One step closer!

The quilt is one step closer to being done. The top is finished - and it'll be off to the quilters either tomorrow or Tuesday. Whew. You will be glad it is done, too, so you don't have to see pictures!



I'll have to start another quilt soon. When I'm sewing, my floors are swept and vacuumed all the time!

Tidbits

I have a new hobby. No, not sewing. Something that is just oh-so-interesting.

I check out who has been arrested in Utah County! Yep, you read it. I check on who has been BUSTED! You know, you can see some interesting people on there. For instance, I found out that a former neighbor was arrested. For stalking, no less! It has been quite entertaining. Like - who smiles for their mug shot? And why don't people brush their hair? I mean, if I know I'm going to be in a picture and can't get out of it then I will atleast make myself look presentable.


Now for an update on my project - and I know I can post this without my aunt knowing about it. It is a gift for my aunt who is battling cancer right now. A very strong lady. I'm close to finishing the quilt I am making and I am sooooo excited! It isn't perfect and I'm really sad about that - I can see all my flaws. But I like it and am very proud of it. This is the second quilt I've ever made and it wasn't an easy pattern (smart people start off with "beginner" projects and then work their way toward the harder ones. me - I start off with medium projects and then go easier). It may not be perfect, but I love it. And I hope my aunt likes it. We'll see how it looks when it is quilted! But, since I finished the squares tonight, I wanted to post a picture. I'm going to get more fabric tomorrow so that I can finish up the top and get it to the quilters next week. I'm so excited!!



Now if only I could get a sewing machine that didn't keep acting up. Preferably one that would sew perfectly so there were no flaws in the quilt. Cuz, you know, it was all the sewing machine's fault that my quilt isn't perfect.

My Sterling

Oh, I just love my Sterling. He is just so cute and sweet - some of the time. Those few, precious sweet moments make it all worth the times of hair-pulling, crying, stomping feet and screetching that I do when he's driving me crazy.

Here is Ster at his last pack night. Now he just does not like me to take his picture - it is like pulling teeth to get him to smile decent for the camera. If I can manage to get him to stay in the photo there is a good chance he has a goofy look on his face. So when he instructed (yes, instructed) me to bring my camera to pack night, I couldn't pass it up! He was excited because he received a couple of belt loops. Can't wait until he gets his Wolf thingy (badge?) because I'll be able to get pictures. (That should be next month). Anyway - isn't he just a doll?



So Ster has been cracking me up lately (when he's not making me pull my hair out). We've been working on his pinewood derby car and he told me I can't help him paint because I'm a girl. Well, he did let me help - a little. So his colorful car is all Ster. I wanted to do some touch ups, but had to stop myself. Now I can see why fathers get so involved in their son's car. I'm hoping and praying he does okay with this.



I have decided that I post more pictures about Duke - so this post is to make it up and post all about Ster. I'm going to post some funnies.



Today at tutoring, he read a story about Teddy. I think I've talked about Ster's speech impediment - there are some words he just can't say. For instance, he can't say "business" - it comes out "biz-in" and he gets so mad if you tell him he's saying it wrong. So Ster starts the Story about Teddy. Only half the time it didn't sound like "Teddy" but "Tiddy". I did a double take the first few times he said the word because I was sure he didn't mean to say what I thought he said. Yeah, well Mr. Rowley tried to correct him a few times but it didn't work. So I had to hold my snickering in. It was too funny.

Yesterday, our ward had the Primary program. I'll admit that I didn't want to go to church because I didn't think I could bare watching him up on the stand goofing off. But he did real well - only bounced up and down in his seat a few times. Anyway, we were running late (as usual) and Ster didn't have a chance to get his belt. Since Ster started on his medicine, he has lost a few pounds. His church pants were a tad big to begin with, but with losing a few pounds his pants were definitely big on him. As we were practically running to church, he had to keep grabbing at his britches to keep them from falling off. Poor kid - he had to keep his hands on his pants so they wouldn't fall off.

But we are having all sorts of problems with his pants. One size is too small (however we'll have to re-check that - he has lost some weight) and the next is too big. So we get the bigger size, cinch up the waist, and then he rolls up the pant legs. And he can't roll them up a little bit - he rolls them up so they are floods. Looks a little goofy - but he doesn't complain. Heck, why would that bother him? He wears a couple of his shirts backwards on purpose and won't change!

