The Rest of the Story

You would never know the full story, just looking at these photos.  Context helps.  Details.  I am determined to ask better questions, give more complements, and to try and school my face. The weird, goofy looks we all make can be funny when the camera catches them.  I was having focusing problems in the dark gym.  The last two photos of Sam are for his mission application.  He chose the bottom one, without glasses.

Busy Update for Spring

There was some Easter kissing and tie-jewelery matching...

Admiration for living room framed photos at a book club friend's home...

A sweet orchid gift from a friend!  (notice mint green paneling above fireplace, it will change this month)...

Another DC temple trip...

Sam went to Mormon Prom (another tie matching dress example!)...

Roxie went to a bereavement camp for children 8-16...

Tying a note she wrote to Max onto a pink balloon she chose for him...

Standing with her camp buddy for the weekend:  1 counselor per child ratio.

Then more presentations, the youth told their favorite part of the camp (Roxie said riding the horses was the highlight) and love stones with a word the counselor noticed about the youth (Roxie's was strength) and then a word of hope for them and their future (Roxie's was Love)...

Beautiful, amazing program, good practical advice, good therapy, good new friends.

And my favorite:  monarch butterfly launch, each child presented with an envelope...

And a quick picture from wedding shower I hosted last weekend-notice the paneled wall, needed a different color to highlight the banner, so a quick pink coat.  Yes, I paint for parties.

Homecoming

Campaigning reflection from yesterday (not our car)

Suzanna dressed up last night to go to the dance with a group of girl friends. Next year she will be old enough to date & go with a young man.

Shrug concept but instead of using a rectangle of fabric just CUT the bottom third of t-shirt/sweater and sew one HORIZONTAL seam(link shows how and where to sew one seam--this picture shows side seams of t-shirt running the vertical length of shrug from center of neck to waist) to create the back leaving openings on each side of seam for arms.

Couple in a Bar Looking for a Dance

John left for prison (one of his part-time, no benefit jobs) before I could think to take a photo this morning.
This is an oldie. Early 90's glasses frames. Me skinny-sick. John's hair is long and curly. Hot crab dip in John's hand and water bottle in mine. I remember gripping that water bottle like it was a life-line. I couldn't eat and I wanted to make sure everyone knew we were NOT drinking at this party. We are at a bar in Fells Point, celebrating a Homicide, filmed in Baltimore tv show reunion. Sounds terrible. Being in the wrong place with the right person at the right time still feels awkward, uncomfortable.

We were talking about the Word of Wisdom after seminary in the kitchen. Sam was sitting near by and made the comment "It is against the Word of Wisdom to go clubbing." I agreed that it is really hard to dance in a smoky atmosphere.

I miss dancing. Good Church dances, with decent music, modestly dressed couples, great refreshments with no worries about anyone getting drunk or out-of-control. It is fun to dress up, celebrate, and enjoy music and each other. (We haven't had a Church stake-sponsored adult dance in a long, long time. I miss those!)

Maybe tonight, when John finally gets home after working a 2nd part time job, he will be greeted with some dancing tunes!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Making Memories & Making the Neighbors Marvel

We will try this pose again. Did I mention Suzu was making pose suggestions? I hope she finds a future husband who is playful, spiritual, intelligent, humble, kind, and talented like she is!