Also at our new, simpler address: http://segullah.org/sampler/
because it's where i am today. [Link]
Today I met my sister's hump and she met mine.Does that sound weird?My sister Stephanie is in Arizona where doctors have inserted a balloon-type mechanism into her back. As this balloon expands so does the healthy skin, which creates a ... [Link]
Title: The Titan's Curse: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3Author: Rick RiordanI started this book last night after the kids went to bed and finished it this morning before they were up, so Rick Riordan's The Titan's Curse is ... [Link]
Title: The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved AmericaAuthor: Timothy EganI've been reading so many quick and easy books lately (like the Percy Jackson series, written for fourth-graders), that I groan a little bit when a book ... [Link]
Title: Let the Great World SpinAuthor: Colum McCannI reserved Let the Great World Spin from the library three times before I actually got around to reading it. Over the last year, I also had it in my actual shopping cart ... [Link]
Van and his date Dixie the night of the Valentine's dance--Lindsay Kay Clark photographyOn Friday night my teenage nephews Van and Layton asked if they could bring their dates over to our house after the Valentine's Dance. The plan was ... [Link]
7.2.10 Snowmageddon-What to Do When the World Turns White This morning's internet news called it a 'Snowmageddon"....We live in Maryland and the world did indeed turn WHITE. The never ending hours of snow felt like we were sheltered within a ... [Link]
This is one of those books that I've been meaning to read for years, but never got around to. I wish I'd read it sooner, because it deserves its spot on so many lists as a must read. I loved ... [Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Sam and his friend are walking through the house]Sam's friend: "Why do you have so much stuff everywhere?"Sam: "Want to play legos?"Sam's friend: "Is this the room your cat sleeps in?"Sam: "I don't have a cat."Sam's friend: "Why does it ... [Link]
5.2.10 Sugar is Sweet Sugar is Sweet, Violets are Blue, Hearts filled with Love, Only for You. Silly, sweet rhymes bring back memories of the month of February and Valentine's Day ! In our family Valentine's was a BIG DEAL, ... [Link]
really important, when suddenly you turn your head to the side and cough and BAM: you give birth to a baby? And then you realize, OMG, there's another one coming, so you stumble out to find a nurse, but she's ... [Link]
You know, sometimes I just have to admit defeat.The only real blogging I was able to do this evening was about SLABpizza for my Provo blog (cjaneprovo.com baby!) It's a new shop and already Chup and I have been there ... [Link]
I read this one last weekend for a book group. I'm glad I did, since I've heard so much about. I didn't love it though. I thought it was interesting, but I don't need to read any of the others. ... [Link]
So we moved back to our original apartment last week. A clean, dry, not moldy apartment with lots more space than the temporary apartment had. It's good to be home.But moving twice in five weeks finally killed the need in ... [Link]
[Sam has taken his sock off and decided that it might be fun to lick his bare foot.]me: "Sam, that is disgusting. Get your foot out of your mouth."Sam: [laughs and sticks a toe in his mouth.]me: "Sam. Seriously. That ... [Link]
[Link]
I know you think you are being helpful. When you randomly add tabs and change the style of sections I didn't ask you to.Or maybe you think that you're smarterthan people like me.And maybe you don't knowthatis whypeople come after ... [Link]
and is it bad that I don't know? [Link]
In the middle of posting last night I fell asleep with the laptop warm on my lap in bed. When Chup came in to turn off the lights he woke me up and asked if he should turn off the ... [Link]
They came. For those who weren't watching last season, I'll re-cap. Smart mama's glorious long red couch has been a witness to her almost 11 years of marriage. Fading dramatically from the sun, sagging under years of love from 3 ... [Link]
You know how I love global causes and helping my boys see they can have a part in greater good across the world. Well when I heard about Cupcakes for Haiti that Lynette Austin put together in Northern Virginia I ... [Link]
So I'm determined to report my reading monthly this year instead of those huge yearly reports. I did a lot of reading in January, especially after I finished my book. YES! I finished my novel! As in, all completely done. ... [Link]
I'd love to be yours for a Ford Flex. I mean, who wouldn't love a Ford Flex? It's like a minivan with attitude: a two-tone, low-slung, leather-wearing, voice-activated hunk of gorgeous American blue steel.If the Flex were a diamond, it ... [Link]
3.2.10 iphone madness: a photo a week I still haven't come down from my 'high' with my iphone. When I can't sleep at night it is more fun than reading a book, not that I couldn't read a book ON ... [Link]
