It's Sunday evening. I just about have dinner ready. We're having an elk roast, potatoes and gravy, and veggies.

We had a good Sunday. Our church meetings were great! My visiting teachers came. They had a great lesson, but that's nothing new. They always do. We have all been canning and we exchanged stories about that. We all have gardens. We exchanged stories about that. We had a very good visit. It was fun to remember things from the past. I am lucky to have two such wonderful ladies come to my home to check on me.

I have a new dog. Her name is Lacy. She's a Sheitzo (I know that's not spelled right). She is a fun dog. She is well mannered and very polite. She's not neutered yet, but she will be. Now we have 3 dogs, 7 cats, and 3 birds. Oh, I can't forget 4 hamsters and 6 bunnies. Jeff never knows what I'll bring home next. I enjoy animals and plants (I have a lot of them too).

Every critter has a story. I won't go into that right now.

I cleaned, made jam, and made bread yesterday. I feel like I did the dishes about 10 times, but I think it was only three. I didn't get started on the apron. I might look at my fabric later and at least decide what I'm going to do. Jeff even took me out to dinner because I was too pooped to fix him anything. He spoils me sometimes.

Jeff goes up and cuts wood for an older couple in our ward that he home teaches. He has been working with an old chainsaw so he bought a new chain saw. He got a wood permit Friday so he'll probably start cutting wood tomorrow.

I hope life treats you well. Take care.

Well, I have to say it has been quite a while since I wrote. I'm going to do better. I'm trying to get the hang of this blogging stuff. Allison has a great blog. Cameron and Rebecca have a great blog. Nikki has a great blog. Grannie K is just trying to figure out what she's doing. I'm going to try to get a new picture and set up a slide show.

I have to confess something. I haven't been doing good at all on WW's lately. I weighed in tonight and it was enough to shake me up. I'm going to get back on the wagon. I let chocolate get the best of me. It just went downhill from there. I'm going to start exerciseing again tomorrow. I have been really lax in that area too. You guys check up on me now and then to see how I'm doing.

Things are good. I have a new dog. Her name is Zoe. She's a pompoo. Her dad is a pomeranian and her mom is a toy poodle. She's cute. She needs a hair cut though. She looks like a powder puff with legs. She loves to play with Milo (the cat). He just puts up with her. The other cats don't put up with her so she sticks with Milo. I'll have to take some pictures of her so everyone can see her.

I have two parakeets. They are trying to teach Powder (my cockatoo) to talk more softly. Any of you who have been around cockatoos know that they can be really loud. I haven't even named them yet. That's unusual for me.

I don't know if anyone is interested in WW's recipes. I could include some of my favorites if there is any interest. That will probably help me stay on track.

I have been doing some canning lately. Some friends and I canned chicken a few weeks ago and we canned barbeque last Tuesday. Preston has a county cannery that is open from August until the end of October. We are able to can just about anything there is a recipe for. It's great and very economical. The appointments are all filled for the rest of this year so we're planning what we want to can next year. We will be better prepared. We can still do dry packing and I might go down and dry pack some things before they close for the season. We went to Natalie's yesterday evening and bottled applesauce. The three of us did 41 quarts of applesauce. That kind of thing is so much more fun when you work with friends. We are going to do apple pie filling and then we are done for the year. I will probably do some freezer jam on my own, but the group effort will be over after the apple pie filling.

I am in a apron swap. I want to get started on that this weekend. The lady I'm making the apron for wants it made out of Christmas fabric. I have to check my stash and see what I have on hand.

Make sure you check out Cameron and Rebecca's blog, Allison's blog, and Nikki's blog. They'll keep you up on family news. I'll find out if anyone else has a blog and let you know.

Take care. See ya soon.

I just took the funnest quiz. It's called "Which Princess are You"? I will figure out how to put the quiz here so you can all try it. I'm Jasmine. I don't think of myself as a princess, but the explanation nails me to a tee.

You Are Jasmine!

Independent and adventurous. You don't want much; just to break out of the guilded cage society has put you in and experience life to the fullest. Following orders isn't really one of your strong points, and you would rather live a life of poverty than being forced into something that you hate.

