Rememb'ring My Good Friends

"I count myselt in nothing else so happy

As in a soul rememb'ring my good friends."

- William Shakespeare

Yesterday I went to lunch with some of my dear friends from High School. We try to get together a couple of times a year to catch up on each others lives and find out what our children and husbands are doing. We always have a great time and for the most part we don't relive the past but enjoy the present and our true friendships. And we always run out of time and promise to schedule a lunch sooner next time. I'm ever so glad I didn't sever my relationships with these strong, sensitive women who lend me a listening ear at times when only someone outside my immediate ring would do and who I love being with because I feel young every time I see them and learn from their great wisdom. Their lives haven't always been easy, but they have held firm and planted to what they know to be true and I love them for it. Hurrah for good women and unbreakable friendships.

Just a few pictures of some of my very best friends. I love you all!

" A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."

- Arabian Proverb

And of course my family who not only are related, but are my friends as well and I love it!!

Sharon Aposhian Wright

Today the QQQ's had the fabulous opportunity of having a trunk show by Sharon Aposhian Wright, an award winning quilter from Payson, Utah. Not only were her quilts dazzling, but she was as well! As she showed each quilt she allowed us to get to know more and more about her family, life and beliefs. Everyone in the Holliday Library today was overwhelmed at the beautiful quilts that she has artistically put together, from her "quilts with a purpose" to her "banishing Santa" varieties and beyond. It was almost too much to take in all at once. I'm so grateful that I had my camera with me so that I could come home and take a second look at some of the quilts at my own pace. Here are a few of my favorites-- it was so hard to choose!

The one at the very top is called Allegro and Sharon made three quilts from this pattern and they all looked very different- it was amazing. The quilt below is a yo-yo quilt- love it!

The bottom two quilts have both won awards, no surprise.

Can you see the face of Christ in this quilt?

The words printed on the quilt are" If thou seek Him, He will be found"

The name of this quilt is "Light of the World"

For Kathy and I it was an extra special treat because we grew up with the Aposhian's. They lived just off of Aposhian Circle. Sharon was older than we were, Laurel and her other sister was there and said to say hello to Cyndi and Becky and both of her parents were there today. It was lovely to have our Mother there with us.

You know, quilting is a pretty great way to subtly leave your values and beliefs behind for someone else to find. Cool. Way Cool.

Dreams Really Do Come True

Two nights ago while watching the evening news, John saw this clip and then shared it with the family.  Before Susan Boyle sang she was a simple women from a tiny village in Scotland, 48 years old and unemployed and now has taken the world by storm because of her voice!  Her life will never be the same.  I have fallen in love with Susan Boyle and the entire idea of what has happened to her.  

Imagine that, me loving to see an almost 50 year old woman making her dream come true . . . While most of us can't sing or dance, we all have dreams and regardless of  of the timetable of when we realize them, it's about having an aspiration or goal and making it happen.  Go Susan!  

The Ball

While attending the Realms of Inquiry Auction that Stewart and Corie invited us to, John supported the school by purchasing a unique collectable that has made some noise in the neighborhood and put more than a few smiles on many faces.  No doubt about it.  John has made his place in history as a true Ute fan (disclaimer: an individual can be a fan of more than one school at the same time, especially during a great football season).  Everyone in the picture above was at one time a student at the U or is currently a student.  The photographer only worked at the U.  Go U of U.

Our two serious Ute Fans on the afternoon after the acquisition of the ball, note the over exuberance on both of their faces!  Such Joy!  If Maren had been here she no doubt would have been apart of this same group.

Canyonlands Half Marathon and the 5 Miler

The goal as I left last year's Canyonlands Half Marathon was to come back in 2009 and walk the 5 miler.  I  had a great time watching Ben and Maren run last year and I thought that it would be even better to be a participant.

Due to some unexpected complications, my walking partner could not make it to Moab.  I thought all was lost until one of my super hero's flew into rescue me from walking alone.  We took it at a nice even pace and enjoyed the details that most of the racers flew by--  

I loved the mandolin player, the drums (who knew they were all women?), the lady that took her baby on her back, the older gentleman that talked to any and everyone that would talk to him along the way, the volunteers, the young kids that circled their grandparents, and all the finishers.

I learned a few things as well.  You can take water to the top of the hill, there is plenty of time to wait before the race begins.  It really does get hot before the race is over, stuff your jacket in the bag.  Remember gum.  Run the last 50 yards at the very least or the announcers make way too much of your crossing.   Have fun, because it will all be over way too fast!

The Changing of the Guard

This Sunday our Stake Presidency will be released and and a new one will be called.  It has been quite a remarkable experience for John to be a part of President Clark Hinckley's presidency. Not only has it been wonderful for John, but it has been a great experience for each of us as family members as the past 6 and a half years John would come home with stories of the Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley as well as all the great news of our own stake.  We will miss not rubbing shoulders with all of those great men . . . but that's the way the church works.  As my good friend Alice used to say "Happy for the call, happy for the release".

OPPS! 7 RANDOM THINGS and Who to Tag?

I was so anxious to post I forgot to do the most important thing- play the game and tag someone else!  I think Gretchen and Christy would be great candidates!  Remember it took me from November to January to actually make good on this . . . and there is no pressure any way.