Salsa

Did I ever tell you that I make award winning salsa? Well I do. I have this ribbon to prove it.

Water in the Waterfall

Thursday was a wonderful day! My sister, Trudy, was in town. We needed to do something. We momentarily thought about going to the gym and doing an aerobics class. But that didn't sound quite right. So I suggested we drive west to the White Tanks and walk/hike the Waterfall Trail.


This is a very easy trail. It is classified as handicapped accessible so you know it can't be too tough. I've done it lots of times. Each time we had hopes of seeing water in the waterfall. To see water actually falling from the "box canyon" and into the small pool beneath would be a first. We had gone different times of the year and never yet actually seen the waterfall in action. We made trips just after rain storms thinking the waterfall might be running but never caught it right.


That all changed the day I took Trudy to the Tanks. We have had a very wet month of January. And actually February has been pretty wet too. We have had rain - good rain - every week of February so far. So even though it hadn't rained for several days - I guess the watertable is high and the water can't soak into the desert floor and there was water in the waterfall. Side note - the desert was green - very green! I've never seen the desert mountains out there so covered with green growth. It was amazing!



So we started hiking. As we neared the end of the trail we could hear running water. There was actually a small stream of water flowing into the normally dusy and dry creek bed. That was a very hopeful sign. Then as we sort of rounded one of the last corners we saw that there was water on the manmade steps in the trail that we would have to wade through in order to get around to see the falls. Neither of us hesitated. We rolled up our pant legs and plodded on through. And sure enough as we got around that last bend we were graced with a glorious view. Water flowing over the waterfall. It wasn't gushing. But the flow was steady and clear and cool. There was another group of "older" hikers who had been there many times and were just as excited to see the waterfall in action for the first time. They waited for us to report on the waterfall - then they too rolled up their pants and waded in to get a glimpse.

So my message to our family and friends who we have taken to this place in the past (Gillespie's, Brown's, Lacy's, and any others):

There is water in the waterfall! We are expecting rain again this weekend. So if any of you are interested in seeing it, come on over and I'll go with you on Monday. Even if you don't come I might still go out myself. After all, in the desert you don't see water in the waterfall very often so I better take advantage while I can.

Free Food

The day my sister Trudy flew into town was a good one. She hasn't been here from the wilds of northern Idaho for a while. It was great to see her. But what made the day even better was by stopping by our friend's house - Jack in the Box for free food. Yes he was having a special promotion on that day. Stop by his "box" and buy a large drink and he'll give you a free Grilled Sandwich. What a deal! So we stopped by and got our sandwiches for free (normally a $3.99 value). We ate them when we got home and they were really very good.

So thanks Jack!

Nice promotion.

Great sandwich.

You just can't beat free food.

Great welcome to Phoenix for Trudy.

See Isaac enjoying the free food.

The BIG Surprise

Did you ever want to know what might happen if you throw a surprise party for someone's 75th birthday?

Just watch this video - "The BIG Surprise" - and you'll find out.

The BIG Surprise worked!

STRESSED OUT

Stressed out? Yes, I have been a little stressed out. But I need to shake it off and move on. Today I'm moving on. I got a new calling at church today. I'm the new - drum roll please - Relief Society President. Getting the calling and then awaiting the official announcement had me STRESSED OUT!


You see I am fairly new in the ward. We have only been in this ward for . . . . well it has been 10 months now. But I don't know that many people. I know names. But knowing the people means so much more. I don't know too much about them - are they long time ward members or not, do they have family near by, do they have health issues or health history, are they staying for a while or leaving soon, are they happy Harriet or Pouty Pauli, do they work or stay home like me, and so much more.

My first calling in the ward lasted about 3 months. I was a Primary teacher of the 7-8 year olds. I was just getting into a good routine when they decided the first calling wasn't quite right. Then I was called to be a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. Right away I heard comments about how the others in the presidency had been together for 2 years. They were talking like they were ready to be released - not in those words but the message was clear. I began to, well let's just say, "read the writing on the wall". So 2 Sundays ago We were asked to come on Tuesday night to meet with the Bishop. DUM, DUM, da, DUM, DUM, da, DUM, da, DUM, da, DUM (think funeral march here)!!


