Helena in Europe photos no. 1

Here are some photos of Helena in Europe. I haven't had time to play with very many of them, and I only have a couple more minutes today before running off to yoga with Bill. But here are a few, more will be coming soon!

Helena said that these outdoor cafes were right outside their hotel in Lienz.

I am probably spelling that wrong.

all the girls in the square outside their hotel.

in costume for the choreographed piece called 'Blink'.



So incredibly gorgeous!
She said it was very hot in Venice that day.


On a gondola in Venice!

In a castle in Austria.

(I had to tweak this quite a bit, the original was quite dark and terribly back lit)

a new attempt at weight loss

I have reached a milestone I hoped to never cross. I weighed in today at 200 lbs! I am FAT!

I have not been happy about my body for a long time now, but this is just TOO MUCH! I had vowed to never allow myself to break that 200 barrier, and now I have done just that.

I recognize that I have been sabotaging my own efforts to loose weight. I do exercise. But all too often I rationalize myself out of a workout. The kids need me. I'll do it later (ha!) and later becomes never. I binge on sweets and soda.

No more.

I bought a one week cleanse and alli.

When my friends found out I bought alli, they said, 'don't do it! You'll crap your pants!' You see, alli blocks 25% of the fats you eat from being absorbed. That 25% has to go somewhere. If you severely reduce the fats you intake, the symptoms are minimal (so says the instruction booklet). In fact, the instructions specifically state that you should go on your low fat diet a minimum of 3 days BEFORE starting to take the pills!

I intend to do a week long cleanse along with the low fat diet before starting the alli pills. I start the cleanse tomorrow.

I also have to keep a food journal and count calories to keep it below 1800 per day. I can do that.

Wish me luck!

Will and Helena are home!

I took balloons with me to pick up Will at the airport on Monday. Yeah, he didn't like that too much. They embarrassed him so I ended up carrying them throughout the airport. He was very casual about coming home and didn't even want a hug from me when I picked him up. Again with that embarrassment thing! After being home for about an hour, he was 'bored'. I think he is glad to be home, but I also think he prefers the Pacific Northwest to Utah, now. He definitely wants to go back next summer!

Oh yeah. and the shaggy hair in the picture? I tried to get him to let me cut his hair before his trip and he wouldn't let me. He planned to grow it super long and cut it short just before Halloween except for a 'Jedi braid'. I say planned to, because as soon as he got home, he asked me to buzz off all his hair. Now he has a military style buzz cut. Why, oh why couldn't he let me cut it when I wanted to?!? Again with that teen aged independence thing!

I wanted to love on him and hug him and tell him how much I missed him; but he really was so prickly I was unable to do so. He is pulling away from his mother more and more rapidly and it makes me sad, even though I understand and know that it must be.

I failed to check the flight status before we left the house for Helena's homecoming. Oops. When we got to the airport and read the arrivals board, we discovered that her flight was an hour delayed. So we sat around for an hour eating junk food.

When it was time, we gathered our stuff (including the balloons I bought to welcome her home, yup, balloons again!), and moved over to the foot of the escalators where the greeting area is. I noticed right away that there were several groups of people there to welcome home missionaries and service men and women. There was a sister missionary coming home from Belgium, a missionary from Germany, and a couple of service men. Those two made me tear up! The first serviceman who came down the stairs flew down them into the waiting arms of his wife, who held onto him as if she would never let go. The next serviceman came quietly up to his wife, who was waiting right behind us, to meet his brand new, 10 day old baby twins!

Not long after that Helena and her friends and chaperon arrived! I think she was a little embarrassed about the balloons, too, but was happy to be home! It was 6:00 a.m. according to her body clock, but 10:00 p.m. for us.

At home, she unpacked all the treasures she had brought back for us from her adventure and was very anxious to know if they were 'okay'. While I loved the gifts, it is really having her home again that is the true treasure for me! I love her so much and have missed her! She did let me hug her and love on her. I guess it is a girl thing. It is very good to have everyone back now!

I will be posting stories of travels for both of the kids once Will's 35 mm film is developed and Helena has a chance to organize and tweak her photos so that I can photo illustrate my narrations!

