Just a Little Random Catch Up . . . .

What a wild ride the last three months have been!  So many highs and lows, too many to count and some I could live without recounting, so we won't.  Anyway, I will just post pictures and call it good.  This is Jon's favorite way to catch up on the family doings when he gets back home  (or has been zoning in front of another football game even though he "has no dog in this fight anyway")

Recently, Brianna told me that I am better at "thinking out of the box" than she is.  Well, so is Jon, thank goodness!  He is driving a little gas efficient truck that we bought from Stephen.  It had no dash light.  Now it does {= ]

Made me so proud to see how well I have trained him . .  as my ole farmer dad trained me?!?!?!  He used to fix things right. That was before me, kids and a real life.

Then we finally got something resembling winter weather, for a couple of days, anyway.  I loved it so much.  OK, it's only a little fog, but it felt so good that I left the door open for awhile to let it soak in a bit, which Gabriel did not appreciate one bit.  Makes the neighbor's white gravel look kind of like snow, huh?

It was about this time that I was embellishing the girls' birthday presents.  Gabriel was watching me and asked if he could have this little branch from the big bushy thingy that I had been using.  When I asked him what he needed it for, he explained very clearly that, "I need to hang in our tent when we go to Fathers' and Sons' campout.  It needs more detail".  I think we may need to have less HGTV on our homes, what do you think?  Then he explained that it would make it more camouflaged .  He is such a kick.  Poor kid has learned that boys aren't supposed to like some things, like pink, home design, cuddling soft warm fuzzy things.  School can be so cruel.

Then I got the embellishing done.  Brianna texted me that they really liked them with the lights added.  That got me thinking.  We hang up lights every where at Christmas time.  Do we remember why?  They are the modern day version of the candles used in days gone by.  Those were lit to symbolize the Savior's light.  I hope my little dolls will always remember to walk in His light.  That they will always to stay in the light and away from dark places, literally and figuratively.


We are trying to get together each month to celebrate all the birthdays of the month.  We never got to the singing Happy Birthday in November, or December, but the most important was to get together and make memories, right?  Please say yes, I even got candles out this time and it still didn't happen!

 So . . . who won the dork contest?  Mixing girl and boy cousins sure brings out the . . . best (?) in them!

Still with me?  Hang on, just a couple more and I will go sew some more.  I get such a kick when I see the kids, my own and now theirs, playing under a table.  I loved doing that when I was a little girl.  If Mom let me hang blanket or sheet over it, all the better!

This is just a little camping table , but they all managed to get under it at one time.  Watch out VW bugs and phone booths!  If you don't know what I am talking about, you're just too young, not to worry!

And now my friends, I am about to share a big old secret with you.  Please don't tell any of my grand kids, OK?  Do I have your promise. Cross your heart, hope to die and stick a needle in your eye?  If they see it, it won't make it to maturity, just a fact of life.

I have two watermelon vines growing in a planter by my front door and guess what I found buried in the leaves . . .  a itty bitty little melon.  Is that the cutest or what?  I have little clear lights draped over the whole thing and the pumpkins from Apple Annie's looking so cute.  All it needs is a Cinderella to complete the vignette .  Hmmmm, maybe I should work on it.  Last night, I took out the big clear lights and sheets to protect everything and will have to leave them out for  another day or two.  Sure hope I get to pick it and enjoy it some day.

I'm going to go and sew some more now, Christmas pics will have to be posted a little later when my eyes need a rest.  Ever try to sew 3 and 4 mm crystals on something?  Very interesting and humbling.  Being clear on white doesn't help at all.  Sarah wants to help with this blessing dress and I may just have to turn that part of it over to her!

Next . . .

Tonight is the third night that I have been working at Lynneah's blessing dress.  I am using the scraps from Mariah's wedding dress.  Lynneah is getting the tiniest little crystals seeded over it for her mama.   An itty, bitty "wedding dress" has been requested.

We'll see  ;-D  .  At least we are skipping the square neckline so that her little round necked onesy won't show!

Looky What I Found! . . . . and . . . Girls' Day Out . . . . .

