Say it ain't so!!!

I am super sad! I need to be able to let this go, and because blogging is free therapy for me, here goes. I love Shutterfly. I get lots of free things from them. The most recent was a free 8x8 photo book and 75 free prints! Wow!!! That is a lot of free stuff!!! Love it! Of course, these things have deadlines, and I have become very bad at just doing things when they first show up. I guess I've been in this calling too long of dealing only with emergencies. I have forgotten what it feels like to "catch up" on anything. I don't know. At any rate, I was down to the wire and needing to clean my house, shower, buy a gift, order my book and be ready by three o'clock to travel down to Park City for a reception that night. I barely was able to get my photo book put together in order for my dear friend, Amber, to finish placing my order before midnight! What a friend! Thanks, again, Amber! At any rate.... I reminded myself that I would need to spend the next day uploading my pictures for my 75 free prints. Guess what? I COMLETELY FORGOT!!! WAAAAAAHHHH! Look out! Here comes the Waaambulance. It's already been to Amber's! Thanks for the shoulder to cry on. I can't believe I let 75 free prints slip through my fingers!!! What was I thinking?!?!? To console myself, I imagine I will eat some chocolate while soaking in my jetted tub and holding my $10 Darth Vader costume. Sigh.

All's Well That Ends Well

First off, a big THANK YOU to everyone who offered to look for better priced costumes! :) Now, today was "shopping day" at my house so I have a little something to vent about... then the good news.
Coupons, promotions, freebies, "price matching."
These are words I have a love/hate relationship with. Why? How can anyone hate those words? Well, let me explain...
I cut coupons. I utilize promotions, ads, freebies, price matching. I love to bargain shop. I live for it. There is only so much you can perfect in my current "occupation" and this is one aspect I am passionate about. Mostly to give me something "stimulating" to think about I suppose. So I LOVE the coupons and other "tools." I HATE the way people make me feel about using the said "tools." I have a real problem with stores and their associates who snub those of us who use the above mentioned shopping tools. ESPECIALLY when the coupons are send directly from that store. (aka JCP portrait studio). I used to go to said picture studio quite regularly and take full advantage of the wonderful coupons they'd send me. Please note again, THEY sent ME the coupons. I could get a nice set of photos for a wonderful price and still stay in the starving student budget. I lasted four and a half years of the snobby picture people turning their nose up at my coupons before I snapped. I feel like I was pretty fair. When I would call to schedule the sitting, I would be very clear that I was coming to USE MY COUPON. I would be quick through the sitting and my kids love getting pictures, so they weren't dealing with moody mom or kids. Big bonus, I'd say. Then I would proceed to the computer to view my pictures and make my final decision, because you only get one pose. The associate would try at least three times to convince me that I needed to spend a minimum of $350 in order to fill my need for photos. I worked sales so I understand that some things you just have to present to the customer. No problem. I would let them have their say and kindly remind them that I had a coupon and would like to use it on pose "A." Then I'd get the look. Followed by the loud obnoxious voice to alert all other customers and employees that "someone is using a coupon." I'd smile and proceed to checkout. After leaving the store I'd fight tears all the way home and vow never to go back. A few months later, new coupons would entice me in for another humiliating round. This finally ended at Kaylee's five year photo shoot. I was dealt with very tactlessly and informed them I would never be coming back. And I finally stuck to my word. I see those coupons and find great joy in burning them up. (Which is obviously what they intend for you to do with them.)

Today as I was at my "favorite" store I was price matching some items when a price came up the lady wasn't sure on. So she left for a few minutes to fetch an ad to verify my claim. As she gave me the price, she muttered under her breath the small savings. I wanted to just let her know, "Yes, I know it's only a few cents, but why should I pay more here when I could have bought it for less at the last store? Why didn't I buy it there, you ask? Because your store claims to have the lowest prices, guaranteed. I decided to take you for your word, and it so happens that your price is HIGHER, so guess what? I'm making you live up to the guarantee. Quit making me feel bad for using your own marketing tools!!!"

