Sand between my Toes

Alyssa Ann

2011-10-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Alyssa is my oldest daughter. She is 21 years old and has decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She received her call back in May. She has been called to the England Manchester Mission. She leaves on October 26, 2011 and will return 18 months later. I am SO excited for her and have always felt in my heart that she would serve a mission-ever since she was little my heart knew this day would come. I am excited but also so nervous. I want her safe and I want her happy. I know that she will have trials while on her mission and I know she will experience every emotion under the sun. This makes me nervous-I don't want her to hurt without me there to make it better. But I know this can't be and I know she is strong enough to weather this journey without me. She has God by her side and this is all she needs.
When I am nervous, scared or feeling out of control I respond in very predictable ways. I quit eating, start crafting or I go shopping or all the above. Thus the posts that precede this one manifest what I have done as of late to cope with the angst I have felt as I weather this tumultuously fantastic storm!

The 8th Deadly Sin

2011-10-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

Pinterest is my new obsession.
It is craftiness heaven.
You don't have to sign up to enjoy, but by doing so you have more options to pull together your creativity. It is a website that shows you the How To of many creative avenues-cooking, crafting, home decor, fashion, gift ideas, quotes--so cool. Having said that, I have found as of late that there are some very objectionable posts that are on this website. Swear words and inappropriate graphics. I was so sad when these started appearing. I wondered if I would have to give up my new found interest. It does look like the owners of the site have gotten enough complaints that they are trying to censor these objectionable posts (yeah!). So check it out and ENJOY!

Boo!

2011-10-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is the bay area above my kitchen sink. It is the perfect manifestation of me--not perfect, but definitely fun!

Blue Pumpkins? A vision from Pinterest

2011-10-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

My front room is a dusty blue and brown--with a "beachy" feel to it. These pumpkins were a perfect harvest complement

Halloween Tree-Really!

2011-10-15T10:39:00.001-07:00

At first the kids thought I was so silly for putting the "Christmas Tree" up for Halloween. Now they love it!

Count Down Craftiness--Compliments of Pinterest

2011-10-14T22:39:00.000-07:00

Yes--it's a count down to my daughter going into the MTC in Preston, England and then onto Manchester England where she will serve a mission for 18 months for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Mantle Madness

2011-10-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins Creativity from Pinterest

2011-10-14T22:33:00.001-07:00

If you haven't checked out Pinterest.com run don't walk to it! It is the funnest website ever!

Give Thanks

2011-10-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

Holiday Craftiness--So Fun!!!

Wooden Fork & Spoon

2011-10-14T22:25:00.001-07:00

Rustic Door

2011-10-14T21:55:00.001-07:00

The Rooster was my inspiration for my pantry door

Check out my dirty little secret

2011-03-28T00:03:00.000-07:00

Why don'tcha wander on over to my "other" blogspot and see what we have been up to....
www.debtdoodoo.blogspot.com

Happy Holidays

2010-11-27T01:49:00.000-08:00

Oh happy days! Having teenage & adult kids is so much fun! No i'm not kidding! Traditions built over their short lifetimes carry on throughout the years and bring us close together each holiday season. Alyssa & Cassie made Thanksgiving dinner this year and I couldn't have been more proud. They rose to the occassion and did an awesome job. Taylor is putting the Christmas lights up around the house--red and white like a candy cane! He is so fun to be around and works so hard (when it suits him best-tee hee)
I love the holidays!!!

New Beginnings

2010-08-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

WOW Alyssa is in her 3rd year of college! 20 years old--she is talking about going on a mission next August. I am excited about the possibility. Truthfully, I always hoped she would go. She has such a way of connecting with people. I want her to be a missionary--to connect and to love the people wherever she may serve.
Taylor is a big SENIOR! He is doing a veteranarian tech internship where he will get to see if this is really what he wants to go into. I can tell he has mixed feelings about being a senior this year. Ready to be done. Nice to be the Big Man on Campus
Cassie is in 8th grade. As I watch her figuring out the whole friendship, fashion, fun oh and school, I see her settling into to her own. She is figuring out who she is and what is important to her. Lots to worry about when you are 12 years old-I tell you what!

