CELEBRATION 2009

CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE! DANCE TO THE MUSIC! It's our final payment for the remodel..

Sweet is the PEACE like Dave Ramsey says. Financial bondage is really just that!!  This time next year we might be able to say good-bye to our house mortgage and then who knows what life is going to hand to us.  We are celebrating tonight with a big party. Enjoy your NEW YEAR!!!

(Granite counter tops sure sound nice right now)

THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

Christmas came so quickly.  I wasn't as prepared as I might have been, but it didn't seem to matter. Dallin asked me why we didn't have a big dinner on Christmas. My answer was that I hadn't ever had a big dinner on this day as a child and we pass on what we have done.  Just as the little Santa made by my mother comes out every year, I hope that one of my children will want it to bring out every year in their home.

The tricycle will go to Dall.  I bought each of the children specific ornaments over the years that meant something to me.  Dallin always wanted mail to come in the mailbox for himself.

We all enjoyed Christmas day together even though the weather was quite snowy.  The cousins had fun playing together.  They still think they are brothers and  sisters who live in different houses.

Cort entertaining himself with the Bat Cave.

Dad finally got his Navy veterans hat.  I did good!!

Caeden and Zach appearing like 

little "dorks".

Dallin helps Cort with his toy while Ryan patiently waits.  Andrew and Lori watch as the kids open presents.

Gabby played with her new baby dill while Lilly tries out her new bike.

Button and Urban tease each other over who gets to play with the toy.

This is a picture from our front porch.  It looks like wonderland.

After everyone leaves, Lee has to shovel a path for Button so he can go potty.

And what did I do the day after?  I went to the Material Girls fabric shop and spent my gift card.  And definitely had fun doing it.  Love to all and may your New Year be a good one.

TALKING TO MYSELF

Nothing of any great magnitude has happened recently so rather than let my blog go unheeded I am just going to talk to myself about things going through my head at this time of the year.  I couldn't take any  pictures of that.

Sister Bangerter came over the other night to talk to me about ward conference.  This sister is one of the sweetest individuals that I have ever worked with.  And she makes me feel so confident about what I am doing as Primary President.  Even adults need to know that what they are doing is important.  I appreciate her positive attitude.  It wants me to do even more than I am.  Ward conference is in January and she has asked that I work with her on a sharing time rather than having the stake do it themselves.

Another thing she asked me to do is talk about my counselors and secretary.  So I am going to do it here as a rehearsal.  Ruth is an anchor.  She is positive and outgoing. Her knowledge of the gospel is incredible and her sharing times keep the children in the palm of her hands.  I know that she has so much going on at home but she doesn't let it phase her outlook or attitude about Primary.  She meets with each of the families of our soon to be baptized 8 year olds and talks to them about what to expect.  I love working with her.  And most of all she is dependable!!

Lyssa has her ear to the ground.  She listens to the needs of many of our mothers who have children with special needs and she is able to advise not only them but us as to how to work with our little ones.  She is a doer.  Her sharing times always try to involve the children in an active way. If we need something special like loaves of pumpkin bread, she says, "oh, it will only take me 20 minutes.  Dinner at her home was sumptuous affair that everyone enjoyed.  It isn't very often that we can catch her out of sorts.  She is upbeat and positive most of the time.  And she is responsible!!!

Carole is our newest member of the presidency.  She feels she doesn't do much but that will end shortly.  Actually, she has been a much needed help in our primary. As she sees a need she doesn't hesitate to put herself in a place that will help the teacher. And I love her humor. Our meetings provide an outlet for all of us to visit with an adult. She makes us laugh.  I'm so grateful to have her nearby.  Plus she is  responsible and dependable!!!  I couldn't ask for a greater group of women to work with.

Being Primary President doesn't mean a "lick" if you don't have the right people in place to support you.  And that goes for our teachers too.  They are wonderful.

Today Lee and I decided to go shopping at Fashion Place Mall.  We headed out to Lori and Andrew's to take some non-Christmas items.  Their children are so sweet and Twinkle loves to see her Granny B. since I have been doing some babysitting there for the last few Mondays.  (I forgot my Monday hair appt. again and had to call Sharleen and humbly apologize for the 5th time.  My hair is getting way out of control.)

We hit the freeway and came to a major halt about 6800 So on State. After 15 minutes waiting to turn, we "flipped a U-ey and headed down State to go to Costco. Uh-oh as we parked in the back acre, I forgot my purse at Lori's.  Now what? I didn't have the checkbook.  Lee had $80 in cash so we went and spent it all.

Back to Lori's to get my purse and then to Deseret Book where we met up with Connie and Scott Olson from the old neighborhood.  We visited for a good half hour while Dad danced around because he was actually on his way to the rest room.  It was good to see them.  Their oldest grandson is actually 18.  Strange because his mother Lisa used to tend my children when she was a teenager. 

Time passes on.  Others may be getting older but I'm not.  I still have the attitude and energy that I had when I was 30!!  (Don't I?)

BRAGGING RIGHTS

Sooooo, you ask, "what have you been doing since retirment. Well, come and take a look.

This one is in the works. Cute, huh?

