Well, it's been awhile

So when I look at my blog, I realize it's kind of pathetic and not really living up to what I envisioned when I began. I also realized that my "Good Books" list on the side is pretty stagnant so I took it off. I guess I have to be honest and admit that I don't really read enough to regularly update my list. So now, I'll just make an individual post when I read a really noteworthy book. Then I'll figure out how to link them together with a label for good books.

Now, my blog may morph a little to become "The Good List" for my life - something a little more specific and personal than the general perspective I set out with in mind. I think I've been limiting my posts because I wanted this to cover the good in the world and didn't want it to be like a journal. Now I think I realize that it can be, and I want it to be, a combination of both.

So here we go, with a fresh start.

Story Time

We have some awesome free community activities.
One of them is Storytime at Three Little Monkeys. But it's not just story time. They pick a theme and read books relating to the theme and then there is a craft that goes with the theme. The kids get to sit at short little tables on tiny chairs and use markers,crayons,and glue with occasional other craft accessories to create art. It's fun!

Library Movies

I love checking out DVD's from the library.
*it's free
*you can keep them for 2 weeks
*sometimes you're pleasantly surprised at how good a "this might be okay" movie really is, and it makes you want to check out other similar movies :)
Some good ones we've had lately:
Carrie's War
The Journey of Natty Gann
Jane Eyre
Love Comes Softly series (for girls and pioneer lovers like me)

Let's Be Like These Boys!

This story is by President Hinckley. It makes me want to look for opportunities like these boys had. We can make such a difference to someone else by doing small, thoughtful things!

Who in the World Would........

......put fabric softener on a trampoline?

My husband.

Okay, here's the background:
When he was single, he loved playing, adventure, fun, entertainment, entertaining, and things that use a lot of energy.

So that's why he bought a trampoline.

Said trampoline has been dormant, stored away, until a spark of memory, accompanied by adventure ignited in Dave's head. All it took was a thought, and now, we have a tramp in our back yard. He came home and set it up by himself, lickety split, with Lauren watching every move with intense curiosity.

When they were jumping, he noticed the static. It's normal right? It goes with the territory. Jumping on a tramp = staticky (sp?) hair. Especially in little girls. Most people are fine with a little static, and deal with it. Dave doesn't usually "deal" with most things. He likes to fix them or improve them.

That's where the fabric softener comes in.

It fixes static in clothes, right? (then I get a scientific explanation of the physics of static electricity and what fabric softener does to prevent it :)

I say, "You're hilarious. Static is eternal on trampolines. No way."

Dave is undaunted. The tramp was dusty from storage and needed to be sprayed off anyway. But not just with the hose - with a solution of kitchen cleaner, water, and of course, fabric softener.

Okay, I admit, it worked for about one day. Now the static is back. :D But he's not giving up ~ I was just informed that his next idea is leather conditioner. :)

Who in the World Would......

.......Put Leather Conditioner on a trampoline?

My husband.

The Elimination of Leftovers

I don't quite know how to describe the satisfaction I get from purging the fridge of leftovers!
Not just cleaning it out and throwing stuff away, but actually eating it and seeing the stash dwindle and the fridge free space increase.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?!
Eating leftovers saves you money!
It is so efficient!
It's easy - all you need is a microwave!
I admit, there are some leftovers that never make it to the stomach, but for the most part , I am good at using them up. (Thanks to Dave packing a lunch everyday - so wonderful of him - even though sometimes it comes back home with him because he got some sort of better offer. But then.......I get to send it back with him the next day and it's already packed! And he doesn't mind!)
I would have to say that my favorite thing about leftovers is that I get to postpone going to the grocery store that much longer :). I get to postpone the mental exertion of coming up with a dinner idea for one more night!
Yay for leftovers!
(I know for a fact that Dave would not necessarily endorse this post, despite his support of leftovers. He would not cheer "Yay for leftovers", unless it were lasagne. "That", he says, "I could eat every day".)

Ramen and Crepes for Dinner

.....that's what we had.
Ramen and Crepes.
There were no vegetables in the Ramen and the crepe filling consisted of:
2 remaining strawberries in our fridge, about 1/4 c. of blackberries, some blackberry jam, and some yogurt.
We topped the crepes with powdered sugar.
That's all I could get myself to fix after an afternoon of lawn mowing (Dave) and jumping on the trampoline with Lauren until 6:30.
Dave said, "I've never been so excited about such a random meal in my life!"
It was really good! We ate a batch of crepes and then made another 1/2 batch.
Simplicity and Satisfaction.
YUM.