New Hair Style

You won't believe this, but Laurie actually let me do her hair like this, and the most amazing part is that her hair was long enough. It looked so cute.

Plus I have to share with everyone her beautiful smile.

Clark Planetarium

Two weeks ago we went to the Clark Planetarium. The kids really enjoyed seeing all the different displays, especially the Moon and Mars walk. We then went into the IMAX to see Under the Sea. They loved wearing the 3D glasses and trying to grab the fish as they swam toward you.

He Can Sleep Anywhere

Josh had been playing outside and came in for a minute. I was helping Emily complete one of her jobs. It only took a couple of minutes, but when I came back to the kitchen this is what I found. He was out cold. I am amazed at how quickly he (and his Dad) can fall asleep almost anywhere.

Traveling...it'll wear ya out..

Occasionally I have to go on trips for my business.

This week I flew to Chico, CA (about 90 min North of Sacramento) for business. I'm always amazed at how much traveling can wear me out. I'm not sure if it's because riding in a tiny tube at super fast speeds has anything to do with it or if it's just that I'm away from home in a new place.

Of course on this trip having to get up at 4AM to catch planes didn't help either. But man, I came home and CRASHED!!!

Traveling is always fun and I seem to be getting better at it (a.k.a. not taking nearly as much stuff, just the essentials) and my stomach seems to be doing better with it each time (I used to get sick anytime I traveled. Used to make me miserable).

But it's still enjoyable and nice to "get away" from what I usually do.

I can tell you that Chico was COLD though for this time of year. Lots & lots of wind.

Chico is where one of the bigger products I sell are manufactured. I happen to be one of their largest volume dealers so I visit at least once a year to get updated on any new developments.

But, the trip is over, and I'm glad to be back home safe & sound.

And there's nothing like having the kids run up & give me hugs when I get back.

Family. Makes all the stuff we do to keep the bills paid worth it.

Our Princess is 6

Today was Emily's birthday and she had a fun party. The group was smaller than we planned, but I think the girls had fun.

When they arrived they decorated crowns. Then we played Kiss the Prince, Princess Bingo, and a Cake Walk. Emily loved her gifts and the girls played with them until the cake was ready. They all looked very pretty.

Biodiesel Glycerin Soap

If you don't know already, I'm kind of a Biodiesel nut.

Part of the process of making Biodiesel includes the production of Glycerin, which is a by-product that's usually discarded.

Well, a while back someone figured out that you could make soap from it. Now I have customers all over the world making soap from their glycerin based on a guide that I sell.

I was out visiting a customer of mine this week & took my camera along. Here's some of the pictures of his cool soap!


That's 600 bars of soap your looking at...





Speckled soap!


Liquid Soap


Cool pink, scented soap (for the ladies!)


This stuff is incredible! I shower with it every day and my dad loves it! Because it's made from glycerin, it has incredible moisturizing properties to it. And, because it's made from lye (you know, like our great grandparents used to make), it'll take stains out of pretty much anything.

I even sell some that a lady makes professionally & people love it.


Anyway, figured some of you would get a kick out of some of the "practical" stuff that comes out of making Biodiesel.

Photo Shoot

Last Saturday we set up the living room and photographed the kids. I think it turned out very well. Laurie was not happy most of the time. She would scream everytime I posed her with the other kids.