they should already have.

I read a news piece the other day about our governor calling for people to be more prepared because, well, Alaska is known for it's hard winters and earthquakes. As I was reading the comments there was a fair amount of ridicule towards this leader. They compared him to other "failed" leadership. Now I read that and thought...yah, you are right Mr. Governor. I need to be getting my house in order. I need to be getting my food storage built up. I need to be building a nest egg while getting out of debt.

So where do you fall? Are you the people on the land telling Noah he's a fool for preparing for the flood? Now I'm certainly not saying my governor is a prophet, but inspired, definitely. I'm not however falling into the 'end of the world in 2012' club. I don't think it will be that soon. But do I think it's going to get worse? Absolutely. Which makes preparation such a key element. Which also reminds me that we need a gun. Or two. I also need to learn how to use one. Believe me, when it does get worse you can bet your kiester that I won't be sharing and I won't let it be stolen. Ok, I might share. Maybe. You could knock three times and ask. No promises though!

So will you be prepared when the world goes to pot?

Bullies

2011-08-25T19:58:00.001-08:00

So sassy pants told me this afternoon about the bus ride. He hasn't been very thrilled with having to ride it. It was made better today by the fact that his friend rode today. Back to the point. He told me that there was an older kid trying to take money from a little kids back pack.

Really?

This bus only takes the elementary kids home. And already there are bullies trying to steal money? So I asked him if he did anything. If he told a grown up? I also told him that that was bullying and it isn't ok. I told him that he should stick up for the child next time and to tell a grown up. While I think it's important for him to realize that picking on other kids isn't right, I also know that there are repercussions of being the "tattle". So what do you do? I want these qualities of compassion and standing for what you believe, but I also want him safe.

So what is a mother to do?

ohhhh school -insert exasperrated sigh-

2011-08-24T20:02:00.001-08:00

We are officially a school going family. Insane I tell you. Here I am thinking that my days are going to be relaxed and uneventful and I will just be able to do things at my own leisurely pace. I must have been on drugs. My days now start at 7 am. Every day. Sunday night I was so paranoid that I was going to be late getting him to school that I slept like poo. And all the excitement around here is turning my brain into mush. It's going to take a few days to catch up on all of it. So I'm jumping to the middle here since my sister did come in the night before these pictures were taken. Oh well. So here is sassy pants hanging out "patiently" before the ride in. He's so grown up now it's crazy.

This would be an Iphone picture. I could see the nervousness in his face through all of his smiles.

And of course I had to make him sit on the rocks so I could get another one.

Can you see it? The 'baby' in him still who is really excited about school but scared to death also...

I have not been impressed with photos of me recently so this is only making it because it's the right thing to do. :/

I think he was looking off at the other kids. Oh yah...and this is his new haircut after he decided to take matters into his own hands.

That is it for tonight friends. My brain is shot. I've been calling the college, going to the college, getting up early and going to bed late. The hubs comes home on Saturday so I'm hopeful that I can use his R&R as a reprieve and get caught up on stuff.

So is this normal? Is this my life now?

You might be a photgrapher when

2011-08-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

You make a reference about how your new sunglasses are like going from 5 megapixels to 15.

I have my very first pair of prescription sunglasses! So stoked I can't even tell you! I had a different pair picked out but the hubs saw the 'Oakley' sign and couldn't help himself:) Who says women are the only brand mongers.

I'm still waiting on my regular glasses, but it's ok. Nothing wrong with wearing shades in the rain...

Right?

I'm the only wife

2011-08-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

I stole this off of THIS blog because I find it pretty amusing. :)

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Yes, I am a 'Mormon'. :)

She doesn't take no very well

2011-08-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Bedtime around here is usually at 7.With Alaskan summers being what they are I'm relatively surprised how well I have done. But there are those really busy and hectic nights that I just want to throw the kids in their pj's, say a prayer and call it good. This isn't the case when dealing with a very, persuasive, little girl.

Every night we do this little thing before she lets me leave her room. I typically say goodnight and "I love you" and she starts her routine of where I'm going to kiss her next. So I wait. "nose" I kiss the nose. "head" I kiss her head. -points to one eye "eye" I kiss her eye. -points to other eye "eye". And this continues until she has had enough pointing and grants me permission to leave. Yes, I'm being governed by a two year old. But if you were here and heard the screeching, and growling, and flailing against the door...you'd kiss the sweet face 800 times also.

Tonight, however, she switched it up. Instead of going right to the next thing on her list she says(with her finger on her chin and her thumb nearby) "hmmm...let's see". Ha ha ha! She cracks me UP! There is never a dull moment with her. Ever.