I couldn't pass this kit up. I love it. I'm not sure who is going to get it. The black and white with the yellow is beautiful.  Have I told you how much I like fabric.  Todays pieces are stunning!!
This kit was on sale and the finished product will go with the colors in our "new" sitting/TV room. It is probably big enough to make 2 lap quilts.
I like to document what I have made.  This twin size quilt is made of strips of different flannel pieces.  It is gorgeous along with the quilting. The one thing I was disappointed in is that I bought an inexpensive (cheap) piece of flannel to put on the back. I can see it wearing out faster than the top.  Too bad, but I'm learning.
This quilt was given to Urban for his 3rd birthday.  These are dinosaur panels with colorful backgrounds and sashing.
This is a cutie!  A Mary Engelbreit panel with her fabrics outlining the picture. The green are pieced scallops that are  sewn down only on one side.

Yes, I have had fun!  Knock on wood.  I hope I can continue doing what I enjoy for a while.

JONES' FAMILY DEC. 2008

Uncle Leonard, this is for you. We remember the times you and Aunt Joyce played Santa Claus for our children.  It was such a treat. Our family party has become a family reunion of sorts.  Almost everyone attends and the little ones look forward to the fun.  David organized us last year when Jill and he put together a wonderful bunch of fun.  This year Richard and Jodie had to perform and it went just as well.

The main "mama's and the papa's. Not my favorite picture but the picture takers feel that they need to take a pic like this at every opportunity.

This little girl is our newest at 6 mos. old.  Lillian Elaine is named after her great-grandmothers.  I call her Miss Lilly. She belongs to Jane and Greg.
Sidney (Ally's daughter) and Jodie making their craft.
Eva (Susie's), Nate and Wiil (or is it Will and Nate) finishing their candy canes.

"Little" Joe and cousin Andrew. Joe's wife Brittney in the back


A special tradition that David's good friend Jill and Tara put together last year were posters and pictures of our family.  What fun it is to see those old pics blown up. Pictures that really shouldn't see the light of day.  Jen is at left. Gabby found someones shoes and floated around for some time in them.  She is a character.  She is only 18 months old but into everything. I call her Twinkle for being our first granddaughter. On right is Ben, Jill with Baby Lucas who belongs to Brady and Vanette.

Left, Harrison and Eva (Susie's). Next is Jane's Urban working hard on his craft.  I am sitting with Zach (Andrew's) and Urban.

Here are some of the family jewels, Richard and David.

Left, Tara, Sandie and Brittney.  Middle, Mary, Jill (Wes' wife) and Darren, who is the lucky man to be married to the "Queen" Tara.  Susie and Jane are serving up the cookies.

Isn't this a cute pic?  These are my g-sons, Zach, Luke and Caeden.

We can't forget Dallin and Andrea who  faithfully bless us with their company.  Here is Santa with Cort. You gotta love that blond head of hair.  He has so many callicks (sp) that Sandie finds it easier to keep long.


Zach on Santa's knee and look what Queen Tara got. A pink satiin Christmas stocking declaring her queen (of what?).

Jane is getting Lilly's gift who is asleep in Daddy's arms.

This is Macy and Sophie (Kris and Jen's girls)

Below left, Olivia, and Anna.

Middle, Richard,     Uncle Animal, David and Lee wearing their dorky reindeer glasses.

Wes playing with the girls.

I know I haven't got all the cousins and their kids here but when Tara and Sandie get their blogs up to date, you'll be able to see more.  This has been a fun tradition.  We miss all that older generation that would loved to have been here if they hadn't checked out so early.  We were reminded  of the  nose warmers that Aunt Norie made for each of the men.  We wish they had not been discarded. I'm sure our children will have wonderful memories of these great times together.  I love you all and Uncle Leonard we wish you could be here.

Traditional Keepsakes or Crafting

I have been sick for the last couple of days with the 24 hour bug, which meant staying close to the potty.  While laying in bed and sewing on a quilt I began thinking about where my interest came from for the kinds of crafts I like to do.

We are our parents in so very much of what we do whether we like it or not. (Sorry Kids) When I was 8 or 9 I remember Mom sewing our clothes on Grandma Jones' treadle sewing machine.  It wasn't long before I became interested in what she was doing.  I was right at that age where I wanted to try my hand so she taught me how to cut out a skirt that could be sewn with straight lines.  It had an elastic waist.  I can't imagine that I wore it very often but it was a beginning.  

Then Aunt Norie patiently showed me how to crochet a chain. When I was older I made several crocheted blankets, my favorite being the one I use for the grandchildren's blessings.

When I reached the age of 10 Mom saw to it that I was given sewing lessons through the Singer sewing center found  near Kress on Main Street.  I would pack my little sewing case and ride the bus uptown each Saturday.  I made a little cotton dress with a mandarin collar and little pleats or tucks down the front.  At least I knew something about sewing when I reached high school and that teacher that made us take out those seams so much.

When I came home from college, Mom was into doing ceramics.  I spent hours at those tables painting, scraping, fixing the broken greenware.  I made several pieces that have since been sent to DI as their use became out of style.  Sandie has the one piece that I saved, a porcelain piece of a little girl in prayer. Mom made the nativity set.  She was very proud of it.

The above pics are pieces that I have cherished.  The Santa was a candy dish made from pieces of felt.  Aunt Joyce was a great crafter, she always had something for us to hang on the tree.  Mom, I believe made the tree for Aunt Norie and the grapes I love.  We must have discarded Mom's grapes she made so my friend Terri gave these to me until I'm gone and then they need to be returned to her.

So sewing has come easy to me.  I'm not patient and want things done yesterday but I love a good stash of fabric.  And since I know that I don't have to hand quilt any more I'm more excited than ever to get my pieces done.