Time is TICKING away! OH MY!

My summer has just been PACKED!!! 

I surely haven't accomplished much in the "CHRISTMAS" department.... and yet - for some reason I don't feel that I've accomplished much at all.... how is that possible?  I feel that I never have a "spare" moment... and yet... nothing accomplished.... (sigh) ... at least not in the way of making CHRISTMAS COUNT!  

(I know... I know... I've got to get on the right wagon.. I mean SLEIGH! and SOON!) 

In addition to a few family matters that were not "scheduled" in my "non-spontaneous" life-style... we had a few other interruptions.... 

Like this....

(sorry it is long story... and hopefully will be wrapped up nice and neatly with a fair tale ending)

Once upon a time....

There was a very excited family! 

For the first time in several years, 10 to be exact!

This family of 7 was FINALLY going to see "GREEN" 

in their yard and not the yucky, mucky, brown muddy stuff any longer!

It was so super exciting! 

After many years of bringing in dirt...

Leveling dirt....

Hauling away dirt....

Moving dirt...

This family started to see a YARD take shape!

They were beaming from ear to ear! 

FINALLY!  A yard! 

and grass!!! 

NO MORE MUD! DIRT! YUCK!

And then a couple years later.... 

Things started looking a little "slanted".... 

The rains came down....

And the dirt started washing away....

And before you knew it,

The walls started falling in...

And eventually....

The walls came tumbling down.... 

and this is where my "non-spontaneous life style" became "SPONTANEOUS!" 

What comes down... must go up... and that was including my spirits!

(I was really down in the dumps when we discovered there was no other choice but to start all over again!  We have lived here for 14 years now... and we're starting over... agh!) 

After working so hard on getting our yard in and then to find that what we paid good money for to be done by "professionals" was not not RIGHT at all!  In fact... the walls that my son and I put up - are still standing... yes - they took a LOT of time and a LOT of blisters and LOTS of achey-breaky backs and sweat... but they are still standing.... and this wall that we let the "PROS:" do... tumbled... to the ground.... 

Yes, I did confront the contractor... His reply "Not my problem, you should have done it right.  I'll be happy to come back and fix it - but it will cost you some money - It is NOT my problem..."   Well, as you can imagine - he got a good ole' swift kick in the BOOTAY on his way out the door..... and PLEASE DO NOT COME BACK MISTER!

And so the fun began.... 

Building a wall..... all over again....

 

This is the back wall that came "tumbling forward"... 

We decided to push it back and add a radius curve to it - this way - if IF it ever starts to shift - the rocks will push into each other and "LOCK"...

NO MORE tumbling down!!!! 

 Even though this wall was NOT falling down... we took a portion down and added the curve...

I'm REALLY liking it! 

 And this wall was not coming down either 

(Funny how the walls that Josch & I built were still standing ... but the wall we hired out came tumbling down.... now that is FRUSTRATING!!! We paid good money for that wall to fall....)
Guess it just goes to say...
You want something done right...
DO IT YOURSELF!
(WhATeVEr!)

But we decided to make it curve as well ~ so it would match the other wall that we rounded out.... '

Yep! It is a project - but it will look OH SO NICE when it is done... and done the RIGHT way .... 

I'm so excited!!!! 

and FOUR days later.... this is what you get....

 You can see where the "patio" ends, we have added about 3-4 feet - we may put the fire pit down here... or we may not... it just gives us so many FUN options!!!!

 STAIRS!!!! We will soon have STAIRS!!!!! 

No more MUD SLIDES for us!!!!

 

 I just LOVE all the "CURVES" now...

Well... I am kinda partial to "CURVES"

I'm full of them... just wish they looked as good on me as they do on this wall!!! 

The old "FIRE-PIT" rock spot ...

is now BIGGER and will be cement!

 at least a portion of it will be... 

the far west side of the new "BREAKFAST patio"

(don't you LOVE it - I will have a BREAKFAST patio!!!) 

will be a flower/tree bed - this way, we can add some SHADE to the deck... 

in the future of course!

  

OH SO EXCITED!!!!  

Just can't wait to be able to "WALK" out the back door... instead of FALL out the back door! and... even have a BBQ party or two.... or three... or TEN!!!

EVERYDAY will be a party!!! It's officially stated! hee hee hee!!!! 

AND THEN..... 

Who knew! 

Just 6 days later....

 we would be doing this....

or this..... 

 and this.....

Can you believe it??? I can't....

 OR...

We would see these..

STAIRS!!!!

I never thought I'd live to see this day! 

EVER!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

Do you know just how LONG we have been waiting for ... 

longing for ....

hoping for ....

wishing for .....

and DREAMING ABOUT these

BEAUTIFUL SLABS of CEMENT!?!?!?! 

A very VERY VERY long time!!! 

9 1/2 years to be exact!!!! 

