*Monday Memos*

*MONDAY MEMOS*

 

                          
 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge -if print is too small, you need glasses! ☺)

This may get published before I post about our Hawaii trip!  But, it is coming!

dear jet lag, I don't think I ever adjusted to the time change while in Hawaii.  They are four hours behind us.  Coming back has been a little bit easier even though it should have been harder.  I'm just grateful I was able to get some good sleep the night we returned!

dear needing a vacay after returning from a vacay, this always happens when you go nonstop while "vacationing" so you can get it all in!  Skyler made sure we didn't miss a thing.  He was a great host and tour guide.  But boy... am I tired and could use a little down time.  Too bad for me, there is no time for that.  I did get unpacked and most of the laundry done in record time for me.  However, Taylor will be home in ONE month and so I have to keep burning the midnight oil in order to get everything done I need to for that.  I am trying to get caught up on a lot of things that I should have while he was gone and I am also trying to get my house in better shape for his return as well.  I had planned on having it all painted, the hardwood floors redone, the basement finished 100%, and on and on.  Didn't happen.  Not even one of those things.  Besides all of that, I have started to redecorate a bit in some rooms and so that is keeping me busy.   I also have a lot of places that need organizing and a deep clean before his homecoming.  I have always said that it's a good thing I have something to motivate me to get these kind of things done or they never would!  Now if I only had few more months!  

Sigh...

I want to go back to Hawaii!

Speaking of vacationing, I saw this funny sign on the back of trailer this week while driving.  Cracked me up! (you'll have to click to enlarge)

dear sky, I sure do miss you already!  I am so excited you will be coming home soon for Taylor's return!  I also miss that incredible island of paradise you call home right now.  Of course, home is where your mother is, and so I know you must be homesick! hah  Here is a recent fish you caught this week.  This one is really weird!  His head goes out about a foot beyond your right hand.

dear elder wilding (aka taylor), YOU ARE ALMOST HERE!  I am getting so excited I can hardly stand it!  I'm almost giddy!  I know these next few weeks are going to fly right by!  I also know that you are not as excited about coming home as we are about having you back (two years is a VERY VERY LONG time!) because you love the people in Brazil that you have taught and served and it is going to be very hard for you to say goodbye to most of them probably for the rest of this earth life.  Hopefully you will be able to reunite with a few of them once you return.  Facebook is such an awesome thing for keeping in touch that way as well.  

 Now that's a lot of rain!
Man, you've gotten skinny boy!

 If you came home this week, you would have felt right at home!

dear first run since the marathon, I have to say those first couple of miles I was feeling such a love for running.  I was feeling like a bird flying in the air as free as can be.  Then about mile three I started to "feel" it.  The legs were still a bit tight from the full and I could tell I wasn't fully recovered quite yet.  But I kept going and got up to seven miles.  I only ran five of those because I walked the first two because I was talking to my Mom on the phone about the trip.  I was happy that I finally got out there and pounded me some pavement.  I have never gone this long without running after a full.  There just wasn't time while in Hawaii and I was much more sore than after most of my other fulls and so I wasn't feeling one bit bad for taking the time off.  But, I need to get back to the grindstone.  I am not signed up for any races currently, but Jen wants me to run the Spooktacular in Mantua and the Haunted Half Marathon in SLC.  When I got online to register for the Haunted Half, I didn't do it because they want $64 for that race.  I'm not sure why race directors think they can keep going up in price, but they do.  The Ogden Half is now almost as much as the full.  It's getting kind of ridiculous.   But, after a while I will probably end up registering for it anyway because I need something to keep me motivated to get out that door each day. 

dear outing to city creek with friends, I felt bad we had to cancel due to some conflicts of a couple of the peeps, but in some ways I am actually relieved.  I had so much to do today and I was having a hard time justifying going and playing all day especially when McKay was out of school for a teacher prep day and Dave was also off.  I was unaware of both of those things when I said I could go.  I tried to really use my time wisely and get as much done as I could.

