June 8, 1983

The Numbers Game

3 lovely daughters

1 great son-in-law

4 states

1 blind date

7 residences

4 universities

4 degrees

9 cars

28 Years Together

1 Wonderful Life

YARN-YARN-YARN

(photo by Alicia)

Completely enjoyed going on the Metro Yarn Crawl with friends over the weekend. Could there be anything better than food, friends, fun and fiber?! Hoping to get to a couple more shops on the crawl this week and next weekend.

I have also started my countdown to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival! I have only missed the MDS&W once in the past 10 years -- yes, I am a good mom and chose to attend Alicia's SUU graduation in lieu of buying yarn, and it was totally worth it!

This is one of my favorite pictures from a summer trip in 2007 to Scandinavia and Russia. Alicia took this picture and I absolutely love it. I hear Finland calling :)

Let's Call It: Last Wedding Post, Part II

Another great picture by Camilla Binks

I know I said Last Wedding Post but there is a little more! The back-story follows and includes a little walk down memory lane. Actually a long walk because that lane is almost 28-years old!

My wedding dress (circa 1983) has happily resided in a never-used closet, in a rarely-used bedroom, in the little-used basement of my in-laws. For some unexplained reason this past summer, I was strongly encouraged (told) to retake posesssion of my dress (immediately) - which I did with a confused smile and the intention of storing it at the cabin (really, who knows when you might be at the cabin and think, I could really use a wedding dress)!

When Alicia got engaged and decided that she wanted to have Melissa Blackburn design/make her dress I got the crazy idea that maybe part of the "old", as in "Something old, something new..." could be a little piece of my dress. I was thinking that it could be used as part of the lining or perhaps to make a little pocket. Not sure why I was stuck on the idea of a little pocket - strangely I still find myself asking whether traditional wedding dresses ever came with little pockets.


(Side Note: Thank you to the kind soul who suggested that perhaps the lace from my dress could be considered "something borrowed" as you were the only one to not immediately assume "something old". Unfortunately I'm not exactly sure who said it - I think it was either Rhett or Darin - someone let me know for sure - as of now you are both my favorites!)

Without regard to the pocket or pocket-less status of wedding dresses, I mentioned the idea to Alicia and we took my dress to her first consultation with Melissa, wedding dress maker extraordinaire. The results are shown above - I love it - and somewhere in the process I fell in love with my wedding dress all over again.

Yes, that is me - and yes that is a dried-flower wreath veil - so very,very me :)

When Alicia showed how the dress maker had incorporated some of the lace from my dress into the underskirt for her dress to Cara and Emily, they both asked whether there was any of my dress left for them. I assured them that there was plenty of dress left... and it's at the cabin whenever they want it!

Last Wedding Post

Final Wedding Post

As the mother-of-the-bride I entertained many questions about my role in the planning and queries regarding the difficulty of living 2,062 miles from where everything was taking place. I think the picture above tells it all.

It was EASY!

We always knew exactly

"Where I Should Be"
and
"What Do I Wear"

Alicia is a planner by nature, well-organized and --- well, amazing!

Dizzy

Dictionary.com explains it all:

dizzy: (diz-ee)
adjective
1. having a sensation of whirling and a tendancy to fall; giddy; vertiginous.
2. bewildered; confused.
3. causing giddiness or confusion: a dizzying height.
4. heedless; thoughtless.
5. Informal. foolish; silly.

See also, vertigo, nausea and vomiting...

Just Married

I absolutely loved the vinyl lettering that Heather

surprised us with for the newlyweds car.

It was perfect!

The father-of-the-bride - doesn't he look happy!

I particularly like the bride's maid's bouquet :)

Very happy grandfather-of-the-bride as well!

A little blurry - but one of the few pictures I actually took that day.

They make a beautiful couple - most importantly they are

so good to and for each other!

The temple sealer reminded them (and all of us) that love is a choice.

What a powerful reminder regarding all of our relationships!

Something Blue - The Shawl Story

Photos by Camilla Binks - amazing!

Dress by Melissa Blackburn (and Alicia) also amazing!

