My Little Family

2011-08-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

Pinterest
I may be really slow, ignorant, or just blinded by my own path, but I just decided to look at Pinterest and see what all the fuss was about. I noticed people say it was addicting, and talk about how awesome it was...and it really is true. Oh my. I spent a lot of time looking at that site. Whew. I got some fun ideas, though, and I really have no idea what my "repins" or "likes" are all about, but I am doing it. Awesome stuff!

My Pinterest Likes

I have been organizing and unpacking my workroom/guest room, and I have been finding all kinds of fun things. It seems like at first, I didn't really want to do it, but now, I just want to keep opening boxes and see what I can find and make out of it. You're probably wondering, "How does she not know what she has?" but...I just have stuff. Stuff, like craft items, fabric, BEADS, paper, stamps, things of all kinds, from years and years, that have all been packed away for a while. Ugh. This sounds completely opposite from what I just said, but I am dreading opening all the boxes because I have no idea what I am going to do with all the stuff I find. I think I may find the right mood, to where I say, "Someone else can use this!" but I have to figure out who, and how, I am getting it to. Any takers? What kind of stuff are YOU looking for? I bet I have it!!

I know it has been forever, but I honestly have been busy with something else. School, kids, health, etc. But here I am now! I need something to keep me involved with myself on all levels, and I think this may do it. Keep me accountable, keep my life interesting, and if someone wants to know, they can. Ha ha.

"Try this...

2011-01-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

There is a recipe I want to try, i need to keep track of it:
http://thegourmetfoodblog.deandeluca.com/roasted-pumpkin-and-black-bean-tostadas/

ideas i want to keep track of:

1. Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts. Aristotle

2. First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. Epictetus

3. Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement. Alfred Adler

4. Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Helen Keller

5. Long have you timidly waded holding a plank by the shore,
Now I will you to be a bold swimmer,
To jump off in the midst of the sea, rise again, nod to me, shout,
and laughingly dash with your hair. Walt Whitman

6. How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
Annie Dillard

7. Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver

another idea:\

http://www.shoestringmag.com/

Once again, I appear randomly.

2011-01-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

Its a new year! I could have a resolution to blog more, but I think that might not work. I need a place to vent, to let stuff out, though. I need a place to just say random stuff, to leave ideas, to have thoughts floating around that I can catch sometimes. So...here I go again.
As we all know by now, I am vegan, and have been since June. That "diet" could be tricky. There are lots of processed items, like OREOS that are technically vegan...but you don't really think about it unless someone tells you or you find out some other way. So just being vegan doesn't mean you eat healthier or you lose weight, it just means that you don't eat any animal stuffs. Agh.

My resolutions for the new year....
-keep up a healthy lifestyle. don't eat all those desserts and treats, and things that I think I need but I know my body doesn't need
-have better control over myself. i need to be able to accomplish all tasks on time, without making up reasons for NOT doing it.
-exercise...this also goes along with the first two. the control over my actions, attitude and lifestyle will make it easier to exercise.
-graduate, finally. i'm getting there!
-work harder to create more interest and success in my businesses.

Still not good at blogging! Update, though...

2010-08-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

The past week has been busy for me. I visited my lovely friend Loni, who lives in Tacoma. She has been visiting our home town, and I went to see her for a few days. I took that opportunity to get some model shots of her and her sister for my new site. Just a few more days, and that will be up! I had a good time with her, and our kids loved playing with each other. We also made yummy vegan noshes. Mmm.
Before that, my friend Kirstie came from California and visited me (and my bro) here for a few days, and we made vegan eats, too. I love when I have someone to play veggie lovers with! That never happens, though. We made bean salad (recipe on my food blog), fruit & oat bars, pumpkin brownies (how did I lose weight!?!), lettuce wraps, and black bean sofrito. Yummm.
Today I got on the scale and it said "144.8" Wow. I was so sure I had gained weight, because I had only exercised once in the past 5 days...I had been more active otherwise, though, and I think that once you kick that metablosim in and get it really working harder, it stays like that. If that makes sense.
In just a few hours, I will be leaving to go to Vegas to get MY HUBBY! We've been apart for a month, and it's too much. I'm so glad it's time to see him again!
And, I learned I have a new nephew...born July 7. We obviously don't keep in touch that much. Saw photos, though, he's cute.
Photos soon, I promise.

I'm THE BEST at blogging, ha ha ha!

2010-08-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

Let's face it-- it isn't realistic for me to plan every single meal, let alone blog every single day. So I am just going to do what I can when I can.

I love steel cut oats. They are my new favorite breakfast food. I've had htem every day for a week now, and I LOVE them! This is the recipe I make:
1/4 cup steel cut oats
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vanilla almond milk (I use Blue Diamond Almond Breeze...I think its easily attainable at most stores. You can use vaniulla soy milk, or if you want to use regular milk, add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp sugar)
1/2 cup diced peaches (I've been using frozen, just let them sit on the counter a bit while the oats are cooking, then chope them up)
1 tbsp slivered almonds or diced pecans...I think I like pecans more, though

Bring the water & milk to a boil, pour in oats and reduce to a simmer. Cook about 15-20 minutes, until the oats are almost done to your liking. They will be firm, kind of chewey. I love this! I love that they have a fun texture. Add the diced peaches and nuts, and let cook a few more minutes, or until just heated through.
This is incredibly creamy, super yummy.

My original recipe isn't very time or cost efficient, so I made this one that will be really similar:
1/2 cup dry oatmeal (old fashioned rolled oats)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup fat free milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup diced peaches

Mix the oatmeal, water & milk together in a bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes. Stir in vanilla, sugar and peaches, microwave 1 minute more.

Self improvement journey

2010-07-30T14:27:00.001-07:00

I am not going to call this weight loss, or dieting, because I feel negatively about those words. I'm going to call this my self improvement journey. I am working on making myself healthier, and that includes eating better, healthier, whole foods. I cut out practically all processed foods. I eat lots of veggies, beans and whole grains. I love black beans. So so good! I have a blog that has vegan (and non-vegan) recipes on it, and I will be updating that soon, too. I exercise almost daily, with a day of rest sometimes, but I feel better on days when I have a workout.

I will share my journey here, all my details. Weight, food, exercising, ups and downs. I hope it can inspire others to improve things in their lives, as well. Here goes.

Date: July 30, 2010
Starting weight: 150 lbs
Waist:
Hips:
Goal weight: 135 lbs by September 10.

Breakfast:
3/4 cup Fruity French lentils on top of 1/2 cup oatmeal
1 orange

Workout:
30 Day Shred, level 1

Snack:
Fudgy protein shake
(1 scoop chocolate rice protein powder, 1 tbsp cocoa, 1 tsp agave syrup, 1/2 cup silken tofu, 3/4 cup vanilla almond milk, 1 frozen banana, sliced. Blend & drink!)

Lunch:

1 Black bean veggie patty
1/3 cup avocado salsa
3/4 cup brown & wild rice mix
I was going to eat a salad with this, but I was too full!

I use caloriecount.about.com to keep track of my recipes and the nutrition in the foods I eat. I LOVE that site...I can put in any recipe and see all the nutritional information in it. And, near dinner time, I can see what nutrition I'm lacking and find foods that will help me get the amounts I need. Yesterday I was lacking enough calcium and vitamin A, so to my dinner I added some sesame seeds for calcium, and a sweet potato for the vitamin A. Isn't that awesome? They also have a recipe database, and an exercise database. You can find healthy foods to make, and you can add all your exercises in to see how many calories you're burning each day. There are a lot of random ones, like "sitting on couch, watching TV". Just go try it out!

For my workout, I am doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred DVD. I have been doing that since I got to Utah, about 10 days ago. I am moving on to Level 2 tomorrow. The thing that sucks, I can put that workout into the site I mentioned above. I just count it as a calisthenics/aerobics exercise. It's only 20 minutes long, though, but you're working hard the entire time. I really like it. I also try to walk with my kids for about a mile, or ride my bike, too.

My Kentucky Summer

2010-07-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

This summer, I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned that I am strong, that I can accomplish goals if I work hard enough. This will be known as My Kentucky Summer, and it has only begun to change my life.
I have stopped eating meat, eggs and dairy. I am vegan. I don't live the full lifestyle, cutting all animal products out of my life. That's tough, but you have to start somewhere, and I'm on my way.
I was in Kentucky for about 2 months, with my husband while he was working there, and now we are almost on different sides of the country. I am home in Utah, he is 2500 miles away from me! How sad. Only until mid September, though.
I have started to really work out! I have tried a few bouts and spurts of exercising, but I have gone 10 straight days of exercising, and I don't plan on stopping. When I'm done with my workout, I think of more things I can do! I have so much energy, I just want to keep going. I have lost 5 lbs since being home, and I notice my body changing. How amazing is that? My self esteem is getting better, and I feel happier (except for missing my hubby).
I am goign to try to blog at least once a week from now on. For myself, to get things out and to share my journey.

