off to the quilter

Despite the crazy driving day of yesterday- I sent this off to the quilter! It's a baby blanket for my soon to be grandson. The edges & some of the squares are minky soft fabric. The back will be the blue minky soft dots. Minky soft is a pain in the neck to sew with- pins every 1/2 inch- but so so soft & worth it for this baby.
I cannot wait to get it back, bound, & off to Megan's new crib...
to wait-
for him.

today's summer schedule

{view from the car window}

9:00 drop off T at kids camp
go home
9:40 drop off chloe at swimming lessons
go home
10:15 pick up T from kids camp & take to swim lessons & pick up chloe &
go home
then drive back with book to read & wait...
for T to come out of the pool- then...
drive T back to kids camp
go home
12:00 pick up T from kids camp.
back home again

goodness gracious!
when does school start again?

so excited I can't stand it - I even dreamed about it last night!

last night I bought two of these-
second tier- 1st row balcony.
Not the best tickets but still good.
I am so thrilled about this!
In my quest for a more meaningful life I had to do it.
I have always wanted season tickets to this series, for years even.
Now, it's something to look forward to-
just what my other ticket holder/partner & I need.
to get us out of the dull drums that sometimes lurk around us.
Did you read the performance details?
Oh ya- I am so excited!

*do you need something to look forward to?

monday busy

Yesterday Wende & I dropped off Hailey at EFY!

She is so excited to be here!

She went last year too, so she's kind of a pro at it... this year she decided to be adventurous & go without a roommate- yep- she's trying her luck at the system giving her a roommate.

I was nervous about it, but she wasn't & when she met her new friend from Canada- she exclaimed- YES! I'VE GOT A COOL ROOMMATE!

which either thrilled or scared her knew friend to be?

After driving to the location & seeing the horrendous line to check in we decided to go to lunch first (much to Hailey's disappointment.) I cannot- I repeat- I cannot- handle heat. I wasn't about to stand in line, in the full sun, on a 100 degree day, with 400+ people! I am not exaggerating- I never exaggerate...

Sure enough, after lunch around 1:00 (check in was from 11:00-2:00) we strolled on up to the registration line & WALKED RIGHT UP BABY. No line- no one there- nada.

Hailey was so relieved, and I only gloated a little-tinsy-bit.

Wende came with me, not only because she is a dear friend, but because we were headed to one of the state's largest quilt shows afterward in a town close by.

We got there & oops- it wasn't open on Mondays.

DANG IT- oh well, thanks for spending the day with me wende.

We both brought littles with us (okay, trent isn't so little anymore...) and they were so good! I couldn't believe it- really they were great to take along. It was a lot of "in the car" time. So we stopped at the mall & each of them got a special toy- so spoiled- and played while we took turns looking around...

here. I love this place!

Plus- Us mom's got treats too!

It was a great fun day!

I miss you Hailey if you get the chance to read this-

Trent cried for a half hour after we dropped you off.

I told you he loves you!

I love you too- mom

seeing double

today I finished chloe's quilts.

They are all bound & in my new washing machine as I type this.

I love them.

They are the prettiest things I have ever made!!

Thank You to

V & Company

&

Cluck Cluck Sew

for the inspiration.

Their easy tutorials & fabulous creativity is amazing.

***

Quilting blogs have quickly become my favorite.

I am hooked- I am looking at quilts all the ding dong day... it's a problem.

Now- my head is swimming with quilts I want to make.

First- my soon to be first grandson's baby quilt &

Then- a super hero quilt for my college bound Jack.

trent quotes

T- mom, I want my name to be Double A.
Just call me double A from now on.
M- what?
T- I love double A's. (as in batteries?)

Hailey- what if there is a bear in the cave Trent? (on the hike to mt. timp cave)
T- don't worry I'll beat him up.

T- (just out of the blue...) mom, two sticks of dynamite is extreme!
m- Trent, ONE stick of dynamite is extreme-??
T- oh ya
M- I think you have been watching too much Tom & Jerry...?

T- (while wandering over & seeing this post)
MOM- PUT A for my name- A- my name is double A remember!!?

unbelievable?

(driving up to the copper mine- that's it- that huge mountain)

Today Brett & I took the cub scouts to Kennecott Copper Mine.

