Sentiments by Sophia

Tis the Season!

It’s December! You know…my favorite month of the year! Especially for blogging! This month, I’m trying to simplify things a bit and have cut back on lots of things…entertaining, partying with others, decorating (I only put out half of the decorations that I usually do and decorated only one large tree, two primitives and one small three foot tree this year. Much simpler! Doug is thrilled and says “there’s still plenty!” We’re having fewer “real” parties and more intimate family gatherings. Each year, in our home, we’re getting better and better at focusing on family and the real reason for the season, the birth of Christ rather than what's under the tree!

For my blog, each day from now until Christmas lots of holiday cheer.  Today, I’ll begin with a favorite recipe. Also, all recipes will be posted on the cooking blog each day as well, so that they are easier to find later on.

RECIPE:   Sausage Balls ~ a great and very simple appetizer

1-16 Ounce package Bob Evans Sausage (Use regular or hot!)
2 cups Bisquick
1 cup shredded cheese

Break up the uncooked sausage into a bowl and using a mixer, mix in the Bisquick and cheese well. Scoop out balls with your hands or the Pampered Chef small scoop, if you have one. Place in a baking dish. (For simpler clean up, line it with foil.) Bake for about 20 -25 minutes at 350 degrees.  (these are also great with a can of mushroom soup mixed with cream cheese and a little milk and poured over just before serving!  Everythings better with cream cheese on it!) Enjoy!

A TRADITION:

My good friend, Natalie, has followed her husband’s childhood family Christmas tradition of an Christmas Countdown Board/ Advent Calendar extraordinaire! They have a large piece of painted plywood in their hall with a large spot for each day of December. The board holds 24 presents on it. Each day, one of their family gets a gift from their designated day. Meaning, Quayd would open a gift on the first, Gracie the second, Zeej on the third, Doug on the 4^th and so on. It’s a great tradition and for three years, I’ve said that I was going to “get around to it”. The gifts don’t have to be anything huge or expensive. But, it’s a great start to the holiday spirit! I love it!

A HOLIDAY IDEA:

I’ve received several requests by email and even a few phone calls asking for my holiday list again. Not to be redundant, but, I’m posting it here once more. We’ve simplified our holidays immensely by following this simple little list for Holiday shopping. For each of our children, I purchase: a want, a need, a talent (meaning something talent related…a piano book, a tool for their talent…), a book, a movie, something to wear and something “spiritual” related… which could mean anything from a tie to wear to church to a new cover for their scriptures. I also buy jammies for Christmas Eve opening and one family gift for the morning of Christmas Eve… a game or puzzle or DVD… something to keep them busy and entertained on the longest day of the year. As I’ve said before, last year, was absolutely our best Christmas ever. The guessing of which category it was, was as much fun as the opening of the gifts!

A REASON FOR THE SEASON:

Each year, for Christmas, we like to give a gift for Christ himself. Last night, for family Home evening, we discussed service as a part of the holidays. This year, we have decided that each day, we will each do some sort of service for another. Not necessarily a member of the family, it can be anyone. At the end of each day, we’ll will write our acts of service down on a strip of paper and put them in the service jar. On Christmas morning, we’ll open the jar and read the acts of service rendered over the past month. Gracie suggested that we should open the jar before we open our gifts “because that will show that we really love Jesus Christ even more than our presents!” And so we will. We are hoping that this will make a more meaningful Christmas season and morning for our family.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

Time Out for Mom

So, what would you do if you had three days all to yourself?  That's what I asked myself this past weekend.  After a lovely Thanksgiving Day, kept casual with just our family there for dinner... no tablescapes, just a wonderful feast, games and family...Doug's mom called to invite everyone up to the ranch for a few days.  I'd committed to get the banners done and ready to mail on December 1, so I knew that I couldn't go unless I hauled everything up to the ranch and spent the weekend working there.  There really was no option for me, other than to stay home and keep working.  And so...

On Friday morning, I loaded Doug and the babes, the leftover pies and cake from Thanksgiving into the van.  Go-Go and I said our good-byes and they were on their merry way. I cleaned the house, got myself ready, went to the Novemberfest, as previously planned, with Erin, hit the grocery store on the way home and then got busy.  And I worked.  All weekend. 

