Kids Faire Coming to Glendale

For those of you looking for someting to do when it's HOT outside, here's something that might perk your interest. Kids Faire is coming to Glendale, Sept 20, 21. See website below for details and ticket info.
http://www.thekidsfaire.com/phoenix.htm

spotlight friday...

I am Nancy Chatwin!
My Kindergarten Picture
I was born in southern California and lived in Valencia, California till I was 13. We were only 5 minutes away from Six Flags Magic Mountain and spent most of my summers there and that is where I got addicted to roller coasters. I could go on roller coasters over and over again and never get sick. The summer before 8th grade my family moved to Highland, Utah. After we moved I learned that I am a very shy person and not very good at making friends. I am the 7th of 8 children. There are 4 boys and 4 girls in our family, but all the girls were about 6 years apart. I came right after 3 boys so I was a little bit of a tom boy. I love to play sports (still do) and soccer was my favorite (still is) I started playing when I was in Kindergarten and played all the way up through high school where I was soccer captian my senior year. I just started going to the gym in attempt to become less jiggly, dimply, and would love to get in shape again and play on a women's soccer team (does anybody know of any women's leagues?) I'm not a big fan of running but there is something really fun about runninound chasing a ball! After high school, I moved to Provo, Utah and attended UVSC. I did horrible my first semester, so I decided to take a semester off, work full-time, and figure out what I wanted to be "when I grew up." I ended up never going back and still don't know what I want to be! I have only had 2 jobs in my life. The summer after my sophomore year in high school I got a job at the new Hogi Yogi. I worked there for 3 years till I got a full time job as a receptionist at a title company. That was a huge adjustment for me...working with people that were older and this was their careers! After about a year of working there some my boss was looking to hire another employee and hired this married man (I only say that cause I told him he needed to hire a hot single guy). One day this guy showed me a picture of him and his brothers (I don't know why). There were 4 brothers total and the youngest one wasn't married and was super hot! About a month later (after his brother had broken up with his current girlfriend) we were set up on a date. 9 months later we were married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. Quincy was born 11 months after we were married. She was such a good baby, that we decided that when Heavenly Father was ready to send us another baby that we would be ready too (that was before we realized that some people still get their cycles while nursing). When Quincy was 4 months old we found out we were pregnant again! I was pregnant and nursed for 5 more months. Abbey was born 8 days before our 2nd anniversary! Talk about a productive 2 years! We then found out that the pill does work. We now have 4 kids, 2 girls and 2 boys (the perfect family) and have been married for 10 years. We have lived in Arizona for 2 years now, and I really love it! The weather is a lot closer to what I grew up with in California...and I hate the cold! I just wish we could somehow get all of our family to move down here also...then life would be perfect.

Random Facts:

I have played on my young womens volleyball, basketball, and softball teams, played soccer, and took tennis lessons one year. When I was in 8th grade I was on the track and field team and took a liking to the shotput (I think because I didn't have to do all the running around the track everyday). My highlight of my track experience was taking 3rd place in the shotput at one meet! I was a skinny girl, so I think that was a big accomplishment. Also for a month or so my roommates and I crashed a gymnastics class and never paid!

Since I have been married...
I took a couple of sessions of ice skating with my sister in law and a cousin. I learned how to skate backwards and was learning how to do some spins. I probably would of taken more, but we were ready to start trying for baby # 3 and I haven't been ice skating since. A few months after baby number 3 I took a tumbling class with my sister and a couple of sister in laws where I was perfecting my round off. I have always wanted to learn how to do a back handspring, but have never gotten brave enough to try it. I did go on there super bouncy trampoline and in a harness was learning how to do a back flip. But still not brave enough to try it without a harness.
I have also taken Piano Lessons (2-3 years), saxophone lessons (2 years orchestra in elementary school and 6 months private lessons) and guitar lessons (couple of months) at one point, but never really stuck to an instrument. I can play 3 hymns, but not good enough where people can sing to them.

Random Pictures

My first year playing soccer. Team name "the green machines"

I think this was 3rd grade, don't you love my mullet! team name "loch ness monsters"

High School-sophomore year "zebra uniforms"

Our engagement picture - spring 1998

Christmas 1999

December 2000

Our family, December 2007!

Like I said I am very shy. In our first house it took me 6 years to finally make friends in our ward. I have never been one to plan things and invite people over. It scares me to death to be a host and entertain people! I would love to have people over and play guitar hero, but what if no one likes it and people are bored out of there minds.... I used to think it was Peter that was the anti-social one but I am realizing that it is me. I do love going to all these things that other people plan though. So if someone wants to plan a guitar hero night at my house, let me know!