I finally found my black camera!  it was under the driver's seat in the van . . . I have no idea why!  This picture of Garrett was the only one on it.  he was pulling the branch down to make it easier for me to saw through it.  All I can think is that I put down in the van while I finished pruning the tree and just plain ole' forgot it was there!













Yes, I have apologized to Lincoln, but in my defense, I have fished a lot of stuff out of the trash the last few months!!


Then on to our "Girls' Day Out, No Boys Allowed!" outing.    On Christmas Day, I announced that we girls needed to figure out a day that we could all go and take care of a problem that we all seemed to have right now . . .  we all needed a little "lift" in our lives, if you get my drift.   Sounded like a great excuse to go and get what we all needed since we all shop at the same store and then go out for lunch.  It was great, even though we are all exhausted!  Where there's a will there's a will . . and we usually can come up with a will.  So Merry Christmas girls!!  Now to help papa put a "camp out" together for all the boys, where no girls will be allowed!

All the girls came, no matter how young.  One of the girls asked the clerk if they had something in her size . .  . too cute, isn't it amazing how we are ALL on such a hurry to grow up?   If we only knew at that age, what we discover when we do hit adulthood.  Maybe that is one of life's important lessons.

Some were faster shoppers than others, So Mariah and Brianna took the little girls down to the play area and waited until the pokies in the group were done.

Arianna is ever the little extrovert and made a new friend . . . . . .

 . . . . . .while Tati did her own little thing.

Finally, Sarah made it on down to the rest of us and it was time to go  . . . 

and give the little ones a lesson in finding just the right little items for pampering oneself at Bath and Body Works.  Lynneah gave us a couple of such big smiles but I was slow to get my camera out so all we got was this cute little one.

By this time we were all starved so we hit the Greek restaurant right next to the mall.  It sure has a good food.  The little ones got these chicken nugget type meals and those have to be the best ones that I have ever tasted!!  Might just have to do something about that one of these days!!

And so our year is drawing to a close.  What better way than with good friends and family.  I am so grateful that we have the time, means and freedom to travel about and gather at these special times of celebration.

Now I am making a dress for our little Lynneah to be blessed in on Sunday.  I am so grateful that she has been so blessed and is still with us.  I am grateful that the men in our family hold the Lord's  priesthood and can bless our lives as they perform these ordinances in His behalf.  Until I married Jon, I had limited exposure to just what this blessing would be like in my life.  What a wonderful way it was for me to learn all about it.  

What a wonderful gift the Savior was from a loving Heavenly Father.  What a wonderful life we can have through His life and atonement.  I learned much about this from my mother.  I realize that her understanding was not the most comprehensive, but her faith was unwavering and simple like a child's.  It is a lot of the reason that I miss her so much sometimes.  When I am struggling, I wish I could just sit and lean against her, talking and weeping on her shoulder.  I wish I could draw from her strength.  Then I remember that she gave me something even better, she gave me a strong foundation, and understanding that the door is before me, that He is waiting for me to "knock" so that He may open it.  Through her, I inherited strength to go on, to keep trying.  To learn from the past and to move forward, ever forward.  To see my glass as half full and appreciate the blessings that I enjoy in my life.  That the simple pleasures of life are usually the most lasting ones.

I am grateful.

Suspense is Over . . .

Several years ago, I saw a rug in Lowe's Home Improvement Center.  I LOVED it.  Every time I went back to look at it, I still LOVED it.  Usually I can look at something and finally get over it.  This time I didn't, much to the distress of my budget.  One day, after a year and half I went in and saw that the long runner matching that set, was on clearance, I panicked.  When I called Jon and told him that the rest would soon be following, he met me down there and looked at the rug with me.  Can you believe all this fuss over a silly rug?  It would be about $500 with the sales tax and not something that I usually splurge on.

Finally, we took the plunge and very soon after, what was left of them was clearanced out.  All that was left was the smaller sizes and little throw rug like you would  put in front of the door.  I grabbed one of those which has been handy to take around as I tried to match colors in paint and fabrics.