I have to laugh about my little shopping spree at the grocery store.  I bought only the things that I crave and love.  My list included a lot of a certain Diet drink (yes, I've temporarily fallen off the wagon after almost three years), a half dozen limes, some sour cream to make dip from a mix I'd purchased at Novemberfest, Wheat Thins, my favorite cereal Honey Bunches of Oats, Junior Mints (for the popcorn I planned on enjoying with my Diet Coke), celery and croissants (for the leftover turkey that I planned to make into turkey salad) and some milk for my cereal (that I knew I would put straight back into the fridge after pouring some rather than leave on the counter until it was noticed later like some people do).

I came home, locked the doors, put on my jammies in the middle of the afternoon and stayed that way until yesterday morning when I got ready for church.  During the next 48 hours, I made banners.  And made banners.  And made more banners.   I watched movies that I wanted to watch... whatever my mood led me to in the DVD library.   I watched the 6 hour version of Pride and Prejudice, Top Gun, Mamma Mia, Pearl Harbor, Micki and Maude, Down with Love and a few others that aren't jumping off my fingertips as I type.  I also listened to a book on tape and lots of music...as loud as I wanted!

I wasn't alone the whole weekend.  Carol came over and shared some treats and a few rounds of Hand and Foot, while we gabbed and talked holidays.  Liza dropped in a few times for a turkey sandwich,  a hug or two and a few little pep talks while she was in the middle of a huge weekend.  Connie came over twice and had snacks, watched movies and gabbed while I worked.  Natalie came by a few times to help me work on banners, to play a bit and to gab, andto bring me chocolate.  Of course, my mom called every few hours to make sure no bad men had gotten me while I was alone.  And Go-Go kept me company all weekend long. It was a totally "grown-up" weekend for me.  I went to bed when I chose and woke up when I chose... which, ironically, as 2AM and up at 8, so I still didn't get any more sleep than normal. 

It was a perfect weekend, for a woman who might be looking for a little break from motherhood/wifehood. 

Doug and the babes called me several times during the weekend.  ZJ is quite the little phone conversationalist.  She called by herself to tell me of her adventures.  Then, on Saturday evening, Doug's mom called to ask me to email Quayd's talk that he'd given in Sacrament Meeting a few weeks ago.  He was asked to speak in their ward in Idaho.  I sent it immediately so that Quayd could review it overnight and speak yesterday.  From the moment I knew he was speaking, I was wishing terribly that I could be there with my husband and children. 

At church yesterday morning, I missed them while sitting alone in my own ward during the first two meetings of the day.  I missed sitting in "our" pew with them during Sacrament Meeting.  I missed watching them race in to show me their handouts from Primary.  I missed Doug leaning over and giving me a kiss as he sat down in Sunday School beside me and him kissing me goodbye in the parking lot as we went to separate ends of the building before the meetings began.  I missed watching Quayd, so intently, pass the sacrament with the other Deacons.

As the afternoon passed, I watched the clock with anticipation.  I had a big pot of turkey noodle soup (imagine that) waiting for them.  They pulled in on time and it was a happy reunion.  Dinner was great...not because of the food, but the conversation and company.  Even ZJ, who was whiny and on the verge of tears until bedtime because she was so tired, just made me smile! Dinner was filled with statements like, "I missed you!" and "The ranch is the second best place on the earth." 

Yes, I had a great weekend.  A "me" weekend, doing what I wanted, eating what I wanted, sleeping as I wanted, playing as I wanted with no interruptions.  I enjoyed a clean bathroom, not one dish in the sink for three days, not having to search for the remotes that should be on the little wooden container designated for them, not finding any dirty socks peeking out of a couch cushion.  This morning, there's a banana peel, apple cores and other traces of Doug's blender drink in my sink.  Quayd raced off to school without putting his bowl from Oatmeal and Apple Pie in the sink.  There is toothpaste in the downstairs sink that needs cleaning already.  I've got laundry going with two loads to go and Doug noticed that the agitator is not agitating.  I'm watching the clock to wake the girls in a few minutes to have breakfast and our little devotional time and then do hair and the "What to wear" rounds before rushing them off to school.

Today, Natalie and I are running an errand down in Layton and will sneak in a little Taipan Shopping Therapy.  BUT, we will race home before the kids are home from school to do homework and make dinner and have our family home evenings before the bedtime routine.  The me time is over.  It's quickly back to reality. 