WELCOME HOME TO BOTH MY KIDDOS!!!

The Empty Nest, Trial Run No.1

I am now 1/2 way through my childless week. It has been an illuminating experience for me.

I wasn't sure how I would handle it. Would I be missing my kids 24/7? Would I be lonely in the house alone while Bill was at work? Would I this? Would I that?

I posted this as Trial Run No.1 because I am sure it will just be the first of many over the next 5-7 years, which is all the time I have left before my kids are grown ups and moving out for real.

Well, getting up in the morning is completely stress free. There is no one I have to be responsible for other than myself, so my mornings are extremely peaceful.

I walk up to the rec center at 10:15 a.m. each weekday morning to teach summer art classes, and I am home again by 12:30 p.m. The classes are full (26 kids in this week's class and 26 in next week's class, too), which means I am making $57.00 an hour! Still, I am glad it is only for 2 weeks!

I spend my afternoons doing chores and/or working on those doors. I don't turn on the TV or the radio. I ended up humming 'Oh My Father' while scraping varnish off of Will's bedroom door this afternoon because that is the hymn that will be sung by a Relief Society chorus this coming Sunday that I have to conduct! UGH!!! I am in half a mind to botch it royally so they never ask me to be the choir director! Kind of like putting empty beer cases on the front porch when you first move into a place to discourage callings, you know. Of course, watch, I'll botch it royally without even trying because it is something I have never had any training for and have never done before.

In the evening, when Bill gets home, he heads up to the rec center to exercise, and I have gone with him most days. Tonight he went to a cycling class while I swam laps, then we met for the 8:00 yoga class.

We both agreed that it is nice to be able to drop everything and just go to the store (or anywhere, for that matter) without having to check... where are the kids? What are their schedules? Do we want them to come along?

However, this might all seem so pleasant because I have an end date to this 'Empty Nest Trial' and I know my kids are coming back. I do miss them and can't wait to see them and hug them and hear all their fine adventures. I wonder if permanent 'Empty Nest' will be as pleasant as this has been.

Heard from Helena ... FINALLY!

We finally heard from Helena today. It was in the form of an e-mail, and I am pasting it in here so that you can all enjoy it with me!

hey everyone! how are you?! this key board is different and it is hard to type on! so, sorry!
my trip has been great so far and sorry i havent called anyone in forever. it is really hard to find phones that work over here...so, internet at the hotel is free and thats why youre getting an email instead!
so far, we have stayed at two hotels. both in austria. it is fabulous here! we went to venice yesterday and it was sooooooooo beautiful! the food is also way delicious! i can't pronounce any of it, but it is so delicious!
the people here are so nice! every single person ALWAYS stops for you at crosswalks....always. it is sweet. the weather is perfect too. between 70 and 85 every day. except venice. it was like 99 degrees in venice.
i am taking lots and lots and lots of pictures, so....you will get to see at least some of what i have seen.....
there is a line for the internet, so i have to go, but i will definitely email lots and lots. tomorrow is all class and performing so it will be at least one day till i email again but...i will definitely email!

lots and lots of loves,
helena :D

So! I am so glad she is having a great time, and I so can't wait 'til she comes home again! Love you, kiddo!

Will's flight

I took Will to the airport yesterday morning. He flew Southwest. I am a total fan of Southwest after the extremely accommodating treatment we received!

Will wanted to take his lacrosse stick with him so that he could practice while visiting his grandma and grandpa (meaning, he wants grandpa to throw lacrosse balls at him while he tries to deflect or catch them with the stick). I was willing to send it provided it didn't cost too much.

Several security guards saw us walk by with the stick and informed us that it would have to be checked, that it was considered 'a weapon' and could not be carried on. I knew that Delta had a $50 fee each way for such things, so I was discouraged.

However, the lady at the SW counter said, no problem! She tagged it, stuck it in a huge bag, and had us check it with his suitcase FOR FREE! Southwest allows 2 checked bags and treated the stick as the second checked bag. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT !!! The other airlines could take lessons in customer relations from Southwest!

