Wednesday, April 28, 2010

happy anniversary!


(this is why I never wear heels- I hate being taller than Danny!)


I know you are just dying to know what the super secret project is, hu? Well, I am sad to report that I did not get it quite finished. I just didn't have any creative juice today, no matter how many cans of Dr. Pepper I drank. So the photo below is not the finished project. (and half of the photos fell off, just so you know.)



Remember that painting I really really liked that was almost $4000 that I really wanted as an anniversary gift? Seeing as how I would never spend that kind of money on something that I can fake, I made our own. Cause really, for $4000- I would want it to be us in the painting. I am horrible at painting, so this is all fabric. (with tiny b&w photos.) I originally wanted to paint it, but as I was falling asleep one night, I thought "hey! I could applique it!" and it just clicked. I could finally envision a finished project that looked like a painting, but wasn't. So, here it is! The photo is blurry, I know. When it is complete, I will take a better one so you can see the detail work. Like Danny's jeans for example. They may just be the best part!

I set it up the best I could, and waited for Danny to come home. He loved it! He stared at it forever, laughing and checking out all the details. He would take a few steps back and have a look, then step right back up to it and look some more.

To finish it, I have to add/swap out some photos, and figure out how to a) make the frames, and b) how to attach them. I want to be able to swap out photos for new events, future children and so forth. I need some better lips, and some long hair to cover that giant giraffe neck. I had such a hard time making myself look like myself. Danny was easy. Of course I took a million photos of him sitting on a bar stool with his arm out so I could get his likeness perfect. It's a lot harder to take self portraits.

We got dressed up to the nines, (well as close as we could get without buying new clothes) and went out to eat. Danny picked Spencer's, because I requested steak. The steak was fabulous, the salad was strange, the glazed and roasted carrots were superb. But the best part? The creme brulee. (isn't dessert always the best part?) Holy cuss, it was incredible! I now have a new mission: to conquer creme brulee. I have never made it before. My mom has all the fancy equipment (the torch) so I shall go forth and create...

...one of these days.

It was so nice to get dressed up and go out together- downtown no less. (we never venture downtown anymore) I loved going on a picnic last year, but this year felt like a real anniversary- I loved it! And I feel quite spoiled. The restaurant was fancier than we have ever been to, and we felt a little out of place. A few times, I had a little blast of the kind of excitement I got while on one of our first dates. You know, when it's with someone you really like. Like a little peek into your happy future. It was strange feeling that way again- a little self-conscious, a lot giddy. That feeling of "ohhh, I really like him. I hope he really likes me back!" So happy to be married to this wonderful man!

We kind of didn't feel like ourselves, but I think it was just the fancy shmancy attitudes throwing us off. I don't know if we will ever go back there, the atmosphere was almost awkward. (but the food was amazing!) And our waiter reminded us of Dwight, so we really had a hard time taking him seriously, and he was soooo serious.


Our attempt at a good timed photo. You can totally tell I was the one running into the frame before the timer beeped! Lame. We better get better at this! I just had to have proof that we did indeed dress up for dinner. Heels and all. I really like my slip sticking out in the last one. Classic.

Here's to another wonderful year!

I love you Danny!!!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

what you lookin at, fool?

or,

one of the many reasons we will never live in South Jordan.

(This photo has nothing to do with South Jordan)

(I looked at a lot of bad, horrible tattoos- but this one really cracked me up!)

For the past 2 days Loo-loo and I have been racing around the valley in search of the perfect items to finish the Super Secret Project. (the super secret project is my anniversary gift to my husband, that I have been working on for the last month and a half.)

One of the items was hard to track down. Well, it was hard to track down because I refused to pay the $115 that most places wanted for it. So I googled around, and called up the Hobby Lobby. (It's a huge new (to Utah) craft store. They have 2 locations so far, South Jordan, and Layton.)

So I picked the closer (but still way way west) location, South Jordan. I got lost, and couldn't find the damn place. I finally figured out that my google map was wrong, and had to drive even further west to get there.

I found what I needed right away, and paid $12. Seriously. 10% of what everyone else was charging. Wahoo!

I got the wrong size though, and had to go back today to swap them out. It was nice and warm today- windy, but I didn't need a jacket. Guess I should have worn one anyway.

I had 2 grown women stare at me. Gawk and make a series of stink-eyed faces.