When I decided to use the living room as a storage place for the stuff from rooms I was trying to work on, long long  ago, the rug got rolled up and shoved behind the couch, that needs to be recovered (yard sale special).  This morning Jon helped me pull it out so that I could unroll it and see what the damage might be from the little mouse that had taken up residence inside a while back. much to my relief and way too much joy, it is fine.

I was looking at it and Jon came in to watch me enjoying it.  I told him that I still LOVED it.  Should I repent of feeling that way about a lousy rug?  I have been coming to terms that STUFF means too much to me and letting go of so much STUFF.  Take a picture and haul it off is my new motto.So I did it . . . took a picture . . .  . but no way am I hauling it off!!!!  After all . . . I do LOVE it!!

Now to get the paint on the walls (based on the lighter shade of almost tan but not really), fabric on the couch (still looking for the middle shade of sage green) and some fabric on the Queen Anne and wing backed chairs (probably one of the shades of dusty rusty in the rug).  Since I already have the paint, we will start there!!

DEDICATED TO BOB . . .

Christmas Memories . . .

Proud Papa.  He looked like this the day
 I got married.  When I looked at him and felt
all that love, I totally broke down 

Always game for a good laugh!
Kinda cute, huh?

This is my oldest brother Bob.  He is quite the guy, generous to a fault, smart (he married Cheryl), spiritual, loving, loyal, caring, but has quite the ornery sense of humor that my kids haven't always appreciated.

Bob was a policeman for over 22 years if I remember right.  On Christmas Eve, he thought it was pretty funny to take out his gun and polish it to a glorious shine.  He would gone on and on about how he loved reindeer steak and could hardly wait for dinner tomorrow.  Sometimes he would go out the door waving his gun and yelling at Santa, "To go away, my kids don't want any old toys and stuff like that.  His poor kids would go into such a panic.  When they heard some sleigh bells jingling, chaos would reign upon the land until they were tucked neatly into their beds with their eyes squeezed tightly.  Then we "grown-ups" (term used very loosely) could have a good time playing games and what ever was left to do.

One year he pulled all his old jokes out for the benefit of my poor kids.  Now Jon and Bob do have a lot in common and seem to really enjoy each others company, but Jon just could never hold a candle to anyone in my family when it came to warped jokes, so you can just imagine how they reacted when the beloved Uncle Bob did and said such things!

A year passed, and the memory burned so deep into their minds was as fresh as ever.  They wanted to get back ..   OK  . .  Mom and Dad were encouraging the whole thing. . . but come on!  We happened to have goats for milking, you know the cute kind that have very similar droppings to deer droppings . . .   Heh, heh, heh . . . . Jon had some dirty old work socks, with holes of course and yes, we were burning coal that year to stay warm . .  just too good to pass up.

We filled a sock, unwashed, with all the goodies for bad little boys.  Packed it into a box and headed for UPS.  Now what I didn't know is that UPS would want to know what was in the package.   When they asked, there was no poker face to be found . . .

When I stood there looking kind of shocked, the nice UPS man got a little stern and said, "Ma'am, I need to know what is in the package".

 "Aaaaah, a dirty sock".  Mariah giggles.

"What else is in the package?"  By this time he is watching her . . . little snitch!


"Some coal".  He glances at my little snitch.


"And . . .?"

"Oh good grief, it has goat poop in the sock, OK!  and no, I don't need insurance!"

By this time the whole line behind me is laughing so I turned around and explained that yes, it was well earned and why.  They all loved it, even the UPS man loved it.

Just to complete the evil deed, I sent it C.O.D. and no, I didn't reimburse them.  Sorry Cheryl, but he did deserve it!!

This is still one of our kids' favorite Christmas memories . .  . . .  kind of sad, isn't it?

RIP- OFF!!!

Now that the finish line is fast approaching, here are some great tips that  Brianna's Aunt Natasha posted on her blog.  Good  ideas to keep in mind!

Holiday Shopping Guide

Dear Fellow Holiday Shoppers,

In the spirit of the season I would like to share a few shopping tips that will make your holiday shopping more enjoyable.  I believe that if you follow my advice your shopping will be more productive for you and far less annoying to me.

