So I have lived a lot of different places in my lifetime. And now I live along a fault line and have lived along this fault line multiple times and years in my life. But never have I felt an earthquake here...
I have felt big ones in Alaska and California, and little ones in Idaho...The big one in Alaska almost knocked my mom down the stairs. In California, it "waved" the house for about a minute.
So this morning when I was literally woken up by an "earth shake" I thought it was a big one or at least a close one.
Imagine my surprise when I heard it was not small, but not huge and that it was quite a ways away. I mean, it WOKE me up. That doesn't happen very often.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
It's time
I have been waiting to make this announcement for multiple reasons. I think by listing the reasons, I might not have to make the announcement. Oh, and I guess a lot of your got our Christmas card and don't need any other announcement ... anyways, you'll probably figure it out.
First, I was super excited to tell the world when we first found out but I was a little early. Then I waited and got nervous, which leads to the next reason.
Second, I was hesitant to put this information out to the big wide world, scared of some crazy I guess.
Third, I wanted to wait until the ultrasound to make sure everything was alright. Especially considering our situation with Bella.
Fourth, I have now worked through all the reasons and have mostly just been lazy.
And the announcement is.....
It's another boy!
First, I was super excited to tell the world when we first found out but I was a little early. Then I waited and got nervous, which leads to the next reason.
Second, I was hesitant to put this information out to the big wide world, scared of some crazy I guess.
Third, I wanted to wait until the ultrasound to make sure everything was alright. Especially considering our situation with Bella.
Fourth, I have now worked through all the reasons and have mostly just been lazy.
And the announcement is.....
It's another boy!
Friday, February 08, 2008
First Projects
I was at my mom's when I got my new toy
Thankfully she has literally huge rubbermaids full of scrap material. So I decided a new apron for conner was in order.
I had an idea for a pattern from one of mine that I got as a shower gift when I got married and never had any need for until the post-children drop (aka suddenly spilling more than I ever had before). This is appropriate because I am apparently setting a good clean cook example for Conner because he insists on wearing his every time he helps. Unfortunately, the one grandma made 2 Christmases ago was a little small and always drooped a little too low around the neck.
So I cut a pattern out of newspaper. And proceeded to fake like I knew what I was doing. Thankfully my mom was there to save me from any necessary or unnecessary seam ripping.
Here is the finished product, modeled by the handsome and charming Conner and sorry to cut of his head and no he is not flipping you off, he is showing you his bandaid.
I was pretty excited at it's turn out. It is reversible front to back and inside out (kind of).
It made me think of Polly. Steve's sister. She is a self-professed bum-wipe cook...no nothing vulgar, she just can't really use traditional styled aprons because she always wipes her hands on her backside or back legs, habit she says. So I wanted to make her one that was extra long in the back and extra wide for her hands to wipe on. But I didn't have an adult model for the pattern so instead I tried making a smaller one for my niece.
It turned out darling as well.
Materials needed:
1/2 - 1 yd fabric in at least 2 colors, depending on size you want to make.
double fold bias tape
The basic instructions: (for me to remember as much as for anyone else to use):
1. Cut a similar shaped pattern out of newspaper (I actually cut half of it on the fold and then it was symmetrical). Some basic measurements to help get started are from top of shoulder to waist (where you want it to tie) and from waist to where you want it to hit. Then across the chest as wide as you need it. And across one shoulder for how wide you want the straps.
2. If the pattern is the size you want, cut it out four times on any kind of material you want to use. I just used light weight cotton/cotton blends. So that all pieces are the same shape. Once again use the fold to make it symmetrical. Set aside.
3. Cut four strips about 2.5 to 3" wide and the length that you want. These are for the side ties. Fold right sides together and sew the length and across one width. Then turn them inside out and iron flat.
4. Lay out two of your pattern pieces, right sides together and sew across the top at the straps. This should create a hole for the head and neck. Repeat with the other two pieces. This creates the front and back of the apron. Lay them out right sides together on top of each other, matching the seams at the shoulder that you just sewed.
5. Slip the four ties (step#3) in between the two pieces at the place you want it to tie. Make sure they are straight out and the seams on the ties point to the bottom. And pin them in place.
6. Pin the whole thing, making sure sides and bottoms line up as well as possible.
7. Sew around the whole apron, leaving the neck area open.
8. Turn it inside out. You should now have all the seams inside and the right sides of the material out. the side ties should also be out.
