Next up on the design board-PROM!

Aw Yes! The romantic dream of every young girl....her prom dress....awwwwww......

Well, the production has begun. India has filled up notebook after notebook with designs of her dream dress, ever since she was about 10 years old. Now it is up to mama to bring her design to life. Prom is next Saturday, April 25. So......I may be sewing night and day, with a few bathroom breaks, a few swigs of coffee, and maybe a piece of toast or a bite or two of chocolate.

But here are the elements of the dress.

Ten yards of teal taffeta, purchased last year on clearance at $2.00 a yard,
One half yard of teal minkee for the underside of the shawl, boning, thread, interfacing, invisible zipper, Wonder Tape, and gorgeous satin ribbon.



Front of India's dream dress

Back of India's dream dress

So....bring on the Doris Day movie marathon and let the creating begin!!!!!

She's HOME and with the "A Touch of the Blarney" to boot!

YAY!!!! My weary world traveler is home! Though I do admit to throwing a few fits while she was gone, out of sheer frustration at her lack of communication, I must say that my girl looks good. I doubt that she, or Ireland for that matter, will ever be the same.

Today, Easter, was the first major holiday that we have ever been separated, even for a few hours. And even though Don and I were very busy with the 3 Easter services this morning, my mind often wandered to where she was flying, thousands of feet in the air. Backstage, in the green room, I logged into the Air Lingus website to follow her progress, and was oh so relieved when her flight finally showed as "Arrived".

We had a lovely afternoon at Aunt Cookie and Uncle John's home having yummy homemade dolmas and lamb, watching the little ones run around for the Easter egg hunt. But it was so strange that India was not yet home.

Finally, we received the phone call that the busses were almost home from the airport. They arrived at the high school at 5:30 and I got to hug many sweet kids before my very own sweet girl got off the bus. Oh the sight of her! Tired, with a blue streak in her hair, but so happy! We loaded up our girl, with her enormous suitcase, and backpack, and brought her home! She bubbled over with stories, of the beauty of Ireland, the lush green, the craggy cliffs, the castles filled with swords and history, the tea and chocolates, and the "shenanigans" of her friends.

She came bearing gifts, having thought of each one of her family while she was so far away. She admitted to her insulin pump failing the second day into the trip, having to go back on shots, about 10 per day. But she did it! She survived without her anxious, control freak mama, and somehow seems more grown up, just a little more separated from me. Who said my baby was allowed to grow up anyway? She spoke of the beauty and honor of singing ancient, sacred hymns in historical cathedrals. The amazing acoustics, as well as the realization that she was worshipping God in the same place where Christians have worshipped for hundreds of years, were not lost on my dear girl. What a gift!

I am so glad my girl is home. I am so grateful she is back with me. But in my gratitude, I am also sad. My baby bird spread her wings. She flew and soared, across an ocean and back again. But her days in our nest are becoming fewer and fewer. Someday, not too far from now, my starling will leave the nest for good, off to pursue her own adventures, realizing whatever dreams that God has planted in her.

But for now, I am grateful she is here. Thank you Lord.

Plan C or the Totally Cheater Easter Outfit

Well, last year, I smocked Ahnalin a beautiful pink pique dress with chocolate bunnies for Easter. It won a blue ribbon at the fair last year. Good for me. So, I started to smock her dress for this Easter, several weeks ago. Then we had one disaster after another, some merely minor and annoying, and some a bit more challenging. So, suffice it to say, THE Easter Dress (Plan A) did not get done. So, because my pride can not fall too far, I cut out another dress that should have gone together easily, (Plan B), however I was not satisfied with any trim choices I had and could not find any that would work in the few places I found to look on my miniscule budget. Then on Thursday, I had my wonderful, exciting, and much-longed-for oral surgery. True, I did try to smock while under general anesthesia (not kidding here!) but I finally conceded defeat.

So, here it is........Plan C. I had purchased a few cheapo t-shirts from a cheapo place and pulled one out to embellish with some of the neato trims I have and a cute embroidery design I fell in love with. The design is from the Martha Pullen Internet Embroidery Club 2009. I love how these stitch up.

