I just couldn't resist.....

A co-worker has been gone.... 

for 2 yes TWO LONG weeks to .... HAWAII.... none the less!

RUDE! :)

I mean really.... 

She sent me this .... 

with the message...

I'm enjoying every minute and relaxing ...

I feel so bad for her... NOT!  :)

While I was driving home in this..... 

NOT relaxing and NOT enjoying every minute! 

SOOOOoooooOOOOOO.....

I made her this...... 

ALOHA!  I mean  

BBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Welcome home! 

I asked her to bottle up some SUN and HEAT!.... 

I wonder if she did.....

(Note: That is not the EXACT picture she sent me - I can't download if from my phone... but it's pretty darn close.... and that is NOT a picture of the storm I was driving home in... I was driving... I couldn't take a picture... but it too, is pretty DARN close!)

HEY!!! I just had a great idea! 

Perfect neighbor gift! 

For Christmas of course!!

GEEZE!!! I'm one smart donut..... COOKIE!

The "B" word.... I hate to say it....

BUT.... it is reality! That darn "B" word always comes to play when I start thinking CHRISTMAS... and trust me... I'm thinking CHRISTMAS!  (YES! ALREADY!.... aren't you???)

Anyway... I was going through some of my Christmas notes... and the darn "B" word came up - and I thought... well, I must face that darn "B" sooner or later - may as well tackle it now!  Yes, I'm talking BUDGET!  There I said it!  Does it freak you out as much as it does me????  Well, I may not have CONQUERED the "B" word but I'm getting closer... and I thought I would share a few things I have learned (from the notes I had) and some that I need to learn as well..... are you ready????

I'm sure that all of us are guilty of doing this... at least ONCE - and if you aren't GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! But.... many of us have thrown caution to the wind and just did what we "thought" would make everyone else happy.... and with that we often end up charging our Christmas purchases only to have to deal with the outcome during January... YIKES!!!  I'm here to tell you - THIS IS NOT A GOOD STRATEGY! ... why??? Well, because it only causes us more stress in the months to follow - and honestly, I have enough stress that just "COMES" to me I do NOT need to create more....  How many of us spend blindly?  Well.... NO MORE!!!  From this day forward - committ yourself to becoming the "B" word freindly!  Instead of spending our money blindly, we need to create a BUDGET... tell your money WHERE to go instead of it telling YOU where to go.... in order to do this - you need to decide "REALISTICALLY" what amount of money you can spend on Christmas ... and be sure to note that your CHRISTMAS budget is NOT just the gifts you buy!

Step 1:  REALLY look at what CASH you have on hand to spend for the upcoming Christmas season. If you start soon enough in the year - this is a much easier task to take control of. Be REALISTIC!

Step 2: Get your trusty little note book out and WRITE - yes WRITE down all the different hings you NEED to purchase for the Christmas season - Such as: Baking ingredients, Picture, Cards, Activities, Donations, Clothing, Hostess gifts, Entertaining foods, Decorations, Postage... etc.... Be sure to review your list and make sure that you didn't miss ANYTHING that you would normally purchase SPECIFICALLY for Christmas.

I'm sure you noticed that GIFTS was not listed ... that's because GIFTS need a sheet ALL to themselves!  On your GIFTS page (step 3) break down the types of gifts you give - such as - gifts for the home, gifts for immediate family outside of the home, gifts for extended family, stocking stuffers, friend gifts, teacher gifts etc.... This helps to give you an idea of EVERYONE you would like to give gifts to - plus help you to cross off when money starts to get tight...

Take the category's that you have and divide up the amount of money you have to spend on Christmas and BUDGET each section....

Now.... here is just a fun little exercise to do... IF ... remember I said IF you should decide that you need to CHARGE your Christmas... just do this little exercise - and I'm pretty sure you will change your mind about the "CHARGING" Christmas....

Scroll all the way to the bottom of my page - you will find a "CREDIT CARD CALCULATOR" - it's pretty simple to use - but guaranteed to give you a stomach ache.... so use with caution.. :) 

Let's just say for fun - you decide to charge $1000.00 for your Christmas, your interest rate is 24.0% and your minimum payment is $40.00 - GUESS WHAT.... It will take you 35 months to pay off (nearly 3 years!)  is your stomach hurting yet??? if not... this just might do it..... AND the $1000.00 you just charged will now cost you $1400.00.... Do you want to just throw away $400.00 ??? If you do, I'm here to tell you - I'll give you my account number and feel free to just deposit it into my account...  I won't mind at all! :)  besides, it will save you $1000.00 :)  Go ahead - give it a try - if you have a credit card now - and would like to know how much you would have to pay to be debt free in a certain amount of months - you can do that too!  For instance, if you want to be out of debt on that $1000.00 with 24% interest in 12 months, you would need to pay approx. $94.56 a month ... SO.... if you feel that is what you need to spend on your Christmas, then, you should put $94.56 away each month - and your will have a NICE Christmas budget just waiting for you and growing....

I mean - which plan would you prefer to do? I personally - hate CREDIT cards!  So, I have set my budget, and put in how many months I have to purchase my stuff and that tells me how much I can spend for Christmas. I prefer that way MUCH MUCH MORE!

Good luck - Let me know how your budget planning is goin....

Next up....Baking for the holidays - and stretching that BUDGET!

I went and did the unexpected...

I know that this will come as a MIGHTY BIG shock to you all.....

