Friday Fun

I have been looking forward to the Rooftop Concert Series concert tonight in Provo, UT for awhile. Rachelle told me she would come with me. Unfortunately, it is outside, and they were one week too late. We wimped out and didn't go sit there in the rain and freezing cold. So, I guess I'll have to plan on going next year, since this was the last one of this season.

So instead of hanging out with C Jane and friends tonight, I ended up at home, after I stopped and picked up some Cafe Rio delicious-ness. I even got some extra pork and a tortilla, for lunch tomorrow, but after the enchiladas, I was still wanting more, so I ate it all tonight. Oops.

Some of the ingredients for the lip balm

About 9:00 o'clock tonight I decided to try making handmade lip balm. I have had the ingredients for it for many months, but I never got around to actually trying it. For some reason, it sounded fun tonight. Sadly, it has been so long, I didn't have my original recipes, so I just looked some up online. I ended up making two batches, and I decided I needed a little practice before I start my lip balm making business. You have to be fast - the beeswax and oil get melted, then you have to mix the other stuff in and get it in a container before it starts to harden again. I am not fast. My lip balm is not smooth and nice looking, like you would see in the store. But, it was my first try, and it was fun and easy. Here are the two recipes I used, that I copied from elsewhere online, and partly just added stuff as I felt like it. I haven't tested out the results yet, because I wanted it to get set up really good.

Easy Lip Balm
coconut oil - about 2 tsp (recipe I was using called for 2 Tbsp, I read it wrong)
beeswax - about 2 tsp
peppermint essential oil - about 6 drops
Vitamin E - 2 drops

Raspberry flavored tinted Lip Balm
coconut oil - 1 tsp
cocoa butter - 2 tsp
beeswax - 2 tsp
raspberry extract - 3 drops
Vitamin E - 2 drops
Mae Minerals Blushing Pink color Blush - tiny bit for color
(probably should have put some essential oil in, but I knew I didn't want peppermint, and forgot I had eucalyptus, don't know how good that would have been)

The mess I created with my lip balm making.

The three containers of lip balm I made tonight

So, that's the fruit of tonight's labors - 3 little lip balms. Maybe I'll get better and make some to give away for Christmas presents.

Here's a few pictures of my night with the Bennett's on Wednesday. Lindsey and Hailey were putting on shows for me, and Lindsey came down in the Batman costume, which looked hilarious on her, so I had to get some pictures.

Hailey came up with this outfit, which did have a mickey mouse magician hat included, but Rhys stole the hat before I got a picture. It was quite the ensemble - prom dress, baseball jersey, hippie vest - you get the idea.

Hailey looks like a little Jeanette in this picture, don't you think?

Her last costume change of the night.

We had fun just chillin at their house after dinner, while Matt & Jeanette went to see The Help for her birthday. I love those kids! The two girls and I ended up having a slumber party in Lindsey's room, with Hailey on a mattress on the floor. It was fun until we woke up in the morning and the girls started doing gymnastic tricks on the bar above the bed I was still in. Let's just say that got me out of bed quickly.

So long for now, my friends

Grateful for computer smart friends

Two nights ago, I was online, doing what I normally do, when my computer started going bananas. Telling me that I had a trojan, that I needed to click here to get anti-virus software, etc. It scared me. I'm not a good updater, or back-up-er. I don't take good care of my computer.
Don't worry. I learned my lesson. I took my computer in to work, and my friend Ty worked his magic and got all the viruses off, and updated everything. He gave me a lecture this morning when he gave it back to me about how important it is to run the anti-virus software weekly, and backing up often.

I am very thankful that I didn't lose anything. He was able to put my computer back together. I wouldn't be typing this today without his help.

I am going to be better about taking care of my computer, so that it will be nice to me and I won't have to go through this again.

I learned my lesson.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

- I just watched Biggest Loser, while eating some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. I should have gone to the gym, but my couch was too comfortable.

- I am trying to be a little 'unplugged' this week. Not so much TV, less playing on the internet, etc. I did good yesterday, because my cousin and his family came over for the evening. Today was Biggest Loser, and I told myself I could watch that - my one show of the week. But now I want to watch Parenthood, too. It is hard to change your habits.

- I have quickly found the love for Pinterest. So many ideas. So little time to do all of them. The one thing I am going to try is the trick for hemming jeans.

I am short, so I can never find jeans that are the right length for me. I hope this trick works. I have always wondered if there was a way to do this, but I've never tried it.

- I am coming up with ideas for all the pears and apples off my trees this year. I picked a box of pears yesterday, and there is probably another box still on the tree. And I have 2 big trees full of apples, which I think are going to be yummy this year. I am thinking I should dry some, maybe freeze some, eat them every day until I can't stand it, make some mini caramel apples (although my apples are red, not green), give some away, and whatever else I can think of to do with them. Any good ideas for me?

