Jan's Friends

Harry's Birthday

2012-01-28T20:29:00.000-08:00

We had an early Birthday Party today for Harry who is turning 19 on the 1st. He'll be in San Diego that day.

The weather has been so beautiful lately that we decided to have a summer time BBQ. We have them often in the summer and Harry will miss them and we will miss him this summer. And it was a great party.

Roko played in the water. Sandy accidentally knocked him in, but he was OK and climbed right out and kept playing.

Dave got a chance to ride his Harley that he's been rebuilding. It started out a very "un" Harley purple. Dave took it apart, repainted it, got new tires and a retro seat, and had the logo painted on it. And he even got it all put back together correctly.

It is very cool.

The kid's table.

When the grown up dinner was ready everyone was so starved they rushed to the table.

But getting these 3 men in my life to come to the table is really torturous. Mark was already eating.

We were too busy eating and sharing favorite stories about Harry to take pictures at the grown up's table.

We laughed about the time Sandi locked him and the keys in the car while it was still running.

Dave had a garage band when Harry was little. He was their groupy and so they named the band Harrald for him.

Harry always wanted to be part of Kelly's backyard slumber parties. So after all the girls were in the tent and it would be just a little dark, he would sneak out to the tent and the girls would be scared by the noise he made. And he would say, "It's just me, Haaarry". When he was little we called him Haaarry.

Nancee told us he was the first person to make her feel really welcome in our family when at dinner he sat by her and leaned against her, put his hand up her sleeve and leaned his head on her arm. She also liked the way he would give her birthday presents that were things he liked such as a Rescue Hero or a Hotwheel, secretly hoping she would give it back.

So that leaves mine and Rich's memories. I remember bringing him home from the hospital after he was born and tucking him in bed between me and rich and looking at his sweet face.

Rich remembers showing him how to play on the computer "How Many How Many How Many Bugs in the Box. He was two.

Oh Yeah, Harry's favorite memory? Dave locking him in his room with the light turned off.

From then until he was about 12 he slept with a light on.

Then it was time for presents. Kelly and Roko were in charge.

They presented and unwrapped.

A beautiful spinner CTR ring and an oil vial (it's a church thing).

Non "skinny" jeans.

A camera to take on his mission. Complete with funky bendy tri pod, and case.

And what could be cooler than a new white shirt and two new cool ties and 10 pairs of black socks with a different color stripe at the top so he could pair them easily.

We sang and Roko and Kelly helped him blow out the candles.

All of our parties are a little crazy and chaotic, but they

are also fun and entertaing and we are

all together tickling littles kids, kissing babies,

and trying to get the "tweens" to participate.

It's loud. And we love every moment!

Wet Velvet

2012-01-20T14:51:00.000-08:00

I read this really great blog post recently and I just really agreed with the mom.

Don't Carpe Diem

www.huffingtonpost.com

Parenting is hard and yet we keep doing it. It is a difficult climb that you look back on with both frustration, failure, and humiliation and joy, pride, and hilarity. Even as a Grandma, I am still climbing that mountain. And because of that I feel I can share this story.

It's scary and messy, and after a couple weeks even a little funny. But like all the other spikey outcroppings you have to get over on your way up the mountain, you just keep going.

It's about my cute granddaughter, Kelly. I LOVE HER. She is absolutely adorable. And we are the best of friends. We like the same toys and scary movies. I love her sparkly shoes and her tutus and wish I could find them in my size.

She's quirky!

Dramatic!

Imaginative!

Helpful!

She's 3.

I left her alone in the living room, watching a movie on the iPad and playing

with her own toys. I didn't think I had left her there long when she came to me saying, "I have just gotten marker all over me." She had marker on her arms and ankles, feet, and toes.

I jumped up and ran into the living room. This is what I found:

I just stood there without a clue as to what to do. I called for help. Rich and Harry came running. I was crying a little. This sofa belonged to a great aunt of my father's and was given to my parents and then to me. I was really glad my mom was not here to see it. (I felt a little like the day my 2yr old daughter had peed in a velvet chair at my mom's.) Anyway...

I wished I'd just flipped the cushions and left it. But maybe out of fear of my mother, I felt I had to try to clean it up. Do you know what happens when velvet gets wet?

(By the way- do you see the little happy face in the corner?)

I wasn't as worried about my iPad. I'd had one of those expensive shields put on it- thank goodness! It took a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (what an amazing invention) but I got it clean.

Harry took Kelly upstairs to give her a bath. She went calmly and enjoyed splashing Harry as he scrubbed her clean. I congratulate myself for not screaming at her or spanking her- 2 things I'm sure I did often as a young mom. (See? Experience is a good thing.)

I spent a night really upset. And old wet velvet is SMELLY!

Kelly stayed with Sissy (Sandi) the next day. And you know what? I missed her. A lot.

The next day Kelly came running in with the cutest "I'm sorry" card (colored with markers of course).

And the best "I'm sorry" present.

I climbed over that spike on the mountain and kept going, hugging, tickling, and loving Baby Kelly all the way!

P.S. On Wednesday we went out and bought Color Wonder markers and paper.

Get Dressed!

2012-01-11T15:52:00.000-08:00

New Year's resolutions. We make them every year. They usually consist of things like saving money, losing weight, exercise, and cleaning out the garage. Well, I have 2 this year.

1. No murmuring.

2. Get dressed at least 4 days a week. (not including Sunday-because you just can't go to church in your pajamas)

The murmuring isn't going too great. But I am trying. It kind of goes a long with being nicer to my husband. That was going really well until last night when he wouldn't turn off the TV and I was trying to sleep. O well. Today is going much better.

But really it's all about getting dressed. I don't have a real job. I don't have to look stylish to play with Baby Kelly or fold laundry or wash dishes. And because of that, it's really easy to fall into the "sweats" rut or even the "These aren't pajamas; they are lounge wear." rut.

So I decided that I would force (and I mean force) myself to get dressed almost every day.

This was Monday. The first day.

Tuesday.

Wednesday. Kelly came to visit. I loved Roko and Ollie all day. And I looked stylish the whole day.

Thursday. You can see the novelty is starting to wear off.

By Friday it was all getting old. And it was a lot colder. I really need a lime green sweater.

You may be wondering why there are no bags pictured with these stylish outfits. I have lots of cute, stylish handbags, but this is what Rich gave me for Christmas so it just has to go with everything.

There's another reason I wanted to post pictures of outfits. On Pinterest (You know what Pinterest is don't you? If not check it out here.) they have a whole category devoted to fashion and it's loaded with really cute skinny outfits. If you want to see Plus Size fashions you have to "search" for them. Well I just think that's completely wrong. Why can't the Plus Size outfits mix in with the skinny ones? Are Plus Size outfits not considered fashion? Anyway, I just wanted to show that round girls wear clothes too.

Please note that all the jewelry shown was made by my very sweet and talented daughter, Kelly. And both scarves were crocheted by... me.

So for a whole 5 days I got dressed. And I kinda liked it. But it involved a lot of ironing and created a huge pile of laundry.

This week? I don't even remember Monday. Yesterday I wore sweats because I walked in the morning and then never got a chance to change. Today I have on an old ratty peasant skirt and a t-shirt. Maybe tomorrow it'll go better.

Don't ya LOVE New Year's resolutions?

Harry's Mission Call

2012-01-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

Harry finally got his Missionary Call Letter!

It arrived in the morning.

But he waited until 4:30pm to open it.

He wanted everyone to be there. So we all were.

Mark and Kelly had too join by phone.

Aaaaand... He's going to London!

This is me trying to catch his reaction. he was out of his chair so quickly I couldn't get him. He was/is thrilled to be going to an English speaking mission. And really England is just the perfect place for him. After all his name is Harry, his hair is red, his favorite brand of shoe is TUK, and his favorite clothing brand is Ben Sherman. Truly I believe the Prophet was inspired.

So, Harry will be serving a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We will miss him, but the people he meets in England will get to know this wonderfully smart, sweet, kind, and spiritual young man.

Nativity

2011-12-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:40
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

As I watched my grandchildren running wildly through the house during our annual Christmas pajama party, I sat (amongst the Mr. Potato Head parts and Lala Loopsey dolls) and wondered how Mary and Joseph felt when Jesus was three. OK, really I was wondering where Mr. Potato Head’s nose went (hopefully not into Roko’s mouth) and how come the three years olds never step on Hot Wheels when my feet are totally bruised from them. But I have been thinking about Jesus as a toddler all season long.

Mary and Joseph knew they were raising the Son of God. So what was it like for them? Were they more diligent in telling him stories from the scriptures? Were they more careful not to let him get hurt? Did they worry they weren’t feeding him the best foods or keeping him warm enough? In other words were they like any other parents?

Did they marvel at his smiles and giggles?

Did they watch him run with his cousins and hope he didn’t fall and get hurt or put a hole in the wall?

Did they teach him to play nice with everyone even girls and even if they’re having a tea party?

Did they build forts with him and snuggle him close?

The scriptures don’t tell us what He was like as a toddler except for that one verse in Luke. But I’m sure He was sweet and kind and polite and fun. Just like my grandchildren.

Now, if I could just find Mr. Potato Head’s nose.

No Snow

2011-12-15T11:05:00.000-08:00

We don't have snow here. So we have to make our own. This year we have plastic snowflakes in the windows and hung from the trees. We have snowflake lights on the house.

So we're TRYING to have a white Christmas. But mostly we have rain.

So today, Kelly and I had a rainy day adventure. We put on our rain boots instead of snow boots. Mine are new; they were a birthday present. Kelly's are pink with flowers.

We kicked the leaves on the ground because there were no snow drifts.

We visited Rudolf and an angel.

And we found one small puddle to jump in. But no ice to skate on which was OK because neither Kelly nor I have ice skates or know how to ice skate.

We don't have snow here. We have rain.

Don't Shoot!

2011-11-23T21:48:00.001-08:00

Most people who know me, know I don't much care for Thanksgiving. It's all about cooking (which I hate). It's messy. The china has to be washed by hand. And table cloths; I hate them. This year we have table cloths and leaf shaped place mats. And the noise, noise, noise! Screaming grandchildren that are so excited to see cousins that they haven't seen since...last weekend!

We spend hours cooking and preparing. Well, mostly it's all done by my oldest daughter because she is a control freak. Anyway, all the work and then we sit down and in less than half an hour it's over. OK, so maybe we laugh a lot, mostly at Harry to embarrass him in front of his girlfriend. We remember old times and family members that aren't with us anymore.

Then the battle over who's going to do the dishes starts. It takes almost as long to do the dishes as it did to cook the dinner. Although, again, there is a lot of laughing, mostly at Harry because

he's the youngest.

Finally it's time for dessert. This year most opted for ice cream. I know, weird, huh? Then people start gathering up kids to go home. Trying to find shoes, blankies, the dog's leash, and toys.The kids cry because they don't want to go. Those left gather around the table to play Apples To Apples, and there's more laughing.

We still haven't planned our strategy for Black Friday, but that's OK because it's only Wednesday and we will do this all again tomorrow, which is actually Thanksgiving. Yep we do it all twice. What started out as Thanksgiving on Wednesday night and leftovers on Thursday so we could go to the movies has turned into two complete meals. But we do get to go to the movies.

So, although I'm not a big fan of the dinner part of Thanksgiving, I am a huge fan of the family part. I am so grateful that all of my kids live close enough to come to Thanksgiving dinner and they like being together. So I put up with the cooking, the tablecloths, the screaming kids, the mess and the clean up.

But now, let's move on to Christmas!

A Shared Birthday

2011-08-19T17:12:00.001-07:00

I have 2 granddaughters. Sabrina and Kelly. They were both born on the same day...9 years apart. Today is their birthday. Kelly is 3 and Sabrina is 12. Each year since Kelly was born they have their picture taken together in matching outfits and they go out to dinner together (This year it was Kelly's turn to choose. She chose Chuck E Cheese.). Then they have separate parties at some point. This year, Sabrina's is a swim party tomorrow and Kelly is having pink cupcakes at her house tomorrow night at 7. They are such good friends (of course being the only girls helps). They love to shop and dance. Sabrina will occasionally play Barbies with Kelly and Kelly will sometimes let Sabrina hold her on a floaty in the pool.
I hope Kelly and Sabrina always have fun sharing their birthday. I think it's great

PS. Ya know what's really strange? My sister and I (we're twins) share our birthday with our cousin, Anita. And we are 9 years apart.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Miscellaneous Stuff

2011-08-12T14:28:00.000-07:00

On Sundays I doodle on little scraps of paper. Sometimes I will post them on facebook. But most often they just sit around until I throw them away.

I came across a few that I decided to color and finish and share, along with what was going on in my head while I was drawing.

ONE JUMP AHEAD OF THE BREAD LINE

Harry played Aladdin in his school's muscial. I was really proud of him. Lots of kids came to see him and he was so sweet to take pictures with each. While thinking of him one Sunday, I doodled an Aladdin.

IF WISHES WERE VWs WE'D ALL DRIVE

I'd like to be able to draw cars and rockets, but I really can't. The cars always look like this one:

And the rockets almost always look like this one:

A HOPE FOR SUMMER

We had a really wet spring this year and it seemed as though Summer would never get here. We'd have a couple warm days and then it would pour. And the snails! They were every where. Waiting for warmer days and dead snails led to these Sunday doodles.