dear boy's memory boxes, well... I have put getting you caught up long enough.  The stack of things I needed to file was getting enormous and making my laundry room look like a mess.  I decided to tackle you on the day I was supposed to go to City Creek with some friends. It was like I was given a free day.  I needed the entire day too!  And I am still not done!  WHAT A PROJECT!  It makes me angry with myself that I didn't stay on top of it each year.  But, I didn't.  Sometimes I am a super duper procrastinator and it always comes back to bite me.  The night before we left for Hawaii, I was thinking of all the "what ifs?" if we were to die.  Yeah, I do that every time I go on a trip.  I'm weird like that.  Those memory totes were one of the things that was nagging at me.  That and my messy closet that I got organized the week before.  I knew if I died that NO one else would ever do those memory boxes and I want my boys to have them. They are basically their entire life in a box.  Years ago I completed Skyler, Tyson's, and most of Bryce's, but Taylor and McKay's I hadn't even put much of a dent in.  After spending all day long sorting and filing and trimming newspaper articles, and organizing and reminiscing over so many memories, my back was aching in the worst way!  I had papers scattered everywhere all over my bedroom floor!  It was an overwhelming sight!  I can't believe I didn't take a picture!   I had to get as much done as possible because I knew the rest of this week I wouldn't have much time to do anymore.  I was right.  The project is still not 100% completed and I think I will need another good day at least to get it all done, but at least I got rid of that huge pile and things are well on their way to being where they need to be.  I do like my system though because I think it's simpler and easier than doing a "scrapbook".  Faster anyway, unless you put it off for years!  But, it does the lack the convenience of holding a book in your hand and turning the pages of preserved memories.  Their totes are essentially their scrapbooks.  I have a file folder for each year of their life starting with Preschool.  It goes all the way up to their 12th grade year.  I file according to the school year, not the actual year.  Everything that happened that year that was of significance or worth saving (articles or photos of them in the newspaper, report cards, birthday parties, cards from grandparents, funny things they wrote or drew, awards, certificates, vacation memories, diplomas, all of the special things of that school year, etc.) I put in the folder of the year it occurred.  Truth is, they may never even look inside them ever for as long as they live, but I feel good knowing all those things are preserved somewhere.  I have decided that I am a historian at heart.  I know this because I started keeping a journal when I was eight years old and have continued to throughout my life.  I have this inborn desire to preserve the things that happen in this life of mine and my children's.  I really have no idea why, I just know that it's something that is part of who I am.  I know some people that don't save anything of their children's lives and it really makes me crazy.  My mind doesn't work that way.  I will admit, I save some things that are totally not worth saving and over the years I have gotten better at that. I think I saved every single school paper of my firstborn's Kindergarten year.  I have gotten a lot better at letting those kind of things go.  But, I still do save a lot more than I need to. I have a lot of files in my laundry/craft room that I need to go through and dejunk big time.  Back when I saved all those things, there was no internet or pinterest or a way to save them electronically and so I would cut out articles from magazines on parenting, decorating, traditions, parties, and holiday ideas etc. and file them away.  It's time now for those things to be hitting the road soon.  

This is Tyson's Memory Box

So glad I have this!

dear manic manicans, I only got one photo of you this week.  I'm sure you changed your appearance more than once, but that's all I was able to capture.  

dear football dinner, I was asked to make two dozen brownies and so when I delivered them to the school, I decided to go around and put down our blankets for the game so we could get the seats we wanted.  If you wait until game night you end up sitting in a really bad spot and so it's worth it to me.  When I got to the stadium the team was still practicing and I didn't want to go out and do it while they were on the field and so I sat in the car and waited thinking it would be 10 minutes at the most.  30 minutes later, they ended practice and went in to eat.  Normally I would have been bothered with having to wait for that long, but instead I decided to make the best of it and I got caught up with a lot of peeps on things I needed to via my cell phone.  What did we do without technology?  Sometimes it is definitely a curse, but most of the time it's a blessing.

dear new recipe of the week, this week I tried a new Goulash recipe.  I am a huge pasta fan and Italian flavored anything so I was hoping this would be good.  It didn't disappoint other than I didn't have elbow macaroni and so had to substitute with Rotini noodles that I don't think were quite as good as the elbow would have been.

