You Already Know...

Yes, I know it and you know it. I've discussed it before. I am a nerd. (But not in a BAD way!) The last couple of days, in my limited spare time, I have...ORGANIZED THE LINEN CLOSET. (I also finished Aubrey's quilt top, worked in the office, did Relief Society service, changed sheets, cooked meals, taxied Maddie around a bit, watched a few episodes of West Wing DVDs, finished the Book Club book AND another one, went major grocery shopping...I could go on! Just so you understand I'm not a TOTAL slacker...Hmmm...I'm not sure I helped my case too much with that list...)

Back to my closet. I wish I had taken a BEFORE picture, but I didn't think of it in time. Suffice it to say it was SERIOUSLY the kind of closet you opened at your own risk. Usually a bottle of shampoo or a washcloth or a tablecloth would fall out when you did. Last weekend we kicked apron strings back under the door every time we walked by. Hmmm. Does that sound like it was time for a change? Then I bought this month's issue of Family Circle magazine and read the "Get Organized" article.

And did this!



I'm so proud of myself.

The funny thing is this. Years ago, a woman in my ward named Geri used to talk to me about the differences between people. Geri was a very creative person who loved to write and do artistic endeavors. Her mother was an organizer. The greatest joy Geri's mother got was from restoring order to an area of her home and then showing it to Geri--and anyone else who would look at it. Geri could never understand this. She even gently mocked her mother for her organizational pursuits. Geri got no pleasure whatsoever from an organized home. She liked to create!

I think I have become Geri's mother! And I'm enjoying it!

Happy Birthday, Ally! (...and Aubrey, Allyson, Grandma D., Julie, and Susan...)

Today is "Little" Ally's birthday. She doesn't want to be "double digits;" she wants to stay small. But there it is. She is TEN! Smart, sassy, cute, creative, and loving- she is a joy to be around. I'm sure glad she's in our family!

We have had several birthdays in the family recently, and I don't think I wished anyone except Grandma D. a happy one on my blog! Here are my belated wishes to the rest of you! I sure do love you all!


We celebrated Susan's 24th, Grandma D.'s 73rd, and Julie's 12th birthdays with cake and ice cream the last Sunday of May. Ally and Tyler helped blow out the candles...


Last Sunday we had cake and ice cream for Ally's 10th, Aubrey's first, and Allyson's 28th birthdays. (We'll also have a swim party with both sides of the family for Aubrey's birthday next week!)


Sydney and Ally in the matching aprons I made them to go with Ally's birthday present.


Maddie and Tyler help Aubrey open her present from us. (In the corner you can see a copy of the cute tinted photo of Sydney that David and Loretta framed for Ally.)


Tyler and Nathan enjoyed the dollhouse. When does Aubrey get to play???


No, really. Brian LOVES our birthday celebrations. All the excitement just wears him right out.

I'm so incredibly blessed to have all these wonderful people in our family. Happy birthdays!

Lucky to Be Alive

This is for all of you who just look at the "static electricity" messages at gas stations without taking them in. Jeff had an experience this morning that could have easily turned into a terrible tragedy. Apparently because of the way automobile tires are now manufactured, static electricity is a VERY REAL danger at the gas pump. See this video. From PERSONAL experience we can testify that this CAN and DOES happen. Be careful out there!

Happy birthday, Grandma D.

Today is my mom's 73rd birthday! I was looking for her "professional" real estate photo to post, but found this one instead. This is her essence...Nothing is more important to her than her family. She is the one that can always be counted on to be supportive, no matter how many dumb things we all do. She's not embarrassed to look for solutions to our problems, she's generous to a fault, she makes noodles, she babysits. She shares her testimony and her stories. She has crazy Christmas parties with awesome white elephant and gift exchanges. (Case in point: "Wooooo....ghost Grandma!") She loves us all. Pretty much unconditionally. Happy birthday, Mom.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

I was looking at my picture files this morning and found some Allyson had left on my computer for a couple of photo books she made. I was waxing nostalgic...Family members, can you identify everyone in this group shot at Uncle John's in 1984?


Or how about these cuties, Halloween about 1988? Dad took one look at this picture and said, "Hey, it's the cast of 'The Princess of Horror!' "


The beginnings of our sailing adventure in Long Beach Harbor. Our first lesson with Pacific Sailing Club. We never made it "around the world." Yet.


Christmas caroling with the cousins, about 1985 or '6?


He "just wanted to go to the store to buy a toy!"


Now time is flying with another generation. The past 18 months have gone by so fast...


Can you believe she'll be TEN in just a few days???


One of my all-time favorite photos. Tyler, Halloween 2005.

I'm so glad I have so many people to love.

Surprise, surprise!

May I introduce you to the Elton and Madelaine M. Garret Junior High School sixth grade STUDENT OF THE YEAR!!?


Maddie also received the 6th grade Orchestra Student of the Year award and orchestra medals for "top sixth grade violinist," "CCSD Middle School Festival-Superior," and "Christmas Solo."

We are so proud of her. She has worked really hard this year - got straight A's last semester! She has also been a good friend, a responsible daughter, Beehive 2nd Counselor, an in-demand babysitter, household helper, and occasional church piano player and music leader...

Way to go, Maddie!

Creativity...

A work in progress.


Sometimes, when you know you REALLY should be working, or cleaning house, or doing laundry, or paying bills...don't you just have the URGE to do something creative??? Usually it only happens to me on Saturdays, but last night...I sewed six blocks of Aubrey's quilt! This morning I transferred the embroidery words on them - between loads of laundry and picking up yesterday's mess. Sometimes, even though I KNOW I shouldn't, I just have to stitch, or sew, or scrapbook! I'm so blessed to work at home so that when the urge is uncrushable...I can create.