One of my senior widows asked me where everyone was when she noticed me sitting back there near them instead of in my normal pew.  I explained that they were visiting Grandma at the Ranch and I'd stayed home to get some things done. She asked if I missed them yet.  I said, "It's different without them, that's for sure." She responded, "See.  It's lonely, isn't it?"  As much fun as last weekend was... that's not my life.  A nice break, yes.  But, truth of the matter is, I'll take my real life of cooking and laundry and bedtime routines...and hugs and kisses and "Mommy makes the best soup in the world" and "No one makes pie as good as Mom!" and "Babe, thanks for all you do" anyday.  Enough said.

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.  A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. 

with thanks

  We often take for granted  the very things that most deserve our gratitude. 

What is it about men and long hair?

This was originally posted in November 2005.

Most people think that I look a lot like my paternal grandmother, Grace. I adore her. Though she’s been gone for almost twenty years, hardly a day passes that I don’t think of her. Our talents and interests were so similar and I know, I just know that she would have cherished every page in every scrapbook I’ve ever created. My dad’s greatest compliment to me was on my birthday last month, when he told me how much like Grannie I was.

Grannie had an identical twin, Selma, who everyone called "Sel". I loved hearing Grannie tell twin stories of BUT their youth. My favorite story was of the night that Granddaddy confessed his love for Grannie for the first time, while walking home from church, all the while, thinking that he was talking to Aunt Sel.

I can remember, as a child, sitting on Grannie’s bed, brushing her long, dark hair with a beautiful silver handled brush. She wore her hair up in a bun in the daytime and at night, she let her hair down and brushed it for what seemed like hours at bedtime. This was part of her daily routine for all of the 45 years of their marriage. You see, Granddaddy loved Grannie’s long hair. She wore her hair just the way he liked it, until the day he died. As they got older, Aunt Sel, wore her hair short and permed. Grannie never said a word about it, but like looking in a mirror, she knew that her twin sister looked much, much younger than she.

On the morning after Granddaddy’s funeral, Grannie went to her hairdresser and had her waist-length hair cut short, above her collar and permed. She looked like a different person, much more youthful and vibrant, just like her sister. She grieved the loss of her beloved husband, the only love of her life. But, she finally felt free to do the one thing that she’d wanted to do for years, even decades.

I don’t think that Granddaddy would have said no to her cutting her hair. It was just his preference that it was long and she honored that. Grannie kept her hair short and styled until she passed away a few years later. When I think of Grannie, I still see her waist-length hair draping over the shoulders and down the back of her beautiful cotton nightgown.

What is it about men and long hair? They love it, no doubt. They don’t have manage it or live with it. But, they love it.

When Doug was serving as an LDS missionary in Florida, he was the ever-so obedient missionary, kept his distance from me and followed all of the rules. I was sixteen, impulsive and absolutely smitten by this cowboy from Idaho, who barely spoke a word. One of Doug’s previous missionary companions told me that Elder Corbridge loved short blonde hair. Being the silly 16 year old girl that I was, I, literally, raced to my mother’s hair salon and insisted, "Cut it off and make me blonde!", to which Mom willingly obliged. I went directly to Elder Chambers to ask him if he thought Elder Corbridge would be surprised! Never in my life have I seen a more shocked face! He had been teasing me and had no idea that I’d really do something so impetuous. I can still hear Elder Chambers and Elder Dixon’s laughter from inside, as I walked out to my car. What I didn’t realize, that they obviously did, was that Doug loves long, dark hair, stemming from his deep love for Native Americans. I thought, wonder what was so funny? When Elder Corbridge saw my new do, he was shocked! I’d just cut my long dark curls to above my shoulders and frosted it blonde! It was Doug’s reaction that told me, for the first time, that, he, Elder Corbridge may have actually noticed me more than I had realized! (Elder Chambers and his wife are still great friends of ours today. We still razz each other about his little joke that took me two years to undo!) It obviously didn’t matter that much because we did end up married almost two years after Doug finished his mission!

