An amazing farewell to Elder Jardine!

It is a known fact that I love me a good party!

I think the queen of everything party has to be

Tonia Jardine!

Today I witnessed something that actually took my breath away!

Tonia's son, Brennen, is going on an LDS mission

to Fort Worth, Texas.

He had his farewell today...

Absolutely the most darling party I have ever seen!

She went with the whole "Lone Star State" theme...

perfect for where he is going AND this time of year.

The buffet was spread out on four different tables...

with tented seating in the yard.

The food was amazing! The decor was so over the top...

I'm still reeling with excitement!

I've been to enough of Tonia's parties that I totally know what to expect. but, today she out did even herself!

She hit an all time new level of fabulousness!

She blew my skirt right up!

Everywhere I looked there was something fabulous to see and eat!

The most delicious and colorful, and darling

dessert table...EVER!

Flowers, glitter, lollies...

White shirt and tie food tags...

Lori Vest made an amazing Texas sized cake!

This was something to behold!

I am all sorts of jazzed because she served up a huge serving of inspiration for my 4th of July family reunion.

It is good to have a friend that is a creative genius!

Going through the Big D and Do mean Dallas

Well.. I wanted to blog again before it has been a month since my last post... I made it by just one day.

This week I made my first ever trip to the Lone Star State...

Texas!

I tagged along to Dallas with Caylor on a business conference.

Texas was great... humid, but great!

We went to a Texas Rangers game...

"Dubya"- George W. was there with Nolan Ryan and I was actually not across the stadium so I could somewhat see him. He even participated in the sunglasses at night gig...

The one thing I really wanted to see while in Dallas was the Texas Book Depository... Where Lee Harvey Oswald supposedly killed JFK.

Caylor went to meetings and I set off to the Sixth Floor Museum.

It was amazing. Remember... I am a history nerd so it was right up my alley. It felt surreal standing in that window, crossing the street to the "grassy knoll" and just being right there where history was made.

I wondered downtown Dallas... What a great city!

I was on a cell phone walking tour and found the

Dallas Holocaust Museum! EUREKA! It was such a fabulous find.

It was a big small, but they are hoping to relocate to a new location soon. I still loved it. I especially loved how they told stories of Holocaust survivors that had relocated to Dallas.

I think when I grow up I want to be a museum curator.

I had a wonderful afternoon in museums... historical museums- even better!

The true adventure began when we tried to come home on Thursday afternoon.

Key word= Tried... after 2 cancelled flights, an extra night in Dallas, 3 Delta mistakes, and a flight from Dallas to Atlanta to Salt Lake City... we FINALLY made it home.

A bit of a slump...

So... I've been in a bit of a creative slump lately.

Life has been busy...

baseball, school, amazing vacation (more on that later)

But, I HATE the "life has been busy" excuse more than anything.

EVERYONE has a busy life!

Everyone makes priorities to accomplish what they need

or want to accomplish.

Anyway... I was shopping in the Costco book section for ideas.

I am a kindle reader so I don't buy "books" anymore.

I came upon a few little gems written by Patti Digh and was

mostly intrigued by the darling covers.

I usually don't read self-help because I am

so whacked that I wouldn't know where to start!

I made an exception and WOW! I am glad I did!

AMAZING!

This is a fabulous read!

There are several exercises to do while reading each chapter.

A writing assignment, an action assignment, and something to think about for the next 37 days.

I have done a few of these assignments.

Loved them!

I am excited to start her second book...

Creative is a verb: If you're alive, You're creative!

I can't wait to read it...

I have been thinking about SPARK.

There is going to be a blogging panel.

I really believe that blogging is a way to be creative.

I need to blog more...

actually prioritize a time to blog.

I think it will help me get my creative groove on.

Summer is almost here...

School is almost out...

I am ready for the next 37 days!

Housework rules? I think not!

Today is Saturday!

Anyone who grew up in Utah has an annoying little song

brainwashed into their heads...

"Saturday is a special day"...

I think it was originally written to teach a "keep the

Sabbath day holy" message, but has taken on a larger idea...

"a mass plot to get slave labor

out of offspring".

It worked when I was young and I am

trying to indoctrinate my own children with the

dogma that on Saturday we have to clean.

