I'd Rather Sew Than Clean

Until recently, I would have ranked sewing right up there with scrubbing toilets but now it is becoming one of my favorite pass-times! Maybe because I have 3 darling granddaughters that I adore! Here are some aprons that I putting together for a "little sqwee" tea party someday. Kaity keeps wondering when that's going to be.
I think the backs are as fun as the fronts!
Aubrey-- I made this top thinking it would be for Rachel but it looks so small maybe it should be Emily's. This is the back. The front is pretty plain because I haven't found the perfect buttons yet. Please measure from the shoulder to where you would want the bottom of the top (the lace) to fit on Emily. Then I'll measure this and decide how long to make the next one. Thanks.

Do Bad Things Really Happen in Three's?

Let's count:
1. Gary's newly purchased (used) scooter/motorcycle leaves us stranded (in the scariest part of town!) I have to ride my own scooter all the way home by myself to get the truck to retrieve a frustrated, angry, disappointed Gary.

2. Truck rides rough all the way back and dies when I pull into the convenience store parking lot. Dead Battery. LONG STORY SHORT..........replace battery.

3. Next day, Chevy Impala steering makes terrible noise when turning. (the added bottle of fluid collects on garage floor---never a good sign)

4. I follow Gary to the mechanic (who knows us on a first name basis) in the pick-up. Afterwards, he drops me off at home and continues on to work. Fifteen minutes later the phone rings-- Gary: "I have just coasted into a car dealership."
Diane (thinking he is mad about the Chevy and wants to look at new cars): "Why now? I thought you were anxious to get to work." (I decide to ignore the operative word--COASTED)
Gary, in as calm a voice as he can muster, "Funny. The (beep) truck died. They think it's the alternator."

5. Two days later, Gary on his way to work. My phone rings---it's him: "Call the dentist. I just looked in the rearview mirror. The veneers on my front teeth are GONE! I look like a hick from the sticks!"

6. Same day---the spare refrigerator dies. Thawing food leaves the garage smelling worse than normal.

7. Next evening, I walk under the air conditioning vent in master bedroom. Feel drip, drip on my head. Gary investigates (he is so handy). Drain hoses are completely clogged, bottom tray is filled with rusty, yuky water. He wants me to blow on the hose while he watches to see if there is any air getting through. I DON"T THINK SO! ---- VERY LONG STORY SHORT----no air conditioning that night. It's July. We live in FLORIDA!

8. Next day, Gary calls after meetings in Downtown Orlando. "I'm in a parking garage. The key won't turn in the ignition." RIDICULOUSLY LONG STORY SHORT: If you are going to break down, don't do it in a parking garage with a clearance of 8 feet 2 inches. It's nearly impossible for AAA to find a tow truck that will fit. They ended up sending out a 400 pound locksmith who squeezed himself under the dashboard, tore the ignition apart and cussed his way through yet another car repair. It's all good----as long as we don't tell anyone that nearly any key will now turn the ignition of our car.

That leads me to my next 2 questions:
1. Do bad things happen in multiples of 3? If so, since I'm on number 8, does that mean I can count the fact that the locksmith screwed up the air conditioning fuse as number 9?

2. What's the time limit on the 3 bad things rule? For example, if only 2 bad things happen in 24 hours and the infamous 3rd thing happens in hour 25, does that mean we have to start counting over? I sure hope not! I vote the cut-off is 7 days!

I used to Re-Finish---Now I Re-Purpose!

