A walk down memory lane.....

Every year as I open boxes filled with Christmas ornaments

and put them on the tree,

a rush of happy memories fill my heart.

One year while living in Provo I picked up a

teddy bear ornament for each of my children

and put their names on it.

They were so proud of each of their bears!

My first Christmas after being single, a co-worker,

Kari, had this ornament made for me.

She loved me and my family and wanted to

make sure we knew our family mattered!

What would Christmas be without an ornament made

in Kindergarden.

Macaroni letters included...but now missing an "A"!

My friend Karyn and I both had daughters

within two weeks of each other.

Both were named Ashley!

Karyn and I were together all the time.

Hours were spent sewing, cooking and talking.

Karyn decided our little girls must have

been friends before birth.

One year she gave us these angels to represent our girls

Who we affectionately called "Angel Buddies."

My dear friends Sharon and Arlene taught pre-school
and both CJ and Ashley were their students.
Baby Jesus sleeping in a walnut shell half was made
by Ashley during this time
and has hung on our tree for 22 Christmases!

Sharon gave me this Mr & Mrs Claus.

I still have the little box they came in and the sweet

note reminding me that every year I would think of her.

Isn't is wonderful and amazing how such little,

simple items remind us of people who touched our

lives long ago, but yet those sweet memories

live on, especially at Christmas!

My little heart is very grateful!

Another purse is born...and it's cute!!!

Jeanette wanted a purse for her mom....

so together we picked out colors she would like

and this is the result...

Jeanette requested a zipper closure...and I think I like it!

My favorite Italian caring the cute purse!

He really looks like he is enjoying it...

Doesn't he!!!

Real Happiness.....

Nothing could make a mom more happy than
to know your child has found the love of his life.
Only a few weeks left before their wedding!

What is this world coming to?......

Most people love getting gifts for Christmas!

Not me...I'm weird...I love getting

Christmas Cards...

And the ones that contain cheesey family letters

and pictures are my most FAVORITE!!

Oh, and I'm guilty of sending those too!

But this year...only a handful of cards

have appeared in my mailbox!

What's up with that?!?

Is the world changing...?

I guess I'm at fault too...and haven't sent a single card!

How sad!

Maybe everyone will get a

"Happy New Year/We're still alive" letter in January!

But just in case....

Merry Christmas to everyone!

If I have to deal with winter...I can at least imagine....

Winter is soooo boring...and cold....and frankly I don't like it.

I prefer bright, cute..and fun!

I just had to post these pictures of things I want to sew

once the holidays are over and my time is freer!

These outfits just make me smile

and sometime before Spring...there will be

little girls that I know wearing these!

CHANGE???...CHANGE.......CHANGE!!!!!!

I spent the Saturday before the election going door-to-door for McCain and Palin. Most people weren't home and the few I spoke with committed themselves to voting Republican. I felt some sense of relief that I was doing my part...you know...not sitting back...I wasn't going to be one of those, who 'after' the votes were tallied, complained about the final results. At the same time, while walking down a street, I decided that the stress of wondering who would win and listening/watching the reports would put me over the edge...really...I get that involved! So, in a self-preserving effort, I decided that come November 4th I would not come into contact with 'that' information...I would not listened to talk radio, the news, or even talk about the election. I also decided that fasting that day would be a good thing!

Monday night I began my fast and went to bed. I slept great. Next morning...no Good Morning America (I know..they're libs...but I watch anyway), no talk radio on my drive to work, instead, I actually listened to music and Conference talks. I voted, then went about my work...there was a prayer in my heart as I went about work that day!

As the day wound down I started to really feel a sense of peace coming over me. I thought about all that was going on in this great country...the lines of voters, the opinions, the contention, the reasons for why individuals were voting one way or the other and found myself so grateful that I had separated myself as much as I could from it all. In a quiet moment it occurred to me that, as much as everyone has done to elect their candidate, as much as we trust and believe in that 'someone' , that we (I) was really forgetting who is actually in control. I realized how easy it is to put our trust in the 'arm of flesh' instead of the Lord. With this thought came such incredible comfort!

So where am I at now?...well....we all know that there are things that are going to happen in this world that we have no control over. There are certain things (stuff we really don't want) that must and will happen before our Savior comes again...and there isn't anything we can do about it! Let me share this quote from Elder L. Tom Perry from last General Conference;

"There are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness....When our lives turn in an unanticipated and undesireable direction, sometimes we experience stress and anxiety. One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us - to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: "The best is yet to be." We can't predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come."

No, I'm not happy with the choice for president. Yes, I am very concerned that he and his associates will take this country down a path that isn't good. Yes, I think there are certain things we are going to loose, but...I do believe 'the best is yet to be!' I know I can look within myself and become a better person. I can do more to affect my surroundings. I can be better at 'standing for truth and righteousness.' I can do more to uplift and guide those around me. I can do more to be a light on the hill. In fact, we can all do more and can all be better and this will bring about CHANGE...yes...indeed...positive change. As the gap between good and evil increases it will require those of faith to stand firm, to remain faithful and fight the good fight. Yes, change is here and we get to decide what it will bring to our own lives....and besides...in four years...we get another chance!!!!

My first little creation....

I bought this fabric several weeks ago on

an Overland Park field trip with my friend Kara.

However, it wasn't until last Thursday that

I found time to sit down and sew it up!

I am so pleased with how it turned out and

actually gave it to Kara as a token of my appreciation

for introducing me to a darling quilt store..

Harper's Fabrics!

I just can't wait to make more....maybe this weekend.

I truly love sewing, fabric and all that goes with it!