Sewing Blues

So, I took a sewing class a couple of months ago. Sewing is not easy...at least not to me. In my class I made a draw string bag that had an outside pocket, an inside pocket w/ zipper, a buttonhole to insert the draw string and an outside strap. You know, it didn't come out to bad. It was actually more useful as a laundry bag, because the material is a little thin, and flimsy. It was a fun class, but I feel that my instructor wasn't that informative. She was nice enough, but she wasn't really the kind of teacher that bubbled with enthusiasm like I had hoped.

I attempted another project on my own, that began last night and is somewhat finished...but I don't think I am entirely happy. I wanted to give it as a gift, but am afraid that my flaws are a bit too noticeable. (Dang that zigzag stitch). Oh yeah, and let me mention how I feel like an idiot because I am so bad at measuring. It is simple right?? That is what everyone says, which makes me feel even dumber. Why did they take sewing out of the school system anyway?? That advice I got from my teacher Mr. Olsen in highschool came back to me. "Brianna, I know you don't like math, but even basic math will come back to haunt you sometime in your adult life." Yes, Mr. Olsen I can vouch that it has.

At the Fabric store, a sweet lady overheard me asking questions about the fabric. She asked me "Is this your first sewing project?" I told her about my class, and that this would be my second project. She looked at me with excitement, and said "Oh dear, this will be the beginning of curtains, and decorative stuff for your house, and maybe even suits." Suits!!.... Later that night as I sat in my kitchen with pins scattered on the table, and fabric in a heap... I thought of that nice lady and said to myself "If she only saw me now, she'd know that suits are not in my future." Then, I looked over just as Ginger (my cat) was using her paw to bat my bobbin that was full of thread under the refrigerator.... yes I had to wind another bobbin. My little Ginger could care less...she just rolled up in a ball and went to sleep.

Today, at work just when I was about cross-eyed from entering info into the computer, I heard on the radio that a place here in Albuquerque called Hip Stitch was offering a free beginner sewing class. I jumped all over that, and called the place. I am now scheduled to take the FREE one hour class on a Saturday afternoon. I am very excited, and maybe I will be able to learn some more tricks.

I am not giving up... I just want to be able to sew easy, cute stuff to give to my friends and family. I have some cute patterns that would make nice gifts...but at the same time I don't want them to be all jacked up. I guess everyone has to start somewhere... I think tomorrow I will make a suit. A suit!... ahh to dream.

On The Loose With Words...

Writing is therapy to me. I have always liked it,along with reading. I am the kind of person who gets excited to write messages on my Christmas cards that I send out. I like to write stories, and have a bunch of notebooks with little stories started in them.

I like to find the kind of card that has the most beautiful message to give to Cory for his birthday, or for our anniversary, and then you know what I do? Yes I write more sappy stuff straight from my heart. My dear Cory does not like to read very much,so a simple Love, Brianna would probably be fine enough for him, but I can't help myself.

I also save all of my cards that people give me. I have all of our cards that we got for our wedding. I save them because I love to read what people wrote. I figure if they cared enough to write it, I should care enough to save it.

I grew up with a mom who left me notes all over the place. I found notes from her in my lunchbox, by my curling iron, on the kitchen table,notes that she stuck under the door to my room when I was sleeping. She always professed her love in these quirky little notes that she left me. I too found a way to write my love right back to her. When I moved out of my mom's house, one thing that I missed so much was her little notes. They became such a routine in my young life, that it was sad not to have it. I tried to begin the note tradition with Cory... it didn't work out. I was lucky to get a drawing of a smiley face in reply. Actually it is quite funny. So when I go to visit my mom, I always find a notepad, and write her something that she will find later... and it makes me smile to know that she will appreciate the loving words, and they will touch her heart.

I think that a love for writing comes from a love for reading...at least that was the case for me. Reading a book opens a whole new world to me, filled with new places, and interesting people. I can visit places I've never physically been to. If I am ever blessed to have children I will read to them every chance I get. It is so important, it helps people spell better, speak better, and it is so good for the imagination.

Today was somewhat of a stressful day. I have had a lot on my mind. Right now though, I am at peace typing away on this laptop. Right now, I am consumed by something that I enjoy. This little blog is becoming to be a nice little outlet, because it allows me to write whatever I want. It is like a little release of all the thoughts I keep stored in my mind, yet they don't get lost...they have a place right here, and I can visit them later.

Good Parents Make Good In-Laws

When Cory and I got engaged, we began talking to an Elder from our Church. Curtis arranged a meeting with us. We told him that we lived together. He encouraged us to start taking premarital classes with him, and he also encouraged us not to live together anymore until we were married. It was never right to live with Cory in the beginning, and I knew that, Cory knew that.... but we did it anyway. It always bothered me because I knew it wasn't right. So when Curtis came to mediate in our lives, we listened. It is never to late to try to do what is right, even if you did wrong, you can always take steps to learn and do the right thing. Curtis asked us why we wanted to get married. He liked our answers, and told us that he believed that we had something special, and that so many times when young people came to him wanting to get married, they didn't even seem to have real reasons as to why they were choosing to spend their lives together.

