Moving Forward

This weekend we had our Stake Conference.  I don't know about you, but I personally love Stake Conference.  Almost as much as General Conference.  I have a testimony that our leaders, under their stewardships, receive revelation for us, and I am always anxious to hear what they have to share.  This was the first conference of our newly-formed Stake, so I was anticipating some great stuff.

Our Stake Presidency gave us this charge:

"We are disciples of Jesus Christ who find joy and peace in living the gospel and keeping its covenants, and we invite others to do the same."

*We seek personal worthiness and healing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
*We defend and strengthen ourselves and our families through daily personal and family prayer, pondering the scriptures daily, holding weekly family home evening, and Sabbath worship.
*We seek the covenants and blessings of the temple for ourselves and others.
*We share our testimonies and joy with all.
*We serve others with charity and love.
*Priesthood holders magnify priesthood power through inspired, faithful ministering.
*We recognize the Lord's daily miracles and give thanks.

It was uplifting and motivating.  I came away with a desire to improve.

One of our Stake Presidency members referred to the phrase, "If we are not progressing, we are regressing."  It's given me something to mull over ever since, not only in a personal/spiritual sense, but in a practical/temporal sort of way, too.  Like with our basement:  At last, it's done.  But I am far from being done with the sorting, moving, organizing, cleaning, furnishing, arranging, decorating... it's felt a little overwhelming.  But, we have made progress.  So I am going to try and focus on the forward movement, and not on what's still left to do.  

Some progress was made this weekend, with just a step or two in a backwards motion (a trial or two thrown in for good measure).

We posted our Craigslist find BACK on Craigslist, and sold it within a couple hours for $25 more than we purchased it for.  That might cover the time spent touching up all the dings incurred by the attempt to squeeze them down the basement stairs.  Or not.  Happily, they have gone to a nice family, who brought a U-Haul to collect them that very day.  I could not ask for more.

After much shopping, deliberating, and contemplation (plus a few moments of severe anxiety), we have selected some furnishings that should fit down the stairs, and provide endless comfort and enjoyment to all who lounge in the basement.  It may not be as aesthetically pleasing as I would like (it took literally HOURS to come to a final decision, since I was torn between aesthetics and comfort), but it will be the most enjoyed option by all, including myself.  Most of it will be delivered today.  We have planned a gratitude FHE for this evening:  watching a good family flick on our comfortable basement sofa and recliner.  

Should be a good time.

We also made some progress on our office.  Yes!  We have an office!

I am thrilled with our use-what-you-have solutions, and excited about having some extra room for my stuff.  It sounds a little selfish of me, but I am happy to have ready access to the hobbies that bring me creative satisfaction and joy, many of which I have put aside for years due to the time it takes to get everything out (from all corners of the house), and then put everything away. 

 Of course, the office will be fully functional for the rest of the family as well.

Desk #1.   The computer/printer desk.  The filing cabinet has moved out of the closet (it was so inconvenient to get to, not to mention a little dark).  The hall tree on the right was a Christmas gift for Lex back in 2000.  Once she no longer wanted it in her bedroom, we moved it into Britt's closet, where it was quite useful, but a little over-crowded.  I had decided to Craigslist it (of course Lex would get the proceeds), but thanks to Bill and his big great ideas, it will work perfectly here in the office.  There is storage area in the bench seat, and hooks to hang the hoodies, jackets, and coats usually tossed on kitchen barstools after school.  The bench is perfect for dumping those heavy, over-loaded backpacks.
It just needs a little update.  A coat of paint.  (Yay.  Another project.)

A sewing area.  Yee-haw.  Up until now I have not had a convenient place to keep an easily-accessible sewing machine.  That cool little cabinet opens up into this:

My mom gave me this little beauty back when we lived in Kearns.  I love it almost as much as this machine.  It's primarily taken up residence in the basements of my homes, and has only been used occasionally.  About 8 years ago I had left it "out" and plugged in - accessible to little hands.  It hasn't sewed a stitch since.  I am hoping a house call by a sewing machine specialist will get it humming away again.  Soon.  I can't wait.