9. Iron flat.
10. Finish stitch all around the outside, close to the edge. I used a zig-zag because I could and because it expanded my sewing in a straight line skills :)
11. Finish the neck with your bias tape. I like the extra wide double fold because it is a lot easier and I don't have to pin it.
12. Viola...it is finished!
Thankfully she has literally huge rubbermaids full of scrap material. So I decided a new apron for conner was in order.
I had an idea for a pattern from one of mine that I got as a shower gift when I got married and never had any need for until the post-children drop (aka suddenly spilling more than I ever had before). This is appropriate because I am apparently setting a good clean cook example for Conner because he insists on wearing his every time he helps. Unfortunately, the one grandma made 2 Christmases ago was a little small and always drooped a little too low around the neck.
So I cut a pattern out of newspaper. And proceeded to fake like I knew what I was doing. Thankfully my mom was there to save me from any necessary or unnecessary seam ripping.
Here is the finished product, modeled by the handsome and charming Conner and sorry to cut of his head and no he is not flipping you off, he is showing you his bandaid.
I was pretty excited at it's turn out. It is reversible front to back and inside out (kind of).
It made me think of Polly. Steve's sister. She is a self-professed bum-wipe cook...no nothing vulgar, she just can't really use traditional styled aprons because she always wipes her hands on her backside or back legs, habit she says. So I wanted to make her one that was extra long in the back and extra wide for her hands to wipe on. But I didn't have an adult model for the pattern so instead I tried making a smaller one for my niece.
It turned out darling as well.
Materials needed:
1/2 - 1 yd fabric in at least 2 colors, depending on size you want to make.
double fold bias tape
The basic instructions: (for me to remember as much as for anyone else to use):
1. Cut a similar shaped pattern out of newspaper (I actually cut half of it on the fold and then it was symmetrical). Some basic measurements to help get started are from top of shoulder to waist (where you want it to tie) and from waist to where you want it to hit. Then across the chest as wide as you need it. And across one shoulder for how wide you want the straps.
2. If the pattern is the size you want, cut it out four times on any kind of material you want to use. I just used light weight cotton/cotton blends. So that all pieces are the same shape. Once again use the fold to make it symmetrical. Set aside.
3. Cut four strips about 2.5 to 3" wide and the length that you want. These are for the side ties. Fold right sides together and sew the length and across one width. Then turn them inside out and iron flat.
4. Lay out two of your pattern pieces, right sides together and sew across the top at the straps. This should create a hole for the head and neck. Repeat with the other two pieces. This creates the front and back of the apron. Lay them out right sides together on top of each other, matching the seams at the shoulder that you just sewed.
5. Slip the four ties (step#3) in between the two pieces at the place you want it to tie. Make sure they are straight out and the seams on the ties point to the bottom. And pin them in place.
6. Pin the whole thing, making sure sides and bottoms line up as well as possible.
7. Sew around the whole apron, leaving the neck area open.
8. Turn it inside out. You should now have all the seams inside and the right sides of the material out. the side ties should also be out.
9. Iron flat.
10. Finish stitch all around the outside, close to the edge. I used a zig-zag because I could and because it expanded my sewing in a straight line skills :)
11. Finish the neck with your bias tape. I like the extra wide double fold because it is a lot easier and I don't have to pin it.
12. Viola...it is finished!
New Sewing Machine
For my birthday my mom bought me a new sewing machine. It is very simple. And by simple I mean, that I know how to sew straight lines and the sewing machine is good to me when I do. I do believe that it might do a buttonhole, or change stitches, but I wouldn't know what I would need those things for...so this is perfect for me a beginning sewer.
That being said, I need some projects. Please leave comments with links, or send me an email with your ideas or projects. I love projects (aprons, totes, quilts, pajama pants etc.) Things that can be done in a day and are relatively inexpensive.
In less than a week I have wanted to sew every day. However, I feel slightly limited (or spoiled) from my mom and mother-in-laws homes. I think I had the following before this week:
1-2 spool thread,
a small needle
some crochet threads,
crochet needles
seam ripper - used once on something that was not sewn by anyone I know
Not such a great list when you want to work on a sewing machine and actually complete a project.
This week I have gone and bought a few essentials...
