The Rader's Digest

Sew sew things I must do!

2012-01-18T22:19:00.000-08:00

Okay I have to admit that this isn't something I "want" to do... but I need to finish this prince costume. My son made the lead in the school play. He is the prince. I am making the one in the right bottom corner only it will be royal blue with white brocade sleeves. It is very regal looking. I will post when I'm done.

and... as soon as I'm done with that.... I want to make this! I would give anything to know where to buy this color cardigan. Any guesses?

Storage for Glass Ornaments

2012-01-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was putting away the ornaments from the tree. I wasn't sure what to do with my glass ornaments and was worried they would break. I had collected these apple cartons from Costco and thought they would be perfect for storing the bulbs. Tell me what you think. I know... pretty cool, huh?

Just for fun~
I thought I'd also show you some fun felt ornaments I picked up at a second hand store a few years back. They are so fun and I bet you can't find anything like them around.

Blogfest? What is that? Besides... who was reading it anyhow?

Lookin for a blog with a tutorial for a Felt rose Scarf

2011-12-14T14:27:00.000-08:00

Day whatever... of my 30 day blogfest.
I have been searching in vain for a blog that did a tutorial for a felt or wool rose scarf. It was adorable. I must have guessed I could remember where to find it when I wanted it. After final 4 exams, I can't even remember what my name is.
I think I clicked into a link from one of my followed websites. Needless to say, it's all stored in my head and I have to just try to figure it all out.

*Update: I tried one more time and typed in Blogger tutorial felt flower scarf and Wallah... You can make this along with me at "Watch me Daddy" CLICK HERE

Be sure to come back when I finish.

Blah blah blah blah blahhhh

2011-12-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

Post 8 of my 30 day blog fest.
(sigh).... I'm realizing it's Wednesday.... and I haven't posted in 3 days on my 30 day blogfest.

Sign here.....____________________________ if you care to to protest. (sigh.)

Perfect Christmases

2011-12-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

Post #7 in my 30 blogfest

It's Sunday night and I just finished watching the First Presidency Christmas Message. (You can find the archives at LDS.org.) I was reminded during the broadcast that we should have a wonderful Christmas regardless of whether or not we consider it perfect. There are so many things that are good about this time of year. Right after, I was reminiscing to myself about my own childhood and was reminded by a few memories I had growing up. When I think of perfect Christmases these were the memories that stood out. I hope you enjoy!

The time my oldest sister took me with her to buy a present for a single woman and her children that were not so fortunate that year. She knew the lady had zero money to buy gifts for the kids and felt that we could help her out. I don't remember what we bought them, but I do remember the spirit of Christmas that she taught me about scraping your pennies together to help make someone else's Christmas a little more jolly. After dark that Christmas Eve, we went and dropped it on her door step, rang the bell and ran. I don't remember what I got that year under our tree at home, but I have always remembered this lady many times and wondered how she felt having a little joy dropped at her door that Christmas.

A different memory was a friend that my brother and I shared in common. He was a teenager living with his mother and step father. That particular year, his parents decided they really didn't need a tree. This friend was lamenting that he really wasn't feeling Christmas at his house.

Fortunate for us, my brother worked with the scouts selling Christmas trees. My brother found a tree that was pretty lame and was sure no one would buy because it had a large space without branches. The scout leader let him crop the top 2 feet off the tree and he and I made arrangements when the friend was out of the home to go put it up in his room . We bought a strand of lights and decorated it and hung wrapped Christmas candy from the branches. He eventually figured out it was us, but we felt good that he had a little Christmas spirit that year.

Would you be willing to share a memory from your past?

Confronting age head on.

2011-12-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

Post #6 in 30 day blogfest
I'm learning today about death and dying in my Human Development and Family Studies. I'm in the chapter on old people and it says that most old people are very conscientious about when they die and how they will go. It's interesting that I don't think about death more than I do but the text brings out that as you age, you will confront the issue more than when you are younger. I stopped to think about that and realized, "Yes, I will someday die". Another part of the text brings out the fact that aging can be broken down into three categories: The young old , old old, and the oldest old. The first group is healthy and active, the second has some health problems, and the third and are frail and need care. I was thinking which group I might belong to and surmised that I must be young, because I'm mostly healthy and active. After looking up the ages for the three groups the young old started at 65.

Now, my kids are constantly telling me that I'm old. It doesn't bother me mostly, except that it means I no longer know the latest rap lyrics and know I better not even try wearing my britches down around my knees. I've come to the conclusion that the difference between me and the olds is that I'm still feeling my oats. I'm sure this day will change, but when that happens I won't have any problems knowing that I'm finally old; cuz my wild oats will have turned into prunes and All Bran.

daily doings 11-29-2011

2011-11-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday,
Went to school. Went on a Virtual fieldtrip to Glacier National Park. Made dinner. Picked up John from school. Took Kate to a play date. Watched "Castaway on the Moon" on netflix with the family for family night. Went to bed.

The movie we watched is a Korean knock off of Tom Hank's rendition of "Castaway". It was entertaining to say the least. All the dialogue is in Korean and unless you happen to know a little of that language, you'd better plan to read the subtitles.

Today, Got up. Took Benadryl for my allergy. Got too drowsy and stayed home from class. Did some sociology reading. Practiced my Spanish flashcards. Can't study. Going to lunch with my friend.

Christmas trees of the past

2011-11-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, Okay so I have missed posts for the last three days. But, those reading have not lived up to their end of the bargain. The deal was that I would blog for 30 days if those reading would leave a post.
( which a-hemmmm) None of you have and I know you are reading.
But I digress....

Post #4 in my 30 blog fest.

There is nothing more sweet than watching your kids decorate a newly put up bare tree. I remember fondly those memories of begging our parents to hurry and get a tree. After finally getting the freshly cut tree from the tree lot, my dad would stick it in a bucket of water to soak up moisture before bringing it in the house. We could hardly wait until we could go to the attic to bring down all the ornaments to garnish its branches.

I loved all the traditional ornaments we would put on the tree: the tin bells that over time lost the clapper, the breakable glass ornaments that we hung up with the cracked side turned to the wall and hoped no one would see so we would have more ornaments on the tree, and the large bulb strand of Christmas lights that no one uses on their tree anymore.

When we were young, most of our ornaments consisted mostly of the homemade ornaments that my siblings made in Elementary School. You know, the colored macaroni wreaths that had a school picture carefully taped behind, and the Christmas trees that had pompoms glued all over them. Today, I have carefully saved all of those from my kids and they are the favorite box of ornaments that they love to reminisce over, but they go right back in the box to save for the child that made it.

What do you remember from your childhood tree.

Nutty Mishap

2011-11-23T20:57:00.000-08:00

Day 3 of my 20 day blogfest!
Well, it's official! I finally have something noteworthy to post in my 30 day blog fest. Last night, I thought I'd sit and enjoy some of the stash of nuts that I bought for the holidays. After a few, my tongue swelled up so bad, it felt like there were marbles in between the layers. Finally,my nose and lips swelled up and got numb. Miss Emily tried to wisk me off to the E.R. but I wouldn't hear of it. ( I wouldn't smell of it either.) I took Benadryl and sat at the computer trying to figure out if I was going to die. Out of the 10 or so dangerous symptoms before anaphalactic shock, I had 7 of them. Yep, I suppose I should have made the trip. My doctor confirmed that today as well and scolded me a little for my apparent confidence that everything was alright. To make things worse, the pharmacist told me that I could not get the epi pens filled because my insurance had not pre-approved them and unless I wanted to pay 243$ for the cash price, I'd need to come back on Monday. Great! Thanksgiving Eve where creams, nuts, and breads are being generously prepared and she wanted me to tell my lips to behave themselves.

At least I do have something of which I can be grateful for and it would be that I'm still here with my family, still blogging, and not in more of a wad than I could be. ** Katannuta for this Thanksgiving time! I'll take it.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

**Katannuta

"From a Buddhist point of view, the Pali word which we translate in English as gratitude is katannuta. The word katannuta consists of two parts: kata which means that which has been done, especially that which has been done to one, to oneself, and annuta which means knowing or recognizing. So katannuta means knowing or recognizing what has been done to one, that is to say knowing and recognizing what has been done to one for one's benefit."
from: answers.com http://www.answers.com/topic/gratitude

Daily doings 11-22-11

2011-11-22T16:59:00.000-08:00

Day 2 of 30 day blogfest!

√ Got John off to school (this was a big check)

√ Wear the cute scarf and flower I bought at a women's conference this last May. Remember my post? click here

√ Enjoy compliments of my cute scarf and flower

√ Clase de Espanol

√ Thanksgiving shopping at Winco

√ Arranged the flowers that I bought at Winco

√ Called the dentist for an emergency visit for John

√ Paid my bills

√ Filing all my bill

√ Make dinner

Still to do:
Study Geography Lab

Try to stay out of the Reece's pieces I bought for Thanksgiving weekend.

Try to stay out of the Reece's pieces I bought for Thanksgiving weekend

Try to find one thing to clean before Thanksgiving weekend and hope I don't run into the Reece's pieces that I've put in the kitchen cupboard.

Buy more Reece's pieces for Thanksgiving weekend :)

No dust bunnies here! 30 Day blogfest!

2011-11-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

I admit the reason I haven't blogged lately is that I don't have alot of time to sit and create cute anecdotal stories to please. My life has been somewhat topsy turvy as school bears down on my time and robs me of any creative juices that may have been flowing in my veins.
One of the uncool things I see about blogging though, is that most blogs get started and fall down the ladder of "have beens" and forgotten memoirs I do not want to become a dust bunny in the closet and have decided, on the example of one of my fellow bloggers, that I will embark on a 30day blog fest. I promise to come back and post a few tidbits every day, no matter how trivial its seems, if you promise to leave a response when you read my blog. Deal? DEAL!

For starters: Today, I awakened and re-evaluated my plans for the University. I have my next four years planned out. It felt good to make some important decisions and see that those decisions were actually lightened my educational bucket. As I walked Miss Kate to school, I looked up in the sky, smelled the cool air, and smiled. I felt as though a cloud lifted and I could see a fresh bright future ahead of me.

Later, I went to my Geography class. We were tested on weathering, earthquakes, and volcanoes. I missed four problems which is an improvement for me. I felt good about that until I came home to my online Sociology test. 50% is pretty bad, yet, I realize..... I don't have to run down the graduation field with a 4.00 GPA. I just need to pass. I failed a test today, and I am still okay.

Rite of passage just to go to college

2011-10-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

In order to gain admissions to the 4 year college in my city, I must be current on my tetanus shot. I finally went against all my better judgment and had my doctor administer one. I told Mr. T that he needs to watch me because I might even DIE. I tend to believe all the conspiracy theories of immunizations and all that other mumbo jumbo. I haven't died yet... (I am writing this)... but I did have some side effects and I was a real basket case this weekend. I was emotional, achy, and really agitated, and plain just not feeling good.

I decided I'd look up side effects of the D Tap shots and see just what my demise was going to be. It says these shots are given to children at 2mo, 4mo, 6 mos. And other ages. I never saw age 43, but then I found the following statement: “D Tap immunization is generally required before a child can start school.” I figured they were right and that it was a good thing that I can now go to college.

I continued to look up side effects and could not find a thing about baskets or cases, but I did see that crankiness was a very major symptom and I had a lot of it. Soreness at the injection site can cause one to feel unwell, but Tylenol can be administered to help one feel better. Additionally, it said in rare cases, one might cry for 3 hours straight. Although I felt very much like crying for 3 hours straight, I have put on my big girl pants and I'm on my way to becoming a student of the big school. I just need a good long belt to sinch them up.

