Bleacher Queen

Pillows

2012-01-21T16:00:00.000-08:00

I am changing my procrastinating ways and today was a beginning. I embroidered a couple of pillow tops several years and geez, even bought the backing fabric. Well, today, I finally finished those babies. This was no minor feat for me because I don't really know how to sew.

I never took home economics as a high school student(I was going to be a career woman- why did I need to know how to sew or cook???) That was great thinking, wasn't it?

I had to watch a YouTube video to be able to thread the sewing machine.....I practiced on some scrap fabric and then got busy!

I am, actually, quite pleased with the results. Not too bad for first attempts and I am ready to make some more!

Cute little mittens!

I love the little snowflake and house buttons on this one!

Tragedy

2012-01-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

Eleven years ago today, our lives were forever changed. Tim, then 16, and Mitch, then 13, left early in the morning to hunt geese on the north side of the canyon their friend, Ryan, 16.

I was braiding Mollie's hair before her basketball game when the phone rang and Chuck (Ryan's dad) was on the other end. He told me that the boys had been in a car accident and were in the hospital. He assured me that my boys were walking and talking but added that Ryan wasn't doing as well. I dropped Mollie off at the gym and asked another dad to coach my team and keep Mollie with him.

I got to the hospital in about 30 minutes and discovered the seriousness of the situation. Tim's injuries were superficial. Mitch was to be loaded into an ambulance and taken to Boise because his spleen was torn. Ryan was air flighted to Boise with severe head trauma. I rode along in the ambulance praying the entire 100 miles. Mike made sure Tim and Mollie were supervised and then headed to Boise with our parents.

Several hours after we were at the hospital, Ryan's grandfather told Mike and I that we should come say good bye to Ryan. His family had decided to remove him from life support and donate his organs. Ryan died with minutes. Mike returned home to tell our kids and I stayed with Mitchell at St. Al's.

I have such strong memories. Eleven years seems like so long ago and yet, merely months ago. Our families now share an incredible bond. We have experienced real joy in the years since but there is always the emptiness of our loss.

Tonight we will make our annual trip to the cemetery and release balloons. As I write this, I am wondering who Ryan would be as a 27 year old man and I am so thankful for the very lives of my sons.

Epiphany

2012-01-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, as celebrated in the United States. The Feast is actually January 6, which is the 12th Day of Christmas. What a lovely way to celebrate the peace, love and joy of the Christmas season. Think how wonderful it would be to plan our Christmas parties during the 12 days.

Maybe if Christmas was extended 12 days, the consumerism and secularism might diminish. I am so dismayed that our society reaches a shopping frenzy and the success of the Holy Day is measured by whether or not you received the "perfect" gift. I am saddened that celebrating Christmas ignores the "Reason for the Season". Church seems to be an afterthought, even for many Christians. I pray for a society that returns to worshiping Jesus' nativity.

The Magi traveled to worship even though they were not even of the Jewish faith. They were Wise Men, indeed.

The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11.

Adoration

2012-01-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

Each Thursday night from 10-11 p.m. I go to the chapel at my church for an hour of Adoration. Catholics believe that during the mass the host becomes the body and blood of Christ and that he is a real presence with us in the Eucharist. This single belief is what distinguishes us from Protestants.

I spend the hour reading the Bible or other religious books and praying. I love the hour and my relationship with Jesus Christ has deepened and become so much more personal since I signed out to serve an hour. What a privilege to spend an hour devoted to my Lord and Savior.

Resume Workouts

2012-01-04T21:40:00.000-08:00

I am wondering why I haven't been to the gym for so long. I finally hit the Y tonight and already feel so much better. I have been lamenting a weight gain but haven't done anything to combat the "battle of the bulge." That is so frustrating to me. I actually like to workout. I love the way that I feel when I do workout....I love the energy that I have. I sleep better and actually even eat less. I am quietly celebrating my first step towards wearing a size 6 once again!

Weather

2012-01-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

Currently, at 10 p.m., it is 37 degrees outside. It snowed before Thanksgiving and then we have only had a skiff or two. Winter, where are you? I need an excuse not to be walking and exercising outside. I need an excuse to be sitting in a chair reading and drinking tea because it is too frigid to be outside. I want to ski. I want to have an excuse to craft inside because it is too cold outside to do anything constructive! C'mon winter let's get busy here!