Blog, blog, I need you today!

2010-05-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

Ahh...so here I am. So much to say.
We (Me, Neils, Embrei and Luke) and leaving for our road trip to KY on Sunday. Yeah, that's Mother's Day, a real fantastic way to celebrate it, but it is the best option. Luke has to fly back on the 13th, and he has State water polo this weekend, so that will give us a few days to drive a 26 hour drive and rest a little along the way (or once we get there). It should be interesting. I bought a little portable DVD player for Neils to watch, and I am going to wing it with Embrei...

And...I still don't know what I am bringing, but I have a Forester with two car seats and two adults, so there isn't much room. I sent the most important and big things with Anthony a few weeks ago, and I have a rack on top so I can put stuff in a topper. I also bought some of those vacuum seal bags so I can fit more in the space I have, so we will see how that goes. Agh.

I was looking at a site for Louisville attractions, and I am excited to go to the zoo and the parks, and to see the forest area there. I think I am going to like it there. I have been thinking of putting soem stuff in consignment shops for the summer, too. I will get my name out in a different part of the country! I wanted to do booths last summer, but I was always too afraid of spending a few days out at a fair or something, so this should work. I can maybe do a farmers market and have someone watch Neils, and keep Embrei with me, or give her up for a few hours, too. That is going to take more research/work. But, the consignment thing sounds fun, and if not, I will just be making a bunch of stuff all summer. I've got a lot of ideas, and I am really excited about it all.

After looking around for Louisville things, I think I'm in love. Uh oh...

It has been so long!!

2010-01-21T11:49:00.001-08:00

So, it has been months since I have posted anything. Obviously, so much has changed.

For now...I'll only mention some of it.

I had a baby girl on December 30th. I went back to school January 4th. My birthday was January 9th. My husband moved to Phoenix to work and I moved into my parents house on January 17th. And that sums it up for now. Ha!

Photo Session Giveaway!

2009-11-12T17:12:00.000-08:00

For all my friends who live in the St. George area, Alecia is having a photo session giveaway. Here is the information: (Click on the photo to go to her site)

Good luck!!

Since I'm here...

2009-10-05T09:43:00.001-07:00

I'm checking on all your blogs, reading to see fun new stuff. But, I don't have anything to say for now. Well, I do, but I'm not going to. Not a lot of time, and I want to go home instead of be on the computer any longer. Too much to do today!

Updates later!

Rodeo

2009-09-05T21:16:00.001-07:00

So, the rodeo was really lame. But we had a little bit of fun at the fair before.

Belly comparisons

2009-09-02T19:31:00.001-07:00

I looked through some of my pictures, and these are the closest comparisons I can find for now.

Uh......

Playing

2009-08-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the park, as it was cool and comfortable weather.

Home searching

2009-08-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

This is not fun. It is so hard to find a place to live. I don't want to sleep in my brother's twin bed for a month, waiting for Anthony to get back, so we can both sleep in the twin bed...ugh...
I just can't seem to find the right kind of place. Anthony wants a house- not an apartment, condo, duplex, etc. - a free standing, single family home. I just can't find anything that I feel is a comfortable price, and I don't know what to do. I would feel fine in a duplex or a condo if it were the end unit, so we had more privacy. I also don't like being stuck in the middle of an apartment building, with a bunch of people around us.

I just needed to vent. There is much more, but I don't think there is really anyone to listen to me.

Hello, Baby E. Nice to see you!

2009-08-19T18:19:00.001-07:00

This is Baby E, also known as creepy alien.

Spine, heart, profile. Can you see it? I think there are fingertips there, too.
Face, front on. See, I told you-alien.

If the previous picture didn't prove it, this one surely will.
Alien!!

The doctor said my placenta is low, so I have to go get another ultrasound in 5 weeks. He also said that, according to my ultrasound, I'm due December 24th. I have to get shots again t 28 weeks, for the RH factor thing.

Poor little baby looks squished in there, doesn't she??

Looking for a home

2009-08-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

I know a lot of you don't live in Cedar City, but if any of you know of any places for you to rent, I could use some help finding a place to live!

On Leaving Liberty Lake

2009-08-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I am taking my kid, and leaving the state of Washington. It is time for us to go home.

I will miss...

-being able to go get something if I want it, and not having to drive 45 minutes for it

-variety of food. I'm leaving this huge array, and going back to a place with very limited variety.

-a variety of parks to go play in

-water-lakes, rivers, splash pads

-just plain variety, in everything

-all the trees

-Fred Meyer

-Coeur d'Alene

-the guys at the post office who were always so friendly and talkative. closest thing to friends I've made here, besides Angie.

-being someplace other than Utah

-oh yeah, and my HUSBAND.

I won't miss...

-walking up 3 flights of stairs with two handfuls of groceries and a 24 pound kid

-being lonely

-apartment living

-driving a little farther to save money on groceries. is it really worth it?

-the neighbors

-not having something of mine that I need

Other random facts about the summer:

-We lived here the whole time without a microwave. By choice.

-Even though we have a dishwasher, I am not good at keeping clean dishes, at all.

-I only made it to the coast once, and never really quite reached the coast or got to see it. How lame.

My body is tired, I need to spend time with my hubby. That's all for now.

Knock, knock...who's there?

2009-08-10T17:08:00.000-07:00

Who is it, Neils??

In one week I will have my ultrasound to know who is knocking in there...

But, as you know, I will not know for a few more days after.

So, is it Baby E or Baby A?

Don't you wish you knew who was who, and what the names are? Ha ha- I want to keep this a secret.

For fun, can you guess which is the feminine, and which is the masculine?

20 Weeks

No home

2009-08-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

That was good stuff. Now, for the bad.

This sucks.

A few days ago, Anthony called our old manager for our house, and he finally got a hold of him. He had been trying all summer to call the guy, but the guy would nevre answer hsi phone or call back. When Anthony talked to him this last time, he told us that he rented the house out to someone else, because he couldn't get ahold of us. He said he left us messages and everything. We didn't have a contract or security deposit securign it for us when we got back, but he had told us that he didn't think it would rent out by the time we got back, we'd get back in, no problem.

Personally, I think he gave it to his friends. I know who is moving in there now, because my sister works with them, and I also know the manager is friends with them, because my boss in Cedar is their friend, too, and so is ANTHONY. Grr. I don't get it, but if he wants to give his friends a house then fine. Leave a pregnant woman and her 18 month old son to go looking for homes while she is going to school, and while the dad is 1,000 miles away working for five more weeks. Thanks, man. Real cool.

I'm done ranting about it-I know that I will find a place when I get back. I have been looking online, and I have found some places that I think will be great. I don't really know, though, because I have to actually look at them to see if they'll work or not. Why am I picky about it? I need an office/workroom type space, too, where I can set up my stuff. There is a lot of stuff. It will be okay, I know it. I just might find someplace that I like even more than that 3 bedroom house with a basement, carport and large backyard. Maybe. Ha ha.

What else...today is my cook off. It is at 8, but I have to get the bruschetta ready now so it can get better as it soaks in itself. I am also going to go see (500) Days of Summer this afternoon, too. This is my last full day with Anthony before I leave, and I am going to see a movie alone. Ha ha. He doesn't care for it, really, and he gets to spend time with Neils, so it's cool. I still don't know how I am going to get everything I need in my car, but I think I may just shove it in garbage bags so they can squish together and cover in all the cracks and spaces. I will miss him, though. So much...that will be the longest we will have ever been apart, and I will have to go to school and take care of Neils and choose a place for us to live, all without him. Bummer.

Also, on Monday the 17th I go to the doctor for an ultrasound. At this appointment, I will be able to find out what I am having. But, since Anthony won't be there to see it, too, I will be doing it a little differently. I am going to wear a blindfold and listen to music, and they will make a Cd for me like they did last time, and I will copy the CD and send it to him, then, when he gets it and can look at it, we will both look at the pictures at the same time. I don't want to find out before him, and this idea will be cool to me. That also means, though, that nobody can be in the room with me. Last time I had him, my mom, sister, and his mom, all in there seeing what it was. No matter what anybody says, this time, it's just me. The only way I will know anything that day, besides if it's all okay, is if something isn't okay, if there is a problem I need to know about then. I don't think there will be any problems, though.

Geez, I can talk a lot.