We started the classes, and I moved out. I moved in with Cory's parents. It was a hard decision to make. I remember the day I packed my stuff to leave. I was crying, because I wanted to stay with Cory but I knew in my heart that God was proud of me for trying to do the right thing. Cory's mom and dad supported our decision, and offered their home to me. Some people would say they could never do this, but I could because Cory's parents are truly some of the sweetest, most genuine people I have ever met.I love them so much.

I stayed with them for 7 months. In those 7 months my relationship grew even stronger. I got to see a glimpse of what Cory's life was like growing up. Their home is full of love, laughter, and family. I was pretty spoiled too. Randy would make me coffee in the morning,and on occasion even pack my lunch. Randy and I would come home from work, and Paula would have dinner ready,and we'd eat as a family. There were nights when we watched movies, and drank hot tea. Paula taught me how to crochet. We had long talks about marriage, and how it is hard work, but worth it. I can honestly say that in those 7 months I never had an argument with either of them. I could totally be myself with them. I remember one day in the stress of trying to plan everything for our wedding, Cory and I got in an argument on the phone. I can't even remember what it was about now. Anyway, I was home alone, and was crying. Cory's dad came home after a bike ride,and found me upset. Anyone that knows me knows that when I start crying, usually I can't stop. My nose gets all fat, and my face gets red. I was embarrassed to have him see me like that, but I told him what happened. He was so sweet to me, and gave me a hug, and told me about when him and Paula were going to get married, the night before they had a fight about making the punch for the wedding. He told me that it was just part of the stress of getting ready for the big day. He totally made me feel better, and laugh, and then he made me a sandwich.

During one of our premarital classes the lesson was called In-Laws and Out-Laws. Curtis talked to us about how in-laws can sometimes cause problems in a marriage for a variety of reasons. I have had no problems with Paula and Randy, and could never consider them out-laws. They have always treated me so good, and I really know that they love me. Today after Church Paula told me she had something for me out in the car. She handed me this framed picture and it said " If I could have chosen The wife for my son,Without a Doubt... It would Have Been you." Oh how that touched my heart.

I feel very blessed to have a good relationship with Cory's parents, and totally 100% feel part of the family. We love to spend time with them, they are two amazing people.

The Years Turn Into Wrinkles

I think I am at the age where I realize that I am getting older. Now don't get me wrong I know that I am still very young. Though this is true, I think about how much life I have already lived. It seems as though I was just tasting the feeling of freedom in my young life at the age of 19... being able to choose how late I stayed out, where I chose to go. I had my whole life ahead of me. A blank canvas, a book filled with empty pages waiting for me to write my story.

I have had my first love, the guy that made my world turn, and then had my first heartbreak, that came with the feeling that life would never be the same, and that lump in your throat that felt like it would never go away, or your heart will never feel anything but pain.

I felt what it was like to have a bestfriend, and go shopping together, and talk about boys, and and how they were ruining our lives, and how we couldn't wait to find the right one.




I have had loved ones die, and have had to feel the unbelievable helplessness that comes along with losing someone you love so very much. I have had to have the feeling of wishing so bad that I could bring my two young cousins back so that our family didn't have to live without them.

I have lost my grandma, and that has been one of the hardest things I have had to deal with. There are no words to express the emptiness I feel without her here in my life. Yet, I know and believe that she is in Glory with Jesus, and that brings me peace.

I discovered a love for cats, and felt the heartbreak of losing a pet.

I have been close to my mom my whole life, have had the usual mother daugther conflicts and have always come to find that there is no one like my mom. She has never failed to be there for me when I need her. She has always been a constant support for me. It was always me and my mom. She always put me first, and she loves me so much.



I have had to know what it feels like to live life without a father, to feel the rejection that comes with that, and to wonder if my weaknesses would be strengths if I would have had an active father.

I have come to realize that true friends are hard to come by.






I met and married my true love, and realized how lucky I am that my first love broke my heart, because I would never have known real love if I hadn't had the chance to meet Cory.



I have discovered the love of Jesus, and know that having a relationship with him is the best and absolute most important thing that I will ever do in my lifetime here.

I could go on and on about all the things that I have experienced in my 29 years. There are so many memories that I can look back on.

So though it seems that I am still very young, time is flying, and I am still trying to figure out how to savor the moments, how to hang on to the things that are beautiful in my life.

Change is all around us, it is what makes the world go round. We would not be living without it.

So as long as God grants me life here on this earth, I will age. I hope to be the kind of person that ages gracefully. Yet, I must admit I have a sense of panic that arises every once in a while when I think about getting older. I panic because I stop to worry that I am not taking advantage of my youth. I hope to do the things
that I want.

