The Quilted Fish.
I'm SO excited! It is the cutest fabric. Amanda--from the Quilted Fish--has a great pillow tutorial right now. Go check it out.
I'll take a picture of the fabric when it comes and post it.
Happy Day!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
And The Winners Are...
The Quilted Fish.
I'm SO excited! It is the cutest fabric. Amanda--from the Quilted Fish--has a great pillow tutorial right now. Go check it out.
I'll take a picture of the fabric when it comes and post it.
Happy Day!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Question On My Mind:
I've been thinking a lot about this one lately.
DOES THE 'END', JUSTIFY THE 'MEANS'?
Never? Always? Sometimes? What if the 'end' is a good and noble thing? What does the 'example' of the way we execute the 'means' teach our children/or others really? What does it say about us? (Publically and privately in those times when it is just us and God.)
I've always had the view that it's about the whole package. The 'means' must be a part of the 'end'. They go together and life's real lessons are about both pieces.
I'm learning others don't see it that way, and I'm conflicted.
Please weigh in.
DOES THE 'END', JUSTIFY THE 'MEANS'?
Never? Always? Sometimes? What if the 'end' is a good and noble thing? What does the 'example' of the way we execute the 'means' teach our children/or others really? What does it say about us? (Publically and privately in those times when it is just us and God.)
I've always had the view that it's about the whole package. The 'means' must be a part of the 'end'. They go together and life's real lessons are about both pieces.
I'm learning others don't see it that way, and I'm conflicted.
Please weigh in.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Upgraded
The earthquake in Japan has been upgraded to a 9.0. There are no words to describe the pictures that are coming in on the news. The devastation and destuction are like nothing I have ever seen, except for perhaps Thailand. The earthquake was one thing. The tsunami after just added insult to injury.
It is still the top story on every news channel/station. Some of the national ones all day long.
Adrianne made the comment today that she wondered how busy heaven must be with all the people who have been killed. Interestingly, I had had the same thoughts over the weekend.
Some news stations have reported that new maps will need to be drawn of Japan because the land has changed so much. Also that the length of the day it happened on was physically shortened. Only by seconds, but still. And the country was moved 8 feet to the east!
Now their nuclear plants are having big trouble blowing up and leaking radiation. There is concern that this radiation can blow over the ocean to our California coast.. Officials tell us that this is not as severe as Chernobyl. I guess anything is possible. I was surprised when the tsunami hit our coast. It was mostly northern Cali, but did quite a bit of damage to the harbors and boats. Crescent City's harbor and docks were a complete loss.
I keep thinking about all the significant events happening in the world. I used to read about these with my Grandma Myrna in the scriptures when I was a little girl. I thought it was fascinating and was convinced I wouldn't be alive when they would occur. Now I know that the 'signs of the times' when Christ would return are being fulfilled all around me. Then I think of the words of Isaiah and during my personal assessment moments try to size up if I have 'eyes to see and ears to hear' and if so, what am I doing about it.
Just some things going through my thoughts...
It is still the top story on every news channel/station. Some of the national ones all day long.
Adrianne made the comment today that she wondered how busy heaven must be with all the people who have been killed. Interestingly, I had had the same thoughts over the weekend.
Some news stations have reported that new maps will need to be drawn of Japan because the land has changed so much. Also that the length of the day it happened on was physically shortened. Only by seconds, but still. And the country was moved 8 feet to the east!
Now their nuclear plants are having big trouble blowing up and leaking radiation. There is concern that this radiation can blow over the ocean to our California coast.. Officials tell us that this is not as severe as Chernobyl. I guess anything is possible. I was surprised when the tsunami hit our coast. It was mostly northern Cali, but did quite a bit of damage to the harbors and boats. Crescent City's harbor and docks were a complete loss.
I keep thinking about all the significant events happening in the world. I used to read about these with my Grandma Myrna in the scriptures when I was a little girl. I thought it was fascinating and was convinced I wouldn't be alive when they would occur. Now I know that the 'signs of the times' when Christ would return are being fulfilled all around me. Then I think of the words of Isaiah and during my personal assessment moments try to size up if I have 'eyes to see and ears to hear' and if so, what am I doing about it.
Just some things going through my thoughts...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Luck O' The Irish
I made some cute table toppers for the girls for St. Patrick's Day this year.
I chose 4 different fabrics. They were all so cute it was hard to pick!
I let them choose which one they wanted. You can't tell, but all the fabrics have glitter woven into them.
This one is mine. It's the only one I got a picture of. (And I mailed Natalie's.)
Luck O' The Irish to Ye!
