Julie Doherty, MARCH: Beds and Websites and Callings... Oh My!

Remember how I changed my March goal from having my photography website go live to making my bed every day?  Well, I'm happy to report this is what my bed looked like every day. Uh huh. Yep.

April Fool's! Gotcha! Right?

Okay, so the last time it looked like this was actually when the photo was taken in 2007 just after my family did an Extreme Makeover on my house for their Christmas Service Project.

Aren't they lovely people?

However, I will say this: possibly I set a new record this past month of March for bed-making!
Who says you can't learn new things after the age of 40?

Now about that website...
I really am working on it. Just running into a few glitches.
The first issue is the cute free hosting website that I chose to use, Wix.com,
that keeps saying this to me:

  Oops...

   Wix.com is temporarily unavailable.
   We apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.
   Our team is working to fix this problem and we will be up again shortly

That is a direct quote.
If anyone has used Wix before and has any helpful tips, I would be ever grateful!

Second issue I have run into is that I was called to be the
Young Women's president in our ward in March.  Whaaaaat?
 It was quite shocking because, of course, at the time I was totally coasting--
loving life, soaking it up while I was serving as the Primary Chorister and Girls' Camp director,
which in my opinion, are THE BEST callings in the world!
I guess someone knew (meaning God), that it was time for me to kick it up a notch or two
and lean on Him a bit more.  And let me tell you, I have been.
And I'll tell you something else-- that wicked enemy, the Adversary has stepped it up too.
I have felt that as well.  Oh, he is mean.
It proves to me how important these youth are
and how vital families are in the eternal scheme of things.
So far, I am LOVING it!  I already know and love each of the girls
and the new presidency and board are awesome.
So again, if anyone has been here and has any helpful tips, I would be ever grateful!

I'll get back to you when that PhotogBlog is up and going......  :-)

Awww....  just for kicks and giggles, we'll give this link a try and see what happens:

http://allgoodthingsphotos.wix.com/allgoodthingsphotos

Next month I'll report on my SmashBookin' with the Teeny Boppers!

Julie Doherty: FEBRUARY, Don't Try This At Home! Seriously Though....

So, in case you're keeping track, which I'm sure none of you are,

but just so I feel complete somehow, 

I need to report that the whole Winter Olympics hoopla thing kind of fizzled.  

It's just not as fun without a TV.

We did break out the 2002 Roots berets.  Oh yes, oh yes.

  

Also, I did help Gracie's teacher with an awesome idea she had for the class and was flattered when she called and asked for my help.  We put together this cool bulletin board and the students earned Gold medals for reaching certain Academic and Citizenship goals.  

Then we celebrated everyone's success with a Closing Ceremonies wherein I completely embarrassed my 10 year old by singing impromptu the Olympic theme song

 AND the MoTab's "Call of the Champions." 

("Citius!  Altius! Fortius!")

I'm so grateful Grace has such an awesome teacher.

So I thought I better quickly do a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 

and tell you all about the goal I set for myself this month that went terribly awry, lest you are crazy like me and think you could pull something like this off.  

I'll tell you now-- DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

Back story...

I grew up watching my incredible mother cut hair in her little Beauty Shop in the basement.

We learn by example, they say, right?

I cut my husband's hair all the time.  Give me a pair of electric clippers, set to #2.  Easy Peasy.

Watch a couple youtube videos.  Anyone is a pro., right?

So I try my new skills out on Offspring #1:

No Tears.  Straight across the back.  Minor layering in the front. 

(See above picture in Roots beret.)

Ahhh... Success!

Offspring #2 will be a cinch:

Well, okay...  I forgot she doesn't hold still.  It's just slightly uneven.

But, no worries.  She almost always wears a ponytail anyway, right?

Now I just need to do a quick selfie layer cut on these unruly curls and I am good to go.

But I will keep my length.  Gotta keep the length, 'cause I'm growin' it out, ya' know?

Oh, dear.  Woops!  That was about 5 inches more than I meant to cut off.

Ummmm. Okay. Now I need to cut off more from the other side to even it out...

Well... after all of the self-talk... this is the adorable picture I sent to my sister the next day:

Bwahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

I had created a new hair style called

THE GRADUATED MULLETT

Oh yes. Oh yes.

So a week goes by and I don't know what to do.

Heaven forbid I call any of the hairdressers I personally know and admit to them what I have done!

I get through the week by throwing my hair into a bun or pony or tucking my darling mullett-tail-thing into my collar.

Then one day, while in a different city, I see the Dollar Cuts sign, and suddenly, I have a plan!

Gracie and I sneak in and I sheepishly admit my sin.

"No problem," the cute gal says.  "Easy to fix," the cute gal says.

With much reluctance the cute gal and Grace finally convince me to let go of the length and cut the tail completely off.  

"Oh, alright," I sigh heavily.

Cute Gal trims it off and guess what?  I love it!

Refreshing, edgy, sassy!

I say, "Grace, take a picture with my phone and send it to Aunt Pam!"  She does!

