Awesome!

My sister does posts every so often that she calls "Awesome" posts.  She writes down blessings that give her perspective and that might otherwise go unnoticed.


Here is mine for today:


*A simple lunch date with the toddler today.  We used coupons and both ate for $3 something total.

*My son finding his uniform socks, finally.  After endless searching and a couple prayers.  I was getting ready to ask the coach how we could purchase more.

*A clean van

*The library storytime lady that told me how cute Rosebud's costume was today, when I was feeling like a heel for not buying any new ones this year. 

 * It's super cold today, but the sun is shining.

*Finding out what everyone loves about Hilary Weeks. I am not much of a "Deseret Book music" type of girl, but this isn't church music as much as it is the inspirational type.  Man alive, I am quickly falling in love with her songs like "That's who I am" and "Past the Point" and "Dancing in the Rain".  She is amazing at pinpointing the feelings of doubt that can lead to wanting to give up in the face of trials.  Then she writes about the strength to overcome.  It's just beautiful.

* A husband that works every day with a smile on his face.  I let plenty of days go by without cleaning the house like I should, but he never slacks at his work, ever.

*Convenience foods in the freezer.  Not the healthiest, but during football craziness, what else can I do?

*Being able to renew library items online.  I forgot to take the movies with me today and did not want to make a trip back to return them.

*Borrowed extra cell phone from my mom during musical rehearsal season.  Potter can actually stay in touch with me after school.  Huge blessing.

Little League Football

My very talented brother and sister in law came to see Bugs play earlier this season and got some fantastic shots of him on their nice camera.  Gear up to see more pictures of #36 than you ever imagined possible.

                                      Thanks so much Stacee and Chase!

Surprise!

My sister Wendy came home for Fall Break!

We pretty much packed in as much as we could in five days.  We were so surprised to see her and it was a great visit.

We:

watched Bugs play football

window shopped at Pier One

took the kids to Gardner Village

had family dinner

read a book (she read it in 24 hours!) and attended book club

talked to siblings on Skype

played games and danced on the Wii

It was fun!  Thanks for making the long drive home, Wend.

Halloween "mantle"

This is my shelf that I decorate as if it's a fireplace mantle.  I didn't put out all of my Halloween stuff this year, just enough to be festive.  Do you go cutesy or spooky for Halloween?  Or somewhere in between?

Ruffle shirt

You all know I love to copy the great ideas of others. 

I love love love this tutorial from

Tea Rose Home to make this:

I started with two white tees I didn't like - not the same but close enough. 

One was too short after being washed a few times and the other was too thin/clingy.

I took the short one and cut it into strips . Then I ruffled each one and laid them out in rows.  They aren't all exactly the same length and I wanted it that way.  I didn't want it too neat or perfect and I wasn't going for a tuxedo look.

Sew each ruffle on, overlapping slightly so the top edges are hidden. The best part of using old tees is that knit fabric doesn't fray, so all the edges can be left raw. 

I went all the way down the front of mine (in the example she goes about halfway down the bodice).  Nice coverage on the tummy.

I am so very happy about how it turned out!  Now I want to scour clearance racks for pairs of matching tees to see what else I can make!  

Here is a cell phone pic before leaving for a hot date with hubby.  I love it with the blue cardigan even more.

Cost: $0.  Don't throw that weird tee away.  See what you can do with what you already have!