Last winter, wanting more of a "mother of the bride" look, I had my hair styled short for the first time in years. Doug, who still prefers my hair just like Grannie’s, was okay but not thrilled with it. Liza offered my hair stylist double whatever I paid to NOT cut it. I’m now missing the "long curly, wash, dry and run, wild with a mind of it’s own hair" that I’ve gotten used to over the past decade. I wonder, is 47 is a little old for this wild mane? Doug took this picture on Sunday. I definitely have transition hair right now. I hate "transition hair." It looks as though you need to do your hair, but there’s really nothing you can do with it until it grows some more. My naturally curly hair is one thing about myself that I do like. It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s me. I think I just talked myself out of a haircut appointment. Doug will be pleased.   Grannie would have done the same thing.

Love is a choice you make from moment to moment.

Most people think that I look a lot like my paternal grandmother, Grace. I adore her. Though she’s been gone for almost twenty years, hardly a day passes that I don’t think of her. Our talents and interests were so similar and I know, I just know that she would have cherished every page in every scrapbook I’ve ever created. My dad’s greatest compliment to me was on my birthday last month, when he told me how much like Grannie I was.

Grannie had an identical twin, Selma, who everyone called "Sel". I loved hearing Grannie tell twin stories of BUT their youth. My favorite story was of the night that Granddaddy confessed his love for Grannie for the first time, while walking home from church, all the while, thinking that he was talking to Aunt Sel.

I can remember, as a child, sitting on Grannie’s bed, brushing her long, dark hair with a beautiful silver handled brush. She wore her hair up in a bun in the daytime and at night, she let her hair down and brushed it for what seemed like hours at bedtime. This was part of her daily routine for all of the 45 years of their marriage. You see, Granddaddy loved Grannie’s long hair. She wore her hair just the way he liked it, until the day he died. As they got older, Aunt Sel, wore her hair short and permed. Grannie never said a word about it, but like looking in a mirror, she knew that her twin sister looked much, much younger than she.

On the morning after Granddaddy’s funeral, Grannie went to her hairdresser and had her waist-length hair cut short, above her collar and permed. She looked like a different person, much more youthful and vibrant, just like her sister. She grieved the loss of her beloved husband, the only love of her life. But, she finally felt free to do the one thing that she’d wanted to do for years, even decades.

I don’t think that Granddaddy would have said no to her cutting her hair. It was just his preference that it was long and she honored that. Grannie kept her hair short and styled until she passed away a few years later. When I think of Grannie, I still see her waist-length hair draping over the shoulders and down the back of her beautiful cotton nightgown.

What is it about men and long hair? They love it, no doubt. They don’t have manage it or live with it. But, they love it.

When Doug was serving as an LDS missionary in Florida, he was the ever-so obedient missionary, kept his distance from me and followed all of the rules. I was sixteen, impulsive and absolutely smitten by this cowboy from Idaho, who barely spoke a word. One of Doug’s previous missionary companions told me that Elder Corbridge loved short blonde hair. Being the silly 16 year old girl that I was, I, literally, raced to my mother’s hair salon and insisted, "Cut it off and make me blonde!", to which Mom willingly obliged. I went directly to Elder Chambers to ask him if he thought Elder Corbridge would be surprised! Never in my life have I seen a more shocked face! He had been teasing me and had no idea that I’d really do something so impetuous. I can still hear Elder Chambers and Elder Dixon’s laughter from inside, as I walked out to my car. What I didn’t realize, that they obviously did, was that Doug loves long, dark hair, stemming from his deep love for Native Americans. I thought, wonder what was so funny? When Elder Corbridge saw my new do, he was shocked! I’d just cut my long dark curls to above my shoulders and frosted it blonde! It was Doug’s reaction that told me, for the first time, that, he, Elder Corbridge may have actually noticed me more than I had realized! (Elder Chambers and his wife are still great friends of ours today. We still razz each other about his little joke that took me two years to undo!) It obviously didn’t matter that much because we did end up married almost two years after Doug finished his mission!

Last winter, wanting more of a "mother of the bride" look, I had my hair styled short for the first time in years. Doug, who still prefers my hair just like Grannie’s, was okay but not thrilled with it. Liza offered my hair stylist double whatever I paid to NOT cut it. I’m now missing the "long curly, wash, dry and run, wild with a mind of it’s own hair" that I’ve gotten used to over the past decade. I wonder, is 47 is a little old for this wild mane? Doug took this picture on Sunday. I definitely have transition hair right now. I hate "transition hair." It looks as though you need to do your hair, but there’s really nothing you can do with it until it grows some more. My naturally curly hair is one thing about myself that I do like. It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s me. I think I just talked myself out of a haircut appointment. Doug will be pleased.   Grannie would have done the same thing.