2011-10-14T00:09:00.000-07:00

HI MOM, I know you are reading my blog.... call me on my cell phone or get on Yahoo messenger.
LOVE YOU. YES, EVERYONE WILL KNOW i LOVE MY MOM! :)

I am a Mormon and I am Christian

2011-10-13T14:20:00.001-07:00

Lost Lamb by Del Parson

It is not for us to say who in the deepest sense, is or is not close to the spirit of Christ. We do not see into men's hearts. We cannot judge... It would be wicked arrogance for us to say that any man is, or is not, a Christian.

~ C. S. Lewis

Just keep swimming!

2011-10-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

Going to school ain't no cake walk. Some professors are with you and some are simply not. It gets discouraging from time to time and sometimes you just need someone to tell you that you are doing a good job. One professor of mine does not like to answer questions and seems uninterested in anything you have to say. Asking her questions is like trying to get a cat to listen you while you recite the pledge of allegiance. She hears you, but she simply is not interested in what you have to say. I have been discouraged by this teacher and have even vowed not to ask questions, EVER! My faith in the teachers' academy has been tainted, and I will not give in. Today, I happened to get an e-mail from another professor that had responded to a newly graded paper. It simply said, "GREAT JOB!" It's all I needed to set aside my differences and to try, try , try once again. Thank you to all teachers that take the time to encourage a student to "just keep swimming ". Because maybe I will.

Forget Not...

2011-09-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

If you were to listen to this broadcast last night, you would understand what the forget me nots have come to mean to so many women. It was a touching reminder to " forget not" some basic truths.

You can view the entire talk of president Uchtdorf by pressing this link HERE.

Some ties are just too expensive

2011-09-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

A man stood in line in front of me at a local thrift store. He was purchasing a tie that was a little dull in my opinion: black, tan, and brown. He seemed to be a little unsure of his selection and asked the young girl close to me if she liked it. I don't know if she really didn't have an answer, or if she was just more people savvy than I, for she simply said she did not know. When the man turned to me, he asked me if I liked the tie he was holding. I really didn't like the tie, and somehow I'd convinced myself that since he asked me, I was entitled to give my honest opinion. "No, sir. I don't like the color black with those other colors." A glare shot at my face and right through my head. He could have nailed it to the wall 50 ft behind me. Me: " Of course sir, that tie would look great against the black pin stripe shirt you are wearing.... and what do I know anyway.? ha ha". I'm not sure he even listened to me, and I watched him hand the tie very resolutely to the cashier. He gathered his belongings and left the store without another comment to me or to anyone else. I learned something that day. And it rang loud and clear. People have a distinct need to be valued and appreciated, and.... to have their thoughts and feelings validated. The man was probably going to buy the tie anyway, but was looking for someone to affirm his choices that day. Sadly, I missed out on an opportunity to build up the self esteem of someone else. I still wish he'd found a sky blue tie to go with his black pin stripe shirt....but I'm not willing to pay the price. It's too expensive.

By the way, if you really are interested in buying one or both of these ties, you can purchase them by pressing on this link: Etsy: Ragdollady55. I don't know her... but I borrowed her picture. Just figured I should help her sell them now.

Top 10 places I'd rather be

2011-08-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

Was just thinking and dreaming about places I'd rather be, than sitting in front of my computer with a touch of the stomach flu. Yuck.

10. Riding a Harley down Pennsyvania Ave. Washington needs a wake up call.
9. Being at Walmart at 10 PM and running into friends that truly knew why we were both there.
8. Merchant Square on Arizona Ave in Chandler, Arizona (antique mall)
7. Quilting with the old quilt group in the Ray 2nd ward cultural hall. It was always a blast.
6. Going to Lake Tahoe with the fam, staying in a cabin, and renting Kayaks.
5. Going to Sacramento with my friend Vickie. When we go, the day is always a vacation.
4. With my mom cuttingout quilt squares. It's the one past time I have in common with my mom. (besides being a mom :)
3. With my husband at the Macaroni Grill. ( that place can make any date seem romantic)
2. With my sister Leslie at Goodwill. If they try to close early, she will have your back.
1. With my sister Kara, out milking the cow that we don't own yet.
(leslie, you'd have been number one. But you have yet to promise to own a cow with me.)

what are your top 10?

images from: http://claravaledairy.com/faq.html

Partial kitchen remodel

2011-08-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

Family bonding in our family happens the best when we are in the middle of a home improvement project. It is grueling work, but its funny how everyone wants a piece of the action. I'm not sure whether its because they want to take a turn destroying something that they would otherwise get in trouble for or if they are afraid mom and dad will get all the fun.

"Before" icky yellow grouted tile

Demolishing the old tile

You need the right gear: gloves, goggles, and ambition. Can you see my ambition? I'm wearing it well, I think.

It's supposed to come out in sections. Mr. T was hogging all the fun.

I told you if you want fun experiences like us.... you need to get the hammer and just lay into your counter.


There is something for everyone to do. Even when you are the smallest.

Don't forget to clean up as you go. You'll have tile flying everywhere. Guaranteed. You can step on the pieces and it can really mess up your floor. You'll need a pry bar guy, hammer girl, sweeper, picker upper, hauler outer, and someone to poor drinks and anything else you might need while your doing your demolition.

The kids decided their brother that moved out a month ago should come to our party. When he arrived, he got handed a broom and dust pan. (Next time you'll bring pizza with you, J)

We finally removed all the tile. By the way, I don't have pictures, but treating the crew to pizza really solidifies the bonding event. Just sayin'.

What color would you paint this kitchen? .... would you paint the cabinets or leave them alone? You can click on a picture up top to see the family room colors right by the kitchen.
Please reply, I'm very remodel un-savvy and need all the help I can get.

This is the new corian counter top

The workers are installing as I'm posting this. Check back another time for completed remodel.

Making Lemonade ... even when poly grip looms over my head.

2011-08-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

My sister, Kara, always had a phrase for me whenever I would get discouraged about my schooling. She'd say: "How do you eat an elephant? .... One bite at a time." Well for the most part, this has proved to be true, until today.
I just found out that the 4 year college I should graduate from has changed the curriculum for my major: Special Education. Additionally, they deleted the major or rather integrated it with elementary education. Over half of my classes that I've taken are not included in the new curriculum. This was a major downer for me, a mother of 5, going back to school over 40. It's hard enough to study for my classes with out knowing that when I'm through, I might as well have been watching "I Love Lucy" reruns.
Let's just say that tonight... that a bite of elephant is just plain too big for my mouth. IN fact, I don't even like the taste of elephant tonight. I know I should see the light at the end of the tunnel, but when the carpet is pulled right out from under me, it's quite hard to see what's ahead, instead of what looms over you.

I know I should make the best of it, and these are definitely lemons I was handed. So maybe I will try to make the lemonade that has been poured for me a wee bit sweeter:

I'm sure that Heavenly Father must have another plan for me and maybe the path I was on needed to be changed for some reason I do not know. At any rate, somethings got to change or I will really be that 80 year old woman collecting a diploma with my polygrip grin and designer disposable pants.

Oh what did you do in the summer time...

2011-08-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

I've been a little busy this summer. This is only a part of what I've been up to. Family Reunions, Girls camp, thrift shopping, 4th of July activities, Young women Retreats, Summer time with the kids. Glad to get a rest before I resume school.

Okay, I originally had a picture with yours truly beside my bullseye. But being the unsavvy camera gal that I am, deleted it. This was all I have of proof that I do indeed have skills. 1st time evah! Girls camp, 2011

Keeping up with all the Young Ladies at camp in my charge. What a beautiful bunch! Love these girls. Can you find me in all that dirt?

Finding Fun Old phones at garage sales. Yes, it really does work.

Making festive 4th of July Jello. Ummm,... not my favorite recipe, but it was great entertainment!

Festive 4th of July punch. I had to make several batches to perfect. Would definitely do again.... if... I can remember the trick.

Finding fun treasures at Goodwill. Sorry to the old man that wanted it for his bedstand. Word of advice, always put in your cart what you think you might want. You can always pull it out later. he he. By the way, what should I use it for.... any suggestions?

Laurel Retreat with the Bishop and his wife.... and Todd.

Driving to Arizona around the 4th of July time. Seeing old glory and getting a lump in my throat.

Tent mom to 9 wonderful girls.

Storm watching with my kids: Priceless

Freedom isn't free

2011-07-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

By Anon.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year, he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more.
Standing talk straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!
Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July Holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: Freedom is never free!

Mother Daughter Facials

2011-06-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

My little gal wanted a spa day with mom. First we put on WII just dance and did our aerobics for the morning. Next we found this recipe and whipped some up:
Sweet Avocado
2 teaspoons of finely ground oatmeal
1 teaspoon of avocado
1 teaspoon of honey
Combine into a paste. Massage into a damp face with upward circular movements and rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Then we cut some cucumber, made lemonade and had our little spa day. So FUN! Oh... and FYI.... Cucumber really does feel cool on your eyelids. Never knew!

Missing my Home

2011-06-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

"Even though I am thousands of miles away from loved ones, I never cease to be amazed at how the Lord knows exactly where I am and what the desires of my heart are"

Quoted by my brother Robert

Be of Good Cheer!

2011-06-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

My brothers and sisters, each of us has [a] light in his or her life. We are not left to walk alone, no matter how dark our pathway.

I love the words penned by M. Louise Haskins:

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown!”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than [a] light and safer than a known way.

Thomas S. MONSON, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Ensign magazine. April 2009

Treasures and Lemon squeezes

2011-06-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

I was in the process of adding treasures to my front living room and tried to create something out of this cupcake tin. Not sure I captured what I thought I would, but I love my family and thought I'd put this by my front door as a conversation piece. I haven't hung it in the right place but took a quick picture to show.

What do you think?

I bought this little guy from House of Whimsy 2. He added just the right touch to my shelf.

... this is where I put my little word bird!

I received one more thing from House of Whimsy 2. Do you recognize the cute headband? ...Of course, I think anything would look cute on this face. Don't you just want to give her a squeeze and a kiss? Yep, me too!

Wisdom beyond years OR perspective in the rain?

2011-06-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

Rain! For the last 24 hours it has been raining,a rare event on a morning in June. As I took my daughter to one of her last days of high school, she noticed a friend of hers getting out of her car with her umbrella.

Wendy "Oh, she's using the umbrella I gave her for her birthday."
Me: "Yeah, but she's not wearing a jacket!"
Wendy: "Yeah, but she's got no parents to remind her."

You can't run away from trouble. There ain't no place that far. ~Uncle Remus

2011-06-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite talks was the final session with Julie B Beck, General Relief Society President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She indicated that she receives letters from many women around the world regarding the decisions facing Women today. She said we do have to use prayer and the scriptures to get these answered, but mostly she talked of the roles of women and said that many women run away from the duties they have as wives, mothers, and women. She said we have responsibilities that we must face and do. We cannot say that we don't feel like doing it or that tomorrow I will be better. She said women of the world "run away" from the duties that are innately ours. She said, " I would like to run away to Hawaii, too." I think too many of us run away because it seems to hard. (Wow never thought about that until I ran away to Provo, Utah to attend Women's Conference) lol. Sister Beck said we needed to rise to our calling as mothers and wives. She said it is hard, but if we don't do it, no one else will.
You can view most of her talk at this link here: JULIE B BECK TALK If you scroll down to the links on right side of my page, you will find BYU Women's Conference. You can click on the link and will take you to past talks from these conference. They are amazing.