 The closet (which is what allows this room to also be termed a "bedroom") is no longer housing clothing, shoes, and hats, but rather things like photos, wrapping paper, Singing Time visuals (which take a ton of space btw), and a dresser with drawers full of handy items.  It's neatly storing paper punches, cutting mats, tape and velcro, the Cricut machine and it's cartridges, and the laminator.  Nice.  Especially since those closet doors close.

Desk #2.  Yes, both "desks" were once our kitchen tables.  I am good at repurposing, especially when I'm on a budget.  Or have no budget.  This desk will be perfect as a working area for homework, scrapbooking, crafting, and sewing.

I would like to paint both "desks" a matching black (not the blue-black of desk #1), and the hall tree a lovely green, but that project is down a ways on the home-improvement list, so for now, as-is will do.  This room could also suffice for an extra guest room (we get so much company, you know) with it's large open space in the center of the room, perfect for an aero-bed.
The functionality has me ecstatic.

Our two steps back this weekend happened when water started leaking out of the cupboard under the kitchen sink late Saturday night.  After some investigation, we discovered that our disposal has a hole in it.  To top it off, it was also discovered that the hose going from the dishwasher has had a s-l-o-w leak (apparently for quite some time), rendering one side of the sink AND the dishwasher unusable.  Both problems could have been fixed, had the discovery not happened after 10pm Saturday evening.  Bill will stop by the local home improvement store (our favorite place) on his way home from work today to purchase the necessary replacement and parts.  Until then, we are washing and rinsing in one small sink. Tay says it reminds him of his mission days.

Despite the small set-back, we are progressing.  I can feel it all slowly coming together.  There's still a ton of work to be done (I still have to tackle my chaotic and dirty crawl space), but we are definitely moving forward.

Wax Museum

Yesterday I visited a wax museum.  The FVE 5th grade wax museum.

My favorite wax figure was this one:

Hernando de Soto.

The theme of the museum was explorers, but I think Hernando was more of a brute.  He was more interested in conquering, pillaging, and ruling than in exploring, according to Mar's well-researched facts.  He died of a fever (so anti-climatic) near the Mississippi River, where his men rolled his body in blankets, weighted them down with sand, and tossed him in the river -- all to keep his death a secret.  Apparently he had convinced the surrounding natives that he was a god.  Immortal.  Nope.

It was fun to hear interesting facts about different explorers -- some of the kids were super entertaining, adding French or Spanish accents, sweeping gestures, and personal commentary (such as, "I don't know how I could be talking to you, since I in died in .....").  

Of course, I think Mar's wax figure was the best.  She gave concise, detailed, and accurate information, in a very wax-like manner.

Nice performance, Mar!

I found some pictures of the last 5th grade wax museum I attended...

That would be Helen Keller.  A much nicer historical figure than Hernando.

(Hey Helen, I don't think those eyeglasses are necessary.)

I swear I was just there the day before yesterday.

Sigh

A couple of weeks back I was thrilled to find a nice set of leather furniture on Craigslist.  Bill, Taylor and I drove across town, in a borrowed truck, to check it out.  It wasn't the large 8-to-9-seater sectional requested by the teens in our household, but it was in great condition, and was a good economical fit.  PLUS, it would help to fill the vast emptiness of our soon-to-be newly finished basement.  We paid our cash, loaded it up, and headed back home, where the furniture has camped out in our garage (in good company, might I add).

(that is not a spot on top of the chair... just camera glare)

 Yesterday evening we were ready to move it in.  Git 'er done.

Bill and Taylor hauled the loveseat, chair and ottoman down the stairs and into the basement.

Then it was time for the sofa.

The legs were removed.

The door to the basement was removed.

The railing was removed.

Assistance was called (thanks, Jeff!).

Door frames were marred.

Walls and ceilings were gouged.
The floor was scratched.

The sofa was dinged.

(FYI - Taylor makes those crazy faces on purpose.  I keep telling him that someday he'll regret that nearly every picture taken of him has a funny expression.  He apparently doesn't agree, and obviously enjoys it -- the stupider, the better.)

