Busy and space

I would love to find out some sort of way to evenly space out the events in my life. Look at the air this guy is getting. I want some air like that. It seems I always am crazy busy each and every fall. I feel like shouting stop the world I missed fall! It is my very most favorite season, yet we always travel a ton and have a million things needing attention. There are other months during the year that seem more spare. However I do agree with the saying if you want something to get done give it to a busy person. My church is having a Halloween party on Oct. 32 so atleast I get one more chance to feel fall. Really it will be Nov. 1 but I like the whole add a day to Oct. idea. I did just enjoy looking at my friends blogs and loved seeing fall that way. Jody as Cruella, Marlene's hanging pumpkins, Amy's amazing craved pumpkins, Barbs baby Halloween teeth Binky-- the list goes on and on. So if any one knows of a way to even or more evenly space your life that would be fab! I would love to sit at home ad watch fall movies and sip cider or I wish I could rewind the last month and have my camera with me. I enjoyed the most amazing fall leaves during a recent week up at the Cliff Club at Snowbird. The colors jumped off the bushes and the trees looked engulfed in flames of brilliant colors. I am so lucky to live within minutes of these beautiful mountains which I even went to the top of with Scott and my little brother and his wife. It is 11,000 high! Scott wanted us to hike down and I thought is he nuts they just told us they strongly advise against it and he wants to kill us. I had no socks on and my toes were frozen. Marlenen and I kind of barracaded ourselves in there after everyone else left to try and work on the infamous OPC book. Scott gave me until the 15 of Nov and then he is puttting it online for sale. I have not broke the news to Marlene yet. Scott says ready or not it is being published and if we keep chanign it it will never be done. He is smart.
Anth had me watch Thriller up the canyon, which spooked me just like it did when I was little. What happened to Jackson? He was amazing and then he really flipped his lid. The way he dances. One of the videos he wore this sparkle outfit, it was 1979 and I want that outfit- bad. I just love sparkly. Which reminds me of... spending what little time I have at rehearsals. Which I totally love. I just get this amazing energy from performing live. I like it better than voice work-- but it does take more time than voice work. I am currently begging the director into letting my angel outfit be sparkly. He said even women of the night did not wear sparkly in the 1929s to 1945s. I beg him to reconsider. Angels should totally be sparkly.
In the last few weeks I have been juggling 100's of cupcakes, teenagers, Idaho, a week at Snowbird, work, worrying about the election, dealing with hunting season, memorizing lines, Aunt Sues obsession with Obama, Scott's obsession with not Obama, Scott's calling, Scott's stressful job, Scott being very ill, planning trainings, speaking, singing, other ill family members, my Stake YW calling, photos, journals, Scott on the road working, writing and then re writing our OPC book, parties, Scott Dr. appointments, Aunt Sues appointments, Aunt Sues meds, Bella being naughty, friends in depression and a good look at all my blessings which are many. I love to be me, still. It is really great and stressful but I am working to find a straight path that is more clean and clear and with better space. Ha ha who am I kidding- I'm glad we are busy. I just miss the fall:)

I know He lives

I know that God lives.
He gives me feasts for my eyes.
I feel gratitude in my heart.
I know He is aware of my needs. I wish I was.
I love spring for the first time.
I know I don't want it to end.
I know I can find beauty, I just have to look.
This is a tree in my front yard.
It helped me feel alive.
I love my new camera- what freedom!!!

Spring is in the air... WELCOME

My best friend made the front page of the local Layton section of the Ogden Standard Examiner. She goes walking with her neighbor and the kids for exercise and conversation. They noticed a man taking photos of them. He asked if they would mind being in the paper. Every girls dream to make the front page sweaty. But think of the awesome example for her kids of physically fitness, plus it is kind of blurry. I think it is really cool. The nice warm weather has been a wonderful treat after a long cold winter. In fact I am usually sad to see winter end but not this year. I think we were home more than normal and endured the icy yuck longer than normal. I still saw the beauty but felt bad for my brother who was driving around with no heat, the people who were freezing with no shelter and those who were trapped indoors with small bored children. What fun to have our windows open again in the evening and hear kids playing in the neighborhood below us. The birds are chirping and my friends Emily's house is full of daffodils and pansies dot the Temple grounds. I love Utah because of the 4 seasons. This year-- I welcome spring.