- I want to take this class, Onward & Upward, but I am scared I won't finish the class. That is what I do. I start something, but rarely finish it. But, I really think this would be a good class, and i want to do it. I have to decide this week, since it starts next Monday. Maybe it's time for a new habit for me, of finishing things.

- I had my first lesson in 'gauge' for knitting this week. I made a fingerless glove, using a chunky yarn, and a size 10 needle. The pattern I used called for a size 7 needle, and worsted weight yarn. My glove is a little, or a lot, too big. Who knew it was important to use the right size needle and yarn? Now the question is whether I am going to undo the glove and start over. I haven't decided yet.

Finally Friday

Hey, world, it's me - Diana. I really am alive. Thought I would try blogging again. I have lots of ideas floating around in my head about what I want to blog about. And I have been reading lots of awesome blogs lately, and part of me just wants to be that cool, too.

Lily and Grandma Carol

I know that's not likely right now, but a girl can wish, can't she?

So, just for tonight, I will give you a rundown of my day.

5:15 - alarm went off
5:22 - got up, decided not to go walking, checked FB, blogs, pinterest, email
6:30 - showered
7:08 - left for work, which is much earlier than I have been leaving
7:45 - stopped for gas
8:00 - work
4:15 - left work, took an hour or so to get home, stopped for a milkshake on the way (JCW's - the best milkshakes around, in my opinion, but so bad for me)
6:30 - home, watching NCIS, checking email, FB, reader
7:15 - thought I heard kids out in my backyard, so went upstairs to investigate. But, then wondered what I would do if I actually saw someone. I decided it was my neighbor's grandkids getting a ball out of the yard. It made me feel better to think that, rather than any other option.
7:30 - emptied dishwasher, loaded dishwasher, took out garbage (very stinky!)
8:15 - back downstairs, working on blogger, watching NCIS

So, there you go. My exciting life. What does your Friday look like?

What happened this summer?

Ten Random Tidbits from my Summer

1. I went camping with my whole family in Logan Canyon, we played at Tony Grove lake on the canoes, and went on the nature hike with Jill and Brandon.

2. I went to my niece Jill's horse show in Logan.

3. I drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon, over Guardsman Pass, to Park City, and inadvertently ended up in the middle of the Wasatch Back race.

4. I took several weeks off in June, to be home with my grandpa. And it was a nice break for me. I was able to hike Timp Cave with my sister several times, which was great. We do it for exercise. Most people hate that hike - it is hard, but it's a very good workout.

5. I spent the 4th of July in Idaho Falls, for the first time in a long time. My newest niece Capri was blessed that weekend

6. I got set up on a blind date, and have since been out with him several more times this summer

7. My mom spent nearly the whole month of August living with me, taking care of grandpa, but it was fun to have her here for so long

8. I've been running more, and just the other day, I ran for 40 minutes straight. It is a big accomplishment for me. I'm thinking about entering a 5k this fall.

9. I decided to take some classes at the BYU-Salt Lake Center. I am taking one class fall semester, History 400 - Family and Law in American History. I'm a little nervous to be going back to school. I hope I like it. The class starts on Thursday.

10. I am becoming a little more domesticated. In my backyard there is an apricot tree, a peach tree, 2 apple trees, and a pear tree. So far I've made apricot raspberry jam. The peaches just recently started ripening, so I'm trying to figure out what to do with all of them. I also planted a small garden, and found out I am really good at growing zucchini (mainly because it grows no matter what you do to it) so I've had plenty of zucchini. I'm going to attempt to make some zucchini bread here one of these days.

The world says summer is over. School is back in session. But, I'm not ready to let go of it just yet. Maybe on Thursday when I go to class I will feel like it's over.

June 30, 2009

So, where did June go? That's my question. The summer is 1/3 over already. Wow. Last year at this time, I was just getting back from my ward trek at Mosida, and gearing up for girls camp at the end of July. I wish I was doing girls camp again this year. I'm quite bummed I am not going this year. I love girls camp, and both my old ward and new ward went to (or are going to) the Heber Valley Girls Camp, and I really wanted to go up there. But, it was not meant to be this year. I'm ok with that. I know I will get plenty more opportunities to go. (I hope!)

