Borrowed From Emma

As a nod to Emma's eating adventure in London, we had fish & chips and mushy peas (canned)!

She took this photo of us before she left. She was only home for 4 days, but I miss her again.

Tried to Go Swimming Failure

On the way home from work I had a fleeting thought: I could put on my tennis shoes and ask Suzanna to teach me how to run. It would be fun. Really!

I walked in the door to a full house. I got distracted by the two babies and the niece and nephew and raisins all over the floor and completely forgot about running.

Exercise always sounds better in theory to me; I like planning it and thinking about it but I need to figure out a way to consistently do it. No hot tub/sauna at the hotel we were booked in--we tried, suits in hand.

Took pictures anyway! Too cold to swim in the ocean. Yet.

Last Friday Night Date

He made me toast with Nutella and eggs for breakfast (the hotel room had a fridge and cook top, dishwasher, microwave!) Hotel room paid by Sweet Adeline's.

What did we do before cell phones? Got a couple of calls from the kids, one from EQ President looking for service moving someone in help. The date went on and on--nice to be together that long weekend date!

Coordinate Your Treat and Your Outfit!

Green Apple yummy gelati from Rita's!

Under the Boardwalk

It was a little cold, but a gorgeous Saturday!

Three Teenagers in the House

Emma is out of her teen years, but we still have three behind her, plus two pre-teens. Lots of emotions, passions, happenings.

I can't remember what Max was grouching about, irritated that John wasn't ready to take him to rehearsal? And we were being silly taking parent pictures. Ahh, parents in love!

She's Holding a Knife

I was carving corned beef out of the crock pot for dinner last Tuesday and John came up behind me with the camera. He always says, "Don't cut yourself" when he does this, so I won't startle and slip. He has a habit of sneaking up on me at Church, too, quietly, than planting a kiss on my cheek. Sometimes I can hear him breathing a second before he makes his move, anticipating the kiss and jumping into it. Sometimes he catches me completely off guard, and I jump, and blush.

Gone for a Day

Friday & Saturday you will just have to imagine us--down at the ocean. We will take lots of photos--but here is one from 2007 (?--last time my hair was pixie short).

Mmmmmm, sunset, water, waves, and John! Probably too cold to swim, but we will take a walk.

NEW pictures coming Monday morning blog post! I am pre-blogging some from this week for Sat & Sun. So you won't miss me too badly!

Bon Voyage!

Sunshine Suzanna and Exciting Adventures!

Suzanna was disappointed that baby Hazel was gone before she got home from school. She loves babies! Loves babysitting. Loves the outdoors and making dandelion necklaces. She is on her way to a concert in DC tonight with a girlfriend from Church. Be safe!
(see Lisa 9-Patch Nurse's pillow!)

I am cleaning the sewing room so Emma has a place to sleep tonight. She is home for four days before she flies to London for studies. I am excited for her, the things she will do there, the art she will see!

Suggestions for things she shouldn't miss?

While Emma is gone at school I use this room to sew, blog, craft. It is a busy room. Today I have been moving lots of boxes, evicting dust bunnies. Discovering fabric treasures in my piles. Invisible shelves, clear boxes, more shelves would help me feel more organized, and getting rid of the things I will never use, fabrics I've fallen out of love with, took as a charity for someone else, never liked, etc. Busy day.

Lunch Date, continued...

A nice couple who came and shared our picnic bench table took this photo of us, after I tried with my short arms and got this:


Weird morning with no seminary-because the youth had a temple trip last night. I had no problem sleeping in! But I missed my class.

My Lunch Date with Big Boy and Batman

This artifact is at the Maryland House art exhibit upstairs.
John said this picture was important to show how old this 25 cent ride is!

He brought a loaf of good whole wheat bread, thinly sliced roast beef, my favorite honey mustard from Wegman's, yougurt, candy bars, soda pop. Sweet date on the picnic benches on the south side of MD House, in the shade at noon!

The Next Day

(Photo from Wednesday 14 April, dinning room chandelier from IKEA).

I've been coming home for lunch. John made pot stickers yesterday, and we sat on the couch with our chopsticks (the dinning room table has been his office, spreading out court records that he is helping to put online). It was a perfect moment. I have to put my alarm clock on so I leave on time to make it back to work! We are evaluated by attendance and promptness.

