thrift 3

A couple weeks ago I found my third project. I fell in love instantly with this piece.

Just a little elbow grease, wood putty, stain, new hardware, and tlc...

and ta da! Here you have it, my latest masterpiece.

Finished. It looks better in person. I really like it and mister RHB and my f-i-l are both super impressed...

spare yourself with a spare

I stopped at the post office this morning on my way to work to grab my PO box mail, and as I stood there making sense of it all: toss junk, keep cute cards like the one my sweet soldier bro sent to me from Iraq, and another that my cute little niece drew for me. Ahh, I love good mail.. and was thoroughly enjoying the sentiments I was reading when I was interrupted by a Skywest flight attendant "excuse me, do you have a phone I can borrow?" me: "well sure, it's in my car" So, while walking toward my car she told me she had locked her keys in her car, and that her spare was inside as well. Using my cell allowed her to contact her husband so he could come rescue her, and she could finally get home and in bed after a long couple days of work. So, I left and headed to work feeling like a real good Samaritan.

And then.... I decided on my way home from work to go to Corner 22. I really wanted a Diet Pepsi with 2 lemons. It just sounded so so good. I parked, got into my purse for the exact change. It's a buck five, if you're wondering, and I don't like to carry my whole office of a purse into a convenient store, only to dig out a buck five. Efficiency, that's what I'm all about. Well, usually. I went out to my car after my transaction, and while sipping on my ice cold goodness, I peered into the drivers window, and you guessed it. There were my keys, right on the console, and right next to them on the passenger seat sat my purse, and yes my extra key was in my purse. I marched back into the store, asked the cute clerk if I could borrow her cell phone... sounds awfully familiar, I know...

Ryan came to the rescue, and as we pulled away I said, "so do ya know of a good locksmith?" It was then that it hit him; we were not going home to get the extra key. There was no extra at that moment. He proceeded to lecture me. Or tried. I pretty much cut him off... "honey, everyone makes mistakes sometimes, don't hate, just love." Just about that same time, we pulled up to a red light right next to a Bountiful Policeman. Ryan motioned for him to open his window. We told him our dilemma, and he was nice. He met us there, and after about 10 attempts and 3 different tools, he opened my door. Relief.

Moral of the story. Leave your extra keys at home.

ps: i apologized to my man later on for ruining his golf score on his last hole... (that's when i called him.) he simply said: "babe, for you i will do anything, it's ok"

...he didn't hate, just loved...

life clock

Just a few tidbits that I came across recently. I loved them, so I wanted to share.

'Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.'

-Og Mandino

'It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can.'

-Sydney Smith

family fun

Monday night my parents had a Halloween night for the cousins. My dad did a rocket launch first, then a big seafood dinner, then a homemade pumpkin pinata out front. The kids were so excited to get into costume and hit that round orange thing chuck full of sweet sugar highs.

Will wasn't sure what to think of all the commotion.

Thanks mom and dad, it was cute.

sweetest

Sweetest Day is an observance celebrated on the third Saturday in October. It is an occasion which offers all of us the opportunity to remember loved ones, friends, relatives, etc.. whose kindness, friendship, and love we have enjoyed. Happy Sweetest Day to everyone.

Especially to my husband. Because I know how much he loves for me to affectionately dote on him and whisper sweet nothings into his ear, followed up by passionately gazing into his eyes, and kissing his neck, all the while repeating over and over "I love you baby, oh yeah, I love you baby"... he Absolutely LOVES that!

but, alas, that is not his present this go round. nope, i've got a better idea...

how 'bout you? what will you do for your sweetest?

search is on

My beautiful sister Carmen needs a new husband, and I really want a super cool bro-in-law. So, any and all readers: put on your thinking caps and go through your inventory lists of available men. Upper 30's and younger 40's would be great! I am on a mission, and I've invited you ALL to join in!

Love,

H

stan

Happy Birthday Stan. I miss you like crazy... Everyone does...

shel

October 15, 2008... 4 years later.. If someone were to tell me when I was 8 years old and playing hide 'n' go seek in the old barns on the Barton farm with my three best friends, Shelly, Jenny, and Carmen, that in 20 years one of them would be gone, I would have thought they were crazy. If they were to tell me that my best friend Shelly, that I played in the canals with, would no longer be around to chat to or email, I wouldn't have believed them. If they were to tell me that the same Shelly, that I used to sit on the steps with, that we pretended were church pews, and while we were singing hymns, we would smoke 'Q-tip' cigarettes, I would not believe them.

Shelly is the first person in my life that I ever referred to as my best friend. I remember when my dad took a job transfer to Ohio when I was ten, it was the hardest thing that I ever had to face in my life thus far, and the one thing that I had to look forward to, that brought a smile to my face were Shelly's faithful letters. I still have every one of them. I think we wrote from the time I was ten years old, until email became the way to communicate when I was 23. She was always there for me, usually not in person, but always by written word. She is the one who came to visit me during my first week as a freshman in college. I never told her I was feeling alone and a little lost, but she sensed it, I know, and made the 5 hour drive, just to spend that weekend with me. It meant so much to me, and we had such a great time. I love looking at the photos from that visit.

