Finish it up Friday!

Hey everyone,

Today I'm linking up with crazymomquilts finish it up Friday. I have two things to add to my list. I actually finished them last Saturday. I was going to hurry and finish them so I could link up last week and then thought better of it.

I made two Christmas Tree skirts out of coordinating fabrics.

I've always wanted a tree skirt and it only took me 14 years to 'find' the perfect one for our family. We love a good jigsaw puzzle.

The puzzle quilt was originally a lap quilt measuring 56" square. I loved it so much, that for about an hour I was hesitant to made it a skirt, but I cut a line from the corner to the center and went ahead with my original plan. It's been adorning my undecorated Christmas tree since Tuesday.

The circle skirt, I made as an early Christmas gift. It will be delivered this week.

Merry black Friday! Go finish something up!!

A Thanksgiving Blessing

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump
May your potatoes and gravy
Have not even one lump
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize
May your Thanksgiving dinner stick
Straight your thighs! (heh heh)

Happy Thanksgiving People!

What's in a name?

I am not big on brand names. With a few exceptions, our clothing comes from Goodwill or Value Village. Ditto for a lot of household goods. I buy generic food and off brand plastic wrap.

But there are a few things undone scrimp on. We only Chevron or Texaco fuel. Irish Spring soap in the showers and Dawn/Cascade in the kitchen.

Growing up my Mom had a Montgomery Wards sewing machine. That thing was a work horse and was just as heavy as one. When I was growing up I knew that's the kind of machine I wanted. When my Grandma died, my mom inherited her Bernina sewing machine. All I knew about them was that they had a red case and they were too fancy for me to use. I wasn't allowed to use it until I was older. I mentioned to my Mom once that I would buy my own Bernina when I bought a sewing machine. Her response was, 'you better know how to sew if your going to buy a Bernina. They cost as much as a car.'

What?!

I pushed the idea out of my head, but not because I don't know how to sew.

My first sewing machine was also Wendi and Heather's first and mom and dad bought it used. I wore it out. My second machine was given to me by an awesome older couple in Bremerton 2nd ward. I wore it out. My sister, Heather bought a Brother machine and let me use it (to sew for her girls) and I fell in love with it. I bought a Brother. (can you guess what happened?) I wore it out. But I loved it so much that I replaced it with another Brother. A faulty, poorly built Brother. I mentioned it was at the hospital a few weeks ago.

While it was gone I received a very interesting comment from my Mother in Law. She told me she has a brand new sewing machine that she's only used one time and offered to give it to me. I wasn't sure at first but after thinking about it for a couple of days I accepted the very generous offer.

I know this is totally a boasting post but I don't care! I'm super excited to say I now own a BERNINA SEWING MACHINE!! With a red case!! Both are beautiful and it sews like a dream!

Here is a picture of Mr. Bernina. (At the bottom)

Thank you so much Sherry! It's a wonderful gift. I'm so excited!

Okay, ttfn! I'm off to make something awesome!

Things I have done, which you probably have not.

•I spent the night at a weigh station. (I was with my Dad.)
•I ended up in Utah on my way to Washington, traveling from Idaho...Ryan was driving.
•I went to TCBY (the country's best yogurt) during Sunday School. Our teacher took us. He got in trouble.
•I've eaten Balut. (thank you Ryan)
•I've swam in the Puget Sound (and a few swimming pools) fully clothed. (with Gina)
•I went to an AIDS/HIV conference in hs just so I could spend the night at a hotel and miss school.
•ever hear of bush jumping? I think my friends and I made it up. Find big fluffy evergreen bushes, run towards the as fast as you can and jump into them. You'll get a few scratches, probably rip a brand new pair of jeans and get in trouble from your church leaders but its a good time. (when you're 17)
•I walked from Boise to Meridian with my sister when I was 8. (with Heather)
•That's all for now.

What are some odd things you've done?

Awkward and Awesome

Awkward:

I only slept for 3 hours last night. This morning when I was on the phone with my friend, Kate, I had slurred speech.

(from Matthew) my English sub kept repeating the phrase 'Wuz Up?!'

Last Saturday when I woke up it took me 2 full minutes to figure out what day it was. [sleep deprivation]

I need another haircut.

I got my sewing machine back from the doctor. Did you know some sewing machines come prelubed so well you don't need to oil them ever? In fact, if you do oil them it voids the warranty. That's the case with my sewing machine. Diagnosis from the sewing machine doctor? The bearings needed lubed. How did I do that?!

Awesome:

I am working the night shift tonight. Then I have 3 days off. Then I'm night shift 5 days a week.

Matthew fixed my (mom and grandma's) organ. Not sure how, but it's working great! I'm so glad because it's old and not cheap have repaired.

