Fun and easy ways to stay warm this Winter

With Winter rapidly approaching, I thought I would compile a quick list. A list of simple and cheap ways to keep warm when there's a chill in the air.

Place hot fresh baked potatoes in your pockets. It worked for the Pioneers, why wouldn't it work for us? This also solves the "I'm starving to death" complaint that comes out of your daughter's mouth every single time you run errands. Can also be used as a weapon.

Let one or more of your children fall asleep in your bed. When it's time for you to go to sleep, move your kid to their own bed, and voila- instant warmth when you return. Better yet, you could let your kid sleep with you, which provides a constant flow of heat.

Serve lots of chili. This one speaks for itself. Especially at our house. One pot of chili provides enough warmth for us to turn off the heater altogether.

Place a load of towels in the dryer right before your 60 minute nightly bath. This allows the towels to fully dry in the same amount of time you are bathing. Be prepared to bang on the wall so your spouse can bring you a towel from the dryer. Since, oops you forgot yours. Or, take your cell phone and text him instead.

Run all your TV's at the same time. Sure you're wasting electricity, but just adjust your thermostat a bit and it should balance things out in the power department.

Wait to go potty til after your husband is finished. I know, crazy huh? But, men tend to spend 43 minutes longer than necessary to do their business, which is insane... but the seat will be nice and toasty. You'll need a clothespin and a good air freshener, but at least your butt will be cozy.

Float a bottle of lotion in the tub while you bathe. It will be nice and warm when it's time to moisturize your ashy legs, crusty heels and leathery elbows.

There you have it. Cheap and simple ways to stay warm this Winter. Don't worry, they all work. Tried and tested by me. You're welcome.

Calling all Twilight lovers!

So, there's this story of a crafty lady... follow along! I met Sarah through my sister Kelli and the wonderful world of blogging. We have hung out a few times, planned Kelli's shower dinner, crafted together, etc. Well, she has this friend Krista who lives in Las Vegas and Krista and I have become blogging/email buddies. Which has been great, because I dig these two chicks! They haven't seen each other in awhile, since they are now separated by a few states. So, Sarah had this awesome idea to make Twilight T's to sell which celebrate/commemorate/show their love for the movie coming out. Which is a perfect idea because she's gonna use the proceeds to get Krista a plane ticket to Texas! I think it's an awesome, brilliant idea because they get to hang out and I get to finally meet Krista. Now, I may have creative spurts here and there, but Sarah blows me out of the water with her crafty ways. Anyway, long story short: if you love Twilight and want to help get some chicks together in good 'ole Texas, go here, and order your very own Twilight T.

Could have used these last year...

Those of you have been reading for awhile remember last year's pre-Christmas fiasco my kiddos pulled. If not, go here and read all about it. It sure would have been nice to have some of these last year. And, I am sure my mom would have appreciated them as well. My brother Erik and I were masters at opening and re-wrapping Christmas gifts. Who thinks of this stuff? Probably some kid who used to do the exact same thing...

P.S. Watch the commercial titled Undercover Kids. It shows the bag and some sneaky kids in action.

On church...

The day started out pretty good. The Elder's Quorum came and met the family, we didn't oversleep and I had spent part of Saturday shopping for new 1st day of church goodies. I had bought Chloe a new outfit, Hayden new church shoes, and all the boys got new shirts and socks. I even got me a brand new outfit and some tic-tacs. So I would look and smell fresh for all the new people I would be meeting. I was feeling really good about getting the whole family to church, things had been going so well... Instead, I got tons of resistance and that's putting it lightly. Chloe and Hunter threw giant tantrums, Hayden was super annoyed, and Chandler outright refused to go. I can handle tantrums, but when your pre-teens say stuff like church sucks, it's dumb, etc. it kinda breaks your spirit. I finally left by myself so I could make it on time. I knew that Jon would at least be coming behind me with Hunter and Hayden, and by some small miracle he would be able to get Chandler and Chloe to join them. Needless to say, I was pretty weepy before I even got there. I barely made it in before they closed the chapel doors and it wasn't long before they start reading the names of the new members. We were asked to stand until every last name was read. Of course my name was second called and I nervously stood. Then they called all of my kids names. And, I lost it. There was just something so sad about being there alone as they called the names of my children. I can't believe how bad I broke down! I am sure I made a lovely first impression. I just couldn't help it, and I am an ugly cryer.
It was nice and so helpful to see Jon and the boys walk in. And, the testimony meeting was great. More than one person expressed their gratitude and excitement about all of the new families. I stayed put. I really wanted to bear my testimony, but I didn't make it up there. Next month for sure I'll do it. I just couldn't bring myself to stand up again. I was just too nervous. I did notice as the names were called just how small the ward was before all the new families came. I have never been in a ward this size before. So, I shouldn't have been too frightened to get up there. But, I was. And, although the membership is small their hearts are HUGE! I have never been more welcomed than I was today. So many truly nice people, who seemed genuinely grateful to have new people join the shrinking congregation. I shook so many hands and met so many people. Even Jon felt very much at home there and that is major! I really felt good about today, I have a feeling that great things are coming. I think Jon felt it too. He made a point to talk to all of the kids about the importance of going to church and supporting me as I have supported them all these years. And, I am relying on faith and my Heavenly Father to do the rest. I made the mistake of going inactive 6 years ago, and I know that I am fighting an uphill battle. But, I also know that I am doing the right thing and that I am not alone.

