today I was with someone that made me wonder

I wonder if I am a whiner. I was with someone today that really made me think about that. I have made decisions in my life to put me where I am. Nothing tragical has happened to me. I've planned my life, followed the plan, and I hope I'm not a whiner about the results, that I chose.

Being with a whiner is such a downer. I don't want to be like that. I know there is a therapeutic place for downloading to a friend, but when it is all that is ever discussed, it is just wrong. (I want to ask these people, why did you become a teacher if you hate it? why did you have kids if you don't like to be with them? Why did you even get married if you hate it?)

It's true, I do my share of whining. Jim and Krista and Michelle get the most of my downloads, and of course Dave too. Now that I think of it, so many people make me think I am a whiner. bummer, but in my own defense I can laugh and joke and have a great time with all these folks. Being a downer is not the only part of my interaction with these friends.

On the flip side, there are people that have had very sad disruptions in their lives, yet they are positive and kind and uplifting. These people are like a breath of fresh air.

This is what I aspire to be, to look for the good and not complain about the choices I have made. I acknowledge not all my decisions are smart or the best, but I will move on and not let that bring me down. People can be so powerful, and they get to choose to which power they are working for.

I'm going to go for it- wish me luck :)

Saturday We spent the day in Springville. We went up with Josephs day date to the Pope cabin. Pope policy says a real Pope must be with any group up there, so we went to help entertain Krista and her people while Joseph played. Heres a few of the pictures

As luck would have it

Both David and Louis are gone from their wifes today. David has been
in Houston all week and louis just left today. To help my week along
I've spent some time with Krista each day. If her kids aren't
entertaining enough, they now have kittens at their house. It really
is a good way to distract me. We canned pears on two days and we met
for lunch today.
All I have to say is good thing Louis and David didn't marry
shoppers... Just dutiful Mormon girls that stay home and "put up" fruit

Pears

We made salsa

Today I met up with my Mom and sister Krista to make salsa. We got some fine tomatoes for 7 bucks a box. We had two boxes. Actually my Dad found them for us. We ended up with 23 pints of yummy salsa. Krista made up some "chips and cheese and salsa" for her girls and we all had some and the salsa was awesome. Some of my strongest memories of fall time are of coming home from school and having salsa or chili sauce cooking or being canned. I don't know that any other Mom I knew did that, but it is a strong connection with my Mom. She was a big tease today while we did the salsa.. what a woman.

Joseph the chef

Joseph offered to make dinner tonight. He made up the recipe. I don't
know it all, but I did purchase steak, bacon, provalone cheese and
buns. He cooked all the meat on the grill. (in the rain) He made us
some yummy sandwiches. He has been known to say he wants to be a chef
when he is older, maybe own an establishment as well.

*Must come from his first weeks of life when he almost starved to death*

Awesome I say, I'm happy to let him work on it in my kitchen. Or my
grill

Remember this bad boy?

Well I just finished the tree appliqué. It was a daunting task, anda
little awkward, but I got her done. Next, all the leaves go on. On
the leaves are written names from our family tree.. Walden Pennock
Powell Hostick Langman
Cluff McConahay Davis Williams ... I could go on and on. I guess I
will go on and on stitching on the leaves. It will take a long time,
but I trust it will be much easier. I'll let ya know ;)

We're going to the home games this year

and for the record, we are not going for the football game

he's been taking lessons

Joseph is in the purcussion class at the high school. As a result, he is also in the pep band. We caught him on video this last weekend. HE IS AWESOME!! watch for the oh- man-my-mom-is-taping-me look he throws me. I know its not where he wants to be, hed rather be with his friends, but he does a great job.

Our Labor Day was awesome

I've been so scared

I signed up for another block of the month club last January. I do
love stitching while watching, or listening to, t.v. at night. This
block with the tree was our February block and I've been putting it
off till now. Ahh look at all those gangely branches. Can I do this
one? I'm giving it a shot. I'll let you know how it turns out.