Guess What?? An APRON!

Funny story: I prepared a wonderful Christmas package for the White family who lives in New York City. Puzzles, books, picture frames, toys, more books. I hated the fact that they wouldn't be "home" for Christmas where they should be. So a package was the way to go.

Shortly after Christmas, darling Abbie phoned me with the kids to thank me for all the "lovely" presents. Abbie is always so gracious and excited about EVERYTHING. I thought it was odd, though, that she didn't mention anything about the apron (one of my favorites so far) that I had made her for Christmas. Abbie never misses a detail. But, oh well, I don't need pats on the back or anything, I just thought she'd at least mention it.

As I was cleaning up the Christmas decor, what to my wondering eye should appear??? The APRON! It was sitting next to my sewing machine which I had stowed away for the Christmas season. What a DORK! So I mailed it off as soon as I could and hoped Abbie would forgive me for not sending her a Christmas present!!

So, I took the apron to school to put in a package and drop in to mail it after school. However, I didn't have a model. So, I grabbed my darling little after school second grade student, Hannah, to be my model. Isn't she darling??

I learned how to make these darling flower brooches. I love them

and may end up attaching one to each apron I make from

here on out!

It can be worn in the hair or on the garment.

I made this pattern up based on an apron my daughters gave me that they

had purchased from Pier One Imports.

I absolutely LOVE the double tie.

Yes,

I made that bias tape by hand.

(I didn't get a bias tape helper devise like I had hoped to for Christmas...

so, for now, I'll take the time and burn my

little fingers as I prepare the tape

with love.

She's so sassy!

Say What?

Oops! I've never done this before and I have no idea how it happened but, I posted a new post and it showed up third in the line. Huh? Ohhhhhhh...I started writing in on the 11th and published it today. Who knew?

If you want to read it, click here. If not, click here and nothing will happen.

Give Your Blog a Makeover!

Remember the birthday girl from yesterday? Well, she is one talented cookie! Seriously. Erika has been working on a project for the past month or so. Her good friend has been teaching her all about blog design. Erika is a very fast learner and has unveiled her new home business! She makes designs blogs for people now. And...she is REALLY good. Here is her adorable website:

Her prices are seriously lower than any of the other blog design companies I have researched. Plus, she's fast. She can turn out a new blog design in a matter of a day or two.

Just look at a couple of blog design she has done so far:

So...

If you have a blog and wish it looked more appealing...contact Erika.

If you have always wanted to start a blog but wanted it to reflect YOUR style...contact Erika.

If you are sick of trying to make up a new header...contact Erika.

If you've always wanted your blog to look more like a website...you know who to contact.

If you can't tell, I highly endorse "The Fairyblogmother". Check it out!

PS:

I just realized that I answered yes to three out of those four comments above. Hang on...I'm going to contact Erika! Maybe she will give me a discount on her already low prices.?.?

Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl!

Today Erika, my baby daughter, turns 22.

I can't believe it. I really can't.

I wish I could find and post a picture of each milestone in her life:

• birth

• blessing

• baptism

•marriage

but, I'm going to post the most exciting event going on right now:

MY BABY IS HAVING A BABY OF HER OWN!

She's having a girl!

This little baby looks just like her grami tami

SEE?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

ERIKA!

Testing, Testing, Testing...

I'm taking part in a top secret study. I can't tell you which company it is with. I can't tell you anything about the product so...don't even ask me. If I told you...I'd have to kill you and "they" would probably kill me! My wrinkled lips are sealed. I've always wanted to do something like this. So, when my friend, we'll just call her "Freddy", asked if I'd like to take part in a top-secret-wrinkly-skin study I said, "Hells, ya!"

The initial meeting was interesting. We were directed into one room. We filled out a form. Based on our answers and after looking at us, we were separated into two groups. We are trying out two different facial treatment systems. Though they said we were separated based on our answers about skin sensitivity, they couldn't fool me. I could tell that my group was the "old lady" group. I didn't care. They took some VERY official before photos. You've seen them: black shirt, no makeup, hair pulled back in a headband, UGLY! They took one last week, and will take one at the end.

WARNING: Braggy note ahead: A side story, when the photographer was doing her thing at last weeks photoshoot (sounds so modelish) told me that I should be a hair model! Well...it IS my crowning glory and people know me for my hair but...I digress.

We were given our test products and sent home where I began my new skin care regimen.

