Never Again!

I'm feeling a little down at this time, due to a wedding I did recently for a friend's daughter.  I don't think she was too happy with my work and decided to take her bouquet to someone else to "fix it" or someone else that "understands her vision".

My frustration is this!  When a bride shows you pictures of what she wants...let's say a bohemian look, garden look or even a Victorian/vintage look...that's what you do! BUT when you have the bride watching you make that "look", says she LOVES IT and says "make it BIGGER"!  What do you do?  MAKE IT BIGGER!  She LOVED it...and took pictures that night.

A week later it was expressed to me, by the mother of the bride, that the bouquet was TOO BIG and TOO HEAVY, so she wants it smaller and tighter.  Well, the BIGGER it is the HEAVIER it gets! Keep in mind that she wants the "garden look", not structured...she wants it to look like she picked it out the garden. When making a vintage/garden look the flowers are different lengths and NOT a round nosegay. Well, the bouquet was made with the help of the mother and sister!  Let me tell you it is NEVER good to have family involved in the workroom when doing wedding work! There are too many ideas and opinions which makes it VERY DIFFICULT on the designer. The mother then says to me that her daughter wants it tighter!  When making it tighter the flowers get lost because not all flowers are the same length due to the bride wanting the "WILD LOOK".

Needless to say, I go to the wedding reception.  I greet the bride and to my surprise the bouquet is totally different.  It is a NOSEGAY with additional flowers added to it. The brides comment to me is "my husband added the flowers for me and I LOVE IT!" I'm glad she loves it, but her husband didn't do it!  It was taken to another designer and remade because the bride changed her mind!  Lesson learned: Never do a wedding for friends when the bride, mother of the bride or any other family and/or friends of the bride are involved in the creating of the bouquet.  It makes for a disaster!

Up and Down!

Well, here is my story and I'm sticking to it!  I did begin watching what I was eating after my last post!  I lost 8 pounds!  Yay me!  But, the holidays came and the 8 pounds found me again!  So, here I am back to it again!  This is the story of my life!  Until then...Eat Healthy!

Gilbert Arizona Temple Open House

Today Doug and I toured the Gilbert Arizona Temple.  We took Vicki McCann, Matt McCann and Sarah McCann with us.  The temple is breathtaking located on the corner of Greenfield and Pecos in Gilbert, Arizona.  Here are a few pictures of the exterior.

The decoration around the temple is the agave bloom.  

The temple is adorned with this design on the inside as well.  

It's absolutely stunning!

It's Time For Change!

Over this past year I've lost 40 pounds.  I was feeling terrible, sluggish, tired, achy and just plain frustrated.  So, I made some simple changes.  First, I stopped drinking diet sodas.  Second, I limited my sugars and carbs.  Now, did I ALWAYS watch what I ate? No, because I'm human and like my treats/goodies.  But with time I did slowly lose 40 pounds.  Even though I've lost some weight, my scale still says, "You Need To Lose Weight!"

Now what to do?  I'm not losing like I was.  Here I am again trying to figure out how to get the scale to continue to move in the right direction!

My weight has always been an issue throughout my life.  I was a "Chunky" child. as a teenager I was "Heavy" and of course, it filtered into my adulthood into the "MORBIDLY OBESE" category!  Sometimes I think weight is not just what you put into your mouth, but it's what in your head!  The feelings that are carried from your life and the different struggles that we endure.  Emotions play a "BIG ROLL" in weight.  Self esteem, feelings, life's challenges and every day stress.  How can one manage all of these, get them under control, and move forward to a more healthier lifestyle?  My personal thoughts are to begin one day at a time.

With that being said, it's time for ME!  It's time to do what's best for ME!  Today is a new day and the perfect time to focus on health and happiness.  Of course, I'm beginning at the most challenging time of the year.  The holidays are fast approaching and it will be one of the most difficult times to resist all the amazing treats/goodies that I so love!  Yet, do I love the treats/goodies more than I love myself? It's time to put myself first!

Vincent's first time to General Conference

Since Vincent is now over the age of 8 he can go to General Conference. 

General Conference, Saturday, October 4, 2014

Uncle Doug and Vincent

On the Frontrunner from Saratoga Springs, UT to Salt Lake City.

We are so excited to share this experience with Vincent, Sabrina and Josh.

After lunch in the Garden Room, mother and son shared this moment.

Vincent and Sabrina getting a breathtaking view of the Salt Lake Temple 

from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

A must see!  The beautiful Tabernacle Organ on Temple Square.

We visited the Visitors Center on Temple Square.

Vincent with the Christus.

 Sister Missionaries from around the world sharing the gospel in their native language.

Ribbons Of Hope

Giving Back!

A "Ribbons of Hope" warmer is $35 and $7 will 

go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to help other women!

As a Breast Cancer Survivor I know early detection is key!

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  

I ordered one in honor of my mother, my Aunt Marthetta and myself!  

If you would like to honor someone in your life that was touched by breast cancer, order a Ribbons of Hope to help others in their fight with this disease.

Open House Fundraiser

Scentsy, Scentsy, Scentsy! 

Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Pumpkin! 

 My two favorite things!!! 

I'm having a Scentsy Open House/Fundraiser to help neighbors whose home was flooded in a recent flood in our neighborhood.  A portion of the orders will be donated to my friends, "The Packer Family".   Start your holiday shopping, visit and enjoy some pumpkin treats!