This year more than any of the others I REALLY miss my kids while they are away at school. I don't want them to experience any hurt or disappointment--good luck. I want them to work hard and get good grades-stranger things have happened. I want them to stay close to God and let Him catch them when the fall-he will and I hope and pray that they will.

HOLY GOOSEBUMPS!

2010-04-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

I am so overwhelmed at the goodness of the people I meet everyday. I went to a Fabric Store in South Jordan today-Material Girls and got a bunch of fabric, bits and pieces for quite a few different bags. I stress a little over the cost of it because I normally front the money to buy the supplies for my bags and then once I get paid for them, turn around and buy more material. I was adding up the cost of today's trip as the woman cut my fabric. I was guesstimated it to be somewhere close to $100. "It's ok I told myself. It will all work out somehow." The woman cutting the fabric asked me about what I was making. I told her about Spencer and about the bags. When she was done cutting she told me to stay at the cutting table for just a minute. She then came back and bagged up my material and said, "Today I am paying for your material. It's the least I can do." With goosebumps running up and down my body and tears in both of our eyes I turned and slowly walked out of the store.

Oh Happy Day!

2010-04-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to say I had set a goal to raise $500 for the Gooch Family. Today I was able-with the tremendous help of all of Holly's friends and family to achieve this goal. I am so excited to say that we were able to help in a small way ease the burden on the Gooch family.
For those of you who know her, Liz Hasler and I are going to venture into the world of entrepreneurship and attempt to make a business with the Lolly Bag! Stay tuned for more details. If you have already placed an order, 100% profit will still go to the Gooches. Orders placed from today on will have a portion of the proceeds go to the Gooch Family.

Things I have learned

2010-03-31T06:20:00.001-07:00

Holly's Bag

My first ruffle bag

Andria & Family's Bags

It has been an interesting process creating these bags. I have learned a lot about myself and about others.

Things I have learned:

I often take on more than I can handle

I love creating

No matter how much I sew, or how many bags I make I can't take Holly or Spencer's pain away

Just like my mom, I sew to show how much I care

My bags are never perfect enough

The people in my life are so sweet, awesome and appreciative of my efforts

We interupt this program for a brief intermission

2010-03-18T02:25:00.000-07:00

I have just about completed 9 bags-95% done. I have 9 more in the hopper. I must say I have to take a little break from my Lolly Bags. Just a little break. If you have placed an order, don't you worry I will get it done. If you have not place an order yet, please come back and visit my blog April 1st. I will be taking orders once again as of the date. Email me if you are unsure if you are in the que (mel_longmore@yahoo.com)

More Bags!!!

2010-03-11T16:13:00.001-08:00

This bag is for sweet Ashley at work. She said she wanted a black bag with just a touch of pink. It has turned out to be quite a popular one. "I hope you like it Ashley!"

The black, white and green have been so fun and a lot of people have requested these colors--the "Go With Anything" Bag I suppose!

This one was made for a young girl who I was told has a "Punky Bruster" Style.

this last bag was made smaller more as a tote, so if anyone wants something smaller like this just let me know! (I am sad the lighting didn't do this bag justice-reds, yellows & brown)

WE LOVE THE GOOCHES!

2010-03-01T14:37:00.000-08:00

This is my latest bag, made for one of Holly's friends. Turns out Holly and the rest of the Gooch family have A LOT of friends and family. Please be patient with me I am whipping out bags as fast as I can between, the flu, the family and work---I will get them done! Thanks for your support!

RISE TO THE CHALLENGE!

2010-02-23T17:44:00.000-08:00

I began making Lolly Bags because I love doing most what brings me peace. My life is crazy, sewing calms me. I had people suggest that I start selling the bags, but somehow this didn't settle well-profitting from peace? I set the thought aside and began making the bags and giving them to friends and family. This brought both sweet joy and a calming peace.
My dear friend Holly Gooch has got a challenging road ahead of her as she has just recently discovered that her 7 year old-Spencer has rhabdomysarcoma-a soft tissue tumor that will require months of chemo & radiation. Among the many concerns that come with this diagnosis, the financial burden can be quite overwhelming. Thus came my answer----
I want to make my Lolly Bags for Spence and his family!
So I am asking each of you to order a bag-big, small, drawstring style-anything (see examples in my previous posts)---custom designed to your specifications.
All profits will go to Spencers foundation!
It feels so right! Email me with your order and I will give you a price quote just for the materials and you decide how much to donate above and beyond the cost of simply making the bag.
I will donate the additional money to Spencer through his website (see right). The bags will cost anywhere from $25-$35 for the supplies.