That's about it for me, I am not a very exciting person...I'm just a stay at home mom with no schooling!

Next week let's hear from....

DEBBIE McCLUSKEY!!

Chicken Strips Give Away!!

You heard right!

Debbie Wallace wanted me to share with everyone that Chick-fil-A is introducing new bigger, tastier, dippier Chick-n-StripsTM and sauce - and you can try them for FREE.

This Labor Day, from 10:30 a.m. to close, wear any football team logo into any Chick-fil-A location for a FREE three-count of Chick-n-Strips

How awesome is that! Thanks for sharing Debbie.

Adventure of the Week

I thought it would be fun every Tuesday to share resources and activities for parents to do with their children and call it "Adventure of the Week." I don't know about you but I'm always looking for something fun and new to do.

So look for great Places to go and things to do in the East Valley to the Great Outdoors in upcoming blog posts.

I thought I would start out first with the Arizona Railway Museum since it opens around Labor Day.

399 N. Delaware St., Chandler Az

480-821-1108

http://www.azrymuseum.org/

Hours: Open Labor Day-Memorial Day, Sat & Sun 12:00-4:00

Prices: Free

"The Arizona Railway Museum features restored train cars from different time periods in our countrys rail history. the main building is a re-creation of the original Chandler depot, and showcases original rail company china and glass, uniforms, and other pieces of railway history. Presidential rail cars, movie set rail cars, and many others reside at this museum, and can be explored at your leisure."

Heidi Cuts Hair

Did you know that Heidi Krueger cuts hair?

And she wants to know about it!

Children and men are $10.00

Women are $20.00

Color and highlights start at $50.00

Call Heidi at 602-803-9972

Costa Vida

Yup, another lunch.

Costa Vida, this Thursday the 28th at NOON.
Val Vista and the US60. Come!!

SPOTLIGHT !

Who is this bald babe?

3 truths and some lies: you decide!

I am a late 30’s something beauty that has been married to an agile, good looking stud for almost 16 years. Those of you that are acquainted with us know that this is true! :) We have 4 very well behaved, smart, talented, adorable, obedient, service oriented children that always think of others before themselves…(they’ve been taught well!)…3 girls; 11, 9, & 3, and 1 boy; 5! (I’m interested to know what you thought was the truths in each sentence and which was the lies! Ha ha ha )

Now on to the truth!
I am the oldest of 3 kids. I was adopted and then of course my mom got pregnant…twice! My dad gets bored VERY easily, and so we moved a lot while growing up! During the ages of 6-11, I lived in Snowflake, AZ where we still have some close ties. I have spent the longest time in Mesa though. In our brief but hellious stay in Louisiana, my mom got sick. This story is much much too long to share in a blog, so in short, she was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). She has had it since I was 11. Currently she is in an assisted living home not far from here. When I was 14, my parents divorced. I became a nanny for a little boy whose mom owned a flower shop. My mom was a silk florist and had taught me, so I gradually learned fresh flowers also. On top of that job, when I was 17, I started working at a local video store, (I love to quote movies). I graduated High School…well almost…that’s another long story. Let it be known that I do have a diploma! :) I went to cosmetology school…and passed my boards thank you very much! But I DO NOT do hair, so don’t ask! Ha ha I just keep my license up in case I need to fall back on it someday!

I met Kevin 2 weeks before he left on his mission to Mexico! I didn’t want anything to do with a “Molly Mormon” so to “Scare” him off, after that first date, I leaned over and kissed him, thinking he would think I was easy or something…I was wrong. He called the next morning! He had a girlfriend, we were just NCMO’s. A few days before he left, I went scripture shopping with him. He held up a blue scripture in one hand and a black in the other and asked which one…that was it! I was hooked! (Didn’t tell him though!) We wrote his entire mission. I was waiting but dating! He came home, took 4 days to kiss me again, then proposed on the 7th day. So technically we dated for 3 weeks before engagement! Our cake top was a boy and girl kissing, and of course, it fell the night before our wedding, and the the boys head broke into pieces. (was that a sign? ) So we put it on the cake anyways with the pieces laying in the frosting and a sign out the neck of the boys body that read: “She kissed me and I lost my head!” I love being married to him and being a mom to my kids! It’s the greatest job ever!