THE THICK AND THE THIN OF IT

One Sunday I was thinking about my continual battle with weight. I am round. I've tried to be skinny and managed it for a few weeks here and there during my life. But I always return to my plump self. Why is that? And then it hit me. It's about carrots and Fudgecicles. Which one would you choose?

OLLIEBOT

Kelly had her second baby last month. His name is Oliver. We call him Ollie. And sometimes Olliebot. I made him a cute romper to be blessed in and embroidered robots on it. Although two of the robots came from Stampin Up, I drew one and his little dog too.

CANNON BALL SPLASHES

And then summer was here with hot days filled with swimming and cannon balls. We've had some great parties so far. We've swum into the dark of night while the Tiki Torches blazed. There have been under water voyages and jungle cruises. And Andrew can do an AMAZING cannon ball!

THE BLACK CLOUD

If you read my previous post, you know that my life is not going the way I'd like. I'm mad at God, the Church, BYU, all the perfect people in sacrament meeting, and I have no intention of coming out from under my black cloud any time soon.

SO THERE!

Hands Which Hang Down

2011-07-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

I've been struggling lately.

Every day I have to choose to be obedient to the principles of the Gospel and the tenets of His church.

The world's view of what an OK life is, makes that choice more difficult every day.

And even though I make the right choice every time, I'm getting tired.

I'm tired of being tested. If the lord issues a test it'll have my name on it. Oh and pop quizzes? Practically every day. You'd think I'd get used to it. But I don't.

Then one Sunday as I was watching all the perfect members in the ward being perfect. I felt a little black tornado forming over my head threatening to pull me in and away from choosing the right.

So I opened my scriptures to a favorite:

Doctrine and Covenants 81:5-7

5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

6 And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father.

7 Behold, and lo, these are the words of Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

As I read it, instead of understanding it (as I usually do) to mean I should help those who need help, I felt something different:

Where is the someone to lift up my hands which hang down? I know that Jesus loves me. I know that His spirit can comfort me. I know He hears my prayers. But this scripture was written to members (specifically Brother Frederick G. Williams) so where are they?

Surely, I can not be the only member who is struggling. Is everyone as perfect as they appear to be? Or do they all hide (as I do) what doesn't fit into the "Perfect Mormon" mold?

I wonder. Was I the only person who had a little black tornado overhead that Sunday?

BTW, I continue to struggle. Tests keep coming. And I keep choosing to be a member of God's true church.

The Third Shoe

2011-05-19T20:01:00.001-07:00

THE FIRST SHOE

The motor in the pool pump blew. I really thought my world would end. The pool turned green...GREEN! If this had happened in October it wouldn't have bothered me, but in the Spring? All winter I dream about floating in the pool. It's what keeps me from going mad during the long, ugly, rainy days of Winter. Nightmares of swampy swims kept me awake along with thinking about how much it could cost to fix?...Well...it's just the First Shoe.

THE SECOND SHOE

10 o'clock at night the phone rings. It's Sabrina. She and Sandi have been in a car accident in a round-about. As I'm trying to get my clothes on, I'm praying that they are alright and what do I do if they aren't. They weren't hurt. But the car was another matter. They were driving my PT. The driver's side was totally bashed in. Rich couldn't remember if we had anything other than liability insurance on it. GREAT! So fell the Second Shoe.

We all know that when shoes begin to fall, they don't fall in pairs. Which is totally weird because how many people do you know who wear more than 2 shoes at a time? So we kept waiting for the Third Shoe. We knew it was gonna drop. it was only a matter of time. Oh and by the way...the pump motor? $325. The PT? $500 deductible. (Thankfully, we had kept full coverage.) And eventually that Third Shoe fell.

THE THIRD SHOE

It fell with a "Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!"-ing sound. The washer. No matter how I rearranged the clothes in it, it wouldn't balance. This is my third washer since I got married. And it's a Maytag. (By the way- that whole Maytag Repairman who never gets called out to repair Maytag washers-IT'S A TOTAL LIE!) And, of course, it happens the day after my extended warranty with Sears expired. ugh! And it was 2 days before we were leaving for Disneyland. Going to the Laundromat. One of life's true "white trash" experiences. Renewed the warranty and got it fixed. I LOVE Sears.

3 shoes. All within one month. Sharp, pointy toed, stiletto heeled and not one that I could wear!

Pajama People

2011-03-03T12:57:00.001-08:00

As I see it, there are 2 kinds of people in the world: pajama people- those of us who LOVE our pajamas and find any excuse to wear them- and people who WISH they were pajama people.

Pajamas are usually loose and comfy. Flannel for winter, cotton for summer. I love Nick and Nora and Gilligan O'malley. My mom loved Karen Neuburger pajamas. Pajamas are the one article of clothing that looks good in even the silliest print. I have some with sock monkeys on them. Did you know you can send pajama grams?

The best part of being sick (even just a little) is that you can wear your pajamas all day. And if you are very sick you can ask your kids to go to Target and buy you some new cute ones that will make you feel better.

And Slumber Parties! A party invented to celebrate what you wear to bed but never going to sleep.

Schools have "pajama day". A real favorite even with high school students. Harry loves a day when he can wear his robe all day. I often see girls shopping while wearing pajama pants.

On days when it's rainy and cold I feel it is best to stay inside wearing pajamas, wrapped in a quilt, and watch old movies. If you should come to my house on one such day, be prepared to find me in pajamas. In the spring when mornings are starting to warm up, I love to sit out by the pool in my pajamas.

I clean house in my pajamas. I mean, really, why shower and get dressed just to get all sweaty cleaning and then have to shower again when you're done.

Christmas Eve is fun celebrated by having dinner while dressed in Christmas jammies. It also makes it easier when it's time for little ones to go to bed in anticipation of the arrival of Santa- who I'm sure can't wait to get home and put on his pajamas.

When you get home from church on Sunday, do you stay in your church clothes or do you rush to change into your pajamas and maybe even have a nap? Because it's totally OK to sleep in your pajamas.

So...go put on your pajamas! Have a comfy day!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Anatomy of a Valentine

2011-02-11T20:35:00.001-08:00

Wonder how a drawing comes to be? Well, even if you don't, I thought I'd share how my Valentine came to be this year. Especially since, because I'm sick, I won't get them mailed out.

It started with my new obsession with crocheting.

A cute valentine heart. I crocheted lots of little hearts of varying sizes. They could be found all over the house. There was one in the bottom of the laundry hamper. I gave one to Harry to give to his girlfriend. Anyway, I finally settled on this heart and crocheted 20.

Then came the doodle.

I drew it during Sacrament meeting. I decided I didn't like the pushing and pulling of it so I did more drawing.

I decided this little boy and girl were too stiff.

Oh, and in the meantime I did some other Valentine doodles:

I finally found the perfect little boy and girl and the drawing FINALLY came to life.

I Am Giving You My Heart

I love the old fashioned look. A boy declaring his love! It's every little girl's dream!

Some times drawings come easier than this one. Sometimes it only takes one little doodle. But most often I fret and tweak and draw and erase...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

The 1:00 Schedule

2011-01-10T16:02:00.001-08:00

We are on the 1:00 schedule. And if you're Mormon you know what that means. Getting to sleep in on Sunday but having to wait around all day to go to church. No nap for little kids. Deciding whether it's worth it to fix lunch or just go without. Yep! That's the 1:00 schedule. A nightmare!

At 1:00, Sacrament meeting seems to go on forever. Whether it's the speaker or the hymns, I have trouble keeping my eyes open. About the time I'm walking down the hallway to my Primary classroom all I can think of is how I wish I were walking towards my Sunday nap. I'm starved when I get home but it's too early for dinner and definitely too late for a nap.

So...it's our second week of the 1:00 schedule- only 50 more until we get to be on the 9:00 schedule which has it's own set of problems.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Flight Into Egypt

2010-12-20T22:53:00.001-08:00

As I thought about drawing a Nativity this Christmas these scriptures came to mind:
Matthew 2:13-16
13 ... the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 ¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

What it must have been like to flee into the night with a new baby to a foreign land. Where would they live? Would they be safe?

We once moved from one coast of the US to the other with a new born. We traveled by VW bus and slept in motels. We were going to a state we had never been to before without knowing where we would live. It was a little scary. But we weren't running for our lives. We knew our baby would be safe.

As Mary and Joseph fled, were they led by angels? Did the Holy Ghost whisper words of comfort and courage to their hearts as they traveled. Did their hearts break for those babes that would die at the hand of the evil King Herod? I know the answer to each of these questions must be yes.

How grateful I am to these brave parents who did as their Father in Heaven commanded. Without hesitation they fled into Egypt and kept the savior safe.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

It Was My Birthday!

2010-12-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

Thursday was my birthday! Having a birthday in December can sometimes be a little disappointing, having to compete with Christmas. But mine is a whole 2 weeks before, so instead of competing, it kind of heralds in the season. A lot of my favorite Christmas decorations came to me as birthday gifts.

I'm not shy about my birthday. I want it remembered. This year I turned 58. 58! What a shock! As I was doing the math, more than once out of disbelief, my granddaughter asked if I was going to die soon. I reassured her that I am planning to be around for a long, long time.

I refuse to be old and have decided that 58 is the new 28. When I look in the mirror I never expect to see the wrinkled, tired, and a tad saggy face that stares back at me. In my head my face is young and thin, with only the happiest laugh lines around my eyes.

And no old lady gifts for me! No night gowns, no bottles of lotion, or silly sweaters (ok, sometimes I like a good, old lady, over-embellished sweater). This year my grandchildren gave me the Rex walking dinosaur from Toy Story (the only thing on my birthday list). He joins the rest of my collection of dinosaurs. They gave me a new snowman book to read to them and a picture with Santa. And as I'm writing this, I'm wearing the cutest slippers that Kelly knit and felted for me.

But the funnest present; the one that made me realize I am not an old lady, was the Red Wii. What a gift! What fun! What laughter! I completely forgot that I'm not supposed to be silly. I danced to the Just Dance 2 game (scoring 8,000- far more than anyone else). I hooped and hollered at Nate while trying to shoot ducks. I totally felt like the 28 year old I am in my head.

All in all it was the best birthday ever- Well, until next year anyway.

Thanksgiving?

2010-11-28T09:55:00.001-08:00

I'm not a big fan of Thanksgiving. I'd happily skip from Halloween to Christmas.

When I took down the Halloween decorations, I didn't hang up the prints that usually go above the family room couch, in anticipation of the Christmas decorations that would go there. I mean, why hang them up for just a month.

After my father passed away, Rich, Harry (he was little), and I would go to Oregon to have Thanksgiving with my mom. We'd leave the other three home to fend for themselves. They would have friends over and make their own dinner-not necessarily turkey. Rich and I would do our Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving and not have to pay sales tax.

After my mother died, we started to have Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday night so the kids with spouses could go to their other family's for dinner on Thanksgiving Day. It left Thursday free for lounging around in the morning watching the parade and a movie in the afternoon. Then anyone who wanted could come over for left overs.

Anyway, that was how it started. Now we just have Thanksgiving two days in a row. It's total chaos. The grand kids run wildly through the house (they never eat dinner).

Sabrina and Kelly wore matching tutus.

There were Hot Wheel tracks and trains EVERYWHERE.

Sandi did a lot of the cooking.

And then the eating began.

On Thursday while everyone else was cooking and eating their Thanksgiving, we were at the movies seeing Tangled.

And then it was Friday. Toys were left here and there.

An odd shoe.

China was stacked, ready to be put away until next year.

And today the Christmas decorations went up.

Don't get me wrong- I AM thankful. I am very aware of all my blessings. How grateful i am that all my kids live close to me. I LOVE the little kids running wild all day and then crying because they don't want to go home. I love being exhausted by the time I go to bed. I am thankful.

But what's even better is that NOW it's CHRISTMAS and the wild craziness and hugs and silliness will just keep going and going and going and...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Raking Leaves

2010-11-15T21:58:00.001-08:00

While Nancee has been recovering from surgery, I've been spending extra time helping with kids.

Today we raked the leaves.

We were all tired when it was over. Nancee rewarded us with cookies. It was a fall day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Conference Weekend

2010-10-03T22:05:00.001-07:00

I sat on the couch, in my pajamas all weekend and enjoyed General Conference. Here are some things I learned:

There are 14 fundamentals in following the prophet.

Life gives you two precious gifts - time and agency.

Sometimes we must give up something good for something better.

Obedience to the commandments protects our agency.

We don't need to have a perfect knowledge of all things. Faith fills in the gaps.

Life is no spiritual picnic.

Righteous character is more valuable than anything we have or have learned.

Make Jesus Christ the center of your life.

We need to trust in God. That trust comes from knowing Him.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the most important gifts given to men. He can be the comforter when no one else is around.

To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.

Worthy Aaronic priesthood holders are needed so they can become worthy missionaries and church leaders.

Parents need to have courage.

It is often the small things that influence bigger things in life. What we say. How we react. Being positive in these things brings peace.

The fence is there to protect us. "Wickedness never was happiness."

Would you think it, say it, or do it if Jesus was there with you?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Remembering Taffy

2010-09-24T17:15:00.001-07:00

While looking through old pictures of Harry for his Senior Ad in the yearbook, I came across pictures of our beloved Taffy.

We got Taffy the year Rich got out of the Navy. He was home and so it seemed the perfect time for us to try having a dog again. We'd tried 2 other times when our kids were young but it was too much like having another baby to take care of so we had to give them back. But at this time all our kids were at least past toddler-hood. So we picked out our cute little yellow lab and named her Taffy.

Rich got her house broken and she chewed everything. We played with her and loved her.