Welcome 2012

2012-01-02T19:27:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year. I plan to continue working through the list that I made last year....101 things to do in 1001 days.

This new light fixture is now hanging in Mollie's room. 2012 will be the year that I spend making a number of improvements and this is the first. I bought the chandelier @ the Re-Store for $5 and painted it green. I plan to add some beads and bling. It looks very cute in her new "grown up" room.

Pillow

2012-01-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

I made this pillow for Leslie as a Christmas gift. I took it to McCall and gave it her there. This is really just the "prototype" and I am making another. I was actually pleased with the way this turned out but I want to make a larger version with a little more bling. The colors matched her bedding at the cabin perfectly.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-28T18:06:00.000-08:00

We were so blessed that Santa Claus was able to visit with us on Christmas Eve. The entire family was thankful that he took an hour out of his busy schedule to stop by our family celebration. We spent the evening with at my parents with my siblings and all of my nieces and nephews. That is what makes our Christmas special.

My children, Tim & Megan, Mitch & Gabriel, and Mollie are the reason that I enjoy my Christmas'. I am proud of the people that my children have become and I adore my grandson, Gabe, more than words can say. I am grateful that they are such loving, caring and giving people.

As Catholics, we are still celebrating Christmas until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Hopefully, you all had a most holy celebration and that the peace and joy of the season remain in your hearts throughout the year!

Joy

2011-12-27T21:54:00.000-08:00

I stained and covered these letters with paper. Then I embellished them with rhinestones, ribbon, bells, tinsel, chipboard and a poinsettia. This is one of my mom's Christmas presents.

Noel

2011-12-18T16:40:00.000-08:00

These are the letters that I made and Mollie gave to Margaret for Christmas. I stained the letters. Covered them with paper. Embellished them with ribbons, bells, letters, glitter and bling. I think that they turned out lovely. The papers are My Mind's Eye. Love these!

2011-11-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

I made this subway art for my daughter's birthday. Her dorm room is very beige and needed some more color on the walls. She plays college softball so I thought these words and phrases were appropriate. I used a 20 X 24 inch canvas because she cannot put big holes in the wall and the canvas can be hung with little effort. I learned that I can cut Contact Paper with the Cricut so I used several cartridges to mix up the fonts. I love the turquoise color.

Halloween

2011-11-09T21:48:00.000-08:00

I made this for Leslie. It is a very late birthday present and a reminder of a special afternoon at Wicked. I used a variety of papers that I already had and began embellishing. I really love the way it turned out and I especially am happy that she loves it so much!

2011-11-08T23:00:00.000-08:00

I made 2 of these witch's boots for my sisters, Cyndi and Gayla for their birthdays. I painted the wood black and covered it with paper from My Minds Eye. You can't really tell but the black part of the paper is flocked. I absolutely love glitter so I used black, green, purple and orange. I spray painted the bells and added jute laces. Finally, glued some tulle on the top! Happy Halloween!

Lucky!

2011-03-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 25, Gabriel and I were in a car accident. We were traveling into town on snowy, icy roads when a car failed to stop at an intersection and hit us broadside. My car was totaled. My sweet grandson was so traumatized but fortunately not seriously injured. He received some minor cuts from the shattered windows but was checked out at the hospital and released. Thankfully, his car seat was in the rear middle. I fell that our Guardian Angels were looking over our shoulders, protecting us.

I will have to replace my vehicle. As annoying as that is...at least we were remained relatively unscathed. Fortunately, the other driver and her passengers were not injured either.

Scrapbook page

2011-02-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

I spent the President's weekend helping McKenna with her scrapbook and other creative projects. I love watching her experiment. I especially like that she is not worried about everything looking perfect. I admire that she will take risks!

I did create another page for Mollie's book. I used photos of Mollie and Gabriel in Hawaii. The papers are from last year's collection of Cosmic Crickett. I stamped and sewed. The hidden journaling is behind a photo and I stamped a flip flop to be the pull tab on the journaling. I love the colors!! The layout was based on a sketch by Liz Chidester.

