Fire vs. Water

Fire vs. Water
By Ryan Berger

(Fire and Water are the only people on earth.)

Fire loved France, speaking French and art. Water on the other hand, liked putting out fire in fire land.

One day Fire and Water went on a walk. Then they met on a corner. "Bonjure madamonzelle" exclaimed Fire.

"I'm not a girl you weirdo," yelled Water. "Stop talking or I..." "Will put you out like the others."

Fire got so mad and scared he made more little fire guys and ran to his little home.

Then he thought of an idea. If fire could scare water away into a creek he would be trapped. No that's too hard. So he thought and thought. Then he had an idea! The idea was...To turn into the sun and vaporize him. That was a better idea.

So as usual they met at the corner. So Fire turned into the sun and Water said "Noooo!!! I'm melting!" And in five seconds he was gone. Fire restored everybody in fire land.

The End

50 LB Celebration - Skin n Bones

The other day I heard a "Woo Hoo" coming from the bathroom.

Then I heard a "Hey Mom - I've finally hit 50 lbs"

After which I heard, "I bet it's just muscle."

To which I replied, "I'm sure it is muscle son."

Then I heard - "Yeah, that's the nice thing about skin and bones. When you gain weight, it's just muscle."

To which I thought "Must be nice." (As the top of my muffin is overflowing)

Over or Under

Since it is an unspoken rule around my house that I am the only one that can change out the toilet paper roll, I just thought I'd pose the question...

Does the toilet paper go Over or Under?

If you don't know...

It's UNDER.

Now you know. Don't be scared to change it out. It's really not that hard, and it is much appreciated by most tell-them-how-to-wear-their-pants(ers). (We're called that because we don't wear the pants in the family. We just tell them how to wear them)

Me...on life

I realized the other night that there are MANY jobs in this world that I would NOT like. One would be working in the Lab at a hospital. Yes, I could sort through blood samples to see what, if any, problem there might be. It's the stool samples that I couldn't handle. It's one thing to take care of your own family. You know, changing your own kids' diapers, cleaning up your own child's mess, but others? Nope. Actually, I could probably clean up another person, it's the 'sorting through' that I don't suppose I could stomach.

Yesterday I went on the bicycle maiden voyage of 2009. Ahh, it was nice to get back on the bike. It was a slow ride, -- I was along side Sydney the first time out, and Ryan the next time out.

I wondered while out in the beautiful weather just why life isn't fair.

Why isn't it fair you ask?

Well, when a boy/man rides a bike, his 'package' is protected up front. When a girl/woman rides a bike, she sits right on top of her 'package'. Well, what there is of a package. Thus causing quite an uncomfortable ride, not only on her tail bone, but on ahem...that too. Padding just isn't enough.

So, to you men out there that just get on the bike and ride....

Next time you straddle the saddle, try tucking your tail (you know what I mean) between your legs and have a seat. ride around the block and be thankful that you don't have to ride that way each time you go out.

More installments later....

Noble Women

Today my cup was filled. Sometimes it just seems to dump itself on the counter and spread onto the floor, but today it was refilled.

I went to an Enrichment on temples, and then Cherie Call, an LDS music artist shared her talents. Both women that addressed us were amazing. It was an experience that Cherie spoke of that I would like to dedicate this post.

She talked of a time that she found out that one of her ancestors was on the Mayflower. She wanted to know more about this woman. She wanted to know if she was like her. She talked of how her mother used to iron everything, and how she was NOT going to be like that. Then she found herself ironing her her jeans and t-shirts while in college. When she started asking around, she learned that the women in her family used to iron clothes to make money. So, this ironing had been passed from generation to generation.

As she told her story, I started thinking about the women in my life that I could readily trace back. What was it about me that could be traced back to things that have been done for generations. I haven't talked to anyone, but I can see things that I do in my life that were done by my mom, that were learned by my grandmother. I can only imagine that these things were learned perhaps from my great grandmother.