At any rate.... I went in and spoke with the assistant manager about the costume "situation" today. As we talked he said, "Well, I can do this.....I'll return the item for the price you paid... (this is where my blood pressure starts to rise because it appears he missed the whole point) ...and then let you buy it back for, um, $10. Is that ok with you?"
I almost fell over, but tried to keep my composure until the deal was sealed.
"$10? Yes, I think that would be ok." HEE HEE! I got a Darth Vader costume for $10!!!! Granted, it's used and some of it is broken, but still, what a steal! Yay!!!! I must say I left feeling much more kindly toward a certain company, though they are still NOT my favorite place to shop.

Am I Wrong??? Tell Me, Please

Ok, I am frustrated! This began on Friday. I went to do my shopping as usual and my trip to me to a most unfavorite store that shall remain unnamed for the time being... but I bet you can guess who they are. Tell me if you can. I like to reward Charles by walking down the toy aisle and most recently, the costume aisle. I still have yet to buy a costume at this store because I feel like they are overpriced. I usually luck out and find something cuter or more creative without the cost. Well, my darling Charles wants to be Darth Vader. I started looking at costumes and could hardly bring myself to buy one for $20, ok let's be honest... $19.88+tax. After realizing that I really probably couldn't make, again let's be honest, convince my mom to make a costume for Charles, I thought $20 isn't THAT bad. Plus, he can use it for a dress up afterward and he would be sooooo happy. I would really do almost anything for him, I just love to see that face; the one he makes when he is so excited and sucks in a big breath! Besides, I reasoned, Kaylee got a special "expensive" costume a couple years ago and then got good use of it at princess parties and dress up time. So I keep browsing the costume aisle. I have had a hard time finding a costume his size. Well, Friday was the day! I finally found a costume claiming to be 4-5 size. Yes, Charles is only three, but he is a BIG boy. The costume was different than all the other costumes there and looked like it had been opened. My suspicion increased when the helmet that should be part of the costume was lying halfway down the aisle. I picked it all up and decided to give it a go. There was no price tag and so I just took it up to the check out. I was looking over my receipt on the way to the car when I saw how much I paid... $35 dollar. WHAT?!?!? Are you joking me? The only tag I could find on the costume was a pink sticker with the date of 9/1/08. Hmm. Then it hit me. It was returned on that date. It was a pink return sticker. After going to almost every other store that could possibly have a Darth Vader costume, including the DI, I decided to take it to customer service, explain my situation and offer to keep the costume for a better price. That didn't go well. The lady was very nice and agreed with my discovery that this costume is actually a costume from LAST Halloween that someone used and the returned. She even agreed with me that paying full price was a rip off. So, she kindly informed me of the store's policy.... a whopping 10% off. WHAT?!?!? 10%? That is such a joke! I was so mad, but she said there wasn't anything else she could do but return it. So I took the 10% since I as of yet had not been able to find a costume in Charles' size. Of course, he loves the costume so I can't rightfully return it... Yet. I came home and called the headquarters of said store. They said they'd let the store manager know and he'd contact me. Right. Well, he did! The next day, even. We chatted and I explained my predicament and he didn't hide the fact that he was put out that I would call headquarters. Like it's that big of a deal. I talked to some college or high school student in their teens that didn't care either in a big call center. Oooo scary! He asked me why I didn't have someone call a manager. I explained I was told that this was company policy and I guessed that was the final word, so since I didn't have a gripe about the store, just the company, I called the company headquarters. Anyway... he said he wanted to "work with me on this" and "make it right." I wasn't able to follow his preferred schedule and get in there the same day... and then I've been sick... blah blah blah. So, here is my plan, tell me please if I am totally in the wrong. I want to check one more store to browse their selection. If I still can't find a costume in his size, I plan to go talk to the manager and ask him to do one of two things for me.