She loved a good snack. We could never leave freshly baked cookies out because she would find a way to get at them.

She was always there with us, whether playing, helping, hiding, or waiting.

She shows up in a lot of my drawings.

When Harry came along she was there. She was there to help him climb onto the couch. She was there when he needed a soft place to nap. She was right beside him when he rode his first bike.

Sabrina found her to be the perfect napping partner.

She loved laying next to Jeanette while she sewed.

She slept on our bed. She chewed our shoes. She ate anything we left within her reach. She was part of our family.

As she got older it got harder and harder for her to move around. We had to help her get on the bed. We left the sliding glass door open at night so she could make frequent trips to the potty (and she seemed to prefer the outside). Then one day she just couldn't get up. We wrapped her in a quilt and took her to the vet where we hugged her, petted her, and kissed her black nose as she slipped quietly away.

Even now sometimes I can feel her jump up on the bed and lay next to me.

I know that she is happy and running and chewing things and eating anything the angels are leaving unattended.

GPS and Cruise Control

2010-09-10T21:35:00.001-07:00

I spent today with Kelly and Roko. I drove up to Folsom this morning and then drove home tonight. On the way home I was talking on my cell to my sister when my GPS started yelling at me to get over and take the next off-ramp. I quickly got over and exited and then said good-bye to Jeanette.

I got to thinking about how much I depend on GPS and what a miracle it is. I no longer panic about going new places, knowing that I will get lost because I have no sense of direction.

Today I got off the freeway at Folsom Blvd.- a different exit than usual and felt so lucky to have had my GPS take me this way because there at the end of the exit, poking up through the trees was the Angel Moroni atop the temple. I think the lady who lives in my GPS knew I needed that beautiful view this morning.

Not only does my GPS keep me from missing turn-offs it keeps me from speeding. Well, from excessive speeding anyway. Right there in the corner of the screen is the speed limit and how fast I'm going. When I'm going too fast the two speeds are high-lighted in red. Most of the time I'm in the red but not by much. It makes me wonder why everyone else on the road goes screaming by me.

Which leads me to my gratitude for cruise control. I set that little button on my steering wheel and stretch my legs out and relax. I don't have to constantly scan for CHP cars. (Oh who am I kidding- I still watch for cops.) I kinda like decreasing and increasing my speed with the little buttons on the wheel- although sometimes I get them confused with the stereo volume controls also located on the steering wheel. Again, I wonder why everyone else passes me like I'm standing still. Tonight, some guy had the nerve to flash his headlights at me so I'd get over and out of his way. I was only doing 70- obviously too slow.

So...GPS and Cruise Control. How did I ever escape speeding tickets and hours lost on unknown freeways going in the wrong direction before they came along.

This Sunday

2010-08-29T23:07:00.000-07:00

Harry gave a talk.

Language

• Bishop found me at mutual this Thursday and told me I would be giving a talk today. I can’t tell you how excited I am :] but, the cool part about this was I got to pick my own topic out of the for the strength of youth pamphlet. So my topic for today is… language.
• I just thought this would be appropriate for a youth speaker such as myself because I experience language in all its colorful different forms, every day due to my being in high school.
• So the first thing one thinks about when discussing language in church is profanity. Profanity just isn’t that cool when you think about it. It’s totally disrespectful. No matter how you stretch it or how you justify it, profanity offends people; otherwise we wouldn’t call them “bad words.” In fact, if you look at the word profanity, it comes from the adjective profane which means irreverent. Also, profanity includes using the Lord’s name in vain. Using His name in vain is breaking a commandment; therefore, it’s a sin. When you’re swearing to God, it should be about something important; not about that guy who just cut you off on the freeway.
• But, my topic is “language” not “profanity.” Language includes everything you say not just the offensive stuff.
• The way you speak says a lot about who you are. When you’re constantly throwing around bad words and profanities, you’re giving the people around you a pretty bad first impression. However, if you can use kind, intelligent words you’re showing how smart you are and that you probably have something to offer the world other than a couple gross jokes. You can be an example to those around you, just by staying positive and clean when you speak.
• Kind words can mean the world to some people. If you’re having a bad day, not many things feel better than having someone compliment you on how nice you look today. Being nice in the way that you speak can make others feel better. You can bless others’ lives by keeping clean speech.
• Probably the most important, and the coolest, part of keeping your language clean is that it can make other people think. When everyone else seems to be saying vulgar, unclean things but you manage to keep yourself positive and uplifting in speech, it makes people wonder what’s different about you. When people notice that you don’t ever participate in vulgar jokes and when they notice that you don’t ever cuss, they automatically wonder why. This is where being an example comes in. Showing others how to be Christ-like by being Christ-like yourself is really effective. In Ephesians 4 verse 29, it says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” This means that we can teach others just by how we communicate with them! We can bring others to know Christ with our speech. Not many people listen when you’re putting them down, but if you lift others up, you can show them Christ and they can listen.
• I’ve actually had people ask me, “Are you Mormon?” just because I don’t use bad words. It’s things as simple as this that show others

I bear testimony of this church. I know that this is the church of Christ and I know that the principles taught within it are true. I know that the language we use can testify of our faith and can be used to uplift those around us. We can be tools in the hands of our God by keeping our speech clean. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

My Primary Class was especially helpful and reverent while practicing the Primary Sacrament Program today. I was and am so proud of them! It's hard being 10 & 11 in Primary. It's the last 2 years and you're lumped in with 5-9 year olds and you've heard everything before and you're just way too cool. So today, they were good examples and I was glad.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Weird Photos

2010-08-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

This is the photo that started it all:

One of these is not like the others. It's my cousin, Barbara. I just died when I came across this photo. It could be put on one of those funny greeting cards that uses old photos that make you laugh out loud while standing in the middle of the grocery store. Have you ever done that? Please tell me I am not the only one.

Anyway it got me thinking about weird/funny photos that we just happen to take without even knowing it. Then later when you get the film developed or look at them on your computer or even years later when you find an old box under your bed you say to yourself, "Oh Wow! This is so weird!

So that photo of Barbara led me on a hunt for "wierdness". I've looked through my computer, my phone, and all the bags, albums, and boxes that I keep in the end table in the living room. (I did not look under my bed. Anita is the only one who keeps pictures under her bed.)

We took this picture of Harry a few summers ago, not knowing until we printed it how weird it looked. It looks even weirder in black and white. We have it framed and hanging in his bathroom.

This picture was taken this summer. I knew it was going to be funny and weird!

I don't really have any weird drawings or paintings to show you. I once did a water color of a stream and some rocks that turned out to look like a dead blue giraffe laying in a stream. Now that was weird. I gave the painting to my brother-in-law. I think it's in his garage.

But there are some funny/weird pictures of me when I was little. This is my favorite. I was known as "the baby with the doily on her head". I think the doily is under a lamp in the guest room.

And so you don't think I'm the only weird one, I found this one of my twin, Jeanette, asleep. She had a habit of sleeping with her eyes a little open.

Roko is one child in our family that we can count on to provide us with weird photos. He's always doing weird things.

What more can I say?

This is a truly weird underwater shot of Andrew. It's hard to tell it's underwater 'cause his eyes are so open and his big smile. This summer he discovered goggles. That big smile? It's still always there when he is underwater.

Another time I took a picture that turned out weird was after a huge bird hit my windshield and broke it. Can you see the print it left? It's kind of hard to see. Look closely. See it?

Here's another photo of Barbara. She's the one on top.

This one is weird because it's the three of us together as we were so often. Both Jeanette and Barbara are smiling at the camera. That's me, the one Barbara is standing on with my butt to the camera. Obviously they had ganged up on me as so often happened. The three of us will be meeting up tomorrow-like old times-and I'm sure the two of them will gang up on me and Barbara will end up on top.

In closing, let me encourage you to search through your photos. I bet you find some weird ones.

Artist For Sale: Will Draw For Money

2010-07-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

I get a lot of emails from people who have found my drawings on line and would like to use them for various things:

"I was searching the web today looking for inspiration for our upcoming Relief Society Birthday Party and I came across your drawings. They are so adorable.
Do you draw for other's?
If you could help me out I would apprieciate it. I love you work. It is amazing."

"I came across your “Super Hero” drawing on the Internet and I liked it very much. I now write screenplays and I am starting to produce them into movies. I have been thinking of doing a screenplay about a ten year old boy who becomes a Super Hero at night. The movie will be partly animated, mostly the super hero sequences. The feel of your Super Hero drawing is exactly what I have in mind for the comic book style super hero sequences. Would you be interested in working with me as I develop the script. This would mean doing some drawings that can serve as a story board to show the animators the intent. There would be payment after I get the project moving toward and financed."

My response: The boy is Harry, my son. He went to super hero party where everyone dressed like super heros. I made him trading cards to give to his friends.
I'd love to draw for you. Send me some story lines to work from.

Never heard from him again, but if you go to this guys website, you'll see a thumbnail of Super Harry.

"Hi Jan....I'm making a Relief Society Blog and I LOVE your artwork. First and formost! There is one you have that looks RSie with three women with the "We are united in standing" etc. I love that. Any chance in the world I could use that for the header on the blog I'm doing?"

"I saw your picture of a mother holding to the iron rod and the children hanging on as a thumbprint on google images. ...so I'm asking if I can use your incredible image in a July visiting teaching lesson handout that I'm making. The picture is amazing because it aligns with the Family Home Evening story that is used in the message from the Ensign.

OK. So for Church drawings I don't ask for payment. I consider it part of my covenant with Heavenly Father to share my talents to build the church. And as you can see I have done a lot of drawings for the Church. And I'm not including the drawings I've done for my own ward.

I LOVE TO DRAW!

I draw whether I get paid or not.

I worked for 10 years as a scenic artist and got paid a little, by show, when they could afford it, classified as a clerk because they didn't really want to make a real position for me or pay me for full time work.

I worked in a print shop for a while for free making their stamps and made my own stamps to sell. Did I sell any? Would you like one? I have a whole box full, nicely packaged with little ink pads.

When people see my drawings they comment on how cute they are and tell me I should be illustrating books.

I have a website. I have a store on cafepress.com and one at Fine Art America.

People like my artwork but they don't want to pay for it.

What brought me to rant on like this? I got this email a while ago:

"... the reason I'm writing you is I'm chairing our churches ladies retreat and our theme (which is still in the works) will be about the stages of a a woman life, .... grow up, fill out, slim down, hold it in, and let it all hang out! ... with the underlying theme that we are all united. ... not only through the various stages we women all experience, but more importantly through Christ. Which leads me to the reason I'm writing you. I would love to use one of your illustration on our t-shirts. Would that be possible?"

My response: "You got it! Let me know which one/ones and I'll send it to you. If you need it tweeked let me know how and I'll work on it."

"Wow! That would be wonderful. How much would it cost to somewhat combine the two posters so that it showed five women all in the different stages of their lives?"

I spent a lot of time working on the drawings:

But when I told her the cost...well, let's just say I probably won't hear from her again. $20/hr. 8 hrs of work (at least). Discounted to $100. And even a "we'll work it out if that's too much." To be fair, maybe the drawing didn't work with their theme. Or they changed the theme. Or the retreat fell through. A note saying "thanks but it didn't work out" would have been appreciated.

I love that the Internet allows artists the opportunity to put their artwork out there more easily and for more people to see. I appreciate everyone who has asked to use my artwork. And I love having people ask me to draw for them.

But I'd occasionally like to make $ at it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Let's Catch Up

2010-06-08T22:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life just gets away from me. So I have to play "catch up".

Here's what's been going on:

Stolen Life
My bank card info was stollen and whoever stole it used it to buy computer stuff and set up a porn site. After calling the bank and all the venders I found out that there really aren't any consequences for the thief other than all the payments for stuff are canceled. I got my money back but it bothers me that it's just one of those "Oh well, these things happen" kind of experiences and nobody cares or does anything about it.

What's happened to integrity and honesty in our society? It seems that what's important today is not getting caught.

Baptism
Harry baptized Sabrina. Sabrina is 10 and since she wasn't blessed when she was born, there are no church records for her. Consequently, she is considered a convert and so had to take the missionary discussions. Elders Killinger and Cedillo gave her the discussions and they did an excellent job of teaching her about the Restoration of the Gospel on a level that she could understand. Her baptism was one of the most spiritual experiences EVER! Kelly sang, and David confirmed her. She was sweet and beautiful.

Taking the discussions reminded me of the reasons I joined the Church and why I love it. It makes total sense to me. I know that it is true.

Called to Primary
I've been the Relief Society Chorister for a while. It's a calling I've had before. I don't know why the lord keeps calling me to do music- I really have no talent for it. But I did the best I could. It was a challenge. I've never really wanted to be in Primary- it kind of scares me, but I was thrilled when I got this new calling (probably because it was a way to get away from the music). So...I'm teaching the 10 & 11 year olds. Now... I love teaching- I'm good at it, but these guys are a challenge. It's their last year in Primary and they feel they are too old for most of it. So I have to stay on my toes and keep them interested in the stories of the Old Testament. I also have to keep myself interested during Sharing Time lessons that couldn't be more boring.

Summer Arrived
It's been a long, cold, and wet winter! I thought spring and summer would never get here. And then finally, the last week of school, it finally got warm. And although, I have complained about the weather, my backyard has never been so beautiful!

I love my home! I love that is a place my kids and grandchildren want to visit and play at and sleep over. I LOVE floating in the pool and counting my blessings.

