Saturday, October 30, 2010

Creative Costumes

This is a great example of Mom's brilliance and ingenuity. I was so impressed by the way she made the hat and the hook out of a metal juice lid and hanger. What creative genius! I'm so bereft--it's truly a great benefit to blessed with a creative mother and a creative daughter.

The little competitor in me was crushed in 3rd grade when my lovely pink princess dress (that my amazing mother sewed for me) failed to secure me a Wilson Halloween costume award. I can still remember mom consoling me and explaining that creativity was the ticket. I went on to win the most creative costume award at Manzanita School for the next four years and the scariest costume award my 8th grade year (when my "peanut, peanut butter, jelly" costume feel apart right in front of the judges--I didn't have too much competition--it wasn't "the thing" to still dress up when you were in 8th grade back in the day--Erica Gallardo won most creative that year for her Fruit of the Loom inspired grape cluster costume--she was covered in purple balloons with an awesome green stem hat). I don't remember any of the other costumes except the one that won me my first prize--my 4th grade tombstone costume. I remember mom had painted 1971-20??. It kind of freaked me out. I lived in mortal fear of not living until the 21st century. It was a happy moment at 12:00a.m. 2000, when I realized the tombstone prediction would be fulfilled. Silly.
These classic Red Suspender's Day award-winning costumes show off Mom's sewing and artistic flair.

My Favorite Picture of 4 Year-old Bob

As a teenager this was my FAVORITE picture of Bob. I deeply appreciated Bob and the service he rendered to me during basketball season. I would come home from practice, tired and sweaty, and plop myself down on the couch in the family room. Bob would be kind enough to pull my clunky high tops off for me and even (brace yourself--this would completely gross out Steve) peel off my two layers of sweaty socks. Bob, you're awesome. Thanks again!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Anticipating More Adventures

We've been missing the latest Bowling adventures and reflecting with gratitude on some of the October adventures of the past. We're looking forward to the next one.This is my first attempt using our new scanner. We've had to buy a new printer/scanner since our last one died on us. Our computer (that Grandpa Bowling gave us because he hated it--thank you Grandpa, it has served us well for many years) and microwave (which Steve just remarked the other day was one of his very favorite gifts, thank you Mom & Dad. He's convinced that we would still have our gigantic, fake wood-paneled JCPenney microwave if it hadn't been for your thoughtful gift--and he's right. I still miss its gigantic capacity)are also on the fritz and I just found out that our modem is defective and needs to be replaced. This is just cracking me up because we still haven't replaced our stolen electronics. (And just so nothing gets lost in the written word without the real life expression--I really do find the whole thing very amusing. The other day the microwave just stopped. I looked over and there were 14 seconds left. Nathan was zapping lentils and we have had a difference of opinion over how long to zap. I walked over and pushed the start button again--which has always worked just fine in the past when the wave inexplicably stops. Well, the microwave started again but--for the first time--it didn't count down. It stayed at 14 seconds, even though it was continuing to cook. Well, I already thought he'd put it in too long and more than 14 seconds went by. I wasn't willing to let the lentils explode all over the wave to figure out how long it would've gone with out turning off. When he heard the door of the microwave open without hearing the "it's finished" beeping sound, he came running in to the kitchen--"Did you stop the microwave early, Mom?! You know I wanted it to go for 90 seconds!" Smart little detective boy--I had to explain that the microwave really wasn't working right and that his controlling mother was not trying to undermine his desire to overcook his food.) I'm almost afraid to replace our other electronics--everything else seems to be on the blink. The only things (knock on wood) that are currently working correctly are our ClearPlay DVD player and the tv--the two things I would be delighted if they were not working (the tv anyway). I'm a firm believer in the WWII motto "Use It All; Wear It Out; Make It Do; or Go Without." I've enjoyed seeing how long I could go without a functioning printer, but it's become a problem with R & N's school assignments, so alas, I broke down and bought a new printer, but I am SO excited to buy a Kodak printer which costs more upfront but then will save you a TON of money in ink cartridges down the road. (Thank you for that tip Clark Howard!).
Anyway, Happy Fall and thanks everyone for all of the great fall memories going all the way back to driving the 6 siblings trick-or-treating in the station wagon at age 12 when Mom and Dad were vacationing in Hawaii. Shelly was such a great babysitter when you're 12. Now having a 12 year old, I would have a heart attack if a babysitter let Rachel drive especially when I was out of state and especially with my other little ones in the car!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

A Beautiful Beginning

It really does go fast! It's wonderful watching the Bruce & Alicia Bowling Family grow. We missed out on celebrating Lily's birthday and seeing everyone this weekend. We are all blessed to be part of such a wonderful family with such noble parents. Listening to Elder Arnold today reminded me of what amazing grandparents we have. I am especially grateful for their example of temple attendance and service.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Young Parents

Don't we have wonderful parents and don't I have sweet bangs in this picture?

Dad Doing the 'Do

I love this picture! Don't you just love Dad's attention to detail? I think it's such a sweet thing to occassionally see dads doing things that moms usually do.
It's good to see pictures of Uncle Verl. I'm really looking forward to meeting him again in the next life without the constraints he had to endure in this life. I still have a bracelet he gave me that he found on one of his walks in his trailer park. The clasp has long-ceased to function properly, but it always makes me smile.