Pillowcase Dress Complete

Here's that cute hand embroidered vintage pillowcase (I have one more still - I'm going to make another with more embellishments on it for church)
Cut and sew the arms and casing -insert the elastic.
Sew on ribbons.
Ready for a breezy summer day!

Pillowcase Dresses

I'm so excited to start using my NEW Singer sewing machine! We bought it several weeks ago and it's been sitting on the floor in our hallway. I bought some vintage pillowcases from an antique shop in oldtown Glendale. I'll have to show my finished project when I'm done. Remind me if I forget! Ok here's a link for how to make these darling dresses. I'll be starting this project tomorrow.

4am

I've been awake since about 3am. John woke me up because he had a bad dream and I told him to hop in bed with me. Just as I was falling asleep he picked up his head (we were sharing my pillow) and he dropped it right on my face. With a very loud clunk, I sat up and said OW!

It's not a nice way to wake up. It makes it even worse when you're trying just to get through the night with a cold. You know, when every swallow reminds you of your sore throat and don't even try to breath out both nostrils.

After 45 minutes or so I decided to surrender to a very early morning and now I'm here, eating an ice cream sandwich to try and gain weight.

I love the stillness of the morning though. Whether I go back to bed or just sit, I'm glad to have a quiet moment. There's no sound in our house. Just me typing and our kitchen clock ticking in the background. There's a gentle light coming into the sky and our dog Bessie is laying out on the patio admiring it too.

This type of morning is better than sleep. It fills my soul with peace. I'm able to think clearly about what's truly important.

Pride Day Newspaper Photos

We were in the Arizona Republic for Pride Day! Melanie called me and told me she saw John in the paper. Yay! Here's some of the photos I found on azcentral.com.

Spa Day

I've scheduled an at-home spa day for myself today. I woke up with a stuffy nose and achy body so I need a little TLC. First things first...I started my day off with some scripture reading around 6:30am. I just have to get that boost to be able to accomplish anything in the day.

John came strolling in and I told him I wasn't feeling good. He came back into the room with tissues and a trashcan. I took the opportunity to lay still on the couch for a few minutes.

I went to the kitchen and prepared some "pink ice cream" in the blender...frozen strawberries, almonds, rice milk, and a frozen banana. I'm not quite sure I'll gain weight with this but I just HAVE to have something fruity and healthy when I'm not feeling good.

Now I'm sitting on our massage chair and typing this post. I have VT's coming around 10am so I'll plan for a little girl talk time and take the rest of the day to relax - possibly do an at-home facial. I boil water and sit over it with a towel over my head, then I apply a mask.

Do any of you schedule these days? Well, I still have to make lunches, clean here and there and play with Ella but my brain tells me "RELAX" if I tell myself it's a spa day.

MO

That's what it's called...Missour"ah".

I decided to make a joke once we landed at the airport. "Are we going to the lodge for dinner?" That started everything - we giggled the whole way to Sullivan. Passing about 500 churches, several White Castle restaurants, Six Flags, The Meramec River and don't forget the Caverns...MO is certainly different than most coastal cities. Now don't get all offended if you're a Sullivanian...read on.

We got a quick sub at subway (we just had to pass on "Huddle House"). As we got into the minivan, which was a joke in itself, we had to admire the thousands of splattered bugs all over the front of the vehicle. I started getting itchy.

Finally we arrived at the Baymont Inn. We were greeted by a friendly neighbor kitty and headed straight inside. My brother David and I shared a room. Mom and Dad were just down the hall. It was like a family vacation from the past (only this time it was going to change us more than any of the other previous trips we had).

We woke up Wednesday morning and got ready...David and I made our way to the lobby which consisted of a small love seat and one chair. Suddenly, I saw a familiar face. "Clarence!" I said to the man passing us. Sullivan started getting smaller by the minute.

Clarence is the best. There's nothing like distant relatives that aren't very distant. We had a very hearty continental breakfast and headed out for Rosebud.

Rosebud is about 30 minutes away from Sullivan, MO...if you drive like a maniac. We got on the "H" and headed out. Close your eyes and imagine a calendar photo of gorgeous green hills, tree lined streets and old white houses with front porches that never end. This was the drive.

We enjoyed a mild 70 degree breeze while sitting for the ride and admiring the beautiful landscape we thought didn't exist anymore. Then it came...Rosebud, MO: Population 364 or something crazy like that.

We pulled up to the early 1900's church where my uncle Aaron is Pastor. He and his family live right next door in one of those old white houses. The old wooden floors creaked as we walked in. It's a shame they're demolishing the house next week. I found it charming.

The best moments were reuniting with the family. I loved seeing my cousin Audra (who will forever be known as Audi) We had some time to play catch up and then it was off to the wake.

Full of emotions, we approached the Eaton's Funeral home...that same funeral home for others in our family who have passed away. Although there were tears and an ache of separation from our Mummu, there was laughing and a sense of togetherness. Personal stories and feelings were shared - ones too personal for an online blog...but let me just say this - funerals can sometimes be the very best reunions.