TIDBITS:
Dr.Pepper easy ice. That’s my drink of choice. I have bad luck. We just laugh about it because we just assume that something is probably going to go wrong…and it usually does. When you expect it, it isn’t that bad when it happens! Scrapbooking. The old way! It relaxes me! Pedicures, massages, facials. I love to be pampered. And you should too! Cleaning Lady. When I can afford her I don’t miss a chance to have her! I love it! Do you want her #? CHOCOLATE! I am a true choco-holic! Weird things happen! Katrina calls them "I Love Lucy" moments, but there are so many of them that it's too much to share. You can ask her about them sometime! Mexican Food. I could eat it everyday! Abuelo’s, LuLu’s, and used to be Mattas are a few of my favorites! Adult ChitChat I get it when I can! DVR. Everyone should get it and I want it on my radio now! 2 movies that should be on every woman’s ‘must see’ list: Steel Magnolias and Pillow talk!

DISLIKES:
Laundry, being late, whining kids, FISH, slow drivers, stuff just left around…like I’m gonna pick it up for them! , snotty nosed kids (gag), Zack & Cody & Drake & Josh (they drive me nuts!!!!!!!!).

You gotta have this! My sister said I had to have it and bought me one while visiting here in July! LOVE IT!!! And the kids love to use it too! It's great for tile, corners, rugs...no more sweeping (well almost no more!)

Next Friday, we want to hear from Nancy Chatwin!

Here We Go Again....

Calling anyone who has had recurrent UTIs, or knows someone who has had them(especially in little girls)! I have some questions about prevention and diagnostic procedures (VCUG and renal US). Please let me pick your brain.

November 21st...

I just heard that since Harry Potter's release got pushed back to summer, that they were able to bump up the Twilight movie to November 21st! Can't wait!

Children's Theatre Returns to Hale!

I was excited to receive this in my email this morning, thought I should share.

"Award winning Hale Theatre is excited to bring the magic of live theatre to the children of Arizona.
Our first producution begins Saturday, September 20th at 11AM, and every Saturday thereafter.
Hale's Children’s Theatre will present plays acted by adult actors for children of all ages. After the show, be sure to be a part of the excitement where you can "MEET AND GREET" and receive AUTOGRAPHS from all of your favorite characters.

So, don't be late the ball starts September 20th at 11AM.

Tickets are: $10.00 for children and $12.00 for adults and can now be purchased on-line or by calling Hale Theatre box office at (480) 497-1181.

Update on Fruit prices

Hi,
Here is the latest on prices.
Fruit will start arriving after Labor Day.
I am taking orders for:

Raspberries-September ($29.00/flat. There are 12 half pint baskets in each flat. They are filled very full)

Tomatoes-August/September ($21.00 for 25lbs)
Beefsteak
Roma

Peaches-September ($26.00for 35lbs)

Pears-September ($27.00 for 38lbs)
Green Bartlett
Red Bartlett

Anjou-November –I do not have the price for these yet.

Apples-October
Red delicious
Golden delicious
Gala
Jonagold
Jonathon
Fuji-November
Braeburn-November

Apple and Anjou pear prices will come a bit later.
Let me know what you would like and as I get dates for each arrival, I will let you know. You can pay for your fruit when you pick it up. I will send directions to my house with the arrival dates. I do not have a cut off date at this point. If you have already sent an order, you do not need to send another.
Thanks,
Tara

Does anyone want to get together and talk about the book? Did you like it or hate it? What was your favorite parts? If you are, let me know what times work for you...

Spotlight: Kristi Whetten

Who is this?

I bet the red hair is a dead give away!

Our family in Liberty Jail.

What a great trip!

I was born in Mesa, Arizona on August 17,1974 (34yrs.

ago today!) I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. I was

raised not too far from here on a dairy farm on

the corner of Riggs and Higley. As you can see I was

born with "fire" red hair that matched my personality

to a T! Unfortunately this is a trait I have carried with

me my whole life. Growing up on a dairy was great.

I had 80 acres of land to run around on and explore.

I learned at a very young age that I loved to be the

center of attention. I went to Chandler High and there

caught the acting bug for sure. I also joined the choir

program and loved traveling in a show choir that

went all the way to New York's Carnegie Hall. My

parents loved to travel and because of that I have

been able to visit all 50 states. I hope to be able to

do this with my children. After high school I attended

cosmetology school. I love doing hair and nails and

although I don't have the time to do a lot of it right

now it's nice to have the skill. During cosmetology school

I was going to the young adult ward in Gilbert. My

good friend told me there was a good looking guy

that had just gotten home from his mission. She

wanted to ask him out and wanted me to go on a

double date with her. I was not into it but because

I was a good friend I let her set me up on a blind date

with this guy she knew.To make a long story short,

it was Jason and I spent the entire night wishing I was

with him and not the guy I was with! A few days later

I was with the same friend at a young adult country

dance and guess who showed up! Jason! I was so

excited to see him and even though he was in a pair of

Levis and a preppy polo shirt he looked great to me.