All Gina's crap is out of my garage. (8 bins worth!)

My new sewing machine will be here in a week! More info coming soon.

Happy Thursday!

Happy Birthday Ken! [One day late]

Yesterday was Ken's birthday. He turned 36.

Here are 36 fun facts about Ken...

He's a mortician.

He's the oldest 3 boys.

He was born in California.

He was raised in Utah. (Provo)

I met him while he was serving in the Washington Tacoma Mission (in my ward.)

He is currently back in school pursuing a higher degree.

He sings show tunes in the shower.

He's had his license suspended twice.

He loathes summer.

He's a great tenor.

My mom liked him better than she liked me. (honorable mention to her: she would have been 64 today!)

He makes up words to every song he doesn't know - Which is just about every song he sings.

He's currently serving as ward mission leader...for the 4th time. [we aren't sure if he's totally awesome at it or if he stinks.]

The only things he takes seriously are monopoly and Xbox.

He doesn't change his clothes when he gets home from work. As a result he has chopped wood, swept the chimney, mowed the lawn and many other chores in a suit and tie.

He like bottle caps and smarties.

He doesn't like French fry casserole! (gasp!)

He's got no sense of time.

He loves going to the movies.

He loves Disneyland.

and Mickey Mouse.

Steak is his favorite meat.

His favorite color is green.

He likes Dr Pepper the best.

He is addicted to flaming hot Cheetos.

He does not like pickles.

He likes going on day trips randomly with not planning.

Over night stays are even better.

He falls asleep every night watching a dumb movie.

He sometimes thinks he's a super hero.

Every time he shares his favorite scripture, it's a different one.

He likes buying shoes.

He helps the kids with their homework.

He's wrecked 4 or 5 cars - in a years time.

His kids think he's the best Dad ever.

I know he's the best man out there for me.

Happy birthday Kenneth!! I love you!

Fluff

I have nothing to blog about today. Instead I'm showing you all the funny pictures my friends and family have texted to me this week. You're welcome! Thanks for reading.

A little conversation...

Me talking to Ken: I'm going to tell you something that might hurt your feelings.

Ken (while cutting a tomato): I don't know how to cut tomatoes.

Me: Diet Pepsi completes me.

Ken: I knew you were shallow.

Happy Birthday Nolahn!

Happy birthday to my nephew Nolahn! He's 7 years old today.

Here are two fun facts about Nolahn.

He loves to wear sweater vests. Even camping. Ryan told me he's dapper.

He has a fantastic vocabulary and is a great story teller.

bonus: he lost 2 teeth yesterday.

Happy birthday Nolahn! I love you!!

Happy Birthday Devon!!

Happy Birthday to my nephew, Devon! He's 15 today!

Here are two fun facts about Devon.

He could beat up Ryan but he's too respectful.

I'm his favorite aunt. I have it on video.

Happy birthday Devon! I love you!

Awkward and Awesome

Awkward

Long sleeve shirt sleeves. Why are the long sleeves on my shirt 5 (FIVE!) inches too long?

Ken gave a talk in church last week. (not awkward) People keep making mention of the fictional characters in a story he told. (from the Friend) I told him he should bear his testimony with an update on Jamie. He declined, but that would have been awesome!

On Monday Ken and I took Matthew on a date after FHE. We were in the car getting ready to pull out of the garage and Matthew told us to stop. He forgot his tie. He walked back into the garage, climbed the latter to the attic and grabbed his tie. This is a two part awkward. #1 Why did he want to wear a tie with his jeans and a t-shirt? #2 Why was his tie in the attic? Bonus: How did he even know or think to go up there? The boy makes me proud.

Ken thinks teachers are social communists...does he know what my education and work background is?

Making a general statement and later finding out someone took it personally.

Me parenting small children.

Awesome

My brother's baby #2 was born.

My kids are doing well in school. (Which has nothing to do with Ken's opinion of educators.)

I totally love the work I'm currently doing.

We are having a 4 course fondue dinner for Thanksgiving. I'm so excited!

I am getting a new sewing machine - besides the replacement brother. More info coming once its in the state of WA.

***

What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

***

I almost forgot!
Awkward and Awesome:

I Dreamed a Dream...

Lately I've been having some really weird dreams. Although content is a little weird it's the 'presentation' that has me confused.

The other night I was dreaming about something very frightening to me. After a few scary minutes I realized it was a dream. I just kept telling myself I was having a dream over and over. Then I woke up, but that was part of the dream too. Later I finally woke up for real.

Last night I had an especially troubling dream. It was about someone very dear to me who has turned their life around. In the dream that person was back doing their old habits. When I asked them about it, they told me they lied the whole time. I was sick to my stomach. Once again I realized it was a dream and repeated it over and over, but as I did that, the person in my dream with me kept telling me it wasn't a dream. I finally started praying to wake up and shortly thereafter I did, and what a relief that was!