It’s important to remember that your shopping trip starts in the parking lot.  I know that it’s tough to find parking, and sometimes the only space available is the one you’re waiting for someone to vacate.  Someone that you’ve stalked through the lot and are now waiting as they load their purchases and you sit in the middle of the road with a string of cars behind you.  That can happen, but more often than not, if you just drive down farther you’ll find an open space.  Yes, that means you’ll have a longer walk, but unless you’re disabled (and if you are disabled you get one of those sweet spots up front so this isn’t really your problem anyway) it’s really not going to hurt you. 

Once inside it’s important to remember that you are not the only person in the store.  There are other shoppers that also need to find items and that might need assistance from store personnel, that means you might have to actually wait in a line or say excuse me.  If you are in a store with carts it’s unacceptable to leave the cart in the middle of the aisle while getting an item off the shelf. (I’m talking to you, lady at Costco yesterday)  Think of your cart as an extension of yourself, take it with you, park it snugly against the shelf, retrieve your item all the while leaving plenty of room for people to move past you. When dealing directly with other shoppers use your words; please, thank you, excuse me, are all a better option than a grunt and an evil eye.  

When it’s time to check out take a moment to make sure you got everything you came for.  Don’t ask the person in back of you to save your place in line while you run and get something. While your purchases are being rung up don’t talk on your phone. It’s just plain rude.  Greet the check-out person.  If they ask how you are, respond and smile.  That’s just good manners. They have it rough enough without you ignoring them or worse, berating them.  If something doesn’t go your way yelling at the clerk isn’t going to help your situation. (that saying about flies and honey is definitely true.  It is rare, if ever, that I don’t get what I want from a store. I don’t expect outrageous things, and when I have a problem I am calm, rational, and above all, courteous.  A smile will get you just about anything) Venting your frustration on the guy making minimum wage is just tacky.  If you have a problem, politely ask for a manager and then politely state your case to said manager.  If your request isn’t completely crazy or against a stated store policy they are most likely going to give you what you want. 

For a smooth transaction have your payment method ready.  Don’t be searching around for your credit card after all your purchases are rung up.  If by some chance you still write checks, you can have it made out ahead of time and just fill in the total.  This makes the people in line behind you not hate you for wasting their time. 

When you get back to your car and are unloading your packages, if there is a car waiting for your spot don’t take extra time leaving just to spite him and make him wait. Think of all the cars behind him that he’s blocking and don’t make them suffer because that guy is an idiot. 

And finally, remember that all your fellow shoppers are there for the same reasons you are.  All they want to do is get in and get out as quickly as possible, they're trying to survive the holidays just like you.

Brianna added another good tip to keep in mind:

I love that you went out and said all the things I've been thinking in my head the last few days of holiday shopping (and DRIVING in holiday traffic). I've never understood why people can't shop happily, and why they can't be kind and courteous to those around them. Stores are crowded and stressful, yes; but that one person who is being kind can really improve the place. Why not be that person and hope it spreads? That's always been my philosophy! Happy shopping (or happy survival) everyone! :)

Good tip from Grandma Petty:

One more bit of advice. Please, please take your change somewhere and exchange it for cash. It is just rude to pay for your $35.00 purchase in dimes and nickels while a dozen people are waiting to check out. Sadly, this is a true story that happened to me recently. The people behind me became ruder as the time drug on and so I turned around and tried to make light of the situation by quietly saying, “It could be worse. She could have had all pennies.”

And Granny Nanny's two cents worth:

I would add, always take a cart in with you if the store has them and always greet the greeters at the door. Can you imagine being at that age and having to work to make ends meet? Not my dream! I have also noticed that as the retail workers get more frazzled as the holidays progress they are more grateful for a kind word, smile and inquiry of how they are doing.

DONE . . . a Great Word!

Table cloths for Brianna and Mariah . .  the guys can share them if they want . . .  DONE !

Sarah didn't get one because she has has a lovely but strange color theme going on her tree, etc.  Someday we
I'll think of something!

Garrett's blanket/bedspread  . . . DONE















Gabriel's blanket/bedspread . . . DONE !!



















