Thursday, August 26, 2010

College





I went with Megan and Holly to St. George, Utah two days after we got home from Oregon to get them settled in their new condo. Holly was supposed to get the utilities hooked up. I made her do that before we left the house on Weds afternoon. We knew they wouldn't be hooking them up until the next day, so we were expecting a hot night. If you don't know about St. George, it is desert country and about as hot as Taft. It makes for miserable summers and great winters. Anyway, we waited and waited for the utility people to come. We were so hot that we had to visit various gas stations to get a diet coke and use the facilities (no water either). Then we had to repeat the above scenario all day long, throwing several trips to Walmart, Target, etc. They didn't make it that next day. We were all pretty crestfallen. Another night camping out on the living room floor wishing that a breeze would come in the open door was not what we wanted. We were promised they would be there "first thing in the morning". Now, Jimmy Decker used to say "first thing in the morning" and he worked for the water company. I knew when Jimmy said it, it meant when he got around to it. As it turns out, that is a universal utility term and Jimmy's interpretation was the correct one. But, they turned on the water and power around 12:30 pm. No hot water, but a cold shower was perfect.

Anyway, after that things improved greatly at the condo. It ended up being a memorable mother-daughter camp out. Holly and Megan have a really nice place to live. Drew came down on Saturday with the big stuff in his truck. They were thrilled to see their dad and get him to help with the dad things. Then we left them there. Sad, sad, so sad! I miss them.

PS. I tried to get Meg to be in a picture, but she wouldn't, so you will just have to imagine her there.

Summer Vacation at the Ranch






We went to Oregon for a week in August. The weather was perfect. The ranch looked great. Dad wasn't able to drive his truck across the river until the week before we got there, which is really unusual. I was sure glad, because they got the water fixed and all we had to do was relax and have fun. The main fun things were lots of floating in the river for the girls and Drew, the traditional cook-out on the beach, four-wheelers, deer watching and a simply gorgeous night out on the deck watching the meteor shower. It was such a dark night and the sky was the most magnificent I have ever seen it. One week was too short, but the girls had to get back to pack up and leave for college.

I sure love that place and all those people that we hang out with there.

Taylor's Birthday Present



Taylor (my almost daughter) was turning 16 and I needed a faboulous gift. I saw a purse on a website that I really liked, so, of course, I copied it. Who needs a pattern? If you want to see the real thing, look on heatherbailey.com she has some really great stuff.

I used some fabric that I had. I made the flowers by burning circles of synthetic fabric with a candle and stacking the graduated sizes on top of each other. It think it turned out just perfect.

Graduations



I went to two graduations this year. The first one I went to was my nephew, Derek. He graduated from Moreau Catholic High School. I flew down to Oakland and met Bryce and my parents there. The graduation was at this old theater in Oakland. As I sat watching Derek I thought a lot about my brother Mark (Derek's dad). He would have been so proud! I felt like he was smiling down from Heaven at us that day. Congratulations to Derek. He's going to UC Riverside in the fall.



After the California graduation excitment, I rode with my mom and dad back to Utah. We were excited to go to Megan's graduation. Another sentimental day for me! I have to try very hard not to cry at these events. We went to dinner at our favorite Japanese restaraunt, Osaka. Since Megan's date was Taylor (my almost daughter). Meg is going to Dixie State College in the fall.

My Bag



So, I needed a bag to carry things to church. I saw one that a friend made and I copied it, making it bigger. I put in a zippy pocket and a holder that has a place for 2 pens, glasses and a package of tissue (I'm always needing a package of tissue at church!).

I had some fabric left from the Apron that I made for Ellie and Holly had torn her fabulous pink denim jeans in the crotch area where it was impossible to repair. So, I whipped up this bag. I think it's really cute. I wish I had some cute clothes to wear when I carry it. I'll have to come up with another one for wintertime.