1. Call another store and see if they have a costume (from this year) in Charles size and ship it to me at no extra charge.
2. If number one is not available, give me the used costume for half price, or at least the same price as this year's costumes.

I am a bargain shopper, I know. But really, is it too much to ask that they not profit TWICE on a costume that should never have been allowed to be returned this year?

High School Tag! I was afraid of this...

1 Did you date someone from your school? Yes, but it only counts because we kissed the last day of school.
2 What kind of car did you drive? A hideous boat! It was a Ford Fairmont silver with wine red interior. I had to jump start that dumb car so many times! The horn would come through the stereo! I hated it mostly, but laugh about it now. The car was as old as I was and we finally parted just before our nineteenth birthday.
3 Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try? Yes, but not the vision test at the DMV! I was so mad! I had to go to the eye doctor and get a special note. In fact, I probably have to do it again this year. Dumb!
4 Were you a party animal? Not in the way most people think, but I liked going to parties. My parents thought I was a party animal.
5 Were you considered a flirt? I don't know. Though, Louis says I'm a maneater.
6 Were you in a band, orchestra or choir? I always wanted to play flute and violin, but never did. I was in choir for two years of High School.... maybe three. Hmm.
7 Were you a nerd? Uh, I still am a nerd, what do ya mean?
8 Were you on any varsity teams? I was on the Girl's Varsity Basketball team, but because of work conflicts I had to quit. It was a hard choice. I had played two years before on the Sophmore and JV teams
9 Did you get suspended or expelled? No
10 Can you still sing the fight song? Yes, am I supposed to sing it now? "We're the Woods Cross Wildcats, fighting for our school. We've got spirit, loyalty and ever will be true, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT, We've got power we've got pride always on our side. F-I-G-H-T-I-N-G We're fighting for a victory. Go CATS!"
11 Who were your favorite teachers? Hmm... Mrs. Wheeler!!! Ms. Ratz... though I didn't find out she didn't hate me until the next year. Mrs. Cook, Mr. Hendrickson, Mrs. Duffin, Mrs. Ferrin, my seminary teachers...
12 Where did you sit during lunch? My friends and I would usually go somewhere. Fast food or one of our houses.
13 What's your school's full name? Woods Cross High School
14 What was your mascot and colors? Wildcat Red, white and blue
15 Did you go to homecoming? Yep
16 If you could go back and do it all again, would you? There are some things I miss, some things I'll never miss, and some things I wish I could do differently. But, I don't think going back would help.
17 What do you remember most about graduation? Sitting next to people I wasn't really friends with (because of alphabetical order) and trying not to cry! I was very sentimental, but very excited, too. Yoli and Jim sang a beautiful song that I will always love! "Time to say goodbye." I also distinctly remember being so nervous that I would trip and fall, but I didn't. Whew.
18 Where did you go on your Senior Skip Day? We were threatened that anyone who skipped wouldn't graduate. I didn't have anywhere to go anyway.
19 Were you in any clubs? Pep Club, Concert Choir, Impact Team I think that is all...
20 Have you gained some weight since then? I've stayed about the same. I did lose a lot of weight AFTER I had Kaylee which was fantastic! I'd never looked that good in High School (minus the flabby pouch stomach, some things never do go back...)
21 Who was your prom date? I'm assuming they mean Senior Ball our senior year? Jared Despain
22 Are you planning to go to your 10 year reunion? I think I'll probably go, unless we move way far away in the next year or two.
23 Did you have a job while in high school? Of course. I worked at The Pizza Place for a few months of my sophmore year. I worked at Willey Ford as the receptionist my junior year. My senior year I worked at Quizno's and The Lion House, as a birthday hostess.

I tag.... Jenna, Melanie, Amber, Amme, and anyone else who wants to remember!

Double Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to two great friends! Donna and Megan!