Will has never flown alone before. In fact, he has no memories of flying commercially at all. He was too young to remember it the last time we flew. It is simply cheaper to drive with a family. That was before 9/11 and the new restrictions, of course.

I was concerned about Will finding his way to the gate and knowing what to do once he got there. Again, there was no problem! The kind lady behind the counter gave me a non-passenger escort pass to go with him to the gate.

That's another thing, at 13, Delta would have charged us an ADDITIONAL $200 because he was an 'unaccompanied minor'! That is more that the original ticket cost! Southwest does not charge fees for unaccompanied minors, and considers 13 old enough to take care of itself. For some kids that might be scary. Not for Will. He has a good head on his shoulders. He really didn't need me to escort him, I just wanted to be there for my own sake. He is my youngest, after all!

All the way around, it was a pleasant experience for me and a fun one for him.

Now he is in Washington State with his grandparents, sailing, playing, and eating to his heart's content.

While the kids are gone

I felt that now would be the best time to pull their bedroom doors off their hinges and strip the paint/stain off them and re-paint/stain them. Since they are not home, they won't be inconvenienced with a lack of privacy during the operation, which will take several days. The doors are 80+ years old and Helena's has many layers of paint on it. The photo above is of Helena's bedroom door AFTER stripping the paint off of one side of it. I was very pleased to find that the door was originally stained. Bill was concerned that the doors might be 'paint grade' wood instead of a higher quality that can be stained.

I won't have to put tons of effort into this side of the door, as it is to be repainted to harmonize with the interior of Helena's room. The other side will take considerably more effort, since I need to strip the paint AND leech the stain out so that I can put a new stain on it that will match the woodwork in the family room.

Will's door has the original stain that was never painted over, so it will hopefully be easier!

My back was killing me after this afternoon's work on the door, but I went to yoga with Bill tonight and my back is feeling much better!

The difference between girls and boys

At least when it comes to packing for a trip.

Helena spent hours and even DAYS agonizing over every item she would take with her on her adventure. She packed and repacked. She insisted I sit with her and share the experience with her. She didn't want my advice, or at least, not much of it. She just wanted my presence to share in the anticipation. She worried over every item and stressed that she had packed too much. She wanted to take TONS of stuff, but had to keep it lightweight enough to quickly and easily toss it onto a train or into a bus. Packing was a real part of the adventure for her.

When it was Will's turn, he grabbed his old, child sized suitcase and tossed some stuff into it. When I asked him about his packing he said, "It's done, Mom."
I asked, "What did you pack?"
"Stuff.", was his reply.
"What 'Stuff'?" I rejoined. (I know, stimulating conversation, but that is often all you get with a 13 year old boy.)

So, I insisted he show me his packing. I might as well have thrown insults to his face; the reaction would have been the same! 'Aww, Mom! No! You don't need to! I took care of it! Why do you have to be that way! I'm not unpacking it just to show it to you!'

Notwithstanding the wonderful response from him, I insisted.

HE HAD PACKED PRACTICALLY NOTHING!

There were four t-shirts, 3 shorts, and one pair of pants! A couple of pj bottoms, dress pants and a sweater. Some socks and some underwear, but not enough to last the week.

He is going to a cool climate to learn to sail for goodness sake!

He refused to revise his packing, so I sent him away to play video games while I took the matter in hand. I pulled out a larger suitcase and added in what was necessary to make him decently prepared for his adventure. So much for the Boy Scout motto!

The difference in their approach to this task has been very comical to me and perhaps sums up the difference between girls and boys. At the very least, it demonstrates the severe difference between brother and sister!

Matt stopped by for a visit!!!

Matt had some leave from Miramar, so he drove up to visit with his Mom, then came down to see us! It was only overnight, but we were very grateful to be able to spend time with him. He and Helena missed one another, and she was a little bummed about that.

We went to Tucanos for dinner after first having to drive completely around a closed road due to the Orem city's parade and festival. I have to give a great big commendation to Tucanos; they give military service men and women a fantastic discount! I am happy to give my business to a company that honors our military personnel!

