It was a flurry of activity at our place for the holidays. Everyone came home. The girls and their husbands we all here to celebrate together. They couldn't stay long as obligations such as rent and jobs take their priority these days. But wow, while they were here it was great. People were every where! Each room was filled with luggage or people or Christmas!
Presents were exchanged and everyone was pleased. The crowning glory of course was little miss and her entourage. Dora the explorer, the pony brigade, and oh what fun the advent calendar was! The Christmas morning surprise of her car was a highlight. I am not sure her father was very pleased as trying to get all the belongings and a car into their car for the trip home was quite a feat!
The best moments were spent talking and remembering and just being together. So many pictures were taken. Little miss waded in the pacific ocean for her first time ever and her beach girl genes were awakened from their sleep. She is a natural born Californian and will enjoy many many trips to the ocean. My ocean as she called it. There were tears as we left the shoreline, but promises to re-visit on warmer days ahead.
Our quarters were close, but no one seemed to mind. Next year they'll all be at the in-laws and we'll see them in "off days" as their in-laws did this year. It givesus ample time to have the house up and comfortable in two years for them all to come home again for Christmas, in a new home, with personal rooms for all. Plus a huge great room for fun and frolick!
31 December 2006
They came, we saw, they went home!
24 December 2006
Merry Christmas Every One!
This was a Christmas card I sent years ago. It is still one of my favorites. I wish you all that you wish, no matter what it is, have a great time with those you love!
19 December 2006
14 December 2006
And now for some glorious news!
If you haven't already heard Andrea has had her baby! Go there and see the most beautiful baby I've seen in a while!
Andrea has been my favorite Superhero for years now. She takes such wonderful photographs and writes the most amazing stories of the life around her. I love her and I am so glad this blessing has finally arrived for them. He is welcomed with open arms by many far and wide.
13 December 2006
Time is short, life is fleeting
Every year for several years I have linked to this Advent Calendar. Leslie Harpold is its creator. It is cool, and "webby" and creative and can always lift your spirits during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It's something Leslie does because she can and she gets nothing but gratitude from all of us who enjoy it free of cost every year. I even go back and look at years past because they are so fun.
This year I began, as many of us did, to enjoy the daily updates. Then something strange happened. Hmmm. Saturday's not updating, neither is Sunday. Hmmmm. I missed Friday, maybe Leslie's having internet problems. Gah.
Well, today I began again in my quest for advent. Still nothing. Then a blurb at Not Martha about Leslie's death. What? I began a google search. How could this be? On the heels of the sad news of James and Kati and now this! There it was, friends, lots of them are offering their remembrances and piecing the story of her death together. She had been ill.
Emily mentions making a donation in Leslie's name at Modest Needs. I concur. Modest Needs is one of my favorite charities especially this time of year. I have been donating to them on and off for a few years and it always helps me remember that we are all in this together. It is the small acts of kindness shown, by people like Leslie, that bring sunshine into the lives of others. If you haven't yet dropped $20 in a donation pail, or even if you already have, do it again today. It'll make you feel better and is a great way to show Leslie that she made a difference. Make the donation in her memory, they'll let you do that.
So remember in a quick moment someone who makes you feel better, or loves you more than you'll ever know, or even an aquaintance over the net can be gone in an instant. Life is fleeting, make it count.
12 December 2006
Cool stuff to have on hand
I love stuff. Especially useful stuff. I have seen glass cloths everywhere. Microfiber has become the worlds biggest buzzword. They will replace papertowels someday I think, hope. I cannot remember ever voluntarily purchasing paper towels ever. Big waste of dinero for me, we've used them but the guilt factor is high when we do.
Now Method has packaged microfiber towels for sale in differing types for differing reasons. I have a stack of them and so should you!
They also have them available just for wood or everyday uses. They last at least 40 launderings, and can help you mop up even the most difficult of spills. Save a tree, man!
Ah, I love a warm bed. I got spoiled sleeping on a water bed most of my life. There is nothing better than climbing into a nice warm bed after a long day. However, since we bought the best mattress in the world, the only complaint I have is that it doesn't warm itself. I cringe with the thought of climbing into that ice cold bed! Eeeek! And I don't have one of those crazy, but loving, husbands that goes to bed and lays on my side five minutes before I do so it will be warm. No I don't. He does all kinds of other nice things but he has to draw the line somewhere. So what's a girl to do?
