I Need This at My House

This was so cool at the EMP Museum. It was in the Horror Movie Exhibit.

Christmas Weekend

The weekend started on Friday 23rd as we celebrated Gisele's 11th birthday at Trophy Cupcakes in the Wallingford Center.

Saturday December 24th - waiting for the Sounder Train.

Shawn Kemp raised the 12th man flag and then came around and took photos with people. He sat in front of us for a little while.

I sure hope all these camera men made it home for Christmas. They were fun to watch.

Christmas Day. From left to right: Wayne, Natalie, Scott, Melissa, Tim, Gisele, Wally, Trudy. Missing from photo is Carla who was in San Francisco.

Wayne, Trudy and Natalie

Awesome experience at the EMP Museum in the Horror Movie Exhibit. Go to the museum, buy your tickets online in advance for a discount. There is so much to see and do there. The hands on music area is really fun too.

Here are the scissors from the Edward Scissorhands movie. Probably as close as I'll ever get to Johnny Depp.

Natalie in Avatar boots. The Avatar exhibit was fantastic.

Wayne, Natalie and Scott outside the EMP.

Dinner Table Lamentation

My thoughts as I set the dinner table this evening - table for 2

Before Christmas - table for 2 - anticipation

Christmas Eve - table for 5 - enjoyment

Christmas Day - table for 8 - bliss, family together, missing one

Today, two days after Christmas - table for 2 - separation, sadness, quiet

Christmas Eve Eve

I don't think I need to make any apologies for not blogging for a month. Considering that it was the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Can I just say I've been a little bit busy?

Thanksgiving was pleasant and low key at our house. There was just three of us. We had the full dinner then my friend and I spent the evening on a sewing project. One ironing board and two sewing machines, it was a lot of fun.

Another thing I've been busy with has been some photography Christmas gifts. I'll post photos after Christmas so as not to ruin any surprises.

It's Friday night and the husband is watching Friday Night Smackdown. I'm waiting until 10:20 p.m. at which time I can leave for the airport to pick up the kids.

We are looking forward to a fun filled Christmas weekend starting tomorrow with a Seahawks football game. This will be my first Seahawks game and we might even have fairly good weather. We're planning on riding the Sounder train.

The shopping is done, the presents are wrapped, the groceries are stocked. Now we wait until Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas to you all. Hope you have a beautiful Christmas Day with your family and those you love. And for those who are away from family at this time, be with friends and know you are loved and missed.

Merry Christmas!

Focus

As an amateur photographer I have learned a great deal about the importance of focus when taking pictures. It doesn't matter how expensive my camera is, I on occasion still take a blurry picture.

I believe in anything we set out to do focus plays a key role. And I don't think that we give it the attention it really needs.

Today at the gym I went to a Zumba class. For 55 minutes my mind was free of all my worries, my long to do lists, grocery shopping, what's for dinner, fill in the blank, the list goes on.
 
For that 55 minutes I was focused on the class. I was focused on the teacher, on what my body could and couldn't do. I was focused on how good it felt to dance, to move freely. I enjoyed the music.

And it was on the way home from the gym that I realized what great joy there is when we focus on what we are doing. Before the class I was reading a book on the treadmill. So engrossed in reading I was oblivious to the people around me. Focused and thoroughly enjoying it.

There are plenty of times during our day where we can sit and plan, make lists and prepare for the next event in our lives. And I believe all that is necessary. I do some of my best thinking and mental list making while I'm driving or when I'm laying in bed in the morning.

And there are other times when we are out to dinner, enjoying a movie, watching a performance, outdoors for a walk, listening to a speaker, fill in the blank, the list goes on - those are the times we need to be there completely. 100% be there, focus on what you are involved in and enjoy it. Be there at that moment.


I think that's why meditation works. It causes you to clear your mind and focus. Try it next time you are involved in an activity. Whether the activity was of your choosing or not, choose to focus on what you are doing and see if that makes it that much better for you.

After all life was meant to be joyful.

Seattle in October

Today I rode the Link train and the monorail to spend the day at the Seattle Center. I was attending the Northwest Chocolate Festival. When we came out at 4 pm the rain had stopped.