The skirt is a free pattern from Oliver & S called the "Lazy Days Skirt" . You can download the pattern from the blog. It goes together super quick and uses very little fabric. I used only 15" length of fabric and used wide ribbon for the waist casing.

I had planned on embellishing some socks and her hat, but Don told me I could not sew after the services tonight. I am supposed to be asleep right now, but, heehee, I am bloggin'!

Ok, I didn't make the shoes, but they are so stinkin' cute that I had to show them.

Ok, I am going to bed now. It is before midnight, early for me. But, we have to be up at 5:00AM to get ready for church.

Tomorrow is Easter!!!!! I LOVE EASTER!!!!!

Ok, I admit it, Easter is NOT about the outfit. I know it. It is really about how Jesus chose to give His own life so that I do not have to die as a result of my own sins, failures, and bad choices. And I get to celebrate Easter openly, with other believers in Jesus, and our family.

Thank you Jesus.

Praise God for General Anesthesia and Dr. Leighty!!

Yes my friends! The offending tooth is gone! I am still under the loopy influence of general anesthesia, but I am not in any pain. WOOHOO!!!! The tooth is gone, and I am back on antibiotics and pain meds. Hopefully the swelling will not be too bad. I am going to sleep this off now and hopefully be in good form to sing at dress rehearsal tonight. I do not want to miss rehearsal. I LOVE to sing and so it is very hard for me to concede illness or defeat. Therfore, I will be a good girl and go rest. Hopefully, Ahnalin will chill out and take a nice long nap with me. When she worries about me, her anxiety kicks in badly and she gets mean and demanding. I know it is out of fear, but it sure is hard on me. So please pray that she is calm and gives me a break.

And yes, I may not have the time and energy to complete a new dress for Ahnalin for Easter. I can hardly believe I am even thinking this, but my child may have to wear a dress that she has worn before!!!! Of course, she will still be wearing a dress I have made, my pride can only cave so much. Ok, it is not like she NEEDS another new dress. But I love to make them so much, and she is so proud that her mama makes her pretties. But I just may have to get more rest for a few days if I am going to have the stamina to sing. Yeah, it is a pride thing with me. sad....


Anyway, I am going to take me, my vicodin, and my 4 year old to take a nap. Thank you all for your prayers.

Carmel-By-The-Sea and Monterey, with Grandma and Grandpa

Ahnalin and her friend "Dennis the Menace".
Ahnalin and her famous pumping feet!
Mom, Ahnalin, and me at the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey.
Ok, so Mom is smiling, Dad says he is smiling, and Ahnalin refused.
Sandy feet and soaking wet skort.





Sunday, right after church, my parents, Ahnalin and I jumped into the car and headed down to Carmel and Monterey for a few days. They are way up on the list of my favorite places on Earth. Sometimes I get so lonesome for the ocean that I dream of it. Just the smell of the sea air, or the sound of the waves is so relaxing.

Monday, the weather was perfect! It was warm and clear, and we were able to sit on the beach at Carmel and run in the waves. Ahnalin and collected a few shells and bits of seaglass and got soaking wet. I had thought well enough ahead to bring a change of clothes in the car for Ahnalin, but not for me. So after our splashing in the waves, I had to walk into all the fancy stores with my drenched pants all rolled up and sandy.

Later on, we went to the "Dennis the Menace" park so Ahnalin could "get her energies out" through running, jumping, climbing, etc. The park was jammed with people but we had a great time. Ahnalin was so excited because she has learned to "pump" her legs on the swing and gets pretty high.

Monday was perfect in every way! We ate fish and chips on the Monterey Fisherman's Wharf and watched the boats. We bought ice cream and went back to our hotel to watch tv and cozy in. I tried to smock on Ahnalin's Easter dress, but doubt I will get it done. So I may have to whip up something different.

On Tuesday, the rain poured down all day long. We got up, got breakfast and drove over to the Gilroy factory outlets. I was able to find Easter shoes for Ahnalin and an outfit for me. Woohoo!!! Then, we got back in the car and headed for home. By the time we got home, I was in a great deal of pain in my mouth. But I got Ahnalin all settled in with Nana and Papa. Grandma and Grandpa continued home to Sparks, but were delayed due to a blizzard on the summit. Yeah, a blizzard!
Thank God they got home safely!