The Dish Cook Off in Liberty Lake

2009-08-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

I have been chosen to be part of a cookoff here with Anthony's company. It sprung from my mentioning to Anthony that I wanted to have a cookoff with this other guy here who is always making food for others and saying how amazing he is. I wanted to see how we compare to each other.
Now, the wheels are in motion. It will be me, the guy Scott, a guy named El, and a girl named Jessamin. We are all sooo different, too. What I know about them:
Scott- 36 year old guy, lived in SLC, is a DJ.
El- 30, he's black, married, has 3 kids, Mormon, lives in SLC.
Jessamin- younger than me, Mormon, lives in Orem, Art major who does ceramics and sculpting.
And then there's me.

Here are the courses we're making:
Appetizer
Side dish
Entree
Dessert

And all have to follow the same theme. They don't have to have the same ingredients, just have to go together.

My entree Ideas:

BBQ pork sandwiches
Artichoke chicken
Carne asadas

I just need the rest of the things to go along with them. I need to pick one, and find some way to make all the courses. This is pretty crazy, never done that much in one dinner besides my Thanksgiving dinner.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort Huckleberry Festival

2009-08-03T21:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a view of the mountain, and a lodge building. A strange game that was set up on the lawn when we got there. Anthony decided he needed to play it, so then the kids thought so, too. Does anybody know what this is?

Neils on the trail, going to pick berries.

Berry and mud face. yum.

Anthony, picking berries.

He's good help :)

See?

I got the most out of everyone. I sat inside the bushes, off the trails. Everyone jsut goes by and picks off the bushes along the trails, but they miss the berries hidden below the leaves, and off the trail. Go me!

See- the huckleberries. I never knew what they looked like or tasted like. I imagined something like a blackberry. But they look more like a blueberry to me. They are okay tasting, nothing I'd get that excited for. It was an adventure, though, something we definitely can't do at home.

Huckleberry Hound

2009-08-02T20:56:00.001-07:00

Today we went picking huckleberries.

Sadly, I didn't get to see my girl. Her movie doesn't come here for another week.

Photos later.

Girl Crush

2009-07-31T20:27:00.000-07:00

I have a crush on a girl.

She's super cute, super funny, and super awesome.

She has beautiful blue eyes, lovely dark hair, and is in a band.

I am going to see her this weekend, no matter what it takes. I need her.

She'll show you where we'll meet up.

Lost and found

2009-07-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

I found this earlier today, and it brought back some memories. This is my favorite photo of the shoot. I am sad they tore cute little these buildings down!

Less than 3 weeks left

2009-07-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

Neils and I have less than 3 weeks left to experience this Washington/Idaho area. I want some fun things to do, but it is really hot outside most of the time, and I don't want to spend a lot of money or drive really far. It would be awesome to see the coast, since my visit to that area consisted of being stuck in a car, at a standstill, in various areas of traffic, for 4 hours longer than it should have been. What am I talking about?? Oh, yeah, I hadn't talked about this...
No Doubt.
Anthony and I went to Auburn to see No Doubt on July 19. It took us way too long to get there because there was traffic on the freeway in the middle of our trip, for NO REASON. I have no idea why, there wasn't an accident or construction, it just sucked. Then, as we got closer to the city it was in, traffic got worse because sooo many people were going to the concert, and I really don't think that are is built for that much traffic at one time. We got there at 9. What was supposed to be a 5 hour trip took 7 hours. We were in the parking lot to hear the last half of the Paramore song "Decode" (I think...), and got in the arena and to our area just in time to watch the entire No Doubt set. Okay, that is fine. That is what I was there for, anyway! I don't even want to talk about what a nightmare the rest of the night, after the concert was. Ugh. I did bring my camera, I just didn't take any pictures that matter, jsut some of the trip, until I got sick of it. I dont' know where the memory card for that trip is, though. I will find it later.

So...what else to do, for me and Neils? I'll look around.

The worst part, to me, is that I will have to go back home and move back into our house without Anthony. I will have to sacrifice half my stuff here for a month, because I can't fit it all in our Subaru. I have no idea what I am going to take back...This is really stressing me out. I need another car to put it in, too! And Anthony will still have to take home a lot of stuff when he's done. Ugh. On our way here, he left a week before I did so it was only a week without some things. But I can't go a month without all that stuff. I know, I seem crazy...but the supplies I have here are part of my business, I need them to make and sell things! And I will need my clothes, kitchen stuff, and my baby's things! I wish my car had a trailer hitch, then I'd find a cheap trailer to buy and use it, since I want one anyway. Just a small cargo trailer, not anything big. That would be perfect.

What happens in life...

2009-07-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

I realize that all I have really posted on here is probably boring stuff to anyone reading it. Who cares about week long sales and baby bracelet giveaways, we want to hear about your boring life!

Last Sunday, Anthony and I went tubing down the river. We went with our friends from Cedar City, the guys all used to work at Pizza Hut together 1 1/2 years ago. We didn't judge the timing right, and ended up out there for 4 hours instead of 2. I felt so bad for the baby sitter, who was watching my monster, a 5 year old and a 8 month old. I didn't get any pictures. I am lame.

Through the week...nothing really happened besides me venturing out to the grocery store and craft store. I'll do better at pinpointing the fun stuff throughout the week from now on. And, with me and Neils leaving in 3 weeks, I plan on doing some fun things. Or trying to.

Yesterday, Anthony and I went downtown for breakfast. We didn't know where we were going, but we found a place. And it sucked. It was a bakery, which in itself should have delicious baked goods, but the cookies were horrible. Huge, but horrible. Hard, no flavor. The bagels were super hard, too, and make them a bagel sandwich-impossible to eat! I felt so bad. It was my decision. Then, we went across the street to a vintage/jewelry store that I saw when we parked. It was a really neat store. I was looking for a coat that I could wear over my belly in the winter, but they were all like 60 or 70 dollars because they were vintage. I couldn't do it. I did find a few rings and bracelets that I liked, and picked an awesome bracelet. Anthony found a hat.

We went over to a sushi restaurant and ate some more, to help fill the voids of that awful breakfast. There is a shop near there that I had wanted to go to since I saw it one of the first days we were here, and we went there. I told Anthony we should each pick out a gift to give one another. He ended up getting me this awesome, huge pincushion, and I got him a package of moustaches. Fun.

We took Neils to the Riverside Park and he played on the little playground a bit, then we went home so he could finally nap, at 4 p.m.-it's usually around 12 when he naps!

Neils likes to repeat everything I say. When I ask him, "what do you want?" he says, "want". Great. how do I make him happy?? He keeps yelling out airplane at random times, too. He sees the tiniest plane in the sky, and points it out, and I don't notice it for a little bit. He's amazing.

BABY BRACELET GIVEAWAY

2009-07-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

Duh, it's a keyboard, you type with it!

2009-07-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

Neils tore off a bunch of keys on my keyboard yesterday when I was in the other room. I tried to put them all back on, but I couldn't remember which spots tthe C and V went in, so I got on the internet and googled "keyboard".

I could have just pushed the spots where those keys go instead. Duh.

Duh.

My enter button still sucks, I don't want to take it off again, though. I will later.

A day at the lake

2009-07-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

My friends Angie (from Cedar City, also) and Logan, who babysits our kids. (Angie has two.)One of the paddleboats we rented. Bella, Angie's daughter, is laying on top. I have to mention, because everyone asks, Bella was not named after the girl in Twilight. Angie had never read Twilight, and only watched the movie this summer when Logan got her to. People keep asking her if that's why she named her Bella, but Bella is 5, a little too old for the Twilight craze. I think Angie is neat. She named her daughters Isabella Sunshine and Lily Stardust. She wants to give her boy Jupiter for a middle name, if she has one. Interesting. Anyway...

Here is a bike Anthony and his friend Jay got when they went to return one of he paddleboats.

Here is Lily (if you couldn't tell) and Neils, making super funny faces. Her hair is the coolest light red brown color. I am in love with it, and would dye my hair that color, after two and a half years of not cutting or dying it, if I could get it that color.

They are really cute together. She always tries to hug him and kiss him. He just loves girls!

Neils, yelling at his dad in the water.

My funny boys.

It has been a while since I posted anything besides stuff about my sale, so here is something fun.

Last week, Anthony's company went out to the lake for a fun day. Two of the head guys came out from SLC, and they rented a boat and a jet ski, and we played at the lake. Anthony tried wakeboarding, can't figure it out. We didn't have a lot of time to try, and there were always a lot of poeople on the boat taking turns, so it was kind of sad. Instead of trying to wakeboard (not a good idea for me, in many ways) I got on the tube. That was all I wanted to do all day, anyway, go on the tube. We also rented two paddle boats. I really wanted to play in them, so I convinced Angie to go with me and rent some. They were fun, but Neils wasn't happy on the boat for a while. On the paddleboat, he didn't go on the big boat. I managed to get him lathered up well enough, but I somehow missed most of myself. My forehead, especially around my hair line, my right shoulder and side of my neck, and the fronts of my legs got fried. Crispy. I went and got a cheap strapless shirt to wear, and didn't leavy my house (other than the shirt and some groceries) for a few days. I wore my bellaband as a tube top, even, with my belly showing. Neils likes to squeeze it. He thinks my big belly is funny. He still doesn't get the idea that there is a baby in there.