I just don't think about it anymore- living in Salt Lake, I just don't get stared at very often. So I forget that while in the 'burbs, I can either cover up and look "normal" or not cover up and get holes bored into me by middle aged stuffy women. Those ladies made me embarrassed for myself! I wanted to get out of line and leave the store!

After the first one, I was just a little mad. But after the second one, that couldn't take her eyes off my arms, her eyeballs going up and down, up and down. Don't grown-ups know any better?

I was in a cute girlie black flowy top with roses on it, paired with skinny jeans and sandals. Not sporting goth makeup and chains.

Are my tattoos that bad? Do I look scary? Did they think I was going to kidnap their children and rob them at gunpoint? Geez.

Now, if I had been walking around wearing this ensemble, I would have understood.

(Not that I ever would, mind you, in any setting. And not that I ever could, 'cause I certainly don't look like this.)

Anyway. Whatever.

Loo-loo's favorite part of South Jordan was the tumbleweeds. At one stoplight we counted 10 that flew down the road. Baby ones and big ones. Loo-loo said it was the tumbleweed family getting out of the wind.

It's my anniversary tomorrow. Well, our anniversary. The Super Secret Project is almost finished. I have until 5 o'clock tomorrow to get it done. (cause that's when Danny gets home from work.)

Monday, April 26, 2010

(vintage) the meetin' place

Check out this old fabric shop...



Other than that retro woodwork and the obviously 70's color schemes, it doesn't look all that different from today's fabric stores. Fun projects hanging above bolts of fabric that line the walls, a great big table for classes, and happy women creating. So much has changed in the quilting/crafting world since then, and it's nice to know that some things don't!

(I googled it, but it looks like it's no longer there. There is a store called Quilt Patch, but it's in a different city.)

Sunday, April 25, 2010

cleaning, organizing, and cabbage patch dolls

I have had a very busy week! I have been trying to get into a daily cleaning schedule so that house cleaning isn't such a daunting task. And I think I finally have a good one all hammered out.

Tuesday was spent sewing! I finished the back of the Timber quilt, and I finished some aprons that I started forever ago.

On Wednesday and Thursday I helped my mom clean/organize/de-junk her house. As some of you know, I love a good mess (that isn't mine) that I am free to organize and re-arrange. That particular skill is most useful to my past employers, but since I don't have one at the moment, and my mom needs help, I gladly offered my services. I have been itching to dig into some kind of mess of piles with the goal of dust free ultra organization as the reward. And, a never ending supply of fountain Dr. Pepper to fuel the fun!


(I am strange, I know that. My friend Allisen calls it particular. Which is by far a better word than strange.)


We started on Wednesday with all of our (us kids) baby clothes and blankets. We had so much fun! It is amazing to me how much I remember about my favorite clothes from such an early age. A lot of it (the remembering) is because my dad took so many photos of us- so our childhood is very well documented.

So after we went through all the old toys- my mom found all the "birth certificates" from our Cabbage Patch Dolls in a folder. We were trying to figure out who's was who's, (cause they are "born" with such strange names!) and it was quite confusing- so my mom busted out my baby book so we could figure it all out. And sure enough- we did.

Back in 1984, when I desperately wanted a CPK of my own, they were hard to come by. Not only did I demand one for my birthday, (2 days before Christmas) but I also demanded an African American one. Anyway, my mom doesn't remember exactly how she found one, but she did.


And I named her Emily.




That same year, my grandma made us CPK dolls for Christmas. The detail work is amazing- it looks just like the vinyl faced ones! Her name is Ginger, and she has beautiful violet eyes! (at least I think that is her name...)



(Later, I think in '87, I got a CPK with "real" hair. Synthetic hair, that you could wash and brush and put in curlers.) I can't remember her name though.

On Thursday night I brought all my totes of stuff home, and started to go through them. Totes full of my childhood. My baby clothes, doll clothes, stuffed animals, blankets, my troll doll collection (don't ask, you don't want to know) all up to my teenage sculpture addiction- I made millions of tiny people, creatures, and whatnots out of Sculpey clay. (you molded it, then baked it in the oven. Maybe I will post some pics...later)

And, while my baby sister jokingly and joyfully went through my troll doll collection, she asks me "did you make these clothes?!?" And I said "of course I did! Don't you remember the huge troll house I made?" (I found a few photos-yikes-doubt I will post them though)

I then realized that I have been siphoning from my mom's fabric and notion's stash all my life and creating and building all kinds of stuff. Silly, miniature stuff.


Sorry mom!