Blanket For Britta
I finished a blanket and burp cloth set for Britta and Jeff's new baby, Sydney. I really like how it turned out. I'll get it and the extra burp cloths in the mail tomorrow morning.
Jenelle is giving a family shower on Saturday and I'm hoping to get them there in time.
You can never have too many!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Goalie Stick
I picked up Christine's new goalie stick for lacrosse on Thursday.
It is really nice. So much lighter than her old one. There is some new technology that makes it stronger and lighter but I don't remember what it is called. Haha! The red and blue and white are the school colors, and she picked the lime green for fun. She's really happy with it.
They won their game on Friday night against Santa Margarita Catholic High School, 13-8. Yay! We ran down to San Clemente for Allie's wedding reception and then back to the game by 7. We didn't have time to get home and change clothes,so Adrianne and I huddled in the blanket I keep in the car for emergencies. I still had my heels on and kept sinking in the grass and Adrianne was freezing in her sandals. Duff and Mike braved the night air without jackets. Brett and Kim and Dave and Stacey came to cheer her on and we had a nice visit during the game.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Japan Earthquake
Japan had a HUGE earthquake yesterday.
8.9 on the richter scale. That large number means it was really bad.
I hate earthquakes. They really un-nerve me.
It has triggered tsunamis. All the way over here on our coast.
See the damage above and how the tsunami has hit Japan pushing along all the debris and fires. It was shocking to watch fires move on top of the flowing water and cars and houses and boats being moved and tossed like they are completely insignificant.
We are about 10 miles inland, so even if we got hit hard by a tsunami, I don't think it would reach us. But we have seen some effects of it on the news in Santa Cruz already.
We have 2 missionaries from our ward serving in Japan right now. Tandy and Alicia. I hope they are okay.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Belated Birthday Greetings to Katie and Aubrey
Happy Birthday to Katie (3rd) and Aubrey (5th)!
How is the Young Adult life going? How is college? We really love you gals and hope your birthdays were awesome.
Happy Birthday To You-
Happy Birthday To You-
Happy Birthday Dear Katie and Aubrey-
Happy Birthday To YOU!
Activity Day--Joseph Smith's First Vision
Last week was Activity Days.
We had a lesson on Joseph Smith's First Vision.
For our gathering activity we worked on a crossword puzzle about the current First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 Apostles. All the information was on a sheet with their pictures and fun facts about them. We all learned a lot about these men! We completed all the 'down' facts and they took it home to finish the 'across' with their families.
Next we learned about the First Vision. They brought their scriptures and we practiced looking up key verses about this sacred event. We gave them each a red pencil and talked about the hows and whys of properly marking verses in the scriptures.
Each girl went home with a FHE packet about the First Vision to share with their families. We broke up into two groups and they got to practice presenting what they had learned with their packets.
We had yummy treats by Sister Ranck.
And the girls even helped clean up.
They are great girls.
We had everyone there, but forgot to take the picture before Savannah left!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Road Show
I didn't even take my camera.
I just wasn't going to try and get a picture from the cultural hall. They never turn out for me. So I'm going to have to wait for someone with a better camera to send me one or post one of the finale.
BUT, they were great!
The theme this year is: "WE SEEK..." and each ward had to choose a part of the 13th Article of Faith. Each show was so creative and colorful. I was really impressed.
Of course, I'm partial to ours. It was well done and the message was timely. Christine did a really good job as part of the priest/laurel ensemble. That girl has some real rythm in her! It's one thing to see her dance around the house, but when I saw her on stage in the group it came naturally to her and she didn't look nervous at all.
Meredith's choreography for their ward was cool. I sat there and was so proud of her as I watched!
Tonight is the final performance that they do for each other. It is always a fun night where they get to cheer each other along. Then a big dance party to celebrate.
I love Road Show. When I was growing up our ward always had excellent ones. Don Spencer wrote them and his wife, Beverly, directed. I still remember her slamming her yard stick on the stage apron to get our attention! She exacted our very best effort and it paid off. Karen Hoopes did the music and you only had access to the piano. Several years my mom was in charge of the costuming. I remember all the adult committee meetings about those. All the trips to LA digging in the fabric dumpsters for free materials. 'Back in the day' Road Shows were truly competitive. You traveled 'on the road' to perform and you had strict rules. You had to get on and off the stage including set up and take down in a certain amount of minutes. There had to be so much music in ration to dialogue. You were given points or had them taken away depending on a long list of drama guidelines.
During my youth years, we won 1st place in our Stake, and three times won 1st place in the Region and 1st place in the Area. The years we didn't win 1st place we got 2nd. It was fun and stressful all at the same time. We learned so much. There was no room for 'attitude'. If you wanted to win there could be no ego involved. We were a complete team from the second the stopwatch started until it clicked when we exited after the finale. Everything was precision. Not everyone could be the star, but every role was important. And we knew it.