I know, I don't have any pictures of myself, but I will find some or take some later. Maybe today, when we go to NO DOUBT. Woohoo. I just wish my brother, Kirstie, and my mom had come so we could be gone by now, on the road or in Seattle, to enjoy the coast. because they're not, and we're going to a concert, we have to go straight there and back because it takes so long, and I dont' want to leave Neils with someone that long, unless it is my mom. He's a monster!

Sunday's sale - rings and earrings

2009-07-18T22:24:00.001-07:00

Thanks, Katelyn. I have been thinking that doing more blogging with my stuff would help. It seems to be a good way to spread the word!

Saturday's Sale - Baby shirts and hair clippies

2009-07-17T22:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Alecia.

Discouraged

2009-07-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

I know I have not updated this a lot lately, except for my sales. There is a lot to say a lot of pictures to post, but I feel like venting a little. Ha ha

I feel bad. I do all this preparation, all this late-night work, updating, e-mailing, and it feels like a big waste of time. This big super sale I've been having isn't going as well as I thought it would. I don't get it. I have no idea why. The site gets a lot of hits, but not a lot of orders. I wish I knew what the problem was- is it my prices? my items? my site layout or look? is something not working?? Agh...it is discouraging. I told Anthony I am thinking about just giving up on my website all together. I do much better at live shows, where I and my products are face to face with the customer, but the site...at least it reaches people I will never be able to see. Agh. What to do. Spend more time spreading the word, add more funds to advertise, or pay someone to make my site better than I could ever do? Agh again. Agh.

But, it did make me happy that Anthony talked all day to his customers about what a wonderful bbq sandwich his wife woudl have for him when he got home. At least I am an awesome cook!

Sneak preview - Week long sale - Thursday

2009-07-15T22:24:00.001-07:00

Week long sale - Wednesday

2009-07-15T08:57:00.001-07:00

http://www.sierranicoledesigns.com

Week long sale - Tuesday

2009-07-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.sierranicoledesigns.com

Wek long sale - Monday

2009-07-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

Week long sale - Monday:

http://www.sierranicoledesigns.com/

Week long sale - info

2009-07-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, I'm awful

2009-07-09T17:50:00.001-07:00

We played with sparklers on our last night in Utah. Neils was good with them
Always holding them out in front of him, not being too dangerous

I told him "it's hot, don't touch" and he listened. Until the sparks went out, then he reached out and grabbed the red part of the stick.

He has little burns on his thumb and finger, you just can't really see the one on his thumb in the picture.

and today, he managed to plug my iron in (I honestly never thought he would do it, and I guess it is my fault for leaving the iron out and not having plug protectors). He burned his legs, tiny burns, but he still has blisters. He isn't complaining about his burns constantly, but he does say 'ouch' sometimes. I feel so bad!

It is real now.

2009-07-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, at 15 weeks, it is finally real to me that I am pregnant. I don't know why this time is so different, but it is. It may be because I had my first appointment yesterday. Being back at the doctor, hearing a heartbeat, getting my blood drawn, all that stuff. There is definitely a baby in there, beating away. I know I am odd, and it doesn't make sense for it to not be real when I'm clearly showing. during the weekend, I had a ffew people ask me if I was pregnant, so that adds to it. I also think, because I am in Washington, not knowing anybody or really talking to anybody, there is less attention on it. Being around people I know, seeing surprised faces or all the questions about it, people not letting me do things, that all makes it real. So, yeah, I'm pregnant.
My due date is on December 27, my brother's birthday. I am 15 weeks and 2 days along now. Everything is good.

Photos from 6-30 to 7-4-09

2009-07-05T21:34:00.000-07:00

These are backward in order. I should learn, huh?

Neils is so funny watching fireworks. He only cares for a very short period of time, then just gives up on them.

We had one of those strobe ones, and it was so bright, it was awful! Nana and aunt Liz.

Playing in his little pool at grandma's

Watching a tractor work at the airport in Spokane.

His first time at the airport.

There will be more here: http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww65/asnsorensenfamily/June%2030%20to%20July%204/

To Utah!

2009-07-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

So, we are in Utah now! It has been a while since I've updated my blog and really said anything.
Before we left, I planned on having Neils sleep during the plane ride. I had him stay awake all day, and he fell asleep on the way to teh airport, woke up right when we got there, and stayed awake the whole ride, until we ate sushi in Vegas and were on the freeway. Ugh. It was no fun. He wasn't as horrible as he could have been, but I really hadn't planned on him being awake so there wasn't anything in my bag for him to play with or to entertain him at all. We made it with only a small amount of crying, and it was fine.
We played at grandma & grandpa's house (my parents, in Cedar City) for a few days, then went to Richfield for the 3rd. We went to my 5 year class reunion, watched the children's parade, and had his pictures taken by Alecia. Then I took Neils to his Nana & Papa's house for the 4th (Anthony's parents, in Circleville) while I had my booth at the park in Richfield. I wished Neils and Anthony were there with me the whole time! Oh well. My mom helped me at the booth, and we went back to Piute county that night to watch the fireworks. Neils wasn't too interested, he just wanted to play in the dirt after a while. We came back to Cedar City this morning. So, that is my update for now.

Do you not FEED your kids?? One response?? Come on!

2009-07-01T22:43:00.001-07:00

Well, this isn't really much of a post, but I got a curiousity bug today, so I am asking YOU:

What do you feed your kids?
What are their favorites?

Leave me a comment and let me know :)

Lunchtime!!

2009-06-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

Well, this isn't really much of a post, but I got a curiousity bug today, so I am asking YOU:

What do you feed your kids?
What are their favorites?

Leave me a comment and let me know :)

Camping and Dad day photos, ...belly here!

2009-06-22T10:32:00.001-07:00

They are in completely random order, but you get the idea.
See the rest at: http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww65/asnsorensenfamily/June%2015%20to%2020%2009/

Can you guess how far? No, i know I'm huge, but I'm not 25 weeks!

Mommy-baby camping trip, and Father's day! (hidden belly pic, too)

2009-06-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, I got the sudden urge to take Neils camping. So I went and bought a few supplies, and a Tracfone, since Anthony's died in the pool, and he has taken over mine. I figured I should have a phone, jsut in case, even though the camping site I was planning on going to is really close to homes. Liberty Lake is like going up to a lake in the mountains, except there are people's homes really close, and a city five minutes away. You can't see the homes from the camp site, but you could spend five minutes walkign and reach numerous houses. I would have been good no matter what, but I felt I needed a phone anyway, since another one never got sent to us.
I set up the tent by myself, but Neils held a pole for me (as much as he would...) and tried to start a fire, but failed at that. So, I drove home and got our propane bbq to cook our burgers on. I didn't see a sign saying I couldn't have it, even though there were fire pits, so I just tried anyway. Officially, the summer season didn't start until the next day, so there wasn't anyone (rangers) up there to bother me. We even got to camp for free, because there wasn't a box to leave my payment in, and I never saw anyone. When we woke up, it was cold and rainy, and I didn't want to deal with that, so we just went home.

On father's day, I surprised Anthony and took him on a ride in a seaplane in Coeur d'Alene. He had mentioned something about Neils flying in a plane before him, so I thought that would be a cool idea. He had no idea, until we walked down the dock and past the paddle boats, parasailing boat (he would not have done either yesterday, because it was so cold and windy) and past the cruise boat to the sea planes. Ha! I win! Neils didn't like the ride for most of it, but calmed down at the end. I ended up puking in one of those little bags. Ah, the joys of being pregnant. It makes me way more uneasy than ever before. I even get car sick now, and only have twice before this pregnancy. The rest of the day, I made him breakfast in bed (cooked the eggs wrong, but that's why I never even bother to try!), ate lunch at a sushi restaurant, went mini golfing and played arcade games, and ate dinner at a cool Irish pub, but my food was disgusting. I made a last second decision between steak kabobs and chicken piccata, and the chicken was awful. Anthony really liked his ribs, and Neils, as usual, was a monster. That was his day :)

Belly...

2009-06-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

I'm probably not really "showing", it just looks like I am because of the extra layer of fat my belly has from last time.

Delightful.

Photos from June 10 to June 14

2009-06-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

Here is just a taste of the pictures we took this week.

The rest of the photos are here: http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww65/asnsorensenfamily/June%2010%20to%2014%2009/

Oooh - fun stuff!

