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Well some might think I've gone dark given my two month absence from the blog. To the contrary, I've been quite active and productive. In support of this assertion, I submit the following.


This is the wooden shelf in the garage I refinished while Mandy and the kids were away. I wish I had a before picture. It was pretty nasty - dirty, paint chipping everywhere, and some of the shelves were loose. I tightened all the shelves with new screws, cleaned and sanded everything, applied two coats of paint, and put new hardware on. And then I hung the black tool pegboard.

Our garage needs a lot of work, as you can see. Our next projects in the garage are (1) patch and paint the walls, which are pretty beat up, and (2) do something with the floor. The floor is bare concrete and it is stained worse than a second grader's mattress.



This is another garage project I completed in the girls' absence. For most people hanging a piece of wood on the wall would not be difficult, but I managed to struggle with it. Finally I got it level and stuck up on the wall with some glue and screws. It's very sturdy, unlike most of my projects. The black door on the left leads to the backyard, where a wealth of projects awaits us.


I bought my first barbecue. I found a good deal at Lowe's and couldn't say no. It's nothing fancy, no side burners or stainless steel. Just a simple black grill. I successfully assembled and used it without exploding our house or burning the chicken.



I purchased a used gym I found on craigslist. It's in "like new" condition, like everything else on craigslist. This gym really is in great shape. I'm proud to report that I paid $50 for it. It was quite a chore loading it into the CR-V and then getting it into the basement. I had a friend from work help me unload and assemble it. It's a beautiful piece of machinery and I am thrilled about it. You will not recognize me the next time you see me, I'll be buried under muscles. Once we get a treadmill we'll have our own little Gold's gym in the basement.

I thought the gym would come with weights but it didn't. The day after I brought it home I advertised on craigslist that I needed some weights and a few hours later a guy called telling me I could have all the weights I wanted. Another craigslist miracle.

So that's a glimpse of what I've been doing. The bulk of my time has been spent researching caselaw and writing legal documents in my office. If someone wants to see a picture of that, I'll have my secretary take one and post it. But I think you can imagine how exciting it is.

Riley Goes to West Jordan High School Homecoming!

Last night was West Jordan's Homecoming Dance. Riley asked a cute girl named Lexi to go with him. The date started out with a day date where they had KFC at a Bluffdale park, followed by games like whiffle ball, football and croquet. Sounds like they had a good time and the weather was perfect. The night date consisted of dinner at the Spaghetti Factory, the dance and pictures, and finally an outdoor fire and movie at Corbin's house. Here are a couple of pictures of the handsome young man! Please take note of his strategically placed arms which highlight the amazing French cuffed shirt topped off with even more amazing cuff links which belonged to Great-Grandpa Larry, a former railroad worker. I believe Riley takes after his brothers more everyday! He says he just happens to love cuff-links. Did I mention how handsome he looked?

Dad and I saw Riley off and then sat on the front steps and pondered where the time had gone. We were seeing our last child off for his first big school dance. Time flies by, it wasn't that long ago that we were doing the very same thing with our first. Not wanting to dwell on the fact that we will soon be all alone...We took Bauer for a walk and then decided to go downstairs and play ping pong. Now, I know that you all think I am the competitive one in the family, and maybe there is a little truth to that, maybe a little history proves that out, but have you played with your father? So, everytime we play ping pong together it goes like this...we first begin by just hitting the ball back and forth, just a nice little rally, we do this for a while, then he says, "You want to play a game?" So of course I have to agree, thinking maybe this time we could just play for fun. Then I get get my first point and he says 0-1, then I get another and he repeats, 0-2. I'm thinking, hey I'm hitting the ball pretty well today and then he gets his first point and he says, 1-2, then it's 2-2, then 3-2, then it's 4-2, 5-2, 6-2, 7-2... you get the point. Here is the thing that kills me, it's that he has to say the score loudly every single time, have you ever noticed this? He can't just quietly say it in his mind, or repeat it every couple of scores, but no...he says the score loudly each turn --all the way up to 21-2. Every single time. I think some of you out there know how I feel, you that have lost to him in golf, basketball, tennis and now ping pong. How do you like the score being flaunted at every turn? He says he is not competitive, but the way he pumps his fist and mutters under his breath, "I love to beat them" is proof enough, even when he beats ME. And now... Riley and I are the only ones he has around to beat up on all the time. Am I a bad loser, probably, but come on...does he have to repeat the score every single time?

I'm crafty.

Hey guys! So, for the past year or so I've been working on a stitchery project. If mom were doing this, she would have been done one year ago. It took me a while, but I finished! I stitched the pattern, painted the frame, sanded the frame (to give it the rough look) and then put the stitchery in. Mom was an amazing help, even though she wouldn't let me sand the frame inside the house. This project is now triumphantly hanging above my bed at school. Also, take into account that these photos were taken with my phone.

School is taking over my life. I practically live on campus. I woke up with a sore throat and stuffy nose so I better take it easy before I get sick. Or before it gets worse...

Thank goodness this week is over, it has been quite stressful. I hope everyone is doing well!

A Post for Riley

A while ago, and sorry it's been so long, Riley left a comment on our blog that said: "stacy, i have a question, i want to make a post on the family blog and no one here will help me. would you please tell me what needs to happen? Muchos gracias."

Since nobody wants to help Riley, I'm leaving instructions for him.

So, Riley, send me your email address. I'd love to add you with your own account, I just need your email. Once I send you an email about the blog, follow the instructions on how to log in. Once you are logged in, click on "New Post" and a page comes up that you can type whatever in. You have a blog too, so you can probably take it from there.

