PJ's Cozy Creations and Updates

Seventeen days and counting until PJ's Cozy Creations first official Holiday Boutique. And it is pretty much all creating all the time. And everything else is suffering because of it. But we finally got around to taking some pictures of the things we've been working on today so I thought I would share. Here is the group picture with a sampling of the different types of things we've been working on. We just hope that we will be able to sell this stuff to make back some of the money I've invested in it.


And I can't believe I haven't blogged about my other little business venture. But then again, I haven't blogged a lot lately so is it really that surprising? Last month I took the plunge and signed up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I did it mostly to get the discount on the things I was already buying, but as it turns out, I am doing OK as a business demo too. I have my first workshop on Saturday thanks to my friend Janalee. And as part of our boutique, I will be offering free make and takes and Stampin' Up specials too. Not sure how long it will last, but I do enjoy teaching others the things I love so for now it's a good thing.

In other news, turns out this year's primary program will indeed by my last for now. I was released as Primary President on Sunday. I've actually known for a few weeks this was coming but because there are a few people in my ward who read this blog, I didn't want to post it too soon. When I told A.J. that I wouldn't be going to primary anymore, he asked me for how long I would be gone. I assured him that sometime in the next 8 years, I am sure I will be back in Primary doing something.

While I am really ready for this change, there are lots of things I am going to miss. I love the children in my ward. There isn't a week that goes by that they don't say something that makes me laugh and usually something that makes me think. The kids today know way more about the Book of Mormon and the meat of the Gospel than I ever did as a child.

And it will be really weird to be back in Relief Society again. I know I am going to have to resist the urge to jump up and down in my seat and say "pick me, pick me, I know, I know" when the Relief Society instructor asks a question. But I do think I am going to suggest that we add a wiggle song to the Relief Society meeting. In Primary we use these to settle the kids down. In Relief Society, we need one to wake up and get the blood pumping again! Can't you just see all the ladies in your ward doing "Once there was a Snowman" or "Do as I'm doing?" I think I might be on to something here.

Another OCD Confession . . .

I mentioned in one of my first posts that I have selective OCD and that some things bring it out way more than others. You can add car shopping to that list.

The summer of 2006 found us on our first two camping trips to the Columbia River Gorge and Yellowstone. These trips had two things in common: rain and a very cramped Subaru Outback. This started us thinking about getting a bigger car that could handle more camping equipment and would be a better "family car."

To me, that meant a minivan. I have lots of friends who just can't bring themselves to drive one because of the statement it makes about you. I say minivans say two things about the drivers: they are parents and they are practical. What's wrong with that? So we did some research and narrowed it down to the Toyota Sienna or the Honda Odyssey. We got a baby sitter and set out for the Southtown Auto Mall to do some test driving.

Our first stop was the Honda dealership. We asked to test drive an Odyssey. The salesman suggested we also drive a Pilot. Sure, why not. We are more minivan than SUV people, but what harm could a little test drive do right?

It was love at first drive. Suddenly, minivans seemed so yesterday and the Pilot was all I could think about. Besides, we only have one child and what if we never get another one? Do we really need a van?

But maybe it was just a passing thing and there would be another great SUV or crossover that could win our hearts over and cost a little less than then Pilot. We visited more dealership and test drove many more cars, only to discover that for us, nothing beat the Pilot.

Then rumors started floating around that Honda was going to redesign the Pilot for 2008 so wouldn't it be better to wait and decide if we like the new body style better? Meanwhile, I discovered that I had friends who were also obsessing about the Pilot and we would feed off each other and then start to convert others. Alas, when the 2008's came out, they were just like the 2007's and we all mourned together.

James just barely tolerates me when I get like this. Besides this went on for 14 months and still no new car. That is until last week when the stars aligned just perfectly. On Tuesday night I just happened on a listing for a used 2007 Pilot with leather interior and a DVD player with less than 10,000 miles on it for a steal of a deal. Turns out the seller had to have a Pilot in February, and then had to have a bigger house in October and her husband told her she couldn't have both. (I myself couldn't imagine picking a bigger house over a Pilot, but I guess there are some crazy people out there!)

It turned out to be the perfect opportunity for us. We were able to get an even nicer Pilot than we ever could have afforded new and we were able to get a loan for the full amount and still afford the monthly payments without touching our baby money. I did kind of have my heart set on an Aberdeen Green one, but turns out I like the Nimbus Gray just about as much. Who knew?

So now our Scubyroo has a new sister named Smokey (yes, we name our cars) and we love our new Pilot! Can't want to try it out on our trips to St. George in a couple of weeks for my Grandpa's birthday and to California for Christmas. It was definitely worth the wait! You'll have to ask James if it was worth all the obsessing!

A.J.'s First Primary Program and Paula's Last?

Today was Primary Program day in the Hunter 36th ward, and for those of you who have ever worked in Primary, ever had a child in Primary or ever been to a Primary Sacrament Meeting Program, you know what that means. Lots of work, lots of singing and lots of cute kids saying what you hope is the right thing.

I have been reminded of this the past three years by our Bishop. Apparently, five programs ago a primary child stood up and actually said, "Jesus was a bad man so they killed him." Keep in mind that it was our Bishop's first primary program and the Stake President's grandchildren are in our ward so he was there to witness it. I actually missed that program, but it is legendary in our ward. So every year, the Bishop reminds me that under no circumstances is anyone to say that or anything remotely close to it.

This was the fourth straight program I have had a hand in putting together the program in our ward - the past three as president and the one before as chorister. But this year's was a little different because not only did I have the normal role of writing the program and getting everything ready, I also was a proud mom of a budding primary program star.

A.J. had a very simple line, "I can be kind to others by sharing my things." He has been practicing it for weeks and says it all the time. (Unfortunately, I don't think the line has sunk in to impact his behavior yet.) But A.J. is also famous for getting VERY shy in front of crowds. In the three times he practiced giving it from the pulpit, he only said it once and that time I bribed him with a piece of candy.

So when the big moment came, I wondered what would happen. A.J. steps up to the microphone and starts his line, realizes how loud the microphone is and covers his ears and whispers the rest. Well, at least he got up there and gave it a shot.

And there is always next year. Well, for him anyway. Four programs is a long stretch for a leader. So I am not planning on being around in Primary for next year's myself. Then I can truly enjoy being a proud parent of a primary program star without all the stress of wondering whether one of the kids is going to commit blasphemy in front of the stake president.

But really, I was so proud of all of the Primary kids today. We had four or five that opted to sing solos instead of give talks and I was so amazed at how they stood up there and sang their hearts out. And no, no one said anything inappropriate so I am breathing a huge sigh of relief!

Oh, and A.J. was so handsome in his new blue Sunday best. I bought it after Christmas last year for a great clearance price and was so pleased today to see how cute he looked. Don't ya think?