Donna is my newest friend of about a year and a half. She and her husband, Steve, live a few doors down and our kids want to move in with them. Donna is super gorgeous and tons of fun! She is good to always plan fun things like picnics, BBQ's, game nights, and girl's night out, and she includes me! Love ya, Donna! Have a super awesome birthday!

Megan is my dear friend from High School. We were in drama together, and so we became fast friends. She is living in Bluffdale which is too far away, in my opinion. Especially since her new little boy will be arriving soon. In fact, if he's not already here, she may be celebrating a "birth" day on her birthday!

A Trip Down Memory Lane... 26.2 Miles to be exact.

So, today was the Top of Utah Marathon. Wow. I had sort of felt a stirring of desire to run this year in June. After I ran seven miles and couldn't walk for two days, I decided to wimp out. I just didn't have that "eye of the tiger." Today, I got my desire back!

My dear friend, Tiffany and her two amazing sisters came to stay last night. They ran the marathon together this morning. I want to say it was the first time for all three of them, but this might be incorrect.... (Chelise is basically Iron Woman and has done several races including placing first in her division in a half iron man, yeah, I know. I was jealously proud.)

Anyway, I had planned to drive them down to the bus this morning, but slept in and woke to the sound of their car starting and pulling away. What a goober I am! It worked out good, though so they didn't have to walk so far once it was all over. I had the time of my life today! The kids love marathons and want to run so badly in one. Hopefully someday...

We went down to mile 17 and cheered and cheered! It was so amazing to watch. I saw a lot of neighbors and friends, and my cousin! Hey Stephanie, way to go!!! It is amazing the people you find at a marathon! The next stop was mile 22.5. That is a tough mile. The canyon is pretty easy being all down hill, really quiet, and just gorgeous! It's a great distraction. Getting into town and running through the cities was a bit trickier for me. Lots of twists and turns, and some "hills." Having people there, even strangers, cheering me on really gave me such a boost when I ran this two years ago. I hope I was able to help some of the runners there today. It was all I could do to contain my emotions and not just bawl my eyes out. Especially when someone would be running along with a look like, "I'm pretty sure I am going to die." The memories would rush back into my mind and I would cheer as hard as I could. Then they'd look up with a faint smile, mouth a "thank you" or pick their feet up a little higher. It was so neat to see. I really was pretty emotional. Good thing I had sunglasses! I was so proud of Tiffany, Chelise, and Kara! How awesome to run with your sisters! Way to go ladies!!!! I'm planning big for next year and looking for a training partner.... all interested parties leave me a note! ;0)

I thought about just posting some pictures, but that just wouldn't do it justice. So of course, I had to put together a montage. I love this song! It is just perfect for a marathon, and life. My favorite line is, "Focus on the prize, dreams will be realized. No matter what people say, just keep going anyway!" That is so very true!!! Hope you don't mind the three pictures of me from two years ago. I put the pictures in to correspond with the same place/time that the ones from today were taken. It took a lot of courage for me to post those after looking at the pictures from today of my friends. I mean! How is it possible to look so cute after running your guts out? Never mind, I don't want to know.

Congrats again to all the amazing runners from today! See you next year, I hope!!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

To whom it SHOULD concern...

For your reading pleasure, an excerpt from the email I just sent to my boss. Poor man who has to hear my every complaint. Figured I'd better include some others as well!