2009-06-15T10:43:00.000-07:00

So, it has been a while, and some things have happened.
Last week, on the 10th, Riley was on his way home from visiting his grandma in Saquamish, and he stopped here and stayed with us on his way home. He had his mom and daughter, Hope. Riley is a kid (well, 21 now) who grew up in Piute with Anthony. Anthony is his daughter Hope's godfather, and they had never seen each other before. So it was an interesting experience. We went and ate, went to the Riverside Park, and we went to the Riverpark(??) mall and played in the kid's museum in the basement there. We also walked over the bridge to see the Spokane River Falls, and went to dinner in Coeur d'Alene. It was fun.
On Saturday, Liberty Lake had a yard sale. 250 homes in Liberty Lake set stuff out on thier lawns for sale, and there were booths at one of the parks for people to look at, too. Of course, I had a booth. It was not a good experience, though. I did make money, but it was very disappointing. Ugh.
I am working on my website, AGAIN, I know, I do it a lot. But it needs to be updated, and revised to work better. Soon, I hope.
My pants are all too tight. They are super uncomfortable. So, I am going to use the money I got at the booth to go buy myself some new maternity pants. I didn't bring any of my old ones, because I didn't think I'd need them until I got back. This time is very different. It seems everything is happening sooner (getting bigger!), and I am more uncomfortable than before. Blah.

Family photos

2009-06-02T13:27:00.001-07:00

Playing around before

Some of the okay ones

The two good ones.

We didn't have any time, because i suddenly decided to do it while Anthony was in correlation, and when he comes home from that he usually eats then leaves. But I made him run to the park with me real quick and do it. It was windy and we were only gone 10 minutes. I'll get better ones later!

Riverfront Park, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

2009-06-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

Today Neils and I drove 15 miles to get Cold Stone ice cream. The belly said so, so we did. Right next to the little shopping place, there is a pond with a playground and fun stuff by it. I took Neils over there, and we played.

There are a few more pictures here: http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww65/asnsorensenfamily/Riverfront%20park%206%201%2009/

Photos for May 20-24, 2009

2009-05-24T22:53:00.000-07:00

A music store downtown. I was waiting for sushi and saw it, thought it was funny.

The newest photos are all here: http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww65/asnsorensenfamily/May%2024%202009/

A beach in IDAHO???

2009-05-24T22:34:00.000-07:00

Last night, for the company dinner, we went to the Coeur D'Alene Resort for dinner at their restaurant, Dockside. It was really neat, really nice, and my chicken was amazing. I will definitely go back for more, even if it ends up being just me and Neils while Anthony is working.
I liked the look of the place so much while we were on our way there. It looked like there were people walking around, like they do at the beach on the boardwalk. I knew the lake was right there, but I didn't know what was drawing the people to the area. So, today we went back and we played for a bit. There was a big park, HUGE, with lots of trees and people, and a playground with things to climb on and play in, like Park Discovery in Cedar city, only bigger. We let Neils play for a bit, then went over to see what the lake was like. That's when we found it--the beach! It isn't very big, about half a mile long, and about 100 feet (I'm not really sure...) from shore to the boardwalk, but it was a beach! There were so many people, so many kids. We watched one of those planes that flies off of water, like in Duck Tales, and watched someone parasailing. I really want to do that, but I don't know if I can right now. It was a fun day :)

More about Neils:
Today, I was asking Neils about his body parts. He knows his nose, eyes, ears and mouth, thanks to my mom mostly, but today I asked him where his arms were. He held up his arm! I asked him where his knees were, he said knees and pointed ot them. I asked him where his toes were, and he showed me. He already knew those, though. Toes are easy. He also knows where his belly is, and where his boobies are. Ha ha ha. He keps repeating, "I know," when I'd say it, and he says Neilsey, "Neenee". Today in the store he told the lady he had an "owanse" (orange) after I asked him what it was. At first he always says "ap" (apple) but I have to remind him that it's an orange, then he repeats it. It's amazing that he says so much! He always points out birds and dogs, and today he saw a "buds!" (bug)...and he ended up squishing the poor lady bug in his fingers. He kept looking for it, but I told him he made it go bye bye.
Another thing he likes to do, is throw things off the balcony. Today when we got home, I looked under the front tire for soem reason, and there was a squished potato. I was confused at first, but then I knew Neils must have thrown it down there.
I am getting him to drink milk more, but not plain milk. He still won't do that. I got some strawberry Pediasure, and some chocolate milk, and I've been mixing it with that. He calls every drink "juice", and that's usually what he wants. He wants to eat strawberries all the time, and "cack" (crackers). He tells me what he wants usually, but he won't eat much unless it is strawberries, then he eats like 10 in a sitting. I have to fix this...he needs more variety!
I have a job here! I help Jay and Des with thier Magic card eBay business. I sort the cards and package, print the mailing slips and get the packages ready to mail, then they pack the items, and I mail them. It is useful because I can do it whenever I have a few spare minutes, and while Neils is sleeping. A lot better than the bead store. I get paid more and work more hours, too! Also, I have felt like a blimp the past two days. It reminded me of Breaking Dawn...
Anthony's doing great at work. He's a great talker. Smooth talker. Yep.

Photos from May 17, 09

2009-05-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

May 16-20, 09

2009-05-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

on Saturday we all went out to dinner, because the group reached their incentive goal, so that meant dinner. There was a big group of us that went and ate at a barbecue restaurant. It took so long because they gave a new girl to a big party of like, 25 of us, and I just didn't enjoy my food much. Barbecue restaurants just aren't my thing. It was nice, though, to see some of the people and talk to them a bit.
We went to the lake on Sunday, and Anthony fished while Neils ran around chasing some ducks. He was so into getting the ducks that he did run right into the water after them. To try to get the ducks closer, I gave Neils some crackers to give he ducks, but he wanted to eat them, so Anthony tried, then Neils got it. Later, we played Apples to apples with a smaller group of the people at another apartment, then went to bed. Anthony is doing really well at his job, and the boss broadcasts these tv announcement things every morning, and if you do well the day before, he calls out your name. Anthony is getting called out almost every day. It's cool to see him that excited about it, too. I don't go there to see it, but he comes home and tells me about it afterwards.
Yesterday was our 2nd anniversary, but Anthony worked the whole day. We did go to breakfast, but it sucked. It was no good. Yesterday was so lame! But this weekend we are going to a restaurant overlooking the river downtown. Maybe we'll try that breakfast thing again. At another location.
We got a couch for free, too, but it is kind of dirty. I think I'm going to get a cover for it, I can't really stand it.
Neils can say his name! He won't do it often, but he says 'Nees.' It is cute! he is also very affectionate, and loves to give hugs randomly. He keeps himself entertained a lot, but he is also very needy still. That's my boy.
Me...I am utterly exhausted all the time. Ugh.
There are a lot of pictures from the Sunday at the lake. The new album is called "May 17 2009" here is the link: http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww65/asnsorensenfamily/May%2017%202009/

Mom's day weekend words

2009-05-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend was mother's day weekend. Sunday is the only day Anthony gets off of work, so that was good that we could spend it together for the holiday. I woke up to breakfast in bed. Well, really, I woke up to Neils coming in the room, as usual, but Anthony got up with him and I stayed in bed. Then, I woke up a little while later, and I could hear noises, but I just stayed in the bedroom because I didn't know if I was allowed to leave it. A few minutes later, Neils and Anthony came in with breakfast for me. It was yummy.
Anthony's present to me was beads. he actually went to the bead store and picked out a strand of turquoise nuggets, a strand of amber chips, some various skull beads, and two other beads. It was really cool to see the beads he'd pick out for me. I really enjoyed that!
Later in the day we went to downtown Spokane and walked around Riverfront park. There was a lot fo cool stuff there. We rode a carousel, Anthony and Neils went in the big red wagon, we walked around some downtown streets, and then we went and ate sushi. I wanted to go get hibachi, but the sushi was close, and cheaper. I actually had a bento box with teriyaki salmon and a california roll. It was delicious. I ate too much, though. I always do. I tried a veggie roll, but it was mostly lettuce, and the seaweed was on the outside, so I was not fond of that at all. It was a fun place, though. I enjoyed it.
What else...we finally got the rest of our stuff. we still don't have chairs, though, so I am sitting at this desk, typing while sitting on a fold up camping chair, that makes me way too low, but it is bette than nothing. I will have to go find some chairs in the next few days!!
I've been thinking of doing something different to my hair. I don't want to cut it shorter, but I might cut more layers into it. It is beginning to bore me.
Well, I guess that is all for now :)

Mom day weekend photos

2009-05-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple photos from Mother's Day weekend.

*Note: I changed the photobucket album so it has folders instead of one big bunch of photos. If you want to see the newest, I'll always tell you what folder they are in. The new photos this time are under "Mothers day weekend". Here is the link: http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww65/asnsorensenfamily/Mothers%20Day%20Weekend/

Photos 5/8/09

2009-05-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

Silly Neils, playing on the floor, view from partment balcony when it is sunny, my new glider

The sun is shining!

