The Land of the Dead

Well my brand new "Super Duper Computer" has crashed for the second time in 10 months. I bought a "top of the line", "Most reliable" computer and I am ticked off! Not only do I have the inconvenience of not having my lovely big computer...I lost all let me restate ALL my data and pictures! So I have lost most of my vacation pictures and family memories because of course I am not smart enough to have burned them on a disk. I mean that literally...I don't know how to do it. So here I sit mourning my computer on my laptop. I can't download any pictures off my camera because the card is too big for this computer.

Just thought I would stop in a whine a bit! I hope that I can upload some pictures soon. London's Halloween costume was so cute and believe it or not gang, I have become crafty again!

Pumpkin Recipes!

I know you are all on the floor in shock! 3 blogs postings in 3 days! Pearl-Ann my famous Storytelling cousin and one of my most favorite people in the whole world! She is also the most fantastic cook! Yesterday I was bragging about my new pumpkin recipes and I thought I would share it with you!

Ok I don't know how to do it sorry it won't allow me to copy and paste. If you would like them send me your e-mail. They include Pumpkin soup, pumpkin butter, gingersnaps and pumpkin dip and pumpkin scones! Yummy!

My Hunk of Burning Love!

14 Years baby! Happy Anniversary, it has truly been a wild ride.

My Handsome manly man taught me how to love quading!

Not so manly here....Stealing my clothes. We don't talk about this day. If you don't know about it. Don't ask, I do have video that I could add from the ward talent night!

You are always such a good sport..Honey bunny

I knew your family traditions were weird! My little pillow head.

You are such a good example to your daughter (usually this picture isn't a great example :0). She wants to be just like you!

This Antique carnival machine said we kissed like a cold clammy couple! What does it know. You still make my blood pressure raise each time you kiss me!

I love you babe, I am the luckiest girl in the world!

My Beautiful Mother.

Today is a sad day for me. 8 years ago my mother passed away. The pain has definitely faded and life does go on. I remember so many things from that day. In May of that year for mothers day she came to Medicine Hat and had her first pedicure (my gift). After her pedicure her legs started to swell...it was the beginning of the end. She continued to not feel well all summer. I didn't realize the seriousness of it until I went to visit her on the Sept. long weekend. I was shocked at her appearance and went with her to her Doctor demanding to get things done. She was scheduled for tests but had to wait 6 months still. I remember crying in the doctors office demanding that he get her in to the hospital. My mother was always so kind and never demanded things she needed me to get her help. She was put into the hospital that Tuesday and never got out.

I don't think anyone believed that she would die. I know that I didn't realize that would be the outcome. The day she died was conference weekend and I was busy trying to feed a house full of guests. I was definitely being a Martha instead of a Mary. It had been a very difficult 6 weeks with having a small child and a very sick mom in Lethbridge it was wearing on me. I wish, if I could change anything, I would have been with her when she died instead of doing things that didn't really matter.

We received a phone call to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Sean drove like a madman reaching 180 trying to get me there on time. I ran in and it was to late she was gone. Later when we were leaving the hospital I remember being absolutely shocked that life went on for others. We passed doctors and nurses laughing with each other, people eating, mothers comforting sick children in the ER. It was like a fog and I couldn't understand how the world did not stop at the death of the greatest woman I know.

I miss you mom. I am so grateful for all you have done for me. My mother is an amazing women. She really had it all together. I know that she had gone ahead and is preparing our place. She was a little like you Joanne, super organized! Never a dust particle would dare land in her house! The thing that makes me the most sad is that she never really got to see what a great girl my London is turning out to be!

We are planning to go to the temple on Friday and in planning London said how much she would like to go again. That made me so proud that she has a desire to be worthy and make the effort to go. I am grateful for the temple ordinances that seal us all together! How blessed I am to have this knowledge.

I can't post pictures of my mom as I don't have any digital ones and my scanner is out of commission. Just know she was beautiful inside and out!

Triathlon Summer....Finally a new post.

Well you know you have had a great summer when.....you don't blog for 3 months. I know I have a lot of catching up to do!
This summer was one to remember. To take on a triathlon 2 years ago would have been impossible. This summer I did not just one but two!