This has been a long post - but I'm really proud of Ster. I have to admit that Tim's little trips are really hard on me. Ster knows how to push my buttons - he knows that I can't handle his hour-long fits (which are down from his 2-hour fits that he threw almost daily when Tim was in Afghanistan). But this time he has been so much better. We still battle - he still has hissy-fits and I still screetch and cry - but things have been so much better.

He is a sweet, sweet boy who melts my heart. He is a sweet, sweet boy who forgives me for not being a better mom. He is a sweet, sweet boy who is also a little fartblossom.

I just love my Sterling.

UPDATE!!!!
Of course, since I mentioned how sweet he is and how good he has been he just has to go and throw one heck of a fit yesterday! Wow - he was so mad and cranky.

Lets get DOWN & DERBY!

Next week is the scout's Pinewood Derby. I was dreading this - because I just knew that Tim would be gone for it. And of course - he is gone! Aaarrrggg! I don't know a darn thing about pinewood derbys other than what I watched in Down & Derby (which I just love). So the fathers are supposed to build the car with a little bit of input from the scout. right? Well, with daddy gone, that means Ster decided what it looks like and he may or may not let me help. Phew. This is all wrong! hehe.

Seriously, I have been pretty worried about this. Ster is still pretty tender hearted and gets upset with he is in last place. So of course I'm going to worry and stew that his car is going to be last. (I'll feel bad for whoever has the last-place car - I just hope it is someone other than Ster!) Anyway, one of the scout leaders had a little workshop at his house today and he cut out Ster's car. Since I had not one idea of what it should look like, and Ster's idea of the perfect car would be something a more knowledgable person would build, Bro. Sisson offered a couple of ideas. Ster grabbed onto the first idea and so now we are building this:



Bro. Sisson told us we'd need to sand it down and then paint it. So Ster was just all fired up to come home and sand it. So sand it we did. Not really good, but he was insistent that he sanded all areas. I've thought about taking it now that he's asleep and sanding it smoother, but it's his car. Anyway, while we were sanding it, I told Ster that tomorrow we'd go get some paint. And guess what that little fart told me? That Bro. Sisson had to help him because a girl couldn't do it. Little pissant!

So in the next day or so, you should see a finished project.

It broke

my heart to read of the soldier who died in Afghanistan recently. His poor wife and baby. I can't imagine losing my husband - but to have a newborn would make it so much harder. I am so grateful for the many men and women who serve our country and who put their lives in danger so that we can have the freedoms that we have. When Tim was in Afghanistan, I knew he'd be safe. I knew he'd be protected and would return home safely to me. I thought he was on a safe base - as safe as he could be over there. We were so lucky because he was on a base and could call home daily. As long as there was a phone available, he could call. I loved that. How lucky were we! I didn't like to think too much of where he was when he went to a "FOB" for a few weeks at a time. But I found out after he got home that he had an experience where he was in extreme danger. I am so thankful that he returned home safely and it hurts me to see that another soldier has died. I cry for his family and for their loss.

I guess I'm rambling. Maybe it is because I'm really missing Tim right now. I miss my best friend. No offense to Sterling, but it just isn't the same with Tim gone. There is no one here to tell me that I wouldn't be so tired if I didn't stay up so late. I miss trying to slip into bed without waking him up (fail every time). I miss his teasing me and me teasing him. I miss waking up Saturday mornings to find he went and bought us breakfast sandwiches and drinks. I miss my friend. And my best friend should be home in 20 days!

stress over!

Well, the stressful interview is over. It didn't go so well. I was so nervous I couldn't think straight. Plus, I have no problem listing my faults but can't seem to brag about myself or think of many good things to say about myself. So it didn't go as well as I'd have wanted.

But that is okay - I know I don't stand a chance. When I came out of the main interview, I saw another lady there that works for another city. Yep. She'd get the job over me in a heartbeat. But I'm okay with that.

So, although I'm disappointed in my interview, at least it is over! And either way, I still have my current job and it isn't a necessity for me to get the job.

I'm so nervous!

I have to admit something. I am so nervous that I have made myself sick. My heart is starting to race and my stomach is squeemish. I feel like I could upchuck.

Why? I have a job interview tomorrow at 10 am. And I am so ready to call them and say "Never mind! I really didn't mean to turn in the application." But I can't - I told my co-workers and my supervisor that I was applying.

