Sharing TIme

I love to read blogs. I read them too much especially now that I am out here with a lot more time on my hands:) I love to learn new things and grab ideas from so many talented people. I love this new blog that I have come across. I hate to cook. I HATE TO COOK!! Did I mention I hate to cook? But this blog inspires me and makes me feel like I can actually tackle a decent meal.

My friend Kami has a sidebar link called "sharing time" and I thought I'd do the same. I love when others share so I think I'll jump on in the sharing pool. That is the beauty of blogging right? Oh and to keep my family informed on how I am surviving life out here on my own and how big my little babies are getting. My sister still calls them "her babies"--I love it.

Anyway, enough tangents. I will get to my sharing time.

First up--the "Lyndee Skirt"

Sara first taught Lyndee who made a ton of these, thus the "Lyndee" skirt, who then taught Melanie who then taught Nedra and me how to make these fabulous, super easy, but don't look too closely, perfect for a beginner seamstress, I wouldn't even call myself a seamstress, skirts.

my first attempt

Aly-the model

my second attempt-for Jane. I made the under ruffle a little longer

my next attempt will be out of this fabric. so fun for winter time matching skirts for the girls.

Maybe I will get daring enough to do a tutorial if you are interested.

Also check out this post from Melanie. Such a fun idea. I might have to try it (with Melanie's help:)

Next up -Highlights Kids

Tell me you didn't love doing the hidden pictures from the Highlights magazines when you were a kid. I hated going into the doctor's office to find that some ratty kid had already circled all the answers. You know what I am talking about right? Well now they have them online. And I am hooked. My kids kinda like them too:)

Along those lines-The Friend Online

On Sunday we have tried (I say we but Brett complains more than the kids) to not watch TV. We've done pretty well but Sundays can get very long. So Nedra told me about the Friend Magazine online. They have all sorts of puzzles, hidden pictures, and games that your kids can play all while listening to primary music. It is fabulous.

That is all for now. I will post on the side super ideas from other blogs that I happen upon.

Quick Tip

My friend Kami always shares her quick and easy ideas to make chores, crafts, etc. etc. a little easier. I find them very helpful. So I thought I'd share a quick idea that I use. Maybe some of you do too. If not, I hope you find this helpful in cleaning the kitchen counters.

*Sweep counter crumbs into a dishwasher (filled with dirty dishes of course:)

-saves sweeping

-saves dragging them across the counter into the sink

-saves gathering them into your hands

anything that saves is worth trying:)

Be A Doer

That is my new goal.  If there is one thing that I have learned through all of this it is that people are good.  I am so overwhelmed by all the kindness our family has been shown throughout this crummy situation.  Meals, cards, flowers, visits, more meals, comments, thoughts, prayers, prayer roll at the temple, my visiting teachers even gave me a gas card to use while I make the trip to see my mom, babysitting, etc., etc..  In a world of tragedy and heartache it is so nice to know that there are people out there who are still so good and kind.  I hope to give back and become an angel to others the way you are all angels to us.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! 

Something To Think About

Brett and I went to Eugene's house for the last time last night.  His family is preparing to sell his house and all the renters have moved out.  They wanted to have one last dinner in Eugene's memory. 

All over the house are quotes and sayings that Eugene lived by.  In my journey to be more like him I snagged this from his office:

Steps in Making Peace With Yourself

1. Don't compare yourself to others

2. Don't hold grudges

3. Don't dwell on the past

4. Take initiative-DO IT!!

5. Do something good for someone else each day

6. Don't let little things bug you

7. Make the most of what you have now with the time you have left

8. Laugh more

9. Make up your mind to be at peace

10. Pray in gratitude for what you have

For Your Info...

To all my fellow dieters out there Butter Spray is on sale at Smith's for $1.00.  (They are usually $2.69 each)  I bought a whole bunch.  It's a great substitute for butter and tastes great.  Go buy some before this deal ends.

These Are of the Devil!!

Our Prophet

Nothing can be said to explain what a great man our prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley was.  He will be missed terribly by all of us who were led by him.   Brett and I agree that he was "Our Prophet".  He signed Brett's mission call and was the prophet as we both gained our testimonies.  I loved his strong firm belief in the gospel.  He led with humor, humility, and complete dedication.  I am so happy for him to be in heaven with his sweet wife, but I will miss him.  We are better for knowing him.

My New Additions to a Dwindling Wardrobe

Because I have lost some weight I have been getting rid of clothes (it is so fun to finally be getting rid of the bigger sizes rather than the smaller ones.  Someday I even hope to be asking my sister, Jenn for all my clothes back...someday).   I don't have much money to replace the old ones but my sister, Dawn, found me a cheap, yet cute store; DownEast Basics.  Recently I have bought this (the middle one) and this.  I love dresses.  Equally I love new clothes.

The Countdown Begins...

For all you fellow American Idol fans, the countdown begins...

Don't miss it tonight at 7:00-9:00 on Ch 13.

Shopping Does a Body Good!

When Brett got home on Friday I immediately jumped in the car and drove myself to Old Navy (I was supposed to go running at the gym..oops!)  All of their clearance items are an EXTRA 50% off.  I bought myself a pair of jeans and a cute pink shirt for $12.00 total.  It made a happy ending to a cruddy week.  So go shop 'til you drop before all the good stuff is gone.