Bee Under My...Curtains!

I don't know what happened. I guess I had a few days off and I didn't fell like baking (I know, I know, I must be feeling sick or something) but I had this problem:

And you can see how glaring this problem can be as we're watching TV or a movie before the sun sets (you're looking West out that door, basement family room). Very annoying. My first solution? Tack a blanket up of course :) Then my M-in-L came over with an offering:

"I found these as I was cleaning out my basement and thought you might be able to use them (because you have a blanket thumb-tacked to the wall)." Though, I must admit, it was waaaaaay more stylish than the alternative (not to mention FREE). And if it were any other day, I probably would have just left it like that. But there is something about raw edges and gaping holes that rubs me the wrong way, and as they were, it left something to be desired. So, as I saw it, I had no choice. Out came my M-in-Law's sewing machine :) Yes, I have hers cuz my sister took back my Mom's that I had. Yes, I should just buy my own. Or, borrow my sister's new one that she HASN'T EVEN USED YET. Just sayin...

AnYwAy... In my sewing box (that used to be my Mother's) I found some left over fabric and started measuring and pinning. Then, once I worked the kinks out of the machine, went to town with my straight stitches!! Straight being a relative term. NeVeR look at my seams :) After a few touch-ups while hanging, they're ready for their blogging debut!!

I really wanted to find a darker fabric that would have complimented the navy blue, but red and ecru go with navy as well. I know you can't tell from this pic but it's an ecru rattan fabric with red stripes, almost vintage-looking, except I bought it from Wal-Mart years ago for a quilting project that was never started. Well, I guess I'll have a patriotic room for a while. I really can't argue with FREE, minus a few hours of my day--yes, I said hours. Did I mention I don't have my own sewing machine?? Still, I LoVe that I actually finished it...in one day...and didn't put it off. Thanks, M-in-L for the inspiration...and the sewing machine :)

P.S. In the first picture, can you tell there is a creature in front of the door?? More on HIM soon! :)

Evidence of the Craziness that is my Life

Funny story:

16 September was 5 years being married (to each other...just wanted to clarify). We've been together for 6 years. Well, 29 September 2004 was our first date. All year I've talked to him about wanting to do this or that, eat at this restaurant, go somewhere, buy me this...or not. I change my mind a lot. But it was all just 'something in the future.' Nothing ever really was planned.

And what happens when we don't plan??

We forget :)

Yup. We both forgot. I was working that day; D was on the road driving something somewhere. But, it wasn't just something we forgot and were all, "Hey, oh man. Too bad we didn't arrange to be together today, but Happy Anniversary anyway." Oh, no! I don't remember what even made me think of it, but Saturday night (two entire days later!!), after a loooong day at the fair and the kids in bed and D fast asleep, I realized we forgot the ENTIRE day.

Then I giggled, realizing that I remembered before him! I can get something out of that, right? Maybe at least some See's chocolates ;)

Happy 5 years, D. I'm so glad we found each other. I have a feeling there will be many more years to come and hopefully better planning :) xoxox

First Day of School

I know, everyone else has already gone back to school, but since Eliza's new Charter School building still looks like this:



...they had to postpone the start date. Well, as of last Saturday, it looked like that :) The landscaping still needs to be put in and the main concrete floors still need to be stained, but it still looks great and will be an amazing building! We're really excited! Well, E was more nervous than excited, but after school today she was waaay more excited :)

Eliza, first day of third grade, Quail Run Primary School

Waiting at the bus stop with a few more nervous kids :)

Below: "When do I get to go to school??" Now, good night from Northern Utah County. May tomorrow bring you less chaos than today :) (that was more for myself...)

Enjoy :)

Back in the saddle, as it were...

I can't believe it's been 10 days since I've written anything...not that I haven't thought of anything to write, just haven't wanted to sit down and do it... kind of like my piling laundry (which D has done 4 - count them 4!!- loads today, while I'm away playing nurse with a bunch of docs). So, now, since I don't have laundry to complain about, I guess I could think of something interesting to write...Naaww. I'll just show you some pics :)

Here, E is practicing holding a violin. I'm totally serious when I say that this small violin is no larger than my forearm! She's so excited to start a String Program in her new school this fall.

And you thought the one E was holding was small, you can tell the proportion to L's arm!! Holy cow! How adorable would that be to see my small 4 year old playing Mary Had A Little Lamb??

Reminds me of a fire work :) Just a fun picture I took of a flower. No editing, either :)


This was just a week ago in Bountiful. This whole family is so much fun! :) D's Uncle and Aunt and their 8 sons and respective spouses and children. Yes, I said 8 boys. This was wedding #5. Number 6 will be next month! I love getting together with them, always such a fun time!!

Hope you enjoyed the pics. I'll think of something more interesting later... :)

Finally

Now THIS is more like it :)

THIS I can handle
Welcome, Spring. It's so nice to see you.

My Girls

I took advantage of my sister while we were up in Idaho last week. And I say that with all the love an older sister can congure up for a younger sibling. She has more creativity in her little finger than I do in my whole being. And if ever any of you think I am creative at something, it is because I got the idea from her :)

Seriously, though, I love the photos she takes. She works with the lighting, finding the perfect background, angling the camera just so... For example, I wanted to do pictures of the girls in the morning because it fit into the schedule of the day. She said, "The lighting won't be right." I said, "What are you talking about? It's supposed to be sunny tomorrow!" Sheesh! I totally knew what she ment by the morning sun not being the best time of day; I was just playing dumb :) But that's one of our many differences, Left vs Right Brain functions, pretty much explains our childhoods.

