Happy Father's Day "Brunch"

Again..weird tiny picture...grrr

BUT we had a special brunch for our favorite dad since we go to Church from 1-4 pm. I love that he enjoys his little gifts so much!!

Ellen's first baby shower

Ellen's family gave her a drop in shower in Gastonia Saturday. So exciting!! I loved the blue diaper favors they made out of napkins...they put mints inside..so creative! (and I have no idea why these pics are so tiny!!)

Kids Triathalon

Year two of the Kids Triathalon...Connor is about to get in the pool for 100 meter swim. He swims enough to get from one end of the pool to the other but has never learned strokes or breathing and really doesn't enjoy swimming...he'd rather run or bike... so he's very slow in the pool and he hates every second he's struggling to complete those 100 meters (think football field)...but he usually makes up the time lost on the bike and while running so he's glad it comes first...

His face shows he is exhausted from the swim but he's lightning fast in transition and getting excited to fly on his bike for one mile...

BUT...the volunteers made a mistake and thought he and his group were part of the 6-8 yr olds and stopped them after a much shorter ride...and sent them running...his strongest suit...usually allowing him to stretch out those legs and move ahead of many...but not today...again the volunteers stopped the group way short of the 1/2 mile mark...and he was disappointed...

HOWEVER...he learned the hard way to KNOW YOUR COURSE. He'll prepare better next time. All in all, it was fun and he got to once again be an honorary TEAM WHETSTONE GRANDKID...doesn't get much better than that!

(from L to R) Peyton, Connor, Owen, Hunter, Jackson, Olivia, and Hagin

Congrats Team Whetstone Juniors

PLEASE VOTE FOR MY FRIEND

The Mormon Bachelorette...

never heard of it? me neither! BUT...my sweet friend Stephanie Zundel is a finalist so let's all vote for her...She's the 1st one 'Steph Z'

you can cast your vote here

Her Daddy was our Bishop in Charlotte and I adored her...I was with her 17 years ago on her first GIRLS CAMP and we had a blast.

So..please vote!

Myrtle Beach Days...

37 days...37 days...37 days...

I adore the beach...the hot sun, cool pools, soft sand, delicious aroma of salt air mixed with tanning oils and someone cooking out...ahhhhh...

I cannot wait for fun in the sun with my sisters and brother...and parents...and husband...and children...and grandchildren....and neices and nephews...

but I'll be honest...its my sisters that I really long to hang out with...it's our once a year retreat to childhood...

37 days...and counting

Rest in Peace sweet Spike

(Spike always kept Connor in his sights)
Eighteen months ago, Spike wandered into our yard and firmly into the twinners' hearts. Turns out his owner had died several years before and a neighbor with several other dogs had assumed care of him and was feeding him. The neighbor offered to take him back if he was bothering us but it was obvious to everyone that Spike and the twins had adopted each other. So, we inherited a pet. A very old, gray around the mouth but extremely sweet and loving dog.
I am NOT a dog lover and have NEVER wanted a pet. But, it was too late. It's very hard not to love someone that adores your children. Spike met the schoolbus everyday with a ball in his mouth. Connor never stepped outside that Spike didn't immediately appear at his side. Both twins adored him. Soon, we had dog toys and dog dishes and even a dog bed. He lived outside but every once in a while, he would wander in the door and stay a moment until he confirmed Connor was inside. Last winter, when Chloe and Avery (Peter and Ellen's dogs) came, he actually appeared younger...loving to run and play with Avery. He hated to be fenced in but for Avery, he would willingly go in the fence and stay all day...the only way Peter and Ellen could get Avery to stay inside the fence!!
We all knew he was old and would not be here forever. The last few months he became very very slow, often not eating, and more and more joining Peter in the garage during the day, overseeing its transformation into an apartment. Peter loves animals and I guess Spike felt comfortable with him during his last weeks. On Monday, he stopped meeting the bus. We knew then he was really sick. He wheezed a lot...and coughed and just looked pitiful! Last night, Peter and Ellen came and told me he was seriously suffering. I took the twins in the garage to say goodbye and he barely lifted his head and slowly wagged his tail. They hugged him and sobbed. Connor asked if we could help him. Peter offered to take him to the vet today. We talked about loving Spike enough to let him go. There were torrents of tears.
Pete came home from work early today and went with Peter as he literally carried Spike in to the vet...and the vet confirmed that it was time to end the suffering. Spike went to sleep peacefully as two grown men stood by his side and loved on him through tears.
They just brought him home and as I type this from work, they are burying sweet Spike somewhere in our 5 acres.
I am so sad.
and I don't even LIKE dogs...but Spike, I loved.
I will miss him but I know his last 18 months was happy as he became the center of two children's lives. Sleep well, my friend! You were loyal to the end. We will miss you!

