A fun Christmas gift to make.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Bathroom peril
Craig and Thea took Karly home. She had some things to do today before she could play. Craig was going to shovel the walks and Thea was going to load some music on her ipod.
The boys were happily watching television.
I decided to take a shower. I do love a good hot shower. I tend to take a lot of the hot water, so I waited until the girls didn't need it.
Boaz tried to come in while I was drying off and getting dressed. I thought it was odd that he couldn't get in. I didn't remember locking the door. But being uninterupted in the bathroom is always nice and I didn't investigate it immediatly.
When I was ready, I turned to the door and it wasn't locked. I thought it was odd, but it didn't set in until I tried to turn the knob. It turned uselessly. I could look at the latch, or what ever you call the part of the door knob that is turned by the knob and holds or released from the frame. I could see in the crack between the door and the frame that the 'latch' was not even trying to open. It just sat there and kept the door closed.
Okay, I am not a damsel in distress. I can actually do many minor mechanical projects. I took out the pins from the hinges and pulled on the door knob. Well, the 'latch' kept that side of the door still, so I focused my attention on the hinge side. The door stayed stuck within the hinges. I got grease on my clean hands and went for a rag. I pulled the top hinge and got it to move a bit, but the bottom hinge wedged in fast. I pushed the top hinge back together and worked on the bottom hinge. Nothing.
Knowing I would be the punch line in a few jokes, I reluctantly called to Josh. I had him go and get the phone. I told him how to look for the received calls and call Craig's phone. He just got the voice mail. The message he left sounded very paniced. I tried to calm him down and said that it wasn't an crisis. And he wanted to know if he should call 911. Horrified I said, "NO!"
I sent him to my purse to get out a library card and push it under the door. I tried to slide the library card, not my current one -- don't ask why I have an old library card in my purse -- maybe I'll need it someday, to move the latch and release the door. It didn't budge.
Josh suggested calling Thea's phone. We went through the same process of locating Thea's phone on the caller id list and he blurted out before I knew that she had answered, "Mom is stuck in the bathroom and can't get out!" Panic was evident in his voice. I called through the door, "It's okay, Josh." Wondering if I was creating a tramatic expierence for my son that would last his whole life. "Ask Thea to get Daddy." Thea came back with the reply that they would be there in 10 minutes. Great, I thought. "Have Thea ask Daddy if he can tell me how to get the door knob off the door?" The reply came back, "Not without tools and inside the bathroom."
With nothing else to do, the boys went back to the television and I decided to put on makeup. What else was I supposed to do for 10 minutes while I waited to be rescued? I remembered the episode of Mad About You where they were stuck in the bathroom together. I remember that I was a bit contemptous that they had not just pulled the pins from the hinge and released themselves. I don't remember how it ended, but I know that I felt superior. If I ever got stuck in the bathroom, I could certainly get myself out. Well, I think that Heavenly Father has a very good and keen sense of humor. Eventually, we all get knocked off that kind of a horse.
Craig came and the boys were eager to tell him that Mommy was stuck. I told him that I had taken out the pins. Did he want me to put them back in? I didn't want him to think that I had not tried to get myself out. Also I didn't want him to not know and push on the door and fall on top of me. Well, I didn't need to worry about the last one. The door was truely stuck in the frame. He worked for a few minutes and took the door knob off and released me.
I said that we should take the knob out of the door. Thinking that we would call the rental agency and have them come over and fix the stupid thing. Craig took the knob out and said, "Oh, that's why it didn't work. Did you unscrew these screws?" "NO!" I retored. Remembering that if it was at all possible to reach them I would have tried.
Josh came and told me that he was worried that I would run out of air in the bathroom. I gave him a quick hug and told him that wouldn't have happened, but being sure to be sincere as I thanked him for rescuing me. He smiled happily and went back to Sponge Bob.