- sewing scissors (although they are not ginghers because my visiting teacher who makes custom wedding gowns told me to wait until they go on sale)-good thing too because I thought $40 was a little steep for scissors
- three spools thread 2 white and one black - these can be added to my grey and brown one - i Know, quite the collection, I am sure you are all jealous
- some bias tape for the aprons I will show pics of in another post - comment for the easy pattern
- Fabric, who would have thought you need that?- way to go Walmart and Joann's for their $1-$2 yd fabric for a beginner to practice on
What I need from my readers (those of you who actually ever read this):
1. Ideas for projects and their info
2. Ideas on how to expand my sewing tools for cheap - stores, coupons, web links, etc. Wish list includes gingher scissors, rotary cutter and rulers (I have a mat unused before this), one of those insider-out wire tool thingys, fabrics, project patterns, I don't want much do I?
3. Suggestions for tools I might need that I didn't know I might need.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
I've Been Tagged
I usually skip reading this on other people's blogs unless they are interesting or I am bored (sad huh?) But I think they are fun for writting abour yourself...isn't that what blogs are for?
SO here goes...
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 fellow bloggers.
10 years ago: What was I doing ten years ago? I was a junior in high school sending off a missionary and trying to start dating someone else. Let's just say I was a little boy oriented (I won't say crazy) in high school. I also was loving volleyball, show choir and the other standard (by standard I mean small town) high school fair.
5 things on my to-do list today: 1. Laundry. 2. Laundry. 3. Laundry...can I use it for all five? Or should I shake it up a bit? 4. Shower 5. Make the breakfast casserole for dinner that I have been craving for 3 days and have forgotten to make every day (technically it is supposed to go in the fridge overnight for breakfast but for some reason I have wanted it for dinner, go figure)
Snacks I enjoy: Nacho Doritos, Chips and Salsa (Pace picante mild...closer to spaghetti sauce for some, but a staple for me. I buy it in bulk at Sam's), chocolate (Symphony, Lindt truffles, choco chips, Reese peanut butter cups-only the small ones just the right combo of peanut butter and chocolate),
Things I would do if I were suddenly made a a billionaire: I am fairly certain that I don't comprehend that much money, but I can think of a current wish lish that could get me started...at least in the buy segment. I am sure I would find some savvy investor somewhere who could tell me how to diversify my portfolio so that no one I knew would ever have to work again. And then we would work anyway, somewhere we liked. But I don't think I would want my kids to know. For a start I would probably learn to fly and buy a small plane that I could fly to Nana and Papa's to save me the drive. But then I might be expected to go more than we do now...oh the tradeoffs. Next a nice and by nice, I THINK I would still be reasonable, home here and somewhere fun or a couple of fun somewheres. All new furniture, but I am afraid I would be required to keep our terrible looking circa 1960s turquoise velveteen couch that Steve can do a full superman on and still not touch the edges. Pay off our four-plex and probably buy some more apartments.
3 of my bad habits: 1. Procrastination. I don't really like to work under pressure but I tend to do it anyway, so Dr Laura would probably say that I like it 2. I'm a pile person. Piles of papers, clothes, toys, etc. Even if things have a home, they struggle to make it there, and probably half of it could be thrown out. Danae, please don't visit our home. 3. I tend to shower and get ready when required and not before. Not always true, but I hate getting ready. It seems to waste such valuable time. I have improved since high school when I would roll out of bed and jump in the car when I heard my ride honk. Now at least I will shower if not wet/wash my hair. Please don't judge!
Jobs I have had: Independant court reporter, safety "girl", yes they called me that, at a dirt factory, classroom facilitator for distance ed, Accounting intern for North Atlantic, mom/household CEO
Things people don't know about me: 1. I am bothered by my perceived two facial imperfections, one is my crooked lip which came by falling on my face at my ice skating lesson when I was 10. The other is my smaller eye which I believe started once when I woke up with my eye swollen shut from a bug bite or something. 2. I have never watched a TV series more than a handful of times. I am just not that into it. I think the most times I have ever watched a series was Full House when I was growing up and the first season of the Biggest Loser where we watched like every other one. 3. I don't really let on about what is bothering me. My mom used to have to pry it out and Steve is good to just let me cry, sometimes he even falls asleep waiting for me to tell him something, but he doesn't mind if I wake him back up when I am ready to talk. And yes, he stays awake.
I guess I could tag some people. Kristin, Kylene, Ashley and who ever else feels a need to write up every tag that comes along.
SO here goes...
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 fellow bloggers.
10 years ago: What was I doing ten years ago? I was a junior in high school sending off a missionary and trying to start dating someone else. Let's just say I was a little boy oriented (I won't say crazy) in high school. I also was loving volleyball, show choir and the other standard (by standard I mean small town) high school fair.
