Homemade coupons

I went to Joanns tonight to buy batting and backing for my latest quilt. When I handed my coupon to the sales clerk she noticed that there was no bar code on it (I had noticed that when I clipped the coupons). She mentioned the "no barcode" and then asked where the rest of my flyer was so she could sew my name on it. I told her I cut the coupons out and tossed it (isn't that what everyone does?). She started to give me a bit of attitude like she wasn't going to let me use it and I said, "I didn't make the coupon", and I told her I wasn't going to get those things without using a coupon (the quilt batting is $10.99/yard). She gave me the discount and everyone was happy. At least I was.

Quilt top: done

I started this quilt in February. I can't even remember when I finished the squares. Finally, last night I sewed all the squares together! I'll ship it off to "the quilt lady" in Iowa on Friday and she will do the machine quilting on it and then I'll bind it. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Thre's something about a dash of red.

May 21, 1959 - September 28, 1998

This photo [oldest to youngest: Robes, Ellen, John, Chuck] was taken in Portland the last time we were all together (1/98).

*****

My brother Robes died exactly 20 years from the day he entered the Missionary Training Center. Here is a story about him that his mission buddy "Barnes" told at his funeral.

In another city, I believe the town of St. Die in France, Robes became acquainted with a member of the church who was no longer active in the religion. The man had a bakery shop, and began baking around 5 o'clock every morning. Even though Robes was committed to tracting (going door-to-door) everyday from 9am until 9pm, Robes and his companion went to the bakery several mornings a week to assist in the baking chores. This was vintage Robes: identifying the needs of a friend and making time, albeit its inconvenience, helping out in any way possible.

At one point during his mission, Robes shared his baking skills with 175+ other missionaries. These missionaries convened for a mission-wide meeting in France. Missionaries traveled by bike, bus, train and automobile. Robes traveled by bakery truck and shared the gourmet pastries he had prepared that morning in the baker with all who attended!

I've said it before and I'll say it a million times: I miss him every day.

Click here to read my post from 4 years ago.

Comfort food

My brother John (who still lives in L.A.) is probably having dinner at Tito's tonight (Robes' favorite restaurant) while I made buttermilk pancakes for dinner.

For the Beauty of the Earth

Don't think I'm a Provo groopie, but I can't stop listening to this. I got it here.

My aged TV

My friend gave me a DVD/VCR combo recently. I was all jazzed up about watching movies as I drifted off to sleep until I turned my small TV (that I've had for years) around and realized there was nowhere to plug the colored cables in.

Before you even ask, here are the answers.

1. Yes, it is a color TV.

2. Yes, I know you can get an adapter box.

3. Yes, Footloose might be the first movie I watch with my new DVD/VCR combo.

I want to be like Kay when I grow up

My friend Kay turns 85 today. She's a really cool lady. I have known her son and his family for years but I only met her a few years ago when she joined the church. Her son was one of the (4) YM presidents I worked with when I was the YW president. Kay's son and his wife serve in one of the singles wards in the Stake so she drives herself to church every Sunday. She is always there and she always sits in the back. Kay and her daughter-in-law attend the Temple every week and then they go shopping and to lunch. I like to visit Kay; she is delightful company. The last time I visited her she told me about a bat getting in her apartment and how scared she was. We both laughed about it. I always ask about her latest knitting project. She has made numerous sweaters and hats for her great grandchildren. One time I visited her she sent me home with a beautiful knitted hat. Kay likes to read and she read the Book of Mormon this summer. I made this treat for Kay (brownies) and I'm going to visit her tomorrow after work.

Resting Flo-J

Flora Jane ("Flo-J") visited with her parents this weekend. She's their fourth and she certainly resembles her siblings. It was a treat to see her. She napped all through church so I only got a sleeping photo before they dashed away to hop on their flight to the wild wild west (Utar). Flo-J's dad is now a professor at BYU (or "the why" as my mom calls it).

Apple picking

We tried a new orchard this year: Red Apple Farm in Phillipston. It was only about 45 minutes away and it was lots of fun. They have hay rides, farm animals, a fall BBQ (the food was delicious), apple cider donuts, apple soda, pumpkin and apple picking and a little store.

Apple picking through the years

Elle at 5 and Elle at 1.

Today was apple picking

It was another great New England Fall day. Lots of pictures to follow...

Now for the Fall visitors

It was a great Summer for friends visiting and I think the Fall will be too. Hello Truscotts!

I'm not peeling potatoes

I'm reading "Half Broke Horses" by Jeannette Walls (who wrote "The Glass Castle")--and enjoying it. I read this quote this morning while riding the subway:

...women who didn't marry became old maids, spinsters who slept in the attic, sat in a corner peeling potatoes all day,

and were a burden on their families...

EP in the Boston Globe

A few weeks ago I noticed this article in the Boston Globe. Imagine my surprise when I turned the page to see the picture that was taken the day the Boston Temple steeple was attached -- and I'm the one on the far right taking pictures in the picture! Let me back up. The Boston Temple was dedicated almost ten years ago (October 1, 2000) without a steeple. Almost a year later the steeple was put on and I was on the Public Affairs Committee and was able to be there that day with my camera. One of the workers even gave me a hard hat to wear as I walked around. I'll have to dig out some of my photos from that day and post them. I also ended up with the bolt that kept the Angel Moroni in place in a wooden box .

Pencil cases

A few weeks ago I couldn't stop sewing. I made cloth napkins, coin purses, 2 quilted table toppers, burp cloths and some pencil cases for some new kindergartners.

I also made a pencil case for my sister-in-law Kim who started grad school. Part of hers was a piece of denim from Robes' jeans.

I started sewing again tonight...this time I stopped after two gifts.

I don't swim or tan...

...but I love living on the coast.

Because it's my nephew's birthday today

Lost in textlation

A few weeks ago I got a text late at night from "Elaine":

Are you feeling Earl?

Ewww! Gross. Who would send such an inappropriate message? I didn't know any Elaine. It was clearly a mistake. I quickly erased the text and I think I even turned my phone off.

TODAY I got this email from my dear friend Elaine (my YW president when I was 14, so yes, I do know an Elaine): I was watching Earl to see how close it came to Boston. I texted you to see if you were on the watch. Didn't hear back so I figured you either don't text or Earl came over the "auditorium" (my condo) and swept you away.

Since Earl was a recent hurricane, we'll chalk that up as "lost in textlation".

Camera sniping

Friendship

My friend Blue, that I met for lunch a few weeks ago (and wrote about here), wrote a nice post about meeting me on her blog.

The perfect day for a Clambake

Beach baptism

This girl got baptized at Crane Beach before the Clambake today. It was really cool. Just like last year.

Eleven pounds two ounces

I met (big) Anna tonight; she's adorable and looks a lot like her two older brothers.

R.S. Opening Social

Soup, bread, cookies & milk. Signing notebooks for the fourteen sisters that moved this summer. A pop quiz (one of the women in the ward was on the U.S. national bobsled team and one has been to 45 countries!) to get to know each other better. Personalizing little notebooks. Classes on healthy snacks, life long learning, and teaching kids to read. I think there were about 35 in attendance and it was a good night.