Then I make the BIGGEST MISTAKE of ALL:

I ask Cute Gal a question:

"So where did you go to Cosmetology school?"

(She is obviously very young and right out of school.)

We are toast after that because I love to gab and obviously she does too because neither of us realize what she is doing to my hair.

I mean, I remember coming up for air a couple times and thinking:

"When is she going to stop cutting?"

Finally, after I start to look like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music I say,

"Okay... well.. now if you could just check and make sure I cut my bangs straight, I should be good."

Here's the next photo I send to my sister:

HEAP GADS!!

Lesson Learned.

Next Month is supposed to be my Photography Website going live.

But whereas life is hectic and unpredictable around here, I might have to change it to

MAKE MY BED.... everyday. 

I know.  Inspirational.

:-)

Julie Doherty, JANUARY, A House of Order... and etc., etc., etc.

Hello to my friends new and old, young and... younger...?    :-)

Isn't this idea of Nora's awesome? I really love that girl and I know you all do as well.

She is one of my real-life heroes and has brought so much joy, understanding, compassion, hilarity and {very useful information} to my life.

And one day I will tell you about how she said some of the most important words I have ever heard.

Now, she is probably cursing me for bragging on about her, so I will show you a picture from our past to make up for it:

That's Tricia, Me, the Gates sisters, & Nora Jane

Oh dear. Am I in trouble now?

This is a photo from our high school musical “Once Upon a Mattress” performed when we were in the 11^th grade. Gluggle, uggle, uggle!

I wanted to include this photo because it represents that Nora and I first met and became friends on the stage while performing in our Stake musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.” (Wish I had a photo of that!)

We were Freshmen, I believe, and we didn't really know each other because we attended different junior high schools.

It didn't take long for us to discover we had a lot in common: lots of siblings, a love of music, camping, acting silly, and cats. Oh wait! I don't love cats, but I had a cat and Nora did too.

We've been friends ever since.

I cannot recall when we started calling her "Dirty Nora" or who even coined the name.  Let's just say it stuck because it was a literal oxymoron and couldn't be further from the truth, which somehow made it all the more appropriate!  Now it is said with the utmost respect and veneration.
(I mean just look at her in the above photo and say aloud, "Dirty Nora.")

Oh dear. I fear I'm in BIG trouble now.....

I'm also thrilled to be sharing in this Project with so many of my other friends too.

-Catherine is my sister from another mother (aka, my sis in law).

-Kelly O. and Jill C. are college roommates. (Oh, boy! Do I have some great pictures of them that I can share! Next month.

-Tricia B. is my dear birthday twin-- Happy 40^th to us last month.

-Sharon F. and Annice O. are fellow Snow College Badgers.

-Michelle married a high school friend and then happened to move next to Nora.

-Robyn is a fellow photographer and cyclist (well she's the real deal-- I'm the wanna-be).

-Vanessa, Donna, Sharon and Missy are like my little sisters.

-And Becky B. is kind of like my sister, since her sister is my Birthday twin.

Did you follow all of that?

Okay, so I couldn't wait until next month. I had to share this gem from Tricia's wedding in 1993:

We were babies!

So, I'm Julie and I'm long-winded and have a TMI problem.  Not to be confused with TMJ, a completely different problem that I also have.  I need to work on that.

I love people. Not so much animals. (Just ask Catherine.)

It is my belief that animals were put on this earth to be eaten.

And yes, I have eaten a puppy or two. On a mission to the Philippines.

Alright, alright, maybe we shouldn't eat all animals, but I really do prefer spending time with  

humans more than pets.

And I will tell you I have no intention of eating our family cat,

Luna Lovegood. (She's really cute, huh?)

My family of origin includes 7 brothers and 1 sister. Love them all!

That's me giving my little bro. bunny ears.  Yes, I was a dork back then, too.

I'm wife to a very patient man, Chris Doherty.

(One of my other Project(s)Connect goals is to blog about living with Chris' MS. 

 One day... when I dare to be more vulnerable. It's a process, right?)

I'm mom to two girls (12 and 10 years old) that I think are pretty cool.

Aside from family and people, my other loves include music, photography, biking, travel, reading, playing with my friends, sushi, green smoothies, sunshine, and much to the embarrassment of my kids-- dancing.

Had a blast dancing with these 2 stranger dudes in Disneyland.  How could I resist a Michael Jackson song, I ask you?
My family watched in horror, pretending not to know me.   :-)

In January, my goal was to have a “house of order.” 

As a kid, when it was my turn to teach Family Home Evening, every lesson I gave was 

“A House of Order is a House of God.”   (D&C 88:119)

I would invent revolutionary new chore charts, brainstorm ideas on how my brothers and sister could follow every little step I'd outlined for them, and I even graciously volunteered to be the enforcer.

Oh, I'm sure I drove them all crazy!

Now, I'm the mom and I'm the one in need that FHE lesson.

While my office and recipe cupboard still need some attention, I am happy to report that my basement storage room is now Beauty-ful!

