Amazing Race

To all my family and friends.

I am sorry to inform you that

until further notice

I will be busy on Sunday evenings

from 7-8 pm (AZ time).

A new season of Amazing Race starts tonight.

YES!!

FHE - Mystery Dinner

We actually had a planned FHE a few weeks ago. WE did an oldie but a goodie. We had a Mystery Dinner. The participants were: Doug, Isaac, Kristina, Scott, and myself. The idea was that each of us would be given an amount of money. We would go to the store and buy anything for our dinner. It could be something you cook. It could be something already cooked. It could be a protein, vegetable, or dessert. Participants could hook up and jointly use their money to buy something together. They COULD NOT spend more money than they were given. No pitching in a few cents - AND we would collect receipts to make sure there was no cheating! The left over change was also collected - this was not a money making event for the participants! If some basic sauces or butter or ketchup was needed - those items could be used out of our home supplies. Also whatever you selected, you were responsible to cook and get ready for the Mystery Dinner. PLUS - all items had to be shared with everyone. No keeping your items for yourself!

So this night we were each given an envelope with $3.50 inside. We all drove to Fry's and then scattered.

Doug got what I thought he would. He got a bag of frozen french fries. Then he surprised us by getting a box of a chicken flavored noodle side dish and a single package of Fig Newtons. Nice touch. (Isaac busting in on Doug's photo op.)

I ended up getting a package of spaghetti and a jar of sauce. Basic and a little boring but it would fill us up if everything else was sweets.

I had to get stuff for Scott because he was going to be a little late. But he had thought out his contribution and it was a real winner with everyone. He wanted to get stuff for guacamole. So he had enough money for one avocado, one tomato, and a guacamole spice envelope.

Isaac and Kristina pooled their money and got two giant burritos, a bag of Sour Cream and Onion chips, and a pcakage of M&M cookies. Yummy! So for their burritos we used some salsa and sour cream from the fridge. Also Scott's guacamole went really nicely with the burritos.

After I had shopped for myself and Scott I had some extra change. I also got Doug's extra change and went back in for a couple of candy bars for dessert. I had enough for of them. So I put the Milky Way with Doug's dinner, the Snickers with mine, and the Twix with Scott's.

After all the shopping was done I collected receipts and change. This was all that was left over - 53 cents. Pretty good. I would count that as a successful FHE - Mystery Dinner.

Some News

I have some news.

A few weeks ago there was another missionary transfer. Elder Hohman (Mr. Fix-It) is out and Elder Johnson is in.

This is Elder Johnson and Elder Waynick. This set of missionaries seem to have a more traditional schedule and lots less grease under their fingernails. I am very happy about that! Doug and I both think Elder Johnson looks like our nephew, Kevin DeWitt. I'm not sure the picture shows the resemblance or not.

Yesterday I trimmed our tomatoe plants way back. I am hoping to get a fall crop of tomatoes. Our summer crop looked promising but other than a few tomatoes - they were very small and disappointing. The red tomatoes that are on the plants nowadays seem to have wierd lumps and bumps and look almost like an "alien" variety. I think the extreme heat in August must have boiled the newly polinated fruit and caused it to grow in very unique and unpredictable ways. Here are a few pictures.

We just found a scorpion in the house. It was on the plastic chair mat in front of our desk with THIS COMPUTER. I left the computer and just seconds later came back to find the nasty little critter. It was so near my bare feet! YIKES! I am still walking around with my toes curled under and my eyes peeled in case another intruder found its way into the house. I guess it is time for another Scorpion Hunting Blitz - starting tonight!

So much for Some News from me.

Ward Variety Show Videos

These are the long awaited for

Ward Variety Show Videos.

Ward Variety Show

We had a Ward Variety Show this past Saturday. My last post was about the dessert I brought for the event.

When it was announced that the ward would have a talent show - the sign-ups were nearly non-existent. When they changed the format to a Variety Show more people seemed slightly more willing.

Doug was coerced into performing on his unicycle. That, of course, would necessitate some brushing up. But he agreed. He left some mad unicycle tracks on our driveway while he practiced. He also suffered a minor wrist injury and an ankle bite from one of the pedals. But by Saturday afternoon he was ready to rumble. He added to his original committment to "ride across the stage once" by first juggling tennis balls (I donated some of those to the cause) and spinning a basketball on his finger. And as promised he did ride across the stage on the unicycle. But he really needed more room to be able to make a turn and really get rolling so he came down onto the cultural hall floor and put on a real show. He not only juggled the tennis balls while riding even if for only a few seconds - but he also made a basket with one of the tennis balls in the basketball hoop - first try. Next he rode the unicycle while spinning the basketball on his finger. Another success. He also ended up by making a basket while riding his unicycle under the basketball backboard - on his first try! The people cheered and gave him a standing ovation! He was awesome!

I signed up for a group number. Our Relief Society Presidency and spouses would perform the Grecian Urn Dance. I had to do a little convincing but we did it. One husband gave his wife the business about not coming if she insisted that he do it. I let them work it out - he came but didn't perform. We performed, we got wet, we got laughs (intended), and it was fun. Many folks have said they thought it was hilarious!

We might or might not have a video recording of our dance -

but our Ward Variety Show was a great success!

Funny Bone

Who is an anatomy expert? Anyone? What is the real name for a spot on our elbows we call a "funny bone"? I'm sure that isn't the real name. But I think the game "Operation" labels it a "funny bone". Does that count?

I have one reason that we call it a funny bone.

I made cupcakes for our Ward Variety Show (future post may or may not document this activity). I had them perfectly frosted with cute sprinkles on them. Cute sprinkles always entice the little kiddos to grab and gobble. I didn't want to bring a tray-full home so the decorations were my no fail solution. So anyway, we loaded needed supplies along with the cupcakes into the truck. I had Doug hold one plate to give me once I was in my seat and buckled in. He got in a hurry and set them down between our seats - on a handy arm rest. Well, I guess you can figure out the rest. He got into his seat and wiggled and got settled in his seat by using his elbow - read "funny bone". I heard an "oopsie" and looked over. Yep he had crushed 3 of the cupcakes - WITH HIS FUNNY BONE! Really smashed them. Rats and double darn!

We took them into the kitchen anyway. I boldly started giving one person my weak explanation of the mis-shaped goodies. Soon my voice was fading out and I turned and walked away looking at my feet (hoping to find $5). No such luck.

But the best part of this funny bone story is that at the end of the activity - every one of those cute, delicious, decorated, and smashed cupcakes were gone! Yes - every one of them!!