For example, I learned to cook from my mom and my grandma. I am thankful to each of these women for the skills that they taught me. Both my mom and my grandma sew. I don't suppose I will ever be like my mom or my grandma with my sewing skills. My mom can do anything, but when we were shipped puppets the day before Halloween instead of a Halloween costume, I had to use my sewing skills to make Ryan a Pirate Costume. It wasn't the Jack Sparrow that we had ordered, but Ryan loved it and was proud to say that it was hand made. I attribute this to my mom. It was something she would have done. I wouldn't have been without a costume. Matter of fact, because of a George Washington coat she made for my brother when he was a young boy, I had a Pirate's coat for Jack Sparrow.

I remember bottling vegetables and fruit with my grandma as a kid. This is something that I love to do today. I am so blessed to be able to have these skills.

I have noble women in my family. Women of faith. Women who make something out of nothing to provide for their families. Women that I hope that one day I will be more like.

Thank you Mom and Grandma Bowers for helping to mold me to who I am today.

Angels

It has been said that Angels minister to mortals on earth. Just recently in a conference address Elder Jeffrey R Holland spoke of just that.

He stated that "God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face".

This week I have thought a lot about the Angels that are here. They may be in the form of a smile from someone, even a cashier at a grocery store. They may be in the form of a neighbor looking out for you.

Tonight I experienced an angel in my home. Sydney is very sick. She has fought a fever all day, along with aches and pains. Ryan was her angel. He has been so concerned that she is not ok. I have shared his concern, but the fact that he wants to eat by her bedside to make sure she doesn't get worse shows his angelic nature.

I have felt the Angelic spirit of my sister recently. I haven't been able to get her off my mind for the past couple of days and it makes me weepy. I put the CD of her funeral in and I heard an angel sing. Thank you Jamilyn Slade for your angelic voice. I have always loved it. I remember as a child I just wanted to grow up and sing like Jamilyn. Now I hardly even sing for people.

I remember the day after Azure returned to heaven we were in Sacrament Meeting. I don't know that it was a good idea to go to church that day. I'm not sure we got too much of the messages. I recall Tiffani Martineau leading the music. I don't know that we were fair to her. We couldn't even sing for the abundance of tears that were shed. Thank you Tiffani for being able to get through those songs with us on the front row.

I guess we needed the angels of Heber, AZ that day.

Sometimes it is hard to look around at what is going on and realize that there are angels seen and unseen.

Sydney has not been feeling well for a while. She is having some sort of stomach trouble. I have an appointment for her on Friday to hopefully find out what the problem is. I pray for angels to watch over her. I pray for her doctors that they may use their knowledge to get to the bottom of her ailments....angels.

Parent Projects

I've decided that I'm not a fan of projects that the kids have to do for school.

Today Sydney was supposed to go to school with 100 'things' on her shirt. Goodbye to the baggies of marshmallows, cheerios, etc. Now they want stuff attached to a shirt. Brett's idea was to actually write '100 THINGS' on a piece of paper and attach it to her shirt. Clever. I actually decided that we would make a necklace that has 100 things on it. I read somewhere that some parents were gluing popcorn kernels on shirts, or 100 pennies, etc. My friend had the idea of safety pins on a shirt. I had a bazillion of those, so I decided we would string them on as a necklace. That took much less time than actually 'pinning' them on. Except that when I went to put the necklace on Syd I dropped one end and 1/2 of the pins went scattering so I had to re-string them.

At Christmas the kids were supposed to come to school dressed as elves for elf day. Luckily for me I had some scrap fabric that I could put a little costume together. What do parents do that can't sew? Stimulate the economy?

The school is having a contest tomorrow too. Each grade has a 'theme' for Valentine boxes. Sydney's is Nursery Rhymes, and Ryan's is Simple Machines. I had a bright idea late last night that we could make a Wheel Barrow for Ryan. That is a Simple Machine. He informed me this morning that his teacher told them that if their box looked like a Simple Machine, they wouldn't win, but if it had a Simple Machine 'in' it they might win. I highly doubt we will win. We never do. This is project is more for parents than it is for the kids. It is something that Ryan really wants to do though. He has his vision. I just don't know that I can help him execute it.

