Exhausted from a day of non-stop domesticity, I plopped into my chair at the dinner table, eager to taste the fruits of my many labors.

On the menu this evening was a colorful vegetable platter featuring the latest harvest from our garden, homemade ranch dip, freshly baked homemade rolls still warm from the oven, freshly canned chili sauce infused with tomatoes and onions from our garden, pink lemonade chilled with pristine ice cubes from my newly-cleaned freezer, and a succulent roast that had been simmering in the crock pot all day.

The Makings of Chili Sauce–13 pints of it!

(Of course, Vivi was still wearing her pajamas, and I hadn’t quite gotten around to finding the Disney princess-of-the-day panties so she was running around au naturale … but something’s gotta give on a day like today.)

As BT went to dish Vivi’s dinner, she halted him and, after examining the roast closely, innocently asked, “Daddy, is that poop?”

I don’t know if it’s because I managed to swallow my fear of electrical wires …

Or maybe because I successfully fought back the paranoia of creepy crawly things waiting to attack me in the backyard as I conducted my troubleshooting…

Or perhaps it’s because I saved several hundred dollars …

But regardless of the reason, I am elated to declare that I, Lori Tolbert, fixed another one of our air conditioner units yesterday! I’m sure that it’s a sin to be as proud of myself as I am.

Just ask my mom … at times, I epitomize the stereotype “dumb blonde.”

Clearly lacking the common sense bestowed upon the general population, as a Freshman at BYU, I cleverly wrapped all my food in black plastic trashbag liners so that it would stop freezing in the little fridge my roommate and I rented for our dorm room… until I discovered the adjustable thermostat dial.

Trust me.  If I can fix one of the most common causes of AC malfunction–a failing capacitor–ANYONE can do it.  Because it pains me to hear stories of my friends paying nearly $400 for a 15-minute installation of this $20 capacitor part, I will happily impart the little bit of diagnostic knowledge I have garnered from the 10+ service calls from AC repairmen over the last few years.  (Yes, I must be a magnet for AC problems–CRAZINESS!) And while there is definitely a time and place to pay an $expert$ (if you need a referral, I’ve found a GOOD one), the bragging rights that come from a little DIY AC repair are priceless.

I’ll never forget the poignant moment immediately following my marriage to BT as I embraced my father in the sealing room of the Provo Temple, tears of joy streaming down our faces. He said, “Remember when you asked if you deserved to be happy?”

Yes. I remember.  I remember everything about that phone call to my dad, seven years ago, as I grappled with heart-wrenching turmoil of eternal significance. Tears of godly sorrow streamed down my face as I asked “Do I deserve to be happy?” And even though he answered in the affirmative, the pain was so intense and the emotional scars so deep, I did not believe that I could ever be happy again.

On Sunday, as I read Ariana’s tender Father’s Day message penned to BT, I was reminded again of how incredibly BLESSED and HAPPY our family is.

In every sense of the word, BT has indeed made Ariana his daughter.

I am a living witness that there is no wound so deep that it cannot be healed by the Atonement and no life so tattered that it cannot be mended by divine intervention.

My palms start to sweat. My heart races. I glance out the door every thirty seconds to see if she’s carrying the tell-tale white envelope, and as she approaches, I glance into her eyes to discern her mood.

Report card day is probably more invigorating and nervewracking for me than it is for Ariana. I seriously get myself worked up into a bundle of nerves as I await the quarter’s results, just like I did when I was the student.

And although this post is a bit delayed, I simply can’t pass up the opportunity to brag on Ariana.  For the 8th straight quarter, she brought home yet another straight-A report card, furthering her perfect record. (Letter grades are given out starting the first quarter of 2nd grade).  She also was “commended” on both of her TAKS tests this year.

Like her mother (and unlike BT for whom learning comes easy), good grades must be earned by the sweat of her brow. Although blessed with a bright mind, some things do not “click” the first time and must be learned through hard work and attention to detail. This makes the victory that much sweeter.

I’m so proud of you, Ariana!  Keep up the good work.

“Fatigue is the best pillow”

~Benjamin Franklin

I laughed out loud when BT received a “by invitation only, non-transferable” offer to a new establishment in Frisco: The Gent’s Place Men’s Fine Grooming, LLC.

Anyone who knows BT knows that The Gent’s place couldn’t have wasted their advertising $’s on someone less likely to use their services.

Brow Waxing: $15.  I recently spent thirty minutes trying to convince BT to let me pluck four coarse “old man” eyebrows that had gone awry. That’s the closest anyone is ever gonna get to grooming BT’s brow.

Hand and Foot Repair (aka manicure & pedicture): $70. BT’s idea of hand and foot repair is to use his teeth to “clip” his nails. He wouldn’t event spend $2 on a pair of clippers, let alone $70 to have someone trim his hooves. He even declines my insistent offers to do it for free.

The Gentlemens Refinery Head Shave: $50. First, if you’re going to spend big bucks on a fancy schmancy direct mail piece, please punctuate. “Gentlemen’s Refinery” (possessive) not “Gentlemens Refinery.” Second, BT shaves his own head, thank you very much. He repurposes one of the plastic bags from the dry cleaners, carefully spreading it out on the bathroom floor to help catch the fallout, and seven minutes later, BT has worked his magic with his trusty old pair of hair clippers.