Here are the promised pictures from Vulcan





Pre-race time. I am braiding my hair in the truck and stressing out. I was trying not to throw up. I cried and wanted to quit even before the race. Thank goodness for Sean telling me I could do it! Look at that stroke! I am glad I am in the water and you can't see the cellulite..Yuck

Here I am going from the swim to the bike! It was FREEZING!!! Anyone who knows me knows I hate being cold...brrrr. It was only 2 degrees and let me remind you this is JUNE! On the day I got snowed on and rained on then at the end the sun broke out a bit! I had to totally get new clothes because I planned on wearing shorts. I ended up wearing long pants, a wick away shirt, and two jackets and a toque! Yes... a toque in JUNE with gloves. There were supposed to be 1000 people there but because of the weather only about 400 showed up. I didn't even consider not going because I had trained for this since January.



The swim was great because it was warm...very cold getting out. The bike was straight down a highway out of town up a gradual hill the whole way out. The wind was howling but I just kept plugging away. Just before the turn to come back was a big hill and at the top of the hill you turned. I was excited for the break. I was going to coast down the hill and was counting on it being easier going back as it was down hill most of the way. Let me tell you... no word of a lie, when I turned around the wind blasted me so hard that I had to pedal harder down hill than I did going up. Just then it started to pelt hail in my face as well. I had to bike with my head way down so most of the hail hit my helmet. It was the hardest bike ever!




Here I am bundled up and this tasty treat did it in a speedo (GAG) Let me tell you he made my time longer as I slowed down when he passed me! I was so happy to get to the finish line. I cried...then I almost vomited! It was an awesome experience and I can't wait to do it again next year with London and Sean. I also wanted to say I couldn't have done it without Gail Surmik. She did the triathlon too and gave me lots of hints, cheered and lent me her flip flops for the pool!

NEXT....Seattle Triathlon.


Back in Feb/March when I was registering for all the triathlons, I asked Amy Mossey if she would like to do one with me. She felt she wouldn't be ready for Vulcan so we started looking around for others. Well, it is almost impossible to find any on a Saturday. They are all on Sundays, which is so frustrating! So I thought I will look in Utah. They will have them on Saturdays. Sure enough, I found lots in the states and we ended up picking Federation Way Seattle. We planned our whole vacation around it and started training.

Nice butt picture! I was fixing my bathing suit!




This picture of Amy and me shattered my world. I discovered although I have lost a lot of weight I am still huge! Especially if you compare me to Amy! Yikes..I still have a long way to go.




Finally finished! No, not the pictures the race. It was hard I was so tired at this point.

London, Adam and Jarom did a kids triathlon the same day! I am so proud of her. She had been terribly sick with a cold from the beginning of our vacation. She wanted to still try and she did amazing! Her dad did the biking and running with her which turned out good as they stopped directing traffic by the time they went and some kids got lost (poor Jarom did part of the adult bike route)

It was a beautiful route but quite hilly. It seemed you would just go down one hill to start another. If you look around Brooks...I challenge you to find a hill. You see it is flat and so we trained for flat but I think we did remarkably well. We were even on the swim, I am a stronger biker and pulled Amy along but she is a much stronger runner so then she pulled me along so it ended up really even. It was so nice to train and do it with friends. Tyler also did it but was super fast so we only saw him at the beginning and the end!

The worst part was that we were late. Yes, we travelled all that way and through slowness getting going, getting gas and bad traffic we missed the start! When we finally pulled up we heard the starting gun blast and we still had to unload bikes and get undressed and make our way to the course! Luckily we still got to go anyway but we were behind. That really threw me off...I wanted to quit but as we got swimming in the lake my confidence grew when we started passing people that started several minutes before us. The swim was awesome! The water was coppery so it was really red and tasted kind of like blood but it was warm and calm. I beat my time of 9:50 in the pool and did it in 9:44 which I thought was awesome! We don't really have a time because our time started before we got there but I started my watch at the beginning and we did it in about 1:35 which is great as it was 7 km longer than my Vulcan one. It was hot in Seattle. They broke records while we were there... over 100 degrees. I think it was about 94 when we did the tri-so it was hot!

Can't wait to see what next summer brings!

1:33:33 woohoo!

1:33:33 my unofficial time!

Well I am home I did it. Over 1050 people registered not even half showed up because of the horrible weather. If you want to know what it is like to run a triathlon in all seasons ask. I was snowed on, blown on, rained on and yes for the last 10 minutes of the run the sun came out...kind of.

I feel great and strong!!! a year and a half ago I could barely huff and puff up stairs today I swam 500 meters, biked 15 km (with wind blowing and throwing hard hail like snow and rain in my face! BRR the bike was the worst part...never have I worked so hard) finishing with a 5km run. I cried at the finish line...I wish my mom could have seen maybe she did? Sean is my hero standing out in all of it cheering me on. I love you honey. I have some good pictures I will post them soon.

