Non-Napping Earrings

I am fortunate to possess the superpower of falling asleep anywhere when I'm tired. I've slept in airports, cars, on desks, couches in the library, even people's shoulders.

I can sleep with hoop earrings on, but if I wear these bad boys, I'm fairly sleep-proof, unless I want to imprint my forehead with wherever I lay it on. 

So if I really need to get something done, I wear my sleep-proof earrings.

How do you keep yourself awake?

Unusual Nativity sets - Snowmen and Pantyhose!

When we had three pre-school boys, I made this Nativity set out of pantyhose, fabric, and yarn so that our sons could touch and hold the figures without fear of breakage. As we added three more sons to our family, they enjoyed "riding" the camels, playing "Toss the Sheep" and Angel Football games.

Having a hands-on Nativity set has been a fun and memorable Christmas tradition for the Bahlmann family for 30 years!

While I don't own it, this snowman Nativity set made me smile.
Do you have a Nativity set? Tell me about it!

A Christmas Sewing Miracle

Just after I finished a sewing project and put my machine away, I noticed how much thread was left on the spool. IT WAS A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE! 

(Having it turn out that close is a miracle any time it happens!)

Do you sew? (Or is sewing just so-so?)

Charlie Pulsipher Does it Again! Take a Look at Book 2 in the Popular "The Lost Shards" series!

Kaden knew using the wormholes would be dangerous even before one of them took him to another universe. Aren knew her empathic gift could cause problems as she she tagged along without permission. The elves, dragons, and a lost geneticist may have surprised them, but nothing prepared them to face off with a hungry, imprisoned god who sees them standing in its way when all it wants is to be free of its prison. Everything two gifted teens and a wayward geneticist have may not be enough to save all of reality from being devoured.

Author Charlie Pulsipher announces Book 2 in "The Lost Shards" series. The science fiction/fantasy adventure "Obsidian Threads" will be released on December 1, 2014. 

Rho has awakened. Its acolytes will tear worlds apart to release their deity from its prison. Any hope of Rho's defeat lies with two people lost in a strange universe. Kaden and Aren must learn to harness all their unique gifts if they are to rival the god of darkness reborn. They will not fight alone. A brilliant geneticist, a furry dwaro, two less-than-friendly elves, dragons, and a spunky red-haired computer stand with them. But if Kaden and Aren fail to reach their full potential, all of reality will be devoured until nothing remains but Rho.

Purchase Links: Obsidian Threads (book 2) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q6YMEBW

The Crystal Bridge (book 1) and free for the week of the launch on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IAHEMOK/

Author Bio: Charlie Pulsipher is a were-hamster and lemur enthusiast living in Southern Utah with his lovely wife and neurotic dog. He writes sci-fi and fantasy, and sometimes both at the same time. He’s obsessed with surviving the inevitable zombie-apocalypse. It’s coming. Tell your friends.

He spends his time away from the keyboard hiking and camping in stunning Southern Utah. He also enjoys woodworking, painting, drawing, and pretending to have super powers. He neglects his twitter account. His velociraptor impression is worth seeing. Ask him to show you. It just may be the coolest thing about him.

Titles of published books: The Crystal Bridge (Book 1 of The Lost Shards), Zombies at the Door.

Visit: www.charliepulsipher.com

When Reg Christensen Came to Town

Look who I met when author Reg Christensen came to town! I went to the Ephraim Library after the city light parade and we talked shop and I bought another one of his intriguing books.

(Even though he's from Wisconsin, he doesn't have a Wisconsinese accent. Perhaps that's because he grew up in Fairview and wrote a charming memoir titled "Regular: The Saga of a Regular Guy From an Extraordinary Place." Click here to see how you can get your ever-lovin' reading hands on it!)

Click here for a close-up view of another of his books: Worthy is the Lamb: Scriptural Insights of Peace and Joy from Handel's Messiah

Even though he has another title published through Covenant, he told me that he hasn't yet decided if he's an author or not.

He looks like one to me!

I Didn't Wake Up To Make Spudnuts...