Some Saturdays are busy... Most, in fact.

So sometimes we go to ballgames or do something fun

instead of conquering the boring household chores.

Besides.. they are always here waiting... growing!

I am not a pig... and I married someone who is

VERY fastidious and clean.

So when I say my house is dirty.. I am not really ready to sign up for the show "Hoarders"... I just need to spruce up a little

and declutter a bit!

Today I woke up early and got my cleaning skank top on,

some ghetto capris and my tennis shoes...

My working uniform!

I washed bedding and cleaned my bathrooms...

Even my bedrooms, kitchen and great room

are cleaned dusted and vacuumed!

I kept thinking there has got to be a better way.

Maybe a little maintenance?

I remember this little website called the flylady

that I investigated at one time.

She has some fantastic ideas to keep up on

housework so it is not a

Saturday slave camp environment.

I am going to check her out and take some of her

ideas to heart!

One of her little acronyms is CHAOS

(Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)

I love to entertain... and lately I have been unable

host any parties or even have a

friendly bar-b-que due to the fact that my

house has been a little neglected.

That all ends today!

She has clever little tips...

the 27 fling boogie, hotspots,

swish and swipe and shine the sink.

She is really quite a house work genius.

So... until I develop a serious case of

housecleaning OCD or I make a million dollars to hire

my own version of "Alice"...

I am going to stick with the Fly lady and

get my house under control.

No more CHAOS!

Patterned After You...

Last week I did a segment on Studio 5. I was given the assignment of making something new out of something old. The inspiration piece that I was given to work with was: Vintage Sewing Patterns. They gave me a few pictures of various ways to use patterns.. such as framed vintage pattern envelopes, and Christmas stockings made from pattern tissue.

None of those really struck my fancy...

so... I let my imagination wander.

I thought of all the times I have

been in on a project using patterns.

I talked with friends...

I pondered what I could do with this idea.

Inspiration struck...

I went to a darling tea party for a 40th

birthday party! SO FUN!

I though back to all the times the girls in my family

would dress up and attend the

Lions Club Annual Mother and Daughter Tea!

There is was! I was going to plan a tea party using

vintage patterns... the theme:

PATTERNED AFTER YOU!

A perfect Mother's day celebration idea.

Here is my favorite part of the whole thing...

Bette (Betty)my body!

I got a new Bette and removed the jersey knot covering

and mod podged various scrapbook papers.

I added a Crinoline skirt and some

pattern tissue paper embellishments...

and Bette is ready for the ball!

I wanted to tie in the whole sewing...pattern...dressform vibe. I got miniature paper mache' dress forms from Michael's and Mod Podged tissue paper...both vintage pattern tissue and regular Cheetah tissue. This was part of my Studio 5 set up. I also had a giant cork board that I Mod Podged with sewing pattern tissue paper. I used hat boxes for height and variation... Tissue paper flowers and lollies embellished with pattern tissue paper. To throw in the Spring time element I Mod Podged paper mache' Easter eggs with the same tissue papers that were on the dress forms. Add chartreuse ribbon for color and you are good to go! This was a super fun and easy assignment! I had a blast planning all the elements of a Spring time tea party. Now... I just need to host actual soiree! I tried to embed the Studio 5 segment here on my blog as proof I was actually there... but had technical difficulties. So... Just go here and watch it from their site.

Spark Number 3!

The moment you've all been waiting for is finally here...

Registration for Spark 3 is open!

I have been so lucky to be able to be involved with this magical event from the beginning and this year is no different...

I am going to be responsible for all the yummy treats and meals associated with Spark.

Margie Romney-Aslett is teaming up with some amazingly creative women to bring you another fabulous weekend.

Head on over to the Spark website and get the info.

Get your sisters, friends, mothers, aunts, cousins... for a weekend you will never forget!

You will be glad you did it!

Deathbed Repentance

Last Friday... This was ME!

I really try to be a nice teacher...

The kind that is shaping minds and making

a difference in the lives of students.

I think it is important to be a fun and entertaining

teacher, but also hold VERY firm on what needs to

be done.

The end of the term makes me CRAZY!

It is a day I like to call "Deathbed Repentance" day.

