Holiday Happenings

TopDad in the hospital for possible heart problem; turned out to be stress, dehydration and upset stomach.

As I was eating lunch I heard a peculiar crunching noise and looked out the window to see a tree topple.

The top branches caught on other trees before it finally swooped slowly to the ground.

So how was your holiday?

Happy New Year! cough cough

I lasted until New Year's Eve before succumbing to a horrible cold? virus? respiratory infection? What ever it is it put me down in bed for a couple of days. I'm still sick, but recovering. And as long as I keep warm I do okay, but getting cold brings on the coughs. Oh well. Opposition in all things.

TopDad and I talked about resolutions today. I'm not making any. I'm setting one goal. The goal is to get rid of the piles in our home. Piles of excess everything. I feel like my house is too small, but the truth is I have too much stuff! Hence the goal to get rid of it. I can use it up, trash it, sell it, or donate it, but it must be gotten rid of. No more piles, boxes, bags, overstuffed cupboards and closets, no more useful articles languishing unused and hidden away.

I'm praying for emotional strength, because I'm a keeper, not a tosser, and it will take divine help to overcome my weaknesses.

As soon as I get well, that is. I'm too physically weak to begin just yet. But watch out stuff, I'm getting my game plan together and you won't be safe around me.

Hope you all had lovely holidays. See you real soon.

A Blessing on Valentine's Day

Breakfast on Valentine's Day: casserole, cranberry-walnut muffins, frozen berries, hot chocolate and heart shaped marshmallows.

We ate breakfast together and read our daily chapter of scripture, then TopDad asked me to say the family prayer. For the rest of the story about the miracle go to my other blog called Plain and Precious Things.

I'm Dreaming of a White Valentine's Day. . .NOT

After a unseasonably mild winter we had our first big snow last Friday, with cold temps forecast for all this week so no thaw in sight. We got six inches here in Audubon, other areas around us got up to twelve.

My winter wardrobe is sorely lacking and I want something new for Valentine's day, so I dug through my stash and found a nice piece of wool with red in it to make up a new skirt to wear to church on Sunday. (Just about the only time I get to dress up.)

View B - Skinny waistband

Very Pretty Wool!

Cut out and ready to sew.

 Any suggestions as to blouse color?

A New Year, A New Beginning

A fresh calendar, a clean slate, a new year in which to pursue goals, hopes and dreams. This past year was one of change and adjustment. I passed the one year mark of living in Iowa, a new to me experience; Noble joined the Air Force and left home permanently; JET graduated from High School and left home, temporarily it turns out (he's home again for a short time); as of this week Elder PW has just three months before he returns from Argentina; Dr. Hair surpassed me in height; and lastly, fortunately Dandylion still fits under my arm and still likes to cuddle.

I began my blog a year ago to announce and record my weight loss. LOL, that didn't exactly work; but it got me blogging and introduced me to a whole world of wonderful people and ideas that I didn't know existed. I've "met" seamstresses, crafters, preppers, scriptorians, moms of Large families, homeschoolers, poets, writers, photographers, gardeners, and more. What is so fun to me is that every blog I find leads me to at least a couple more (sometimes dozens). I've learned so much it's like attending a university.

With just two children at home now my time is more my own and I look forward to finally getting to some projects that have been on the back burner for years. My New Year's Resolutions include "making measurable progress" on five projects: weight loss, photo albums, cookbook, de-cluttering, and sewing.

I've written out a detailed weekly schedule to include all those projects so I don't get distracted and can focus more clearly on my desired outcomes.

Today we took Noble to the airport and said goodbye again. The time together was just too short! But I'm so thankful she got to come home at all and so grateful the weather cooperated so she could arrive and depart with no trouble.

Thanks to all who read this and may there be more of you in the coming year!

