This is too cute. I want to make one some day....

I still have it!!!

So my son is getting married in May and in a effort to help save money I volunteered to make the flowers for the bridal party. I have done this before but it has been a very long time. Erika and I picked out flowers and put together a plan. She loves calla lilies so that is what we started with and added babies breath and the oddest of all eucalyptus. All silk mind you. Calla lilies do not preserve well at all so we went with the silk for that reason. I had never worked with lilies. Needless to say they were a bit of a challenge but I persevered and this is the result. The best part of all is Erika likes them. That is always the most nerve racking part of it all. Will the bride like what you have done. She does. Whewwww....

 The brides bouquet..........

The brides maids bouquet..........

The grooms boutonniere........

This group includes the moms corsage on the left. Not a very good shot but the bride is th one that is suppose to stand out in the crowd.

I think they turned out pretty good...

We had to say goodbye to a wonderful dog tonight. 

                           She was the best little friend any one could ask for

                                            She made every one smile

                                          and gave love unconditionally

                                       Good bye little friend. You will be missed...

My random thoughts

I was at Target a few days ago. Their was a father and his son shopping together. They stopped in the isle to look at a product they were buying. My first thought when I looked at the father was "You dressed your self today"......... random...

Time

Time. Funny how that word plays such a huge roll in our lives. Money too. When I was at work yesterday I had a few lessons come my way.
First was how Satan will try anything to keep us from doing the right things. I had plans to go to the Temple after work yesterday. From the moment I got out of bed and actually the night before started with a migraine. But any way, when I got up things were not working at all. I managed to get to work on time though. Then certain people in my day were just not in the right frame of mind, making it difficult to have the right frame of mind. Mind you I really like these certain people but non the less it was difficult and they did have very good reason for there situation. It is hard to be specific because in my work I have to adhere to privacy laws, but people in general have been out of control in one way or another. This whole month though has been pretty difficult, extremely difficult. So I have been praying a lot at work. My first lesson is that in spite of all the garbage Satan threw at me I was still going to do the right thing. I was going to the temple. Once I made my intetions known to him all of the anxiety from the stress went away. I even said to Satan that "I am still going to the temple so it is pretty useless for you to try and keep me from going!" That is the very moment I felt peace.  That booger man still tried even on the free way. Traffic was horrible and I missed the session I was wanting to go to. I still followed through and I did other ordinances instead. I was able to go to the Celestial room after and was blessed to see a beautiful bride to be come into the celestial room for the first time. I am so happy I endured. So much garbage is thrown our way every day but if we endure so many great things come from enduring to the end. I even got to watch the dress rehearsal of the Easter pageant, which is amazing!!!
        The second lesson was on time. I am so grateful for the time I do have. It is not much but I am given some for my self in order to keep my sanity. Being me, I have to be able to be creative in order to feel completely sane for lack of abetter word. Any one that really knows me, understands this. My mind literally never stops creating. I plan quilts, work on my RS classes, craft ideas and so much more in my sleep. Creativity brings me happiness. It keeps my mind from focusing on too many negative things. I have actually solved many problems while sewing or crafting. Also I feel that I am doing what I am suppose to be doing. It does not only apply to sewing and crafting. It applies to everything I do for my family, in my calling and at work. I have been blessed with a little time to make this post. My husband plays a huge roll in this blessing as well. I have to give credit where it is due. He does not want to loose his man card over this, so don't say anything to him, but he has been taking on a lot of the house hold chores so I can have this time.Working full time has created a lot more limitations and he has been sensitive to this. Plus he knows how important this is to me. My man is an amazing man. I love him with all my heart. I can't say it well enough to give a clear idea of how much I love him. Being able to do things together no matter what it is, is a wonderful thing. In the hole scheme of things we have so little time. We need to make the best it no matter what is we are doing. We need to fill the time we have with all of the love and good we can create.  
    The third was kind of strange how it came about. My coworkers were talking about how they would like to do a certain activity but did not have the money to do it. The thought that came to mind was what a blessing having no money can be. It actually keeps us from doing things we really do not need to be doing if we adhere to the concept. Lately we have been adhering and we are being blessed beyond measure. It is not that we were unable to pay the bills. That always happened. We just don't order out as much and things like that.The obvious extra cash flow can go toward getting debt paid down faster. A goal of ours this year and it is really happening. Another of my goals this year was to not buy any fabric unless I really need it to finish a quilt. I don't usually spend a lot on these kinds of things any way but I have a few projects that I can work on and that helps me get those finished. Plus it creates room for the new round of supplies when I need them. I am trying to establish new habits I guess. Stashing fabric is great but one needs the room to do so. I guess I am learning a few things here.
    Just a few things that have come to me today. I just wanted share. Love to all....                         

