Well, for about the past year I have been on a quest to find the right deodorant, antiperspirant or whatever will keep me fresh and dry!!!!!!!
It has been a nightmare really as I have that problem that no one really wants to talk about or admit, but must....B.O.!!
As CLARKS for some reason this is a problem, whether under the arms or in the sweaty, stinko feet that many of us seem to have!
So....I have tried the following, with the following results:
Dove Clinical Anti-perspirant/Deodorant (expensive, works for a few weeks and then seems to lose it’s clinical strength)
Tom’s of Maine Natural Apricot Deodorant...Aluminum Free (soft, sweet smell, but doesn’t help with sweat!)
Crystal body Deodorant (this is that natural ROCK from THAILAND...it hasn’t worked for me...yet....keep reading!)
Crystal body Deodorant Roll-ON (same as above only in a liquid roll-on form....only works when it has completely dried on my skin, which takes some time)
Alba botanica Clear Enzyme Aloe Scented with Baking Soda & Lichen (stays drier for longer, but still ends in wet, smelly armpits!!)
Old Spice for Men (yes, I wore it for a while thinking maybe it was a stronger option....Ladd didn’t like me smelling mannish...hahaha...and it didn’t really help anyway)
So...finally I did some research online AND remembering a certain woman in my old ward who has a master in Pharmacology, yet focuses her studies now in Herbs and Homeopathy (some may remember her as she homeschooled all her children and they were heavily involved in Judo)....anyway, she once said the following to me:
“If you NEVER use soap or deodorant, your body will NEVER NEED IT!”
I thought, “wow, that is true because Ladd NEVER wears deodorant and he NEVER stinks!”...his feet never stink either...lucky!
I thought it was strange, but I did know and learn that FRAGRANCE on your body has the OPPOSITE effect that it is intended for....it really only MASKS odor. It’s like putting wallpaper over a moldy wall!! Eventually the mold and bacteria will creep thru even though the outside looks pretty!! hahah!
I personally have had sensitive skin since childhood (mom, remember when I use to rash up while doing the dishes?? or when putting on your lotion??) and so have tried to buy products that are not filled with lots of fragrance.
Knowing these things about myself, combined with my recent trials and errors, I went online. I found MANY people on the same quest as I!! Many even who were suicidal over this huge embarrassing problem in their lives!! Here is what I learned:
BACTERIA!!!!....this is the cause of Body Odor!! Get rid of the Bacteria and you will get rid of Body Odor!!! So, here are a few solutions that I am going to try:
Vinegar
Rubbing Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Black Tea (some say soak in a bath with these tea bags, wash your armpits with a cotton ball soaked in tea, or soak your feet in a large bowl with tea bags in it....since I’m not really going to start buying tea, I’m trying the other options first....but there were rave reviews on this method)
All these inexpensive, fairly gently chemicals will kill bacteria in your B.O. spots!! Think, underarms, toes/feet, groin area, bum, legs that rub together, belly-button, chest or any other place on your body where skin touches/overlaps skin. You are also supposed to clean the armpits of your shirts really well....spot clean them to kill the bacteria that remains on them (bacteria can remain even after they have come thru the wash!) Take some time to spray them with spot cleaner. I guess this would be true for under garments or the crotch of pants/shorts. I am also going to switch detergents and fabric softeners to FRAGRANCE-FREE because those fragrances are what bacteria LOVE to “feed” off of!! Interestingly enough, within our body, bacteria and parasites love sweetness too....they will multiply to no end on sugar!!
SWEAT....this is harder to control because it is your body’s built in system to regulate heat or lack thereof. Products out there today are made to STOP this from happening! Instead of trying to stop it, we need to WORK WITH it!! I know Rebecca has said that she has realized that certain materials in clothing she wears promote sweat more than others and that she will simply NOT wear them anymore. But many people online have suggested:
Baby Powder
Talcum Powder
Baking Soda
This past week I have been using ALCOHOL wipes on my underarms with Baby Powder. I noticed that I was staying dry and odor free for about 12 hours!!!! This is amazing to me....it has not been so for a loooooooooong time!! Then I looked at the Baby Powder bottle and noticed the ingredients were “Talc & Fragrance”!! So, yesterday I used the alcohol and soda under my arms and spent the day mostly outside at a Memorial day picnic and later at the pool. And the verdict....DRY & ODOR FREE for the ENTIRE day!!
Here’s how I have been applying it:
1. USE FRAGRANCE FREE SOAP!!! Wash underarms really well in the shower....remember when you wash your hands in the sink you are supposed to count to 30 to ensure that all germs have been sufficiently killed? Well, do the same thing with your underarms (or other problem area).
2. Pat dry with towel.
3. Using an alcohol wipe or cotton ball soaked in alcohol (peroxide, vinegar, whichever liquid you choose to try) wash your underarms or other area with it....wiping it several times over the entire area. Let dry for a minute or so.
4. When area is dry, pat with Baking Soda....you can use a dry cotton ball coated with the soda or I just grab a little in my finger tips and rub around and pat it into the area I’m trying to keep dry....pat it around so that you don’t have patches of soda sticking there. Use it like you would use Baby Powder!
I am soooooooooooooooo happy to find out about all this!!!! I have been using this on other parts of my body with equally successful results!!! I am ecstatic!!!! This is such a revelation to me.....I love that it is so simple, so inexpensive, and very chemical-free compared to the myriad of chemicals found in all the products we wash with or apply to our bodies! If you live by the K.I.S.S. method in other ways of life, then this should be added to it!!
I hope this can help any of you with any B.O. problems you may have....I know it sounds weird to be openly talking about this, but when I find out a good thing, I cannot be quiet about it!!! Try it and let me know what you think and if it works for you!!!
love, Renaye
PS....I forgot to add that I am still going to try the Natural ROCK deodorant from Thailand after I cleanse with the rubbing alcohol and see if that is a possible solution!! Will let you know!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Day 9 (Fri. Aug. 7, 2009) Road Trip
We slept in! It was nice that everyone was so exhausted from the previous day that everyone slept in...honestly, I love when that happens. Of course it didn't really help my cause to get out on time.
Ladd flew in to Indianapolis airport by 9 am...haha...I don't even think we were awake yet! But that didn't matter because he had a phone interview and work he was doing that day online, so he just stayed at the airport. Besides the airport was on the way to our next destination so there was really no point in going all the way there to get him, coming all the way back to my parent's house to clean and pack up and then just go right back towards the airport again.
So....we remained at my parent's house...had breakfast, cleaned up, did some laundry, cleaned more....cleaned, straightened, cleaned out the van, packed up the van....etc. The kids were fairly good at helping me. Ethan was the man and vacuumed out the van. The girls helped make beds and vacuum and sweep. I did dishes and mopping. It was a lot of work even though the house was never really that dirty, but I felt like we should leave it better than we found it. Besides the last thing my parents want to do when they come home from being in Columbus, is clean!!!