So I was STRESSED OUT on Monday and Tuesday while waiting for the meeting with the Bishop. Actually Tuesday things boiled over. I tried to make some good crusty bread. But it was a new recipe and new technique and that took a little longer than expected. I was supposed to have a cast iron skillet but didn't. I used a pyrex instead. BIG MISTAKE! So when I poured boiling water into the oven - the pyrex cracked into a million pieces. But I decided to continue cooking the bread.

Trouble was that the timing was now off. Our appointment was at 7:00. We needed to be home like by 7:15 or so for the bread. But that was never going to happen. I quickly read up on how to use my time bake feature. Set that up. Then we left early for the church hoping to get in and out early and quickly. Well the early part worked. But the quickly didn't. He talked a little longer than we had hoped. But when we got out of there we hurried home to find the timed bake feature did work and the bread smelled good and the house didn't burn down.

I had to let the oven cool off and the next morning I cleaned up this mess in the oven. Since then my mom found the needed cast iron skillet and bought it for me. So baking my next batch of bread will hopefully go much smoother.

After having felt like that shattered pyrex dish for - nearly 2 weeks now - it is official. I have been sustained and set apart and it is time to move on. I assume I will still feel stressed out - but it is time to jump out of the pan and into the fire. Wish me luck.

Fresh OJ

I grew up in Phoenix. When I was younger I really did not like any citrus fruits. But my tastebuds must have grown up. Now I like oranges. And Phoenix is truly a wonderful place to be in January if you like citrus. Everyone who has a tree has fruit to share.

My mom has an orange tree. She picked the fruit off. And she had fruit to share - with ME! YUMMY! There isn't anything much better that Fresh OJ at breakfast. So sweet. So fresh. So pulpy. Just delicious!

Thanks MOM - for the oranges. I'm planning on staying on your good side so you don't forget about me around harvest time next year.

Guests for dinner

The Sister Missionaries need dinners and we signed up to have them over yesterday, Tuesday. I was crazy busy but thought I could pull it off.

Crazy busy meant:

1. Tennis - 8-10:30

2. Shower

3. 11:30 or so - take Isaac to get new drivers license because his has peeled apart - took like forever!

4. I got some needed groceries while Isaac waited at the DMV.

5. We got home from the DMV at about 2:45.

6. Got a confirmation call from the Missionaries that we were their dinner hosts - I tried to make the dinner appointment at 6 but she thought they needed to be here at 5:30 in order to get to an appointment. Rats! No extra time to get dinner ready!

7. I needed to mapquest a route to deliver 19 birthday magnets to our Relief Society sisters who have February birthdays.

8. I boiled eggs and potatoes for potatoe salad

9. Left at about 3:30 to make deliveries with the RS President.

10. Called Doug on my way to pick up the RS President and gave him pretty detailed assignments to help the dinner come together on time. He was great! Got everything done and seemed happy to do it. I'll have to give him assignments more often! THANKS DOUG!

11. Finished delivering 13 magnets and decided to do the rest Friday afternoon.

12. At 4:45 or so I rushed home to assemble the potatoe salad and make sure everything would be in place on time.

13. Isaac had 2 friends stop by - Wadzi and Samantha - This didn't take up any of my time. He invited them to dinner. They didn't stay. Too bad.

14. 5:30 came and went with no sign of the missionaries.

15. About 5:50 I said, "Shall we just go ahead and eat?" (I was starving!) But Doug said, "No, we'll just wait." Rats again!

16. We got a call about 2 minutes later stating that they were running late and that we could go ahead and eat. If they finished up pretty soon they would stop by and eat - but if they didn't finish up very soon they wouldn't come.

17. So we ate - hot dogs and hamburgers, potatoe salad, chips, pork and beans, and pop - without the missionaries. Isaac entertained us by having a conversation with our missing "invisible" guests.

18. At about 6:30 the missionaries, who were our guests for dinner, finally showed up. We got the burgers and hot dogs back on the table and they enjoyed the meal - I hope. The reason they were late was that one sister had been sick and finally ended up going to the doctor. He determined that she had pneumonia. Yikes!

Well I made it through - the event was a success - but I suffered from a headache afterwards.

