11 Reasons

1. 11 yr old boys don't run away (helpful people pointed my way but didn't stop him)

2. 11 yr old boys answer questions when asked

3. 11 yr old boys don't throw temper tantrums

4. 11 yr old boys can follow directions

5. 11 yr old boys are generally courteous and mindful of others

6. 11 yr old boys open to suggestions

7. 11 yr old boys can make reasonable decisions on their own (age appropriate)

8. 11 yr old boys don't scream at adults (parents excluded)

9. 11 yr old boys don't kick tables incessantly (giving doctor/parent headache)

10. 11 yr old boys hate shots (just 2)

11. 11 yr old boy realizes error of his ways earlier and apologizes all on his own

In spite of his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad morning we ended the day on a positive note. Before apologizing Tylor had cleaned his room, made his bed, fed his fish and hamster, and had done his reading. Maybe I'll keep him. Maybe

Tomatoes

We decided to plant only two tomato plants this year. We had three last year and were a little overwhelmed with tomato based recipes for weeks. My neighbors, while grateful at first, started to avoid my offers and stopped answering their doors when they saw my shadow darkening it.

We have had a nice steady supply for about 4 weeks of two or three ripe tomatoes per week. Not too many to eat and feel like I was making up recipes (tomato ice cream?) to get rid of them. This week I swear I watered on Sunday night took a peek and didn't see any ripe yet but Monday afternoon there were 8, Tuesday 4, Wednesday 4, and Thursday 5. Really?

I have presented our harvest to our neighbors and friends. No one has stopped talking to me ... yet.

My Little Seamstress or Introducing Designs by Lauren

Little Miss Lauren has been sewing her heart out this summer. She has made; 2 pillowcases (see above), 3 skirts (see one below), 2 beach sized tote bags (one below but hard to see), a pillow (she made her own pattern!?), a headband and several fabric flowers. She loves sewing!

She has the pattern for her Halloween costume already, a gypsy outfit. She already has the fabric picked out and is gathering notions. What cracks me up is that she knows what a french seam is. Can anyone tell ME what a french seam is?

I remember when Mom tried to teach me to sew. Dad said I had to learn before I could get my license. Marcy sewed, Debbie sewed, so, really, how hard could it be? I picked out an elastic topped material that we were going to do one seam up the side, hem and add spaghetti straps. I knew Mom was bent on torture. Against the Geneva Convention torture! I was willing to go with the Chinese water torture rather than submit to this. It was awful, took weeks to finish and then, AND THEN, I had to wear it to church. Ugh. I was mortified when Jennifer Condi (Suzie homemaker even at 15.) said in her sweetest voice, "Nice dress.". At the time I thought she was the devil himself and was in with my mother on the total teenage mortification plan. (Now I know she was just being sympathetic and nice - drat her.) I put it away and never wore it again. I think I passed it down to someone - no idea who wore it next but at least it wasn't me.

I am really happy Lauren loves to sew and I have, thanks to patient and understanding friends and family, come to enjoy it sometimes. Projects still scare me but I think with Lauren learning I may have the courage to try again.

Conspiracy Theory

This morning at 8:15 I got a call from the 1st counselor in the bishopric who told me my recommend expired yesterday and they could fit me in before church. I was ready the kids weren't, Jim said he would drop them off at 9 for me. I got my interview fast and easy. First Sunday of the month so a member of the stake was there for that interview. President Daley was a little late but he is always worth waiting for. Nice interview AND a priesthood blessing to boot. As I left church I thought that Heavenly Father has a conspiracy going with the leadership of the church. Yup, a conspiracy I tell you! I have a tendacy to get very frustrated if things aren't just so - I know this is a surprise to most of you. Well, I had planned on going to the temple with a friend of mine next week and hadn't even noticed it was close to the expiration for my recommend. I would have been very put out (insert "mad" here if you know me really well) if I had gotten there and hadn't been able to go in. So, the leadership listened to HF and called me, Jim was home and available, and it was the first Sunday so I didn't have to make another appointment and take time out of my week to go to another interview. Better stay inside the rest of the week... ;-)