My iPad
You know how much I LOVE my iPhone. Well, I couldn't wait to get an iPad. I had Kelly stand in line at the Apple store that morning because I was in Disneyland. It was waiting for me when I got home. I LOVE IT! I have figured out how to blog on it. I can watch ABC TV shows on it (if only all the other networks would put out an app). I have books to read on it. I can watch Netflicks on it. It holds all my artwork, family photos, e-mail, calendar, thoughts, Primary lessons...oh! I could go on and on! I would probably give up my laptop completely if it had some kind of flash player. Alas, until Apple makes nice with Adobe or until they develop their own version I still, sometimes have to turn on my laptop.

Someday, kids will be carrying iPads to school instead of backpacks. Wouldn't it be cool!

So, now we're all caught up.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

The Talent Show

2010-04-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

Rich and I went to Harry's High School talent show tonight. We were surprised at the talent.

Everyone is so worried about the disappearance of the arts in our schools- especially here in California. When cuts need to be made, it's never in the sports department- no one would ever cut funding to Football. But music and art and drama- somehow they are never important enough.

And yet I saw some really amazing singing, piano playing, dancing, even spoons tonight. The winner played the ukulele. I guess funding can be cut from the arts but not talent. Whether it's parents providing lessons and support or just the shear desire of the student to perform-the arts are still alive.

It was so encouraging to see teenagers applauding and cheering each other on- whether the performance was outstanding or a little off. It made me glad to be a parent of a teenager. Harry had a very small part playing the box drum in a small group and yet as we were leaving so many told him he had done a great job.

I'm a great believer in the importance of the arts in school. I wish somehow the powers that be would come to the realization that the greatest minds of all time were artists of some kind- I don't think Leonardo DaVinci played football, Einstein was not the most popular student in his class, and Mozart probably didn't win a state championship.

SHOES

2010-04-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

I found these really cute shoes to wear with the skirt I bought for Easter. They're made by Born, so they are also expensive. But it was like putting cute pink flowers on my toes. I just had to have them. I went to Macy's to buy them, but, alas, they did not have my size. So Friday when I went to see Kelly we stopped at Macy's in Sacramento and YAY! they had them. I wore them to church yesterday and felt absolutely adorable and got compliments by friends who sat by me. I almost didn't want to take them off when I got home.

It got me thinkin about how important shoes are in my life.

I LOVE them!
They make me HAPPY!

No matter how much weight I gain, my feet are still small and cute. If I can't find that sweet little top in my size, I can always find a sweet little pair of SHOES. Sometimes I buy the shoes first and then the outfit to wear with them.

I buy more shoes in the spring and summer than in the winter. Probably because in the winter it's more about protecting your feet and really Converse in every color really does the trick (I have pink, sparkly red, black, and brown) Last year, I discovered DC's. They come in lots of prints and colors- so far I only have one pair- kind of a green print. For trips to Disneyland in the winter I have sturdy and comfy Keens.

But in the summer....

It's all about CUTENESS! Flip flops. Slides. Wedges. Sandals. Peep toes. Flats. Jellies. I love them all! Stylish and supportive Jambou's, Merrill's, Allegria's, or Keens for Disneyland. Cute little Roxy flip flops for around the pool. Colorful jellies from The Children's Place for fun. And of coarse all kinds of adorable shoes for church.

Maybe it's because we always look down on our feet but what we wear on them can change how you feel about life. Yesterday, with my pink, flower Born's, I felt WONDERFUL. Nothing could go wrong. Even wearing Converse on a rainy day makes me feel hopeful and young. I have a pair of Roxy flip flops with colored beads on them that remind me of the 60's, when all things seemed possible.

So...here in my messy closet...where all possibilities lay hidden...or in plain sight, I will find that special shoe that will MAKE MY DAY. And if not...there's always Macy's!

Anniversary

2010-03-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

In 4 days, rich and I will have been married for 36 years.

We met in high school-sophomore year. He remembers me in Mr. Thornburg's history class. I don't remember him until we did a project together for our Driver's Ed. class. He was kind of a know-it-all that I wish would be absent so I wouldn't have to talk to him. We had friends in common-he dated one of my best friends until we were seniors. But I really didn't know him.

After high school, I went off to BYU-he went off to DeAnza in protest of being bumped from Annapolis. 2 years went by. Then we met again on a group date to the county fair. For some reason I found him attractive in a "geeky" kind of way. He had recently decided to enlist in the Navy and find some way to recapture his dream.

I remember our first kiss at Vasona Lake Park in Los Gatos. He showed me the stars, carved our initials i n a tree, and I thought he was so sweet.

We went to the beach with friends and I rode on his motorcycle. We went to the Renaissance Faire (on his motorcycle). I wish I could find the drawing I did of him while he was asleep. He put a new clutch cable in my VW.
I dated a lot of guys and Rich really was the most polite, courteous, and nicest of them all. Ya know what? He still is - a lot of the time- in that open the car door for you; "you look pretty today, dear" kind of way.

When he found out he was about to be stationed on a ship in Guam, we ran away and got married. We ate at McDonald's for our wedding dinner.

So...36 years later...4 kids...several moves and job changes...here we are. We love spending time together, even if it's doing different things in the same room. He buys me Tulips in the spring. I try to put up with his snoring. We argue and laugh. Our kids think we're cute.

I wonder what the future will bring.

P.S. Yeah, I know, it sounds all "rosey", but it's our anniversary- I didn't want to ruin it.

Being a Scenic Artist

2010-03-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

I posted this photo of the stairs I painted for Harry's high school production of Dracula on Facebook yesterday and got quite a few comments. So I thought I'd write my own little autobiography on scenic artistry.

I got involved with the Modesto Jr. College theater back in the late 80's. I fixed a backdrop that someone else had painted but had done a horrible job. After that, a director asked me to design costumes for a children's play she was directing. I spent about 5 years in the costume department- designing, building, crafting. But I really wanted to paint scenery. Unfortunately, the scenic designer did not want to pay for a scenic artist, but the costume designer would pay me to design and sew. So I waited. I read books on Scenic design and artistry (well, mostly I looked at the pictures). I volunteered my time occasionally to get experience. I almost got hired to paint backdrops for "The Wizard of Oz" but the director hired a friend (I would have done a better job.) Then in 1993, they needed a huge backdrop painted for "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Harry was an infant and my time was valuable. I think they paid me (but I really can't remember). Harry came with me and the director would walk the stage with him as I painted. Then it was "Brigadoon". A big show and they really needed to pay someone to paint. So I finally got hired.

To tell you the truth, I really wasn't very good. I learned as I painted. I began paying close attention to scenery in plays I went to, and murals on buildings, and I read more books. I took a class. I painted a lot of walls- stenciling, stamping, cross-hatching, feather dusting. I got better at painting trees and I learned quick ways to create wood grain and marble. I finally got to paint something other than walls and floors and trees when MJC did "A Flea in Her Ear".

I painted this mural on a hotel wall that I painted and stenciled.

FINALLY! They could see that I could do other things. And that's when it really got fun.

Into the Woods

Honk!
Honk! was a production by Yes Company, a children's theater group. I painted several sets for them.

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

In 2005 MJC started a huge theater renovation. They tore everything out in order to start over. The Scenery Dept moved to a little storage unit. No water, no space. It was really hard to work. I tried. I painted stuff in weird places but in the end I decided to retire. Jam & Jive was the last show I painted. Then I walked away (after more than 10 years).

Jam & Jive 05
"She..."

In 2008 the new theater opened and they asked if I would paint the flats for that year's Jam & Jive - it being the first performance in the new theater. So I did.

Jam & Jive 08

Now, I paint the scenery for Harry's high school productions (one a year).

Romeo, You Idiot

The House at Pooh Corner

This year, it's Dracula- mostly walls, but...what can I say...
not everything can be a 20x40 ft mural.

I enjoy scenic artistry. It's big. But it's fleeting. I spend, sometimes days or weeks on realistic backdrops or huge flats and then when the play closes, they're taken down, folded up and stored away or taken apart and painted over. Sometimes I forget to take pictures.

Rainbow After the Storm

2010-02-18T10:54:00.000-08:00

A Relief Society sister in Nevada asked if I would do a drawing for her Relief Society's birthday party. The theme had to do with service, rainbows and storms. So... here's what I came up with:

There are all kinds of storms in our lives. The kind that rage over the land using rain and wind, snow and sleet. There are the ones that rage through our lives with tears and heartache, worry and fear. There's no way of avoiding storms, but there are ways to make living through them a little easier. I really do believe this is the purpose of Relief Society.

Many times I have been blessed with service from the Relief Society. They have come into my home and cheered me up, warmed my heart, and fed my soul.

That's me with the flowers. I'm not a great cook or baker, but I can cut flowers from the backyard or buy them at the grocery store. I can listen to my sisters and try to brighten their day with flowers.

I have often felt the Savior's arms around me through the warmth and softness of a quilt.

And maybe man cannot live by bread alone, but a loaf of homemade bread is awfully yummy. A piece of toast and the scriptures is a great way to spend a rainy morning.

Relief Society is known for providing meals for families when a new baby is born. But sometimes taking a meal to someone who has really had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day is so appreciated.

Once, a friend brought me a bag of groceries from her food storage because she knew I was in need. Now, I try to pay attention so I can return the favor to someone else.

And how can a plate of cookies not brighten the most miserable day or lighten the heaviest heart?

It's all about LOVE.

What do you look for when you're faced with a storm?

Everyone looks for love.

Relief Society is the Lord's way of providing it.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T21:11:00.001-08:00

I love Valentine's Day!

Lots of red and pink (my favorite colors).

Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.

Not to mention flowers and jewelry.

For this year's Valentine drawing, I was inspired by a friend's blog about how you know whether your family is complete.

She'd been watching them for awhile. Waiting...because...Love is patient.

Do you think our children choose us as parents before they're born?
Do you think, maybe, we choose them before we're born?

I wonder if our children watch us, waiting for us to fall in love, to marry, to find the time to have them.

Why do they sometimes wait so long to come to us? Why do they sometimes not come at all?

Love is patient. Love must be patient.

All About Harry

2010-02-03T15:17:00.000-08:00

Monday was Harry's 17th birthday! Wow!
How time does march on!

We filled his room with balloons and streamers.
David helped us choose and order the bass guitar he wanted.

No matter how hard I've tried to keep him a little boy, he just keeps growing up.

Harry is the baby . We waited a long time for him to come to our family. 13 years to be exact. After Kelly (our third) was born, we considered that maybe our family was complete. But one night, I had a dream. I saw a cute little red headed boy standing and waiting. I knew he was meant for us. So we waited... and waited...and waited.

Soon I began to think that maybe he was a "some day" son-in-law or a boy I would teach in Primary or maybe h e was just a dream. When Sandi was a senior and Dave was 16 and Kelly 13, I found myself pregnant. I was 40. What a surprise.

Harry has been our entertainment, joy, and reason for getting up in the mornings for the past 17 years. He came to us late but at exactly the right time.

So...I thought I'd throw up some pictures and drawings "all about Harry":

Ever photogenic!

He's been rockin out with Dave practically since the day he was born.

He's always been cool.

The infamous buzz haircut while Mom was gone.

He has been my model for drawings many times.

Harry is my hero.
No matter how old he gets.

Breakdown

2010-01-28T08:09:00.001-08:00

I had a bit of a breakdown on Saturday morning. You know...the crying hysterically, yelling, crying, and more crying. So, I put my pajamas back on. I put myself back to bed. I covered my head. I did not get back up until Sunday. I'm better now. It took 3 days before I could talk to anyone. I still don't feel quite myself.

I felt it coming on all week. Our family had been moving furniture between houses and storage. I'd cleaned out closets. So I think I was kind of tired. My husband yelled at me for bothering him during work hours (which are all the hours), so I did a lot of things myself that I would have ordinarily had his help with. Then my daughter yelled at me for something that I thought I was being helpful with. And that was IT! The camel's back was broken. The cup had overflowed. The last straw had fallen. My world came crashing down around me.

Really when I write it down, it doesn't sound so serious, but ... I felt like all of a sudden I had no control of my life. I felt trapped and stomped on and completely unloved. I really wanted to run away. I settled for the guest room.

Everyone stayed away. Rich popped his head in a couple times to make sure I was breathing. Later, I found out Sabrina had been here but she didn't come in. When I wasn't sleeping, I cried, so I tried to stay asleep.

When I finally emerged, everyone walked around on eggshells. Rich did dishes (shock). Harry sat by me and hugged me. Sandi left me a present (a new purse). David and Kelly kept calling, but I just couldn't talk to anyone. Finally, yesterday I went out to lunch with the daughter who had yelled at me, but we didn't talk about what had happened.

You're probably wondering why I would put this in my blog. I want to remind everyone of how fragile the human spirit can be. Even the strongest person has a breaking point. And you can't know when or where a person might break or what occurrence, large or small might cause it. Be kind. Be caring. Be gentle. And if necessary, be quiet.

I don't regret my breakdown. I think it was good for my family to walk around on eggshells for a few days. I needed them to remember that I am a person with feelings. I also probably needed the rest.

Rain Rain Go Away

2010-01-21T15:38:00.000-08:00

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day
Little Johnny wants to play.

It's been raining and raining.
Chairs in the pool.
The lemon tree blew over again.
The church parking lot was flooded last night when I took Harry to Mutual- which, actually was kind of fun.
I left my rain coat at Dave and Nancee's. So I really couldn't go anywhere today.