Energy

Been spending some time lately thinking about energy.

Where does it come from, where does it go,

how do I store it, how do I get more of it?

And why do I get my best ideas during times when I can't act on them? Like I can day dream at work about all the things I want to accomplish at home. But then when I get home at the end of the day it's gone - my energy for those things I wanted to do. 

I do keep lists and there are times when I actually cross things off my list. But I also add things to my list. That's why I like vacations. They take you away from your normal routine. They offer up a sort of distraction.

When I'm not really on a vacation, sometimes I like to pretend I am. Like to have an evening after work where I don't cook dinner, instead we eat out and I have some extra time to do something I want to do. Other times I try to get the laundry done on Thursday or Friday. A Saturday without laundry is a great day.

I do admit there are times when I'm unstoppable and I get a lot of things done. And I wonder where did I ever get the energy for all that?

I write a lot of things, but unfortunately, they are written in my head, in the car while I'm driving someplace by myself. Could be on the way to work and back or while I'm out and about running errands.

I need to be better about capturing the thoughts in my head onto the computer. I may resort to a tape recorder that I could talk into and then type it up later. But then again - where would I get the time and energy to do that?

I see a pattern here. I should just resort to Nike's motto and JUST DO IT! And add to that JUST DO IT NOW!

Active Church

Yes, you read that correctly. It's not supposed to say active in church or active at church. It's really about the active church this weekend. I loved being there and seeing all the busyness that takes place at the church building.

It started on Friday night when we went to set up our tables and chairs for our Super Saturday activity. We planned to arrive as the other ward was ending a party. They had the place all cleaned up and were hanging around socializing and even pitched in to help us with our tables.

Then I was back there at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday morning. While we finished setting up, there were two couples scoping out the cultural hall in preparation for decorating next weekend for a wedding reception.

There was also a small group of volunteers cleaning the building.

At the same time our activity was going on there was a tri-stake music training going on in various rooms through out the building. In the kitchen were 3 boxes that hold those fun acrylic water pitchers and two sets of desserts for the two different events.

We cleaned up and left by 3:15. I know the rest of the day the building was hosting a baptism, practice for the youth music cantata and ending the day with a youth dance. What a great Saturday the building had!

Aged to Perfection

This is my beautiful orchid that after 2 years without blossoms has bloomed. The leaves and flowers are larger than the same variety I see for sale in the stores. I think it's because this is a mature plant. The perfect combination of age and beauty which provides great joy.

Exquisite Grand Opening

I've had a delightful week watching my first orchid bloom open up. This is my first orchid and I've had it for over two years. When I first got it from the store in full bloom, the blooms lasted about 5 months. For the past two years I have been watching, waiting and caring. And it has paid off.

Nature's Bouquet

Photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

Enjoy some of my photos from my adventure to Sunrise at Mt. Rainier. Thanks to Loretta and Chris for letting me tag along. It was a wonderful day.

There is Sunshine in my Soul Today

Today I taught a lesson at church. The lesson was from a General Conference talk by Elder Richard G. Scott from April 1996. The title of his talk is Finding Joy in Life.

I wanted to share a few highlights from his talk. To read it in it's entirety click here.

Sadness, disappointment, and severe challenges are events in life, not life itself.

We are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. We are here to be tried, to prove ourselves so that we can receive the additional blessings God has for us. The tempering effect of patience is required.

We are one of the noblest of God's creations. His intent is that our lives be gloriously beautiful regardless of our circumstances. As we are grateful and obedient, we can become all the God intends us to be.

If we question everything we are asked to do, or dig in our heels at every unpleasant challenge, we make it harder for the Lord to bless us.

Find the compensatory blessing in your life when, in the wisdom of the Lord, He deprives you of something you very much want.

Attempt to be creative for the joy it brings. Being creative will help you enjoy life. It engenders a spirit of gratitude. It develops latent talent, sharpens your capacity to reason, to act, and to find purpose in life. It dispels loneliness and heartache. It gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm, and zest for life.

Learn from aspiring individuals who have made peace with their challenges and live with joy amid adversity.