Love is a choice you make from moment to moment.

Blast from the past... gifts in a basket

 About fifteen years ago, I was asked to put together a display of holiday gift baskets for a Homemaking Night at our church. I decided that 101 would be the perfect number of baskets to assemble and for two weeks, I worked hard, creating exactly 101 gift baskets for the display. It was one of my favorite projects ever. I lost the original list on my old computer (Grrrr) but these are a few that come to mind easily and have been tried and used many times over the years!

It’s divisive in triggering thoughts and getting you going on some ideas for last minutes gifts and hard to buy for people. Your budget may allow only one or all or even more than what I’ve listed. But, put together in clever baskets and containers, these can be the beginnings of some fantastic and always to be remembered gifts! Most of the items can include some food items, which are great fillers, as well as an inexpensive way to add more to the gift and make it even more fun.

• For the movie buffs: DVD, microwave popcorn, 2 liter of pop, mix bag of miniature candy bars, wrapped in a fleecy blanket
• For the Working gal or busy mom: People magazine, Bath & Body Works bath essentials, candle, girlie bath towel, in a beautiful basket or a funky colored metal bucket
• For the outdoorsman: Foot warmers, hand warmers, new gloves, new beanie, favorite hunting or fishing magazine, Beef Jerky, nifty flashlight or cool tool
• For the campers: Flashlights, batteries, weenie roasting sticks, hot pad/gloves, first aid kit, bug spray, the makings for s’mores, all in a dutch oven or a cooler or 2 gallon thermos.
• For the gardener: Seed Catalogs, Garden Gloves, new hand tools for garden, all in a large clay pot with a bag of potting soil and fertilizer
• For the college student: HotPot or electric tea kettle, instant soups, cocoa mixes, set of mugs, cassette tapes and a mini cassette recorder for them to send messages back and forth to friends and family, all in a back pack that can be used for other purposes.
• For the person who lives away from family: a calendar with their entire family’s birthdays and celebrations, a package of homemade greeting cards all organized and labeled so that they can just write a message and sign their names, postage stamps, envelopes, pens, all wrapped up in an small desk trash can
• For the chocoholic: Hershey’s Kisses in several varieties, Giant Hershey Bar, Chocolate cookbook, Giant brick of white chocolate, Giant container of Hershey’s syrup, Hot Fudge Sauce, Oreo cookies, all sorts of chocolate treats all wrapped up on a cookie sheet or in a large mixing bowl
• For the small child: Dollar store coloring books, good crayons or markers, glue sticks, safety scissors and a picture frame or notebook with sheet protectors for finished projects in a little brightly colored organizing basket
• For the gourmet: A salt shaker and pepper grinder set, a few varieties of fancy pepper, a speciality cookbook , a unique cooking gadget from the cooking store, all stuffed inside the pockets of an apron or a utensil stone crock
• For the couple who both work lots of hours: Gift Certificates to a fun restaurant, gift certificate to a local spa or salon for pedicures or a massage together, an easy listening CD like Kenny G all wrapped up inside a nice blanket or tied to a bow wrapped around fresh new pillows
• For the Sports fan: A remote control pocket (To hang on the side of the Lazy-boy), a TV guide subscription, Sports Illustrated, a calendar with their favorite team, all wrapped inside a t-shirt or sweat shirt with their favorite team
• For the photographer: Rechargable batteries, a photography magazine or book, camera wipes for lenses, extra miniature containers to hold things in their camera bags
• For the pet lover: Doggie Bones, a doggie toy, a new collar or leash, a pet brush, a gift certificate for pet grooming, all placed in a small pet pillow
• For the reader: A BookLight to read by, a book mark, paperback or two of a favorite author, Gift certificate to a local book store, wrapped in a fleece blanket or a basket filled with chocolates or snacks
• For the music lover: CDs, sheet music for Piano to go along with( if they play), tickets to a local concert or performance out of their ordinary
• For the baker: A rolling mat, hot pads, an apron, a sifter, rolling pins of different sizes, all-in-one measuring utensils, recipe cards, packed into a great mixing bowl or baking pan
• For the Italian food or the Pizza lover: A Pampered Chef Pizza Cutter (there’s none better!), Fresh Dried Herbs, Romano or Parmesan Cheese blocks and a grater (like Olive Garden uses), a recipe book with pizza ideas in a chef’s hat or a red plaid tablecloth
• For the scrapbooker: An adhesive dispenser, refills, Journaling Pens, mechanical pencil and eraser, current scrapbook magazine or idea book.
• For the couch potato: A bag of chips, a 2 liter of pop, a universal Remote Control, TV guide, a neck pillow, a lap blanket
• For the babysitter : A child’s game like Chutes and Ladders or Candyland, bubbles, "Gak", a bag of candy treats, crayons and blank paper with templates, a hand puppet inside a portable clear carrying case for the kids to see what she’s bringing!
• For the Home office worker: A desk organizer, stapler, staples, paper clips in fun shapes and sizes, pens and pencils, sticky notes, glue stick, postage stamps and envelopes
• For the couple in love or newlyweds: A bottle of sparkling apple cider, two goblets, chocolates, a romantic movie, dinner gift certificates.