Unfortunately, we were not able to meet Matt's girlfriend, Michelle, since she had to fly back to San Diego early for work. She must be a wonderful girl since Matt thinks so highly of her. We hope to be able to meet her sometime soon.

This photo was shot on my front porch during a rain/thunderstorm. Yes, he really picked me up! Will took dares from Matt to run out into the wet without his shirt and to go jump in the ditch. Will is just thrilled to have Matt come tease and torment him. He puts up with tons of torture from Matt that would send him over the edge in anger at anyone else. He just about hero worships his big brother and I am so happy he has such an awesome big brother to look up to! Thank you, Matt!!!!

All that time in the airport and not a single photo!

I AM SOOOOO SORRY!!! I was going to take pictures of the girls off on their big world adventure, but I was so caught up in the moment that I completely forgot!

Helena spent a frenzied couple of hours last night unpacking and repacking her carry on and suitcase. She didn't really need to; it was just nerves. Last night I helped her with online check in and printed her boarding pass. This afternoon we simply walked straight up to the counter past all the people messing with the check in kiosks and turned over her checked luggage. Technology sure has made things easier! We then waited around for about an hour while everyone else in the group trickled in and messed with the kiosks.

At one point it was discovered that about half of the ballerinas' suitcases had been routed to Paris/DeGaulle instead of Munich and that had to be straightened out. Fortunately, Helena's had been routed correctly! When that was finally squared away, we then realized that I had failed to print Helena's second boarding pass (the one from Paris to Munich), so we had to go over to the kiosks after all and reprint it. So much for my effort to plan ahead! It is probably just as well. I was glad for an opportunity for Helena to become acquainted with how they work. She will have to use them coming home.

When everyone was finally ready, it was a quick hug and kiss and we sent her through the check point. We watched long enough to see them inspect her passport. Once she was past that first hurdle, we left. It was like kindergarten all over again... me hovering and anxious, her smiling and happily walking towards big adventure! I expect she will come back to me with a huge smile on her face, just like that day so long ago.

Now I know that she is speeding away from me, off to big adventures. I will feel better when I know that they have landed! I hope to hear from her at about 6:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, which is when they will arrive in Munich (2:30 p.m. Munich time).

Just a few days more

Helena is mostly packed, now. The picture above is of her luggage. We were told to print a photo of her luggage and put it in her carry on. This is in case her luggage gets lost en route so she will have an image to show to the officials so they can help her locate it. I'll probably do the same for Will, though his flight is a straight shot and they would have to be complete imbeciles to lose it. The smaller is her carry on and the larger is checked. Neither is large at all. She needs to be able to lug it in and out of trains and buses quickly, so it had to be on the smaller side.

Helena is SO WIRED! She can't sleep and is literally bouncing around the house in a hyper-frenzy of anticipation. She has been in classes and rehearsals from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. every day this week. Tomorrow she will be performing the Austria material with her ballet company in the big tent of the Orem city festival in the park behind the library and police station at 2:30 p.m. After that, her costumes will be given to her to pack for Europe. She is responsible for transporting her own costumes and has strict instructions to put them in her carry on so they don't get lost. She has a section of it reserved for them. Then they report in at the airport at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday!

So, other than costumes and other dance stuff (pointe and technique shoes, for instance). She is ready! I think I am, too.

My Summer Goals

Okay, it is time!



Time to make a Summer Resolution List.



I make one every year and post it in the kitchen. There is no particular order to some of the things on the list, but some of them are time specific. Also, some of them are easy to accomplish, because they have a momentum of their own and will happen without much effort on my part. Other things are truly a struggle for me. I put them all on the list, however, because it gives me a huge sense of accomplishment to see all of the things that happened during my 'off' time.



So, here goes....