Seeing that I am just getting back in the game... up to

this point I was

forgetful of procedures that needed to be discussed

BEFORE the dreaded day...

1. Have all late work DUE a few days before DBRD

2. Don't accept anything after class on DBRD

3. Email parents of above policies &

WARN them of what is happening.

4. Smile and hold firm

This term, unlike the last two, I was smarter than the average

7th grader and had my ducks in a row.

Friday was somewhat of a stressful day, but

pretty much a cake walk compared to the two previous DBRDs.

I really like being a teacher!

The kids are funny, it is nice to get out and about...every other day,

and I just like teaching.

I am just glad that Friday was basically the last DBRD of the year-

The end of 4th quarter they don't give a rip about grades...

school is out for the summer.

I survived and lived to tell the tale of DBRD at LJHS.

Gotta love talking in all caps!

Stages...

One of Viv's favorite thing to say about life is...

"Life Upon the Wicked Stage"

Today I was at the doctor's office waiting for a prescription to be filled. I had to sit there for quite a while... it is flu season, you know. The Doctor's office is a wild place to people watch and while I was there I had a funny little Epiphany...

Life is made up of all sorts of stages...

I saw everything from pregnant women... some young first timers and some older with other children in tow- to geriatric patients walking carefully in with their walkers.

This is the stage I am in right now...

older children, but I still have my little family home with me.

It always kindof bugged me when my kids were little and we were out in public and they started throwing a fit(like they ALWAYS did, some "older" person would start longingly going off on how they long for those days with their kids.
That I really should enjoy them... I always smiled and kindof laughed but really thought "Whatever!" and rolled my eyes as soon as they walked away.
While sitting near the pharmacy I was watching a young mom... she really caught my eye because she had two boys (about 5 & 3)and one girl (about 6 months). When I see this... I am always secretly bonded with that mom because I know how thrilled

she was to finally get pink.
Anyway... I was stranger chatting with her... telling her (like the older person that I am now) how cute her little boys were and explaining to her that was the order of my children.
Her boys were running up and down the stairs... literally running... many many times.
She laughed and said that they had been sick with the croup and that this is what happens when they are not actually down in bed.
Well... They started to cough a little and she told them to come sit down... still more running... and then they REALLY started to cough. She really began to try to get them to calm down. All of a sudden... The oldest boy was coughing so hard he got all red and we both knew what was next. His cheeks puffed out and his eyes got wild... He was going to throw up. She grabbed a garbage can just in time and then the little brother started his coughing/ gagging routine. She was completely bewildered... and totally embarrassed! I told her I would watch her baby in the car seat while she took the boys to the bathroom. As I sat there talking calmly to her baby I just had to laugh at life. I had been this young mom with three sick kids. When the boys came out of the bathroom they were back to being crazy... touching everything in the pharmacy- begging for Spiderman and Sponge Bob bandaids.
As I watched that mom lug the car seat out with her wild banshees, I was a little sad that my boys were so big... that my little baby girl is now 9.
I instantly thought of the photos I had taken when Meg was born. My boys were such handsome little men... somewhat freaked out by the new sister.
Time marches on... and I have become a stranger talking nostalgic old woman admiring naughty little boys.
As I was looking for the newborn photos
I came across several more...
This is " The Boys of Tumble Creek"! The Dalley and Moorhouse boys looking for something to shoot while camping.
These boys are now all grown up... The oldest is now a senior in High School and will be going on an LDS mission this fall.
And yes... Mitch had swagger even at 7

I even miss the bleach blonde summer hairdos...
Now when they bleach it or cut it funny
it is done by the baseball team.
Last weekend we had a family party for my Grandma Connie's 80th birthday...
Connie is 80? I can't believe it.
Here are all the cousins out to Sand Hollow...
now these girls are in college.
Crazy how time flies... things change.
Tomorrow we are headed back to St. George for Caylor's Grandma Phil's funeral.
We are sad at the memories of such a fun lady, but at 93... There were more people waiting for her there than there were here sending her off.
It will be fun to go celebrate her life and see all the extended family. I think that is what it is all about...
Yes, Life is made up of many stages.
I think the secret is to enjoy and love
whatever one your in or on .
Wow.. this was little longer than I had thought it would be...
a little deeper too.
Oh Well... In the immortal words of Forest Gump,
"That's all I've got to say about that!"

