Wandering Still

Well, where did I go?

2012-01-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

You might be thinking, "Gee, nice little break Michelle's taking in the middle of January." I'm sure you're all just reeling from my lack of writing lately...right? Doubtful. But I did want to pop in today and give you a little update.

First, I went to Chicago for a week with two of my sisters and had a lot of fun, but also the stress of family relationship drama. It drained me and I haven't felt like doing any deep thinking since I got back.

Second, I've been in the throes of morning sickness for a little over a week. I really wish the term was not "morning" sickness, but rather, "You'll feel crappy when you wake up, crappy for all but about 1-hour during the day, and 10x more crappy at night before you go to bed" sickness. Thank goodness for my most fabulous husband who has just let me lay around all day for basically 7 days.

Unfortunately, he left today for a week of work in California and it's back to acting like a grown-up instead of like my 4-year-old with the stomach flu. With my mind focused on the basic skills of not regurgitating everything I eat, I might have a light presence here for awhile. Or, then again, I might not. We'll have to wait and see...

In My Heart On Thursday

2012-01-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

-Via Pinterest

A Year of Reading 2011

2012-01-14T14:17:00.003-07:00

Last year was not a huge year of reading for me. Looking over my fairly short list is a little saddening. I guess I was busy doing other things (the 75% increase in blog posts may be one of the culprits). As I work on re-prioritizing my life this year, hopefully reading will find it's way back to the forefront.

The refreshing news is that a lot of the books I did read in 2011 were extraordinary! I've divided them into categories and linked them to Goodreads in case you want more information. If you've read any of these, I'd love to hear your review. And if you've got any great recommendations, I'll add them to my reading list right away!

Fiction
Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand) Incredible story I've read before and listened to on audio-book this year. It's LONG, but extremely applicable in our current political climate. Don't be scared off, though. I love this story simply for it's story. The characters and plot are captivating!

Surface of Earth (Reynolds Price) Honest story of the history that makes up family. Reminds me in theme of Liars and Saints (Meloy) which I read last year and loved. The first 1/4 of this book is complicated, forced, and uninspiring...until you get into the rest of the story and realize how important it was to start as far back as the author did. The author quite obviously had a deep connection with the the later generations of this family, but had to introduce you to their predecessors first. The deeper I read into this book, the more deeply I forgave him for the lack of connection in the beginning.

Source of Light-(Reynolds Price) Nowhere near as dynamic as the first book. The story lines that carried over from the first book stayed strong, but the new focus on the older youngest character was muddled and less than gripping. Even so, I'd have enjoyed it much more if I'd not had to skip 4 sections due to homosexual content.

The Promise of Rest-(Reynolds Price) Of the three books in this series, this one best fits the bill of being a stand-alone story with a solid and poignant tale to tell. As part of a series, it is probably the weakest at bringing in the previous storyline, but it does not suffer in the least bit because of that. Reading this story did a great service in assuaging my disappointments in the content of the second book-it's amazing how the way a topic is presented can make ALL the difference.This book is beautiful. The series of three books moved me. If it was a common practice to know our own family histories in this way, I think it would make a huge impact on society. (To recap: this series as stand-alone stories were just alright, but the series as a whole story is extremely beautiful and heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. I would tell you 100 times to read it.)

State Fair-(Phil Strong) Set in Iowa, it made me nostalgic for home (it even mentions my little town) A great job of capturing all the magic of the Iowa State Fair, and descriptive enough to take me back to the buildings and events still standing there, even though it was written in the early 1900's.

The Bell Jar-(Sylvia Plath) Disturbing.

Leaping: Revelations & Epiphanies-(Brian Doyle) I'm really not a fan of compilation books. This one contained essays the author had written over many years. The book lacked continuity as the age of his children jumped from birth to 3 years back to 1 years up to six years and back again and again. However, the anchovy chapter and chapter directly following it were heart-warming and funny.

Charlotte's Web-(E.B. White) The first chapter book I've read with my son. Simple and yet it made me cry.

Breakfast at Tiffany's-(Truman Capote) I've never been able to concentrate on this movie but it seems like the book and the movie are very different. I'm not a short-story reader-I get really annoyed-but the short stories in the second half of this book held my attention.

The Wednesday Sisters-(Meg Waite Clayton) A book about writer's and women-motivating in my life right now.

The Faraday Girls-(Monica McInerney) This author is one of my guilty pleasures. Her books are never deep reads, but I love her as an author. Her characters are always families of girls and I connect with them that way. This was my least favorite of the three books I've read from her, but it still comes around in the end.

Non-Fiction
Tilt-(Nicholas Shrady) A very readable history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Interesting and engaging, not too much information, but enough to clear up rumors and teach you something. Made me want to head back there right away.

The Children's Blizzard-(David Laskin) The story of a tragic historical event that few people have probably ever learned about. Very smooth read, but the author admits that he took "poetic license" with some of the stories. Takes away from the credibility when you're telling me in detail what a dead person was feeling moments before they perished.

Personal Stories
Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place-(Terry Tempest Williams) I enjoy reading books located in my own environment and so the Utah places in this book felt like home. An interesting point of view on the floods from the 1980's and I learned a lot about the history of that time. While I did not feel the emotional connection with the author's personal tragedies, it did help me to get a better perspective of my own husband's similar tragedy happening at the exact same time as her mother. A good read.

The Hiding Place- (Corrie ten Boom) Amazing amount of courage and conviction during WWII.

The Tale of the Rose: The Love Story Behind The Little Prince-(Consuelo de Saint Exupery) The most honest and candid (without a trace of sensationalism) I've seen portrayed in writing. Not superb writing, but the tumultuous fervor of their relationship was gripping. A sad life of love.

The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment-(A.J. Jacobs)I LOVE AJ Jacobs and his brand of experimental journalism. Not all the month-long experiments recorded in this book are entertaining or intriguing, but the good ones by far made up for it. I can't wait to see what he does next!

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana-(Gayle Tzemach Lemmon) Set in Afghanistan, refreshing to hear a story of local people making a difference rather than a foreigner coming in to bring about change.

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life-(Amy Krouse Rosenthal) Inspiring idea-anybody could take it and create their own encyclopedia. Beginning is quirky and accurate enough to take you back to the way the world was 5 years ago.The rest of the book gets mundane. The stories and insights are still fun and unique to her, but after awhile her outside-the-box way of looking at life just isn't realistic anymore.

Parenting
I Didn't Plan To Be A Witch : And Other Surprises of a Joyful Mother-(Linda Eyre) I love Linda Eyre, but this book did absolutely nothing for me. Too many stories that didn't relate to my stage in life (which isn't to say I don't understand the witch part...)

5 Spiritual Solutions for Everyday Parenting Challenges- (Richard Eyre) The best parenting book I've ever read-Focuses on LDS principles but good for any parent of any faith. Chapters 1&2 applied especially to me now as I deal with young children, but I can 100% see how other chapters will help me as my kids grow. A definite book I'll always keep in my home.

Parenting With Love and Logic-(Foster Cline) Great training, but too much. It was overwhelming and I got lost in trying to think of implementing it.

Spiritual
The Migrations, Alliances, and Power of Israel in Western Europe and Central Asia: A Latter-day Saint Perspective on the Lost Tribes-(Dale Nelson) I won't lie-this is incredibly dry reading. But it was fascinating! I've never paid much attention to the history of Israel and the Lost Tribes. This book gives a perspective on how the tribes scattered and how current heritages might track back to those ancient days.

Believing Christ: The Parable of the Bicycle and Other Good News-(Stephen E Robinson) I know people LOVE this book. The teachings are sound, but it didn't move me. Perhaps when my life is in a different place...

Travel
How Did You Get This Number-(Sloane Crosley) The travel tales resonated because I've experienced the exact same places. The life stories interjected in between the traveling were quirky. I'd love to read an entire travel book by Crosley, but the going back and forth in this book jarred me out of the fun she was trying to create.

Backpacking with a Husband: Chasin' Murphy's Law-(Lesley Boutilier) Fabulous 1st chapter...this girl is just like me!!! The rest of the book consists of all the European McDonald's she eats at, all the dreams her husband has that she squashes, and all the times the two of them do not have sex. Plus, she's an English teacher and there are so many typos and grammatical errors that she'd have to give herself an F. Awful!

What's on your reading list for 2012?

For more reading inspiration,

check out my reading lists

for 2008, 2009, & 2010

In My Heart On Thursday

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's 10 minutes, but worth it.
I started crying at 4:29 and the tears kept falling
Thank you, One Mom's Moxie, for posting it for me to see

Resolve #1-Making a SMALL part of My World Better

2012-01-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to be one of those women that does all her shopping with re-usable bags. Over time I've gathered a few boring store brand ones, but I NEVER remember to use them. Even if they're in the empty seat beside me as I pull into the grocery store parking lot, I will grab my purse and not give a thought to grabbing them as well.

My community does not offer any kind of curbside recycling, so it's not a habit I've ever gotten in to. In my house plastic bags go straight into the garbage. I have absolutely no use for them (well, lining the bathroom trashcan, maybe). I know stores have collection bins, but if I can't remember a bag I paid for when I go in the store, there's no way I'm going to remember a wad of dirty plastic ones. If I'm quick enough at the checkout stand, I do usually get paper bags so I can cut them up and use for crafting with my kids. I've been noticing, though, that several of my regular grocery haunts have quit using paper bags completely (Kroger, you are my biggest offender!).

And so, for an easy way to get 2012 off on the right foot, I'm converting to all re-usable shopping bags! I should feel ashamed to tell you it's not actually for the recycling after all. But I'm not ashamed. I just want to shop with pretty bags that make me happy. I went hunting last week and found a great selection-huge bags at TJ Maxx, tiny bags at Ross Dress for Less, and bags to get the kids excited at Toys 'R Us. I have a few that fold up very small to fit in my purse, and one Envirosak that I bought a long time ago on Totsy.

Have they made it out on a shopping trip with me? Three trips to the store in the last week, and I forgot my bags the first two. But I made up for it today! I took them to Costco and didn't have to make 15 trips from the car to the house when I got home. The bagboy for the rest of my grocery shopping thanked me for having such big bags. And he even used one of the tiny ones for my white wine vinegar and cheese. This is the beginning of a new way of life for me!

Do you shop with re-usable bags?

I'd love to hear about your favorite one!

I Wandered Off, but I'm Wandering Still...

2012-01-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

If you were hanging out with me a year ago, you might remember that I was walking around with a pretty dismal view of the New Year. In the end, however, 2011 turned out to be a pretty great year. I had the privilege of teaching some extremely powerful Relief Society lessons where the class taught me more than I possibly could have given to them. I got to go on a shopping spree. I traveled with my family to the Grand Canyon, San Diego, all over New Mexico, and a gigantic swap meet in the Midwest. And I finally found a way to love my hair. Going into 2012 I have a thousand reasons to be happy and grateful.

As I think about what I want to accomplish in the coming year, the word that keeps coming to mind is "responsibility." Nearly every area of my life could be marked with bright red "LAZY" stamp across the top of it. In cultivating that laziness, I've neglected a lot of people and a lot of opportunities. It's time for me to get busy being the person I'm supposed to be.

My new resolve breaks down into five basic categories:

~Making my physical world better (one little step, or maybe two)

~Fixing the damage caused by considering myself a stay-at-home mom instead of a homemaker

~Testing my grit as a homeschooling parent before I make a decision I hate

~Realistically making our extended travel plans

~Blogging the way I'm supposed to be.

I'll write about each of those in the coming weeks. About the blogging, however, I want to apologize now for letting myself get carried away. The past year on this blog has been so fun, but the past few months, especially, have been unfulfilling. I started this blog as an outlet for thoughts that were important to me. When people ask what I write about, I tell them, "a little bit faith, a little bit life, a little bit traveling." Those are the things that are important to me. I never wanted Wandering Still to be money-making or popularity inducing. I just wanted to share my thoughts with the people who wanted to listen. Thank you to those of you who've wandered off with me. But rest assured,

2012 is going to find me getting back to "ME."

I hope you'll join me on the journey.

In My Heart On Thursday

2012-01-05T00:01:00.001-07:00

What are you planning for the New Year?

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-12-22T09:56:00.001-07:00

As I prepare to head home for the holidays, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.
Enjoy the time you have to spend with family and I'll see you again next week!