You may recall this post I did about finishing things. My first project was the thrifted table. I cleaned the sewing machine table, removed the machine, and spent 40 minutes trying to saw a board using a tiny handsaw to ... [Link]
the stake president hit the send button less than an hour ago. the call should come in a couple of weeks. he could go anywhere–because this is my kid who can do anything. guesses? [Link]
JOURNALS come in every shape, size, paper, color, texture, store-bought or handmade. Journals are loads of fun! Especially the cover and back. So why not start on top, right at the very beginning and have fun being creative without little ... [Link]
poop on the bed, poop in the bath, poop on my face and clothes. it was like an echo of just a few years ago when the babies were littler.yuck. [Link]
Years ago I was cutting squares for a quilt. I exclaimed happily how it would look so great when I finished and then I caught my sister laughing. "What's so funny?""You're not going to finish it.""Yes, I am!""No, you're not. ... [Link]
Before I ever had a child of my own my older sister Page told me, "Motherhood is like Groundhog Day."And I thought, yikes.Then today I woke up.(Like the day before.)And I could hear The Chief singing, "Mama! Baa baa!" from ... [Link]
today that is. i woke up with a fevered to-do list that went something like this: tear apart the entire house and try to rebuilt it by bedtime.it didn't work.today i woke up to wilting tulips and crumbs on the ... [Link]
me: "So, Lily, how's the pooping in the potty thing going?"Lily: [sigh] "It's going ADAGIO, mommy. Very, very adagio. I wish it would go allegro. Or even andante. But it is going adagio."me: [fascinated by her word choice.] "Oh, I ... [Link]
I don't know what I was thinking.Yes, I do know what I was thinking.I was thinking I didn't look pregnant enough for a headshot.I was thinking I didn't have pregnant face just yet.I was thinking I could fool the camera ... [Link]
Well. Here she is a new banner, with a new footer and new links inside the banner.Did you notice all those links? In one spot? It's so organized.It was inspired by my life here at Retro House.My thanks to the ... [Link]
I wrote a little post for A Good Grief last night, it is called "The Blessing of Grief."You can read it here. [Link]
An email arrived in my inbox from Jodi. For a school project her son is collecting responses to the question, "What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?"The nicest thing?First, my mother conceived me, gestated me, bore ... [Link]
Last week my mother and I headed up to south Salt Lake to do an interview with the magazine Wasatch Woman. Although my mother and I are technically Wasatch women ourselves, this interview was on behalf of my sister Stephanie ... [Link]
Dear Sister,I am so happy you are out of the hospital. I bet you are too.I am writing you this letter because I . . . we . . . me and The Chief, mostly, miss you and the little ... [Link]
Because if we were to gather all the jokes, comedians, embarrassing moments, bodily function noises and brilliant use of sarcasm . . .. . . over-sized glasses on babies would still be the funniest thing ever.Here are some more babies ... [Link]
This is my nephew Jay. Or Jamison.A week or so ago, Jay emailed the family asking for donations on behalf of his baseball team. Except, this letter he sent was very well-written. It included all sorts of incentives and explanations ... [Link]
My neighbor Emily has a rule about blogging. It is something like, "one should never blog about blogging" and ever since I read that rule I have concurred. Sometimes I break the rule, but most of the time I intend ... [Link]
The other day I found myself completely enchanted with my life.Not as though I was feet-up on a floating lily pad lounging in a southern sun vacation.No.I was housecleaning.And I was sweating and breathing hard and scrubbing and organizing and ... [Link]
. . . celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. . . . pray for the people of Haiti.. . . send sweet thoughts to my sister in Arizona.. . . make some chocolate chip cookies for my dad.. . . ... [Link]
My friend Alexa Mae from Arizona should get an award. Three months ago her husband Mr. C had an episode which landed him paralyzed and in the ICU. She blogged about the entire experience from the tiny little pieces of ... [Link]
Sitting in Sunday School last week I was pleased when our discussion highlighted some of the non-traditional practices of other families. (One woman shared with us how her father opened up family prayers to whoever in the family wanted to ... [Link]
Yes this is a post about my son who was a very naughty little boy today. It involves diarrhea, a camera crew and what I thought was the spirit of Satan. Read if you must.At first he woke up before ... [Link]
