This & That

Introspective Today

Done with a Scrap Addict kit.

Almost There.

You know how it is when you've been out of town too much and you just feel like you're behind in absolutely EVERYTHING??   I've felt that way a lot lately.  Traveling to really fun family events three weekends in a row have just really put me out off my schedule.  And as I think we've discussed before, I hate having my schedule messed with.  But after a few days of playing catch-up, I'm finally feeling like there's a light at the end of the tunnel and life may slowly be returning to normal. 

Love things that save me time and brain power.  #1--Kits.  Love the Scrap Addict kits.  Pull out the papers, find some photos to match and go for it.  #2--I also love using sketches and ads for inspiration.   This LO was done using an ad...(it's my cute sis and her cute daughter with a not-so-cute friend)...simple lines, combine it with the kit and GOOOOOO!  That way, even when time is out of control for me I can get just a little scrapping in to save my sanity.  Fun stuff.  And since I'm almost caught up in my life, I'm going to reward myself with some scrap time.

It Was A Wonderful Day.....

We had a wonderful wedding weekend.  It was one of those great days that really makes you glad you had kids.  There they were, making a good, big choice and it's just so darn satisfying.  DS#2 and his beautiful bride were married in the Bountiful, Utah temple.  We couldn't have asked for better weather...not too hot and not too cold.  It was wonderful to have so much family around as well....it meant so much that people made the effort to be there.  Here are a few photos of the happy day.  We are thrilled with our new DIL.  A word of explanation about the photo of the boys.  DS#5 ALWAYS used to assume this pose when he was little any time anyone came near him with a camera.  So now, any time the boys are together, we have to get a pictures of them doing this particular pose.

Beard Wars

My kids crack me up.  Living in the House of Testosterone, you have to understand that facial hair is a BIG DEAL.  So DH had two of the boys hunting with him for two weeks.  Somewhere in the unwritten code of maleness, it's understood that there will be a beard growing contest with much chest thumping about whose is "better".....whatever that is.  So they get home from this trip, looking proudly scruffy, wanting me to take pictures to document the feat of manliness.  Wanting in on the fun is 14-yr. old DS who has one or two lonely chin hairs that look more like feelers than a beard.  Good natured ribbing from brothers provided this snapshot of life at my house.

Calf Roping

You know those rodeo calf ropers that wind the rope around the calf's legs then throw their arms in the air?  Well that's a pretty good image of what I did this afternoon when I finished the dress.  Talk about a monkey off my back!

Mamma Nun Other

Under the category of "I may live to regret this...."

Last week I auditioned for a received the role of the Mother Abbess in a community production of "The Sound of Music"  It's been almost 30 years since I did anything like this, so the nerves are jumping a bit.  The blog title is what my boys have been calling me lately and sounds like a really good title for a layout.

And just in case you're wondering...the dress part is done and I'm about 1/3 of the way through the jacket.

Perspectives

Nothing deep here today...just a little funny and then we're gone for the weekend.  It's no secret that I live in the House of Testosterone and sometimes the discussion topics are weird and just a little gross.  Yesterday my boys were talking about being able to see inside their noses for various reasons and one of them came over to me, put his arm around my shoulder and offered this..."See, Mom's lucky.  She could see all the way up inside my nose because, (said proudly and this is the bonus point for him) well, I'm TALLER than she is."  Lucky me, if I wanted, I could see up almost all of my boys' noses.  It's all in your perspective, I guess.

Step One Done

You didn't think I'd do it, did you?  Got the dress cut out in between helping at high school registration and some errands.  Seemed to take forever, but we're ready to start the actual sewing today.  Since we're headed up north to visit DS#1 and DIL for the weekend, time will be a factor, but since it has simple lines (the better to skim over my pear shape....), I should be able to get it finished in 2 or 3 reasonable sessions....I hope! :)

Volga Boatmen

Anyone else hear the Volga Boatmen song in their head when they have to do something they don't want to do?  I have done every conceivable chore I can think of (with the possible exception of the ironing.....have to draw the line somewhere) putting off starting on "The Dress".  And now as soon as I finish here, I will force myself to go upstairs, totally clear off what started in another life as my sewing table, but has now morphed into a scrap table, fondling supplies as I put them on the desk or the floor so I can make room to cut the darn dress.  I WILL do this....right now.....as soon as I'm done.....not even glancing at the partly done layout on the desk.  Uh-huh.

Dresses.....

Something you may or may not know about me is that I really hate to shop.  The crowds, stores full of stuff that is essentially the same  and usually the wrong color.  Just hate it.  I've decided that Outer Darkness (my version of he**) is one big mall.  That said, I have to find a dress for the upcoming nuptials.  So while in a bigger city over the weekend for a family visit, I headed to Outer Darkness and as usual, found nothing in the right color.  So I have to face facts.  I'm going to have to sew.  I used to sew constantly....made tons of stuff, but since picking up the scrap habit, that obsession has gone by the wayside.  I'm going to have to pick it up again...and it's not that I can't do it....it's that I resent it cutting into my scrap time!  LOL!  The sacrifices I make for the kidlets! :)