Rich Dad/Poor Dad

I just finished this book by Robert Kiyosaki yesterday. I'm impressed by several things from the book.

Thought I would share a couple:

A truly intelligent person welcomes new ideas, for new ideas can add to the synergy of other accumulated ideas.

Unless a person is used to changing, it's hard to change.

Thoughts?

Declutter 2012

Some time ago, I realized that since more papers and items enter my house than leave each day, I am slowly being buried to death. So, with a little help from my long distance sis, we've been trying to get rid of at least one thing a week. I've discovered this to be a low goal and figure that the quicker I reach 52, the more extra credit I get. With 7 people in a house, surely a lot more than one thing is added per week. We've been taking pictures to share and motivate each other, and today, I feel I'm needing a sense of some progress, so I'm going to blog about it.

Unfortunately, most of these kitchen pictures are after shots, since I was half way through before we thought about taking pictures. My mother used to say that we stop cleaning where other people start. Well, at least I started.

Oh, and I have 4 stamp collectors that have been plaguing my kitchen, but I put that little stamp drying string up and then I don't have them drying on towels on the counter. It seems every time I turn around, that PB&J is back there on the counter.

It's been a lot easier to keep the dishes clean and I'm finding my drainer isn't always so full and difficult for the kids to put away when we keep up on the dishes. I hate the look of a drainer, but I hate to waste my time drying when the air can do that for me.

I know my windowsill is crowded, but it's winter and this is the place with the best chance of survival for these guys.

We made some banana smoothies, used the Martinelli's on some guests for dinner and put the crockpot and Christmas soap away.


Swapped that ineffective playdoh caddy for 2 empty ice cream buckets- much more practical for cleaning up. Weston had a bit of time and since I had cleaned, it was easy to finally get that CD player installed and that made it easier to clean the space. I still need to go through all the music, etc. but at least this spot is manageable.


Dread, the shelf and ledge. I know there's still a lot of stuff on this shelf, but at least I know where it is. When I got it cleared off, I had to fight the urge to haul it out to the garage, sand and repaint it. But, I knew if I did, my cleaner kitchen would be a reck when the kids arrived, so I decided to save it for another day. I know the diaper box is unsightly, but it's perfect for the scratch paper. I'll either find a cute container or cover the box, but until then, it's doing a good job. I threw away a lot of stuff, so it's a good starting point. Adam likes to do several puzzles after breakfast each day, so it was good to have a place for them.

In order to clean off my bedroom dresser, there were a few projects to attend to. I already had the clock hanging, but it needed to be fixed and my plates and tiles from Jerusalem and my sisters were unhung for several reasons. I fixed the clock just with some needle nose pliers (if I'd only known it was so easy...) and hung two of the small plates with plate hangers.

I moved this painting to fit two more plates next to it. I've learned that some hangers do a better job at keeping the plate flush against the wall.




My sister brought me that little rose trivet from the National Gallery in London and I wanted to make a wooden frame for it like my Granddaddy used to, but it broke. I nice vertical split. I glued it, but then was afraid to use a plate hanger because of the pressure of the springs. I went to the framing department at Hobby Lobby and the lady suggested these adhesive plate hangers.

I didn't use them on the plates, since they're a bit more costly and I already had the plate hangers, but they worked really well on the trivet and these 2 Jerusalem tiles, one which had also split down the middle and been glued.

The adhesive should also provide an extra gluing for the broken ones and they are able to hang pretty close to flush against the wall.

Well, there's my little bit of a pat on the back for the day. I'm just going to keep going little by little. I made a to do list room by room (yes, I've done this before). But, this time I went through and coded it into four areas: cleaning and organizing, home improvement projects, creative projects, and things to buy. I tend to get distracted by the excitement of home improvement and creative projects when I need to tend to the cleaning and organizing first. In a few hours, I get to help 2 kids finish science fair projects for next week.

