Sandwich Making, Fruit & Garden Update

A while back, something like 2 + months I saw this idea on a blog and now I can't remember what one is was. So if you read my blog and this was your idea it is ingeniousness. When we went up to Coco's she had already taken the idea into action. I have had it done for a while now and this is an amazing time saver.

I keep the mustard's, mayo, miracle-whip, jelly, jam and lunch meat. This way when you want to make a sandwich it is all there. 

 This is it in the refrigerator. One of the biggest things I have noticed is how it frees up room from the door and keeps things nice and organized. 

Recently I finished reading this book "Fit For Life NOT FAT For Life"

Really good book. Very motivating to eat healthier, information about nutrients in food and how our bodies work in simple form to understand.

I have been eating clean but fell off eating enough fruits and veggies as I was before. 

My body was feeling it so I started pushing to get them back into my daily eating.

 Went to Sprout's today for some yummy fruits and veggies. 

I spend almost half of the weekly grocery budget on these. 

Today I got the following: 

Romaine lettuce (5 heads), black plums, 2 bags if red grapes, plum tomatoes, 

nectarines, Gala apples, 2 avocados  but wait there's more

 Small package of blueberries, 2 containers of strawberries, cantaloupe, 

cauliflower, navel oranges, onions, 2 English cucumbers and 4 cucumbers.

All of this for $52.70. Pure yummieness ! 

 Now onto the update on my garden.

SNIFF SNIFF I am sad to say that my garden is soooooo sad.

The squash bugs killed, yes killed all of my cantaloupe, spaghetti squash, zucchini, and all of my pumpkins

except for this sweet little one that was rescued. 

 On a brighter note my loofah is going a little crazy. This one is on the side of my raised bed.

 The yellow blossoms are all loofah. The vine has crawled all over the fence.

 Another one that is huge. To the right is my first sunflower that died, yet there are a bunch growing at the base of it. 

Even though my garden didn't flourish the way I wished it had it was a 

growing (excuse the pun) experience for me.  

If anyone has any idea of how to deal with the squash bugs I would love to hear. 

My garden is fully organic. I used the organic powder to take care of them and the soap spray but it didn't do the trick. 

A little late getting my winter garden in but it is still in the 90's here so I think 

that I still have time to get it in. 

So glad it is Friday today. Ready for a relaxing evening and watching Blue Bloods.

 Hugs, Bobbi Jo

 Oh how I wish that I could take a walk or jog down a trail like this right now. Here in Arizona at least the valley it is still 104 and green. Too much green for my liking at this time of year. 

Thoughts lately are that I am eating cleaner than ever before in my life, exercising regularly but still the energy isn't there. Feeling kind of BLAH! Not sure what is going on within the walls of my brain but it sure isn't making this gal very happy.
On the bright side today was better than it has been. I got up this morning and really just wanted to climb back into bed and sleep a few more hours. So I got back in bed for 18 minutes.I then decided I needed to get up and get breakfast made and lunches made.
After everyone had left I read a blog post on The Modest Mom blog and it got me to thinking that I really needed to care about what was going on in my life and with me.
I laid there thinking for a little while then got up and started into what needed to be done.
I did a major clean on the house, 5 loads of wash then got ready for the day (meaning fixing my hair and putting on makeup).
I felt a little better throughout the day.
Other than that not much is going on with me.
If you ever had a case of the BLAHS let me know what helped you out.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Happy Fall

Today is officially the first day of my favorite time of the year FALL or AUTUMN 

This picture is borrowed from Google images this is not the road to my house. I so wish it was though. I love the change of the seasons. Even though here in the valley of never ending heat it is still 104 degrees you can feel a slight change in the weather. 

Normal down here you don't see much as far as the change of colors of the trees. Plants seem to perk up a little due to the heat being a little less stressful on them.

I wanted to wish everyone a very happy fall. I am going to make the most out of mine.

 I just have to say it 'Happy Fall you all!" 

Hugs, Bobbi Jo 

Picture Download

Every once in a while I take pictures then I don't make blog posts about them so what is a girl to do with them well you do a post on picture download ( I think I got this idea from Coco) so thank you Coco! 

This is Faith (July 2012) when she was freshly home from 4 days at girls camp this year. 

One of  the Young Woman leaders made the girls these cute headbands.

The girls had so much fun. Next year all three girls will be at camp. That will be odd! 

 I was at Wally World making copies of pictures for our entry way a while back 

I look up and there is this Creeper staring at me!!! Just kidding it is Gabby, just being Gabby.

 This is when she saw the camera pointed at her.

Creeper face

When Coco was down the last time we went to Target to do a little shopping. 

I look over at Coco and she is wearing this amazing Spider Man mask. 

Love it, it is SPIDY COCO!

I keep a hula hoop in my room to use when I get the urge. 

Gabby came in and was whipping it around on her neck

 My first Sunflower I have ever grown. Unfortunately it didn't do to well after a while and started dying off but now down around the bottom of it there are a good 12 mini Sunflowers all yellow and pretty growing. Crazy!  

