Treasures

When I was a little girl my Dad use to sit at this very piano and play Alley Cat while I danced around my Grandpa and Grandma's front room.  I can vividly remember all the details of my Dad's hands and his smile.  My Rick Dad passed away a little over seven years ago from pancreatic cancer. This piano above was my Grandma Ellen's piano. (my Dad's Mom)  This is one of my most treasured possessions.  My sister, brother and I use to sit as children and pound out heart felt songs on this dear piano.  Grandma use to teach us duets to play with her.  She played the piano beautifully.  The details of her hands are sketched into my memory too. This piano has been in my life since I was born!  I dream of having it refinished one day and even putting a player on it.  Since I only play three or four songs,  I would love my boys to be able to read music and  play it.  Jacob gave it a go.  It wasn't his gig. I still have hopes for the other two. 
As I was hurrying around cleaning yesterday, I caught a glimpse of these two sweet boys.  They were doing exactly what my siblings and I use to sit and do on it.  I wished my Dad and Grandma could see it.  Then I realized they probably could.  Our memories are our treasures.  This piano represents to me a life time of different memories.  Possibilities for future players too.

Two fun finds!

I love to find products that really work!  I also love Le Mer.  Samples are all I can afford of that stuff.  So... whether your husband is in his residency or you've finally arrived (rich or reached star status).  I have found such a great thing for your legs! Sally Hansen's Airbrush Shimmer for legs! It is a spray-on subtle shimmer in an instant. So awesome.  While we are at it...now that your legs are looking great-you want to smell good too.  I love a good perfume.  I get super excited if I find a smell I like.  Even better,it is not a fortune.  The perfume is  Beyonce Heat! I found it in Salt Lake at Rite Aid.  I am sure that Walgreen's or CVS also sell it.  These are two of my favorite things right now.  Just for the record, I would love both of these things even if I could afford Le Mer products.

My Winter Project!!!!

(Source modish.typepad.com)

I am so excited, I can hardly stand it!!!!  On the side of my house, is a spot waiting for my new (old) camper. My brother bought a camper a few years ago.  I fell in love with the old camper the minute I laid eyes on it. My brother is selling his camper now.  I am the proud new owner of the beauty!  It needs a lot of fixing up and paint.  I just cannot wait to get my hands on (still thinking of it's name).  The possibilities are endless!  Can you feel the joy radiating from my fingers as I type?!!!

(Source re-nest.com)

I cannot wait for my little family to grace it's presence! We can camp at fun little places.  A little home away from home! The boys(including Jared) say that I CANNOT paint it pink though.  Hmmm.  We will see;)

Zucchini cupcakes with carmel frosting and... the County Fair!

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Zucchini-Cupcakes

Our Garden is full of Zucchini!  I came across the recipe above.  The cup cakes are so good!  Jake, my pickiest eater took two in his lunch. He ate them like they were cookies last night.  I had not frosted them when Jake was devouring them. They are even better frosted!

I use to think that in a small town, the County Frair would be simply charming. Like a  fun Pie eating contest.  With pies  made by the cute widows and lovely ladies around town.  I have always dreamed of  a small town Fair that every one knew each other.  Where the kids knew Jimmy's Pot belly Pig "Wilber"!  Where food costs mere pennies, and you saved your money for the bake sale because Mrs. Johnson's cake was Divine! Yeah, I live in a dream world.  Even the small town Fairs are PRETTY GROSS! Have you ever wondered what life would be like to be a "Carnie"? Our quaint little County Fair turned out to be more filthy and expensive than a day at Disney Land!   The kids had to strip down at the washing machine and go straight to the shower the minute we walked in the door from the event!  At least Jared and I got to split a strawberry Funnel Cake;)

Jake and his good friend Derrick hit all the "make u sick" rides.  The Gravitron spins around... holding people in place with out seat belts.  They went A LOT. No thanks! 

GOOD TIMES HERE IN KINGMAN!

My Dining Room

Please do not think that "I think" that I am a designer.  Posting pictures of my house is for my family, some friends and my posterity to see. I realize that what appeals to some, does not appeal to others.
I finally can say that I am done with the dining room.  Of course there will be different seasonal things to grace the buffet or table with. (excuse the phone camera, still no fixed camera)

My In-Laws came last night and stayed with us until noon today.  We loved every minute.  Grandma Carol makes us all feel like Rock Stars.  Talmage had huge tears as our Grandpa and Grandma drove away. We all went out to dinner last night.  After the kids were in bed, Jared and I got to sit with his parents in "our dining room" and talk.  I will cherish that time with them always.  It was fun to sit uninterrupted and listen and talk.

When I find the perfect chair, here is the space for it.

I need to find the perfect rug for under the table.  Oh, and have some money to buy one ;)

Homework!