I did not wake up this morning planning on making spudnuts, but the mashed potatoes in the refrigerator stared me in the face one too many times, and my oldest son reminisced last night about the ones I made when he was a boy, so my body went on autopilot and made them while the rest of me was busy thinking of what I wanted to write. 

DO YOU LIKE SPUDNUTS? (Potato donuts.)

Reg Christensen Brings Mayberry to Sanpete County

1. I am in the midst of reading this charming book full of humorous escapades, tragedy, and glimpses of a simpler life, told in an easy narrative style as if Reg himself were talking to me over the back fence. When I have to put it down, I anticipate how soon I can get back to it to see what charming insight the next chapter brings.
2. 
   
3. Now if you're in Sanpete County, you can meet the author for yourself! (And if you're not... well, then, come and visit!)

1. Author Book Tour: Reg Christensen, author of
2. 
   
3.  Regular, The Saga of a Regular Guy from an Extraordinary Place
4. 
   
5. *Ephraim Library: Friday December 5 from 2 to 8 pm
6. 
   
7. *Fairview Museum: Saturday December 6 from noon to 5 pm

FOR MORE INFO OR ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT: regchris51@gmail.com

Now I have a question for you... 

HAVE YOU WRITTEN YOUR MEMOIR?

Thanks Daddy Dell and Momma Ru

My parents were so popular with our friends and neighborhood kids that my father, Dell Anderson, was given the nickname "Daddy Dell."

(Try singing this... 'The farmer Daddy Dell, the farmer Daddy Dell, Heigh ho the dairy-o, the farmer Daddy Dell.') See? It works!

(Isn't he handsome? He never lost his hair throughout his life, either! I think he looks like a celebrity.)

Daddy Dell

President Kennedy

So then the neighborhood kids came up with "Mama Ru" for my mother, Ruth Anderson. She was always setting extra places at the table for kids who would frequently drop by for meals, especially only child Ronnie Ballant, who seemed to be there every evening for dinner. Mom didn't even blink an eye, but fed whoever, whenever.

More than one person said she resembled the actress Myrna Loy. Go ahead, see for yourself! They could be sisters!

Mama Ru

Myrna Loy

So at this Thanksgiving time, I wish to say I'm thankful for my parents adding me to their big, happy family, because my brothers (2) and sisters (5...I make 6) are my ROCKS. They ROcK LiKE A PaRTy!

LOVE YOU!

Who's your rock?

Decorate Once and be Done!

Here's an idea... save time by just putting out decorations for all the holidays at once! 

These homeowners have it covered with a Santa "Welcome" sign, a patriotic wall hanging by the door, two pumpkins hanging from their porch just waiting to be baked into a Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, and a Halloween ghost crouched by the steps. When they answer the door, perhaps paper Valentine's hearts fall on your head while you're presented with a birthday cupcake and a candle to blow out!

(Make a wish!)

What's your favorite holiday?

The Pierce kids 12 Years Late!

These pix might not matter to you, but they matter to me, and its my blog!

I've never been to Texas, which is where these cute nephews and niece moved many moons ago! (Missed you, Olivia.) So last month, they showed up in Utah, in my mom's house, and I GOT TO SEE THEM AND HUG THEM AGAIN! YAY!

When they were little and living in Utah, we got together a lot and had adventures. I think of them often, and was so excited to see them and talk to them again! (Now they even speak in full sentences!) I loved the time I got to spend with them.

Back row is Curtis, then my son Andy, then Matt on a chair so he can be taller than Andy, then my son Michael and my son Brian. Front row is Emily (whose twin Olivia didn't make it) Jaren, and Brian Pierce. 

 Wait a minute... didn't I say that my son's name is Brian? Yes. Brian Pierce had the name first, but he was willing to share it. (Brian Bahlmann left, sitting by his kind and sharing cousin Brian Pierce right.)

 Since it was Grandma's house, she had to be in the picture, too! Here she is, in the center, with my little sister Carolyn on her left.

 Photo Bomb! I got in a picture, along with the Pierce's dad, A.C., on the far left. 

Do you love to see your family? Do you visit one another often? Or do they years slip by so that when you meet, it's a monumental occasion?