My squash, pumpkins and cucumbers got attacked by STUPID squash bugs and killed them all off. 

I was so bummed they had been doing so good. Oh well maybe next year. 

Hope you enjoyed the down load. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Homecoming Invites

Last week E'lyse had this pizza made for the guy she wanted to ask to Homecoming , Drew. She made the poster on the lid and left it at his house for him to find after football practice. 

I love the sign I thought she did a really good job on it. 

Tuesday Drew text me and asked if he could come over to leave his message for E'lyse. 

He came over with the sign and a dozen beautiful red roses.

The sign up close. The letters are made with Starburst candies glued on. 

Super cute! 

E'lyse when she first saw the sign in her room

Drew left and parked on the street behind our house. He asked me to text him when she got home so he could surprise her

Drew and E'lyse 

Drew & E'lyse I told them to look at each other and they couldn't stop laughing 

Homecoming is at the end of October so we have a little time to prepare for their group date. 

It should be fun.Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Proclamation To The World

THE FAMILY

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A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This is the copy we have hanging in our house.

 The Proclamation is so perfect. It lines out what we humans are to do to be good in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. The Father and Mother rules, the rules as a family are all lined out this way we can be truly happy in our lives while here on earth. 

This was not just put out to the LDS religion it was put out to the world to guide us all to be happy.

 Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Weekend & Baby Blessing

 This weekend we made a trip up to one of my very favorite places Pinetop Arizona. 

Coco and Kyle were having the baby blessing for Kylia on Sunday so we thought it would be nice to spend the weekend up there. Dallas & Sara left earlier in the day so they could go to the high school football game with Coco& Kyle.

We got up there around 9 when we made it up there. We stayed up a little late visiting with everyone.

It was really good to have the family together. 

Saturday turned out to be a very LAZY day. None of us felt very peppy. We were suppose to do family pictures since the last time we took one was in 2009 and we have added 3 1/2 people to the family. But this didn't even happen.

Later in the day we decided to walk to the park and play ball. 

This is E'lyse, Talmage riding his bike, Coco and her fancy new double stroller.
Alan, Gabby and I were walking behind them.  Dallas, Sara and Kyle drove over to the park.

The mosquito's were horrible at the park. This is Sara and Faith sitting in the dugout. Sara hasn't been feeling the greatest due to her pregnancy so it was nice for her to even come with us.  

The others started playing ball while we had these little pests flying into our faces.  

Well we didn't stay to long due to those little buggers bugging the heck out of us. 

So we walked back home.

This is Kylia enjoying her new wheels. 

 Opps I think I startled her

I am a lame blogger I didn't take a lot of pictures I think my brain was tired. 

On Sunday morning we ate breakfast and got ready and went to church. 

We got back to the house and some of us napped, some watched movies, played hide and seek. 

Kylia's blessing was at three. This is Coco getting Kylia dressed in the blessing dress. This is the same dress Naima wore for hers.

 I just love this picture of Naima reading 

 Kylia ready to be blessed

 She was a little tired so I held her while Coco went to get ready

 Loving the little Elvis lip going on here 

 These next photos are photos that Coco took 

This is me and Kylia 

 The Kyle Lucas family 

Kylia, Kyle, Coco, 

Naima and Talmage

 Love this one 

 Our family. Not the picture we had in mind but I will take it. 

Left to right. 

Dallas (20), Sara, me, Gabby (11), Alan, E'lyse (16), Kyle, Naima (2),

Talmage (4), Kylia (2 months) , Coco (22) and Faith (13)

 Miss Kylia 

 Loved having the family together and being able to witness the blessing. It was beautiful. 

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Bucket List Item NOT

 This morning started out as the usual Thursday morning. My plans of going to the bank to get the money our for allocating into our envelopes, going to do my grocery shopping at Sprouts, Wal-Mart, go by the library and then home to finish a few of the chores I had to finish up.
 You know the saying of the best laid plans well, plans were ruined. I went to the bank. I normally don't go into banks due to my major fear of being in there and some idiot robbing it.  I normally go through the drive through but our towns bank closed theirs down a couple of weeks ago. Due to the strange amounts of bills we get out I can't go through the ATM. Anyway, I go into the bank and start my transaction with the teller. I notice I am the only customer at the time then a man walks in next to me and has on a motorcycle helmet and black jacket/shirt and gloves. I am thinking to myself why in the world wouldn't you take off your helmet in the bank it is so hot outside (high 90's) . Just feeling a little uneasy I look at my teller and she keeps looking over at the man, then I see her reach for her security button. I use to clean banks with my Mom so I know about these things. Then my teller messes up the counting of my money. She then reaches to the other side for the button, she looks at him, then the other teller and then me. During this I am looking out of the corner of my eye and see him hand the teller 2 manila envelopes with large writing like a sharpie. I look back at my teller and she is fumbling the money and then she pushed the wrist button bracelet she was wearing. She then looks at me and lips my most dreaded words "ROBBERY!" I am thinking to myself this can't be happening.
Well the guy who I only got a look at when he first walked up then from the corner of my eye had a gun and was robbing the bank. Thinking to myself should I pretend to pass out or try to do something but then I was worried about the teller that the guy might shoot her.
 When the poor teller was done filling the envelopes with the money and the man walked out quietly she  started crying. Then I started crying. The guy left and there was no sound of a motorcycle and no cars other than mine in front of the bank.
 Maybe I am a big baby but it scared me so much. I called my husband and all he had to say was "Well now you can cross that off your bucket list." Yea, not on my list what soever.
 I told my husband I was not going shopping that I was just going home to stay.
 Guess shopping will have to wait till tomorrow. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Hairy Birthday Girl

