2008 Prom Dress Project

Back at the beginning of January there was a sewing store that went out of business. It's always sad to see something like that happen. Shawna and I hit it a couple of different times for various reasons. During one of these trips we found some material and a pattern that Shawna begged me to get. She wanted me to make her prom dress. I finally caved and agreed. I couldn't say no to the savings that this would entail.

Normally, Prom dresses can be very expensive. She wanted to remember this as the year that her mom made her prom dress--ahh... how special is that?

We had to buy 6 yards of Satin, 4 yards of lining and 15 yards of tulle. The prices were incredible. What normally would have cost approximately 90 dollars ended up costing us about $30.

Well, I practiced up on my sewing, which I haven't done in years and procrastinated like crazy. I was scared to start a project that could potentially be a disaster. Cutting the pieces out, sewing them together, turning out a dress that looks like a 4 year old pasted material to a manikin is not my idea of fun.

Here we are 2.5 weeks away from Prom and my daughter was getting nervous. We started to make concrete plans to start the project. Last Monday we started cutting it out and made plans to start sewing it on Sunday. We pinned the pieces to the Satin and cut. I held my breath as we made the first incision. That didn't go too bad. Shawna marked everything, which took an additional couple of days and then she laid out and cut the lining by herself. She checked with me before she started cutting and everything looked right.

Sunday arrived! I was so scared! I haven't done a serious sewing project like this in almost twenty years. We started with the bodice front, per the instructions. We had a few sharp words. We both managed not to totally lose our tempers. She began to listen to what I was saying and when I asked for her input I got good suggestions. She did some pinning, ironing, gathering and other odds and ends. After about 5 hours of work we completed the bodice. This coming up Saturday we will be going at it again.

Hopefully, when we are done our efforts will look like the picture of the young lady in the pattern above. We are doing it in different shades of blue, check out the material sample in the center top.

Fireside Story

The Aunts and Uncles gathered around the flaming bonfire. The heat felt good, battling against the crisp pine scented autumn air. The sound of fire crackling amongst the branches of wood, a soft muted roar behind the sound of voices raised in conversation. Children were drifting between the groups, running from place to place like darting moths. It was the end of a long day of family activities.

Bedtime was minutes away when Uncle Richard raised his voice, "gather round for 'The Cremation of Sam McGee.' " His gravely voice lowers as he begins to speak.

There are strange things done in the midnight sun

By the men who moil for gold;

The Arctic trails have their secret tales

That would make your blood run cold;

The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,

But the queserest they ever did see

Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge

I cremated Sam McGee

Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows

Why he left the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.

He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;

Though he'd often say in his homely way that he'd "sooner live in hell."

On a Christmas day we were mushing our way over the Dawson trail.

Talk of your cold! Through the parka's fold it stabbed like a driven nail.

If our eyes we'd close, then the lashes froze till sometimes we couldn't see.

It wasn't much fun, but the only one to whimper was Sam McGee.

And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow,

And the dogs were fed, and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel to toe,

He turned to me , and "Cap" says he, "I'll cash in this trip, I guess;

And if I do, I'm asking that you don't refuse my last request."

Well, he seemed so low that I couldn't say no; then he says with a sort of moan:

"It's the cursed cold, and it's got a right hold till I'm chilled clean through the bone.

Yet -'tain't being dead -- it's my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;

So, I want you to swear that foul or fair, you'll cremate my last remains."

A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail;

And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale.

He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee;

And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee.

There wasn't a breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,

With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given;

It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say: "You may tax your brawn and brains,

But you promised true, and it's up to you to cremate those last remains."

Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.

In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart I cursed that load.

In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies , round in a ring,

Howled out their woes to the homeless snows -- O God! how I loathed the thing.

And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow;

And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low;

The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in;

And I'd often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.

Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay;

It was jammed in the ice, and I saw in a trice it was called the "Alice May".

And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum;

Then "Here" said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum."

Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;

Some coal I found lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;

The flames just soared, and the furnace roared -- such a blaze you seldom see;

And I burrowed a hole in that glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.

Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so;

And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.

It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why;

And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.

I don't know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;

But the stars came out and they danced ere again I ventured near;

I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside.

I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked"; . . . then the door I opened wide.

And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;

And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door.

It's fine in here, but I greatly fear you'll let in the cold and storm --

Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."

There are strange things done in the midnight sun

By the men that moil for gold;

The Arctic trails have their secret tales

That would make your blood run cold;

The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,

But the queerest they ever did see

Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge

I cremated Sam McGee

By Robert Service

The children all cuddled close to their parents as they shivered with the tantilizing taste of fear, knowing that they were safe in their parents' arms. The leaping firelight leant a aura of reality to a poem that made a young girl's arms pimple with goosebumps. Darkness, stars and the nip of the autumn chill left a haunting impression that still resonates down through the years.

The Denver Trip

So they left on Thursday morning and returned Sunday at 6:30 AM. Shawna was a walking zombie when I picked her up. They returned as happy 10th place competitors.

That sounds strange but true. Their rivals, Seward Color Guard, have become friends after a long time rivalry. Seward made it to finals and placed 5th. Not bad for a Nebraska Color Guard Team. So, although Bellevue didn't make it to finals, the girls were happy that Seward did and that they did so well. Seward and Bellevue have the same instructor so a win by one team is a win for their instructor and the other team as well.

While they were in Denver they spent hours practicing for their performance. But, all work and no play, makes Jill a dull girl. The teams visited Casa Bonita for a fine dinner and entertainment. Here's hoping I can get Shawna to sit down and write about her dining experience at Casa Bonita. They also made it to the mall for a 3 hour tour (giggle--thank goodness there wasn't a boat involved). Everyone made it home safely although VERY tired.

Seward Championship

We won! Saturday, the Bellevue East Winter Guard participated in their Championship Competition at Seward and they looked good! So good, as a matter of fact, that they took home first place. Here's a picture with some of the girls on the ride home, with their trophy.


The girls have worked hard over the past several months, preparing for their competitions. They have attended practice Monday nights, Thursday nights and one weekend day since before Christmas. Shawna and Shayla have been like two best buddies during this time. Here's a photo of the two of them just before their performance.



For each girl there is a mother (or parent) and the Seward competition was no exception. The competion was hosted by Seward and Bellevue East Winter Guards, this meant that we were there pitching in. We were selling hot dogs, raffle tickets, air grams, guiding the competitors, etc. Here's a couple pictures of the moms.



There is one final important person that needs mentioning. Our head Guard Mom, Michaela. Our organization and motivation is due in large part to this hard working mom. We all chip in with a little bit of elbow grease, some of us more than others (you know who you are and give yourself a pat on the back), however, Michaela keeps us informed, organizes the fund raisers (with help), and generally kicks us in the butt when we need an extra push. I would like to thank everyone for all that you do and a big Thank You to Michaela.



This week the girls head out for their final competition in Denver, CO. They leave on Thursday and will not be back until early Sunday morning. They will be competing with other Winter Guard and Drum line teams from across the country. Here's hoping they do well. Let's all wish them luck! For a look at their performance you can check out Bellevue East Color Guard

Puppies!

We have taken a huge step. After a year of no pets we have adopted 2 new puppies. This was a huge decision and it was greatly influenced by our daughter. She has been asking for a new pet since 3 months after the death of our previous loved ones. We finally said yes after lots of discussion and an understanding that she is responsible for their training, feeding and etc.

She has taken the responsibility very seriously. She spent her own money to purchase the food, bed, shampoo, toys, treats, collars, leashes, nail clippers, etc. and then spent quite a bit of time reading up on "how to train your puppy". She has been very firm explaining to us what she expects from us when we are dealing with our new family members. Things like when we are to feed them, how much, when they should be walked and what we are to say when they make an "accident". She has very specific plans about taking them with her when she finally leaves home and she doesn't want ill mannered animals. I'm just pleased that she is taking this responsibility to heart. Here she is taking a nap with Ringo and Pluto (I wanted to name him Mo Jo) after their first day.

Here's a close up with Shawna and Ringo. The puppies are a bundle of energy but when they sleep, they sleep hard.

Aren't they cute!

My Mr. Moon

It was just after the full moon. As we were driving I pointed to this magnificent orb glowing in the night sky. Shawna says "unh huh" totally lacking any enthusiasm. Shawna rolls her eye at me and comments, "Mom, you and I enjoy totally different things."

This reminded me of a car ride when I was a child.
As my mother and I were traveling from Huron to our current home on a farm in Wessington, I watched the full moon gliding through the dark night sky. It seemed to follow our every movement. When I asked my mother why was he following us. She replied, that "your Mr. Moon is following us home." From that point on he was always "My Mister Moon". Whenever I saw the moon I would point at it and say "There's My Mr. Moon."

I shared this story with my daughter as we were driving home the other night. It was the first time that I had ever shared that particular story. She was smiling and laughing at it. Here's hoping she understands the magic that My Mr. Moon stands for. The magic of youth, mystery, secrets, hope and home (just to name a few). If you've smiled at my story, I'll share "My Mr. Moon" with you too. Or, should I say, My Mrs. Moon?

The Geese are on the Move!

Every year I look and listen for the geese as they make their yearly migrations. It gives me a fair idea about the coming weather.

Last year they headed South rather early. I heard and saw flocks of them making their way to their wintering grounds during September. I knew that this winter was going to be cold!

The geese were right. We had an early winter and it was cold.

We had our first serious snowfall just before Thanksgiving, which in recent years, is early for the Nebraska area. We've had snow on the ground ever since, which again, is unusual.

Every year I listen to the people around me complain about "how cold it is", "this winter is worse than the last one", etc. I nod my head and agree. What's really going on inside of me is "you don't know what really bad weather is." When you have lived with snow on the ground for 6+ months out of the year and temperatures that range from -30 degrees to 20+ degrees as part of your normal winter weather, 32 or 40 degrees is a real treat.

I'm laughing on the inside because the people around me are used to winter weather that snows really hard one week and the next week it is all melted. I've noticed this trend in the area where I live. One week we'll have snow and freezing weather and then the next week it is 'normally' melted.

This year has been the first in 9 years that we've had winter weather consistently from November to February. That's still only 4 months compared to the 6 months that I grew up with. It's all relative. I've kind of got side tracked. Why am I talking about all this winter weather?

Oh yeah, the geese are returning. I've been watching large flocks of geese headed North for about two weeks now. What does this mean? Spring is on it's way! We will be having an early Spring.

The last three days have been absolutely beautiful! Yesterday, the temperatures were in the low 50's and almost all of the snow has melted. We may have one more snowfall, we usually do mid-March, but for all intents and purposes those Spring-time plans are now on the front burner.

This also means we will more than likely have a hot, long summer. O.K. everyone get your shades out and find the sun screen