Windy Day

It was such a windy day last Saturday that my car door slammed without me touching it, tree limbs broke off of trees, the rock on my dog's food container blew off along with the lid, and the storm rained on the kibble. I nearly blew away in the parking lot! (Maybe it's a good thing I haven't lost all the weight I wanted to.)

Do you like windy days? Do you like rain? Snow? Sun?

Why I was Scared to Go To Bed

One day I walked into my bedroom and nearly had a heart attack, because this is what I saw:

My husband, Bob, put the cougar there, but he didn't do it to scare me. Collecting and displaying animals parts is one of his interests, and when he brought the cougar home, he just put it in a convenient place: the bed. 

I find this situation comparable to a painter painting a park bench. If someone sits on the wet paint, is it the painter's fault? 

Scariest Sheriff I've Ever Seen

Driving through a small tourist town in Utah, Michael stopped the truck so we could check out this sheriff's car parked at the side of the road. What we saw through the window is the stuff of nightmares.

He never sleeps. He never blinks. He never even takes potty breaks. He simply sits and glares at passing cars through his dark glasses, daring them to break the law.

He has no legs, but he gets the job done.

Would you ever want to meet this rubber-faced cop?

Who is this Man?

Can you guess this guy's name?

If you said "Superman," you'd be wrong.

If you said, "Clark," you'd be right!

His parents really named him Clark. Did they have a premonition, or what?

(And he doesn't have to think very hard about what to be for Halloween, either!)

Big Dog, Little Dog

Big dog and little dog lived next door to each other.

Guess which one lives where?

;o)

The "Cat's in the Cradle" Effect

          I was giving my 12-year-old grandson a piano lesson when his father (my son Andy) strode into the piano room, bent over, and gave his boy a hug. "What's that for?" I asked with a smile. 
          "Stupid 'Cat's in the Cradle'," Andy said, referring to Harry Chapin's song as he walked out of the room.
          In case you aren't familiar with it, the message chronicles a father's pride at having a baby boy who he declares will grow up to be just like him. As he keeps putting off his son's requests to spend time playing ball and other things, it turns out that when the father calls his grown son to spend some time with him, his son makes excuses as to why he can't. Then the father laments that his son has grown up just like him.
          With family relationships on my mind, I was lucky enough to re-connect with some extended family when my Uncle Bob and cousin Steve Rallison came for a visit from the lush, green state of Oregon. Here we are: 

L-R My sister Carolyn standing in front of Momma Ruth, Shirley (me), my sister Rebecca, my Uncle Bob Rallison, my cousin Steve Rallison.  

And my son, Michael, found his tribe with L-R: tall blond cousins Jacob McGarry, Steve Rallison, and Michael himself.

Do you have family gatherings? Do you enjoy connecting with extended family?

What I did last week

This is me by the Colorado River. (You're too close to the camera... take a step back... just a little further... another step.... almost there... step back one more time!)

Bob is obviously outstanding in his field.

Michael wants to know if there's any food left in the ancient granary! (The depression in the rock above and to the right of his head.)

Now I'm wondering how a family of 10 pioneers lived in this little cabin!

Coming back from a book selling trip to Blanding, Utah was fun with Michael at the wheel. He made spontaneous stops at sites that looked interesting. The only time we skipped a site was when someone in the truck had to go to the bathroom and we were a couple of miles from the visitor's center. (Plan ahead, people!)

When you travel, do you make spontaneous stops, or are you a keep-to-the-schedule type of person?

Moon half white half blue sky

Maybe I don't get outside enough, but I'd never seen a half white/half blue sky before.

 I thought it would make a great setting for a book.

 Did you even notice the moon in the photos above? (If not, I got a close up here for you.)

 I don't know. Maybe I need to go outside more.

Do you like to be outside?

How much time do you spend out there?

Weird Red Pepper

I thought this was supposed to be a RED pepper, but when opened, in its heart, it was GREEN.

Are you hiding who you really are because you think that other people expect you to be a certain way? If you could be, do, or say what you really feel, how would your life change?

If you'd be the same, then I'm happy for you, you green pepper, you! (Or purple, yellow, paisley, polka dot or striped!)

