Aunt Sybil

Aunt Sybil passed away early this morning, Feb. 29, at approximately 4:45. Uncle Norval called me awhile ago to say that the funeral will be held this Saturday at the LDS Church on University and Mesa Drive. The viewing will start at 9am and the funeral at 10am. Following that, she will be transported up to the Gila Valley for burial in the Central Cemetary at approximately 4:00 pm. Pass the word.

Bathroom Redo

This is our kids bathroom upstairs. It's in need of a makeover. Hence my bathroom redo, phase 1.

The tile countertops are on my last nerve. But they aren't part of phase one, maybe 2 or 3....

But anyway, the main reason for this redo was the shower doors. We had them installed about 12 years ago. They haven't been clean for about the last 11 1/2 years. The track especially. Gunk trap. And can you see the moldy caulk in the background? I should've taken a closeup so you could appreciate its grossness. But I spared you. You're welcome.

Here's the after shot of "Phase 1". I painted the walls a nice beige, a mix of several cans of paint I had around here.

I also painted the vanity a bright white, and removed the doors. Just to be different and because I like change.

And not to mention that I wanted to display these cute metal baskets I got at good ol Home Goods. Yes, you can see pipes and cleaning products if you look, but if you're in my bathroom bending over looking for cleaning products and pipes, you have better things to do.

They even make tp look cute!

The smaller one with the "3" just fits on the back of the toilet. The larger ones in the cabinet both had "2"s on them, I just turned one around and made a "1" so I'd have 1,2,3. I'm just weird like that.

No more shower doors! I removed them myself, it wasn't really hard at all, and hung up this pretty curtain. Now I can throw it in the washer whenever I want, and I like that it adds pattern. And the fabric muffles the sound and makes the bathroom less echo-y. Is that a word, echo-y?

I got smart and hung up a rack for all the bottles and doo-dads. From what I read, caulking becomes moldy from moisture getting trapped behind shampoo bottles sitting on the edge of the tub. No more for us. And Dad, you'll notice the new shower head, yes, I finally got a new one. We need to change out our brass colored fixtures, though, everything's gone to chrome. Did you know you can't even walk in to Lowe's and buy a brass shower head now days? So we're mismatched for now. Phase 2 will take care of that.

The moldy caulk is gone! I watched several You-Tube videos on replacing caulking, then got rid of the old and put in new. I'd like to say it was painless, but I'd be lying. I know what to do now, though, so if yours needs replacing, give me a call.

I hung up a clock to encourage everyone to get ready quickly, and to take quick showers. We don't have an exhaust fan in this bathroom (not yet, that is), so looooong showers cause moisture to sit on the ceiling and create mold. Can you say GROSSSS? But it's all been primed and painted and the exhaust fan is getting installed soon by my electrician friend James. woo hoo! I couldn't find a towel rack like I wanted, so I decided to make one.

I started with this one with little chubby chefs on it. Then I covered it in scrapbook paper and distressed the edges.

Then I spray painted these letters to change their blueness to blackness. Easy peasy.

Then I just put them on and mod podged the whole thing.

This pocket system will hopefully keep all these bottles and various items neat and hanging up here...

.....instead of ending up here. This wooden tray is also from Home Goods and keeps the soap and a fresh-looking plant. Any room looks better with a touch of green.

So far everyone's been keeping it like this, let's hope it lasts. I also installed a new light fixture and took the rusty (see comment above about long showers and no exhaust fan) ac vent cover down and spray painted it a fresh white. Those photos didn't download onto this post for some reason. Phase 1 complete. Phase 2 will take place whenever I get up the energy to get new counters, faucets, and lose the giant mirror. It'll be more work and expense, but it'll be worth it. For now, I love the new look!

MY FIRST TUTORIAL

How to Make a Levi Pincushion

1. First of all, let me say this should not be attempted by the faint of heart.
Knowing that, here we go. The first step is to sit on the couch - then watch as your 70 year old husband and 50 year old son, rifles and ammunition in tow, leave in said son's bright red truck to parts unknown.

2. Still sitting innocently on said couch, engrossed in a good movie, said son and should-have-known-better husband return approximately 1 1/2 hours later. Said son reports the pair were across the river in deserted country shooting said rifles at black balloons leftover from said sons 50th birthday party. Said son had tied them to assorted bushes in the area, then hurried to join 70 year old father, grandfather, and husband who sat up a hill, and sitting on the edge up high on the side of a hill.