No matter how difficult something you or a loved one faces, it should not take over your life and be the center of all your interest.

Challenges are growth experiences, temporary scenes to be played out in the background of a pleasant life.

First Flight

Yesterday I "flew" in a wind tunnel. It was one of the coolest things I've ever done. I was in a group of 10. First we sat and watched a training video, and then we learned the body position and hand signals for the instructor to communicate with us.

We then put on our flight suits with the attached straps going under our feet then tennis shoes on. Ear plugs, goggles and a helmet completed the outfit.

Once we were trained and suited up, we sat on the bench and waited our turn. One at a time we took our turn. We stood in the small door way in our ready position and then just flew into the wind tunnel. The instructor then took hold of us and assisted as we "flew" around.

The flight suits actually have handles on your shoulders and on the sides so the instructor can grab you and keep you in place. You basically lay out like Superman, hands and feet out, knees slightly bent.

When flying the wind is comforting, you bounce alittle and the instructor tries to keep you in proper form to move around. I could never actually see the instructor except for his hand signals in front of my face or when his hand would move my hand out to extend my arm.

You are only in the tunnel for 60 seconds. Then we sat and watched the others fly and then we got a second turn.

At the end the instructor went into the tunnel and soared right up to the top. Up and down a few times showing his skill.

It was a great experience and I will fly again. I want to learn to control the wind and my body as it's in motion in the wind.

I Met Her Today

You know, that woman at the gym. The one that has to pick the treadmill right next to yours. I have about 5 minutes left of reading enjoyment before I have to head home. And she starts talking to me.

She commented on my very cool book holder that keeps the pages flat and then asked me what I was reading. Sleeping Beauty Proposal (as recommended by my sister). I was anxious to get in as much reading time as I could but I wanted to be polite.

Then she asked if I had read The Help (recommended by my daughter), which I have. Then we talked about the movie, which neither of us had seen yet. Then she asked if I had read Water for Elephants (recommended by my daughter), which I have. This again was followed by the discussion of the movie which we had both seen.

And then I had to politely close up my book and mumble to her something about it was time for me to go. It really was. I had walked on the treadmill for 40 minutes and needed to get on with the rest of my day.

Now I have to wait to see what happens to Genie and Nick in my book.

It's not that I don't love talking to people, I really do. It's just that I find it odd that someone would start talking to me when I am not only reading a book, but also wearing a headset!

I'm on a vacation day today so I was able to sleep in and go to the gym a little later than my normal time - maybe that explains it.

Top 10

Top 10 ways you know your 10 year old grand daughter is visiting:

10 - You get to introduce her to new candies (Necco wafers)
9 - You get to eat ice cream cones before dinner
8 - You have your first visit to abercrombie kids store
7 - You get to watch a movie (Freaky Friday) on Friday night instead of WW Smackdown
6 - You have a really good reason to visit the Gourmet Popcorn store and sample wierd flavors
5 - It is reinforced that you can find anything on the internet, who knew there was a Sobe World?
4 - You get to make waffles with Cool Whip and berries for Saturday morning breakfast
3 - You have a buddy to take grocery shopping
2 - You laugh more
and the # 1 thing is - watching Grandpa act like a 10 year old!

Sat-ur-day

This picture is how my Saturday ended.Here is how the rest of the day went:

cleaned house

ate breakfast (Voodoo choco donut and a bowl of fruit) while watching The Haven (show on SyFy I just discovered Friday night)

Saturday Market for berries (and cotton candy)

Carpinito's for Yakima Valley corn on the cob

Homemade peach jam

Homemade blackberry jam

The evening spent in Mukilteo at a friend's 10th wedding anniversary/vow renewal party

and there was dancing, and I danced.

My New Best Friend

Yes, my new friend may be cold and made of metal and eats thread, and I do have to pay money to spend time with it, but it was worth every penny and I'll do it again.

Other titles for this post are:

My Very First Time

Quilting Makes Me Happy

I'm Sew Into This

If I had a bucket list I suppose this would be one of the items on my list and I can now cross it off as having done it.

All those years of classes at the Expo, all those expensive spools of thread, it has finally all come together for me.

