The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Moving has been challenging in so many ways previously covered. But the most challenging for me has been having to learn all of the deals, bargains, and downright awesome things to do here. Since we have never been able to get our money tree to bear fruit, I am left with the internet and word of mouth. Some things have panned out others not and mostly we have been housebound for way too long this summer. Until last weekend. I hit the motherload of all great deals and we have been having a fabulous time and for FREE!
It turns out there is a very special tax that is literally pennies for everyone involved and it results in an awesome program called R.A.M.P. aka, recreation, arts, museums and parks. They offer free activities ranging from free movies, swimming, guided hikes and nature visits to ice skating, high adventure ropes courses and dinosaur museum visits. It is awesome. Last weekend was fun and this weekend was even funner! We went to the Ogden Pioneer Parade yesterday morning and got to see some very beautiful horses and carriages, pioneer floats and even a shoot out with the announcer that sat across the street from us. They even had Shriners in tiny cars. Who doesn't love a fat guy in a little car?
This morning we were able to go to the Egyptian Theater in Ogden for a fun movie and popcorn. Google it, the theater is so cool. Fully restored and with an organ at the front that comes up out of the floor. The kids loved it. They are playing the original Star Wars trilogy there in August and we can't wait to take the kids. Then, after lunch we were off to the Ogden nature center to go on a fun little bird watching hike. They have other large birds they have rescued like turkeys that roam the grounds and a golden and bald eagle. The kids got to make their own flower pressing contraptions too. It was so fun.
I am thrilled to be able to stretch my tightwad muscles and finally find some things we can do for little or no money. Yea!!!!

Daniel and Sarah are back in school as of Monday. Summer was short and it has been hard to get the kids back into their school routine. We are working on it and I have a feeling they will have more homework next week as we officially start the grind.
Jacob is still off and won't go back until the end of August. I am not sure how things are going to work with the kids on two different school schedules, but we have done ok so far. Jacob has been great about helping me get some of the bigger jobs done around the house and I appreciate his willingness to work when he could sleep in.
Today he accompanied me to the temple. I am still working in the cafeteria on Wednesdays and he is old enough now to come with me. It was so nice to have him there with me. He was kept very busy in the baptistery and they were glad to have him. He came and ate lunch with me and then asked if he could go back. It was a wonderful experience and I am glad he wants to return.
We are so blessed to have good neighbors here. Our garden has not been a huge success this year and thankfully our neighbors have not had the same problem. They are willing to share too. We have enjoyed eating fresh green beans and squash this week, even a bell pepper. I can't wait for the fruit trees to be ready for picking. We have another month for the plum tree and October for the apple trees. We'll have to trade with our neighbors again this year so we can have more of a variety of foods to eat. We had so many apples last year we still have applesauce and apple butter. I guess it is time to eat it up!

It is done

I finally figured out how to delete my Facebook account. They don't make it easy. You have to dig a little. Sorry for any of you trying to reach me there. I posted a note letting you know where I would be. I just don't have time to keep up with it.
I would like to announce that I finished my 07-08 blog scrapbook and am very excited to get it published. I hope it looks as good on paper. It is almost 100 pages long! I guess this frees me up to work on 2009 now!

Cleaning Tips of the day!

I have recently discovered some very awesome and cheap ways to clean.
Baking Soda-not just for cookies!
I put some in the laundry to help boost the detergent and get out the odors.
I use it on a wet scrubbing sponge to clean off the water stains on our shower doors and clean off the water stains on the chrome too. It gets it sparkley clean.

White Paste Toothpaste-
Use it to polish silver. Put it on a toothbrush and wet slightly. Then scrub off the tarnish. Rinse and wipe with a soft towel. It works great.

