Back in Time

This morning as my son opened up his Got 2b Glued hair gel there was some hard dried up glue caked on the inside of the lid. No surprise there since it is glue! Now instead of me giving him the "please put the lid on tighter next time" lecture that any on the stick mother would do, I instead was immediately taken back to a time long ago (and I mean looooooooooooong ago!) that involved hardened glue. It was in the fourth grade. My teacher's name was Mrs. Grow. It wasn't her hair style that brought back the instant recall... though this was the 70's and her hair was slicked back on top (possibly with Elmer's glue!) and the rest was propped high on her head in barrel rolls. Oh, I have great memories of fourth grade. But when I saw that hard glue this morning it brought back a memory of those days I had long since forgotten. Elmer's Glue Faux Fingernails! Not just any fake fingernails mind you, but Homemade Elmer's Glue fingernails. Yes, these puppies were not something you could just run to the nearest Wal-Mart and pick up when you were in need. Oh no. These took some time and effort.
The first step was to squeeze the glue into some kind of mold. The hole thingies in our rulers worked best, but we would often just squeeze it out onto some wax paper. Then when they were dry, we shaped them onto our nails with just a little moisture. Viola! Instant nails! I can still remember how they tasted as we licked them so they would stick. They didn't last all that long, but they made this 4th grader feel pretty clever. And they looked much more real if you painted them with colorful (purple!) nail polish.
As this memory was coming back into full recall, I started to think back about the other unique things we did back then. I remembered we all took bouillon cubes to school too. We would pull back the wrapper and lick at them all day. We really thought they were tasty! Bleh! I guess they weren't all that bad when you balanced them out with dry Jello.


Yes, Jello.

At least Jello actually tasted good. We took packets of it and dipped our fingers in the bag and then licked our fingers. Can you imagine the colorful tongues (and fingers!) in that classroom? Bouillon brown and Jello red! When I say we, I mean most of the class was doing this. By most, I mean the cool ones...ya know like me. Heh heh.

My favorite one of all was the melted sugar candy. The recipe was exchanged among all the classmates. It consisted of: (go grab your pencil!) 1 cup of sugar. Did you get that? Here, let me repeat it just in case you missed it: 1 cup of sugar. That's the recipe in it's entirety. A good recipe for most fourth graders. At least it was easily recalled when we got home and tried it out. The instructions were even more simple. Just pour the sugar in a pan on low heat until it is melted completely. It turns into a carmel brown liquid. Then pour it on a cookie sheet and let it harden. Break it up in little pieces, put it in a baggy and take it to school to suck on all day. I am starting to understand now why I had so many cavities as a kid!
In third grade outside at recess we would gather up all the leaves and make an outline of a house complete with all the rooms. We would even outline beds, tables, chairs, and toilets. Yes toilets. Well...what ya gonna do without one of them? We would have a whole neighborhood of houses going down the side of the school. That was a lot of fun!
I was trying to remember other things we did that were just as interesting, but I went blank. So I have decided to ask you...my bloggy readers, what things YOU did as an elementary schooler that was unique in some way. Even if you're a regular lurker, (and I love my lurkers!), now's the time to speak up. Please tell me the things you and your classmates did that I haven't included on my list, or more importantly that I have. Did anyone else do any of these bizarre things too? Share away! I can't wait to hear what you did. I am hoping they will spark a memory of some other things I forgot about! Leave the time period you were that age as well just for fun. Do things change all that much with each generation? Guess we will see!!! Get thinking and start reminiscing! In the meantime, I'm off to try out faux fingernails with Got 2b Glued!

FRIDAY FEAST!

Appetizer
What is the weather like today where you live?

Well, it is currently 81 degrees, but it is 12:30 a.m. right now! So when the sun comes up it is going to be a scorcher! But I am NOT complaining! I was so tired of that long winter that the heat is MORE than welcome!

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?

I consider motherhood a career so I would have to say 10+!!! Not only is it a career but it is the hardest and most challenging one out there. If anyone begs to differ then you aren't a mom!

Salad
What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?

We live against a mountain side and so we don't have any window coverings in most of the back of our house, but in the front we have plantation shutters. I wanted them for so long and I love them!

Main Course
Name something that instantly cheers you up.

Chocolate! But since that is a no brainer, I will also say children, animals, and friends. I also am instantly cheered up when someone lets me know they appreciate me. Oh, and of course comments on my blog! I love getting to know people that way! That was just a tiny, little hint!

Dessert
How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?

