Domestic...bliss?

Amy (aka Mrs. Averett) has graciously volunteered to teach me, Lisa, Shaine, and Lyndy how to sew. The entails full use of a sewing machine, which even though hers is not the fancy model, and still be quite intimidating. There are all these loops and hooks that the thread has to go through, and then, if you press the pedal too hard, the needle really starts flying, and you better watch your fingers! I decided to start simple - a "roll" pillow, made with one piece of fabric and a 14"x6" pillow form. Although my seams were not quite straight, I am pretty pleased with how the pillow came out...



Any suggestions for my next project?

and i have the sunburn to prove it

So, Jeff and Daniel, two of my good friends, had the idea to go to Stinson Beach today. We headed out around 11, and had a great time. It was quite relaxing, despite the large crowd. There is something very soothing about the sound of the ocean. Here are a video and some pictures from our fun day at the beach. I am particularly fond of me with my shirt and sunglasses over my face. :)

The question no one's asking

So, it's fabulous that Sarah Shourd has been released from her 13-month imprisonment in Iran, but what I really want to know is this; with so many prime hiking locations in the U.S., WHY DID SHE AND HER TWO FRIENDS GO HIKING IN IRAQ???

Moving on...

I just want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support over the past few days. More quickly than I thought (and mostly with the Lord's comforting hand), the sharp pain in my heart is fading to a dull ache. You can't argue or be upset with what Heavenly Father has planned for your life; all you can do is say to Him, "Ok, You know what's best - show me." Being at the temple last night was very comforting and helped me immensely.

I am glad that my dog has been officially adopted by the Athey family, and know she will have a happy and fulfilling life there, and am sincerely hoping that she entirely quits the indoor potty habit she had. I also hope that there are no hard feelings between any members of the family and me. Jen and Michelle, if you read this, I have some cute black & white photos of your boys from the BBQ after Benjamin's blessing that I would be more than happy to send you.

Thank you to friends for making me laugh, especially Sara last night who made me howl with memories of the inclining bed in our apartment in Barcelona, and ridiculous talk of intestinal discomfort and pneumonia.

E-mails

I buy stuff from the internet. You know, tickets, jewelry, etc. Doing this however, has put me on everyone's e-mail list, and despite repeated attempts to remove my name, I keep getting these emails! I get e-mails from Ticketmaster telling me about tickets on sale and specials for the week. They also send me presale offers, which rarely come in handy, since I have no interest in seeing say, Cap'n Joe & the Shrimp Shack Shooters on Sunday, May 15, 2011.

The SF Symphony sends me e-mails to spouting the virtues of their upcoming performances, and, more frequently, asking for a donation. The obnoxiousness of these e-mails is topped only by the weekly phone calls, which for some reason, always occur on Sundays.

Some bulk e-mails are okay: I like to know that Disneyland has a new "Big Thunder Suite" at the Disneyland hotel, even if I could never afford to stay in it. I do not want to know, however, that Disney Movie Rewards "misses me." Uh...how can an inanimate program miss me? What they are really saying is, "Why aren't you buying more Disney movies?"

Bottom line is, while I understand marketing, I feel like I am spending an inordinate amount of time hitting the DELETE button on all these e-mails. Make it stop!