Monday, February 28, 2011

Blowing My Own Horn, If You Don't Mind

I've been taking a watercolor painting class since last September.  Tonight, I was the first student there.  The teacher took to opportunity  to give me just a little validation and encouragement.  She said to me, "I've been meaning to tell you that you have really improved since last September.  You're doing very well.".

It's nice to know that she's noticed what I've been doing.  I have a long way to go.  But at least now I know that I should keep at it.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Knight in Training

My oldest grandson is in a play at his school at the end of next month.  I volunteered to help with the costume since his Mom works and has plenty of other things on her plate right now.  Thinking I still had a couple of weeks to work on the costume, I hadn't given it much thought.

That all changed on Friday evening, when my grandson called me. He informed that he needed his costume for his dress rehearsal....which is on Monday. Yikes!  He also told me that his friend's costume was made out of the leather.  I took that to mean that he wanted something cool as well.  I told him that leather was probably not going to work, but I'd see what I could do.

I made a fast trip to the fabric store and got some materials to make him a tunic for his Knight In Training costume.  By mid day Saturday, the costume was finished.  I hope that the tunic will satisfy my grandson's coolness factor.




It's made from a flannel backed vinyl that resembles leather.  The sides have leather cords that lace the front to the back.  The coat of arms on the front is a variation of his family coat of arms that I made from felt and glued on the front.  I think it looks pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

Tomorrow, I'll make a trip to American Fork to deliver it to him - just in time for his dress rehearsal.

Update:  The costume was a winner. Quoting my grandson, "I love, love, love it"

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Inspired

Recently, I met a gal who is a writer. She shared with me that she was writing a book. I was impressed. The other day, I discovered that she had a blog. Since I don't know anyone else in my age group that has a blog, I immediately brought hers up. What a delightful blog! Through her blog, I discovered several other blogs written by grandmas. It opened up a whole new world of grandma blogging.

After thinking about my current, rather insignificant blog, I decided that I needed to start another one. One where I can write about a little life history and memories. It's mostly for me, my children and grandchildren, but everyone's invited. If my sisters and brother read the blog and remember things about our childhood differently than I do, remember it's my life, as I remember it.

So mosey on over to my read about my olden days.

Life as I remember it.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Outrageously appalling...

I was channel surfing tonight and came across a program on TLC called "Outrageous Childrens Parties". The program documented the planning and execution of a Princess Party for a six year old girl. Even though I was pretty sure I'd find the whole thing ridiculous, I watched any way. You know, kind of like a train wreck. It was beyond ridiculous. It was appalling.

The birthday girl was the youngest in a family of 3 children. An older brother and sister were in their teens. There was a scene at the dinner table where Mom is telling the family about her grand plans for this once in a lifetime experience that she wants to capture for her darling little girl - who just happened to be standing on her chair dancing, posing, prancing and out of control. There was much eye rolling by the older kids. Her brother even said to his mom "She's only six! For heaven's sake.". Her father seemed to be a complete doormat and said little when his wife told him that the party budget was $15,000 or when she had him put on a king costume, complete with wig, for the party. There was a scene where he was walking in costume at the party saying "I'm broke." Indeed.

The budget quickly spiraled out of control when Mom rented a reception center to the tune of $24,000. Mom bought her little darling a princess dress that cost $750. Invitations for the 150 guests cost $2000. A tiered birthday cake cost $2400. The rental on a princess coach was around $1500, I think. Mom rented period costumes for all the guests and took the birthday girl, her daughter and grandma to a spa for pampering before the party. There were hired dancers as well. The final tab was over $34,000. Oh, and also Mom hired a party planner to help coordinate everything. While Mom, birthday girl, the party planner made visits to the venue, cake decorator and other places, the birthday girl was bratty and demanding. I wanted to grab little Gracie and give her a spanking. From the look on the faces of some of the business owners, they were thinking the same thing.

As I'm watching this, I'm thinking "in this economy, who has that kind of money for a kid's birthday. It must be a family in New York or Beverly Hills." Well, it became apparent by shots in the family home, backgrounds, and the area code on the front of an advertisement shown that the family lived in Utah and were LDS, as well.

This mother needs a serious reality check. With the standard now set, this little princess is going to expect even more when the really, big, wedding day comes along. Will her Mom be able to pull off that big day? Only if she hasn't bankrupted her husband with all the once in a lifetime birthday parties she'll have to organize between now and then.

Heaven help the poor young man who ends up marrying little Gracie.