5 things on my to-do list today: 1. Laundry. 2. Laundry. 3. Laundry...can I use it for all five? Or should I shake it up a bit? 4. Shower 5. Make the breakfast casserole for dinner that I have been craving for 3 days and have forgotten to make every day (technically it is supposed to go in the fridge overnight for breakfast but for some reason I have wanted it for dinner, go figure)
Snacks I enjoy: Nacho Doritos, Chips and Salsa (Pace picante mild...closer to spaghetti sauce for some, but a staple for me. I buy it in bulk at Sam's), chocolate (Symphony, Lindt truffles, choco chips, Reese peanut butter cups-only the small ones just the right combo of peanut butter and chocolate),
Things I would do if I were suddenly made a a billionaire: I am fairly certain that I don't comprehend that much money, but I can think of a current wish lish that could get me started...at least in the buy segment. I am sure I would find some savvy investor somewhere who could tell me how to diversify my portfolio so that no one I knew would ever have to work again. And then we would work anyway, somewhere we liked. But I don't think I would want my kids to know. For a start I would probably learn to fly and buy a small plane that I could fly to Nana and Papa's to save me the drive. But then I might be expected to go more than we do now...oh the tradeoffs. Next a nice and by nice, I THINK I would still be reasonable, home here and somewhere fun or a couple of fun somewheres. All new furniture, but I am afraid I would be required to keep our terrible looking circa 1960s turquoise velveteen couch that Steve can do a full superman on and still not touch the edges. Pay off our four-plex and probably buy some more apartments.
3 of my bad habits: 1. Procrastination. I don't really like to work under pressure but I tend to do it anyway, so Dr Laura would probably say that I like it 2. I'm a pile person. Piles of papers, clothes, toys, etc. Even if things have a home, they struggle to make it there, and probably half of it could be thrown out. Danae, please don't visit our home. 3. I tend to shower and get ready when required and not before. Not always true, but I hate getting ready. It seems to waste such valuable time. I have improved since high school when I would roll out of bed and jump in the car when I heard my ride honk. Now at least I will shower if not wet/wash my hair. Please don't judge!
Jobs I have had: Independant court reporter, safety "girl", yes they called me that, at a dirt factory, classroom facilitator for distance ed, Accounting intern for North Atlantic, mom/household CEO
Things people don't know about me: 1. I am bothered by my perceived two facial imperfections, one is my crooked lip which came by falling on my face at my ice skating lesson when I was 10. The other is my smaller eye which I believe started once when I woke up with my eye swollen shut from a bug bite or something. 2. I have never watched a TV series more than a handful of times. I am just not that into it. I think the most times I have ever watched a series was Full House when I was growing up and the first season of the Biggest Loser where we watched like every other one. 3. I don't really let on about what is bothering me. My mom used to have to pry it out and Steve is good to just let me cry, sometimes he even falls asleep waiting for me to tell him something, but he doesn't mind if I wake him back up when I am ready to talk. And yes, he stays awake.
I guess I could tag some people. Kristin, Kylene, Ashley and who ever else feels a need to write up every tag that comes along.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
A Week Of Mourning
( If the Ensign photographers can take this pic...so can I!..yup its Conner) photo by Steven Hanson
Emily is busy so I guess I get to blog!
Being here in Utah we get the great opportunity of having news coverage of this great Prophet every day. So I convinced Emily to go down and experience Pres. Hinckley's Spirit one more time. Our trip took a bit over 3 hours and some change. SO worth it though, what an experience...as one lady said "it was like heaven"...I'd have to agree. The pictures just show our stops on the way through the Conference Center, First (2:30p.m.)zig-zagging through the pavilion out side. Then winding through the pillars of the second floor. Third, sitting through the whole recording of Pres. Hinckley's 95th birthday program in the Conference Center (2hours). finally, Going up the "Escalators" (Conner's main attraction)to the "Hall of the Prophets". Everyone was so reverent and kind. It was amazing to feel the difference when turned the final corner to head into the "Hall". It was literally a solid line of people going through to see him ...no real breaks . Would have done it over if I had the chance.
When we got out, the line was ten times as long as what it was when we got there (6:15p.m.ish). I guess they kept the doors open till the last person wanted to go through..which was around 11:30...amazing.
Is it just me, or has the departure of this great Prophet sealed his testimony making everything he has said that more powerful? Or is it like the saying goes...you never know how great something is until you loose it. What an example of Him he is.
Just a quick note or observation. Did anyone else notice the "earth's" reaction of this passing and how it was during the Funeral?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)