I can hardly take the pictures

I'm laughing so hard.

and Natalie is literally rolling on the floor.

I don't know what I did wrong.
I think I must have put the back and the front
pieces together backwards or something like that.


Why, oh why?

This time I bought every size of every pattern
so I wouldn't be guessing on sizing.
(the patterns were on a great sell for 99 cents each)
And yet I'm still having issues.
Sometimes I really wonder about myself.

(By the way, Tiff, these are women's medium
and are supposed to be yours.)

Getting Ready

A

I just can't resist.
We have to have matching pajamas!

Chocolate and Peanut Butter

. . . THE PERFECT COMBINATION

From 9 to 2:30 today I was at the Roberts Craft store
learning new ways to use my Cricut machine.
It's fun to learn new techniques
and I always enjoy the company.

When I went out for lunch I picked up cupcakes
from this VERY gourmet bakery,
The Sweet Tooth Fairy
http://www.thesweettoothfairy.com.
Now that is one very yummy bakery.
It is my cupcake hero (if there is such a thing).

The Chocolate Peanut Butter one was AMAZING.

I think I'll be experimenting with
something similar very soon.

Anyone have a recipe
for a good (stiff) peanut butter frosting?

Rain in the Garden

We have been having a record-breaking rainy June. (Oops, I just saw the 10 pm news. It isn't record breaking. It is the 13th most rainy June)

I actually love it. I've always liked rainy days. I remember telling Mom that I wanted it to rain on my wedding day. (It didn't)

When I first started gardening I took pictures of every section of the yard once a month. That way I could gauge the progress and know what the perennials would be like the next year. I've relaxed from that a lot. I haven't even planted any new perennials in the last few years. Here are a few pictures taken today from under the carport (since it was raining and wet).

Wild roses that overtake the lilac bush
I'll be happy when the tree that we planted
two years ago (in honor of our friend, Matt)
covers up the chicken shed next door!
More back yard shots

Where our bunny, Cotton, is buried.
(I'll have to do a whole blog entry on our bunny)
The annuals in front
Pretty boring.
But I want to keep a little bit of garden journal.

More on Waiting

In continuation of the waiting theme from yesterday,
I've also had to learn another kind of waiting.
Waiting to see my grandchildren.
I'm not sure I've gotten good at it,
but it's something I've had to learn.

When I was talking to a cousin not long ago,
she commented to me on a conversation we had shared.
She said that, when her son and his family
moved out of state,
it helped her to remember what I had said
about how I had needed to "change my mindset."

I didn't remember the conversation,
but it is something I often remind myself of.
When I'm with friends and discussing grandchildren
and the part we play in their lives,
they will say they don't think they could
deal with being so far away from theirs.
Invariably I will bring up that
what has helped me is just
"changing my mindset."

What does it mean to change my mindset?
I'm not sure I can explain it other than to say that
I don't dwell on the missing them part,
but rather dwell on the gratitude part.

Gratitude that I have them to love.
Gratitude that they are loved by their parents
Gratitude that they are surrounded by
grandparents and aunts and uncles
and cousins who love them the way I do.
Gratitude that they are happy and healthy.
Gratitude that they are being raised in the gospel.
Gratitude that they are the cutest, smartest,
kindest grandchildren on the planet.
(Sorry, no room for argument)
Gratitude that, when it comes right down to it,
I'm only a plane ride, not a lifetime, away.

So, why am I writing this?
Two reasons.
1. I want my grandchildren to know that they are in my
heart and thoughts and prayers every single day.
2. Because I don't have to wait much longer to see them
(2 1/2 weeks to be exact).

I'm so excited.
I can't wait!

Waiting

I've become very good at waiting.
Not because I've wanted to,
but because I've had to.

I was reminded of that today as I was waiting
in the foyer of the temple for Gary to come out
It was deja vu times 1,000.
He has got to hold the world record
for being the slowest man alive
when it comes to showering and dressing.
I can get ready 2 times to his 1,
and that is with me applying makeup
and blow drying my hair.

It's not like I was in for any surprise
when we got married.
No one knows how many hours I spent
outside the Provo High boy's locker room
waiting for him to come out.
After any sporting event in which he took part,
(football, basketball, baseball)
I would be outside waiting for him.
Every, and I mean every, boy would come out.
Then all the coaches would come out.
Then the janitor would come out
Then 30 minutes later, Gary would come out.

So, like I said, I've become very good at waiting.
I would have gone crazy if I hadn't.

And, I have to admit,
amidst all my complaining.
He's always been worth waiting for.

Almost Forgot

I almost forgot to do my blog tonight.
I'm tired and started off to bed before I remembered.
Now, that would have been inexcusable.

I can't keep my commitment to eat healthy every day.
How could I, with so many cupcakes around?
(and no, Duke, the cupcake theme will never exhaust itself)

Exercise every day?
No, though I'm doing better.

Spend time reading my scriptures and
developing spiritually?
Unfortunately that is still a work in progress.

Wake up early,
jump out of bed and tackle the world
(or at the very least my house).
Definitely not an every day occurrence.


But,
by golly,
I can keep my commitment to
make a blog entry every day.
Even if I write about absolutely nothing in it.

Good Night.