If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes. ~The Houghton Line, November 1965

I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. ~Jewish Proverb

People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates. ~Thomas Szasz, "Personal Conduct," The Second Sin, 1973

There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Mommy Sermons 5-26-2011

2011-05-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

We all have those things that we say or think to ourselves. Mommy sermons are those little talks we give in our hearts when no one else is around. Sometimes we give negative talks and sometimes we give positive ones. I think too often we are more hard on ourselves than we should be. I really like the sermons that come from other people that many times are just one sentence or small paragraph long, yet, summate or put our little mommy sermons into perspective.

This mommy Sermon comes from Marjorie Pay Hinckley~

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. we have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. we have to learn to be content with what we are."

Be Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

2011-05-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Another session title of Women's conference was "Be not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ". This was a very important session as I felt that in today's world, our church and especially those with religion or morals are put down or persecuted. It is ever important to speak up for the views and truths we know so those that don't have them will see the light. The presenter was very outspoken proponent of Proposition 8 in California. She spoke on how many of the voters did not know the truths about the measure they would be voting on. The media had distorted it such that the public was unaware about the truth. She said standing up for something doesn't mean you have to yell, and tolerance does not mean you have to agree. She was persecuted and still is to this day but she believes that the Lord has sustained her through these trials because she puts her faith in Him continually. "We never stand alone in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be ye not ashamed. " Be tolerant, but not condoning.

The subject of proposition 8 is such a controversial one and my blog isn't intended to arouse feelings of hatred or bitterness. However, my post is more for the message of the session I attended which was sticking up for beliefs. I re-entered the facebook world some time ago and found that I had "liked" a page that was in defense of traditional marriage. After learning the creator of the page had changed his position on the subject, I unliked the page and declared publicly my beliefs on my facebook page. I later found out that a friend that supports marriage equality "Unfriended" me. While this saddens me, it also gives me evidence of the ever present need to stand for something, even when your friends (or supposed friends) turn their cheeks. I am not against those that have other beliefs. I am just standing for mine. Mine include the family: One Man, One Woman. I believe that God has a plan and a purpose in Families. I believe that the Family is " central to to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." ~ Proclamation on the family

headband giveaway

2011-05-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

My dear friend is reopening her Etsy shop and is doing a little giveaway on her blog.
Check out The House of Whimsy and take your chance at winning one of her adorable headbands.

While I'm at promoting other peoples blogs and Etsy,
I think I will put in a plug for my daughter. She makes adorable purses and is so very talented. She is creating a way to make a little extra money for her schooling. I know you will not be disappointed. Check out her Etsy shop and find out the cool stuff at MLE's purses .

(This one just sold this morning. Hopefully you saw it here and ran over to Etsy to buy it. Yay, for you! )

4th session: Education.... and doing hard things

2011-05-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

The fourth session of Women's conference was about Education: the latch key to success. I liked this quite a bit because it applies to my life today. My husband suffers from various ailments. It has threatened the security of his job and requires that I now seek to educate myself for a future role of being the breadwinner.
The thoughts expressed in this session were that we need to find things everyday to learn and not just leave our education to chance. She also suggested that if we don't apply what we learn, it is then that we become a failure.
Involve our kids. When this sister was going to school, she would have her kids with her in the library as she studied. She would teach them to look up books by the call number and they would retrieve various books so she wouldn't have to waste time searching for them. It gave her kids something to do, educated them, and allowed her extra time to study as needed. They also had times where they would all study together as a family. No one watched t.v. until everyone was finished with homework, which wasn't very often. But they learned and studied together and learned a very important concept about schooling.

Obtaining an education after age 40 has been much of a trial and a very hard thing to do. One thing that has plagued my school year are extreme allergies. I have been quite depressed, because not only is going to school hard, but nearly impossible when you feel you want to scratch your eye balls out of the socket. I've gone through 3-4 boxes of tissue and have used up any pill in the house related to allergy relief. I have also developed a cough that mimics pneumonia. My body was literally worn out from the allergies and the medicines I was taking were making me lethargic. After about 4 weeks of this, I fretted because I knew my finals were approaching and I felt ill prepared. I broke down and pleaded with Heavenly Father to make me equal to the task of studying for my final exam. I was concerned because the exam was comprehensive and I knew there was no way in the world I'd remember stuff from 4 months ago. After praying, I noticed the next two days my allergies relented and I was able to get through the chapters in biology for review. I was virtually allergy free.

The night before my exam, I woke up numerous times from the same cough that plagued me only days before. I sighed and begged the question all but audibly, "Oh no!, I thought you were helping me to get better?" Immediately, the impression hit me as if someone were kneeling at my side and whispering back in my ear, "I did help you to get better. That is why you were able to have relief to study for your exam." I then knew that Heavenly Father had answered my prayer and was aware of my needs.

I know that in this education process, I have been blessed for what I need to accomplish. He knows my strengths and weaknesses and I somehow manage to succeed.

More on BYU Women's Conference

2011-05-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

The 3rd session of Women's Conference I attended was about being extraordinary in our callings in the church: The presenter was over 80 years old and called to be the Primary President. She talked about recognizing the potentials in each child and encouraging them. "There is a place for every child in the church". She told about a class of young boys that would fight over the isle seat. They were very disruptive and so she went and told them that they would need to take care of the problem or it would become her problem next week. Next week came and she found the boys had sort of taken care of the problem. They had agreed that every 10 min each boy would rotate in the isle seat. This just wouldn't do and was still disrupting so she and the boys agreed that they would draw names each week who would get to sit in the isle seat. Her comments about that story were that if we let the kids be involved in the decision making, they will usually come up with or help with a solution.

The other presenter, a news anchor and Stake Young women's President spoke about the Lord not letting his disciples fail in the work they have been called to do. "He will magnify what you say and do. He will carry into their hearts the things you say and do." She recalled a time or two during stake youth conferences where she worried over the plans and fretted if things would come together. She assured us that this was not "our" work, but it was the Lord's work and if we had done all we could do, He would magifiy our plans and it would work out. This was good advice since I'm serving as Young Women's President and I worry on a daily basis if I'm making any difference in the lives of these 25 girls. She also told of her daughter being called to be a visiting teacher. The first lady assigned to her was the General Relief Society President. This young 18 yr old girl was intimidated thinking, "what do I have to offer her?" The President was very loving about it and the two became very good friends.

Fun treasures from the Quilted Bear

2011-05-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

Boy, I sure love this place. :)

To help me remember what purpose my knees have.


A kitchen gadget that was long over due. These are so cool ! After you chop something, this helps to pick it up easier.

A cute frame that I shall paint black and add to our living room.

Fun hair pieces for my girls. Or Pin for a lapel. Aren't they just darling!

I'm not usually a scarf person, but this looked like a slim style scarf that would go cute with any of my blue skirts. We'll see how it goes.

This was a cute hair tie for my daughter who just turned 18. She loved it! Anytime this girl likes anything I pick out, I consider it a score.

I picked this one out for me. hoping I like it with the clothes already in the closet. Should I post pictures... yes or no?

Truths I have learned about the small and simple things

2011-05-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

"By the small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

Last weekend I had the pleasure and privilege to attend BYU Women's Conference. This weekend for the last 3 years has become my little retreat away from home to rejuvenate and replenish when the world seems to drain every ounce of good that I've tried to keep in my heart. It was many reminders to me that life can be good and that I am good. It let me know I can make it in a world of sorrows and negative emotions that tell me I'm worthless and incapable of being the Woman, mother, and wife that I should be.

I have included my notes both for my remembrance and for your enjoyment. I will post one session every couple of days. Perhaps you might learn a thing or three.

2nd session: The Words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. One presenter, a mother of nine children, told how she and her husband had just started a new business. For 2.5 years they struggled financially. They depleted their savings, used nearly all their food storage, and wondered how they would meet the challenges they faced. She marveled at the peace they continually enjoyed on a daily basis and even asked the Lord how it was that they would continue to feel peace amidst the turmoil they were experiencing. It was then that the still small voice confirmed a truth to her regarding the peace she had. The little voice whispered to her that it was because of a commitement she made 27 years ago at the age of 14 that now accounted for the peace she was feeling today. At age 14, she attended EFY (Especially for Youth- a conference tailored for the youth of the church) in which a speaker had challenged her to read her scriptures each and every day of her life. She made a commitment everyday of her life to always read her scriptures and for 27 years has never missed a day. She also indicated that we didn't need to feel badly that we (me) are not reading the scriptures, or that we are not a failure for not doing it for 27 years. She said we could start now, today.

Goal: Start reading the scriptures everyday. Even if its only one verse. Someone please do this with me. Today is May 3rd. Let's see how far we go.

Daffodils: Flower of hope, whisper of safety

2011-04-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

As I was preparing to brown a roast in a frying pan, I received a call informing me that one of my friends was diagnosed with cancer. This was no ordinary friend. This was a woman which was twice my senior. She was a mother to me --away from home-- when I lived 800 miles away from mine.
Our friendship started at a time when I had small children. I was home all day with them and just needed some "me" time to talk with adults. Conveniently, I knew of a lady around the corner that always went walking in the evenings and had the urge to ask her one day if I could join her. She informed me that I could only walk with her if I could keep up since as she wasn't waiting or walking slower to accommodate me. She had a job to do and she let me know it.
This walking started a journey with her I will never forget. We shared, we laughed, and probably cried a time or two, but we always went out walking every night. Snow or shine, she'd call and ask if I was going. I'd bundle up with my scarves, hoodies, coats, etc and head out.
Well, I did keep up with her and we went everywhere for a few years.
When we would near the end of our walk, she would ask, "Are you ready to go home?" My reply was always, "I'm not ready to go home". "Me neither", she would say, and we would head out again in another direction.
Years passed, I moved away... and she did too.
Later I moved back to town and she still comes to visit at the home she still owns.
When I found out about her cancer, I literally dropped everything and got in the car to go see her. I knew I wanted to go to the floral dept. and grab a small bouquet for her, but as I locked the house and headed toward the car, I noticed some small blue bulbs and I had the impression that I should dig some up. So, I went in the house to find a small vase or container, but the ones I found did not have openings in the bottom to drain. So I shut and locked the door for the second time to head to the floral dept to buy a bouquet for her. I didn't make it very far again because I spotted my pale yellow flowers in front of our mailbox. I tried to put the thought out of my mind knowing that they would have much better flowers at the store, but I pulled back in the driveway and knew I'd need to go inside again for scissors.
On returning the scissors to the house, I looked up at the stove to notice that the pan I'd heated to brown my roast was still on. I was horrified. Twice I'd walked out without checking the stove and twice, a prompting of the spirit indicated that I needed to stay and clip MY flowers. You see, If I'd got them from the florist, who knows but my house would not still be standing when I returned.
I thanked Heavenly Father under my breath, wrapped my lovely flowers in a wet paper towel and headed out to see my friend.
As I rang the doorbell, I couldn't help but feel the familiarity at her house that I'd felt years before when I used to greet her on her step before a walk. She didn't answer and I left the flowers with a note on the doorstep.

Hours later, she called to thank me, and to express her sadness at the future that lay ahead of her. She was always careful not to eat junk, (unlike me), and to be careful to count the grams of fats before consuming anything that might make her less than healthy. (unlike me). I can't imagine why such an ugly disease had to find her (someone so careful and healthy) before it found me. (the one that never cared how much fat or sugar was touching my lips. One that was always overweight from a lack of discipline.)