Someone pinch me....

I just can't believe it is true!!!! .

I just can't wait to see what day 7 holds! 

I'm feeling rather giddy right about now!!!!

HOLY COW!!!
I think I'm walking on..... 

a BEAUTIFUL REDWOOD DECK!!!! 

OH MY!!!! Isn't gorgeous?!?!

I just can't believe it... 

It seems so ..... 

S... t....r....a....n...g.....e.....

I was washing dishes today to be startled by a HEAD bobbing in my kitchen window! 

SO FREAKY!!! 

 

This is what it looked like just first thing this morning ... 

  

 and then tonight.... 

WOW!!!!!  AMAZING!

Don't you just LOVE the "western" angles added to the bottom?

It is so "cozy" in the bottom patio... 

and COOL too! 

I know where you will be finding me!!!! :)

There are even stairs!!!! 

And they are absolutely divine!

I surely hope I can get use to this! 

We haven't walked out this back door in YEARS!!! 

I MEAN YEARS!!!! 

I hope I can sleep tonight! 

I just can't wait to see what the railing looks like!!!

Let alone... the COMPLETED project! 

oh!! AND look!!!  Stairs from our HOLE!!!! 

No more MUD SLIDES!

I feel like I have a whole extension to the house now!!!! 

I just can't wait to decorate it!!!! 

Bry can't either... she's already designing her "dance" studio! :) 

Isn't this just so exciting??? 

Ok... maybe not for you... but for me!!! 

OH MY GOSH!!!!  I just hope this doesn't mean we are moving....

That is how it ALWAYS happens..... 

I finally get to where the house is just what I envisioned before we moved in...

and then.... we move!

Please let me enjoy it for at least a SEASON!
at least....

PLEASE!!!!!!

OH I FEEL SO VERY BLESSED!!!! 

And...MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!!

Can't wait for day 8..... 

and then... I can add my "junk to treasure" findings.... 

OH SO EXCITED!!!!! 

BUT I PROMISE!!
Christmas will be on my brain... 

for the remainder of the time... 

starting August 22!  I PROMISE!!!! 

(I just may move my sewing room out to the deck!!! :)) 

Someone's junk....

Became MY treasure! 

Last year.... ok nearly 16 months ago... I ventured out on my first ever GARAGE "TREASURE" HOPPING! sale.  A dear friend of mine ... (Miss TAMMYof PINK OWL DESIGNS) helped guide me along, barter and SCORE some great deals!  BUT.... as life would have it - I just didn't ever get the opportunity to "dive" into someone's junk to make my treasure.... until today..... 

I puchased 2 of the these BEAUTIES for $5.00!!! 

SCORE!!!!

 

Before..... 

After....

Sure it cost about $7.50 to paint and $6 for the cushion.... 

BUT they are cast iron

Heavy and they will work PERFECT on our patio! 

The next project 

(I almost forgot to get a BEFORE picture!) 

This was actually a DUMPSTER save! 

It's been sitting in my back yard for about 3 or 4 years.... 

 NOW!! She has earned a seat on the front porch.... don't you just love it!?!?! 

It's not quite done... I want to either turn it into a "planter box" 

(by cutting 2 large circles in the seat and putting potted flowers in.... 

Or.... just a couple pillow.... maybe a garland of some sort ...

I've got time to "ponder' on it...don't I???? 

Now this was not "junk to treasure" treasure...

it was a purchase! 

I have been admiring this for MONTHS I tell you! 

And today.... I found it on clearance and decided 

"HECK YEAH!!! I'm worth a "treat!"

For now it has earned a spot on the front court-yard patio....

but HOPEFULLY in the next month or so 

It will be in the back sitting on the cute little 

:BREAKFAST table....

(Have I mentioned just how excited I am to have access to our backyard!?!?!)

If I haven't....

I am

SUPER-DUPER 

EXCITED!

Then.... 

I found me some matching rockers! for just $5 bucks!!!

That from the looks of them, they have seen better days...

Sure... we have a little work to do... but you get the idea..

SO.... stay tuned for the ROCKER Unveiling! 

 I was just TOO pooped today to finish!

Christmas in July..... REALLY!?!?!?!?

Ya know... 

It's been a rough.... shall we say... several months.... (ok - year!).... I've tried to put on my happy face and make the best of it - and up until the past few months - I think I did ok - BUT the last few months... have not been oh so pretty..... So!  it is TIME to get back on track and pull up my britches and get down to business!

I found myself just today thinking... "I really need to get out of this rut!".... It has been a LONG - way LONG time since I've felt "HAPPY" about the future... and as I thought about CHRISTMAS... I became VERY happy.... I found myself "smiling" as I started reviewing the plans I started several months ago... It is TIME to get my groove back :)

Life just has a way sometimes of dragging us down... making us feel that we "just don't get it"..."just don't fit in"... "just have no purpose"... .. ok maybe not everyone... ok... maybe just me.  This is were I have been the past few months. ..I don't get it, I don't fit in, I have no purpose.... I'm in a rut!