I have been wanting to go on this field trip ever since the second I was made a cub scout leader! I have always wanted to see the copper mine- but for one reason or another- whenever the kids went here on school field trips, I couldn't go.

It's one of the largest mines in the world & I think, the largest man made thing you can see from outer space- it's an open pit mine & it's incredible.

NOtice the railing!?
I did not get nervous, or upset, or have a panic attack or anything like that... here. #1 Because there is a railing. #2 because there is a lot of ground before the mine goes straight down. I did warn the scouts that I have issues with heights... and not to even pretend to go over the railing OR they would see me freak out completely- they were perfect.

See that little dump truck down there?
It's not so little- in fact the tires alone are 12' 6" high!
That truck is as big as a HOUSE.

You can kind of see little specs down at the bottom in this picture- those are HUGE trucks too. That kind of gives you an idea of how large this mine is & what an amazing place this is- I loved it. There is a lot of artifacts & a great view area, plus a visitors center with a really good film about the mine & it's history.
In fact - this mine produces 8,000 tons of copper a DAY.

Trent found this model train- one of his favorite parts of the visitor's center.

Brett was great enough to take the afternoon off & go with me. My other leader is on vacation. Brett wanted to go too- I'm not sure he wanted to go with nine cub scouts, but he did- thanks sweetie.

The views of the Salt Lake valley were stunning on the way down from the mine. I wish these pictures could do them justice...

This was our Big field trip for the summer.

We were gone four hours & stopped on the way home for Arctic Circle ice cream cones- really fun. Next month we are touring our local Dairy Queen. I know the owner & that pretty much makes me a celebrity...

On the way home one of the boys remarked that there was a car from Idaho following us- I knew it was just a coincidence but he kept bringing it up. Finally, I told them that if they promised not to tell- I would let them in on a little secret. I told them that I was an FBI agent & that, that car could be the KGB. They promised not to tell anyone, since I told them I could get shot. One boy started snickering right away (smarty pants), later in the trip when one of them asked if Trent knew my secret- I confessed that I was just pulling their legs. One of the boys said- "patsy, I really thought you were serious!" I told him "that's why I love being a scout leader."

What other group of people anywhere would have believed me?

gotta love it.

just journaling

Jack & Trent~ "fishing buds"

The girl's come home tonight-
Their flight was delayed 2 hours... so they don't get in until 11:55 PM.
Still, I cannot wait. I miss them so much. The house feels dead with only jack & trent milling around. I don't know what Brett & I will do when all the kids move away? It's a good thing they leave one at a time- so we can slowly adjust!

Brett took the boys fishing for FHE last night. I stayed home- nice.
I haven't made dinner most of the week- maybe twice. It just doesn't seem worth it- making dinner for Trent, Brett & I- Trent won't really eat a lot until after seven & jack is usually running off somewhere. I know that's just plain silly. But old habits die hard. I don't even know how to cook for less than six people. I bought fabric for the baby bedding today :)
I love it. I am not starting until I finish Chloe's quilts - which came back from the quilter over a week ago. I am nearly done with one binding & just have to get the second one done now. It's a slow process - this summer is going so fast & so slow at the same time. For some reason we are all just tired- maybe it is the heat. I even checked the carbon monoxide detector (we have a gas drier) ... because every one of us is feels like we are running on empty- except for the dogs. They are running at regular annoying speeds.

Trent is better & went to day camp today. He is loving it! I am so glad I signed him up, it has been just what he needed this summer.

when was the last time you played monopoly?

So- again- Trent & I missed church yesterday...

I don't think I have ever missed more church in my life than this past few months!? Trent came down with a low grade fever & sore throat Saturday night. I ran him into instacare right away (wondering if last month's strep was still hanging around?) No strep, but ya- everything is "going around." Including this latest virus. Have you ever seen a summer with so many illnesses going around, or is it just my town?

So T- bored out of his mind- decided to give his stuffed Zore a bath & wanted me to take a picture. All animals stuffed etc.. are or should be name Zore in Trent's mind. We have had a couple of "Zore" goldfish & stuffed animals now.

We played Sequence- he beat me.

Then, this version of MOnopoly- he beat me again.