-Michelle, Wandering Still

Uniquely December: Winter Solstice

2011-12-21T00:01:00.001-07:00

Officially, the winter solstice does not strike until late late tonight and so a lot of time zones in the world will recognize this year's winter solstice on the 22nd. Where I live, however, the official start of winter will be at 10:30pm and so I'm celebrating today.

Having lived so long in Alaska's Midnight Sun, the Summer Solstice is my big celebration holiday. I have a big get together in June every year. I did spend one winter up there, though, and can tell you the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere takes on a whole new meaning in the extreme north. In Fairbanks, where I lived, a good share of the winter months barely see the shades of dusk in the middle of the day. Literally, the sun will barely break the horizon, move across the sky, and then retreat. The whole sunrise, daylight, sunset process happened between 11 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. (Makes for a really dark day when you go to work in the dark and go home from work in the dark)

In complete contrast, I've spent more than one winter solstice on the opposite half of the world. In the Southern Hemisphere, the December solstice marks the longest day of the year. Ah, summer! I need to figure out a way to swap hemispheres halfway through the year and get double the summer solstice partying and festivities!

Now I'm curious-

What does the solstice look like where you are today?

Uniquely December: Go Caroling Day

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Did you grow up in a family that went Christmas caroling? Every year our Camp Fire groups would climb on a haywagon and sing our way through the streets of our little town. Sometimes we would walk the halls of the local nursing home as well. Although I grew up in a family that loved to sing, I only remember us caroling as a family one time. I'm sure I enjoyed it, but I only specifically remember one house where we sang. It was my mom's friend, a single lady who's children were grown, and while I'm sure she loved it, the longer we sang the sillier I felt. I just wanted to get out of there.

I wanted to find a cheerful uplifting video of Christmas carolers to share with you today. Instead what I found was an Internet FULL of amateur videos conveying everything that I remember being painful in my own caroling life (freezing cold, people looking at you bored and confused). So, sorry. No classic caroling videos.

With my search at a dead end, I decided to share the two videos that amazed me and made me smile. I hope you enjoy!

3 songs, each one better than the last

It'll get addictive...

Do you have plans this week for Christmas caroling?

Uniquely December: Find An Evergreen Day

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today I'm re-sharing a post of one of my favorite childhood holiday memories ...

The winter holidays are meant for kids. Santa Claus is real, snow falls solely for sledding and building snow families, and a baby (just like I used to be, they'll say) was born in the hay. When else do we let them bring trees in the house or bury them with brand new toys, shiny paper, and glittery ribbon? In the thick of it, they'll tell you every bit of it is magical. It's not until we get a little older that particular pieces of that holiday magic begin to plant themselves in a special part of our memory. For me, the enchantment was the Christmas tree.

Growing up in Iowa, the formula for the perfect Christmas tree involved waiting for a bitter cold day and swirling biting winds. The whole family piled out of the station wagon at the country Christmas tree farm, picked up a hacksaw and trudged acres and acres to the farthest, most un-harvested hill. The arguments then ensued as six girls poured out their hearts in defense of their " perfect" tree. Ultimately, Mom got the one she wanted, and the saw went to work chopping down her tree.

The adventure continued on as we dragged our enormous tree back across the snow-laden hills looking for a tractor and trailer willing to give us a ride back to our car. If we were lucky, the tree would fit in the baler-one year it would not-and a great big Christmas tree bundle got strapped to the top of the car. Piling back into the station wagon, we raced home to set up our tree.

The happy memories don't end there. Getting the tree home was only half the act. Enter Pa-pa and his voice of reason. "Dawn, that tree is too big. It won't fit in our house." He was right nearly every year. The tree's trunk always received a second round of shearing before taking it's place front and center in the living room window.

After the tree was decorated and lit, we enjoyed seeing more and more presents accumulate underneath. We would plug in the lights in the late afternoon and sometime before going to bed, Mom and Dad would unplug it again. Until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we all knew the twinkling lights stayed on all night. Early in the morning (or later in the morning depending on how old we were getting to be), six girls would tumble out of bed, shuffle into the living room and be greeted with the most breathtaking sight! The glow of the Christmas tree illuminated the room, shining off wrapping paper, and calling attention to a big bag from Santa. Spread out on the floor, in front of the tree, were six stuffed-to-the-brim stockings inviting us to come and partake. With the allure of new toys, the moment was over in the blink of an eye, but the living room aglow on Christmas morning is what Christmas time magical to me.

Imagine then, the struggle it's been with a husband who grew up a little bit differently. In a home that in all ways seemed even more frugal than my own, the electric bill at Christmas time apparently just went out the window. He wants the lights on all the time, day and night and any extra time in between. Last year we followed each other around, secretly plugging and unplugging. I was certain he was being obstinate only because he didn't like digging around for the loose cords to fit into the socket. There had to be a solution before we started our holiday celebrating again this year.

In come our kids. Even before talking about getting a tree, Beck was telling us excitedly and assuredly that Christmas trees have lots of presents and candy canes. I have no idea where the candy canes came from, but he was certain and now our tree is covered in candy canes and he's eating one every day. The first night we had our tree up I heard Beck telling his dad that if he couldn't sleep he would just come out and look at the tree. The second night we had our tree up, I found him Beck sleeping on the couch and when he woke up the first thing he said was, "I just wanted to lay here and look at this beautiful tree."

A mom's heart melts. It's a struggle to walk by and see the lights on at all times of the day. I want my family to know joy the way I remember it as a child. At the same time, who am I to take away a three-year-old's joy? Children make the holidays!

Uniquely December: National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

2011-12-16T12:57:00.000-07:00

Last year for Christmas my sister Brooke brought homemade chocolate truffles to snack on. I prefer to call them "Death by Christmas Treat." This year she is upping the ante and has promised to bring the truffles but also 6 additional chocolate sweet treats. She's going to kill me.

I'm foregoing the cocoa-based delectable in my homemade goodies this year. Instead I'm filling my cute Christmas tins with Sugared Cranberries and Candied Nuts. What yummies are coming out of your kitchen this holiday season?

Uniquely December: Bill of Rights Day (and In My Heart On Thursday, as well)

2011-12-15T00:01:00.001-07:00

Our Bill of Rights...have you read them recently?

Uniquely December Winner #5 (and a BIG Thank You!)

2011-12-14T07:00:00.001-07:00

Before I announce the winner of the "Some of My Favorite Things" giveaway, I have to say thank you for sharing all of YOUR favorite things. I want to hang out with all of you! So, who was today's winner?

Congratulations

#86

Jen

Winner notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond before new winner is chosen.

Winner chosen by Random.org

I am blown away by the number of people who stopped by to enter my Uniquely December giveaways! For those of you I've known for awhile, thanks so much for always being here.

And a huge welcome to each of you who stopped by for the first or second time.

I really look forward to hearing from you again soon!

Curly Hair Challenge Wrap-Up and a Winner

2011-12-14T00:34:00.000-07:00

It has been a long six weeks for me and my curly hair. My sister Kathy and I started out completely on a whim and have changed our lives forever. Here are the updates...

Kathy, in her own words:

Was the Curly Hair Challenge worth it? Yes! There are definite drawbacks. The main one being that it really requires me to wash my hair every day, which does not always work for this SAHM. The advantages far outweigh the inconvenience, however. I cannot remember another time in my life when my hair has been so predictable. I know that there is going to be little frizz and the curls are going to lay nicely. From this point forward, I plan to continue using only conditioner until the time comes when it stops working.

Kathy's hair has always been more dry than mine, but also always had a tighter curl. The challenge seemed to be working for her right from the beginning and the extremes (oiliness, itchiness, etc) never seemed quite as extreme on her head as they did on mine. Her results have been great and I know she's hoping the results are as good next summer when the curly-hair nightmare, humidity, returns.

And now me:

For me, the proof is in the pudding-look at the difference in those photos! (Okay, obviously the lighting was completely different, I'd love to have the second hair color!) I've mentioned in previous posts that my hair is so much softer than it's ever been before and I get caught off guard sometimes because the curls literally bounce while I'm walking. The greasiness in the beginning was pretty disgusting and the itchiness after that almost drove me crazy, but the last three weeks have been a constant improvement and I'm so glad I stuck with it.

Kathy's definitely sticking with the new routine in it's true form. I think I'll be striking out to find a great modified balance.

I am going back to a shampoo, but have 100% switched to an all-natural product. My scalp is definitely in need of a good deep cleansing. However, I'm not going to shampoo all the time. Only occasionally to let my scalp breathe.
Originally I thought I'd cut the deep conditioning back to only on occasion, but Kathy tried it and noticed a HUGE difference in dryness after just the first time. That's all I needed to hear-I'm sticking with the deep conditioning.
I haven't fallen in love with the gel yet. I have it and will keep using it until it's gone, but the next step for me is to try a couple different styling products and see if I can get the same results I get with gel.

Is the 6-week Curly Hair Challenge worth a try? ABSOLUTELY!! Kathy and I both have the curliest, most defined, least frizzy hair we've had since we were kids. The last thing I'll rave about is the volume at my roots! The hair framing my forehead has been lifeless and thin for years. Now, my roots are just as curly and full of life as the rest of my locks. I'M LOVING IT!!!

And now, for the winner, of the Hair Challenge Giveaway...

Congratulations, JoAnn!

Winner has been notified and responded.

Winner chosen by Random.org

Uniquely December: Monkey Day

2011-12-14T00:01:00.001-07:00

I found an odd blog while researching for today. It's devoted entirely to news reports mentioning monkeys. I originally was directed there to read an article on how the Japanese government is going to continue testing nuclear-affected areas from the tsunami disaster by re-releasing native wild monkeys where it is still unsafe for people to be. That seemed a little disturbing.

Reading through more of the monkey blog is what turned out to be disturbing. Why? I just want to ask, "Why?"

Please, go there, and tell me I'm not crazy...

Monkeys In the News

Hair Challenge Giveaway Winner...Almost

2011-12-13T05:00:00.001-07:00

The good news is, we have a winner!

The suspense is that I'm going to make you wait to find out who it is.

Watch for the post with the winner coming along tomorrow with the Hair Challenge wrap-up.

So you don't feel like I gave you nothing today, take a look at this great Hair Challenge summary you all wrote for me...

By FAR, the most talked about idea was Plopping! I'm telling you, drying with a t-shirt is definitely the answer!
Baking soda can be used as a hair wash with varying degrees of success.
My hair really is bouncier and softer.
Most obvious, how could you have missed it point: Sulfates and silicones are terrible on your hair!
Terrycloth towels make frizzy hair worse (again, switch to a t-shirt)
It takes courage, but it's worth it (That's for you, Jeanette)
After the t-shirt, air drying is definitely best on curly hair.
Aubrey Organics has only natural ingredients

I look forward to hearing from anyone that tries these things out!

Uniquely December: Ice Cream Day

2011-12-13T00:01:00.001-07:00

If you were reading awhile back, you know that I love Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey and that I also struggle supporting that particular ice cream establishment due to our differing political views. When I mentioned it just a few months ago I hadn't found the impetus to make a definite turn away from my favorite frozen delicacy. Today, however, I've taking my stand.

With Ben and Jerry's today throwing their corporate support behind the Occupy Movement, I will no longer support them even to indulge my strongest cravings. Not because there isn't good to be done buried somewhere deep in the mess that is the Occupy Movement. And not because I disagree with their long-standing efforts to support employees and consumers over corporate interests. The reason I can no longer sneak my Chunky Monkey has much more to do with their decision to fuel a completely ineffective and direction-less movement.

Over the past few months I've found myself in several different states and seeing fairly up close the Occupy Movements in several those areas. I've listened intently to what the Occupiers in my own neck of the woods are saying, and there's not much coherence there. I know they must believe strongly in what they're fighting for-why else would they have stretched their protests into the bitter cold of winter? But no one else is believing them because their is no concise point for us to be believing.

Let me share my view of the Occupy movement based on what has happened here in Salt Lake City...

Pioneer Park for years was a haven for homeless people and drug dealers. It was a BIG problem; a historic and significant area of the city and nobody was able to enjoy it. Finally the city stepped in to clean up the park and the problem. Over the past few years they have made tremendous strides in cracking down on crime and finding shelter options for those in need. Families are coming back to the park. The farmer's market sets up there once again and a new summer concert series packs a crowd every week.

