Getting There!

Just two short weeks

until these two get married.

We're moving along

but not sure it's fast enough.

We got Grandpa in on backdrop building. (Notice the plastic bag on Andy's cast)

I hope this convoluted group of items ends up being something beautiful!

We still have table runners, back drops, center pieces, and refreshments to make. 

This is supposed to be fun, right? 

The Best Birthday Gifts Aren't Always Gifts!

Today is the Hubs birthday.  

Happy Birthday, Andy!

Up until this morning, he's been wearing this cumbersome, over the elbow, colorful cast.

Today, he got this shorter, sleeker, more stylish cast.  He can actually rotate and straighten his arm!  Even better, the color matches Jeanette's wedding colors!  What a great birthday gift!

Today is my birthday also. 

 I just finished the 7th dress for the wedding!  Woo Hoo!

I think I'll take a nap.  Today's a good day!

'Tis The Season

Oh, No!

Here we go again!

Billions of them!  They're up for grabs!

Who's the Biggest Jerk?

Have you ever done something that made you want to crawl in to a hole and never come out?  This happened to me on Saturday.

(Google image)

It was the day for Bountiful Baskets, a co-op where you pay $15.00 and get random vegetables and fruits.  My time to pick up my goods was 8:00 a.m.  The next group was at 8:15 a.m.   I was running late and was concerned that I'd have to forfeit my basket if not on time.  (Those are the rules)  As I pulled up to the site, I noticed a large group of people all standing in lines that  puddled together towards the back.   I grabbed my basket and headed to what looked like the end of the line.  Some other people came behind me and questioned which line they should be in.  Someone said that there were signs further up that determined the line to be in according to your time and last name.  I got out of line and went closer to the front to see.  I found the sign that had the right information and went to the back of that line.


I stood for about 15 seconds when I heard a man say to me. "So you think you can just cut in line?"
I looked at him, wondering if I knew him since he was about the same age as my sons, and thought he was teasing. I said, "Yeah, is that OK?"  
"So you think you can just go where ever you want!" He said, a little more forceful.
You would think by then I'd realize that he was serious, but he was standing in the other line so why would he be so upset?  I continued with my joking, ha-ha voice and said, "I usually do!"
He stared at me and with venom in his voice said, "How do you think everyone ELSE feels about this!"  
OK, now I finally caught on.  I didn't know this guy, he wasn't teasing, I obviously was standing where I shouldn't have been and I must have sounded like a real jerk!  I told him that I thought I was in the 8:00 line and he said, "Yeah, so are WE!" 
Remember how I said the end of the line puddled together?  Well, I ended up in the middle of that puddle instead of at the end.  I apologized for the misunderstanding and the indescribable stress I must have caused that poor guy and quickly moved to the end of the line, which was where I was standing in the first place!


Maybe I should wear a sign that says, "I'm really not this obnoxious, I'm just confused!"

For the Birds

My last two posts have been about houses so I'll even it up by doing one more.  

I tended 8 of my 10 grandchildren the other day.  I knew I needed a project to keep them busy and happy and to keep me sane. 

(Just doing a project with 8 kids under the age of 9 that involves acrylic paint, shows that I never was sane!) 

I picked up some wooden bird houses at JoAnn's for $1.00. 

Newspapers were spread out on the patio and the kids painted how ever and what ever they wanted. You can tell by C8's face that the paint wasn't just on the bird houses!

2-year-old T-Roy had his house painted in no time at all.  He enjoyed mixing all the paint together on the plate and letting me know that he was making chocolate milk.

Baby Aly loved the project.  She didn't do any painting but she did what ever she pleased.  Notice the cereal in her right hand.  Where did she get that?

Kels and Keiti show off the project. 

Some flowers, feathers and pom poms added just the right amount of pizzazz that any bird would enjoy.

Have you done some fun projects or activities with your children?

Have a Heart

Yesterday, on the news, my Aunt and Uncle were spotlighted as ones who were the recipients of a wheelchair accessible home at a significantly reduced cost built by the Have a Heart foundation.   Aunt Margie and Uncle George were selected by the foundation after Aunt Margie wrote a letter explaining their circumstances.  Below is a portion of the letter.

"We are very impressed that you are offering a wheelchair-accessible home at a discounted cost to a deserving buyer. May I tell you our story? At age 70, my husband George amazingly survived a massive hemorrhagic stroke on December 1, 2006. It left him completely paralyzed on the left side without the use of his left leg, hand and arm. He suffers daily with pain in the affected side, and everything he tries to do is a struggle. Yet he remains positive and often expresses gratitude for the blessings of life. A completely accessible home would make life so much easier for him and also for me as his care giver."

They have been living in Nauvoo, Illinois for the past several years.  Since his stroke, they have been wanting to return to Utah where they could be closer to family, but ongoing medical expenses have put a severe financial strain on them making it hard to find accessible housing that they could afford.  We feel that there were many miracles along the way to make this happen. 
 We're excited to have them back home.

"Up" House

When I saw the movie "Up" I was fascinated by the story line, the computerized images, and the characters.   It was the perfect blend of heart and humor.  It's a move I could watch over and over.  I'm sure you're wondering why I'm blogging about this now.  It's old news, right?  Well, it's been brought back to life in Herriman, Utah.    

(google images)

Bangerter Construction built this house and it's included in the Parade of Homes.  Adam Bangerter and his brothers wanted to replicate the "Up" house because it's iconic and plays an important part in the movie.  In an interview Adam said, "It illustrates what home ownership really is, and it’s not an investment. It’s part of the American dream to have a 

house to care for, to improve and to make part of your family."

(google images)

This real life house looks exactly like the movie house, right down to the mail box and hose reel. Starting the end of July, there will be balloons attached to the chimney.

 

(Taken with my cell phone)

It's a fun sight to see and a good representation of life, love, sacrifice and family. 

Gimmee a Break!

Not THAT kind of break!

The Hubs likes to play basketball 3 times a week with guys half his age and younger.  Who says basketball is a non-contact sport?  He wants me to believe his arm was caught in the hoop when he went up for a slam-dunk!

(Do you love the fireplace shot?)

What some guys won't do to get out of honey-do projects.  Who's going to build the wedding backdrop now?  (Sigh)

Poor Andy!

Triple The Fun!

July 5th.  Birthday to three!  

For 11 years, Jake, my youngest, was the only one in our family with that birthday.  Nine years ago, Miss Em decided that Jake needed a birthday buddy.  Not to be left out, four years ago, Keiti joined the ranks.

A triple birthday = Lots of celebrating!

The cakes were SPIT-tacular!

Actually the cakes were not good!  I've decided NEVER to buy Western Family brand cakes again!

Instead of rising, the cake just bubbled over the sides.  Burned cake does not smell good!

Here are 7 of the 10 grandkids on the trampoline.  It's all fun and games until someone gets their front teeth knocked out!  

Poor Ad.  

Thank goodness they were baby teeth and the swollen lip is back to normal this morning.

It's time to enforce the trampoline rules once again!

What better way to end a triple celebration than with snaps and aerial fireworks!

Happy Birthday to Jake, Em and Keiti!

Happy Independence Day

Enjoy your day and your freedom.