2009-05-08T11:39:00.001-07:00

Today, there are much less clouds in the sky, and the sun is shining. Today might be the day for a walk, but I don't know where. Maybe just around this apartment complex. Maybe I'll drive up the road to the lake. We live in Liberty Lake, which is a little... town, I guess...a suburb of Spokane, and it was established in 2001. A VERY new city compared to ALL the places I've lived!! There is a lake, Liberty Lake, like 3 miles away, that the city is named after. And, of course, I will go there sometime. No, many times, while we're here.
To be really honest, yesterday I was against being here. I was lonely, only seeing Neils all day, and having to deal with clouds and rain just isn't my thing. It depresses me. I went shopping in a bead store, and that helped a little, and I found mother's day presents for Minnie and my mom. I am really excited about those. I also got a birthday present for my mom, too. And a mother's day present for Cait. I want to find some postcards, but I don't really know where to look. I will do it, though. If you want one, ask, and I will find one just for you and send it to you.
What else can I share? I will divide the blogs up into pictures and words, because I hate how I can't get it to look the way I want when I use both.
We went to some yard sales today to find furniture. I found an awesome black glider chair that I am bringing home with me! We planned on just finding furniture on freecycle.com or at thrift stores and yard sales, then just giving them back the same way, but I am totally keeping this. I need it now!
We are still wating for Jay and Des to come on Monday and bring us the rest of our stuff. It is all my fabric, sewing, beads, and some things like food, kitchen stuff, and other random things I figured we'd need.
I am planning on maybe flying back to Utah (I'd go to Vegas, though) for a doctors appointment in July. But, I haven't looked into it at all, I've just thought about it. I know someone would help me out and give me a ride back to Cedar City. I just have to figure out that whole insurance thing. I wish it wasn't so difficult to get insurance! It is complicated, and I wish I knew a better way to do it all. Ugh.
For now, this is what you get. Look at the pictures I've taken on the way, and I will try to upload some every day. http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww65/asnsorensenfamily/

We made it!!

2009-05-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

At the aquarium in Sand with Meg, Hope, Isabelle and Ryan. Neils wanted Meg and Ryan more than he wanted me!!

A strange building in Dillon, MT, where we stayed one of the nights on the way here.

Empty apartment...comebine these and you get the living room/kitchen area. Two angles of it.

A view from our balcony. Third floor. Yep. i think this is looking south...

We are finally all here in Spokane. Technically, we are in Liberty Lake, not Spokane, but it is only minutes away. It's like saying you live in Salt Lake, when you specifically live in Sandy or something. One big blob of homes and other fun stuff. So far, I've noticed it is really wet. And cloudy. Hmm...I wonder why I didn't expect that. Silly me. There is so much so close, though. It is neat--I can go get fabric, beads, books, anything---without driving 45 minutes to get it. Yay! I haven't done any of that, yet. Just some groceries, and people watchigna t the mall to get out of the house and explore some more. We still don't have most of our stuff. Okay, my stuff. My stuff that I NEED--sewing machine, fabrics, more beads. At least I have some beads with me. Oh, yes, and the rest of the stuff we need to make it a home. We need a couch, some chairs, a TV stand, things like that. But I am hoping toget some on Freecycle, or to get some at a thrift store. there are so many of those, but I am still picky about prices. I wonder how to find out about yard sales.... It is such a big place, and I don't know anything about it! I am posting a few pictures, but the rest will be on the new photobucket account I made for us and this adventure. There is already a lot, but I know you will enjoy looking at them.

Final

2009-04-28T20:57:00.001-07:00

Finals week...two tests left. Two days left.

6 days left of Cedar City, for the summer.

35 weeks left.... until the end of the year. Ha!

Open House Today

2009-04-23T08:10:00.001-07:00

Easter Weekend

2009-04-14T22:23:00.000-07:00

Anthony and I took a vacation and went to Vegas for the weekend. I have never left Neils overnight, anywhere. Not any time...not even with my mom in town or anything. So, it was weird for me. Weird to be able to sleep in....but...I did wake up at 7:30 the first morning to the sound of a baby somewhere. Wow.
I am also really really lame and did not take any pictures. I have less than 10 of our trip. They all suck. I don't know what my problem is.

RA Sushi - super amazing sushi. I LOVE IT!

We stop here anytime we are in Vegas. MMMMM Yum.

The rollercoaster at New York, New York. Yes, I had to. I hadn't been on a rollercoaster in such a long time. I wanted to do it so badly. Anthony was scared, but he was a trooper and came with me. It was great!

Everclear...I surprised Anthony and took him to see Everclear. It was so cool.

We went to a fancy steak restaurant. When I was looking for a picture of it, I discovered it is in the top 10 (#9) or most expensive restaurants in Vegas....wow. that sucks.

New watch faces and bands!!

2009-04-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

Here are my new watch faces, to go with my new watch bands! Yay!

Photos

2009-04-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

April 2, in the sunny STG (click to make it bigger and see it better)

April 3, in the snowy CC

Aww, he's "hep"ing

The "new" truck

New Toy

2009-04-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Anthony and I went to St. George to get some new toys.
But, I just realized, we did nto get Neils anything new. Mean!
Anyway... for a long time now, over a year, Anthony has been talking about getting a little pickup truck. So we looked in the Pioneer Shopper, did some research, and went and snagged him a little truck. It is 1984 Ford Ranger, rust-brown-gold-orange (not sure what to call it) colored, 4x4, has a tool box (that they can't find the key to, so we have a locked tool box!), and...it is old. It is funny, but he loves it. He loves that it is an old, fun, 4 wheel drive truck. I'll get a picture later.
I got an external hard drive. 500 gigs. I was going to get the 750, for only $20 more, but I don't know if I will use that much. Right now, though, i am thinking I should have got the 750. I will talk to my dad about it later and see what he thinks. I tried to get his opinion about it, but he didn't answer.
The weather was so nice yesteday that we went to the new little park area on mainstreet, by the Tabernacle. It has fountains that squirt water up in the air, so we put Neils in the water. He had his shirt off and everything. How wonderful...but, right now, it is snowing. I slipped and fell on my way to class, and had a wet butt, as well as soaking wet feet and half my pants. Ugh. This is horrible. Snowing, the day after my baby was running around in the sun and water without his shirt on?? Lame.

Graphic design

2009-04-01T15:42:00.001-07:00

Here is something you've never seen from me. Not many people get to see my graphic designs.

Ahh...I wish they were good enough. At least I am learning and improving.

I am evil

2009-04-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Pure evil.

But he deserves it. The other day, I got an evil stupid prank phone call from Anthony's boss, and he seems to think it is still hilarious.

So, once I remembered and realized that it is April Fool's Day, I knew I needed to get Anthony back. I was at the grocery store, and I was getting in the car and going home. Neils was having an awful, hard time. He was so tired, and really moody. I knew he'd cry on the way home. Once I got close enough to my house to have enough time to prank him but then be there almost immediately so he wouldn't get too mad or do something unnecessary. So...I called him. I was able to get teary and sound like I was crying because we finished watching Marley & Me earlier this morning, and it can still make me teary.
Neils was crying, and I called Anthony and told him that we had been in a wreck. He asked if we were okay, and what happened, and the usual thinsg that would happen in that situation. i was actually amazing, and didn't break character the whole time. By the time I got to the front of the house, and in the driveway, though, I was laughing and saying April Fools, and he couldnt understand me. Finally, I told him it was a joke and that we were fine. We were in the driveway by now, and I got Neils out of the car and opened the door. I hugged him and made it all okay. He called me a jerk.

I win. The End.

Ouch!

2009-03-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

My baby got a boo boo. His first big owie.
He was crawling on the couch, reached out to the coffee table to grab a Cheerio, then slipped and hit his head on the table. Ugh!

The first two pictures are right after it happened, with the camera on my phone.
He didn't cry or anything. He was just like this, and it freaked my mom out! She was the one with him when he did it, while I was in class. She called right when I got out and said she didn't want to scare me, but I needed to come home now.

This is him playing, with the bandaid on his eye. I have to not let him see it, or he'll play with it.

This is what it looks like now, only a day later it is already healed really well. No stitches for this guy!

Breakfast with the Sorensens

2009-03-11T13:53:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd do something interesting today. (side note...these pictures are making my mouth water!)

Anthony's usual breakfast: un-buttered toast, bacon, sausage, and two eggs, soft yolks, with tabasco and lots of salt and pepper, all chopped up and mixed together.

My breakfast today: one scrambled egg, with lots of melted cheddar cheese (I don't like the taste of eggs, really,but I crave them sometimes!), a little salsa, and a buttered whole wheat english muffin.