I'm feeling better this morning - thanks for asking.

He's Back!

You read it right. He's Back! And we are so glad!

Turns out there were 6 Elders who were supposed to go home this transfer. Usually they head to the Mission Home on Wednesday evening after going to the temple. Then early Thursday they ship them out to the airport for their various "homes". This week another heavy snow storm was expected. So in anticipation of the storm - and when the roads were somewhat passable - the Mission President had them all report to the Mission Home on Tuesday.

That was good in one way. They were all gathered and they could get to the airport - weather permitting. But weather didn't permit. The snow started up and on Thursday morning it was still snowing. And nothing was on the roads. And no airplanes were flying out. So there were 6 Elders just chomping at the bit to go home and stuck in an endless "snowglobe" sort of life.

Saturday was their new departure day. And most of their flights took them through Atlanta, GA and then on to their homes. Somehow Isaac's flight was direct to Phoenix. So as luck would have it a cold weather storm hit the southern states and the Atlanta airport was closed for business. So Isaac, lucky guy, was the only Elder to get out on Saturday. I think the others are hoping to get home today. But what an experience. The poor Mission President did his best to keep the guys busy - but sheesh!

We feel very lucky to have Isaac home. It's great having him with us again. Or at least, so far, so good.

50/50

So far it looks like my chances are 50/50 of being the 2010 EGG BASH Champion. No comments so far - no opponents so far.

Shanna, if your family is in town and has any interest in participating with us, that would be fine. It seems that maybe we'll do the event at Lindsey's church building so we have enough space to spread out a little bit. We'll be doing it on Saturday afternoon sometime - March 6th.

TP

TP. Everyone knows what TP is. Right? OK. Now I won't have to waste my time typing out the entire phrase "toilet paper". Good. TP - a strange topic, one might think. But really it is a topic to which everyone has a connection. Yes, a connection - every day - several times a day. Enough said.


Side Note: Evan and Shanna have a sign in their bathroom that makes you think twice before you dare to tear a square (hey, that rhymes) of TP. A sign in their bathroom proclaims, "Wipe small - Save Big".

On to my post. Years ago, when all the kids were in grade school, there was a weekly junk paper that was delivered to every home. The paper was called The Pennysaver. Our kids had a couple of Pennysaver routes. First Scott and Evan shared a route. Then they each had their own. Eventually Lindsey and Isaac had routes too. I think our kids delivered to the entire neighborhood - from 35th Avenue to 39th Avenue and Dunlap to the canal. It was a good little job for them. They earned a little money and learned how to save. They also learned how to work. But alas, the jobs dried up when the paper quit publishing.

Occasionally there would be an "add-on" to be delivered with the papers. There were soap samples, maybe coffee samples, shampoo samples, etc. These add-ons were more work and so the kids would get paid more for delivering on those weeks. They loved the extra money. An added benefit came when there were more samples than papers to deliver - then we would get to keep the extras. I can't remember specifically any samples we got to keep other than - drum roll please - Charmin TP. They were individually wrapped rolls - and we got the extras. I put them away in a closet and forgot all about them.

However, when we moved to this house, I found the long forgotten rolls of Charmin TP. I packed them up and moved them with us to the new house. I put them in the Gold/Mustard bathroom and we started using them.

We are now down to our last roll of the TP. The last roll hangs right now on the holder and will shortly be depleted. I just wanted to thank the delivery boys - and girl - for the TP.

And yes, Shanna and Evan, we are "wiping small" trying to "save big".

DELAYED

Too much of this:

Not enough of this:

Means that Isaac's scheduled return today has been DELAYED.

A few interesting facts about Maryland's 2010 winter weather:

As of Wednesday, 2/10/2010 Baltimore had 72.3 inchs of snow.

The Washington area's two ariports had no flights coming or going on the 10th.

Even snowplows were ordered off the roads.

This winter has had the most snowfall since 1899 - when record keeping began.

EGG BASH

I think it's EGG BASH time. How about it? Let's have another EGG BASH. We are coming to Utah in early March for Calvin's baby blessing. And fingers crossed - everyone in the family will be together for the first time since Isaac left for his mission in 2008. So we haven't had a complete EGG BASH since then. And chances are we won't be getting together - all of us - any time near Easter. So I'm feeling like a little March EGG BASH is in my future.

