Sisters in Zion

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have opened up my second blog! Its a blog dedicated to the Young Women Organization for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hopefully I will have handouts and stories/thoughts, pictures from activities and ideas for other leaders (or girls) in the YW program! Check it out under the Blogs that I Like: We Are Daughter of a Heavenly King.

Big Girl Now

So after about 3 years of being in our ward's nursery, I have been released. Yes, I did ask to be released because I was just getting burned out and felt like I had fulfilled my calling and duty when set apart for that position. However, this doesn't mean that I am off the hook. The bishopbric has decided to call me to the Young Women Program as the 2nd counselor. I had a feeling that is where they were going to call me but I had no idea that it was going to land me into the presidency. It frightens me a little because I have had no real interaction with that organization since I was a teenager. I mean there was camp, but that was really only for about a week and only a few weeknight activities. 

Anyway, they sustained me today during Sacrament. I had my little mini me on my lap at the time this happened and the lady that they had put in my place in the nursery was sitting just on the other side of my and when I pointed out to her that this lady was going to be her new teacher, she about freaked and just about cried. Needless to say she just left my lap and went back to her mother shortly after. 

It was hard to hear a lot of the parents tell me that their kids will miss me as a teacher and they thanked me for all the time and love that I had put into my calling. Its bitter sweet, like I said before, I love the kids and will greatly miss them, but it was time to move on and I'm excited to start this new adventure...wish me the best of luck!

Blame it on the weatherman

Its the week of Halloween and guess what? I am getting sick. Just my luck that it happens almost every year.  Seems like each one of us kids gets sick around a holiday and mine just has to be around one of the funnest holidays of them all! Anyone have any OJ (with lots of pulp) that they would like to offer me a glass of? LOL. I blame my cold on a couple of things, first, I blame the rapid weather change (snow, rain, sun, wind...you get the idea). Second I blame my weak immune system with the stress that I am going through with school and other things. and Third, I blame my little nursery kids who "oh they are not sick" but really are sick. Grr.

So I don't know if I have mentioned this before or not, my memory seems to be slipping away with the rest of the year (man how fast it has gone), but some big changes are coming my way. I am not at liberty to say just what they are yet, but if you have been following my posts over the last few months you might just get an idea of what those changes are going to be. Needless to say, my creativity has taken flight again and I have have been working on some things that are kinda surprising even to me! Hopefully soon I will be able to share them! 

I know this is a short post, but I just felt like I needed to right. Since I had a little break in between my classes today. 

Autumn Leaves

Midterms are finally over and life has gone back to normal, well as normal as it could ever be. I can say that I have done pretty well thus far this semester-hoping that momentum and enthusiasm stays with me til finals in December. The next two weeks will be a little crazy though. I need to complete two more observations for my EDUC 204 class. I have what I am going to do, I just need to wait for them to take place. So I guess in a way that is my big stress but not so big that it is going to cause me problems later on. I got my battle plan and I'm sticking with it. 

Not sure if I have mentioned this or not, but Fall is my FAVORITE season of the year. Yeah, I know its a little late to be saying that, but the bitter cold weather has made me stop and smell the...leaves. I love, love, LOVE the colors the leaves change and how they all just fall on the ground...its so beautiful.

When I lived up North, I loved walking down the streets in the fall (sometimes after the rain or even during the rain), and just looking at all the leaves on the ground. The area was just beautiful around this time of the year. However, to make up for that, my neighbors yard is just beautiful and it won't be to long before our large backyard is covered with leaves as well.

