A day in May

Planted potatoes today and learned a new skill-rototilling, all on my own. Dad will chew me out when he sees, but I had fun and I want to get the seeds in the ground. I'm ripping out flower beds and downsizing some...yes, I did listen and heed my daughters words of advice last summer. It will take time, but I'm getting there. How are all of you? I miss everyone. Dad is quiet..ok, he's usually asleep when I'm home and I'm asleep when he gets home...so we need some noise. Preferably ten little grandkids...I'll take all of them all summer. Seriously!!!!
We have had some nice days and many crap days weather wise. A friend of ours who works with economics has given us some advice...more food storage and rotate it. He says there is no way with the trillions of dollars the government is spending that we will come out of this financial mess easy or early. He said to have food on hand because it's going to get pricey and some of it will get scarce.
Then today, the butcher said the price of chicken is going to zoom up because of the foreign trade policies...another friend who is the gorcery manager at Macey's said to stock up every chance you get...things are going to skyrocket and people are going to have to tighten their belts.
Coming from 3 different people over the past month in 3 different conversations is not just a coincidence. So, I'm begging and advising you to try and get storage of water and things you need just in case. One of the best things we have done is invest in wheat and a grinder and plant fruit trees and berries. I'm not trying to be an alarmist, but this nation has some serious problems and they aren't going to just disappear. We the people are going to have to pay and being prepared can't hurt. Please just think about this, ok. I worry about my family and I couldn't stand to have any of you going hungry. Maybe it won't come to that, but it wouldn't hurt to listen. Not all of these people are church members...so, it's not just a Mormon thing.
We also had some great advice from firefighters and EMT's the other night about earthquake preparedness, learning to use fire extinguishers, changing your first aid supplies often...bandaids do wear out and fall apart, I saw some. They also advised us to know where our shutoff valves for water, fuel etc. are and have a wrench handy to turn them off in emergencies...all women should know these things. They also said basic CPR and first aid were a must for everyone old enough to learn. They told us that five blocks away from us there was a water line that broke last year and the people were without water for 4 hours and begging the city to bring them some. When they were told that the city didn't do that, they stole the water from the crew working on the lines...they were not even ready for a few hours. We were also told to prepare enough to share if needed and to not tell everyone about our storage supplies, because of looters. That was interesting. If any of you want info on how much and what to store and how long it lasts. let me know. I've been trying out a new product called Thrive, it has a 30 year shelf life and it tastes good...it's freeze dried fruit, veggies and meats. I'm working on getting time to be part of a certs group...a person quailifed to respond to emergencies in the area and help where needed. It's a nine week training course with test etc. I feel like I know alot, but can learn more and be ready when help is needed.
Please kids, consider this. How are my bambinos doing? We need to do some skypeing this weekend, we both have ot off. Yeah! Take care, Love mom

Yard Work...Oh My!!

I feel your pain and joy mom. It's a lot of work but I love it too. My problem is I'm just totally lost...I don't know where to begin! I want to do a planter garden this year because we've heard the soil here is horrible. But where oh where do I start??? Any words of advice would be lovely. I want to start small...carrots, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, green peppers and maybe pumpkins. Have any of you ever tried mail order flowers? I've heard of a company out of Michigan that is supposed to be great.

We are all good...finding plenty to keep us busy. We had half day school all week this week for conferences. The kids are doing great in school and seem to have adjusted quite well...thank goodness. We are gearing up for Kaobe's B-day next week. No idea what to do-possibly bowling or mini golfing with some friends. He wants some stuff for his room-I found him some groovy Beatles posters and a stereo so far! SHhh don't tell. I've been busy looking for jobs-okay not that busy-but I do hope to start working soon. It takes money to do anything unfortunately. We are also looking for a dog! We found a 3yr old Jack Russell/Beagle mix that we are checkin out. Not sure yet.

Mom-you will be receiving a few letters from the kiddos-all on their own!! I'll do better now too! I can't believe April is almost over-where is the year going? I can't wait to wear shorts and tanks though-I'm loving the sunshine. We got some Adirondack chairs for the deck-now we just need a grill and we are all set! My sweet babysitter Ashly offered to come be with the kids tomorrow night so Obeta and I can go out for our anniversary-so sweet of her! So we are going to the Capital Grille again-hopefully I can taste the food this time! Gotta get them all from the bus...pray for me to get a job please. I think I'm ready! Love you all, Me

Missing all of you

It's midnight Tuesday and I can't sleep. I keep thinking about my family and I miss all of you. A rousing game of cards and some junk food with you would help...come on over. How are all of you doing? I've been a slacker lately on keeping in touch. Sorry. Between work, yardwork and church and crocheting, I've used up my hours each day too fast. I'm loving the spring weather and walking and the smells and colors and the several dozen hummingbirds that are in the apricot tree..it does look like popcorn on it and the little birds are loving the blossoms. I mowed lawn last night...here we go. We bought our garden seeds, thinned the berries, trimmed the trees and planted a honeycrisp apple tree. I do love spring work, it gives me a sense of satisfaction to clean up, plant and be outside.
I'm still having a hard time getting used to foundation and powder on my face, but love the Clinique moisturizer I wear at night...it's like morning dew.
Dad is getting some things done with all of his stuff out of the truck. He works alot of hours...more than I expected. We are adjusting ok....I got spoiled doing what I wanted when I wanted.
Are my grandkids being good? Seriously, we are looking into a camera for the computer...we haven't spent much time in town, our schedules are so different and we have to share the car, at least for now. I had to laugh at Leiah, she always tells me about her hot tub, so I asked if I could come and sit in it with her. She yelled, Hey mom, grandma's coming to sit in the hot tub. Wish I were that close to all of you. When the windows get steamed up, Ty's outline of his message before he left can still be seen on the window. That reminds me, I need ten new pieces of artwork from ten bambinos...you know who you are, so get busy kids. I miss all of you and I'm sending hugs and good thoughts your way. Love, mom

Hoppy Easter to the Un-Utahites

Hey everyone!! We are hanging out at Mom & Dad's from some Easter afternoon fun and though we'd post a couple of pics! (Taken by Nikki the Nikon. We love her.)

Underneath the Boxes

Hey Fam,

How is everyone? We are all moved in-thanks for your calls. Most boxes are unpacked-not organized but unpacked! Kaobe and Ada had a tour of their school today and are excited to start tomorrow. Looks like a great school-I'm happy for them! Indy will hopefully start Friday or next week. We feel totally discombobulated-that you how you spell it? There are no neighbors under or next to us-no cars to scrape off and no flights of stairs to carry groceries up! You'd think we'd be in heaven but really we are in a stupor just taking this new life in! Our neighbors are very friendly as are most of the people we have come in contact with out here-we are so not in NJ anymore! People actually say thank you here!! I almost feel like I'm in happy valley!

Love you guys-hope Jess gets to Belgium safe and everyone is happy and healthy! Love, Amanda

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Tyson, you now have a phone message, an email, a facebook message and a blog...guess I covered the bases in wishing you a fun day. Love, grandma

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Bday Ty!! We hope you have the best Superbowl party ever! Thanks so much for your special visit to NJ. We had a fantastic time with you and your sister and mom. We wish you the best 12th year of life ever! Talk to you soon, The Osolu's!!