So what is the logical next step for a park with such a troubled past? I promise you it's not a group of unorganized squatters pitching tents and piling up trash in the walkways. It's not a group of people who apparently also have no homes because they never go there and also maybe can't read because they are completely oblivious to the printed park curfew signs. The city bent over backwards, set aside their own city tenets, to enable a peaceable protest. The SLC Occupiers recognized that. Then a man in a tent died. The city had to put their foot down. And the occupiers lawyered up to sue on the grounds that the city violated their own laws by letting the protesters stay.

What are the SLC Occupiers fighting for? I have no idea. On Black Friday they were calling for a boycott of shopping at Wal-Mart because Wal-Mart undercuts prices and products that are American-made. Today, they're "riding our bikes very slowly" in front of trucks leaving the Wal-Mart distribution centers to show solidarity for the Wal-Mart workers who "deserve a living wage" and should unionize. Are you kidding me? Riding your bikes very slowly in front of a moving 18-wheeler? Great cause. Great movement.

If I think about it, I suppose the Occupiers are out there fighting for me. Right? Middle-class family struggling to keep health insurance, a bit afraid of the rate at which the price of food is rising, and wondering what comes next. But you know what? My husband and I won't be joining you. No. We're working. We're supporting our family. We're making ends meet the best way we can and looking for opportunities to intelligently make our situation better. Know what else? We're bathing! (Well, okay, except for the no shampoo thing...)

What does all this have to do with ice cream? Absolutely nothing. Except that Ben & Jerry's has made it their new mission to stick their noses into the mess. If, in the long run, their clout and own corporate dollars are successful in finally bringing a point to the Occupy movement, hurray for them. Let them be a catalyst for something good (it'd definitely be better than touring with a burning effigy of the President). For now, though, I am one of little faith. I'll continue to grant them their creative tastiness, but will no longer be indulging...in their ice cream or in their involvement with the Occupy movement.

Uniquely December: Gingerbread House Day

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Someday I will learn how to make a real gingerbread house. Until then, my family thinks they're made with graham crackers and this is what they look like...

A Winner for Uniquely December Giveaway #3 and Your Favorite Links

2011-12-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

The lucky winner of the Season of Love giveaway is

#50

Stacie

Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Winners chosen by Random.org.

For fun, here are the birthday month links you took a look at. Maybe you'll find something else worth reading!

Letter P (Pinterest)

Steve Jobs

A Little Spoon Love

What Are Your Priorities?

Dreams Come True

This Is Where I Really Want To Be

Little Miss Muffet

World AIDS Awareness Day

Big Sister, Little Sister

A Little Piece of Paper Defines Me

Curly Hair Challenge

Why I've Been Missing

A Year of Reading 2010

Let's Do A Little A-Z

Uniquely December: International Mountain Day

2011-12-11T16:48:00.001-07:00

Out my front door right now I can see the snow-topped mountains of Utah's Wasatch Mountain Range and it has me pondering the journey I've taken to get me here from where I grew up on the grassy Midwest plains.

My first trip to the mountains was on a church youth group retreat before I graduated high school. We took a 14-hour charter bus ride to Estes Park, Colorado and toured through the Rocky Mountain National Park. Hanging over the edge as the bus crawled around the curves nearly had me jumping out of my skin. And to this day I think back to our day of cliff rappelling as my first real-life faith lesson (which I failed miserably, but continue to learn from).

My next foray into the mountains came in a big way the day I left home in my car driving to Alaska. No person, driving solo for days in early spring over the ALCAN Highway, can say they've stayed sane. But Alaska grew on me and living within view of Mt. McKinley off and on for eight years gave me a great appreciation for the wonder and magnificence of the Earth and it's Creator.

Several years ago I got to travel with my family to Switzerland where we spent the day shadowed by the Matterhorn. It was beautiful and impossible not to marvel at it's grandeur as it slipped in and out of it's cover of clouds.

Now here I am living in Utah. My husband grew up in the mountains and feels out of place in wide open spaces. My 4-year-old is learning how to ski and I realize I'm now raising mountain boys. When I first moved here I thought for sure I'd never take the mountains for granted, but the day did come when I was driving down the freeway and was struck by the thought that I hadn't given the mountains any thought for longer than I could remember. And then the day came when I'd flown back to visit the land of my childhood, but only felt like I was "home" as I flew back over the Wasatch Range to land in Salt Lake City.

The mountains have come to mean a great deal to me? What impact have they had on you?

Winner of "What A Girl Wants"

2011-12-11T15:48:00.001-07:00

In the midst of 121 entries, I found a winner for the Uniquely December Giveaway #2 offered by To Sew With Love!

Congratulations

#103 Julie

Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Winners chosen by Random.org.

And I look forward to seeing what you make from the To Sew With Love tutorials!

Uniquely December: Nobel Prize Day

2011-12-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

"If I Have 300 Ideas in a Year and Just One Turns Out to Work I Am Satisfied"

-Alfred Bernhard Nobel

Let's not shortchange the 2011 Nobel Laureates...it's actually Nobel Prize Week. One look at their website and you'll realize you've missed out on quite the party! At first glance NobelPrize.org is predictably dry and boring. But give it a click or two and you'll discover that someone on the Nobel Prize Committee has made a valiant effort to make what they do entertaining.

For example, you can watch a time lapse video of the banquet set-up and gala. If you've ever worked in banquets you'll think this is pretty interesting. Watch the 2-minute video here...

You can read about the 43 women who have won the Nobel Prize,

Or find the locations of many Nobel Laureates when they found out they had won the prestigious award (apparently it's a completely unexpected call only minutes before the official announcement is made).

What did I learn while looking around at NobelPrize.org? Something extremely useful, of course...

Apparently it's become a tradition for Nobel Laureates to visit the Nobel Museum and sign the underside of a chair at Bistro Nobel. Why? I have absolutely no idea! But it happens, so the next time you stop in there for lunch, take a peek underneath your seat...you can guarantee I've added this to my list of must-do's the next time I'm traveling through Sweden!

The Nobel Prize website really is worth a look around. Especially do it today-Stockholm is hours ahead of the United States so their December 10th has already finished and you'll feel like you're reading news from the future. And while you're there take a stab at the 2011 Nobel Prize Quiz. I got 9 out of 10 right and I challenge you to beat me!

Two Prizes Going Out From the Something Store!!!

2011-12-09T22:38:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our winners of Uniquely December Giveaway #1

The Something Store!!

#31 Christian

#64 Emily

Winners will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen.

Winners chosen by Random.org.

I can't wait to see what "something" you receive!!

Uniquely December Giveaway #5 Some of My Favorite Things

2011-12-09T00:01:00.005-07:00

*Giveaway now closed*

For the final Uniquely December Giveaway I wanted to share with you a special Christmas gift...a few of my favorite things...

First, I'm a journal junkie and happen to have a stash of new ones waiting to be used. I picked this one out for you, along with two pens that I'm in love with.

Second, don't these look delicious? I'm resisting the urge to open the bag, take one out, and then seal it back up before I send them to you.

Third, I love these socks from Target. They're super affordable with lots of bright colors to choose from.

Fourth, some cute new earrings because jewelry always makes me feel happy.

Are you getting excited? Here's how to win:

Giveaway Items:

1 Journal, 2 Pens, 1 package Ghirardelli Dark & Sea Salt Caramel Chocolates, 2 pair socks, 1 pair earrings

Giveaway Information:

One winner will receive entire giveaway package

Contest will begin at 12:01AM(MST) on Friday, December 9, 2011

and end at 10:00PM(MST) on Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada residents only

Entry Options:

~Mandatory Entry~

EASY!!! Leave me a comment here mentioning one of your favorite things.

~Optional Extra Entries(Leave a comment for each extra entry)~

Follow Wandering Still through Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to Wandering Still email updates

Follow Wandering Still on Facebook

Uniquely December: Christmas Card Day

2011-12-09T00:01:00.001-07:00

This is our family Christmas this year.

My 4-year-old drew and narrated it.

Are you sending Christmas cards this year?

The Final Stretch (Hair Challenge Update) & Giveaway

2011-12-08T15:47:00.004-07:00

*Giveaway now closed*

Bet you thought I'd forgotten, didn't you? Nope, just held off a couple days to include the giveaway with my next to last hair challenge update...Not sure what I'm talking about? Catch up on my 6-week Curly Hair Challenge.

As I enter the last week of my 6-week curly hair challenge, my mind is shifting to the reintroduction of my hair and shampoo. If the idea is to eliminate shampoos containing harsh sulfates and silicones, here is the list of ingredients to avoid (Be warned, it's going to look like a scary chemistry exam):

Sulfates (in shampoos)

Alkylbenzene Sulfonate, Ammonium laureth or lauryl sulfate, Ammonium or Sodium Xlenesulfonate Sodium, C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, Sodium laureth, myreth or lauryl sulfate, Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, TEA dodecylbenaensulfonate, Ethyl PEG 15 cocamine sulfate, Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate

Silicones (in conditioners)

Cetearyl methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Stearyl Dimethicone, Amodimethicone (in combination with Trideceth-12 & Cetrimonium Chloride), Trimethylsilylamodimethicone

I know, that list looks completely overwhelming. And when you start looking at the ingredients list on your shampoo bottle, it'll set your mind spinning. But it's worth it! Let me give you a much shorter list of ingredients that are safe (or at least safer) to use on your curly hair...

Shampoos

Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocobetaine, Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamphodipropionate, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate, cocoamphodipropionate, Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Conditioners

Dimethicone Copolyol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane, Lauryl Methicone copolyol

So what am I going to use next week when I go back to shampoo? Well, I'm definitely not going back to my old stand-by, VO5. It's got nearly every no-no ingredient on the list. I've had good luck with Biolage
in the past, but their shampoos also are high in sulfates. I read great reviews of a brand called Jason and their shampoos follow the good ingredient guidelines fairly closely, but my research has found their conditioners to stray completely in the opposite direction.

For now I've settled on Aubrey Organics Balancing Shampoo It doesn't have a flashy label and no flowery fragrance, but there are no chemical name in the ingredients list and that impresses me. Other natural hair-cleaning lines with good ingredients are: Desert Essences, Kinky Curly, and SheaMoisture.

My 6-week hair challenge may be nearly over, but I also feel like it's just the beginning of learning for me. I'm committed to using healthier shampoos and healthier styling products as well. Make sure you come back on Monday when I'll reveal our "after" photos and wrap up the hair challenge with our final thoughts!

Now, finally, today's giveaway:

Giveaway Items:

Curly Hair Care Package:

1 Bottle Aubrey Organics Shampoo,
1 Bottle Aubrey Organics Conditioner,

1Wide-Tooth Comb, 1 Microfiber Towel

Giveaway Information:

1 winner will receive entire package

Contest will begin at 4:01 PM (MST) on Thursday, December 8, 2011

and end at 10:00PM(MST) on Monday, December 12, 2011.

Giveaway open to U.S. residents only

Entry Options:

~Mandatory Entry~

Browse my Curly Hair Challenge posts and leave a blog post comment here about something you've learned.

Curly Hair Challenge Posts

~Optional Extra Entries(Leave a comment for each extra entry)~

Follow Wandering Still through Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to Wandering Still email updates

Follow Wandering Still on Facebook

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

"By going and coming, a bird weaves it's nest."

-Ashanti proverb

Uniquely December: Take It In the Ear Day

2011-12-07T23:28:00.000-07:00

Many years ago a cable movie channel let an intern play editor for a day. Off the shelf came, "Liar, Liar" and off he went to work. His goal for the day? Change barely offensive dialogue into family-approved rhetoric.

The scene: Retrieving his car from the impound lot, lawyer Fletcher Reede notices a new scratch on the side. Irate, he begins taking it out on the lot boy.

The dialogue:
"You scratched my car!
"Oh, yeah, whatcha gonna do about it?"
"NOTHING! If I take you to small claims court, you probably wouldn't show up, and if you did and I won you'd just stiff me anyway. So, I'm going to turn around and just take it in...the ear...

Feeling confident in his choice of insults, the intern quickly inserted ...the ear... into another movie or two (The Wayans brothers "Bulletproof" for one), punched the clock and called it a day.

Is there anyone my husband knows that has not heard this story? I don't think so. Is he overjoyed to have a day devoted to this most ridiculous of dialogue dubbing. I am positive there isn't a person he runs into today that won't hear his over-excited re-telling of an intern's innocent attempt at real job for a day...

Uniquely December Giveaway #3 Season of Love

2011-12-07T01:00:00.001-07:00

*Giveaway now closed*

Today's giveaway comes from me!