This morning- bright & early- with a fever of 99.1- he has successfully beat me at monopoly again. He can't go to tennis & I am in for a long day....

Even with the fever- last night was a special night!

Jack's buddies came for dinner then our Bishop & High Council man- because Jack was ordained an Elder in our church. Marcus & Brittany (the newlyweds) were here too. Where is their picture... ? All the monopoly has taken it's toll.

Have I told you lately how much I adore this guy?

I think it's the hair..... ??

I Love this guy's hair. I love how it is all messy all the time- & red & fiery.
It has been great to have him around this summer & I dread him leaving- although-- ya, again I will say it again- I am THRILLED he is going to the "Y" -that is the only reason I will not be crying on moving day. I am planning on doing a post all about his bedroom before he moves- I could be arrested for poor parenting & he would be mortified, but I think for posterity's sake-

it has to be done.

That is, if I can shove the door open & don't catch some sort of disease before I can post the photos... it's scary place! He says, "why clean it now? I have to clean it when I move out in a month anyway." Such reasoning... it's easy to imagine how he got into such a prestigious college isn't it?

After all the excitement these guys had a rousing game of "executive monopoly" that's what they called it since they were all in white shirts & ties. Zach pretty much wiped everyone up with the board! Way to go Zach!
It's impossible for a mom not to love these boys!

So- really, when was the last time YOU played Monopoly?

we are so rowdy!

Last night
we had tickets to this....
I got the tickets a month in advance through a special lottery.
Honesty they were bad tickets- like the top row, nose bleed section.
We had a bbsitter for trent-
remember the girls are gone?
Then-
last minute-
we got tickets for this.... instead.

It was so, so, sooo good.
we even got tickets on the back row middle (my favorite seat)- and popcorn-and extra butter- and diet coke.

It was delightful-
but I forgot my camera.
have you seen the movie?

holy hot day batman

OH MY GOSH

it is so hot--- 100 today & ya...

more to come

what is it like at your house?

what to do after swimming all day?

Dad is at a meeting-

sisters don't come home for 5 more days-

jack is out with friends...

So we,

sit on the porch & light sparklers, of course- 4 boxes-

while eating bing cherry cobbler & ice cream

... after mom reads her new favorite cookbook.

lucky for him-

we saved our last three to do together!
I love SUmMer

such a good- day!

I was not disappointed NOT AT all on my birthday.

Frankly, I never am... really, it's all in my head- you know-

we all want to be loved.

So do I.

I feel love in my life-

every. single. day.

Some days more than others-

but the thought of not being acknowledged on my birthday is painful for me & the anticipation of it is of course, worse than it should be. So- hooray! another birthday done & now I can move on with my week, month, year... life... laundry... dishes... dogs- oh the dogs.

(I won't go there- no not today)

Of course there was good mail!!!

I have gotten so much fantastic good mail this week-

Jill

Kim Sue

Shannnon

You guys are amazing friends & I wish I could magically spend a day with each of you! I feel as though I know my serious bloggy friends- those that I read EVEryday- I do know you & I am addicted to your lives & love to read about them- I obsessively read about you all & love every minute of it.

Speaking of bloggy friends-

The blogger moms took me to the Zinn Bistro for lunch- OH MY GOODNess!!

The food & atmosphere was divine!

Although the service was a bit- soup nazish... to say the least... I didn't care, it was worth it- seriously- worth it. It was a cottagie little place (oh how i love the cottage look & feel) with over the top fabulous food! I thought to myself- this place is so Michelle worthy- if you read Michelle, you'll know what I mean. Even the potato chips were homemade & the bread basket-- oh my gosh- full of homemade popovers & sweet breads- W0W.

Of course I have been absolutely spoiled with gifts- spoiled rotten!

Karen started it by taking me to lunch the day before & now this- gifts galore.

Lovely- such a lovely day.

AFter lunch I took these gals to my favorite store of all time...
Emily Jane
on 8th & 8th downtown.

do me a favor- and don't go there- seriously
I love this place so much.
Everything is a one of a kind consignment & I don't mind not sharing.

In fact for my birthday I really wanted to buy containers for my laundry soap to go with my new washer & dryer. I have searched the thrift stores, even walmart for something just right - and of course I found these here:

Perfect!