Dancing at The Chief's birthday party last MaySome time last year it was my turn to stay the night in the hospital with Stephanie. I can't tell you it was a fine experience, because it was miserable. Lights were turned ... [Link]
Oh.Hello.Me?No. I was just . . . you know trying this on. This little pink number Lucy picked up from her grandmother-in-law's closet.No, she is no longer with us.Orabelle was her name.I know.When I tried it on Chup said, "Where ... [Link]
I was recently asked to submit some essays for a book about pregnancy and birth in the LDS culture. I started digging in to my archives tonight and found all sorts of notes I took about The Chief's pregnancy. It ... [Link]
MD with The Chief last AprilOver the holiday break we went to Idaho to visit Chup's family. Idaho and I . . . well . . . we have a rocky relationship. It is almost like as soon as I ... [Link]
My piano player dumped me for strawberry blond chanteuse who is known to hit a very powerful high C. Apparently.How am I doing?Crushed.But I guess it is a sign of things to come.Pfff.-----I am hosting a discussion about what to ... [Link]
I was in the den when Chup's message beeped in my phone.On my way home!Great glory.The best time of the day is when I get the "On my way home!" text. I always turn to The Chief and say, "Dad ... [Link]
Life is beautiful. They weren't kidding about that.I should let you know. The Chief's cat is a robot. Not biological, but mechanical. After reading all the great cat advice I was feeling overwhelmed, a robot cat seemed to be a ... [Link]
January:The Ever Evolving a brief introduction to my blog, and how it connects to my sister's blog.Neglector perhaps my first and greatest lesson of motherhood I learned while making sugar cookies.February:Househusband an essay about a husband I wish I could ... [Link]
September did not skip on the romance. Chup and I were caught with matching fever blisters. And I was gifted the long dark night of first trimester morning sickness. They do say that romance leads to these sorts of things. ... [Link]
In May we took our second voyage to see family in St. George. We spent most of our time in the hotel's over-sized bed and cousin's dreamy clubhouse pool. If vacations get better don't tell us, we love the desert.In ... [Link]
January was frigid. Cabin fever melted our cooped up minds. All six of us."Give me sunshine or give me death!" I declared."To St. George!" Directed Chup.When the car was packed we headed down south to visit our cousins. We swam, ... [Link]
This video is dedicated to my loyal fan Kiki, but I made it with all of you in mind as well.See you all December 28th when I will be back to blogging and posting the year's best photos.Happy Holidays!On piano: ... [Link]
1) What would you consider must-see attractions in Maui and Oahu (staying on the North Shore)?2) What would you bring to wear?and most importantly....3) Which books would you pack? I have a growing pile including Elizabeth Gilbert's Committed, Michael Pollan's ... [Link]
Title: What the Dog Saw: And Other AdventuresAuthor: Malcolm GladwellIf you really, really like Malcolm Gladwell's articles from The New Yorker, you'd probably love the chapters of What the Dog Saw, because the chapters are Malcolm Gladwell's articles from The ... [Link]
RS Lesson #3: Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Savior and Leader Introduction Story from Carlfred Broderick, a former stake president and professor of marriage and family therapy. There was an LDS family he knew who needed help with a wayward teen ... [Link]
I read this one earlier this week, while we were moving. So I read it in bits and pieces through a couple of days even though it's a fairly short book. I thought it was a good book. Of course, ... [Link]
[Link]
A few people have asked me how I ended up in China and met my husband. That story is not completely dull and meaningless, like most of my posts, so ... [Link]
Today we share a timely musical video message about love. The song entitled "Love One Another" is a favorite Latter-day Saint Hymn written by Luacine Clark Fox [1914-2002] ..... enjoy ... [Link]
This is Australia's Bondi Beach. The water looks so delicious. I wish I could pack up and head off to an adventure in the Outback this month. I've had enough ... [Link]
..After my mother suspecting out loud that it could possibly be me that Gary was stopping by to see, I started to see him in a whole new light. ... [Link]
Here is the next chapter in our turn-of-the-last-century course in courtesy and refinement for the young girls of the church who had grown up in rough pioneer conditions. Before reading ... [Link]
I’m getting emails from people wanting to know what’s up and why I haven’t posted- and well… There’s a lot I need to and mean to say, but I’ve been ... [Link]
Readers, this may be the most honest thing ever posted on The Apron Stage. Ready yourselves. This is live from Guatemala City. Tomorrow morning, we will get in a rental ... [Link]