It's a vinyl decorated picture that I made for a gift a year ago and then never got around to sending (I made one for myself as well, and though it's definitely a decoration for the holidays, it's been hanging for over a year. If you've read today's Uniquely December entry, you're starting to see I have a huge procrastination problem).

Here's what you'll get:

Giveaway Item:

1 11x17 "Season of Love" Picture in Gold Frame

Giveaway Information:

Contest will begin at 12:01AM(MST) on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

and end at 10:00PM(MST) on Sunday, December 11, 2011.

Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada residents only

Entry Options:

~Mandatory Entry~

Since I have nothing to sponsor here, we're going to have a little fun.

Find the "My Path" archive list in the right sidebar.

Then choose your birthday month, find a post you like in that month,

and comment on this giveaway post what caught your eye.

~Optional Extra Entries(Leave a comment for each extra entry)~

Follow Wandering Still through Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to Wandering Still email updates

Follow Wandering Still on Facebook

Make sure to enter these other Uniquely December Giveaways...

$10 Something Store Surprise

What A Girl Wants Prize Pack

Uniquely December: Letter-Writing Day

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back we had a lesson at church focused on taking care of ourselves as women. One of the challenges we were given was to go home and write a letter. Not an email, or a text, or a facebook comment...a genuine later. The promise was made that taking the time to sit down, form our thoughts, and then express them would bring peace in the midst of our harried every day lives. And not just our lives, but also the lives of the people to whom we're writing.

Letters are "the keepers." Don't we all have a box or a file somewhere holding treasured salutations? Maybe tucked inside a birthday card or folded neatly inside a scented envelope? We don't read them everyday, but when we come across them our hearts are immediately carried back to the emotions of the day we received it. A hand-written letter guarantees to bring a smile to mind over and over again.

I had three people come immediately to mind after receiving my letter-writing challenge. One a friend I've been out of contact with for years but who just reached a goal she'd set way back then. One a sister-in-law I admire for the life she's lived and the choices she's made. And one my grandmother.

In my lifetime my grandmother's letters have been a precious gift. They don't come often. The thought comes to mind to write her only about once a year, but I always know I'll hear receive a message in return. Her tiny cramped scrawl is pretty hard to read, but the squinting and transcribing is always worth the work. Especially because my grandma is of the generation that believes nothing that happened in her life is important enough for people to want to know. The letters she sends with brief accounting of how she passes her days will add immense depth to the history I'll piece together and share with the generations of my family.

I'm ashamed to admit I've only written one of my three letters, and that envelope is still waiting on my kitchen counter to be mailed. I'm grateful for the reminder today to put my pen to paper and send a short little ray of happiness to the people in my life.

Can I pass the challenge along to you?

Sit down and write a letter to someone you know.

See if it doesn't make you both feel better!

Uniquely December Giveaway #2: What A Girl Wants

2011-12-06T00:01:00.006-07:00

*Giveaway now closed*

A little while back I participated in a blogger's craft exchange. From that exchange, I received these...

The handmade clutch and barrettes are BEAUTIFUL! Unfortunately, they're not quite my style so I've never been able to use either of them. That's lucky for you! I've contacted Lelanie at To Sew With Love and she's excited to offer her handmade items as today's giveaway!

The fabric on this clutch is fabulous! The prints and wording are travel related, but the design makes it very shabby chic and vintage looking. The sewing is impeccable and the rose embellishment gives the clutch a soft romantic touch.

I love that the detailing on the inside is as intricate and detailed as the outside (this is the inside pocket).

And the rolled rosette barrettes are icing on the cake!

Wouldn't these be a sweet treat for yourself or a friend right before Christmas? Here's how to enter:

Giveaway Items:

1 handmade clutch and 2 rosette barrettes (shown above)

Giveaway Information:

1 winner will receive both items

Contest will begin at 12:01AM(MST) on Tuesday, December 6, 2011

and end at 10:00PM(MST) on Saturday, December 10, 2011.

Giveaway open worldwide.

Entry Options:

~Mandatory Entry~

Visit the To Sew With Love tutorials page
and leave a comment on this post about something else you love there.

~Optional Extra Entries(Leave a comment for each extra entry)~

Follow Wandering Still through Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to Wandering Still email updates

Follow Wandering Still on Facebook

Don't think twice about this one! Every girl deserves to feel pretty!
(And don't forget to enter my other low-entry giveaways!

Uniquely December: National Pawnbroker's Day

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

My husband has a friend who bought his wife's engagement ring at a pawn shop. If I have the story right, she was on board with the idea and went along to help him pick it out. Since then, when recounting the event, they've heard a wide range of opinions on if that is okay.

The yeah-sayers tout it as a GREAT money-saving move. They got a much larger ring at a much smaller price than they would otherwise have been to get.

The nay-sayers walk away shaking their heads, jaws wide-open. Building your future on another person's failure. Where's the upside in that?

I'm definitely of the camp that says, "Go for it!" My engagement ring cost about $15 from a kiosk in the mall. When I lost that one we replaced it with the same thing and when I lost that one it had been discontinued and I was out of luck. My wedding ring is a plain gold band and it's perfectly fine. But, one day I'm going to get myself a big flashy ring and if it can be bigger and flashier because I got it at a pawn shop, all the better for me!

Which side of the pawn shop aisle are you sitting on?

Uniquely December Giveaway #1 Something Store

2011-12-05T00:01:00.008-07:00

*Giveaway now closed *

(But keep reading, it's still fun information!)

Along with my Uniquely December posts this month, I want to share with you some things that make me happy. Literally, I want to share them with you...that means giveaways! Here's a little preview:

Today: Come on now, be patient and keep on reading...
Tomorrow: A feminine gift for you or a friend
Wednesday: Something handmade to help you focus on the season
Thursday: Catching up and connecting to the Curly Hair Challenge
Friday: It's a surprise...even to me...

Each giveaway will be live for 5 days and have fairly easy entries. Good luck and now onto the giveaway!

I LOVE the Something Store! The idea behind it is simple: Pay them $10.00 and they send you...something. It's that easy! The surprise and fun is in not knowing what you're going to receive, but the company guarantees the item's value will be more than the $10.00 you've paid. And to make it even better, that $10.00 also includes your shipping!

Honestly, the Something Store isn't a website I remember all the time. It just pops into my head every once in awhile and I treat myself then and there to a pick-me-up treat. In the past I've received...

silver earrings
flashlights
glass earrings
Toys

One year we even used the Something Store to buy all of our white elephant gifts. That year we got...

a silk scarf
a wine thermometer
a cheese board
an egg timer

The only downside that year was that I bought 8 things and got doubles. So two of each of the things above. I don't know if that's always how larger orders go, but it did happen that way that year.

So, how does it work? It's easy.

Click "Get Yours"
Select the number of "somethings" you want to receive (up to 20 per order)
Finish your purchase through Google Checkout and wait for you package to arrive.

It's so easy and who doesn't love a little mail surprise?

Ready to win? Here we go...

Giveaway Items:

Two $10.00 items from the Something Store.

Giveaway Information:

Two winners will receive (one) $10.00 item each

Contest will begin at 12:01AM(MST) on Monday, December 5, 2011

and end at 10:00PM(MST) on Friday, December 9, 2011.

Giveaway open to U.S. residents only

Entry Options:

~Mandatory Entry~

Visit the Something Store website and leave a comment on this post about something you see there.

~Optional Extra Entries(Leave a comment for each extra entry)~

Follow Wandering Still through Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to Wandering Still email updates

Follow Wandering Still on Facebook

Tell me, aren't you at least a little bit curious?

The Something Store is providing this item at my request.

They in no way have asked for my endorsement or influenced my review.

Uniquely December: Bathtub Party Day

2011-12-05T00:01:00.003-07:00

I'm a shower girl.

I find sitting in the bath to be extremely boring.

I can't stand rubber duckies getting all moldy on the inside.

The paint on our current bathtub is peeling off.

My kids like to use it as a floating raft for their non-molding bath toys.

Sometimes we feed the kids in the tub to keep the rest of the house from getting dirty.

Wondering how many people in the tub makes it a party?

Uniquely December: Wear Brown Shoes Day

2011-12-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

I'm wearing mine. How 'bout you?

Uniquely December: International Sweater Festival

2011-12-03T00:41:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure this one is made up because I can't find any information on it, but who cares...

Ugly Christmas sweaters immediately came to mind when I sat down to write for today. That naturally led me straight to Pinterest. Here's how my searching evolved...

The Ugly Christmas Sweaters didn't really do anything for me. No milk shooting out my nose or vomiting. This, though, this seemed appropriate...

And though it's not an ugly Christmas sweater, this knitted beauty absolutely takes the cake!

For some reason I really liked this look...

And even though I'm definitely not an animal person, these dogs keep making me smile...

Finally I gave up on the Christmas sweaters and moved onto clever sweater repurposing...

What about you?

Share your most inspiring sweater photo

on the Wandering Still Facebook page and

get an extra entry for each of next week's giveaways.

Uniquely December: National Fritter Day

2011-12-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

"Tomorrow is National Fritter Day."
"What are fritters?"
"You know, like zucchini fritters and potato pancakes. Basically anything grated and fried."
"Oh. Aren't there apple fritters?"
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Apple fritters!!!!"

Working my first hotel job I was responsible for ordering the doughnuts for the continental breakfast. The hot fresh doughnuts were delivered at 4AM and always disappeared quickly. What was always the last to go? The apple fritters. Apple fritters would normally never be my choice for eating, but watching them go into the trashcan morning after morning (and adding in the 3rd shift lack of reasoning) gave me a brilliant idea. I figured no one was going to miss them and started pulling a warm and gooey glazed fritter out of the box immediately after the delivery man handed the boxes over to me. One of those wired me for the rest of the morning.

In honor of National Fritter Day, I decided to try my hand at frying up my own batch of fruity fritters. My husband and kids are loving me! Here are the fruits of my labor...

The Pioneer Woman Apple Fritters

My kids' favorite

Paula Deen Apple Fritters

DIVINE as a dessert, or, in our case, a SINFUL midnight snack!
Uses a whole apple slice. We added vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce.

Uniquely December: World Aids Awareness Day

2011-12-01T12:00:00.001-07:00

I was just a kid when Magic Johnson announced that he had been infected with HIV/AIDS. Back then everybody was scared. We didn't know about the disease, didn't understand how it evolved, how it was spread, or what a life with AIDS could be. That was twenty years ago. Magic Johnson is still living and the face of AIDS has changed tremendously.

I have to admit I haven't had personal experience with HIV/AIDS and honestly have not given much thought to the disease. I do know that while AIDS is present in people all around the world, infected people everywhere are living longer due to increased research, treatments, awareness, and education. Unfortunately there are still places where the infection is still an epidemic-in particular, many nations of Africa.

A prominent reason for the AIDS explosion in these undeveloped countries is transfer of the infection from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, and/or breastfeeding With the uneducated stigma of such a terrible disease, mothers too often receive inadequate information and resources to treat themselves, and they don't know there are precautions they can take to keep their babies healthy and safe.

The good news is that the picture of HIV/AIDS is looking better. The 2011 UNAIDS report shows a significant drop recently in the number of new infections. This has to be a result of hard work to increase the availability of testing and education and I've been especially touched by the efforts of the organization mothers2mothers.

mothers2mothers provide a full range of help to mothers in Africa dealing with the AIDS epidemic. These include:

education and support to pregnant women and new mothers living with HIV to increase access and adherence to lifesaving interventions for them and their infants
Provide education to clients before and after they take their HIV tests during pregnancy
Provide one-on-one peer education and group support sessions to pregnant women and new mothers with HIV
Offer services to women together with their partners as a couple

Visit the mothers2mothers website and find out more about the important work they are doing in Africa and Europe. While you're there check out this sweet idea to get involved...

I have no affiliation with mothers2mothers-just a cause that moved me :)

For more information:

http://www.unaids.org/en/

http://www.aidsresearch.org/index.html

http://www.amfar.org/

http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2021888,00.html

Fun Things Coming!

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun writing regularly when I was doing my A-Z's. Yesterday when I came across a list of lesser-known December holidays I got excited again. With a mix of serious events and hilarious observations it'll be perfect to motivate me for another 30 days of writing. Check in later today, and every day this month, for what I'm labeling,

Uniquely December

Even better? Each day next week I'm giving away some of my favorite things! Some are fun, some are handmade, some are great and amazing. Hope you'll stop in Monday to see!