ESPECIALLY after this post.... you know... the one where I was admitting my OCD-ness with the tree and ornaments...  WELL... I did just what ever other OCD-Ornament crasher would do.... I signed up to do a ORNAMENT exchange.... (GASP - BIG GASP! I heard it!!!!)  I know... I know.... WHAT WAS I THINKING?????  Well, I will TELL you what I was thinking.... 

I was thinking..... 

This will be REALLY fun.... 

I'll get some ornaments from some VERY talented people! 

...and I LOVE seeing and sharing the talents of others!!!!  

(it kinda makes me jealous too... but someday I hope to have TALENT and what a better way to GRASP some.. then to RECEIVE some ... RIGHT!?!?!) 

.... honestly... that's about all I was thinking at the time...  I didn't think about "what I would do with them..."
  

But HAVE NO FEAR!!! I found something to do with them!!!! It will follow in another post.... but for now... Let me share some TALENTS with you!!!! 

I had NO IDEA that I would absolutely FALL in love with EVERY... STINKIN' (meant in a LOVING CUTE way!) .... ORNAMENT! 

That I would just HAVE to find the PERFECT spot for all these new ornaments.... 

Wanna peak?????   I know you do....

First of all... I have to say.... I just admire ALL of these WONDERFUL TALENTED people! .... AND.... especially people that can do this! 

I can NOT!  I know.... CRAZY!!!  My mom has tried for YEARS to help me.... I'm pretty much useless!   My hand goes soooooo numb... and then the EYES go BuGgggGGY.... and THEN.... it gets a little free AIR SAILIN ride.... (I know... I'm pretty patient :))  Aren't they so cute!  Now I just need to find some little pictures of my little people! Then they will be SET!

 

 She must have known my LOVE for OWLS!!!  He will have a place in my office... 

ALL .... YEAR....... LONG!!!!!!

 Aren't these soooo cute!  

I really love the "HAT".... makes me want to find a little someone to put it on... :)

 And this little guy.... Don't ya just wanna SQUEEZE him???? 

SO STINKIN' CLEVER!!! And WAY WAY CUTE!

 I placed this on a blue block... because it wasn't showing up... and darn it all... with all the FRAGILE stamps on the package... wouldn't you know it ... it was broken... but I did my best by trying to "HOT GLUE IT"....because remember my motto... "If it ain't hot glued... I don't do!!!"  I would love to learn to make these! It is absolutely beautiful!

 

And oh my!  Isn't this just adorable???? 

Seriously.... how do people THINK of these things????  

LOVE IT!

 

 And then.... MELT MY HEART!!! 

I have a SNOWMAN fettish! BAD! 

(I seem to have a LOT of fettish's... hmmmm) 

Anyway.... How can you NOT love a SNOWMAN??

 And she even sent cards.... 

She was one BUSY gal!  OH MY!!! CUTENESS!!!

 I just LOVE how the snowman grows when he gets opened...

And pull the "HAT" out for a message.... HEART BE STILL!!!!

 And then....

Can I just tell you I ENVY such people! ALL OF THEM... 

But this little CLAY Peacock.... 

(I have tried and TRIED to make sculpty clay things.... They ain't so adorable... even the garbage can runs from them....  Sad! I know...)

ADMIRE!!!!  TALENTED!!! OH MY for SURE!

I have to protect him from the little ones... 

They just want to pack him around and love on him.... 

Can't say I blame them... he is just TOO CUTE!!! 

 ADORABLE!!!! 

I'm so very impressed! 

And... How can I POSSIBLY stick them in a ORNAMENT SAFE BOX???? 

I CAN'T!!! 

I had to find something to do with them....

AND I DID!!! 

I'm so proud of myself! :) 

I'll post about it later... 

BECAUSE.... I've gotta get some SHUT EYE! 

I think I heard a FLUFFY WHITE thing calling me....

But I wanted to share!

OH MY CRAFTY-NESS!!!

Just a little BUZZ here.... You may want to venture over and take a PEEK at some amazing people and their CRAFTI-NESS!!!! So! FUN!!!!!   OH MY CRAFTY!

And... Don't forget.... Giveaway #4 is ending soon..... 

Congrats again to GIVEAWAY #3 Winners!!! 

Their prizes should be arriving soon....

There were 3 WINNERS!!! 

Wanna take a guess at how many winners there will be in Giveaway #4!!!! :) hee hee hee!!!! 

Its a SURPRISE!!! Hurry over there too and play along in GIVEAWAY #4!!!!

Oh Christmas tree.... Oh Christmas tree.....

CAN YOU NOT JUST CO-OPERATE!?!?!?! 

We set out last night to decorate the tree.... only to discover that we have 4 pieces to our 3 piece tree..... 1 piece to our 3 part tree and no CENTER for our 1000 + piece tree!!!!  SERIOUSLY!!!! and of course not ONE of them will WORK with the other!!! Come on TREES! Have you ever heard of CO-OPERATION!!!!!  This is a VERY crucial matter!!!! We have a 9 year old that is in tears!  CO-OPERATE with me PLEASE!!!!! 

(I'm thinking we may just have to do something like this...)

But.. to no avail.... Not ONE would work with the other!  (Needless to say, my 9 year old went to bed in tears.... she was SO disappointed! She was being SO VERY PATIENT all day long WAITING for me to get my ORGANIZATION done so we could decorate... only to discover that there would be NO tree to decorate right now...)  I came in and started looking on line for trees.... We just don't have extra money for tree right now... even at 50% off... (why are they so EXPENSIVE????)  So I turned to the classifieds... sent out a few emails (because it was 11pm and didn't think that they would want a call from a FRANTIC mom inquiring about their TREE...) I woke this morning at 6 tossing and turning... and in hopes that there was a reply to my emails... even just ONE .... but there were NONE!!!!  Then it dawned on me ... probably because it is 6 AM and most people are still SLEEPING!!!!  HELLO!!!!!!  So, here I sit....waiting for a reply on a tree... silly huh? 

