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1. What did you do in 2010 that you’ve never done before? 

Be a single mother.  For two months Ivan was in Idaho while I wrapped things up in Ohio.  I was still working, serving at church, and packing.  (packing, selling, throwing, donating)

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? 

I resolve every year to make a resolution next year.  So, I did achieve my goal.  As for this year, so far so good!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

A couple of friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

A fomer neighbor and her son.  She and her two children were abducted.  The daughter held prisoner.  The mother & son dismembered, stuffed in garbage bags, hidden in a tree.  This was so very shocking to me.  I used to baby sit those kids.  They went to school with my kids.  I had been in their home; they in mine.  It still gives me chills and breaks my heart.

5. What countries did you visit?

Yeah, dumb question.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

A full savings account.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory and why?

A cold day in March when we found out we would have to move or be unemployed.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Not falling apart.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I'm am pretty dang happy with how I handled all of last year's challenges.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? 

Had one of the nastiest cases of the flu since my BYU days.  Headaches became a daily reality.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Laptop!

12. Where did most of your money go?

Laptop!

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Laptop!

14. Happier or sadder?

Yes!

15. Thinner or fatter? 

Yes!

16. Richer or poorer?

Yes!

17. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Temple work.

18. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Where to start....

19. How did you spend Christmas?

Watching movies, playing games, eating, talking to family on the phone.

20. Did you fall in love in 2010?

No, I've always loved Johnny Depp.  I mean Ivan!!!  

21. What was your favorite TV show?

Sadly, there are too many to list.  (I guess I should go back to #18)

22. What was the best book you read?

Hunger Games Trilogy!

23. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2010? 

I got nothin'.

24. What did you want and get?

A laptop!!!

25. What did you want and not get?

iPad.

26. What was your favorite film this year?

Again with #18!

27. What did you do on your birthday?

Went to Church.

28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 

I wish we could've gone on a vacation.  (I wish that every year.)  And that we'd have movers to do all of the work.  

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? 

lol

30. What kept you sane?

Medicine.

31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

Seriosly?!  Please refer to #20

32. What political issue stirred you the most? 

Not really in the mood for that question.

33. Who did you miss?

Family, friends, and familiar territory.

34. Who was the best new person you met?

Our Bishop & his wife & Kim & Daphne & Laura.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

I can do more than I thought I could.

Oh Christmas Tree

Sage and I adapted this crafthttp://taylordesign.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/curled-paper-christmas-tree-tutorial/  (I don't know how to make this link work, just google it.)
to make a craft at home.
I was determined to make it without buying any supplies.  So I had to make my own cones.

These were just stapled together.  Didn't have to be pretty because they were going to be covered.






 The next step is to cut out the little paper strips from scrapbook paper. I didn't have any two sided paper (which would look cuter) but I forged ahead anyway.  They each need to be curled.
Then begin gluing.  My tacky glue was a bit glumpy after a hot trek across the US of A, but it seemed to still do the job.



When all was glued on, I added some glitter glue at the top & a dollop on each "leaf" to add some sparkle.  Given more time, I could add a star or angle.  I'm going to make 4 more of these to use in the display at the middle school library.

 Sage wanted to make some too.  I think she did pretty good!  And I wasn't allowed to help her.

 

Paradise Lost

Due to 4th grade time constraints, my teaching time has been greatly reduced.  I only get about one hour per month instead of one hour per week.  I am so sad.  I was really enjoying my weekly lessons on character related issues.   The kids would cheer when I came in & just beg to know what the weekly game was.  I hope they don't forget who I am!!!  Sigh.....

Look out Primary, Here I come!!!

  

Sunday I was officially called & sustained as the Star Ward Primary President.  (Talk about jumping into a new ward with both feet!)  I was able to spend my last "free" Sunday observing & learning from the previous presidency.  I am so grateful that I've had the experience of being a counselor.  Rebecca was a great trainer.  Now I get to be the senior companion!!!

The worst part is just that I don't know very many people yet.  I don't know who's who or who goes with which kid.  Oh well, that will come with time. 

I did get to enjoy a couple of months off (for good behavior?) and the opportunity to meet a few folks.  I was even able to befriend someone who is newer here than we are.  (I'm a R.S. big sister, now.)  

Anyway, I hope this goes well.  I looking forward to my new adventure with optimism and renewed energy. 

Star Elementary: 4th Grade Thursdays

Problem Solving

This month I am teaching my son's 4th grade class about problem solving.

First we solved a mystery:  There is a a small room, with an open window, a small table, broken glass & water on the floor & two dead bodies.  Can you guess what happened?

Next, we learned about how to solve problems with a human flowchart:
     Identify the problem
     Generate Solutions
     Evaluate Solutions
     Is the problem solved?  Yes - then you are finished
                                            No - go back & generate more solutions

We used our new found knowledge to solve a couple of scenarios.

As usual, I read a story that went with our theme.  Today it was:

Then, because they were so quiet during the story, we got to play a game of "Beat the Rabbit."  (It's a racing game, not a violent one.)

After we were done & the recess bell rang, I got the sweetest note.  The teacher is using a program with the kids about filling other people's buckets.  Last week, the kids were noisy & the teacher asked them if they were filling my bucket or emptying it by being noisy.  (Emptying, of course.)  So I used that today because they were getting all wound up during the flowchart exercise.  Hence the message from the note.

Makes it all worthwhile!

Reruns

One month of Idaho living and counting.  Two reruns already.  Not the television kind.  In Relief Society:  First was a repeat lesson on the Priesthood.  It was nice to have the information presented in a different way.  And second, our enrichment lesson this week.

This will be my second time through this program!  Love it!  But what should I major in?

Zucchini Part 2

(Thanks everyone, for not pointing out that I totally spelled zucchini wrong last time.)

A couple more recipes that we really liked:

And, you'll all be impressed:  I have been teaching Sage how to make ramen noodles in the microwave.  Now, if only she could reach it by herself, I'd never have to get out of bed!!!