Oh, you know I'll give you extra entries (one for each giveaway)...

Tell me in a comment on this post what you love about December.

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

-(linked to Pinterest b/c the Tumblr link was not working)

How's It Going (Hair Challenge Update)

2011-11-28T11:44:00.001-07:00

Several people have asked how the curls are doing so I'm here to report...

Going into Week 4, this is a photo of how my curls are doing (second-day hair, at that). I've finally pushed through the greasy gross stage and my hair feels really good. It's softer than I can remember it ever being and I actually notice it "bouncing" as I'm walking. The only con at this moment is that with my curls actually laying nicely I realize I have a terrible haircut. Definitely looking forward to my sister Kimberly giving me something fun when I go home for Christmas!

Kathy is a week ahead of me and has been saying for awhile that her hair is really great. Hers tends to be drier than mine and so she wasn't really bothered by the extra oil in the early stages-it was something new and nice for her. She's realized she used to always wear her hair up because it was frizzy and has kept it down for weeks now because it's actually curling. And the best part, all kinds of people are complementing her on how great her hair looks!

Brooke, I think, is still doing her own thing but has cut out the dish detergent...

My only other observation for this week? All of sudden I'm fighting an enormous urge to pull out my flat iron and straighten every last curly strand. That seems a little counter-productive, though, doesn't it?

Wishing You A Day of Joy and Gratitude!

2011-11-23T20:06:00.001-07:00

I Smell Amazing! (Hair Challenge Update, Week 3)

2011-11-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

Let's start by saying I'm on my sofa right now loving that my hair smells yummy! Yes, let's definitely start with that because nothing else with this week's alternative shampoo experiments turned out nicely.

After writing last week, I emailed Kathy and my sister Brooke (who decided to do the challenge with us because she's lazy and doesn't want to shampoo, honest, those are her words) with a list of alternative shampoo options, told them to pick one, and report back. Here is what we have to say:

Baking Soda

Mix 1 T baking soda with 2 c lukewarm water

There are a million ways to use baking soda outside of cooking. It's a great cleaning agent and so why wouldn't it also make a great shampoo? Kathy agreed to try so I shared with her that my research showed the baking soda would be extremely drying. Many of the recipes online suggest following up with a vinegar rinse for conditioning.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix 1 T vinegar with 1 c water

No one tried this. See, I didn't know Brooke was going to do the baking soda so I didn't warn her about the drying. When it completely dried out her hair she didn't mind, but when it "completely dried out my back and my legs and anywhere the water ran" Kathy chickened out and decided her hair was doing just fine with out shampooing.

Lemon and Cucumber Smoothie

Peel 1 lemon and 1 cucumber. Blend.

This is the option I decided to go with. The lemon is supposed to be cleansing and the cucumber moisturizing. My kids thought I'd gone off my rocker when I told them they couldn't eat the cucumber because I needed to wash my hair with it. While fighting back a gag reflex with the first pouring on my head I thought I might agree with them.

The blog I got this recipe from warned of a need to make sure you rinse really well to get all the little lemon pulp pieces out. I'm here to tell you there is absolutely no way this is possible. Originally I washed with just the smoothie. My hair was extremely tanged, but I was determined to leave it. I got out of the shower, dried off and then gasped at my reflection in the mirror. There were little white lemon flecks from root to tip! Hoping conditioner would grab onto all that mess, I flipped my head over in the sink, conditioned and rinsed again. No better. My hair is full of citrus yuckiness...

Lemon Juice

Use the Juice of 1/2 Lemon, Squeezed

Seriously, my hair smells amazing! And my scalp is tingling. The good way tingling. I can say with certainty that neither Kathy and Brooke nor myself are going to be come all-natural granola-type shampoo users. But I definitely can see myself occasionally squeezing the juice of a lemon and/or a cucumber into a spray bottle and adding it to my washing routine. As my husband pointed out, there must be a reason manufactured cucumber scent is so popular in commercial shampoos. Trust me, the real stuff is so much better!

So what am I telling you to do?

Experiment if you must.

Use our experiences for jumping off and let me know how it goes.

Have you tried these or other alternatives?

I'd love to hear about them!

I have to add here that Brooke's solution for de-greasing her hair up 'til now has been rubbing in Dawn dish soap. The sulfates in shampoos are also found there. That should be enough reason to switch to a gentler shampoo...

Hair on Tuesday

2011-11-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Procrastinating just might run in my family...and so neither Kathy or I have gotten to the alternative shampooing. Tonight! We're doing it tonight, so please check back tomorrow morning. We're taking half the kitchen pantry into the shower with us...

(oh, and I found out my sister Brooke has been doing the curly hair challenge, too....in her own way.

You won't want to miss that!)

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-11-16T22:26:00.000-07:00

A New Way of Drying

2011-11-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

My sister Kathy and I are three weeks into the curly hair challenge and having mixed results. We're definitely seeing more defined curls but we're still getting used to the greasier feel. I started alternating between a traditional gel and a spray-on gel depending on what time of day I wash my hair. If I'm going to be sleeping with wet hair the traditional gel works wells to hold the curl overnight. Otherwise, I'm using the spray gel because it makes the curls lighter. Either way, my curls are actually starting to bounce and I think that's pretty amazing!

One huge change I made this week was from drying my hair with a terry-cloth towel to drying it with a t-shirt. (I won't even be embarrassed to tell you that I'm usually not prepared enough to bring a clean t-shirt into the bathroom with me and end up using the t-shirt I just took off my body.) The benefit of the t-shirt's smooth surface is less frizz. And instead of twisting like I normally would on top of my head, I've switched to a method call "plopping." My kids look at me like I'm crazy, but it's really working!

The first half of this video gives a great visual of how to properly use your t-shirt to dry your hair

(sorry, the rest of the video is really boring...)

The part of the challenge we're still not okay with? The grease and gross at our roots and scalp. This week we're going to try a couple natural shampoo methods (a baking soda concoction and others). I'll be back next week to tell you all about it...

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-11-09T22:58:00.000-07:00

-BlimpCat Studio

This one for an old friend who truly appreciates food

and also my BIL who tried to finish the Chubby Challenge

even when it made the rest of us sick just looking at it :)

Curly Hair Challenge

2011-11-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

My sister Kathy and I have been cursed...I mean blessed...with curly hair most of our lives. Trying to figure out what to do with it has been a lifelong experiment, and so I jumped right on board a few weeks ago when she emailed a quick question to ask, "Are we going to try this?"

What is "this?"

The 6-Week Curly Hair Challenge

Before pictures (1st, Kathy/2nd, Me)

The idea behind The Curly Hair Challenge focuses on the sulfates in most commercial shampoos. For curly hair, these ingredients completely strip the natural oils and leave behind dry frizzy lifeless poofballs atop your head. Eliminate the shampoo and your
hair will quickly begin re-hydrating. Add some wiser drying and styling methods as well and the result is supposed to be perfectly coiffed locks.

This is the 6-week plan we're following:

Get a haircut
Quit using shampoo all together
Use a light conditioner to massage the scalp and break up residue/buildup
Rinse and detangle with your fingers
Apply deep conditioner following instructions on bottle
Continue detangling either with fingers or a wide-tooth comb
Let sit a few minutes then rinse lightly with cool water. (At this stage my deep conditioner calls for another light conditioning and rinsing)
Squeeze hair dry while still in shower
Use a t-shirt or microfiber cloth to continue squeezing water out. Avoid terry cloth towels.
Apply gel in a scrunching motion (Optional: add a leave-in conditioner before the gel)
Let hair air dry
Occasionally turn hair upside down, shake, and scrunch to break up crunchy gel spots and create volume

These are the products we're using:

~Michelle: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying Conditioner, Ouidad Deep Treatment, Infusium 23 Leave-In Treatment, Garnier Fructis Curl Shaping Gel

~Kathy: L'Oreal Repairative Smoothing Conditioner, L'Oreal Smoothing Deep Conditioner, L'Oreal Humidity Defying Leave-In Crème, LA Looks MegaHold Gel

And 2 weeks in, here are a few of our observations:

First, we are in complete agreement that hair gel is disgusting and we hate it. Kathy is using only a nickel-sized amount for her whole head. I'm experimenting with a spray gel and like it a little bit better.
My first wash was the worst, but I'm thinking maybe I forgot to do the final rinse. My hair felt like sludge!
We have heard that Week 2 is the worst. Kathy agrees and is optimistic for better results next week. For me, my hair is actually feeling more like straw. I've changed the products I'm using to see if I get better results.
Neither of us usually washes our hair more than 2-3 times a week. With this challenge we're feeling like we need to wash it everyday. Kathy's is more greasy and where mine is usually manageable for a few days, I can't get it to do anything when I wake up in the morning. Also, my face is sometimes as greasy as it was as a teenager, which I'm sure is a result of more greasy hair.

Check back next Monday for our next Curly Hair Challenge update!

Have curly hair and want to join the challenge?

Email your "before" photo to michelle.wanderingstill@gmail.com and let me know how it's going!

We 're following the steps found at this blog.

Lots of great additional information available here.

Letter Z

2011-11-03T18:02:00.000-06:00

This is the Zebra that ate my car.

I don't know why he ate my car.
I almost died.
(Honest, he wrapped his buck teeth around my mirror and took a bite)
Natural Bridge Wildlife Park, New Braunfels, TX

And that is the end of my A-Z. It's been super fun for me!

What was your favorite letter?

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-11-02T21:07:00.000-06:00

You and Yours

2011-11-01T22:10:00.002-06:00

Thank you for being here, for reading and commenting when you do.

Today I'd like to repay the favor by sharing some of your own blogs with the rest of my world.

Here they are, some of my followers, some of my family, and a couple that I just think you'll love...

A Book, A Girl, A Journey

Great for authors and writers

A really great little bit of everything-great linkies!

Takes you along on the most amazing hikes in Southern Utah

The Womanhood Cause

Bringing up all topics we as women think about

Timeless

Part fashion, part food, part deep conversation

Who's Your Editor?

A Book Lover's Heavenly Find

I wish I could share each and everyone of your blogs,

but I hope you'll check out a couple I've highlighted today and let me know what you think!

Letter X

2011-10-31T10:39:00.000-06:00

I've looked and looked for an "X" topic that would make any sense for me to write about. There isn't anything. So, if you'll indulge my leap, today I'm going to write about X-stitching.

Cross-stitching is pretty much the only craft skill I learned as a child that I still know how to do. And now, for nearly 10 years, the only projects I've worked on are Christmas stockings for my nieces and nephews. In that time I've completed 7 and I have 3 in the works right now (sorry, sisters, only 2 will be ready by Christmas-want to draw straws to see who gets pushed back to next year?)

Two of the finished ones

Of course, the irony in the time and effort I've put into these gifts for all my cute relatives? My own children have been using every-day white socks for their Christmas stockings since they were born...

A-W

Wh-wh-who

2011-10-28T09:00:00.000-06:00

Who's out there reading today?
It's your turn to weigh in and let me know you're out there!

Catching up on A-Z?

Veggies and a Recipe

2011-10-27T20:22:00.000-06:00

I HATED vegetable soup when I was growing up. I mean really did not like the stuff! Not one time my mother made it did I spare her feelings. It was disgusting and I was not going to touch it. I can say now that it was the texture of mushy vegetables that I particularly didn't care for, but back then I just was not having it. (I also refused to eat cooked carrots and french-sliced green beans).

Thinking about that today, combined with the plummeting temperatures has me thinking of a super simple soup recipe that I do like, and I'm going to share it with you....

Broccoli-Wild Rice Soup

1 pkg Wild Rice Mix w/ seasonings (add extra white rice if desired)

5 c. water

10 oz. chopped broccoli (frozen works fine)

1 carrot, sliced thin (again frozen works, too)

1 c. corn (or any vegetable on hand-a frozen veggie medley will cover all three of these)

2 t dried minced onion (or 1/2 medium onion, chopped)

1 can cheddar cheese soup

8 oz. cream cheese, cubed

Shredded Cheddar Cheese, optional

~Bring water to a boil and add wild rice; reduce heat to med-low. Cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring once.

~Stir in remaining ingredients, except soup & cheeses. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.

~Add soup and cream cheese. Stir over heat until cheese is completely melted.

~Add shredded cheese, if desired.

Enjoy!