Hope and Faith

No, this is NOT about the election....

Yesterday evening I got a much anticipated and highly welcomed visit from some lovely ladies. I got a house call from the Relief Society Presidency and the sister missionaries in my new ward. I felt the Spirit the moment they came into my home. They were all just so nice and the visit went so well. I quickly got over being bummed about my other ward. While I am gonna miss several really cool people, I am beyond excited about my new ward. I haven't even been to church yet, and it already feels so right! I can't even describe it. I firmly believe that Heavenly Father has big plans for me in this ward and I am so stoked! I am very much looking forward to Sunday and all that this path in life has to offer me. I found it very intriguing when I was told by the Relief Society president that the members of my new ward had been fasting and praying about the state of things in their ward for over a year. They had been losing families left and right due to various factors and it was causing them alot of anxiety and sadness. They really were unsure as to how things were going to end up for their ward. Then this boundary change happened and they feel as if their prayers were answered, and so do I. I will let everyone know how Sunday goes, but I think I may already know.

Car Lot

Over the past 14 years of bliss with Jon, we have owned alot of cars. Occasionally we will list them out and laugh about it. Our neighbors probably think we are nuts. It is nice though, there's always something to drive. Right now we have 6. Yes, that is a big number but some of them are clunkers. In no particular order here are the cars we have owned since 1994:

1995 Saturn
1996 Kia Sephia
1996 Ford Windstar
2003 Dodge Ram Lonestar
1966 Pontiac GTO
2004 Dodge 3500 Dually
1964 GTO
1994 Chevy Dually
1999 Ford F-150
1964 GTO convertible (currently own)
2006 Chevy HHR
1969 Ford Ranger truck (currently own)
1984 Fiero
1984 Fiero
1987 Chevy Corsica
1986 Toyota van
1974 Pontiac Trans-Am SD-455 (really awesome car!)
1987 Jeep Cherokee
1993 GMC truck (currently own)
1993 Chevy truck (currently own)
2004 Ford F-250 4x4 Harley Davidson edition (currently own)
2001 Ford Expedition
2003 Chevy Suburban
2008 Honda Odyssey (currently own)
2001 Harley Davidson Road King
2001 Harley Davidson sportster (this was mine, and it was PINK! I will post pics-someday...)
2006 Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle V-Rod

All I can say is, dang! That's alot of driving utensils... and, I am not really sure why I did this post. My OCD tendencies have kicked in tonight, which means: make a list. Any list, just make one, NOW!

Election!

So, I voted. I have been looking forward to this election for a long time. We live in a small town, so it literally took me 5 minutes to walk in and walk out. I knew exactly who I was casting my vote for, so it was easy as pie. I have been so excited and giddy the last few days and today didn't disappoint. I wore red, white, and navy. Even going so far as to wear red strappy sandals and navy blue toenail polish. I know I'm a dork. I even made myself an "I voted" sticker since apparently they don't pass them out here. What if I had wanted a free incentive for voting like a donut?
Anyway- I fully plan on staying up until every last report is in. I may even get snacks, we'll see... Jon took the day off so we could have our date day and go vote together. We had fun, discussing the possible outcomes and our opinions on the 2 candidates. Thankfully we are 100% on the same page politically. I guess other than the actual voting process, my other favorite part of the day was lunch. I highly recommend Hoffbrau Steaks for your next dinner outing. Seriously, it was that good. I got the steak salad. And, I am quite sure it wasn't on my approved food list, but who cares, we were celebrating. That we are even able to live in this awesome country AND that we get to vote. Of course the fact that we found out we are getting $5,000 at the end of November was cause for celebration too. Thank you Chesapeake! The wells we signed our lease on are finally producing and it couldn't come at a better time of year. Well guys, have a great evening! And, keep your fingers crossed that the right guy becomes our next Commander in Chief!