Summer Break

Jacob survived Scout Camp, or rather I survived Jacob being gone to scout camp! It was hard sending him off for a week. Our family was a little lost without him. Daniel and Sarah weren't really sure how or what to play because their fearless leader wasn't there to tell them what they were doing. We have all enjoyed having him home again. Me and the kids headed south to visit some family and enjoyed seeing everyone again. Jerry's garden is as magnificent as ever. Daniel and Sarah picked some peas and sat on the front porch eating their harvest. I remember doing that at Bert and Ada's house. The peas just taste so good! Janet and Sarah created wonderful watercolor paintings together and we just relaxed for a while before heading over to Nick and Andrea's house for some cousin time. Sarah got to stay the night, much to Daniel's dismay so he and I went to a very late movie and enjoyed a fun date night together. I am sure the movie was cute, but I had more fun watching Daniel watch the movie. He enjoys life so much!

Jacob lost his sunscreen for the first two days and to say he is sunburned is an understatement. He is seriously fried. They spend a great deal of time in the water this past week and I hear it was freezing. There is just nothing like those boy scout camp swimming merit badges!

I think he is leading a flag ceremony here. He said he didn't sleep much but had fun. Alan went up in the middle of the week to chaperon and said they went out in a canoe one day. There was a floating dock out a ways in the lake and they decided to paddle out that far and hang out for a little bit. When the arrived at the dock and got out, Jacob tied the canoe to the dock only to see it start floating away. Apparently, the rope wasn't tied to the canoe! Alan said, "go get it Jacob!" So after a brief but intense back and forth about getting in, Jacob jumped in the freezing water and took off after the canoe. He was able to recover it but was not thrilled about having to do it. They were up at Bear Lake, which is a pretty hot vacation spot up here. I am excited to check it out for myself in the near future.


4th of July has come and gone now and we can't believe 1/2 the year is over now. It is amazing how fast the days go by. We celebrated quietly at home and really enjoyed taking the day in. It started with a parade in Clearfield and the kids came home with quite a load of candy. It was like Halloween again! We had a great spot at the end of the route and it wasn't too hot either.

I find it ironic we allow the kids to run out into the street during a parade to gather up candy that is being thrown on the ground. We spend most of their childhood teaching them to not run into the street and don't eat candy off the ground!

I am not sure how many dum dum pops Daniel ate, but I am pretty sure this wasn't his first.


The kids all remembered to bring their own bags for candy. I thought that was hilarious. They have learned to come prepared to events in Utah. Candy will be given out in massive quantities!
After the parade we went to purchase the obligatory giant package of fireworks. They are sold everywhere here from the 4th of July till the 24th of July (Pioneer Day). It is a pyromaniacs paradise. The kids had their pops to throw everywhere until it was dark enough to light off the real thing. We had a lovely BBQ on the back patio and the radio even had a tribute to 80's music. It was darn near perfect!
Our neighbors travel to Wyoming quite often so there is no need to seek out a fireworks show. We get one in our front yard. All of the little boys on our street had their fuse starters and were ready to set fire to things. I didn't even freak out. I think that is called growth!

Missing Everyone

I went on a virtual tour of Tucson this morning. I visited all of your homes and wished we could be visiting in person. Hurray for Google Maps! I was surprised to see that Leora's car was parked at my house and hers! Busy woman! We are gearing up for 4th of July here. There will be parades and fireworks and of course the fireworks that Alan can purchase with our retirement fund. There are stands all over the place and it should be a fun weekend.
The fireworks we saw in Tucson were great. We had a spot that allowed us to see about 5 shows at once. It was great. The weather is still nice here and I am not missing the heat of the desert. Although, I enjoy rolling down the car window and letting the sunshine come in. 90 is just not scorching to us yet. I am sure the day will come that our children walk around in shorts when it is 22 degrees out and feel like they are going to die when it hits 85.
Today is their last day of school and we are all thrilled to be done for a while. Although Daniel and Sarah have to go back in two weeks. It will be a great break. Jacob is excited to start Jr. High and is glad to be done with elementary school.
Happy Summer!