In Loving Memory of Grandma Jones
Steven's grandmother passed away on Thursday. She was 96 years old and was suffering from a broken hip, pneumonia and other ailments. It wasn't a surprise, but it was still heartbreaking. She was a sweet, loving woman who loved her son and grandsons fiercely and was incredibly proud of them. Steven and Mark spent every afternoon after school at her house and both have so many wonderful memories of her.
She was honored by a beautiful, touching funeral attended by dozens of people whose lives she touched in many ways - through her generosity, charity, kindness and faith. She was honored by the laughing stories told by her three brothers, their wives and countless other family members and dear friends. She was honored by the touching tributes of her two grandsons and the quiet grief of her son.
She was honored by our love.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
July 15, 2010 - Photo of the Day (Top Secret Craft Project Edition)
If any of you saw me reference to a "massive craft project" on Facebook last week and wondered what it was...
I made my first diaper cake! I made it for my boss, Candice, who is due to have a baby girl at the end of August. I had never made one before and couldn't really find any good instructions (even on the Internet) about how much material I would need, so I just kind of futzed around (and my engineer husband did some quick calculations regarding height and diameter...oh that makes my brain hurt).
I had a LOT of fun making it. Here's how I made it:
1. Wrap each individual diaper with a small rubber band.
2. Build your bottom layer around some form of spherical baby product (I used bubble bath). I used smaller rubber bands to hold the inner layers together and big huge rubber bands for the large outer layers. It's easier to put the rubber bands around a smaller layer and then tuck the diapers in. Make sure to build the layer on top of whatever you're using as a base (I used $2 foam board) so you don't have to try to move the cake on top of it after you're finished (like me).
3. Once your base is complete, build your second layer on top of it. Whatever you use for the center should be tall enough to reach at least halfway up the second layer.
4. Build your third layer seperately. I used a baby bottle for the center of my top layer, then attached a bright pink curly bow to the top of the bottle. It cascaded down the cake and looked very pretty.
5. Add some surprises! I took 3 diapers out from the bottome layer's second row (still visible, i.e. not covered by the second layer) and added three baby bibs in their places. I rolled up the bibs to look like little rosettes. I also tucked some travel-size baby shampoo, powder, lotion and body wash into the second layer (again, still visible and not covered by the top layer).
6. Decorate! I used wide pink ribbon around the bottom two layers and held it in place with some straight pins. I topped that with a coordinating, narrower ribbon. I attached two pink satin bows (purchased pre-made at Wal-Mart) to what I considered the "front" of the cake. On the top layer, I reversed the colors with a wide brown ribbon with a pink on top that said, "It's a Girl!" I also pinned a larger item (this was a rubber duck that indicates when the bath water is too hot. I filled in the gaps bewteen the layers with pink shredded paper, and added a few pacifiers to the layers as well.
7. Wrap! I bought a jumbo-sized basket gift bag at Michael's for $.99. It fit into the bag perfectly (without the base) and was a simple and easy way for her to transport it home.
Here's another picture of the completed cake, a bit blurry because I took it with my iPhone.
And here's me and the mama-to-be with my creation!
I made my first diaper cake! I made it for my boss, Candice, who is due to have a baby girl at the end of August. I had never made one before and couldn't really find any good instructions (even on the Internet) about how much material I would need, so I just kind of futzed around (and my engineer husband did some quick calculations regarding height and diameter...oh that makes my brain hurt).
I had a LOT of fun making it. Here's how I made it:
1. Wrap each individual diaper with a small rubber band.
2. Build your bottom layer around some form of spherical baby product (I used bubble bath). I used smaller rubber bands to hold the inner layers together and big huge rubber bands for the large outer layers. It's easier to put the rubber bands around a smaller layer and then tuck the diapers in. Make sure to build the layer on top of whatever you're using as a base (I used $2 foam board) so you don't have to try to move the cake on top of it after you're finished (like me).
3. Once your base is complete, build your second layer on top of it. Whatever you use for the center should be tall enough to reach at least halfway up the second layer.
4. Build your third layer seperately. I used a baby bottle for the center of my top layer, then attached a bright pink curly bow to the top of the bottle. It cascaded down the cake and looked very pretty.
5. Add some surprises! I took 3 diapers out from the bottome layer's second row (still visible, i.e. not covered by the second layer) and added three baby bibs in their places. I rolled up the bibs to look like little rosettes. I also tucked some travel-size baby shampoo, powder, lotion and body wash into the second layer (again, still visible and not covered by the top layer).