So..... until a reply..... I'll go get Santa's shop up and working again!  

SO..... MUCH.....TO..... DO!!!!!!

It has been one HECK of a CrAZy month to say the least... BUT I'm getting use to it!!!  (I think....) 

The past several weeks I've been busy cutting wood, painting, re-thinking my plan...cleaning up... pulling it out again.... cleaning up..... pulling it back out..... sleeping with saw dust in my ear.... my eyes....my nose... my hair... even my teeth! Every fiber of my being.....covered in saw dust!  And still... I feel as if I'm getting no-where NEAR being done!  And... Dec. 1st is just ... RIGHT... THERE!!! It is in hands reach... and I so desperately need to PUSH it out a tad!  :)   ....I'm really thinking that my December 1 deadline is going to be booted :( but I certainly am NOT going to go down without a FIGHT.... and a TEAR or TWO of my own.... I'm sure!!!!  

Well... until the TREE situation is resolved... guess I better get back to the shop.... here is just a SNEAK PEEK of what is going on around here...... 

 For December....

Meet the TALL Sno-FAMILY! 

 

I just LOVE the sleigh and reindeer... but I just realized...

I need to get them "TIED" up!!!  Missing the reins!!!!

I found the pattern and instructions here... what a TALENTED lady! 

Of course hers looks MUCH better than mine..

but I'm not giving the receiver a picture of what it SHOULD look like... 

so they will NEVER know... RIGHT???!

And for OCTOBER.....

A friend of mine had some of these... so I just "COPIED" them... and then.... I discovered they too were from this TALENTED lady.... again... hers are much better... I was just flying by the seat of my britches! 

I am now VERY tempted to just PURCHASE from her ETSY shop!!! and save me the HEADACHE!

 These are my BLOCK HEAD family!

 Well... that leaves 10 months to go!!! 

I better get on the stick!!! 

Making 4 sets of EVERYTHING is just a WEE BIT.....

OUT - OF - CONTROL!!!! 

(so, now you will no longer need to wonder WHY my house looks like a tornado, hurricane, tsunami and a whirlwind have touched down...they really have!) 

My girls are at the "newly-wed-rather poor" stage of life.... well, poor in the aspect of "no money to decorate the house" .... so I've decided to help them out - by doing a bit of monthly decorations for them... I'm so super excited .... but feeling a "BIT" overwhelmed .... because as usual.... these projects go MUCH MUCH MUCH faster in my head!! LOL!!! they are so TIME consuming in "reality" world!!!!  

Why is it that my outer body can not work as FAST as my INNER body!!! (the brain!) :)  

Well.... off I go.... hoping to hear back on a tree or two and to the shop I go... 

IT IS FREEZZZZZZING out there!!!!! 

OH!!! Don't forget!!! 

GIVEAWAY #3(enter here!)  is coming to a end!!!! 

AND.... there are 3 prizes!!!!! 

and about the same number of entries.....

I wonder WHO will win.... LOL!!!!!!

Punkin...punkin....punkin......

You can NEVER have too much PUNKIN.... Can ya!?!?! 

Well..... not here!  (I think that we have established it as a VEGETABLE ... and so therefore... it is GOOD for you - right?!?!?! :)) 

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread 

3 cups flour

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

4 eggs 

2 cups sugar

2 cups canned pumpkin 

1 1/2 cups oil (again, I use applesauce!...sneaking in the fruit too! LOL!)

1 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (of course!) 

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.  In a separet bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil  Stir the pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Pour into two greased 8x4" loaf pans.  Bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes, or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pans to wire racks and let completely cool.  Makes 2 loaves.  **See note**

**NOTE:  I hate having a partial can (29 oz) can of pumpkin left over, and I hate even more buying the 15 oz can of pumpkin (just not cost effective) so, for this recipe I will again use 1/2 the can of the 29 oz. size - but... I usually end up making 2 batches of this and making the MINI-LOAVES to freeze and put away for neighbor gifts....now that is COST effective!!! I wouldn't recommend just DOUBLING the batch... mine never turn out - I play it save and just make 2 separate batches.... but you may be much more talented than I! Also I bake the mini loaves for about 45-50 minutes.  Each batch makes 3-4 mini loaves, depending on loaf pan size.... ENJOY!!!!

**Note: this is not my picture... I can't FIND mine... SERIOUSLY!!!!**

So, I borrowed from My Artful Life. Thank you!

Countdown continues..... 7 weeks!!!!!

Sorry.... gotta post early today...

It's kinda a "SPECIAL" day....

WELL - IT IS A SPECIAL DAY actually!!!!

28 years ago - (can you believe it????)

I married my high school sweetheart after almost 5 years of dating! WOW!! That means that we have been together for a VERY.... LONG.... TIME!!!!!! Granted, we have had some "bounces" and "turbulence" along the way - but who doesn't??? And nothing that I wouldn't trade for the world, especially if it would alter where we are today! (However, I would trade his pain away in a heartbeat!) I hope that he feels "GOOD" today - and that we can spend the day PAIN free! Or... at least go out to  dinner - and be pain free long enough to enjoy his meal... It's been a LONG time since we have been able to do even that! But we shall see... time shall surely tell....