Since we are talking about the Fall, Halloween is coming up and as I was looking through my photos that I have on my computer, I came across this photo (seen below) and it reminded me of how there is certain movies that are really great and you could really watch at any time, but watching them during Halloween, just adds the little something something to the suspense =]

This motel is located around down town Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. The motel itself is just like most motels where you can park right by your door. You know the ones that look kinda creepy, in fact similar to the one in the movie Psycho just white. Only it was the name that drew my attention to it and I just had to laugh and of course snap a photo of it! =]

Pleasure and Pain

So its the weekend (this would be the "Pleasure") and I have 2 midterms (this would be the "Pain") that I have til Sunday night to finish. Where in the world does it say that midterms can be assigned on the weekend? I mean, yeah its great that I get to have ALL my notes and books around to help me answer the questions and on one of my midterms, I even get 3 attempts (2 hours each) to try and get the highest score possible. Which is nice since it originally was only one attempt and 90 minutes to complete it by 5 pm today. However I guess with as many failed attempts sent via email from my classmates, it has been extended which I am glad because that gives me a little more time I can brush up on the reading and get familiar again with the previous chapters that we studied earlier. I am ready for it! So, don't be surprised if no one hears from me over the next 48 hours. 

The other "midterm" I have is not really a midterm at all, but more of a copy and paste thing from one document to another and then submit. I have received permission from both of my instructors allowing me to use the same paper so that is why its really copy and paste into a  dissertation format. So not to big of a pain, just takes some time to complete and get the right portions into the right area and format of the dissertation outline (no, I am not in a high enough class level to be writing a dissertation, my one instructor just wanted to get us familiar with the formatting and layout of one so that we can have it for future reference and since its a technology class and we do not have many assignments, its going towards our midterm grade).

Then if midterms were not enough, I have to figure out a nursery lesson and singing time for tomorrow. I think I have found one, I just got to go over it and see what I can do with said lesson. The singing time won't be that hard since I just have to look through my treasure trove of singing time items and pick. Problem is, I just have to do it. Plus the normal stuff I use the weekend to get done...its going to be crazy and come Sunday night, I will be out like a light bulb as soon as my head hits my pillow...I am sure of it. =]

I was hoping to maybe finish up a crafting project (my season blocks) this weekend, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen, maybe next week they will get done. Oh well! 

OOOOHHHHH! So one of my favorite Halloween traditions is coming back this year. I LOVE the show Ghost Hunters (on Syfy) and they are doing their live Halloween event again this year. Last year was fun and you get to feel like your apart of the team. Check it out here:http://www.syfy.com/ghosthunterslive/

Anyway, I need to get going so I can start on my midterms. Take care and we will see you next time!

Facebook

Hello everyone! For those who I am friends with on facebook, I will be disconnecting that account but I do have a new account under under the same name. I have a link in my side bar that you can click (its listed under the 'Likes' and is blue with a big white f on it) and it will take you to my new facebook page where you can then friend me. Sorry about all the confusion!

**UPDATE** as of this evening 10/11/10 i have sent in the request to delete my Facebook account under the email tiggs_r_us@hotmail.com. It will no longer be available and in just 14 days will be perminately deleted. However, as stated above, you can still "friend" me on the link provided. Thanks again for your cooperation in making this change!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

That is what little girls are made of. Interesting experience tonight, I received a phone call from on of my nursery kids-"Mini Me." LOL it was cute. Her mom was telling me that she wanted to call and say hi. As with all little princesses, she got her wish. So she gets on the phone and says hi, then proceeds to tell me a story about this pickle character that she has been seeing (kinda like a nightmare) and how her daddy took care of him. Then she was telling me that they were have a birthday party for her little brother (this would "B", another little guy in our happy nursery family) and asked if I was going to come. I told her I didn't know and so then she proceeded to tell me that I could have a hat, but they didn't have the hats yet cause they have to go buy some. It was really cute and it touched me. Although I am going to be leaving nursery here soon (fingers crossed) I will greatly miss those little guys and moments just like this. *sigh*

So today was a very interesting day. My mom's birthday was today and she had her 3 sisters over today cause they were going to go to lunch. Boy did I learn things about all 4 ladies that I hadn't known before. It was actually kinda funny but scary at the same time. I would share bits of the conversation, but then I would have to probably change the rating of this blog....LOL.