I am off to the tub to warm up my frozen body!

T-Day....Vulcan here I come!

Well to say I am stressed is an understatement. I have an upset tummy because of all those dang butterflies flapping around! Today is the day I have been training for since January. I have worked hard trained 5 days a week yet I still feel lacking. I didn't prepare for rain/snow to run bike and swim in an outdoor pool!!

Yesterday I went and bought new running clothes that were long and warm instead of short and cool. I wish I had more confidence in how I would do I have always had a fear of the unknown. I don't quite know what to expect.

Well wish me luck and send a prayer heavenward at 2:20 that the sky's will break and the sun will come out...or at least it won't rain and wearing a toque running won't slow me down!!!!

Pictures and any horror stories to follow :0)

Showing off!

May and June are such busy months as we all add gardening to our already long list of daily chores. Gardening is my favorite part of spring/summer I just wish I had more time. Why is it that weeds grow 3x faster than anything else?

When we were in Utah we found this awesome planter bike thingy. I have wanted one forever but they are like over $300 here. Well lucky for me we brought the truck and I was able to convince Sean it was a necessity. We found it for half that price Yippee! So here are some of my planters I wanted to show off. I hope they flourish!

Bits and Peices

The Redneck way! During Sean's "Mancation" quading at little Sahara Utah they made a hot tub in the back of the truck every night! Good thing, it snowed for most of his vacation so they needed the heat to warm up. He has a video on how they did it if anyone is interested..ZZZzzzzzz.

Pillow Head. We went to Laird SK to Sean's grandma's funeral and while at her house visiting Sean showed all the kids what he and his brothers and Sister use to do while at grandma's house. Pillow hats were tried on by all.

My man jumping with his quad "Gertie". You know it is love when you name your quad. My blog is always about me so I thought I would show off Sean's vacation a bit as well!

Her name isn't "Mud"

One of my mothers other famous sayings...you do ___ and you name will be mud! Well I was often named mud growing up...drum roll....London FOUND her purse! I guess Alex the Wandlers other daughter has the exact purse so they put in on a hook in there house so it would be safe. London went over today and her and Tesha went hunting and found it! Three Cheers!!!

Understanding My Mother

Well things have a funny way of coming around again. As a child I lost more stuff. I was constantly leaving something somewhere. My mother would get so frustrated and I couldn't understand why she couldn't understand...Well London lost her purse on at a camping sleep over. That would be sad if it was only the purse as it was cute! Well...it ends up that she keeps admitting more and more that was in the purse..her $250.00 glasses, her $200.00 i-pod filled with 100's of dollars from i-tunes, her skull candy ear buds, her Aeropostal perfume (not cheap), her brand new deodorant, electric toothbrush and various other items that will be admitted to in time!!!

GRRRRRRRRRRR I know it is just stuff but still I can't afford to just go out and buy it again and it seems like such a waste. I am not really mad at her just frustrated that she couldn't take better care of her stuff. I am also frustrated that if it was left at school or dropped out of the van at the parking lot why didn't someone turn it in! I wish there were more honest people in the world.

Last night Mona mentioned that a blog can be therapy so thanks again for another session. I am just grateful that London is OK. Stuff can always be replaced EVENTUALLY! My poor mother. I now understand her much better....she always said "You would make a mother dog bite her puppies"...LOl :0)

Yummies!

Well I just had to share this yummy recipe I tried today to go with my Super sneaky healthy chili! First off I know you are dying to know what is in my chili...I put in 2 cups of blended zucchini and 8 blended tomatoes with various beans (kidney,chick pea and Navy bean) Then added green peppers and tons of mushrooms. The best part... London had no clue that the zucchini was in it, That is the sneaky part!

Anyway, the real reason for this post is to share the best Cornbread recipe ever! It was so moist and sweet and yummy I ate way too much and am sitting at 2000 calories today instead of my 1500! It was good...I have to take a quick break to let you know that I heard chewing a minute ago, looked around, couldn't see anything and yes...a mouse just ran across my foot. I screamed so loud Sean got up out of bed to rescue me! Isn't he brave, my hero. I am shaking. You would think that after all these years in the country I would get used to scurrying creatures but...I don't think I will ever.

Here is the recipe

1 1/2 cups cornmeal
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil



DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a small bowl, combine cornmeal and milk; let stand for 5 minutes. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Mix in the cornmeal mixture, eggs and oil until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean.