By the end of the night my friend could tell I was

moving in on "her" man. Julie if you're reading this

"SORRY". We began dating in September of 1993

and were engaged by November! I know it was quick!

We were married on January 8th 1994. I began

working for an eye doctor in Tempe and Jason worked

for Chase bank. Over the next ten years we had three kids:

Logan is 13, Blake is 10, and Lacey is 8. About 6yrs. ago

Jason decided to switch careers from banking to dentistry!

We had no idea what challenges were headed our way!

In June he graduated and now we can look back

on that experience and say it was worth it!

We just bought a practice in Florence and are so

excited for this new set of challenges! This January

we will celebrate our 15th anniversary! I can hardly

believe it! I have so many things in my life to be grateful for.

I have a wonderful husband and 3 great kids. Life is good!

This my family minus a few new babies!

Loves: Family, Costa Vida (sweet pork salads), scrapbooking, pedicures, a clean house,
traveling, camping, Sonic soda, the smell of a new baby, downy fabric softener,
shopping with my sisters, girls day with Lacey, new cars, and making jewelry

Dislike: My dirty garage, husbands dental floss left on the nightstand, hot weather, flat sodas,
Capri Sun straw covers, commercials (thank you Tivo!), telemarketers, grumpy people, and dirty dishes (who doesn't)

I love...........

Pledge Multi purpose spray/wipes

This is the best cleaner for dusting all surfaces.

It is also a great glass cleaner! It works on everything.

Glade White Tea and Lily

The best smell in the world!

I think I'm addicted!!

The best invention! The Ped Egg!

Thanks to Angela Walker I now own this little miracle

for rough heels! It works like a charm! What a good friend

to share her secrets and now I pass it on to you!

Next week I would love to learn more about Kristen Neus!

Hot Tamales

Sister Christian Browne is now selling her meat tomales to anyone who is interested and she would appreciate it if you could spread the word!!
$20 a dozen
If you are interested you can contact her by email at
acuariobonita@hotmail.com
She is also cleaning houses at a very reasonable price.
Again, if you are interested email Christian.

Monica's Necklace's

My mother and I made some necklaces and I thought I would share with you all.

The necklace's are $ 12.00 and bracelets are $5.00 if you would like to see more

go to my personal blog and then click on Monica'S Necklace's

They make great gifts at last minute if you need something personal.

Thank you all for looking.

I Haven't Forgoten!

Hey there San Tan Divas! Sorry I haven't done my spotlight yet. I haven't forgot it's just been a busier week than usual plus, I need a lot of time to think of something exciting to say! (ha ha ha)

I hope to have it done soon. Hope everyone is having a great week!
Love, Kristi

Fruit 4 Sale

Tara Butler is getting fruit again this year from Utah and they will start arriving after Labor Day.

So if you are interested in canning or having bulk fruit around contact Tara.

tpbutler@qwest.net

Raspberries -August- $29.00/flat

There are 12 half pint baskets in each flat and are filled very full.

Peaches- September-$27.00 for 35 pounds

Tomatoes- August/September

Pears - September

Apples - October/November

Tomatoes, pears and apple prices will be known soon.

Graham Cracker Bruschetta

I had to share a family favorite and was thrilled when I saw it on Picky Palate's blog all souped up style. If you don't have cream cheese try frosting. Recipes and pictures are from Pickpalate.blogspot.com it is a great blog for practical recipes to try at home. I'm sure Graham Cracker Bruschetta will be a fave at your house.
Nutty Raspberries and Cream

Graham crackers cut in half

4 oz softened cream cheese

2 Tablespoons sugarfresh raspberriescrushed walnuts

1. Place graham crackers onto a serving plate. Combine cream cheese and sugar in a bowl until combined. Spread onto graham crackers and top with fruit and nuts.

Peanut Butter, Banana's And Cream

Graham crackers cut in half

4 oz softened cream cheese

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 Tablespoons peanut buttersliced bananashoneycrushed walnuts

1. Place graham crackers onto a serving plate. Combine cream cheese, sugar and peanut butter in a bowl until combined. Spread onto graham crackers and top with bananas, drizzle with honey and top with crushed walnuts.