Any takers? Here is the thing. We're having the EGG BASH in Springville. So anyone in the area who wants to come, just let us know. Post a comment on my blog and we'll count you in.

Here are the guidelines:
1. You need to pick a team name for the tournament brackets - a team t-shirt is highly encouraged. Mom will bring the usual t-shirts to choose from if you don't supply your own. But I seem to have some extremely talented females in the family that do miraculous things with freezer paper and material.
2. You need to have a supply of at least 3 decorated and hard boiled eggs - and YES they must sport some sort of decoration. No stickers, shellac, tape, or other outside stiffener allowed.
3. If you win - you will be presented with a traveling trophy that must be returned at our next EGG BASH. You will also be presented with a trophy of your own to keep.
4. If you come you must bring a snack to share.
How does that sound? If I have forgotten anything (kids) let me know.

Better get your rolling arms in shape and come prepared to battle it out.
List of previous EGG BASH winners:
2006 - Dad
2007 - Lindsey
2008 - Shanna
2009 - Rob
2010 - Yet to be Determined
(I think "Carrie" is the only name that would balance out the pattern established thus far)

Shanna the 2008 Champion

passes the trophy on to

Rob - 2009 Champion

Rob the new Champion

balances all the trophies

with a jealous Evan looking on.

Just posted

I just posted and you'll have to look for below for 2 postings. The titles are: RABBIT EARS and FAST SUNDAY.

Enjoy.

http://gazselin.blogspot.com/2010/02/fast-sunday.html

http://gazselin.blogspot.com/2010/02/rabbit-ears.html

Fast Sunday

Why is it that on Fast Sunday I always seem to sit by people at church who need to eat? Kids munching on Cheerios don't count. Nor does any child in need of nourishment. But these are adult people. Not only do they need to eat during Sunday School or Relief Society - but they do it while sitting next to me!


I don't know why. But I guess it is a good test of my determination to fast. And I'm happy to report that even with 2 - yes TWO - eating incidents yesterday I was able to complete my fast. That is pretty good considering we have the late meeting schedule - 1-4 pm.


So thank you my friends

(who have very good reasons they can't fast)

for helping me be a better faster.

Posting Problems

Crazy! I took some time at the computer on Friday and wrote a new post. Then I took some more time and made a few drafts of posts I eventually wanted to make. Then I could go to the drafts and just post a new one every day. Great! Now I have a few extras to use when time is pinched. But did it work?

No, doing it this way creates posting problems. When I go to actually publish the post they show up on my blog in the order that I made them up. So the post today - RETRO - showed up below my post - Happy Birthday to Me. Great! All of them will appear to be posted on Feburary 5th. And it also seems that they will either be in alphabetical order or in order of the time I originally saved them. Rats and double darn! Foiled!

So I guess when I post one of my saved drafts I will just have to put a lame notice that I have posted something new. Then you will have to specifially look for that post. I may try to put a link to the newest post. We'll see how that works.

http://gazselin.blogspot.com/2010/02/retro.html

Anyway, I have put a new post up - RETRO. Go look at it.

But never try to outsmart a computer. They always end up getting their own way.

Happy Birthday to Me

Every year for my birthday Doug's parents give me money to buy clothes. Buying clothes in December isn't a good idea when you live in the desert. Our winter weather doesn't last too long.

I usually wait until I find something that isn't too heavy and buy it later in the year. This year I found something in February. Yes I did. I'd like to show you all my 2 new outfits.






P.S. Thanks for the great birthday present mom and dad!

***Ignore the socks and shoes - they will not be worn with the outfits!

Retro

Retro TV has changed our life. Doug loves watching Retro TV. He sets up in his "office" in the family room after work; in recliner with feet up, with laptop on lap, two TV controllers at hand. He turns on Retro TV and watches with glee. He has two favorites - Adam 12 and Dragnet. But I'm pretty convinced that any/all of these shows would be his pick if he always decided what was on TV. And I must admit it is nice to know that there won't be anything inappropriate to worry about when Retro is on. No bad language, no inappropirate scenes, and any inappropriate situations are only vaguely referred to. Ah, yes - clean TV. And it comes free - over the newly digitized airwaves.