Happy Black Friday!

No one has ever become poor by giving.

It’s divisive in triggering thoughts and getting you going on some ideas for last minutes gifts and hard to buy for people. Your budget may allow only one or all or even more than what I’ve listed. But, put together in clever baskets and containers, these can be the beginnings of some fantastic and always to be remembered gifts! Most of the items can include some food items, which are great fillers, as well as an inexpensive way to add more to the gift and make it even more fun.

• For the movie buffs: DVD, microwave popcorn, 2 liter of pop, mix bag of miniature candy bars, wrapped in a fleecy blanket
• For the Working gal or busy mom: People magazine, Bath & Body Works bath essentials, candle, girlie bath towel, in a beautiful basket or a funky colored metal bucket
• For the outdoorsman: Foot warmers, hand warmers, new gloves, new beanie, favorite hunting or fishing magazine, Beef Jerky, nifty flashlight or cool tool
• For the campers: Flashlights, batteries, weenie roasting sticks, hot pad/gloves, first aid kit, bug spray, the makings for s’mores, all in a dutch oven or a cooler or 2 gallon thermos.
• For the gardener: Seed Catalogs, Garden Gloves, new hand tools for garden, all in a large clay pot with a bag of potting soil and fertilizer
• For the college student: HotPot or electric tea kettle, instant soups, cocoa mixes, set of mugs, cassette tapes and a mini cassette recorder for them to send messages back and forth to friends and family, all in a back pack that can be used for other purposes.
• For the person who lives away from family: a calendar with their entire family’s birthdays and celebrations, a package of homemade greeting cards all organized and labeled so that they can just write a message and sign their names, postage stamps, envelopes, pens, all wrapped up in an small desk trash can
• For the chocoholic: Hershey’s Kisses in several varieties, Giant Hershey Bar, Chocolate cookbook, Giant brick of white chocolate, Giant container of Hershey’s syrup, Hot Fudge Sauce, Oreo cookies, all sorts of chocolate treats all wrapped up on a cookie sheet or in a large mixing bowl
• For the small child: Dollar store coloring books, good crayons or markers, glue sticks, safety scissors and a picture frame or notebook with sheet protectors for finished projects in a little brightly colored organizing basket
• For the gourmet: A salt shaker and pepper grinder set, a few varieties of fancy pepper, a speciality cookbook , a unique cooking gadget from the cooking store, all stuffed inside the pockets of an apron or a utensil stone crock
• For the couple who both work lots of hours: Gift Certificates to a fun restaurant, gift certificate to a local spa or salon for pedicures or a massage together, an easy listening CD like Kenny G all wrapped up inside a nice blanket or tied to a bow wrapped around fresh new pillows
• For the Sports fan: A remote control pocket (To hang on the side of the Lazy-boy), a TV guide subscription, Sports Illustrated, a calendar with their favorite team, all wrapped inside a t-shirt or sweat shirt with their favorite team
• For the photographer: Rechargable batteries, a photography magazine or book, camera wipes for lenses, extra miniature containers to hold things in their camera bags
• For the pet lover: Doggie Bones, a doggie toy, a new collar or leash, a pet brush, a gift certificate for pet grooming, all placed in a small pet pillow
• For the reader: A BookLight to read by, a book mark, paperback or two of a favorite author, Gift certificate to a local book store, wrapped in a fleece blanket or a basket filled with chocolates or snacks
• For the music lover: CDs, sheet music for Piano to go along with( if they play), tickets to a local concert or performance out of their ordinary
• For the baker: A rolling mat, hot pads, an apron, a sifter, rolling pins of different sizes, all-in-one measuring utensils, recipe cards, packed into a great mixing bowl or baking pan
• For the Italian food or the Pizza lover: A Pampered Chef Pizza Cutter (there’s none better!), Fresh Dried Herbs, Romano or Parmesan Cheese blocks and a grater (like Olive Garden uses), a recipe book with pizza ideas in a chef’s hat or a red plaid tablecloth
• For the scrapbooker: An adhesive dispenser, refills, Journaling Pens, mechanical pencil and eraser, current scrapbook magazine or idea book.
• For the couch potato: A bag of chips, a 2 liter of pop, a universal Remote Control, TV guide, a neck pillow, a lap blanket
• For the babysitter : A child’s game like Chutes and Ladders or Candyland, bubbles, "Gak", a bag of candy treats, crayons and blank paper with templates, a hand puppet inside a portable clear carrying case for the kids to see what she’s bringing!
• For the Home office worker: A desk organizer, stapler, staples, paper clips in fun shapes and sizes, pens and pencils, sticky notes, glue stick, postage stamps and envelopes
• For the couple in love or newlyweds: A bottle of sparkling apple cider, two goblets, chocolates, a romantic movie, dinner gift certificates.