I have had several near misses the past two weeks. I'm getting used to the fact that people try to hit me, it must be some kind of game? 1000 points if you hit the crossing guard? But now people are aiming for the kids, too. This afternoon was the worst. Cars speed through the school zone and don't see me until it's too late, and even when they finally see me, instead of stopping they grin sheepishly at me and DRIVE THROUGH THE STOP! I glare at them the best I can to try and inflict pain or death, but so far, no casualties. Today I can't keep quiet because a little boy was almost hit. I screamed so loud at the lady in the car that no other car dared to drive through in any direction for about five minutes. It caused quite a scene. Anyway, I know we can't prevent everything and we can't stop everyone, but I really am getting nervous. I am thinking it might help a little if I stood on the opposite corner, in the direct sun, but I am still too weak to attempt that on these hot afternoons. If I could get some patrol in the afternoon, that would be much appreciated. I know they are so busy, and I was so happy to have had so much patrol in the mornings at the first of the year, but I don't know that I've ever had afternoon patrol, and it is getting bad. People gun it through there and don't have time to stop when I'm walking out and the kids get impatient standing there waiting and some of them don't wait.....
Thank you for reading my gripes. It helps to sometimes just let out my frustration.

Tagged!!!

Okie doke. I just got tagged by Becky. I have to try and come up with five things people don't know about me.... this is hard because most of the people who read this already know everything I could possibly think to put.... I will try.

1. I have a cosmetology license. I know, GASP! "HER???" you say, "She doesn't even do her own hair or makeup!" I know, but I ask you to kindly remember that I went to beauty school and learned how to do YOUR hair and makeup, NOT MINE! ;) My favorite aspect of school was waxing. Which leads to number two...

2. I am obsessed with plucking things out of stuff. Mostly, ingrown hairs, coarse hair, slivers, blackheads, scabs... When waxing, I have to look at the hairs I pull out each time. It's wierd, I know, but there are others out there who feel the same as I do. Really. I have a vivid memory of playing with playdough and toothpicks. I made a turkey of the clay and then it "crashed" into a truck of sticks. I then was the surgeon who had to pull out all the sticks.

3. I never liked running, so this might shock a lot of you, but in September 2006 I ran my first marathon in 4 hours, 22 minutes! Yea me!!! It was a super awesome experience!

4. I can perform the entire scene of Munchkin Land from "The Wizard of Oz." All the characters, by myself. I love acting and hope someday to sing well enough to star in a musical. Again, we shall see!

5. I always wanted to study law and become a famous lawyer. Now I think instead of owning my own business.... specifically a salon, (not likely) or a cake business because I love making cakes!!! I think I'll call it "Camille's Custom Cakes." I'll set up shop in like Hollywood or something where people want to pay lots of money for those kinds of things. ;)

I tag... Amme, Amber, Tawnya, Katelyn, and Michelle.

Warning.... Tons of new Posts!!

Ok, folks! I have been slacking on posting with all of the computer building going on over here, so tonight I did a MAJOR catch up job! There are six new posts, not counting this one, and I am caught up! Whew! That feels good! Enjoy!!!

Happy Birthday, Simon!

Friday was Simon's first birthday! Aack! I still remember the day he was born, and I am certain it hasn't been a year! I went up to see Amber in the hospital the day after, I think. She was up and dressed, hair and makeup done and I vowed never to visit her in the hospital again. Just kiddin' , Amber. As I sat there holding Simon, I was overcome with emotion thinking of how recently he departed our Heavenly Father's presence. I always loved to be near him because he brought those feelings so poignantly to me each time. Thanks, Amber for all the times you let me snuggle him in Relief Society and steal him away from your house!

I had a lot of fun making this cake. Amber found a picture of it on coolest cakes.com. One of my favorite places for inspiration. The cake was yummy, too! The bottom is Grandma Mary's chocolate cake with German Chocolate Filling. The top is a white vanilla with frosting. The only part that is fondant are the giraffe spots and the zebra stripes. And, it's not store bought, nasty fondant, it's my homemade chocolate marshmallow fondant. Tastes like a tootsie roll! Yum!

This little lion was Simon's cake to devour himself.

I just love making cakes! It stresses me out, and I LOVE IT! It's the good stress kind of thing, like shock therapy, I guess. If any of you need cakes, let me know!

I tried to catch this cute pose, but of course it took me too long to get the camera out, but they were so cute just sitting there watching the opening of the gifts!

Bow Party!