I set my alarm to go off 10 minutes before I have to get up and so I usually smack it only once.

FRIDAY FILL-IN

This is my first Friday Fill-in. Feel free to join in and add to your blog!

1. Birthdays are ______. A big deal at our house. On their birthday the boys each get what we call their Birthday Week. It's a whole week when they don't have to do any of their chores and they get to choose what is for dinner that week, etc. We have a special plate, and a big banner that hangs up the whole week, a birthday doorbell, etc. I have always given them a kid party each year with a theme. That is one of my favorite things to do. I miss doing those now that they are getting older. I love making and decorating cute cakes to go with the theme of the party.

2. ____ is my favorite season because ______. Spring. It is like a renewal of life when I am so tired of the long, cold winters! I also love the smells and birds singing!

3. I feel my best when _________. I've got enough sleep and I have exercised.

4. ______ is my favorite food! Lasagna! And you thought I was going to say chocolate! That is my favorite food group! :D

5. First impressions are _______. Lasting.

6. The best piece of advice I ever received was ___________. Oh, so many! The one that helps me through each day is...Do not worry over things that you have no control over. It is a waste of energy. And I live by the phrase...it's all about choices.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! This weekend unfortunately nothing. I have to finish this book I am working on for my parent's anniversary and it is getting old! Tomorrow I have my long run I am not looking forward to either. I am planning on 10 miles. I will also still be working on the book and the invites and hopefully going to my son's football 7 on 7 tourney. Sunday I want to REST! But I don't see that happening because I have to get this book done by Monday! I do want to go to my in laws and visit with Karen and fam.

For more Fill-ins go here.

And the WINNER is...!!!

The day has FINALLY arrived! Let's hope you didn't notice that I was one day off! But hey, that is summer for ya! The schedules all go out the window! Anywhoo, I am so excited to announce the TWO very lucky winners of my bloggy

100th Post Give Away!!!!

Are you ready??? Are you sitting down??? Are you waiting with bated breath??? Are you sick of these questions??? Here goes then...

Drum roll pleeeeeeease.........

Click on the bottom left arrow to view...

!!!RAIGON!!!
Wins the I am Special plate! ↑

!!!ANNONYMOUS!!!

Wins the Happy Birthday plate!↑

Wouldn't you know it...annonymous wins!!! I am pretty sure this is my sister in law Linda since we share a birthday and she wrote that on her comment! I will find out and let ya know!!! And I will be sure to tell her to sign her name next time! :D

There's a 2 by Raigon's name because she was entered twice for linking me! This happened to be her second one!!! It paid off!!!














Thank you all for entering!!! I can't wait to do it again! (not the 100 things but the contest!) And I hope the two lucky winners enjoy the fun plates!!!! If you weren't a winner be a good sport and tell them congrats! You can do that here on this post! OR go to Raigon's blog HERE.

*** Okay.....YES Annonymous WAS my SIL Linda!!! How appropriate that we share a birthday (although she is ONE year older....heh heh...and ALWAYS will be I might add! :D) and she won the Birthday plate!!! Too funny!!!

GIVE AWAY!

I will be announcing the WINNER of my GIVE AWAY tomorrow, so stop on by! Two names will be drawn. Each will win one of these fantabulous plates!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

There's still time (but not much) to enter if you haven't yet! Just scroll down a few posts!

Aaronic Priesthood CAMP

▼To enter my bloggy 100th Post! GIVEAWAY scroll down three posts!!!
There's still time!

Click to enlarge















Here, here! 'Your Highness' the Queen survived AP Camp! It was an amazing experience for me! I spent four days with some incredible young men and their leaders. They came through on their promise and really did treat me like a Queen. I only did dishes once and that was because I snuck and did them (they really needed some help!) It was a beautiful setting and beautiful weather. We stayed at our Bishop's cabin in Sundance, Utah. Now that is my idea of camping! Flush toilets, showers, and heat! I had a great time. It was even better because our Bishop's mother (who owns and built the cabin with her husband 40 years ago) also came along. She is a spry 89 years old but seems at least 20 years younger and an incredible lady. I was trying to keep up with her! We had some great fun together.

The boys were awesome and I really enjoyed my time with them. They worked really hard on memorizing scriptures and other passages. They had to pass off 12 things to me and for each one they received a cool bead to put on a lanyard. Most of them passed off all 12. I learned a lot too! I am pretty sure I can now recite the sacrament prayers from heart and the purpose of the priesthood. They are all going to make great missionaries some day!

