Brand new ending...

Though no one can go back

and make a new start,

anyone can start from now

and make a brand new ending.

-Carl Bard

I feel so compelled to take photos of the flowers surrounding me.

They will soon be gone...for a season.

I miss them when they're gone.

This morning I pondered much about the gift of friends...
My heart is so thankful.

You really need to try this...

peanut butter and tomato sandwich

(toast a slice of wheat bread, spread with pb, top with sliced tomatoes -preferably fresh from the garden and salt & pepper to taste)

Maybe it's one of my callings on earth or maybe it's just that it taste so darn good, but...I must share this delite! A few have tried and rejected its perfection, but it will never stop me from sharing. I first tasted this sandwich as a teenager in a deli at Newport Beach. It's a completely unexpected treat!

A few pics from the yard this morning.

I love the rain..it makes me want to curl up with a blanket, drink hot peach jello and watch a happy movie (most likely a chick flick). No luck today though. The kids are home from school today and my rainy day desires were VETOed. I settled for several intense games of Sorry (it's cut throat at our house), a laundry folding party in my bedroom and a trip to the grocery store.

What is Labor Day anyway?!

Rachel and Elli keep asking me, "What is Labor Day?". I keep avoiding the question because truthfully, I don't know. I thought that since I'm 41 years old and a mother who should be helping enrich her children's brains, I should find out. So, for all those who don't know what Labor Day is (and I know there are a few), here it goes...

Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September. The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union sought to create "a day off for the working citizens".

Well, at least not knowing the "true" meaning of Labor Day never stopped my from enjoying the holiday.

It's official...

I'm not sure if it was the enormous scone with raspberry jam and the homemade chocolate covered toffee from the Relief Society booth at Swiss Days or the fresh blueberry and cream cheese pastry from the Spanish Fork farmers market that I ate this weekend, but I'm ready...I'm really ready.

I've officially joined the ranks of Weight Watchers...again. Of course, I'm REALLY serious this time and nothing is going to get in my way. When I told Alex this, he just said, "I know you are- that's wonderful, dear". What makes this time different? I guess just that it's a different time.

When you go to a drive thru alone at Taco Bell and order lunch and then open your bag to discover TWO forks, it just might be a sign. Or when one of your children says "Mom, I hope you never lose weight because I like you, well ya know, kind like you are, which is sorta jellyish", this too, may be a sign. A friend suggested posting a "before" picture on my blog...well, there will only be a "before" picture when there is an "after" picture. You'll just have to use your imagination.

Sooo...here it goes! I thought by blogging this trial of my life, it might give me accountability and strength. It's worth a try. I'm tired of being tired of being tired, etc....

I'll be picked up Monday morning at 6:00 am by my dear friend, Stacy, and we're off to Anytime Fitness. We gave it a trial run Friday morning and it was quite the adventure. I'm hoping for a little less jiggle and a little more firm as the days progress. I have a WW meeting Tuesday.

Look for occasional posts about my progress...and there will be...

Meet our new residents...

Aren't they cute?! There is a nest in our Chinkapin Oak tree and it has housed three sets of baby chicks this summer. We sit on our porch and watch the mama bird collect worms and insects and then return to feed them to her young. Nature is such a treat!

Just a thought...

In recent months I've given a lot of thought to what it takes to raise children, be a "good" wife, work and fulfill a church calling. As of late, the voices in my head (and there are many) say, "can't someone else do this for awhile?"

Just today I came across this quote by President Ezra T. Benson

. . . . .

"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, stregthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace"

. . . . .
Wow!! I marvel at my dependency on my Heaven Father. It lifts such a burden.

And the lucky guess is...89

At the city work party in the canyon, Elli won a PINK backpack filled with school supplies. She was elated! She had to guess how many items were in the backpack without picking it up or looking inside. Now that takes true talent...way to go, Elli!

My tree lover...

As many of you may know, my hubby is a certified arborist (tree lover, tree hugger, tree surgeon, etc.) and has a true tree addiction. So far...he has planted 24 trees in our yard...with 3 fruit trees coming this fall! Really? Do we need that many?!

"We can learn a lot from trees: they're always grounded, but never stop reaching heavenward"

-Everett Mamor

Some of our trees...

top row: : Southwestern White Pine, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Chinkapin Oak

bottom row: Japanese Zelkova, Japanese Tree Lilac, Southwestern White Pine

. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Earlier this summer, while we were away, our lovely puppies (they are sisters) decided it would be fun to strip bark off the trees. We lost five trees before our neighbor called to alert us. SO, $700 later, Alex decided it wasn't worth it to keep the dogs (this wasn't their first property destruction offense and it certainly hasn't been their last!). He told the children we were selling the dogs and, of course, they began to SOB!

I pled their case (the children and the puppies) and made promises I haven't been great at keeping. We finally agreed they could stay (the children and the puppies). Alex really does have a big heart under that rough exterior, but you just don't mess with his trees!! :)

The culprits: MOLLY and ZELDA (a.k.a. bad news and trouble)

Look at those mugs!