things that make you go hmmmm.....

during the late 1930's and early 40's, a girl, living on a ranch outside of blackfoot idaho, didn't have much of a choice when it came to new fashions. but if she was creative and talented enough she could design and sew her own clothes. gram had what it took. she found some pretty red gingham material and designed a dress that fit tight on her slim torso, with a drop waist that then flared out into two ruffled layers. it had puff sleeves and was trimmed in white lace. her long black hair looked beautiful as it cascaded over her shoulders and the bright colored dress. red is best! she loved that dress and saved it through the years, even though her slim 27in waist grew larger with the birth of her 7 children. she let us play in it. we would pretend and dream that we were as pretty as she was. gram always smiles when that dress is mentioned. even to this day, nearly 70 years since she first made it.

cori has immortalized it in her song "the red gingham dress". and there is still a "lilt" in her sway, although these days it must be expressed in her hands as her legs will no longer carry her. and the "spark in her eye" still catches the glance of any passing guy!

a cherished family photo is of gram, wearing her beloved dress, sitting on top of a 6 ton concrete lion located on the northeast side of the utah state capitol building.(circa 1940.)

this week i learned that those lions are up for sale on ebay. the renovation of the state capitol called for new replacements and they are selling the old, worn out, broken concrete lions. they only weigh 6 tons and are about 6 ft by 6 ft by oh say 12 feet long. a nice addition to the backyard don't you think?!

jordon can get a truck that will move it. our neighbor has access to a crane. gram's birthday is in november. hmmm.........

ebay link to auction site: http://cgi.ebay.com/HISTORIC-CONCRETE-LION-FROM-UTAH-STATE-CAPITOL-NE_W0QQitemZ140348950269QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item20ad7306fd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

ta da!

i've never had granite counter tops. i tell my clients that they are a good investment in most homes, but never got around to making that investment myself. when we first moved into this house...4 1/2 years ago...can you believe it...anyway....when we first moved into this house i got a bid for granite and it was mucho monzola! the white corian was in good shape, looked nice and was just fine. well this past birthday, my big one, my sisters decided i needed new counter tops. i must have been talking about them too much. so for my present they presented me with money for new granite. with the slow down in the economy the price dropped by nearly half and i got a better grade of granite besides. so.....drum roll please....here's how they look.

i find myself keeping the kitchen just a little cleaner and often sit at the island bar area and just gaze at the beautiful stone. there is good energy from the rock and it is pretty besides.

i have the very best, most generous family in the world! thanks!!!!!!

out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.--- kahlil gibran

i am surrounded by people who's scars are beautiful!