Just in case you are wondering, the complete list of available retro shows follows: Daniel Boone, Marcus Welby, M.D.,The Bold Ones, Quincy, Ironside, Simon & Simon, Emergency, Kate & Allie, Leave It To Beaver, McHale's Navy, Peter Gunn, Adam 12, Dragnet, I Spy, Magnum P.I., Knight Rider, A-Team, Kojak, The Cisco Kid, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Operation Petticoat, Laredo, Wagon Train, Alias Smith & Jones, The Rifleman, Robin Hood, It Takes A Thief, Run For Your Life, RTN Mystery Theater, Sheriff Lobo, RTN Mystery Theater, Voyagers, Dragnet, Airwolf, Buck Rogers, Simon & Simon, Battlestar Galactica, Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew,and Suspense Theater.

If you want to see any of the listed shows just let us know. You can come watch anytime you want. We can record some episodes of your favorite show for you to watch later. But in order to do that you must have a working VHS player. I guess that is pretty retro too.

OK, you can do it,

just call us "Retro" to our face -

we'll answer,

we aren't ashamed.

Rabbit Ears

Are we the only folks who don't have cable TV? I'm always having to say I didn't see something because we don't have cable. In fact, until recently we were watching TV on a small one that just didn't look right sitting in the nice large niche we inherited when we bought this house. It looked rather anemic sitting up there doing the best it could. We enhanced our viewing pleasure by attaching the time proven "rabbit ear" antennae. It was fine.

But at Christmas we decided we would get a nice new big TV for the niche that was itching for a better tennant. We did it - we got a nice large LED TV. It filled the niche and has been providing great service ever since.

We still don't have cable TV. We just use the free signals floating around in the free air we breathe. And actually we still have one foot in the past - we still have our trusty "rabbit ear" antennae attached. No, those "rabbit ears" aren't going anywhere very soon.

So here is what our family room niche looks like - something old/something new. We like it that way and no amount of peer pressure will make us change.

Adult Bed

Well Isaac gets home in 9 days - but who's counting? Anyway I was taking a survey of the bed situation and decided it was time to get another Adult Bed. All through the kids growing up years they slept on trundle beds or bunk beds or just singles - but they were only mattresses. These types of beds didn't have box springs. So for an adult they are . . . well, less than comfortable. They kids never complained. They didn't know anything different. But getting an Adult Bed will come in handy when we have visitors or family come to visit. (BTW - that never happens! We keep inviting people to come and no one does. Maybe now they know we have another Adult Bed they will be lining up at the door to come and stay.)

Anywho (as Isaac would say) we shopped around and got a simple but adequate bedroom set. I am going to get started with painting in the basement so I didn't want it set up down there just yet. The only other bedroom left upstairs is the "pink" room. So Isaac will be sleeping in a very comfortable pillow-top Adult Bed surrounded by lovely pink walls. He's going to love it, I'm sure. Oh well, it will do for now.

So in case you didn't get the hint in the previous paragraph, I'll say it again.

WE HAVE A LARGE HOUSE

AND ADULT BEDS

FOR ANY/ALL FAMILY OR FRIENDS

WHO WOULD LIKE TO VISIT.

I'd like to think I can cook a good meal or two as well. So call us up and we'll put your scheduled visit on the calendar. I think I heard Doug state that the first of his family that comes and stays with us will get a . . . well some special do-dad for doing so. Doesn't that sound inviting? As for my family (other than our children) I could match Doug's offer.

I guess our equation is:

New Big House + Adult Beds = Lots of company

(make it happen)

Beware

We love baby Calvin. We haven't personally met him yet. But he is loved - by his grandparents, by his parents, by his aunts and uncles, and by cousin Sadie. We all love him. But I ran across this picture and thought I should write this in bold:

BEWARE!!!

He is helpless at this point.

And his cousin - Sadie is almost 2.

She is very helpful.

She is artistic.

We love her lots . . . . .

But BEWARE - do not let this happen when Sadie and Calvin are together!

PLEASE HIDE THE MARKERS!.