the one about my blog name

The second part of my little blog challenge is "What is the name of your blog and why?"

The web address of my blog is "www.craftymandy.blogspot.com" My email address has "craftymandy" in it and for a lot of my different Internet stuff, my user name is "craftymandy." It is just kind of the name I have given myself, and it has really stuck. Sometimes I wish I would have re-thought my blog address and had it be more about my family. But I don't feel like I can change it now. I have been blogging for 3 1/2 years!!! Besides, my blog is written by me and only me. It is about my family, but in my words. So I guess it works.

The title of my blog is "All About the Lanes." I went with that because, well, I am a dork and I love the show Friends. All of the Friends episodes are titled with "the one about..." I have always liked that, so I copied it. Most things in my life are connected, one way or another, to an episode of Friends.

Here is a funny little story about my blog. I just got home on Saturday from a four-day 4H leadership conference. I met the funniest, coolest lady there. We started calling each other "my new bestie." We hung out a lot and she is just awesome. Her name is Judy. Anyway, we spent all of this time together. I emailed her today and my blog address appears on my signature at the bottom of my email messages. Judy noticed the address and decided to go look at my blog. She quickly emailed me back to tell me that she had snooped my blog and she had no idea I was married. She thought I was an old teenager or in my very early twenties!!! Flattering, I guess. I was sure to inform her that I am actually 32, been married for 13 years and have an 8 year old. It was funny. And sweet. And kinda weird.

the one about my super fun girls weekend

My friend Cara was invited by some friends and I was invited by Cara to attend the first annual wine tasting girls weekend in Palisade, Colorado. Cara and I rode out together. We left Saturday morning and arrived in Palisade, met up with the other 6 girls and had lunch. We hired a limo to drive us around to different vineyards and winery's. It picked us up at the hotel at 1:00. Natalie, Nan, Jeanine, Cara, me, Jen, Amber and Kim

We were able to taste, shop and tour several winery's and a brewery. It was a 4 hour tour.... a 4 hour tour. (Get it? Gilligan's island, hahaha!)
Anyway, the tour was really cool and we had a great time! We stayed at the Wine Country Inn. It was SO nice! Cara and I shared a room and it was beautiful!
We had dinner at a cute little pizza shop then everyone wanted to swim. I was so tired, so I hung out in the room that night. I hate it! I wanted to play with the girls, but I also have to respect my body. When it says slow down... I gotta listen. Anyway, we slept like LOGS that night. I guess having a bed to ourselves with no interruptions is just what we both needed! We woke up Sunday morning and first thing, took care of the most important thing you have to do in Grand Jct./Palisade this time of year.... PEACHES!! We each bought a big box of fresh peaches. YUMMY!!! After that, we headed to the mall and got school clothes. I can't believe school starts NEXT WEEK! And I really can't believe my baby will be 8 in two weeks!!!! Summer has just flown by. It seems like school just barely got out for the summer, and here I am, getting Quayd ready for 3rd grade. Anyway this girls weekend was the perfect way to say goodbye to summer. Thanks girls for the invite, and I can't wait til next year!!

the one about the worst blogger EVER!

I am so sorry that I have been such a terrible blogger lately. I have plenty to blog about, just no time to do it. I am hoping that things will settle down a bit now that school is out. May is always a busy month at school because of testing, programs and field trips. We have had all of those things! I was able to go with Quayd on his field trip this year. We went to a green house and learned about different types of plants. Then we went to the Sheriff's department, took a tour of the jail, the 911 call center and got to see the K-9 cop search for drugs. It was really cool and super interesting. We went to the park after wards and had lunch. This is Rylan, Shade and Quayd waiting to see the K-9 Cop. Quayd's class had two programs this year. One was a "Celebration of the Arts." They sang a little, danced a little and had some of their art work for sale. The other was their class program that showed off some of the things they have learned this year.