Buy one of these:
A heated mattress pad, it's a miracle of miracles. Now I can snuggle into my bed at night and it's warm and wonderful. The best part is that it is dual controlled so the husband, who for some reason, is always warm and toasty and can't stand the extra heat. Go figure?
The best thing is the savings it generates. You save on heating because the house doesn't need to be on high just before bed. If you outfit the whole house full of beds, everyone is toasty and you can leave the heat off at night. Program that thermostat to come on just before it's time to get up and everyone is happy. Not only the heating savings are possible, bu tthe doctor bills will be lower too. Leaving the heat on at night is directly correlated with wintertime colds. The heat is a breeding ground for all those germy germs that like to play in the wintertime.
Tidbits of information. What? I can't buy that. Of course not. But you can read them. One such as this: You know when you go to your favorite neato store? They always ask you if they can have your zip code. Oh very benign. "They're just checking to see where everyone comes from", you say to yourself, "maybe they'll build one in my town." Yes, it used to be that simple. Now, telemarketers are using that info, combined with your sales history to build a profile on you. You will begin to receive spam, mailers and all other kinds of "notices" to assisting in separatin gyou from your money. Think about it next time and decline, unless of course, it is for credit card verification needs.
See now that one didn't cost you anything!
What else? Well how about this:
I really like doll houses. But every one I've ever seen is flimsy or fragile. Well I watched this show on the home and garden network (the craziest show ever IMO) and B. Original made a dollhouse out of a bookcase. One of those small $29.00 bookcases at target or walmart or any other simple home store. 
It's cute, simple and sturdy. And think of the hours that small person will spend playing on their own! You'll be able to make some stuff of your own. Or maybe read a blog or two. heh.
My favorite item to have on hand? Carmex! This tiny little bottle can be found everywhere in my life. In my purse, in my little basket by the bathroom sink, in my car, in my husband's car, in my emergency kit. Why???? Well this little bottle,
is a cure all. It is specifically made to keep your lips soft and supple, but it works for all kinds of stuff. It is great if you have new shoes and need just a bit of lubricant on the back of your heal to keep from getting a blister. It also works if you have one of those creepy heel things, where your skin has gotten really dry, almost to the point of cracking. Put a glob on there and some socks overnight and you'll be amazed at how much better it is in the morning. It also has a SPF rating helping keep all that horrible sun damage that can occur when you're outside. Get some soon, you'll understand the addiction.
What stuff do you love?
10 December 2006
D is for Desmond
Okay this is so totally not in the Christams spirit, but I love it. Edward Gorey is an illustrator and writer who died in 2000. However, the Gashlycrumb Tiny's are still a draw to me. I had to do this test. Maybe you will too. My favoerite name is Desmond. So ecletic yet lasting at the same time. I could know and old man and a small child with the name and find it very fitting for each. So that's why I chose Desmond. What fun!
Which Gashlycrumb Tiny are you?
D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh.
Take this quiz!
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01 December 2006
I needed food, or something warm this morning. So of course, my first choice was Starbucks. A venti hot chocolate is my favorite. A blueberry scone. And all is right with the world. Well, until I realize that is probably is not all that healthy. Sigh.
Scone. Not your Utah variety scone, not evenyour english variety. However, Starbucks, for a run of the mill mass produced scone, does okay. Better than most chain grocery bakers. And no real bakery, I've ever been in, makes them. Except of course, Con Pane in San Diego which I stated my love for in the past. In fact now that I think of it, will it be Con Pane or El Indio for lunch on the 23rd? I think we'll go by COn Pane first and then see what we can pick up at El Indios.heh.
But to my main point of this post. I saw the funniest thing this morning. A woman driving down the block coming toward me. I HAD to notice her. Why because her hair was glowing from inside her car. I was the prettiest shade of red. Not just auburn wow were you born with that hair red. No not all all. It was the Merry Christmas kind of red. You know like this,
or maybe even this,
The kind of red that makes you want to hug her. And, invite her to church. She add so much to the otherwise dull and boring same old calico dress group.