Mary and Mark

We are having a fabulous time in IL and WI. We wnet to my favorite custard shop Culvers and the cheese is worth the flight alone along with the Kringle and our dear friends and Arbonne work buddies. They have a big peaceful home that is just beautiful and they are amazing hosts. I love the floor plan they have and how fun and kind they are. Scott of course loves the Brat Stop, he did over do it on the cheese curds and is now paying for it. Mary is a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys and I have the best memories of being with her at Texas Stadium several years ago. We had a photos taken on the 50 yard line. Since I know nothing of sports it was fun to be with someone who has a passion about it. Mary is very steady and calm. She does get nervous, especially when we were not up on time. Mark is a sweet teddy bear. They are hilarious together- opposites attract. I am having a challenge of keeping my thoughts in the present and not on the flight home. I made it this far and I guess everyone is right and we will make it home with no incident. It is scary to me that fear can be so unrealistic and I can know in my head all the logic yet it doesn't get into my heart. I love to travel and see new places. I think of this area like a country time lemonade add, except this time of year it is more like a hot cocoa ad. The people are friendly. Lent is huge so every place you can think of has a big fish fry on Fridays. I have asked about Lent but no one knows for sure why they observe it. I admire people who keep their faith. As I know people think us "Mormons are weird". It keeps snowing which is changing our plans to site see this trip. They have cancelled all church services and the whole town is kind of folded up in a blanket of snow... only the bunnies are venturing out to play. Scott wants to desperatly bring home Buddy... the 5 month old golden retriver Beth and Dean adopted. I won't be surprised if we have a new addition to the Riffle house. Beth is severly allergic. They love him he is a good puppy but they are looking for the perfect home. So are they have spent 3,000 on poor Buddy. It is breaking her heart to find him a new home. Beth and I had a great talk about faith and God being aware of us. They are amazing people.

Snow Show

I have had a hard time sleeping, I am having some physical pains. It is beautiful in WI. I'm loving the winter weather. The snow falling and the street I'm staying on looks like a post card capturing the all American Dream street. As I glanced at the beauty of the white world I saw three little black bunnies dancing in the snow. At first sight I thought I was imagining them. They were palying in the snow, rolling around in the snow, sliding down little hills, chasing each other across the snow. I wanted to join them and make a snow angel or snow man. As I moved they all sat up and looked at me and were frozen, so still. Then they continued to play and run all over this beautiful winter scene. Mary told me they live under her house stoop. I wanted to tickle their tummies and feed them carrots. They are just darling. It made me miss my Mungo. Anth said Aunt Sue and Mungo are both doing good but I miss them. I wish I was home with them right now... I am having a good time but I am getting nervous to fly again. I feel like the bunnies were another way of God speaking peace to me. I loved watching them play. It was predicted to be the most server weather WI had ever had this weekend. It did snow and ice and sleet and blow but I can't imagine it being the worst ever. Some areas near us got 18 inches in a day... that is tons of snow. We were lucky to not get to sever. The Lake was very stormy and the waves breaking on the shore looked beautiful. I love seeing more of America, we have been back here so many times but never in the dead of winter. I looked up our church here, but they were cancelled due to the awful storm. It seemed funny... the post office is rain or shine but I guess church is not.

I know

I know I am a 30 something. I know that is not cool to watch Disney Channel after 5 years old. I know I LOVE it anyways!!! The made for TV movies they make are the best. I really look forward to watching them. Some are better than others. I know they are Corny, I know the acting isn't the best, or the writing. I still like them. Anthony and I used to watch when we were little and now I love to watch with Marlene, Scott, Kelsie, and Kaden. Cheetah Girls is another good one.

Miners Club at the Canyons Park City

One of my favorite get aways is at the Miners Club. We go up there anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks each year. We take Anthony and Salina, Neal and Lynda, Mom, or our cousins and have so much fun. We went this time with Marlene and family. My favorite times are with the Kinikini's. I love to travel with them. I always feel totally at home and comfortable with them. It is wonderful being with the kids, I love spending time with my best friend Marlene. Scott and Karson loosen up and let the mullets down-- they must have eaten their weight in meat. We go out to eat, we watch movies, we shop, we go to main street, we eat, we watch Disney, we swim, we walk, we laugh. About 6 weeks ago we had a cheetah party up there. We reserved the movie screening room and had a primer night. This trip it seems like all we did was laundry and dishes:) Every time I turned around we were turning on the dishwasher. It was almost humours. We also had a day in jammies- I love those. We watched Christmas movies, cooked and baked, tried to scrapbook and laughed. Scott and I went to the timeshare presentation. It was supposed to be 90 min. We were there for about 25 min and got 200.00:) Kelsie said "wow you are rich!" I loved how Kaden crawled all over me and made his belly button talk. Kelsie had sleepovers in our room where we sang songs trying to guess which song we were singing. Marlene and I went to Baja Cantina just the two of us-- the men held down the fort. We all took turns being sick and trying to keep the baby from noticing Mommy wasn't right there. At four months she is already a mommy girl. She has an adorable smile and giggle.

Ready for a close up?