A-U

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-10-27T00:01:00.002-06:00

Underwater Worlds

2011-10-26T11:32:00.000-06:00

When Ben and I were engaged he talked a lot about wanting to learn how to SCUBA dive. That sounded adventurous and fun so of course I raved about how I wanted to do that too! This though I'm a pretty terrible swimmer and had panicked the first time I'd tried snorkeling. Since making such a bold statement, I've had several more opportunities for snorkeling and learning to SCUBA. The snorkeling is getting better; the SCUBA is probably never going to happen. What I've learned most of all is to be comfortable with my abilities.

My first snorkeling experience was with a group of friends on an organized tour in Bermuda. Trying to look cool, and not wanting to look like the old lady on our tour, I declined a life jacket. I made it about 2 minutes offshore before the guide took me back to the sand. Brushing that off to my friends as seasickness (or something equally ridiculous) I eagerly followed them out into the open ocean at an abandoned beach hours later. The underwater rocks beat up my legs and the current beat up my pride. I spent most of the afternoon fooling around on the shore.

Goofing around with my friend Dave

I tried exploring underwater depths in the same way several more times with no better results. Looking good was always the determining factor and I'd rather make up an excuse to not go out rather than looking stupid. Then, the changing day came.

Ben and I had found a great little beach cove on the west coast of Mexico. A local cabana shack charmed me into putting on a life jacket and Ben and I spent the entire day out on the water! No boat or kayak, no tired arms or fear of drowning-just the two of us floating in the world alone. It was amazing! That's the day I set my pride aside and I allowed myself to have fun without embarrassment or worry.

A great snorkeling day

I am never going to be a diver. It turns out that conquering my minimal swimming skills wasn't nearly as difficult as feeling comfortable with schools of fish swarming through my legs. I enjoy being in the water and observing the underwater goings-on as I float safely distant from above. It's true I may never see the most beautiful things down there to see, but I'm out there. And that's pretty big to me!

See A-T

Testimony

2011-10-25T10:36:00.000-06:00

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I joined the church nearly 10 years ago and have been grateful ever since. On a day to day basis, I'm most grateful for the comfort and reassurance I receive from the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that he sacrificed much in order to give us the knowledge we would need to return to live with our Heavenly Father, and that after all my efforts to live well have failed, that sacrifice allows me to try again another day.

My membership in the church has give me so many great opportunities to serve the people around me and to exercise humility in also being served. I've worked with and learned from the Primary age children, Sunday School classes and the sisters in the Relief Society. Indeed, I'm especially grateful for the Relief Society. As a teacher, I learn as much from studying and preparing my lessons as I do from the comments and experiences shared by the ladies I am teaching. I'm surrounded by women with pure hearts and regularly presented with opportunities to serve them in times of need. I've been the recipient of meals and unexpected letters of encouragement and love the opportunity to share that joy with others.

I believe the Book of Mormon is a book of Scripture that clarifies many of the teachings in the Bible. Reading it strengthens my testimony of Jesus Christ and the principles we need to learn during mortality. It helps me understand the united purpose and goal of the Godhead and I always feel uplifted after reading it. I believe prayer is our line of communication with the Father, and through the Scriptures we can receive our answers. I know that understanding what has been written will help me to receive my own personal revelations for the questions and problems I have everyday.

I believe in a Heavenly Father who loves and wants us to one day be reunited with Him. I believe His son Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price to guarantee that possibility. I'm grateful for the love they have for me. And I'm grateful for my membership in a church that supports me as an imperfect person while helping me strive to achieve my divine potential one day.

A-S

Sleepy Time

2011-10-24T11:58:00.000-06:00

Sleep. I absolutely love it. That has not always been the case. Here's the journey sleep and I have taken to get us to the symbiotic relationship we enjoy today:

High School: Who sleeps when they're in high school. I mastered the art of waking up, getting dressed, and rolling out the driveway in 5 minutes. My sister Kathy was thankful she never had to worry about sharing the bathroom while she was getting ready.

College: I worked graveyards doing night audit at a hotel, a good amount of overtime covering day shifts, and took 21+credits at school. One semester my schedule required me to leave for school Friday at noon and not return home to sleep until Tuesday morning at 8AM. I still tremble thinking of the day I pulled in my driveway after driving the 30 minutes across Des Moines but not remembering a single thing I did after clocking out and getting in my car to head for home.

Early 20's: Most of this time I was in Alaska. In the summers I lived 2 hours away from any civilization. With friends, I'd often work all day, drive into Fairbanks for a full night of fun, then head back home in the wee hours of the morning to make it to work the next day. I'm 100% convinced that I ran over a human foot on one such excursion.

Winters I lived in Fairbanks working two jobs. On the weekend friends and I spent our time dancing until closing time at the Greyhound Lounge. I decided it was time to catch up on my sleep the morning I got up and drove to work thinking I was going to be late for my 7AM shift. I drove past 4 bank clocks but didn't register the time until I parked in the hotel parking lot and realized it was only 2:45AM. I'd been asleep for a whopping 30 minutes before waking up in my panic.

Late 20's: Sleeping got better after I got married. My husband and I quickly adopted a routine of not going to bed until well after midnight, but most of the time I could sleep in a little bit and still wasn't feeling like I needed a whole night's rest to fully function.

Now: After having my second baby my body decided it would go on strike if I tried rousing it before getting 8 hours of sleep. We could have a party if I let it have 10. I still haven't figured out how to get in bed before midnight, but my husband is a saint who gets up with the kids and lets me sleep in the morning. Heaven help me if he ever gets a job that requires him to be gone early.

And that brings me to this weekend. At 11:30pm on Saturday night my sore throat decided to explode with a pain I've never felt before. My husband ran to the store for cold medicine. I'm very slow to take medicine, and when I do it's usually only a half-dose, so when he gave me a full dose and I swallowed it I should have expected it to knock me out.

That would have been a huge understatement! I woke up at 10:30 long enough to agree I should stay home from church, and then not again until 12:50. When my family got home from church I crawled back in bed and slept the rest of the day. Literally. I woke up at 7:30. Everyone was getting into bed when I decided to start my day-still feeling a little groggy. And then I crawled back in bed with my husband at our normal time.

This morning I'm feeling pretty great!

A-R

Letter R

2011-10-20T22:04:00.000-06:00

I love books and reading. And since today I'm feeling short on words, I think I'll just invite you to join me on Goodreads.com if you're not already there.

I read in cycles-for awhile being mommy, wife, sister, daughter, teacher, and friend puts the books on the shelves. Then a change comes on and I fly through the pages.

While you're here, check out some of my other posts on reading...

What books would I find right now on your night stand?

A-Q

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-10-20T00:01:00.003-06:00

"Nurturing her own mind and spirit is more important to a mother's responsibilities

than the meals she prepares for her family."

Janath Russell Cannon, Women of Covenant

Not That I'm Holding A Grudge...

2011-10-19T22:17:00.000-06:00

I come from a devout Scrabble-playing family. When I was a girl my mom was my spelling idol; she won that game every single time she played. Her magic weapon? QAT...a short little "q" word that does not need a "u." Time after time I'd watch her school her opponent and many times that was the word that I remember shooting her ahead. I pretty much had a love affair with that word until the middle of 2nd grade.

In 2nd grade I was in a combination class with six 2nd graders and around fifteen 3rd graders. My teacher was Mrs. Cummings and at the time I held teachers in pretty high esteem. She was the first to tarnish that image for me.

Every once in awhile Mrs. Cummings would let us have a vocabulary challenge. Two students were chosen and given a whole day to think of a word that would stump the class. I have no idea what the reward was for winning, but I was confident when I finally got to have my turn.

Without thinking twice I came to class knowing I was going to win. I was pitted against 3rd grader Brian Fisher and I don't think I even heard him say his word for the class. How important could it be? With uncharacteristic boldness (I was a pretty shy child) I told that combination class that my word was "QAT! Q-A-T" Stunned, dumbfounded faces. Of course nobody knew that one! Even Mrs. Cummings' expression portrayed silent stupefication. Then my confidence started melting away.

Mrs. Cummings said she'd never heard that word before. Was I sure I hadn't forgotten the "q"? She asked what I thought it was and I proclaimed, "It's an evergreen tree!" She was still less than sure. She suggested we look it up in the dictionary. I wasn't worried-my mom's red dictionary definitely had that word in there. I'd look it up lots of times.

The classroom dictionary pages started turning. The "q" section was located and the page turned back and forth, fingers scrolled up and down. More than once. Back and forth again. No "qat." Anywhere. Mrs. Cummings declared that my word was not a word and 3rd grader Brian Fisher was declared the winner. In an instant my mom became smarter than my teacher. And of the few memories I have of that combination-class year, being ignorantly stripped of my title as vocabulary challenge winner stands out as though it had happened only yesterday.

(I just looked "qat" up in the dictionary again and discovered that while "an evergreen tree" is a loosely correct interpretation, it's actually the leaves of a middle-eastern plant used to make narcotic stimulants. Maybe it's a good thing Mrs. Cummings didn't look into it further and call to ask my mom some questions...)

A-P

Letter P

2011-10-18T22:16:00.000-06:00

Who on the planet hasn't yet jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon?
Here's a sampling of what you'll find on my boards:

Catch up on A-O

Obnoxious Sales People

2011-10-17T22:10:00.000-06:00

I spent the last 5 days working with my sister at a Holiday Mart sponsored by the Junior League of Denver. In addition to her Etsy store and wholesale accounts, she often sets up a booth at arts/music festivals and craft shows and invites me along to help her out. Normally a show weekend is fully of obnoxious laughter and hordes of unhealthy food and we love it! This weekend we definitely had a lot of that, but nothing about this show was like anything I've ever experienced before.

Brooke and I have a very personable and somewhat laid back sales style. She believes strongly after 6 years in business that her jewelry sells itself. Her pieces are unique and her work is beautiful. We're very good at reading our customer and knowing if they're interested in hearing more or not. Sometimes it's helpful to explain that everything is made out of recycled flatware, and sometimes it's better to leave that unmentioned. Whether they see that part of the jewelry or not, she attracts a wide range of shoppers. In the end, for Brooke it's not about making a ridiculous amount of money. Instead it's about making sure that the people who make a purchase LOVE the piece they buy, will wear it, and will tell their friends they love it.

Contrast that with the aloe vera lotion booth that was located directly across the aisle from us this weekend. They were seriously obnoxious! 4 salespeople peddling a 9 oz. jar of handcream. The four of them stood in a line at the front edge of their booth hollering at every person passing by...

"Try it!"

"Free hand massage"

"Mine's better"

"No grease. No fragrance!"

(This was our favorite as one of the salesman was heavily accented and sounded like he was yelling, "No greasy, no pregnant!")

They were loud and they were persistent. Once they had a shopper's hand they engaged in a literal tug-of-war until they had the customer moved from the center of the aisle to the rear of their store. Each passer-by suckered into their space was subjected to the exact same sales pitch while having their hand or arm accosted by the saleperson's hand clenched around them.

It was terrible for our business. Traffic that normally would have wandered through our space were either reluctantly pulled over to the other side or running past as fast as possible with eyes pointed towards the floor and not risking the chance of making eye-contact with anyone at our end of the row. The people who did decide to venture into our store were primarily escaping while their friend had gotten hi-jacked across the way or wanted to bad-mouth the obnoxious-ness to us. No matter how we looked at it, it was bad for business.

At one point on our slowest day the most well-intentioned of the lotion salesman wandered over to offer us a little "sales advice." My eyes darted to my sister in the back of the booth and I'm still not sure how she maintained her composure as he tried to tell her that he knew better how to run the business she's created and is as important to her as almost anything else in her life.

For a lot of reasons, we were more than happy to pack up our booth and get out of the building as quick as possible after closing time. It was the worst-managed show Brooke or I have ever worked. But mostly we were eager to get away from our over-achieving neighbors and enjoy some much needed peace and quiet. I will give the aloe vera lotion team credit for being professional. They travel 52 weeks a year and do what they need to get a paycheck. I researched their product today and it seems to have a legitimate following. If I hadn't watched them making sales by pressuring people all weekend I probably would have been interested in trying it out. Unfortunately, as it stands, throwing my support behind that company is not likely to ever happen...

I'm curious, what type of sales style do you best respond to?

A-N

I Need a New Look

2011-10-13T01:13:00.000-06:00

Over and over I've scoured the internet for a new blog layout and found nothing that inspires me. It's time for a new look and I'm hoping you can help.

Where have you found your favorite blog designs?

A-M right here...

