Girl's Camp Eve

So, here's what I'm thinking about at 11:45 the night before camp.

1. What did I forget to pack? It seems impossible that there could be anything because of the ginormous duffle sitting in my living room. But there will be something. Guaranteed. Packing for all the "what ifs" is gettin' me down.

2. I'm already so tired I can't see straight. Not a good way to start out.

3. Do you realize it was snowing in the camp ground two days ago?

4. How did I get to be a senior citizen and not learn how to plan/organize/pull off girl's camp? Thank heaven for camp directors and great staff who did.

5. I'm gonna have fun. It is going to be a blast. Think of me hurtling down the zip line thinkin' I'm gonna die. What could be more fun than that? Maybe canoeing or shooting or repelling off of the giant tower? Maybe.

6. I'll be back in no time to give you a report. Only 4 sleepless nights to go. Hahahaha.

7. I really do love my calling.

The Purse

About a month ago my sis tagged me. I'm slow, partly because the purse is such a black hole for all things junky. Here's the list.

*Checkbook...tsk tsk. After I got my purse stolen and my checks used all over the city, I swore I would never keep my checkbook in there again. No longer there, btw.
*Cell Phone. What did we do without 'em?
* My new prescription sunglasses, gifted to me for my birthday this year. Such a luxury.
*Small metal tape measure. Very handy except when going through security at the courthouse. They were convinced I was trying to smuggle in a pocket knife.
*Elvis pen. Since Elvis and I share a birthday, it is only fitting.
*One business card for a custom shoe shop. No comment.
*Carpet sample. We replaced our carpet 10 years ago. Wow.
*Seventeen rolls of Smarties. Granny ammunition.
*Two restaurant mints. Can't stand the things.
*One cough drop.
*Package of unwrapped Orbit gum.
*Keys. What do you know...right where they belong.
*Wet wipes. More granny ammunition.
*Three packs tissues. Overkill.
*Comb.
*Wallet. Very little money, lots of grocery store cards.

Let's see, I tag Amy, Rachel the newlywed, and Laura F.

What Makes A Productive Saturday?

What makes a productive Saturday at your house? We tend to judge our success by the number of trips we have to make to Home Depot. Today was a very productive Saturday.

Mark and Ryan spent about 6 hours this morning repairing/replacing/fixing the sprinklers in the front yard. I believe I counted five {yes, five} trips to Home Depot to get supplies for unforeseen issues with said sprinklers.

Then, my sweet, sweet husband spent some more time this afternoon making sure all my beloved plants in the back had sufficient water supply hook-ups and fixed a few flooding spots, since "someone" seems to have nicked the pipe with a shovel or some other gardening implement. {"Someone" is usually me, btw.} Patient, patient man. Thank you.

And on top of all that, the previous few days he has been fixing the lighting in the yard...some conduit rotted out and caused a short which knocked out the whole yard. So he figured out where the problems were, dug up the corner of the yard, and got that all fixed {after much frustration)}and I'm estimating that project produced at least four trips to Home Depot as well. I'm guessing the good old HD will not be going out of business any time soon. We seem to be doing our fair share to ensure their longevity.

I made a trip to Home Depot myself this afternoon (more plants, light globes, washers for the hose) bringing us to a grand total of six trips to Home Depot just today. That is what I call a great day.

News Flash

Yes, yes, Ryan got his mission call today. Here's the short version:

Slovenia/Croatia Mission
Reports to MTC July 30, 2008
Croatian language

We are feeling very excited, very happy, and very, very blessed.

A Blast From the Past

I forgot what a great movie The Karate Kid is. After a long-ish flight to Boise and an even long-er drive to Idaho Falls, we plopped down in our hotel room and flipped through the channels. We settled on The Karate Kid, which I haven't watched for probably, oh, twenty years, and got completely sucked into the drama. Maybe my enjoyment of it had something to do with being on vacation with my best friend, but it was such a pleasure to see the hard work, training and perseverance that helped the good guy win in the end. Ah, I *heart* feel-good movies. I highly recommend this blast from the past for your viewing pleasure.

Next post or so, I'll bring you pictures of the cutest bride and groom who inspired the Idaho adventure!

Celebrities

It was a day of celebration in the Dixon household today. Mark finally is as old as I am again, and has entered the hallowed halls of senior citizenship. We had a little *family get together* to wish him a happy birthday. Happy birthday, beloved boy!

And then a couple of hours later, Holly was honored prior to the General YW Broadcast because she has *completed* the requirements for her YW Recognition Award at the tender age of barely 14 (she was the youngest one honored tonight.) Congrats, Holly, we are SO proud of you!

She was also the only one who had *brothers* show up to support her. Way to go, brothers, and thanks for participating in the photo op. Oh, and P.S. the YW Conference was soooo good. Catch it on BYU TV if you weren't there!




And in parting, I just had to introduce you to the *cutest* ducks who showed up on our front lawn this week. They almost came in the house when I opened the door. So friendly! I wish some grandkids had been here to share the fun!

...Ta Ta For Now

The Week's Top Ten List

10. Number of furniture stores visited in one day (Saturday.) How fun is that? {Thanks for letting me tag along, Amy.}

9. Number of blunders made while conducting RS today. I actually stopped counting; I'm sure it was more. Every other 4th Sunday the YW President gets the honors in the combined YW/RS opening exercises. You'd think I'd get better at it, but no, no I don't.

8. Number of bite sized Snickers eaten while filling Easter baskets. This was exactly 8 more than planned.

7. Number of days I did not succeed in eating pre-planned healthy cuisine. See #8.

6. Number of people here for Easter dinner. So quiet. Missed you, D,R,D&E, M,A,&C. Lovely dinner out on the patio, though!

5. Number of days this week I slept in and rejoiced over Spring Break! Oh yes, also the number of dresses ordered on-line and returned. How many ugly dresses are there in this world, anyway? Too many. Far too many. Definitely one of those *not to be repeated* incidents.

4. Number of days I did my Pilates workout. Go me. Someday I will look like the *super-model strongest woman on earth in the black ponytail with 5% body fat* on the DVD.

3. Number of quilts finished...oh wait, I still have to bind one. I'm still counting it.

2. Number of dresses and hats completed for my adorable Chloe and Eve. So fun.

1. Number of Easter egg hunts held in the back yard for local grandkids. Missed you Z,T&G! Oh, and don't forget the super fancy hot dog grilling fest held afterward. Sweet memories.

0. Number of times I got up at 6:00 a.m. this week. Pure bliss. No kidding.