Cookies And Cream

Graham crackers cut in half

4 oz softened cream cheese

2 Tablespoons sugar Oreo cookies

1. Mix broken pieces of Oreo cookies in cream cheese mixture and spread over graham crackers. Enjoy!

Spotlight: Who Am I?

Can you guess who I am from this baby picture? Answer these five questions to see who I am and just how much about me you already know!(the winner will receive....go pick up something nice for yourself!)

1. What was my native language? What is it now? (duh!)
2. Where was I born? (Think Toto)
3. How many years was I in school? (think "a lot")
4. What instrument do I play? (I once heard that people who play this instrument are the most practical of all musicians-they brown bag their lunch and wear practical shoes)
5. What would I really like to go back to school for, but never will? (night or weekend classes eventually would be nice in this)

I was born in the land of Oz (Kansas City, Kansas) to Taiwanese immigrants, the youngest of three (that explains it!). My native name was Chun-Se, but I was dubbed Judy at birth as well. Yes, my native language was Taiwanese, but I can only understand at a toddler level now. My family moved around and eventually relocated to Kentucky while I was a teenager. My fondest memories are of hiking, board game tournaments, and roaming the countryside unchecked. I began playing the cello at the age of eight; this quickly became an all-consuming passion until college graduation. I was a parent's worst nightmare-cello lessons, youth orchestra and quartet rehearsals, and daily screech-I mean practice-sessions. While in high school, I thought I wanted a career in medicine, but while at the University of Kentucky I began seriously dating someone and realized I actually wanted a family. (I was slightly anti-family, anti-homemaker when in high school. Funny how things turn out, huh!) So, I made one of the best decisions of my life and finished graduate school as a physical therapist. (From the tender age of 5 to the oh-so- young age of 25-TWO DECADES behind a desk!) While at the meat market (AKA the Singles Branch) at UK, I met my wonderful, Jeep-obsessed, engineer-geek husband, Frank Evans. We were sealed in the Atlanta, GA Temple in 1997 after a whirlwind romance (sigh-those were the days!). We have lived in 4 states over the years of our marriage-Kentucky, Georgia, Mississippi, and finally Arizona-hopefully leaving each a better place than when we arrived. My two children, Alex and Emily (I won't be too sappy now, but I am so proud of them), were both born in MS. (I have a great L and D story when Alex was born, but I won't share it all here-just this-"Stop what you're doing! I can feel the knife!") Now, I am enjoying the ride of being a domestic engineer, while wondering exactly what is around the next bend, as Alex and Emily just refuse to stop growing up! When there's a little more time for me, I hope to go back to coaching people through their physical rehab, play in an orchestra again, and take cooking classes.

My loves: peace, nature, good-tasting healthy food, sweating while exercising, reading, kids' laughter, a balanced checkbook. What can I say except "Simple minds, simple pleasures."

My pet peeves: they change according to my mood, so watch out!

I pass next week's spotlight torch to.....Kristi Whetten!

Childsplay's 2008-09 Spectacular Season of Theatre for Young Audience and Families

There are some great children's plays coming this season at Childsplay, Arizona's Professional Theater for Young Audiences and Families.

Childsplay is based in Tempe, Arizona and has achieved a national reputation in the field.

For ticket and passes and detailed information about the plays visit their website at: http://www.childsplayaz.org/

Tempe Center for the Arts 700 West Rio Salado Parkaway

Tempe, Az 85281, since 1977

box office (480)350-2822

Public Performances are:

Miss Nelson is Missing! Sat. September 13 to October 5th

Getting Near to Baby Sat. October 25 to November 9th

The Velveteen Rabbit Sat., November 22nd to December 21st

Busytown- Sat., January 24th to February 21st

Rock Paper Scissors Sat., February 28th to March 8th

Ferdinand the Bull Sat., March 14th to April 5th

The Neverending Story Sat., April 25 to May 17th

Peter and the Wolf Sat., June 6th to June 21st

Independent Film Series

Do you enjoy reading and learning about history? I read this in the paper and it sounds interesting so I wanted to share with others in case they may be interested. It's perfect to take you older children to appreciate the freedoms and peace we have here in America.

Saturday, August 9, 2 p.m.

Mother of Mine how more than 70,000 Finnish children were evacuated to neutral Sweden to avoid conflict in World War II. Filmaker Klaus Haro tells the story through a 9-year-old child who feels abandoned by his biological mother but not attached to his surrogate mom.

