Time Fly's

Let me see...what have I been doing lately? Since I last posted I have; been to NYC, celebrated Easter, Mothers day, and my daughters birthday, helped Mom after hip replacement surgery, partied at King' dominion, planted flowers, taught my doggie a few new tricks, and had my first positive experience with a sewing machine! Whew, there have been a few other events but those are the highlights. Today the sun is shining in through the windows which makes me happy...the leaves back on the trees is joyful as well. I am enjoying the last bit of cool weather before what promises to be a hot and humid season, the windows are open and I can hear birds chirping and since you don't think me too "Pollyanna" I will include the fact that I can also hear a siren (most likely one of Charles Town's finest pulling over a dangerous jay-walker).
Here are some pictures of recent projects and events, I am very grateful today for my family, my many opportunities and blessings...God is Good.

one Virtuous girl can change the world...

Here are some of my girlz....


Here they are again....


This year we are focusing on unity within our Young womens family at church. The girls in our ward come from different situations at home; they have different likes, strengths, taste in clothes, preferences in music, they each are at a different level spiritually, some have more faith then others, some have tough times at home, some of them have come from situations that no one would wish for a child, some have plenty, some have barely enough, some are musicians, Thespians, writers, readers, bloggers, athletes, comedians, animal lovers, master chiefs, seamstresses, artists, and deep thinkers. One thing that all of these girls are is loved; by the Lord, by each other, by me. I get so bored with hearing about "today's youth" and all of their weaknesses. Let me be the one to shed some light on just how strong these girls are. Firstly may I mention that each of these girls face situations everyday in school that I never in my wildest dreams (please realise some of my dreams were very WILD) faced. There is constant pressure to do things that seem simple and harmless to most but will take these girls away from the path of happiness. I'm sure it is confusing at times. Even sometimes at home these girls are introduced to ideas that could distract them from their goals. Now let me tell you how strong these girls are they each have a desire to by happy. They are trying to figure out how they get there, to happiness, to find themselves. Some of them understand that happiness and peace come from only one source. They all have a desire to be good, I know this. I see how they serve each other and are concerned for one another. I am very blessed to have the opportunity to serve these girls....God is GOOD

Pizza and my little leprechauns!!

Here is the photo of my beautiful little leprechauns and my tasty pizza.
Thanks for the green goods Granny!! We love you tons....

That's right folks...just as I feared!

I have come to the conclusion that you can not eat food like this and maintain a healthy body. I realise that this is quit obvious for most people but for some reason I have always thought moderation in all things, this would include; deep fried, bacon-wrapped, macaroni and cheese fritters. Seriously Paula, you seem like a gracious, lovely women why would anyone serve this to their loved ones? I am taking license here to publicly criticize Ms. Paula, but hey this is my blog and it's definitely not personal. I am currently in the throws of trying to return my body to a healthy state. Over the past 12 years it has been "eat now, pay later" well... the piper has come to collect. I enjoy cooking (and eating) but an interesting thing has occurred to me over the past month. I enjoy feeling good, like really good...tie my shoes, cross my legs, not have to pin my zipper up good (some of you know what I speak of, if you don't... good for you)
I have found some sneaky ways over the past 6 weeks to satisfy some of my culinary desires with out feeling guilt or bloat. I will share the most exciting... Whole wheat pizza dough, I made this in my bread machine last week and it turned out great. I will up load some pics I took of my beautiful pizza, I don't know about anyone else but I want food to be pretty. This point my seem obvious to most but this is something I have just figured out about myself. In fact I would venture to say that how food looks is just as important to me as how it tastes. I have always been a very visual person so I'm not sure why this was such an epiphany.
I also love beautiful produce, I almost want it in my house as a decoration. I have been juicing and I can feel an immediate physical response to the juice in the morning. My favorite juice is apple-carrot (equal parts) with 1 lemon. Try it you'll like it!!

I am a child of the 80's...

Families are forever and always....

This is my Father Dr./Col. Robert Wettlaufer and his grandson Joshua Dickens. Today I am feeling especially grateful for my wonderful family. My father was a family man firstly. My father was and did many things through out his life but a family man he was supremely first. How thankful I am that my father was so devoted to his wife and to his children, absolutely generous. I will never forget a time when he paused at a free way on ramp to hand the man there holding a sign a $20. He said that regardless of how that man was to spend the money he had been blessed and the Lord required him to share, He left the details to the Lord and gave freely.

My Father was not born into a wealthy family, it took sacrifice on the part of his father to send my father to Dental school. My father loved my Mother that was a constant that I never questioned. What a blessing it was to be raised in a home where I was not to question the longevity of our circumstances or family unity. There were some stressful times, some tears, some struggles, some battles of will, some heart aches, and some disappointments, but there was always love, devotion, and loyalty.

I realise now that I'm older that love is shown in many different ways. To some it is service, to others it is verbal, to others yet it is support materially and emotionally.

I know that my father is still loving his family, still serving and giving. I am so blessed and needed to express it...God is good...I am thankful.

Special-Sauce/Kool-Whip/Home-Skillet
(cute hubby in background)
We spent the day at Bolivar Heights sledding, and goofing off. I am so greatful to live close to such a beautiful place. I think we all got snow up our noses and down the back of our pants..good fun!

Most wonderful new magazine...I love it. Guess those ancient air miles are good for something after all! check out the blog too http://www.dwell.com/daily/blog