6. Decorate! I used wide pink ribbon around the bottom two layers and held it in place with some straight pins. I topped that with a coordinating, narrower ribbon. I attached two pink satin bows (purchased pre-made at Wal-Mart) to what I considered the "front" of the cake. On the top layer, I reversed the colors with a wide brown ribbon with a pink on top that said, "It's a Girl!" I also pinned a larger item (this was a rubber duck that indicates when the bath water is too hot. I filled in the gaps bewteen the layers with pink shredded paper, and added a few pacifiers to the layers as well.
7. Wrap! I bought a jumbo-sized basket gift bag at Michael's for $.99. It fit into the bag perfectly (without the base) and was a simple and easy way for her to transport it home.
Here's another picture of the completed cake, a bit blurry because I took it with my iPhone.
And here's me and the mama-to-be with my creation!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
July 14, 2010 - Photo of the Day (Kerfuffle Edition)
I have, after not very much consideration at all, decided to change the title of my blog from the oh-so-boring "Dianaisms" to something I feel is a little more reflective of my life. Not sure where this blog is going, but you can continue to expect a lot of photos! I like the peectures!
I discovered the word "kerfuffle" a couple of days ago by following a link to an article from someone's Facebook page. I had never heard the word before and instantly fell in love with it. Then today, I was cleaning out my purse (meaning, dumping it all into a drawer until I feel like dealing with it) when I found THIS:
I guess this little guy has been living in my purse for a while - an escapee from a bunch of toys I brought to work to donate to the kids drawer. I absentmindedly set him on my desk, and when I later looked down and saw him again I burst into laughter. I knew immediately that this guy (name TBD) was going to be the mascot for my renovated blog. The photo's a bit blurry, but for some reason it suits.
Anyway, I hope to be a lot more active on this site now that I've found the perfect title. I love to write and have been an active writer since I was a little girl.
Maybe I'll just keep it simple and name him Kerfuffle. So named.
I discovered the word "kerfuffle" a couple of days ago by following a link to an article from someone's Facebook page. I had never heard the word before and instantly fell in love with it. Then today, I was cleaning out my purse (meaning, dumping it all into a drawer until I feel like dealing with it) when I found THIS:
I guess this little guy has been living in my purse for a while - an escapee from a bunch of toys I brought to work to donate to the kids drawer. I absentmindedly set him on my desk, and when I later looked down and saw him again I burst into laughter. I knew immediately that this guy (name TBD) was going to be the mascot for my renovated blog. The photo's a bit blurry, but for some reason it suits.
Anyway, I hope to be a lot more active on this site now that I've found the perfect title. I love to write and have been an active writer since I was a little girl.
Maybe I'll just keep it simple and name him Kerfuffle. So named.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
June 8, 2010 - Photo(s) of the Day (Yosemite Edition Pt. 2)
Yosemite Day 2 - Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls
On our second day in the park, we tackled the infamous Mist Trail to the top of Vernal and then Nevada Falls. A steep, narrow trail with granite stairs made treacherous by the mist falling from Vernal Falls as you climb up the side. With the extra heavy spring snowmelt, the "mist" was more like a freezing, drenching rain. We took time at the top of Vernal Falls to dry off in the sun, before continuing on up to Nevada Falls at the very tippy top.
Above, Steven on the Mist Trail staircase. My camera was in a plastic bag to prevent it from being soaked.
Below, we get closer to the top of Nevada Falls.
June 7, 2010 - Photo of the Day (Yosemite Edition Pt. 1)
Steven and I took our annual "outdoorsy" vacation to Yosemite National Park in California, quite possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been. This photo was taken on our first day in the park (after being woken up by a BEAR in our camp!) at an overlook of Half Dome. Half Dome is THE most epic hike in the park: 14 miles, 12 hours and ascending almost 5,000 vertical feet. At the very top, steel cables guide the way as you haul yourself up the side of the giant granite dome. Steven and I were hoping to be able to attempt the climb, but the cables weren't up yet because of late snow. Above, I'm demonstrating about as close to the top of Half Dome as I'm going to get.
April 25, 2010 - Photo of the Day (Runner's High Edition)
Today I ran in my first race ever - a 10k in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Relay. The Zoo brought 3 teams of "Sprinting Sloths" to the relay. It was an amazing, challenging and rewarding experience. I met my goal of running for the entire 6.4(ish) miles without stopping once, and watched in awe as the folks running the full marathon crossed the finish line. As I was running the last leg of the relay, my team members (Donna, Ron and Nick) jumped out and crossed the finish line with me!
May 28, 2010 - Photo of the Day (Muscle Edition)
After four hard weeks of running, jumping and cursing under our breaths, these three dedicated bootcampers graduated! Our sweet-but-steely instructor is on the far right. Check out those guns!
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