Remember me?

HI!Remember me...

I used to be the girl that liked to do fun projects...

make things...

be creative?

Remember I used to like to have fun parties...

and hang out with my friends.

I think I had a fun life.

I even had my laundry somewhat done.

Now I swear I am this person...

A mean old school marm.
Since I have gone back to school my life has changed a bit.
I am only available to play every other day...
and parties? Not so much!
The laundry? B.A.D.
My life is a little different.
I was used to High School kids...
and now
I am teaching at at Junior High level.
There are good days and bad!
Some of my students are amazing.. some are very smart...some.. not at all...some I feel so sad for... and some I am hoping get strep or better yet, Mono.
I do love being a teacher... But I was arrogant when I returned.
In my previous teaching gig.. I didn't have many classroom management problems.
Now these little naughties have me running for the hills.
Just kidding... I will stay and fight.

Books!

Every January 1 try to make a silly little personal goal...

not necessarily a resolution, but something I can try to do for the year.

In 2009 I did a project 365.

I took a picture every day of the year and journaled about my day.

It was a pain... but I actually did it!

In January 2010 I decided I was going to try to read 52 books...or a book a week.

I am a reader, so this wasn't really moving Heaven and Earth to get it done...

just a little more effort and counting had to be done.

I did it!

Actually, I read 54 books.

A total of 21,221 pages.

This is something that is just little, and quite silly.

But I accomplished it!

My favorite book you ask?

Well... I read a lot of books and found some real gems!

But, Without a doubt... my favorite book of the year would have to be

GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell.

I had never read the book and only seen parts of the movie.

It was an amazing book and an okay movie.

I loved the characters!

If I were crazy enough to have another baby and it was a girl... Scarlett would be her name.

Rhett? What a man's man! Loved him too!

I especially loved the whole Southern Cultural Experience.

The history was amazing!

This is one book that everyone should read in their lifetime!

I logged all the books I read on Goodreads and have my 2010 book shelf on my sidebar.

I don't know if I will read as many books this year... it's not my 2011 goal.

I will still read quite a bit, but I'm just not worried about a number.

Do you like to read... What is the best book you read in 2010 ( or ever...)?

Do Share!

I am done pondering!

I know... I'm late!

I have been pondering about how I could write about my holidays.

I wanted to express how much fun we had!

Maybe show all the great pictures that I forgot to take...OOPs!

Give my deepest thoughts and perspective on hitting one of life's milestones.

I really wanted to rival all the amazing blog posts that I have been reading...

Using beautiful words to create a holiday picture.

I have pondered and pondered...

It has prevented me from writing anything at all.

I am suffering from writer's block and out of timeness.

So...

My holidays were great!

F'in great in fact...

It included fun, friends, family and FOOD!

I have got a few things I really want to write about, but instead of pondering...

I am just going to get back into the swing of my blog.

I posted...finally!

It wasn't amazing... it wasn't fancy... it wasn't eloquent...

But I broke the ice and it is done!

Christmas Cards 2010

I finally got my Christmas cards out!

Whew!Christmas cards are one of my favorite things about the Holidays!

I LOVE getting cards in the mail!

Sometimes.. this is the only contact I have with that person all year.

I usually get their card and then call to say how I loved it and get caught up!

I think it is so fun to see their family... how big their kids are... how bald their husband is...

JUST KIDDING!

I usually send a two sider... with a family pic and then on the backside a little blurb... very little about what each kid is up to.

I don't love the big old long braggy letters...

Just a blurb, please!

So..... Do you send cards?

I know that it is an expense that a lot of my friends are cutting out.

It makes me sad!

I do love your Christmas cards... I hang them on my pantry door...

A little bit of Holiday cheer in the mail... LOVE IT!

Yup... I'm a Formerly!

In my quest to read 52 books this year I have come across a GREAT book.

This little jewel was recommended by my Sister- in-law.

If I didn't already love her... I would now!

This book, My Formerly Hot Life: Dispatches From Just the Other Side of Young,

is amazingly accurate and hilarious!

Stephanie Dolgoff is the author... as seen here with a few of her shoes... she's got 100's of pairs!