In that teenage art project box included a mobile- really- a mobile I had made from wire, felt frog shaped beanbags and clay butterflies. I have had this delusion that my creativity had blossomed and branched out over these past few years into making things I had never made before. Obviously not.

Monday, April 19, 2010

(vintage)

I am starting a weekly project right here on this blog.

(vintage)

Once a week, I am going to post a little gem of a vintage sewing/crafting pattern, ad, or photo. There are some kooky & hideous things, as well as some wonderful treasures. I am so very excited to dig up some history, while adding to my list of Things I Must Make.

And for the first taste, I present to you...


The Dimple Doll Tissue Box Cover.

Wowie wow wow wow.

What do you think? One in every room? Or just the boudoir?

Sunday, April 18, 2010

where's waldo?


Danny and I went to Gateway today to meet his dad and sister for lunch. Driving along 400 west, right when we were driving past the SLC Sgt. Peppers mural, Danny says "Well, I found Waldo." I thought he was making fun of someone in a striped sweater, but when I looked over, there was a dude dressed up like Waldo. Hilarious!

Did you love the Waldo books like we did as kids?

Those books gave us Campbell kids hours of entertainment. (We maybe even got to take them to church, but I might be wrong.)

Back then, every Christmas, we (me, nick, and my mom) would put together a puzzle. One year, it was a Waldo puzzle. So, not only was it hard because of the subject matter, but it had oddly shaped, tiny pieces as well.

That was the puzzle of all puzzles. It took us forever!

I don't know if we ever did one again...

late night with a box of Tagalong cookies

...well, it was a full box. Now it's an empty box.




It's past 1 a.m.

In looking for something else, I clicked on an ad. (eep)

I just "watched" an ad for a flat belly/weight loss.

It was a half hour long. Halfway through, after I looked at the clock again and asked myself "when is this stupid crap going to end?" I pinched my love handles that had been unleashed due to my slack posture as a result of lounging in my comfy chair for the past oh- 5 hours, and decided to finish "watching". To see if it really was worthwhile. I got lots of time on my hands, why not try a diet that claims to be the end all of diets? It doesn't sound all that bad. I can still drink Dr. Pepper, and eat cake. Hm.

Seriously, why do I get caught up in schemes when I stay up too late?

It was $39.95, fully refundable no questions asked.

"Nah", I said to myself upon seeing the price. If it had been $19.95, I probably would have done it.

In all seriousness, I have gained a small amount of weight, and at this point, I am uncomfortable with it. Sure, I noticed the muffin top appearing above my jeans awhile ago. "No, I am not pregnant." If I was, I wouldn't be complaining. It's all fun and games until you have to go buy a new bra. Am I right?

(truthfully, I needed a new one anyway, so I bought one that's just like my favorite one that's falling apart, and it didn't fit. So I had to go and spend an hour in Victoria's Secret, being measured by a teenager and trying on every bra they sell. Meanwhile, the girl in the dressing room to my left was having a hard time finding the perfect bra for her perfect 32 dd sized chest. "they just don't make any in that size" the salesgirl kept telling her. Who is built like that in the real world? Besides of course the actual models in the VS catalogs? I don't know anyone. Do you?)

And then I tried on some cute shorts. And I couldn't button them up. That is when full alarm bells went off. I can pull off my normal jean size with almost a 10 pound range. Which is awesome, really. So when I can't button that button- it's game over. And I refuse to buy new clothes. (and Danny would too- since he'd be paying for them) I also refuse to jam myself into too-small clothes- it's like my really lame uncle once said...

...or kinda sang as he tried on my evil ex's brand new suit jacket...

"fat man in a little coat"

...as the arm seams ripped. Ha, twas a funny moment in history.

Anyway.

Wii fit?

I have been eating better this week. My friend Allisen re-introduced me to hummus (I ate too much of it when I was Vegan, so I swore it off) with carrot sticks. Not baby carrots, you are right, the sticks are better. And I have had an apple a day too.

So, wii will see what happens next week. Ha, late night pun.

And another And- is anyone else dying to hear about cjane having her baby?? When? Where? Girl or Boy???? I have been obsessively checking all of her blogs since Thursday night- and nothing!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

bloggerversary winner(s)!!


Since there were only 4 people to leave me comments, all of you loyal readers get a prize.

From my analytics, I know that a whopping (kidding) 25 people read that post, so all of you shy readers missed out! Don't be shy! I like you all!

Melissa- email me your address and I will send yours a.s.a.p. For the rest of you, I will arrange delivery of your prizes!