"Diana, did you know that you brought me the flower for cancer?"
"No... I didn't know there was a flower for cancer."
"My daughter saw them and told me that they sell these at her school for cancer victims. The Daffodil is known as the flower of hope".
I was amazed by such a revelation, not only because they had sent a small message of peace to her, but daffodils saved my house from possibly burning down.
I'm so glad God talks through his flowers!

Looking for peace... finding some answers

2011-04-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

People all have questions about where they are going or why their lives go the way they go. Some people look for answers in something new they buy at the store, from habits or addictions that don't bring lasting satisfaction, or maybe... from someone's blog they may read that they don't even know. It is to you that don't know me that I point my remarks. The General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will be held this Saturday and Sunday. I want to share this because I really believe in the teachings in this church and know if you are looking for answers in your life or want to find a church for you that you can find these answers this weekend. I have had similar times in my life where nothing made sense and I needed something to bring me peace and perspective. I found these answers each time I listen to conference and apply the teachings all year long. I'm hoping as you take the time to explore what conference offers you that you will pray about the things you hear.

My hope is that you will find the answers from conference you are seeking. I would love to hear back from you on my blog about those things that touched your heart.
Utah Time:
Saturday, 10 a.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.;
Sunday, 10 a.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.

Pick your language at the link below.

http://lds.org/conference/languages/0,6353,310-1,00.html

Other place to visit conference:
http://lds.org/church/events/181st-general-conference-of-the-church?lang=eng

My Friends Flag Quilts

2011-03-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

I promised pictures!

Julie's Quilts: This one has the blue plaid backgrounds around the flags and a true navy blue border.


Julie's Quilts: This one has a blue/red plaid border with a more pale look.					Here is a link to the original post (press here)

Who knew? FLAG QUILTS and FRIENDSHIP

2011-03-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

12 Star Salute by Cotton Pickin' Designs

Debbie Foley and Valerie Boman

Once upon a time, my friend Linda asked me if I quilted . My reply, "No way". Now I did a lot of sewing at that time, but I did not categorize myself in the group of women that sat around a quilt on stilts with our needles and thread quilting someone else quilt. At least in the olden days, that is what I remembered my mother and other women doing when they used the term “quilting”.

Soon after our little conversation, I saw this pattern in the local craft store. Flags were "IN" at this time and I purchased the pattern feeling that someday I would "learn" the art of making this quilt. Linda found out about my little purchase and the two of us embarked on journey of selecting fabrics together. Linda, unbeknown to me, showed her purchases and patterns to another acquaintance of ours , Julie, who was already in the process of making the flag quilt. If she was sewing "the flag quilt", she was welcome to join us. We had to keep our focus, you know!!

We started sewing at our local church, each one bringing a sewing machine and letting our kids play in the gym at our feet. Julie soon brought Annette, who did not make the flag quilt initially, but later joined us making the traditional flag quilt. Tiffani soon joined, and our little group of four grew to five. We had good times, flag mishaps, and many other quilting projects, (which I will post later).

Three of us moved away that year, ending a season of sisterhood and quilting, but who knew this little rectangle of the Red, White, and Blue, could bring friendship and Joy to 5 ladies, forever changing our lives. It is a treasure we will never forget.

Julie, has been endlessly trying to get me to post pictures of the flag quilt that I made. So, here they are:

Background with Red, white, and Blue plaid binding folded over the front.

Free motion quilting. Some people pay others to do this, but why let them have all the fun!

Close up on Flag against tan calico background. SO FUN!

The whole kit and kaboodle! The pattern called for blue backgrounds around the flags, but I opted for the tan and brown homespun fabrics.
If I can get my friends to send them, I will post additional pictures of the ones that they all finished.

Finding your purpose

2011-03-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

It just occurred to me that the reason I never finish cleaning the house is that I might ask if there is anything to do afterward.
( You know, after your kids come home from school and whine, "MOM, there's nothing to do?" )
Well I've concluded that God does in fact provide a way for us not to get bored. He gives mom's housework; so we don't ever tell Him we are bored and ask "What can I do"?

I know ...(sigh) ... I think I've misplaced my sanity.

Finding happy thoughts

2011-02-27T16:43:00.000-08:00

School has been relatively easy now that I only have one class. This is a direct result of being called to Young Women's president in my church and being a full time parent. Unfortunately, I have never fit into the category of " do it all mom" EVER. This is what I can handle for the moment and it does occupy all my mental faculties 24 -7. Because of life's events, I have a propensity to think and dwell on all the things that make life hard. But, I heard a talk in our stake conference at church today that made me feel like I have things to find joy in. The small general authority guy in conference, can't think of his name and will fix this when I remember, Elder Anderson, talked about memory. How grateful we should be that we have lovely memories to fill our minds with things to lift our spirit. It was after hearing these words that I realized how rich my life has been. I decided to come home and share as many of those memories with you as I can. Life is so full of sorrow and heartache...who knows we should all find some of our own happy thoughts to sow away the day.

Being down in Mexico with friends. The kids found all sorts of little critters like this one.

Spending a weekend with Emily and her friend at Women's conference in Utah.
D.I, ...silly glasses, .....priceless!

Being at a small gathering with family. My brother Robert living in Nova Scotia is so far away, we skyped chatted and even found time for a "brothers picture".

randomness in the snow with my 8 year old daughter. Yes, I'm out in my slippers making a snowman with her.

Family trips to Tahoe are sweet, but renting Kayaks for the day are intoxicating.

A summer taking accelerated math classes with my daughter. It was the worst of times.... It was the best of times.

Owl watching at Home Depot cannot get any better than this. She is nesting again as we speak and look forward to watching the new brood.

Again Tahoe has the best memories. A family day trip led to getting to witness a wedding couple on their special day. If this is you, enjoy some random shots of your special day.

Okay, this I admit is not a past memory but a great moment happening now. Wendy auditioned for All-State Choir and made it in the Alto section. We are very blessed and happy about her accomplishments. It will make a great memory for years to come.

What are some of your happy thoughts, moments?

Whatever you call it.... Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T15:22:00.000-08:00

Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine,
love,
thou art every day my Valentine!
~Thomas Hood

We are all a little weird
and life's a little weird,
and when we find someone
whose weirdness is compatible
with ours, we join up with them
and fall in mutual weirdness
and call it love.
~Author Unknown

Still waiting to grow fins

2011-02-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

This is the first post of my college journey. I ended up dropping my second class due to other duties and circumstances. But, I'm still blogging and hope to continue the journey.... even at the rate of one class a semester. I WILL PREVAIL!

Science isn't all that bad. I'm learning about

biospheres, ecosystems, ecology, and dividing all forms of life into little compartments or categories.

I even understand that the use of the word "evolution" will be applied incessantly throughout this textbook and class. What is not fair are paragraphs in my textbook, (by Simon, Reece and Dickey, Campbell Essential Biology, Pearson Education, San Francisco, 2010.) that refer to explanations of the earth being created by God as "diverse legends".

As if evolution holds any weight. It is listed in my textbook as a theory. I learned yesterday that theories are broad and comprehensive explanations that tie in a number of observations and other data that otherwise were not related. Yet, our scientists today refer to these theories as some common fact: and they have convinced the world.

Just because something cannot be proved scientifically does not mean it is not true. Evolution has not been proved. It is as much as theory as religion. We know the sun rises each day, and yet, we cannot "know" it will rise again the next day. We have faith it will rise, because it has happened before. We cannot KNOW that it will rise again because we cannot SEE the mechanisms on which it will happen. We have ascertained through science that the world turns each 24 hours on a rotating access. yet, we cannot explain how this rotation happens and at what point the rotation will stop. For all we know, someone goes to the bottom of the earth and winds the wheels, just as one would turn a clock. All we can do is have faith it will keep turning.

. Another point well taken is that if man were to have been transformed from some small amoeba billions of years ago, why has evolution stopped with man since the time of Adam? If it were true, wouldn't I still be evolving? Under this theory, I should have grown another set of arms or perhaps a tail so that I may swim. Man produces man, not fish. Birds produce birds, not elephants.

So, knowing that life produces its own kind, I'm interested in learning where I came from; my genealogy, my divine heritage. It makes me believe that God must be in our own image.

“And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them” (Moses 2:26–27).

I love just love Science!

Great article on:

The Origin of man

Be careful what you do with your freetime. You might just find a "Stud!"

2011-01-25T22:13:00.000-08:00

With Mr. T on his trip to Switzerland and with two weeks left before school, I was enjoying some ME time. I got on my blog and started browsing the faves. 320 sycamore had a beautiful entry way with a coat rack that I just envied. She even shows how to put the thing together. It looked easy shmeasy.

You are probably thinking... is she really going to attempt that? The answer is YES!

Melissa's coat rack

I figured that she only screwed in about 10 screws... how hard can it be, right? :S Our home is typical of coat racks and hooks that soon fallout of drywall only to leave gaping ugly holes in the wall. I was way excited about having some hardware in our home that would be glued to the wall somehow.

In her blog, Melissa talks about finding the studs and (studs?? what are those) drilling the shelves right into them.

I even bought one of those cute little stud finders like she suggests and walla.... I did find them. I got out Mr. T's drill and went to town. Oh, did I mention, that my son, John painted the walls a water chestnut eggshell first? Love it!

Yes, he only painted up to the top of the first floor because our entry way goes up two stories and I was NOT going to stand on a ladder and try to paint the whole thing. So for those of you that think you can't have a half painted room... well, you can.

Screwed my onyx painted board to the "studs". :) Added my softly sanded black painted corbels...

I do amaze myself. Mr. T would be proud

I left the little wooden ball thingy's natural and stuck them right into the screw holes with just a little scrape of glue each. When I attached the coat racks (from Lowe's), I spray painted them a flat black and left the ends natural so they'd match the little corbel ball thingy's.

Okay, it wasn't as easy shmeasy as I thought and it definitely used more than 10 screws, but it was definitely worth it! *and I don't think that shelf is coming down anytime soon.

Finished product!

My coat Rack


Last but not least, I hung the little sign back up above the entry way door. I have to be careful because last time I saw this sign, one of the kids had taped an "L" over the "R" on pray. Word to the wise... don't forget to do both!

If you love 'em tell 'em

2011-01-19T18:04:00.000-08:00

My hubby is here in this beautiful place called Bonaduz Switzerland. (without ME!) It's so weird to think that he is sleeping as I'm awake and I sleep when he's awake. I miss him dearly. The Mormon message I heard today was a great reminder of how we need to continually be sharing love with those around us. As Mr. T has been away, we haven't connected much. He has no phone that will work there to call and for a few days he had no cord or converter to plug in his laptop. It was strange to think that we were hundreds of miles apart without any form of communication. You never know when you won't get to share just how much you love someone until their gone. Ever since we finally connected, I can't help but tell him every timeI write how much I love him.

So, go hug someone .... right now... and tell 'em how much you love them.

Come journey with me

2011-01-15T09:05:00.000-08:00

I have decided that all the blogs that are fun to read tell a story. Some tell about their house makeovers, a journey with cancer, or even just all the plans they make over 6 months for a wedding. After lamenting for a few minutes about how my life just isn't that exciting, I came to the realization that I just have a Different story. So I decided to reintroduce myself as a married "School Girl", mom of five, going back to school at 40 something. I've had many First days of school and many heartaches and triumphs. I started out 3.5 years ago taking the accuplacer test for college and English. My scores were sooo low that the school recommended I take English as a second language. Yep, it's true! My math scores were just as depressing as I only qualified for basic addition and subtraction. (My kids thought I was lying that I couldn't help them with their homework. They finally found out all the playground rumors were true...
" my mom is smarter than your mom!").
After much pain, agony, tears, tutors, and retaking classes, I finally managed to pass all the remedial math and english, AND manage to get A's in the college level courses. I even managed to pass my college math final with a perfect score. So, it ain't right to say it can't happen. It happened to me.... and I'm just an old fart of a mom going back to school.