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-10-13T00:14:00.000-06:00

Making Money

2011-10-11T15:17:00.000-06:00

Back in high school I wrote out a plan whereby the world could stop using money. If I remember right, we would all go on a honest bartering system and we would all be happy. Sounds nice, doesn't it? Never feeling like you're lacking or deprived as long as someone else will trade you. I'm thinking that idea won't soon be winning the Nobel Prize for Economics.

My life seems to be constantly tied up with the stress of money. My brain is taxed to the hilt on payday as I divide a decent amount among an overwhelming number of bills and responsibilities. My inner self struggles daily against the temptation of shopping. The weight of unwise credit card debt keeps us aware of our bad choices. My husband endures a lackluster job that allows us to leave adequately well. And we wonder how our parents raised families on considerably less.

So what are we doing? For awhile we've been half-doing Dave Ramsey's financial program. It worked really well in the beginning and now we've just drawn it out too long. We do have an emergency savings but need a shot in the arm to continue getting where we need to be. I know he always says, "Beans and rice, rice and beans" but it seems like it would take eating our food storage every night for awhile before that would get us too far ahead.

We talked recently about moving into a small cheap apartment as a way to build up extra money each month. Truthfully, that's what we've done for our whole marriage. The place we're living now is the first place we've really loved and for the perks that come with it, we'd be sacrificing more than just shelter to move out now.

And we've talked about getting part-time jobs. Indeed, I started applying for seasonal jobs this afternoon. I'm not 100% sold on the idea, but it seems like a better solution than asking my already hard-working husband to be gone from his kids even longer every day. If I think about it long, I do start getting excited about contributing again, especially imagining my check's chunk of money disappearing our debt directly.

We will keep on keeping on, but I'm curious...

when in similar situations, what do you do?

Want more A-Z?

No Time For Lazy

2011-10-10T10:46:00.002-06:00

Well, I'm back from an amazing vacation in New Mexico and have three days before I leave town again. The "L" word for today is definitely "LISTS." I have lists of bills to pay and lists of groceries to buy. Lists of clothes to wash and lists of clothes to pack. Lists of things to do with the kids. Lists of foods to leave for my family to eat while I'm away and lists of foods to buy when I get where I'm going so fast food doesn't break the bank. Here's a brief overview of the things I'm planning on squeezing into the next 72 hours...

Book a hotel room in Denver

Buy black or gray pants-SCRAPPED

~~Call and yell at Frontier Airlines for once again not emailing my flight confirmation~~

~~Find a baby-sitter for Thursday and Friday~~

~~Take the books back to the library before they're overdue~~

~~Pre-school during naptime including a Columbus Day activity for today~~

~~Change the calendar from September to October~~

~~Buy two new blue Books of Mormon for a new reading challenge~~

~~Buy a new journal because it always makes me feel happy when I do that~~

~~Do October's budget~~

~~Pay October's bills~~

Get cash from the bank for all the other things

Find slow-cooker and soup recipes since winter apparently dropped by while I was away

~~Costco run for milk, eggs, and bread~~

~~Grocery store so my family doesn't have to eat ramen all weekend~~

~~Wash, dry, fold, and put away the laundry~~

~~Pack to go away again~~

Fit in a play date-SCRAPPED

Mail a book for paperbackswap.com

Research lodges for my family Christmas reunion

~~Clean out the car before the milk and french fries start smelling~~

Plan Family Home Evening because my 4-year-old just let me know he knows that's supposed to happen today

~~Clean the house before my baby's development specialist comes in the morning~~

And, oh yeah, squeeze a bath in before nobody wants to live with me...

Only half the alphabet?

2011-09-30T20:12:00.000-06:00

Heading to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for fun time with my family.

Be back on the 12th to finish L-Z!

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-09-29T01:59:00.000-06:00

"Curiosity is not a preparation."

-Elder Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple

Kitchen Kismet

2011-09-27T22:52:00.000-06:00

I have been trying for hours to come up with something interesting that starts with "K". All I can come up with are kitchens and kids. Or koalas. Kismet. And Kit-Kats. On a love/hate list my kids obviously go on the love side. Koalas and Kit-Kats somewhere in the middle neutral ground. My kitchen? In a heartbeat I would trade in my kitchen.

First let me say that we live in a rental so we have what we have and that's what stays. Size-wise, it's okay. There are a lot of cupboards and drawers for storage. The cupboards are painted gray, which seems like an odd kitchen color to me, but we've decorated in blacks and reds and I guess it's working. We have a decent amount of counter space, which is an improvement from places I've lived in the past. And, our stacked washer/dryer are in our kitchen and surprisingly I absolutely love that!

So what are the problems? Two I can think of. First, the cupboards are hung over the bar and require a person to bend over nearly parallel to the floor before speaking to the person on the other side-even when you're sitting. Second, we don't have a dishwasher. I used to feel spoiled complaining about not having a dishwasher, but not anymore. It's seriously a problem. Dirty dishes eliminate all that usable counter space and reality is that they just don't get done everyday. Plus, if you remember my statement on the proper order of hand washing the dishes, you know my marriage would be much better off with an automated machine doing my dish cleaning.

In the end, I love cooking, and so love being in my kitchen; even if I don't love the kitchen itself. I'll keep making do and dreaming of the day one of these kitchens is part of my home.

Other A-Z

Joy

2011-09-26T22:36:00.000-06:00

On my new blog, Eating the Nibbly Bibs, the focus is 100% joy. Both for my two boys and for me. I'm working out of a fabulous book named Teaching Your Children Joy where I do a daily activity with them and then record my thoughts and observations on how it went.

Here is a post from last week:

I'm InWhat I'm learning about parenting is this: You have to be all in. Children grow up whether you're intensely involved or not. The opportunity we have is to be a part of that during the short amount of time we have with them. And we choose the degree of intensity.

During the past four years I've had ups and downs-periods of complete attention and periods of viewing from the sidelines. The last year I'd evaluate as fairly well checked out and the results are there to prove it. Beck and I argue like he's a teenager. Indeed I look at him and can see exactly what 14-year-old Beck will be. But the good news is that that's true for the good times too! I've noticed before, and I'm seeing it now...when I'm anxiously engaged in being mom to my two boys, they smile and laugh and want to be anxiously engaged with me. It's a lesson worth learning, and one I'm sure I'll need to keep learning again and again.

Today's Teaching Your Children Joy activity was to "make spontaneity a high priority." Be open to letting it happen anytime and anyplace. It's hard to get past the point when you holler "No," or "Stop," "Sshhh!", but when you do it makes the world more interesting for both you and your child.

So try it. Let them splash in a puddle. Follow the direction of their pointing fingers and over-enthusiastic shouts of "LOOK!" Clear the way and let them spin the kid cart while walking through the grocery store. They'll be happier and you might just find yourself barefooted squishing mud between your toes.

If you have little ones, or if you don't, I'd love to have you come on over and check it out...

Eating the Nibbly Bibs

For earlier A-Z posts...

Yummy Yummy Ice Cream

2011-09-25T21:09:00.000-06:00

Who on the planet doesn't love ice cream? Or gelato, or Italian Ice, or frozen yogurt? Well, anyways, I love ice cream enough for anyone out there who does not partake.

My favorite? Definitely Chunky Monkey from Ben & Jerry's.

I was going to explain the inner struggle I have supporting Ben & Jerry's (loving their strong corporate culture while hating a number of their political/social stances), but, really, it's just ice cream, and I'm not strong enough to say no.

In the end, I don't patronize their scoop shops anymore, but if my husband brings a pint home to smooth over our latest disagreement, I'm hardly going to turn down the cold and creamy treat. Can you blame me?

Missed A-H?

H Takes Us Up, Up, & Away

2011-09-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

I LOVE hot-air balloons! Last year we went to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for the fiesta and I'm hooked! That festival has hundreds of balloons lifting off every morning of the 10-day festival. You can sign up to be part of a balloon chase-team and then get in free for the entire festival. Last year I pushed my reluctant husband into volunteering and he was addicted after his first day. He ended up chasing with a team from the Netherlands flying a 10-story-high Rooster balloon.

Last Christmas my husband's boss bought hot-air balloon rides for all his employees. Oh, that was fantastic for me! We saved our vouchers and went last week for my birthday! I think most people have a romantic idea of what it will be like floating in a balloon. It was exciting and fun, but not necessarily peaceful. We were in a basket with 10 other people. The burners control the rate of conversation (or at least how much of the conversation you hear) and they're pretty hot! One man on our balloon was nearly bald and the pilot had to scrounge up a dirty smelly baseball cap for him to where instead of roasting his head.

I know hot-air ballooning is not for everybody. It happens in the EARLY morning. It's more successful in cooler temperatures. It's not face-paced and you are thousands of feet off the ground suspended in a basket propelled only by a little propane. But it's definitely worth a try! The balloons are enormous! Watching the first balloon of a dawn patrol alight before dawn is mesmorizing. The coldest air is actually on the ground and warms as you make you way upwards. And though I'm not afraid of heights, several people have told me that once you're off the ground, height is all relative and not really a problem.

I think you should try it! Get up close and see how it happens. And if you find yourself at this year's Balloon Fiesta (Oct.1-10), look for me! I'll be there.

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-09-22T00:01:00.001-06:00

-Penny For Your Thoughts

G Is Easy

2011-09-21T23:04:00.000-06:00

Letters E & F were travel-related posts and today is, too, but then I promise to move on to some other interesting part of my life. The thing is, I live next door to a huge white mountain "G" and am taking a shortcut today by grabbing a post from my Utah travel blog to share with you here....

The Pleasant Grove "G"

The Pleasant Grove "G" has been an important landmark for our family. As a marker for home, we can point to it from across the valley when our little one asks how much longer until we get home. He knows the closer we get to that letter on the mountain, the sooner we'll be home. Along with the BYU "Y", the "G" has also served as an educational tool. When Word World was teaching him his letters, our little one started spotting them from the freeway and hollering them out proudly. And most recently, the giant white letter has turned into a fun game of "I Can See a G" as it moves behinds trees and buildings before reappearing a few moments later.

We have intended to make a trek to the "G" several times. The lack of clearly defined trail always dissuaded us, and once we discovered the much easier and well-marked BattleCreek Falls trail leaving from the same parking lot, the "G" was pretty much off our radar. Finally this summer the giant "G" called us so scouted out a route to take us all the way there. We left our excuses in the car and struck out on a trail that kinda sorta looked it was the right way to go.

The first part of the trail is really steep. Our little one kept telling us it was "pretty steep," but he kept on trekking.

It's interesting to get up close to a mammoth wild consonant. On the way up we each took a guess what it would be made of-wood, rocks, concrete. It's actually made with long strips of white-washed metal, and coming into full close-up view our little informed us we were all wrong....it's made out of chairs. He could be right-if you think of the nylon weaving of a lawn chair painted white and giganticized, that is what the "G" is made of.

We spent the rest of our time there having lunch in the center of the oversized capital letter. It is beautiful to get above your regular life-all the traffic, the stores, and the noise; to look across the valley and realize how big Utah Lake really is, how intricately the roads are interlaced, how many reservoirs there are, and where all the dirt trails go. The opportunity to take it all in made the trip worth it, no matter the difficulty we had in getting there.

Come visit me! We'll take a hike and you can see it for yourself!

Click Here for More A-Z

Far, Far Away

2011-09-20T23:17:00.000-06:00

I mentioned yesterday that I've done some overseas traveling. Today I thought I'd share some thoughts on the foreign countries (and one self-governing commonwealth) that I've visited:

Belgium-My senior English teacher docked me a point on a paper for typing the Grand Place instead of the Grand Palace. It really is Grand Place and I still want my point back. Make sure to see the night-time laser light show!

Luxembourg-Teeny tiny, but beautiful. You know the capital city and country are the same, right? Making it officially Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

France-After two trips to Paris I can officially say I could care less about ever going back there. The Normandy Coast and the French Riviera, however, are definitely worth repeat visits.

Netherlands-My paternal ancestry and I LOVE this country!!!

Canada-The thoroughfare for my multiple drives to and from Alaska. I'm still grateful for kind strangers 50km north of Edmonton who helped me change my flat tire.

Mexico-Anyone who tells me they're taking a Mexican Riviera cruise will probably never have to worry about me asking them for travel advice.

England-I haven't made it out of London, yet, but definitely on my list to go again.

Bermuda-A GREAT cruise destination because all the ports are on the same island. Get off at the first one and rent a scooter for the rest of your stay. You don't have to be on the ship when it moves-but know that the island is a little step back in time and all-night gas pumps may not be readily available...