I'd like to be in on the "bright idea" meetings that the teachers have so that I can offer a 'parent' perspective. I have two kids. What the heck to people do that have more than two--those that have 4 or 5 or more, all in different grades.

I'm an A/B

Ok, I know what you're thinking....however, I'm not talking about my bra size here. I only wish I was that...

I'm talking about my personality.

I've been reading some running books. I checked 3 out of the library. I always like to get multiple opinions on what I need to be doing. When I read several opinions, I can take what is consistent and usually make it work for me. Consistency usually means that it is more than an opinion - it's usually facts from studies that have been conducted.

Anyway.

All of the books have talked about people with Type A personalities that don't warm-up/cool-down after a run. Hmm, I think I'm a little 'A' here. I've read so much about Type A personalities that I started searching the Internet to see what it was that made a person have a 'Type A' personality. Well, there were quizzes to be taken. So I took one.

I found that I a middle of the packer. I tend to be a middle of the packer in many things. I'm not great, but I'm not at the bottom of the totem either.

Now you know. I'm an A/B trying to become more of a B when it comes to warm-ups and cool-downs so that I don't pay my physical therapists next mortgage.

Blessed

I have been so blessed to have a good family.

Tonight I made stew for dinner. Actually it was more like lunch as we get out of church at 12pm and we ate around 2:30.

We went to a meeting at the church and when we got home I had some leftovers. They were so good. I was reminded of the stew that my grandma would make when my parents were building their house. It would be cold outside and grandma would make a pot of stew and come cornbread.

I was taken back to a time in my life that I cherish the memory of.

Grandma and Grandpa Bowers were living in our small town helping build our new home, the home my parents still live in.

I remember staying with them.

On fast Sunday, they often wouldn't eat until 10pm because they had worked so hard the day before and had eaten at 10pm then and they were observing a 24-hour fast. I was always impressed by that.

Grandma could make anything. I remember well taking baths in their home and having a little net bag full of small pieces of soap. I loved that. Looking back now I realize that she was just using it up. Frugal.

Grandpa Bowers like his eggs the way I do. Scrambled soft.

I miss him. He was such a fun grandpa.

I am thankful to be a part of such a family.

I'm Blessed.

Shavin'

I made my goal of 15 miles this week. I had to run 6 on Friday so that I could get them all in because I knew that I wouldn't have time Saturday, and I spent 2 hours at the dentist on Thursday with Sydney so I couldn't go then.

When I ran into the yard I looked down at my running application on my phone and it said 6 miles - 9:34 min/mi. Whoo Hoo.

I'm gonna keep on shavin' that time off.

8:30 min/mile - here we come.

A Fraction

This morning I cleaned out Ryan's backpack and found an assignment that he completed at school on fractions.

The top reads "My Family"

He drew a picture of all of us. I think my shoulders have been dislocated/hyper extended, something...

Anyway, here is how our family ranks in the mind of my son.

1/4 - has no fat (I'm not sure if I should be offended on this one.)

4/4 - love playing the Wii

1/4 - like cleaning the house (Is this me? He's SORELY mistaken if I am the numerator here.)

2/4 - like guitar hero (The other 2 just have no rhythm, thus we get booed off the stage and are not allowed to continue - Poor me. Poor Sydney.)

2/4 - like legos

1/2 - are girls

There you have it - just a fraction

I'm back

Last week Brett and I went to the temple. As I was getting ready, I slipped on a skirt and realized that my midsection had grown slightly. Knowing that I couldn't be pregnant (thank heavens), I came to the realization once again that my laziness had caused this growth.

I'm great at doing EVERYTHING for everyone else and using that as my excuse to not walk out the door and exercise for myself.

Brett has been bugging me to do the Salem Triathlon again this year.

I have ignored him.

Well, my little skirt incident made me decide that I really did need to have something to work for. (I know Brett, you've been telling me that for weeks...I just needed it to be my own idea :).

So, I broke it to Brett on Thursday that I would in fact sign up for the race.

He smiled.

He knows me.

On Friday, I decided that I needed to just clean the house. After all, we did have a tornado plow through our residence.