We were so lucky this year for Quayd to get such an amazing teacher! Mrs. Green is everything you could ask for in a teacher. She is so cute with the kids and they all just adore her. Quayd learned so much this year and he spent thie entire year at the top of his class. His test scores were all above what they needed to be and he is reading chapter books. It was a great year. We only wish he could have Mrs. Green throughout all of Elementary School. I have been making these fun things at my Brother's store (I'll get to that later) and I couldn't resist making this for Mrs. Green. I thought it turned out so cute, so I had to post it.
School is not the only thing keeping me busy. After I quit the hotel, my Brother and Danette asked me to help them out a little in their store. One of their girls had quit and they weren't sure what they were going to do to replace her. I filled in for a few shifts and they decided they wanted me to stay. I was super excited! I started working in April for two days a week. I have totally loved it! It has been so good for me to tune back into my creative side. I have made so many fun things, changed displays and made posters for the store. It is a nice little get away for me. I have so much fun there!!! Quayd can go with me if he wants and when he goes, he doesn't mind it. Its very flexible and the other girl that works is awesome! We trade days when we need to and she is cool about it. Here are a few things I have made.
Other things keeping me busy.... I am officially a FaceBook addict so I spend way too much time there. I was getting really bad about playing FarmTown on FaceBook, but it was getting ridiculous, so I quit that. And I have been reading and listening to a lot of good books on tape.
Lately though, my books have become a type of sedative for me. As soon as I start reading or listening, I get REALLY Sleepy and fall asleep. Oh well. One way or another, I enjoy it!!!

Ok, now... this is probably the biggest thing keeping me busy. We have had a pretty big change here in our house and living situation. If you read my blog at all, you know about my buddy Spencer. I met him at the hotel and we have been good friends for awhile now. I don't know a whole lot of details, except that he has a.... well..... "colorful" past. He got into some trouble, but he is trying to work through it. He has been living with his sister, but she and her husband and 2 little boys have been moving and having all kinds of stress and drama in their lives! They are moving to one place for 8 weeks until their house is ready, then they will be moving again. (Poor girl!) Anyway, that and some other circumstances kind of left Spencer in a bind; as far as his living situation was concerned. We have an extra room and we were just in a position to take him in, so we did. It has worked out PERFECTLY! He is such a good kid and I just love him to death. He just needed a fresh start and it just kind of fell into place. I don't really care much about the past, we are just trying to focus on the future. It has been a delight having him here! Quayd ADORES him and calls him his step-brother. Spence is helping coach Quayd's T-Ball team (thank goodness! Brett and GJ need all the help they can get!) I wish I had a better picture, but this is all I have. I love to take care of people, so I cook him grilled cheese sandwiches at all hours of the day and night. I fixed up his room nice and I wash his clothes. I have always said that he is my boyfriend, so this is the perfect situation... My husband upstairs and my boyfriend downstairs! My cute little Spencie! We don't know for sure how long he will be here so we are just taking it one day at a time. We all just love him and he is doing so well, so hopefully it will continue to work for a long time!

Anyway, thank you for not giving up on me. I am sorry I have been a naughty blogger, but I will try to be better. Now that I have two children, it might be tough! But I will try my best! :)

the one about the loss of a dear friend

I have this amazing friend. She has been my constant companion for 6 1/2 years. She doesn't judge me, she doesn't care if I am in a good mood or bad, she doesn't care if I don't smell my best and she never complains about what I watch on tv. My size never matters to her. She likes to read with me, play on the computer with me and listen to any kind of music I like. I am so terribly sad to report that my time with her has come to an end.

This is her.