Now if I need to find that one Christmas nativity from the Philippines, all I have to do is look at the lovely new labels on the bins, and Wa-la!  

I went through every single bin, every single holiday decoration that we own, and inventoried every stinkin' thing!

Here is a "BEFORE" picture:

Some of the Christmas decor

And some "AFTER" photos:

My storage room is functional again!

 

I found a cute FREE donwloadable label where I could just type my own words.  It was slick!

Click HERE to see the labels I used.

What we don't need any longer I placed in a box for our annual MS Garage Sale!

I'm really going to like this Project(s)Connect thing.

I've already gleaned some great ideas from you lovely friends of Nora, and I look forward to learning and sharing and living whole-heartedly with each of you.

Have a HAPPY day!

S.L.Y.,

Julie

Julie Doherty, Goals & Project for 2014

I'm wife to a very patient man, Chris Doherty.

(One of my other Project(s)Connect goals is to blog about living with Chris' MS. 

 One day... when I dare to be more vulnerable. It's a process, right?)

I'm mom to two girls (12 and 10 years old) that I think are pretty cool.

January- Organize my house. Now there's a project! :-) As a kid, when it was my turn to teach FHE, every lesson I gave was “A House of Order is a House of God.” I would invent revolutionary new chore charts, brainstorm ideas on how my brothers could follow every little step I'd outlined for them, and I even graciously volunteered to be the enforcer. Oh, I'm sure I drove them all crazy! Now, I'm the mom and I'm the one in need that FHE lesson. My storage room, office, and recipe cupboard are going to get a make-over this month. And we are even going to break out the label maker. Uh-huh, oh yeah.

February- I am Going for Gold this month by creating some celebrations and traditions centered around the Winter Olympics that will take place in Sochi, Russia from Feb. 7 – 23^rd. I will include the Academic Olympics that I am helping with Gracie's 5^th grade class, as well as the fun projects/parties we will do at home as a family. Never mind the fact I have no television with which to watch the Olympics... :-)

March- Blessed Life PHOTO website to go live. I will have taken 2 classes (one each in January and February), and I will finally get my photography website up and going. Thank you, in advance, to the DH, who will be assisting on the programming end of things.

April- SMASHbooking. That's cool, hip, teen talk for scrapbooking. I will be doing this with the kiddos and some of their friends. I would like to make it a monthly affair. Maybe we will even dust off the old acrylic stamp sets and let them hog wild. While they are SMASHING, I will be scanning in photos for storage- old family photos, wedding and mission photos.

May- Bedroom make-overs for the darlings. Time to get rid of the cranberry red wall (that was oh-so- popular 12 years ago...) in Liza's room. Do you think I can talk them into pure white walls with just colorful bedspreads? I despise painting.

June- Family vegetable garden. Last year I didn't plant one thing-- not even a tomato plant. Shhhh. Don't tell my mother. It was so unlike us. During the prime planting months, I was busy wrapping up a year of PTA, training for a long bike ride, and planning Girls Camp. In 2014, our garden will be back with a vengeance, including the girls' little square-foot gardens!

July- Report on my MS Bike fundraising and experience. And then I will keep on biking. Every year, after the MS 150, for like.... a month at least, I don't even touch my bike. This year I will keep riding. Maybe I'll join Nora on her Midnight Antelope Island ride! I'll keep training for Wildflower Pedal-fest. I do love that bike of mine.

August- The first part of this month I will be consumed with Girls Camp. The second half I will spend recovering. Oh, how I love Girls Camp! For the first time in a long time, we are on a Ward level, which means I am responsible for planning every single last minute. I cannot wait! We are tenting-it this year rather than being in cabins, and we are going to be certifying while we are actually up at camp. It is the best time and I love the young women so very much! I will share pictures and report on the crafts, activities and highlights.

September- September is for Sewing, right? My girls and I are going to sew some projects for holiday gifts. I'd also really like to put together that t-shirt quilt I've been meaning to do for 15 years. (And yes, I have been saving up all of those sentimental t-shirts, just for this purpose!)

October- Pay it Forward Fall. As a family, we are going to do some of the ideas on my “Pay it Forward” Pinterest board. (Random Acts of Kindness). Seeing what happens to my kids as we serve outside of ourselves is priceless. We need to do it more than we do.

November- Shhhh.... don't tell. After years in the planning stages, I will finally assemble and complete a family recipe picture book to give as Christmas gifts for some un-named people in my family. I will included histories and pictures of the family's favorite heirloom recipes, including traditions and anecdotes. Shutterfly is my friend.

December- Memorize “The Living Christ.” I wonder if I can get my family to do it with me? I've been wanting to do this for many years now as part of my YW Personal Progress. I have memorized different paragraphs, but not the entire document. My hope is that by working on this during Jesus' birthday celebration month, I will draw closer to Him.

Sometime this year: (As a back-up or an additional project:)

***If I'm feeling super-ambitious, I'd also like to start a blog about sharing a life with someone who has Multiple Sclerosis. I would like to “keep it real” but I don't know if I am brave enough to be that vulnerable.... hmmmm......