What made it all the more noticable was that she was driving this:
Yep a minivan. Gotta love her.
30 November 2006
At the close
Well, NaBloPoMo is coming to an end tonight. No more daily posts on demand. Not that I won't post daily or anything like that, but if today turns into tomorrow...
We are one day closer to Christmas. Only 25 days until my family is reunited for the holidays. I cannot say how much I am looking forward to that day! They are all coming from frozen tumdra in one way or another and I am hoping for a nice warm Christmas here so they can thaw out and have some fun. We will all only be together for two days as some are going and some are coming in the same few days. So we will be packed in like sardines while they're here but I don't think anyone will mind. Except of course, the cat. He owns the roost and will be very vocal that his space is out of order.
Look out Angus, the kids are coming and that includes Little Miss!
29 November 2006
Ooooo Oooooo Oooooo!
The LA Auto Show opens Friday! Wowzer, I didn't realize it was that time of year again! Lookingat the map of the show, they have MINI in a much better place this year. It's with the BMWs of course but this year we are front and center instead of behind the corner of BMW. And, drumroll please....... we're right next door to Maserati! Totally cool.
I know, it should be my husband who is so interested in cars. Not. He likes that you get in them, turn the key and they take you from here to there. And he also likes that his big truck has a V8. That's about it. Nope. It's the girls in the family that salivate at cars. In fact I have a great pic of #3 hugging a porsche. :-) The girl's got good taste. Not those little 924s, or 044s either. It's a Targa or nothing thankyouverymuch! So right now it's a 2007 VW Rabbit. Delivery expected in January.
Others cars I'm expecting to see are the concepts. I love to see what some design guys are thinking. They are out there type cars but some of them actually get to get made! I remember when we were at BYU a few years back, ahem, ahem, the design team at BYU won a contest. They had designed the Fiero. It was cool back then. So you never know what you'll see and who is going to get to design the next big thing.
I probably won't get to go until next week, in case you're going look for the crazy woman at the MINI exhibit. She will be smiling away. I'd own two of those cars if someone could explain to me how to drive two of them at once!
Still, I just love cars. I'd own a VW, a Porsche, more MINIs, a Lotus Elise, and an Audi TT. The Alfa Romeo isn't bad either. I have a son-in-law that wants a Viper. I can hardly wait!
28 November 2006
It all started with Akeelah
I love documentaries. I enjoy reading history. I enjoy hearing about the lives of people around me. Like the people watching thing, I enjoy learning about people and the interesting things they do. So when I saw the movie Akeelah and the bee I had to grab it and watch it.
I have already stated in a different post how much I loved that movie. It was well written and the cast was well rounded. I especially enjoyed Lawrence Fishburne's portrayal of the educator turned tutor. I recommended this movie to everyone and antone looking for a fee good movie to see. I even saw it for sale at Starbucks. huh.
I then stumbled upon another movie on spelling bees. It was the bee season. Not nearly as good as Akeelah but still an interesting movie. I don't recommend you runn out and rent it or anything like that. The movie was convoluted and the story didn't seem to be as much about the bee as it was the mental illness of the mom, that illness not having anything to do with spelling bees.
Then this morning while gluing and cutting and folding, I popped Spellbound into the dvd player. It is a documentary that follows eight (don't call me on it could be 7) National Spelling champion wannabes prior to the big bee. They give you a glimpse of their lives, and their bee style. It was overall a great way to spend a morning. It was a cross section of the students across the US. Each of their stories was different and compelling. You found yourself rooting for all of them. What I loved was the way it was explained to the students that there was 248 contestants and 247 of them would misspell a word. It didn't mean they weren't champions but the contest was designed to have one "champion". One person who spelled all of their words correctly. One by one they misspelled words. All but one of them. One of the kids gets to the final, final. I won't tell you the outcome.
As each goofed up, they were interviewed. There weren't a lot of tears, in fact some were elated they couldn't participate again and the books could be set aside. It seemed to be a good experience for the interviewees. The reasons for participating were varied and compelling. Immigrant families, smart kids looking for a place to fit in, and then your average ADHD child trying everyone's patience was a bit of comic relief.