($25 for the drawstring bags and $35 for the big bags + Whatever you want to donate to Spencer)
mel_longmore@yahoo.com

Drawstring Lolly Bags

2010-02-22T16:18:00.001-08:00

Drawstring Bags are the backpacks of 2010. Kids would rather carry something a bit less bulky than a big backpack. This was my first attempt at make a drawstring bag-Lolly Style!

Just Lolly Baggin' Around!

2010-02-22T16:08:00.000-08:00

Lolly Bag Personalized

2010-02-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

So I made this bag from parts of another purse I got last spring (and some added material). I love to wicker basket pocket. It ended up being a huge bag, but I will find plenty to fill it with I am sure!

LOLLY BAGS!!!

2010-02-08T10:25:00.001-08:00

So these bags are my new venture. They are so fun to make. I am thinking of selling them. They cost me about $25-$30 to make and take about 4 hours to sew. I need your opinions. What do you think I should sell them for? (I made this one for a friend at work. I hope she likes it!)

My First Lolly Bag

2010-02-08T10:19:00.001-08:00

I was very excited to bust out my first of hopefully many Lolly Bags! It's the perfect size, very sturdy and plenty of pockets!

Too much Fun

2009-10-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

More El Sauzal

2009-10-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

El Sauzal Orphanage in Ensenada

2009-10-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

More cruisin' & Cali

2009-10-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

Our Cruise & Cali Trip

2009-10-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

our cruise & cali trip

2009-10-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Let the School Bell Ring!!!!

2009-08-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Alyssa is going into her 2nd year of college. Go UVU Wolverines!

Taylor is going into his junior year at Alta High. Go Alta Hawks!

Cassie is starting 7th Grade at Crescent View Middle School. Go Crescent View Vikings!

Summer Fun

2009-07-02T15:36:00.001-07:00

I have to say having Taylor for a son and Ace for a grandson I go places I would never go otherwise. Today we went to Tanner Park and walked both Ace and Pogo. Pogo thought she could follow Ace into the water, but with her small size and a slightly swift moving river, we just about lost her.

Snowboarding with Dad

2009-04-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

David doesn't get to snowboard with Taylor very often.
Last weekend they finally got to go together.
White-out condition of course!

Revenge is NOT sweet

2009-03-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

Since Taylor spray painted Cassie's Dog POGO, Cassie spray painted Ace's Taylor. Taylor could not leave it alone. He hid Cassie's scooter up high, and toilet papered her room. Now everyone is upset. Ugh Parenting!

Cassie Graduated from the DARE Program today

2009-03-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

Watch Ace Grow

2009-03-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

Look at how much Ace has grown. He will be 5 months old tomorrow! Taylor is so good to Ace (not so good to Pogo)

Torturing Pogo

2009-03-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

When Taylor is bored he looks for ways to "kindly" torture poor Pogo. He paints her, puts her in VERY high place and other torturous activities.....

Design on a Dime

2009-03-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

Look what I did!!! I got this dresser at DI for $40--- striped, sanded then restained it black. I am redoing a room that is currently purple and very foo-foo girly. Stay tuned for updates. This is so much fun!!!

Amy & Mike's Wedding

2009-02-28T22:26:00.000-08:00

My bestest friend got married February 28th and I got to be her Matron of Honor

Our visit to St George

2009-02-28T22:20:00.000-08:00

Alyssa wants to get married in the St George Temple someday

Making old new again!

2009-02-25T16:08:00.000-08:00

Cassie took her old purple scooter and spray painted it a fun orange and made in new again!

Her dad worked hard to repair the tire...

Now she is on the road again.

CHECK IT OUT!!!