Anticipating a cold January wedding, Alicia asked if I would make her a lacy shawl that she could wear. She chose ice-blue as the color and I started looking at yarns and patterns. I was excited that she asked - we have joked about knitting or weaving a wedding dress for years. I finally settled on a beautiful lace pattern - just what I love to knit. I had finished about 5 inches when I had the stroke - although physically I recovered quickly I was left unable to concentrate on anything for very long (reading, knitting, everyday normal stuff). When I was able to force myself to knit, I repeatedly made mistakes and I found myself starting over again and again.

About the point where I was ready to give up - I found a simple stitch pattern - the same 3 stitches over and over and over again. I was disappointed that it wouldn't be what I had originally planned - but accepted that at least it was something I could finish and I started over for the last time.

Two things ended up happening. First, about half-way through knitting the shawl - towards the end of December, I realized that the simple 3-stitch pattern was too easy and was becoming boring. I realized that my ability to concentrate was increasing. I have never been so happy to be so bored! Second, as soon as I saw the shawl with the dress I realized that the more complicated pattern I had hoped to knit would have clashed with the lace of the dress - the simple pattern I ended up choosing seemed perfect.


True to form I was binding off and steam pressing the shawl in the hotel the night before the wedding. Some things never change!

Details

These Button Boutonnieres were perhaps one of my favorite details from the wedding. Alicia saw them highlighted in a Wedding Magazine - and knew that she "had to have them"! An etsy crafter in Baltimore took her colors and made it happen. I loved that they were easy to put on because they have badge-pins on the back (I'm horrible at pinning on boutonnieres and corsages). I also loved that they are a great take-home remembrance of the day.

Photo Booth vs Candy Buffet

I'm not sure which one would have won if guests were allowed to vote - needless to say, both were very popular. So many people helped with the Candy Buffet - Heather McD designed and made the vinyl lettering with her amazing vinyl cutting machine. Tam designed and printed the insert cards that went into the little bags. Cristin lent some of her apothecary jars. Shauna manned the buffet ALL NIGHT :) filling and refilling the jars and chasing down run-away sixlets. Definitely a group effort - oh and my dad graciously offered to taste test all of the candy for quality before the reception started!

Sweet Sixteen

She's an amazing young woman, with a beautiful smile, an engaging personality,

smart and talented, sensitive and kind

and now sixteen!

(Happy Birthday!)

What does the W stand for?

Lots of W's in my mind during the last few days!
Wonderful
Week
Wishes
Whirlwind

...and in the all-knowing words of my young niece trying to explain
the embroidered W on a set of pretty hand towels...
"Duh, it is for Wedding!
(Also Williams!)

Alicia's ability to plan, organize and dream all came

together in a beautiful way.

My Weekend Highlights:


Dinner for Family and Friends
Salt Lake Temple
Amazing Wedding Dress
(hidden sentimental touch)
Darling Button Boutonnieres - very Alicia
The Point
Candy Buffet
Suprise Mini-Cooper Groom's Cake
Photo Booth
Family and Friends


We left the photography to the professionals - but I will try to post a few!

Just Put One Foot In Front of the Other (Frosty T. Snowman)

You don't get very far - distance-wise - when you take steps on an elliptical trainer. However I traveled quite a ways today.

It was my first foray into the gym since having a stroke there in November. I had to sit in my car to gather my courage for a couple of minutes before going in... I think my heart rate was up before I even got started :)

Great welcome from my personal trainer when I walked in the door - she squealed in surprise and ran to give me a hug. I had just finished working out with her when the stroke began. Possibly scared her as much as it scared me. It felt much better feeling walking out to my car when I was finished - as opposed to being wheeled out to a waiting ambulance on a gurney.

Still feel so fortunate and so blessed.

Glad to be back working out - I've actually missed it

Glad to be conquering my fear of returning

and

Glad to be moving forward

(not literally of course -

what with the elliptical trainer

being stationary and all)!

Added Later: Love that if you look really closely you can still see a smidgen of red dust from our summer hikes in Zion's!

Beginnings

Isn't it interesting how endings are always followed by beginnings?

It has been quite a year

- on so many fronts -

personally

as a family

(nationally and internationally as well)

As 2010 ends and 2011 begins, I feel so blessed and am grateful to be looking forward. I know that it will not be challenge free -- but along with the challenges there will also be joy and opportunities for growth.