Also was included a bit on past champions and they even had the very first spelling bee winner, Frank Neuhauser, in the documentary. Yes, he was very old.
Go rent it. It was very good. A great history lesson, a great people studying film, and there were winners, and one big winner.
27 November 2006
Ah the spending season is upon us!
I have spent the btter part of today shopping. The crowds have dwindled down from my vantage point. Actually there qasn't a crowd at all! I love online shopping, I can comparison shop til I drop and still find a great bargain here and there.
That's my problem. I take all the fun out of shopping for most everyone. Because, you know, I one of those people. The kind that has to make sure I have turned over every stone before I can make a purchase. I cannot, for the life of me, impulse buy! I wish I could, but I cannot. I will pick up something I just love, and then walk around with it, trying it out. Silly yes. But it has to speak to me before I can bring it home. Just ask the daughters. They have all told me I've ruined shopping for them. I always say, before you buy clothing, of some sort, launder it twice - in your mind, then if you still think it will be just the perfect item, buy it. I'm just that way. Most of the time, whatever I have my arms wrapped around will not make the cut and it will be set down somewhere it doesn't belong. (I make sure those stockers always have a job!)
Online shopping has been a thrill for me. I love being able to read others' reviews and comparison shop prices. It is the best. The thing I miss though, is the crowds. Not! I do miss the people watching. There is something in me that loves and even craves watching other people in public. People do the craziest things sometimes. And then others are filled with emotion, sad or ecstatic, pouty or angry. I don't even really want to hear the conversations between them. I just enjoy the various stages of emotion you witness in the lives of the strangers wrapped around you participating in the 'seriousness' that is holiday shopping.
I may have to go to the mall just to see people in action, now that most of my shopping is done.
26 November 2006
November 26th
Four more days of constant blogging! It has been quite a month of posts. I was determined to get a post done everyday and so far I'm on track.
November is the last month of birthdays for our immediate family. Each of my daughters were born 23 months apart. Planned each one to the minute almost! The first daughter arrived a week late or they would have all been 23 months and three days apart. #1 decided to wait a week to arrive just after Thanksgiving all those many years ago...
The big guy was working nightcrew, working midnight to 7 a.m. everyday except for the two days a week he worked 4 to one in the afternoon. Oh yeah and then once a week he had to fill in for another guy who worked until 11 p.m. His schedule was so thrown off he didn't know if it was night or day most of the time. I was a week overdue and very much feeling every extra day of pregnancy. I went to bed about 11:30, the big guy came in about 1 a.m. after a long day of putting cans on the shelf. He was due back at work at 4 a.m. and was really exhausted.
At about 2 a.m. my water broke. I thought I had wet the bed. I remember saying to myself "Great! it's come to this, I can't even get through the night without losing control of my bladder! Wonderful!" Then the water just kept leaking out of me. Duh! It's not what I thought! My water must have broken. I wake up the big guy who is thrilled to be awakened at this horrible hour after a half over of sleep. He said maybe we should call the hospital and see what they have to say. We call and they find out we're about an hours drive from them and they say well, you better just come on in. We drove the hours distance and arrived with very little else happening other than a constant leak of fluids.
Labor proceeds. well, not really. Every time I have a contraction this little person decides they're coming out through my throat. Not the expected path for this one! Not at all! And then after what seemed like eons of hours of labor they finally decide to let me in on the secret. Which secret is that? Well the one that you learn that you're really glad it's not a hundred years ago. Because, if that were the case, you and your baby aren't going to make it out alive. You don't dialate. Not one iota! Zip, nada, zilch dialation going on there! But boy oh boy you're really good at labor, it's the most intense labor we've seen in a while. Yessiree bob, you're going to have to wait to have this baby because we're going to deliver it c-section. Huh? How much longer? Well, we have to wait until the doctor/surgeon arrives and makes sure you're really not going to dialte. Hours, hours go by. Doctors come and go. One comes in and does an examination that is so painful, the big guy tells the nurse if he ever returns he'll die. Never saw that guy again.
