Tina + Me = A Winning Combination

My friend Tina posted a picture of a skirt she had made for her daughter Maryn a little while ago. Of course, I don't know how to sew (I've sewn a few things, but not in many years and I've never sewn anything you can wear--successfully sewn anything you can wear that is.). So, I had to tell Tina that I was in love with the skirt she had made and told her I wish she lived closer, so she could help me to sew such a cute skirt for my own daughter.

Tina, being the amazing friend that she is, emailed me and told me if I'd pick out some fabric and mail it to her, she'd send me back a completed skirt.

How could I pass up such an offer?

The hardest part for me was picking out the material. The first fabric that caught my eye was red and it was so cute. I tried and tried to get a winning combination going on, but it was not happening. Once I switched to blue combos it all came together. Then, I was really on a roll, so I picked out enough fabric for another skirt as well. Doesn't that show you what a good friend Tina is?

Anyway, here they are! SOOOO CUTE!

By the Numbers

35: Number of people who were at our house yesterday for a yummy Memorial Day BBQ with homemade rootbeer & ice cream, pasta & cookie salads, chips, desserts, etc.

19: Number of those in attendance that were children age 5 and under.

200+: Number of times kids went down the Slip 'n Slide.

1: Number of kids that were "bowled" down the Slip 'n Slide.

15+: Pounds of food that didn't get eaten even though we all pigged out.

10 or so: Number of flies I killed in the house trying to eat that left over food.

11: Number of hours my kids slept after this exciting day.

0: Number of fights I witnessed between the kids (at least I didn't see any...)

Take a Look, It's in a Book...

• This morning I went to one of my favorite activities--book club! I actually belong to two different book clubs, one made up of women in my new ward and the one I went to today which is composed of women from my old ward. It used to be one of our interest groups for the ward, but was removed as an interest group...not a subject I like to discuss.
  
  The last two times we've gathered we've done a brunch theme where each of us brings a brunch type item and we talk about life, kids, etc. and eventually discuss the book as well. It's a lot of fun to hear people's perspectives on the book that month--what they loved, what they didn't like, how they felt about the characters, the symbolism they found in the book.
  
  Seriously, how can you not love to read? I know there are people out there who don't read. Why? I admit that I don't read a lot of self help or hard science type books, but I do love to read pretty much everything else. Admittedly, there is a lot of trashy literature out there, but there is so much interesting and thought-provoking material as well. I never understand how people can't get into books. I think I average reading a book about every week and a half.
  
  I always get really excited when I finish a good book, I want to share it with other people. I love to talk about it and see myself or my life experiences in the book. I love to learn about the author and see how their life is reflected in the book as well.
  
  I have a lot of areas in my life that I need to improve and that includes reading certain books. Some of the books I haven't read, but want to get around to are:
• Anna Karenina and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo (We're reading it for this month's book club!)
• 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriela Garcia Marquez
• For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemmingway
• Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote (Did you know he wrote this? Did you know he grew up with Harper Lee who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird--already read it.)
• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

So, what other suggestions do you have out there? I have read a lot of books, but am always looking for more suggestions. Feel free to leave yours.

Friends, Food, Fun

Do you remember hearing this slogan a while back? (see title) I think that it hits the nail on the head so to speak.
Honestly, yesterday I was having a crummy day as per my post. Don't we all have those days where we deeply ponder the unfairnesses that life has presented us and worry that it will never be right? I get in those funks sometimes...luckily for me, I have a wonderful husband who is so much wiser than I am. I also have such wonderful family members (Kell & Don) who take the time to tell me they love me and appreciate me. I'm sorry I posted when I was having a down moment, I hope you won't all think I'm ridiculous. Thanks for your support though, it really lifted my spirits.
Last week some of my girlfriends and I got together to do a craft project. One of my closest friends, Alacey, is incredibly creative and talented and so she volunteered to help us do a fun fall project. We tried for several weeks to establish a night we could all get together sans kids to make it happen. We literally could not find one single night that all of us women could meet. Finally, we decided to do it with the kids around.
It was chaotic, it took longer than it would've taken without the kids, my house was a mess, but more than any of those things--it was fun. After we had finished our little projects, we all started feeling the munchies. Alacey said, "I think we should go to Barro's for lunch." She didn't have to say it twice and we had all grabbed our kids and were out the door. For those of you not familiar with Barro's--it's a local pizza chain that has a kids' area with a huge TV which plays Disney movies, a play kitchen with tons of food items (even milk cartons that look real--huh Jen?) and a little house and car to play with. Oh yeah, the pizza is delicious too.
After we had devoured the pizza and we were rounding up the kids to head home, I had such a content feeling. Friendships do that don't they? A good chat with a close friend is akin to a good accomplishment--you just feel so satisfied when you've taken the time to do it well.
Today I had a group of girlfriends and their kids over again. It too brightened my spirits. It's just so nice to forget yourself for awhile and just play with friends. It's also refreshing to have a good night's sleep. Amazing how waking up in the morning and thinking about the blank slate of a new day will help you to keep your issues in perspective.
Though I may not have everything I need, or I think I need, I do have so much more than most. I have wonderful friends and I am grateful for them.

Audrey's Derek food fun

So, the perks with my hubby's job continue!

Wednesday night we went out to dinner with some friends of ours. We were "recruiting" them to come and work at my husband's firm. I am beginning to wish that I could recruit people once a week it was so yummy.

We ate at Ruth's Chris. Have any of you eaten there? I never had until last night, but it was worth the wait!!! It's a steak house and it's way out of the price we normally spend to eat out (think Panda Express $12 for the whole family), but when you're not paying, why not? I had the Ruth's Chris salad, filet and a side of Au Gratin potatoes. Of course I saved room for dessert which was a delicious creme brulee.

The only thing that could've been better is the name. Seriously, as an English major, what the heck kind of name is that? Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. So.... what does that mean? Ruth's Chris would mean that Chris belongs to Ruth, okay that makes sense. Now, we've established the Chris is Ruth's, but what is the Chris? Does Chris mean restaurant in some language? That wouldn't make sense either since its Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. This is some complex English enigma.

I get really annoyed at these businesses that don't do the apostrophe correctly. You know you've seen it everywhere! Bobs Paint and Supply. So, how many Bobs work there? Oh wait, you mean Bob owns the store? Did you know there's actually a way to signify such ownership and it's oh so easy to do? I realize with items such as Chris paint and supply it gets tricker to navigate--those darn s's and I also realize that the rules behind grammar are changed through the course of time and usage, but some things must be respected.

So, now that you've heard me out, just explain it to me! And, for future use--(feel free to ignore this portion of my blog, it's for my own self-soothing and reassurance).

The Apostrophe's Usage:

1. To Show Possession
Apostrophes can be used to show possession.
Singular possessive- add 's to the end of a singular noun to show possession
the book's cover
Mom's oven

If the word already ends in s, just add a '
Mr. Bates' cat

In compound nouns, place the apostrophe in the last word.
John and Cassie's house

Plural possessive- add ' to the end of a plural noun
managers' instructions
dogs' bones

2. In Contractions
Use apostrophes in contractions to show missing letters.
don't (do not)
I'd (I would)
Who's (who is)

3. To Make Plurals
Use apostrophes to make plurals for numbers, letters, and symbols that don't have plurals.
11's
A's, B's, and C's
do's and don'ts

4. To Show Dialects
Use apostrophes to show dialects or unusual English.
'd ye s'ppose ye 'ave

5. In Dates
Use apostrophes in dates to show missing numbers.
'69
'04

6. In Time or Quantity
Use apostrophes in amounts, times, or quantities.
three day's worth
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