• (DONE!) send Will to Lacrosse camp, June 1-4
• (DONE!) take Helena to ballet rehearsals, June 5 &6
• (DONE!) clean house and set up guest room for Michelle (Matt's girlfriend), June 5-7
• take Helena to ballet intensive and rehearsals June 8-12
• (ALMOST DONE!) help Helena pack for and send her to Europe, June 13-26
• help Will pack and send him to Washington, June 15-22
• while kids are gone, take down their doors, strip them and re-stain them
• take Will to Band Camp, June 23-26
• help Helena pack and send her to Girl's Camp, June 27ish
• sign Helena up for Driver's Ed and take her
• send Will to Scout Camp July 20th-25th
• (DONE!) trade in Will's trumpet for a Euphonium
• (DONE!) get furniture for the family room
• (DONE!) get dining room table and chairs
• find a hutch and sideboard
• strip and stain remaining doors downstairs
• set up study schedule for kids in July/early August to get ready for school
• EXERCISE!!! 30-45 min. cardio each day
• EXERCISE!!! Sit-ups and push ups every morning (increase reps over time)
• EXERCISE!!! Swim laps at least twice a week
• cut down portion sizes on luxury foods
• eat more protein, fruits, and veggies
• read 4 books off my book list
• yard landscaping done (okay, this is really Bill, not me, but I will help where ever I can)

The first dinner party

A new dining room table needs to be 'christened' with a dinner party! So, I invited my brother, Erik, and his family, my sister, Kirsten, and her family, and my mother-in-law, Doril, to join us for Sunday dinner. You all know that I am a terrible day to day cook, but if I put my mind to it, I can put together an acceptable menu for a party.

We had 'Company Chicken' (baked in a sherry broth w/Parmesan cheese), a stir-fry that included snap peas from Bill's garden, a garden salad (w/home grown greens), an olive salad, rice, and french bread.

Oh! It felt so wonderful to have everyone gathered around the table, passing the dishes and laughing to shared conversation!!!! We have endured a year without a dining table; sitting on the couch in front of the TV instead. What a pitiful substitute that was! We endured it so long that it has become habit and I have to remind Bill daily that we have a table now. He automatically sits on the couch with his dinner.

The dinner party helped me to realize that instead of finding two small hutches for the room, what I really need is one small hutch and one small sideboard. The food fit on the table with just a little crowding, but the ice/punch bowl and drinks need a sideboard!

Doril left after dinner to go visit Crystal, and the rest of the party migrated to the family room to 'christen' the new furniture in there with a game night. While the games and conversation were priceless, the truly memorable part of the evening was watching baby Tori chase our cat, Pepper, around the room! Pepper was very apprehensive about this little bundle of energy and tried hard not to let her get him while still remaining in the room. Pepper is a social cat and likes to be where the people are. Tori did manage to manhandle him a few times and he mostly kept his claws in check. By the end, it seemed as though he had decided that 'keep away from Tori' was a fun game to play.

The final comments on the evening have to be a great big THANK YOU to Will for keeping his young Weierholt cousins, Kris and Dallin, entertained for the entire evening! Will cheerfully sat at the 'kids' table with them, then played with them outside and on the Xbox, allowing their parents to relax and enjoy the evening! Kudos to you, kiddo!!

Thoughts on ballet

Here is a story for you, sit back and prepare for a novel of a read today;

Once upon a time, there was a spunky, short haired tomboy of a young girl who wanted to learn to dance. Her fourth grade teacher had announced an after school ballet class that would be taught in the gym and she was very excited. She ran home and begged her mom, who readily agreed and signed her up for the community ballet class.

This little girl was happy going to her ballet class for a few weeks, then two dreadful things happened. Firstly, a new girl moved into her class. The new girl's name was Denise. Denise had long, dark hair that was pulled back with a clip every day. Denise had a white blouse and plaid skirt with a large, shiny brass safety pin accessory on the front of it. Denise was a little ballerina. She didn't just come to class, she 'arrived'.

When our little dancer told Denise that she was a dancer, too (hoping to make friends), Denise asked where she took ballet. When being told it was at the gym of the school, Denise turned her nose up and said in disdain "That's not real ballet! I take ballet at a ballet studio. I am dancing in the Nutcracker with Pacific Northwest Ballet." And with a sniff, she marched away. Our little dancer was crushed and humiliated.