Finally my wonderful, kind, super doctor shows up and lets me know the decision has been made to do the section. Unfortunately I'm going to have to wait another hour or so because we've got change of shifts coming up. He must've seen the sheer terror on my face. I couldn't take much more. There wasn't pain medication given back then as they didn't want to interfere with the possibility of surgery. All of this pain was really getting to me. I pleaded with him, please can we just do it now? How long could it really take? He asked for a conference and they decided to go for it.
In the rush the prep nurse nicked my very pregnant belly and I was bleeding. Well, my doc told her she'd never work on his team again. It was too risky, and I could end up with a nasty infection because of her carelessness. Ick. I didn't but I bet she was more careful from there on in prepping pregnant bellies. Everything was done in short order, I was wheeled into the delivery room and quickly heard the ever famous SLAM! of darkness. I woke up later the next day and was told I had given birth at 10:33 p.m. I had had a little girl! Yay! A little girl. I simply went back to sleep.
Later I woke up again and they brought this wonderful tiny little girl to me. She was perfect. November 26th became a day of infamy in our lives. It was quickly joined by Oct 17th, and Sept 14th, 23 months and then 23 months later. They were the best things that ever happened to me. Three wonderful daughters.
My husband and I always told them that we would live a sparse life. That we had been blessed with them, and we would need little else. I think they always thought it was a guilt trip. Nah. It was true. I can think of nothing better to keep forever.
25 November 2006
Oh My Goodness
We decided today was the day to get started decorating the house for the holidays. We begin each year with the outside lights. Well, this year, we wanted to do something different. Usually it is the same old red and green lights lining the house. They were getting a bit old and tired after years of use so we decided to go out and see what was new.
My suggestion was to go to Target. My favorite place to shop. Well, the big guy decided we would probably get our best deal at the evil empire. I didn't refuse, but knew it would only be a stop along our journey in the quest for the perfect lights. I was right. The place was crowded and already picked over. How is it that a store can be continually picked over? How many people go through that place in a days time? A lot I suppose.
So onto the latest and greatest hardware warehouse. You know the kind, the HUGE warehouse with all the do it yourself stuff for guys and ambitious gals. They guaranteed on TV that if you needed it they had it. Well, only if you want to decorate in blue or white this year. They had plenty of blue strings of lights. They had plenty of white strings of lights. Can we get a multi-colored string here? Not today. Everyone who wanted multi colored strings had already been there and bought them all. Onward and upward!
Next stop Target. The big guy says, "okay I'm already sick of the crowds. Go in and find the lights, I'll wait for you here." So I smiled and said I'd be back in a bit and went forth to find the perfect lights. Well, the perfect lights that I would drop some cash on that is. Why is it the year I find the perfect lights they're in short supply? You see, the lights are only in 15 foot strings. I need at least six strings at that length. How many boxes were available? 3 boxes. eh. So I opted for my last years favorite lights that I didn't buy half price after Christmas because I already spent more than I should have on other stuff last season. Like these ones. Only not those ones. The ones I got didn't have the crystalized look, just the pearlized look. And, they were only $6.99 a string of 25.
I also picked a a few stocking stuffers and new sock hooks to add the sons-in-law stockings to the mantles and I was done. The crowds weren't as bad as I thought they would be and my wait in line was only about four minutes. I count myself very lucky from what the news is reporting elsewhere in the general area.
We arrived home, did some quick yard work, and then hung the lights. Yay! I have the tree and the outdoor lights up. Yay. It's only November 25th! That is a fete for me, Usually I'm still hauling stuff out of the garage on the 23rd of December. It is so nice not working during this holiday season!
Except for the glass work I've been doing. I'm in a holiday show on December 5th and my new shop on the net will be open tomorrow! You can see how I've spent my days the past few weeks there! Go to www.3hipsisters.com and click away! Right now there are a few "we're contructing this site signs" but it will be up and running tomorrow!
24 November 2006
Stranger Than Fiction
I really like Will Farrell. I am not sure I like all of his movies, but man, who can forget Spartan Coasters? He's a funny guy, and usually is prepared to do just about anything for laughs. That said, we decided today to go to the movies.
I. Loved. Stranger Than Fiction. It was well worth the ticket price. At times I wondered if anyone else was getting the hidden humor because there is so much of it in the film. I love going to the movies to laugh. This movie doesn't disappoint. The fact that the main character is an IRS agent is enough to make you giggle. The cast, directing, filmography all worked so well together, I simply enjoyed the afternoon.