If you like the idea of being different than you are, then get out your personal pruning shears. Cut out those things that don't fulfill your true self. It might hurt at first, but it will feel better afterward, like getting out a sliver. Or lots of slivers.

Green peppers are just as good as red ones.

It takes all colors of food to make a great salad.

(Are you hungry now, too?)

Mrs. Bahlmann Logo

With school starting this week, I'm sharing with you the logo that I use to help students remember my unique name. I draw a ball, and then draw a face, arms, legs, and at the suggestion of the high school students, a mustache to identify it as a man. 

Yet the elementary school students took exception to me being a "man" and put a flowered magnet on my "Ballman" head.

Then when I told them that I had six sons, they put six little magnets with bouncy trails to represent my boys.

I just love to substitute teach!

What do you love to do?

Yard Chicken

While walking down the street one day, I saw a chicken walking up the front walk of this house, but by the time I got my camera ready, the chicken turned chicken and started to run away.

Here it is at the corner of the house before disappearing in the bicycles. Perhaps if I had used my zoom feature, I may have caught it riding away one one of those bikes.

What's the strangest pet you've ever had or seen?

Be nice to your mom!

Hey, are you nice to your mom? (If you don't have a mom, are you nice to your aunts or cousins or neighbors?) If so, then maybe you, too, will receive a WHOLE PACK of paper towels!

I went to Mom's house and don't even remember what I did for her, but as I was leaving, she said I could have ALL THESE paper towels! (I love it!)
Thanks, Mom.
Now, what will you do for your mom (or aunt, neighbor, etc.) the next chance you get? (You have to do it without the expectation of towels, though. Feeling good is a better reward even than the Quicker Picker Upper.)

The Fork in the Road

I was walking along the street, certain of my destination, when I suddenly came to a fork in the road.

What would you do?

Wedding Facepaint

Bob and I were asked to face paint at a wedding reception.

Not only that, they also had a man making balloon animals/creatures/shapes there.

Here's a girl (in blue) holding a little green balloon guy.

I've never heard of face painting or a balloon artist at a wedding reception before, but I'll tell you one thing - it sure was fun!

What unusual things have you wanted to do for a wedding or birthday or anniversary?

My Idea Files

Some people ask me if I have more ideas for books. Here are some of my story idea files. When I squeezed them together, they measured 3 inches thick. 

I have at least one other folder that I didn't feel like running downstairs to get. It appears that i need to either write faster or live longer.

What would you choose? More life, or faster work? 

Creative Swimming Attire

What would you wear to the pool? A swimsuit, most likely. Or you could wear shorts and a t-shirt, provided the shorts were hemmed. (The signs always say that... must be a filter thing.)

Okay, so you've got your swimming cloths on, but what about your feet? What're you gonna wear there?

Flip flops?

Sandals?

Sneakers?

Water shoes?

How about BOOTS?

Hey, if it gets you to the pool, that's all that matters, right?

Dog driving a truck

I thought this was funny. Either a dog's driving a van, or a driver looks like a dog. 

It would be even funnier if he had a bone hanging from his rearview mirror!
What's a funny thing you've seen? Come on, share! We all benefit from a good laugh!

Lots of People Say I Resemble my Niece...

Several people have told me that I resemble my niece, (or she resembles me... who came first, anyway?) so when I saw her last Sunday, she was kind enough to pause for a photo op with me.

Well? What do you think?

Big Pots

I was amazed to see a lady in the store with three carts full of giant pots.

I couldn't help but wonder what she wanted so many giant pots for.

Was she decorating a reception center?

Creating a jungle?

Baking giant cupcakes?

Making an obstacle course?

Using them to corral small children at a daycare center?

What if you inherited these shopping carts full of giant pots? What would you do?

Birdie Headstone

When I was at the cemetery, I saw a bird on a headstone. I thought he looked rather picturesque standing there, so I took his picture.

 Then I saw another headstone just a little way off with a topper on it. I had the sudden thought that the bird had decided to be a topper, too, and it was certainly a better topper than the other one made of stone.

I think that I'll order a bird for my headstone. (I want a saxophone, too, by the way. Are you taking notes, sons?)

What do you want on yours?