OH I'm so sorry! I've been rambling... and we have BUSINESS to conduct! 

Please excuse me!

7 weeks until CHRISTMAS counts!!!

YAHOO!!!!

The countdown is on! Just a few more weeks to get those Holiday gifts completed and wrapped! One of the most important things that you can do to make sure that you get all of your gifts completed on time is to stay organized!

We've talked a LOT about our lists - but honestly, lists just don't do us any good unless we review them, check things off and keep on track. So, here we go.... countdown continues!

We are at 7 - 7 weeks to MAKING OUR DREAMS COME TRUE!!!!!

Can you BELIEVE it???? I'm sooooo super excited! The next 3 weeks are my FOCUS hard weeks! Gotta get those homemade gifts finished up! Afterall.... a homemade Christmas is what I'm planning.... and if I don't get DONE - there will be NO CHRISTMAS!!!! So.... are you ready??? Sit down TONIGHT - YES! TONIGHT! And review your LISTS... especially that HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS (or if you are a purchaser - you gotta get that list handy too!)... and we are gonna get them compeleted in the next 3 weeks!! YEAH!!!!!!!

Here are five easy tips to help better plan your holiday crafting:

1. Pull out your HOMEMADE Christmas list... and let's review it ....(I hope that you have already done this, but if not - it isn't too late!) OR make a checklist of all of the things you’d like to make.

2. Mark a calendar with each project‚ allotting it a certain length of time for completion.

3. Gather up all of the patterns and supplies that you’ll need for each project in advance‚ (unless you already have! You are so on top of things! LUCKY YOU!) .... so that you’re not running to the hobby store at the last minute. (Be sure to give yourself a couple days to get this don

e ~ be realistic!!! OH WAIT- see #4... :))

4. Be realistic. Very REALISTIC! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to finish too much, in too short of time or too fast! BREATHE!!!!! REALISTIC.....remember....

5. Take a class or two, if needed... or if you are like me - team up with a neighbor, sibling, friend - SOMEONE. (and set dates to get together - and DO IT!) Working through the projects with the help of the instructor or someone else, is a great way to learn new things AND complete great

–looking projects at the same time.... It's always much more fun to CRAFT with someone else! (that isn't proper English is it??? oh well!)

WELL!?!?!?!?!

What cha' waitin for????

CHRISTMAS is coming!!!!

HAPPY CRAFTING!

 and... Happy 28 years to my Mr.! 

Hope we have another 28 plus to come!  

I was just thinking....

Outloud again... of course... 

This past weekend I was telling my daughter that I wanted to go out and take some pictures of different things and spell out FAMILY and frame it for my basement ~ you know ~ those really CUTE pictures of nature and different "THINGS".... Well I priced it out to PURCHASE and HOLY SHNIKIES!!! Talk about OUT OF MY BUDGET!!!!!!  Nearly had a heart attack!  (And heaven knows - we need no more of them this year!)  thus the reason I decided that "I" could just DO it myself.... however, I discovered.... there is a little more to it than just "snappin" a picture or two... or six.... AND I don't really have a camera that will SUFFICE such picture taking... you know -up close and PERSONAL!!! :) 

So... I let the thought slip out of my head...

UNTIL!!!!

 I was just bee-boppen' along tonight... (minding my own business I tell ya!)  trying to finish up a few projects and looking for "things" and I BEE-BOPPED right into  

EVERYDAY LETTERING..... 

oh my!  heart be still!!!!  

Prayers were answered!!!!  

You just HAVE to go and check it out!!! HERE!!!

I'm so stinkin' excited!!!!

Sometimes it pays to THINK OUT-LOUD :) ..... 

Go on - head over... I'm sure you'll fall in LOVE too!!!! The problem is... now I want more than just FAMILY!

psst.... they would make a great Christmas gift too... if you're still shoppin.... just sayin.....

AND... the PRICE is RIGHT!

A Bargain... & the wheels are spinning!

I was rummaging through the CLEARANCE items at Wal-Mart the other day - and I stumbled onto this cute... little... iron basket. And I thought "Surely there is SOMETHING I can use this for...it's just too good to pass up....it was 50% of the already marked down 50% - so HEY! surely there is something I can use them for." I pondered on it... put it in my cart... walked around... put it back.... pondered some more, then decided HECK I should just get one... I'm sure I'll regret it if I don't.... So, I grabbed two. hee hee hee...
  As I was checking out, I started to question myself... don't you just HATE that! I mean seriously... it was two for the price of one! Honestly - it is not NOT going to break me today - tomorrow I might be wishing I didn't spend that extra..... SIX bucks - but today - HECK! JUST DO IT! I battled with myself... even told the cashier I didn't want them... then I quickly changed my mind and said - "WAIT - YES I DO! But hurry and ring them through BEFORE I change my mind again.... " I'm sure he thought I was COMPLETELY off my rocker.... Well, I bought them ... and I pondered WHY I purchased them ALL the way home. Removed them from the bag and stuck them in my pantry. I tried to convince myself that "TOMORROW" I would have a BRILLIANT idea!

AND..... guess what?!?!?!

I SURPRISED myself!
I had a BRILLIANT idea! (well... for me it was BRILLIANT!)