It takes Wyatt about 5 minutes to do this kind of damage. He needs a bit of help opening the car and finger puppet bins, but once he's got those ... [Link]
One year ago, when I snapped this photo of Cholita and her dad, my emotions were so close to the surface. We were on our way to Seattle for Cholita's ... [Link]
[Link]
[Link]
Thanks to a beautiful Saturday and Sunday, I have forgotten all about my Friday. Thank heavens! I felt human this weekend.I got out!It felt great too. There's something about driving ... [Link]
[Link]
Dear Hazel,You're way too much fun sweet girl! You love loud noises. They put you to sleep. Especially the blender, the vacuum and your very loud older siblings. They don't ... [Link]
I had so much on my plate lately, I could not wrap my brain around planning a party or making a cake. So I just bought a few presents and ... [Link]
[Link]
I wanted to take a photo from the side today just because I feel like I've been showing so much more in the last week. The part I hate is ... [Link]
i'm not surehow your sunday mornings go,but mine is pretty much the same storyevery week.i wake upat the crack of dawn (8:00 am)to the sound of the alarm clock,feeling ... [Link]
Like every other human being on the planet, there are things in my life that I would consider trials. Mental health wackiness. Being single in a married church. Financial insecurity, ... [Link]
Yes, I was upset last night. Yes, I kind of sort of felt really disappointed in Peyton Manning's performance. Yes, I may have engaged in some emotional eating after the ... [Link]
I stole an idea from a friend last year. He keeps a list in the back of a notebook of all the books he has read over the last few ... [Link]
...Gary's 2 years of serving and growing and learning and maturing had come to an end..My 2 years of immaturing and rebelling and wreaking havoc on a loving home seemed ... [Link]
Lisa for Sarah Sarah sent me the following text message a few minutes ago: Will one of you post for me telling the world that because of snowpocalypse 2010 I ... [Link]
In honor of Valentines Day, I thought it would be fun to share a few stories of my tragical romantic misadventures - and they are legion - so all this week ... [Link]
I was working on a different post for today. But today I’m in the convention center in downtown Denver, where Lizzie is in the midst of three days of rehearsals ... [Link]
A tree is painted on the saffron sky The peaceful close of day is drawing nigh Cloud islands light once more in colors bold Then fade away in cinnabar and gold ... [Link]
We had a visitor yesterday to Primary (kids' program, at Church) who would NOT give up his name. The chorister went at him for awhile, with no luck; then some ... [Link]
I've been getting better at letting things flow according to their own time-table. I'm giving up some of my need to control the outcome of everything. I'm trying to understand ... [Link]
Upon taking leave of a group of his followers in 543 B.C.E., the Buddha is reported to have said, “All things change. Nothing is permanent.” They must have seemed permanent, ... [Link]
Last Night, Mr. Nielson put all the kids to bed-except Ollie who was asking question after question about Jesus.They were really quite beautiful questions that had me in tears.Because I ... [Link]
[Link]
Kurt spoke briefly today. I remember him when. It was inevitable, but it’s still somehow surprising week after week to see a man who’d been riding his bike dozens of ... [Link]
Keepa isn’t going to be what you expect. If you’ll poke around a little, though, I think you’ll find something you like. The church history I write here is different ... [Link]
This one lived up to the hype. It's been fun but also sobering as some friends have dealt with loss of power, and almost everyone is dealing with being literally ... [Link]
What? Kalli's gone MIA? Pretty much I feel like I should have been locked up in the loony bin pumped full of psychotropic drugs cluelessly under the impression that I'm ... [Link]
just a late night sunday note to turn your attention to the left sidebar where i’ve listed (almost) all the books for the book trail this year. hooray! read read ... [Link]
Well, I am really annoyed I have to write this post in my pregnancy diary at all. I waited several days before mentioning it, just to be sure it was ... [Link]
The strange thing about living in the Bay Area is that the weather from one place to the next can be night and day. On Saturday we left the dreary ... [Link]
The Worth of a Soul by Liz Lemon Swindle I’ve wanted to buy the print for The Worth of a Soul for some time. Last night, when Nathan and I ... [Link]
The Abrahamic covenant is understandably a topic that we have taught again and again. This Gospel Doctrine lesson from 1952 is representative of such lessons; it covers the same ground ... [Link]
Motivation doesn't get much more clever than this. And I'm NOT exaggerating. So don't forget to click off my lovely red playlist in the right sidebar! Because you ... [Link]