I vary my breakfast from oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon, to cheerios with bananas or cinnamon toast crunch, sometimes I have bacon with my eggs.

Neils's breakfast today... a notepad!

Not really. He has some Kix (well, the floor and chair had some Kix), but earlier he had some baby cereal (I still have boxes of it, so I am using it, yes. I added some milk, and some canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. He loves it! -I made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies last night, and I usually use the leftover pumpkin in his cereal and food. It is so good for you, and only one tablespoon of it is a serving of vegetables, so it is awesome.

Comparisons...

2009-03-11T13:31:00.000-07:00

Anthony'smom came down, and was watching P.S. I love you with us once, and she came to the conclusion that Anthony looks like Jeffrey Dean Morgan. I want to see what you think...

Obviously they are completely different complexions, but their features are what we're comparing. :)

Also...

I've heard I look like Uma Thurman. Ugh. But, this is funny, while looking for the pictures of the other guy, I found this:

Nope. Not even close.

What do you think?

I really need pictures...

2009-03-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

Agh!! Neils can almost walk all on his own!!

Recently...

2009-03-03T09:49:00.001-08:00

So... The weather has warmed up, and it feels pretty good outside sometimes, except for the wind. A trail was just built by my house, a few blocks away, and I took Neils to it the other day in his stroller. He was great! And when we got to the park, he loved it. He loves being outside and playing. I didn't bring my camera. Lame me. We went back another time,a nd he screamed at me the whole way there and the whole way back. But not while we were at the park. Ha.
Also, I got a new bike a few days ago. I also bought a seat for Neils to ride on back with me. He really likes it. He points to the bike and says, "eh, eh, eh" Like he wants a ride. When he really wants something he points like that, but tilts his head so it touches the shoulder of the arm he is pointing with. He is so funny. Another new thing with him is the shopping carts in teh store that have cars on the front of them. I have never put him in one until last week. I don't know why...I used some of the sanitizing wipes they have and wiped it down, and stuck him in there. He loves it! If I tie him in he screams, so I left him untied, and he is all over the place in there. He sits in the doorway, with one leg hanging out and lookes back at me, tilted head. He is so cute.

And...

Anthony got laid off on January 31. The day after his birthday, two days after Neils's birthday. Grr. But, he talked to one of his friends and they got him a job selling Dish One, and now we are moving to Spokane for the summer. I am excited about this, because I will have a chance to go to a new place, experience a whole new state. also, I will be able to seel some of my stuff there, too. I have looked and found a few craft fairs and things I can participate in. How exciting! I have asked a few people to make some things of their own for me to take and sell for them. I think that would be a really cool experience for them, having someone in another state buy their stuff, and maybe even look for them on the internet and order more. There is a lot that I am not too sure about, but I think everything will be okay. The only thing I don't like is having to move out of my house. I really like it, but I guess that's what happens when you rent. Good thing our lease is month-to-month, and not for a year. Agh. I just love it, and I don't want to lose it.

And...

School is going well. I am happy with my classes, and I got A's in all of them last semester, too. That hasn't happened since...I think since my first semester! I still have another year left...yeah, I'm lame. I made some bad decisions and sucked for two whole years of my college life, screwing everything up, but now at least I am on the right track with it and will be done soon. I lived alone, so nothing mattered to me really. Well, making thigs mattered. I sat at home, making things all the time. that's really all I did. But I have learned a lot the past two years, and I have developed a better method of getting things done. I have a lot more to work for, to live for, so now I know that I need to get the right things done at the right time. Yay me, for once!

And...

Well, I think that's enough typing. I will post some pictures in a little bit. I will find some and delight you with my silly life.

In the Cedar City Paper

2009-02-26T10:12:00.001-08:00

I think you can click on it to make it bigger. Its pretty cool :)

In the Cedar City Paper

2009-02-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

I think you can click on it to make it bigger. Its pretty cool :)

Gymboree coupon code 20% off

2009-02-21T10:56:00.000-08:00

I have a 20% off coupon code for anyone who likes Gymboree. Anyone can use it, so go ahead! It expres 3/29/09.

9wn3lf4cjy97044

Yay!

2009-02-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

A lot is going on lately. I had an open house in Circleville, and it was really cool. Not a lot of people showed up, but it was fun to be able to share my stuff with people, and I made over $100 with just a few people. A girl asked if i would do a party. I said yes, of course! I gave her my card and she said she woudl call me, but she hasn't yet. It has been a week...I am not giving up, though. i think she still will. I want to have mroe parties, so I am looking for people to host them. I will go as far south as Mesquite (We're going to Vegas for spring break, and his family is going to set some up there for me!) and as far north...well, I'm not really sure. Maybe Salina or Gunnison. I think I'll set it up so if someone wants me to come farther, I will charge them a fee unless they invite so many people or I get a certain amount in sales. It is hard to figure out, but I'm working on it. If you want to know more about the parties, what I have figured out so far, go to my other blog (http://snsorensen.blogspot.com)
I have to go. Agh.

About the baby

2009-02-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

Yes, he is still a baby!!
Neils was born January 29, 2008 at 2:44 pm.
He was due January 24, and I had to be induced to get him out, no matter how hard I tried to prevent that.
He weighed 9 lbs 7.5 ounces, was 21 1/2 inches long.
He loves to feed himself. He could eat all day if I jsut gave him finger foods. He especially loves cookies and chocolate. I try so hard not to give it to him, but sometimes I just need to.
Neils is pretty tempermental. He gets very angry at the littlest things, and giggles at the silliest things.
He can say:
"at" -Cat
"woof" - (that's a dog, my sister's dog is named Rufio, and he says "woof" so he calls all dogs woof.
"Dad"
"Mom"
"Ama" -Grandma, my mom.
"wow"
"whoa"
"Bah" -bye, like with a southern accent. This also means 'ball' and 'bath', depending on the situation.
"boo"-peekaboo!
"hot" - and he holds his hand up with his palm open. sometimes he blows, like blowing a candle out.
He mimics me sometimes, only once though. I'll say 'uh oh' and he'll copy me, then not do it again if I try to get him to.
He points and says 'uh' when he wants something.
He turns his palms up when I say "all gone"
He likes peas and carrots.
He tries to put his shoes and socks on after he takes them off in the car.
He wants me more than he wants anyone, but he never misbehaves for my mom like he does for me. She can get him to sleep quicker than I can, too.
He is pretty much in 18 month clothes.
He claps his hands when someone says 'yay'
He makes a noise, like when rolling R's, but he does it in the back of his mouth, like in his throat. it is crazy. It makes him sound like a wookie.
He is still too much of a chicken to take even one step.

He loves animals!!
He does that thing where you get your fimger and wiggle it at your lips...make sense??

Birthday boy

2009-02-01T15:19:00.000-08:00

Trying to share his cereal with me in his new big boy chair.

This picture would be so cute, but it is blurry. ugh.

His paw prints, one year later

A Stay

2009-02-01T14:51:00.000-08:00

Well... this means I can still sell baby stuff!
Something worked!
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html

$25 for a t-shirt??

2009-01-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

A BABY t-shirt??

http://babysteals.com/20090126_keeka_ss_tee.php

I just don't get it. I think $9.50 is still a lot. This site (babysteals.com) is still cool,though. I have seen a lot of cute things, but only one thing that I have wanted. But it was already sold out by the time I got there!

A Draft of a letter to help!

2009-01-26T13:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a copy of a letter you can send to help you:

To: [your congress person or senator]

Re: The Consumer Product Improvement Act (CPSIA) will result in a drastic deepening of the economic crisis

Dear [your congress person or senator],

The economic crisis in our country is distressing to millions of Americans. That is why it concerns me that under the CPSIA, many small business owners will be driven out of business, deepening the crisis. The premise of self reliance and entrepreneurship on which this country was founded is in jeopardy.

Like many people, I was deeply concerned by the dangerous and poisonous toys that large Chinese toy manufacturers have been selling to our families. And, I was pleased that Congress acted quickly to protect America's children by enacting the CPSIA.

However, I am very concerned that the CPSIA's mandates for third party testing and labeling will have a dramatic and negative effect on small businesses whose safety record has always been exemplary. It will devastate small manufacturers and home businesses who create children's products such as clothes, handmade goods and toys for children, beautiful Native American artifacts, children's books, adaptive products for children with disabilities, and classroom and homeschool materials. These small businesses simply cannot afford the $300-$4,000 price tag per product that Third Party testers are charging.

With the economic crisis we find ourselves in, fewer families will be able to afford the higher costs of the goods that remain available. Any company that is able to remain in business will undoubtedly raise prices due to increased compliance costs. Everyone will have to pay more for the remaining available goods, deepening the effects of the economic crisis for millions of families.

