Loser Blogger

Sorry I'm such a loser Blogger!

I've just lost a little interest and to tell you the truth it's easier to catch up on peoples lives through facebook. It doesn't seem to take as much time and as it does to blog. :)

I was thinking updating once a week was good, but now I'm thinking once a month. ha!

Just a few quick highlights:

• Josh went to Prom on the 25th. I'll have to post some pictures later.
• Had a FABULOUS sister day last Monday. Took the day off from work and went to my Mom & Dad's store and got to pick out a few items. :) THANKS Mom and Dad!
• I'm being trained to be a House Manager for the Old Lyric Repertory Company. Had my first training this past week.
• I finished CERT! (Community Emergency Response Team) We had our final hands-on test Thursday. Whew -- what a whirlwind of info! Glad to have that done.
• Matt and I attended a wedding on Saturday. Cody's daughter, Hannah got married. Cody is one of Matt's hangliding buddies. Her dress was gorgeous!

Till the next time. Totally a lame-o post.

The week at the Shoes

It's been quite a week!!!

Mostly the family has been recovering from being sick this past week. I ended up taking the week off from work...a few days sick.....and a few days vacation for Spring Break. The boys and I had done most of our recovering by Thursday -- with lingering cough's. Unfortunately, Matt came down with the family cold on Friday. :( Hopefully the cold bug has made it's rounds and won't be visiting again any time soon.
During the week we had a few visitors. Amy, Matt's sister visited from Seattle for a few days. She was able to go with us to Josh's Jazz concert ---- which was excellent. The guest artist was Byron Stripling. Matt did a blog write up of the evening: http://mattsbigadventure.blogspot.com/2009/04/get-jazzed.html The music was amazing and so fun to listen too. Mr. Stripling was a great entertainer. A very enjoyable evening, which also ended with a parking ticket. Whoo hoo!! (I wasn't driving that night!)

We also had my nephew, Justin, visiting during the week. Lot's of swimming, fort making, game playing, a little sleeping, lot's of eating, and movie watching (however Landon, Josh and Justin did not participate in the sacred watching of Twilight -- wha?). The only brave boy was Tanner.

Josh's Prom date answered yes! Prom is in two weeks. We are hoping that Matt's tux fits Josh! :)

Landon gave his first talk in Sacrament on Easter Sunday!!! Both Matt and I are very proud of Landon for his accomplishment. Landon had to have a lot of courage! This is something that does not come easily to his tender heart.

Landon also is working on getting his Eagle Scout paperwork finished up. Another Eagle Project is in the works at our house!!!

The boys have one more day of Spring Break....then it's back to school on Tuesday. For me, it's back to work on Monday.

I'm thrilled!!!

Today I was informed that I am an offical member of the American Festival Chorus!!!

My first practice is tonight.

The Chorus is under the direction of Craig Jessop, former Mormon Tabernacle Choir Director.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!!!

I feel really honored. Mr. Jessop informed me just prior to a meeting in which we both were involved with today and I had to pinch myself 20 times to make sure of what I just had heard him tell me! I was all smiles....I don't think I remembered too much about the meeting actually.

I sure hope this isn't an April fools joke!!!! :)



Here is a link if your interested in reading more about the Chorus.

http://www.americanfestivalchorus.org/

Coupon Binder give-a-way

I've been following this blog for a few weeks now. It's called "Making life sweet one deal at a time". I have a link to the blog on my blog list if your interested in checking it out. This blog is filling my "bucket" with the thrill of coupons and bargins!

On the blog they are giving away a Coupon Binder! Part of the deal to enter the drawing is to post the give-a-way on your own blog. Here is a link if you'd like more information: http://wantitall4free.blogspot.com/2009/03/coupon-binder-giveaway.html

* 3-ring Binder
* Document "How to Save LOADS of Money with Coupons"
* 50 Coupon Pages (9-slots per page)
* 30 Pre-defined Category Tabs (set by the general layout of grocery store)
* 5 Customizable Category Tabs
* 1 Pencil Pouch
* 1 Highlighter and Pen
* 3 Store Envelopes
* 1 Set of Coupon Sorting Mats
*Bonus* Stylish, Reusable Grocery Bag*
*Bonus Budget Document*

Double Coupon Frenzy

I've been getting into the coupon scene lately. Saving a little money on groceries and household items seems to be a way I can help our family....s.t.r.e.t.c.h our budget!

Today Kmart offered double coupons!