7.2.10 Snowmageddon-What to Do When the World Turns White This morning's internet news called it a 'Snowmageddon"....We live in Maryland and the world did indeed turn WHITE. The never ending ... [Link]
Artwork by Nelson White; text by unknown author previous issue next issue (to be updated next Sunday) . . . . . . . . to be continued … [Link]
I am feeling particularly sentimental this evening, I’m not sure what has brought this on. I’ve had a particularly good weekend. It’s Saturday night, late. The house is clean, counters ... [Link]
Joe is one month old! Today we caught him making funny faces while he slept. He had crazy eyes that were pointing in 2 different directions while his lips twitched ... [Link]
Here’s a quotation to hang in your most cluttered room: “If you want to beautify a room, use it constantly, and the things that will accumulate, because they are wanted, ... [Link]
Not long ago, I expressed my feelings here about the importance of keeping personal journals to pass down as faith-promoting legacies for our posterity. After discussing the subject with a ... [Link]
Last night's sleep was fitful at best. Thanks to two weeks of non-stop predictions, injury reports, interviews, etc. in sports news, I was kept up by Super Bowl anxiety. I ... [Link]
I'm so grateful to mark off another week of pregnancy!Although, each week the pain in my lower back gets more intense. I don't understand why it's such a problem lately. ... [Link]
From the Juvenile Instructor of 1931 (minus some truly appalling ethnic jokes; the tamer ethnic jokes remain) … Proof Absolute Mister: “Here’s a noted doctor who says that ill health ... [Link]
So I know all I do on this here blog is rave about my sweet little guy, but you guys, seriously, I just love this boy so much. And all ... [Link]
I got my trash kicked today. Yep. The day won. Big time! I lost by a landslide. Tired, hungry, bored, & cooped up don't make for a great combination. Add ... [Link]
Wonder by Natalie Merchant is blaring on my speakers while I unpack and sort yet another box. Slowly, order is emerging from the wreckage and chaos. The kids are laughing ... [Link]
[Link]
(Read how I attempt to answer a common but difficult question about Mormons at Mormon Women: Who We Are.)I must say living with three clinically depressed people makes being cheerful ... [Link]
It is with a heavy heart that I write this post.Yesterday, I had to do a dreadful thing. I had to throw away my most favorite pair of flip-flops. Though ... [Link]
(we switched everyone's bedrooms around. now we're in the midst of painting and organizing...)children that throw parties for each other for no reasononline inspiration (seriously--it's never ending.)good friendsdate nightDVRnap timeflickr ... [Link]
I want to start featuring some of the things I love. Whether it be people, blogs, books, stories, etc. anything may go. When I thought of this idea, the first ... [Link]
...Lissa - from Lissa - Like It Or Love It! Congratulations Lissa - check your email! 904 COMMENTS. Holy Mackerel. I was counting down to the deadline last night and ... [Link]
Comfort me with apples; for I am sick of love. -Song of Solomon 2:5Ever ones to follow the counsel of the scriptures, we decided to throw an apple party last ... [Link]
My girls have worn holes in so many of their jeans that I just bought in August. I was going to donate their jeans to Goodwill, but then I realized ... [Link]
I can't say that I've had any super-duper cravings yet during this pregnancy. But I can say that I do concentrate a lot on what foods make me feel gross ... [Link]
..Gary was 19 and for the young men in our church, that means serving a mission. And a good thing Gary chose to do so because as far back as ... [Link]
[Link]
Today is Atti's second birthday, and I'm rendered nearly speechless. I can't count the number of times someone told me, "Treasure this time! It goes so fast!" but boy howdy, ... [Link]
Do you just LOVE that? I do, too! And if you click over to Kolette Hall’s blog, you can download it. For FREE. - – - – - – - ... [Link]
photo by Marie LliottFriday is a good day for sharing, and I ran into a couple of pieces this week that affected me deeply. I'm convinced they will mean a ... [Link]
...and then realized the 2nd trimester doesn't begin until the start of week 14. Technically, 13.3 weeks.Drat!Not that it makes any difference, I still have to get to 40 weeks ... [Link]
When you have a seven year old daughter, You have a person with strong opinions, you have a person prone to pink, prone to narcissism, and prone to "decorating" everything ... [Link]
5.2.10 Sugar is Sweet Sugar is Sweet, Violets are Blue, Hearts filled with Love, Only for You. Silly, sweet rhymes bring back memories of the month of February and Valentine's ... [Link]
nifty banners for linking to the Sampler Page on your blog.
Tell us about your favorite LDS woman blogger. Or submit your own blog.