Hopefully you are here because you can relate and care to take the remainder of the journey with me. My goal is to post as least once a week and let you know how stressed out I get. Then you can be stressed right along with me. Cheers! Next stop..... Science!

finding the small joys of life

2011-01-14T16:47:00.000-08:00

My daughter and I are enrolled in summer math classes at the community college. We made this decision because we could not progress in our schooling until we had completed these math classes. This has by far been the most hard thing I have ever done. I can't believe I am going to say this... but I'd rather give birth than take an accelerated math class in 6 weeks. Through tutors, tears, and times tables... and square roots... (sorry it didn't start with a "T" )... I have been the most stressed out woman I know. Even Maxine doesn't even have anything on me.
My dear sister Kara even given me a school mascot: the elephant. Why? because when I feel like this is too big for me... I must always remember that I cannot eat an elephant all at once. It must be done one bite at a time. she has very sweetly reminded of this through all the many gifts that she has bestowed upon me. Thanks Kara!

Doing hard things

2011-01-09T23:10:00.000-08:00

Today I had to do something that was very hard for me. I stood up to a person that has been somewhat of a bully in my life. I have worried, fretted, been unwilling to offend, and paralyzed with knowing what needed to be done. I have been thinking on this for a while and finally took care of something that should have been done a long time ago. After coming home and blogging this, I came across a quote from
320 sycamore that seemed to sum up my thoughts. Today I was meant to shine! Thanks Melissa.
Courage for today~
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles

Why worry when you have God?

2011-01-03T15:44:00.000-08:00

"The turbulent billows of the fretful surface leave the deep parts of the ocean undisturbed; and to him who has a hold on vaster and more permanent realities, the hourly vicissitudes of his personal destiny seem relatively insignificant things. The really religious person is accordingly unshakeable and full of equanimity, and calmly ready for any duty that the day may bring forth."
~William James

10 things that make me happy

2010-11-14T16:23:00.000-08:00

Okay, I've looked at my blog for the umpteenth time realizing I can now be called "inactive". I've always been active at most things like church and all. But, this really bothered me that I just can't get it together. I did however manage to read a few blogs and came across my good friend stephanies blog. I realized that I had something not only to smile about, but to post about. This officially converted me back to blogging (until a month, or two, or three from now)

Being qualified for college Math AND knowing I will pass my class at the end of the semester.

Having the best kids a mom could ever want.

My husband still loves me after 23 years. (Even when I wear socks to bed ;)

Memories of quilting with my friends in Arizona. Two concepts: Subway and positive/ negative week

Flowers make me happy. They are God's lips turned upright

Candy makes my tummy smile.

Hanging out with my sisters.

Hearing from good friends.

Going out to Walmart at 10:00 pm just to hang out with a good friend.

Fried bell pepper and onion over a pepper jack cheese sandwich with avocado.
(The Santa Fe' burger at Red Robin with mondo fries on the side works too.)

To my dear friend, Linda...

2010-10-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

I Miss You More!

"Lack of blogging causes power failure upstairs"

2010-10-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that after all this time, I have forgotten the password to my blog. It has, after all been well over a month since my last post. I am, however, doing much better in school and even got an A on my last math exam. Talk about miracles never ceasing. The French Revolution is still piquing my interests and Bonaparte even seems like a great guy at times. Jeremy and Emily have my same History teacher, but on a different day. The only thing that is beneficial is we all share a book and don't have the burden of forking out money for something we will just throw away.

Besides school, things are carrying on at home.

Jeremy is taking 5 courses this semester and is eagerly planning his move out from the fam.
Emily is taking 4 courses and working two days at the Dr. office. In her spare time she still enjoys keeping up on making her crafts and purses. Check out this cute little Halloween Wallet:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57766264/book-wallet-superstitions?ref=em

Wendy and John are both in the top Choirs at the high school and waiting to find out if they made the Regional Honor Choir.
Wendy recently created a Photography club with her friend and had 100 people sign up. She was way excited.
John continues Karate and can take you on any day.
Kate continues to develop into a nice young lady in the 3rd grade. She is singing and dancing her heart out in her little dance and singing group here in town. she performs at various public places.

As Young women's President , I continue to have many challenges and full schedules working with the youth.
Todd's latest project was figuring out how to solar cook from a food storage can out in the back yard. He had a jar of soup cooked in no time and was very good to boot. His inventions and zest for learning new things never cease to amaze me.

Math update

2010-08-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

I hardly know what blogging is anymore. I have been spending the last two months basking in the sun trying to soak up any summer afforded me after spending the entire month of June in the tutelage of Math. I can say I finally passed. With a C-, but hey, what mother of 5 could take 3 months of math and cram it all into one? I dare say not many and besides it is the only thing that gives me faith when I feel stupid. since that class, I now qualify for College Algebra. Woo Hoo! I start today as a matter of fact. I was going to take about 4 other classes and after my hubby reminding me that math was my nemesis this summer, scaled my schedule down to two classes. I cried as I felt duty bound to get my education, but I gave it up and went on my way. "On my way" was good, until being asked to serve as the Young Women President of our church's young women's organization. The bishop assured me that if I would put my spiritual learning ahead of the secular, that I would be blessed with the capacity to do good in my classes. This requires lots of faith and trust. Remember, FAITH is a five letter word. Who knows but I should come out with a better understanding of the French Revolution and guess the probability of your newly purchased laptop starting up or being defective. At any rate, I have been asked to "play" with 15-20 beautiful and great young ladies. I'm sure they have a thing or three to teach me.

Blahhhh, blah, blah blahh blahh

2010-07-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

Glad you could come see what all the blubbering was about. Now... how are you???

Laughter is the best medicine

2010-07-04T20:36:00.000-07:00

After spending 6 weeks studying from 7am to 12pm, Emily and I got little insane doing math all day. We found that laughter was the best medicine.

Faith

2010-06-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Faith in taking Math 096 enables me to do what I have said I'd do, keep going to class when I'm so stinkin' tired, sick, and definitely afraid, to keep doing homework and studying for tests when this class seems overwhelming and passing is entirely unknown."

Diana

"I'm 63 and Im Tired" by Robert A. Hall

2010-06-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

This is quite long but feel it represents how I feel about where our government is taking my dear country of the United States of America.

Robert A. Hall is the actor who plays the coroner on CSI.

This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in the United States of America .

"I'm 63 and Im Tired"

by Robert A. Hall

"I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.

I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe , the freedom of the press of China , the crime and violence of Mexico , the tolerance for Christian people of Iran , and the freedom of speech of Venezuela.

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.

I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.

I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government.

I'm tired of a news media that thinks Bush's fundraising and inaugural expenses were obscene, but that think Obama's, at triple the cost, were wonderful; that thinks Bush exercising daily was a waste of presidential time, but Obama exercising is a great example for the public to control weight and stress; that picked over every line of Bush's military records, but never demanded that Kerry release his; that slammed Palin, with two years as governor, for being too inexperienced for VP, but touted Obama with three years as senator as potentially the best president ever. Wonder why people are dropping their subscriptions or switching to Fox News? Get a clue. I didn't vote for Bush in 2000, but the media and Kerry drove me to his camp in 2004.

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America , while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I damn sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need.

I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois , where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.

I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.

There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on!
This is your chance to make a difference.

Rob"

Our Missy Owl has died

2010-05-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

It's a sad day for me. We went down the lane this evening to check on our owlets. We searched and couldn't see any sign of them, so we decided to pull off on a spot on the road that is closer to the owl's tree.

When we got out, Todd noticed two lumps by a power pole. We saw two of the owlets but closer observation revealed that not only an owlet had died, but our missy owl (mama) lay 6 feet away from it.

We expected that one of the babies would probably die. That is just how it works. What we didn't expect was to see the mama die. We think that they may have been hit by a car and it's possible the mama was trying to get her baby out of danger. There is a large power pole close by but can't think how they both would have been electrocuted. It's also possible they were shot.
At any rate, they are gone... leaving two other owlets behind. The babies are either dead, or they will still struggle as they no longer have a mother to teach them to hunt, eat, or fly. I have invested so much thought, attention, and excitement as I have watching this beautiful creature tend to her nest and babies. It has been the highlight of many nights down the lane. I am stunned. I feel silly at times thinking I'm making a big deal about nothing but if God notes the sparrows fall, surely I can be sad for the loss of our little missy owl. I get a little weepy thinking about it.
A man named Milton Hunter said the following:
"We have come to realize that our Father in heaven provides for [the birds] as He does for us. They are part of His great plan. He created them to gladden our hearts with their songs and to give us joy in observing their beauty. The Savior taught that our Heavenly Father feeds the birds and that not one sparrow is forgotten before God, for He takes note of every sparrow that shall fall on the ground (Matt. 10:29).
Milton R. Hunter, “Friend to Friend: Feeding the Birds,” Friend, Aug 1973, 16

This owl and her babies have certainly gladdened our hearts and given us many days of joy and I hope God will certainly take note of our Missy owl.
I took some pictures... not to exploit, but rather to show you how beautiful they were.

I have posted a couple of pictures prior that I thought described her. This picture more accurately describes what she would have looked like.

I want to share some photos that we have taken in the last few months. She is just sitting in some of them, feeding her owlets in others and looking like a cat in a tree in still another.

Our little Missy owl that lives down the lane

2010-05-17T23:11:00.000-07:00

Todd and I have been watching an owl that lives down a country lane for about a year. It would sit on the telephone wire along the road and hunt. It wasn't too long ago that we found out it is a she as we drove passed her one night and she had something big hanging out of her mouth. We turned around and she eventually flew over to a tree where we could see her feeding 3 owlets in a nest. We had never known where she was nesting before so this was quite a treat. Now every Friday date night, we head down the country road and spy on her and the little guys. The binocs help quite a bit. Tonight, we discovered that the owlets are big enough to get out of the nest and flit from branch to branch exercising their wings. One little owlet did the whole cocking his head in circles like owls are supposed to do. It was too cute. At any rate, I'm posting a picture of what the mother looks like.

Since going out to see the owls, I have joked with my two oldest children, now adults, that as soon as the mother owl kicks her babies out of the nest that I expect them to leave my nest. So far, I have yet to see them flit to the next branch.

How Full is your bucket?

2010-05-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

I just read a book... really intended for business, yet, can be applied to any relationship. It is written by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. and published by Gallup Press. It's about each of dipping or filling each others buckets whether or not we really know it. You cannot fill or empty anothers bucket without affecting your own. Here is an excerpt:

"Each of us has an invisible bucket. it is constantly emptied or filled, depending on what others say or do to us. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it's empty we feel awful.
Each of us also has an invisible dipper. When we use that dipper to fill othere people's buckets- by saying or doing things to increase their positive emotions- we also fill our own bucket. But when we used that dipper to dip from othere' buckets - by saying or doing things that decrease their positive emotions-we diminish ourselves.
Like the cup that runneth over , a full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. Every drop in that bucket makes us stronger and more optimistic.
But an empty bucket poisons our outlook, saps our energy, and undermines our will. That's why every time someone dips from our bucket, it hurts us."

The book goes on to explain that the choice is ours what we will do... will we empty our bucket... or fill it?