So like I said it was mothers birthday and they went out to lunch. Well my brother and sister in law (SIL) had this idea to take in a cake to the place they were eating and have the staff sing to her. So picture this,  a packed restaurant, pie instead of cake, and a more than willing staff. It was classic. I guess my mom's face went beet red. So I guess we did good. 

So anyway, I guess I will close for the time being so I can go look over and study my math notes for my test tomorrow. Good Night!

Trick or Treat

So in honor of one of my favorite holidays, Halloween, I thought I would share with you a recipe that is not only fun to create but yummy as well (that is if you can get past the way it looks). 

Kitty Litter Cake

1 pkg (18.25 oz) German Chocolate cake mix

1 pkg (18.25 oz) White cake mix

2 pkgs (3.5 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 pkg. (12 oz) vanilla sandwich cookies

3 drops green food coloring

1 pkg Tootsie Rolls (unwrapped)

PROPS: a NEW kitty litter box, box liner and scoop (I highly suggest that the props are all new, if there not, shame on you and don't tell me).

Prepare cake mixes and bake according to the directions on the packages (in any size pan you have). Prepare pudding mix  according to package directions  and chill until ready to assemble. Crumble sandwich cookies in small batches in a food processor (or a rolling pin works well too! =] ) scraping often. Set aside all but 1/4 cup of the crumbs. To the 1/4 cup of crumbs add a few drops of green food coloring and mix (the picture below was a little greener than what I wanted but you get the idea).  When both cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble them into a large bowl, toss with 1/2 of the remaining plain cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. You wont need all of the pudding since you just want the cake to be moist and NOT soggy.

Line the litter box with the new and clean kitty liner. Put the cake mixture into the liter box. Put half of the unwrapped tootsie rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until SOFTENED.  Shape ends so they are no longer blunt then curve the tootsie rolls slightly. Bury shaped tootsie rolls randomly into the cake and sprinkle with the remaining plain cookie crumbs. Sprinkle a small amount of green crumbs lightly over the top.

Heat 3-4 tootsie rolls in a microwave safe dish until ALMOST MELTED.  Scrap them on top of the cake and sprinkle slightly with green crumbs.  Hear remaining tootsie rolls until pliable and shape as before. Spread all but one randomly over the top of the cake mixture. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Hang the remaining tootsie roll over the side of the littler box. Serve with pooper scooper for a gross (but REALLY YUMMY) Halloween treat!!!

It's Just Another Manic Monday

I did not exaggerate when I titled this blog "it's just another manic Monday," it really was that. 

First off, I get a picture sent to my cell phone from my brother showing  me their drivers side front tire/fender. They (my brother and SIL) had been hit from "behind" by some in a hurry teenager. The front side of their car was totaled. So a few moments later, I get this call to pick them up to run a few errands and go to lunch. We had just left the mall and was heading back to their house when all of a sudden the belt that attaches to my alternator snaps and there went my transportation.  So we ended up calling the SAME towing company to come tow my car to the auto shop (because we were not sure if the belt had messed with the serpentine(sp?) belt, and if so-what did that do to my engine. 

All we could do was laugh to keep us all from crying. It was like Karma coming back to bite me in the butt. My car had just been towed and my mother had come to pick us up when it started to rain (when it rains it pours I guess???). 

I am just glad that the night is coming to a close and I pray that Tuesday will be a heck of a lot better (knock on wood).

Let the Good Times Roll

So this post is more like a spill over from the last post about girls camp. I realized that I forgot to mention some things in my effort to keep the post from turning into a GIANT novel. In the fun little picture show that I posted, you see a little furry creature by the name of Mo. Mo was our little camp site buddy and adopted mascot. Mo kept us all in stitches. He would circle the top of our garbage can and then dive in while still holding fast to the edge of the can with his hind legs (talk about muscle power). Unfortunately I did not get any good pictures of that Houdini act but I did catch him in the act of stealing Oreos.