Part of the process is a weekly "sanding" of my face with a lovely little device. Remember how it is always important to follow the directions? AND the notion that "less is more"? Well, I have a few deep wrinkles across my forehead that I've had since birth (ha) which were caused buy my hooded eyes. To make them less "hooded" I have the habit of always raising my eyebrows when speaking or having my picture taken. Hence, the deep forehead ditches! These "ditches" are so deep you could plant an entire crop of alfalfa in them. Srsly!

See for yourself!

So, back to my story...my little "device" is like a sander for your face. I love it. I really do. But, of course, I thought if once around the face was good, then two or three times would be better. It wasn't. I just kind of sand-burned my face. I'm okay. There was no blood. It actually felt really good to get that top layer of skin off and vacuumed...yes, vacuumed! The best part was that, as part of the study, I am also testing a lovely eye-cream, serum, and a night cream are amazingly soothing. So, hopefully they will help with this:

I've been on this regime for six of the eight week study. I don't want it to be over! I wonder how much the products will cost once they aren't free anymore.

This is my wondering look!

Now, for your enjoyment, some BEFORE pictures:

And, THIS will be my AFTER:

PS: I just got a call requesting my face in the interviewed video for the product. I'm a STAR! (hhahahahaahahhhahahah!)

PPS: I can't wait to let you in on the secret.

Red Shoe Hiaku...For You

These shoes I own now

comfortably worn year round

Kathe has them too

Vans, you are so red

I could jump and run in you

If I did that crap

Pretty shoes for church

You could last me for five years

My legs would look hot

Oh, red Dansko clogs,

You sit inside my closet

I forget you're there.

Awesome little shoes

Too bad you're just for wee ones

I'd wear you daily

You naughty shoes, you!

If I were a sexy girl

I would wear you out!

Love, love, love, love, love

Ballet flats just for Tami

I am buying YOU!

I am in pure love

Some day I WILL have these boots

Just you wait and see!

BUT...

For now I will wait

Until my broken toe heals

I hate you pinkie!

1-1-11

I have thousands of things I could post about on this here blog. The problem is, the things that are eating away at my brain, emotions, and soul are just too personal for the WWW. I don't know why, but I don't feel like the real "me" lately. Maybe I'm just getting old. Maybe I'm missing my school kids. Maybe I miss having our children and grandchildren around. Most likely I'm just dissatisfied with ME.

Did you know that I was voted "Most likely to become a prophetess" in High School. I was also voted as "Most likely to marry a general authority". Say what? It's true that I used to be a spiritual giant. I followed every rule. I lived the way I knew I should and the way that made my parents proud of me. I earned my Young Women In Excellence award, thrice over if it had been possible. My mantra used to be "Lips that have touched Coke will never touch mine." (Insert your own hysterical laughing here)

Then, real life punched me full on in the face. Not only did I marry and divorce, but I was the ONLY member of my entire family to BE divorced. (Bruce came through for me in the end but, that's a different story...thanks Bruce for helping me carry the scarlet letter D on my forehead!) So the charmed/perfect life I had known that I'd have, pretty much crashed and burned.

Don't worry, I recognize that out of the ashes come many blessings: my extremely rock-solid husband Terry, my two beautiful daughters, my son-in-law, my four step-children and two steps-in-law, my eight gorgeous grandchildren and one grand daughter waiting in the wings, dogs, a profession I love, friends, etc. I have been given so much in this life.

Hence, my dilemma. Why do I feel so disconnected with my "blessed" self? I'm just not cutting it. I don't want this to turn into a "poor me" post nor do I want to go on much longer. Suffice it to say that I'm kind of struggling with myself lately. I'm sure it stems from the hundreds of pounds I've gained since my two surgeries (they really kicked my butt), the teacher's salary we try to live on, Terry's health issues and misfortunes that have come my way of late.

It takes everything I have to post this and to admit it even to myself. I feel disconnected from the spirit. I have not worked hard enough on my own spirituality. It's so easy to backslide. Excuses are easy to come by. The only thing that has remained constant is that I read my scriptures (1390 consecutive days) every day. I do teach Sunday School at The Cove Point. But, other than that, I'm not as strong as I used to be even two years ago. I NEED this reflection on my life. Though I will NEVER be a prophetess I CAN be a handmaiden (Luke 1:38). I just need a little motivation and a lot of self-reflection of which THIS post is a part. Thanks for reading...that is, if you made it this far.

I will be fine. I will rise out of this deep funk. Don't worry about me.

Sometimes when I run into a photo

from my childhood I ask as I look into my own eyes:

"Would you be disappointed in the me which you've become?"

Sometimes the answer I come up with is "No"

but this week it is "Probably".