Empty Images & Short-Term Memory

I just tried to download pictures from my camera, and nothing was there.  Empty disc.  Here is what I remember:

The beautiful brown eggs from my brother's chickens.  They were speckly-warm reddish brown with rich, golden yolks.  Gone.  (Well, I could say they are re-purposed into Heath-Bar Pecan Cookies, hidden in oven so they don't disappear.  It's not just hiding them from the kids, but from me, too.  Out of sight is out of mind.)

Close-up views of Polly's quilt before I sent it away.  (And she loves it!  So glad!)

My new glasses.  Love them.  All me.  My last pair broke Harry-Potter-style right at the bridge of the nose.  I had to tape them together at work to drive home.  (If they had ORANGE ones, I would have gotten those.  Not metal-gold, not the same thing.  The new ones are pink on the inside, striped black and white on the side bars.  Called "Petunia" from our local W____-David-doesn't-like-store.  They have my prescription.  AND while I was picking up my glasses I met my walking buddy's other work-out buddy, another Keri.  She heard my name and asked me about my shin splints!)

Picture of my two young 3 & 4 year old friends making caramel popcorn yesterday.  Cute picture:  both on stools  snugged up to the counter, pulling the paper wrapper off of frozen butter sticks and putting them into the pot.  Popcorn EVERYWHERE.  We sang "I looked out the window and what did I see?" and had a great time.  I thought we had had an all dry "Dora the Explorer" panty day, but I found a small puddle and wet foot prints after she left---so sorry I missed that one.  It was inbetween changing a little brother diaper and getting out the play food and singing "All Creatures of Our God & King" with the puppet animals.  It warmed my heart when this young friend burst into chorus "Alleluiah" on her own.

Help me remember with words, what I failed to capture electronically.

Why I Need a Community: Q & Exercise

Left alone with my own thoughts, I often spiral into despair, start seeing negative-worse-case-scenario details.  I need to stay busy, distracted, active, positive, optimistic with action. 

I need to ask for help, talk to others, let go of the pride that makes me too independent.  Be vulnerable and real, honest, and not fear that it makes me look weak.

Polly's quilt is finished, finally.  T-shirts and ties from her late husband, sweet Bro. Scoville.  I found the Ethiopian-looking fabrics for the backing and behind the ties to fit in with his Peace Corps days.  Amazing how much personality comes through, just looking at this.  Quilting by my friend Shirley "Cabin in the Woods" pattern, on her long-arm.  I could not have finished this without her help.  It took a year longer than I promised.  But it is done and delivered (Brother John stopped by last night.)

Exercise by appointment works really, really well for me.  At the beginning of the summer, this neighbor-friend called me up and asked if I wanted to walk with her in the mornings.  She walks fast.  I huffed and puffed trying to keep up those first weeks.  Gave myself horrible shin splints.  Thought I would die.  But it has gotten easier.  I feel stronger.  I can breather easier.  My heart rate stays below 120 briskly walking at 3.8 miles an hour (John and I went to the gym today and used the machines with the technology). We weave in between our two homes, up and down the alleys for 45 minutes on school days, longer on Saturday/holidays.  Sunday we rest.  We've only been rained out once.  When she went on vacation she texted me that she was walking, and when I went, I told her I was, too.  There is  power in reporting in, being accountable, having a buddy who is expecting you, waiting for you.  On Labor Day we both showed up in sparkly t-shirts and I had to get a photo, when we looked beautiful, not all sweaty.  Do the scales lie?  The clothes fit better.  Still a long  way from my goal, but moving the right direction.  Walk & talk power.

Copy Cat Copy Wrong

You think there are no new ideas?  In my art education classes, I learned the benefit of having students copy the Masters.  They learn by trying to replicate, reproduce the layout, the composition, colors, lines.  Big art classes have an advantage over small ones, in that good ideas can inspire someone else to try something new.  I love energetic groups like that, where the ideas bounce around, and you think of something you never would have because of the influence of someone else's work.  It is a reason I really like "One Pretty Thing" craft round-up (see more blogs I read on right sidebar).

