Monday, January 30, 2012

The end of an era.

I purchased this HP Laser Jet back in 1994 for a home based business I started.  It has served me well nearly every day since.

Until a couple of days ago.

It started grabbing 15 or more sheets of paper at a time, instead of feeding through the appropriate single sheet, which caused several jams.  And then there is the horrible sound it now makes.  Kind of like a sick cow, only more like on the dying side of sick.
I should try to get it fixed especially since I recently replaced the toner cartridge at a hefty price (because of the advanced age of the printer).  It has to be specially ordered.  You can't just go into a store and get that ancient toner off the shelf.

I don't know.

Should I let it go to printer heaven?

Or, should I try to squeak some more life out of it?

I'll figure it out.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Almost there.

The beloved buffet is nearly complete!  I've just put on the last coat of polyurethane and now I'm waiting for it to dry.  I have to work all the live long day tomorrow so I'll be able to re-assemble it on Tuesday and then you'll be able to see the former beast that is now a beauty.
 After a lot of sanding
 and sanding,
 and some wood filler,  (Pay no attention to the girl in the background.)
 it was time for primer.  (Seen on the top...just getting started.)
 Here's a glimmer of the color I've chosen.  I do like love it.

Lots.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

My toilet seat is a magnet!

It never fails.  Nearly each and every time I go to use the bathroom in my home, I hear my name being called by one of my children the moment my fanny touches the toilet seat.  I'm pretty sure I don't go too often, it's just when I do go, there must be some kind of magnetic pull that brings everyone to the back of the house where my master bath is.

I'm not exaggerating.

It doesn't get any easier or lonelier in the bathroom when your kids get older.  Just so you know.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Arigato

Elder R. Cole Tipton
Shimonoseki, Japan
Southern part of Japan, not near the disaster.
The anniversary of the devastating tsunami that hit Sendai, Japan is March 11th.  The following video is touching and shows the strength of the Japanese people.

Watch and enjoy.

Tsunami. Sendai, Japan.

It's worth your time.

Monday, January 23, 2012

They're related.

Winston and his mom's first cousin, McKay.  They're related, but I'm not sure how you call it. 
I think we'll just say, cousin.  That works.

Friday, January 20, 2012

I ate too much.

I came home from a 12 1/2 hour work day this evening feeling super hungry.  Today was very busy with lots of babies being born.  On days like today, I usually come home hungry, more than usual.  Mind you, by the time I get home it's already 7:45 p.m. or later.  When I'm not at work, we always eat dinner between 5 or 6 p.m.  So when I'm  hungry and it's late, it can get ugly.

Real ugly.

I had 4 pieces of the thin crust frozen  pizza from Costco. I started out with two small pieces but then it was exceptionally delicious and delightful, I had two more.  I was okay until half way through the fourth piece.  I kept telling myself the slices were not the size of a normal pizza, whatever that means.  Now I'm miserable.  Did I mention my daughter made cookies and I had a couple of those too?

Yeah, I'm hideous, don't look at me.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Take a plunge.

I'm going to do it.  I'm going to take the plunge and refinish this very old and very warn buffet.


It's awesome and I hope to bring it back to life


Kind of like what I'm trying to do with the flowers in the previous post, except different.


I've got a lot of work to do.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

When do you let it go?

I purchased these Gerbera Daisies last spring for my front porch urns.

They are my favorite flower.

They've lasted all though spring, summer, fall, and even into winter.  (That's winter as in, warm AZ winter.)  Even though they've stopped blooming, they still look like there's life in them.

Well, sort of.

I thought they'd be through long ago.  With this seasons rains, I haven't watered them regularly.  Maybe that's why they look like they may finally be giving up the ghost.  Or, maybe they're not supposed to last the year long.

I don't know.

Now they look like this.




Last night I had my hand around the sickest looking plant and almost pulled it out of the planter, then I decided to try to see if I can do a little CPR (Complete Plant Restoration) and bring the flowers back to life.  I can do this.

I think.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Ugly sweater anybody?


During the holidays Rick and I went to an ugly Christmas sweater party that my sister-in-law, Tiffany, hosted.  She had the cutest hot chocolate bar set up!  Too bad I don't drink hot chocolate.  However, I still appreciated the cuteness of it all.


 See my Chocolate Crinkle cookies on the top and bottom of the cookie stand?  They fit right in.

A close up.  It's so pretty. 
Just in case anyone showed up without the proper attire, Tiffany was prepared.  She had extra ugly Christmas sweaters on hand.  Thank goodness. 

Here we are in all our glory.  Isn't my turtle neck sweet?  I went to WalMart just to find a Christmas turtle neck because I knew I'd find the perfect one there!  This is the best picture we have of the lovely couple taken from an I-phone.  Maybe it's better that it's a little blurry.  Judge for yourselves.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

My oldest son is 20!

If I could sing The Fiddler on the Roof's song, "Sun Rise, Sun Set," to everyone right now, I would.  I feel that is how my life is.  For Christmas I  had 10 (of our many, many) videos transferred to DVDs for Quinn, my youngest.  He had never watched any family movies with him in them because we didn't have the capability to play the old tapes.  Lately we've been watching the new DVDs.  It's so fun to regain forgotten memories.  (Even though my hair is practically the same for the last 10 years!)  I've got to do something about that.  Anyhow, It's crazy what 10 years looks like in just a few hours of family movies.  Which brings me to Cole, my missionary, turning 20 today.  Now I have 2, two, II children in their very early 20's.  Weird.  My sister pointed out that I won't physically see Cole his entire 20th year.  A strange thought, but I'd rather not see him all year and him be on a mission that to be able to see him while he's 20 and him not be on a mission.  Follow? 
I have very few pictures of Cole from him mission.  This one is when he was still in Utah at one of the local Temples. (Cole's on the left.)
Here he is in true form in Shimonoseki, Japan.  (3rd from left)
Again in Shimonoseki 
When Cole was around 6 years old, he'd take my camera, (back in the film days, no digital) pose his action figures and snap away.  Some things never change.  He actually sent me pictures of posed action figures of the Japanese "transformers" that are all the rage. 
Cole loves music.  He loves to listen to it, all kinds and he loves to make it, all kinds!  His mission president allowed him to purchase a guitar around Christmas time.  He named her Stacy.  This instrument is a Japanese Koto which he has learned to play. 

Happy birthday, Cole.  I love you!

Monday, January 9, 2012

It's a sign.

This 2'x3' sign is the latest addition to my living room.  It was easy, cheap and fun to do.  Just how I like it.  Go here for directions.  You'll be happy you did.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Blocks of fun.

Every time I think it's safe to give away Quinn's box of blocks, Quinn and his friends drag them out from under the bed and play with them the entire afternoon.  When do kids stop playing with blocks?