Mollie

2011-01-25T12:27:00.000-08:00

Mollie has not been going to school this winter term because we thought that she might not get around very well after surgery which has not been the case. However, it has been so much fun to have her home! She spends about 4 days in Boise while she does physical therapy and then comes back home!

Last weekend she, Leslie, Emily and I went to lunch and then the movie. On Sunday I fixed chicken pot pie at Hamilton's and we stayed the entire day. Seemed like old times except that Nick and Jack are in Moscow at school!

101 Goals in 1001 Days

2011-01-18T10:51:00.000-08:00

Instead of setting resolutions I have created a list of 101 goals which I intend to complete within 1001 days (October 15, 2013). Some are behavioral changes, some are projects, some are destinations and all would be things that I would like to complete! I

101 Goals in 1001 Days

Recreate front flower beds
Add water feature to backyard
Buy new workout shoes 5 times
Remodel kitchen
Plant grass on side of house
Put door on outdoor storage area
Create craft room
Get new windows & insulation
Make cookbook with loose recipes
Clean craft closet
Fix bedroom door
Organize file cabinets
Clean & organize basement
Clean & organize garage
~~Get blind for upstairs hall window~~
Paint the trim upstairs
Paint living room
Pray the rosary each week
Send birthday cards for all on calendar
Host bbq for at least 6 friends
~~Go see Wicked with Leslie~~
Start Sunday dinners with the family
Take Gabriel to a BSU football game
Take Gabriel to the zoo
Take Gabriel hiking
Girls' weekend with Smutny women
Girls' weekend with Pamm & Celia
Write thank yous for every gift
Volunteer 100 hours
~~Plan 35 year reunion~~
~~YKYFBI party~~
Deliver cookies to neighbors & friends
Make Christmas gifts for my sisters & Leslie
Finsh 300 scrapbook layouts (1/300)
Do 365 picture project
Make ice cream 10 times
Make pickles
Can at least 30 jars of tomato sauce
Finish needlework ornaments
Make a stocking for Megan
Make a stocking for Gabriel
Finish Mollie's stocking
Plant 2 trees in the front yard
Get teaching certificate
Buy 100 iPod songs
Start seeds indoors for garden
Buy a summer swim pass to Buhl pool
Read 20 books
Buy BSU football season tickets
Buy a ski season pass
Buy a CC membership
Buy an iPhone
Start a crafting company
Go without television for 1 week
Hire a fitness trainer 3 times
Bike 20 miles
Skydive
Learn yoga
Blog 100 times
Become Eucharistic minister
Improve conversational spanish
Learn Photoshop
Learn blog building
Learn bridge
Create a liveable budget
Give up meat on Fridays
Save $1000 Christmas fund
Contribute $500/year to Roth IRA
Save $1000 emergency fund
~~Buy peep toed shoes that actually fit~~
Buy a Kindle
~~Buy a new vacum cleaner~~
Buy a freezer
~~Buy bedding for Mollie's room~~
~~Buy a bed for Mollie's room~~
Go to a CSI star party
Hike the canyon trail
Buy new golf clubs
Buy DSLR camera
Buy new living room furniture
Make Vivi's quilt
Learn to ice skate
Learn ballroom dancing
Learn to braid a rug
Make list of 25 things that I like about myself
Stop drinking soda completely
Schedule a checkup
~~Campout in backyard with Gabriel~~
Floss daily for a month
Run a 5K
Weigh 135 lbs.
Donate blood 3 times / year (1/3)
Acheive 18% body fat
Wear a size 6 consistently
Go on a picnic
Go to theater & see 10 movies (1/10)
Lead a Bible study
Take kids on ski trip
Visit the Oregon Coast
Visit San Diego
Visit NYC - Broadway

Ryan

2011-01-13T13:22:00.000-08:00

Ten years later I still recall the events of this day so vividly. I know that I was standing in the bathroom french braiding Mollie's hair when I got the phone call from Chuck telling me that the boys had been in a car accident. I can still hear his voice telling me that Tim and Mitch were walking and talking but Ryan wasn't really doing so well. I can picture walking into the hospital and seeing Julie in such shock and realizing that Ryan was not just suffering from broken bones...I began to understand how serious the situation was. I can still imagine sitting in the ambulance on the way to Boise and then wondering how we got there so fast. I can repeat the conversation with the doctor from the trauma unit that met us and I can see the anguish on Chuck's face when he met me at the emergency room. I can almost remember telling Ryan goodbye. I remember sleeping in the hospital bed with Mitch and holding a thirteen year old like he was still my baby and both of us crying.