She is stained, tattered, torn and beat to crap, but she is truly my favorite article of clothing I have ever owned. My mom got it for me when I was pregnant with Quayd. She wanted me to be able to wear it in the hospital and not worry about my butt hanging out and stuff. It is totally ugly and way over sized, but that is what made it so comfy. I probably washed it a million times and it just got softer and softer. I washed it yesterday and hung it in my closet. This evening I wanted to put it on, and the zipper was GONE! It has been loose for a while now and I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Tonight was the night. When I realized what happened, I was in shock. Seriously. I love this robe! If you have ever come to my house, chances are, you have seen me wearing this. I have always admitted how hideous it is.... but truly, you can't find comfort like this little beauty! Here are a few pictures of her blemishes. Remember, I just washed it! These spots were permanent. Like little love tattoos for me! :)

Look at that lovely embroidery.

And here is her final resting place. RIP my beautiful blue best friend.

the "onesie" about one piece p.j.'s

I don't want my baby to grow up.

I saw these funny one piece P.J.'s on clearance for $3 the other day, and I just had to get them. I actually thought Quayd would throw a total fit about them, but to my surprise, he LOVES THEM! I was teasing him, though, telling him how I used to put him in one piece things all of the time when he was a baby. Then I BEGGED him to let me dress him. I know, I am a freak. It was so funny though!
(hey, Janice! Look at my TV! It is the opening credits for "Friends" on KJZZ! Funny, huh!)


Then Brett had to get in on the action and snuggle his baby! ;)

When I bought these jammies, Tara was with me and she bought a pair for Eli as a joke. Well he wanted nothing to do with them. Tara had left for a bit and when she came home Amelia had them on. So they came over so we could take a picture of them. Aren't they so cute??


Shae and Brett thought they were such dorks. They kind of were.

the one about feeling blue, reversed

So, I have been a little blue lately. I have just been feeling all alone. I know.... sounds corny. But I can't help it. Several events have triggered my case of the blues. One of them being the fact that my friend Janice moved clear across the country. It affected me a lot more than I imagined. I knew I would be sad... don't get me wrong, but the emotions I felt really took me by surprise. I cried for days and everything. We ended up being on vacation on the day they left, and I am really glad about that. We sorta said goodbye the Monday before they left, but I planned on seeing her again before I left for vacation on Tuesday. Well, I just couldn't. One goodbye was hard enough. So when I was almost to Salt Lake, I called her and told her I was gone. Then I cried some more. These pictures were taken a few weeks before she moved at a BBQ we had at Kandice's. Another thing I was a little sad about was that the week I got back from vacation, I couldn't find anyone. Kandice was at a family reunion, Holly visiting her family, Tara was busy and worn out after their many trips right in a row and Brett was gone a lot. So I just kinda felt alone and left out. I wanted to see the movie Mamma Mia SO bad, but I didn't have anyone to go with. I had invited a few people, but for different reasons, it just didn't work out. I was so sad about it, so on Saturday afternoon, I went by myself. The show was SO good! I loved it. I mean REALLY LOVED IT! I want to go again. I think Holly and I are going to go when she gets back. Janice went and saw it alone in Kentucky around the same time I went so we text each other and called when it was over. It was cool! I actually didn't mind going alone. I didn't have to share the arm rest, I pigged out on my own popcorn (which was So good that day!), and I even crunched my ice when my diet coke was gone, and I didn't feel guilty about it. Even though I enjoyed going alone, it is still funnere to go with friends. Anyway, I started feeling better. (Don't worry about me, its really no big deal. I was just kinda down. I don't need sympathy or anything.) I started to feel like I am back to my old self. The emotions have tamed a bit and I am much better. My friend Chauntue called and invited me over on Saturday morning and I had a great time with her and Joey. Thanks girls! Sorry I had to take off early. (dang kids!) My mom took me to lunch yesterday to help cheer me up, and it was nice. We even went to my favorite place! Canton City. Well, anyway... Kandice got back last weekend and invited Quayd and I over today for swimming, slip and slide and lunch. We had a ball!!! When I say swimming and slip and slide, that means me and Kandice too! We were so dumb, but it was a blast. We lined up with the kids and patiently waited our turn. Little Hallie, though, was a bit of a line cutter! I had to call her out on it a few times. ;) Kandice filled the pool with water from her kitchen sink and it was so warm, so we totally sat in it. It was NICE! At one point, she noticed a black head on my back and I invited her to search for more. You all know how we LOVE picking! It was funny. We had a great time. It was a well needed break too. I am so grateful that she invited us over. I think she knew I needed something fun to do. What a great friend. Anyway, here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure... Thanks Quayd for the pictures! Good job, buddy! Oh yah! And Kandice got on the trampoline for awhile and check out her sweet back flip! Again, thanks to all of you who have worked on cheering me up. I have such great friends and family. I love you all!

