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.
Monday, February 28, 2011
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.
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"
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Total Fail!
This may be more Facebook worthy. But I need a new post. So here you go.
Remember the post about the redo of the garage elevator lobby in my building? Remember that they put down a cream colored/green streaked mat finish vinyl tile? I complained about all the greens in the lobby not being in sync.
Now that the tile has been down awhile, it's clear to see the choice was a big mistake. It always looks filthy. It shows every footprint and shopping cart track. Mopping doesn't seem to help because the tile has a flat, dull finish.
I was told by a building maintenance guy that the redo would brighten up the place. It's a total fail!
I'd post a picture but our camera isn't working. You'll just have to take my word for it.
Update: Management must have seen the error of their ways with the tile. It's been waxed. Plus the area outside the door to elevator lobby has been carpeted with a high traffic carpeting. The area looks much better. So it isn't a total fail after all.
Remember the post about the redo of the garage elevator lobby in my building? Remember that they put down a cream colored/green streaked mat finish vinyl tile? I complained about all the greens in the lobby not being in sync.
Now that the tile has been down awhile, it's clear to see the choice was a big mistake. It always looks filthy. It shows every footprint and shopping cart track. Mopping doesn't seem to help because the tile has a flat, dull finish.
I was told by a building maintenance guy that the redo would brighten up the place. It's a total fail!
I'd post a picture but our camera isn't working. You'll just have to take my word for it.
Update: Management must have seen the error of their ways with the tile. It's been waxed. Plus the area outside the door to elevator lobby has been carpeted with a high traffic carpeting. The area looks much better. So it isn't a total fail after all.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Proven wrong
If you are a member of the LDS Church, then you understand that where you attend church is based on where you live. Congregations are organized geographically. It is expected that members attend the ward that encompasses your physical address. There are a few exceptions, once in a while...like for my husband and me.
For the past 4 1/2 years, my husband has been serving as a counselor in a Young Single Adult ward. This has meant that instead of attending the ward where we actually live, we attend the YSA ward. YSA are young people between the age of 18 and 30. The only married couples are in the leadership. About a year ago, I decided that I needed more interaction with women my own age. So I started to attend another ward that met in our same building where I knew many of the women. I don't live in those ward boundaries. But it was convenient and easy.
Lately, I've felt that that particular arrangement wasn't working for me. So, today, I decided to start going to the ward where I actually live. I could have done this a long time ago, but had a preconceived notion that the ward would be stuffy, unfriendly and just not a good fit. However, with a open mind and, yet, with some reservation, I made my way over to the new ward meetings.
What I found was that the women were welcoming, friendly and, from first glance, women that I have more in common with than where I was previously going. Hooray! A bonus is that an old friend from Park City has just moved into that ward. What a surprise when I saw my kids piano teacher in Park City come into Relief Society. After visiting with her, I learned that she and her new husband have just moved into my apartment building...ON THE SAME FLOOR!!!
It's great to be proven wrong and have preconceived notions blown apart. I just might like going to church again.
For the past 4 1/2 years, my husband has been serving as a counselor in a Young Single Adult ward. This has meant that instead of attending the ward where we actually live, we attend the YSA ward. YSA are young people between the age of 18 and 30. The only married couples are in the leadership. About a year ago, I decided that I needed more interaction with women my own age. So I started to attend another ward that met in our same building where I knew many of the women. I don't live in those ward boundaries. But it was convenient and easy.
Lately, I've felt that that particular arrangement wasn't working for me. So, today, I decided to start going to the ward where I actually live. I could have done this a long time ago, but had a preconceived notion that the ward would be stuffy, unfriendly and just not a good fit. However, with a open mind and, yet, with some reservation, I made my way over to the new ward meetings.
What I found was that the women were welcoming, friendly and, from first glance, women that I have more in common with than where I was previously going. Hooray! A bonus is that an old friend from Park City has just moved into that ward. What a surprise when I saw my kids piano teacher in Park City come into Relief Society. After visiting with her, I learned that she and her new husband have just moved into my apartment building...ON THE SAME FLOOR!!!
It's great to be proven wrong and have preconceived notions blown apart. I just might like going to church again.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
It's all the same...well, maybe
I had my two oldest grandchildren over for the day yesterday. The oldest, Lauren, turned 13 today. So a shopping trip was in order to celebrate becoming a teenager. Her younger brother, Logan, spent the day with Grandpa.
When it came time to fix dinner, I asked them if they wanted spaghetti. Logan refused saying that he only liked the noodles and not the sauce. So as an alternative, I suggested we have homemade pizza. Logan readily agreed to that.
When I pointed out that it didn't make sense that he'd eat pizza with tomato sauce on it, but wouldn't eat spaghetti with the same sauce, he wasn't amused. He said I was tricking him. Then I showed him the bottle of sauce to be used on the pizza. "It's the same sauce that I would have used on spaghetti." I said. All the wind was taken out of his sails. He has no excuse to not eat spaghetti with sauce...at least, not at Grandma's house. We had pizza anyway.
But next time....
When it came time to fix dinner, I asked them if they wanted spaghetti. Logan refused saying that he only liked the noodles and not the sauce. So as an alternative, I suggested we have homemade pizza. Logan readily agreed to that.
When I pointed out that it didn't make sense that he'd eat pizza with tomato sauce on it, but wouldn't eat spaghetti with the same sauce, he wasn't amused. He said I was tricking him. Then I showed him the bottle of sauce to be used on the pizza. "It's the same sauce that I would have used on spaghetti." I said. All the wind was taken out of his sails. He has no excuse to not eat spaghetti with sauce...at least, not at Grandma's house. We had pizza anyway.
But next time....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)