In case you can't tell from the picture---this lovely, one-of-a-kind dress complete with drop-dead collar and ultra-puff sleeves, looks like something you would find on your neighborhood polygamist. The other piece of fabric is actually a curtain valance. Both treasures were found at Goodwill and I know you will be surprised to learn that the dress was on sale---1/2 off! Can you imagine?! No one had been willing to pay full-price--$5.69, so lucky me--I only had to hand over $2.80! Of course the price I paid in embarrassment at the cash register was far greater. The cashier had to be wondering if I was actually going to wear this beauty! I think it was well worth the sacrifice of self-respect when you see the finished products. The valance was only $2.99 and it was long enough to supply 3 pretty little tops! (Kaity's is waiting for a fitting). I love mixin'and matchin'. The ladies at JoAnn's have started watching for me now. One in particular always hunts me down to see what "vintage treasure" I'm turning into a "Pretty Nana Outfit" for my babies. She always Oooohs and Ahhhs and expresses her opinions and advice on the fabrics I'm selecting to complete the masterpiece. What fun I'm having!
Rachel's is on the left. The back of hers is just like the front. By the time I made Emily's I realized that if I used a coordinating fabric on the back I would have enough left of the patchwork to make one for Kaity as well. Here's the back of Emily's.

Here is a beautiful baby quilt that doesn't need any re-purposing! What a great find this was. It is all hand embroidered and hand quilted. I found it in one of my favorite thrift stores and it didn't have a price. When I asked the lady how much it was she said, "Well, I quilt so I know that is all hand done. I think $5.00 would be a bargain." I didn't argue! I don't hand quilt OR machine and I knew that was a steal! When I finally get around to having a "tea party" for Kaity and her little friends it will make the perfect place for them to let their baby-dolls take a nap while the "little ladies" enjoy their lemonade and cookies.

What a Busy week!

Ooops! Don't know how I managed the duplicate and missed the one of Ariann at the sewing machine. Oh well, I don't have enough energy to try to figure out how to fix the mistake.
My dad used to tell me, "A change is as good as a rest." He's right! This week has been full of different tasks--some of them taxing, others challenging in a different way, but Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest and tomorrow I'm planning to cash in! I don't even have to play the piano for sacrament or primary. (I substituted for both places last week and nothing stresses me more on Sunday's than playing for Sacrament Meeting!) I can't resist writing that the last two times I have been roped into doing it I have sat with my hands literally shaking on the keys and my vision blurring. As I tried to calm my nerves and convince myself it was no different than all the times I had practiced during the week in my own parlor, and that no one pays attention to the prelude music anyway, the counselor conducting has stood at the pulpit and asked the congregation to "...PLEASE STOP TALKING and listen to the beautiful music that Sis. Davidson is playing for us." WHAT?? Are you kidding me?!! If I had dared take my eyes off the music for even a second I would have shot him a look that would kill and NO--I would NOT be willing to play at the funeral!

Ariann wants to learn to sew and even though I don't follow the rules (mostly because I don't understand the rules) she asked if I would help her get started. Saturday we made a cute pair of Capri pants for Katie with darling fabric that she bought some time back. She had also purchased a coordinating fabric for the top so she brought the kids over Thrusday and we got to work. She was quite patient and surprisingly didn't get discouraged when in my deep concentration to make everything sound and look simple, I ended up turning the waist of the pants into the hemline. Don't ask me to explain. I don't even know for sure how I discovered the error before it was too late. I'm indebted to the genius who invented 'seam ripper-outers'. It took us all afternoon to make the top but in fairness to us, we had a few interruptions, ie: telephone, lunch, and two kids! We are quite satisfied with the results.

Friday afternoon I went to the Bishop's Storehouse with my friend Terry Trombley to can everything from beans to powdered milk ( soup to nuts would have been tastier). We worked like dogs and both of us were feeling it this morning but we accomplished a lot in 4 hours. We have agreed that next time we are going to volunteer to be the "Label-slapper-on-ers". A task that required virtually no muscle or risk of breaking a nail! My biggest regret is not that I didn't order more Northern beans, but that I didn't bring my camera! We saved the worst chore for last--powdered milk. We were covered in the white stuff and really looked like Lucille Ball with our sanitary caps and attractive aprons. It was a great photo op, but as usual, I was unprepared.

Today Gary and I worked in the back yard and I'll just say it is always like trying to tame a jungle! The sad but true fact is--in two weeks time, no one--including ourselves--will be able to tell that we slaved all morning. Oh well, it's looking pretty good right now. If I would force myself to clean the screened in porch, we could sit out there and enjoy the view for a few days. Naw.....it's too hot and humid to sit and enjoy, let alone clean!