Veteran's Day

Day Eleven of Count Your Blessings

I attended a Veteran's Day program at the high school this morning.  Our little town loves and honors the Veterans.  Five current members of the National Guard were the color guard; the high school band performed a medley of the service songs, and choir performed the national anthem and Battle Hymn of the Republic; a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was the Master of Ceremonies; members of the speech team gave a wonderful presentation of the symbols of America. The last presenter talked about the youth of this generation carrying the torch of freedom and preserving all the hopes and dreams of America. It was an inspiring program in which all the Veterans of the different eras were asked to stand and be recognized: World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Shield and Desert Storm; Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Prisoners of War, and then we all stood and observed a moment of silence in honor of those who gave their lives, the ultimate sacrifice, to preserve our freedoms.  My husband sat by me and stood as a Veteran of the Viet Nam era, and Desert Shield/Storm.

As I watched the members of the color guard I teared up thinking of another veteran, currently serving in the Air Force. And here she is at Recruit Graduation in San Antonio, Texas.

I was so impressed with the graduation ceremony.  They really made a BIG DEAL of all these recruits. The commanding officer thanked us, parents, families, spouses, etc., over and over for allowing, encouraging, and supporting our loved ones in their decision to serve their country, especially in a time of war.  That brought tears to my eyes.  I don't like being reminded that my sweet little girl is a warrior. Fortunately her job will not be in harms way.  Her training is too expensive and valuable to risk losing her.  We had a great time visiting her and seeing her in her new role. 

Airman's Run

Do we look like proud parents?

Well, we were and are!                  

We have another family member who is part of a Royal Army serving far away in Argentina.  He also is a warrior in the fight for freedom and liberty. We are so proud of him as well.

Elder PW is fourth from the right on the very back row. 

We love our veterans, both military and missionary, past, present and future. Thank you for serving valiantly and faithfully.

One final thought: As I watched the program today the words of a hymn came to my mind --

"Oh youth of the noble birthright, carry on, carry on, carry on."

You Better Watch Out . . .

Many years ago, in another life, I worked with a woman who loved Christmas; so much so that on the twenty-fifth of each month she would exclaim "Only (fill in the blank) more months until Christmas!"  It was one of those things that wormed its way into my brain and from then on when I notice that it is the twenty-fifth of the month I think "Only two more months until Christmas!"  And, actually, it makes me happy!

Christmas seems to be the culmination of the year's hopes and dreams.  The high point of the year; certainly the biggest celebration of the year.  Noble called last night to give me her flight information for her return at Christmas time.  Now that is cause for celebration.

Also on my mind this morning is blessings.  JET offered the prayer today after scripture reading and said "We thank thee for all our blessings."  I guess Heavenly Father  is patient and understanding; I've tried to model for our children enumerating some of those blessings.  Perhaps JET will feel more inclined to do so as a missionary, when many taken for granted blessings are left behind.  This week's letter from Elder PW mentioned his joy at having a washing machine in this new apartment.  So for the record I will list some of my blessings. (in no particular order)

solid built house
hot and cold running water
appliances such as washer, dryer, stove, fridge, freezer, heater
electric lights that turn on instantly
food
clothes
comfortable, warm beds
computers, phone service
tons of books
husband who works hard without complaining
obedient children (rather than rebellious)
a living prophet
a loving Savior and Heavenly Father
the gift of the Holy Ghost
modern scripture to confirm and complement ancient scripture
a testimony of the truth
priesthood in my home
vehicle that runs
colors of the autumn leaves
tools to use to create (sewing machine, scissors, fabric, etc)
calendars and clocks
a paved walking trail
big trees
music cd's
parents
brothers and sisters
grandfathers who completed their life stories

May you be mindful of all your blessings today!

Easter Dress for Noble

Inspiration

When I asked Noble what kind of dress she wanted for Easter she couldn't tell me so I asked her to look for something she liked. She found the dress to the right and said she really liked this one; I looked through my patterns to find a starting point, because I can't draft patterns yet. 

I found this blouse pattern - Simplicity 5099

     And a circle skirt pattern - McCalls M4875;

     however when I was cutting out the bodice

     I realized that the fabric, a gorgeous yellow

     cotton pique, was only 36" wide which

     wouldn't accommodate this pattern. 

Back in the pattern box I found this lovely pattern and was able to use the bottom for the skirt.  I drafted a waist band for connecting the bodice and skirt; and cut out a tie from the blue linen.

And here's the dress!  Noble is a modest, virtuous young woman.  Isn't she beautiful!

 

This project really got my creative juices flowing, and even though I have no sewing room to work in, at present, I really enjoyed the challenge of creating this dress.  When I told my Mom that I was planning to go back to college and get a degree in Fashion Design, which includes pattern making, she reminded me that I had always wanted to do that as a teen.  Somewhere along the way I got distracted by other interesting things and didn't pursue my goal.  Well, now I am.  I really feel a calling to do this as there is a need for clothing that is elegant, beautiful, classy, AND modest. 

The other kind of clothing I've long been interested in is historic clothing.  While we were living in Virginia I was able to attend two symposia about historic clothing.  Wow, were they fun; one was held in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.  I got to meet and listen to several leaders in the field of museum curating.  My dream was to create for myself a closetful of clothing representing every era from the 1620 landing of the Mayflower to the New Look of the 1950's.  I think motherhood and Halloween costumes got in the way this time.  But as the good book says "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)  I'm really hoping that now is my season to pursue my dreams.

The Immutable Law of Gravity

Today is the one month mark so it's time for weigh in and measurements:
Weight - 175 (-3)
Neck - 14" (-1)
Bust - 40" (-1)
Waist - 34" (-1) (I stood up straight!)
Abdomen - 44" (no change)
Hips - 44 1/4" (+3/4)
Thigh - 25" (+1/4)
Calf - 15 3/4" (+1/4)
Ankle - 9" (no change)
Bicep - 13" (-1/4)
Wrist - 6 1/2" (-1/4)

As you can see the changes are mostly due to gravity.  Everything is moving down!!!  And the weight loss is simply water.  I was out and about yesterday and forgot a bottle of water so I am slightly dehydrated.  But truthful, always truthful. 

I didn't get any chocolates (or flowers or cards) for Valentines Day, unless you count the half of a Milky Way bar I shared with Noble while we were out shopping.  I fixed a Chicken Pot Pie for dinner, the top crust covered in little hearts cut from the leftover crust.  It looked really nice and tasted yummy. I used a red damask tablecloth and white linen napkins edged in red; made cranberry juice (from frozen concentrate) and served it is stemware, then we had ice cream with fresh strawberries for dessert.  Also at everyone's place I put a small box of conversation hearts.  And that was our Valentines Day. (My husband has never been big on holidays so I just do my thing and enjoy it with the children.)

So, back to gravity.  To counteract its effect I must strengthen my core muscles and remember what I learned a long time ago from a book called "Set For Life."  The author said "Remember, muscle curves, fat hangs."  And that just about describes me.  All hang.  As soon as the snow is gone I can begin to work in the yard again, which builds muscles; and I can walk, which tightens my tummy and butt better than anything I've tried.  Well, better in a natural and painless way.  I am not into pain, or sweat for that matter.  I've always felt that if I'm sweating I'm either working too hard, or it's too hot, or both.

I set a goal to change my breakfasts--Well, I took smaller portions, does that count?  Still trying to get organized.  Actually I'm very organized, after the sun comes up, it's this getting up in the middle of the night (anytime before the sun is up) that is difficult for me.  But hope, and spring, is on the way.  The days are lengthening and it won't be long before I can be awakened by the sun rather than my alarm.  I'll keep plugging away.  And I'm truly grateful I don't have cows to milk at 4:30 AM.

One last thing; I got a lovely letter from my missionary son in Argentina.  PAYDAY!  He said he'd trade his new hat for a mother's hug!  All the long hours of teaching and training and patience are paying big dividends.  I love being a mother