And even knowing that the joke is on me, I came here after fixing lunch to post a funny story on my blog. I hope you all enjoy it and remember to not be contempteous of others in silly situations. It just might come back and bite you, like it did me. :)
The boys were happily watching television.
I decided to take a shower. I do love a good hot shower. I tend to take a lot of the hot water, so I waited until the girls didn't need it.
Boaz tried to come in while I was drying off and getting dressed. I thought it was odd that he couldn't get in. I didn't remember locking the door. But being uninterupted in the bathroom is always nice and I didn't investigate it immediatly.
When I was ready, I turned to the door and it wasn't locked. I thought it was odd, but it didn't set in until I tried to turn the knob. It turned uselessly. I could look at the latch, or what ever you call the part of the door knob that is turned by the knob and holds or released from the frame. I could see in the crack between the door and the frame that the 'latch' was not even trying to open. It just sat there and kept the door closed.
Okay, I am not a damsel in distress. I can actually do many minor mechanical projects. I took out the pins from the hinges and pulled on the door knob. Well, the 'latch' kept that side of the door still, so I focused my attention on the hinge side. The door stayed stuck within the hinges. I got grease on my clean hands and went for a rag. I pulled the top hinge and got it to move a bit, but the bottom hinge wedged in fast. I pushed the top hinge back together and worked on the bottom hinge. Nothing.
Knowing I would be the punch line in a few jokes, I reluctantly called to Josh. I had him go and get the phone. I told him how to look for the received calls and call Craig's phone. He just got the voice mail. The message he left sounded very paniced. I tried to calm him down and said that it wasn't an crisis. And he wanted to know if he should call 911. Horrified I said, "NO!"
I sent him to my purse to get out a library card and push it under the door. I tried to slide the library card, not my current one -- don't ask why I have an old library card in my purse -- maybe I'll need it someday, to move the latch and release the door. It didn't budge.
Josh suggested calling Thea's phone. We went through the same process of locating Thea's phone on the caller id list and he blurted out before I knew that she had answered, "Mom is stuck in the bathroom and can't get out!" Panic was evident in his voice. I called through the door, "It's okay, Josh." Wondering if I was creating a tramatic expierence for my son that would last his whole life. "Ask Thea to get Daddy." Thea came back with the reply that they would be there in 10 minutes. Great, I thought. "Have Thea ask Daddy if he can tell me how to get the door knob off the door?" The reply came back, "Not without tools and inside the bathroom."
With nothing else to do, the boys went back to the television and I decided to put on makeup. What else was I supposed to do for 10 minutes while I waited to be rescued? I remembered the episode of Mad About You where they were stuck in the bathroom together. I remember that I was a bit contemptous that they had not just pulled the pins from the hinge and released themselves. I don't remember how it ended, but I know that I felt superior. If I ever got stuck in the bathroom, I could certainly get myself out. Well, I think that Heavenly Father has a very good and keen sense of humor. Eventually, we all get knocked off that kind of a horse.
Craig came and the boys were eager to tell him that Mommy was stuck. I told him that I had taken out the pins. Did he want me to put them back in? I didn't want him to think that I had not tried to get myself out. Also I didn't want him to not know and push on the door and fall on top of me. Well, I didn't need to worry about the last one. The door was truely stuck in the frame. He worked for a few minutes and took the door knob off and released me.
I said that we should take the knob out of the door. Thinking that we would call the rental agency and have them come over and fix the stupid thing. Craig took the knob out and said, "Oh, that's why it didn't work. Did you unscrew these screws?" "NO!" I retored. Remembering that if it was at all possible to reach them I would have tried.
Josh came and told me that he was worried that I would run out of air in the bathroom. I gave him a quick hug and told him that wouldn't have happened, but being sure to be sincere as I thanked him for rescuing me. He smiled happily and went back to Sponge Bob.