Road Show was only for ages 14-18. The Beehives and Deacons looked forward to that privilege! In the meantime, they were the cast for the 'entre' acts, which were small 3-5 minute shows on the apron of the stage while one ward was exiting and the other entering and setting up. In order to not distract from the entre acts, behind the curtain had to be silent! Have you ever tried to set up a Road Show silently???? If the judges could hear it from the audience, you got points docked. It was hard core! But we LOVED it. There was so much to work for and be a team for and cheer each other on for even if it was with hand signals and face gestures!
Our Road Shows were in the summertime. It was a golden time. Families worked their vacations for August, because the shows were in July and that was when we practiced. From the time school got out in June our mornings and afternoons were spent in rehearsals peppered with going to the beach inbetween. It was magical.
The Saturday after the performances, we had our own version of "The Academy Awards". Our stake leaders transformed the cultural hall into an unbelievable award venue. We all came dressed in suits and school formal dresses. We sat by wards at round tables draped with long tablecloths and centerpieces and our stake leadership from all the organizations served us a nice homecooked dinner. They played music from all of the individual shows during it.
Then the awards! They had all the usual categories: best script, music, choreography, scenery, actor, actress, supporting roles, costumes, makeup/hair, producers, directors, etc. Someone had filmed during the performances and they edited clips from the shows just like they do for the Oscars. There were presenters who opened envelopes and you could feel the excitement in the room as they were opened and announced. Youth and leaders received recognition. Every ward won something. We held our breath, screamed and clapped in support whether we were the winners or not.
And then everyone pitched in for the cleanup and the big dance after.
I have really good memories and a love for Road Shows, can you tell?
I just wasn't going to try and get a picture from the cultural hall. They never turn out for me. So I'm going to have to wait for someone with a better camera to send me one or post one of the finale.
BUT, they were great!
The theme this year is: "WE SEEK..." and each ward had to choose a part of the 13th Article of Faith. Each show was so creative and colorful. I was really impressed.
Of course, I'm partial to ours. It was well done and the message was timely. Christine did a really good job as part of the priest/laurel ensemble. That girl has some real rythm in her! It's one thing to see her dance around the house, but when I saw her on stage in the group it came naturally to her and she didn't look nervous at all.
Meredith's choreography for their ward was cool. I sat there and was so proud of her as I watched!
Tonight is the final performance that they do for each other. It is always a fun night where they get to cheer each other along. Then a big dance party to celebrate.
I love Road Show. When I was growing up our ward always had excellent ones. Don Spencer wrote them and his wife, Beverly, directed. I still remember her slamming her yard stick on the stage apron to get our attention! She exacted our very best effort and it paid off. Karen Hoopes did the music and you only had access to the piano. Several years my mom was in charge of the costuming. I remember all the adult committee meetings about those. All the trips to LA digging in the fabric dumpsters for free materials. 'Back in the day' Road Shows were truly competitive. You traveled 'on the road' to perform and you had strict rules. You had to get on and off the stage including set up and take down in a certain amount of minutes. There had to be so much music in ration to dialogue. You were given points or had them taken away depending on a long list of drama guidelines.
During my youth years, we won 1st place in our Stake, and three times won 1st place in the Region and 1st place in the Area. The years we didn't win 1st place we got 2nd. It was fun and stressful all at the same time. We learned so much. There was no room for 'attitude'. If you wanted to win there could be no ego involved. We were a complete team from the second the stopwatch started until it clicked when we exited after the finale. Everything was precision. Not everyone could be the star, but every role was important. And we knew it.
Road Show was only for ages 14-18. The Beehives and Deacons looked forward to that privilege! In the meantime, they were the cast for the 'entre' acts, which were small 3-5 minute shows on the apron of the stage while one ward was exiting and the other entering and setting up. In order to not distract from the entre acts, behind the curtain had to be silent! Have you ever tried to set up a Road Show silently???? If the judges could hear it from the audience, you got points docked. It was hard core! But we LOVED it. There was so much to work for and be a team for and cheer each other on for even if it was with hand signals and face gestures!
Our Road Shows were in the summertime. It was a golden time. Families worked their vacations for August, because the shows were in July and that was when we practiced. From the time school got out in June our mornings and afternoons were spent in rehearsals peppered with going to the beach inbetween. It was magical.
The Saturday after the performances, we had our own version of "The Academy Awards". Our stake leaders transformed the cultural hall into an unbelievable award venue. We all came dressed in suits and school formal dresses. We sat by wards at round tables draped with long tablecloths and centerpieces and our stake leadership from all the organizations served us a nice homecooked dinner. They played music from all of the individual shows during it.
