Thankful 30-#20, 21, 22

Free turkeys

On Friday, Zak got an email stating that all employees should be in the parking lot at 3PM to pick up their turkeys. As a result, he surprised me that afternoon with a 16 pound turkey.
How romantic. Flowers are so overrated.

I just hope this doesn't count as his Christmas bonus.

USPS Carrier Pickup

If you own a shop or ship packages a lot and don't use carrier pickup, you are missing out.
It has been a life-saver for me.
And a sanity-saver.
No waiting in line or chasing obnoxious, bored kids around the post office.
I just pay online, print shipping labels, and leave the packages at my front door.
VOILA!
Heaven.

A fixed sewing machine

It was nice to be thankful for a broken sewing machine,
but I am much more grateful for a working one.

Speaking of which, I am teaching a (FREE!) sewing class this week!
We'll be making ruffled scarves (or scarflettes) from old t-shirts!

There are lots of tutorials for scarves online, but this one is different. And so much easier!

Even if you are a sewing virgin, you can do this project!!
No need to own a machine, there will be plenty to share.

Tuesday, November 22nd-7PM
My house (Lehi, UT)

If you live in the area and would like to attend, please let me know and I will send you directions.
Email me-bethanycr{at}gmail{dot}com or leave a comment.

And I'll be posting a tutorial later this week in case you can't come or don't live close.

Deals to your Inbox

I often find deals that I think others will benefit from
but just don't have time to keep up the Screamin' Deals blog.
So, I came up with an easier solution-a Yahoo Group
(have I ever told you how much I love Yahoo Groups?!?).

Now when I find a deal that I want to share, I can email it to one email
(instead of eight different groups and a ton of other addresses).
Quick and easy!

If you want in, just send me a quick email (bethanycr(at)gmail(dot!)com
and I'll send you an invite to the Screaming Deals Yahoo Group.
You can also leave your email address in the comments of this post
Or, if you have a yahoo address, just go here to sign up.
Make sure you set the notifications to "individual emails"
due to the time-sensitive nature of many bargains.

I promise not to spam you or sell your info or anything crazy like that.
Just deals. Lots of great deals.

Thankful 30-#19

Broadbent's Quilt Shop

When we lived in Phoenix, I ordered all my designer fabric online, but now I can just take a 5 minute drive up to Broadbent's in Lehi.

I am in heaven.

If you live in Utah or are coming for vacation, don't miss an opportunity to visit!

Broadbent's
128 N 100 E
Lehi, UT 84043

Thankful 30-#18

A broken sewing machine

Crazy, I know! Why would I be thankful for such an awful happenstance during one the busiest time of year? This week I needed to finish a pattern for testing, 7 banners, AND a quilt.

But you are supposed to find blessings in your trials, right? So I am grateful because now I am forced to clean my hitbyatornado house. And I am sorting through my fabric scraps and listing bundles in the shop, something I've been meaning to do for a long time, but I'm always sewing!

Maybe my sewing machine should need mending more often....

Thankful 30-#17

Family Scripture Study

I should really say "couple scripture study" because our actual "family scripture study" is usually a bust and lasts about 5 minutes. Not sure anyone is getting anything out of it. Wrestling children down to tell them a story about Jesus isn't exactly my idea of a good time. Maybe it's just MY kids that aren't cooperative-your kids are probably angelic.

Don't tell me if they are. I'd rather live in ignorant bliss.
Our couple scripture study is one of my favorite times of the day. A close second to the kids' bedtime.

We started the habit soon after we got married and though we're not perfect in most other areas, we hardly ever miss a night. It is wonderful to read scripture passages or General Conference talks together. It often leads into a discussion about parenting, our future goals, what we can do better as spouses, and sometimes even deep spiritual insights. I love having these conversations with Zak, especially after a long day of temper tantrums, chasing kids, and general busyness.