My canvas is not blank anymore, it has color, it has mistakes, it has beauty, and flaws. I am a work in progress.

Who Says A Photo Shoot is just for Movie Stars?? Shoot...

So last Saturday Cory said to me "Don't forget we have to go take those pictures for the Dentist."

To which I replied "Oh yeah I remember you saying something about that, why does he want to take our picture?"

Well I thought it was a little weird. Greg is a very nice man who we know from church. He is a Dentist, has a super sweet wife, and teenage twins. He also likes to take pictures in his spare time.

So I am thinking okay, we'll go to his office and he'll take a snapshot or two, and then put the picture in a standard 8X10 frame. Well was I pleasantly surprised. We went to his Dentist office, along with Cory's parents because they were also his chosen models. Anyway we walk into the lobby, and then I see these really cool black and white pics of people all around on the walls. Then I am thinking wow, did Greg take those? Greg casually says "Come on, follow me down to my studio." We go downstairs, and there is this cool little photo studio, complete with a backdrop, and even props such as stools, chairs and so on. He starts showing us some of his pictures, and they are really good.Really, really good. And then I get excited because he is going to take our pictures, and give us a CD of them. How cool is that? He explained that his pictures that he already had up were a little old, and he wanted to update them. This is why he asked us to come. Now we weren't the only ones, and he may not even use all the pics, if any... but even so it was a fun experience.

So he had a specific idea for Cory, he wrapped his head with string, and had him pretend to floss his teeth. Don't you think Cory looks like someone who would floss his teeth everyday? Greg joked and told Cory "Hey, quit flipping off your Dentist!" Notice his finger in the picture?




I think he may use one of those pics in his lobby. He liked it a lot.I thought is was so cool of him to let us have copies of the pictures.

These are some of my favorites:







Here is Cory's parents. I think this is a great picture of them:



It is so neat to have these pictures. We want to get some printed, and hang around our house.

So the lesson is when you think you know what to expect when you go to a Dentist office, DON'T! He may take your picture and call it Art! You never know you might go to the Dentist for your scheduled cleaning and see my smiling, gapped tooth mug staring at you in the face. I knew I could be famous if I wanted to. Ha!

Ebony and Me... And Cooter...and Ginger

We just got home from watching Marley and Me. It was wonderful, and I recommend it to all! I read the book last winter, and I laughed, cried, and laughed some more. It is a wonderful book, and the best part is that it is a true story. A story of an irresistible, cute Labrador puppy, that grows in TROUBLE, love, and mischief.

I wasn't too sure if the movie would be as good as the book, but it turned out really good. Of course there were a few differences, but all in all it tugged at my heart strings just like the book.

Marley is a crazy dog, and that got me thinking of our dear Ebony. To me Ebony reminds me of a permanent puppy. She is a loving dog, but she can also be crazy. She is hyper, clumsy, and stubborn. She only half listens to me, she is always starving, can't take her eyes off her ball for a second, so much that we have to hide it so she will listen. Though she is nutty, she is also very sweet, loving, and loyal. Ebony turned 5 on December 4th. Seeing Marley and Me got me thinking how I don't want Ebony to get older. Having pets is so joyful, but in reality one has to remember that it is most likely that our pets go on before us...and that hurts so much! I have a little theory that God made pets to help people to give and receive unconditional love. He uses their death as a way to show us that though it hurts, we make it through it. I know that losing a pet is not the same as losing a person, but I'm just saying in a small way it introduces the feelings that come with death. I know that there are some people who just aren't pet people ( I think it is weird, I mean how could you not want a dog or a cat) but for the people who count their pets as family, I think that they teach us a lot about love, happiness, patience, care, and fun...and even death.

So I can't write this post and not mention my other two pets.



Cooter is our newest addition, and he is the sweetest dog. I am learning he is a little sneaky though. Ebony keeps getting caught...but I think Cooter is the mastermind behind the trouble. When Cooter came here he arrived with two beds...Ebony had three of her own. Guess how many they have now? Zero... that's right one by one they had a field day in the backyard, and had a shred fest. Then, just the other day I thought I heard a noise in the garage, and kind of brushed it off... well lo and behold later when I went to check on the rascals the bag of bones that was high up on the tool box was on the floor, with a good amount of bones missing, Ebony was happily enjoying one in front of my eyes, and Cooter was just innocently looking at me, I looked away for a second, and out the corner of my eye I saw him lick his mouth. We are enjoying him though, and I think he is happy here. He is older, at 7 years.

Then there is Ginger the princess of the house. She does whatever she wants, and looks pretty doing it.




So I just wanted to say that Marly and Me is a great movie. Read the book, watch the movie...get your kleenex and if you have a dog give him or her a big kiss... if you give them your heart..they will give you theirs, and if you don't give them your heart.. they will still give you theirs!