Hint #4

Hint #3

More Hints

I just have two hints today - one without a picture (it woud grose you out) and one with a beautiful picture.

First hint: never leave a can of pop in the freezer for more than 30 minutes!

Second hint: the picture and caption speak for themselves.

New Computer - Wow this is hard learning new stuff

It's been six months since my resolution to spend more time on my blog, and I had an excuse because my old computer gave up the ghost. It told me it could only take so much abuse, and I had pushed it past it's limit - so bye, bye. Jess came to the rescue and found me a brand new computer on the internet and I received it last week. No more excuses. But, it has all new programs so I am still learning. I am going to keep this short to make sure I can still do this but first I want to attach a picture. I found these on my flash drive (I actually figured out how to read it) so I want to post them on my blog one at a time. They are cute pictures with great advice on them just in case anyone besides me reads this.

Before I close though, I have to announce that my neighbor just 1/2 block from me was just arrested yesterday (I missed it all because I wasn't home) for being the kingpin in one of the biggest drug cartels in the West. Not really anything to be proud of, but I have actually seen him in action right in front of my house. By the time I got the sherriff'"s office called, he had moved on. It sure is quiet at his house today. Watch the news. More later.

Mother's Day 2010

I know I haven't posted for a while. By the time I read all my e-mails and try to clean them up, it is time for me to head for bed. But, I need to post about my past weekend. It was Mother's Day and probably the best I have experienced. First, on Friday night I got to watch my two boys play basketball together again. Spence entered a team in a scholarship tournament and Friday they played two games. It sure wasn't like high school but was still enjoyable. I missed the huge crowd cheering for them but all good things pass.
Friday night, Spence, Kelly, Becca and baby Boston all spent the night at my little one-bathroom home. We had late-night pizza and visited into the night. Great memories. Thanks Becca and Kelly for staying at my house.
Saturday, I left for Boise to get there in time for Max's last football game. Nichole and I arrived right at 3 p.m. at the wrong field. Luckily we weren't far from the regular field and I got there in time to see Max get a touchdown. As much as watching Max play, I enjoy watching Spencer coach. For the Teton Terror, he is mighty patience with those little boys. Of course, it's easy when your team is always winning. I'm sure it means a lot to Max to have his dad coach. He probably doesn't realize how lucky he is. None of my children had that opportunity but I can't change that as much as I would like to. Too bad for the dad. He missed a great deal.
After the game, we all went to Applebees for a wonderful meal. Nichole had her boys with her and we had a fun time all together. I only eat out when I visit Boise so it was a real treat for me.
Sunday, we got to church at 9 a.m. which wasn't easy. I felt Summer should have had the day off being Mother's Day but once we got to church her job was pretty much over for the day. Spence ditched church for a while and went home and picked up the house so it was clean when we returned home. He then cooked a fabulous meal for his mother and his children's mother. The sun was shining (something I am not used to here in the mountains) so we ate outside and enjoyed the weather. Spence and I then cleaned up while Summer got to sit and visit with the neighbors. It was a nice relaxing day.
On Sunday, I arrived at a new place in my life. I received Sainthood. After church, one of the counselors in the bishopric came right down to me and introduced himself. I was a little taken aback but he said he had to come meet Spencer's mother. He said anyone that raised a son like Spence had to be a saint. I took that as a compliment which is what I hoped he meant. He did mention that his son idolized Spence so I am assuming he was giving me a huge compliment. So, now you can just refer to me as "Saint Nancy."
I spent the night and travelled home at my leisure on Monday. It was raining the whole way so I was glad I took in as much sun as I could the day before.
All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. Thanks to my other children for the texts and phone calls. Nichole gave me a Biggest Loser Book (is that a hint) and Spence and Summer gave me a great photo book. I had a hard time getting through it for the tears. What a great family I have. Jess sent me a book with inspirational stories that I love already. I think I am the luckiest mother ever.
So, down in the books go my Mother's Day 2010. I wish I had pictures but I can't revive my camera after freezing it in McCall at Christmas. That is next on my shopping list.

Quiet Time in the Valley

I wish I had a photo to show but over Christmas I left my new camera in my car in MaCall and it froze and I can't seem to get it to un-freeze. So, for now, no photos.