Spike "Sheridan"

Key Largo

So this pic just totally portrays the utter relaxation and beauty of our mini-vacation to Key largo...sheer indulgence right down to my toes!!!

Pete and I went alone to this little slice of paradise for our niece Ashley's destination wedding

Ashley and Ralph are just so gorgeous...and so very nice!

This is Pete's cousin (Uncle Johnny). He is a trip!!! Always coming up with something hilarious

Ralph and his best man...I loved the look on Ralph's face when he first saw his bride!!!
It was almost sunset...my favorite part of the day and it was so beautiful!!
This was a sand ceremony to symbolize the joining of two families...really nice
I enjoyed this hammock my first morning...it wasthe perfect place to snooze!!
From R-L....Pete's Mama, his sister Patti, his cousins Johnny and "Tiny"...we loved the hot sun!
Ashley's maid of honor...who would guess Ashley bought these dresses off the rack for less than $80 and they all fit perfectly
This is Patti's daughter-in-law Haley trying to convince her 2 year old daughter Emma to "throw flowers" but Emma wasn't having it!! Haley also has a 10 WEEK old...yeah, the girl is amazing!!
I love this shot of Pete and his Mama!!! She loves that boy and he loves her...as we all do!!
I love this picture of Pete and his "little" brother Gerry...such Irishmen! I adore Gerry. seriously, I do! He's a lot nicer than he looks in this picture...he and Pete just CONSTANTLY throw out one-liners...and they are so CORNY!!!!

This was such a sweet moment...

And I really LOVE this picture of me and Pete...LaNelle saw this and said, "Wholly Tan, Mother!" I couldn't believe I got burned...but it didn't hurt...I LOVE THE SUMMER!!!!
I am so glad we got to be with Pete's family for a few days...it is always fun. I wish we saw more of each other...I love them and really LOVE watching Pete laugh and swap stories with his family! We can't wait to see our beloved "NY Yankees" again!!

Budget Crunch...

All supplies needed to make a year's supply of cleaners (above)...and it took less than 20 minutes to make (below)...

My Dad was (and is) a country preacher and he was known to announce from the pulpit that all visitors were invited home with us for dinner (sometimes termed "lunch" but in all places southern and country, the noon meal is dinner). My parents lived on a strict budget and we joked that my Mama could feed a congregation with a chicken and her "cajun trinity of spices"...onion, celery and bell pepper! She sewed our clothes and sometimes cut our bangs (but only when we lived far away from my beautician aunt "Sissie"). We always had a garden and summertime meant perpetual blisters from shelling butterbeans...

But, as a teenager, I withdrew from those roots and as a young housewife, spent money a little recklessly...my good friend Barbara Brooksby reined me in and taught me some basic money saving tips and for years we survived on one paycheck because I learned to stretch and re-stretch our budget. I remember saying that I wish I was rich enough to go to the grocery store and buy whatever I wanted without looking at my list or having a coupon...

Well, we aren't rich by any means but it's been a few years since I gave my grocery budget much thought. But, now my household is large again and gasoline is nearing $4 a gallon and our savings have been exhausted with all the fun stuff we've done these past two years...so much so that to be honest, I'm a little nervous...almost afraid...and then I remembered the old adage "Being prepared removes fear".

And then my new girlfriend Chanda taught an awesome class at Relief Society on homemade laundry and dish detergent...even soft scrub kitchen and bath cleaners. A year's supply of all of it for less than $20. I made them and now am sitting at the kitchen table cutting coupons and making a grocery list...and feeling kind of excited about it.

Here are the recipes, just in case you are feeling nervous too:

I easily found all ingredients grouped together at Walmart. They were in the aisle with cleaners/detergents but were near the bottom next to the laundry boosters.

Laundry Detergent:

MAKES 4 gallons for less than $2 and washes 128 regular loads.