It's not going down.  Period.

The consensus:

sell the set,

recover some-if-not-all of our investment

(it's now slightly damaged due to our maneuvering attempts)

and purchase something smaller.

With a lower back,

narrower seating depth,

and removable cushions.

We will now begin the repair phase.  And frolic in the emptiness of the basement.

Sigh.

Good-bye, Hello

Yesterday we said good-bye to Sadie.  Despite her long hair and shaggy-dog appearance, we found her to be most endearing.  Before Bill left for work (yes, he's no longer just "working," he's actually working -- more on that another day) he shared a few final moments with her.

(The "baby-talk" is annoying, I know.  I just can't seem to help myself.)

She's the kind of dog (minus the shag) we would love to have.  The whole family enjoyed her, and she didn't throw up or have a single accident in the house.  She could be rambunctious and fun, or mellow and sedate.  We will miss her.  Good thing we know where she lives.  Her "momma-Chris" (not to be confused with "momma-Tina") mentioned the possibility of breeding her, and the idea of getting one of her offspring thrilled Mar to no end.  It would be pricier than we had planned, but would give us some time to save up (and stretch the time until D-day... Dog day).  We will think on that for a while.

We also said hello to some carpet yesterday.  Hallelujah.

Initially I was concerned about the seam (placement, visibility), but on the advice of several close friends (including the closest), I have decided to get over it.  Let it go.

Done.  

We started moving Tay into the bedroom last night.  He has looked forward to no longer living in a glass house.  His bedroom has been in the windowed french-doored office, in a highly trafficked area of the house, for the past 9-1/2 years.  Hello, privacy.

To top our evening off, we watched our friend, neighbor, and fellow ward member on Wipeout.  Too bad he was eliminated in the second round.  Good-bye, Dave You-Can't-Handle-the-Crandall.  
There are quite a few stories behind the story, but the best one is that, once he was selected as a contestant, Dave was told taping would be held on a Sunday.  He told them he wouldn't be available to tape on Sundays, and they responded with a "thanks anyway."

Then they called back.
They had arranged to tape on another day, just for him.  How awesome it that?

And to finish this sunny day on a high note, we were tagged.  Flower tagged.

I just thought I would share because I love this idea for a fundraiser.  

I am not a fan of fundraisers, but if it's absolutely necessary, I would go for something like this any day over purchasing overpriced frozen pastries or windshield-cracking car washes.
Wouldn't you?

Lucky 13

Hoy es el cumpleaños de mi madre.

Feliz cumpleaños, Mama!

I consider 13 to be a very lucky number around here, since I have two lovely daughters with a "13" birthday, too.

I thought it would be fun to find a picture of my mom when she was my age.
My quick calculations put that in March of '87, right about the time my sister got married.  Unfortunately, the only pictures I have of that blessed event are severely overexposed and grainy.  Lost somewhere in translation from snapshot to digital.

On to plan B.
I thought I would post the ghosts of birthdays past.

I discovered that there are not many pictures of mi madre's birthdays.  At least the pictures I have access to.  Maybe my mom preferred it that way.  Like me.  I'm not a huge fan of all the birthday ruckus when it comes to celebrating my own.  Heartfelt sentiments and/or displays of love, appreciation, and random acts of kindness (I love not having to make dinner or do the dishes) from my family are totally sufficient.  And I'm really not a fan of getting my picture taken, especially when it's in commemoration of getting older.

But I managed to find a few photos of what surely must have been revelry-ensuing celebrations.
I hope mi mamita doesn't mind that I share.

'66

(I love how you can't even tell who's birthday it is from this picture...)

That's better.  '75

'77

'78  It's amazing what you can do with crepe paper streamers, isn't it?

 '81

 '82

'92

'08

Mom,
I'm so lucky to have you for my mother.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
I love you.

Quandaries

Senior pictures are due for the yearbook this Wednesday.  Just yesterday we finally received the complete set of selection options from the photographer.  Lex has yet to decided which picture she wants to submit.  The timing of it all has me a little stressed.

