May I first begin by informing you that it has been a long day and I am exhausted as only a mom can be. This may explain why I am writing to a household appliance as if you understood or even cared a hoot about me. The fact that my husband has been away at work and school all day and that it has been 12 hours since I have spoken with another adult face to face may offer further clarification.

I feel that it is in my best interest to apologize to you. I use you. Over and over again. I depend on you to perform perfectly day after day. I come to see you everyday, multiple times, yet it is really never to be with YOU. The only time I come to you is to shove my family's dirty clothes, underwear included, down your throat. Then I am gone without a word. Not even a simple thank you or smile. Occasionally, I wipe you down, dust you off, scrape up the gummed up fabric softener off your head, but I admit that all too often this is only when company is coming and I want them to think that you are always treated this good. Then they come and USE you too, praising me for being a good housekeeper because you are so clean, but never giving a thought to you.

After 8 years of intense labor you only occasionally complain. Like when I expect you to wash 16 pairs of jeans at once. Hey, I'd complain too. Almost a year ago, I thought I was going to lose you. You were crying out in agony with each load. In fact you were so loud the walls were shaking. Literally. The repairman came and said, "She's not worth fixin'. You may as well run her into the ground. Just know she might stop and that'll be the end." So that's what we decided to do. For the first few weeks after the diagnosis I went easy on you. Your loads were a bit lighter and I tried not to make you wash 9 loads of laundry in one day. But soon I forgot to be gentle and worked you like always. Then today as I stood there shoving muddy socks, chocolate covered t-shirts, and poop stained onesies into your faithful mouth, it hit me. You've been quiet. You've been agitating like a star. Your tub doesn't rattle. You're really going the distance for me. The walls of the house are even still. Who knows how long it's been this way. I didn't even realize you were better. I didn't pat you on the back and say, "Good job, glad you're ok." I've been selfish and ungrateful. I am so sorry.

Thank you for your dedicated service. Thank you for running even when you may feel like quiting. Thank you for keeping a family of 6 clean and Downy fresh. Our friends and neighbors thank you as well.

I promise that from here on out I'll be more aware of you and your feelings. I'll shine you just because. I'll pop my head in to say hello whithout an armful of malodorous laundry. And occasionally I'll even change detergents just for variety's sake. I will treat you like the indispensible member of this family that you are. You are a true friend.

Here's to many more years of "loads" of fun TOGETHER.

With many thanks,
The Designated Dud Doer

Wow! After all the preparation that goes into laying sod, I now see that the actual laying of it is the easy part. Our little work crew consisting of Reas, his brother Keith, and two of Reas' co-workers, managed to finish out the job in only a couple of hours.

And the finished job is WONDERFUL! Every time I see a glimpse of green as I walk past the windows my heart gives a little flutter.

Our very own backyard makeover is currently in the works. It started with ripping out the weeds and dead stuff.

In came the rototiller. I didn't do much here either.

I snapped the pictures so I wasn't standing around looking lazy.

...and a whole lot of stinky fertilizer. I'm sure the neighbors loved us for this one.

Finally we, and I honestly can say WE for this part, put in this fun little border that will separate the grass from the sand box area.



The sod is coming on SATURDAY, which is by far the most exciting part.

Last year I tried to get on like every dang HGTV show that would possibly come do all this for us, but I guess they have more sense than to choose scorchin' Vegas for their work. That's what I keep telling myself anyway. I mean obviously we deserve it. And I poured my heart and soul into those online applications. And our yard is sooo ugly. And Reas is so busy. And we have so many kids. And I try to be a good mom. And we are good citizens in our community, who even report graffiti. Yep. Must be because it's Vegas. It's YOUR loss HGTV.

But I will say there's something to be said for pushing up your sleeves and doing it yourself. We've learned a lot along the way. And the kids have learned a thing or two about hard work. Just look at them cheering on their ol' dad.








And I have come to know the sprinkler aisle at Home Depot like a good friend. I'm not one to be scared off by home improvement warehouses, but sprinkler systems are one thing I was pretty clueless about. Not now. oh no. Here is my last Home Depot shopping list: couplers, risers, and elbows. I actually knew what to get and where to find them. I was in and out in 5 minutes!

We'll still have some work to do post sod, but this is the part we've really been waiting for. In just a few days, I'll be back with some grassy green lovliness to share, along with some other little backyard projects.