Headline: BETSY ROSS SAVES THE DAY!

Besty Ross (aka: Terry Trombley) Saves the Day!
Representative Brian Nelson graciously poses with Betsy.
I'm loving Brayden's hat and Kaity's new outfit! I can't take credit for the hat, but the outfit is my own invention. It's a man's shirt I bought at Goodwill for Gary last year, anticipating our annual 4th Celebration. I was hoping he would be able to fit into a large but not quite, so his loss became Kaity's treasure.
Check out the back!
You can't tell from the pictures, but the gym was fully decked out! We spent a total of 5 hours decorating and about 2 hours tearing down and cleaning up. Good thing for lots of helping hands!



Yesterday we held our 2nd annual July 4th Celebration at the Ward. Because I'm the Activities Committee Chairman, I was deeply involved and today I'm just glad it's over! We began planning for this year's event LAST year on July 5th! We deemed last year to be a big success with about 130 people attending the short patriotic program (which featured a surprise visitation from Ben Franklin and his wife) and a breakfast that followed. This year we figured we would be lucky to have that many people show up again because the 4th fell on a Friday and we assumed many people would take advantage of the long weekend. WRONG WERE WE! We served breakfast to over 200 people and most of those hungry souls also came to enjoy the program which was supposed to start at 8:30. We got started a few minutes late because the member of the bishopric who was conducting had to run his son home at the last minute to change his pants. Evidently he had a hole that had gone undetected until they arrived at the church and Jerry refused to let any son of his present the Colors with a disgraceful uniform. Thus, glitch number one.
Glitch number two requires a small explanation. Last year the Mayor of Apopka attended along with one of our state representatives. A ward member who took some great pictures of the event submitted them to the local paper and they ran the story. This year we made special invitations for those same dignitaries as well as the owner of said newpaper. Let me just say that I am counting my blessings that the newspaper was unable to attend and so were our wonderful neighbors Wally and Nicki. I had invited them the day before, thinking they might enjoy having an unusual way to start their 4th Celebration. The Mayor was also a "no-show" and before the program was over, I'm betting that Representative Brian Nelson was wishing he had found something else to do! Although the chapel was filled with many faces that I have never seen before, Mr. Nelson was our only dignitary this year.
Glitch #2: Mr. Nelson stopped at the local 7-Eleven store for his morning coffee and innocently carried it into the building with him. (It was only 8:15 after-all) I'm told that someone stopped him at the door and confiscated his coffee.
Glitch #3: Actually, GLITCH is not nearly a strong enough word. The war veteran who was supposed to deliver a 5 minute (emphasis, FIVE) inspirational patriotic spotlight went on for FIFTEEN miinutes. As if that weren't bad enough, he took the opportunity to climb onto his soap box and expound upon how corrupt our govenment has become, including topics such as Gun Control; Freedom of Speech, commenting that we have become so worried about being "Politically Correct" that if a person speaks his mind he runs the risk of being called a bigot! Don't worry, he didn't leave out our Founding Fathers never intending for us to pay income tax or to experience big government. He also expressed his disgust and paranoia that the govenment knows our every move! Those are just the high-lights! I got so nervous and angry that I stared into my lap for the final 9 minutes or so----but not before I stole a peek at Representative Nelson. He too had lowered his head and was staring at his lap!

I forgot to mention that I was sitting up front with the choir. The poor sister who was playing background music for his "oration" leaned over a couple of times and whispered loudly to me, "Can't you do something?" My butt was glued to my seat and I got so dizzy with fear and frustration that if I had thought of some wonderful way to stop the train wreck, I probably would have passed out with any attempt to stand up!