The second dreadful thing that happened was the fact that some of the boys from school would sometimes pop their heads in the gym and tease the little dancers about their hair, leotards, and poses. Our little dancer because ashamed of her hair, leotard, and poses.

That is why, when it was time to pay for a new semester of dance, our little would-be dancer said 'no, thanks' even though the teacher told her that she held much promise. Her mom was confused and frustrated with her for what seemed to have been a waste of time and family resources.


Yes, that little would-be dancer was me.


Now, fast forward about 17 years. I was a young mother trying to get the laundry done and finding it very difficult with an overly hyper 3 year old daughter to watch. Nothing would settle little Helena so I could get the work done. It was near to Christmas time, so I scanned channels on the TV, hoping to find a cartoon for her to watch. Nothing I found held her interest until I stumbled across The Nutcracker on the local PBS station. She was riveted! She did not move a muscle for the entire performance! I got the laundry done!

For weeks after, Helena twirled around the apartment saying "Look, Mommy! I'm Clara!"

I could read the writing on the wall.

We initially chose to put her in a jazz/tap/tumbling/ballet dance studio because it was run by our across the way and down the street neighbor. We quickly realized it was a no go. There was too much shimmy and shake going on at that studio, and Helena was a bit of a discipline problem. A little research uncovered a studio that taught only pure, classical ballet. We signed her up.

Little girl ballet is awfully cute! For 1/2 an hour once a week, I would sit on the other side of a one sided mirror window and watch with other Mommies as our little ones twirled around in a joy of movement.

Most little girls outgrow ballet and move on to other interests. One quit for soccer, another for violin, others for school council, golf, and ballroom. As the years went by, one by one Helena's old ballet classmates dropped out. I kept waiting for Helena to lose the fire, too.

She never did. Oh, sure, for a little while when she was about 8 she would say "Mom, I don't feel like going to ballet today."

I would respond, "That's fine, dear. But if you don't go today, you're not going ever. You have to decide. You either go, or you don't. There is no wishy-washy in-between." She always chose to go to ballet.

Now that she is a big, nearly grown up girl, ballet costs a small mint and consumes considerable time. But, the fire still burns within her and I wouldn't dream of denying her the opportunity to explore that passion within her. There is a saying that is something like 'if you can't find good love, you'll take the bad'. That is how I feel about dance. If I don't provide the opportunity to study the pure, classical ballet (which costs more), she would undoubtedly turn to what passes for dance in popular culture (which can be found in any cheap dance class).

So, here we are, today. I don't know if the years of training will blossom into a career, or if she will simply go another way. If she chooses to become a photographer instead, I am okay with that. We come to this world to learn all we can about ourselves and to develop those gifts given to us by our Heavenly Father. I will continue to help my kids develop in every way I can until they are no longer my responsibility. Then, I hope they will continue on their own!

Will's monster peel back

Will's back has been peeling for days. Every day after lacrosse camp he asked me to help him get the top layer off. It would be covered with what looked like water blisters! It came off in some of the largest pieces! I know, gross, yet fascinating. Kind of like peeling glue off your hand, only on a much larger scale.

He says he has a Frankenstein back because it is a patchwork of tan and angry red. The red splotches are the places the skin has already peeled away and the next layer of burned skin is visible. That red skin is now beginning to peel as well. He is constantly itchy and I have to stay on his case to not rub at it (especially on his arms) or he will leave a pile of skin flakes in his wake. Talk about disgusting!

He has never burned like this before in his life! Of course, that is because I have always been very careful of the sun with his red hair and pale complexion. This was the first time he was in charge, and he blew it. Now he says he won't go to the pool for the rest of the summer because he doesn't want to go through this again. I told him not to be a blockhead! This is what sunscreen was invented for!

UFOs over Harvest Hills!

Last night when Bill got home from the gym he told me to come out and see the UFOs. I thought he was joking, but when I got outside I discovered that he really wasn't! We grabbed the binoculars and the telescope to try and figure out what these gently floating bright lights were.

Our best guess was some sort of flares that the soldiers at Camp Williams (right next to the Harvest Hills subdivision) were shooting off.

