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.

Bow Party!!!

Ok all you ladies with daughters, this is for you! My friend, Jessica Rowley, makes fabulous, affordable hair bows, headbands, clips, etc. They are so cute and fun, and the best part is she can custom make something for that favorite outfit that just doesn't have anything to match. I am having a bow party on Saturday, I know it's short notice, but I am a procrastinator. Sorry! If you can come, great! If not, check out her bow blog. I have a link on the side of my blog. It's J&J bows. It would be so much fun to see a lot of you and just visit. Please don't feel pressured to get anything, but sometimes it's fun to just gab, eat yummy dessert and see something cool. I'd love to see ya on Saturday! My place, (call me if you need directions, or address), from 5:30-8pm. Open House style. See ya on Saturday!

A Little 411 on Crosswalks

Ok, people. I am a crossing guard. This is my second school year as a crossing guard. I am right now a very FRUSTRATED crossing guard. I am continually amazed by the rudeness and stupidity of people. As I was griping under my breath about something the last bonehead did illegally, I said to myself,

"Now, let's be fair... perhaps they aren't just stupid. Perhaps they don't remember the laws/rules, or never learned them."

Ok, fair enough. Get ready to be educated! And then, do me the favor of finding someone else who is ignorant of these things and educate them!

Let's start really easy.... the picture below is a picture of a STOP sign.

It means to cease movement, quit, FREEZE, hold still, play dead, etc. The said ending of movement should occur in a VERY close proximity to the sign, and most importantly, should occur BEFORE you pass the sign. When in doubt, JUST HIT THE BRAKE!!!

A few basic rules for driving through crosswalks:

• When you see flashing yellow lights on a sign that says in BIG BOLD letters, "20 mph" this means, the fastest you can go is twenty miles per hour. In other words, SLOW DOWN BUCKWHEAT!!! The speed gauge on your car should not go above the 20!!! This sign will generally flash each school day at the SAME time in the morning, and the SAME time in the afternoon!


• When you approach the crosswalk, you do NOT have to stop UNLESS you see a person standing in the crosswalk, especially if they are holding a BIG RED SIGN reading "STOP." Please note that it is NOT helpful to stop your car directly over the crosswalk. NO good will come from this.


• When someone, ANYONE, is in a crosswalk, ANYWHERE, it is illegal to drive your car over any part of the crosswalk until the pedestrian (these are people walking) is completely out of the crosswalk.


• If a person is standing in the crosswalk wearing a glaring ORANGE and YELLOW vest and holding up a bright RED sign with the word "STOP" on it, YOU MUST COME TO A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP BEFORE YOU GET TO THE CROSSWALK!!!! Again, don't cross over the crosswalk until all persons, INCLUDING the one with the gorgeous vest and sign, are OUT OF THE CROSSWALK!!!


• People in BRIGHT orange and yellow vests are not supposed to be invisible. You can pretend all you want, but for heaven's sake people!!! We are practically GLOWING!!! Are you trying to tell me that you are that incompetent?!?! Maybe you find the vibrant glaring colors offensive and so retaliate by trying to run us over? NOT A GOOD IDEA! Just remember, we work for the police department and we pay CLOSE attention to license plate numbers!!!

Now, you parents of school children... listen up and teach your kids! (Who actually are quite well behaved and good at following rules until their parents show them differently.)

• When you come to the crosswalk, WAIT for the crossing guard. In general you shouldn't just run out into the road, especially not without first looking. If you insist on doing it yourself, let the crossing guard know. If you decide to use the crossing guard, wait until they get out in the road and tell you to come.


• If you are riding a bike, you must GET OFF THE BIKE and WALK it across. This rule can be applied to bikes, scooters, roller shoes, etc. You must always WALK across the crosswalk. (However, you don't have to walk slowly, just a nice, brisk walk. Also, it's not the best idea to stop in the road to talk to people.)


• When you cross the road, STAY ON THE CROSSWALK!!! There will likely be two cones in the road, walk BETWEEN those cones!