The 20 Mule Team Borax detergent is a powder in a box as is the Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda. The soap is individually wrapped and is near the powders. The Borax and Arm & Hammer is about $2.80 per box (with at least 7 cups). The soap is about 95 cents a bar. The total cost is about 2 cents a load!!!

1 Bar of soap (Fels Naptha, Zote, or Ivory...I use Fels Naptha)

1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Suds

1 cup 20 Mule team Borax

4 gallons water

Heat 1 gallon water in large pot. Grate bar of soap and add to water. Stir until soap melts. Add washing soda and borax...ingredients will foam. Stir about 5 minutes (until everything is dissolved) and remove from heat.

Heat 2 gallons of water and add to 5 gallon bucket. Add soap mixture with 4th gallon of water. Stir well. Cover and let set for 24 hours before use. You will need to stir 4 times during the 24 hour period to reach the gel-like consistency.

Use 1/2 cup for a regular load or 1 cup for extra large capacity or very soiled loads. Is not sudsy, will not hurt high-efficiency washers.

Laundry Softener (have not tried this, found it on the web...)

2 cups water

1 cup vinegar

2/3 cup hair conditioner

Fill rinse section of washer or add 1/4 cup to rinse cycle.

High Efficiency Machine cleaner

(have not tried this either...also found on web)

1/2 cup vinegar in the detergent cup,run the clean machine cycle. Use once a month to keep washer clean & fresh.

Dishwasher Detergent:

2 cups Borax

2 cups baking Soda

Mix and store in a container with a lid. Use 2 Tbl per load. This amount will do one load a day for a month. This is also about 2 cents a load. You can put plain vinegar in the rinse compartment to eliminate spots and make dishes shine!!

Softscrub:

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup liquid dish detergent (cheapest kind)

1/4 cup vinegar

Mix together (add vinegar last) You can adjust baking soda or vinegar amounts if you do not like consistency. I store in squeeze bottles but any bottle with a top will do. I used dawn and it's a pretty blue color :) GREAT for cleaning kitchens and bathrooms!!

Window/Mirror cleaner:

1 cup vinegar OR 1 cup sudsy lemon ammonia

3 cups water

Mix and store in spray bottle. Will shine mirrors and windows beautifully!!

My favorite picture of Kinsley and LaNelle...

no words needed...greatest smile on earth

A Temple Wedding in Arizona...

Four Generations of Sassy Southern Ladies...my Mama, LaNelle, Me and sweet Kinsley...LOVE that the Savior is watching over us in the background!!! Kalib got to fly out with his Mama and Granny and LOVED getting to eat all kinds of food that's usually on his mama's "taboo" list. We had so much fun with him!! Connor struggled all weekend with sad enmotions...he has cried buckets...he loves Andrew and is sad (as we all are) at the realization that Andrew will never really come home for good again... Proud parents with the Bride and Groom outside the Mesa Temple. It poured rain all day EXCEPT for a half hour after the wedding so we could take a few pics!

They are so very happy...a gorgeous couple!

Our family that came from SC...ALL of my immediate family except Heather's husband Kyle who stayed home with our grandson Nolan. My mama came and our dear friends (that are more like family!), The Brooksbys, from West Jordan, Utah.We had a FABULOUS reception here Friday night (THANKS to my girlfriends!!!) and my sweet neices, Kristen Edwards and Beth Bailey took some pictures for me...will post those soon!!

CONGRATS ANDREW AND TIFFANY!!!!!

Lately...

I loved my blog...and all my family and friends...still do although I rarely comment on theirs and never post on mine...
Several reasons...I lost my camera so I have few pictures and I have a computer job so when I am at home, the LAST thing I want to do is sit in front of a monitor. And...too much happens too fast to keep up. What, you ask?