I am putting some vinyl letters on them soon!

so cute & such a great deal.

***

There was more shopping, dinner with my sweetheart, more gifts, friends & I loved it!

The highlight of my day

was coming home to see all the sweet birthday comments here.

-wow- guys- perfect-

Nothing is better than a comment on your birthday!

How did you know that was exactly what I wanted?

thank you for reading, thank you for making me feel loved on my birthday. I really want to be the kind of person who makes other people feel special because it means so much to me.

SO

LEAVE ME A COMMENT WITH YOUR BIRTH DATE TODAY

and I will put you on my birthday calendar

PLUS

send you a surprise right away!!

don't be shy-- comment away--seriously if you haven't commented before:

this is the day to do it!

again:

thanks to my sweet friends & family for making my day/week such a good one

today is my birthday

Warning: this post may contain my own irrational rantings & emotions.

If you will be upset by them-

if you will call my mother or mother in law about this-

please turn back now. You are not really welcome here.

It is MY birthday & I will cry if I want to.

the end.

Happy Birthday to me

Today I am 42!!

(balloons placed on my doorstep by some wonderful person whom I love with all my heart. I really don't know who it was- but I am so touched & feel so loved, thank you)

I really cannot believe I am forty two...?
Who ever thinks they are going to be forty two...?
I'm not upset by this- it just seems surreal, strange, & weird.
Life is surely at least nearly half way over for me.

This is on my mailbox today!
~I LOVE IT~
Photo by trent-
I didn't want to be arrested for going outside in my pj's without a bra... at least that's what I told trent so he would take the photo ;)
I was so delighted to see it there!!
surely there will be good mail in this box today...
If you don't already know it-
I have birthday anticipation issues.
It's true.
It's ugly.
I don't know why- well I do, somewhat, but I am not willing to share all of the details here- it's not pretty & not characteristic of me. Or at least I like to think it is not characteristic of me.
Anyhow....
because my sweet husband could see that I was getting even worse than usual-
he brought me my birthday present a little early last night!
That's right baby- my own beach comber Schwinn in baby blue!!
I am in love
with both of them.

In honor of my new ride & my looming day
we rode down to my favorite restaurant for dinner.

It was a BLast- in unthinkably perfect, July 80 degree weather.

(real summer comes this weekend with temps reaching 100+)

If every summer had weather this perfect- more people would want to live here.

(another photo by t)

We sat on the porch until way after dark & discussed my need for birthday recognition, my fears of being forgotten, why we do the things we do, why we don't do the things we don't do... it was healing for me to just talk & for him to just listen.
Thank you sweetheart for being there for me.

listening & not fixing

I needed that & today I am feeling a lot better.

Now I am going to go put a bra on so trent & I can ride around the neighborhood before it gets too hot & before the blogger moms come to pick me up for a birthday lunch!!

leavin' on a jet plane

For weeks now the girls have been over - the- top excited

for this day!

They left this morning

to fly to Megan's house for a week!!

~Just the two of them~

I am so excited for them.

I know they will be fine in the airport.

They are smart girls, they've flown before.... (I hope, I hope.)

Unfortunately...

someone had to stay home & that someone is NOT TO HAPPY about it.

He has been crying off & on for an hour now (I'm rolling my eyes)

Not to worry- I bought the "violent movie" last night.
Plus he has a day camp & tennis lessons this week.

We are trying to keep busy.

I am going to miss these girls!!

marcus gets married!

Saturday was one of those AmaZIng days.

One of those, once in a lifetime type days, it was wonderful!

Marcus my nephew, married his sweetheart Brittany, in the Draper, Utah temple.

These pictures were taken by my sister in law beth- she's a fabulous photograper.

My whole family was there-

All my siblings & our spouses.

(clyde was with marcus)

This is a first.

This is only the second time in my adult life that we have all been together & the first time, not all the spouses were there. That was 12 years ago.

My sisters, my brother & me.

Sad really how rare it is that we are all together...

but I don't want to focus on that.

We were all here & in the temple together. What a wonderful day.

I just want to sit & think about that for a bit.

~

congratulations Marcus & Brittany

congratulations mom & dad

all your children & you both in the temple together...

priceless