And so it begins...

A Sweater, A Rose and A Hamburger

If you have recently participated in a neurological exam you know just what test the title of this post refers to - I take it as a good sign that 15 days after returning home from my delightful 4-day stay at Hotel Holy Cross I can still remember those three words! Also, to whom it may concern, I was never very good at subtracting 7 from 100 - even on a good day. 100 - 93 - 86 -79 -72 ... you get the idea. Don't judge :)

Pocket Wish Fun!

So much excitement over our shout-out on Cathe Holden's blog. So many sweet comments from readers who really seemed to get what our little Pocket Wishes venture is all about! It was fun to read the comments, send the give-away packages and fill some orders as well!

We were also thrilled to have Jen at Tatertots and Jello (one of Cristin's college floormates) do a little give-away as well. Again sweet comments and wonderful readers -- so many stories and an overwhelming sense that wonderful things are happening in our world as people give, share and act on their innate sense of goodness and kindness. Thanks Jen!

My Post is to Link to Two Other Posts

(Photo by Cathe Holden & www.justsomethingimade.com)

Exciting things have been happening with our little creative venture - Wishes In My Pocket . The graphic designer that we worked with, Cathe Holden of Just Something I Made just wrote a post about our idea/website/dreams - she is amazing and really understood what we wanted to do with this idea!

Additionally, my sister - who I always allow to have the last word wrote a great post - seen here!

I95 Got the Best of Us

We were so excited to head to Philadelphia to see Cara perform in a class project at HPI. Unfortunately, we hit traffic (on a Friday night during rush hour) first in

Baltimore

then at the toll plaza in Delaware

in spite of my EZPass

then near Wilmington

the Philly bridge traffic was a foregone conclusion

I had to call and tell her that we weren't going to make it :( her group was performing first so there was no way it was going to happen - I thought we had added in enough time for rush hour, etc. but no - at that point it made the most sense to turn around and go back home. The only upside is that Cara is now home for the week for fall break!!

Bottom line: We drove 186 miles and didn't actually get anywhere....

Wishes in My Pocket Dot Com

My sister and I have a little project that we have been working on for a while!

It went down something like this:

We...

talked about some experiences

dared to dream

took a couple of ideas

spent some time googling

talked to some friends

played with some graphics

figured out how to create a website

connected with a great company

talked on the phone a lot

realized we make a pretty good partnership

laughed about our strengths/weaknesses

expressed gratitude for supportive spouses

Check it out...

Pocket Wishes

Blogging Consistency and The Lack Thereof...

I know I will not be receiving any blogging awards - certainly not for consistency! I still have a camera full of pictures of our summer on my camera as well as fun things to blog/remember. Here are just a few so I don't forget...



Cabin Time

50th Anniversary Party

Emily - YASE, EFY

Alicia and Tyler

Family Pics

Zion Hiking

Fun and Family at the Cabin

and more



...after that I should blog the beginning of school (Em), and moving Cara into an amazing little (actually very generously-sized) studio apt. in Philadelphia. Her building is an oasis in the middle of an "um, interesting neighborhood". A previous Philadelphia resident upon hearing her address commented..."hmm, a neighborhood in transition". Exactly!



... then I should blog about SPARK --- AMAZING :) so much fun with Cristin, Alicia, Elisa and Jen.



...then I should blog about seminary, Em (ccw, school play auditions/cast list (awesome part - more to follow)!



...then I should blog a little something about a project my sis and I have been working on (for quite awhile... maybe I will do that first :)

Mitchell - Monaco - Marvelous

You've gotta love a hotel that offers you a goldfish for the evening!

Cara named "her" fish Mitchell and quite enjoyed his visit!

Just another reason that we love staying at the SLC Monaco...

I Love Small Towns

Not every day you see a cow in the front yard! I love driving through small towns -
this year included:

Scipio

Salina

Joseph

Elsinore

Marysvale

Junction

Circleville

Panguitch

Hatch

Beaver

Fillmore

Glendale

Orderville

and more...

Lots and lots and lots of driving this year.

Too much driving?!

The reasons why there was so much driving to follow...