Yesterday, I was cleaning my bathroom - and I'm so SICK of the UGLY cup that holds our toothbrushes and toothpaste... or rather... DOESN'T hold them.... agh!!! I just wanted to REMODEL the bathroom because of this NASTY cup! LOL! And then.... WAH-LAH! IDEA POPPED INTO HEAD! (its a miracle I know....) So I ran kinda, sprinted maybe, jogged .... OK! I walked! FAST! to the pantry and started working on my BRILLIANT idea!!!!  HEY!! I do have to move fast.... It is typical for me to FORGET what I'm doing when I reach my destination....agh...

My CUTE bargain... ($3.00)















I grabbed 4 jars from the "wanna-be-canned" shelf..... (they have been waiting OH so patiently all fall...but I don't think I'm going to get to any canning this year - so looks like they will just have to be happy with what comes next.....)

Then, I dug through my junk drawer and was lucky enough to find some BLACK ribbon that will match PERFECTLY!

I ran, sprinted, jogged, ok walked FAST back to my bathroom and grabbed some "NECESSARY" itmes....

AND WAH-LAH! Look at what I discovered!




















This cute little IRON JAR holder will work FABULOUS in my bathroom - and EVERYTHING will be RIGHT THERE! I used 3 jars that are the same size and one smaller jar for the q-tips!

I was so excited! It looks so GREAT! AND... Everything is right there - I can just lift it up by it's cute little handle to move it when I clean the counters... SO NICE!!!!
And... I can remove the ribbon and toss the jar into the dishwasher to clean....the BEST!!!!

Then....
MY WHEELS STARTED SPINNING....

This would work PERFECT for a PHONE caddy-kinda-thing!
I filled the jars with pens, pencils, ruler, scissors and even some markers....

NOW! Hopefully I won't have to run all around the house to find a pen to take a message...
(yeah right! who am I kidding!?! I'm sure one of the girls will decide it would work PERFECTLY in their room!).....

AND THE WHEELS WERE CHURNING NOW!!!

I need to RUN back and buy some more!
This would be a PERFECT teacher gift! Pencils, stickers, ruler, scissors, paperclips....
DESK CADDY for the BOSS!!!! Pens, stamps, ruler, paper clips..... oh my!!!
AND....
This would make the BEST gift for the MEN on my Christmas list....
I could fill each jar with their favorite "TV TREAT!" .... and make those cute little fabric covered jar lids - you know what I mean????? Filled with things like - M&M's, NUTS, PRETZELS, Hot TAMALES, Chocolate Covered Raisins....just about anything!!!!  OH THE POSSIBILITIES!!!

I've got to run people!!! '
I surely hope they are not gone....
WAIT! Maybe I better wait and post this after I return... so you don't all beat me there!
OH! I hate it when I just don't TRUST my first instinct!
 If I had - I would have... well, I would already have them here!
DARN!


Stay turned for week 7 countdown!
We have so much to do! 
It's gonna be quite fun!!! 


Tis the season!!!! 
oh how 
I LOVE the SEASON!



Gotta run!!!!

One special little boy...with one BIG mission.....

GAGE OLSON

Gage Brandon Olson 2006- 2011 Gage Brandon Olson passed away tragically on Father's Day, June 19, 2011 from injuries sustained in a car accident in Provo Canyon. Gage came into this world on October 23, 2006 born to parents Brandon Rick Olson and Jill Topik Olson. He was truly a miracle baby as he was the only survivor of triplets. Gage brought so much love to his parents, and they cherished the moments spent teaching him about the world. Gage was full of life, rarely sat still, and was always on the lookout for his next big adventure. He loved playing with his dogs, dinosaurs, dancing, playing soccer, hunting and fishing with his Dad "his best bud", and getting spoiled by his Mom and walking in the park. Gage attended preschool at Roy Elementary, and J.R. Smith in Heber City. Gage loved preschool and riding the big Yellow bus. In just four short years, Gage touched many lives. We will miss his contagious laugh, beautiful blue eyes, and his loving personality. Gage is survived by his parents Jill and Brandon Olson of Heber City, Utah along with a baby sister Gentry. Grandparents Rick and Kim Olson of West Haven, Utah. Vickie Topik of Perry, Utah. Great Grandparents Duane and Maris Olson, Marcia Peay, Clark Mayfield, and John and Shirley Valcarce along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Life Flight, and the doctors and staff at the University Of Utah for their wonderful care and compassion during this difficult time. A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 30th from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Country View LDS Ward 4770 S. 4875 W., West Haven. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 1st at 11:00 a.m. at the Country View LDS Ward, 4770 S. 4875 W., West Haven with a viewing one hour before. Interment will be in the Roy Cemetery.

We send our prayer, love, hope and sympathy to the Olson family.  They are an amazing family with a long healing road ahead of them... both physically and emotionally. Bless you. Always remember you are a SPECIAL family with 3 special angels watching over you now... Families are Forever.

Ahhhh..... I'm in love.......

OH!!!! I can't BELIEVE that I'm even stating such a thing! 

I have a NEW love....

Well.... I'll give you 2 clues.... 

ONE.

and TWO..... 

Now... I know what you are thinking.... 

BIG STINKIN DEAL! 

THAT IS NOTHING! 

Well... Let me just defend my problem.... addiction.... NEW LOVE.....

my cupboard.

This cupboard USE to be filled with board games and videos... 

YES! the OLD VHS'S that are just ANCIENT...

Well - they got the boot

and Mr. Fabric moved in.... 

I know..

I know...

YOU all have MUCH MUCH MORE than I... 

That's ok... 

My New LOVE and I just met.... 

And we are SO IN LOVE! 

When I'm having a bad day... 

