Bathroom and a rant...

Jeff taped and covered the seams on the drywall today. It's not too pretty but it will all be covered up by a pretty paint....sigh, that's my job. But, I can't start until he textures the new drywall boards. Another seam....aren't you excited? I am...not....
RANT for the day: So, today was the first day of swim class. Neil didn't do too well...partially because it was his first class since last summer...so, the manager spoke to him. When Jeff asked Neil what the manager said....Neil said, "I don't remember..." Jeff told him to stand there and think about it. We went to the car and then called Neil over....it was less than 10 seconds...he was one car length from our van. Jeff wanted to cool down before we got in the car. Then this Indian woman walks over and states "In this country, you can get arrested for that..." Please note that Neil was already in the car. It was less than 10 seconds...Luckily, I answered before Jeff screamed at her...but, really, "In this country..."? After all, this is the woman whose child was in the building and had to open a heavy door (that I swear can cut a kid's finger off) while she chatted and walked to her car....we ended up holding the door open for the kid....ok...rant is over with..but, if you want to set Jeff off...start a sentence with "In this country..." and then duck!

Burp Cloths and Bathroom....

Last night I was up a little late...I decided last minute...(Saturday night) to make burp cloths for a baby shower I can not attend in LA this weekend. (Hmmm...I hope Jazel isn't reading this...)The boys picked out the blue ocean material...it has a tiny blue/white stripe material for the back. I picked out the moon and bows material...I used tiny blue and yellow polka dot material for the back. Today, I was really productive, (esp. considering I got out of the house so late....) I wanted to pick up a little toy and gift card to go with the burp cloths - (done). Jeff also wanted me to get the paint and sheetrock joint compound at Lowes - (done). Stop by and check on Grandma - (done). Drycleaning - (done). Box and mail off Jazel's baby present - (done, done and done ---I stopped at the post office...the line was too long and I didn't like the boxes. I went to the Hallmark shop, the post office there...closed and I didn't like their boxes...ended up at Target (gotta love it there!) found a box and mailing tape...and back to the original Post Office, BUT I used the self-service kiosk. I hope it gets to LA...)

Last, but not least, I washed all of the walls in the bathroom. Yes, I know it doesn't look like it...but, yes it was washed...and we won't talk about how NASTY the walls were...

Jeff has put up sheetrock on the wall!!! YEAH! It has been "open" for over 18 months. I am such a patient wife! yeah yeah yeah....I am doing the happy dance!!!! I don't even care if it gets painted...um, maybe I shouldn't have said that....hmmm...I think it's my job to prime/paint anyways...

Lastly, Lori won the challenge. She called me today at 10 am.

SACBC, Girl's Trip Goodie and more about the bathroom....

Jordan, Neil and I went to Dharma (Sunday) School today at SACBC. It was Jordan's turn to ring the bell (kansho). Here he is with Shoyo Sensei...Jordan needs a little more practice... unfortunately, we haven't been able to go to services much this year...but, we did go to Hanamatsuri in Salinas...the Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America was speaking!

Neil is leading Metta Meditation...."I care about myself. I am peaceful. I'll be peaceful. I care about everyone. May everyone be peaceful. Namo Amida, Namo Amida, Namo Amida Butsu."

Now for the fun part...I made these fun little "Girl's Trip" albums. Actually, it's just a little scrapbook with about 8-9 pages in it. I thought it would be cool to put a picture or two from each of our upcoming (and last year's) Girl's trips as a momento. I am waiting for some pictures to come in from Shutterfly for last year's Ko'Olina trip.

What's the fun part? I wanted to see who is reading my BLOG...WHOEVER calls me first...gets first pick...of the albums. (Sorry, this is only for Kathy, Michelle, Lori and Betty ---but, I don't think Betty knows about my Blog...so, Kath, Chelle and Lor have an advantage!)

This year's trip is LAS VEGAS, baby! WHOO HOO....I wonder if I can talk the girls into going to see Donny and Marie ;-)

Some people may have wondered why Jeff didn't go to church with us today...he was a busy man tearing out the linoleum and baseboard out of the bathroom...he even replaced some of the greenboard.

Tomorrow, I am tasked with buying paint, and wiping down "everything"...lovely....I do need to finish up some sewing...more about that tomorrow...

Oh...did you notice something different about my BLOG? I noticed that my friend Betty had music on her BLOG...so, I added a music player....I hope no one gets in trouble at work! =-D

Birthdays, Mother's Day and Bathroom

Today, we celebrated Grandma's (93), Dave (34) and Shizuka's (34?) birthdays at Claim Jumper's Restaurant in Fremont!
It was also our Mother's Day celebration. Here is Mom with the necklace that Dean got her...(and I made last night).

This is the newest member of the family...Kylie. This picture is right between screams.

After everyone left...Jeff decided that it was time to finish the boys' bathroom. The backstory on the boys' bathroom is that when Jeff remodeled our bathroom, he tore out the wall, cabinets, sink etc in the boys' bathroom...about a week before Neil's family birthday party in 2007. With much whining and complaining...he got a pedestal sink in the bathroom before the party. Of course, since it was "temporary", he didn't want to move/cut the plumbing...so, he attached two SCRAP 2x6's to the wall and the sink to the 2x6's....AUGH!!!!

This wall has been missing for about 18 months....

remember that button I couldn't find?

You guessed it, I found the button....oh well...maybe I'll find something else for it later.Meanwhile, while I was at my class last night, I picked up another rivoli (sp?) I decided to make another 'button', but, as usual...Joanie inspired me and I made it into a necklace. Pink and green are always a nice combo....the necklace is a 8-bead right angle stitch with 4mm Swarovski accents. (Joanie's necklace was much more elaborate with about 5-6 rivoli buttons and a more complex necklace design....this was a nice adaptation. She is ordering more rivolis tomorrow...I'll have to visit when the shipment gets in!)

I'll have to make another one for me. hmmm...purples and pinks? We shall see....

Russian Spiral

I just got back from my Russian Spiral class. It was GREAT...as usual! Thank you Joanie! Of course I used a light purple hex with a darker purple 11 seed bead. I love the effect....Next I am going to try a burgandy w/gold lined 8 seed bead with a shiny black 11 seed bead. (Sorry for the Bead Techie lingo....but, those who care know what I am talking about!)

It has been a while since I took a class...but, it was fun...and it was a nice break from sewing and crocheting/knitting....although, I do need to work on Baby Blanket #3. sigh...work is never done...

2008 Christmas is Complete!!!

Every year, we receive a lot of beautiful pictures in our Christmas/Holiday cards. I decided a few years ago, that I would "collage" the pictures into a poster frame in order to enjoy them every year. From prior experience, I realized that I couldn't put the collage together until April/May...yes, I have received cards in February.

Here is a pile of pictures....after I cropped the cards down...and before I laid out my collage.

This is the final project...but, I haven't "glued" anything down yet...so, who know what will happen...big wind, a big sneeze, cat walking across the pictures, Jeff bumping the table etc...

Unfortunately, dogs/cats and other animals have been omited from the collage. And multiple pictures have been eliminated....sorry!