I was actually quite anal about it all and as the clock ticked away, I was getting more and more ticked too! We didn't end up leaving the house until 3pm!!! oops!
We picked up Ladd at the Indy airport by 4pm-ish and headed out on the road to Illinois. We stopped at Wendys almost to IL border for a bite to eat...it was rather rainy too. Then we just drove and drove across the "corned" countryside of Illinois! We had to get off the highway to go towards Nauvoo, Il and when we did I somehow missed my turn to go west and kept going south. Then when I did turn, I realized I was heading east!!! ugh! Good thing it was only a few miles out of the way. We finally got on the right road and came into Nauvoo along side the Mississippi River. We got to our camping place (Camp Nauvoo) late, about 9:30pm and had to set up tents in the dark. It was so sticky and humid, we were drenched with bug spray on top of that...and that made for a rather sleepless night!
But...we had made it! We were finally ready to start our trek on the Mormon Pioneer Trail!!
Ladd flew in to Indianapolis airport by 9 am...haha...I don't even think we were awake yet! But that didn't matter because he had a phone interview and work he was doing that day online, so he just stayed at the airport. Besides the airport was on the way to our next destination so there was really no point in going all the way there to get him, coming all the way back to my parent's house to clean and pack up and then just go right back towards the airport again.
So....we remained at my parent's house...had breakfast, cleaned up, did some laundry, cleaned more....cleaned, straightened, cleaned out the van, packed up the van....etc. The kids were fairly good at helping me. Ethan was the man and vacuumed out the van. The girls helped make beds and vacuum and sweep. I did dishes and mopping. It was a lot of work even though the house was never really that dirty, but I felt like we should leave it better than we found it. Besides the last thing my parents want to do when they come home from being in Columbus, is clean!!!
I was actually quite anal about it all and as the clock ticked away, I was getting more and more ticked too! We didn't end up leaving the house until 3pm!!! oops!
We picked up Ladd at the Indy airport by 4pm-ish and headed out on the road to Illinois. We stopped at Wendys almost to IL border for a bite to eat...it was rather rainy too. Then we just drove and drove across the "corned" countryside of Illinois! We had to get off the highway to go towards Nauvoo, Il and when we did I somehow missed my turn to go west and kept going south. Then when I did turn, I realized I was heading east!!! ugh! Good thing it was only a few miles out of the way. We finally got on the right road and came into Nauvoo along side the Mississippi River. We got to our camping place (Camp Nauvoo) late, about 9:30pm and had to set up tents in the dark. It was so sticky and humid, we were drenched with bug spray on top of that...and that made for a rather sleepless night!
But...we had made it! We were finally ready to start our trek on the Mormon Pioneer Trail!!
Day 8 (Thurs. Aug. 6, 2009) Road Trip
Early this morning, Mom and Dad took off for Columbus, Ohio to go work in the Temple. They left before we all woke up, I think around 6am. So, the house was quiet when we finally were up and going. We did the usual...breakfast, cleanup, adn played with legose and lincoln logs.
The kids were excited for this day because I had promised them that we could go to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis in the afternoon. Apparently, the first Thursday of every month, Target sponsors a family night at the museum...for FREE!!!! This free time is from 4 to 8pm in the evening...perfect amount of time. Love that!...and love that we just so happened to be in Indy on the first Thurs. of the month!
So, after 11am, we went swimming in the South Harbor pool, while Tirsa napped. We only swam for a few hours because we had to be showered and dressed to go down to Indy. By 3pm, we drove down to Indianapolis by way of rt. 31 or Meridian Road. I was able to show the kids all the beautiful homes on this historic street to Indianapolis. They were amazed at the size and granduer of many of the homes.
We arrived right at 4pm and had to search for a parking spot becasue every family was there it seemed like! But it turned out to be perfect because they had renovated and added a parking garage plus a skywalkway from the parking garage to the museum! Nice! They also added some huge dinosaur sculptures on the outside of the museum building...the neat things was that their heads went through the building's walls and you could see their heads once you were inside! I think another dinosaur was just opposite that...body inside with his head poking out of the building!! It was so cool!!
At first I let the kids break up into teams so that they could go see what they wanted. Jenika and Karina were together and Ethan and Daria...I had Alia and Tirsa. It worked out all right, but most the time Daria and Ethan followed me...Jenika and karina pretty much did go together to the different exhibits.
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/
It was fun! There were lots of new things to look at and experience and then there were the old standbys: the water clock, the carosell, the hands-on area Science Works(sponsored by Dow), the old trains, the underwater adventures section. Some of the new things to see were: A "Take Me There" section...featured a destination point in the world and you walked into that area as if in that country. The featured destination was Egypt...pretty neat! We also "walked through" a replica of the inside of a pyramid and wrote our names in hieroglyphics. There was also a great display of Dale Chihuly glass sculptures...awesome!!! You could even make your own in a certain area of the first floor. Just amazing to behold and stunningly beautiful!!
http://www.chihuly.com/installations/childrens/
As it neared 8pm, I made my way with Alia and Tirsa to the front of the museum...of course the others had wondered off right at closing time!! But I wasn't really worried because we were all dressed in bright lime green shirts and I figured I could spot them easily...besides the 4 older ones were told to meet me at the front and they are pretty good at following that kind of instruction. I waited there a while until finally, as the crowds got down to the bare minimum, a security guard ask me who i was looking for. I wasn't really worried, but she asked me for names, full descriptions of what they looked like, what they were wearing, etc. I told her but just said I was just waiting to see if they were still in the building before I wandered outside to look for them. But NO, she put out a "Code Adam" and had multiple workers on the job. I kept trying to tell her that I had told them to meet me at the front of the museum and I hadn't checked outside yet, so that they were just probably out there waiting for me. She was all business!!!....well sure enough, we simply walked out the front doors and there they were playing on various equipment and sculptures out front with the other bagillions of kids!! hahaha! The Security lady made me account for all of them and sent us on our way...She was helpful, but I think a big deal was made out of not so big a deal!!! hahah! Oh well...
We headed back to the car...we were starving, but happy that we had had such a good time. The older kids did mention that it didn't seem like it was exciting as they remembered it. Ahhh...yes...that is the downside of growing up and older....memories you have as a child seem so much bigger than they really are or somehow they are glamorized to such exciting levels!!! Even still, we DID have a great time there....did I mention it was FREE!!!!!!!
Upon leaving the Museum parking lot, we drove around looking for a place to eat and consequently I was able to drive the kids around the downtown Indy area. We saw the State Capitol building and Post Office, the monument on the Circle and other neat buildings, monuments and fountains. As we left the city I drove into a KFC to get food, but while looking into the restaurant and the kind of people that were coming in and out, I opted to drive out of the city and into the suburbs that I knew! yikes!
We ended up driving all the way back up to Westfield and eating at a Chick-Fil-A. This was a new experience in and of itself for the kids. I remember eating at them occasionally in the West and had forgotten that we didn't really have them in the East. So, we ordered a few things and the kids absolutely loved it!!! The CrissCut French Fries especially. We didn't get home till LATE!!! But at least everyone went straight to bed without complaint! It was a fun day!!!
The kids were excited for this day because I had promised them that we could go to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis in the afternoon. Apparently, the first Thursday of every month, Target sponsors a family night at the museum...for FREE!!!! This free time is from 4 to 8pm in the evening...perfect amount of time. Love that!...and love that we just so happened to be in Indy on the first Thurs. of the month!
So, after 11am, we went swimming in the South Harbor pool, while Tirsa napped. We only swam for a few hours because we had to be showered and dressed to go down to Indy. By 3pm, we drove down to Indianapolis by way of rt. 31 or Meridian Road. I was able to show the kids all the beautiful homes on this historic street to Indianapolis. They were amazed at the size and granduer of many of the homes.
We arrived right at 4pm and had to search for a parking spot becasue every family was there it seemed like! But it turned out to be perfect because they had renovated and added a parking garage plus a skywalkway from the parking garage to the museum! Nice! They also added some huge dinosaur sculptures on the outside of the museum building...the neat things was that their heads went through the building's walls and you could see their heads once you were inside! I think another dinosaur was just opposite that...body inside with his head poking out of the building!! It was so cool!!
At first I let the kids break up into teams so that they could go see what they wanted. Jenika and Karina were together and Ethan and Daria...I had Alia and Tirsa. It worked out all right, but most the time Daria and Ethan followed me...Jenika and karina pretty much did go together to the different exhibits.
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/
It was fun! There were lots of new things to look at and experience and then there were the old standbys: the water clock, the carosell, the hands-on area Science Works(sponsored by Dow), the old trains, the underwater adventures section. Some of the new things to see were: A "Take Me There" section...featured a destination point in the world and you walked into that area as if in that country. The featured destination was Egypt...pretty neat! We also "walked through" a replica of the inside of a pyramid and wrote our names in hieroglyphics. There was also a great display of Dale Chihuly glass sculptures...awesome!!! You could even make your own in a certain area of the first floor. Just amazing to behold and stunningly beautiful!!
http://www.chihuly.com/installations/childrens/
As it neared 8pm, I made my way with Alia and Tirsa to the front of the museum...of course the others had wondered off right at closing time!! But I wasn't really worried because we were all dressed in bright lime green shirts and I figured I could spot them easily...besides the 4 older ones were told to meet me at the front and they are pretty good at following that kind of instruction. I waited there a while until finally, as the crowds got down to the bare minimum, a security guard ask me who i was looking for. I wasn't really worried, but she asked me for names, full descriptions of what they looked like, what they were wearing, etc. I told her but just said I was just waiting to see if they were still in the building before I wandered outside to look for them. But NO, she put out a "Code Adam" and had multiple workers on the job. I kept trying to tell her that I had told them to meet me at the front of the museum and I hadn't checked outside yet, so that they were just probably out there waiting for me. She was all business!!!....well sure enough, we simply walked out the front doors and there they were playing on various equipment and sculptures out front with the other bagillions of kids!! hahaha! The Security lady made me account for all of them and sent us on our way...She was helpful, but I think a big deal was made out of not so big a deal!!! hahah! Oh well...
We headed back to the car...we were starving, but happy that we had had such a good time. The older kids did mention that it didn't seem like it was exciting as they remembered it. Ahhh...yes...that is the downside of growing up and older....memories you have as a child seem so much bigger than they really are or somehow they are glamorized to such exciting levels!!! Even still, we DID have a great time there....did I mention it was FREE!!!!!!!
Upon leaving the Museum parking lot, we drove around looking for a place to eat and consequently I was able to drive the kids around the downtown Indy area. We saw the State Capitol building and Post Office, the monument on the Circle and other neat buildings, monuments and fountains. As we left the city I drove into a KFC to get food, but while looking into the restaurant and the kind of people that were coming in and out, I opted to drive out of the city and into the suburbs that I knew! yikes!
We ended up driving all the way back up to Westfield and eating at a Chick-Fil-A. This was a new experience in and of itself for the kids. I remember eating at them occasionally in the West and had forgotten that we didn't really have them in the East. So, we ordered a few things and the kids absolutely loved it!!! The CrissCut French Fries especially. We didn't get home till LATE!!! But at least everyone went straight to bed without complaint! It was a fun day!!!
Day 7 ( Wed. Aug. 5, 2009) Road Trip
RaeAnna and kids left from their hotel this morning to go back home in Ohio. We moped around missing them! :( But, after breakfast it was back to playing with legos and climbed trees!! I had some good talks with my dad.
Later I think the kids did some yardwork or gardening with Grandpa...I was doing some house work with mom...probably laundry. After lunch, Grandpa took kids to Forest park, driving our big red van, which Ethan has called "The Marooner" (I guess because of its color). While at Forest Park, they saw the pools...Olympic size and Diving, played on the playground, watched a baseball game, got watermelon and popsicles.
Mom and I enjoyed some peace and quiet while they were gone...while we talked and cleaned at home. That night, the kids played the electronic football game with Grandpa yet again!
Ya know...it's really nice sometimes to just spend time together, with no place to go and with no activities to arrange...it's nice to just take it easy and spend time talking and....just "being" together.
Later I think the kids did some yardwork or gardening with Grandpa...I was doing some house work with mom...probably laundry. After lunch, Grandpa took kids to Forest park, driving our big red van, which Ethan has called "The Marooner" (I guess because of its color). While at Forest Park, they saw the pools...Olympic size and Diving, played on the playground, watched a baseball game, got watermelon and popsicles.
Mom and I enjoyed some peace and quiet while they were gone...while we talked and cleaned at home. That night, the kids played the electronic football game with Grandpa yet again!
Ya know...it's really nice sometimes to just spend time together, with no place to go and with no activities to arrange...it's nice to just take it easy and spend time talking and....just "being" together.
Day 6 (Tues. Aug. 4, 2009) Road Trip
Chris and Jess left this morning. It was fun to see them and be with them. As always, it never seems to be enough time together. So, it was Roylances and Wimmers who were left at Mom and Dad’s house.
Again, it was all about playing legos and climbing trees. They did go downstairs to play foosball and other things in the basement. Unfortunately one of those other things was the weight lifting set. The boys of course had to try their hand at it and since it was set to WAY too much weight, they thought they would change the weights off the end of the barbell. This they decided to do while the bar was sitting up high on the rack, rather than on the ground. UGH! As Ethan began to take his weight off, the bar flipped up and all the remaining weight fell onto Tommy!!! Somehow his hand got stuck and he ended up having the skin between his thumb and forefinger torn….ouch!!!! So, Annie took him to the Redi-Med where they super glued it! He was in hysterics when they left, but had calmed down just fine by the time they got home.
Adults talked and kids played. Dad also brought out the Electronic Football game for all to enjoy! They had a great time with that. It was kind of a gloomy day….but later, Dad took all the grandchildren down to the South Harbor playground and we had ice cream under the pavilion. The kids wander around the lake front as well, and Dad and I had a good talk.
Once we got home, Grandpa took boys on a hike in the woods at the end of the road, while we prepared ham and corn on the cob for dinner. It was getting late, but we still decided to go back with RaeAnna to their hotel and swim. It was the smallest pool EVER!! I swear once all 11 kids and I got in, it might as well have been a giant bathtub!!! Hahahaha! Too Funny! It was a small room with a small pool….and very loud and echo-y!!! oh my! We only got to swim for about an hour or so, because it closed at 10:30pm. Oh well….we went up to their hotel room and changed and snacked and watched TV. We had to say our goodbyes as they were going to leave straight from the hotel in the morning. I had a good chat with RaeAnna, as I always do, and then we went back up to Mom and Dad’s house to sleep. It is so hard for me to say goodbye!!! The kids were bummed too…they love their cousins!
Again, it was all about playing legos and climbing trees. They did go downstairs to play foosball and other things in the basement. Unfortunately one of those other things was the weight lifting set. The boys of course had to try their hand at it and since it was set to WAY too much weight, they thought they would change the weights off the end of the barbell. This they decided to do while the bar was sitting up high on the rack, rather than on the ground. UGH! As Ethan began to take his weight off, the bar flipped up and all the remaining weight fell onto Tommy!!! Somehow his hand got stuck and he ended up having the skin between his thumb and forefinger torn….ouch!!!! So, Annie took him to the Redi-Med where they super glued it! He was in hysterics when they left, but had calmed down just fine by the time they got home.
Adults talked and kids played. Dad also brought out the Electronic Football game for all to enjoy! They had a great time with that. It was kind of a gloomy day….but later, Dad took all the grandchildren down to the South Harbor playground and we had ice cream under the pavilion. The kids wander around the lake front as well, and Dad and I had a good talk.
Once we got home, Grandpa took boys on a hike in the woods at the end of the road, while we prepared ham and corn on the cob for dinner. It was getting late, but we still decided to go back with RaeAnna to their hotel and swim. It was the smallest pool EVER!! I swear once all 11 kids and I got in, it might as well have been a giant bathtub!!! Hahahaha! Too Funny! It was a small room with a small pool….and very loud and echo-y!!! oh my! We only got to swim for about an hour or so, because it closed at 10:30pm. Oh well….we went up to their hotel room and changed and snacked and watched TV. We had to say our goodbyes as they were going to leave straight from the hotel in the morning. I had a good chat with RaeAnna, as I always do, and then we went back up to Mom and Dad’s house to sleep. It is so hard for me to say goodbye!!! The kids were bummed too…they love their cousins!
Day 5 (Mon. Aug. 3, 2009) Road Trip
We slept in this morning, and even missed the continental breakfast! Geesh! But we did get everything packed up and ready to go by 11am! Ahahhah! Rebecca called and told us Grandpa and Grandma were going to head out early if we wanted to say goodbye, but it just wasn’t going to work with 11 children who hadn’t eaten yet!! Oops! We had said goodbyes the night before anyway, so I was okay with it.
We checked out of the hotel at 11am and then went down the road a bit to a Denny’s for breakfast at 11:30…hahahah! We ordered a bunch of food and some of us shared…it was yummy! Then on to Mom and Dad’s house we drove. We had a good time talking with Rebecca and Amber before they left in the afternoon….Rebecca had a flight out and Amber was driving back to St. Louis, so she drove Rebecca to the airport.
In the meantime, the kids played rugby, croquette , Frisbee, Legos, and climbed the tree in the back yard. The little ones had to be kept out of the gravel rocks that surrounded the deck…they kept wanting to play in it! It was also fun to see Alma Cooper, Scotty, and Alia play so well together. Scotty seemed to take charge and the other two followed close behind. If someone, got out of line they let each other know, but then went back to playing! It was cute!
Later, Larry and O’etta Dennis called and said they were in town and came over for a chat. The kids however were chomping at the bit to go swimming, so my dad and brother Dennis ended up walking over to the South Harbor Pool with them…Uncle Chris went too….Annie and I joined later. It was fun to see Chris do some awesome dives off the diving board during adult swim…Ethan really enjoyed that!
Dinner was yummy…a “Hot and Now” deal from Little Caesar’s Pizza!! Yum! I hadn’t had Little Caesar’s in soooo long! They just don’t have them in the East. Later in the evening, Chris brought the TV outside on the deck and we watched some of Scot’s Rugby video, and then the movie “Forever Strong”. It was a fun day! We stayed the night at my parent’s house, in a couple of beds and an air mattress. RaeAnna took her kids back to a hotel in town.
We checked out of the hotel at 11am and then went down the road a bit to a Denny’s for breakfast at 11:30…hahahah! We ordered a bunch of food and some of us shared…it was yummy! Then on to Mom and Dad’s house we drove. We had a good time talking with Rebecca and Amber before they left in the afternoon….Rebecca had a flight out and Amber was driving back to St. Louis, so she drove Rebecca to the airport.
In the meantime, the kids played rugby, croquette , Frisbee, Legos, and climbed the tree in the back yard. The little ones had to be kept out of the gravel rocks that surrounded the deck…they kept wanting to play in it! It was also fun to see Alma Cooper, Scotty, and Alia play so well together. Scotty seemed to take charge and the other two followed close behind. If someone, got out of line they let each other know, but then went back to playing! It was cute!
Later, Larry and O’etta Dennis called and said they were in town and came over for a chat. The kids however were chomping at the bit to go swimming, so my dad and brother Dennis ended up walking over to the South Harbor Pool with them…Uncle Chris went too….Annie and I joined later. It was fun to see Chris do some awesome dives off the diving board during adult swim…Ethan really enjoyed that!
Dinner was yummy…a “Hot and Now” deal from Little Caesar’s Pizza!! Yum! I hadn’t had Little Caesar’s in soooo long! They just don’t have them in the East. Later in the evening, Chris brought the TV outside on the deck and we watched some of Scot’s Rugby video, and then the movie “Forever Strong”. It was a fun day! We stayed the night at my parent’s house, in a couple of beds and an air mattress. RaeAnna took her kids back to a hotel in town.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Day 4 (Sun. Aug. 2, 2009) Road Trip
At the Days Inn...our room had one big bed! hahaha! We also had a couch bed and the room was huge, so that was good. I slept in the king bed with Ethan, Daria, and Alia. Jenika and Karina were in the hide-a-bed, and Tirsa was on the couch cushions on the floor....what a site! RaeAnna and her kids stayed in their own room just upstairs.
On Sunday morning, we woke up and had the continental breakfast offered by the hotel...your standard carb packed breakfast! ugh! Everything was bread or cereals...muffins, doughnuts, toast, cold cereal....I guess there was some fruits. Anyway, the kids enjoyed it and it was complimentary so I suppose I shouldn't complain!
After breakfast we all showered and got ready for church. Thank goodness the ward didn't meet till 1pm! We were there in the first 2 pews by 12:30pm waiting for the other family members to arrive. They did and we fast filled up those 2 front rows. It was Fast and Testimony meeting, and Chris blessed his newborn son, Abrams, in company of Great Grandpa Clark, Grandpa Clark (my dad), my brother Craig, and my brother Scot. It was neat to witness 4 generations of Clark boys!!! My brother Chris bore a great testimony, my grandpa too. Then Clarky and Jenika got up as well....it was nice to hear from the younger generation as well.
After church we all met in the Relief Society room for pictures...it was difficult to get us all together! geesh! But we did it!! Annie and I went back to the hotel to change into more casual attire and then we headed up to Noblesville to my parent's house. It was perfect weather: no humidity, no clouds, warm with a slight breeze. We had all the food outside on the newly finished deck. We had a great dinner of Lasagna, meatloaf, salad, and garlic bread. Later after that settled in our bellies, we had an assortment of pies and ice cream.
Uncles and cousins played in the yard with the frisbee, croquet, and rugby balls.
It was fun to everyone together. Unfortunately, Craig and Scot had to leave....I guess they only had the Saturday and sunday off and had to get back to work and school....Scot had flown into Chicago and driven down with Craig, so they had to get back before it was too late!
We had fun talking and reminiscing and listening to my Grandpa's stories. In the evening we had a little presentation by all the grandchildren. Clark was in charge of announcing each act. They sang a few songs: I'll Seek the Lord Early, The Lord needs Valiant Servants, Little Purple Pansies, and a few Pioneer songs. They did well. We talked of some old family vacations as well and had fun reminiscing. We ended the night with cookies and milk...of course!...Clark Family tradition!!!
Saying goodbye is always hard for me, but we had to do it and went back to the hotel. Such good memories!
On Sunday morning, we woke up and had the continental breakfast offered by the hotel...your standard carb packed breakfast! ugh! Everything was bread or cereals...muffins, doughnuts, toast, cold cereal....I guess there was some fruits. Anyway, the kids enjoyed it and it was complimentary so I suppose I shouldn't complain!
After breakfast we all showered and got ready for church. Thank goodness the ward didn't meet till 1pm! We were there in the first 2 pews by 12:30pm waiting for the other family members to arrive. They did and we fast filled up those 2 front rows. It was Fast and Testimony meeting, and Chris blessed his newborn son, Abrams, in company of Great Grandpa Clark, Grandpa Clark (my dad), my brother Craig, and my brother Scot. It was neat to witness 4 generations of Clark boys!!! My brother Chris bore a great testimony, my grandpa too. Then Clarky and Jenika got up as well....it was nice to hear from the younger generation as well.
After church we all met in the Relief Society room for pictures...it was difficult to get us all together! geesh! But we did it!! Annie and I went back to the hotel to change into more casual attire and then we headed up to Noblesville to my parent's house. It was perfect weather: no humidity, no clouds, warm with a slight breeze. We had all the food outside on the newly finished deck. We had a great dinner of Lasagna, meatloaf, salad, and garlic bread. Later after that settled in our bellies, we had an assortment of pies and ice cream.
Uncles and cousins played in the yard with the frisbee, croquet, and rugby balls.
It was fun to everyone together. Unfortunately, Craig and Scot had to leave....I guess they only had the Saturday and sunday off and had to get back to work and school....Scot had flown into Chicago and driven down with Craig, so they had to get back before it was too late!
We had fun talking and reminiscing and listening to my Grandpa's stories. In the evening we had a little presentation by all the grandchildren. Clark was in charge of announcing each act. They sang a few songs: I'll Seek the Lord Early, The Lord needs Valiant Servants, Little Purple Pansies, and a few Pioneer songs. They did well. We talked of some old family vacations as well and had fun reminiscing. We ended the night with cookies and milk...of course!...Clark Family tradition!!!
Saying goodbye is always hard for me, but we had to do it and went back to the hotel. Such good memories!
Day 3 (Sat. Aug. 1, 2009) Road Trip
We slept in!! Yikes! Well, we took all morning long to get packed up to go on the road to Indiana. I don't know when we finally left...2 or 3pm? Anyway, it was later than we hoped. I drove the girls...well Karina really wanted to be with the boys, so minus her. But Lizzy was delighted to be riding in our van with ALL girls...no brothers!! That meant Annie had ALL the boys plus Karina.
We took route 77 north and then I-70 west to Indianapolis. I suppose this was a longer way when I think back at it, but it was all highway and we took turns passing each other on the road!!! We stopped a few times for bathroom breaks and running around, but really we pretty much drove straight thru. We were lucky to have some yummy cookies made for us by a co-worker of Jon's....yummo!!! We also saw a Frische's Big Boy along the way....my mom always talked about these when we were young and how she loved them, but ya couldn't find them anymore!!...hahaha...well there it was right outside of Dayton, Ohio!!!
We finally arrived at the Days Inn in Castleton, Indiana around 8:30pm....late! Wimmers went up to my parent's house anyway, while Roylances stayed at the Hotel and prepped for Sunday. We were able to see my grandparents, Alma Card and Elizabether Clark...Chris, Jessica, Alma, and Abrams, Rebecca, Craig and Amber, and Scot. We had some fun playing and eating and catching up! We got back down to the hotel at about midnight! It was going to be fun being around so much family!!
We took route 77 north and then I-70 west to Indianapolis. I suppose this was a longer way when I think back at it, but it was all highway and we took turns passing each other on the road!!! We stopped a few times for bathroom breaks and running around, but really we pretty much drove straight thru. We were lucky to have some yummy cookies made for us by a co-worker of Jon's....yummo!!! We also saw a Frische's Big Boy along the way....my mom always talked about these when we were young and how she loved them, but ya couldn't find them anymore!!...hahaha...well there it was right outside of Dayton, Ohio!!!
We finally arrived at the Days Inn in Castleton, Indiana around 8:30pm....late! Wimmers went up to my parent's house anyway, while Roylances stayed at the Hotel and prepped for Sunday. We were able to see my grandparents, Alma Card and Elizabether Clark...Chris, Jessica, Alma, and Abrams, Rebecca, Craig and Amber, and Scot. We had some fun playing and eating and catching up! We got back down to the hotel at about midnight! It was going to be fun being around so much family!!