Now, in all fairness let me explain that MOST people and kids are really aware and good at these things. I just get so frustrated with people who have to speed through school zones, ignore stop signs, and are just impatient! I get the feeling they have an attitude like, "oh, yeah, they mean everyone except me." If you have this kind of view, just keep in mind that there are usually police patrolling crosswalks and one of these days, you just might get nailed! These tickets are very expensive. I don't know the exact amount, though I am curious.... but the most important thing is this: Keeping the kids safe! I have known personally, two kids who were hit by cars while in a crosswalk with a crossing guard there. Both suffered from some major injuries. You don't want to cause this right? Or be a victim someday? Then let's all just START PAYING ATTENTION, SLOW DOWN AND EXCERCISE SOME PATIENCE!!!! Thank you!

I'm Speechless!

My cousin, Becky, nominated my blog as one that she likes to read! Sweet! Now... I will show you all what a pro blogger I am striving to become as I attempt to follow the complex instructions related to this blog award thingy. AND... if I succeed, I surely think that deserves another kind of award, eh? :)

The rules of this award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated
Ok... now for the fun! I get to pick only 7 blogs that I nominate... Hmm....

Amber- She is so hilarious. Seriously, folks. If you need to laugh at yourself, or someone else... read her blog!!! She got me started into this because each time I would read her blog I wanted to comment, and I couldn't! So, I got an account just to comment, and now look at me... I have an award! Thanks, Amber (wipe a tear), I couldn't have done it without you!

Jenna- my cousin, and another hilarious blogger. I love to read her views as they are so very similar to mine. Gee, you'd think we were related or something!

Melanie- I really actually don't know Melanie except through my dear friend's family and now, her blog. Melanie is the happy slice of reality I need each day! I go to her blog for a happy, down-to-earth look at life as a mother and wife. She tells it just like it is and I love it! The best part is... it's like reading a wonderful happily ever after story for me. She always cheers me up.

Amme- I love to read this blog of my dearest departed friend, though I must admit that it doesn't hold a candle to just sitting in our kitchens chatting the day away... I would die if I couldn't see pictures of the kids as they grow and do things. I miss ya, Amme!

This is really getting hard now... I read WAY too many blogs........and I love them all!

Danielle- My wonderful sister-in-law... and the only other girl in my Koberstein family to blog! Thanks, Danielle! I love to keep up with them since they are sooo far away in Cali.

Andrea- I miss Andrea so much and I am so happy to keep in touch with her via the blog! She has the cutest family and I love her blog... it's always so cute!

Trina- I really didn't get to know Trina as well as I wish now I would've. I so appreciate that Trina is real. She doesn't try and "cover up" she just tells how it is and I love it! I really can relate to a lot of her posts and I always feel better knowing there's someone else feeling like I do!

Happy Birthday Katie!

Saturday was my cousin, Katie's birthday. I had to pull this picture of her off her sister, Becky's blog because Katie refuses to EVER let me take a picture of her. I thought about snapping a shot of her Saturday morning as we drove around gabbing and laughing our heads off for three hours at three in the morning, but decided against that. Katie has always been the cousin I really admired and idolized. She was so cute and sooo cool! (and still is, I might add!) My sister and I loved to go visit the Gregg Manwaring's and I always hoped to see Katie getting ready for a date or something. After getting married I was so excited to find an apartment in Katie's ward. Eventually we got to serve together in the Mia Maid class and I even lived four doors down from her for the "best two years of my life!" I always looked up to Katie when I was young, and now I look to her for tips and advice on how to be the greatest wife and mother EVER! She is the amazing mother to five beautiful daughters and I just hope I can catch some of her goodness from our association without my flaws rubbing off on her! Whenever I am frustrated, lonely, sad, discouraged, or whatever else... I call Katie or run over for a pick-me-up visit, and she always helps me feel better. She also has great recipies that are quick, delicious, and easy! My family thanks her for teaching me how to make the best pizza ever and incorporate Friday night pizza/movie night into our family routine. She is also extremely crafty and talented in basically ever area of life! I love your guts, Katie!!!