At about 10:15 I sat down to the computer to read blogs and saw a post on a blog that I belong to. The post was about a mom, a mom like me, that went running 7 miles. The first 2 1/2 miles were hard for her, and then she said after that it felt good. I looked at the clock and decided that it was time that I get off my butt and get out there.

So, I got dressed and ran just over 3 miles. My time was just under a 10 minute mile. I reasoned that I was allowed a turtle pace. I hadn't been running for at least 2 months, maybe 3.

It felt good. So good that I went back out on Saturday, and again on Monday. I have to go tutor a boy at the school today for a while, but then I'm going to go back out today.

My goal for this week - 15 miles.

I'll shoot for the same goal next week. Then I'll increase my mileage, and hopefully by June when I run the Ragnar Relay with my cousins, I'll not be the slowest on the team.

I'm back. It feels good.

Destroyed in Seconds

Ever seen that show "Destroyed in Seconds" on Discovery Channel?

I hate it!

Why don't they call it "Killed in Seconds"? I'm pretty sure that most of the people in the show die in what they show.

Brett thinks it's cool--Not that they die - Just the Destroyed part. I don't.

I've Been Watching You

Have you heard the song that goes something like this...

"I've been watching you Dad, aint that cool
I'm you're buckaroo, I want to be like you
Eat all my food, and grow as tall as you are..."

I don't know who sings it, but it is cute. The little boy wants to be just like his dad.

Well, for the past few nights I have realized that I have a little one that wants to be a lot like ME.

She's cute. (No, I'm not saying I'm cute...She is!)

Anyway.

The boys (Ryan and Brett) play Guitar Hero, and the girls (Sydney and myself) fix dinner.

I remember being very young and wanting to help in the kitchen. Sydney is actually really good in the kitchen. The other night we made Cream Cheese Chicken. It is a recipe that is supposed to be made in a crock pot, but I rarely plan ahead, and I am a 30 minutes MAX to the table type of gal, so this is what we did...here's the recipe....then the directions...you get it.

1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 pint jar of chicken (we canned these a couple of weeks ago) - Other canned chicken will do, or boil a couple chicken breasts (that takes longer though)
1 can cream of chicken soup
A little bit of chicken broth from the jar, or water/milk....you choose - you'll want the liquid just to make a nice consistency
1 pkg of italian dressing (the powder) or 1 pkg ranch dressing (the powder) - or 3 T ranch powder - whatever is in your kitchen.

Mixy all together and Heat thoroughly. I like to put the cream cheese in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it.

In a separate pan, boil water, add some pasta and cook until al dente and VOILA - Dinner. It's good. It's probably more fattening than I should eat since I am not a regular excersizer - Ok, so maybe that isn't a word...

But...

It is 30 minutes to the table

Oh yeah, back to Sydney. She did almost everything with this meal. I do a little supervising, but she does most of it and she is proud to help.

I am proud to let her. She's been watching me.

Random Thoughts

So, I've been laying in bed most of the day today. I fear what tonight will bring as far as sleep goes.

You know the drill...

Get Sick
Lay around in bed all day
Sleep a little, or a lot
Bedtime rolls around, can't sleep
Repeat tomorrow

Anyway...

What does a girl do when there is nothing else to do but lay in bed?

She blog surfs, reads message boards, comments on blogs, etc, makes some amazing soup....all from food items that can be stored long term....recipe to follow

As I spent countless hours reading what people had to post, I thought "Is it just me that gets what people post?"

Follow me here.

Say a girl with a blog writes something about her little family, an experience perhaps.

Is it the duty of the people who might stumble across this blog to let the author know that she is self-centered or that the post was out of line or that they are concerned about the post?

I must say that I do not believe so. It is kind of like the people who call in to the radio and rant and rave about the topic of discussion.

TURN THE DIAL PEOPLE!!!

If you don't like a post from a PERSONAL Blog - Move on your merry way. Don't comment to the author about how terrible they are.

Tell yourself that a few times and see how it feels. If comments are allowed on a blog, be kind. There is enough rudeness in this world. People don't need to hear the effects of your bad day.