In honor of Fall being just around the corner, I thought I'd share some of most favorite Fall recipes. These are the ones that continually stay in the front of my recipe box throughout the cooler months and I always know just what I need to prepare them in a snap. And because I'm not one to be a slave to my kitchen, they're all pretty basic.

Hope you find something that catches your eye! Enjoy!

Yesterday was Maggie's big day. She partied non-stop sun up to sun down as any newly 8 year-old should. Eggos for breakfast, a lunch date with her super great primary teacher, Sis. Butler, and Cici's Pizza for dinner. Yes, there was lots of food involved.

Squeezed in between all the eating we found time for opening birthday presents. She loved her new set of her very own shiny scriptures. We were a little worried that she wouldn't be all that excited about them, but I think the smile says otherwise.


Ty and Claire had the best time shopping for their gift for her. They picked out all sorts of girly fun things like lip gloss, lotion, and sparkley nail polish to fill up a make-up bag...which was really a glorified pencil pouch. As a side note - pencil pouches make great make-up bags for an 8 year-old and they're about 1/10th the cost.



Next, we headed out to Santa Fe Station for some bowling. The kids loved it! As for Reas and I, we were really glad we had decided on playing only one game. I honestly didn't know it was possible for the ball to move that slowly down the lane. We were so happy when we discovered those little ramp thingies for the kids.








Unfortunately, nobody had a stellar bowling night. Scores aren't all that important anyway, right? It's your FORM that counts.

After our 1 1/2 hour bowling game, we were all starving. Cici's was next on the agenda. Sorry no pictures - I was too busy eating. In fact, we were so stuffed after all-you-can-eat pizza, salad, brownies, and cinnamon rolls that the birthday cake didn't happen until today after church. TWO days of birthday fun.

Maggie is such a sweet girl! She is a wonderful sister and such a huge help to me. It took some adjusting on my part after she went back to school. I hadn't realized how much I had come to depend on her. At the kids' school they have a program where each week the classes focus on a different life skill. At the end of the week, one award goes out in each class to the student who best shows that skill. Last week, she was awarded the Life Skill Award for Friendship. It makes me happy and proud to know that she is so kind to everyone. In a few weeks will be her baptism. We are all excited about that next step in her life. We love her and are grateful she's part of our family.

I know that my children are slightly obsessed with non childlike obsessions. They're kind of funny like that. Maggie and Ty are both totally into calendars, dates, contemplating the mystery of why dates don't always fall on the same day of the week, and of course counting down until something big and exciting happens. Ty especially. Yesterday he told me that he informed his teacher that September 8 is his half birthday. And yes. It is. If I ever forget what the date is I can always ask him. His 5 year-old knowledge has never let me down before.

Anyway, I thought they'd have fun with this little idea.

I hung a countdown chalkboard in the kitchen so the kids can keep track of upcoming fun. They're loving it! I forgot to snap a BEFORE picture, but it was a .50 cent bright green "Season's Greetings" sign. A little chalkboard paint took care of that. If you haven't played with chalkboard paint, you must try it. It will transform almost any surface.

And really. Who couldn't use a few more chalkboards hanging around?

This was a whole lot of Grape Nuts. We'll leave the culprit anonymous.

Now. The reason why I post this is to pass on some useful information. As I was sweeping up mountains of Grape Nuts, I had an "ah ha!" moment, as my Calculus teacher used to call it. Some day when you or I have a 6th grader who needs to construct a mini replica of Abe Lincoln's cabin, a dinosaur scene, or an Indian pow wow, we'll know just what material to use as a rocky terrain. The Grape Nuts will look AWESOME! I even pondered this for a while.

Here's how you do it (keep in mind I haven't actually done this, just thought about it good and long.)

Step 1: put your grape nuts in a large ziplock bag

Step 2: add some Elmer's glue to the bag. Probably a lot. maybe?

Step 3: Shaky shaky

Step 4: Dump your gluey gunk nuts onto your child's school project and spread 'em on out. The glue should make it possible to create lasting and lovely hills and valleys. Not to mention the fact that there shouldn't be near the mess when the project gets dropped.

Step 5: Let dry until nice and firm and rocky.

Step 6: Get and A+++ for creativity and wow factor.

Thanks Ty for spilling the Grape Nuts. oops I wasn't supposed to mention any names.