Bobby's Goulash (recipe courtesy Paula Deen)
Ingredients
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 large yellow onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 cups water
2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes (I used one quart of our canned tomatoes)
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
3 bay leaves
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon House Seasoning below (I used Hidden Valley powder dressing mix)
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
Mix the ingredients together and store in an air-tight container for up to 6 months. Use as a seasoning on meat and when cooking vegetables.

Directions
In a Dutch oven, (I used a frying pan) saute the ground beef over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Break up the meat while sauteing. Spoon off any grease. Add the onions and garlic to the pot and saute until they are tender, about 5 minutes. Add 3 cups water, along with the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, soy sauce, House Seasoning, and seasoned salt. Stir well. Place a lid on the pot and allow this to cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Add the elbow macaroni, stir well, return the lid to the pot, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat, remove the bay leaves, and allow the mixture to sit about 30 minutes more before serving.  Serve with garlic bread and a salad.

dear aunt dixie, I am so excited you came for a short visit.  I love it when you come because then I have an excuse to get together with my parents and other relatives more often.  I stopped by to see you on my way home from running errands in Ogden on Friday and again on Saturday and it was good to see you.  It was fun eating Cafe Rio at my Mom's house and chatting and catching up.  I wish you could stay longer than four days, but at least you were able to come.  I feel bad your health isn't very great right now, but hopefully you will start to feel better soon.  I am looking forward to going out to breakfast on Monday with you before you go home too.  

 We were all matchy matchy and so we needed a picture of it. I used my timer app and as you can see we got kind of carried away.  What a riot!  I love my family!

 We brought home Cafe Rio!  Mmm.... it was yummy!  My Pa was a big boy and ate his all gone!

Cute Mya and Britt also stopped by on Saturday

dear friday night lights(ning), this week we played Roy.  We had a game delay due to LIGHTNING for about 45 minutes and then once that ended it started to POUR!  It was coming down so hard!  Those poor boys!  It was kind of fun though too.  There were so many umbrellas up that it looked pretty cool.  It stopped for a while and then it picked up again and even worse!  I was soaking wet because the people in front of me had their umbrella at an angle that allowed the rain to run off of it and onto me!  It was just pouring down so bad!  Right at the end of the game, it started to pour again!  Sadly, we got beat, but Roy is undefeated and #1 in region right now and so I wasn't too upset about it.  McKay on the other hand was.  I don't think I've seen him so sad after a game loss.  I am glad I went and put down blankets though because I ended up needing enough seats for 12 people!  Dave's parents, my parents, Dave's sister's family, and his other sister and my niece Mickey all came.  Also my friend Robin and her hub wanted to know if they could sit by us and we had enough room for them too.  What we hadn't planned on was seating a total stranger.  This guy came walking over by us and sat down next to Dave's sister Karen (nearly on her lap!) and I guess he didn't have enough leg room there and so he plopped himself down between Dave and my brother in law who were sitting in front of her!  Didn't even ask, just pushed his way in between them and they were sitting fairly close!  Craziest thing I ever saw!  I think he was either certifiably crazy or drunk.  Whatever he was, it was entertaining for us all.  He sat there until almost the very end of the game too.  We play Bonneville next week.  Not sure which side I should cheer for.  hehe  It was really nice to not have to carb load and set my alarm for an early wake up call for my long run because I knew it would be cooler in the morning and I'm only going 10 miles.  That sounds kind of funny to say "only going 10 miles"!  You know you just finished marathon training when you say that!

 Before the downpour!

 I think those boys were praying for rain! 

 I had a hard time getting everyone to look and smile for the picture. 
Our "guest" is sitting next to Dave in this one ↓.