Hi Everyone,

Cameron took his boys and headed for Utah this morning. He had to stop in Logan and pick a trampoline. Then he had to stop in Willard and drop off his nephew. It was wonderful to see him and all his family. Cameron and the boys helped Jeff and Richard pick up hay. They worked hard. Then they rode horses and played hard. Cameron and Rebecca rode up to the radio tower. There are lots of pictures I want to share with you as soon as I learn how to do it. It was a wonderful month. Taylor and Mikayla were here through the first part of the month (July). Then Matt and his family came for a day or two. Shawn and Ginger came up and brought Nichelle for a visit. Cameron and his family came while Nichelle was here. She had fun getting to know her cousin, Macie. Cameron and his family took off for Yellowstone for Rebecca's family reunion. Shawn and Ginger came up to get Nichelle. He and Jeff wear the same size so Shawn brought him up some shoes and shirts. Jeff has worn all but one pair of the shoes and he loves them all. The day Shawn left Cameron and some of his family came back. Braden and Trevor had gone on to Utah for an "Especially for Youth" get together. Cameron and the boys were such a big help for Jeff and Richard. They worked so hard in the hay. They were invaluable. Jeff is wondering how they are going to finish things finished up without him.

Well, I'll work on learning how to do a slide show and show you what was going on around here.

It has been a wonderful day. I got a lot of things accomplished at work today. I went to Stoke's (our local grocery store) and got rodeo tickets for Cameron and the boys. I came home and enjoyed some tomatoes and cottage cheese. I have checked out my daughter's blog and will check out Nikki's after I'm finished here. I helped the agents get ready for the parade. I will be taking my cameras to work tomorrow. I'll probably take pictures all day long and during the parade.

Cameron is here from California for a few days. His wife, Rebecca, and all their kids were here. Then Rebecca and some of the kids went to a wedding and the two oldest boys, Braden and Trevor went to an "Especially for Youth" event. Cameron, Adam, and Dallin stayed here to move hay and enjoy some time with their grandparents. We've barbequed, we've made S'mores, they have moved hay, and today they worked and then they went over to Croslands' to play. The Croslands have tree houses, rope swings, all sorts of animals, fireman poles, and more. It is like going to a extra special park. They will come home tired and happy. Jeff and Cameron just went over to get them and bring them home.

Tomorrow they are going to the parade and the rodeo. They are getting really excited. They work hard in the hay. Then they play hard afterward. They have been riding horses too. It's too bad there's nothing to do at Grandma and Grandpa's.

We have had family here most of July. Matt and his wife and kids came up. Taylor and Mikayla came up after Allison's wedding and spent a couple of months here. Mikayla worked on the ranch. Taylor played on the computer a lot. Shawn and Ginger came up and visited and then left Shawn's daughter, Nichelle, for about 10 days. Shawn and Ginger came back up and picked her up. They left and then Cameron and his family came. It has been a busy month for Jeff and I, but we love our kids and grandkids. We enjoy spending time with them and love to have them come to see us.

My adherence to my Weight Watchers this month has been horrible. I don't think dieting and entertaining family go well together. I'll get back in the saddle in August. I love the fact I have done so well, but I want to get to goal so I'll get back to work soon.

Good Morning,

It's already July 25. Time is going so quickly. I love summer and think it should last longer. Who do I send my wishes and desires on that issue to?

Allison had a beautiful wedding. The weather had been kind of crappy before and I was a bit worried, but she had a positive attitude and everything was perfect. Her photographer was a kid she has known forever. I'm not sure but I don't think she even knew he was in the business until she met him. Her dress was perfect! Everyone looked wonderful! It was a very special day. She married a very wonderful and special man named Scott Blakley. My favorite part of the whole thing is that they are both so very happy. They are perfect for each other.

The famous Preston Rodeo Days are coming up this next week. There is a parade Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Richard will probably have the horses in the Saturday parade. That's usually what happens. I'll try to get some good pictures and include them next week. I work at Exit Realty and our broker dresses up as Capt. Jack Sparrow. I'll get some pictures of our float and him too.

Weight Loss

About a year and a half ago I decided I was too heavy. I got out of breath doing simple things and I was on the verge of going to a size 24. I just couldn't handle that. I joined Weight Watchers. I need the accountabilty of getting on those scales every week and having Corlis look up at me and tell me how good I'm doing (or not). The program is wonderful and is a great way to change your life style. I have to say it is hard for me because when I want a hot fudge sundae an apple isn't going to cut it. But I've learned a lot about portion control and I really eat anything I want. I just don't eat everything in sight. I've lost 50 pounds about three times, but I'm determined to do it right this time. If you have any good recipes or need one maybe I can help you or you can help me. I would love to share tips and/or recipes.