I miss being busy.  I miss having "things" to do... ok let me rephrase that... "I MISS NOT DOING THINGS!" (I'm sure I have plenty to do...) I just have no "UMPH" to do them... because of the "I don't get it, I don't fit in, I have no purpose" feeling.... 

So, today - It's a new day! It's a good day! 

I've decided to clean out the decoration boxes... HOLY COW! WHY do I keep the things I do? I mean seriously!  It's not like I've ever "FIXED" them... and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to fix them! So WHY - why do I keep them?  I discovered that I have 2 completely FULL tote bins full of "CRAP!" Busted, broken, missing pieces, chipped, cracked... you name it - its in there... so! OUT THEY GO!  

And as I was sitting here trying to come up with "new" themes and "what" I may need to accomplish my new themes - I popped on over to read Natasha's post on "CLOCHES" ... I had NO IDEA what they were .... but I'm IN LOVE now!!!  I'm so excited!  I need to gather me a few several!  Such talented people!  Such amazing people!  I'm in love!  Thanks Natasha! 

Well, I've gotta run- but I'll be back because we've got a lot to discuss!  But I've gotta catch some shut-eye.... morning is going to come AWFULLY early! 

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.

Prayers.... Faith.... and help......

Just as I was getting ready to post my June Christmas goals...

my failures and maybe a success... maybe...

You know - the 1/2 way to Christmas mark... 

My life was interrupted....

again...

brought back to "reality".... 

but this time...

I just don't feel so much in the "Christmas-y mood"... 

I've debated on whether to share my worries and such, or just let you think that I'm a slacker.... 

In all honestly, you can go ahead and think of me as a slacker - 

I kinda am.... 

It really doesn't matter much anymore.... 

not in the grand scheme of things.... 

I'm behind... I am admitting that....

It has really been a few VERY STRESSFUL months around here....

But now, my "pity-party" is completely irrelevant...

I have absolutely NO BUSINESS hosting a PITY PARTY! 

Ever again! 

So, "PITY PARTIES" are now closed.

There will be no entering and 

absolutely NO entertaining of even the very idea of a

PITY PARTY ever again! 

Instead....

my heart is ripping out...

it is being torn apart....

aching....

feeling completely helpless

even angry.... at myself....

for even THINKING "I" had the rights 

to even ENTERTAIN a PITY-ME-PARTY!

Because....

Life could be worse....

SO.... much... worse! 

Jill & Brandon  

This past Sunday (Fathers Day) our cousin and his family were involved in a head on car collision as they were on their way to the Fathers Day Family BBQ.  Their little boy, 4 year old Gage was killed. Brandon (the dad) is in critical condition.  He had to have some of his intestine removed, has pins from his hip to his foot and   bleeding in his brain.... he is going back into surgery tomorrow.

Jill (the mom), has mostly external injuries, along with a crushed foot and knee .  She has lots of bruises and cuts, and is also going back into surgery tomorrow for knee repair.  Their 7 month old little girl, Gentry was uninjured ~ amazingly.  She is being cared for by her aunt right now.  It is going to be be a long recovery road for this sweet family - a very challenging recovery as well.... both physically and emotionally... 

They deserve the "PITY-PARTY"... not I! 

So, may I interrupt my "CHRISTMAS BLOGGING" and instead ask for you prayers and blessings? 

You can read their story here.... it is a sad one with very little information however.

At this time there is an account set up for Brandon & Jill - to help with medical expenses and funeral costs... Mountain America Credit Union Acct#9237216 or any Co-Op credit Unions ( not just MACU) Just check with your local credit union and ask if they are a Co-op member.) All you need is the account number and the funds will be easily transferred within the co-op.

They are also in the process of setting up a website in which you can make donations via PayPal, which is a secure site.... I will list that information as well, as soon as it is available. 

Anything you can offer will be greatly appreciated... even just a dollar, it will go a long way.

Also, if you live in the Ogden area (where they are both from) a good friend of Jill, is offering a 

CUT-A-THON fundraiser - you can contact STEPHANIE DAVIS

at 801-458-6336 or 

jamkenmom@gmail.com
for more information.

Basically all hair cuts this week she will be donating 100% to Brandon & Jill...

This family has been through so much already, in such a short time...

Gage is a triplet, and the only one that survived birth... and now he has joined his brothers, but leaves behind a family that adores and loves him immensely!

Please pray for them.

Keep them in your thoughts.

Send them well wishes, here on Facebook as well.

Anything you feel you can offer, will be put to good use, and greatly appreciated.

Little Gage

What an adorable little boy! 

We surely love you!

Please bless over your parents and sister...