This week I have thought a lot about what you can learn from strangers, sitting next to them for 8 hours a day in a classroom setting. On the form where we had to write where we were born, I saw at a quick glance (I wasn't spying) that my neighbor on the left was born in CA. We were talking later and I let slip that I knew where she was from. For a minute she thought I was physic. No, just sneaky. NO. Observant. One of my heroes is Sherlock Holmes. When I am cleaning out the microwave and see bits and pieces and clues I ask myself, "What would S.H. know from the evidence? What made this spot? What kind of marinara sauce...? Who did it?"

I peeked at a text message this same co-worker was sending her husband at his work: a picture of the guy sitting across from us. She had written, "Who knew, Laurence Fishburne is in our class?" I thought it was really funny, but couldn't say anything and ADMIT I was spying/peeking/being observant, again. Cute that she stays in touch with her sweetie (we don't have a texting plan, but I can see the advantages, yes, just like my mom was advocating!)

Happy Birthday of Our Family

John has been blogging more. I copied his scanned in photo from his blog this morning, did the tilt thing. Lightened it up. Good memories and good times now!

What do you do when you have no money for a trip away together? Go on a working date. This Friday we will drive down to Ocean City and set up and take down risers for a choral concert. They pay us, plus a free hotel room=anniversary trip! Yes, with a couple of hours of sweaty lifting risers (do you know what a Sissy Bar is?). I am looking forward to it! Emma will be home before we leave, so the kids will be safe all together with two legal adults home. It will be the last time they will be all together for awhile. I hope they have fun without us.

21st Century Love Story!

Which shape collage do you like best? Happy 21 Years Still Married!

The Night Before

This is one of my favorite pictures from this past year, retouched and colored by brother David.
Tommorrow is a big celebration for us. We waited for each other. 21 years ago we had a picnic family dinner at Grandma Carlson's house in Springville. John got sick. He drove me home anyway. We said goodnight without kissing. We never kissed as an engaged couple (weird, I know). The big day at the temple would be tomorrow, when our family and friends would gather around us and witness our marriage inside the LDS Salt Lake Temple. Beautiful place. Peaceful place. Full of love and joy and goodness. After the wonderful wedding brunch at the Lion House we took off for a bed and breakfast in Manti, and then camping at Zion's National Park. We did come back for a reception three days later. I think those reception pictures I look a little smug, happily knowing, glowing. I don't have those scanned in, or I would prove it to you.

Lean On Me

This is my 2nd all time favorite couple photo of us from this last year of couple photo project.

Surprising Parent Moments

This post isn't about me--it's about my kids. There was a moment last night, watching 16 year old Maxwell, that all dramatic suspension of belief and reality mingled and I saw his joy at being a parent, and I got teary-eyed. He will be a great Daddy. He has a tender, sweet, nurturing, loving, affectionate side of him that will make some future princess a very happy wife.

If you live close by, $5 will get you into Aberdeen High School auditorium at 6:30 (doors open) and you can see "Annie" in person! Friday and Saturday night! DevinK and CarianneJ are also in the production (that makes 3 of my seminary kids!)
We had fun! I love these pictures of Suzu and Roxie sitting in the window. I hope they grow up knowing they are loved, valued, and cherished. I want them to be optimistic about their future, joyful and full of songs!

Covenant to NOT GET ANGRY

I married a strong-emotions man. Passionate. Powerful feelings. He is good at talking through problems, getting things solved, out in the open, cleared away.
I think I mentioned we are taking the Marriage Enrichment class from John's parents during Sunday School time? We talked about the only time a couple should raise their voice at each other is when there is a fire. And that we choose to get angry as a secondary emotion. The first thing we feel is embarrassment, frustration, shame, hurt, confused, helpless, disappointment, fear.

Choose to not get angry. Don't criticize each other. Look for the good. Pray together, and pray for your relationship to be strengthened. Communicate better and more often. DATE! Go out without the kids.

He Comes and Finds Me

Whew! Polls are closed. I can SHOW YOU! My entry for "So You Think You Can Quilt" contest/obligation/challenge. I should have written that I was inspired by a very, very old children's "History of Apple Pie" book that is in public domain. I loved the ABC's all about apple pie. Should have titled it "Vintage American" and rusted up the scissors some like the pair I modeled this quilt after. I am still in the running for the next round.

It is flattering to be sought out.
Looked for. Found.
Followed.
Yearned for.
Written to.
Blogged about?

MURAL Rocking Kids

Unless I change the name of this blog, I should really show you my portfolio stuff, too. (I posted this last week on my portfolio blog, see link on left). BEFORE photo, of client's basement music-band room. Green-sage walls. Black shelf halfway up along entire wall.
Silhouette band in black, with red scarf, per request.

