Where in the World is CJ?

It's been a busy one hasn't it? March is off to a flying start and I am trying to play catch up. March 1st my Lee had Stake day camp, so, in anticipation of fasting for yet another month for the sale of our former home, I went to the temple. It was so peaceful and as I sat in the celestial room, I thought, "I wonder if anyone would notice if I just stayed here all day?"

Well, duty calls, and I had to go home. I had so much work to do and my rationalization was that if I did what Heavenly Father wanted me to do, then He would help me with what I needed to do. Of course, in my mind, I thought that I needed to get my house all cleaned up and that is definitely not what happened.

Work has been stressful, only because of the tasks I need to accomplish by month end, which did not happen. I pulled an all nighter last night, and today I asked my boss if she noticed what time it was when I e-mailed her my final report. It was 3:00am and she was up! Anyway, she wants to talk to me Monday morning. I'm thinking, "Maybe a raise?"

Weed patrol, dishes, laundry, picking up children, grocery shopping, and I sit here and my house is still not cleaned up sufficiently to my standards. It's tough to be a working mom, and although I work primarily from home, it's still difficult to work when I would rather play with my family.

Well, even with all of the stressors that bombard us each day, I'm grateful for my husband, my children, my extended family, and the knowledge that this life is short and the blessings will come.

Leftovers

I figured that I had better post these pictures before February was over. Here is the Valentine's Day breakfast I made. Mark was very happy since he is a pancake lover. Sorry about the sideways pic!



It's been a busy week! I am looking forward to unwinding this evening at our jewelry class. Nothing like stringing some beads to ease the stress away.



I've been on weed watch with the yard. I love the rain, but I despise those little green things that pop up. It doesn't matter if I was out pulling the day before, they pop up over night! I have been tackling the back

yard more so over the last few days. There was a very nice breeze blowing on Monday and Tuesday. I was bending over and pulling the little darlings and apparently the wind whipped my shirt up in back, exposing about 5 inches of my lily white skin and burnt it! I have a 5 inch zebra stripe on my back.



Work has been intense. That's all I've got to say about that. It's a tough market out there. We have had 4 real good prospects on our former home recently. We'll have to see how that pans out. TEN MONTHS people! I can't take it any longer! Happy Leap Day!

I am Anne Elliot!

Take the Quiz here!

You are Anne Elliot of Persuasion! Let's face it; you're easily persuaded, particularly when friends and relatives try to use "the Elliot way" against you. But this doesn't mean that you don't have conviction. Actually, your sense of duty is overwhelming. And though you won't stick your neck out too often, you have learned to speak up when it counts. To boot, you know how to handle sticky situations. You love deeply and constantly.

The only thing I don't agree with here is that I am easily persuaded. I am so NOT! Unless you consider acquiescing to what others in your family want, rather than what you want and should, then I guess I am easily persuaded. I rather like to call it easily guilted.

I love Jane Austen on PBS on Masterpiece. I would like to see the movie "Becoming Jane" now out on DVD. Has anyone seen it and can give me your opinion on it?

Come uppance.....

And the Best in Show is:

Uno or commonly referred to as Ch. K-Run's Park Me in First

As a Beagle owner and lover, and to all Beagle owners and lovers everywhere, we realize what a tremendous feat this is. This guy is almost 3 years old and was able to focus long enough to win the big prize at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, ending a total shutout of the breed.

Now, our beloved Beagle, Berkeley is a great dog and people always tell us how cute he is. I think he could win a dog show if there were no other dogs or smells around. Once Berkeley latches onto a smell he absolutely MUST investigate it thoroughly! And EVERY other dog is his brand new best friend! He loves to make other dogs chase him.

Hangin' with Daddy

Renaissance Festival

This last Tuesday, I was able to accompany Mark and his class to the Renaissance Festival that is held in Gold Canyon each year. Up until this point, I had never been.

The sixth graders had been working on the Renaissance in history leading up to the festival. It was interesting to say the least. We went into the Dungeon Museum, and I just could not believe there were so many ways that the people in those times devised to torture and maim. I am definitely glad that I didn't live then!

There were animals to pet, camels and elephants to ride, plenty of shops to buy things. I dare say that Disneyland is not as expensive, although I have never been there either. (Gasp now)

We saw a jousting show, it was fun. Here are a few pictures from the day.

This border collie had one blue eye and a brown eye!

It was a fun and long day, I got a sunburn on my neck and face. It just never occurred to me to bring the sunscreen, it's winter for crying out loud. Woe is me.

Happy Birthday Cali!

Today is my niece Cali's 16th birthday. She is going on her first date......with her daddy! Happy Birthday pretty Cal-girl!

They Came!

I have decided that I need to quit whining about the lack of dancing in my life. The only person in my way is me. Last Thursday evening I ordered some new tap shoes. I haven't done it in twenty years! Today one of the brown cockroaches pulled up in front of my house and delivered my coveted tap shoes. Aren't they pretty?

You may wonder why I called my friendly neighborhood UPS man a cockroach? We used to live over by the UPS distribution center in Tempe. At precisely 8:30am a whole bunch of brown trucks came out of the center and spread out over the streets. I always thought it looked like a bunch of cockroaches fleeing from the light! You didn't want to be in traffic when they disbursed because there were so many of them, and you wouldn't be going anywhere fast when they all came out.

So anyway, my husband came home from work and heard me happily clickety clacking away in the garage.....er uh my dance studio. The operative word here is happily!