Lincoln's "man bag" so he will not have to grab so many ladies things to carry hi treasures around in, hanging form his cute little arms!  don't worry he isn't being ripped off . .  too badly.  His quilt will come after Lynneah's blessing dress is finished!



BAKING  ---  Huh?

Catching Up . . .

Just like everyone else, we have had a busy time so far in December.  Progress is measured around here by projects finished.   

Papa Jon left from tithing
settlement and joined us. 

Gabriel went to the Fine Arts Festival at Brianna's school in early December.   He was a great little sport and very pleasant company.  We had fun seeing Arianna and Tati after we got there. 

Next was Los Posadas at the same high school.

  

How many kids will dress up
like this, especially as the
donkey?

Gabriel loved the Mariachi Band!  Me too.

Lynneah just hung out in her
little cocoon.

Getting bigger is so exciting, until it means you
have to wait until the smaller ones get first  whack
at the pinata!  the boys took it pretty well

The night of the winter formal for Sabino, my little dolls come over for some overnighter fun.

Papa set them up for a little picnic in the family room for dinner.  The table was a little full with our projects.

Then they enjoyed a movie with their favorite baby sitters  ;-)  

It was time for bed, but Tati informed me that the night lights in the Monkey room were definitely not bright enough.  A few Christmas lights fix everything.  I have a feeling they will still be there next Easter!

The girls decided that they wanted to "camp out" on the floor mats like their boy cousins do.  All snuggled in for the night . . . .once there was enough light in the dark.  Actually, Arianna just wanted to go to sleep.  She thought her daddy's old pillow case was pretty funny!  Like it?

OK folks, were is a halo when you need it?  This little gal can go from such an attitude and strong opinions to such sweet innocence so quickly!

 While they slept, I finally added the updates and details to the Pixie Hollow and Emerald City.  The girls shared their ideas and definitely wanted lights!!  That meant it was time to start the secret surprises for Christmas!

  

Dedicated to All the Mothers of Small Children!

Finished fun stuff when I get on the other computer .  . . .  did I really just say that?  Like one isn't a big enough headache!  Finally having some fun this year (Christmas season,  yippee!)

I've Got Just One Thing To Say . . . . .

Mousy, Mousy

Mousy, mousy in the wall,
Munching, crunching, I hope that's all.

If you're trying to get in here,
Your family is no longer near.

So be gone with you,
Or I'll trap you too!

Speaking of mice, last night Sarah went to a Christmas party where there were white elephant gifts exchanged.  Someone brought a mouse in one of those plastic balls they can run in.  AAARRRGGGHHH!

. . . . . . . Next Morning . . .

I have a bundle of my favorite little girls, Arianna, Tati, and my own little Sass here.  Is there much in life that is as sweet as sleepy-eyed children (of all ages) smiling at each other in the morning as they wander in and find you?  Their sleepy-eyed smiles as they see each other as well, so sweet.

Feels almost like Christmas morning, after the kids got bigger.

Happy sigh . . . . . back to work on Emerald City.  There is hope after all.   Susan help me come up with more ideas and it is finally getting cute.  We have a few improvements made and to be made on Pixie Hollow as well.  This is so fun.

CAUTION! Girl's Night In . . . . Oops! Didn't post this yesterday . . .

Tonight  Brianna's high school is having their Winter Formal.  Since she and Rob are going to dinner and then over to that until after midnight, the girls are coming over here "to be babysat"  AKA we are going to PARTY !!!  OK, however  much you can party wit a 4 and 6 year old  Aunt Sassy is coming and after she makes rolls with Tati, while I make Celery Soup (with the secret ingredient) we will be improving and embellishing Pixie Hollow and the Emerald City.

EC was just too flat and I couldn't get it to do much else, so we have more ideas.  Pixie Hollow needs to have the potential to grow and there are some "tools" critical for the operations of the happenings, so we have a busy fun night planned.  Oh, and I couldn't buy the lights for either of them until the paycheck after Arianna's party, so that will be happening tonight as well.