2009-01-27T03:32:00.000-08:00

OK, my "Book Blogspot" has been neglected for quite sometime. Tonight with hesitance I posted a revised chapter one. My editor said that Chapter One needs to be the point in time where the character's life was changed forever. I had to think long and hard as to when that point was. When I uncovered it and looked at it in the light of day, a shiver went up my spine. I wasn't sure I was ready to share, but it is part of my story, and I DO want to share, so head on over to www.starvingtobeheard.blogspot.com
let me know what you think!

POGO & KIDS

2009-01-22T00:40:00.001-08:00

What do you get when you combine a bored teenager and a scruffy nappy-do dog????

A really bad haircut! Sorry POGO!

Tis the Season

2008-12-20T16:45:00.001-08:00

Cassie and Callee had fun making a Gingerbread House

together. Tis the Season!!!

A Little Overwhelmed

2008-12-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

Am I the only one out there who is a bit overwhelmed by all the insanity of life? I am going to go out on a limb and say, "I don't think so." So what are we doing about it? We all have our own unique set of stressors, but they all create the same feelings of anxiety, opression, depression etc. Some days I can cope with life better than others. Some days I can feel all God's blessings around me and some days I can't. Back to the original question, What are we doing about it?
Me? I am praying A LOT. God always seems to see me through these times. I am also reaching out to friends. In this last year working at IMC I have met and made some of the most magnificent friendships that I know will last a life time. I always feel better when I help others, so if there is anyone out there feeling overwhelmed too, come my way and we can be overwhelmed together!

Bringing Ace Home

2008-12-05T19:39:00.001-08:00

Takin' Ace Home!!! Taylor paid for the dog all by himself. He worked hard and we are so excited for him (and nervous for us)!

Cassie can't quite understand why Taylor is "hogging" Ace

Taylor snuggling Ace on the long ride home

Life is never dull!

2008-11-16T22:50:00.000-08:00

Small pictures again. My poor buddy broke his radius bone dirt bike riding on Saturday. Being the awesome mom that I am I made him wait til Sunday to just "make sure" it was really broken. Yep, it was. He is left handed, so school will be interesting for the next few weeks. He told me he thought he could still go snowboarding with a cast if he was just "really careful" yeah right, guess again buddy boy!!!

I'm in love!

2008-11-16T22:47:00.001-08:00

I know these pictures are kind of small, but isn't he SO cute. We went to visit Taylor's puppy. He is 3 weeks old and so SWEET.

A HOLIDAY FIRST

2008-11-13T22:38:00.003-08:00

I was just so excited to get the holidays goin' that I got a head start and put up a Harvest Tree. I don't think you can tell really well from these pictures, but the colors are all golds, oranges and browns. Taylor took these pictures. He is also way excited for the holidays because it means snow and snow means snowboarding at Snowbird!!!!

First Snow

2008-11-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

50's Chick

2008-10-29T15:49:00.001-07:00

Can you see the ATTITUDE written ALL over her face? I love her to death, but man am I in trouble!

My mom and I made this skirt (mostly my mom) for a 5th grade program last year. I was so glad when Cassie said she wanted to be a 50's girl for Halloween!

Cassie and Pogo--goin' to the hop!

What did I get myself into now?

2008-10-29T15:40:00.001-07:00

Alyssa decided that she wanted to be an indian for Halloween.
"Mom will you help me make my costume?"
"Sure I will "HELP" you."
5 hours and many tears later the dress was made. Every time I attempt to sew something I wonder why I even try. I do enjoy it if it all turns out, but sometimes the process is painful. I am not an awesome seamstress like my mom, so my projects are always filled with frustration. Alyssa added all the embellishments. She was patient with me and I was patient with her, so Walah!!! Here she is! (A little TOO much skin showing--I agree)

IT'S A BOY!!!

2008-10-27T20:42:00.001-07:00

OK, so has anyone ever promised their child something just to appease them knowing full well (or at least hoping) that the thing promised will never come to be? Well, yes I did this with my son.
"Mom can I have a Siberian Husky?"
"Only if you can earn all the money to buy the dog and take care of it all on your own."
So what does Taylor do? He goes and gets two jobs and earns the stinkin' money. He finds a breeder and saves the money and so here you have it. We are the new proud owners of a Siberian Husky born--October 26th. The mamma's name is Harlow. She is so beautiful. She can speak her name and has a good demeanor. Hopefully her son will too.

