It's been a long time

...since I served in a Primary Presidency or a YW presidency, and about three years since I served in RS as a counselor. I always had a shelf in the front hall closet for my stuff, and while the children were in school they had shelves for their books and backpacks. In theory it worked, although I recall it needed a clean out quite often.
Today I decided it was time to move out the Presidency stuff from all the Church organizations and reclaim that spot for a more accessible wrapping paper, tissue, ribbon storage place. I categorized the tissue by color - and it's so much easier to see what I have. I kept a few bags, some smaller folds of wrapping paper and some small gift boxes. I should have done this long ago, and I think I may toss more of those little boxes.


It feels so good to see it at eye level - I tossed ugly wrapping paper, bits of ribbon I'll never use, boxes and bags that don't fit. Bonus, two more shelves completely opened up for better uses.

I found some fun stickers I can use in Nursery and spot for my current Church 'stuff'.

Clyde was busy today getting our entertainment center cleaned out and ready for a move. Time to go with a slimmer TV and narrower storage solution for dvd and cd players. I can't believe how huge our TV is! And heavy. It will be good to see it gone.

It's Sew Fun

Clyde bought me a new sewing machine for Christmas. Nicole and Michelle and Clyde cleaned out the stuff in my sewing room (it had become the dumping ground just before the storage room) and painted the walls.

The before: (half the stuff was already hauled out - it was much worse than this) I tossed a lot of stuff, organized what I wanted to keep and ordered one more storage drawer set.
Then Clyde ordered a new counter top, just the right height for sewing. I keep my ironing board at the same height and I just swivel around in my chair to press something.
And I have one of the chairs that used to belong to my Grandmother Carlson, my dad's mother. In case I have a visitor while I sew...
Clyde found some really bright fluorescent light bulbs and it is really bright in there now. I Love it.
We just have to order some cupboards for the wall and I'll be all set.

I have completed my four lessons to update me on all the features of my new machine and I have been sewing some fun stuff!

Here's a 'raggie' blanket - my first!

Two receiving blankets with fun binding..

Nicole and I embellished some onsies

I can't believe what a difference a few changes have made. And it really made a difference when I got replacement blades for my rotary cutter, got my scissors sharpened, and bought new quality thread!

Ahh, sweet!

There's a story behind these sweaters, and a reason I have kept them since our very first Christmas. If you have heard the engagement story of Janice and Clyde you are in the know...
With all the recent hype about "Ugly Christmas Sweater" parties, we had a try on session of some of the many sweaters I have worn over the years, including the matching ones here.

I think that everyone looks fabulous in these!
Next year we need to grab KC and Emily, and Camille and Tyler. Christmas letter, maybe?

December fun

December started out very busy for us here.
1. Michelle and Clyde celebrated my birthday with Malawais Chicken Pesto Pasta. David Paxman, Jennifer Hoopes, and Letty came too. Michelle made 'the best brownies ever' and we used the triplets' birthday candles. I'm too old for the real number! Those are mini marshmallows under a yummy frosting.
2. Our ward did the first time ever "night in Bethlehem" and it was great. Very low lighting, cool booths with real mid eastern foods, everyone dressed up, and a very sincere Nativity narrated by the youth. We even had an angel appear.
Michelle and Cisco and I wrapped up in large tablecloths and we fit right in with the long bathrobes etc.
3. Erin helped get the house decorated just in time for my book group.That little linen embroidered cloth is from my Mom's cupboard. I love finding uses for items from my parents lives. I love Amaryllis in Dec. Real or not real?
4. I made one last trip to Aurora Colorado to finish the clean out of my family home. We found a few more interesting items, like this piece of chocolate from Russia. My father must have brought it home to Mom.
We took a photo of the siblings in the empty house. We worked hard! It's a different feeling to see it empty.On my way back to Provo, I witnessed the most gorgeous HUGE orange moon. It was about 5 pm, the moon was just rising in the east, and because Denver only has plains on the east the moon appears to be really large when it is close to the horizon. It was beautiful. My photos don't do it justice.5. The very next evening we held our annual cookie party with the cousins and our friend Kat and Ken Ojuka. Always a good time and this year Julius was a big help!6. No photos of: the party at my office, the play we attended, "The Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" (and saw Emily's aunt!), the most wonderful Musical Celebration of Christmas with the BYU choirs, the Tabernacle Choir concert with Jane Seymore and Nathan Gunn, and more.

7. I finally got out to do some shopping today and found this when I returned to my car in the Dillard's parking lot!
There must have been a whole flock of birds or ducks who decided to dump as they passed over my car. Michelle thought it was the funniest thing ever. The best part is that Clyde made sure we got it washed before Sunday!

Whew! Only a few more days until we see Nicole and Casey and cook, eat, and celebrate some more.

so sweet

I loved this!
I hope it works for you, I can't seem to make it show up as a video.
The Christmas Story

Giving Thanks in Maryland

We had a great time in Maryland visiting KC ,Emily, Alex, Bennett, and Ruby over Thanksgiving. The triplets have changed so much just since we saw them in August! They sing songs, play Ring around the Rosie (Ruby runs as she goes around the circle), run and walk fast, and learn new things so quickly.
They love being tossed "away" and tickled, and grabbed by the fish monster (a fish shaped oven mitt). When Clyde got worn out after tossing them on the couch, he invited them to a 'jumping place' on the couch with the cushions removed. This became a favorite!
Jumping on the couch


The weather was gorgeous, the food was great, and the company was delightful.
We had fun outdoors.

We loved getting up early with the babies and bedtime at 9:30 felt great too! They love a certain CD of classical music and ask for it as soon as they get in the car - "Muthsik? Bum, bum, bum?" and then they sing along to the rhythm. So fun. I cannot get enough of this one and I'm so glad I captured it as we were driving.
The Sing Along song




We miss them already!

Taking it apart

I'm physically and emotionally exhausted. As evidenced by my tears, two (2!) cold sores and raw heart. Just completed the 2nd round ( two 9 hour days) of clean out of my parents’ home. Some things we ran across were so tender and full of love. Letters from mom and dad to each other in the 40’s. Love notes from flowers sent when Dad was away. Letters from a father to a daughter or from a grandmother to a 10 year old girl. They saved everything. Kept every talk, handouts from meetings, tons of stuff they had learned or were interested in over 90+ years. Such darling and handsome people in their early years. It was a little bit freeing to toss so much stuff that had accumulated, yet also felt a bit betraying to toss stuff that embodied the person – lessons, talks, book reviews, church notes, recipes, high school and college notes, teaching class notes. We came across so many items that triggered a memory of earlier family times, or an amazement of something we did not even know (like Dad had been invited to do something for the United Nations! Mom was the freshman secretary at BYU) That he bought his home for $12000 and he made a $7600 down payment!
The home is one deep layer cleaned out – nothing in the kitchen cabinets, all files and drawers and closets empty, furniture spoken for, treasures divided up and packed for transport. Here are the items Dad used to teach himself Russian in the 50's - 60's!

I learned that it is not just about the ‘stuff’ and who gets it. It is an opportunity to nurture and preserve relationships.
I just hope my heart can heal soon from the wide open rawness and tender feelings. Thanks for the memories, Jim and Jennie Carlson.