Update

So, ok. I haven't posted in forever!! So sue me!! Anyway, I am hoping to get the hang of this blog thing one of these days. But, today is probably not that day. :)

As for an update, I have switched to working just 2 days, or nights a week. I am now on graveyards which is so much harder now that the sun is shinning and the weather is nice. I would rather be outside during the day instead of sleeping or trying to convince my body that we really should be up doing something. I have been able to get a lot of sewing and quilting done while the family is sleeping and I am up cause I can't sleep. So, that is a good thing. I finished Delaney's baptism dress and will get pics posted as soon as I can find the time to download them off my camera. I am also considering getting a long arm quilting machine so that I don't have to try to squeeze my quilts thru my little machine, because if I had to quilt by hand, it would never happen.

The kids are also loving the weather and are excited that they have less than 2 weeks of school!! It has gone by so fast! They want to go to the pool everyday when they get home. Unfortunately, life keeps getting in the way and we have yet to make it to the community pool so far this season. But, I have promised the kids that I would take them later this week.

In other news, Makhenna has an appt with the eye doctor later this week. We were driving along and I saw a funny license plate that I pointed out to her, she couldn't read it and it was plain as day to me. Then later, she couldn't tell what time it was when asked until she was just a few feet from the large oven clock. So, off to get her eyes checked she goes. She actually seems excited to get new glasses.

Also, Jaden will be working for the Boy Scouts this summer. His first job!! I can't believe that he is growing up so fast! It will be hard work for him, but I think it will be a great experience. I will have to make sure that he takes a camera to document the fun. :)

Hopefully, more updates to come......

Christmas Traditions

Since I have been working this year, we have had to forgo many of our family Christmas Traditions this year.  However, we were able to do one of our favorite. We went to Temple Square!! We parked in Sandy and took the Trax up. The kids really loved it. It was Delaney's first time on the train and she really really really loved it. She is normally our little complainer, but the only time she complained that night was when it was getting late and she was tired and wanted to go home.  

We loved seeing the lights and watched the entire Nativity presentation.  We also got to go sit inside the Tabernacle for a while. They really had it decorated nice. Then the kids asked if we could go see the "Big Jesus", so of course, we went into the visitors center and up to the top floor for the presentation. I was suprised that the crowds were not nearly as bad as last year so we could see so much more. Then we got to see all the new displays, such as the display about the church Welfare system and how much the church does with volunteers and donations.  There was also a really cool display with Book of Mormons and Bibles in many different languages, some that we had never heard of.

Last, we went to a restaurant for some hot chocolate and dinner. I really enjoyed the time with the kids talking about what we had seen and the meaning of Christmas. Finally, we rode the train back to the car and home. (Unfortunately, I forgot the camera and had to find these lovely photos on the internet.)

Shopping Rant

So, I went Christmas shopping last night at Kohl's, one of my favorite stores. They had some really good deals and I thought I would pick up a few things for myself. I found one shirt that looked kind of cute and I thought I might like to try it on. I looked up at the sign to check the price and immediately put the item back and walked away. Why? you ask. Was the price really that bad? The answer is no, the price was great. The problem was the style name of the shirt.

They called it a "trapeze" top. I immediately had visions in my head of a giant circus tent. Now, who really wants to be wearing clothes that you associate with a circus? Not I. I freely admit that I am not in the best shape, might even go so far as to say I am fluffy. But, no way, no how am I going to buy something called a "trapeze" top. I might as well sign up for all three rings and let my belly be the ring master. NO THANKS!!! I have some pride.

Then they had a special section of jeans, not with the rest of the jeans. These were called "modern" fit jeans. I guess I don't have a "modern" body. I didn't think I was outdated, but apparently I am. I have CURVES, heaven forbid. Apparently, the "modern" body has none. I guess my genes didn't get the memo. I mean, sure, I can fit into those jeans, but, seriously, I could never bend over or sit unless I wanted to show the world my "assets". Now, I have a degree in Fashion Design and I think I am pretty fashion savvy. My teens still let me buy their clothes because they know I will always buy what is in fashion and what compliments their figures and style.

However, I don't know what merchandisers are thinking giving labels to clothing designed to make people feel bad about themselves. Really. If they want to market those styles, I'm sure that the marketing team could come up with better names for those styles. It's kind of like vanity sizing that couture designers do. If you are a size 8, go to their store and you are a size 4. Shopping there makes you feel good. Let's see more of that.

Black Friday, the good, the bad, and the ugly

So, I admit it. I am one of those people that lives for Black Friday every year. I get a huge thrill out of the planning the day before, the early morning crowds and racing through the stores to get the best deal you can as quickly as you can so you can get to the next store. I do most of my Christmas shopping this way.

This year, I had to work the night before and didn't get off until 0700, so my wonderful husband started for me, and then I joined in when I got off work. I had done all the planning and sent him a list of items, stores, and priorities. I have to admit that despite all the news reports about how good the sales were supposed to be, I was rather disappointed. Of course, my kids are of an age where I don't buy a lot of toys and that seemed to be what had the best deals. I also found myself a lot more reluctant to spend money than in past years. I guess I hadn't realized until then that my spending habits have indeed been affected by the economy. Also, as excited as I was to get out and shop this year, once I got there, my heart wasn't really in it. It all seemed wrong.

It got me thinking about how my kids get so much for Christmas every year that they need to clean out their rooms to make room for new stuff. This year, I want to give them less, but have it mean more. I will have to think of ways to make that happen. Suggestions are welcome.

Also, it seems that I am not alone in my Black Friday addiction. I read an article last night about how an employee at a Walmart store in New York was trampled to death after opening the doors for the sale. People were then asked to leave the store because of it and many would not because they felt that they had waited in line to get in and shop and that was more important than a life. That is so very wrong on so many levels. Reading this really takes the thrill of the entire shopping experience away. I really wish more stores were more like Sears. I was able to get all of their Black Friday deals online and free shipping to boot. If more stores were like this, they would get the sales without the hassle. And then we could all get more sleep, but that is a campaign for another day.

Ok, so here I am at 0421 finally creating that blog that I kept saying I would do someday. Well, I guess someday came today while waiting for this night at work to end so I can go do some Black Friday damage. I know some people hate it, but I live for it every year. It's my competitive nature I guess. So, I will see you all out there in about 2 hours.