Things have been quiet for me lately as I am staying out of trouble at school and I haven't been anywhere exciting. I do have to mention my trip to Boise about three weeks ago to spend time with three of my grandchildren while their parents vacationed in Arizona. I was afraid they would return home to sick kids and a dead dog but luckily neither happened. I was busy running kids to ballet, basketball, and other activities while the parents had massages and flew through the Grand Canyon in a helicopter. I was envious of the helicopter ride as it brought back memories of my helicopter rides in Vietnam. Other than that, I preferred being with the grandchildren than in sunny Arizona. We had a great time and my heart ached when I had to return home. Great memories. Thanks Spence and Summer for making that possible.

My entry today was really about the example parents set for their children. I am a firm believer that children are a relection of their parents and that was brought home again to me today in Primary. I teach the three-year olds in Church and today one little boy had a huge wad of gun that kept hanging out of his mouth. He kept playing with it and luckily, it managed to stay in his mouth and didn't get on the floor or on the table. I wondered why such a small child would have such a huge wad of gum but my curiousity was soon saisfied when during closing exercises, his mother walked into the primary and guess what? There was a big wad of gum hanging out of her mouth. I had to giggle to myself and confirm my feelings that kids are pretty much their parents in much smaller bodies. So all young parents, keep that in mind as you raise your children. It reminds me of a poster in the teacher's lounge at school that reads: "If you aren't modeling what you are teaching, you are teaching something else."
I hope the next time I post, it will be a little more exciting. Later!

Gotta Love the Family

My New Year's resolution to spend more time blogging lasted about as long as my resolution to not each chocolate. Not much has been happening in my life lately except shoveling snow, going to ball games, and trying to stay out of trouble at school (which seems to be my biggest challenge as of late). I got called to the principal's office on Thursday and I have to say, it is not as fun as when you were in school and got called to the office. This often means your job is on the line and as I made the long walk down the hall, my thoughts were "what have I done or said now?" Usually, I am aware of things I say, but this time I was clueless. Due to the fact I am walking on thin ice after following a group of boys into the boys restroom to get them to go to class, I have been on my best behavior ever. Then, when I enter the office and he tells me to shut the door, wow - panic!! What a relief to find out the only problem was that a parent complained that I was trying to influence their child politically. Gee me? Not the Nancy I know. We talked it out, and I apologized again and said I would watch my big mouth but I had to walk a little prouder back to class knowing that at least one of my students listened to me. It wasn't that I was trying to push my political views on any of the students, but we were talking about economics and one student asked the question "where did all the money go." I couldn't resist. I had to mention that the government was spending money they didn't have so had to borrow from the Chinese. That led into a big discussion as to where the government gets their money and I guess I got a little carried away. In the end, I get to keep my job and will have to stay away from politics.
The real reason I am entering a new entry is I want it in the record that I am soooo thankful for my family. I feel sorry for my chldren that they got stuck with me for a mom, but it must have been for a reason. I was asked to be on a committee for the city, and as I entered the home of a lady about my age, I looked around and it was so clean, everything in order with beautiful furniture, a clean carpet, beautiful paintings and wall hangings and I have to say, I was jealous as to all her "stuff". As we sat there, I began to notice that she had no pictures of family - especially children or grandchildren. My curiousity got the best of me, and later when the opportunity arose, I asked her about it. Come to find out, she had never married. Been a school teacher all her career and had recently retired and had moved up to our valley to enjoy the beauty. My heart went out to her. Later as I came back to my humble home, I studied every picture I had of my family and was so thankful that family decorated my home instead of expensive pictures. I certainly don't have all the "stuff" she has but I have something more valueable than money can buy: A healthy, happy family who love me inspite of me being me. What more could I ask for in life?
So, thank you my children for loving me as I am. You mean the world to me and I want to tell you now as I didn't tell you enough growing up. I actually didn't know how important you were to me. I was just so busy being with you that I didn't realize that those times would eventually be "The good old days." Thank you. I love you. For you young parents, savor every minute you have with your children. Those minutes will be the best time of your life (until the grandkids come along). Some day you are going to miss them and you can never get them back.