Then I went to rehearsal for the Easter services. Have I said before how much I LOVE singing for Easter services. Such a huge honor to rejoice in song on Easter sunday! More to come.

Palm Sunday Singin' and looking ahead to this week.

Today, well in the morning after I get up, I am so blessed to be able to sing the most wonderful song at church. Don is still out gigging, and I am supposed to be sleeping. But I am not. I am thinking about the song I get to sing. It is called "You Did That For Me" and is from the Sara Groves album "All Right Here". The song was written by Jonell Moser and Pierce Pettis.

I love this song. I have sung this song with the cd for many years, and cried every time. I am one of those girls who cries when I sing, especially if the lyrics really touch my heart. But these words are so powerful yet simple. Today, we celebrate "Palm Sunday", the day that Jesus rode through Jerusalem on a donkey and the people waved palm branches to celebrate him as royalty. However in just a few days, we will be remembering His last meal with His friends, His betrayal, His trial, and His death. Yes, just next Sunday, we will celebrate Easter, when Jesus defeated sin, death and the grave. But I am not ready to get there yet. I love Holy Week. I love to walk through the week, reminding myself of just what Jesus willingly gave.

I love the fellowship of Maundy Thursday, when Jesus spent time with His friends, enjoying their company, yet having to face the fact that one that He loved so very much, would betray Him. This Maundy Thursday, Don and I will be at church doing dress rehearsal for the Easter services. What a wonderful place to be!

I am hoping on Good Friday to be at a "Service of Darkness" focusing on the last words of Jesus. I have been blessed in the years past to be involved in these types of services, which are so beautiful and provide such focus on the gift of Jesus' life for us.

The waiting, the vigil, on Holy Saturday, waiting for Sunday...........

And then, The JOY of Easter Sunday. More of my thought to come on this. But here are the words.

"You Did That For Me"

I don't have to cry anymore
I don't have to worry about what's in store
I've walked that road exhausted and poor
I don't have to cry anymore

And I don't have to know it all
I don't have to be so proud and stand so tall
I climbed that mountain only to fall
I don't have to know it all

You did that for me
Oh, you did that for me
You wore the chains so I could be free
Yeah, yeah
You did that for me

And I don't have to be ashamed
Hang my head or shoulder the blame
Wondering if my life's been in vain
I don't have to be ashamed

Oh, you did that for me
Oh, you did that for me
You wore the chains so I could be free
Yeah, yeah
You did that for me

Man of sorrows
Well acquainted with grief
Drug down to the city dump
Spread eagle on a cross beam
Propped up like a scarecrow
Nailed like a thief
There for all the world to see

You wore the chains so I could be free
Yeah, yeah
Oh Lord, you did that for me
Oh Lord, you did that for me, You wore the chains so I could be free


I think I have now sung this song enough that I can get through it without crying. Maybe. Maybe not. But I am so very, very grateful for what Jesus did for me. And He did it for you too.

Mom is ok!

Well, thank you for the prayers. My Mommy is ok, home from the hospital, and hopefully being obedient. She is going to be a good girl and not work all kinds of crazy hours and hopefully allow Don to do some of the work for her. She just works too hard and her little body needs more rest than she gives it.

She and Daddy are coming over on Saturday and Sunday for a visit. I am singing a lot this weekend, and so I was able to talk them into coming. And then after 3rd service on Sunday, Ahnalin and I are jumping in the car with them and going to Monterey for a few days!!!! Yeah, I invited us on their little romantic getaway, and they said ok! YIPPY!!!! I NEED some ocean air! It is supposed to be in the 50s and raining the whole time, but that is fine with me. Life has been so crazy nuts lately that I just really need some time away, a change of scenery, and fun with my Mommy and Daddy. Ahnalin thinks she is going to wear her swimsuit and swim in the ocean. Yeah right. She will freeze her buns off, but will probably want to try it anyway. I am going to take some smocking to do in the car. Yeah, that's right. I am still not done with Ahnalin's Easter dress and Easter is just next week. I had better get busy!

But I am just so very grateful that my mom is ok. I praise God for letting us keep her!