Bits-n-Pieces

I have not been a good blogger recently.  Just haven't taken the time or had stuff to say.  I still don't know if I have time or stuff to say, so this will just be a "bits-n-pieces" post...

• Tonight I head up to Logan for Girls Night Out with Melanie.  We're going to see "In the Mood", a big band musical review.  Looking forward to it, even though I just drove to Logan yesterday.  Mel came home this past weekend, and I offered to pick her up and bring her down.  It was fun to have a drive home with her.  Singing to the radio (we would do so well at a karaoke night!) and chatting...love it!  I love my boys, but there's just something about hanging with Melanie that's extra fun.
• I really, really, really, really want to do some redecorating.  But so far I'm haven't.  Beyond my own desire to redecorate, I am being severely tempted to do it lately by a blog.  It's called "Remodelaholic" (see my blog lists to the right for the link).  I can sit and click through that blog for HOURS.  One day I was looking at it and Jacob came in and asked what I was looking at.  "A blog called Remodelaholic," I said.  "Remodelaholic," Jacob said, "That's what you are, huh?"  Yes.  Yes, I am.  So, what's my latest remodeling desires?  Family room/dining/kitchen area.  Ready for a change there!  Oh, I guess I did make one little change there recently.  I redid the decor on top of the cabinets.  See:
What I really want to do is paint my kitchen cabinets.  And paint the walls...or maybe put up beadboard?  And probably get new furniture and new blinds.  And while we're at it, the carpet and linoleum could be replaced too.  My family room/dining/kitchen area is full of the honey oak colored stuff (entertainment center, fireplace mantle, stair railing, window blinds, table and chairs, a hutch and the kitchen cabinets), and I'm just tired of that. 
• I am ready for sweater weather.  It's not coming very quickly.  It is still very toasty during the day.  And, it's very toasty in the mornings when I go for my walk, surprisingly.  I rarely need a coat in the mornings, and sometimes I don't even need a long sleeve shirt!   I don't want snow or super cold, just sweater weather (so what's that, like high 50's maybe?) 
• And speaking of morning walks, I have been so happy to have found a new walking buddy and been able to be consistent with walking lately!  I think it's made somewhat of a difference in my body, although unfortunately not a big weight difference.  Maybe if I stop eating so many cookies...and ice cream...and chocolate chips...
• I really would like some new shoes.  But shoe buying has become horrible for me (that's sad, eh?  Isn't shoe buying something women are supposed to love?).  My feet have gotten quite big and wide (I used to wear a size 7 or 7 1/2, now it's usually 8 1/2 or 9).  And my right foot is not overly healthy so it has special needs in the shoe department, such as no high heels and plenty of room for the toes.  And, sorry, but I am tired of "fake" shoes ("all man made material"), however, I am cheap as well, and unfortunately you rarely find "real" inexpensive shoes.  So, no luck so far.  Too bad.
• I've been doing some subbing this year.  It's been pretty ok so far, so I guess a two year "break" from subbing helped.  My favorite by far is subbing for the librarian at the elementary school.  That's definitely the most fun that's to be had subbing!
• A few weeks ago was General Conference.  It was, as usual, a super weekend!  So thankful for living prophets, and the reminder of what life is really all about.
• Looking forward to going to a "Time Out for Women" in November (you can find out about TOFW here).  Jacob asked me the other day if that was something like "therapy." Not sure where he got that idea or even that word, but yep, it's probably something like that.
• Trevor has been asked to try to read some on his "lexile reading level" for school.  Trevor's lexile score is 1500.  Here are some of his reading choices at that level:  Don Quixote, Cultural Intermarriage in Southern Appalachia: Cherokee Elements in Four Selected Novels by Lee Smith, Urban Public Transport Today, or The Scarlet Letter.  Oh yeah, just the type of books a teenage boy is gonna want to pick up and read!