Sewing Doesn't Bring Out the Best In Me...

My mom is an excellent seamstress. She used to make wedding dresses, she's reupholstered boat seats and trailer cushions, and could/can sew pretty much anything. I wish I would have learned more from her growing up. I am not a sewer. Every once in a while I attempt, thinking it will be an easy project, and then things never turn out as expected. I never have a pattern or a plan, I just slap things together and hope it works. And something always goes wrong.
I also get consumed in my projects, ignoring my household duties and my family....my personal hygeine....just to get done whatever I'm doing. Well, I decided to make this baby blanket as a gift for someone. It's pretty cute, from a distance. But if you look closely you'll see my crooked lines and many other signs of impatience and lack of sewing skills. I can't decide if I want to give it as a gift because it's kind of embarrassing how many mistakes are in it, or if I should still give it and just hope they appreciate the love and effort that went into it, or if I should keep it for myself (hoping someday I'll have a girl) because so much blood, sweat and tears (the tears are literal, blood almost) went into it, it's hard to part with. All I can say is thank goodness for seam rippers or I would have just burned the dang thing.
So I finished the blanket yesterday. At about 7 pm I decided to get ready for the day. Jeff was being a good husband, making dinner for us on the bbq. He said dinner was ready but I wasn't ready yet. Long story short, the dinner burned. Jeff was frustrated that I didn't come out on time and was venting. I was frustrated that he was so frustrated because I was still emotional from the sewing. I spent the rest of the night not talking to Jeff and being testy. Then later that night, one little thing (which was really nothing) set me off and I stormed off to the freezing cold back porch crying. Jeff came out with Hudson a few minutes later to say sorry (which they didn't really need to do, they were just being nice). Hudson was trying to give me kisses. Since it was so cold, Jeff was trying to tell Hudson I just needed to be alone and to come in the house, but Hudson said "Carry her in the house, Daddy. It's cold out here." Jeff had him scratch my back and give me hugs and tried to get him to come in again, but Hudson wouldn't leave me and kept telling Jeff to carry me in the house. It was so sweet, I love my little boy. And my big boy. I'm sorry I was so awful, guys! I love you!

So here is the blanket that caused so much emotional havoc:

The little squares have raw edges so they will hopefully get frayed in the wash. Do you think I should wash it before I give it as a gift? I kind of want to see the outcome. Or should I even give it at all? Is that terrible for me to even think about keeping it?

Lone Peak 2000 Graduates

It seems like a 10 year reunion might be in the works for next year. Or at least some people are hoping it will be. I've often thought about whether or not I would want to go to my high school reunions and my answer has usually been "no". But I think I've changed my mind and would probably go. I can't believe it's been so long.
This is going around on Facebook, but thought I'd post it here just in case you don't have a Facebook account.

Click HERE to check it out.

CAN

This video is so inspiring to me on so many different levels. It comes to me at a time when I am trying to start running. Right now I'm doing 2 miles a day. I'll definitely be thinking about the Hoyt's on my next workout.
I want to be a better mom. I know that way too often I put on a DVD or give Hudson something to keep him "entertained" so I can get things done or have my own time. How great of a mom would I be if I put half the devotion into being a parent as this dad does?
And I want to be a better person. So many times I don't do things because I think I'm incapable, or not skilled enough, or will fail if I try. How many opportunities are passing me by because I'm too nervous, or afraid, or shy?
I love the strength both of these men have.

Daily Monsters

I found this cool website. Things like this really make me want to get back into art, but it's so overwhelming to know where to start. Anyway, check out some monsters. Here's one example:

String Cheese

At WalMart tonight we had to grab some string cheese. There was an older couple there practically fencing off the string cheese section pondering the varieties of string cheese. Jeff was impatient and wanted to just quickly cut in and grab our cheese and get out of there. I told him to just wait a second, they'd be done soon. We waited about 10 seconds before Jeff had to cut in to grab our cheese. Then we kind of glanced back at the couple to see if our decision would persuade theirs. As we walked down the isle we kept glancing back to see if they would choose the best: Cache Valley string cheese. Nope. They were still deciding.
After a few more minutes of shopping Jeff looked back at the couple one more time before we turned the corner. They hadn't budged and were still hovered around the string cheese section.
On the drive home I asked "I wonder what cheese they chose?" Jeff replied, "I don't know but we would have been standing there 10 minutes if you would have made me wait for them! You should blog about that."
I laughed, "The only reason I would blog about that is because you said 'You should blog about that'."
Then he said something like, "Seriously, who takes 10 minutes to pick out cheese?"

I know this probably isn't very funny to most of you, but I just had to blog it at Jeff's "request". I think it's funny what he finds "blog worthy".

And I really do love Cache Valley cheese.

Lime Ricki

I have never found so many cute and affordable swim suits in one location. LOVE THEM! I could order at least 4 or 5 if I only had that much $$$. These ones are my favorites. Decisions decisions. The one above is temporarily sold out.
I was almost tempted to keep this lil' find to myself, but I decided to be nice and share because I love ya'll.
Click HERE to see 'em all!



Oh, and since I'm going to work my butt off (or even better, my belly), I'm going to look HOT in one of these this summer! hee hee.

Candy Land

Last night I wanted to do something as a family besides watching tv or a movie. I wanted to do a puzzle! Only, we didn't own a puzzle, so we drove down to WalMart just to buy one. After looking at the small selection of puzzles, I decided we needed to go into the puzzle business because there just aren't any cool ones.
Jeff went around the corner and found Candy Land and we decided that would be fun for Hudson, plus he really needs to learn his colors. Aren't 3 year olds supposed to know their colors by now? So we ended up getting the retro version of Candy Land and a $3 1000 pc. puzzle of barns.
It was fun playing as a family. Hudson drew the Queen Frostine card right off the bat and won the first game. He drew it again the second game and Jeff's competitiveness got the best of him and made Hudson draw another card and put Queen Frostine back in the middle. He wasn't going to let his 3 year old beat him twice in a row (actually he just wanted to make the game last longer.)! Well, cheaters never prosper and I ended up winning the second game (although Hudson should have. Aren't we awful parents?). LOL. It was so fun to see Hudson catch on pretty quickly and he had so much fun with it and keeps asking to play it again.
I loved Candy Land as a kid. It's a classic.