Makes me wish that the old northern neurons worked faster like they used to, but guess you have to take the ideas as they come.  Just think of the great stories the grand kiddies will have of their old slow grandparents, every needs them . . .  right?

Now to check the patch on Rob's uniform to make sure I got it on straight . .  oh please be straight, I have way better things to do this morning than redoing that.  I was so tired last night, I'm scared to look . .

Just talked to Aunt Mariah, she and Lynneah are coming over tonight after dinner.  She isn't into celery soup or anything else celery . .  silly girl.  Speaking of Lynneah, I can't hold her or get too close to her for the next month.  I had a shingles shot yesterday and could expose anyone who hasn't had chicken pox or had the vaccination.  Not so fun to not be able to hold our newest little miracle for this special season, but in the long run.

Mouse Problem? Who Has A Mouse Problem?

Jon came home.
Jon got out of his car and locked the door.
Jon went out the next morning to get his stuff out.
Jon found this in his car.
Jon was incredulous.
Jon was pretty darned ticked off.
Sharron was also pretty ticked off.
How dare he bring a mouse home from Phoenix, like we need more mice on this place!
Not a good choice Jon, now take it back!!!

P.S.   But doesn't he have great hands?  Since the first time he held my hand during our courtship, I have loved his hands.  Still do . . . when he puts on lotion.  Old fellers do get alligator skin after all.

Not too big or small, not too rough, but not softer than mine (yick!) and serve, serve, serve . . . quietly and gently . . .

Poor Jon, I won't let him read my blog until he has worn his new tie next Sunday and I have completed his torture .  He knows I am up to something and I asked how to get hold of his boss . . . not to worry   HAHAHAHAHA!  Merry Christmas!!!

Letter to Linc . . . .

Little fingers, so tiny and pink,
When you touch my machine, it really stinks,
It takes forever to set back right,
As I set my teeth firmly and tight.
And tweak and fiddle, half the night!

Perspective . . .

As I am working on Christmas Secret Surprises (Yeah!! I really am working on them!), I am still taking "breaks" sorting and culling out.  I hit my movie collection.  A hard one since I love movies.  I can put on what I want, when I want, turn them off and on to catch news, powder my nose, get a snack (should have been at top of list ;- \  ), and turn it off if it doesn't do the trick after all.

I found my taste/standards have changed as the years have gone by.  Though I have never brought home R rated (well there were a couple of oops that shocked me cause I couldn't see the tiny little R hidden somewhere in all the fine print . .  kids thought that was so funny . .  snots!), I am finding more and more that even PG are not suitable to be in our home.  More and more, I am insulted and indignant how the so called screen writers resort to language and sensitisationalism to try to capture our interest.  Perhaps that is why I have so many of the old classics, that my kids now can't stand.  Sorry, I love the old corny stuff!

Anyway, even some of the movies I have enjoyed in the past are seeming inappropriate.  I have realized that many of the old ones are not something that I want to have around.  So many of them were made in the late 40's and early 50's .  They show people falling in love at first sight and running off to get married before they have a chance to really get to know each other.  I know that first attraction can strong and develop into something wonderful, but how sad when couples do not take the time to really get to know each other, with open eyes, and what wonderful memories can come from that time.  It took me a long time to realize how the public was duped into eliminating that important step into the next phase of one's life.  Those are all out the door!  Unnecessary, in your face violence . . . . .  GONE!  This hasn't thinned the movies out much since I have always detested that . . .  but now I am a even pickier.

Guess grandmotherhood has had it's effect on me!

I have been grateful that they have all done so well to keep media out of their homes that shouldn't be there, especially as they bring up their children.  These sweet spirits coming into their homes are being bombarded with so much it is scary!  What a great opportunity for the parents to make a statement by not allowing the world in if it isn't appropriate.

I love these children so much and want them to have wonderful lives with every advantage that a loving Heavenly Father would have them have, without the trash "man" has strewn along the path.    

Jon got his bush and loved it . . . . gonna have to come with something better I guess!  Have I lost my touch? . .  or has he become calloused over the years?  Sigh . . .


Silly boy says that my DNA is all over it . . . . there he goes trying to sound all intellectual again.  Silly boy!