I have to admit my heart gets a little excited hearing the possibilities of bargins! I have to be careful to only clip coupons and buy items that we will actually use. I think it's easy to get caught up in the "savings" on an item that you won't actually use - just because you have a coupon or it's on sale!

Here is my bargins for the day!!!

The following items in the picture would have cost $36.65. BUT -- TODAY with the double coupon offer I was able to purchase all the items for $15.88! That's a savings of $20.77. All these items we will use and I've put them in our family storage for a rainy day!

...a little pay it forward

Today -- my plan was to stop by Old Navy to see if I could pick up some jeans for Landon. He was down to 2-3 jeans that fit ...and even those are getting a bit worn. I had a $10 gift coupon that I've been saving that I wanted to use.

It's difficult for me to pass up $10 free dollars on clothing!

As I was in the store, I had a gathered a few items that I wanted to buy. A young lady, maybe 26ish with 2 small children approached me. She asked if I had the 30% off reusable coupon which was only valid for a 4 day period. I knodded "no"...and she said "wait here, I'm going to go and pay for my items and I'll bring you back the coupon."

She did just that. Bonus baby! I was so excited!

So...I decided to do the same thing. I went and paid for my items and then found a nice lady and gave that same coupon to her. I told her the only stipulation was that she had to give it to someone else before she left the store.

For all I know...that 30% coupon has been floating around from person to person all day!

Nice thought isn't it?

Life is precious........

Yesterday, as I was going about my daily routine…and my life stood still for a moment because of another.

My son, Tanner’s best friend Bryon was at our home spending time with Tanner and doing their hang out “thang.” They are together a lot, he’s a great kid and Tanner and Bryon have been best friends since kindergarten…which has been since we’ve moved into our home in North Logan.

I had just arrived home from taking Landon to piano lessons and preparing for a 6:30pm CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) meeting. I heard Tanner and Landon talking to each other saying things like, “Bryon, are you joking around?” “Landon -- come look at what Bryon’s doing!” This immediately got my attention and I rushed into the front room to find Bryon having a seizure on the front room floor. I quickly went to his side to assess the situation, then ran to the phone and called 911. I still can see my fingers dial ……9…….1……..1……… it was like it was in slow motion. That was the first time that I’ve had to dial that number. I really can’t tell you what I said on the phone, but I know I was talking as fast as a race horse I’m sure! Thanks goodness for 911 dispatchers (which my sister, Kristi, is one - she's always got a great story to share and I'm sure I've been added to her story list) who can talk you through a stressful situation. Yes, I just about lost it several times while trying to get Bryon’s attention, hold him down (as he was trying to get up …but his body was not in control), listening to the dispatcher talk to me on how to keep him safe and not hurt himself. I remember seeing Tanner pacing back and forth, worried sick, not really knowing what to do….and I wasn’t able to say or do anything for him at the time because my attention was fully on Bryon. It seemed like forever before the police officer arrived, then seconds later the ambulance arrived and the EMT walked in my home. I could have kissed them, I was so happy to see them! I’m sure that only 3-4 minutes has pasted since I made that call, but time stood still and it felt more like ten. Bryon started to come around a bit about the time the EMT arrived ….they’d ask him a serious of questions and his only answer was “what?” to every question. At this time I managed to finally get a hold of Bryon’s Dad ….. who was with Bryon’s Mom. They were on an errand and immediately changed course and went to the hospital to meet the ambulance. I later found out that they had pulled over for all the passing emergency vehicles…not realizing they were coming for their own son.

By the time the ambulance left, it was 6:26pm and that’s when the after math of the situation like this hits you! I was a bit of an emotional mess…and I could not get a deep enough breath. I quickly comforted the boys and reassured them that Bryon would be ok. (By the way, Joshua was asleep downstairs and slept through the whole thing!) I was due to pick up my friend, Sandy, to head to the CERT meeting. I gathered my thoughts the best I could…and headed out the door.

The meeting was the best things for me! I was so focused and ready to learn. I came to terms that I was not emotionally, physically or mentally ready for an emergency and I want to be that person!

Bryon and Bryon’s Mom came by the house to see me later in the evening. I was so glad! All the test came back normal. That’s great news!! They are also going to do a CAT scan or a MRI just to double check. I really needed to see him myself to see that he was physically ok. I gave him a hug, which he wasn’t expecting (he’s 14..and I’m not his Mom..lol) …but I didn’t care!

I honestly believe that I was at home when I needed to be for Bryon. We were both being watched over. You just never expect a thing like this to happen….and the timing was just so unbelievable….I had a 45 minute window that I was planning to be home…and I was there, but it wasn’t for me.