My sister in law and I were discussing the aspect of getting older, but not quite being old OLD yet...
I may or may not be having a HUGE birthday in a matter of weeks!
I can remember when my mom turned 40.. I drove with my boyfriend to get the balloons,
and now here I am...clawing onto my 30's for 3 more weeks-
ready to drop into the abyss of my 40's.
Just kidding.. I am being overly dramatic!
Anyway...
This book is so damn funny and TRUE!
Here are a few items off of a a checklist she has provided to see if you properly fit into the "FORMERLY" category...
1. The kids in High School are wearing what you wore in High School.
2. Your ass is starting to need a bra.
3. You freeze bread. Like there won't be another loaf at the store when you need one.
4. You have been "ma'amed" outside of the deep South.
5. Whereas you used to be grossed out by obscene catcalls, you are now relieved first, grossed out second.
6. You suddenly prefer interior design magazines to fashion magazines.
7. A supermodel could give you one of her kidneys and you would still hate her.

This is just a sample of how right on she is about life... my life!
She defines a formerly as the "tweens" of adult life...
Not young and hot, but not middle aged either.

She gives hilarious insight on fashion, friends, and health issues.
I almost cried laughing as she described how devastated she was when a thyroid test came back normal... weight gain, fatigue, and hair loss...she had all the symptoms.
So did I... I think I was on a hidden camera when the Dr. told me I was perfectly healthy... and then she wrote about me!

This is such a great read... It is my new go-to gift for my friends in the 38-45 age range.
You'll laugh, you'll want to cry, and you'll be proud to be a FORMERLY.

Stephanie also has a blog... check it out here.
Also... here is a little link to an article about her... She's so funny!

Don't you want to be a Christmas Domestic Diva?

I am usually one that sticks with more traditional Christmas colors...

But..

I have been loving the pink, green, turquoise combo for a fun whimsical Christmas.

If you have these colors for your Christmas decor... I've got an ensemble for you!

I found some fabric that I LOVED for an apron I made to match the gloves I demonstrated on Studio 5...

I was going to give a few as gifts...
I have two extra.
I am hanging my shingle and going to put them up for sale.
I have never sold an apron before, usually it is only a labor of love.
I made a few too many...
It is the one on the left... with black and pink and green Christmas ornaments .
It comes with matching gloves.
I think they would be perfect for your Christmas dinner attire!
$65.00 plus shipping... I do paypal.
Let me know if you are interested...
Remember.. I've only got two!
First come... first serve
thisandthat.amyd@gmail.com

Family Photos 2010

A few weeks ago we had the family photo shoot...

Amy Chamberlain of Chamberlain Photography is the talented one responsible for

all of the amazing shots.

Her motto is: "It's all in the details" & she totally has the details down pat!

We went to Saltair.. and the old abandoned trolley...

I love the urban grunge vibe the pictures show!
The graffiti in the background is unlike anything I have ever done before...
Kindof new and fun!

Amy Chamberlain is the most amazing photographer!

I love how she captures candid moments... really showing personality.

My kids actually did very well...

They hate getting their pictures taken so bad that it only happens every 3-4 years.

I love how she got individual shots of each of my kids...

She took a million of each kid.

I jokingly told Mitch he took a pretty good picture for being such an ugly boy!

I really love the graffiti for the boys...

How about the red chair? AMAZING!

Caylor and Mitch weren't so thrilled to haul it all over Saltair...

Meg's room is cheetah and red...

I am going to have one printed on canvas to hang in her room.

I was so happy how they all turned out!

The problem is going to be how to choose which one to use for my Christmas card...

Studio 5... Glam Gloves

Last Thursday I was on Studio 5... a local TV show.

I showed how to glam up rubber gloves.

I owe the inspiration to the apron/ gloves queen of the world, Sherry from Creations from the heart...

I was quite nervous, but it turned out to be pretty fun!

Here's a pic with the hostess of the show, Brooke Walker
My apron display...
Darrin Adams and Brooke Walker... The hosts of the show
My new Christmas apron I made for the show!
It was a stretch for me... I usually go for way more traditional colors for my Christmas aprons.

It was such a fun experience!

I hope to be able to do it again!