A couple of nights ago, we read this address given about fathers and sons. It is a short talk and applies to all families who want to raise righteous sons (or daughters). Because of it, Zak and I made some new parenting goals. Read and discuss it with your spouse-who knows it may be the beginning of a new habit!

Thankful 30-#16

A good real estate agent

I miss you house....

Today I spent 4 hours on the phone with our banks trying to get answers about our home with NO results.

I was transferred about 20 times, no one knew the answers to my questions, and I spent at least an hour listening to elevator music.

It is official. I hate elevator music.

Thankfully, I have only had to deal with the banks a handful of times since moving because of Marci, our real estate agent/liaison.
She has spent what must be the equivalent of DAYS listening to dreadful music, being transferred to minimum wage workers who don't know and don't care, and suppressing the urge to kick people in the shins.

After the mess I dealt with today, I am feeling a lot more grateful for the countless hours of frustrating work that she has done for us.
If I had lots of money, I'd send her a big, fat tip.
But if I had lots of money, we wouldn't be worrying about this whole debacle.

Maybe I'll mail cookies instead.

**If you haven't been reading for long and want to know why we up and left a perfectly good home, browse these posts.

Thankful 30-#15

I'm a day behind, but determined to catch up...

A fireplace

It's ridiculously cold here.
And so far I've resisted the nagging feeling that I should invest in a Snuggie.She looks so happy and warm.

My desire for the Snuggie so far has been curbed by the fact that we have a fireplace instead.
This year, I'll be able to sing "Chestnuts roasting by an open fire" and really mean it.
Although I'm pretty sure the one time investment in an oversized, wearable blanket would be much cheaper than the cost of the gas fueling the fire.

Thankful 30-#14

New friends

We've finally made a couple of new friends!!
It's sad how exciting that is.
Friends make living here so much more bearable.
They even like us enough that they stayed until 2AM playing Clue.
Good times, good times.

Vermillion Rite of Passage

Jakson-1 year

I can't remember when it was that I first learned of the Vermillion climbing gene.

I've heard the stories of Zak shimmying up to the roof at 2.5 and Grandpa climbing out the window to stand on the roof at 2 so many times that it seems I've always known them.

Jakson didn't escape the gene.
I knew it when he jumped out of his crib at 18 months.
Or was it when he scaled the pantry shelves to reach the Cheese-Its at 16 months?
Or was it when he learned to climb the stairs at 7 months?

Just in case I wasn't absolutely positive though, my suspisions were solidified yesterday.
We found Jakson on the roof.
A high, two story roof.
Nonchalantely throwing little rocks off the edge.

Zak had been hanging Christmas lights and came in for a drink.
So Jakson helped himself to the ladder.
Don't mind if I do.
Zak heard the pitter patter and realized it was much to early for Rudolph.
He was not happy.
I just laughed.
Not very effective when one parent is disciplining
and the other is convulsing with laughter.

One more story to add to generations of roof stories.
This day will go down in history.
I can't wait to tell his wife.

So there you have it.
In case there was any doubt regarding Jakson's paternal descent.

Thankful 30-#13

Etsy
I am not thankful for Etsy just because it's been a great way to supplement our income, but because I've been given so many opportunities by having a shop. The community on Etsy is extremely supportive and I've loved getting to know other sellers.

Earlier this year I was contacted about creating a quilt for an auction sponsored by a non-profit organizaton that donates money to children in Ethiopia. I felt honored to be included and happy when the quilt was able to raise money for them. I've also had the opportunity to make memory quilts for families who have lost loved ones. It is humbling to know that I am a part of creating keepsakes that will be treasured.

Today I was contacted by Storey Publishing about my fabric banners. I now have an order for banners that will be used to advertise the new sewing book 101 One Yard Wonders in independent bookstores!! The book looks fantastic and I'm excited to be a (very) small part of such a great project!I know I've said this before, but if you've ever considered starting up a shop of your own, do it. Even if you don't sell much at first , you can trade with other sellers, bid on Alchemy requests, and get to know the Etsy community. I'm always happy to answer questions about selling or help you set up shop!