Thank you to everyone who came to the bow party, and a HUGE thanks to Jessica and Jolene for doing it!

It was so much fun to just visit with everyone and eat mint brownies!!! It was the first time I've planned a get together and had a good turn out! I feel empowered to have some kind of holiday party.... with the help of Amber the party guru. They did an awesome job and Kaylee and I love her new hair bows!!! I will have to post some pics of the bows I got for her. I had two sets of bows custom made and they look great! I got Kaylee 4 sets of bows and one stretch headband and paid under $8!!! Sweet deal! If you want a great deal on bows, host a party!

What a Night!!!

On Sunday, following the crazy day of fun, I got a phone call from a family in our ward. The wife was going in to have her baby! The have two adorable twin girls and I told them to bring them right over! We had a fun, adventure-filled night that reminded me of many nights with Kaylee and Charles when they were younger. During the night both the girls woke up, but at different times. The first one woke up and I tried my best to keep her happy and calm her back to sleep, but to no avail. Finally she was crying and crying and didn't stop until Louis came out and held her. She clung to him and calmed right down. He held her until she fell asleep, and she stayed asleep all night. The next morning, she was very sad when he left for work without her! But, she was a trooper and enjoyed our walk with Kaylee to the school. On the other hand, her sister would have nothing to do with Louis and restored my sense of self-worth by clinging to me when she awoke. We stayed up visiting with Charles for about three hours before falling asleep. I had to leave for the crosswalk and when I came home Louis let me know my absence was noted! We had a lot of fun with the girls. Charles especially enjoyed having someone to play with for a while. The girls were so good and it was really funny to watch them try to climb in this car together!

So, can anyone tell me how to get this to accept the picture I saved of it rotated already? It undoes my editing when I upload. Hmm... well, just turn your monitor over for a minute, ok?

What a Day!!!

Do you ever have those days that are JAM-Packed!!! Anything that should happen needs to happen, and usually during the same three hour time frame! I had one of those days on Saturday, last Saturday. We began the morning with a baptism!!!

What an awesome opportunity I have had to befriend an investigator and be there for some discussions and see her baptism! It was wonderful. I am so excited to get to know her better.

While Charles and I were at the "baptize 'em" as Charles says, Kaylee was at the Primary Party. We waited for her to finish while we ate some lunch and then...

Next on the agenda... a quick trip to Salt Lake. I was trying to make it down for a baby shower, but since I had to stop on the way with two children and pick up the baby gift, because Logan doesn't have a Target, (I mean really, can we please have a Target?) I missed the shower completely.

Thank goodness Megan still agreed to meet me somewhere for a late lunch. :) Megan is my good friend from High School. I wish she lived closer, but alas. This is her first baby, and it's a boy!!! She is due in the next week or so. Doesn't she look so cute?! Why is it that other women look cute when they are pregnant and I just look fat? Hmm.

During all this running to visit people, I kept thinking of all the other people I could go visit, Lacey, Laura, my brother, etc. Fortunately, Josh and Heather were up from Provo, so we got to see them without the drive. Of course, I was sort of hoping for an excuse to go down and then check in on Melissa and see if there was anything I could help with on the Orem end since I had to bow out early the night of the big move. Sorry guys!

The kids had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's house while I was galavanting around SLC with Megan. I came home to this art display. Pretty good, huh? Kaylee is quite detail oriented. Notice Jasmine's shoes, and Tinkerbell's intricate details. In case you can't tell, she drew all the princesses: Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Ariel, and Tinkerbell. She was trying to finish Snow White when I announced we had to leave. I was totally impressed.

Next and last stop before home...

We were supposed to try and make it to peach days in Brigham City, but it just wasn't going to happen. I learned something, though. If you go to Peach Days, you don't get peaches. If you don't go to Peach Days, you get peaches! So my sister was kind enough to pick up peaches for me in the morning and hold them until I could come get them LATE that night. I also lucked out and got to spend a few minutes with my cousin and her family. We used to have lots of fun playing together as kids, and it's still fun to get together. Thanks, Jenna!