More importantly, Ryan, I can remember your smile.....

2011 Resolutions

2011-01-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I am working on New Year's resolutions, however, they are not completely made yet because I want them to be specific goals. Today I am embarking on the means to the end of losing enough weight to return to wearing a size 6. It is ridiculous that I have been so lazy because I actually like to work out. I am headed to the local YFCA to join right after work tonight! One step at a time....right?

Other goals will revolve around creativity and organization. Those seem to be mutually exclusive of one another for me and that needs to change in 2011. Wish me luck!!!!

Don't believe; Won't receive!

2010-12-31T20:52:00.000-08:00

Creative Scrapper sketch #135. I am trying to use up some of my stash and these My Mind's Eye papers seemed perfect for these photos. I stitched a scalloped circle and then layered papers over it. I stamped the trees. Created the St. Nick banner and made the little card which reads, if you don't believe, you won't receive! The photos are of Mollie, Megan and Mackenzie with Santa Claus, Christmas Eve 2007 at my parents!

Remember the Reason

2010-12-31T09:25:00.000-08:00

Creative Scrappers sketch #136. I love these Echo Park papers. This photo is of the Immaculate Conception parish party which was held on the Feast of the Holy Family. Each grade presented something and the kindergarten and 1st grade enacted the Nativity scene. I stitched around the background and made a little patchwork design. I cut out ornaments with the Cricut and embellished each one. The title is a reminder that Christmas is nothing without Christ!

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

Pink

2010-10-30T22:58:00.001-07:00

I created this layout for another Creative Scrappers sketch challenge. I used soft pastel papers for a girly look. I added a gathered ribbon border, cut out cute little baby girl clothes and arranged them around the photo. I used a piece of flowered ribbon and added beads to the centers. I cut the title with my Cricut and used journaling strips. This is Mollie about 2 days old!

Megan & Mackenzie are State Champs

2010-10-30T20:58:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend watching my nieces win the Idaho 5A State Championship in volleyball. They had an amazing season....undefeated and only losing 1 set the entire season!!!! WOW!

Snow Much Fun

2010-10-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

This layout was created for a Creative Scrappers challenge, Sketch #126. I used Bo Bunny papers, most of which were scraps from previous layouts. I cut snowflakes with my Cricut and added crocheted snowflakes and a snowflake brad for the O. The photos are of Mollie, Megan and Mackenzie on Christmas Eve 2006. We were sledding on the golf course that day.

Halloween Cookies

2010-10-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

I am changing up my blog and will now document my daily life in addition to my scrapbook pages. Several years ago, I began inviting girls over to decorate sugar cookies. This started with the Kennedy first and then Hannah. Last year, Hannah wanted to include her best friend Delaney and the invitation then was offered to her sisters, Carli, Jaycie, and Shanlie. Hannah has now moved away but I love these girls and wanted the tradition to continue. Last night Jaycie, Shanli, and Delaney were helped by McKenna.

I provided pumpkin shaped sugar cookies, orange frosting and the sprinkles. They decorated to their little hearts content and I enjoyed their lively conversations.

By the end of the evening, they each had decorated cookies, themselves, and the sprinkles were all over the dining room. The girls then moved on to dressing up in Mollie's high heel shoes. I loved every minute of last night!!!

Surf's Up

2010-10-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

I created this layout for a ScrapWhispers challenge lift. The photos of are Mollie & Mackenzie boogie boarding in Kauai. The papers are all from Close to My Heart. I created the title, waves and starfish from the Cricut cartridge At the Beach. Not one of my favorites but I love the colors.

Great Outdoors

2010-08-23T08:43:00.001-07:00

Another page for Mollie's scrapbook. This photo was taken while 4-wheeling in Pine at Hamilton's cabin. The papers are Basic Grey. The flowers were created after watching a tutorial on the internet.

Following blogs...