Day 2 (Fri. July 31, 2009) Roadtrip
We rested well at the Roylance home in Vincent, Ohio!!! RaeAnna and I of course talked, looked at catalogs and clothing styles, cooked and cleaned together! And the kids played of course. It was kind of a rainy, glum day so they played inside mostly. They played with legos and gameboys and downstairs. They also lined the upstairs steps with pillows from around the house and then broke out the sleds!!! It was hilarious to see them come flying down and land in the pile of pillows at the bottom. hahahah!
We did some laundry too and just hung around and had fun. By the afternoon it was beginning to clear up, so they took us to the Marrietta Water Park. We were very excited until we got to the entrance and noticed they were holding everyone there. They were considering closing early since no one had come all day! NOOOOOOOOO! (silent prayers being said by 11 childern and 2 moms) They finally gave us the go ahead...YES, they would stay open another 2 hours! YAY!!! What a fun place!! It was like a mini water park complete with a few small waterslides, a pirate ship that spewed water here and there and had kiddie slides too, a "lazy river", a lap pool, and pools connecting all these fun things. They even had a sprinkler area or a play fountain I guess you would call it....basically sprays of water coming out of a concrete sidewalk area at different angles and heights. We had so much fun! They has some little contests too....hula hooping, cannonballing, etc.
As they were closing, Jon met us there because it was right next to the hospital where he works. He had some sad news of one of their friends passing away, but even still he ordered Papa Johns Pizza for us and we enjoyed it on the grassy hills next to the parking lot!! What FUN!!!
Later that night, we played and talked some more and talked about our plans for the next day....heading up to Indianapolis to go to G&G Clark's house!!! :) Good Times!
We did some laundry too and just hung around and had fun. By the afternoon it was beginning to clear up, so they took us to the Marrietta Water Park. We were very excited until we got to the entrance and noticed they were holding everyone there. They were considering closing early since no one had come all day! NOOOOOOOOO! (silent prayers being said by 11 childern and 2 moms) They finally gave us the go ahead...YES, they would stay open another 2 hours! YAY!!! What a fun place!! It was like a mini water park complete with a few small waterslides, a pirate ship that spewed water here and there and had kiddie slides too, a "lazy river", a lap pool, and pools connecting all these fun things. They even had a sprinkler area or a play fountain I guess you would call it....basically sprays of water coming out of a concrete sidewalk area at different angles and heights. We had so much fun! They has some little contests too....hula hooping, cannonballing, etc.
As they were closing, Jon met us there because it was right next to the hospital where he works. He had some sad news of one of their friends passing away, but even still he ordered Papa Johns Pizza for us and we enjoyed it on the grassy hills next to the parking lot!! What FUN!!!
Later that night, we played and talked some more and talked about our plans for the next day....heading up to Indianapolis to go to G&G Clark's house!!! :) Good Times!
Monday, August 31, 2009
DAY 1 (Thurs. July 30, 2009) Road Trip
I spent most of the week prior to this day packing...trying to only bring bare escentials and telling the kids they could only bring 1 stuffed animal, a few books and something to draw with!
Thursday morning was chaotic of course, not only because I was trying to pack the van up, but because we still had summer activities we were finishing up! Alia and Daria had to finish their swim lessons with a double lesson since we were missing the last one....and Ethan finished up his summer enrichment class at school. My nails were in bad shape and so I HAD to get those taken care of...heehee!..I know a petty thing, but still....and Karina was coming home from a great sleepover with a friend.
I think we finally left by 2pm! I decided to take the scenic route to Ohio towards Marrietta where my sister, RaeAnna, lives. We headed west into Pennsylvania and then near Carlisle, we headed southwest. This route took us down thru Pennsylvania to the northern border of Maryland and then into West Virginia. Marrietta, Ohio is just cross the river from West Virginia. It sure was scenic! ha! Very beautiful, rolling hills, some great rock cliffs and small mountains, lots of green.
But, oh boy was it a drive!! I don't think the road was ever straight or flat....so much up and down, over and around, twisting and turning!!! It definitely kept me awake!
As far as the kids....they kept me awake too! Remember, I was on my own...Ladd was still at home in New Jersey...he would join up with us later. And, the rule was that unless it was pouring rain or dark outside, they were NOT allowed to watch movies or play computer games! They actually didn't really complain about that and enjoyed the scenery, read their books, played cards....and of course picked and poked at each other! The last hour was the worst! I had to stop for gas and they were really ready to be there!! Tirsa was screaming and I was bookin' out down the highway wanting to get there soon too! Good thing there wasn't a car in sight...we basically had the road to ourselves.
We finally arrived at about 9 pm, had a light supper, played with our cousins and went to bed. I don't think I stayed up talking very late with RaeAnna like I usually do because I was just wiped out!!! :P So went the first day of our trip...mainly just travel with a smiling bunch of faces of family waiting for us on the other end!
Thursday morning was chaotic of course, not only because I was trying to pack the van up, but because we still had summer activities we were finishing up! Alia and Daria had to finish their swim lessons with a double lesson since we were missing the last one....and Ethan finished up his summer enrichment class at school. My nails were in bad shape and so I HAD to get those taken care of...heehee!..I know a petty thing, but still....and Karina was coming home from a great sleepover with a friend.
I think we finally left by 2pm! I decided to take the scenic route to Ohio towards Marrietta where my sister, RaeAnna, lives. We headed west into Pennsylvania and then near Carlisle, we headed southwest. This route took us down thru Pennsylvania to the northern border of Maryland and then into West Virginia. Marrietta, Ohio is just cross the river from West Virginia. It sure was scenic! ha! Very beautiful, rolling hills, some great rock cliffs and small mountains, lots of green.
But, oh boy was it a drive!! I don't think the road was ever straight or flat....so much up and down, over and around, twisting and turning!!! It definitely kept me awake!
As far as the kids....they kept me awake too! Remember, I was on my own...Ladd was still at home in New Jersey...he would join up with us later. And, the rule was that unless it was pouring rain or dark outside, they were NOT allowed to watch movies or play computer games! They actually didn't really complain about that and enjoyed the scenery, read their books, played cards....and of course picked and poked at each other! The last hour was the worst! I had to stop for gas and they were really ready to be there!! Tirsa was screaming and I was bookin' out down the highway wanting to get there soon too! Good thing there wasn't a car in sight...we basically had the road to ourselves.
We finally arrived at about 9 pm, had a light supper, played with our cousins and went to bed. I don't think I stayed up talking very late with RaeAnna like I usually do because I was just wiped out!!! :P So went the first day of our trip...mainly just travel with a smiling bunch of faces of family waiting for us on the other end!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Our 2009 Trek West
Well, I will attempt to write out details about our Family Trip we took out west during the month of August 2009...and yes, it took just about a month!! I think I will post each day or segment of the trip on separate postings, just so it's not too long and boring to read through all at once! hahah! I'll have to dig around and find all the pictures we took as well. I know Ladd has many of them on his laptop as mine is just so full of pictures I'm running out of space.
