thrifty thursday

Thrifty Thursday is back!

Sorry for the lack of posts this past week - it has been a busy one.

For today though, boy do I have a good, cheap idea for you.

My sister, g baby and I ventured to Ikea this week. After having too much fun browsing the store, we were starving and decided to eat at the cafe there. My sister said it was pretty good and since I had never eaten there, of course I wanted to try it.

First, you get to roll this awesome tray cart around and weave your way through the line. (sorry for the blurriness, I was really excited about this whole thing!)

Next, you choose your food. We went with the kid size portions. Who wouldn't want to eat out of plastic bowls - come on! That was one of the best parts! Looking at this picture makes me laugh. I apparently chose foods in the yellow color range in honor of my gram. (mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, and Mott's for Tots - which by the way is yucky. The best way of describing it is one cup of water + one tablespoon of apple juice = a diluted disappointment!)

Now here's why it's thrifty. A kid's meal only costs $2.49, but from now until January 9, kids eat free! When Jenny & I went up to pay for the food it cost us a grand total of 85¢! (we only had to pay for the garlic bread). We told the cashier that we were eating the meals and would be happy to pay for them, but it wouldn't ring up any other way since the deal is going on.

Isn't that the greatest? Head off to Ikea! Choose colored dishes, pretend like you're 12 and eat for free, and maybe buy a cinnamon roll on the way out!

christmas wishes

When my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, I told her there were three things, none of which she would be able to get me on her own. I always think of the song My Grown-up Christmas List by Amy Grant when December rolls around. This list was important to me, and I would have been happy with just one thing (which is what I got!).

So at the risk of looking like a total loser, I'll let you in on the list:

a) Having my gram back in SLC

b) Taking out my own endowment in the Temple

c) A boyfriend

a) was unrealistic, c) makes me look like a LAME face, and b) happened.

Going through the temple is something I have been thinking about for a while and have carefully been preparing for over the last few months. Without sharing too many personal details about the journey and experience, I was able to go to the Temple tonight and it was wonderful. I chose December 22nd because it would have been my great-grandma's 110th birthday & because my gram had her first big round of chemo (an 8 hour infusion) today, so I thought it would be nice to be in the Temple. It felt so right to me and the timing was perfect. I loved it and can't wait to go again.

I was really lucky to have such a fantastic support crew, all of whom I love dearly. Thanks for coming, everyone!

broadbent's

My gram told me all about a store that was retro and full of fun things. She was sure I would love it, and she was right! We went to this great place a few times while she was here this past year. If you make your way down to Lehi, you will find a gem of a place called Broadbent's. It's a mercantile store and it is as charming as they come.

Now really, just take a look at the facade. The colors, the writing, the windows. My oh my, I love it all! Inside is full of great gifts, candy, retro toys, and a quilt shop. You must go and enjoy this part of yesteryear. I am telling you, it is a real treat.

Today I stopped by to pick up a present and I actually had a really hard time there. I know I sound like a broken record talking about my gram so much, but I will never stop worrying about her, crying because she isn't here, wishing that cancer doesn't exist, praying for a speedy recovery & skilled caregivers, and hoping with all my heart that she is in Utah before I know it.

I just about lost it in every part of the store, feeling sad that my gram wasn't right by my side to enjoy all the fun things with me. I was pretty proud of myself because I didn't let the tears roll until I got in the car. Then I'll Be Home for Christmas came on the radio. Gee, thanks. Go ahead and throw a heaping bucket of salt on the wound.

But I was able to pick up one of our favorite Broadbent's treats - candy canes! And they are amazing. I'll be taking these with me to Vermont in January.

Can't wait to eat them with you, gram!

thrifty thursday

Happy holidays!

I think this Pyrex dish looks particularly festive.

I had a great evening seeing the adorable David Archuleta perform with the Mormon Tabernacle choir. It was fantastic and the perfect way to celebrate this time of year!

what a bummer

Well you can see that my presents made it out to gram. They just didn't go to the place I wanted them to.

Fletcher Allen hospital has a new patient. That dang chemo is not on my friends list right now. Gram has a fever, a weakened immune system, and has needed IV antibiotics & now a blood transfusion.

I knew hospital stays would probably become part of this temporary cancer routine, but I was just always hoping I would be wrong.