Will suggested that they were flares on paratroop training jumps. Maybe. I am just certain that these UFOs were military and not alien!

We didn't stay out very long, the mosquitoes were fierce last night!

Did I say I was done?

You should never, NEVER, look at the classifieds unless you are ready to go out and get the treasures you find!

I went to the 'advanced search' and typed in 'mission' under 'furniture'.

BINGO!

I found a set of 6 mission style chairs being sold by the same woman who sold me the other two!

It turns out that she is looking for chairs for her kitchen table, found this set on ksl, and brought them home from Layton only to discover that they wouldn't work! Something about being too wide to slide under. That was probably the case with the other two, as well!

Anyway, she listed the 6 chairs for $120, but told me that one was damaged, so she would sell them to me for $100. That is $20 per chair (for the undamaged ones, the damaged one was free). Since it is well under my $50 budget, I jumped in and bought them yesterday. I think they look fabulous!

Bill didn't know about them and found out when he got home. He isn't sure he likes how wide in the seat they are, but truthfully doesn't really care. He's just glad I am happy. He is wonderful that way!

So now I am truly done and will not be looking at the classifieds for some time. No, I hate window shopping, so I will stay away for fear of temptation. 'If you aren't shopping, don't look' is my motto!

Back yard update

Here is a current view of the back yard. Bill has been working hard on it! We are hoping to pour concrete on that raised part, around the fire pit. It will make a much larger and more usable back patio. Eventually the lower part will be grass instead of dirt. The stairs are amazing! I can't believe how lucky I am to have such a talented husband! It would cost a fortune to pay someone to make it look as good.

Shopping the KSL classifieds

We needed furniture badly. We didn't have much money to buy it. We WON'T go into debt for furniture!!!

What's a person to do, then?

Shop the classifieds, of course! ksl.com has an extremely comprehensive classified section where everyone is selling everything! I have spent the past week searching for just the right things to go into my house. I have driven all over the Wasatch Front looking at and collecting furniture.

The sectional (which will have a leather ottoman) was bought direct from the factory in West Jordan. The maker let us pick the fabric/leather and whether the cushions would be attached or detached (detached!). He told us it would take two weeks to build. However, when we made our selections, he told us there was one already built to those exact specs in the back! Someone else had ordered it, then couldn't come up with the money to pay. Their loss was our gain! That is why we have the sectional, but not the ottoman. It is still being built.

It cost a bit more to order brand new, but couches can be a scary thing to buy used, you know? And we saved about $1,000 by going directly to the maker!

The table and chair set came from Spanish Fork. A young couple there bought it, put it together, then discovered it was too small for their family! They never even used it! Brand new table and 6 chairs for $300!

Not pictured is my new dining room table. It is a 6' solid oak mission style table with an additional 17" leaf extension. $100!!! A lady in Bountiful was downscaling in the aftermath of a divorce. I also collected two gorgeous dining chairs from a lady in Pleasant Grove ($60 for both). She never did say why she no longer wanted them. They look very nice with the table. I plan to create an eclectic collection of dining chairs over time. It should be fun to wait and hunt for perfect pieces that fit my budget ($50 or less per chair).

I am done shopping the classifieds, for now. Other than the chair collecting, of course. That could take some time.

Helena without braces!

Helena had her braces removed yesterday! You can tell she is extremely happy. She couldn't stop smiling all day. Her smile is so much bigger and brighter now! We go back to the orthodontist tomorrow to pick up her upper retainer. They installed a permanent retainer on the bottom.

Oh, what a beautiful girl she is!

Vast search of Atlantic Ocean for Air France jet

This news story is what woke me up this morning. Oh, how I feel for the families! I also immediately thought about the fact that I will be putting my little girl onto a plane bound for Paris in just under two weeks!

I know the chances of such a thing happening twice in two weeks are non-existent. I know the chances of it happening this first time were slim in the extreme. I can't help worrying nonetheless! She is my baby girl and I am sending her off around the world. I hope that she is ready. I trust her chaperons to keep her safe. I pray that such unforeseen accidents will not happen!