So, why did we "trek" west? It all started with Ladd's finding out about his 20 year class reunion, Weber High School in Pleasant View, Utah. I think he started getting info on that a year ago, however when I asked about it this past spring (was I going to go, how would we go, would the whole family go...ya know those sorts of questions) he surprised me by saying we should all drive out. We had just purchased a giant van as a family car in February and what better way could one get to make the long haul. Keep in mind, Ladd never went on road trips as a kid and has often dreaded the thought of being in a car with all the kids for majorly extended periods of time. Just keep that in mind....HIS idea!!! :)
I, on the other hand, was elated at the idea!!! I jumped at the chance for a huge family road trip because that is the story of my life! :) We did them ALL the time as a kid...we'd go west or east to see family, friends, church sites, historical sites, and strange/random sites!!! We'd camp, cookout, swim, play on playgrounds, visit waterparks, zoos, museums, lakes & waterfalls, hike mountains, etc. It was great fun and I have the BEST memories of doing such things. So, with the prospect of going west, I got on the internet and searched...talked with my dad and gleaned ideas...so much fun!
I decided (yes, it was purely ME that did the planning! heehee) that on our way out, we'd stop in Ohio first to see my sister for a few days, then head up and over to Indiana to stay with my parents for a week. Ladd would fly out from NJ to Indianapolis, where we would pick him up from the airport on our way to Nauvoo, IL. We would spend a few days in Nauvoo then follow the Mormon trail as we headed west, stopping at several sites along the way...including: Winterquarters (nebraska), Mormon Island/Grand Island, Nebraska, Chimney rock near Scott's Bluff, nebraska, Guernsey, WY oregon trail ruts, Independence rock, Devil's Gate & Martin's cove. When we got to Utah, we would go to Provo first showing the kids BYU campus and visit family. Then up to Salt Lake City to Temple Square, then up to Ogden to stay with the Wimmer Grandparents. On the way home we would high tail it back to Indiana and then to Dayton and Columbus, Ohio to visit friends.
So that was the plan! Let's see how it all fell into place!.....
So, why did we "trek" west? It all started with Ladd's finding out about his 20 year class reunion, Weber High School in Pleasant View, Utah. I think he started getting info on that a year ago, however when I asked about it this past spring (was I going to go, how would we go, would the whole family go...ya know those sorts of questions) he surprised me by saying we should all drive out. We had just purchased a giant van as a family car in February and what better way could one get to make the long haul. Keep in mind, Ladd never went on road trips as a kid and has often dreaded the thought of being in a car with all the kids for majorly extended periods of time. Just keep that in mind....HIS idea!!! :)
I, on the other hand, was elated at the idea!!! I jumped at the chance for a huge family road trip because that is the story of my life! :) We did them ALL the time as a kid...we'd go west or east to see family, friends, church sites, historical sites, and strange/random sites!!! We'd camp, cookout, swim, play on playgrounds, visit waterparks, zoos, museums, lakes & waterfalls, hike mountains, etc. It was great fun and I have the BEST memories of doing such things. So, with the prospect of going west, I got on the internet and searched...talked with my dad and gleaned ideas...so much fun!
I decided (yes, it was purely ME that did the planning! heehee) that on our way out, we'd stop in Ohio first to see my sister for a few days, then head up and over to Indiana to stay with my parents for a week. Ladd would fly out from NJ to Indianapolis, where we would pick him up from the airport on our way to Nauvoo, IL. We would spend a few days in Nauvoo then follow the Mormon trail as we headed west, stopping at several sites along the way...including: Winterquarters (nebraska), Mormon Island/Grand Island, Nebraska, Chimney rock near Scott's Bluff, nebraska, Guernsey, WY oregon trail ruts, Independence rock, Devil's Gate & Martin's cove. When we got to Utah, we would go to Provo first showing the kids BYU campus and visit family. Then up to Salt Lake City to Temple Square, then up to Ogden to stay with the Wimmer Grandparents. On the way home we would high tail it back to Indiana and then to Dayton and Columbus, Ohio to visit friends.
So that was the plan! Let's see how it all fell into place!.....
Thursday, February 26, 2009
An Upcoming Home Project
Well, this is mainly for the benefit of my brother whom I've asked to give me some suggestions on this area of my home. I'm going to try to post some videos of the space and see what he has to say about them....besides the fact that they need a good cleaning!! Other comments welcome of course, but basically I want to re-vamp the whole kitchen, bathroom, pantry area. This probably will happen next year sometime, but one must continue to plan for major stuff like this!!! :P
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Happy New Year from the Wimmers!!!
Well, we are late as usual in getting out a newsletter! But here is a little about or year 2008.
Some of our comings and goings include:
Adding another girl to the family!!! :) Tirsa Marie was born on May 6! She looks just like the rest of the bunch...blond, blue eyes, chubby cheeks, and smiley.
Ladd had surgery on 2 ruptured discs in his neck...a result of a car crash from years ago aggravated by being clobbered in the Turkey Bowl Thanksgiving Football game (Nov. 2007)...ugh!
Visits from both sets of grandparents as well as other family and friends from out-of-state.
Travels to Utah for Ladd, Indiana for Renaye, Utah for Ladd & Ethan, Cancun, Mexico for Ladd & Renaye, Ladd continuing to travel for work, mostly to Indiana, and a family trip to Ohio to see our Roylance cousins.
Sports...Jenika on Softball, Summer Swim Team for Jenika, Ethan and Karina, swim lessons for Daria, and swimming in the neighborhood pool, Soccer for Ethan & Karina, horse-back riding for Karina.
Here's some thoughts from each of us:
JENIKA (12): "I like to draw, paint, and design fashions. I like to play basketball and softball. I turned 12 and started Middle School...I'm in the band playing the flute and trying to learn oboe. I'm in the Young Women program at church. I like to read and I'm now reading the Nancy Drew series and many other books. I love to sing and I performed at the School Talent Show and the Spring Concert...I'm in a Performing Arts class now and the Select Choir. I babysit a lot now for my parents...and I don't get paid!!! Not fair!!!"
ETHAN (10): "No comment!" I, Renaye, will fill in for his lack of words...Ethan likes all sports, but this year only played soccer and swim team. He continues to be attracted to video games...ugh! He is loving the Wii and an old game boy he got from a friend, but not loving how Mom keeps them under lock and key until homework and chores are complete! He loves to read and reads till all hours of the night. He also loves music and is a great Trumpet player and makes a good sound on the recorder...he also can be found figuring out songs and hymns on the piano. Although he constantly teases his sisters, he is good at watching out for them and is a good example of completing chores!!!
KARINA (9): "I don't know!!...I love horses, I'm taking lessons....I love riding!!! I like milk. I participated in a writing activity at school and it was chosen by an acting group to be made into a play. The play was performed in front of my whole school and will be performed throughout the country! I went to swim team and I was good at the back stroke. I play the recorder and the clarinet. I love crafts, cooking, and writing poetry...I love reading about horses! I got glasses this year..I really like them. I love Tirsa and I hold her and kiss her ALL the time!!