We have a new quilt shop in downtown Kent called Running Stitch Fabrics. They have a long arm quilting machine. A couple of weeks ago I took the four hour class to learn how to use it.

Last Saturday I had signed up to rent the machine for 4 hours. The quilt top is one that my sister helped me make years ago. It is intended for the futon in the spare bedroom. Since it is for myself I figured it would be a good practice quilt.

I prepped the backing the night before. Saturday morning I was at the shop bright and early before she even opened. Alice helped me set the quilt up on the frame and got the machine going. For the first little bit I had some problems with my thread breaking. A call to the teacher fixed that and I was off and quilting.

I did a large stipple on the borders, a squiggly line with hearts in the sashing and a design inside each block. All in all I was there for 5 hours.

It was tons of fun and I had lots of comments and questions from many of the store's customers. It was great to see the store busy on a Saturday.

Now I am working on attaching the binding and then the quilt will be finished. I have the machine reserved in a few more weeks. I figure having a deadline will get me to finish up a couple of quilt tops so they'll be ready to quilt.

I'm hooked.

Clean Up in Aisle One

Why is it that when you notice a mess in the store and you go report it that you feel like the employees are pretty sure you made the mess? When you didn't. Really I didn't.

I was coming up an aisle and could see a yellow puddle on the floor, that should have been my first warning. Odor just kicking in, second warning. Curious I went around the corner and there was a case of beer turned upside down.

Evidently someone knocked it over, broke some glass inside and walked away. How could you not know that you did that?

That leaves me walking past it and noticing it and reporting it to an employee. I did my best not to say "and I didn't do it".

Because I really didn't do it.

But I did have this happen to me one time. Maybe I do understand.

Progress - One Week Later

Here is it a week later. I'm very happy to report that it's still growing. I've been handling it very carefully.

A Delicate Orchidstration

It was Valentine's Day February 2009. Instead of cut flowers I suggested to my husband that I would like an orchid plant. I've never had one before. We bought this orchid and the blooms stayed on it until June or July that same year.

For the last two years I have faithfully watered it once a week. I kept it in a north window in my home office. It grew new roots and new leaves.

About 2 weeks ago it started sprouting a spike. I had to wait to see if it was going to be a root or a real spike for blooms.

Turns out it's highly possible that it will bloom sometime this summer.

I am very excited about it.

This orchid is called a Phalaenopsis (fayl-eh-NOP-sis).

Wish me luck!

Summer Vacation

Here is a short recap of our summer vacation with family at the cabin.

This year at the max we had 15 of us. We got to meet Katie's husband Brent for the first time and puppy Jake. What a great opportunity for him to meet so much of the family at one time. When they left he said, "it was great having four Moms".

There was eating, fishing, sewing, building, cleaning, cooking, unclogging, playing, swinging, quilt raffle, games, sleeping, reading and more.

We saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Playmill Theatre in West Yellowstone, great fun as always.

We had eggs, bacon, pancake, potatoes and trout for breakfast (not all of it everyday).

We had strawberries with angel food cake, smores, caramel corn, ranger cookies, chocolate rice krispie treats, cake, home made bread and chocolate fudge.

We had chicken, enchilada casserole, macho chili, chicken haystacks and baked potatoes.

We had fireworks, dogs (didn't go so well with the fireworks), pranks and a plastic spider.

We had fun!

The Great Nieces and Nephews

In June when we did our annual road trip to Idaho I got to visit with most of my great nieces and nephews. Thanks to my siblings for sharing your grandkids with me! They were all so much fun.

Here are pictures of all 7 of my great nieces and nephews.

All the pictures were taken in June 2011.

Sister Sue's grandson Ethan (age 2).Brother Dave's grandson Nathan (age 15). Bottom right of photo.
Brother Dave's grand-daughter Vanessa celebrating her 3rd birthday. The newest Nielson and the baby boy to carry on the family name, Dave's grandson Blaze almost 5 months Sister Becky's grandson Tristan (age - 1 month away from 9)
Sister Becky's grand-daughter Kali (age - almost 6)
And last but not least (in Oregon), Nancy's grand-daughter Harper celebrating her 3rd birthday.