The first day was OK. It's exciting to listen to the rain hitting the windows and the wind whipping the trees. But after the third, fourth, fifth day it's ENOUGH already. It's not fun anymore to dart from the car in the parking lot to Target. It's no longer funny to see how much debris has blown into the pool. Even splashing through puddles is getting old.

I don't know. Should I start studying up on how to build an ark? Or should I just accept it and enjoy the knowledge that eventually it will stop. The sun will shine again. Then the flowers and trees will begin to bloom and before I know it, it will be warm again and I will be floating in the pool.

So...today, while it's raining and I can't go anywhere (because I did my hair and I do not want to get it wet even if I would like to wander through Target) I decided to doodle some "rainy day" thoughts.

Whether it's struggling through with the help of an umbrella, or splashing into puddles with complete abandon, or just snuggling with your favorite quilt, let's just make do and look forward to the sunnier days ahead.

New Years Resolutions

2010-01-06T17:14:00.000-08:00

Really I would be right on schedule if Christmas had just been a week later.

So lets talk about New Years resolutions. I don't know why we torture ourselves with them they're always the same: save $, lose weight, excercise, blah blah blah...

OK... It's the beginning of a new decade. Really I should make some changes in my life. Does cleaning out the closets count? Cause that's something that's been on my list for a while. Maybe if I put it on my resolution list I'll do it-NOT. OK...Let's see...Get serious...This is important...

Read the Book of Mormon-
started yesterday.

Lose weight-been going to Weight Watchers.

Cook dinner more often- tonight will be two nights in a row. WooHoo! (Thank goodness for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.)

Exercise- Awwww...maybe...if Dave gets the teadmill fixed.

Be nicer to my husband- OK I'll try.

There! That's a good start. All very doable. Notice that saving money is not on the list. Neither is cleaning out the closets.

Christmas Pajama Party

2010-01-05T08:24:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up, Christmas was pretty formal. We always dressed up. Sometimes it was a few days before Christmas Eve, sometimes Christmas Eve, and sometimes Christmas Day. Long fancy dresses with high heels, mini skirts and tights, one year I wore the cutest sweater dress.

My mom was great at throwing beautiful Christmas parties with fancy dishes, and food, and gifts for everyone. We'd dance and laugh and sing Christmas carols.

Even once I was grown up with kids of my own, Christmas was a "dress up" occasion.

It was always fun!

I tried to keep up with the tradition and take my mom's place. I found out how much work it is and how much $ can be spent.

(Sorry, no pics. I'm tired of scanning them in. Awww how did we manage before the digital age.)

I had fancy dinners where my kids dressed up. We went caroling to friends and neighbors giving little homemade goodies. We made cookies and everyone had to do some kind of "talent"-singing, reading, dancing.

Then when my kids started having their own families it started to get harder to get everyone together at the same time. And then ask them to dress up? We tried. I tried.

Then a couple years ago I changed everything.

You know how you almost always get pajamas for Christmas? And that's the only present your mom let's you open on Christmas Eve? My kids hated that. Well...I got to thinkin...What if...

we had a Christmas Eve Pajama Party?

It was a hit!

Everyone loved the idea of wearing pajamas to Gramma's house for dinner. The kids could play. Everyone was comfortable and the kids were ready for bed when they left to go home.

I still do the cookies.

David read the Cajun Night Before Christmas. It was hilarious!

David's family has matching Mickey pajamas. Sandi gave me and Sabrina matching Tinkerbell pajamas. We all had a great time at the pajama party.

Joseph

2009-12-18T05:08:00.000-08:00

We all know how devoted, how beloved of God, how clean and pure Mary, the mother of Jesus was. We know how devoted to Him she was. We know she loved Him, cared for Him, worshipped Him, and mourned for Him.

But what about Joseph?

Matthew Chapter 1:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people in their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they sall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

We know that Joseph was a carpenter and so was Jesus. So Jesus must have sat by the work bench as a child and watched and marveled at Joseph's skill. He probably worked and practiced until his skills matched Joseph's. I can imagine Joseph and Jesus, not only working together but also laughing together.

Do you think they teased Mary about her cooking? Do you think they argued about the best way to shape a piece of wood. Do you think they talked of Jesus' future? Did Joseph worry for him? Did he counsel Him? Did he love Him as any father loves his children? I can't help but think so.

Although there is not a lot recorded about Joseph and his relationship with Jesus, knowing how much The Father loved His son, I can't help but think that He would choose a man that would father Jesus with love and kindness, perhaps much in the same way He would.

In a lot of Nativities you see Joseph standing over Mary and the baby as though protecting them. I think that very appropriate. In my Nativity drawing this year, I have him kneeling with Mary in love and worship...and maybe even waiting for his turn to snuggle the sweet new born king.

The Best Birthday Ever

2009-12-10T21:28:00.000-08:00

Wednesday was my birthday. It was GREAT! I can't remember a better one.

It started Tuesday night. My kids and grandkids came over and brought presents.

Rich gave me this HUGE Santa face to hang on the front door. I LOVE it!

Sandy and Nancee gave me these beautiful metal dress forms. I've always wanted one.

Kelly knitted me a new red hat.

Harry and Andrew rocked out to "Follow the Prophets" and Baby Kelly danced.

Then on Wednesday me and the girls (plus Roko) went to Gilroy, to the outlets, to shop. We had such a good time.

We had lunch at Applebee's and they gave me a $10 gift certificate because they didn't have the cake I wanted for dessert. Wasn't that nice?

OK, so Roko had some issues with spending the day with a bunch of shopping women. But he and Nancee bonded and now she is his best friend!

And then, when I wasn't looking, the girls bought me this beautiful pair of sparkly, red Converse. What a surprise! I felt so cute and cool the whole rest of the day.
Do you think I could wear them to church?

It really was a fun day. A fun BIRTHDAY!
I am so lucky to have kids who know me and love me and live close enough to spoil me.

O Christmas Tree

2009-12-08T17:06:00.001-08:00

On Face Book, there were a few postings about decorating Christmas trees. You know... fake or real, kids decorating, nonbreakable or breakable ornaments.

A lot of families decorate the tree together. The kids putting all the ornaments on one branch. This year, my son's family surrounded their tree with one of those corral baby pens. OK OK it was my idea. They have 3 kids, the youngest is one and very "grabby". So the corral is working nicely.

I've tried the whole everybody decorates. I even tried having everyone make wishes with each ornament, but they always got bored and I ended up finishing.

So now the task is totally mine. It could be because the tree is huge and it takes hours. Or it could be because I'm picky about where the ornaments go.

Occasionally I can get someone to help for a half hour or so. Before we got the fake tree, Kelly would help put the lights on if she was home. (BTW, that's why we have a fake tree- I just can't put lights on anymore.) Last year Sabrina helped for awhile. This year Harry helped with the beads.

But don't feel sorry for me. I kinda, secretly like it. I put on Christmas music and take my time and remember why I love certain ornaments and laugh over and wonder why I bought other ones.

This is an ornament I bought the year we lived in Pensecola, Florida. It's old and one of my favorites.

This is one of a pair of little angels that were on mine and Jeanette's first Christmas present. When I hang them on the tree I remember how great it is to be a twin and all the Christmases Jeanette and I have shared.

We bought this angel Lab after our own Taffy dog died. I hang it high in the tree.

Harry when he was three. The one odd ornament on an otherwise fancy tree.

This is a round , sweet, snow gramma. I like to think it's me.

I collect figurines by this artist. She is influenced by Tim Burton. I love the skinny arms and legs.

This is a new ornament. I love ornaments that look antique and are sparkly.

This one was free.

Some years I think to myself, "I am not getting all that stuff out." But then I get to thinkin about all the cute Christmas things and how much I like looking at them and pretty soon all the decorations are out.

I could point to every Christmas decoration in my house and tell you why I bought it or made it or why it was given to me and why it is so important to me.

Maybe that's why we decorate so much at Christmas- to remember. I remember the wonder of my childhood, the love of my parents and now, my children.

As I decorate, I am reminded of fun times and sad times. I'm reminded to be grateful for my home and my family and for Christmases past, present, and future.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T21:28:00.000-08:00

We chased her into the woods. How in the world did she escape? And how did she get Mom's apron?! This was going to be a Thanksgiving like no other.

Although I am a big fan of gratitude, I am not a big fan of Thanksgiving. I don't like to cook or do dishes and those are the main events of Thanksgiving. But I do love to eat and I love the Macy's parade so I put up with everything else.

A number of years ago I pared down the dinner to only the traditional foods we really like. No yams, green bean casserole, or orange jello with shredded carrots in it. This year I'm having boneless turkey breasts. I know, I know-where's the tradition in such a no frills feast? Well...

Because I don't make a big deal, my kids spend the day with their spouse's families- which means I get them for Christmas.
I get to sleep in (no getting up at the crack of dawn to put the turkey in the oven) until the parade starts.
We get to go to the movies instead of staying home to baste the bird.

But, like I said, I am a fan of gratitude. This easy-going Thanksgiving gives me time to remember how much I love my life!

I have a home that is a haven for me and my family and it is often filled with laughter, running feet, crashing hot wheels, guitar solos, and silly dancing.

My children love their parents and each other.

I get to express myself through silly doodles and drawings and occasionally through great big paintings.

And how could I express gratitude for my life without including my membership in the true church of Jesus Christ. This blessing makes all of the others more sweet and more important.

So... to everyone, whether your Thanksgiving is big or small, fancy or no frills, I hope you are happy.

Now...bring on the shopping! What time does Target open on Friday?

IS IT CHRISTMAS YET?!

My Veteran

2009-11-12T08:22:00.001-08:00

This is my veteran.
Rich joined the navy in 1973.
We got married in 1974 after he was stationed in Guam on the subtender Proteus. Sandy was born there.
In 1976 he entered NESEP (Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program). He went to the University of Washington and graduated in 1979 with a degree in Aeronautical and Astronomical Engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign. David and Kelly were born during this time. During the summers he went on these practice cruizes and left me with little kids at home. I was being prepared for the DEPLOYMENTS.

Our first duty station was Brunswick, Maine with VP26. He left me there in a little cabin in Cundy's Harbour and went on deployment. Let me tell you, I had to grow up fast. I moved us into Navy Housing alone. I got Sandy to school alone. I went to church and wive's clubs meetings to make friends and get support. But I missed him and was mad at him for leaving me and was always so glad to have him come home.

I was especially glad there was no war.

These pictures are from the Iceland deployment-his second. I was more prepared for this one-I knew the "ins" and "outs"-

how to start a huge project the day he left so I wouldn't cry all day (once, I refinished and recovered a living room chair).

how not to blame him for everything (except when the washer broke down)

how to make it fun for the kids (when he was gone we would have homemade bread and icecream for dinner).

how to keep a list by the phone of things to talk about when he made his once a month phone call (boy, they have it easy now with email and cell phones).

how to go to bed every night and hope he wasn't having too much fun without me (and I prayed for him too).

He's the one under the arrow. It's hard to tell them all apart.

He went on a lot of deployments in the 16 years he was on active duty. But he always made it home for Christmas and he stayed true to me and the kids.

His last duty station was aboard the USS Enterprise (he was there when they filmed "Top Gun"). He was discharged in 1990. He went on to serve in the reserves until he retired in 1999.

I know he misses flying and the guys he flew with. I don't know if he misses the deployments (I don't).

I'm glad he's home and didn't have to serve during a war.

Yesterday I was busy shopping with my girls (enjoying the day off). That's why I'm writing this today. Rich wore his flight jacket with all the patches on it from all the places he's been and stuff he did while in the navy and went to Applebee's with Harry and had dinner for free (Yay! Applebee's).

Rich is my veteran. I'm proud of him and I love him.

Snow White and the Seven Magical Apples

2009-11-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess. Her name was Snow White. Not only was she beautiful, but she was the best pie maker in the whole county. Every year her pies won the blue ribbons at the fair.

Snow White had a mean stepmother (the wicked witch). She was very jealous of Snow White’s pie making skills. So one day she sent Snow White into the apple orchard to pick apples and while she was there, the mean stepmother (the wicked witch) put a spell on her that made her forget who she was and how to bake pies.

Snow White was lost and afraid and hungry, and she didn’t know who she was. She wandered in the orchard until the 7 magical apples found her. Each one was different, beautiful, and delicious. There was Fugi, Gala, Golden, Red, Granny Smith, Pippin, and Cameo. They recognized Snow White and so they took her home with them to their magical Apple Tree.

The 7 magical apples took very good care of Snow White. They taught her how to bake pies again. Soon she was just as good at it as she was before her mean stepmother (the wicked witch) put a spell on her. One day while she was baking, a big black crow was watching her. He was a spy for the mean stepmother (the wicked witch) and he flew right home to tell her about Snow White’s pies.

The mean stepmother (the wicked witch) disguised herself as a pie peddler and went into the apple orchard carrying a poisoned apple pie just for Snow white. No one knows how she got Snow White to taste the poisoned pie but she did and Snow White fell into a deep, deep sleep.

When the 7 magical apples found her they didn’t know what to do. No matter how much they shook her, she wouldn’t wake up. They thought and thought and finally came up with a plan. They decided to squeeze a little juice out of themselves and mix it together. After all they were magical weren’t they? Perhaps their juice was just what she needed. So they mixed their juice and put a spoonful into Snow White’s mouth. Sure enough she woke right up. Not only did she wake up but she even remembered who she was.