Enjoy!

The wind Huffed and Puffed!

I finally blew my top!! While we were on holiday's in Phoenix/Salt Lake we got a phone call from my neighbour. "I don't know how to tell you this but your roof on your house just blew off" WHAT??? I was hoping it was the wrong number! I guess we had some strange squall that got under the top of the trailer and just pulled! This news isn't something you ever want to hear ( I am pretty sure you are safe...I don't think people hear this often!)

I have been embarrassed to show these pictures but I showed you my toilet water so...here I go!

Now we are just waiting on insurance. I have a lovely blue tarp on top now! Don't be jealous I know that you want a blue tarp as well. Not all of us can be so blessed. All joking aside it has been a blessing more evidence of the Lords tender mercies. In the end we will have a way better roof that is peaked so Heavenly Father is improving for us which will help when we try to sell this summer! So something that looks bad actually is turning into a blessing. God is good to us.

Saturday is a special day!

OK so I have been milking the whole "it is my birthday" thing a lot. It is tomorrow but so is mothers day so I figure I should get the whole weekend right? I can feel you all nodding in agreement with me! AMEN SISTER! Well yesterday we went with our good friends the Mosseys to Medicine Hat for a movie (Star Trek...who's birthday was it..I voted for seeing Hugh Jackman shirtless..which isn't a sin on your birthday but unfortunately Tyler had just seen it so I settled for the guys pick which I have to admit was very good!) Then we went to Beefeater for my favorite prime rib...yummy!!!! Again it is my birthday and I think I can splurge..I even had popcorn at the movie!!! I know live dangerously!

Then this morning I took up my scepter and wished that my house would be clean for my birthday with out me doing it. London was up and working her little fingers to the bone whilst I laid about. She now claims to know how Cinderella felt...WHAT DOES THAT MAKE ME??

Anyway then I said I would like to do my 25km bike today but not alone so they split it. London biked in with me to the church where Sean met us and then she watched a movie in the truck while Sean proceeded to kick my butt all the way home. I mean kick it! He biked really hard and I had to really push to keep up. He broke a major sweat on me!!! I didn't think he had it in him..really I didn't I have been training since January and he has done nothing and yet, he showed super strength. NOT FAIR! I am still super proud of both of them. 12km is a long way. I know tomorrow morning when he gets up for his meetings I will have my revenge when I hear him groan and need assistance to get out of bed! HAAHAHAHHHA HHHAHHHHAH! (evil laugh I don't know how to spell it!)

All of this and it isn't even my birthday yet :0) I think I will have my foot massage Next! Yippee I would really love birthdays if only I didn't get older with it as well :0(

I'm Off...like a herd of turtles!

Well here I sit trying to convince myself to go for my 5km run that I have measured out around my house. I have to say that I am not loving the running bit! I will conquer this and love it that is my goal! After watching biggest loser last night (finally I had it taped and had to cut off many conversations as I didn't want to know what happened. Thanks for not spilling the beans guys!) I was so inspired watching them run a marathon in great time as well!!!! Surely I can run 5 km? So as I run I will be thinking of them and pushing myself a little harder.

Also I wanted to say how proud I am of my London starting her own blog!!! I hope she keeps it up. I have never really been a journal writer if she can make that habit now that would be amazing! Keep it up London. There is a link to her blog on mine if you want to check it out!

Mystery

I was just going through my morning ritual of blog reading when the thought struck me....Where do all the spoons go? It was triggered by one of my friends blogs who was lamenting the chore of housekeeping (which I agree yuck!) and mentioned the fact that she too has disappearing spoons! I thought it was a problem only at my house. Even after cleaning checking couch cushions and London's coat pockets, backpack and even her sock drawer....I still can't find any. I still have 14 forks and knives and only 5 spoons. Do any of you have this problem. She even swears she has cleaned her locker at school and only came up with one offering. Maybe I am accusing the wrong person maybe Sean is taking my spoons....I don't think they are the right shape to use as a screwdriver he uses knives for that! Anyway if anyone out there knows where the spoons go let me know there hiding spot I would like a full set again. I bet if I could find the 3 dozen pair of mateless socks the spoons may be close by?

Underwater Adventure

Two blogs in one week.....It's a miracle!!!!

I have two reasons :

1. I have to get rid of that disgusting picture of the water. It disgusts me every time I check to see if I have any comments (which I am willing to admit is several times a day. I love the comments) I know leg cellulite is almost as gross as toilet water but I still think it is a cute picture. Don't look tooooo close people!