Looking for crocheted hat patterns with braids for my visiting teaching friend, I ran into these bearded hats.  Love them, but can't really get one for missionary son, or BYU son.  Maybe husband.  Patent pending on them.  So I am not going to just copy them.

John's Sunday School lesson was on honesty.  There is a new sentence in the 2009 printed "Gospel Principles" book that wasn't there before.  So our Family Home Evening lesson this week was on honesty, and NOT stealing, pirating, copying illegally, being really careful of media aquisition/downloading.  Giving credit where due.  Getting rid of all computer games that got downloaded with lax standards that we didn't pay for.  Trying to figure out which PopCap games we bought, which we should delete.  Sobering.  Didn't go over really well with the children.  I may have played my last Plants vs. Zombies.  But I am willing to sacrifice that for being honest.  Just because you CAN get it on line, doesn't mean it isn't cheating someone, getting something for nothing...interesting how gambling,  pride and entitlement feelings fits into that definition. 

Moving on, from this time onward, credit where due.  Honest aquisition.  Being better about showing where the ideas come from, what influenced a project, linking more...and paying for what we want.

Spontaneous Trip to Temple

What do you do when you have an unplanned weekend, nothing on the calendar?  We decided to go down to Kensington/Bethesda area, to the temple.  We try and go once a month.  And somehow we hadn't put a date on the calendar for September.  I knew it would be harder next weekend, and the following weeks I am painting for clients out of town.  This was it.  We left by 6:30 am so the children wouldn't be alone too long.  They didn't even miss us.  I am a relaxed passenger as long as I have crochet to concentrate on doing.  As cars drove crazy-fast past us, John told me about the Grand Prix going on downtown Baltimore. 

We parked next to a car with this sticker in the window!  This is where our oldest son is serving a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Flowers outside were beautiful.  Saw a couple of wedding parties coming out.  Lots of happy people!

We need to schedule an October trip.  Make it happen.  On purpose.  Planning is good.

Fabric Thoughts

Sometimes fabric makes the whole project.  Choose the right colors, textures, pattern.  I don't even need an excuse to buy cool fabric, just holding something beautiful is a satisfying experience.  These are some of my recent favorites:

Baby receiving blanket:  2 lusciously soft flannels with cotton Aunt Lydia thread crocheted edging.  These are the kinds of blankets my grandmother made for me, my mom made for her babies, I used for mine, and now I make and sell.  I have a client who buys them from me for all her shower gifts.  This lavender/navy/white was a special request to match a little girl's nursery.

Steampunk version?  Black and gray damask, with black crocheted lace edging, not yet sold.  John thinks I should pose a baby with brass goggles and leather flying hat, Victorian dressed sitting on this blanket to advertise.

Inspiration assortment of curtains I have collected for a year for a master bedroom makeover.  Soft blues and browns.  I hope to show you a finished room before Christmas!

And if you haven't heard of Spoonflower fabrics--wonderful prints.  They had free sample day, and I ordered these sweet elephants.  You can design your own fabric with them or buy other designers' new ideas.  Fresh, fun, plus they have contests where you can help vote for your favorites.

Happy THANK-YOU-FOR-GETTING-MARRIED Anniversary Day!

This is a mementos day.  A Happy Celebration Day.  First, Billie said yes to Stewart, and they chose today.  Then Ken asked Jane, and they got married today in the Salt Lake Temple 47 years ago.  Then Sandy said yes to John, and Gordon B. Hinckley sealed them in the Salt Lake Temple, too.

That is three big reasons for me to be thankful for marriage!  I wouldn't be here without those decisions, without that commitment, without that love.

Tis love brings us here  (repeat singing to "Happy Birthday" song).

Thank you for your good examples of how to love.

First Day School

With the power out from hurricane Irene, our first day was delayed.  Sam didn't go because the traffic light wasn't working yet, but these two cousins and I walked to school for long awaited first day!

Fist day of seminary is next Tuesday.  Bishopric supported fireside last night "Get the Scoop on Seminary" complete with ice cream bar.  We talked about the role of parents, teachers, students, and how to be active learners.  We showed "Children of Israel" video for an overview of some of the great stories coming up.  We will be studying the OLD TESTAMENT.