Although it was a bit hectic and I came home completely tired, it was well worth it!

Escape

The first week of school wasn't as smooth as I had hoped. The mornings are a crunch with me at the crosswalk and Kaylee needing her hair done once I get home and still trying to walk. Thank goodness Louis fixed her bike! Now it's not a problem really, because Kaylee is FAST on her bike. At any rate one school morning Kaylee and I butted heads and she went to school in tears (which ruins my day because I ruined her day) and I left the school angry and in tears. Yes, my five year old is very talented at making me cry. I took the day off. A friend of mine agreed to pick Kaylee up and let her play with her daughter until I decided to face life again. I went to my sister's house for a surprise visit. Charles was thrilled!!! The final outing before I decided we'd better get back home was a trip to Perry Park. It's my favorite park now. Even more so than Adam's Park. It is entirely shaded!!! Here are some cute pics of Charles enjoying his day with Tressa and mom.

Steve's "First Dam" Birthday

I know this is way old... but we have been having major computer issues. Louis decided to build my computer and we have had several bumps along the way, but it will all be worth it in the end. anyways.... here are the pictures from Steve's birthday celebration up at first dam. They provided a delicious picnic dinner of egg salad sandwiches and of course, delicious grasshopper brownies. Thanks guys!

This is a picture of a student we were behind on the way up. The sign on his back says, "My family was killed by ninjas. Need money for karate lessons." Louis thought it was funny and pondered on whether or not the young man would earn enough money to pay for school.

Steve's cards from the kids.

Steve opening his gifts. We let the kids pick his present.....
Oreos!!!! What else? We wanted to get one of each variety, but some stores just don't have the selection they should!!!The Spread! Yum!!!

The kids had lots of fun running around and feeding the ducks.

I have to tell you that I don't like this picture of me. I put it on because everyone says there aren't any of me. Well, Donna is so stinking cute, and then there's me. Blah, I should stand next to someone else next time, or perhaps do my makeup and hair. That is a novel idea!

Charles just killed me! He was yelling, "Fly, Fly!" at the ducks. It reminded me of The Wizard of Oz when the Wicked Witch of the West calls to her flying monkeys!

Why, yes! I can!

Everyone will want to sit down for this post. I am officially domestic. Yes, that's right! I can CAN!!! Before I get carried away, I will state the facts:
Today, after six years of saying that I wanted to and was going to, I canned peaches, ALL BY MYSELF! I do need to admit that I had a tutoring session last year from Jessica, and then another step by step run-down yesterday from Katie and several phone calls to Katie and the extension today. But, I was alone in the kitchen and I now have eight beautiful bottles of peaches! Whew! This is a HUGE deal for me, so please don't ruin it by thinking to yourself, "peaches are so easy!" I've heard this already! But it's not easy for me. Let me explain.... When I was up at BYU-I, I took a class called "Practical Homemaking." I was banking on Louis proposing and figured I'd better fine tune some skills. Acquire them is more like it. We learned several useful things and I discovered that I really already possessed some skills that interested others. (i.e. hair and skin care; I can hear you all, "gasp! SHE does hair? Why doesn't she do her own?" I know, but it's another post for another time.) We learned how to make pie crusts, bread, meals, pillowcases, jelly, and we even canned stew! It was all yummy, and I was NEVER able to replicate ANY of it!!! We had an entire section on preserving and canning. I paid close attention, I thought. I should tell you, though, that I failed my canning test which gave me a "B" or maybe "B-" in the class. So, Louis was warned! I was so distraught and assumed that it meant I'd kill everyone if I ever tried. The one thing I learned is "botulism." That stunted my growth in the canning department, but now I have proved that wrong! Well, OK, we haven't actually EATEN the peaches yet, so I suppose that declaration will have to wait until all the jars are empty!
All day as I was going through this.... process, I was bloggin' in my mind. I told Katie today about half way through that I wasn't sure yet which blog to use... the "Introducing the New Mrs. Domestic USA" or the "Canning for Dummies is a myth." I have decided on a middle road.