We headed back to Rosebud on that same rolling road but this time I started getting a little car sick. We were all exhausted and hungry. Back in the church basement we gathered together eating fried chicken and salads that local church members so graciously delivered. We had more time to laugh and talk - even listen to cousins practice their quartet for the funeral.

When we got back to the Inn I put my head on the pillow and woke up 5 minutes later to the morning (or so it seemed). Another hearty breakfast in our funeral clothes and we drove off to St. Matthew's Lutheran church just around the corner. The family congregated in the foyer of the church and shared a few giggles and tears. We took a seat and sang together while we reflected on Mummu's life.

Even though some of us had differences in our beliefs, make no mistake - we were all united with a spirit of love. That was something shared.

After the funeral we met downstairs in the church blessed with more fried chicken and the biggest buffet I had ever seen at a family function.

The rest of the day consisted of hanging out in Rosebud, playing a game of washers and driving our cousins to the airport. I have to say, it was the best funeral I've ever been to. There's nothing like hanging out with a bunch of people who look and act just like you.

As we flew out of St. Louis the following morning I reflected on the trip with gratitude for my family. This life is just too short to sit around angry or hurt...and I'll never forget what Clarence told me while we were eating fried chicken.

He put his hand on my shoulder as I sat exhausted and said the following, "I was working in a field one day and someone passed by. He said, Clarence, chin up! It looks like you're carrying the world on your shoulders! From that day forth I keep on smiling, and it works too. I smile and people smile back. You should try it out."

I will never forget that. And I'll never forget the opportunity to go to MO. The beauty and the love far surpassed any sorrow. Mummu leaves a legacy we are all grateful for.

(photos coming soon)

Adam's second post

Here's to ALL the stay at home Mothers out there.

I stayed home this week with the kids while Anya was out of town. I have to say it is not easy to do. I always thought I knew but I now have a better idea of what it's like. I have a better testimony on work and how it can help one to be happy. Even though work is hard it does bring joy somehow. I thought it would be great to stay home and veg, but turned out I couldn't sit still very long so I cleaned and cleaned. Just when I thought I could sit down and relax I wouldn't be there more than a couple shows. I would find myself looking for something to clean. I do need to admit it was nice to be out of the sun and watch The Price Is Right. But I still probably watched more TV then most mothers do.

Surprise Pride Day

I got home from Mummu's funeral in St. Louis yesterday and we all woke up early to help in the Surprise Pride Day. Reporters from the Arizona Republic were taking pictures of John and Ella working hard. We also heard Fox news and channel 5 were in the area filming. We cleaned up 4 yards and other volunteers across Surprise was working throughout the community too. Adam showered quickly and ran off to do temple work with the youth. I'm working on a post about my our trip to St. Louis right now - but I just HAD to write about Pride Day! We were able to talk with neighbors, volunteers and even the mayor. The spirit was strong as we all came together to help HOA's with foreclosed homes. I wish I could have done more to spread the word but we were out of town. I think the next pride day will be even more successful. This one was organized in only two weeks! We had well over 100 people helping. Now THIS is living!

Flylady

Have any of you tried flylady.com? I started doing flylady about 4 years ago. It's a website and email system that helps you develop a cleaning routine. I don't receive her emails right now but I've been trying her routines off and on for the past few years. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood but when I'm "flying" our house is ALWAYS clean and ready for visitors. Developing routines takes a long time for me - I hate routines. What I love about flylady is you can always come back and jump right in the routine again - even if it has been months.

Life continues...life is good.

Mummu

A blog is an online journal...and so I will write as I ponder. My Mummu passed away this afternoon unexpectedly. It seems as though a wave of death's vapor is travelling through my family. As we gathered at Mom and Dad's for dinner tonight we found out the news. We were all surprised.

There was something calm about this evening though. We were a family together...a physical separation has occured - but we are not separate. The children were playing and I was still able to look around and see other family members around...living and loving.

The spirits of those who have passed obviously linger. And rather it being a "vapor of death" it is more like pure water...living water. It surrounds us and fills us with a sense of continuance.

What an experience to feel this living water...it engulfs us when someone passes. This is the peace of God through our true living water...Jesus Christ. He overcame death. And rather than choke on a vapor of death, we are able to breath the living water through his atoning sacrifice.

Jesus said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." So often I feel that thirst. But as I remember the Savior, I am able to drink and have joy again.

This is real. This is joy. We can live and be together again.

A Tribute to Binky

We put Mr. Binks down today. Here's a tribute to a girl's best friend. I got Binky when I was in 8th grade and he was the best thing that happened to me as a child. He taught me a lot about being responsible. I remember the first few nights when he was brand new. He would whine all night long...his kennel was right next to my bed. The only time he would stop whining would be when I put my fingers through the crate so he knew I was still there.

As we grew up we'd have lots of laughs. Together with my best friend, Joscelyne, we would take the most wild adventures together. I would even put Binky in my bike basket and ride around the neighborhood with his ears flapping in the wind.

One time I remember was driving across country as we moved to Arizona. Binky loved Sour Patch Kids. Joscelyne and I bought a huge box of them in hopes to eat every single one before making it to Phoenix. Binky helped by eating ALL of the yellow ones.