 There he is again ↓ haha

It poured!  McKay is #40.

I walked by these posters ↓ to take a photo of McKay's and there were four girls standing by it looking at him and one was touching his face and one said something like, "Oh McKay" as she rubbed his face and was practically drooling over it.  I tried to inconspicuously snap a photo of them as they started to walk away, but as you can see, the one girl saw me.  hahahahaha  Still haven't asked him if he knows them, which I'm sure he does, but pretty funny. 

dear long run, it was pouring rain and that only made me more excited to get out on a run!  I absolutely love running in the rain!  I had tried to get together with Jen or Robin, but Jen was sick and Robin did hers on Friday and so I was on my own.  I was going to try and go 10, but once I got out I decided to just go eight and see how I felt.  Robin told me at he game that her daughter-in-law was not going to be able to run St. George because she hadn't trained at all and so I could have her bib if I wanted it.  I was surprised how excited that made me.  Especially this close after a marathon!  haha  It's my head that wants to run it, but my body says, "NO!".  Robin really wanted me to come and run it with her because this is her first marathon and she said that it would be so great to have me there with her.  It sounded like so much fun.  I can't even believe I actually thought that!  I can't even explain it.  I really want to run St. George and I think that is going to be my Boston Qualifying marathon if I can get in next year.  It's really hard to get in because so many want to run it.  It's a lottery now.  I had the opportunity to run it under my own name a couple of months ago but I choose to do Big Cottonwood instead thinking it would be a better course. I really wish I had chose to go with St. George now because it's course is so much better.  Live and learn!  But at about mile four on this week's long run, I decided that doing another full this soon after my other one would be an injury waiting to happen.  Some people can run back to back marathons and not have any problems but I'm not one of them....at least not yet.  Maybe the more fulls I get under my belt, the easier that will be.  Anyway, as I was running behind the high school I saw another crazy runner out there in the rain and as I got closer, I saw it was Linda!  I asked her how far she was going and she said 10. She was on mile 4 and I was on 5.5 and so we ran together the last 5 of mine and she went further after we got to my house.  I got in 10.5 so I was happy!  I felt okay other than it felt like I was running 8's and 9's and I was only going 11's and 12's.  That confirmed my decision about the St. George marathon. That, and the fact that I read on Facebook that they are really strict with running under someone else's name and you can be disqualified if caught.  That would not be worth it to me.  Besides if I am going to run a marathon I want it under my own name!  haha

 Raining hard ↑ but hard to tell from picture.

With Linda.  I was so glad I ran (nearly literally) into her!  The rain had eased up a lot by then.

dear general women's meeting, I can't believe I totally forgot about you!  I had gone into Ogden again to run errands and then to my Mom's to visit with my Aunt Dixie when my friend Robin text me asking me if I was going to the meeting.  I told her I forgot but would try and get back in time.  Luckily, I barely made it home in time to throw on a skirt and get to the church.  Robin saved me a seat by her.  I am so glad she text me because it was the BEST meeting!  I was so moved and touched by each speaker and especially the cute Korean Children's Choir!  They were adorable!  I really loved Sister Burton's talk (in fact I just did a blog post about her talk here) and Pres. Uchtdorf's was amazing!  I felt so blessed to be there and to be a member of this church.  What a grand blessing it is in my life.  I learned that I have a lot of improving to do, but Pres. Uchtdorf's message was so comforting and made me feel so loved by my Heavenly Father even with all of my imperfections.  I had tears that, as hard as I tried, I just couldn't keep inside the eyeballs.

Yes he does!

dear mr. cat, I think you actually try and pose for me at times.  What a beautiful setting with you on my purple rock and the gorgeous greenery in the background.

dear week, I had a lot of things on my to do list this week and most of them didn't get checked off.  I am not sure how I am going to get everything done that I need to.  I pray that somehow I will have some help from above to make time extend somewhat so I can get it all done!  That can happen right? 

(we think alike Dawn!)