A hairy Birthday Girl 

11 years ago today my sweet Australian Shepard/ Boarder Collie, Nellie was born. 

She was rescued just shortly before she was to be put down by my sister in love Renee. 

She was taken through obedience school. She was not found of men and was kind of cranky with them.

My brother and sister in love needed to get rid of one of their dogs. I was looking for a dog for myself so I thought okay I will go over and see which one I wanted.  I had initially planned on taking the other dog a Border Collie named Daisy but she didn't want anything to do with me. Nellie came over by me and laid down next to me and it was love at first non growling. 

It took her almost 2 weeks before she wouldn't growl at Alan for coming near me. 

She has been calmed down by the kids but she still has a feisty side to her. 

She is my faithful friend, she follows me everywhere I go around the house throughout the day and night.

She is a bit spoiled. She is the dog queen of the house .

This is Nellie. She doesn't like having her picture taken. 

Notice how she won't look at the camera. 

 Ahhh caught her! 

Nellie is one of the best dogs I have ever had. She is well trained and such a sweet girl.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

911

Today marks the 11year Anniversary of the that tragic day for all of us.

So many sad stories came from this day.Watching it on tv thinking to myself "What is going on?"

Continuing to watch and then seeing more of the news unfolding.

 I remember the feeling of oneness in the country,

 as I saw people flying the American flag from their houses and cars. 

People were nice to each other more than usual. 

It was like the tragedies made everybody stop and think of all that we had lost even if we weren't in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. 

This will be forever ingrained in our memories.

My prayers and thoughts go out to those family, friends and co-workers that lost loved ones on this day.

I do think it has changed even those of us who watched the TV in disbelief.

 Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Proclamation To The World

As I was doing some blog reading today I saw that sweet Cocoa over at Chocolate on my Cranium  will soon be having a wonderful celebration of the Proclamation to the World starting September 17Th. 

The Proclamation is a guidance for the world in what the role of the family. 

If you haven't heard of it and want to check it out just press this link

Proclamation to the World 

I will be joining in on this celebration if you decide you are going to join in too I would love to know. 

Come Celebrate The Family: A Proclamation to the World With Us!

It's that time of year again!


Time to join us in our third annual celebration of The Family: A Proclamation to the World! Can I get a big HOORAY!! Or as my son likes to say "Booyeah-ha-ha"!

The celebration starts Monday, September 17 and runs through Sunday, September 30th. Two whole weeks of testimony, inspiration, and insight on the importance of FAMILIES in our society today.

This year I am teaming up with Jocelyn from We Talk of Christ, MMM from Middle-aged Mormon Man, and Stephanie from Diapers and Divinity. We've each got a terrific line up of guest bloggers with some other fun things thrown in.

Here's a sneak peek at just a few of the guest bloggers writing for our celebration:

Shawni @ 71 Toes

DeNae @ My Real Life Was Backordered

Crystal @ Crystal's a Pistol

Paul @ A Latter-day Voice

Steve @ Mormon Wookiee

Kristin @ Inkablinka

Melanie @ Sugardoodle

Mormon Guy @ (Gay) Mormon Guy

Neisha @ Hang a Ribbon on the Moon

Annette @ Annette Lyon

We encourage you to join in celebrating with us by sharing your thoughts through comments on the posts as well as prepare some posts of your own to link to the blog hops. Here is the blog hop schedule so you can start planning and writing:

• Wed. September 19 - Share an FHE lesson or Craft about The Family Proclamation
• Sun. September 23 - Share your personal thoughts or experiences with any aspect of the Proclamation
• Wed. September 26 - Family Proclamation Photo Essay - pair photos of your family with different phrases from the Proclamation. Check out photo essays from past celebrationshere and here for ideas.

Please spread the word! The more people know about it the merrier the celebration. Grab a blog button below. Share on twitter using the hashtags #CelebrateFamily and #FamilyProclamation.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Growning Up Too Fast

 Gabby just got her student ID today and she has grown up way too fast

And then there is this. She must have had too much time on her hands

 She is a nut. 

I am so glad she is doing well back in public school and enjoying it. 

Hugs, Bobbi Jo