In other news, it looks like my little sister will be coming out here for school! How crazy is that?! You would remember her from this post. Ha ha. Anyway...her ticket is bought and she comes out Sunday! I'm pretty excited about it. She wanted us to have a sign ready, like we are her tour guides picking up a client. Whatever. :)

The quarterly switch up

2011-08-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

Well I don't know if it's a quarterly switch up, but I have revamped. I think I can live with this for a while. I'm also trying to find an area of my life that I can focus on, or at least 'organize' most of it. While I would continue to update you all on my new life changing epiphany,....a certain child's dirty diaper is screaming to be changed. This will make today's grand total poopie diapers to 5 6. baby 4 she-devil 2.

Thank goodness potty training is right around the corner...

Construction zone...slow speed, serious fines will be enforced

2011-08-17T19:53:00.003-08:00

I am re-vamping here folks....please bare with me as I switch it up!

Again?

2011-08-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ba dum...

ba dum....

ba dum ba dum..

ba dum bad dum....*shriek* baaaaaaaah!!!!

And there goes my plan to have a nice wave-e hair school picture.

How's your school preparedness going?

An early celebration

2011-08-13T21:50:00.004-08:00

(click on images to make larger)

We celebrated she-devil's birthday a week or so early so that Daddy could be here. I'm not sure what it is about this girl's birthday parties but I stress out big time. Last year's party was super cute and I can not believe I didn't blog about it...hmph! Well anyway, it stressed me out. I blamed it on being preggers with boy number 2. So what is my excuse this year? No. I. Dea.
I'll just chalk it up to...just getting moved in. Yes! That will work. It worked out and, while it wasn't as elaborate as I have been known to throw, she seemed as happy as any two year old could be with her "birday" :)
I hold no promises to what will happen for sassy pants' birthday though. I'm thinking....

Aaaaaarg me matey!

I was winning

2011-08-10T10:11:00.003-08:00

living

2011-07-30T18:25:00.001-08:00

I am not dead my friends.

We have camped, packed, and moved. And in an hour I go to the airport to pick up the hubs!!!! So, while I have a ton of things to write about...I'm not sure it's going to get soon:) So I apologize for those of you whose lives revolve around my blog. Ha! Talk to you soon...

Read the fine print

2011-07-26T06:16:00.000-08:00

I have this obsession with craigslist. If you follow my blog you should be aware of that from this post, and this one. I used it to find our new home. I also use it to compare my photography to those that advertise on there. This is usually a big ego boost for me. Seriously. I don't advertise myself mostly because ~~I have poor self-esteem and no guts~~ if I were to get someone interested, I don't have someone I can call anytime to watch my kids if need be. So when I need a pick-me-up I check it out. I'm usually never disappointed!

But this time I stumbled upon a page for 'talented Alaskan moms'. So being a mother, and "talented" I opened the ad and saw a facebook page address. I found this Mom that had crochet hats for sale along with some other things and they looked really cute. The pictures were O-K. Something I thought could use some help. Well on the left of her page I saw "need...photographer". So I thought...oh wow she needs a photographer to take some pictures of her stuff. Ok, I'll email her and tell her I would do it.

But then I read it again.

She was the photographer! Advertising herself for work! I'm glad I caught that before I insulted her badly by offering myself to take some product pictures!!! whew!! Crisis averted!

BUT, I follow this other blog and her name is Jenn and she cracks me up! You can find her not jiggling HERE. She recently posted about making her own cloth diapers and deciding to open up her own Etsy shop to sell them. Since she also frequents my blog, and has commented on my pictures, I thought I'd extend my offer to her. Lucky me...she said yes!!! And I only know this because I went back and looked at her comment section;)

ANYWAY!

She wrote back in her comment section for me to send her an email with my address in it so she could send the diaper to me. All I saw was...."email.....your". So what did I do? I wrote her an email with my email address!!! Holy embarrassing! I think it's time for me to slow down a second and actually take in the information that is presented to me.

Who knows what I could say next....

I'll remember next time

2011-07-21T06:13:00.000-08:00

So... another neat thing about living in "the last frontier"...eagles. And I spotted my very first one since being here. Actually I didn't spot it. Some other kids pinpointed the built-in telescope and binoculars to the bald eagle sitting in a tree. Boy was that bird sitting far...far...far away!

And the doofus I am forgot the zoom lense! Who does that? Oh well. Better luck next time. For now I've got this tiny speck, that you need a magnifying glass to see, as proof it was there.

This was down at Potter's Marsh. It was quicker to get to than it seemed the first time I drove by. It's a nice little boardwalk that is double stroller friendly. woo-hoo! The kids enjoyed themselves and sassy pants got to run ahead of us and scope out things. Of course we might have had better luck seeing wildlife if he wasn't wearing his cowboy boots and stomping like a herd of water buffalo! But who am I to want to see wildlife closer than a mile away! Unless you count fish.

Fact: salmon are silver when in the ocean and turn colors

when they come up river to spawn

(click to make larger)

It was a gorgeous afternoon none the less. Feel free to right click away on the panorama if you would like.

For your viewing enjoyment

2011-07-20T06:00:00.002-08:00