In a nut Shell

Not that any one will see this since it has been for ever since I have blogged, but I am going to update a little. In a nut shell this is what has happened since the last post;
   Got a different job. Better benefits and such. I work for a group of Gastroenterologist. Say that three times fast. There are 7 doctors and I schedule for all of them. In short I talk to people about their bowel habits all day. I am really learning a lot. I enjoy this work very much.
    I am in the nursery at church. I love this calling as well. I love all of my callings. I get to play with little ones for two hours every Sunday. I have been blessed!!!
    Found out I am in early onset menopause. Yaaayyy???? No not fun at all. It is off and on. Some days are absolutely unbearable and most are great. Such is life...
    Steve turned 50 this year and I threw him a party. Raini, David and MyKelle came home for for the big day. It was fun but too hot to have over 65 people in my little house. It was so hot the cheese for the cold cuts was melting on the tray. It was gross. It found a home in the trash. All in all it was a good time.
   The holidays were very simple and quiet. I really needed it that way. We really enjoyed too.
    Steve went hunting. After ten years of trying he finally got drawn for elk. He shot one but it ran and another group of hunters got it. That is OK though, he found out the other hunter unloaded his weapon into the animal. Basically ruined it. Hopefully this will be the start of a good run for him. 
    My poor little dog got pretty sick. She broke out in these little sores all over her body. Then they would burst open and crust over and then she would loose little clumps of hair. The pads of her feet started to crack and bleed, and to top it off, her flesh was turning black and she smelled to high heaven. At first the vet thought it was a staph infection so she was on two rounds of antibiotics. By the third round they decided she has severe food allergies. I think they hit it on the nose. We had to change to all natural food with no corn, wheat or fillers of any kind. We tried raw meat at first but she grew tired of that after the second week. I couldn't believe she turned her nose at raw meat. Strange little creature we have. We love her though. She is the best animal I have ever had.
    I am trying to keep up with my quilting and crafting. My goal this year is to use what I have on hand unless I need something to finish a quilt or project. It is going pretty well so far. I don't really have the gidda to spend any way.
    I am totally addicted to PINTRIST. I have only been pinning for a little over a month and I have an enormous amount of craft project I want to try. I had to add a new goal to my list. Stop pinning and start crafting. It has been pretty fun.
    This last weekend I was in Vegas for the Concrete and Masonry Expo. WHOO HOOO!!! We went last year and it was the same this year. Very Very expensive. We walk to the Walgreen's down the strip and buy all of our water and snacks. Eat lunch at the mall food court across from the Hotel. Dinner we splurged a little. It is nice though to get out of AZ for a little while at least. Naps were the best though. 
    Raini and David have been in Rhode Island for over a year now. MyKelle has been in Colorado for around 4 years. I miss them very much but they are very busy and happily living life as they like. They are doing well.
    Well this all I can think of for now. We will see how long it takes for the next post. I am actually going to work on a craft project from PINTRIST. Fun :) :) :)  Until nest time <3

It will be OK

So since I am working full time now a few things have changed.  We are able to pay the bills with a little less worry. I am turning into a better typist. I don't have to look at the keys as much any more. I am learning a lot about bankruptcy. Some really sad stories come through our office. I feel like I am respected finally in my work place. I mean in general, not the office I am currently employed with. They are the ones that have blessed me with this respect. It is nice to be treated like an intelligent human being. That can make so much difference in how you feel about going to work. Steve is back to cooking dinner again. I feel bad about that. I really enjoy cooking for my family but if they waited on me every night we would eat around 9:00pm. He is so wonderful. He has the house clean for me on Friday so I can enjoy the weekend. I am truly blessed to have this man in my life. I am extremely behind on my projects. I am still working on things just not as fast as I can usually get them done. I am able to take them to work with me and work on them during lunch. That is pretty cool.:) :) I blog less and less it seems. If I had a lap top I could blog on my lunch hour but then that would take away from my projects. I just have less time. It will be OK though. We are so very blessed. I have an amazing family and that is what really matters. Life is good... :) :) :)

A pretty quilt

I entered a quilt contest. This is what I entered. I figured at least I would end up with a pretty quilt if I didnt win any thing.

I ended winning an honorable mention and a $10 gift card to JoAnn Fabric Store. I was happy with that.

Oh the Loveliness of Lovely

I just want to share this little bit of MMMMMM.... I got the urge to bake and this was the result.

 I had always wanted to have a cake that had the frosting drip over the top of the cake. It is just simple and pretty. The cake was so so good.  :)

It has been a while

Oh my it has been such a long time since I have blogged. I have missed this. Actually I am home sick. I was sick all night and today I feel gut punched. It will pass though.
I have been so busy with my Job. So much to do and learn. We have been so very blessed lately too. In spite of Steve's pay cuts we are making it.  My job helps of course but we are still making less than before and the Lord makes it all work. I am always amazed at the way the Lord works in our lives and in turn so very grateful.

Heavens Face

Today at church was our Christmas program. The Young Women sang a beautiful song and did so well. Some how I joined the choir in the process of getting the girls ready for this day. I am so very happy I did because today while on the stand, during the program I was blessed to see Mark sing along with the songs. When he sang Silent Night I saw an angel from heaven. His face was so sweet and pure. I started to cry of course and then his mom started to cry and his dad had his arm around his shoulder and sang along with him. It was Heaven for those beautiful wonderful songs.