Little Gage

Whatcha been up to?

I hope you're doing a bit better than I....

Do you see little Santa over to the right???

Do you realize it is just 6 months and 5 days til Christmas REALLY counts?

OH MY!

(How many times must I say that????)...

You would think I could just kick it into high gear and get it together....

BUT....

Every time I turn around ~ WAA-LAH! there is something else there just WAITING! and sometimes, not very patiently I will add.

Although the sun hasn't shown much the past few months...

and the rains just keep on coming....

I've been BUSY! Not sure just exactly with what...
well, that's not entirely true...
I had a "WILD HAIR" a while back and in my MIND it only took a couple days from start to finish... and yet... HERE. I. AM.... 5 weeks later... and STILL not done!  WHY IS THAT!?!?!  My magic wand losses it's power before the game even begins! I think I want a new one!

EXTREME MAKEOVER has been my focus!  I am really trying to get my house organized and get a place for EVERYTHING! (I will tell you - this is NOT a easy task... and it is NOT a very QUICK FIX task... and it for sure IS NOT a CLEAN task! .... WARNING: You WILL make a bigger mess before you even start! -now, fair warning has been given!) ... We decided to start with the downstairs bedrooms... ORGANIZE THEM RIGHT!  Well, with that organizing came AGONIZING dis-organized, dis-functional mess! Just empty 3 rooms and see what happens... it ends up EVERYWHERE! And I mean EVERYWHERE! .... but we are nearly done... yeah!!!! 

One thing that most people find "weird" about me is that every room has a theme.... BUT I try to make the "theme" colors flow... is that legal? ... hmmmm... And unfortunately, I've passed this along to my children... and now they get "crap" for it too... but it's all good!
So, keeping that in mind... here is what has happened in our "Extreme Makeover".... 

Bedroom 1 - Spare bedroom - theme "WILD BABY ANIMALS" ... 

(Pictures are on their way - so there are bare walls... but not for long.... 

Paint, carpet, bedspread, missing curtains (they are coming!), wall hangings... and a few more pillows... but it is coming along... hope to be done by Thursday! (guests are arriving!) 

 I just fell in LOVE with the Llama and Zebra at Kohls!

They were perfect for this room!

 Added the bookshelf from the hallway,

and loaded it with books for the young and old....

AND.... the best... an empty DRESSER for my GUESTS!

Bedroom #2:

Theme: PARIS

She LOVES it! 

A few more shelves to hang and some pictures

but... the lime green and purple are gone 

(THANK GOODNESS!!!)

Paint...Paint and PAINT! 

mop boards, door trim, door knobs,

Carpet, curtains, bed, wall hangings!!! 

and WAH-LAH! 

We are almost there! 

Bedroom #3

Theme: INSPIRATIONS

These cute little jars are what started the INSPRIATION

BUT, what better for a "teen" room then good, happy, fun, inspiring and encouraging words?!?! 

So... that theme has trickled onto her mirror

(which I bought on KSL for $10, with a head & foot board...

but those projects are not yet complete... so be patient they will be coming!)

And then...

I took the theme to the "drop-down" ceiling (venting) 

Turned out a lot better than I thought it would... 

Kinda fun! 

Then we made her a "photo-board" out of a "foam-poster board".... 

Paint, Carpet, Mop boards,

door trim, door knobs,

bedspread, curtains, 

wall decorations...

and YEAH!!!

They LOVE their rooms! 

 And they are POOPED! 

It's such a great feeling!

Sad part... it has taken 12 years to get this far! 

Not one room downstairs has been FINISHED...

(so embarrassing to admit!)

Never finished the mop boards or door trim, never had door knobs or curtains.

Paint and carpet well... let's just say... it was just time to replace!

And... they've never really been decorated! 

 

BUT OH MY! Such a good feeling! 

Organized you ask?? 

Well, just from one room, we de-junked 15 bags (LARGE-BLACK GARBAGE BAGS) of clothes (GIRLS!), 3 bags (LARGE BLACK GARBAGE BAGS) of shoes, 4 bags (YEP! LARGE BLACK GARBAGE BAGS) of toys, stuffed animals, and such..... and then..... 4 VERY VERY VERY large BOXES filled with CRAP! GARBAGE!  AWH! Such a good feeling to be rid of! (I think we have about 4 more bags of garbage left to dump... and we'll be back on track and ready for the organizing of the "CRAFT ROOM!"..... YIKES!!!!!  Could be scary!  :)  BUT .... OH! SO! WORTH! IT!  I just can't wait!

Hoping to have the house all DE-CLUTTER - DE-JUNKED and ORGANIZED by the end of JUNE!!!! 
BECAUSE...........
I have to get to my craft room soon!!!
I've got THINGS to do!!!

"TIS THE SEASON" is COMING!!!
SUPER FAST!