I stop at the local FAB SHOP

When I'm feeling sad....

I stop at the distant FAB SHOP

When I'm feeling HAPPY.... 

I spend HOURS with my new love, in the FAB SHOP! 

I've even contemplated putting in my application...

Just so we can spend MORE time together, 

and perhaps less suspicion.... 

I mean...

WHO KNEW?!?! 

The queen of philosophy....

"IF IT AIN'T HOT GLUED...

I DON'T DO IT!"

would EVER fall in love with MR. SEW-ME! 

Awwww.... 

OH! Did I mention... 

I do have projects in mind for all of this...

AND they will be completed SOON.... 

(MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!) 

OH!! and the best part..... 

I have 9 - yes 9 YARDS on it's way to me this VERY minute!
Wanna see?

Here's just a SNEAK of some that are on their way!

Aren't they ADORABLE?!?!?!?!

And I'm soooo excited!!! 

I can't even sleep! 

It's beginning to feel a bit like CHRISTMAS!!!!

OH!... and I'll just add...

I'm over 1/2 done with my Christmas shopping!
Couldn't be MORE happier!!!!



Visions of SUGARPLUMS are dancing in my head....

CHECK....CHECK....CHECK.....

TIMES 8!

Yeah!!!

I'm done!!!

Well... with 8 projects that is!!!

I just finished 8 sets of these... well almost... just a few more bows to finish.... but oh so close!
(I gotta wait for the ribbon to be on sale again at 50% off... you can't beat that! ... so worth the wait!)

Wanna sneak-a-peak???

I'm really happy with the way they turned out - my kids were questioning me ... they said the "bows" look "old fashioned"... BUT I think they were a little surprised with the way they actually turned out once they were put on.

(click on the picture for a larger view)

The "heart-O" is black glittered while the rest is painted in high gloss acrylic,
then I just sanded the edges...

Here is a look at all the months -
January is white shimmery with a blue and silver snowflake ribbon
February is a red with black hearts
March - Shamrocks of course!
April - Pastel polka-dots (Easter is not ALWAYS in April-so Spring will do)
May - Yellow and purple flower
June - red gingham with black and a lady bug
July - PATRIOTIC of course!
August- Fallish sunflowers
September - school ribbon with red ribbon
October - Spider webs, trick-or-treat, and a orange polka dot
November - fall color plaid and a solid fall color with leave buttons
December - Red white & green stripe with red
Birthday - not shown - cupcakes with a blue ribbon - (not too dainty...gotta please the male species too! LOL!)
The bows took the longest...
What do you think...
Yeah on the bows
Or TALK ABOUT OLD FASHIONED BOWS!?
And I was trying to make them all somewhat different...
but it didn't really work for the most part...

The other thought I had was using seasonal fabric...
Maybe I'll give it a whirl on the few I still need ribbon for...
just see what I like best....


Either way....

The best part
8
BIG
CHECKS
off my
CHRISTMAS LIST!!!!


YA-BA-DABA DOO!!!


Now...

the next project!

Playing in the mud puddles......

Instead of standing in line like I should have been!!!!

I have been asking for some "creativity"....and some "TALENTS" lately .... (but apparently, I have all I'm going to get... and it is VERY limited) ...so instead, I have been DIRECTED to CREATIVE - TALENTED people! I AM SOOOO BLESSED!!!!! I'm so glad I FINALLY got it! (See - I told you I'm a SLOOWWWW learner!)....

Here is another amazing lady! (I'm trying really hard to not be envious....) Look at what she has done with PENNIES!! YES PENNIES!!!! Who woulda thunk!?!?! Seriously - I bet you will THUNK next time you just toss that "penny" into the trash can..... OR walk by it sitting on the sidewalk.... I remember not to long ago reading about a man who picked up every penny he ever found - and sure - it took some time - and if I remember right (which remember, I'm under severe tooth pain - so my brain my not recall correctly), after like 20 years he had gathered over $2000 in pennies! I could go for that!..... Anyway.... where was I? Oh yes... Pennies!!! Take a look - I quite like!.... and again.... oh how I wish I had some "CREATIVITY!" .... Seriously.... what was I doing.... playing in the mud puddles when "creativity" was handed out.... sheesh!!!

Oh well... oh so glad I can start CHECKING some more off my list!!!!
What GREAT stocking stuffers!
It's the "surprises" in the stocking that have made me LOVE my stocking! I always save the STOCKING for the very last!!!! (yes... I'm getting me a surprise too! just in case you were wondering :))

OHHH! I'm getting soooo excited for Christmas this year!!!!!

OH! I nearly forgot....
VISIT this blog
and enter for a chance to WIN some amazing pennies!!!
Or feel free to nominate ME to win, if you don't want too!!! ;)

Confessions..... (and a NEW BLOG!)

I can't believe that "I".... the QUEEN of "If it ain't hot glued, I don't do it" land, is even about to admit this....

Remember.... I'm the mom of 4 girls and 1 boy!
(should sew.... but don't... didn't....hmmmm)
I'll never forget the first year that my son was on the ALL STAR Little League Baseball team... They handed out patches to be sewn on their uniforms.... and now that I look back I guess my face gave it all away (but at the time I was rather HURT at what took place) .... One of the other moms came over to me and said, "Let me take J's jersey home, I'll sew his patches on for you, because "hot glue" will not hold up in this heat."
AGH! OFFENDED!!!!!
I let her take his shirt.