What a wonderful concept in learning that we cannot fill ours UNTIL we fill anothers.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all great women

2010-05-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

This is to my mother as well as to all women. Mother's day is not a celebration of bearing children, nor is it a day to celebrate in yourself. Everyone of us has a mother. If we look around we may find we have many mothers. What of those many great women that lift feeble hands and hearts? Look around and find the hands that nurtured a young woman in her youth, that rocked or comforted a child, or one that just inspired you to be a better person than you were yesterday.

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up.......

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a little

Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth

Is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother.....

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't know everything!

14 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She wouldn’t have a clue.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's so five minutes ago.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,

Because that is the doorway to her heart,

The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,

But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she

Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

lazy blogger, lazy post... but hell, it's worth the laugh

2010-04-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

This was sent this morning. It gave me a good laugh. Not sure where they came from but Enjoy!
They're back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale... It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
---------------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
-------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
--------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
--------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
--------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
--------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
--------------------------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
--------------------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
--------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
-----------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
--------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
--------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
--------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.

Baptism time.

2010-03-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
and ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
and I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

Quote- stolen from a blogger that declared "I love life"

2010-03-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

I was scrolling through blogs when I came up one who's main quote was "I love life". I had a small twinge of jealousy thinking that someone so callous to life's problems could so easily twist her perspective around and truly declare that she loved all the things about her. My twinge of jealousy toward her statement now turned to a gushing of envy and I very much wished I was she. At any rate, I enjoyed the little everyday things she posted: the joys of a cup of milk, gathering around the bbq pit cooking (in the middle of snow), sweeping up a dime and throwing it away and not having a cow.
I'm stealing a quote off her blog that sums up all I hope to attain from my educational pursuits.... please enjoy with me.
“Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your road map through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important: how to live and how to die.” (John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down)

No worries

2010-03-10T22:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry to have such a lame blog. I know I haven't been that great about keeping up appearances or diaries for that matter. But hey, no worries. I found just what you are looking for.... a thought for today:
Don't let your worries get the best of you;
Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Words to live by

2010-02-17T17:17:00.001-08:00

"I don't dwell in the past;
I don't wallow in old events and emotions.
I don't waste time on regret.
No use going over and over
the details of what already happened."
Yanni

I regret I have nothing to say today.
Diana

Pity Post

2010-02-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm feeling a little guilty for my non posts to this blog and wondering just what I should even do with it. Should I delete it? Should I just type "Blah, Blah's" to keep it active? My life has become one big filled calendar. I'm officially a full time student as of 2 weeks ago. My life has definitely changed. I'm managing, but that also depends if I can remember what my address, telephone number, and if I can count all the kids I brought into this world.
Jeremy aka (Elder Rader) just got back from his mission about a month ago and although it has been an amazing journey with him, still feel claustrophobic with 4 adults in the house. He is currently registered and attending TMCC with Emily and I as a full time student. Between encouragement to help him find a job, piano and music lessons for John and Kate, full time schooling, planning and taking meals for compassionate service, plus find time to bake bread, sew skirts for the girls, and have my genealogy lined up back to Adam, I can say I'm losing my mind. (I know, I don't do all that... but I'm still adding it for a more intensified effect) I'm feeling overwhelmed to say the least. I'm mad at my history teacher for posting trick questions which have nothing to do with the chapter and the playdough for my special ed class keeps finding its way into the hands of a little 7 and 11/12'th old girl.
So, as I was browsing through the blog list of the friends I have, stumbled across this stress diet that is fit for all. I've posted her blog so you can see what a talented lady she is... which now gives me one more reason to be overwhelmed that I am not creating and doing all of the neat things she is doing. ( I tried,... but the glitter is still stuck in my hair)

http://thehouseofwhimsy.blogspot.com/

He's Baa- aackk!

2010-01-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Finally home!!

Just off of the plane with mom and dad.

"Houston, I'm coming home!"

2010-01-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

Today our missionary son returns home. I have waited two full years and 2 days for this moment and yet, I do not feel ready. I am both nervous and excited at the same time. Sleep was intermittent amidst counting Southwest and Delta Airline jets and Todd's snores. Waking from my sleep for the umpteenth time, I envisioned his mission calendar with only 10 months crossed out. Tossing and turning, I reminisce with myself about the concerns of the last 6 days, okay month: Plane delays, snowstorms, making connections, etc. Still yet, worries of smelly socks, buying 2 more gallons of milk, and wondering just what all the excitement was all about. My checklist for Elder Rader's arrival included the last post to his missionary blog, making his bed, and adding another jar of peanut butter to the kitchen cupboard. I have anticipated this event for so long that I am of the opinion that anticipation is just plain overrated. Don't get me wrong, I really want him to come home... but the anticipation is literally sending me to my grave. At this rate, I may go home before he does.

Summation of my son's mission

2010-01-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

While being a member of the Missionary Moms website for some months, this e-mail was posted by a mom that read this article in the Deseret News posted Monday, June 23, 2008. It sums up my feelings as a mother of a missionary. Elder Jeremy Rader returns on Monday.    Enjoy!

Deseret News
Edition: All
Page: C01
Anxiously awaiting my missionary[0]
By Ann Cannon

It's late enough to be truly quiet. There's no music blaring from the apartments down the street. No teenagers talking on the front lawn. No cats fighting on the front porch. No TV.
   No crickets, even. Just the sound of a clock and the distant whoosh of a solitary car. Still, I can't sleep.
   Our son returns from serving a mission for the LDS Church tomorrow, and I am crazy eager to see him. The extended family will be at the airport in all our stereotypical Mormon glory to welcome him home with hugs and tears and flashing cameras and possibly balloons, if I remember to buy them. Which I won't. But oh well.
   So yes. I'm thrilled. It's never been easy to let someone go, but in our age of instant telecommunication and access, not seeing or talking much to a kid for two years seems particularly hard, even artificial.
   But at the same time that I'm so happy, I'm also anxious. Downright scared, in fact.
   Scared? Of what?
   I try to analyze the reasons for my fear as I lie in bed, twisting the night away. Here's the list so far.
   1. I'm afraid that we've got the time wrong somehow and that he's been waiting for us at the airport. Since Friday.
   2. That even if we do have the correct ETA, we'll be late because my piece of crap German car might break down along the way, and I'll have to call Caesar (the Car Tow Guy!) to come rescue us. Again.
   3. That our son will be soooo physically changed we won't recognize him.
   4. That we'll be soooo physically changed he won't recognize us.
   5. That home is nowhere as good as he remembers it.
   6. That we, his family, are nowhere as good as he remembers us.
   7. That he will, in fact, think we're all slackers.
   8. Which, actually, we kind of are!
   9. That possibly he'll try to make us stop being slackers.
   10. (Which is a good idea but one to which some of his younger brothers might object.)
   11. That he'll also wonder how his dog got fat. (Answer: I fed her too much.)
   12. That he'll also wonder why we bought a second dog that weighs 160 pounds and drools.
   13. That his friends will have all moved on.
   14. That he'll be lonely because all his friends have moved on.
   15. That he'll wish with all his heart he was back in the mission field.
   That last one is the thing that scares me the most, because all you really want is for your beloved boy to be happy. And you understand that leaving something behind as absorbing as a mission must be difficult — as hard as it once was to leave home.
   The French novelist Anatole France observed that "all changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."
   Saying goodbye to a mission is like experiencing a little death. And yet there's new life after it, too. And in some corner of my sleep-deprived brain, I know that my worries will fade in the bright light of morning.
   Hey. The kid will be fine.
E-mail: acannon@desnews.com

For Jeremy

2009-12-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

Here are some last minute pictures to see for the holidays before you come home.

Wendy is on the far Right.

To everything there is a season.

2009-12-09T19:54:00.000-08:00

No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher's dirty looks!

I am officially done with school for this semester. Hmmm ... just in time to start up in January. But I need to count my blessings and realize there is a season for all things. One season in our family is that our son has been serving a church mission in Mexico City for nearly 23 months. He's been away.... but now, next month he will come home. He has grown in so many ways. A mission has done for him what I have not been able to do for him as a mother. His strict schedule, his rigid gospel study are all things that have helped him to find out who he is and gain that self esteem that can come no other way than studying and exemplifying the life of Jesus Christ.

Other seasons are my break from school. I have much to do to organize my life and home before school comes again. Every nook and cranny will be cleaned in my house over the next month and a half before school. I will throw away. I will transform this house into a home. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father gives us seasons. I would not want a year of snow any more than I want a year of sun and heat. I am thankful for this break- for this season to refresh and download all that has transpired over the last 5 months, to also have my boy come home and hug him again.

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven ~

ECCLESIASTES 3
1 To every thing there is a aseason, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to alaugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

I especially like number 7. For it means that someday I shall again make a quilt.

Christmas Message

2009-12-03T23:00:00.000-08:00

The annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional will be held Sunday, December 6, at 6:00 p.m. MST in the Conference Center. The devotional will feature the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. Members of the First Presidency will be the speakers.

Republican ? or those guys

2009-11-22T17:07:00.000-08:00

So, John comes to us yesterday and with all the debate over health care asks us if he can take a test to decide if he is a republican or democrat. We are trying to explain that it just doesn't work that way. We really don't want to tell him who or what to be, but we also want him to understand that he should decide what his values are and then make an appropriate decision. We also try to explain to him that even if there is a test that it would be grossly swayed one way or the other. For example, John found a test on the web and these are some of the questions:

What political value is most important to you?

# My political party should have strong moral values.
# I want my political party to believe in freedom.
What kind of questions are those????? And who defined moral values as having nothing to do with freedom???

Which of these celebrities do you think are good role models?

* Matt Damon, Susan Sarandon
* Mel Gibson and Sarah Michelle Gellar
* Clint Eastwood, Kurt Russell
* Ed Norton and Leonardo DiCaprio

Are you kidding me???? could we have some celebrities with morals, please???

What do you think is the most important quality of a good government?

* That they put money into programs that will help the community.
* Being efficient and effective.
* That they stay out of your personal business.
* That they do everything they can for social good and the environment.

I don't know the last time a government was efficient and effective and they don't put money into anything, they just make you list the government as your biggest dependent on your tax form.
So, the test ended up in a situation where John had to give them his e-mail, address, phone number, name, rank, religion, and school ID. (I'm just kidding ... but you get the picture.) Needless to say, John will never know who he is.

Creating

2009-11-15T11:54:00.000-08:00

Create

Pause the side music box button to listen.
Then, click on the link "create" above to view the message.

I am thankful that I have been blessed with talents and gifts that will instill a sense of self fulfillment and will enrich and bless others.

Having technical difficulties..... please stand by!

2009-11-05T14:46:00.000-08:00

Actually.... I just don't care to blog today. Catch me at another time, in another mood.... or ...when the hero rescues the girl from the evil villain.... check your local listings for details.

Proud to be Wendy's mom

2009-10-20T22:32:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went to the Reed High choir concert. Wendy did her first solo for a school choir. She sang part of "So it goes" by Billy Joel. (it is in my playlist to the right). I am amazed at how she has blossomed and matured. I was a little stunned at her performance... after all, I hear her all the time singing in the shower and her bedroom. When she got up to perform, all I could think of was "is that my daughter?". Guess what? It was her, however , when it was her turn to sing, my camera wouldn't work. I didn't get one of her soloing, but got one of the whole "Prima Voce" choir. My other shots didn't turn out very well and I've promised my friend, Stephanie that I won't take any more cruddy photo shots and stick them on my blog. (That is her pet peeve for bloggers and I really want to remain friends) So, to keep my promise, even if it is only in my head... ; p I am posting a better picture of Wendy at her spring concert.