Upon inquiry, said son and husband reveal all and explain why 70 year old husband is wearing no levis (hence the tutorial) and is covered in spike-like-needle-thorns.
Son said they finished shooting the balloons, sat there on the side of the hill for a few minutes -- just talking-- then they stood up. Said son looked over at this father, and asked "where did he go?" Then he looked down the hill and saw said 70 year old father rolling down the hill, through dirt, rocks, and (you guessed it) Cactus! Said son helped the said father back up the hill to return to the said red truck. The Levis(hence the tutorial) were stuck to said 70 year old husband by long, long, long thorns -- and so were removed before entering said red truck. 70-year old Dad had to sit on one cheek all the way back home, since the other cheek, leg, and ankle were covered in thorns. And that is the way they entered my home. Son tried hard to keep from laughing as he related said story, while said husband went about removing further clothing and showering. Meanwhile, I related to said son that if he couldn't return said father in the same condition as he took in him, it was his job to take care of him. Said son laughed at this, said he had to go home, and left. At this point I wished I could go with said son, anywhere but my home. But I stayed and did my duty, or faced the music-------whatever.

3. After many attempts to remove the long and imbedded thorns, I said to 70 year old husband, who also had much loss of skin and bloody mess on one arm, I bravely said "Why don't we take you up to the hospital?" And to my surprise and relief, he agreed. To make a long story shorter, after all of the rigamorro a person goes through upon entering said hospital, a doctor finally walked in the room, equipped with magnifying glasses, tweezers, gauze, and other instruments. Said doctor worked for about and hour or more - a long ordeal, since some of the thorns had entered and remained in said husband's hand. After much pain and time, for husband, dr., and me, a nurse entered the room and cleaned and scrubbed, medicated, and bandaged afore mentioned arm. Then, at last, we were free to return to this humble abode.

4. The night - at least what was left of it - wore on, and soon we retired to our bed. Said husband arose early to attend a meeting, and I proceeded to staighte up the house. There was blood on the sheets and pillowcase of afore mentioned bed, thorns imbedded in said underwear, shirt, socks (that got thrown away) and tennis shoes, that were placed outside. Upon inspection of said Levis, it was my determination that they were completely and utterly covered in long, nasty-looking thorns, and were immediately removed to an outdoor table. In the sunlight, said Levis looked alarmingly like a Levi Pincushion covered in needles. Hence, the end of this tutorial.

EXTRA! EXTRA! DARVIL TURNS 50! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

A Big Happy Birthday is in order for our favorite Darvil who turns the big 50 today!!  He was treated to a Big Surprise Birthday party on Sunday, put on by his dear daughters Shaleice and Breanna and of course his lovely wife Teresa and handsome son Jason and techy son-in-law Dustin.  Black was the common decorating theme, as you know, he is now over the hill.

I do believe he was genuinly surprised as evidenced by this look on his face.  "Surprise!"

The birthday boy reluctantly poses for the paparazzi before enjoying some of his very favorite food: enchiladas and chips and salsa.

It was only fitting that this chess champ have a chess board as a cake.  And what a cake it was!  Good enough to play a real game on!

The fire department almost had to be called in to put out this massive blaze, but disaster was averted at the last minute.  Way to go Darv!

The entertainment for this party was top notch!  The famed group "Glowstick Figures"(Shaleice, Breanna, Emily, Jason & Isabelle)  made an appearance and graced the crowd with their very popular dance mix......Happy Birthday.   The applause was so overwhelming they did an encore performance. 

Overall is was a spectacular event and this reporter was glad to cover it.
Happy Birthday Old Man!  I'll always be younger than you:)

by Becky

HELP!

This morning I walked around the house taking pictures of some things I wanted to put on the blog. But---when I tried to download, or upload, (which is it?) from my camera, it wouldn't work. A message came up about a port not having enough power. Is this because of my computer or camera? Does anyone know? I am feeling very frustated right now.

If I could.........

I would send Mom some of these for Valentines

Or maybe some of these

And I'd not forget about Dad and send him some of this

 And maybe some of this

 And I'd make him some of these

Happy Valentines Day Mom and Dad!!
Love Becky

Hope you have a lovely day

BEAUTIFUL CARDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These cards were sent in the '40's, 50's, and early 60's from different people, but all to the same person: their mother, dad, or both -- which were also my mother and dad. There were a lot from Ray, the biggest pile from Lavora, some from Norman, and some from Alice. Most were sent when they were still single, so a single name is written. What impressed me -- there was one from Seth and one from Earl that were sent when they were in the service. Mom cherished these cards, I'm sure, because she had them neatly pasted in a scrapbook. I found the scrapbook when we were cleaning out the cupboards in the spare bedroom the other day. I carefully removed them from the book, sorted them into piles, and plan on giving them to the children of the senders. They are beautiful cards, tho old and some are yellowed, and some have real ribbons, satin hearts, and glitter, and each shows how much they loved their parents.