OR.... maybe it was the time when I "wonder-undered" his TROOP numbers and other badges on his scout shirt, (HEY! we were changing troops faster than I could even wash the dang shirt!... just sayin) and they slowly, one by one, fell off during the awards night.... J was a bit embarrassed... BUT HEY! They were NOT hot glued! (in my defense!) I came home and I learned how to sew them on.... ok, I KNEW how to sew them on, I just didn't have time... I'm a busy full time working mom! SHEESH! PEOPLE!!! I KNOW that needles and thread exist! :)

OK.... back to my confession...or my next confession in this case.....

I'm in LOVE.....
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!

I have a FABRIC fetish!
I SPEND hours... OK! I COULD spend HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS just wondering through a fabric store .... dreaming... dreaming.... dreaming..... and purchasing too! (SHHHH please don't tell on me!) Well, IF you did - anyone that KNOWS me would NOT believe you anyway - so go ahead - take a chance.... they'll just laugh at you.... and then I'm afraid I might have to laugh with them... because REALLY! REALLY! ME! SEW!?!?!?!

I DREAM! DREAM DREAM DREAM!

BUT.... I have a few places I DREAM at... and I just HOPE and PRAY that someday... SOMEDAY something will CLICK for me and I'll be able to CREATE something that is of little value... and NOT hot glued!

So.... I'm going to share a secret... It's a NEW blog... and OH MY GOODNESS it is AWESOME!!! And.... I THINK ;) that they are having a GIVEAWAY... but don't bother to enter.... I'm sure they already picked me :) (hee hee hee, crossing fingers....DREAMING AGAIN!) .... but go ahead... take a look.... You will be AMAZED!!!!

HURRY!.... The blog title is "SEW" me right now..... :)
(Sew a little happiness.....)
well, maybe not the HAPPINESS to others...
but happiness to MY sew-l .....

And... maybe in the next day or two or more... I'll be brave enough to post a picture of my FETISH.... it's getting OUT OF HAND.... and I LOVE IT!!!! I mean... I'm confused.... :)

Don't you just love.....

Giveaways????

It's always fun to see what people giveaway ... and THIS is another AMAZING item!
Go ahead... take a look... I bet you'll PURCHASE too!!!

Checkin my Christmas list once again!

OH!! it's been a fun day!!!!

HURRY!!! It ends today!!!!!!

SHOPPIN....SHOPPIN....SHOPPIN.....

= DREAMIN!!!!!

That's what I've been doing for the past week.... okay... more....
I've been "SURFIN" around... making my lists.... gathering ideas.... yes DREAMIN!

AND........ getting VERY DEPRESSED! ... because, there are SO MANY TALENTED, CREATIVE, AMAZING, THOUGHTFUL, WONDERFUL, INSPIRING people out there.... EVERYWHERE!!!! I have found myself being VERY envious of them... and WISHING that I had just a LITTLE of the CREATIVITY....just a little.... OKAY! maybe more than a litt.e... It's been a rough few weeks... I HATE feeling like I'm stealing, (is that what it is.... STEALING?.... agh... ) others ideas... (can we call it "copying?"... that's just about as bad... dang!) I just WISH that a LIGHT BULB would CLICK on and I would have just a SMIDGE of creativity.... I hate that the darn little red-horned person sits on my shoulder sometimes... making me question "WHO I AM"... and "REALLY, what do I have to offer anyone"... if I'm "stealing or copying" from some one..... it's been a very frustrating couple of weeks... I've got to get focused.... again.....

BUT.... as I try to shew those whisperings away... and TRY really hard to stay focused.... I started evaluating... reviewing... regrouping... okay! GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER! There! I said it.... I need to GET IT TOGETHER! .... SO.... I hit the HEART of my Christmas planning... that dang "B" word always gets in the way.... B U D G E T!!!!

Part o planning the budget for Christmas is KEEPING to the budget ~ and sometimes that is VERY hard to do when your DREAMS our price the budget... SO, with that in mind, I decided I needed to "SHOP" around a little, gather some ideas, then decide just what "I" could make and do... what needed to be "PURCHASED" so I could make sure that I stay within my "budget" .... and really SEE if it is BUDGET friendly.... I've learned over the past few... okay... many years that when my WILD HAIR IDEAS come to surface, I've usually spent more MONEY MAKING my gifts then I would have if I just "purchased" them from all the TALENTED and CREATIVE people out there! (mostly, because I end up with a bazillion "TRIED" projects before I get to the "FINAL" product... if I even do!) BUT I LOVE trying to make them myself.... FrRrRrRrRustrating......

I have determined somethings will be better "purchased"... then my attempts to make them... Like THESE.... OH MY GOSH!!! I fell in LOVE with them! And I found that there were SO MANY on my list that would LOVE them too! It is still HOMEMADE... (just not by me)... AND they hold "heart value"... I totally fell in love with one particular.... this one.... (for myself... :)) THIS is the song I would sing to my baby girl... (yes, she is 8 - but still my baby :)) SHE was and IS my SUNSHINE! She brought SUNSHINE back into our lives... MY LIFE... after loosing several babies in a row.... yes she was a SURPRISE BONUS baby... (we were done... oh, we are done now!) and I didn't even realize that the sunshine was missing from my life until she joined us! OH! It just tugs at my heart.... and then there is this one... oh I have a friend that would LOVE it! And THIS one... a certain someone that I KNOW would LOVE it! I just KNOW who this belongs too! And this one .... this one.... this one.... this one.... this one.... OH my! and THIS ONE! I could SO almost be done with my shopping.... BUT the "B" word comes in...so, this is what I've been doing... decinding...thinking... pondering... and in some cases.... even praying.... is it wrong to "pray" about gifts?.... I surely hope not, because I've been praying for quidance... I need to know just WHAT will touch the heart of my receiveres.... that is what CHRISTMAS is all about to me... TOUCHING the heart... WARMING the heart... CREATING a memory.... GIVING with thought, as the Savior did for us.... making CHRISTMAS count... That's what it is about to me.