And even knowing that the joke is on me, I came here after fixing lunch to post a funny story on my blog. I hope you all enjoy it and remember to not be contempteous of others in silly situations. It just might come back and bite you, like it did me. :)
Goofy boys
Josh peaking out from his hood, bundled up to face the cold day.Boaz with his "attack eyes". Somehow he thinks the cross-eyed look will inspire fear.
anniversary landscapes
We were at a golf course for Craig
We were at the beach for me.
The room was 50 degrees when we checked in. By the time we got the room warm enough to be comfortable, we didn't want to go outside. So we stayed in the room with the golf course and beach just outside waiting to be enjoyed.
Our room had a gas fireplace, and that was good enough. A very nice weekend. :)
Snow daze
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday school was canceled. Josh was happy for Thursday so he could go and get his project that he was working on for Christmas.
So they spent a lot of time outside playing in the snow. One of the worst storms in 40 years. We made sure they had plenty of layers and sent them out happy to stay inside ourselves.
When they came back in, Boaz would be drenched through 2 of his 4 layers, but happy and demanding hot chocolate. The hot chocolate being an essential part of the playing in the snow activity.
Very cold, but beautiful.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Two booths
There were many wonderful booths. I took pictures of these two. I missed the full effect of the first booth. The dried grasses were across the lintel as well and the fruit spread was great.
The sister missionaries manned the well. There was no charge for the water, salvation being free.
Our Journey to Bethlehem
Our "costumes" as we went to Bethlehem. We were taxed a non perishable food item per person
and instructed to tie our "donkeys" at the proper entrance. We brought a blanket to sit on in case the inn was full and were given our pouches of money (hardened clay tokens made by the senior primary) to purchase food in the market place.I realize that my outfit is Muslim rather than Jewish, but I wore it anyway. Most of the people that came entered into the spirit of the event and wore costumes too.
The booths were wonderful. Yummy soups and fruit (including figs and dates that my boys would not try) breads and cheeses and of course desserts. We paid a token at each booth.
There were also booths for purchasing gold, frankincense and myrrh. There were also dreidels with instructions. My boys think it is an awesome game.
A fun and eventful night. To end we had the choir sing and an excellent reader read from Luke and Matthew the story of the birth of Christ. The bishopric were the three wisemen. I was in the choir and we sang the wonderful carols from the hymn book. I love Christmas music. A great night.
Waiting to go swimming
We told Boaz that we would go swimming when Josh got home from school. So he waited out the day wearing his goggles. Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Christmas quilt
I had a crazy idea that I could do 2 quilts before Christmas. This one is the second. I chose a very easy pattern, but I still think it is cool. It's bright and fun. It's for my niece, who I don't think reads my blog. I'm sending it to Utah this week. Yea!
The second quilt will have to wait until after Christmas before I post pictures. It is for my sister-in-law. And I know she reads my blog, so it would really be counter productive for me to post it and expect her to be surprised on Christmas Day.
And a note to said sister-in-law. It's a Happy Birthday present too.
A note to my brother. I still will do what we discussed. But with the move and other quilt projects, I felt overwhelmed. I'm getting to the right place to begin the dragon. It will be fun, and full of "how am I going to do this?!?" moments. But that is part of the fun of quilting. I'm looking forward to it. Since it will be after Christmas, I think I'll post updates and let you see it in progress.
I just finished the first quilt. I did the top and then started and completed the second quilt before I finished the first. I had the crazy idea that I would complete the quilting and binding all in one day, the same day that I would be helping Debbie do her binding. I realized my folly that crazy day, but since I was knee deep in the process, I completed the second quilt. Anyway, my fingers are jabbed and poked. I'm glad it's done and my fingers can rest. :)
Monday, November 24, 2008
What Boaz does while Josh is at school
Boaz loves watching TV. I don't have a picture of him playing the playstation, but he loves that too.
He has always loved playing with the Lego containters, more than the actual Legos. As he gets older, he is playing with the Legos more, especially when he is playing with Josh. But left on his own, he still chooses the containers.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sunday School lessons
I heard a comment yesterday in Sunday School that has really stayed with me. Craig and I both looked at each other and said, that is a really good comment (or something like that.)