Thanks for playing!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

the ladies who lunch

I met my friend Kelly today for lunch- (one of the perks of not having a job) at Paradise Bakery. It was so busy! So we had to wait in line forever- but we haven't seen each other forever, so we had a lot to catch up on.

I made her some really fun stuff (click) before she had her baby, but I didn't have the chance to give them to her until today. I also made her little girl Annie something special.


Annie showing me her teeth. (currently the only way to get her to smile for the camera!)



Eating chocolate frosting, not apples. She's just like me!



Yum!



Sweet baby Jack slept right next to me the whole time! He coughed twice, and it was the tiniest, cutest cough I have ever heard!



Aww. Annie and Jack-a-roo.



Mama with the Annie doll and the real Annie.


I had such a wonderful day! I looked forward to this lunch all week- not the actual lunch part, although the turkey sandwich was delish- but the outing and socializing with a friend and her adorable kids. It was such a beautiful day, and seeing Kelly and meeting baby Jack for the first time was just perfect.

So, where should we go next week?

Monday, April 12, 2010

wishing and hoping

I really, really, really want this:


The Clarisonic Skincare Brush

So if you happen to see my husband around town, tell him that I really need it.

They are giving one away at Splendor this month. Delilah, (the owner) told me that I absolutely have to have one. I was asking her about different products that would help out my skin issues, and she told me about a few, and then just said that I should save my pennies, and get one when they came in to her store because this brush does wonders for your skin!

To enter, you have to spend $50. Every $50 gets you another entry, but honestly I can only enter once. I really hope that I win it. Ha ha! I never win anything, and certainly never anything as cool as this!

So that is why I am hoping for Danny to read this, and surprise me with one for our anniversary.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

underland


After being sick for so long, we are finally back to our normal routine- sunday brunch and a matinee with my husband. And, we finally got to see Alice in Wonderland!

We loved it!

But the white queen kinda creeped me out. She seemed sinister- maybe it was just the white hair combined with black eyebrows, lips and nails. Is it just me?


Friday, April 9, 2010

happy bloggerversary


A little over a year ago, I started this blog!

Do you celebrate something like this?

Well. Hmm. Maybe I should do a giveaway. Not a crazy one, you don't have to jump through any hoops, be my friend on Facebook, or follow me around in your car waiting for me to do something strange.

Leave me a comment, and I will randomly pick a winner.

And the prize? Well, it's a surprise! (if you want a baby related prize, just say so in your comment.)

You have one week (7 days) to enter.

Good luck!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

hair part two

It happened on Sunday morning. (early afternoon)

Don't get me wrong, I love my husband with longer hair too- I just really like him with short hair!
Mostly I just think I like the change. I ask him if he likes it better, and he says "Eh."

"Eh."

Such a guy thing to say.

He also said "Don't take my picture like this!!!!!"

I said, "Don't worry, I didn't get the mullet part in the photo!"

A few weeks ago I (the stylist) chopped 3 inches off of my hair. I instantly felt better. And really, you can hardly tell. That is how crazy long my hair is right now.

(now I just need some color)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

easter sunday (a little late, I know)

Easter Cupcakes (okay, they are really just chocolate cupcakes with Cadbury mini eggs on top)


Mom and Nick sharing a laugh


Stevie hiding from the camera


Strangely, Danny was eating in every single photo. Not one smile. Not one grin.


Dye looks so much prettier in vintage fruit bowls


We haven't all dyed eggs together in years! (Jill- Stevie's brother's girlfriend, Stevie, Me, Mal)


Mustachio! Nick's creation.


Collective effort. We tried to copy some of Martha's ideas- but came up a little short. Honestly though, it was a heck of a lot less stressful, and a lot more fun that way!

Monday, April 5, 2010

a very important announcement

Beth is my high school BFF- and I just found out that she is getting married!!!

I am so so so so excited!!! It's all I can think about right now!!

!!!!

five years

In all the hustle and bustle of quitting my job and being sick, I totally forgot about my 5 year anniversary...

...of being sober.

The word sober sounds so somber. Like I only live in black and white now, and gave color up to save my soul. But I didn't. My life was "so hard" before. Now, it's a lot easier. And a lot better.

The hardest part of that first year of sobriety was not not drinking, or having to shun all of my old "friends". It was learning to love myself. I realized that the reason I was co-dependent was that I hated spending time alone. With myself. In order to fix it though, it was strange, kinda like I had to split myself in 2, and make those halves be bff's. It worked, and I finally found joy and happiness in everyday life. Life itself became so much easier for me.