Bahamas-Okay, this is a little cheating because I've only been on the beach Princess Cruises leases.

Guatemala-Does anyone have insight on how safe it is to travel independently here? Not knowing, we were overly cautious.

Costa Rica-Definitely do the zip-lining. I went 5 months pregnant. My husband and I were the only English speakers and after listening to a 20-minute safety speech in Spanish we were told, "Hold here, don't touch here. Go!"

Panama-Traveling through the canal is amazing! Tip for my LDS readers-the Panama LDS temple is viewable as you're entering/exiting the east end of the canal.

Puerto Rico-I mostly remember it being dirty.

Taiwan-This also should be considered a cheat, but a 10-hour over-night layover anywhere counts in my book.

Thailand-Go here!! Get out of Bangkok right away. I went north to Chiang Mai and did a jungle trek. Next time I'll go south to Phuket and the beaches!

Malaysia-Aqua blue beaches, snake temples, and English architecture-a surprisingly interesting destination.

Singapore-As clean as the news reports lead you to believe.

Spain-Gaudi was such a freak! A big-dreaming freak!

Australia-Really incredible-Perth was my absolute favorite. Great opposite-side-of-the-road driving in Tasmania.

New Zealand-The mist in the fjords is worth getting up early for, but I'd spend the rest of my vacationing days on the north end of the north island if I could.

Tahiti-French-speaking and you'll REALLY benefit from being french-speaking, too.

Italy-Where to start? Go here...that's all I can say.

Portugal-All the blue & white tiles in Lisbon-enchanting!

Albania-Such a sad looking country. The fall of communism, the rise of capitalism, and now? Deserted developments as far as the eye can see.

Croatia-Everything wonderful that, for me, Albania was not.

Switzerland-Idyllic and the greatest place to have family!

Gibraltar-Okay, the Rock of Gibraltar is a real place! And at the top is a mess of wild monkeys. Totally awesome!

Elephant Starts With E

2011-09-20T00:17:00.000-06:00

In 2002 I took a 4-month backpacking trip with friends. The trip included stops in the Caribbean, the Mexican Rivera, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. By far the most memorable event of that trip was my ride on an elephant's head.

Most rides on an elephant (or camel, or any other exotic animal) take place on some sort of wooden bench or chair for two strapped to the animal's back. Indeed, my animal did have that. But, traveling in a group of three that day, one of us was going to be left out. Not to be discouraged, our guide used a little creativity. Looking straight at me and taking note that I was wearing "trousers", he found a special seat for me...

Look at the photo again. Yes, that's my hand on top of an elephant's head! My front-row seat for an hour-long elephant ride was hovering over the elephant's neck. Let me tell you, it was invigoratingly harrowing!

To start with, I'm not an animal person. Add to that the fact that elephant hair is coarse and wiry and their skin is extremely dry; not the nicest resting place. Then consider that an elephant is considerably wider than your normal riding-type animal. And finally, let me explain to you that when an elephant is nervous, or concentrating, or struggling down a riverbank, he will wrap his ears back tightly against his body and around whatever else he finds there...in other words, he will wrap those rather strong ears around your legs and hold them still until he's comfortable again and feels like letting them go.

Now looking past all that, believe me when I say my elephant ride was one of the most INCREDIBLE experiences of my life thus far. I would do it again in a snap and absolutely recommend you jump at the opportunity should you ever find yourself in the wilderness of northern Thailand. Just be sure to travel in an odd-numbered group and wear your trousers...

(My one piece of advice is this: Elephants are large animals and so logically have large poo. Large poo makes a big splash when dropped in a river. Elephants may be tall, but an elephant poo splash will always be taller-look away and keep your mouth closed.)

More A-Z

Getting On A Jet Plane

2011-09-16T00:01:00.000-06:00

On my way to Denver for the weekend,

and since it's time to write about the letter D it seems quite fitting.

Any suggestions what to do while I'm there?

More A-Z here

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-09-15T00:01:00.000-06:00

It was my birthday yesterday, this is what I did, and it'll be on my mind for awhile!

C-C-C-Cats

2011-09-14T20:03:00.002-06:00

I hate cats. I'm not an animal person in general, but I especially could do without cats. The great thing is that my husband shares an equal disinterest in furry felines and so I'll never have to worry about having one in my home. Even better, our mutual hatred has spawned quite a bout of conniving and trickery. Take for example the birthday cake I bought him the first year we were hanging out together...

and the t-shirt I made him a few years ago for Christmas which reads, "Real Men Love Cats."

Pretty much anything ugly or ridiculous merchandised to cat-lovers is fair game to sneak into a family gathering. And what my husband doesn't know yet? I've indoctrinated the children! How long before he figures out it's no coincidence his birthday cards, Father's Day cards, and "Daddy, I just love you so I bought a card" cards are decorated in cats wearing frog costumes or cute kitties mewing with hearts around their heads?

For more ideas on exactly the kind of images that make us vomit, and hence are fair-game for the next hideousness to make it's way into our home, check out these cats.

Click here for A-B

B=Blogs

2011-09-13T00:01:00.001-06:00

I started this blog four years ago, then quit this blog for a long time (like, years). Then this year rolled around and something exploded! Not only did I brush the cobwebs off of this address, I dove head-first into a world of new blog endeavours. Here are the cyberspace locales where you can keep an eye on me...

Wandering Still-That's here, so of course you know already know a whole heck of a lot about me.

6 In the Kitchen-A cooking blog project with my sisters where we share our VERY different tastes.

A Local Wander-My passion in progress. After a little re-tooling, it's going to be a contributor-oriented Utah activities blog. If you live in Utah, or visit here, I want to hear from you!

Eating the Nibbly Bibs-My newest project sharing my experiences at home preschooling and following the book Teaching Your Children Joy.

I'd love to have you check these out and let me know what you think!

Click here for Letter "A"

Let's Do A Little A-Z

2011-09-12T00:11:00.000-06:00

We've all seen it-People out in blogworld playing a little game of A-Z. There are lots of variations, but the idea is always the same: Starting at the beginning of the English alphabet, work your way through to Z, sharing little snippets of yourself along the way. In the past I've had little interest in jumping onto the bandwagon, but something in my mind recently said, "Hey, go ahead and give it a try!" So for as long as it takes me to get through the 26-letters, here is A-Z, Wandering Still-style...

My last name growing up started with double-A's. Aa. I loved ALWAYS being the first name called on the roll-call list. No waiting around or worrying that I'd quit paying attention and miss someone calling my name. I had no sense of humor for substitute teachers cleverly trying to "switch things up" by calling out names in reverse, starting with "Z". No one else was buying it were they? If I were a Wilson or a Van Wyk or a Young I'd probably have been annoyed because I wasn't used to being first and so I did just miss you calling my name...

My married name is a good-ol' middle-of-the-alphabet name. Not too far in to bore me, but enough in that I have to stay on my toes. But,as I sit here thinking about it, there aren't a lot of moments in adult life that call for a long line of attending names to be called out in succession, are there?

Huh. Glad I had my double-A name back when it meant something.

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-09-08T09:25:00.000-06:00

"We have free will, and the Devil also has things in his mind too."

-Donald Kraybill, Amish Grace

Child-Friendly Entertainment

2011-09-06T23:18:00.000-06:00

I was contacted recently to review a new animated video project by Sun Swing Media, and though I've tried not to turn this blog into a commercial venue, I appreciate what they're trying to do and agreed to share their concept and my thoughts with you.

The concept is to take a previously published story from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' children's magazine, The Friend, and produce simple animations of the story for parent's to download and share with their families. The creator's are hoping to provide simple entertaining animations with a clean and positive message.

The first video Sun Swing Media has completed is "The Decision." The story follows three boys walking home one day, happening upon an inappropriate magazine, and their reactions as they decide what to do with it. The animation itself reminded me of the "Home Star Runner" animation clips. And at about 4 minutes long, it's short enough to keep children's attention.

I love the idea behind these videos. My little boy is 4 and loves getting his Friend magazine in the mail each month. These videos will be a great supplement to the stories he sees in there. If you're not familiar with the Friend magazine, don't be scared away. The intention is to produce animations of topics that our kids are encountering in their lives today.

I'll be upfront with you. I did not show "The Decision" to my little boy. I agree that we need to be open with even our small children about the threats awaiting them in the world. I don't feel, however, like he needs to be introduced to words like pornography quite yet. For children at the higher end of the target audience, though, (6-10ish) the video does deal with the subject tastefully and appropriately. Also, the creators are honest about not being screenwriters. The dialogue pretty closely follows the story, but I don't feel like the simple animation style necessarily lends itself well to the depth of emotion the creators were striving for.

Would I buy this video for download? For the $1.00 price tag, absolutely! Not because this particular video was 100% captivating, but because I know that as Sun Swing Media produces more and more videos, the quality will become better and we NEED more child-friendly entertainment options available for our families.

Interested in finding out more?

Download "The Decision" Now

Link to the original story printed in the Friend

Family Lesson Material to go along with the video

Official Press Release

Other Reviews Here and Here

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this video or anything else you want to share about the media options available for children today!

*Sun Swing Media, while having permission to work with stories from a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints publication, is an independent production company and not an official representative of the church.

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-08-31T22:49:00.000-06:00

"We are all busy. It's easy to find excuses for not reaching out to others, but I imagine they will sound as hollow to our Heavenly Father as the elementary school boy who gave his teacher a note asking that he be excused from school March 30th through March 34th."

-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

This Is Where I Really Want To Be Today...

2011-08-30T11:30:00.000-06:00

In My Heart On Thursday

2011-08-25T00:01:00.001-06:00

via http://timothybuckwalter.typepad.com

A Little Piece of Paper Defines Me

2011-08-22T23:39:00.000-06:00

My passport has expired. I'd lost my driver's license and was hunting for the legal documents I needed to replace it when I came across the well-worn little blue book. I opened it up to take a mini-trip down memory lane and instantly felt a dagger of pain tear through my traveling soul. I let out a scream and started to cry. My husband came running to see what was the matter and then stood in a stupor fearing I'd finally completely lost my mind. I felt like my life was over.

The truth is that my life has been changing. I've noticed over the past few months that my travel-planning is more of an afterthought. The dreams are constantly in my mind, but the opportunities pass and I'm left reflecting on how I let practicality or financial responsibility make the decision for me. Where in the past I would have spent the last two months spontaneously road-tripping, the farthest I've actually been is 2 hours from home on a Sunday afternoon. It's a numb feeling inside of me that normally would have me kicking and screaming. Instead I'm resigning to my current reality.

Which is not to say that all is lost for me! I've written before about the big plans my family has for traveling. That dream is still alive and well. And to reawaken the life-breath inside of me, I'm going to share the latest rendition of our plans with you...

I recently discovered that kindergarten is not required in the state of Utah. This is wonderful news for me! Our little boy Beck will be old enough to start school in September 2012, one year from now, and so that has become our target date for packing up and leaving. Rather than loading up with notebooks and pencils, his backpack will be full of maps and traveling activities (he is adorably in love with reading maps and telling us the way).

We're going to go east first for a stay with my family in the Midwest and a chance for my husband to work and make a little more money before leaving the country. After that the world is wide open for 9 months of traveling. Right now we're thinking to spend a month at a time divided between cute comfortable cottage-like rentals and camping; a temporary home-base where we can get get a feel for community, but also venture out for days at a time and see the most of what there is to see.

More details? No, not yet. It's still a year away. Right now I only have one important job to complete: Tomorrow's mail will carry my passport renewal form and photos away, along with my 18-month-old son Peyton's first application. I remember the excitement I felt seeing Beck's photo inside his very own passport, and I know it will be a party the day our mailwoman delivers my travel freedom back to me.

I promise future posts on where we're going to go, how we'll make sure Beck gets his kindergarten education on the road, and many other travel-related topics that get me smiling. Until then, I'd love to hear anything you have to say!

A Blogtastic Extravaganza Winners!

2011-08-22T00:29:00.000-06:00

Thank you to everyone who entered my three giveaways during A Blogtastic Extravaganza!

Congratulations to the winners:

Prize #1 Upcycled Silverware Jewelry

Allison

Prize #2 Girl's Accessories

Brooke Anna

Prize #3 Family Friendly Folk CD's

Michelle

Winners were chosen by Random.org and have been notified by email.

In the event that a winner has not responded within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.