Lately, homework had been my most dreaded part of the day.  Jake's homework presents a daily challenge,  with words such as odious and slacken. I find these to be fun.  I learn too.  Math...stab my eyeballs out! Ha.  Thank heavens for my husband and his math knowledge!  Talmage...the picture sums up how that goes.  Even my Jonah had pre-school homework the other night.
I have come to the realization that I would not trade this for the world.  While the mayhem of the whole ordeal proves challenging.  I get to do it!  One day my table will be childless and quiet.  The boys won't NEED me.  So, I will embrace this time I get with them.  Take pictures and laugh.  Then one day when I miss them terribly, I can shut my eyes and remember the fun we had.

A story I came across...

                                                 The Tourist and the Mexican Fisherman

                                                                                      author unknown

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village.  An American tourist got out and complimented the local Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish, then asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?"  asked the American.

The fisherman explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American tourist asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The fisherman replied,  "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos.  I have a full and busy life, senor."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you!  You should spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat.  With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats."

"Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you can negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant.  You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City!  From there you can direct your huge enterprise."

"How long would that take/" asked the Mexican.

"15 perhaps 20 years," replied the American.

"But what then, senor?"

"Afterwards? That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions, senor?  Then what?"

The American said slowly,  "Then, you would retire!  Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

The Gas Company

Yesterday morning as I ran out the door into the garage to take the boys to school I smelled natural gas!  We were in a hurry to get to school. Have I mentioned how early elementary school starts here? It starts at 7:35.  That means we head out the door at 7:05.  So, in true Fairbanks style we rushed to the car and drove away. When I came home to put up the garage door, I again was punched with the STRONG smell of natural gas!   So I called the Gas company to report I had a gas leak in my garage.  The kind girl said that there would be a technician at my house within the hour.  Whew!   I opened up all the windows in the house and left the garage door open. Within a half hour there were two technicians at my door armed with gas detectors in hand!  They quickly went to the garage and checked the water heater.  One of the techs was waving his wand through out the garage.  He said he too could smell the gas but that his wand was not detecting any gas.  They checked the meter and put a device down into the ground-extensively checking all possibilities.  After about a half an hour they happily reported that there was absolutely no gas leaking at my house. They told me that they too would mistake what ever the smell was for natural gas.  Hmmm.  I took Jonah to preschool, all the while wondering what could be creating that smell.  On my return without even trying to look, I glanced into a box to discover the culprit!  The night before I had taken a loaf of bread to the garage freezer.  I took a couple of things out to put the bread in without getting smashed.  I left this big bag of ...BROCCOLI out.  Broccoli was what was making that smell! Sheepishly I quickly discarded the terrible smelling bag.  Hoping nobody saw me.  After a day and a night,  I am giggling about the whole ordeal.  I am SURE that the gas company would not be.  Broccoli any one? 

Wish List!

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2011/122017/488020/POLKA-DOT%2BDRESS

J Crew has this sweater in fun colors for 29.99!  Only Large and X- Large.  Alteration Lady?

This is Emily from the site www.cupcakesandcashmere.com
She is such a class act. That lipstick is awesome!
Jamie, I better see this color on you!

Yesterday was Our Anniversary! I Just LOVE him!!!

Excuse the glare.  Documentation that we actually made it out to dinner ON our anniversary! Jared was on call.  He came home from the hospital, changed in record time, and then rushed us to the car!  He had called me about ten minutes before to tell me that he had a consult and we probably would not make it.  Then, miraculously, the consult was canceled!  The nurses told him to run before they had to call him again!

We walked to our little donut shop yesterday morning.  While we were in there, a guy in his army gear came in.  The boys were in shock to see a REAL ARMY GUY.  Ha!  So, I mortified Jake and asked him if they could have their picture taken with him.  He even put his hat on and posed!  Jake was dying.  Still, check it out.  Talmage thought it was way cool.  Secretly Jake did too.

Jake and his friend Derrick rode Jake's pocket rockets around our streets yesterday.  I think they are so dangerous!  Jared thinks they are fine. I tried to be a cool Mom.  Does running along side them as they go seem too much?

It All Adds Up

My Mom has ALWAYS given her children wonderful books. Inside she writes a loving note or testimony to her belief of the words written within the book.  Last night I pulled out my Gigantic Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families. My parents gave each of their kids this book for Christmas 11 years ago.  Tucked inside one of the pages a little article fell out called It All Adds Up.  Mom is good at tucking away things too.

Life has a way of taking it's toll on each us.  I realize that we are each fighting our own battles. Within each of us are the tools to fight those battles.  It is gaining the knowledge to find these tools. Even when life is a little hard. Our attitude is what counts. So, it doesn't matter WHERE we live, it's how we live!

My life lessons. ;)  Definitely always learning!

 

You mean Halloween is not ALL year long?

These guys go through about six costumes a day.  They have awesome imaginations.  They also fight like CrAzY.  It makes me crazy.  When they are getting along, it is great. Halloween is super exciting for the boys because we get new costumes.  They have about 6 different things that they want to be this year.  I had to take a picture of them.  Notice Barks had to check out the camera too.  I think he looks pretty spooky himself.

I saw the Halloween Martha Stewart magazine two nights ago.  I could not stop thinking about all the fun contents.  So I decided that this magazine for sure was a need and not a want.  The boys freaked out too!  They did not put the magazine down for over an hour.