Righteousness is a skill. We have to practise. Sometimes we don't know what to do. We have to evaluate what we did and if it felt wrong, then try something else.
It's something we have to work at to keep sharp. Like playing the piano or playing a sport. We might know what we should do, but it doesn't necessarily mean that we always follow through. We must keep our righteousness muscles honed so they can respond when the need arises.
I remember somewhere a great quarterback in the NFL (I can't remember who, and it wasn't Steve Young because then I would remember) would think of the action of throwing the football. "Hand cocked behind the ear, look at the target, thumb up, follow through with the hand ending up in the left pocket" I know I don't know how to throw, so some of these steps might be off a bit, but the point is that he knew what made a good throw--the steps involved. And he paid attention to the steps as he threw the ball. He didn't just rely on the feeling of throwing a good ball. Sometimes, I think I know what to do, and I end up with an unintentional grouding. The ball is way away from where I wanted it to go.
I forget the constant practise required to keep a skill sharp. So I'm hoping that I can remember to practise everyday. I've started making sure I'm reading and studing the scriptures everyday. I was reading with the boys about 5 times a week, but that isn't focused enough to keep me sharp. So I'm back on track with daily, personal study. That should be good to help me identify other righteousness skills to work on.
All in all, a good Sunday School class with vital information for me. I'm grateful I was paying attention, and that Craig was to. He brought it up again last night and got me really thinking about it.
Righteousness is a skill. We have to practise. Sometimes we don't know what to do. We have to evaluate what we did and if it felt wrong, then try something else.
It's something we have to work at to keep sharp. Like playing the piano or playing a sport. We might know what we should do, but it doesn't necessarily mean that we always follow through. We must keep our righteousness muscles honed so they can respond when the need arises.
I remember somewhere a great quarterback in the NFL (I can't remember who, and it wasn't Steve Young because then I would remember) would think of the action of throwing the football. "Hand cocked behind the ear, look at the target, thumb up, follow through with the hand ending up in the left pocket" I know I don't know how to throw, so some of these steps might be off a bit, but the point is that he knew what made a good throw--the steps involved. And he paid attention to the steps as he threw the ball. He didn't just rely on the feeling of throwing a good ball. Sometimes, I think I know what to do, and I end up with an unintentional grouding. The ball is way away from where I wanted it to go.
I forget the constant practise required to keep a skill sharp. So I'm hoping that I can remember to practise everyday. I've started making sure I'm reading and studing the scriptures everyday. I was reading with the boys about 5 times a week, but that isn't focused enough to keep me sharp. So I'm back on track with daily, personal study. That should be good to help me identify other righteousness skills to work on.
All in all, a good Sunday School class with vital information for me. I'm grateful I was paying attention, and that Craig was to. He brought it up again last night and got me really thinking about it.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Goofy Boys
Josh put on Boaz's hoodie, and Boaz put on Josh's hoodie. They thought it was very funny. We were getting ready to go outside and have Josh practise riding his bike. Boaz doesn't want to ride his bike anymore. The training wheels got taken off.The pure delight on their cute faces was too much. I couldn't pass it up.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Opera
Karly coming home from the opera. I wasn't there when she got ready. I think she is lovely in her pink dress.
We are loving living so close that we can be more involved and watch her become a wonderful young woman.
Happy Birthday Joe
Joe was in Seattle for his birthday. Brenda and I drove up to see him. He is a cute boy.
I am really mugging for the camera.
Brenda had a great idea to fix him french toast for his birthday breakfast, candles and everything. It was yummy.
Happy Birthday to our brother.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
family picture
I was going to use this picture for the Christmas card this year, but it was too blurry. So I went with a Yellowstone picture. I was behind the camera, so technically I'm still a part of the picture. I like it better back there anyway.Anyway, here is a family picture. Josh has his hood up, Boaz is still wearing his Halloween costume, and I forgot about wearing blue.
Still a cute family.
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