Here are some lessons I learned from today:

1. You should can your peaches VERY soon after buying them! Don't wait!



2. When people tell you "peaches are so easy!" What they mean is, "most intelligent people should be able to do this without killing anyone," This doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea to jump right in by yourself! It's not like a "nature's instinct" type thing.



3. Canning peaches is "smart." (I learned this from Charles.)*see below for full explanation



4. You should really put the pectin in the syrup BEFORE you fill the jars. But, as Anna pointed out.... we've been canning for years before there was ever "fruit fresh!" But, it was worth the extra step to make sure I did it right!



5. Canning really takes ALL DAY, no really, ALL STINKING DAY!



6. Seven quart size jars of peaches displace a LARGE amount of boiling water.... so don't fill the pot too full!



7. I decided the reason it's called a water bath is because the jars get SO STICKY, they need a bath before they can be put on the shelf. (Does this process work well on children?)



8. When you call the extension office, if a man answers.... ASK FOR THE WOMAN! Mine is named, Peggy. Of course, I did feel good knowing that someone else in the universe doesn't know EVERYTHING about canning peaches!



9. It takes a lot of peaches (and work!) for only eight little jars!



10. The jars really are beautiful and there is a sense of pride looking at them!

*My conversation with Charles:

Charles: Mom, what are ya doin?

Me: Canning peaches.

Charles: Why?

My mind: Yeah, why? Didn't mom tell you it was such a big mess and really not worth it? Besides, you don't even know what you're doing!

Me (optimistic me): So we can have yummy fruit to eat in the winter.

Charles: Oh, that is smart!

My mind: Yeah, we'll see about that one!

Here is my proof!!!

Getting ready to fill the jars with syrup. Please don't notice how you can see the peach pit part. I tried my best to hide it in the middle, but peaches have a mind of their own!

Boiling the lids and making the syrup. (see the white bowl with premeasured pectin? Yeah, forgot to add it in to the syrup BEFORE filling the jars, so I had to pour the syrup back out and stir in the pectin! Blah!)

The beautiful, sanitized jars awaiting the peaches! (Actually these are the reject jars that didn't get any fruit because apparantly a half bushel only makes eight jars!) The eight beautiful, STICKY, jars awaiting their "water bath."

The beautiful jars AFTER their bath. So far, they have all sealed!!! Whew!

Now that it's all over, I am TIRED! But, I am glad I did it! Finally!!! This is kind of like running the marathon, I'm glad I did it, I really wondered if I could, and I'm not ready to answer the question, "Are you going to do it again?"

As a side note, I have to just add this. This year in Relief Society we are focusing on Self-Reliance. I chose to set a goal in the area of Food Storage. I have been very pleased with what I have done this year. Not as much as some, perhaps, but it's been a HUGE leap for me! Three MAJOR things (with pictures to prove it!)

• I grew something! 23 tomato plants to be precise! I gave away A LOT of those because Louis said we didn't have room for them on our itsy bitsy porch. Whatever! The tomatoes were small, but very yummy. I feel so motivated to plant again next year. Maybe I'll do a couple tomatoes and perhaps some peas? Ooh! The possiblities!

These aren't the best pictures of my tomatoes, since they're dying, but it proves they LIVED once!

• Canning, yes we've been over this, I know. But that is HUGE!
• Technically this has nothing to do with food, but I revived a plant! Kaylee gave me a small flower for Mother's Day from preschool. I killed it because I didn't know it was only wrapped in paper! But, I repotted it and it grew a ton of beautiful pansies, which I love!

Again, not the best picture, but there are still a couple good blossoms to see.