I feel really blessed because I haven't had many hard trials in my life so far, but I have to say that this is definitely one of them. I just miss my gram so much. I have never felt so completely helpless. Today I sat at the computer with my elbows on the table and cried into my hands. Something about the fact that she's sick in Vermont and I'm not there gets me every time.

Please keep the prayers coming. We all need her to get better!

merry christmas, gram

I finished my gram's Christmas presents and sent them off this weekend. Since starting chemo, she has been really tired and is spending more & more time in her room taking naps and resting. I wanted to make things that would bring cheer to her room and brighten it up.

I had so much fun cross stitching this pillow. So fun, in fact, I need to find another pattern quick because now I don't want to stop. I took this baby with me everywhere for a week and worked on it as I was out and about. I even brought it along to my mom's colonoscopy appointment (that was an adventure that deserves a post of its own!). I sat there in the waiting room with my embroidery hoop and cross stitched away. I've never had such a good time waiting for someone!

Pennant banners have been pretty popular and I wanted to give one a try. This picture is really quite dark and the patterns are much more vibrant in person. I made this to hang on my gram's wall so she can remember how much I love her. (We have a long standing joke that she loves me the most out of all the grandkids. I always sign my cards as love, the forever favorite).

My sister suggested to use a solid backing so the patterns wouldn't look all wonky when the sunlight shines through. (Brilliant!) I used this white polka dot backing on all the pennants and I love the subtle print.

Merry Christmas, gram! Next year we will celebrate Christmas together - I just know it!

thrifty thursday

Anyone who knows me knows that I love, love, love clogs. My mom got me hooked on them six years ago, and ever since, I can't get enough! I wear them with everything. Shorts, skirts, pants, barefoot, with socks. To work, to church, out & about, you name it. I think I could run a 5K in them, they are just so comfy (I did go on a small hike once before while wearing clogs).

I wear the Sanita or Dansko brand, and I got a steal of a deal on a cute pair a few weeks ago. They started out at $59.99. That price alone should almost be illegal. I had a coupon code for free shipping, 10% off, and a code that let me take $15 off as well. That brought the total down to $38.96.

What a bargain! I was so excited, I had to take a picture of the screen.

Here they are on my feet today. The striped socks are an added touch. But really, the clogs are just so darling. They are sparkly & red and I don't ever want to take them off.

Here's a little sneak peek of my latest craft project in this picture - I am making something to send to my gram for Christmas. I'll show a full reveal before I mail it off!

elated

This is a short one, but today was one of the best days ever in all of 2010.

I am beyond thrilled.

bow tie

A few weeks ago I tried out a student ward with a friend. After the meetings, I really felt like I should also go to my own ward. As I was driving home, I just couldn't decide what to do - but I automatically drove to the church building. Something inside me said, "Julia, go!"

Oh my, am I ever glad I did!

This cute guy was waiting for me. I could tell he was anxiously scanning the room, and when he saw me, he came running over.

You know why? The boy wore a bow tie just for me!

While I was tending his family and the kids were getting ready for church, I told him that I thought there was nothing more handsome than a boy in a bow tie.

He came the next Sunday wearing one. (I was at work and missed it).

So he tried again the following week. (When I was inspired to come).

Talk about persistent! He is just too adorable.

I can't wait until I have a boy who will wear a bow tie for me every week.

thrifty thursday

Sometimes I feel really silly doing this regular Thrifty Thursday post because there are honestly way more important things to write about. But I do love traditions, and I do love being thrifty, so onward we go!

I went to the DI today and just about found nothing, except for one little treasure.

Once Upon a Potty.

image via babyproofingplus.com

Do you remember this book?

I always wanted a copy of my own when I was little and I remember looking at it all the time when we'd go to the bookstore. I would sit there all wide-eyed just snickering. It is such a classic.

I'm sending it to my gram for part of her Christmas present. I guess you could say that we are continuing with the potty theme (remember I gave her The Gas We Pass?), but I know she will get a kick out of reading about Prudence and her adventures on the potty.

My gram had her first round of chemo today. It went well, but they say she will start to feel yucky in about 8-10 days (boo). I went to an event yesterday where everyone was wearing name tags. A lady whose name is Shirley walked past and I cried when I saw her name tag. (That's my gram's name). Darn all those miles between here and Vermont! I am hoping to go visit gram in January when things are more settled.

I don't think I've been so anxious to get on a plane in all my life. Let the countdown begin!