This year, my June consisted of taking off work, a lot of work. I took off almost three weeks. Crazy, I know, but I loved it. It was perfect timing for lots of reasons, but the main reason I did it was to help out my grandpa. On top of that, though, it was just nice to have a break. I was thinking about it, and I have worked a full-time job every day for the last 11 years. (Of course I took vacations and days off, but not an extended, just-stay-home time off sort of deal.) So, I figured a break was warranted. And, the work flow at PDC was pretty darn slow this month, so I was doing my part by not going to work therefore leaving more work for the other people to do.

And what did I do with my time off? I had high hopes of doing all kinds of things. I did not check off every item on my list, but I feel good about what I did accomplish. I took pictures of things I have made, I still need to post them here. I made several books, got back in my creative groove a bit. I read, A LOT. I love the library. I have been a voracious reader lately, reading lots of books, mostly LDS fiction. I am currently reading a book called American Bloomsbury, about Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, among others. It is quite interesting so far. I didn't know they were all contemporaries, living in the same neighborhood in Concord, Massachusetts.

I also hiked to Timp Cave with my sister Rachelle about 5 times. Am I crazy? Probably. But, it is great exercise, and it's beautiful, and cooler than down here in the valley.

I went to the Utah Arts Festival, once again with Rachelle. Only spent money on food, getting in, and parking, but still had a great time. I like to just look at all the amazing things artists can do.

My parents were here for a few days, and we took my Subaru on a drive from Big Cottonwood Canyon up over the top, down into Park City. The drive was beautiful. It was raining, unfortunately, so we didn't get out anywhere. And, as an added bonus, we ran into the Wasatch Back Relay Race, drove along the road with the runners for a few miles. I was very intrigued and amazed that these people sign up, pay money, to run 189 miles with their team. It was quite entertaining.

I have watched my little garden grow, and not grow. My zucchini is doing well, and I will hopefully get some cucumbers and a few beets. But, no beans at all came up. And my pepper plants aren't doing well at all. I think two of them are dead. One might survive, but it is doubtful. So, maybe I'm not meant to be a farmer. Or maybe, it's my first garden and this is a learning experience.

I participated in a singles conference in Orem. Not a lot, but I did go on a hike with them, and went to the fireside on Sunday night.

My cute sister Kaylynn brought three of her girls to spend the night here last weekend. We had a great time at the Lehi Parade, and playing in my craft room. Her girls are so cute. I wish we lived closer so I could see them more.

I got quite used to not working. It was an adjustment for me to go back this week. I liked sleeping in a bit, and exercising for an hour. I liked having a smoothie for lunch. I liked getting my hair cut at 10 am and not having to worry about getting back to work. I just liked being home all day, relaxing.

So, now it's almost July. July will bring a trip to Idaho to see Capri get blessed. And Waite Family Fun Days in Logan at the end of July. My niece Hailey is in a play at the Hale Center Theatre, so I'm going to try to go see her. And hopefully, more exercising, maybe more hiking to the cave, go check out some festivals and boutiques around the valley, go up Little Cottonwood Canyon to see the wildflowers in bloom. I'm also looking forward to the Jon Schmidt concert in September. And, I want to plan a trip with my mom, either to San Francisco in October or to Boston sometime this fall. I also might try to squeeze in a trip to Arizona to see my cute sister Sharon who decided not to move up here after all.

People keep asking if I have any big plans for the summer. I really don't. But, I'm ok with that. I like to just be laid back and relaxed in the summer.

Do you have any big plans?

Oh what do you do in the summertime?

I like to play in the creek with my cute nieces and nephew. I don't like it when one of them falls off the rope swing, though.

I love the warm summer nights.

I love sitting on the porch reading a good book.

I love being able to grab my purse, slip on some flip flops and run out the door.

I love the fresh fruits and veggies of this season.

I love going to the library and finding some great reads. (This isn't really a summer activity, but I just did it today and it was so fun.)

I love seeing my garden growing. I'm likely going to get tons of squash (of course) and maybe a little of the other things i planted.

I don't really like pulling weeds. Not my favorite activity.

I like eating salads for dinner.

I like hiking to Timp Cave with my sister in the morning.

This summer, I've been enjoying my extended time off.

I like it when the sun comes out after the rain. I do like rain, and thunderstorms, but not really for 3 weeks straight.

I like not being tied to the tv, since there isn't much on in the summer.

I love the smell of fresh cut grass.

I love going on drives through the beautiful canyons around here. On Saturday, we went up Big Cottonwood Canyon and ended up in Park City. Pretty cool. I'd never been on that road. We ran into the Wasatch Back Relay up there, which was fascinating to watch the runners and support people.

I love that it stays light outside until 9 o'clock. And it is light early in the morning. Sunshine makes me happy.

I love summer festivals, farmers markets, arts festivals, etc.

I love the 4th of July, and I'm pretty excited to be in Idaho Falls this year.