Has this ever happened to you?

Enjoy this video from YouTube. I dreamed a dreamed - performed on Glee. I heart Idina Menzell mucho.

Good Idea - Bad Idea

Good Idea - changing out a broken light switch.
Bad Idea - tightening the light switch cover so much it literally snaps into 3 pieces.

Good Idea - buying Gina's Christmas present for Ensign Ranch.
Bad Idea - telling her. She gets a little testy because she doesn't like surprises.

Dear Gina, I have your Christmas present for Ensign Ranch. Heh heh

Good Idea - taking Nicole to get her eyes checked.
Bad Idea - Vista Optical (you get what you pay for)
Good Idea - buy one get one free spectacles! (Still not worth going to Vista Optical)

Good Idea - getting prepared for future events and possible circumstances.O
Bad Idea - creating a problem before it arises.

Good Idea - following my blog.
Bad Idea - not following my blog.

Here is a picture of me and my Dad.

Self Esteem

I edited this picture for my brother. I think he's probably happy about it.

For some reason I can't get them in the right order...

Happy Day of Birth!!

Caleb Nolen Anderson was born today at 9:52 am. He weighs 9 lbs even and is 20 1/2" long with a 14" head.

A fiction story

Once upon a time Anig and Recneps went to the beach. Then they got stuck in a snowglobe. The End

Happy birthday Garen!

Today is my brother, Garen's birthday! He's 31.

Here are two fun facts about Garen.

He once drank 9 rootbeers while we were at Shari's...in less then an hour.

He is responsible for the movie quote 'You dirty rat, you killed my brother' being so memorable for many of the peeps in my famdango.

Happy birthday Garen! I love you a lot!!

Happy Birthday Larry!

Happy birthday to my brother in law, Larry!

Here are two fun facts about Larry:

I've know Larry longer than not. I was 15 when he married my sister, Wendi.

He's a fireman on the military base. (I actually think on two of them but I'm not totally sure)

Happy birthday Larry! I love you!

Sale on Soup

The local QFC (super market) sells Campbell's cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup for $1.49 a can. Right now its on sale for $1.00. If you buy 10 they knock $5.00 off, making the final cost of each can $0.49.

So, let's say you decide to buy 800 cans of soup. (hypothetically of course!) The original cost would be $1192. The sale price would be $392, making your savings $800. Your receipt will be literally 12 feet long and it will take the cash register 17 minutes to process an 800 can sale.

Also, people in the store will look at you with wonder, they will ask you why you're buying so much and they will also discuss it with their line-mates who they don't even know.

Good times.

Awkward and Awesome

Awkward:

Anna asked me how old I am now that I had a birthday. I told her to guess. She said 16. I guess it's been than 46 or something.

A client I work with tells me she loves me one minute. calls me a cow or a b**** the next and then apologizes and tells me we're friends again.

Awesome:

I got a new pair of jeans this week! Hooray for no more ghetto jeans.

Halloween is over. Now time for Thanksgiving/harvest-my favorite time if the year. Oh how I love fall.

My brand new sewing machine (purchased in Feb) broke. Badly. (not awesome) It's totally covered by warranty so they have to fix it or replace it. The motor seized so I'm hoping for a replacement.

I'm hanging out with my Dad today. We'll be eating chicken chop chop salads at Spiro's in Silverdale.

Awkward and Awesome

I'm going to Pt Hadlock today to pick up 24 cases of Campbell's soup. When it's cheap you gave to stock up!

Happy Birthday Rhonda!

Happy Birthday to my sister in law, Rhonda!

Here are two fun facts about her.

*She is a word ninja. She can spell anything. [correctly]

*She homeschools her 5 kids [and they are all super smart.]

Happy birthday Rhonda! I love you.

Good Idea - Bad Idea

Good Idea - Downloading the blogger app.

Pros-I can update from my warm bed without having to log onto the internet, thus wasting my time on other websites in the process.

Pictures upload a lot faster.

Cons- I don't know the app very well yet but I don't see a place to edit HTML and there are no bullets.

I can't place pictures where I want them.

Good Idea - Spaghetti with meat sauce.
Bad Idea - Adding taco seasoning to said meat sauce.

Good Idea - drinking water
Bad Idea- putting your bottle (with no cap on it) by your feet and then kicking it over. Note to Ken: the rug doesn't need a drink of water. :)

Good Idea-leaving a message on your friend's phone inviting them to lunch.
Bad Idea- doing it with a very loud person sitting next to you.

I hope you all survived Halloween! My kids sure got a lot of loot.