Fishing Anyone?

I've picked up yet another hobby! I've become an aquariumist! Okay, so I didn't really know that was a real word until I read it and I'm just beginning but one day I might become one! I grew up in a home with a mother that LOVED her fish. We always had a fish tank and we would spend countless hours together "playing" with them. I have always wanted an aquarium and when I decided I was going to get one I went all out! Can you say 75 gallons of "all out?" Now Heath has his 73 inch television and I have my 75 gallon fish aquarium! Ha, ha Honey, mine is bigger!
This is really an addictive hobby! I wake up every morning and run upstairs to check my fish. I count them to make sure they are all still there. I have lost a few and it is definitely satisfying to find them all still alive in the morning when I wake up and in the evening when I get home from work. I now find myself making excuses to go to the pet store! I browse the fish and aquarium decor. I carefully plan my "next move." I spend any spare time reading about the care of them; and, most importantly, which ones are "community" and which ones are "aggressive." I have spent a lot of time making sure my tank is healthy and the fish are surviving and the last thing I want to do is bring home some fish that's going to eat all my other fish!
My tank is only two weeks old so I don't have many fish and the decor is still sparce. Is is a work in progress! Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what I've gotten myself into!

I LOVE IT!

Kenidee enjoys helping me pick out the fish! Right now there are only 19 fish and still plenty of room for more! Huummm...what will I put in next?!?!

Weekend Project

For the last couple of weekends Heath and I have been putting together my "Christmas Present!" It has been so much fun! I have to admit, it has been a "brewing storm" around my house now for several years (Since we moved in three years ago to be exact!) but my "crap" room as Heath so lovingly refers to it is now a real craft room! If you have ever been to my house and mistakenly opened the door to my craft room you would understand why Heath called it that! It was more or less a glorified storage room. I would buy some new craft item and then bravely open the door to the room and quickly find what I thought would be a safe spot for my new purchase and then close the door! It was like something you might see on one of those home shows on HGTV where the designers were appalled by the state of the room! How embarrassing! I cant' believe I'm admitting to such a room! I don't have any "before" pictures, but now I wish I did! The transformation was amazing! My husband is AWESOME! Here are just a few pictures. It is still a "work in progress" but I am too excited about it to keep it a secret any longer!
I have this wonderful island work top to work on. It measures 4 by 8 feet!
One full wall of floor to ceiling cabinets!

I even painted one wall a beautiful slate blue to mach the counter top and of course I had to decorate with some Uppercase Living!

Isn't this beautiful!

Please ignore the paint mess...I was too excited to move it! I just wanted to take pictures!

The pictures really don't do it justice! It is absolutely the most beautiful thing! I love it! Now I can actually be creative without my creativeness staying on the kitchen table for weeks! My husband is absolutely the best!

What kind of shoe are you?

This was fun! I am "Flip Flops." I think that's pretty fitting considering I actually had a pair on this morning for church and then changed them at the last minute! I love filp flops and were them anytime I get a chance!

You Are Flip Flops

You are laid back and very friendly. Cheery and sunny in disposition, you usually have something to smile about. Style is important to you, as long as you can stay casual. It takes a lot to get you to dress up! You are a loyal and true person, though you can be a bit of a flake. You tend to "play hooky" and blow off responsibilities a lot more than most people. You should live: By the beach You should work: At a casual up and coming company

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

A Visit With Grandmother Proctor

On Saturday, January 3 the weather was beautiful and we were all able to make a trip to Malad to see Grandmother. It was the first time in more than a year that all five of the Proctor kids were able to get together with their children and spend quality time together as a family.

Currently, Darrel lives with his wife Trish and seven children in Colorado. Darren and Daymon are both welders and travel where the work takes them. For the last several years they have been working in Alaska and coming home every few months to visit their families. During their time in Alaska they very seldom received their scheduled R&R at the same time. Due to layoffs and lack of work in Alaska, they were both able to spend Christmas and New Year's at home in Downey with their families. Deanna and her two kiddos also live in Downey very close to Daymon, Darren, Mom and Dad. Heath and I are only about 30 miles from the majority of the Proctors in Downey.

Our "little" visit to Malad was fun and a little hectic! When you get four generations of Proctors in one room, what do you expect!?!? There were 10 great grandchildren, five grandchildren and their spouses, Mom, Dad, and Grandmother for a grand total of 18 people all in a small conference room at the Malad Senior Citizens Center! What a grand time we all had!
Grandmother was very excited to see all of us! She smiled and joked with everyone! It was wonderful! Doesn't she look so happy?


This is just one of many pictures taken of Grandmother and just ten of her Great Grandchildren. Darrel's oldest is 21 and in the Navy in Florida and was unable to attend as well as three other younger Great Grandchildren who were with other family members. Can you believe we got everyone to cooperate? I was amazed!
And then there are the five of us! What a crew!

And they say it's the girls who are always messing around and never stay on task! Shame on you boys! You should behave yourselves!

WOW! It's been a long time since all of us were able to get together with Mom and Dad! Pictured below from left to right...Top Row: Darren, Darrel, Mom, Dad, Daymon Bottom Row: Deanah, Grandmother, Deanna

And the "Grand Finale!" This is a pic of everyone in attendance! What a crew!

Thank you Grandmother for being so wonderful and giving us the best Dad and Grandpa in the whole wide world! We love you!

PS...There were three cameras taking pictures during our 2 hour visit and over 115 pictures taken! Stay tuned for more snapshots!

Happy New Year

A dear friend of mine sent this to me today and I thought it fitting to post! I hope everyone has a wonderful 2009!

START OVER

Author Unknown

When you've trusted Jesus and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way,
START OVER

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why,
START OVER

When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And now you're all alone and it's up to you,
START OVER

When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren have come along,
START OVER

When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill,
START OVER

When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it,
START OVER

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you,
START OVER

Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "The Lords' Will Done"
Don't just sit there.......
START OVER!!