For any one that does not know Mark, he is about 36/38 yrs old and mentally disabled. He knows all of the Christmas songs and can even play them on the organ. It is not the best rendition of the songs but you know what he is playing. I love to hear Mark sing, I love to watch Mark sing and I have been blessed to sing with Mark. We visit his home every year for the youth Hay Ride and the kids love to sing WITH Mark. He leads them in the songs. He has beaten the odds many times and has the most amazing parents in the world. I have seen the good days and a small part of the bad days and I mean "the most amazing parents in the world". You know they love their son, no doubts.

Today was a blessed day indeed! I was blessed to see Heavens Face....

Oh my Blog,how I have missed you.......

I have been so dang busy. Tonight I literally crashed on the couch. I came home from church and decided I was going to do nothing for the rest of the day. I ate and sat down to watch TV and before I new it I was blissfully asleep. Have you ever felt that bliss? It is very hard to wake up from. Now it is 10pm and I am not in bed were I should be. So much for naps.....

Mindy Gledhill
This is the most beautiful song.....

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Change is inevitable

Well it finally happened. I knew when I was to go back to work that I wanted to go into a different line of work. At that point the endless turning of my mind began and the prayers were turned toward the new ambition. I had no idea what it was going to be and this may change again at some point in my life because that is just how it is. Change is inevitable. I like change though. It means I get to learn something new. So that is what I will be doing. Learning a lot of new things. I am blessed with some pretty amazing people in my life and they played a role in Heavenly Fathers plan for me. I just needed to put the worry aside and let my mind clear so I could follow the promptings.
This week has been a crazy one and  I just went with the flow. 
Very long story (week) short, I have a new job working for a Law Firm, doing administration work.
After all of the craziness of this week and past two years, a really good thing has happened and I am so very thankful for all of it. I am so very blessed.

Quote from President Marion G. Romney

"Learning the gospel from the written word, however, is not enough. It must also be lived. As a matter of fact, getting a knowledge of the gospel and living it are interdependent. They go hand in hand. One cannot fully learn the gospel without living it. A knowledge of the gospel comes by degrees: one learns a little, obeys what he learns; learns a little more and obeys that. This cycle continues in an endless round. Such is the pattern by which one can move on to a full knowledge of the gospel."
President Marion G. Romney,
Ensign » 1980 » September

When I woke up.....

So this morning when I woke up I thought "Sweet it is my day off. I get to sew all day long." Did it happen? NO! I had to get grocery shopping done first, balanced the check book, pay bills, did some Young Women things, made dinner and now hear it is almost 8pm and I havent touched my sewing machine once.................... Maybe tomorrow after the laundry, house cleaning, cleaning the office, and what ever else happens to consume my time. I really will get to it..........some day.......:)  :)  :)

When I die....

Saturday, August 28th we attended the "Celebration of Life" (COL) for my late sister in-law. She was cremated so their was no rush to get her buried.  She wanted a "Celebration of Life" instead of a funeral. It is more like a "wake" but with out all of the Irishmen. This had a bunch of Lesbians instead. Too dang funny.... It was a nice, calm atmosphere where everyone mingled and visited. My sister April put together a slide show of some pictures put to "Somewhere Over the rainbow" sung by IZ. That is the version with the ukulele. Love that one!!  It was being played in the bar area of the hotel that the "COL" was being held. Diana worked their and they paid for a lot of it. So anyway we are sitting in the bar area watching the video and this couple comes in and starts to watch the video and the guy starts to ask questions, Is that her daughter? Is she the one that died? We had  party crashers join the "COL" It was hilarious. They watched the video, visited with the other guests, watched us take the group picture. So dang funny. The only thing I could think of the whole time was that Diana can make friends so easily and she isn't even with us any more. That is the kind of person she is and her spirit was their on Saturday making friends with every one.

When I die I think I want to have some sort of celebration . It was a very nice thing to experience.
I don't want people to be sad. Be happy that I was happy and lived life to the fullest and the best that I could.  Maybe a dinner party with a live band and dancing and a Pinata for the kids, LOL ... My kids will think of something fun.

Thank you Mr. Edison

So last night I had a bit of a melt down. More like a release. I had a bad experience at work and came home pretty upset. I tend to hold things in until it comes out 99% of the time as tears and this finally happened last night. My poor husband had no idea as to what to do, bless his heart. I feel so bad because he had to drive to Flagstaff early this morning. Instead of sleeping he was up with me trying to help me through this issue. I got him to go back to bed around midnight. I finally got to sleep around 1:30.  So this morning I am checking my e-mail and I look at my wonderful "Daily Quote" from "Real Simple Magazine" and this is what it was;

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ― Thomas Edison

I am now more determined to make things work to the best advantage of my family and our current situation. I have no idea how things will turn out but what ever it ends up being we will be OK. So thank you to the person that set this in motion, thank you Mr. Edison for sharing your wisdom and thank you Heavenly Father for sending me your answer.

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