Springtime!

How I Felt Three Days Ago

One of the dangers of trying to do a couple photo EVERY DAY is the inconvenience.

Every day?

We've been pretty consistent, thinking out different poses, taking the camera with us when we go places, taking the time, recruiting the photographers or getting better at reaching out our arms to take it ourselves (there is serious skill there). But some mornings I KNOW I won't have time between seminary teaching and running out the door to my job, so I pre-blog.

To blog in advance of the posting you hit the "Post Options" underlined link which allows you to manipulate the post date and time.

It is really Saturday morning at 9 am as I type. I have a list of photos that I want to show. I'll need a new set by Wednesday to finish out the week. That is why some of my titles fit a theme, play out a thought stuck in my head.

I blog for our college daughter, so she knows what we are doing.

I blog for cousin Julie, who will write me and ask if I am okay if I am late blogging each morning!

I write for my siblings. My parents.

I blog for quilt buddies and mural clients!

I write for ward friends-who have callings in other auxiliaries and we never have enough time to talk in the hallways.

I write for networking with new friends!

I write for me-yes, journal worthy thoughts. My family history with photos. I blog instead of scrapbook. With the goal of getting it printed into a book--maybe someday.

I blog for John, so he knows what I am thinking. I blog for us, as a couple, to stand united with him in hard-no-job-transition time.

I blog for the discipline and commitment! To show myself I am trust-worthy and can do what I say I will do.



I have learned incredible things from other bloggers; I've been inspired, uplifted, sobered. I've cried, laughed, and learned new skills. I have a goal of more tutorial blog entries; to share what I have learned with readers. I stalked several blogs for months before I felt brave enough to just start my own--and with lots of help from Emma, created this.

This little explanation of my world. My stories. How I see things. What I felt and what I thought about three days ago...

Try This at Home

Instead of saying "CHEESE" we have been doing a funny: say "MAX" and see what happens to your smile!
(WE LOVE YOU, SUZU & MAX! Sometimes you make us laugh-good laugh, not at you, just us being goofy parents!)

Reverently

Stewart took this of us in front of hallyway. Counted cross-stitch by talented hands-LauraJ from Church. Every once in a while I move it around the house, to see it on different walls, different color juxtapositions.

The Primary song says, "Reverence is more than just quietly sitting...reverence is love..."

Love and gratitude.

John had an interview Friday that went well and we should hear back from them early this week. (This is the surveyor job I told family about. It wasn't a sure thing, he had to apply and there are several other applicants.)

I start training Monday for another phase of Census--crew leader again, this time in same city I live in, which will be very convenient, less travel time.

We are surviving. Paying our bills. Tithing comes out first, for every penny we earn or receive. "You pay tithing on money gifts?" Yes. 10% off the top, straight to building temples, giving back to the Lord a portion, feeling grateful that He gives us everything we have. That's the reverent part.

Thriftily

Cheap date idea: buy discount Easter Candy and share it!

Friday night we took Max to handbell practice (part of Maryland State Boychoir spring concert) and had 2.5 hours to spend in Baltimore. First stop: thrift store (John had a book to read while I browsed and found an amazing $8 king-size quilt to alter!!!!).

Solidly, Sparkly, Steadfastly

I asked John for an adverb to describe our marriage. He gave me a long list. Including "sappily"--how would that look for a blog title? You might look for maple tree information under that.

Thursday was the first day of school and seminary after a long break. I had felt strongly during General Conference that I should give my students a copy of "The Living Christ" and tell them I am memorizing it as part of the Young Women Recognition program. It is a value experience, meaning it should take at least ten hours to do.

Seriously

What were we thinking at this moment? Waiting for the flash to charge? Taken unawares? Tired after a long day for both of us?

I am grateful I can silly/giggle laugh with him and in the next moment be very sober about reverent things. I trust him with my heart, my talents, my weaknesses, my entertainment, my questions, my dreams, my tender feelings, my family, my future, my today. Tuesday was a busy day. I worked all day, and met family at the park-n-ride so we could go down to Alexandria together. John made yummy sandwiches to eat in the car. I am impressed with his care for family, what he does to nurture us, provide for us. (Photo credit: Suzanna)
Eight year old Grace (fourth from left in front row wearing white dress) was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Lots of family! There is never enough time to talk! It was fun seeing cousin Charlene, Jen's sister and sister-in-law and family.

Quilt note: Polly asked me to make a t-shirt quilt for her of Russ's fantastic shirt collection and ties. Personal goal to finish before Christmas.