Finally he finished and gratefully, the next item on the program was a group of 12 children who marched around the chapel waving flags while the choir sang, "You're a Grand Old Flag". When we finished with a flourish, Betsy Ross, complete in a costume I made just for the occasion, made a grand entrance carrying an old 13 star flag and hollering, "Yes, she certainly is a Grand Old Flag!" Everyone was enthralled and my good friend Donna who was sitting next to me whispered, "Thank Heaven for Betsy, She has saved the day!" And she did! Those who had enjoyed the "bash the government speech" were relishing the icing on the cake and those who had probably been ready to walk out in protest were thankfully distracted by her wonderful performance and interesting information about her role in history. I have a whole new love and appreciation for my friend Terry who, at least for me, salvaged what was doomed to be a disastrously, memorable event.
We did witness a miracle of sorts however. Remember how I mentioned that we planned for 130 people? Well, as observant ward members quickly threw up extra tables in every spare inch of space, I asked the committee member who had taken care of all the food how short we were going to be. Her adult son who was helping, along with her husband remarked, "Guess we better pray for a repeat of the Loaves and Fishes story." "Get Busy on that," I ordered. When the last committee member was fed, we had 1/2 bag of pancake mix left and about 1 quart of orange juice! If Brian Nelson had stuck around for breakfast, I would have sacrificed my sausage for him. As it is, I think I will send him a "Thank You" note and include a gift certificate to Starbucks!

Happy Birthday Sis!

Today is Renie's birthday and since I forgot to get a card in the mail, I thought I would write a little tribute to her. No girl ever had a better sister! She's the best because:

1. She is patient. I can't count how many times she saved me in the middle of the night when I got up (in my sleep) looking for the bathroom and got lost in our closet. She always got me untangled and pointed me in the direction of the toilet!

2. She has always been a great example. Growing up, Renie was a hard act to follow but I tried. I wanted to do all the "neat" things she had done. School choirs, Seminary Choir, Pep Club, good grades, working the summer at a state park, serving a mission....the works! Obviously, I was no carbon copy!

3. She wanted me to be the best I could be. Sometimes that meant teaching me a hard lesson like the time she hid my clothes in mom's old "Ironright" because I couldn't seem to keep my part of our bedroom clean!

4. She is forgiving. Proof: She didn't even try to get even when I took advantage of the fact that our voices were identical and pretended to be her when her boyfriend called. That was an interesting conversation as I recall!

5. She is adventurous. She showed me the ropes when it came to exploring apple orchards in Price and the gulley and river at the end of Hannibal St. in Salt Lake, and sneaking upstairs to raid the refrigerator in the middle of the night. Too bad there was never much in it worth stealing!

6. She is generous. Renie includes Aubrey in lots of fun things with her family. That means so much to me. She included me as well when they went to a Hawaiian Leu-ow (I have no idea how to spell that so I resorted to phonics) when I was there on a visit. What a great memory!

7. She is the best cheerleader! Anytime I need encouragement I call my big sister and she sings my praises, doing her best to convince me that I'm doing MY best and it really is good enough!

8. She really listens and then uses her God-given gift to listen to The Spirit so she will know just the right thing to say when comforting me.

9 She is non-judgmental and always looks for the good in people and situations. Example: Last week when I finally got on a scale and discovered that my weight is the highest it has been in quite awhile she sincerely said, "I saw a picture of you on your blog and your legs are really skinny!" (I guess I am lucky to have such long legs. They are hiding some of those extra pounds!)

10. She understands me. She makes me laugh when I want to scream or cry, but only after she has listened to my detailed description of same traumatic event, and assures me that she would have felt or reacted exactly the same way. She doesn't know it, but the ultimate complement she pays me is when she says, "We are so much a like!" In many ways we are, but I know I have a long way to go in measuring up to her. She has set the bar high but is too humble to even know it!

I am SO thankful for my sister. She really is the best! I love you Renie. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Kaity's Big Day! (Last Sunday June 8 2008)

Kaity practiced and practiced in our friend's pool. Putting her head under water was a frightening prospect but necessary in order to be baptised! She finally overcame the fear and we gathered at the ward last Sunday afternoon. Many ward family members came to support her and she even gave the talk on baptism. What a wonderful job she did!

Bishop Blackwelder conducted the meeting and told Kaitlyn how proud he was of her! She only had to be dunked ONE time. (Daddy made sure EVERYTHING went under water on the first try!) We are so happy that she made the right choice and has now become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints! What a special girl! What an important day!