Ok, on to the recipe, whew!

This one came from a neighbor from an Enrichment activity we had with recipes that come from food storage. I would add a little salt to this recipe, probably not as many carrots, and a little more water/beef bouillon. It is delicious.

Beef Barley Stew
1 - 14 1/2 oz can beef chunks (I did not have this, but I did have stew meat. I browned it in some olive oil and cooked it in a pressure cooker for an hour at 15lbs pressure, mmmm)
7 cups water (I ended up using about 13 cups water...I'll explain)
3/4 c. dried diced carrots
3 T dried minced onion
3 T dried celery
2 T dried red peppers or green (I had a mixture of both...that's how they came)
2 T dried parsley
1/2 t. basil
1/8 t. black pepper
1 bay leaf
3/4 c. pearled barley

Combine all ingredients except barley in large pot and bring to a boil. Add barley and simmer, covered, for 45-55 minutes until barley is tender. Remove bay leaf before serving. Serves 4-6

Ok, to my explanation. Since I didn't have beef chunks canned, and I used stew meat, I needed water to cook it in. I added 4 cups of water to my pressure cooker, along with two teaspoons of beef bouillon granules. As I said before I cooked it in the pressure cooker for 55 minutes at 15lbs pressure. It came out so tender.

In a second pot I put 7 cups of water and the other ingredients and cooked it for 45 minutes. When the beef was done, I added the two together and added some more liquid to make it go farther. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy.

A Day Off

Today Brett and I both have felt under the weather. It's not that often that we have both started with symptoms at the same time....the same symptoms.

So, for the day we lounged around in our VERY cluttered house. How can you clean up the clutter if you don't even want to get out of bed?

We dropped Ryan and Sydney off at a friend's birthday party just before 5pm. On our way home I ordered Chinese. I have the number programed into my phone you know.

As we were eating our meal, Brett handed me a fortune cookie and said "Whatever yours says you have to add 'in bed' at the end." I opened mine, all the while thinking of what I could say.

I said, "Take the night off from your labors."

I couldn't stop laughing....

Of course, that's not what it said, so he said - Read it!

I read it. It said "A nice surprise will come to you soon."

Translation: You can take the day off ;)

he he

Full Activity

Ryan signed up for Basketball this winter. I am proud of him for wanting to be active. He always talks about how skinny he is. One day he told me, crying, that he didn't want to be fat. I asked him why he would worry about that.

His reply, "Well, if I was fat, I wouldn't be able to feel my shots as much, but I don't want to be fat just for that." Ahh, good thinking.

Anyway...

Back to basketball.

He is so proud of himself. He has confidence. He has set goals to become a better player. It's good for him and our family.

He's OPEN - Too Bad none of his teammates will pass to him.

In Ryan's league, they each wear a colored arm band and can only guard that person. Scroll down...you'll see Ryan's first match up...

Ryan's 2nd match up is #32. He said it was a much 'fairer battle'. I agree.

Science, Cells, and the like

It seems that many of our conversations around her have something to do with science, cells, you name it...

All things Science.

Well, tonight was no different. You remember when I told you that we were made out of molecules? Well our latests conversation went a bit like this:

Ryan: "Mom, you know all LIVING things are not made mostly out of water."

Me: "Oh, they're not?"

Ryan: "Nope. Take Stitch for example. If he were made out of water, his cells couldn't handle it."

Me: "Very Observant."

Shhh, don't tell Ryan - He thinks this guy is really ALIVE! You know, come to think of it, he probably is.

I'm a Model

Tonight Brett went to Young Men's so I had the kiddos to myself. While I cleaned the kitchen, the kids ran around the room playing. I asked them to get their jammies on and Sydney came up the stairs and said "Mom, look - I'm a model."

I present.

Sydney.

My Model.

Intellectual Conversations

Ryan: "Mom, have you ever had a tooth ache?"

Me: "Yes, Ryan I have had a tooth ache."

Ryan: "Do you know where they come from?"

Me: "Yes, I think so."

Ryan: "Well, they start with a cavity and the pain travels to your bicuspids."

Me: "Hmm."