That night she made the most wonderful magical apple pie. The next morning she took the pie to her mean stepmother (the wicked witch) and begged her to take just one bite. When the mean stepmother (the wicked witch) tasted the magical pie all of her meaness (and wickedness) dissolved away. She hugged Snow White and thanked her for the pie.

And they lived happily ever after.

The Carving of the Jack-O-Lantern

2009-10-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

Sabrina skipped school today.

Well she didn't actually skip school. She had a dentist appt. at 8 am. It was traumatic so she needed to stay home. She stayed home with Grampa while I went off to babysit the other Larsen household which has been overcome with flu.

When I got home we went off to the Pumpkin Patch to see what we could find.

In our valley in California, it stays warm until...well...until this week, so carving pumpkins before now just leads to rotteness.

Anyway...we came home with a pumpkin for each of us to carve and then that horrible mad scientist pulling out of the insides and cutting of eyes and scary mouths began.

Mine was a little rotten already so the smell of its insides almost did us in, but we surgically removed all the "icky" and then it was OK.

Sabrina's had a very thick skin so she needed help. Good thing Harry was around.

In the end we created two pretty great "Jacks".

A Dark and Stormy Night

2009-10-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

It was a dark and stormy night!
Just right to give you a fright.
Graveyard to the left,
Haunted house to the right.

Hey! Is that my MUMMY?

Sacrament Meeting Doodle

2009-10-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

So you know how I doodle when I'm supposed to be listening? Well today was no different. I doodled during Sacrament Meeting. Sister Rupe gave a great talk about the light of Christ. I doodled a little but I also tried to listen. Her talk was short.

Then Bro. Calvo got up to speak-I was uncomfortable. The Calvos went inactive a while back and announced that when we got a new Bishop they'd come back and sure enough when we got a new bishop they were back. Is it me or is that really weird? I wonder what our old bishop did to offend them and how did our new bishop manage to "un"offend them?
I don't understand the whole concept of, "We believe in the church and will live the gospel, but we don't like you so when you're gone we'll come back to meetings."
Enough on that subject.

Needless to say-I was doodling. Bro. Calvo read his talk and I don't really remember much because I was uncomfortable and I was doodling.

I don't know why, but when I go to draw a little boy it always turns out to be Andrew.

Anyway...

The rest of the morning was great so I have no other doodles to share. Both Sunday School and Relief Society were about Prophets.

I am so glad that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he restored the gospel. I love reading about what he was like as a man, a friend, a father, as well as the prophet. I'm grateful to have a prophet who leads us today.
Yay! President Monson!

I Iron and I Am Not Ashamed

2009-10-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

Recently there was a short discussion on my Facebook page about ironing. Most people who commented did not iron; had thrown out their irons. Some recommended various brands of clothing that were "no iron" friendly. Some had never ironed in their whole lives. Can you imagine?! I was the only one who ironed. I responded with, "I iron and I am not ashamed!"

When did ironing become this unthinkable act?

I remember my mom ironing mountains of white shirts for my dad. He wore one everyday to work. I can't tell you how many young men I've seen passing the sacrament in wrinkled white shirts.

I've been known to ask my daughter-in-law if she wouldn't like me to iron her top for her. She always laughs like I'm joking. Just yesterday she had a top on that was so wrinkled-but I didn't ask because I knew she would just laugh. What is wrong with having the bow on the front of your blouse flat instead of lumpy. (Does anyone say "blouse" anymore?)

Ironing used to be part of a woman's "bag" of talents. Pioneer moms heated their iron (or irons, if they were lucky enough to have more than one- one heating while ironing with the other) in the fire or on the stove. It was important that her family look neat and wearing pressed clothing is a way of looking "neat".

Back then you ironed your petticoats as well as skirts and bodices (now that's a word you don't hear very often). And your petticoat didn't even show. My cousin, Marie, used to only iron the parts of her outfit that showed, like the collar and cuffs under a sweater. I tried that once-I didn't even make it out of my room. I felt so "disheveled". I iron everything whether it shows or not.

My mom taught me pillow cases should be ironed and at least the top hem of a flat sheet if you don't have time to do the whole thing. And I did most of the time, especially if she was coming to visit. Since her passing, I don't do it as often as I should.

Now I realize that lots of fabrics today are supposed to be "wrinkle-free". You can always spot the people wearing "permanent press"-they're wrinkled. And seriously, they think nobody notices. Clothing made out of this fabric is meant to be washed in cold water on a special "cycle". They have to be dried carefully and then "finger-pressed" (that means smoothing the wrinkles out with your hands) as you fold them or before you hang them. This whole process actually takes just as much time and energy as ironing.

Those of us who do iron fall into two groups. My daughter, Sandi, falls into the first. She hangs up or folds everything and then irons it just before she wears it. She always looks "neat". I fall into the second group. I have an ironing pile. When it gets big I spend a day (sometimes more than one) ironing everything. Then I put the board away and the pile starts to grow again.

I don't just iron when it needs to be done. Most of the time I iron when I'm procrastinating doing something more important like working on a drawing or design or painting, a Sunday School lesson, a talk, or cleaning the garage. Ironing takes no real concentration so you can think about other things. Or nothing. It's a great time to watch a scary movie.

So I iron. More people should. Come on! Wrinkles are BAD!

I AM the GRAMMA!

2009-09-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

My patriarchal blessing is kind of boring. It just says the normal stuff about being a good girl, getting married, stay faithful- ya know nothing huge like "you'll be a great leader" or "you'll succeed as an artist" (which was what I was going for). It really only says one personal thing to me- "Your children will be the brightest jewels in your crown". I was nineteen and this just wasn't the "fortune" I wanted to hear. So I went on my merry way. I eventually got married and started a family, never once thinking that they were in any way "jewels".

Fast forward some 37 years. It's Christmas and everyone is seated at the dining room table. The grandkids are wiggling around. Kelly is expecting her first in March. Before the blessing I stand up to give a toast.

Before I tell you the rest I need to explain that all 4 of my kids live close. Sandy and Dave live in the next town over, Kelly lives about two hours away, and Harry is still at home.

So ... the Toast. I tell them about my patriarchal blessing. I hadn't thought about it in years and never understood what it meant until recently. I tell them that they truly are the jewels of my crown and that they are the reason for my life. Then David's wife, Nancee, announces she's pregnant with their 3rd so I sit down.

There's a saying that I've seen on those boards you hang in your living room: "Each time a child is born, so is a grandmother." I'm one of those grammas. Neither my grandmother nor my mother was one of those grammas so I decided to make a real effort to be THE GRAMMA.

So what makes a great "GRAMMA"?

In my opinion she needs to be round (OK, she doesn't have to be, but I am.)

There are the fun things grammas should be able to do:

Baking cookies with small children who are messy and drop eggs on the floor is helpful.
Having toys -no-having lots of toys and preferably in a huge closet or playroom is a big thumbs up.
Cooking only favorite foods for dinner is popular and having every kind of ice cream flavor for dessert doesn't hurt either.
Riding bikes, practicing ballet, swinging, swimming, playing catch, crashing hot wheels cars are also good skills.
Sleepovers are a "MUST".

Then there are the serious things grammas should be able to do:

Saying "NO" without causing a fight is crucial - I'm still trying to master this one.
Making sure every grandchild feels equally special is so important. I try really hard, but sometimes the parents get jealous.
Sometimes being "Doctor Gramma" is important: "He'll be fine." "Use Desitin not organic Buttpaste." "It's just a cold." "Eating dirt will not kill her." or "You need to take him to the doctor. I've never seen that before."
Always having a lap to sit on, a shoulder to lean against, a knee to bounce, a listening ear and a kiss on the cheek are standard equipment.
If at all possible BABYSIT! If a gramma is at home and her grandchildren need a sitter the gramma should help.

Now I realize that not all grandmothers have the ideal situation that I have with my grandchildren living close, but there are lots of ways to BE THE GRAMMA. My sister talks on the phone to her granddaughter everyday and they visit through the computer by skyping and email. I know grammas who text or even write letters. My son-in-law posts a picture of Roko everyday on Facebook for me (and everyone else) to see.

Being THE GRAMMA really starts in your heart. You have to realize what a special role you have and how it influences the lives of your grandchildren and your children.

Bill Cosby once talked about his parents, as grandparents, were not the same people they were as his parents. I think I've heard my kids say the same thing about me.

So my patriarchal blessing...the brightest jewels in my crown...watching "Hot Wheels Force 5" with Andrew...what more could I ask out of life?

Labor Day or Forced Relaxation

2009-09-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

It's Labor Day. In the past, we've spent this day picnicing or bike riding; doing something fun and exhausting. but this year is different.

Harry came home sick from school on Friday. Actually he was sick on thursday but we couldn't convince him to stay home on Friday. So he went to Seminary and then I dropped him at school. He didn't even make it to 1st period. His temp was 101. By the time he got to the Dr. it was 102. So lots of rest, cough syrup, antibiotics, and no activity.

Saturday, I puttered around, cleaning out dish cupboards, doing laundry. Harry's girlfriend came over and took Sabrina to the mall. Harry slept. Sandi came over and made dinner and then Rebecca brought Sabrina home and we let Harry up to watch a movie with them.

The rest of the weekend has been spent in forced relaxation. We've slept in, watched movies, read; I went for a swim, and Harry has played video games. It hasn't been easy. I've had to talk myself out of ironing or cleaning out more cupboards.

But really what's Labor Day all about? Isn't it suppposed to be spent resting from labor? Why is it so hard? Why do we feel like we have to fill every extra moment with some activity?

So I am doing my part today to be free of labor...Well at least until I have to start the BBQ.

The End of Summer

2009-08-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

It's the last Saturday of summer vacation. Harry starts school on Monday and I get to go back to watching Andrew and Kelly while their mom serves lunch at Nate's school.

Harry has had a great summer. He never went a week without seeing some if not all of his friends. They had movie nights and beach parties. To end the summer, Kelly took him and his girlfriend, Rebecca, to the Warp Tour in Sacramento yesterday and I babysat Roko. Today, Harry is at a swim party celebrating the finish of his summer homework.

Other great accomplishments this summer include Nate learning to ride a two wheeler, Andrew swimming under water and Kelly learning to walk (both she and Roko turned

one this year). Sabrina spent the summer between me and Gramma Pam. She kept me active all summer, riding bikes and exercising on Wii. Harry did not get his license-we both dragged our feet and now he won't get it til Feb (but it will be a great birthday present).

I love to see summer come and hate to see it go. I'm not ready to give up the pool (although I don't really have to until the middle of next month- it just gets harder to find the time). I love having sun light until 9pm. And oh how I love sleeping in (which of course will end with the beginning of seminary).

As far as I can tell, the only good thing about summer ending and school beginning is Back To School Shopping! Harry went with Rebecca and came home looking like a Jonas Brother! Sabrina, of course was the cutest to dress. But really what I like, what I look forward to every year, what I'm probably addicted to, what I can't walk by in Target without stopping to dream... is School Supplies- mostly crayons. I had Sabrina take inventory the other day:
18 boxes of crayons- after we donated 6 boxes to the 1st grade
6 boxes of colored pencils
6 boxes of skinny markers
5 boxes of fat markers
some scissors
I didn't even count the pencils because I buy them by the box

What's really strange is this doesn't even seem like alot. There's just something about new pencils and crayons and scissors, and rulers, and notebooks, and cute folders. My cousin, Barbara, didn't like school until the invention of colored Flair markers. After that she did all her homework in different colors.

So another summer ends. 294 days to go.

Grendall

2009-08-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

This is Grendall.
She's my doll.
My friend, Sandi Olsen, made her for me as a graduation gift
when we graduated from High School.

So that makes her....Well...really, a lady should never have to reveal her age.

Both of my daughters played with her when they were little.
She's been repaired a few times.
At one time, someone drew on her face with marker
so she had to have a little bit of a face lift.

But the most important thing is that she has been loved.
So loved in fact that she shows up in many of my drawings.

Sometimes she appears by herself and sometimes with friends.
Sometimes she's the center of attention and sometimes she's not.

Once she was the Easter Chicken.

Grendall is a GREAT doll!
Keep an eye out for her.

Tresures in the Attic

2009-08-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

OK, so we don't have an attic, but that sounded better than Treasures in the Old Storage Unit.

We've had this old storage unit for probably 20 years. (That's 20 yrs at $42 a month...I don't want to know or hear about it.) It hasn't been opened in 15. Today we decided it was time to empty it. Why today? Well... David wanted his GI Joes for Nate because the movie comes out next week.

Did we find the GI Joes? Yep, along with Rambo, Masters of the Universe, Star Command, baseball cards and Construcs.

Nate was in Heaven!
We also found the Cabbage Patch dolls and other "girl" stuff: yearbooks, New Kids On The Block, love notes, etc., but we took it all over to Sandi's garage so no pictures.

We kept toys so our children could share them with their own kids. Wow! How time flies!

Did we find anything else? You bet!

Antique hats and china that belonged to my Aunt Martha. My Aunt Martha didn't have any children. Jeanette and I were her favorite nieces. She bought enough china for both of us. The hats are beautiful. One is from Neiman Marcus. I tried them all on.

Tons of old books. Including this gem: "Welcome Aboard An Informal Guide for the Officer's Wife" from when Rich was in the Navy. I don't remember reading it.

Rich's old record albums. He was so thrilled! They're all in perfect condition. Too bad we don't have a turn table anymore. He also found our first computer-an Amiga!

But the real find were all my Uncle Jimmy's (married to Aunt Martha) cameras.