2. I need to keep a better journal of my life.

Well, here are the long promised pictures of my trip. I never knew I would love snorkeling so much. I was a bit nervous to go, but I hooked up with some great people that let me hang around them.....My cousin, who I went with, wouldn't even put her big toe in the water. One night when we were walking on the beach in the dark I even had to walk on the side near the surf as she was stressed about someone jumping out to get her.

I teased Sean that I was going to hook up to snorkel with some buff 25 year old I met at the beach. Here is my snorkel buddy:

Barry wasn't 25 but he was awesome. He was in my tour group and his wife didn't want to snorkel so we hung out and had a great time!

I have so many pictures how do I choose? I took 90 the first day out. Sean has this awesome digital camera that works so good underwater. It also takes videos. Everyone else had these cheap plastic throw-away cameras. Mine was the envy of all the divers.

I was amazed how shallow it was. You could go out for miles and rarely was it over your head but it was full of beautiful fish and vegetation. This is supposed to be one of the top 10 places in the world to snorkel and it was right in front of my hotel!

Anyone missing a brain? A beautiful piece of brain coral!

This is called the turtle shuffle. Akumel is famous for its beautiful sea turtles. I saw tons! This was my first day out so I was so excited when I finally saw one. We were searching in the wrong section. You needed to be where there was grass. I had almost given up hope when we discovered this guy. It gets crazy! You have to get pushy to get pictures because word spreads among fellow snorkelers and they come rushing up so you have to elbow your way in!

Isn't he cute!!!

Well, folks I am off to a funeral so I need to get stuff done. I will post a bunch more pictures soon!

Water anyone? Beware!

Warning content of this blog is disturbing and very gross.....turn back well you can!

Well as you know I am formally a city dweller everything is usually great. Each spring sometimes your water tastes funny no big deal right? Well in January my water started to smell really, I mean REALLY Nasty! So being the good wife I am I started nagging about it. So Sean bought this stuff that is suppose to help with the smell.

I need to back track for a minute...we have a dug out that is frozen over right now so the lovely weeds that have increased each year are rotting underneath creating a yucky smell. Now back to my story...smell, nagging Sean's solution.

Well he poured in this stuff in our still well and voila! I turned on the tap no smell...new problem brown..I mean brown water. Yuck!

Sean assured us that this would pass in a couple of days. Two weeks later.....It is still brown. It stained everything so I had to go to the laundry mat as it ruined my clothes (I know because I did a load of whites!) Sean finally put bleach in....lot of nagging on my part. Then it smelled like bleach but white at least. Anyway.....I am still married and Sean is still walking upright. I think I deserve a metal for putting up with some country life problems. I haven't spoken about it until now as it is was to painful. Now I am recording it so I will never forget it!!!

P.S. I am sorry for the toilet picture...nothing in it but my lovely water.

Well it is safe to come over again as the water problem seems to be fixed for now.

Finally something about Mexico!

My first sunrise!

Well, Mexico was wonderful. I miss the warm weather and the beautiful beaches. I especially miss waking up to the sound of the waves and the heat starting at 6am. I keep coming into my kitchen and waiting for the buffet to magically appear. I can't believe that I am expected to cook and clean. In Mexico my bed was magically made each day and beautiful food awaiting me...all day long!

The main part of my trip was a tour Monday, Wednesday and Friday to all the ancient ruins. It was wonderful because we had an LDS tour guide who spoke from a Book of Mormon view point showing the traditions that we read about. It was truly amazing and beautiful. It was nice being with a large group of people that looked out for me. I only got lost once and it was very scary on my own with no one who could speak English. I ended up crying and was so grateful when they sent out a search party for me as I was really late. Other than that it was an unbelievable experience!

At the airport. This is my awesome cousin Pearl Ann!



The first picture is a baptismal font. The Mayan people are so small! This is us at the foot of a temple. We climbed two of them. It was hard work especially in the Mexican sun! I climbed one of them twice and started up a third time but had to come down as we were leaving. I had to get some exercise somehow!


This is Helaman our tour guide. He was soooo nice!

I don't know if you can click on these to make them larger but this is a Cenote. This was by far my favorite part of the trip! It is this underground water hole with vegetation growing down from the top. It was sooo spectacular! I have never seen any place so beautiful. I was so brave and cliff jumped. It doesn't seem tall but it was a very scary jump and very high. It was so much fun.

I will blog another day just on all the underwater creatures that I saw. I have some awesome videos of sea turtles and stingrays.