Tis the Season

Tis the season for wasting my life away watching television.  I know this is totally lame and you can judge me all you want, but I do love when all my wonderful TV show start up again.  I am so grateful for the invention called a DVR.  I couldn't keep up with anything if it weren't for this wonderful little machine.  Don't get me wrong, I don't sit around all day watching TV, there are a million things to do around my house.  I will admit that I usually end up doing the dishes or folding laundry (not very efficiently) while enjoying my latest show.  (life is to be enjoyed right?) 

Don't even bring up the H word!!

I don't know about you but I am terrible at housework!! I am always behind.  I have tried a million different schedules to keep on top of it, including cleaning a room a day, and just cleaning whatever I see first.  Needless to say nothing has worked. 

One of my friends has an awesome blog, The Modern Hive.  I am always checking it to find out what great ideas she has come up with lately.  Somehow I missed THIS great post,  but luckily when I was talking to her about my dilemma she told me to check out this book called The Creation Plan.

It is this great book written in the 80's.  I haven't found the book yet but there is a great summary HERE.  Just a quick outline, it uses the creation of the world to help you outline your schedule for the week.  For example Tuesday is laundry, hence the day water was created.  There are certain things that you need to do everyday, then there are things that are assigned to Mondays, Tuesdays, etc.  Then there are chores that don't have to be done as frequently so they are assigned to the first week, second week, etc.  Here is how I wrote my schedule up.  For now I wrote it on a white board so I can change days around and find out what works for me.  I also added a spot at the bottom of the board for IDEAS and PROJECTS.  That way I can keep track of everything.  I might come up with a cuter version later. 

I have only been doing this schedule for about a week know, and am definitely in love with it.  I have had to modify it a little bit because I work full time.  The main thing I love about this system is it focuses on guilt free homemaking.  GUILT FREE what is that, right?  I also like how it gives you time to work on your own projects and have a little of me/creative time.  Everyone should check this out.  I might even end up buying the book! 

 Any ideas on a cute way to make a more permanent schedule?

Oven Mitt

On Friday was my Aunt Mary's birthday.  She is one of those people who has everything so it is hard to get her presents.  This past year she remodeled her whole house.  I haven't seen it yet but I hear it is beautiful.  I decided that I wanted to make her something for her new house.  I found a way cute and easy tutorial for and oven mitt and hot pad.  Everyone loves to get new things for their home (or is that just me?!)  It amazes me how excited I can get over new pans or dish towels.  Any way, here are some (terrible) pictures of what I made.

 

Aaron

Well he has only been gone for 9 days (which is crazy).  I can't believe it has already been over a week.  I have already gotten a letter.  He is doing great and loving it.  He said his companion talks even less then he does.  I don't know how that is possible.  But it has been good for Aaron because he said it has made him step out of his comfort zone.  I am so proud of him.  He is such a great example to me. 

All the kids two days before Aaron left.

Cute brothers.  Hayden likes to make sure Aaron knows that he is short.

Father and son

Unfortunately Mike couldn't come to drop Aaron off.  It would have been a perfect family picture.

Wild Flowers and a Garden

This year Mike planted a garden.  We don't have much room so it isn't very big.  He planted 4 different kinds of tomatoes and 3 different kinds of peppers.  This poor garden has been through a lot.  First it took forever to get in because  he had to dig out all of the rocks.  There were a million and ten of them.  Second, we couldn't plant very early because the weather thought it was still winter.  Third, once he did get it planted Alice thought it would be necessary to prune down a few of the plants. Fourth, Alice decided once again to rip out four of our pepper plants, oh yeah and eat the only red tomato so far.  Needless to say.  She doesn't go near the garden anymore.  Despite all of these setbacks we are finally getting some peppers and tomatoes coming in.  I am so excited and hope that even though we got a late start we will be able to have home grown vegetables (eventually).

Also along our back fence we planted some wild flowers.  They took awhile to grow anything pretty.  I love the pretty colors that have come out though.  The best part is that they need so little maintenance.

I love having my own yard.

Bear Lake

This weekend we went to Bear Lake with my husband's family.  We had so much fun together.  We went boating, wakeboarding, tubing, rode the water weenie, laid out in the sun, ate tons and tons of junk food.  I got to hold my cute nephew a lot, and play with my adorable niece.  Overall it was perfect!!

The girls

The boys

Me and my sexy hubby

Canyon looking cute (even if he is scowling at me!)

Adorable Bethany

The whole family

Eclectic

Here is a very eclectic post of my thoughts for the day.

We just got back from CA, we had a blast, and enjoyed every minute.  It was so fun being with family.  I don't get to see my cousins as much as we used to and it was great to see them all again.  I got to see my cousin Margot's cute new baby Drew.  He is such a doll.  He is only like three weeks old.  Since Margot lives in Texas we rarely get to see her.  It is incredible to see the dynamic in the family change with such a cute addition.  He is the first grandkid for my aunt and uncle, it is fun to see them so excited.  Here is Hayden holding Drew.

In CA I read a lot.  I read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.  Incredibly good!! I haven't read a book that good in a long time.  I don't know what it is about a good book that totally affects my life and changes my point of view in the world.  This book really got me thinking about things.  It was such an enjoyable read.  Those of you that know me know that if I love a book, it will definitely be read again.  I love to reread books.  A good book is like a good movie that you have to watch again.  Reading is definitely one of my passions that has been pushed aside as I have grown older.  It is hard to find the time to just sit there and read, and when I do I feel guilty because there are so many other things that I feel I should be doing.  Well all I can say is I am so so so excited about the third book coming out on August 24.  Catching Fire totally leaves you hanging!!

Yesterday was my brother Aaron's farewell.  He is leaving on August 4th for the Phoenix, AZ mission.  I am so proud of him.  He did an amazing job on he talk.  We all know it was amazing to hear Aaron speak that much at once.  I don't think anyone has every heard Aaron say that much ever.  When Aaron was talking, it seemed that everyone was riveted to what he was saying.  He will definitely be a good missionary.  I am excited for Aaron to go on his mission, I know that he will be blessed, as well as our family for supporting him. I will miss him a lot though.  I am grateful to have him as a brother.