Anyway, so Yes, every time I can get cute and fun pictures of the gilrs in something other than ragged play clothes, I have to; I like to document their dresses, mainly because they are so adorable and grow out of them so fast. Plus, she'll edit them and make them look even MORE amazing! I love it! :)

Thanks, Sis :) xoxox

PS check out her mad editing skills HERE

Just When You Thought Things Were Boring...

It snows, again :) I love a lazy snowey day! Plus, the new white covers up the gray dull and once again, I love winter.

Missing

It's the first time EVER something like this has happened to me... :( I'm meticulous and OCD about organizing and checking and double-checking...

But I'm also OCD about having an empty memory card. In my mind, memory cards are B&B's for pictures and information. I have to find the information/pictures and permanent home ASAP so I can once again have an uncluttered memory card (you can imagine the state of my home on Saturdays).

It had been weeks since I downloaded pictures off the memory card, you know Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, J's birthday, then some fun dress-up pictures of the girls from just yesterday. So, I had some time and just got a fun photo editing program and was going to try it out so I started downloading, 100-some odd pictures.

When I saw it was all done, I cleaned the memory card, put it back into my camera, then went back to the editing program...and only 6 were there!! I wanted to cry...but that wouldn't bring back my pictures (sigh). I looked everywhere, tried everything I could think of...no pictures to be found.

I guess I'll be more careful next time...that, and get over some of those OCD tendencies! Freak! (Picture found here)

Summer Time

It was SUCH a beautiful day, and it's been so long since I've had the kids' picture taken. Unfortunately, paying a photographer is not really in the budget, so I did what any starving student family would do...grab my trusty ol'......... anyway, we took some pics down with the flowers (and other brides) at Temple Square. Just thought I'd share, cuz I think they're so darn CUTE!

How She Sees It...

L got a hold of my camera recently and I found some fun abstract pics. Sometimes you just can't stage it any better.

Girls will be Girls

Girls love their Nanie.

Happy Birthday, Mom!












This Girl loves clothes

and "making" outfits

Oh, which one do I choose?


(E had this all laid out and was so exceited to show me!)


There's not enough floor space (I'm still laughing about it!)





Girls love posing for the camera,

some more than others :)














Little girls love their big sisters



"Iza, ge ba her!" L was yelling until she caught up (not a spelling error, just say those sounds out loud and choppy and that's what it sounded like) :)











Girls love their Daddy,

and a shy camera face













This one loves to stuff her socks into her pajamas...

I don't get it...

but it was funny to find them :)

Girls love to fight

over silly things
:)













Girls love to multitask!

Oh Spring, Why Tormentist Thou Me?

How about THIS for funny: yesterday's temperature high was 61, and yesterday's snow accumulation...2 inches!! Does anyone else think that is funny? I laughed while we were watching the news last night, but yesterday afternoon it wasn't so funny walking out of the Cottonwood Heights Rec. Center after a work swim party, in our swimsuits (cuz I figured we'd shower at home) and it's 20 degrees colder and slush-raining. Fun times! You know what they say: Don't like the weather? Wait around 5 minutes. I don't know who actually said that, but people said it alot in Switzerland, too. Hmmm, dunno.

Anyhoo, we had fun at a swim party with people from the hospital. We even saw our neighbors there! Fun stuff and LOTS of food. :) Daryl was just glad to be able to get in the water; this was his first time swimming in over a year. Lydia was tentative at first, but she got over it and LOVED the baby water slide. I even took her down the big yellow slide and she wanted to go again, and again, and again...I didn't want to risk the camera to get a picture of that. Sorry!...but I was tempted. These pictures were taken across the room with a great zoom.


Jordan is half out of the water next to Lydia and Eliza is in the red suit with flowers. I would have taken more pictures but our friends were adverse to being photographed in their swimsuits...huh. Oh, well. We did have fun, and did I mention all the food? I must be hungry. After a fun day at the pool, we are looking forward to warmer weather. I'm ready to get going on the yard, if the snow will ever go away!! :) I can't wait to paint the kitchen!! I don't think Daryl thought I was serious about painting the kitchen when I first told him (I make a lot of random comments). But I think he thinks I'm more serious when he came home from work the other day and I had completely rearranged the kids' bedroom, then Friday I rearranged our bedroom (I like it so much better I don't know why I haven't done it sooner, for both rooms). Then yesterday, I started cleaning out the cabnets and going through the house making DI piles. Just wait until I come home with paint samples! :)

Surprize!! A Cancer Free Party

"What's this for?"

Well, at least he didn't know about the party!! Luckily I didn't spill the beans (which I usually do) and though he spent the morning in bed with a cold, I was able to make him ware ear plugs then have his Dad keep him occupied downstairs while everyone came and I set up. My mom even took the kids for a ride and broke into her sister's house, just so they wouldn't give away the surprize. What a family, eh? If he had any clue I was acting wierd, he didn't let on. :)

Thanks, honey!

I didn't know what kind of cake to get. I saw this one and thought it would be fun. He's always wanted to drive a race car, plus it was the Daytona 500 this weekend, so what the heck. The steering wheel even makes noises. Hehehe We had a fun turn-out. Thanks everyone for coming! It was great to get together and celebrate the end of one thing and

the begining of a new life, cancer free!