I have some "metal stamping kits" (alpha ones).... but I just can't seem to "PERECT" them... I waste SOOOOO much... Guess I need some lessongs... that is the other thing I pray for... TALENTED people who are willing to share their talents and teach a hard learner (in the sense of "I'm not very "QUICK" at catching on"... obviously)... maybe I should pray for "talented and patient" people to come my way.... :) .... but ... pay a visit to this talented lady! I'm sold! I love her talent!

And then... in my surfing... I found THIS creative lady.... this CRAFTY lady.... this THOUGHTFUL lady.... this INSPIRING lady.... this TALENTED lady.... this AMAZING lady.... and I JUST LOVE this idea..... and ........oh I better stop.... This post would NEVER EVER END..... there is just sooooo much out there..... my mind is SWIMMING!!!!! I've got to get forused... back on track....

Well, I better go... I'm feeling exhausted about now... this shoppin' is just exhaustin!
And ... I haven't even left my seat...

Anyone have any other "shops" I need to visit?
PLEASE... It's not a problem is it?

This could be a WIN for you!!!

Well - it has been a while... but I've been busy... I'm running out of time!  I've found that the past 6 weeks or so - I've considered myself VERY lucky if I have gotten to bed before 3am!  Lately it has been more like 3:30-4:15.... BUT I would rather be doing that NOW instead of next month! I'm so determined to ENJOY the CHRISTMAS season this year! BUT.... let's just call this a BLUNDER based upon my lack of sleep, inability to "research" ... and possibly, YOUR GAIN! :) 

ONE of the many projects I have been working on this past SEVERAL months... and trying to bring the project to a close by months end....  A Family Recipe Book.

I have been working for nearly 18 months on this project and just thought I was so SMART and it was going to be a GREAT gift.... until..... UNTIL I discovered that the 9 books I'm putting together with a total of over 130 (2 sided)  pages of recipes.... was turning into a very COSTY project.... the biggest reason... all of those 130 plus pages need to be placed in "sheet protectors"..... BUT the problem is not the sheet protectors in general ~ it was the SIZE of the sheet protector that was adding up....I made the recipe books to fit a 5.5 x 8.5 size book, paper & sheet protectors..... AND I did NOT price the 5.5x8.5 sheet protectors BEFORE starting this project... My thinking was... it should be close to if not less than the cost of a full size sheet protector of 8.5x11.....Right??? I mean "logically" thinking.... well....  WRONG!!! Oh so WRONG!!! They are at least double and if you don't shop around, almost two and a half times more... SHEESH!!! Who knew!!! SO.... this began the next phase of "rethinking" the project.... I decided it would be more cost effective to print on full size sheets and remake my "menu" pages.... especially for as many as I was doing.... SO... here is where the WIN WIN for you come in to play.... I am now going to offer the 5.5x8.5 Menu Divider pages to any of you who may be interested.... Because, if you are just doing one or two books, it won't be nearly as spendy.... and depending on the number of recipes that you place in your book, well, that will make a great difference ... I tried to "omit" recipes from my book, but every one of the recipes are not only MY favorites, but some family recipes from generations back..... and even some from current generations.... and I was tired of having recipes written on receipts, scratch papers, lunch bags, you name it... I probably have a recipe written on it... yes even napkins! This was project started (as a request from my husband... he hates all my "recipe" cards that are tossed into the drawer)... and then, I decided to make it a goal... (being I'm working on my personal progress goals, along side my girls) ... and in one of my late night conversations with myself, I decided that this would make a great Christmas gift for family members..... So thus was born the "Family Traditions Recipe Book"..... 

I have ALMOST completed all of the 8.5x11 size dividers and this gift is just about to be wrapped and tagged and will be waiting for it's place under the tree!!!  I'm so EXCITED! But, I'll be sure to post a picture of the final product.... what a task this has been!  But a good one!  These are the type of gifts I LOVE to give!

I have 8 6sets of the 5.5 x 8.5 size Menu divider pages (all handmade of course) ... to include the following categories: APPETIZERS, SOUP, SALAD, MAIN DISHES, SIDE DISHES, DESSERTS, COOKIES, CANDY, DRINKS, BREAKFAST, BREAD and CANNING...

I will sell the set of 11 dividers for $10.00 (which includes shipping in the USA). If you want more than 1 set - take a 10% discount... if you want all "8" "6" sets... they are yours for $35.00.   So,  hurry - you know how that HOLIDAY shipping can be..... SEE! this is a WIN for you!!!! So, if you are interested - just shoot me a comment along with your email address - I will then delete your email information and contact you for shipping instructions...
(note:the paper/colors may vary slightly from the pictures on some sets.... I was trying to be "creative"...) 

I'm working on getting everything completed... 

It's so exciting to see this all coming together! 

How are you all doing???? 

Are you ready to ENJOY the season with me??

Oh I sure do hope so!

ALL RECIPE DIVIDERS ARE NOW SOLD!
THANK YOU!
I HOPE YOUR "RECEIVERS" WILL ENJOY THEIR RECIPE BOOKS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!