Sheesh. What have I gotten myself in to? I have a great job and a great boss. I have a ton of vacation and sick days. I have a boss who tells me to keep track of my time when I tell him I need to take Ster to tutoring or to a doctor's appointment. I like my co-workers. Well, most of them anyway. I know my job - I know a lot about my city. I know where to send people when they have questions I can't answer. I can drop Ster off at school on my way to work and get him to day care easily. I work 8 to 5 and like it (other job works 4-10's and I am pretty sure I couldn't get to work by 7).

Not that I'm assuming I have the job. Because I'm sure there are a lot of qualified individuals who have submitted their applications. I'm assuming I won't get it - but what if?

Emergency Preparedness

I have to share a FABULOUS blog: plentyofpicnics.blogspot.com

If you are wanted hints and tips and information on emergency preparedness, you need to check this out! Besides emergency preparedness, she has crafty things on there.

So proud!

I am so proud of Sterling. I feel like shouting from the rooftops!

Yesterday at tutoring, Mr. Rowley tested Ster on his reading level. He is at a high third grade level! In one year, he went from an early first grade reading level to a high third grade level. (he is in 3rd grade) Amazing! He told us that Ster was his fastest learning student and that he sounds out the letter combinations better than anyone else. I seriously wanted to cry when he told us that. Now, the school district tests differently and at the end of last year he was at a mid-first grade level - they test on fluency and comprehension. Ster's learning disability makes it difficult to pass his reading levels because he can't retell the stories. He is much better at reading and he can answer most of the questions (sometimes with help), but he can't retell the story. Anyway - I'm just proud as punch he has improved.

I've worried about his reading because of the fact that the school tests so differently. Today I found out. He is at a level 18. He should be much higher, but since school started he has gone from 14 to 18! That is so great. Plus, his resource teacher said that she is working with him at a 3rd grade reading level because he can read the words. She told me that was better than most of her students - who are reading at 2 or 3 grade levels below their actual grades.

Now, he still has lots of struggles ahead because he can't comprehend things. But I'm just thankful that he is reading words 100% better than a year ago.

I'm so proud of my little stink!

Sister Wives

I'm watching Sister Wives on TLC right now. It is interesting. Really - which surprised me. I guess when I think of polygamists, I picture women with long hair in braids, long dress, and what looks like pants underneath the dress. These ladies dress normal! I don't agree with what they are doing, but there are some positive points to being part of a polygamist family.

1 - Cooks. There would be additional cooks so instead of cooking every other night (Tim is absolutely wonderful and takes turns cooking) I would only have to cook a couple of times a week.

2 - Cleaning. there would be more hands to help clean. yes, more hands to make a mess but those hands can clean up! How nice would that be. You know, if there were 10 kids, I wouldn't have to clean at all because between them and my sister wives I wouldn't have to lift a finger.

3 - Day Care. I wouldn't have to shell out the money for day care. Of course it isn't like i have 5 more years of day care.

So, I've decided that Tim needs another couple of wives. I could use a couple of sister wives - one who specializes in cooking and one in cleaning and one in yard work would be ideal. Now, Tim might not agree. For some reason he seems to think that one wife at a time is enough.

Kudos!

Kudos to my cousins who ran the St. George Marathon! Three very talented ladies ran their hearts out and did great! Me, when I'm sick I stay down as much as possible. Not Melissa - she ran anyway. And I'm pretty sure Heather was fighting a cold, too (at least she was a couple of days before the marathon and I know you can't feel 100% right away). And Kaelee? Man, she traveled around the world to get here! (Okay, so I won't mention the fact that she came for a perfectly-timed wedding).

These ladies are AMAZING!

(and I'm so jealous!)

What have I gotten myself into?

I have found that I love to quilt. Am I any good? Not really. I see all my flaws and all the little areas that I should have done better. But I'm addicted now. I want to start quilts, but hate to pick out the fabrics because I can't pick out anything that I think goes together.

But, I've decided to make a special quilt. A pink ribbon quilt. I've wanted to do this for about a month now and I bought the fabric a few weeks ago. But I couldn't make myself get started. I made a few practice squares and figured out the best way to do it. But, I put off starting the actual sewing of the quilt.

Tonight that changed. I decided I wasn't going to put it off any longer. I want it done by Thanksgiving and I don't want to rush through it. I have been so picky on this - picking out a few of the pieces to start over. I've noticed on one that the ribbon is just slightly off - but didn't notice until after I cut it down to the proper size. Now I'm excited for the finished project and have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of sewing the next couple of weeks (which means my kitchen will be a disaster - fabric all over the table, threads hanging everywhere, dishes piles in the sink)!

Here are the first two squares: