Great production last night!   Figments, Mike's last production of his high school career was exceptionally fun, although it did have a PG-13 rating (content and some swearing).  It was most entertaining and very cleverly delivered.  Very funny!  Good job everyone!  Here are a few pictures…there are more in my Facebook Album, Figments!  Go UCHS Drama Department, cast members, stage crew, Komron (assistant director) and Ms. Brown!!! Aren't high school productions fun to attend?  I think so!&#

Just when I am feeling clever, I see something like this and realize…I'm not the most clever person after all.  That is not really any news alert and I am humbly aware of the source of any talent or skills I might have acquired in my lifetime.  But one thing:  I am constantly inspired by others!  The really nice thing about having a clever moment is being able to share that moment.  So, when I have a moment, I'll share and will hopefully inspire someone else and then it will have a trickle-down affect…trickle-down creativity!  Works for me!  What a nice hobby to have.  But for today, I am going to share someone else's cleverness…maybe tomorrow will be my turn! Collin's Lab: DIY iPad Stylus

When I got up this morning, I felt one step ahead because I made the lunch sandwiches the night before.  Ha!  We were still late for Seminary.  My morning prayers (usually said while waiting in the car during Seminary) were delayed a bit because I had decided to ponder BEFORE I prayed, wondering what the day would bring and the tasks that might be ahead.  When I ponder, my mind seems to go a little bit of EVERYWHERE!  Who I needed to call, what I was going to do with all those fabulous Early Bird (Cosmo Cricket) fat quarters, the laundry that needed to be done…I know.  That doesn't sound much like pondering, more like making a mental list.  As I watched the morning sky begin to transform from our San Diego overcast gray to shades of blue, the clouds formed a hand that seemed to beckon me to come…where?  I don't know.  But then the breeze blew the clouds away, the hand was gone, and the day soon fell into one of normalcy, what ever that means. We made our perfunctory excursion to the Everything 99.99Cents store a little before 9am.  There are actually days when we go in and buy absolutely NADA, nothing!  But today we spent $23 and left with a load, including some good-sized califlower, Tollhouse cookie dough and Juicy Juice.  I really am okay with that additional percentage of

This term…community organizer…has taken on a less than desirable meaning in the recent past, the same way that many phrases or symbols, when borrowed for a cause, become identified as something that divides rather than unites.  Today we gathered as a community within a larger community, for many great clean-up projects throughout the state.  The one I am sharing is in our own little corner of the world. The University City 1st Ward joined today as Mormon Helping Hands to clean up the Coastal Sage Habitat Interpretive Trail in Rose Canyon.  This walking trail is quite familiar to our family, as Tom did his Eagle Scout Project there a few years ago.  Because of the recent rains, the trail had become quite over-grown with intrusive foliage that was smothering the native plants.  So we went to task to clear the overgrowth. The morning started a little after 8:00am with a continental breakfast, after which the workers were given instruction on what their tasks for the day would be.  The activities committee was right on task with the organization. Ken F., Kiersten K., Will, John, Ruth and Zoe…one of these things is not like the other?!?! All sizes and ages of helpers were welcome! Brothers Hymas and Wood.  That's a big frond for your size girl, Haylee!  The Relief Society was out in force and Don was digging ditches – not his normal routine, for

After a night of Thai dining and being exposed to so many different flavors and interesting ingredients, I had to make a trip to the 99 Ranch Market.  Megan and I had already made a stop at the 99Cents Only store, so I "coerced" Megan into a quick trip, just down the street to the Asian grocery store to pick up a few odds and ends to cook with.  She opted to wait in the car, probably so I would hurry…which I really tried to do.  HOWEVER, when I walked into the store, I knew I was in BIG trouble!  The store is HUGE!  It's bad enough when I go to any new grocery store since every one has a different set-up.  But there are so many items there that you will never see at Von's or Ralph's – things like pig's feet, octopus, and savory baked tofu.  I knew I was in a different sort of store when I found the rice aisle…yep!  The whole LONG aisle was different kinds of rice, including something that Kay had used the night before…longrain sweet rice.  The other side  of the aisle was full of different kinds of noodles!  I had no idea!  I have lived a very limited, sheltered life indeed.  Time to spice things up!   Then there's the fact that probably about 80% of the products are covered in Asian characters/spelling. 

I guess I must be ready for spring because I am so excited by the smallest of details in nature around me.  It starts when the spring flowers begin to bloom and my trip to the Carlsbad Flower Fields reignited the excitement.  I think that any time I look at just one element…a leaf, a petal, a bee busy at work…that in and of itself would be enough.   But when I consider the complexities of the whole, even just what is in my line of vision, and how they all work together to make something so beautiful, I am amazed that anyone could ever consider that there was not a divine hand in Creation.  I am reminded that great care went into even the little spider's dinner table.  Small, almost not noticeable, but very wonderful.  And then there's the flowers…   For, consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin; and the kingdoms of the world, in all their glory, are not arrayed like one of these.  D&C

A few weeks ago, Mike was in a play with the San Diego Unified School District's Honor Drama program…I probably am not technically correct on that description.  Anyway, it was a district wide project, with kids from around San Diego and was held at La Jolla High.  The show I attended was February 18, 2010.He really was in his element for this part.  I didn't get a ton of good pictures, mostly because this wasn't our school venue and I wasn't privy to the backstage access I've had before, but he was really great in the part and I managed to get a few shots that show how spectacular his costume was.Spectacular and HOT!  Anyone that knows Mike KNOWS he overheats in a tee shirt and shorts doing nothing!  There were so many layers and including the fake fur robe…it was brutal.  He survived and I never heard him complain…much!  The show was fun and Mike did an excellent characterization with a pretty good French…yes, I said French accent. Two of his "minions" were Megan and Emily, from UCHS.  They were both in Frankenstein with Mike, but this was definitely a more "up" role!  He even got to keep his beard for the role.  He's the only HS kid I know that can grow such a full one!  I am glad that he is currently on a more "clean shaved" kick.&#

I have always been a frugal shopper…or at least I thought so!  I hardly ever buy anything at the store full price.  I watch for deals, stock up on things I use a lot of and REALLY stock up on super deals, especially things that I find at the 99 cents only store.  I must admit – I'm just a little addicted to making daily trips there. I go through withdrawals – almost – and have to force myself not to go.  I'm afraid that I will miss one of those extraordinary deals if I stay away.  I used to be good at clipping coupons, but then we stopped getting the paper delivered so it depended on whether we thought about getting the "bull dog" (Saturday evening) edition or happened across a newspaper stand/box that still had issues left on Sunday.  I don't often remember to pick one up on Saturday.  It takes a lot of time and dedication to be a successful super coupon shopper and I currently don't have much of either. My husband found this article and forwarded it to me.  I think that he expects me to do better…at least better than I do now!  I'm not sure I'm up to the challenge!  Take for example the boxes of Jello reference…I don't think that I would use up 1,142 in 10 years, even though they were free, although it would probably last that long!&#

Here I am, with my daughter Megan and our friend Seija, at the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) Trade Show in Anaheim.  Megan brought her laptop, so I can do this little post, hopefully before the battery dies!  I am so excited to see all the fun, new products…and some that are just new to me.  Not having to worry about working the show made it so much more enjoyable.  Not having to make appointments, write orders or take complaints that I knew absolutely nothing or could do nothing about, made my time a delight.  Having a new direction to take my thoughts also made a difference in my approach to crafting.  I love scrapbooking and always will, but it was fun to be able to focus on stuff that didn't have as much application in paper crafting.  I saw lots of friends, a few from a distance, but most close enough to hug.  I saw amazing new tools and product and I am even bringing a little home with me to play with and more to request and play with soon.  I am anxious to put things up on the new blog, but it will take me a few days to get things up.  But it will be fun when it's there, so check back soon!  Lots of the ideas will be borrowed and shared so don't assume that I came up

Hello! It isn't done, but here is a link to Just Helen's Crafts, the less word craft site to visit when you feel the need to create!  If you would like to subscribe, and I would love you to do so, I believe it will update you when there is a new post…which means something new to view!  Bear with me while I iron out the wrinkles, but this should be fun!  I'll be gone to CHA next week, but I'll see if I can post from afar!