After I graduated high school and we moved to Arizona, life started going by so fast. I moved out of the house for about 8 months and Adam and I were engaged. Mr. Binks quietly watched from a distance at Mom and Dad's house. We were married and bought a new house where we welcomed Binks with open arms. It was great to be together again. Well, one change that Adam insisted on was Binky sleeping on the floor instead of the bed. Binky knew Adam's position on the subject and never put up a fight about it. He just accepted the floor.

Binky saw it all. Even when we brought John home from the hospital he knew exactly what was taking place. He submitted to my ever changing life and was the ONE stable thing I had. He truly taught me about consistency and diligence because he never changed. Even to the last moments of his life at 15 years old, he submitted - like dogs always do - to life and death.

Now Binky wasn't a perfect dog...but he was mine. Something to hold onto through the years. I'm so glad for the opportunity to learn from him. He truly was a girl's best friend.

Gain weight breakfast

This should be a "gain weight" type of breakfast...Glass of juice, two pieces of toast with cream cheese, a large organic chicken and apple sausage, mandarin orange and a piece of strawberry pie.

This strays from my usual bowl of granola and milk or fruit and nuts. What do you have for breakfast?

Surprise Pride Day

There will be a Surprise Pride Day on Saturday June 21st!! I went to a gathering with a city councilman this morning and I'm excited to volunteer at his particular pride day.

The focus for this event will be to help HOA's with homes that are struggling with "self help". Right now the city is being pounded by foreclosures and this leads to an increase in homes with weeds or other exterior eye sores. We will also be helping homes which are occupied but because of hardships the families are unable to do the yard work.

If you are interested in helping with this event please contact me. All volunteers will receive free t-shirts, plenty of water bottles, a light breakfast from Denny's and lunch from Chik-fil-A!!! Come on you guys...can volunteering be ANY EASIER?!?!? Let's show this town what we've got!!

Secret Pottery

Did you know I have a pottery wheel? Adam bought me some brand new clay yesterday from one of my favorite stores, Marjon Ceramics. I just had to drag my wheel out to the patio this morning. The weather is so beautiful. Here's a few photos. Don't look too close...I'm self taught. John loves taking pictures so I let him have a turn being the photographer this morning.

Furniture browsing

I've been looking for furniture ALL day on the internet. It's exhausting! Do any of you get ideas in your head and then you can't think of ANYTHING else!?! We're going to do some projects around the house so stayed tuned.

Into Shape!

Ok -here's my adventure. I emailed city councilman John Williams and offered to volunteer finding sponsors for the city of Surprise Pride Day. I hope he responds!

I also went to visit my friend Mandie and she analyzed my "target weight". Do you know what it is? 124 lbs. Do you know what I am??

Well let's put it this way, I need to eat a 20 lbs. bag of potatoes to get there. I don't want people responding "Oh Anya you're so lucky..." or "Just wait, your metabolism will slow down". I need your support here!!! I'm sick of shopping Mary Kate an Ashley or Baby Gap (just kidding there). Gaining weight is not easy for me.

I went to the gym and ran 2 miles - then I lifted weights. I think the weights are helping me gain - yay!

We took this picture right after the gym (excuse the perspiration).

We also went to the dentist and had quite a rotten time. Ella was scared and hanging on me and John has a cavity. I kept my cool though.

After the whole day, I think I'm whipped. Time for those potatoes.

When a problem comes a long...You must WHIP IT!

Ok we've had a great summer kick-off this week. We've been swimming, walking around historic Glendale and eating fruit popsicles. Today -visiting with our friends the Andersons and a quick trip to the dentist for the kids.

This song came to mind when I started getting into a lurch this morning. For whatever reason I was a little down and bored with life. Not to mention, John said to me while eating his eggs, "Mom, when we're grown up you'll be all lone and Dad will go to work". What?!?

No way! I've got a lot more to do with my life!!!! I'm starting by writing this post then I'll move on to my much needed shower.

Adam always says I need to do what I love. By golly....I'm doin' it today!!! I'll report my adventure later! It's not too late...to WHIP IT!

Tomato Garden

These cherry tomatoes started growing in our garden. We planted some last year but they didn't produce. This year a whole bunch started growing on their own! We've had two big bowls filled and there are so many more to be picked!! We also have basil and our cucumbers are finally looking bigger too. We need to start our sweet potatoes soon!

2008 Block Party

The 2nd annual block party was a success! Here's a few photos of the event.

I wish we took more pictures but we were so busy!

Over 200 water balloons we had to fill on Friday night. Thanks to Mom and Adam, it was fun loading them up! I think our whole kitchen was wet!





Here's Red Robin. He's dancing for John!

So John gave in and let him stand in the picture.

Our booth attracted a bunch of people. It was great to talk with other families and people who have other helpful information.

Here's Mom and Adam taking their only break before the crowd came.

I took the kids on the pony and Adam came running to get the photos.

Me, dreaming the dream. Someday - a horse of my own. Maybe one that's a little bigger.