There was one antique Poloroid. The rest are all Kodaks. One is a Brownie that was in the box! One looks really antique and one looks like it just came out of the store. Along with the cameras were a million slides I can't wait to look at, a very old slide projector, and lots of old flash bulbs, camera bags, and other supplies.

What a day it was!

Where am I going to put the china?

O Pioneer (Happy 24th of July)

2009-07-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

Anna Maria (Ericksdotter) Peterson was born at Courling Heer, Lena Perish, in Neugeborg, Sweden, October 14, 1833. She was the third child of a family of seven; four boys and three girls. They were very very poor and each member of the family had to work. By the time she was sixteen she had had many jobs but very little schooling. When she was 26 she met the Mormon missionaries and was baptized November 16, 1859. Her parents disowned her. She never saw them again.

She began to work for a Mormon family for the promise of passage to America. She traveled as a hired girl with the family from Gotebeberg, Sweden to Copenhagen, Denmark, and then to Hamburg, Germany. Then they traveled by cattle boat to England and from there they sailed on the "Kimball" to New York. From New York they traveled by hog train to St. Joseph, Missouri and then by steam boat to Florence, Nebraska where they joined the "Independent Train" led by Captain Joseph Young.

Because she was the hired girl, Anna Maria had to walk the whole way while leading the family's cow and carrying the youngest child.

Along the way, she fell in love with the family's hired man, Peter Eliason. The company entered Tithing Yard in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September, 11, 1863. Anna Maria and Peter were married by Captain Young the next evening.

Her first home was a dug out in a dirt bank. The rent was $4. The only bedding they had was what she made from some extra underwear. Their bed was made from cattails she gathered from the swamp. That first winter and summer she did the washing for the soldiers at Fort Douglas Camp. She washed 16 uniforms by hand everyday and was paid $1. She wove many yards of cloth and was paid sometimes in potatoes or flour. She once wove cloth for one of Brigham Young's wives and was paid 1 potato and then was later charged for the potato.
Eventually Peter and Anna Maria bought a small farm in Logan and had their first child, John Emil on January 7, 1865.

Jacob Furhiman was born to Jakob Furhiman and Anna Maria Kaempfer in Ursenbach, Switzerland on January 6, 1831. When he was 19 his father died and Jacob went out to learn a trade. He chose to become a builder and carpenter.

When he was 21 he became apprenticed to Andreas Loosli. He lived with the family and fell in love with Andreas' daughter, Barbara. They were married December 5, 1856.

Jacob, along with several members of the Loosli family became interested in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and were among the first 400 baptized in Switzerland.

In 1860 Jacob and Barbara and others of the Loosli family began their journey to America. They traveled to Liverpool and booked passage to New York on the sailing vessal, "Underwriter". They traveled from there by railway and flatboat to Florence, Nebraska. They became members of the J.D. Ross Co. Jacob earned his way across the plains by driving a team of oxen for his brother-in-law. The Looslis and Furhimans did not find the journey dificult as they were well prepared for the journey. Jacob and Barbara often walked side by side, Barbara carrying their baby, Godfrey.

Both families settled in Providence, Utah. Barbara had 9 children. Her 4th was Anna Barbara (Bett) born May 3, 1864.

Bett (Anna Barbara) Furhiman met John Emil Eliason at a dance in Logan. John had gone there with friends and at first Bett laughed about him to her friends but as time went on, John won her admiration and love. John's father was bringing home a bride for him from Sweden,but before he arrived, John and Bett were married in the Logan Temple on March 9, 1887. John's father didn't like Bett at first because she cut and curled her bangs.

Emil and Bett lived in Logan for 13 years and had their first 7 children there. They moved to Bancroft, Idaho in the spring of 1900. There they had 2 more children.

My grandmother, Marie Amanda, was their sixth child, born November 17, 1896 in Logan, Utah. She married Teller Herbert Kelly on March 22, 1918 in Pocatello, Idaho. They had 5 children.

My mother, Carma, was their 4th child, born July 9, 1928. Carma Kelly married David Gordon Boston on March 6, 1952 in Pocatello, Idaho.

My twin, Jeanette, and I (Janette) were born December 9, 1952 in Ogden, Utah.

Want to learn a little about your pioneer heritage?
Visit: www.familysearch.org
http//new.familysearch.com

Street Fireworks and Swimming Under Water

2009-07-06T22:11:00.000-07:00

Around here, the 4th of July is a big deal. Dave's family goes to the parade. We decorate the backyard with red white and blue. Everybody wears red white and blue. Sabrina and I make a red white and blue dessert ( this year it was star shaped cakes with - you guessed it - tons of red white and blue frosting). This year we decided to do pizza instead of the traditional BBQ so no one had to get hot slaving over hamburgers and hot dogs. But I don't know, I kinda missed 'em.

We swim and lay in the sun and swim and squirt water and swim and have little sea battles and swim and try to dunk Harry. This year it was extra fun because we bought a disposible

underwater camera so we could take pictures under water. It was fun but harder than you would think to see through the view finder under water, to hold still long enough under water, and to catch the kids before they either floated past or went up for air.

It was so fun to get the pictures today and see the ones that came out - I especially like the picture of Andrew under water with his eyes open (under water is very new to him).

But really the best part of the 4th is the street fireworks show. We spend way too much money on fireworks but it just makes the whole day worth it. Dave and Harry get them ready. We set up chairs, wrap up in quilts and oooh and aaah as though we were in Disneyland - even though they're just fountains up on a ladder. This was Baby Kelly's first year and she thought they were great!

I can still remember the 4th of Julys from my childhood. It was always such a fun day waiting for it to get dark enough to light Sparklers. As I post these pictures of my kids and grandkids it seems that not a lot has changed.

P.S. There was only one thing missing this year-Roko. He was in Utah with his parents (Mark & Kelly) at a wedding.

A Home-The American Dream

2009-06-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Since Sabrina has been here we have been going on a bike ride every morning. "UGH" We live in a huge, closed neighborhood so it's a great place to ride bicycles. Well it used to be anyway.

Our neighborhood-"Crossroads" was built during the big housing boom-low interest, variable rate loans, no down payments, and anyone would qualify. The great American dream of owning a home became a reality to families who thought they never would. The neighborhood filled up, and values went up and up and up, and then it all came tumbling down.

Now everywhere you go there are empty, abandoned houses. I've heard stories of people in foreclosure just gutting their houses-taking everything with them-floors, counter tops, lights, even toilets. And just leaving.

Some put their home up for rent and then buy something cheaper somewhere else, only to let the rental fall into foreclosure. What happened to honesty?

How did this happen? More importantly, how is it going to be fixed? Everywhere you look there are dead, burnt lawns. Empty houses everywhere. Who will buy them?

And then there are those of us that still pay our mortgages on our homes that are no longer worth what we paid for them.

I'm sure there are analysts and economists, realtors, brokers, and investors who probably understand how and why this all happened. There are even probably long-range plans for recovery.

But I'm just an ordinary person who sees the dead lawns and empty windows and feels sad for the lost American dream.

Making A List

2009-06-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

Recently I read a blog where the writer listed her accomplishments in the last 20 years. Needless to say, I felt like a loser. So... I got to thinking about my accomplishments ...

* never marched in a protest during the 60's or 70's, but during that "free love" and drug era I made probably the most important decision of my life: I joined the Church. I can't imagine who I would be without my membership.

* never traveled abroad, but I moved from coast to coast with my husband and 3 kids while he was in the Navy. For 16 years I spent a good part of my time raising those 3 kids alone while Rich was on deployment (He went to Japan, the Azores, Iceland, Israel, Italy, England, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Spain, Panama, Puerto Rico, Africa, Thailand, Phillippines, Tahiti, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Bermuda.)

* went back to school and got an AA. I know it's not much, but I worked hard on what I loved: Art and found a new love: Theater. I won 2nd place in a writing competition, had a showing of watercolors in the lobby of the theater, aced Algebra, designed costumes for several plays (Aesop's Falables, Crimes of the Heart, Little Shop of Horrors to name a few), did horrible as a sculptor, sold a mixed media painting to a guy in New York who I've never met. And although my education only went that far I'll never forget what Dan Peterson (my art adviser) told me: "No matter where you get your degree, it's your portfolio that counts".

So although I never got the teaching degree I'd planned, I taught art through a county program and loved it. I still teach the occasional class for my grandkids in school or church groups.

* had Harry when I was 40--Now that is an accomplishment! He has been the joy of my life. Not that the other 3 weren't joys; Harry just helped to make Rich and me realize it. We call him our "Do Over".

* worked for more than 10 years as a scenic artist and painted walls and trees and furniture and murals and I only retired when they gutted the theater scene shop so they could remodel it. I decided it was time.

* have been a teacher in every Church auxillary except Priesthood. I've been in several presidencies, but my favorite was when I was the Home Management teacher in Relief Society-15 minutes, once a month (they don't have that position anymore).

*never been "published" but I do have a website where you can see some of the tons of drawings in my portfolio: www.jansfriends.com

* became a GRANDMOTHER. Not just the kind that sends birthday cards either, but the kind that babysits and has a "toy closet". The kind that picks grandkids up from school when they're sick, let's them stay over night and then has to listen to them cry because they don't want to go home.

No matter what you do in life as long as you're not sitting on the couch all day, everyday, you're going to have accomplishments.

Make a list.
It'll be great!

Swimming Time Again

2009-05-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

Ah...swimming time again!

Warm days laying by the pool.

Dragonflies lazily skimming by.

Floating along on a blow up raft.
Listening to the waterfall.

The splashing of little feet and hands.

Cannon balls and water gun fights.

Ah...swimming time again!
Pool toys scattered all over the yard.
At least 10 loads of wet towels to wash.
Popsicle wrappers on the patio and in the water.
Wet foot prints and puddles on the floor.
"Don't run!" shouted 100 times a day.
Screaming and dunking and choking and crying.

Ah...swimming time again!

Hold to the Iron Rod!

2009-05-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

This week I've been thinking about choices and the consequences of those choices. How do we know we're making the right ones?

When you're young you don't realize that even the smallest choice you make can have a huge impact on your life when you're older.

Who to be friends with? Whether or not to do your homework? Alcohol & drugs or soda & Doritos? What cute outfit should I wear today?

Once you've made your choices how do you live with the consequences?

I remember sitting in my Stake President's office (he'd been a friend of the family for years) and crying over the bad choices my kids had made, the consequences they were suffering and thinking I would never have them back.

He told me to stay faithful, be a good member, and a good example and they would come back. How far away that seemed at the time.

But I stayed faithful (not always easy) and tried to be a good example, and a good member. And most of all I kept loving my children. I would share what I learned in Sunday School or Relief Society. I kept inviting (sometimes demanding, sometimes guilting) them to come to church with me. I suffered their consequences with them and kept moving forward. Then one day it started to happen. They began to return.

So, how do we make choices that yield good consequences? And how do you make it through the consequences that aren't so great? HOLD TO THE IRON ROD. I held on until my knuckles were white.

I'm still holding on.

Disneyland

2009-04-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

What is it about Disneyland?

We just got back. Our whole family went-all 13 of us: 7 adults, 3 kids, 2 babies, and 1 teenager. We've been planning for more than a year. Where to stay-Disneyland Hotel (Duh!). How many days in the park-4 (Dave, Nate, and Harry-5). Will it be warm or cold-who knows (it turned out 2 days cold, 2 days warm-nice!). How to pay for it-income tax returns and The Bank of Grampa.

Is it the happiest place on earth?
ABSOLUTELY!

Everywhere you go you see it.

Baby Kelly loved "Finding Nemo".

I swear Dave turns into a 10 year old.
That's why he gets an extra day while Nancee packs up the car.

We all love Pixie Hollow (well, not Sandi).
We stood in line for an hour to have a pic with Tinkerbell.

Sabrina and Nate got makeovers at the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique.

Roko loved the water in Bug's Land.

Don't get me wrong, I hear the crying kids and frustrated parents too. And I know the lines are long and the food is overpriced. But for a few days you are totally immersed in the wonderfully imagination world that was and still is Walt Disney. Everywhere you go there is something beautiful, artistic, or silly to look at, participate in, sing along to, take a picture of or just remember.

I went to Disneyland the first year it opened. I was 2. I have some very vivid memories of it. And everytime I go I'm amazed at the new and amazing rides, attractions, and shows. Favorite memories of this trip will be: Baby Kelly's face as she looked out the submarine porthole; spending time shopping with Kelly and drawing animations in the Apprentice's Workshop and having mine work; Nathaniel getting to ride Indiana Jones for the first time; Andrew loving that Alice in Wonderland was PINK! And Nathaniels face, on the last day, when it crumbled into tears because he didn't want to leave.

What will Disney do next? I can't wait for Cars Land in 2011. We've already promised Harry to take him before he goes on his mission.

So what is it about Disneyland?

Bunnies and Eggs and Andrew, Oh My!

2009-04-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

Easter has always been my favorite. The promise of warm days to come. Snapdragons and poppies blooming in the garden. Capris and cute short sleeved tops with sandals or better yet flip flops. We hope for weather warm enough to swim.
We always have an egg hunt-sometimes indoors and sometimes out (sometimes both). I love it. Plastic eggs all over the backyard (mostly in plain sight) and little kids running.
And Andrew!
Andrew is our number 3 grandchild out of 5 and number 2 child out of 3--totally the middle- which could explain a lot. He just turned 4 and I LOVE him!
He makes all of these silly faces-most of them angry and tells everyone he's "busy".
He loves cars, well really, anything with wheels.
His favorite color is pink.
He loves tea parties.
I get to play with him almost everyday!