I urge you to quickly request the Consumer Product Safety Commission to make some very reasonable exclusions in their interpretation of the law as they continue their rulemaking process. These include exempting books and uncoated fabrics from testing and allowing manufacturers to rely upon testing done by their materials suppliers instead of paying for redundant unit-based testing. I would also like to see an exemption to third party testing requirements for micro-businesses similar to the exemptions granted by the FDA for small producers under the food labeling laws. As the Wall Street Journal wrote, "The Commission needs to implement the rules without putting more companies out of business in an already tenuous economy."

These toy makers, crafters, publishers and small home based businesses have earned and kept the public's trust. They provide jobs for thousands and quality playthings and educational products for hundreds of thousands. Their unique businesses should be protected. Please visit www.handmadetoyalliance.org to learn more about this issue.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[your name]

HERE ARE LINKS FOR YOU!

If you need to contact Congressman Jim Matheson:
http://matheson.house.gov/contact.shtml

Senator Bennett:
http://bennett.senate.gov/contact/email_opinion.cfm

Senator Hatch:
http://hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm

THE STUPID CPSIA

2009-01-25T07:47:00.000-08:00

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.
The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too. How will these new laws affect you?

Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:

Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:

Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:

Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:

Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:

Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:

Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:

Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:

Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake. To the Worldwide Economy:Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

One year ago, my due date.

2009-01-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

Neils was due one year ago, on Jan. 24, 08. I was large, running around the house chasing a dog, taking laps in the grocery store while I did my shopping, and being as active as possible to get that kid out!

But he wasn't coming.

Happy birthday to me!

2009-01-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday! Yay!
My dad took 10 of us, and two babies, out to dinner. What a crazy man. I got to choose, and of course, chose Mexican food. I love carne asadas! Yum.
Afterwards, some of them (Cait, Tony, Atreyu, Chris, Luke, Kirstie, mom, Anthony, Neils and I) played Apples to Apples and Cranium at my house. It was fun, but I pooped out early. It was long day for me.
Want to know the bummer of the day?
No cake.
Rude!
Today when I went to work, my boss asked how my birthday was, and I told him it was good, but that I didn't even get a birthday cake! We were still doing inventory, but he left for a bit so I was there with April, counting and counting, and when he came back he otld me I had to go to the back room to put some glass in a case. When I walked out, there was a cake on the counter, and a card (playing the chicken dance...) Then...we ate cake, (but it was white cake, with white and green and blue frosting, so it doesn't count, it's not chocolate so it isn't the real thing ;)... ) then it was time to go home. When I got home I expected a cake, but no, just fish and chips (home made by Anthony, corn meal breaded pollock fish and sweet potato fries...mmmmm, I taught him well). So, I plyed with Neils some more and got him ready for bed. When I was putting Neils to sleep, Anthony came in and told me I had visitors, so I handed Neils to him, and went out...to a candle-lit birthday cake, from my brother and Kirstie! And, yes, it was the real thing-chocolate!!

I know I'm silly.... But they are silly for forgetting my cake!

Great Grandma Lydia

2008-12-29T20:52:00.001-08:00

What a cute guy

2008-12-29T20:44:00.001-08:00

Watches and rings

2008-12-29T18:21:00.000-08:00

I've had the watch and rings pages done for a few weeks, but silly me, never published them. So, NOW they are published and on my site.

Take a look, go to the accessories page, then to rings or watches.

http://www.sierranicoledesigns.com/accessories.html

Has anybody heard about this??

2008-12-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

Apparently there is a regulation that will be enforced on Feb 10, that will keep me from selling any baby things, or anything for children under 12. I am just learnign about this and reading about it, but I think all you who have children should take a look, because it will affect EVERYTHING your children come in contact with, not just handmade stuff.
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/faq.html#sect101

Contestants...

2008-12-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

I am surprised at how little people have entered. I thought more poeple would be interested in a free something 12 days in a row...I'm going to take picture and post them on my site, blog, myspace, etc, so people can see what they'd win, then maybe more will be interested.

12 Days of Christmas Sale!

2008-12-12T20:07:00.000-08:00

To enter, just leave me a comment with your name and e-mail address! They'ell be hidden from others, don't worry.

On Santa's lap...

2008-12-06T21:33:00.000-08:00

Who is this weird guy?

Mom, save me!

Watch #1

2008-11-28T20:36:00.000-08:00

Turquoise and wood, with tall rectangular face

What do you think of it?

I am psoting it on Etsy right now, so if you want it, go get it! I don't have enough beads to make another like it, but I can make something similar if you want it and it is gone by the time you see this.

I am crazy

2008-11-26T21:24:00.000-08:00

So, tommorrow is Thanksgiving. Since we just moved into a new house, and it has a big kitcken and lots of room, I decided I was goping to have Thanksgiving here this year.
I am crazy.
Me, Anthony, Neils, Tony, Cait, Atreyu, Minnie, Stuart, Mom, Dad, Liz, Chris, John, Luke, Kirstie, and maybe Weasel.
I am making dinner for 14 people and two babies. Wow.
My list of things to make:
Regular turkey
smoked turkey
regular mashed potatoes
rosemary mashed potatoes
wasabi mashed potatoes
cornbread stuffing
regular stuffing
green beans with bacon
corn
relish tray
2 pumpkin pies
2 double layer pumpkin pies (the best things ever!!!)
um...
my mom is making rolls and chocolate cream pie
my dad is making ham, gravy, and yams
Stuart is making cinnamon rolls
Minnie is making fruit salad
I could have delegated more to more people, but I really like doing things on my own.

Yep.

Working at a bead store/ interchangeable watches

2008-11-25T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is an interesting job. Sometimes it is boring, but then I can just make stuff ,or do this, or he gives me a lot of things ot do sometimes.
Something I have noticed...
There sure is a craze for interchangeable watches! Has anyone else noticed how many people there are with these things? Geez...I have never physically encountered anyone who makes them or even has one outside of this store, but I do know of a lot of people who do it. So, what do you think, should I try?
I am going to anyway, but just one or two for now. I think I will just make the bands, though. I'm sure people already have the watches, but if you like teh idea, and you like my bands, but you don't have a watch, I'll get you one. I'm just really curious about it now.
For those of you who read this, who are reading this, PLEASE answer these questions for me. PLEASE:
Do you know anybody who wears these watches? How many people?
Do you know anybody who makes these watches? How many people?
Are you interested??

Thank you friends!!

Zion National Park

2008-11-23T21:50:00.001-08:00

On Friday we decided to do something fun and go see Zion. I've been wanting to go for so long, so we finally did it. I was disappointed, though, because it was colder than I expected, and I didn't think about the cliffs and how that would give is only a few hours of sun shining on us to keep us warm. Grr. but we did well, and I WILL go back when it is warmer and do more.

Market research reports

2008-11-20T08:08:00.001-08:00

I was doing an assignment, and I thought about looking at some research in teen demographics. All the sites I find, you have to pay to get information. one site, has documents for thousands of dollars. Grr. This sucks. There is one I am intereted in, and it is $3,750. Wow. Market research is a good niche...people go to them for info, and they WILL spend that money to help them better understand and reach their target market. These reports help companies develop better campaigns, better products, and better marketing.
Last night I was just thinking about communication research, and how excited I was to do my content analysis paper (for a different class). I think research is awesome, and I was wondering if it might be a good idea to try that, but I have been in school long enough...I would only have to be in a little bit longer since my major is advertising and they are both under communications...maybe I can do a composite major instead....I'll go look up some stuff...

oh, all the thoughts that run through my head....

I just discovered...they don't have a major in communication reasearch, but there is one in communication studies. I am not sure they are similar enough for me to do it, but, there is a lot of research in advertising. Maybe I am okay. Maybe....I don't know....is it possible to have a double major, and still have a minor?? hmm... Maybe I can go on to the graduate program, too.

I love being a student. If you couldn't tell. Just last week, I was thinking that I could be a student my whole life, and I wouldn't mind. Anthony said "We are students our whole lives. We learn things everyday." But, I was thinking about being a student in academia....I'm crazy.

Custom Christmas Stockings!

2008-11-17T14:27:00.000-08:00

$7 each - Customizable with names of your choice in 5 colors: red, blue, green, silver and gold.

50% off everything on my site!

2008-11-14T13:17:00.001-08:00

Coupon sites...

2008-11-11T08:39:00.000-08:00

There are all these sites where people have a bunch of coupons to print out and use, but there are so many that you have to search so hard for, and put a lot of work into it. My problem is, I don't have the time to sit there and figure it all out so I can just do it easier each time. I really want to be able to do it, I see all the HUGE savings some of them have, but it seems so hard and time consuming, too. Grr.
Does anybody know how to explain it better to me??