I realize it's been a while since Matt and I have posted anything on here...maybe more to come. Stay tuned. : )

AND ALL THIS TIME YOU'VE JUST BEEN USING BOUNCE SHEETS IN THE DRYER

1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also
repels mice.
2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars
that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.
3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened
too often.
4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when
outdoors during mosquito season.
5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer)
screen..
6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your
television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from
resettling.
7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce
in a drawer or hang in the closet.
9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.
10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet
of Bounce before beginning to sew.
11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside
empty luggage before storing.
12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the
front seat.
13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill
with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent
apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.
14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the
bottom of the wastebasket.
15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will
magnetically attract all the lose hairs.
16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds
with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of
Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of
Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes
or sneakers overnight.
20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees
away.
21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and
storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.
22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe love-bugs off
easily with the wet Bounce.

Bear Lake and lots of fun!

So, this summer has been very fun! We started with an amazing trip to California and ended with an awesome weekend and Bear Lake (aka the most beautiful natural lake in Utah-- except Lake powell which I spotted twice while looking for Buffalo).
We went with Grandpa and Grandma, the Brimleys and the Grosebecks. We stayed in a lovely cabin with an even more wonderful view. While there we rented wave runners, ate raspberry/ strawberry (or for Katelyn, butterfinger) shakes and enjoyed the relaxing environment. We played lots of games, which in doing so uncovered several cheaters from the Brimley family, namely Garrett. I don't think it's possible to get the Brimley boys to be quiet during a game when it's the girls turn. Nonethelss, we had a fabulous time. Amongst the pictures I have added some from my summer camp.

This was our view of the lake! I don't know exactly why Dad is standing like that...

This is the cabin and the cute family!

These are the moose that we saw (note-there are two). Just chowing on someones bushes

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying our day at the beach!

Scott just really wanterd a picture with his shirt off...

This is the little boy, Adam (9) who thought he was m boyfriend! On our fake valentines day he brought me a necklace and a dolphin. Nothing shows love like a porpois.


A few of the kids on "halloween" aka make the parents dig up a costume from storage, have the kids wear them and walk around the halls three times and ask the counselors for candy.

Could everyone please do better at commenting?

I know some of you are busy, but please comment.

I'm a seamstress

I sew. I'm a sewer... I mean a seamstress. Let's just say that this was my first project and perhaps my last. I laughed at myself the whole time I was making it and kept wondering what I was doing. They turned out pretty cute and I'd like to thank Stacy for the pattern and mom for her help and the sisters for laughing with me.

The tag.

I've had many moments in my life that should have embarrassed me... or made a large dent on my self-esteem. But, my most recent outing topped any previous experience.

On saturday Mom, Kate and I made a trip to Kohls for a present but left with a couple of things for ourselves. I left with a very cute clearance shirt, button up, plaid and see through(not the gross kind, just a light weight one). I found some cute shorts to wear with it and kept it on for the rest of the afternoon. Later that evening, Katelyn and I went to a Young Single Adult activity with one of my roommates. It happened to be a Jon Schmidt concert (which by the way was incredible--he has a new song out called "Love story meets Viva la vida" check it out on youtube). The concert was awesome! When we got home, I chatted with mom and dad for a while then went downstairs to change. As I was hanging up the shirt I noticed the tag was still on. This wasn't just any tag. It was like cardboard and big, it had a button bag attatched and a large clearance sticker. All afternoon and evening I walked around thinking I looked pretty cute. I can't even imagine how many people saw this tag and DIDN'T say anything! (Mom, dad, kate, my friend Taylor, the people behind me in line.. ) They were probably too busy laughing and thinking to themselves, "Oh this poor girl found a clearance shirt and was so anxious to wear it that she forgot about the tag".

Don't get me wrong I love finding a good sale. Next time, I will be more careful to remove the tag before I wear my "Kohls miracle" shirt.

Can you find the tag?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

On July 30, 2009 I celebrated my 22nd birthday. It was a great day and I wanted to thank everyone for all of the birthday wishes. I had previously decided that I wanted to sleep in a little bit on my birthday so I went in at 9am instead of 7am. I enjoyed a lovely breakfast prepared by mother which consisted of waffles, bacon, apple juice and of course my favorite hash browns. I then went to work and I was suprised to see my desk decorated with confetti and signs wishing me a happy birthday. My good friend at work made me some cupcakes to celebrate my day. I got home from work when I usually do and I just relaxed and received some phone calls from my brothers who live out of state. Thanks!! It was a small celebration because of the recent move of Matt and Stacy and the fact that Riley was at youth conference. Kelli picked up grandpa and grandma on the way here. Dinner consisted of missionary chicken, jigglers, french bread, a nice fresh fruit salad and a vegetable. Upon finishing dinner we went into the family room to await to open my gifts.

Adorable new running shoes (which I have already used and quite enjoyed running in them maybe it will inspire me to go running outside instead of going to the gym.)

Long awaited hand mixer (so I can make Snickerdoodles for my future roomates.)

A surprise ihome (which is totally awesome!!) Thanks again mom and dad!!

My new favorite game-Bananagram and cocoa butter

Exercise shorts and beach cover-up

After opening gifts we had some cake (yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Sorry Stacy that you had to miss out on the normal cake) and ice cream. Later we played the new game with Grandma and Grandpa and had a lot of fun. Me and Allison then went to go see Harry Potter 6 which just made my day. Thanks again for the wonderful day and great gifts. I have yet to hear my birth story.