Dumpster Diving

2 gift bags, frisbee, canned air, mini "toasting" cups, paper reinforcers, happy birthday hats and candles, potpourri, marble (?) bracelet

fan, alarm clock, pet sawdust, binder, clip, wide tape, batteries

plastic ware, revere teapot (new), pyrex, foil baking sheets (new-a bunch), coffee filters, farberware steamer, insulated cup

5 new in box tubes of toothpaste, brand new vitamins, etc.

towels, sheets, mattress pad, wash cloths, dishcloths, bath mat sets

size 12 adidas (not great), size 15 new balance (great), new socks, fancy purse

And that's not counting clothes that the kids are wearing, fancy shampoo they can't keep their hands off of, and all the stuff Emily brought home.
(yes I wash it and no it's not all going to stay here. The size 15 sneaks are spoken for, thanks to Little Brenda. Wonder if Pat knows which of his past co-workers I'm referring to)

Eeuuww

A book series I am enjoying

(critical to have books when you're ignoring important stuff)
The first one in the series is A Penny for Your Thoughts by Mindy Starns Clark. It is Christian ("inspirational") fiction with some love and mystery. It can be borrowed from the Houghton Church Library, if you can't get it from your own local inter-loan library.

How my job spills over into my personal life

This post has been removed in order not to offend any more auntie's sensabilities.

Now, AB, my mental picture was: them laughing when they saw what was left for them. I don't think about aftermaths, otherwise I'd perpetually be beat red on my job! ;)

The variety of Choices at a Super-Walmart

Thursday night I went shopping at a Super-Walmart I'd never been to before. It was the size of a Sam's Club. It had so many choices, I was hard pressed what to pick!

For example, in the meat section, I found (labeled in Spanish and English): Cheekmeat, tongue, ox tail, cow's tail, sliced liver, two different types of tripe (I didn't realize there were different types!) and something else that I'm hard pressed to remember because I'd never seen it before.

I chose the salmon, ground beef and shrimp and headed back home. What a "boring" culinary life I lead! ;)

Meah and Shannon

My, what beautiful girls. I'll try to print these up for (Great) Grandma. Does Simone use cloth diapers and wool soakers? I would love to knit some soakers and I don't know anyone who would use them. I wish I hadn't had a wool aversion when my kids were in diapers. Live and learn.
Meah
born
April 28,2005
9lbs,9oz
Ht.22 inches

Cindy's hula girl

Family, Let's all welcome Thomas and give a big hand to his Mommy for having him!!

Hey y'all, just a quick update before I dash TWO cities over to do sports physicals (WHAT was I smoking when I agreed to that??)

Alison (addy's daughter!no last names here!) had a Baby Boy yesterday evening. 8 lbs and 5 oz, 20 inches long. Has lots of hair. If you want her address or phone number, let me know via email!

Congrads Alison! Now we just need the picture!! Yipee!!

Alaska Mug

DSCN0780, originally uploaded by Lil' Brenda.

Mom, incase you were wondering what to bring me back, or HEY, MOM, PLEASE BUY ME FIVE OF THESE AND I'LL PAY YOU FOR THEM-JIM'S ALWAYS AFRIAD I'M GOING TO BREAK IT AND IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE MUGS!(I just tell him we'll have to go back to get a new one to replace it-haha) ;)

Sideview of coveted Alaska Mug

DSCN0779, originally uploaded by Lil' Brenda.

Mom, just incase you see this from the side, you can spot it across the store! ;)
(I recommend Walmart for your sovenir needs-has the best prices by far!)

Chad and Amie

Chad and Amie, originally uploaded by Lil' Brenda.

Yeah! Pictures from the wedding! Isn't this an AMAZING picture?!

Chad and Amie II

Chad and Amie II, originally uploaded by Lil' Brenda.

Man, Chad's way smart-didn't have to fork over money to feed everyone! ;)

Jim and Cottage

Jim and Cottage, originally uploaded by Lil' Brenda.

I love this picture of Jim standing infront of the TINY cottage we stayed in for two nights in Seward, Ak when we simply HAD to dry out our wet tent and sleeping bags. $40 a night in Alaska=an outhouse and no running water.

Cindy's Christmas Tree

It's a baby boom in Mountain land!

Your turn, 'Lil B!

And ANOTHER cooking lesson...

Another neighbor; this time a Mexican lady brings over a bloody roast and asks me to show her how to cook it. I lend her my crock pot and intend to show her my recipe for crock pot roast; but as usual my cooking lesson backfires in that she brings over a huge wicker basket of all her own spices and procedes to spice it up her own way; i.e. meticulously grinding up garlic in her wooden mortar and pestle thingie, slicing the roast all over and stuffing in pieces of onion, etc. Which is all right, but the whole point of the crock pot is to make things as simple and as easy as possible! I was going to show her how I throw the roast in the crock pot, dump in some ketchup, steak sauce, etc. and some vegetables, bang the lid on and run out the door like I used to do the mornings before work. She is (like) trying to make this whole culinary production out of a crock pot recipe, for crying out loud! I'm telling you, she must have spent 45 minutes just putting the spices on the meat before she finally put it in the pot!
So, everyone is asking me to show them how to cook but no one is actually LETTING me show them how to cook.

Meah Elizabeth

Now, we just need DETAILS!