Another special thing your should know about my daughter, Wendy ( in the far lower right), is her kindness and ability to teach me math. She spends several hours a week helping me with math problems that look like goobledy- gorp. She is so patient with me and makes me feel like, (even though I'm very dumb), I can do anything I put my mind too. She has faith in me and knows just the right things to say when I get flustered and frustrated with Algebra. When I flounder, she tells me to get back on my feet. Sometimes I wonder why I am the mom and she is the child. I would be ungrateful if I didn't tell her how much I love her and am proud to be her mom.

YOUR HUT IS ON FIRE

2009-10-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks Leslie, it was worth publishing today:

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:
It's easy to get discouraged when things are going badly, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

(While searching for a picture found the following link.. perhaps the e-mail travelled back to this lone blog who previously published the same story.
http://keithlbrownblogs.blogspot.com/2008/12/hut-on-fire.html))

Distributing rocks

2009-10-08T15:01:00.000-07:00

This week I learned that some people carry huge loads down their journey of life and alot of times the burden is not seen by others. To illustrate... most of us go through life with our little load of problems. Let's call the load ... a load of rocks. Sometimes we acquire a big heap o' rocks. Other times we only get three little rocks at a time. On special occasions... we get to distribute a great big rock... sometimes we get to dump half the load. This is a good thing because if we are constantly distributing, one person does not carry a load by himself. Many people have ways of downloading or lightening the load by adjusting what they are carry. They do this by sharing their load with others. When their load becomes light, they can then turn and help others by picking up new weight. However, some people aren't sure with who, or how to distribute their rocks so their load continues to get bigger and bigger. So, what happens when a load never gets dumped? It continually grows bigger and bigger until the load spills or is too heavy for one to manage himself. When that happens, the one carrying the load cannot interact with others without somehow letting their rocks spill into the paths of those they associate with. This is kind of like getting soaked by a cup of chocolate milk that spills onto the floor. You just can't help but get some on ourselves.

Unfortunately, we get annoyed by the people that spill their rocks. This is demonstrated in typical conversation. Sometimes we react to others because they are not as smart, as funny, or just plain get on one's nerves. These are typically the people that always say the wrong thing, are over critical or judgmental, and their negativity just seems to spill right in your lap. Sometimes you may even wish you could meander down the path of life with your little load of rocks and hope "they" are not there to get in the way. Maybe the next time someone thinks about how annoyed they are by someone's comments or personality, they might just stop to help see what rocks they can carry for them.

10 things to make me smile about ( and only today... it could change tomorrow)

2009-10-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

I stole this post from my cousin...but whose looking? I just thought it was a good way to find a little katannuta and laughter in my life.

1. John gave me a great laugh~ ~ ~ I posted a sign on the mailbox for all the mean kids from middle school that throw trash in our mailbox on the way home from school. The sign reads, "think again! you are on candid camera". John went out to get the mail, saw the sign and flipped out... why? because he went out with a pair of shorts that had a 3 inch gaping hole in them. He was worried the neighbors posted it and were taking pictures of his bottom.

2. I was able to meet my homework goals. (sort of...

3. but I'm going to General Conference with Mr. Todd anyway.)

4. glad to not have any food storage firesides to prepare.

5. passed my last psychology quiz at 100 percent.

6. passed my last math assessments... which is a huge deal.

7. Emily cleaned the entire downstairs.

8. excited to hear conference talks this weekend.

9. Got a hair cut... even if it wasn't what I wanted. ( caution- the hair dressers hair style is probably the cut you will get. Watch out for the pink highlight ladies)

10. Today was a pretty good day and I'll take as many as I can get.

Happy Birthday Jeremy!!!!!

2009-09-28T00:15:00.000-07:00

We tried to make a video and post it and it was to be a surprise. You will be surprised to learn it's not here because we are too movie making illiterate and cannot figure how to post it . The file size was too big as well as the type of file would not work with anything we have... so.... no lovely family singing happy birthday. Hope your day was special though.
Love US

one lesson I don't have to worry teaching my missionary son.

2009-09-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

Today I had a good laugh... we just received a letter from Jeremy. He has been sharing some funny stories and the few experiences he's shared lately just make me chuckle.

Hey!

Sorry, but this is going to be really short. I had a huge letter written out with a few stories from this week. But just when I was about to send it, the computer restarted. I'm kind of mad right now. I didn't expect it because these computers are really nice. I've been doing great. This week went a lot better.
This Sunday was pretty tiring. We basically had to babysit 5 kids that were running around the church because one of our investigators brought her kids and nephews. They have more energy and less self-discipline than john. We chased them around outside the chapel. They were opening and slamming all the doors. Then they got into the bathroom to soak balls of paper to throw at us. I will most definitetly be teaching and disciplining my own kids in the future. Also, we have to look for a new house because our landlady is a witch and keeps breaking into our apartment to make sure its clean. Its just that she's old now and misses having her own kids. Well, thats it for now. Sorry I couldn't say more. Wow, each time I write home I get more excited and more scared of coming home. I'm trying to focus on the excitement more. Well, I love you! Bye!

Elder Rader

I can still see him running from these little kids with the soak balls.... I'm glad that he has desires to be a good daddy in the future... even while serving a mission. I'll definitely be waiting for my well behaved grandkids to visit in a few years. ;)

What chairs have you bought lately?

2009-09-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.1888twigman.com/

Every once in awhile, a movie comes along with a great story... a great lesson or principle to learn... I happen to like the one from the movie "Phenomenon" where Baines, a friend of George Malley (John Travolta) is at a bar with friends , gossiping about Malley and all the things that bother him. Sitting quietly watching is the town Doc, who is annoyed and finally opens his mouth in defense of Malley.

Doc:"How's your lady love?"
Baines: "We, uh....we broke up."
Doc: "Really.. it's too bad.... yeah, now George, he's got a love at his side and she's stickin' with him. Know why? Because he bought her chairs. (She makes wicker porch chairs) Pretty Smart... eh?
You ever buy Lisa's chairs?"
Baines: "Doc's really drunk tonight!"
Doc: "Every woman has her chairs, something she needs to put herself into... Ever figure out what Lisa's chairs were and buy them?"

How often do we stop to find out what demonstrates love to someone we care about and buy their chairs?

living a real life

2009-09-10T08:58:00.001-07:00

Sleeping, eating, and pooping Algebra

2009-09-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, I used a potty word. It is something that refers to being fatiqued. (If you don't believe me, check out wikipedia) It's not so bad that you have to sit and do algebraic equations all day to pass a class, but when you sleep algebra, consume algebra and get tired of it... It gets a little ridiculous. I woke up this morning to x's and integer signs. Ex: " Let x represent a type of math one doesn't want to do, will never use and needs to subtract from one's life. When was the last time anyone calculated the steps one takes to pick up their kid from 2nd grade in 3 min flat? I think it's about time we keep x as a virtuous letter of the word "excellent" or "exactly" and keep -(minus) signs as something we use to find out how many chocolates are missing from the
See's candy box.

Real first day of school

2009-09-01T22:05:00.000-07:00

Decked out with her new clothes and new hair cut. ( cut and styled by none other than yours truly)

Too Hot for me!

Kate lined up for class on the first day with her teacher, Mrs. Burnley.

Wendy mentored a few freshman this year to orientate them into high school. Her first day of school decked her in a blue and gold Reed high mentor t-shirt and converse tennis shoes.

This is a big deal for John to be dressed for school. He usually comes down for class in his p.j.'s... ha ha.

Sheesh! no one look at John's shoes... he hasn't gotten a new pair yet.

First day of school

2009-08-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

Ha! fooled ya! I bet you thought I was going to post the kids. The kids are actually starting next week, but this was MY first day of school and figured since everyone else has been posting first day of school pictures I'd do so with my backpack and my tinkerbell lunch box. I didn't want to feel left out.

I do want to say that I have succeeded in getting a 72% on the entry assessment in my math course. This might not sound too nifty to some, but for me it means in my old age there is a pea sized spot of memory that can still hold a few formulas or two. The math course I spent time on in the summer paid off and just maybe I will pass basic math for dummies after all. It also means maybe I don't have to do fractions the rest of my life or figure out how many hours and minutes it will take me to get to China if I'm riding my bicycle. I only have about 10-15% of this course to pass and they will automatically bump me to the next math class... for free! Yes, for free! :D (I know, it tickles me too... ) Anyways, this also means ... if I pass 096 this fall... I can start my college math in the spring. (diana is doing a happy dance and eating bbq elephant)Woot... Woot!

Random stuff... popscicle melts and Christmas in August.

2009-08-20T21:14:00.000-07:00

My kids had their cousins from Missouri over a few weeks ago. Playing in the water and just plain eating popsicles were a favorite thing to do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A rare nap for John. He is usually going 50 miles an hour 24/7

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My daughter and I stole an idea from a great blogger and friend of mine over at

"House of Whimsy". She's listed in my friend list. This is a giant cupcake.

It was really fun to put this together. The pan that we used is shown on the site below.

http://thehouseofwhimsy.blogspot.com/search/label/Goofy%20Stuff

Of course,now... hers will look better than ours ;P

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today was Christmas!
Most of you know that I can never keep a pen or pencil in the house. My sister, Kara is known to put together a box with a year supply for me for Christmas. Every year it mysteriously disappears. Guess who brought in a supply from her bedroom that she mysteriously found while cleaning out the nooks and crannies? As I said... today was Christmas!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The kids decided to play darts in the house this summer.

Wendy couldn't help herself. She couldn't hit he target and decided to take matters into her own hands... cheater!!! They never prosper!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Todd grows a garden every year. Look what crude little carrot came up? Yes, kids... (sigh) one more thing for mom to take a picture of and stick on her blog. tee hee.

Kate, Kate, Kate...What ta do with Kate?

2009-08-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Kate is at that ripe old age where her inquisitiveness is starting to blossom. The other day she started a question and answer session. ( although... her idea of a Q and A session is that she asks the questions... and then... she asks the questions.) This was demonstrated one day when she started asking me about why we have books in the world. I told her that we have books to learn things. “Well, Why do we have to have them? Why couldn’t people just tell people what was in them?” She was really starting to think about the world and the why’s to everything. I honestly thought she was done with this stage, but realizing that she is my baby and will never pass this way again, began to give her a small lesson on how we gain education from books and that not everyone can go to peoples house to learn what they all know. She must have caught on to my “teacher, student” lecture... (or... I was simply talking too much) because I had no sooner got started in my little presentation when she raised her hand and sat on the edge of the chair in a “ooh... ooh... pick me” stance. I held in the giggle that was quickly forming into an audible belt of laughter. I was so taken back by her motivation and desire to share with me all the little things swirling around in her head ... I couldn’t think of the next thing I wanted to say, and before I knew it.... Kate was already blurting out her next question. We had a lengthy discussion of which I will treasure for years to come. Hmmm.... I can only wonder how the birds and bees talk will arrive and if the same attention and fervor will be paid. Not surprisingly... I never remember any of the other kids sitting on the edge of their chairs bopping up and down in the “ooh... ooh pick me” position during that talk.

Kate and John with Music Teacher, Mrs. Rodolico

Sharing cows, helping hands, and calls from mother

2009-08-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

I usually have a good idea about what I want to post, however, when I sat down this morning, I couldn't think of any of those things. I decided to go through my pictures and ran across my visit to my sister during June.

I've always loved and appreciated my sisters. I live for my relationships with them. In fact, someday I'd like to live next door to one and share a cow. I'd even help clean their kitchen just to spend a little time. On one occasion in conversation with my eldest sister, we were lamenting that we were getting behind in our motherly duties, and how we both were overwhelmed with dishes, clutter, and kids. Great minds think alike and we came to the conclusion that I could fly to Salt Lake and help catch her home up.