Being Released

2009-03-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday I was released from my calling. I've only been the gospel doctrine teacher for 2 years and expected to be there for 2 more. I was so shocked when Bro. Adams came by to tell me. What's worse is I wasn't called to something else. I've been fretting over this all week.
I've always had a hard time being released when it's not by choice or when not feeling like "it's time".
So I feel like I was fired. I know, I know... that's not how the Church works. But why, then, do they release people and then leave them hanging.
I guess I should be glad to have a break and really that's how I'm trying to look at this, but my feelings are a little hurt and my own insecurities keep popping into my head (and heart) and making me wonder what I did wrong.
And then the worst thought enters my mind--they're going to call me to the nursery (I always think they're going to call me to the nursery). This time I'm going to smile and say "I would be delighted" (this is a whole different story and I really don't want to talk about it). Just walking by the nursery door practically gives me a mini nervous break down.
So why am I writing all this down?
Because maybe it will help.
So will prayer.

I have such gratitude for my talents and the opportunities I've had to serve. I know the Lord knows me and loves me. I guess I'm just going to have to go on faith.

The House at Pooh Corner

2009-03-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

So Harry is Tigger in his High School's production of The House at Pooh Corner. I painted the set. Really it's just two trees-Pooh's house and Owl's house. At first I was just going to copy the illustrations from the book, but then I started painting and pretty soon the trees started to look like trees I would paint. I think they turned out great. I finished with enough time to do some fun stuff like- a portrait of Owl in his house and a window in Pooh's house.

It's nice painting for Harry's school theatre. Mr. Barlow really appreciates it. I'm not sure what it would look like without my help. It's a totally different feeling than I had painting for MJC where they could care less and never appreciated my work.

Harry is absolutely wonderful as Tigger. Really funny. Very talented.

Spore

2009-03-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

George & Pinky

I've discovered the world of Spore!!

I downloaded the mobile version of the game to my phone (see post 2/19).
It appeals to me in the same way that Pixie Hollow does.--I know--it's about creating monster creatures and surviving by eating or fighting other creatures and Pixie Hollow is about cute little fairies and making friends, BUT it's about the ARTWORK!

I am blown away by the graphics. The game for mobile devices has you play as a small little creature swimming through Primordial Ooze that looks like something under a microscope except for the other very cool looking creatures trying to eat you.

George and Pinky were created in the Spore Creature Creator (free on line at www.spore.com but a pain to download). The artists who created this program make it so fun just to create your own monster from the shape of the body to what kind of mouth, hands, feet, etc to what and how the color is applied. Then to make it even funner, they added all kinds of little animations it can go through, like dancing, crying, swooning in love, even little babies that hatch out of eggs.

I'm telling you it was just so FUN! I totally didn't even see a little of "Numbers" which was what I was supposed to be doing with my husband.

I am so going out and buying the game for my PC!

If Only I Were Young Again

2009-03-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Wishing to be young again, can start at any age. When the new baby is born, the older baby wants to be a baby again. And when you're having a bad "mom" day, don't you wish you could be young again and not have kids? When your teenage daughter gets ready to go to the prom, don't you wish you could be her age again. (Oh, admit it, you'd like to go to the prom again.) Now, it's probably different for men because I don't think they ever really grow up (but that's a whole different story). Anyway, what I'm saying is, we all wish we could go back and be our young self again at some point (perhaps at many points) in our life.

This is kind of how I'm feeling today.

I went back to college in the late eighties. Personal computers were new. I took a computer graphics class and loved it. I had an Amiga (don't laugh). It had the best graphics at the time. After that I went on with my life and family. And of course computers got better and better. And pretty soon I was wishing I was in high school again and could do it all again.

Yesterday, I asked a woman in RS about cute backgrounds for blogs and she told me about thecutestblogontheblock website. I spent hours pouring over their designs and the secrets. I redid my blog about 4 times, made my own button, and a signature.

Now I don't really know that much about code-just what my son-in-law has showed me when putting up my website. Mostly I just copy and paste and experiment. But I wish I knew more.

I wish I could be young again and do it over-I would so be a graphic artist.

I use my computer a lot with my artwork but wish I knew more.

I'd like to know the code and design cute stuff to put with my drawings.

You're probably thinking why doesn't she go back to school? I've thought of that too, but I've been back once and it was hard. Not to mention expensive. I want to be young with tons of energy and time and no responsibilities and then I want to go back to school.

So I guess I'll just keep muddling through with what I can do with graphics and codes and I'll keep on admiring the young graphic artists who are changing the art world. Not to mention movies, blogs, websites, graphic novels...OMG!

My next thing to try is-making my website as cute as my blog. I know there's a way!

Fairy Friends

2009-03-03T19:47:00.000-08:00

So you know I've become addicted to Pixie Hollow. It's a great way to procrastinate doing housework, cooking dinner, folding laundry. It keeps me up late at night (only time the servers are empty of all the little girls who have had to go to bed) and early in the morning (all the little girls have gone to school). And who doesn't love Disney? I wish I were as talented as the Disney artists.

So they're having an art contest. Draw your fairy.

And I know I'm not a little girl and I didn't enter to win. But it was a challenge and an inspiration. Sometimes I have to be pushed into doing some artwork.

I've doodled around for a month, trying to work it out. The deadline is Thursday.

Coming Home to a Clean House

2009-02-27T17:22:00.000-08:00

I know I don't really deserve a housekeeper. I don't have a real job (although I babysit my grandchildren everyday-is that a job? If you knew Andrew, you wouldn't have to ask).

But ya know, a few years ago I started thinking about how much time I spent cleaning toilets and mopping floors and dusting and decided I had better things to do with my time. Of course, I didn't want to have inches of dust, sticky floors, or gucky toilets. So the only way to have time and a clean house was to hire someone to clean it for me. Her name is Tamara.

When I come home on Friday and smell the Pledge or the Fabuloso in the air...the shine...the lack of fingerprints...my heart just explodes with joy.

I don't let any children over, and I don't cook. It's beautiful for the whole day! Then I'm ready for the weekend and the grandkids and the fingers touching everything and the cracker crumbs and the toys under foot and total, wonderful chaos that is my family...and my heart explodes with joy.

Old Stuff

2009-02-26T18:14:00.000-08:00

So, I was scrolling thru my blog and wondering where my thoughts and drawings were. Where are the young women I drew and the modern dancers...not to mention the little witch hanging from the moon? Did I accidentally delete them? Then I found them on my old blog that was spelled wrong (refer to posting Sept. 30, 2008). I miss seeing those posts so I thought I'd put a little link right here just so I can find them: http://www.jansfirends.blogspot.com . And since I haven't posted any drawings lately--here's my valentine drawing:
OOPS! I forgot to put a watermark over it so it can't be stolen. Oh well.

ode to my i-phone

2009-02-19T18:20:00.000-08:00

My I-phone
How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.

The easy way you are to answer; Hello?
That little button that turns the ringer on and off.
The wide screen for watching my favorite videos.
The seemingly endless applications to entertain myself.
Jelly Car for Andrew who at only three loves the red monster truck.
Monster Memory for Sabrina who wins a new monster
every time she plays and is now banned until I finally win one.
Sandi loves Urban Spoon.
Rich loves reMovem.
So much fun in one device.
I can read my Sunday School Lesson on it anywhere, anytime.
And last but not least-
TEXTING!!!
I have indeed arrived in the 21st Century.
I love you I-Phone.

Surprise!

2009-02-16T14:18:00.000-08:00

February 1st was Harry's 16th birthday.

We planned the best surprise party with his friends at McHenry Bowl.

He didn't have a clue!

It was great!!

Pixie Hollow

2009-02-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

Have you been to Pixie Hollow yet???? OMG!!!!! It's positively addicting! These are my two fairies. Leave it to Disney to create a virtual world that once you enter you will never want to leave. The artwork is beautiful. The site is as safe as Disneyland and almost as fun---and you don't have to walk---you get to FLY!

The boys who are used to having on line gaming all to themselves (World of War Craft-look out) are going to have to give up computer time to their sisters and moms. It is all for girls. No guns. No fights. No monsters. Just making friends and gathering nuts and flowers and berries. there are quests and clothes to be sewn. It's really great.

I hope to see you there sometime.

Mother & Son Bond Over Metal

2009-01-09T21:31:00.000-08:00

Originally Harry and I were supposed to get braces together. But we couldn't afford it. So we did his first and then it would be my turn. I've always wanted them. Anyway Harry wore his thru Jr. High and then when he was a freshman he got them off. So last spring I started the process. Mine was a little more involved than Harry's--I had to wear pallet expanders for about 8 months. They're these metal and wire contraptions that go inside your mouth to widen the shape. It was very exciting. I had a hard time eating and talking (I had a very funny lisp). I even lost the hearing in my left ear for a while. Anyway, in the mean time Harry's teeth began moving back because he didn't wear his retainer enough so he had to have his braces put back on. YEAH!!!! So when I finally got all the braces put on my teeth in November-we bonded. Well I don't know if you could really call it bonding- I complain and he calls me a wimp. I ask questions and he tells me to deal with it. He eats anything and everything easily. I struggle over chewing and then can't wait to water pick and brush. Ah, the difference between teenagers and adults!

Christmas Drawing

2009-01-09T17:17:00.000-08:00

I know it's January, but I've been so busy I haven't had time to blog. So I've been trying to catch up.

This is the drawing I did for my Christmas card.

I now have 7 little elves that make my Christmas brighter.

And of coarse I still love Bette, the Elf, and the one from last year.

I LOVE Christmas!!!

Santa Pictures

2009-01-09T17:14:00.000-08:00

2009-01-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

Larsen Family portraits

It's been awhile since we've had a family portrait taken. So this year it was my birthday present. Kelly and Nancee had had their babies and felt like they were back in shape--so it seemed a good time to capture all of us.
It was great! 3 hours at JC Penney with all the little kids! TOTAL CHAOS! We couldn't get everyone to smile, sit up, and look at the camera at the same time.

Back Row: Dave, Harry, Sandi, Mark (Kelly's husband)
Middle Row: Nancee (Dave's wife) with Andrew, Me with Baby Kelly (Dave & Nancee's newest), Rich with Roko (Kelly & Mark's baby), Kelly
Front Row: Nathaniel and Sabrina

And Andrew wanted NOTHING to do with any of it.

Apple Hill

2008-10-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

Every year we go to Apple Hill (http://www.applehill.com/) as our family welcome to Fall. We start with a picnic at Rainbow Orchard. They used to just stack hay bales around to be used as picnic tables. now they have tables too. This year, Kelly was in charge of the picnic. We had chicken and salad and cookies and pudding. It was great! What made it extra nice this year was all of the new additions to our family. Roko, Kelly and mark's little boy; Baby Kelly, Dave and Nancee's new baby girl. It was especially fun this year to have Gramma Sissy (Jeanette) and Micheal and Amelia and little Noura join us.

After our picnic we go on to Kids Inc. where we listen to Farm Fresh (www.myspace.com/farmfreshmusic) a bluegrass band that we all really enjoy. Kid's Inc is on a hill. It's a favorite place for kids to roll and play and stumble. There's a cute little shop that we visit and a pumpkin patch and a corn maze. We eat apple pie a la mode.
This year we took a family picture while we were there. Back Row: Nancee, Dave Rich, Amelia, Mark & Roko (although you can't see them), Micheal. Second Row: Andrew, Jeanette, Kelly with baby Kelly, Harry. Front Row: Me, Sabrina, Noura, and Nathaniel. I love it when we are all together! Jeanette and I are such a small little family-just her & me. I'm so glad we had kids and that they have kids. We both love the hustle and bustle of family. I wish we all lived in the same town. What fun that would be. This day would have been more fun if Uncle Kirk and Kip and Jenny could have been there.

After Kids Inc. we end the day at High Hill where there is a fish pond and craft booths. We eat apple fritters drink cider, and go to this cute little shop where we buy at least one Halloween or Christmas Ornament.

This year it was really hot and so everyone was wiped out. The guys all took naps.

Well, so did Noura.

Even with the heat, the day was fun. Kelly had decorated her house all spooky and gave everyone a really great halloween drawing.

Kelly and Mark live in Shingle Springs which is close to Apple Hill--so we really appreciate them hosting us before and after the outing.

I hate to see summer end-closing the pool, putting away my capris and swim suits, but I love going to Apple Hill and that makes the coming of winter a little easier.

2008-09-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

Recently I discovered that my son-in-law, Mark, who I love, spelled jansfriends wrong when he set up my blogspot account. So I had to start my blog over (not that anyone reads it). This is why there is only one entry here. If you'd like to read my other entries (and I think you should) then please go to http://www.jansfirends.blogspot.com/.

2008-09-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

Monday, September 22, 2008

Halloween From The Moon
As she hung from the moon, she tried to remember how she managed to lose her broom. Was it a sudden gust of wind? Did she fall asleep? And where is it now? How was she ever going to make it to the house on the corner where they hand out the full size candy bars before they're all gone? And what is her mother going to say? Why oh why did she trust that old woman who told her the broom would add that little extra something to her costume?
Next Halloween she is going as a Princess!

(Want to see more Halloween drawings? Go to http://www.jansfriends.com/)

Posted by Jan at 1:10 PM 1 comments
Labels: children, drawings, Halloween, kids, moons, trick or treating, witches