August, 2010 started a new job as a nurse informaticist. Miss my PICU friends like CRAZY! Miss being an expert. But, love the hours, the challenge and NEEDING guidance from my husband as he teaches me to understand my new role. Patti moved to Charleston and I missed her so much...and worried nonstop, too.
September, 2010 Twinners are 10 (NO WAY!!). Closed the pool (always sad) and wondered what changes would have come in our lives by next summer...
October, 2010 Turned 50...seriously, how can Libbi the Lip be 50? That is old. beyond middle-aged...but, then, I AM a grandma. Age doesn't really worry me overmuch but the thought did come "Why do I have to be fat and unfit at 50???" Hard to realize that well over half of my turn on earth is over...so many things I will never do...but then, look at all I have experienced. One great thing is GRANDCHILDREN and this month sweet Nolan turned one...WOW! Patti came home from Charleston (so glad to have her BACK!)and started dating a boy she met there.
November, 2010 Pete and I took his scouts and my activity day girls to the Saluda Shoals Sleigh bell trot. It would have been a lot more fun if I had not been stinkin SICK with a high fever! But the kids had a blast! Thanksgiving at the beach with my Dad and brother...cRaZy shopping trip...couldn't even find a parking place at Tanger. Think this is my last year of fighting the mad crowds on Black Friday...not as much fun as it used to be. Maybe because there is no wild and crazy anctics with Peter and Andrew...miss those days!
December, 2010 Peter and Ellen moved into our FROG since Peter was assigned to work temporarily in Charlotte. LaNelle and Steven came home to SC for the holidays and met the sweet precious birthmom who will make them parents in March and was with her at the ultrasound that revealed they will have a daughter...sweet KINSLEY ELIZABETH. That surely made our Christmas!!! For the first year EVER, didn't see my mama or sister Jean during the holidays...so so sad about that. Heather's family came to us and even though Nolan had to visit the ER and be admitted overnight (asthma), we still made it to lights at the zoo and had so much fun as a family. I love all of my children and am never happier than when we are all together! Andrew is in love and Tiffany flew out from her home in Mesa, Arizona for the last week of December to meet us...ADORE her! Twinners busy with rec basketball.
January, 2011 Rang in the new year without our traditional party. Needed a break from reality so we fled to my Mecca of peace and comfort (the BEACH!) and watched fireworks from our balcony with the twinners, Peter and Ellen, and Andrew and Tiffany. Peter and Ellen told us they would become parents in late August...watched Peter sob as he shared the news with LaNelle because he knew the news would make her happy for him and open wide the wound of her infertility...once again I marveled at the love and compassion my children feel for each other.
February, 2011 February means GIRLFRIEND TRIP. Jackie spoiled us once again with a LUXURIOUS oceanfront penthouse. We ate, shopped, talked, laughed...I love those 5 ladies with all my heart!!! They keep me going. Dixie Youth Baseball starts...Connor's last year as a minor. Can the twinners really be this old???
March, 2011 After a month of excitement and suspense, precious Kinsley Elizabeth Simons was born on my dear friend Barbra Hoggan's birthday...March 29 (one day before her great-grandma's birthday). The joy of seeing Steven and LaNelle as parents is overwhelming. We also discovered that Peter and Ellen will have a son...WALKER THOMAS!
April, 2011 6 days after Kinsley's birth, Mary Beth (LaNelle's dearest friend EVER) gave birth to Norah and a third generation of best girlfriends began...
Patti broke up with Alan but did NOT crumble...rather, she became stronger and realized her potential...GO PATTI!
My family (14 of us)flew to Mesa, Arizona to be with Andrew and Tiffany as they were sealed for time and all eternity. I seriously loved having all of my children together...only Kyle and Nolan were missing as they had to stay in NC. Friday night will be their reception here. This month and next will be super busy and crazy at work but then the summer will be here and lots more fun!! Time to get the pool cleaned up and OPEN!!!

May will bring our neice Ashley's wedding in Key West...Pete and I are going alone..looking so forward to that!! June will bring the end of the school year for the twinners (YAY!!!) and our annual beach vacation! WOO HOO! No camper (we spent the money we had saved on the Arizona wedding!) but we will be at the beach with my sister and it will be awesome! July will be my nephew Jason's wedding in NY and I have been excited about that for a year but we will miss it...BECAUSE sweet Kinsley's court date is the day before and as soon as the adoption is final, we will go to the temple where she will be sealed to LaNelle and Steven...and then at Church that Sunday, she will receive her name and blessing!!! Can't miss that!! August is when our nephew Patrick gets married in NY..hopefully, we will be there and then our grandson Walker will be born and Peter will start law school and Patti may go back out West to school...so many new beginnings!

No pics...but a year full of changes and blessings. I am so happy. So very blessed.