Then the awards! They had all the usual categories: best script, music, choreography, scenery, actor, actress, supporting roles, costumes, makeup/hair, producers, directors, etc. Someone had filmed during the performances and they edited clips from the shows just like they do for the Oscars. There were presenters who opened envelopes and you could feel the excitement in the room as they were opened and announced. Youth and leaders received recognition. Every ward won something. We held our breath, screamed and clapped in support whether we were the winners or not.
And then everyone pitched in for the cleanup and the big dance after.
I have really good memories and a love for Road Shows, can you tell?
Friday, March 4, 2011
It's Friday
...and I've not posted in almost a week.
It's just been one of 'those' weeks. Busy, good, bad, blah, and exciting. But to recap:
It's just been one of 'those' weeks. Busy, good, bad, blah, and exciting. But to recap:
- Natalie has mono. They thought she had strep a couple of weeks ago and put her on an antibiotic. It helped clear up her sore throat and feel better enough that she could finish up her studying for the bar and take it. She went back to work on Monday and by Tuesday was so sick. They treated her for strep again. By Wednesday, she was so bad, she had hives, couldn't breathe, so my dad took her to the ER. They took care of the immediate symptoms and then ran a bunch of tests. They came back positive for mono. Did you know that if you have mono that antibiotics can cause you to break out in hives??? She is flat in bed on pain meds and steroids. Now we hope no one else in the house catches it, especially my parents (who are older) and John (who is a toddler). Sigh.
- Robert got a new job! Yay! Through his connections from his previous job he has been doing some approved side work for another firm and they have so much work they hired him full-time. He has a salary now and also percentages of the other cases he works on.
- In other job news: On her first day back after the bar exam, Natalie was only at work for 30 minutes and was invited in to the 'conference meeting'. They told her they are looking to replace her. Not for anything she has done, but they realize that they are not a good fit for her (she wants to practice as an attorney and they are an investment company) and she isn't the right fit for them. She is way over-qualified for being a receptionist, but that was the only job she could find in today's recession after graduation. The news was devastating that day, but each day since is revealing that it is the right one. Especially now since she is sick.
- Did you know that you can get mono from a drinking fountain, a grocery shopping cart, walking past someone who sneezes near you? It is saliva based and you don't have to know someone to get it. I didn't know that before.
- Roadshows are this weekend. The first performance was last night. Our ward is asked to go tonight. I'm excited to see it. They have worked hard. I'm excited to see Josh and Mere's ward's too. She did the choreography!
- I was w/o a car for a couple of days. The dash indicators all went on and said we had a traction and transmission issue. Then the next day, I got an email from Onstar telling me the same thing. They have this system that tells you how bad it might be from get it looked at when you can to immediate attention required. The email told me immediate attention required. We took it in and they went through everything and said nothing was wrong except that it was time for an oil change, etc.
- Lacrosse season started this week. That means snack bar assignments and running the lights and scoreboard. Won their first game on Tuesday. There is one this afternoon. And then get back home quick to get Christine to the church for the roadshows.
- Mike only has to take his final and then he has his AA degree! 2 years down and 2 to go.
- I had Activity Day on Wednesday. The girls are darling and it turned out well. We are getting organized and moving forward.
- Duff's work is going slow. It's hard to be patient. I know it is hard on him.
- The weather is beautiful. Nice days and cold nights. The grass is so green and my rose bushes have all leafed out and will have blooms by Easter.
- Shaun is looking for a job. Not much available. He has healed well from his surgery and is back to full activity.
- I just cleaned the kitchen and the stove (one of my least favorite things), and now I'm off to clean my bathroom!
- Oh. And our poor Cougars basketball has taken a turn for the worse. A player was dismissed from the team for honor code violations. There has been a lot of national media attention about it because of our #3 ranking and the Final Four coming up later this month. There are always the negatives, but I've observed more positive this time. On ESPN the other day, two of the three commentators were in favor of the honor code and that an institution of higher learning actually cares about a persons character and soul instead of just a title or winning games. No surprises. You go to BYU you know what you are signing on for. No 'winks' or glossing over. It's like anything else, if you are a public figure it gets out in the public. He's a good guy and I think he will be able to come out the other side and be better for it. We even heard an interview with Danny Ainge about it during a program about the Celtics. So it's reached even the pros. Most of the interview was about BYU and the honor code since he had played there during college instead of the Celtics. It was handled very well. The game on Wednesday was awful. You could see how they missed their center and that they hadn't had time to adjust emotionally or physically since the action was taken.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)