There was a bit of a quandary over the whole who's-going-with-who-to-the-Homecoming-Dance problem an unexpected early request created.  There were tears.  There were "I'm just not going" threats.  There was texting.  Lots and lots of texting.  All I could do was give my best advice, then step back and let it go.  I think the issue has been resolved.
I can only hope it has been handled with kindness and grace (which Lex says it has).

We are still waiting for carpet.  It's scheduled for tomorrow, but that doesn't guarantee it's going in.  I am looking at the bright side, however.  I've started "moving in," and every time I've gone up and down those basement stairs (at least a hundred times - enough to make my calves ache from the exertion) I've thought about how I am NOT wearing out the area that will definitely be the most-used section of carpet in the entire house.  Those stairs will have 100+ FEWER wearing steps on them, thanks to me.

Yes, there IS a bright side.

Closets are full,

 the food storage is organized and accessible,

numerous storage bins have been emptied, 

and all of this, and then some, has found a home in the cabinets.

It brings me such joy, I almost forget the carpet.  Until I see this:

Looking at the bright side only gets you so far.  Here's hoping the sun will come out tomorrow:-)

Running Down Last Weekend

I thought I would have some time this week to carefully post about our trip to Utah last weekend.  

I thought wrong.

It's gotta be quick, or not at all.  I choose quick.

Taylor and Lynnea had planned to go to Utah for a wedding.  My nephew Christian was also getting baptized that weekend, so I thought I would tag along.  It soon developed (thanks to me and my BIG ideas) into
the-whole-family-is-going-whether-you-like-it-or-not Labor Day vacation.

Grandma and Grandpa Syddall took us all out to Chuck-A-Rama for din once we arrived.

 Obviously it was a good time.

Then Tay and Lynnea headed off to Bountiful for wedding-eve festivities.

The next day we attended Christian's baptism.  

I left my camera in the car the entire time.

Hopefully Lia or my mom will send me some pictures.  Hint, hint.

Christian only weighed 17 oz. when he was born.  He's pretty much a miracle.
His twin sister Calle only weighed 15 oz.  Less than a bag of cinnamon bears.
Double miracle.

Because of her disabilities, Calle did not need to be baptized, but she was there in her beautiful white dress to support her brother.  I was having such a great time visiting, I didn't think to snap pictures.
(Please, please, please send me some!)

Christian and Calle's younger brother Lincoln was the comic relief.  While Bill was giving a talk, Lincoln, sitting directly behind me (with little-to-no volume control), focused on his gray hair.
"That guy has gray hair."  After hearing the words "gray hair" at least a half-dozen times, he was suddenly talking about circus peanuts (I think his Grandpa Newton was bribing him to be quiet -- with the promise of circus peanuts.  You know, those large, orange marshmallow-y kind.  At lunch afterwards, Grandpa Newton generously shared.  Yum-O.  It brought back memories of my youth).

When Christian stepped into the font, Lincoln loudly yelled, "Hi, Christian!"
That kid is a crack up.


After church on Sunday, Grandpa Syddall pulled out his fancy camera to take pictures.  I joined in with my humble point-and-shoot.

(He's supposed to send me pictures too.)

Lynnea and Taylor

Later that day we went over to the cousins' house for dinner.

(That's Uncle Matt's creepy face.  JK.  It gave us such a laugh, I promised I would post it.)

Big family dinners are the best.

Taylor and Hayden
Hunter missed out -- he was camping with his friend-that's-a-girl's (not to be confused with "girlfriend's") family .  

Cole and Marlee

The game of choice:  Knock-out.  I even played a round or two.

(This was my ONE lucky game.  Had to post it, ya know?)

Justin the model.

Britt and Austin

That night, Grandma and Grandpa agreed to a cousins sleepover at their house.

Marlee, Kade, Cole, Mar

The next morning we hopped back in the car (all 7 of us -- haven't had a car that full in a long time) and made the trip back to Colorado.

The consensus:  it was a great time.  Everyone felt that it was well worth the effort.

See?  I told you so.