After Shelly got sick, it was hard. I guess one never knows quite how to act or react to a situation like hers. Some people have such a great ability to talk about the unknown and the most scary scenarios, but at that time in my life, I was not one of them. Looking back, I wish I would have been, but I never dug too deep or prodded her too much about how grave her illness was. It was hard for me, and I could only imagine how hard it was for her. I hope she knew how much I worried and how much I cared, even if it wasn't something I vocalized very often. Whenever we talked or emailed, I was continually amazed at her incredible strength and ability to cope with such pain, disappointment, and constant change.

The thing I will remember most about Shelly is her faith. I don't think I know someone on a personal level with more faith and trust in God than her. She always put everything in His hands and gave her life to Him. I am in awe at her strength and her endurance to the end. Shelly is my friend, my first best friend, and will never be forgotten for as long as I live.

I love you Shel, and still miss you so much.

silver papaya

I am SO excited to share with you my favorite artist! She finally has her website up and going and I am thrilled! She is not only one of my dear friends, but also an artist whom I have admired ever since I saw some of her very first paintings. Her style is so up my alley and I cannot wait until I have more decorating space so I can put some more of her work on my walls! Here is the painting that I commissioned her to paint for me about 4 years ago. It was actually meant to be gifted to someone, but I decided I appreciated it more than that person, so I kept it!

....sure glad i did... it will be worth a picasso someday ;)click here to see her website and her amazing pieces

craving fufilled

ryan was craving spaghetti. good spaghetti. we love to support the locals. finally, we found a new restaurant we had never tried. the spaghetti was fabulous. the best sauce we've had, i think ever. we give it a bailey's thumbs up. if you live close, give it a try. 239 S 500 E SLC UT

ps: the bread was amazing too!

i looked out the window...

and this is what i saw this morning... i just lowerd my head, got dressed, and headed for the tanning salon.

witches brew

thanks so much tonia and amy! your fest was fun! pre party... casting spells onto the newlywed christian...to no avail, his heart belongs to lucy witches amy d, hannie b, and chal w... look at that sexy brew!

clever

It is a character trait. Call it what you want... obsession, compulsiveness, curiosity, fault, talent, whatever... but it is true, I will try just about anything once. Well, while in the check out line at the grocery store I saw these. So cute. I am probably way behind the times, but here's a little blue light special for all you frustrated mothers out there that can't seem to get your kids to eat their sandwich crusts. Just stop fighting it and make lunch into "dynobytes" Sincerely yours,

dr H

goodness

"chal's yummy asian pasta that we ate all summer long on the boat and now everyone who eats it becomes addicted recipe..."

1/2 cup canola oil

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup rice vinegar

1 tsp sesame oil

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp ground ginger

3 tbs sugar

3 tbs sesame seeds

shredded chicken

cilantro

green onion chopped

1 lb elbow or spiral pasta

prep:

combine dressing ingredients and blend WELL. add shredded or cubed chicken, marinate overnight. just before serving mix in cooked noodles, onion, and cilantro. sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve.

shower time

Our friends Cory and Stacy are the soon-to-be parents of an adorable little 4-year-old boy named "B" from Ethiopia. In anticipation of his arrival, all the friends got together on Sunday afternoon for a little shower. It was kind of fun to think of what the little guy will like and need when he gets here, vs what you would normally gift to a couple having a newborn. B got lots and lots of books. So, his collection is started and he will be learning English stat! Here are a few photos of the event. Jenny and Troy did a great job hosting and putting together the event and we all had a lot of fun. The proud parents (GOH's... that's what I was calling them..aka guest of honor) Here they are opening the gift we gave them. When we saw this print a few months ago we couldn't resist. It is so precious. ...and we had to get Rick to pose since he does so resemble the man in the painting. ;) Jenny, the hostess, she is as excited as I was when I found one of my favorite childhood books: Tikki Tikki Tembo So, we played this game. Boys vs. girls... who can put the stroller together the fastest. The men won, which is actually fine with all of us ladies, now they can continue to have the honor of putting together all of the toys at Christmastime! So, the other game was a tag team stroller race. It was hilarious! Gut laughing hilarious. Run boy run! Alas, the women beat the men in the race. Good times! Congrats Cory and Stacy. Can't wait for B to arrive!

twilight tailgater

OPENING NIGHT TICKETS AND TAILGATE PARTY FOR

TWILIGHT...

THE MOVIE

THURS

NOVEMBER 20 2008

AT DARK

$15

That's right, Ladies! The girls at Private Design have rented out Jordan Commons Movie Theatre for opening night, and we are ready to party! There will be lots of drawings and gift baskets and prizes for all. Thanksgiving Point and The District have completely sold out, and our Jordan Commons tickets are going fast.

So get a babysitter if you need one, and grab your girlfriends, because we are going to have a late-night blast! To get your Twilight Tailgate Tickets and be one of the first to see Bella bit by Edward, contact:

Hannie

801-898-2390

Chalyce

801-706-4572

Olivia

801-755-8385

or email

privatedesignartistry@yahoo.com

or stop by

8734 South 700 East

Sandy