Christmas Card 2011

The Lindsay ABC’s of 2011

A. Adam (2) is still the center of attention in our family. B. In June, Sam (8) was Baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. C. cubscouts. Nathan (10) entered the Webelos and Sam became a Wolf. Elaine got to go to camp with them, too. D. Dirty Dash. In August, Dad ran a muddy obstacle course race in Soldier Hollow with some friends. He had so much fun, that Elaine probably won’t get him in a regular road race again. E. This month, Weston got called as the Elder’s Quorum President. F. Fellowship. Weston finished his Final academic achievement from his long term goal list and became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. G. Lena (11) enjoyed doing Gymnastics in the summer. H. We did lots of family Hiking, including the loop from Silver Lake, to Twin Lakes, through Solitude and back to Silver Lake. The kids do a great job. Weston and Lena waited for the snow to melt off Timpanogos, but it didn’t happen before school started, so they hiked Mt. Olympus instead and found it shorter, but challengingly steep. I. Lena and Nathan continue to enjoy playing band Instruments and they and Sam and Jacob continue to play the piano. It gets hard to fit everyone’s practice into each day. J. Jacob (7) is our Jokester, and enjoys reading. K. Elaine will miss working with the Kids in Primary since she was recently released as Primary President and called as a ward missionary. L. In October, we enjoyed a trip to California, including Legoland and the Mormon Battalion visitor’s center. M. The Ogden Marathon. If Elaine and Weston were to ever do a Marathon again, this was beautiful enough to repeat. N. Lena was in the Nutcracker this year with Mountain West Ballet and enjoyed being a Toy Doll and a Snow Sprite. O. Lena started out the year by going to the Orthodontist and it looks like Nathan will start next year and we’ll have someone in braces for many years. Sam was in a play called Oleander Manor and did a great job as a dancing skeleton. P. Adam loves his little Playschool group of 4 boys. Q. Adam is constantly asking Questions. “What?” “Why not?” R. Riding our bikes on several family jaunts was a big hit this year. Adam’s new seat on Mom’s bike made it fun to Ride together in the morning along the path next to the train. S. Sam enjoys Soccer with his friends and Siblings. T. Theatre. Lena, Nathan and Sam enjoyed Spring Theatre in an alien play. Three Trips to California in Twelve months were made by our family from last Christmas, to a great Miller Reunion, to our October Trip. U. V. Weston has worked in Utah Valley for almost 4 years and is enjoying his responsibilities in Orem. W. Lena and Nathan got to take turns on the swim team. All the kids have enjoyed swim lessons and love the Water. X. Mom and Lena both had X-rays this year. Lena’s for her braces, and Mom’s to diagnose pneumonia. We enjoy eXercising together in lots of different ways. Y. Yardwork seems to be a never-ending family activity, so we try to make it fun. We enjoyed Yelling at several RSL soccer games this year, including one where Elaine (Mom of the Match) and the kids got to be on the big screen. Z. We really feel very blessed and have Zero complaints about 2011!

Storms of life are quieted here

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Peace of Mind

Sunday evening, we were visiting with Grandma and Grandpa
when Adam gagged and we thought he'd put a crayon in his mouth.

Weston went over and Adam got this look on his face like he'd swallowed
and it had hurt. Weston looked in Adam's hand and there were
2 magnetic sticks and a ball. That night he threw up a little bit and
the next morning, too. Then he started to have the runs. So, we were a
bit confused, but thought he happened to have what his cousin had last week
(or just a germ he'd gotten from sucking on his finger). I made an appointment
this morning for this afternoon since it had not passed yet. Of course, the
concern was that there could be 2 magnetic objects, not just one. I asked Adam
twice yesterday, showing him examples, "was it a ball or a stick?" He said "Eat it,"
pointing inside his mouth. Then he answered "stick" and pointed to the longer
magnetic both times he was asked. So, I was a bit more concerned. The ball is not
actually a magnet, just a metal ball that has become a little magnetized through it's use.
But the stick has 2 small magnets inside the ends and is longer and could maybe
get stuck somewhere. So, I guess it was time for some expensive peace of mind. By 8:30pm, it had already passed. Good thing he's such a cute kid!

Signs of Spring

It feels like Spring took a long time coming this year. In fact, it feels like Summer is nearly here and I somehow missed Spring.

Tulips - what I call God's gift to Mothers.
They come back every year whether I get out there to garden yet, or not.

I love the contrast. It's a good thing I took these pictures the other day,
because Adam practiced Tball on them a few days later.

Flox - my favorite. (also just comes back each year - yeah!)

Spring Band Concerts...

Nathan and Lena had a great time being in band together this year.

The Monster Concert included 7 schools, including Caylee's,
so Lena got to be in the same concert as her cousin.


Spring Pictures

Braces... can't believe she'll be all done before she even hits jr. high.


Nathan's sweet innocent smile.

Sam's funny smile. He loves school.


Jacob said the photographer told him to hold his earlobe
and so he squeezed it until it hurt.


End of Spring Soccer means...

soccer cupcakes...

2 1/2 dozen of them!

YUM!

Date in the middle of the day.

This is one of the few modern art exhibits that I actually like. 80,000 pounds of books stacked meticulously. My dream library.

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