DARIA (7): "I like drawing pictures, especially of my Littlest Pet Shops. I like to read all kinds of books. I went to swim class and learned to dive and swim in the deep end. I like to play with my sisters, especially Legos, Playmobil, and Littlest Pet Shops. I like gymnastics...I can stand on my head for 13 seconds! I like to bounce and climb and roll all over the furniture. I love the balance beam! I still love lots of hugs and kisses from everyone. :)
ALIA (3): "I love my friends...I play with them. I like to help Mommy with baking and cooking dinner...I always pull up a chair in the kitchen so I can reach the counter top. I like to wash dishes by hand so I can play with the water!! I can go potty all by myself now. I gave myself a few haircuts this year, much to Mommy's dismay. My picture was in the newspaper for attending the local Library reading time! I love being read to, dressing up, coloring, and playing with my baby sister.
TIRSA (8 months): "I am the cutest baby girl alive!!! I have the biggest, rosiest cheeks...great for kissing and nibbling. I love drinking my bottles and eating anything I can get my hands on. So far, I've learned to crawl really fast, pull my self up to a stand even if I'm not holding on to anything, and climbing the stairs. In my adventures, I've discovered the garbage can and the houseplants...for some reason, Mommy doesn't like that?! I love smiling and letting everyone at church hold me!!!"LADD: "I continue to work for Dimension Data as an IT Solutions Architect. I was just released from my Scoutmaster calling at church, but have yet to be given a new assignment. I survived my neck surgery in the spring and I have recovered well...I rarely have pain there anymore. I like to play sports and watch sports, both of which I don't get to do much anymore. I had a great time taking Ethan to Utah for my brother's wedding...we were able to visit BYU campus and managed to go to a football game while there!! I still do a few home improvements, including finishing a corner curio cabinet I made for the dining room and a framed mirror for the living room. Reluctantly, I paid someone to install the wood floors for us...I wanted to do it myself, but with all my traveling it wasn't possible. I traveled a lot this year, mostly on a project in Indiana.
RENAYE: "I've struggled through this year in lots of ways. Pregnancy was so painful and difficult this last time, I even had to walk with a cane! I also was still teaching Seminary during all this and the delivery, so it was hard to do all that and adjust to having a new baby. In the Fall, Ladd was traveling so much that I opted to teach Seminary only once a week and give home study the rest of the week. I am now up to 3 days a week, which surprisingly feels a lot better!! I continue to knit, sew, stamp, scrapbook, and make bead jewelry. I have enjoyed creating this blog this year and also re-connecting with long lost friends on Facebook. I also have quite enjoyed cleaning out and de-cluttering my house and my life!
We hope you all have a productive and happy new year!! It is amazing when we really look around and think about all the little things we enjoy in this life, how truly blessed we are!!! May you always keep the Lord first in your lives...we know He is the only way to find true happiness! Happy 2009!!!!
Love to all, The Wimmer Family :)
13 Merion Ln.
Washington, NJ
07882
njwimmers@comcast.net
rc3w@hotmail.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Weekend Project...Ethan's Bedroom
While Ladd and Ethan were away, the Girls did play!!!...in Ethan's room that is. We changed the Garden bedroom into the Game/sports bedroom. Ethan now feels comfortable in a more male setting!!! :) Here are some pics.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Cancun
I went on Ladd's business trip to Cancun, Mexico on Oct. 22 to 25. It was wonderful! We stayed at the JW Marriott Spa/Resort...beautiful! All the workers wait on you hand and foot whether you are at the pool, beach, or just walking through the front door. We enjoyed snorkeling off a neighboring island, Isla Mujeres, in the pouring rain, but nonetheless amazingly beautiful underwater!...sadly no pictures of that. We went to shops, walked the beach, played in the pools, listened to the waves from our room window each night, went to 2 banquets, danced, soaked up the sun!!! I also went to the spa for a manicure and spa pedicure...very relaxing!!! I spent way too much money, but thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!!! Sometimes it is worth it to get away!!!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Wild Cherry!!!!
Unlike my dad, this is not my favorite flavor of ice cream! :)
Wild Cherry is the name on the box of the non-permanent hair color I applied to my hair last night! YIKES!!!
I absolutely love red hair! I have always been attracted to guys with red hair and have thought women with red hair are stunning! On me....I'm not so sure. Ladd has always said, "why don't you try red" for the past 10 years or so and I never could bring myself to do it. Well, with the every increasing amount of greys on my head and the lack of money for the salon, I clipped a coupon for Clairol's Natural Instincts...or something like that...and did it myself!
I've been leery of red because I never thought I could pull off the orangey red color, so I thought I'd go with a cooler tone. Here are some pictures....you be the critic! I kinda like it...makes me feel like a different person! hahaha! Let me know what you think!
(I played with the color a bit on the photo shop...the one showing my full face is closest to what it really looks like....the others are a lot brighter than the real thing!!...fun!)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Hardwood Floors
Yippee! Our floors are done! It is so nice to have hardwood installed...not only because I don't have to walk on plywood floorboards anymore like we have for the past YEAR, but also because we hired someone to do it!!! Sometimes do-it-yourself projects are better left to professionals. Anyway, we put in a natural finish Red Oak...it is light and airy, yet cozy. It just makes everything look so clean! Here are some pictures.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Karina Shoots Again!
Well, Karina loves photography! She especially loves taking pictures of nature as you have seen in the past....and once again she took my camera out to the backyard. she took pictures of some of our vegetable plants, some with veggies on them!..yeah! Anyway, I thought you would enjoy these...some of them may even be the same flowers she took pictures of last year, but oh well, they are still beautiful. Some of the pictures I played around with on photo shop to make some abstract art!!! Hope you like them! Once again, I'd like to frame some of these!
ps...some are blurry cuz I think the lens was foggy or she got a little close, but she is learning! :)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
We are Swimmers!
Wow! I'm going crazy with the posts here, but I thought I'd share what we have been doing this summer....SWIMMING!!! :) Yes, we are the SWIMMER WIMMERS or the WIMMER SWIMMERS, which ever way you want to say it!!! hahaha! Here are some pictures I took on their swim team picture day...it sure beats paying for the picture packages they offer! I'll have to include pictures of them actually swimming later on in the month. They have had fun swimming laps each morning and being in the meets on Tues. and Thurs. evenings. It's a very fun, laid back swim team program...I think they give out ribbons up to 6th or 8th place so that everyone is a "winner". :)
So far, Karina is the back stroke queen, Ethan excels at Freestyle and Breast stroke, and Jenika gets marks for form rather than speed!! I think butterfly and freestyle are her best strokes. Enjoy these pics! :)
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