SIMPLIFY

Do you ever feel like the walls are closing in around you? Like you're living in clutter and excess? I had been feeling this way for a few years, and realized that we have a lot of stuff! After nearly 18 years of marriage, Jeff and I have quite the collection going on here, and we both decided it was time to simplify. So over the past couple of weeks we have been taking pictures of things, and then posting them in the classifieds. We've listed everything from barnyard implements, to household appliances, to collectibles, and we've been surprised at how much unused stuff we have been able to sell in just a couple of weekends! Not to mention the extra cash we have because of it. It's almost like the house is opening up a little more, like we can breathe easier or something. So I've decided that I'd like to have this feeling in more areas of my life... I'm going to simplify in other ways too. I'll keep ya posted (pun intended).

"HERE'S YOUR SIGN..."

...or signal, whichever the case may be. You know that you're not getting enough sleep, and under a little too much stress, when you stop for a red light... and then RUN IT! Yes, that is exactly what I did today on my way home from Costco! I have been navigating the streets of Sandy City for nearly 23 years now, and frequenting this particular four-way intersection at 700 E. and 11000 S. regularly for almost as long. Yet today, for some reason, I treated this four-way light signal intersection as a four-way stop sign intersection! I've never ever done anything like this before! Maybe I shouldn't be driving right now. Especially with kids in the car. Luckily, when I stopped, I looked both ways to make sure no one was coming before I ran the red light. The only thing I can think of is that I've been basically without enough sleep for about two months now, and have a little too much going on with sick people, sick animals, home renovation, and all the regular busy stuff. I'd like to think that's the problem, and not something like early onset "senility", or late onset "typical blonde disorder." Maybe I'll just drive with my hazard lights on for a while... after all, I am a hazard to other drivers!

"TENDING ROSES"

My book group selection for April was "Tending Roses" by Lisa Wingate (I hope I got the author right). Our group decided we needed a break after reading and discussing some "heavy" selections in months past, so Keri chose what she felt was a light read for April. I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to just about anyone! I felt like I could relate so well to the story and felt so encouraged and uplifted about family traditions and ties after I finished it. Although I shed a few tears while reading, I felt that it was a sweet story with a great message that I must have been in need of. For anyone looking for a great read, try "Tending Roses". You can pick it up at Barnes and Noble for only $6!

A TOUGH WEEK... AND THEN SPRING!

As I've mentioned in previous posts, we are remodeling our house. I have a budget to work with so I'm trying to save money wherever I can. I am forking over the $$$ to have my wood floors sanded and refinished in my entryway and kitchen, so I decided to save money by doing the painting myself. I've done plenty of painting in the past and feel like I've learned from my mistakes. I wanted to do a bang up job this time so I bought high quality stuff and was meticulous about doing a great job, including all the ceiling, moulding, and taping necessary to make it look professional. That being said... I am not as young as I used to be! Not to mention I am carrying around about 20 extra lbs. right now, combined with my pesky Fibromyalgia, and I was really suffering by the end of the week! Then something miraculous happened on Saturday- spring arrived!!! This winter has been such a long, cold one, and I've tried harder this year than any other to have a good attitude about the cold and snow, but even Jeff and Brit started to get sick of the crappy weather(and they usually love winter)! I spent the entire day on Saturday outdoors enjoying the sun and warm, and loved every minute of it. Yesterday was even warmer, and today is supposed to reach the 70s! Three days of sunny warm weather should be enough to get me through to the next warm spell.

GOAT BABIES

After weeks of waiting and wondering when they would arrive... the goat babies are here! We were expecting some of them a few weeks ago, but must have miscalculated their due date.

Daisy is our youngest mom and she was the one to get things rolling. She had her twin boys yesterday afternoon, in between our check-ups, and behind our backs! Stinker! So we missed the birth. We named the tan baby boy "Trigger", and the black baby boy "Pal". Mom and babies are doing well. I guess since she is newer at the the whole mom thing, she is extra protective. It's kinda funny to watch her out there freaking out about every sound and movement. She's going to wear herself out with worry! Reminds me of myself with Brit, actually!

I guess Willow decided that if Daisy was going to have babies, she wanted hers too. We went out this morning to feed and found that she'd had twin girls sometime during the night or early morning hours. "Honeysuckle" and "Sage" are their names. Both babies are black and so cute! The babies were already dry and moving around by the time we saw them. So, that's it for us this year, and we missed both births. Bummer. But it's great that everyone is healthy and doing fine.

MLK & OTHER PEOPLE I ADMIRE

April 4, 2008 marked the 40th anniversary of the assasination of Martin Luther King Jr. Every year I kind of keep the date in the back of my mind, not really anything I think too much about, but it's there. I think if U2 had not written and sang a song about the incident, I may not even remember the actual date. This year for some reason it gave me more pause to think about MLK, what he accomplished in his lifetime, and about the other people like him who seem to have almost superhuman abilties to stand up strong and unwavering in their convictions. I admire that quality in others. MLK's policy was to use your voice, your intellect, your soul, to facilitate change. Isn't that what being human is all about? Any animal can use their teeth and claws, horns or antlers, or throw their weight around to get what they want. We have been given the gift of reasoning, and I admire those people who really figure out how to use that gift to make our world a better place.

A BAD SPILL!

Tonight Kaylee had a bad fall. She is such a good helper in the kitchen and I can always count on her to volunteer her help with dinner and clean up. We decided to make fresh juice to have with dinner and Kaylee was getting fruit for me from the fridge and from outside in the garage. At the same time the dogs were doing their best to get in everyone's way. Kaylee had a big flat of strawberries in her arms trying to get them back out to the garage when a couple of the dogs walked right in front of her and took her legs right out from under her. She went down so hard! She said she was trying to save the strawberries so she didn't break her fall at all. She really hurt her knee and is lying in bed as a result. Poor thing. She did save the strawberries and though that may be small consolation now, maybe she'll feel a little better after I've dipped some in chocolate and brought her a plate. Get better soon Kayz.

REMODELING

I've decided that there are many things about our house that need to be updated and remodeled, so, I'm on the task. My biggest issue with taking on these kinds of projects is that I have a really hard time trying to decide what I want. The second biggest issue is, of course, my budget! It would be easier to make decisions if I had unlimited $$$$$ to back them up. I have decided that this time I will use brighter, happier colors for paint and decor. I was inspired by our trip to the Caribbean! I am starting in the kitchen and will work out from there. I read an interesting theory on home remodeling and the strong desire we have to make a change now and then... the author suggested this stems from our ancient imprinting when humans lived in better harmony with nature as hunter/gatherers. The ancients lived in tune with, and most often lived directly in nature where the landscapes and living conditions were constantly changing. Whatever the reason, this will be quite a year around the Bringhurst house! Wish us luck!

BEYOND BELIEF

When something like this happens, it affects me so profoundly. It's beyond my comprehension how a family can even deal with it. I understand that ultimately none of us as parents are in complete control of every situation, and though we may all try our best to keep our kids safe, still, unforeseen tragedy may still strike. But, when it looks like a child's disappearance is at the hands of another human being, it is beyond my belief. I cannot believe there are still some of us who feel that it is okay to violate another's basic rights, to take a person against their will, or change the course of their life. Tonight I am hoping for the best possible outcome for this family, for this little girl. I'm sure any prayers and thoughts will be helpful to all involved.

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