Location: Perry Branch Library

Sheri Linden from the Hollywood Reporter writes a more detailed review if you are interested in the film.

PALM SPRINGS -- Finland's evacuation of more than 70,000 children to Sweden, Denmark and Norway during World War II, the world's largest such undertaking, receives affecting treatment in "Mother of Mine," the official Finnish submission to the Academy Awards. This fictional story of one of the "war children" unfolds with fierce restraint under Klaus Haro's helm, and the film departs from most memory pieces about the war in its emphasis on the complex psychology of its characters, brought to vivid life by the strong cast.

After his father is killed on the Finnish-Russian front in 1943, 9-year-old Eero (newcomer Topi Majaniemi) reluctantly leaves his mother (Marjaana Maijala), joining a large transport of kids promised dolls and bikes in the haven of neutral Sweden. At a remote farm on the coast, he's taken in by a childless couple in their 40s, though Signe (the terrific Maria Lundqvist), still grieving and blaming herself for the drowning death of her daughter, refuses to let him into her heart. Their conflict flares up in angry words and occasional physical tousles but mostly plays out in resentful silence.

Determined not to be touched by the tumult of being uprooted, Eero develops an easy rapport with Signe's good-natured husband, Hjalmar (Michael Nyqvist), a former sailor whose "boots got stuck in this dirt" when he fell in love with her. Signe forces Hjalmar to confront the lingering pain of their loss, but soon she's caught up in a new drama, when Eero's mother asks Signe to keep the boy, even after the war. Offended by this "appeal to her conscience," Signe nonetheless softens toward Eero, and they withstand, just barely, a series of devastating emotional reversals.
The lifelong wounds from this tug of war become clear in the film's present-day black-and-white sequences, in which the middle-aged Eero (Esko Salminen) visits his mother (Aino-Maija Tikkanen), eager to talk about the war. The screenplay by Jimmy Karlsson and Kirsi Vikman, based on the novel by Heikki Hietamies, delivers sharp insights into the ways people use children to fill their needs.

The contrast between Finland's frigid birch forests and the open expanse of the Swedish coast, captured in Jarkko T. Laine's striking camerawork, is a key element of the film's quiet power, but composer Tuomas Kantelinen tugs too hard at heartstrings.--Sheri

Tina, Thank you for setting up the fire house tour. The kids had so much fun.

Spotlight: Kristin Dearden

I enjoy reading about everyone else, and I think I am pretty boring in comparison, so I will try to dig deep for something interesting…

I was born in California but spent the next eighteen years in Loveland, Colorado. I left to go to BYU where I graduated with a major in Psychology and minors in Gerontology and Family Science. Since graduating, the only paying job I have had was at Brick Oven in Provo… I met Craig my Freshman year at a football game. What I remember about my first impression of him was his hairy legs. Ha! We dated for almost two years before getting married in August of 1993 in the Denver temple. It seems crazy to me that we have been married for 15 years. (Since the time has gone by so fast, not because I didn’t think we would make it that long). I am so happy to be a stay at home Mom and my happiest moments and memories are of fun times spent with my family. I seriously believe having children is the best entertainment ever! We lived in Utah for a total of thirteen years, in Provo, Orem and Pleasant Grove for the last seven. We moved here to Gilbert four years ago and aside from the summer heat, we love it here!

My hobbies include cross-stitching and crocheting, although I don’t get around to doing it very often. I love to play most any kind of game, and I like to win.  I played volleyball and basketball in high school and wish we had a ward team! I am addicted to fantasy sports and play with my Dad and siblings on several different teams. I like to shop, but usually only buy if there is a good sale. I am a morning person and used to get teased by my friends that “every party needs a pooper, that’s why we invited you”…since I was usually the first one to fall asleep. One special talent I have, that will come in handy if this ever comes back into style, is making big hair! I had the biggest, most perfectly hairsprayed bangs back in the day… along with the wings, you remember?

Least Favorite Things: squash, seafood, cleaning showers and blinds, public speaking, doctor appointments and one of my pet peeves is when there are shopping carts left all over the parking lot.

Most Favorite Things: family vacations, good chick flicks, Costa Vida, Cold Stone, watching American Idol or Amazing Race, and holidays.

Here are two products I love:



My SIL suggested this and it works great at getting stains out. I just started carrying one in my purse, because I inevitably get a spot every time I am wearing a white shirt and we are out!



I love these liners! Mostly because I can be lazy and don’t have to clean my crockpot. So easy!

That is pretty much it… So next week let’s hear from… Judy Evans!