Thursday, February 5, 2009

????

I have no idea why that picture turned out so big! It is a recent art project... a mural on fabric for the kids' acting stage. I liked how the sky turned out with the 'brick' texture. The whole effect turned out fun when you took a step back from it.

Adventures in Substituting

Well, I have been subbing a lot lately and that's always fun with a capital F! I talked to the sewing teacher at the Junior High about teaching for her since I know a thing or two about sewing. She was all excited to find me (that should have been my first clue something was up!) and lined me up for two days while she traveled back to D.C. with the winners of the Make it with Wool contest. Funny thing... she forgot to mention that the two days I was scheduled just happened to be the first day of sewing for these kids. Not only did they not know how to thread the machine or bobbin, many of the roughly 100 students (five classes - 25 in each) had NEVER SEWN BEFORE! Boy, oh boy! Suffice it to say that on both of those days I needed a nap when I got home from teaching. One girl didn't notice that when she was sewing the fabric wasn't moving at all... and she kept on pushing the presser foot till there was a gob of thread so big stuck in the machine it took me about 20 minutes to get it out!

The funny thing is that the next week I took a job subbing for the Chemistry teacher/Soccer coach at Salem High, and that turned out to be way easier than sewing. And I know NOTHING about chemistry except I do remember that water is H2O. Luckily, there were no soccer games that day!

I am trying to earn a bit of cash to help out with the wedding so I guess subbing is as good a job as any for now. It certainly is an adventure some days. I found a quote I really like:

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out!

1 Timothy 6:7

If you get time, look it up and read the whole chapter, I am positive that if you are a true cheapskate, you will love it. If my raiment comes from GAP and Banana Republic I will be content.

B & W

Here is the picture you asked for Becky. It's from our Christmas party at Debby's house. They always offer to do the dishes...............awwwwwww, sweet!






Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Inauguration Day... check out the fashions

I was glued to the TV all morning yesterday watching the happenings in DC. I just found it fascinating... and not just what Michelle Obama was wearing! Something strange is happening to me lately. I would rather listen to talk radio than music alot of the time and I care less and less about what Hollywood is up to. I am still mostly shallow, to be sure, but maybe some good changes are on the horizon. Maybe Mr. Oz can give me a brain!

Following the example of my Nicki, I actually read the whole I Have a Dream speach by Martin Luther King in it's entirety. I've never heard more than just a few of the often repeated lines. Good stuff. I was very proud of our country yesterday and happy that we have come far in recognizing the truth stated in the constitution that all men are created equal (see D & C 1:35-39). Obama is a magnificent speaker and said some good things. He made reference to the scripture in 1 Cor 13:11, saying it was time to put away childish things and spoke of "the God given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." He's good at saying the right things so now let's see what he can do! One part of his speech was telling... the part about how it's not a question of whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it's working. Well, I have to differ! And you can bet I'm going to tune in to Rush Limbaugh to see what he has to say about it.

On the subject of fashion, I give Michelle's green coat-dress a 7.5 on the scale and the "gown" a 5. It wasn't that bad........ BUT, I saw some of the sketches of possible picks and she could have done better. Anyway, an immodest dress always gets docked 3 points regardless.

Brad said the $ spent on the inauguration festivities was something like 150 million??? That sends a chill down every true cheapskate's spine!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Good times!

I know this is out of sync, but I just came across this picture from halloween and it's funny so I posted it. I neglected to take a pic of the recently betrothed, but I will do that ASAP!

It's official!

I have to pinch myself but yes, Blake and Whitney are finally engaged. All through the Christmas holiday we had to keep our (my) big mouths shut so as to not spill the beans about THE RING!! Those who know me are aware of how difficult that must have been.

The shocking thing is the date for the wedding is March 14th! I was certain they would wait till school was out but because of a job opportunity immediately after the semester ends, they thought it best to have a short engagement. Two months, WOW! Martha Stewart would be appalled~but that's how we do it here in Utah. We are really excited about our new daughter, she is a peach. I feel so blessed.

The house is kind of quiet now that it's just Brad, Haylie and me (and Oscar!). Nicki says she likes her roomates and school but it's a bit tricky for me to get much info from her. Tonight she called but then was rushing off to a fireside so she couldn't talk much. Hard to believe that this phase of my life -the raising kids part- is winding down. Weird... people used to say that it goes by fast when I was up to my neck in play-dough and diapers, I had to disagree! At the time life was moving incredibly SLOW. But now that I am looking back on things, well it's a strange perspective. Good, in lots of ways ~ but strange. And now it does seem to have flown by. One thing I am really thankful for and that is being a stay-at-home mom. I followed my heart on that one and there was some opposition along the way but I know it was the right thing for me. That reminds me of one of my favorite movie quotes of all time:

"Girl, you gotta run your own life!" ... Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn, Coal Miner's Daughter.

That's a good old classic flick, if you haven't seen it.
Happy New Year, ya'll