It's the Little Things...

For 25 years, I sewed on the Kenmore sewing machine Jeff got me just after we got married. It was a good machine and I got a LOT of use out of it. The last couple of years I had it were very frustrating though, as it lasted EXACTLY as long as its 25 year warranty said it would...and not a year longer...

When the time came that I could no longer put off getting a replacement, I decided on a little machine from the local quilt shop. It was on sale, in my price range (I couldn't spend a FORTUNE on a machine, because I don't get to sew all that much any more,) AND it has a great machine applique stitch for quilts.


I absolutely LOVE my little machine. It is easy to use, the applique stitch is perfect and almost looks hand done, and it works flawlessly. It also has metal gears like my old Kenmore, something that even the new Kenmores don't have any more.

But you want to know what I love best about my new machine? It's the littlest thing, and every time I use it it just makes me HAPPY!

I LOVE the automatic needle threader!!! Each time I thread my machine and use it to put the thread through the needle I just appreciate it so much!

Sometimes, it just takes a little thing to make me happy...

Scrapbook Corner

I started to write my post this morning and ended up spending three hours organizing and editing pictures on my computer. (Hmmmm...I thought Friday was supposed to be housecleaning day...This was much more fun and satisfying.) So, finally, here I go.

Some, (including my husband, who ought to already know!!) might have wondered why we scrapbooked in my bedroom last weekend at our scrapbook "retreat" as shown above. Jeff asked me twice when he got home, "But why did you do it in the BEDROOM?"

These two pictures are the opposite corner of the room from where Ally is sitting.

If you had all these supplies upstairs, wouldn't you think it was easier to scoot the bed over and bring up a table and some chairs than to run up and down stairs all weekend long getting things you needed?

We did!

Beach Trip

This may not look like everyone's ideal of a "tropical beach," but this is where we took Jeff's mom for her 75th birthday. It is one of three "pocket beaches" (translate: tiny) in a row in Malibu, California.

El Matador, Pescador, and La Piedra...

...are great winter beaches, full of tidepools, and covered with shells and rocks.

I've never seen so many mussels in one place...

...and the rocks were COVERED with sea stars (aka: starfish) the first day, but not the second! Interesting...

Some adventurous souls even braved the chilly water...

...and Dad tried out his new skim board.

"And a good time was had by all."
Grandma Mary Anne S. with her three children- Mike, Joy, and Jeff, 9-28-07

Scrapbook "Retreat"

Allyson, the "Queen of the Crop," wearing the birthday tiara Sydney was playing with...

For the first time in ten-and-a-half years there was no Pine Valley retreat this fall. My dear friend, Kimberly, who organizes it all broke her ankle severely, which required surgery and a LONG recuperation period. She is also busy building a house in Utah which is taking all her family's spare time at the moment (it is SOOO close to done! Very exciting!) (And, luckily for us, it's a SECOND home. They won't be moving there permanently for quite a while yet...)

So! When Dad, Maddie, Brian, Susan, Tyler and Aubrey went to Fairview this past weekend, I decided to stay home "alone," watch General Conference, and SCRAPBOOK.
Allyson, Sydney, Little Ally, and Loretta joined me and we had a great time. Even David came and hung out with us a little. (He worked on my laptop. We couldn't convince him OR Loretta to actually scrapbook...)

I scrapped from 5pm Thurday to 6pm Sunday, only breaking to go to dinner Friday night and to walk around Art in the Park for two hours Saturday afternoon. It was a LOT of relaxing enjoyment...Little Ally took the record-she scrapbooked 24 pages. Allyson made a darling calendar and some cute cards, Loretta read one-and-a-half homework books and I came QUITE CLOSE to finishing Amy's scrapbooks, made some cards, and started my Disneyland book with some cute layouts. Julie was there for the last three hours after a camping weekend with her friend and she did some scrapping too.It was ALMOST as good as Pine Valley. At least I don't miss it quite so much now...

A Real Man

(In order to remove myself from Julie's scathing "need to update" list I have set a goal to post every day for a week. It's a busy week, so we'll see what happens...)

So I've been thinking a lot about my husband. I know a lot of people think he is a grumpy old man sometimes, but don't you agree that it takes a REAL MAN to go out in public like this?? I'm so glad he is a worthy priesthood holder who isn't ashamed of the values and commitment it takes to be a Boy Scout leader. And of the uniform...

And don't you agree it takes a REAL MAN to immediately come home from work early to hand dig a grave big enough for a 14-year-old deceased cat when you call and tell him you are dealing with a houseful of upset children? (I may be in trouble with Maddie for posting this photo. She didn't think it was respectful to take a picture during the "service." I felt I needed a record.) (And shhh...Please don't tell Boulder City zoning what we have buried in our backyard...) I'm so glad I'm married to a man who takes fatherhood seriously and takes the time to meet his children's needs.

And look at this cutie. Doesn't it take a REAL MAN to look just as good in his working clothes...


as he does in his pajamas...?

... or as he does all dressed up for a wedding??

I'm so glad I'M MARRIED TO A REAL MAN!

The Great Pumpkin

Jeff insists I must post this picture on my blog. He took the picture and he laughs uproariously whenever he sees it. I didn't want to post it because I look old and fat, but...if the shoe fits...

So! This is the one that got away! This is the pumpkin I WANTED to bring home from Francisco's Fruit Stand in Fillmore, California last week on our beach trip, but alas, even I could see the wisdom in not spending $65 on a pumpkin, so I got the slightly smaller version instead!



You'll have to admit, this is a pretty good pumpkin too-all 123lbs. of it! (That darling little Sydney in her Halloween clothes is pretty darn cute too!)

Goodbye, Cleo

Last week, our crazy fluffy cat, Cleo (aka: Mon Kitte Le Bouf)(aka: My Little Kitty Poof-head) passed away at the age of 14. We rescued her from the pound when she was just a little kitten. We couldn't resist when we walked by her cage and she reached her little paw out to us through the bars. As you can see from her picture, she was long-haired and very fluffy. She looked much fatter than she actually was, because of all that fur. She started out a very friendly cat, but due to an overabundance of torment from the BOYS in the family, she ended up being kind of a skittish cat who preferred the great outdoors to the comforts of home. After both David and Brian moved out, she would occasionally deign to reward us with her presence, but her affections were few and far between. She loved Amy and Maddie though, and liked to sneak in every night to sleep with Amy. (She was a little confused when Amy traded her bed in for a hammock last year. Cleo was forced to sleep on the floor underneath during her sleepovers!) My favorite thing about Cleo was the funny positions she would get herself in when she came to visit. She would walk regally into the family room in that nose-in-the-air, tail-straight-up cat position that seemed to shout, "Hello everybody. I'm HERE!" Then, she would promptly throw her self on her back, relax totally, and splay her legs in all directions. It looked so funny I always wondered how she could possibly be comfortable.

I will miss her rubbing against my legs and letting me scratch behind her ears. I'll miss her purring and her quiet presence. I'll miss her big black eyes and her sweet pyramid-marked face. I'll miss you, Cleo.