the one about four wild and crazy girls

Oh my gosh, I have had the funnest couple of days!!! My friend Janice is moving next week, and I have been trying to get in as much time as I can with her. And boy, have we had fun!

When she moved here a few years ago, she was one of the first friends I had after having my baby. I was so sick for so long, and being a new mommy, I didn't have much of a social life. She was in the same ward as one of my other friends, Valeri. Valeri told me that this cute girl in her ward, Janice, was starting a BUNCO group, and would I like to join. I really needed some friends so I gladly accepted. Janice and I hit it right off. We became really good friends really quickly. She really helped me to open up and to just enjoy life. I know that sounds strange, but I was in a really dark place after all I had been through with my health. I was scared that whatever I did, I might die. I was really having some depression and weird issues at that time. (Awkward moment...I don't want you to think I am a freak, but I also want you to understand that I was really having a hard time.... Awkward.....) Anyway, Janice probably doesn't even realize it, but she really helped to pull me out of that stuff. She was so cute and fun, and I just couldn't believe that someone like her liked someone like me. It was awesome to have a friend that I really connected with. Ok, moving on. About a year later, I met Kandice. Kandice joined Bunco, and the three of us were great buddies. A little while later, Holly moved to Vernal and she was an instant friend to all of us. It is weird to say, but it was just like we had all known each other before. (And personally, I believe we did!) We were inseparable! There was never a struggle for attention from the other ones, no jealousy, and no back stabbing. Kandice, Holly and I don't have sisters, so we all decided that the four us us were adopted sisters and we were meant to be friends forever. Of course, things change, people change, we move on, our lives change, we find other friends, we have other things that occupy our time, we have babies, we struggle with depression and anxiety, among other things, and, well.... unfortunately, it just CHANGED! The four of us have still been awesome friends, don't get me wrong! But we just haven't been able to spend as much time together, as just the four of is. Do you get what I am saying?

Anyway, Kandice, Holly and I made a scrapbook highlighting our friendship to give to Janice as a "moving away" gift. We wanted to be able to give it to her with just the four of us. So we went to lunch on Wednesday then hung out for awhile after that. They had Bunco that night and someone cancelled at the last minute. I quit the group several months ago, so I went as a sub. We sat together, for awhile and just had a BLAST!

After Bunco, the four of us decided to go out for dessert. We just giggled and had the best time. We actually wondered if the "over-friendly" dessert chef slipped some kind of drug into our dessert because we just got SO SILLY! We drove around and laughed. We got out of Holly's van and laughed. We trespassed on private property and laughed. We peed outside and laughed, and I think the laughing caused is too pee some more! We even jumped on a trampoline and laughed. And I am pretty sure all of the jumping caused more pee! We went on a short hike in the moonlight, of course laughing more! Anyway, that is all I am going to say about our adventure, but Kandice said it well.... It was good clean fun! (wink, wink, right girls!)

During our hike, I fell climbing over the fence and my "FRIENDS" thought it was funny so they took pictures of my pain. I was COVERED in pokey things after falling into a sticker bush. I even had a sticker in my eye! Right in the tear duct. OUCH!








We had so much fun! We also spent part of yesterday together and it has just been a blast. I love these girls and I hope we can have more fun like this in the future. Janice, good luck with your new "adventure." Come and visit us! Holly and Kandice, thanks so much. You guys are the best!