Yes I know it looks like a Hamster but it's really a brand new Siberian Husky. It is a boy, just hours old. Really he's cute and he will be ready to come home December 7th. Everybody---pray for me!

Cassie turns 11!!!

2008-10-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Cassie took her friends to Cornbellys to celebrate her birthday. The weather was perfect and they had a great time. Cassie was only a little scared when she went through the haunted corn maze (where her brother happens to work)

Cassie LOVES Pumpkin Pie. She would much rather have a pie than a cake any day!

Cassie loved playing in the corn!

Check out the Cow train. Cassie and her friends are still young enough to know how to have fun.

Cassie and her friends had fun running through the mazes and screaming their heads off!

The girls painted their nails with fun halloween colors!

Happily Ever After?

2008-10-22T01:27:00.000-07:00

Is there really such a thing? In June 2009 David and I will have been
married for 20 years. YIKES! Really?!?! I can hardly believe it myself!
I wish I could say it has all been wonderful and easy and magnificent.
Then again maybe I don't. We have both grown and learned a lot in the
past 20 years. Thinking back to the time when David proposed, I got the strongest confirmation that he was the man for me. At times of doubt and frustration I always fall heavily on this confirmation. Despite my exasperation and desire to kick him to the curb I know that he is my eternal
companion--through thick and thin.
He is a good man and I am glad to call him mine.

Gratitude

2008-10-18T02:10:00.000-07:00

So one of my L&D nurse buddies got me thinking. She talked about some of the frustrations going on in everyone's lifes right now with the economy and such. She also talked about looking beyond all of this and seeing the things she is most grateful for. I was grateful for her prompting and appreciative of the reminder that despite the tough stuff I deal with in my life, there are also some pretty great things about it too.
I LOVE the fall. I love the leaves, the colors, the smells, the crisp air, pumpkin treats, pumpkin carving, hay rides, pulling out warm clothes, Halloween Candy.
I LOVE my kids. Alyssa is growing up so fast. She has taken on the responsibilities of being a college student and being an adult. Neither are easy tasks, but she has risen to the occasion and is figuring out who she is and who she wants to be.
Taylor is working hard to get what he wants out of life. He's working hard on his grades so he can be a vetrenarian some day. He is working hard at Cornbelly's and as a janitor at Willow Springs Elementary so he can buy a Siberian Husky.
Cassie is trying to grow up too fast. She reads so much and I love it! I tell her this will make her so smart, she agrees.
I am grateful for a steady stable husband who keeps me grounded. He works so hard. It has been tough building up his buisness here in Utah, but he does not give up and I am proud of him for this.
I love the gospel. I am grateful for the knowledge that God knows me and loves me anyways. I love knowing that he is always close by no matter what mistakes or triumps I experience.

Check it Out

2008-10-08T04:20:00.000-07:00

I have added some posts on my www.starvingtobeheard.blogspot.com
wander on over and take a gander.
LIFE IS NEVER DULL!!!
Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Our Weekend Adventure to Jacob City

2008-09-24T18:36:00.001-07:00

I love the Fall colors!

New Beginnings

2008-09-24T00:27:00.000-07:00

OK you know how sometimes something happens in your life and you think, "oh man, oh man, this is really bad" and you get this really sick feeling in the pit of your stomach, well, that was me last night when my original blogspot bit the dust.
Poor Jen witnessed the meltdown--it was not pretty.
In trying to update my blog it deleted all of me friend's blogspot information. I was in total and utter panic mode (just ask Jen).
I tried every which way to retrieve the info, to no avail it was lost. (Boo-Hoo)
After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I decided that fate would have it that I would start a new blogspot, so here it is.
After the initial trauma, I am now excited for a new start.
(I have decided that at a later date I will attempt once again to resurrect my original blogspot for the soul purpose of promoting my book--so don't delete it please)

2008-09-24T00:20:00.000-07:00

This is the beach I spent many a day laying on, soaking up the rays. I love Santa Cruz. I carry it in my heart always. The beach will always be a part of me, a place that I can go to get away no matter where I live or where I am. At any given moment, the warm sunkissed memories are always there to comfort me.