Mo LOVES Oreos. He would come to the the package, sniff it, then climb in and grab a cookie. Then he would scurry across the slab of cement to his little tree and climb all the way up to the top. Soon, he would return and repeat this 9 or 10 times until he had completely emptied the package. He was pretty clever and friendly!

Anyway, I thought that I should continue with the tradition of listing some lessons learned while attending Girls Camp, so here we go:

Lessons Learned from Girls Camp 2010

1. Keep camera out and with you at all times.

2. Metal tables, open area, and lightening are not a good combination.

3. Thou shalt not run with hammer and/or nails in the dark up gravel trails.

4. One should always be quiet when pulling pranks.

5. One should make sure that said prank is not ruined by other wards who have tried to copy your prank after failing the first time around.

6. Beware of first years and mud.

7. Keep all hands and fingers in on the rope swing at the lake.

8. Send someone else on the hike.

9. Free range cows are big and scary in person when they are within arms reach! 

10. Look over meal prep menus carefully.

11. One should always make sure their stuff is picked up and put away in tents before camp 

directors go to bed.

12. Always pack your cell phone charger as a back up!

13. Need more packs of fire crystals, 6 was not enough!

14. Burning a bag full of garbage at 3 am will is NOT a good idea.
15. One word- sinep.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

The Girls Camp post is FINALLY here!

 It has only taken me two months to create it (yeah, yeah, I know what you are thinking). The only down fall to taking this long to post is that all the fresh juicy details are a little...well...not as juicy as they once were. =( 

So the whole camp experience for me this year was, as mentioned in earlier, was a little scary but so worth it! We spent most of Monday, July 26th, shopping for food and other misc. items and packing up all the gear.  Starting from early that morning and not getting home and finishing up till well after 11 just to be up and to the church by 8. The girls were really good about getting getting all their gear to the bishops house on time (unlike their camp director).

The morning of was horrible. Monica(my assistant camp director) and I had to ride the bus to camp as the stake had assigned our ward to provide a leader to ride. No problem right? Well they were to have  two buses but then they decided that since they don't have that many girls going, they only needed one. The bus was PACKED! and riding it was not that fun at all. We were like sardines in a can.  Needless to say both Monica and I were relieved to see that we had arrived at Camp Cumorah.

The first night was our scarfing ceremony and unlike last year, we had four first years. They had us write a little something about each of our girls (we were kinda silly about it) and the stake girls read them out loud as they called them down from the audience. Then they were presented with their scarf and a headband (native American style) and given a stick to throw into the friendship fire as is tradition. It was a great experience for the girls and for the rest of our camp to see how even as silly as we made it, held some sacredness to it. 

Despite the rain, thunder and lightening,  the girls did enjoy themselves with swimming and mud fights, games, pranks, crafts and taking care of the YW president when she broke her finger swinging off the rope swing at the lake. One activity that the stake did was a scripture scavenger hunt. The girls had to go around in groups figuring out clues that led different campsites where the girls then learned about that camps Book of Mormon hero (our ward was Alma the Younger) then when they completed the last clue they ended up back to the stake lodge where they received a pendent that had the GPS coordinates to their home, the church building and the temple that they lived the closest too.  It was their "personal compass" for when they ever lose their way.

Another activity that the stake had us do was write our testimonies onto brass plates which at the end of the devotional (which leads into individual ward testimonies) the stake leaders presented the comprised plates to the stake presidency. It was a neat idea and touching. 

As always, the best part of camp is the testimony meeting. This is where we all gather around the camp fire as a ward and share our testimonies. Some of us even gave it two or three times. It was amazing to watch each and everyone grow just over that week. Hopefully the experiences they had will stay with them their whole life.

***TO VIEW THE MOVIE OF PICTURES FROM CAMP, BE SURE TO PAUSE THE MUSIC PLAYER AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG SO THAT YOU CAN HEAR THE MUSIC THAT THE PICTURE SHOW IS SET TO!!!!***