2010-06-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

I found another great blog to follow and Michelle is having a great giveaway...go check it out!!!
http://insidemyownprivateidaho.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-another-giveaway-bake-it-pretty-csn.html

2010-05-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

The first photo was taken Mollie's first year of organized softball and the second was taken this year, her senior year of high school softball. The girls have played together since they were 8 years old. The papers are MME. I stitched flourishes and added a ribbon. The title is from old Thickers that I colored black. The layout was based on a sketch by Jana Eubanks.

2010-05-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of Mollie pitching her sophomore year of high school. I have had the papers for at least a year. The look on her face is so intense! The layout was based on a sketch by Liz Chidester.

2010-03-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

Another layout inspired by a sketch by the talented Liz Qualman. This is of all three kids at the Twin Falls County Fair in 1997. They were all dressed in the clothes they wore to show sheep. I made the flowers by cutting circles and spraying them with water. Then crumpling them into little balls. I then dried them with my heat embosser. I cut the letters out of chipboard and painted them white and then with red polka dots!

2010-03-28T15:33:00.000-07:00

This layout is based on a sketch by Liz Qualman. It is my daughter @ age 4 on a local ski hill. I used Bo Bunny Serenade papers, stitched the circle, used a border punch. I cut the title and snowflakes out with my Cricut and glittered the snowflakes and added pearls. The journaling reads, "Your dad's nickname for you was Bunny. The Title was obvious."

Waiting

2010-02-07T19:53:00.000-08:00

This layout of my daughter and nieces circa 1999. The layout is based on a sketch by the talented Liz Qualmann. I was trying to use up more of my stash. I cut the packages out of a variety of scraps and added ribbons and tags. I cut the title and tags with the Cricut and added Sticles. I tied a bow with satin ribbon and added journaling. At that age, the girls were impatient to open their gifts so we diverted their attention by playing Scrabble. My mother-in-law made the matching dresses.

Christmas Joy 2009

2010-01-19T19:39:00.000-08:00

My daughter & nieces on Christmas Eve. I was using up some of my stash. I cut the letters and words with my Cricut. I Stickled the word joy gold. I used a poinsettia embellishment and tied a bow with sheer ribbon. This layout was inspired from a Liz Qualmann sketch. These girls have grown into such lovely young women.

I Dig Volleyball

2010-01-18T20:38:00.000-08:00

Double page layout from Mollie's junior year of volleyball. I used papers that remind me of the net. It includes the team photo and a number of individual shots and her all conference patch.

No Tricks, Just Treats

2009-11-08T20:34:00.000-08:00

Halloween layout of my daughter, nieces and nephew from several years ago. The layout is based on a sketch by Scrapsketch. The photos are not too great but it was the only time Mollie got to trick or treat with her cousins out of town.

Greeting Trick or Treaters

2009-11-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

Gabe checking the door. He wasn't as interested in Trick or Treating as handing out goodies. He was afraid of "scary monsters". He said "you're welcome" before kids could say "thank you".

Scrapsketch Friday Challenge

2009-10-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Inspiration from Scrapsketch Challenge October 16. A layout of photos from an annual pumpkin carving that we attend. Mollie really isn't motivated to carve jack o'lanterns but she always does.

Scrap-a-Little Basic Grey Challenge

2009-10-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

A layout of Mollie and her friends after a high school football game. This is based on a sketch by Helen Croft and the papers are Basic Grey and Bazzill

Scrapsketch Friday Challenge

2009-10-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

This is a layout of my three children. The photo is from a few years ago and is one of my favorites of the three of them.

Cyndi's 50th Birthday Party

2009-08-31T12:41:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Cyndi's birthday early with a party at some of her friends' home. Lots of people. Family and friends were out in abundance.

Cyndi, Pamm, and I are lifetime friends.

Mollie, Will Chivers, Tim and Mitch were also in attendance.

Mollie

2009-08-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

Mollie started her senior year. Hard for me to comprehend that she is a senior already. Where has the time gone?

Last Tuesday, it appears that she tore her second ACL in 8 months. She has been looking forward to playing sports again and had spent the last 7 months working with both a physical therapist and a personal trainer.

Her MRI is scheduled this week and we will know more. There is a slight possibility that she only tore the meniscus and that would be much less complicated so we are holding out hope of that.

This is one of the photos from her senior picture photo shoots. Isn't she lovely?