I was a little disappointed I didn't run into Robert Redford (I mean Bob!) I got some great photos of his private gate though. He lives only a mile or so from where we were staying. The Bishop said he jogs past their cabin between 8:30 and 10 a.m. on most days. He must have been out of town because we never saw him. My mom really wanted a photo and his autograph if I did. I had visions of me running after him as he jogged on by with my camera and paper and pencil, calling out, "Wait up Bobby!" And trust me I would have too!

I really enjoyed the whole thing. Even when I had to speak to them about what girls look for in guys. That was actually really fun! The marshmallow wars was one of my favorite things. I held my own too. There was a lot of games, service projects, study time, tree climbing, eating, and devotionals. We had a great speaker named Bro. Bingham who was incredible. The boys wore their white shirts and ties for that and then had a testimony meeting after around the bon fire. Every single person there bore their testimony. There was an amazing spirit felt by all.

Here are LOTS of photos and even a slide show at the end. Enjoy!

Studying away. The bottom right photo is the cabin we stayed in.

Having fun. Top right is Johnny the Young Men President having fun with the camp mascot. An old baby (doll) they found in the woods! The bottom shots are of the caterpillars that were everywhere! They would drop down from the trees on us as we were around the camp fire! And of course the boys were having great fun frying them! Ugh!

*Me fixing Bryce's homemade plant tie
*Me and the Bishop's mom
*Dave, me and Bryce
*The name of the cabin





















Robert Redford's gate to his house. The private property signs were everywhere. The bottom right is a photo of me running on private property. What a rebel I am. And I never even got prosecuted!

*Bryce modeling the tie I made him from plants. He forgot his and so we had to be creative!

*Campbell in his white shirt and tie....AND...shorts! :D

*All the boys

*Dave and I

*Me and Bryce
*Packing up to go home

*The Bishop got in a little fender bender on the way home.

*This car got it the worse! No one riding with him was hurt thank goodness!

As a side note, I did notice just a few differences in attending BOY'S camp vs GIRL'S camp.

When it comes to going to the bathroom:

Girls always go together.

Boys go alone.

When it comes to food:

Girls eat lots of salads.

Boys eat lots of burnt hot dogs...among other things!

If their food falls on the ground:

Girls immediately throw it away.

Boys pick it up and eat it without a second thought.

When it comes to clothes:

Girls change their clothes at least twice each day.

Boys wear the same thing for the entire week!

When it comes to getting ready for the day:

Girls take an hour to get ready...yes EVEN at camp!

Boys take ZERO, ZIP, NADA, NO time.

If they get bored:

Girls braid each others hair or paint each other's nails.

Boys have a caterpillar eating (or torture) contest.

When it comes to a balanced diet:

Girls have very balanced seven course meals.

As long as boys have meat nothing else matters.

When they see a bug or spider:

Girls scream and run.

Boys run after it and then play with it or watch it sizzle in the fire.

When it comes to a personal supply of treats:

Girls take a large chocolate supply.

Boys take....nothing. (Unless their mothers packed them some!)

When it comes to grooming:

Girls wash, dry, and curl their hair.

Boys don't even look in the mirror.

When it comes to what they bring along from home:

Girls bring their jewelry, make-up, stuffed animals, favorite blanket, perfume, robe, slippers, curlers, air mattress and cot, wall decorations, photos, large chocolate supply, manicure set, two pillows, IPOD, cell phone, at least two changes of clothes for each day plus three extra just in case, card games, board games, razor, mirror, books, journal, yearbook, and six pair of shoes. And I am NOT exaggerating here!

Boys bring their sleeping bag, pillow, IPOD, and one extra change of clothes. And I am NOT exaggerating here!

And last but not least...

When it comes to going to the bathroom:

There is always a line for the girls.

For boys, the world is their toilet!

Good Mail

I love GOOD MAIL!!!

Look what I got in the mail from Tina! ↓ A cute little notebook she made with my initial on it! I love it!!! Thanks Tina!

And I got this from Jody! ↓ Gift certificates to Mickey D's for an ice cream splurge! I could use that about right now! Thanks Jody!

Aaaaaaaand....I just got this today from Kelli! ↓ How did you know I needed this today?!!!! It was one crappy day and then what appears in my mailbox? ?????Chocolate...mmmmmmm!!! The cure-all for what ails you! And gum! Woo-hoo!

I love GOOD MAIL!!! Thanks guys! It literally makes my day when I get something in the real mail! Be sure to check out their blogs. Just click their name and it will take you to their wonderful blogs!

Random photos