The supporting cast includes Emma Thompson, Queen Latifa, Dustin Hoffman! and Maggie Gyllenhaal. What's even more hilarious is they've added this great character played by Tom Hulce. For the longest moment I couldn't place him, who is that guy? Then I just kindof laughed, it's Amadeus! He was in one scene, but his role was so well defined, it was very believable that he would be employed by the IRS.
Emma Thompson. Wow. Usually she is so put together. The perfect English miss, or missus. Last year she wowed us in Love Actually, this year, her depressive, chain smoking state is incredible. To me it was quite a departure, and a pleasant one at that. She let you into her world of tortured writer, for a glimpse of the pressure, and really gain some insight and empathy for the process.
If you have an afternoon, and need to laugh, and then need to cry just a bit, this one's for you. It's worth the time and the money!
23 November 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!
All of you guys! Thank you for reading the daily drivvle I producce and taking time to comment on occasion. Thank you for enlarging my view of life and my neighborhood. Have a great day spent with family and loved ones. Remember, life is short for some, so make sure everyone you care about knows it.Never let them leave without telling them how important they are to you.
You are important to me. I appreciate you all. Now go eat some turkey!
22 November 2006
The Great and Spacious Building
I went there today.
IKEA!
I decided I needed to get a few items and I didn't want to enjoy the crowds of December on Friday. I knew my husband would hate going, so this morning I took off and went for a drive. I ended up in Costa Mesa at IKEA. I bought what I went to get and added a few extras.
Needs:
We needed a new table for media storage. We finally got rid of the BIG Gigantic TV that took up half of my living room, and opted for something more suited to the room. So I needed a table to hold the dvd player et al.
Furniture is something that, for me, does not have to be expensive. I can live with IKEA and be perfectly happy. Yes, there were more expensive tables, but hey, why spend more money on a table to hold 'stuff'? This one matches the decor and wood coloring throughout the house and I like it.
Other random purchases:
I bought a 'soap' dispenser at another famous Bed, Bath and Beyond type store and it doesn't work. I paid an outrageous amount of money for it and I was depressed when it wouldn't dispense the soap. It drove me crazy. So today when I saw this entire set for $9.99 I couldn't resist. The other dispenser has been replaced!
And then it seems at our house we never have enough forks! I looked around the kitchen stuff and found a randomly cheap set of flatware for $9.99. I could afford that too! So this is what also came home with me:
Needless to say, I really like going there. There were all kinds other stuff I wanted to buy, but I rationalized the spending and stopped there other than a good stack of napkins! I got in and out in less than an hour and was home by 1:30. It was a nice day all in all.
21 November 2006
New Blogger
Hmmmm. I keep getting notified that the "new" blogger is available. Do I want to upgrade? I'm not sure. Would it be just as easy to move it to wordpress or bloglines? I just don't know. I guess what I'd really like to do is upgrade and then imporve the looks around here.
Just need the time to do it all. I don't know how I blogged, baked and took care of the house for so long. I keep finding I don't have enough time to get all I want to do. Hmmmmm. Must be the holiday getting the pressure up.
Have you migrated your blogger account? Is it worth the trouble? Flickr works with it now I've read. That's good. Oh my, I
m running late. I swear there'll be a better post here tomorrow!
Update: Blogger Beta version doesn't play well with Haloscan commenting. I want that to work on my new versions, so I'm holding off changing anything until it does. Just an FYI for anyone who uses Haloscan!
20 November 2006
Nesting Boxes Tower
Read More......
19 November 2006
Glass, glass, everywhere glass!
I have spent every waking moment doing glass work lately. I've neglected everything else except possibly a couple of other craft items I'm doing for a show in December. I have until Dec 5th to get as much done as possible so as to have a large table filled with beautiful items to sell to the ladies of Los Alamitos, CA.
Things like this:
and this:
or even these:
I have also been working hard on getting a website put together to try and have a small store so my internet buddies can purchase items if they please. I'd love it if they'd tell their friends too!
It should be up before the end of the week. So on Thanksgiving day when you don't have anything else to do, come on over and take a look! ;-)