Scott wanted to me to post these very adorable close up shots. We are soooo proud. I told Marlene we sure married some cuties!

"Do you want to look like this?"

It is frightening what a cheap pair of false teeth can do to a hunky husband. Not only is the look scary- the talk and demeanour changes to fit the teeth. This year a mullet was added to the ensemble. The first time it came onto the Halloween scene-- all Scott said all night was "why you little" or "woman, get me some food". Any of you who know this sweet gentle man can imagine why this Halloween transformation is stark to reality. When we got home from our annual night of all hallows eve with the Kinikini's I got an email from our dear friends who live out of state. It said Glamour Shots by Deb... do you want to look like this? It made me laugh out loud. We may be separated by miles but our three hubby's are still on the same wave length.

Happy Halloween

We have always wanted to attend a costume party. Every year we would hope to get invited. We would ask around and no one we knew ever had a costume party. So we decided to have our own. I could not have done it without help. Melissa, Salina, Anthony, Marlene, Karson (our D.J.) and Scott were a huge help to make it a success. We had so much fun. Loved seeing the 80's outfits. They were rad!!! We had tons of food and the decorations were perfect because they were left over from a party the night before.

Melissa and Salina made ghoulish treats. Anthony got dry ice which was really fun and festive. It was a dream come true for me to wear my Sleeping Beauty in blue dress. Melissa made it and it was stunning. When I would see my reflection I would gasp. Scott was Prince Phillip. We won the most elaborate costume prize. All of the costumes Melissa made won prizes. Strawberry Shortcake, Popeye, Olive Oil, and Sweet Pea. I loved the Punky Brewster, Marlene's 80's,

Indiana Jones and Yoda costumes. I only wish I had more time to visit with everyone there. We had a great turn out. You can view a photo album and add photos of your own at:

http://riffle2006halloween.evite.shutterfly.com

Happy Day

I just spent a week with my friend in Eden. We started out with 4 of us then 2 and at the end of the week our husbands and her children joined us. I loved staying up late the first night and talking to her until 4:30 AM. She is an amazing mom. They planned as a family on the way home to go to a special park. All the kids feel asleep in the car. Thus no park. When they woke up and found they had missed the park, they were sad. She is smart, she made it all better for them.
Guess what made everything alright??? A trip to McDonald's. Yip- a trip to where over a billion have been served. It made me think. Remember a time when McDonald's made it all better? Or when a trip to McDonald's was quite the event? I loved the Birthday parties I had at the Ronald McDonald Room in back of McDonald's. I was thinking about my childhood the entire week because we owned a condo in the area growing up. I walk down to where it was and rang the doorbell. I'm not sure who I thought would open the door. I guess in some childish way I was hoping it would be my family. I wish I could go back and be with all of them for a day. Today I saw my Friends little girl and when she was learning to talk all she could say was... Happy Day. It expressed her safe happy feeling inside. I love that she recognizes her emotions and expresses them. I wonder if I realized what a Happy Day I was having as a child?

The stay was beautiful. I loved seeing the fall leaves and the hot air balloons. I loved watching the sunsets and the sunrise. The beauty out every window. I loved watching the snow gently fall and the the landscape turn white. It really showed off the ski runs. It is a treasure up there. I also loved the late night talks with my friends. I loved waking up and hearing Kelsie think of every way possible to get my eyes open. We watched all these fun Halloweentown movies. I loved watching Scott hold the baby and enjoy it. OH HAPPY DAY!!!

Pumpkin Patch

I have been working on a scrapbook layout for over three years that requires photos of a pumpkin patch. I scraplifted the layout from the famous Marlene scrapbook diva. I love her work. Her style is classic and timeless. Clean lines, great photos, very nice. Here are a few from this year that I can choose from. What is your vote? hee hee

Fall in love all over again

There is something magic about fall. The crisp air, the crunch of colored leaves, the aromas (I imagine are amazing) of spice and warmth fill the air. To me it is a time of renewal. A time to recharge and start anew. One of the traditions we have started is Hauntober Fest. Where the Disney Channel plays childrens Halloween movies each night. We gather together as a family and enjoy them together. Also Frightmares at Lagoon a new way to celebrate the change of season. All my favorite holidays are in the fall. My birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, New Years, and here is to making them last as long as possible. This year we will be hosting our very first ever Halloween party. I could not be more excited about my costume. I had it professionally made by a woman who wears awesome sparkly jewelrly and is fashion forward. I wish I had her sence of style-- let alone her talent in sewing. She is the one to help me get my blog:) My costume is a dream come ture:) My cute friends stopped by on Sunday and got to see it. They were shocked at how perfect it is. Kelsie had a huge goofy grin. I love being her blonde mom.