I have also found, in this last week of not having a job, that I don't love myself nearly as much as I should anymore. On Saturday and part of today, I have been putting around the house feeling sorry for myself. I feel lost, and I know that I just need some direction and some plans to get back to where I want to be.

I have been feeling like this for some time now, It seems. With the new year came changes at work. Most of the responsibility I had gained had been taken away. Not because I was doing badly, just because of some changes that the management made. I was okay with it at first, because I thought that things would return to normal soon. I waited out January. There was a night that Danny was upset with me. I didn't know why, so I asked. He admitted that he was actually sad, not mad, because he said "he misses me as he is sitting next to me". I wrote it off as part of my seasonal depression, but it didn't get any better. I waited out February. I would go to work and wish I was home. I would get home, and wish I was at work. Nothing really helped. I tried to fill my time with sewing and cooking and cleaning, but I still felt lost. Not every day, but enough to cause concern.

And then it was March, oh how crappy March was. I had a meltdown about 2 weeks ago, when I realized that things were not going to go back to normal. I loved my job so much, but everything I loved about it was gone, and never coming back. And so I was mad. I love everyone I worked with, I loved helping people choose the right gear for their baby. I loved being around happy pregnant women and cute smiling babies. But. I just wasn't happy. So it was time to leave, and I did.

As I lay in bed last week trying to go to sleep, the gears still whirred and twisted away. I kept asking myself, "why am I being so lame? (lame meaning feeling sorry for myself, having irrational thoughts, being paranoid) I haven't felt this way since before I was in rehab!" And I realized that since I define myself by what I do and now that what I do did is gone, I need to start over.

Not completely, though. I am a wife, a sister, a daughter, a granddaughter. I am creative, and I love creating stuff. I just need to do some remodeling on my self esteem, my self confidence. I need to split back into 2, and learn to get along again with that pathetic Eeyore half.

I apologize if reading my blog this year has been a downer for any of you. But this blog definitely helps me work through my crap, share my happiness, and blather on and on about nerdy stuff. So forgive me, okay? I promise it will get better.

5 years. Is a long time. I have changed so much! I think it will be a lot easier this time around, to get myself back on track. I have done it before, right?


Saturday, April 3, 2010

hippity-hop

Did I ever tell you about the bunny we used to have? We got him at Easter time when I was 7 or 8. My dad asked Loo-loo to name him- and she named him Hop. Cause that's what he did.

Hop, hop.

He was tough and ruthless! He would chase big dogs out of our yard with a thump of his back legs, a loud grunt, and a determined charge. And he peed once on my brand new bunny slippers that I got for Christmas. The irony. Anyway, here are some of the goodies...

Easter baskets for friends. I got the pails at Target- in the $$ section like in February! I got everything a little on the early side this year...(only cause they had it out right after valentines!)



I think I went a little overboard...this is what we have leftover.

(Too much candy is never a problem for us!)

Happy Easter!!

Friday, April 2, 2010

march madness

1 month of not feeling like myself
(1st wk- flo) (2nd wk- DH & me sick) (3rd wk-DH sick again) (4th week- me sick again)
3 real dinners made
1 bottle advil liquid gels emptied
1 side of my car completely scraped up
3 days of an utterly painful sore throat
3 number of days in a row that I did not shower
2 bottles zicam extreme congestion relief in our noses
7 sick days used by DH
1 can chicken noodle soup
1/2 hour at a time that I could actually breathe through my nose
5 family size tissue boxes disposed of (more or less)
4 pks ramen- oriental & pork
1 bottle generic cough syrup emptied
2 caring kittens ready to cuddle at all times
4 crazy coughing fits that sounded nauseating
5 nights with earplugs to drown out the snoring
1 fantastic job left behind
3 number of days I spent crying or having a meltdown
1 trip to 7-11 after midnight in search of more advil
2 number of kisses shared between us (really.)
1 lumpy, red, itchy and very odd looking rash
1 baby shower unattended
50 million times I wished for spring
16 episodes of law & order watched
1 amazing trip to ikea (details soon!) & in-in-out
1 grandma's life packed away
80 years of artistic ability honored
2 absolutely horrid passes of geriatric gas exposed to
quite a few moments of heartache for what could have been
1 very strong desire for happiness, no matter what
1 super hero disguised as a husband
4 times I wished I could take it all back

(very sternly now) April:
don't you dare act like march.
(i mean it.)