Complimentary Beer, Wine & Whisky: The stiffest thing BT drinks is orange cream soda.

Although I do wish BT would splurge on some fingernail clippers, I love being married to a man who takes a no-nonsense approach to personal grooming.

we all scream for ICE CREAM at the annual Texas State Champion Homemade Ice Cream Freeze-Off!

On Saturday, BT further solidified his position as “favorite parent” by treating the family to another fun road trip–this time to the tiny east Texas town of Sulphur Springs, the site of the annual Dairy Festival (http://www.myssnews.com/news-telegram/news/5271-hopkins-county-dairy-festival-will-get-under-way-friday-with-ribbon-cutting.html).

I’m a bit of a germ-a-phobe, so the thought of eating ice cream made by a bunch of (really nice red neck) strangers in kitchens that may not quite pass health code inspections really freaks me out a bit. And I was further shaken as I stood in line waiting for the ice cream serving to begin. The purveyor on my left serving Peach LICKED the scoop after dishing out the first portion. The little girl helping to serve the Turtle Cheesecake was picking her nose. The Banana Nut contestant next to her dropped the scoop on the ground. (Does the “five second rule” really work?)

But once you get past the possibility of contracting a food-borne illness–which I kept telling myself is really no different than the risk that exists at any chili cookoff, church potluck, community bake sale, corner lemonade stand, and any fast food joint, for that matter–the event was quite fun.

For $3 per person, you get a little styrofoam cup, spoon, and all-you-can-eat ice cream. After sampling until you’re satisifed (or sick, as the case may be), you then cast your vote for your favorite flavor.

And no Tolbert day trip would be complete without a stop at a fun antique store–I found a a cute old mailbox that we’ll use to exchange notes with each other.

And because we plan on making this an annual excursion, a few reminders for myself:

• Get an earlier start so that we can see the parade and hot air balloon launch.
• Don’t stop at Ruby’s Cafe in Greenville for breakfast–FILTHY bathroom. In fact, I feel compelled to call the health inspector on Monday.
• Try Mary of Puddin’ Hill in Greenville instead (http://www.puddinhill.com/)
• The cleanest restrooms in Sulphur Springs were in the Genealogical Society building on Main Street. The sandwich shop (Plain & Fancy) had a good, clean restroom as well, but their food was only so-so.
• Bring a cooler next time; they had some really yummy stuff at the Farmer’s Market.
• Bring LOTS of water. It was hot, hot, hot!
• The Dairy Museum (free admission) next to the Civic Center was quite interesting and served free novelty ice cream treats.
• Bring towels and swim suits; it looks like Coleman Park (complete with a waterfall and swimming hole) is a fun place.

After practicing all week with a group of 90+ 4th, 5th and 6th graders, Ariana’s summer show choir performed a selection of songs from The Wizard of Oz and Wicked tonight. Ariana auditioned for both a solo and a speaking part and was thrilled to be selected for both. I was so proud of her stage presence and her clear, sweet voice as she sang Glinda’s part in the opening number.

I was also very impressed with what the music teachers were able to pull off in a few short days. They are a sweet group of ladies who really seem to love what they do. I am grateful that we live in an area with so many opportunities for Ariana to learn and grow.

New songs … new friends … good stuff!

ye shall not be cowering in the laundry room closet with no food, no water, no shoes, no flashlight, and no clue what you’re going to do if your house blows away (because you just opened a “notice of cancellation” letter from your homeowner’s insurance company moments before the tornado sirens started going off.  I sure thought I had paid the bill???)

(Thankfully, our new fence had not yet been completed … only the poles have been installed.)

I threw the cat in the dryer to keep her contained and safe. (Vivi FREAKED out about her kitty being stuck in the dyer).  Ariana then rushed off, saying that she was going to grab something important. I was super irritated, thinking that she was going to grab her American Girl doll, but my irritation quickly turned to humility when she returned with some special sets of my dad’s scriptures. (Good thinking, Guppy!)

I don’t know if I will ever be so prepared that I will not FEAR when all heck is breaking loose outside, but I am definitely going to take our preparedness to another level.

Oh, I see how it is.

Ariana is in a play–She gets blog time.

Vivi says something cute–She gets blog time.

Baby Tad drools–He gets blog time.

I make gourmet pickles with fresh cucumbers from my garden–I get NOTHIN’.

Clausen Kosher Dill Pickles

2 dill flowers
2 garlic cloves, peeled & halved
1 1/4 lbs. (8-10) pickling cucumbers
6 long sprigs fresh dill
1 tbsp coarse kosher salt
1/2 cup white vinegar

Put dill flower and garlic in bottom of mason jar;
add the cukes, put sprigs of dill in center of
cukes, add salt, vinegar, and fill jar with boiled water
that is now cool to within 1/8th of top.
Put on seal and ring, shake to dissolve salt,
set upside down on counter away from sunlight
and heat. Let sit 4-5 days flipping the jar
either upright or upside down each day.
Let sit upright 2 more days then refrigerate.
Lasts about 6 months.