We spent many hours in the kitchen...

many, many hours.....

working and slaving away.

(Yes,.... that's right, slaving away.)

I'm so glad that Leslie was able to catch up her duties as a mother and find at the end of the light.... wiped, empty counters and nice clean dishes.

I hope my living room can someday look as nice as hers.

Thanks for the inspiration, Leslie. Everyday I wonder why I cannot get my act together and keep my counters as clean and my livingroom as tidy. Maybe if I worked as hard I could be just like you.

My mother called during this visit... her not knowing of my trip to Salt Lake, mistook me for Leslie. A mother hen knows her chick and the cat was finally let out of the bag.

I am so thankful for sisters.

Now...ahem... who is going to help me clean mine?????

“Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness”
John Calvin

HealthCare Reform-NOT

2009-08-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

With the recent proposals out there for Healthcare, I would encourage all who read this to consider writing their congressmen and women and senators to voice your feelings over this plan. I do not know about you, but for me this plan would limit the care that my loved ones and even immediate family would receive. I have written my senators and urge you to do the same. We all wonder why no one steps up and tells them how we feel when we sit idle waiting for someone else to do it. I have wondered for a long time that my voice is just one and it won't be heard. I ask you to join my voice so that many more can make the difference. If we don't stand up for our freedoms, our children will be left without any. If you are not informed as to what they would like to pass, I urge you to educate yourselves with the bill.

By the way, writing my senators took me all of 10 minutes!

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

FYI: There is an e-mail address that Mr. O has set up for neighbors and individuals to "snitch" on neighbors, bloggers, or associates in casual conversation that they feel share misinformation or dissent against this healthcare plan. This is yet another plan to take away our freedom of speech.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2030790/flagwhitehousegov_a_snitch_line.html

French Rose Quilt

2009-08-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

I bought this pattern in Arizona. I had cut out the flowers about 2 years ago and after much work this last week... finally finished it. It is a late, late present to a family that got married a few years ago.

This shot was taken to show off the colors used for the quilt.
This shot was taken to show off the pattern on the top of the quilt.
This shot was taken to show off the pattern I used in the free motion stitching (or stimpling)
Here is the same picture with my stitching crudely outlined, but it gives an idea of what the pattern is like. Free motion stitching is so fun to do yourself, hides a multitude of sins, and is much cheaper than paying someone to quilt it for you at couple hundred dollars per quilt. All it cost me was thread and time.

here is the the final project.

50 years older (than me) and wiser too! Happy Birthday.... to You!

2009-08-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, My grandmother turned 91. I am exactly 50 years younger than she. I hope to look half as great and live to be the grandest mother like her. Happy Birthday, Grandma!!

Grandad and Grandma... Two beautiful people. I am so fortunate to still have them in my life.

Grandma at her 90th birthday party. I hope when I'm 90 that I have lived my life worthy enough for my descendents to throw me a shebang too!

Silence is Golden

2009-07-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

You can tell my life is really exciting when I have to go to my "positive" journal to find material for my blog. I'm not currently on facebook and feel I can finally relate the experience that happened while there. A friend had left a status that she was looking for support for a 3 day walk. Being the smart alec that I sometimes am typed in the following saying about "support" just to give her a smile:

"Friends are like bras~ close to your heart and always there for support. " I felt so smug after my post because I thought it such a clever response to someone that needed support. After a min or so, I began to really wonder what "3 day walk" she was supporting. I decided to visit her wall and see. Just my luck: breast cancer. Who knew? It didn't sound too appropriate given the circumstances and I immediately deleted the post and realized.... hmmmm....maybe somethings are better left unsaid.

(which is why I'm breaking the silence on my blog????...... go figure)

Painting and Purses

2009-07-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd take some time and share what I have been doing in John's room while painting. This summer,it was his turn to have his room painted since we did the girls room already. This first picture is the chalkboard I painted on John's wall. It was kind of fun doing it and he really likes it. Notice the chalk holder at the bottom of the chalkboard. I found a small length of moulding in the lumber section of the hardware store. I just used 3 L-shaped brackets to mount it with the small part of the moulding facing the wall to hold the chalk on the board. I got the idea from Marthastewart.com (although, I don't recall she put a nifty chalk holder under hers ;)

Emily has been busy the last year or so making purses as usual. I mainly made this post to show off her creativity and give credit where it is due. She loves engineering new PURSES. This is her latest purse made out of a book. She removed the pages and added fabric. Isn't it cute? I would have never thought to do this.

Crossword Puzzle Purse W/ puzzle answer key hanging in the front:
This is purse designed to keep you busy on your plane trip or at the doctor's office.

This is a purse made out of poster board and brown paper bags. She had to create this for her art class last semester. If you look closely, she made 4 paper buttons on the upper right front. Too cute! She had classmates all begging to take this one home.

Most of you have seen the purses made out of caprisun pouches. This concept is new to the Reno area and she has had people stop her at the mall for this one.

Emily and her friend found sesame street lunch boxes at a store and decided to make purses out of them. Only the weird thing is, all her coworkers all wonder why she is not eating her lunch from it everyday. Too funny.

This last purse she saw on the internet. She found a wood box and had the whole family drink a 12 pack of Ruby Red Grapefruit flavor soda so she could use the cans for her purse.

a little bit of this.... a little bit of that

2009-07-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone that wished me well thoughts and prayers through that small but grueling ordeal. That was one of the most painful experiences and glad to be mostly done. Pleurisy is a swelling of the lining around the lungs. It feels like someone is stabbing your lungs... add breathing to that pain and you get excrutiating breathing pains. I think the doctor thinks I'm very imaginative. ( probably because he is feeling guilty for having me do an ekg for my heart as well as a ct scan on my lung which turned up NOTHING. DuH! I told him I was not having a heart attack, but all I can say is that if he thinks I'm over reacting, he may have my pain.)

A few of you may have noticed that I now require comment moderation. This is due to a man that left a message that was a little creepy. I went to visit his site to see who he was and found that if I went any further, I would be subject to adult and objectionable material. Now most of the time, I think I am an adult. Yet still, I'm a believer that most stuff is too objectionable for even adults and I didn't want to try to find out. So, I have chosen to moderate my comments from now on to help filter these dudes. In the event that I continue to get creepy guys or gals viewing my blog... I may go private. So rule of thumb, don't leave any creepy or radically wierd comments and I shant find you guilty of being one of thems! ha ha ( sheesh! What is our world coming to these days)

Just for fun! Todd and I have been driving to a country road in town to enjoy the cool evenings. If we go at night around 8:45, we have the privilege of watching a horned owl perched on the telephone lines of this country road. This has been much fun. We have pulled up to him with our head lights off and sat across the street from him about 25 ft away. Mostly we see his silhoutte, but one night a car drove by from the East of us and we could see lots of brown and white peppered colors. So cool! In our last excursion, we didn't see the owl but spotted a small coyote running up and down the road. he couldn't run from us because there are fences on either side of the road. He was a small guy. At one point, we cornered him in an opening to the field. He kept pacing back and forth trying to find a hole to get through but couldn't. He wouldn't run in front of our car lights because he was afraid, so he was trapped standing to the side of our car for about 5 min. ( I know, doesn't seem that long, but if you know coyotes, you rarely even get a glimpse of them, let a lone for five whole minutes and at 10 feet away.) He finally got desperate and found a small opening in the fence and high tailed it out of there. After running about 50 yards, turned and looked at us and crouched down in the alfalfa to stare at us. total coolness! So far, we have spotted 2 red tail hawks that hang out in the radio antenna beacons, a crane, about 65 deer at various times, lots of rabbits, coyote, owl, sheep, and cows. That is our excitement these days... what is yours?

Stay tuned

2009-07-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

Today I feel yucky! I have pleurisy and I cannot breathe... I can't do much. (except blog :) So, nothing much to say except stay tuned...

Reading the Book of Mormon at 7

2009-07-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

Kate got in the car after the three hour block of church. She was lamenting that of all her classmates, she was the only one without scriptures. She asked when she would get them. Not thinking a seven year old would even want them, I hadn't given it much thought... at all. I told her that as soon as we could get some, I would definitely get some for her.

When I got home, she immediately went about looking around the house for extra scriptures. She found a triple combination that I had bought in Utah a couple of weeks ago at a discount because they had been embossed and then unembossed leaving only type marks on the leather. She asked if she could have them and I told her she could. Amazingly, she sat down right then and there and started reading the Book of Mormon. Thinking it would get old, I went about my sunday routine.

A few hours later, she announced she had read the title page as well as the Joseph Smith story. (You know, where the angel visits Joseph Smith)

She looked up at me as only a seven year old could, and asked, "mom,... are these only my scriptures after I read the whole book?"

I assured her no. It was her book regardless.

She literally has not let that book out of her sight. We have been asking her if she knows what she is reading. She replies, "no". But every now and then she is starting to tell us that she's "at the part where..... ." She is a great example to me that even if we don't understand what we are reading, it is more important to be reading it.

Way to go Kate!!

Eight cow wife

2009-07-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

I had to update my anniversary weekend. Friday night, Todd came home and announced that he made reservations at the Melting Pot. I was quite astonished as that is something that I only thought my friends got to do. I remember being quite jealous when my good friend Dalyn announced that her husband was taking her there for their anniversary. I did the usual hinting to Todd that someday it might be fun to do that. I had resigned myself that the Melting Pot at approx. $100 a couple was not a frugal choice for an accountant who could not conceive of the idea when you could buy a whole weeks worth of groceries with that same amount. My advice is never judge a man by his accounting principles. I knew deep down inside there was a soft spot in his pocketbook.

We started out with a cheese fondue mixed with light amounts of pesto sauce. We had some veggies, apples and small squares of bread for dipping. It was extraordinary! Next we were brought fresh garden salads. Mine had some really lacy lettuce stuff that I'm sure Martha Stewart puts in her salads. I don't think I would ever buy the stuff myself, however,I'm sure chipmunks or goats would eat it. The next course was a broth with lemon and other spices. The waitress heated the broth till it boiled and then brought us a tray of 4-5 different raw meats, marinated in different sauces. (Chicken in sun dried tomato pesto, Shrimp tails, two different beef, and Pork) She also brought out a bowl of veggies that you add immediately so that by the time your meat is ready you will have fresh cooked veggies. I learned the trick to fondue is to put 2 scewers of meat in the broth at all times. By the time you are finished with one meat, the other will be done. They had about six different sauces to dip your meats. Curry, Bell pepper sweet sauce, horsradish, teriyaki, spinach dip, and blue cheese dip,... only they had more sophisticated names. Too bad I don't remember them all.

The fourth course was a dark and white chocolate swirled fondue. We dipped strawberries, rice krispies treats, cheesecake, brownie, pound cake and dipped marshmallows.

What usually takes 1 hour to do, took 2.5 hours to dip and cook the meats one by one. It was great and very romantic!!! I even got two after dinner mints specially packed by the Melting Pot. ( I know,... cool, huh?)

Needless to say we were stuffed. I know this may have been a hard thing for Todd to give up... you know... eating a weeks worth of groceries in one night... but it was one of the best investments he made in our 22 years of marriage. And,...for two and a half hours on my anniversary night, I felt like an eight cow wife.

22nd anniversary

2009-07-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

Our engagement picture.

Just married! Coming out of the Arizona Temple.

Temple ground pictures

1987

2008

Happy 22nd Anniversary!!!