Happy Black Friday!

No one has ever become poor by giving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

glitter-graphics.com

Today, I'm thankful for:

• the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his Atonement, a loving and patient Father in Heaven
• An amazingly wonderful family
• Friends who care are always there and love me no matter how many quirks I have!
• For living in the most wonderful place on our beautiful earth!
• For my body that is healthy for the most part most of the time.
• For talents and gifts that make life fun!
• For the peace and safety of living in a free nation.
• For the little tender mercies that come my way each day!

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.

Thanksgiving Meme

It's a great morning!  The babes are sleeping in.  No school till Monday. Doug will be home early today.  We're all home together until Monday.  Lots of good food in the works!  Family, games, movies, food and fun!  A great weekend ahead! Here's a little repeat of a Thanksgiving Meme:

1. Do you cook all or part of the meal? I cook every single bite! If we have guests, I always invite them to bring drinks or a dessert and even if they do, I prepare exactly the same menu to the T everything Thanksgiving. In the minds of those who live in our home, Thanksgiving is supposed to taste exactly the way I cook it and no one else’s will do. (Not that I think mine is the best, it’s just what is expected.)
2. How much do you spend buying groceries for the meal? It gets a little higher each year, I notice, and I use the same shopping list. This year, the actual meal was almost $125. It's the most expensive meal of the year every year, but it does mean tasty leftovers for the whole weekend!
3. Do you eat at home or go to someone else’s?Only once have we gone someplace else. It was fun, it was delish, but it wasn’t our Thanksgiving. Always at home.
4. Describe your perfect bite?Mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, stuffing, tiny bit of turkey, stuffing and cranberry salad on top. Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!
5. White meat or dark? Yes.
6. Stuffing with giblets or without? Seriously? You’d have to touch them.
7. Anything you won’t eat at the Thanksgiving meal? Olives. (Wait, that’s all the time, not just Thanksgiving.) (BUT.  I did buy some this year and plan on putting them on a platter tomorrow just for Doug and ZJ. They'll be so happy because I never ever buy them.)
8. Carve Mr. Gobble at the table or serve on a platter? On a platter because we cook him upside down in a browning bag so he’s not nearly as pretty, but oh is he juicy.
9. Favorite pie? Dutch Apple ala mode.  I always forget to buy the icecream! I do that every year!  That's what I'll ask Liza to bring!
10. Formal table or Chinet? Formal on Grannie’s china
11. Your menu:
    Turkey
    Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
    Mashed Sweet Potatoes
    Homemade Rolls with Butter and Strawberry Jam
    Peas & Corn
    Homemade Stuffing with Mushrooms
    Cran-strawberry Salad with Pineapple, Apple, Pecans and Celery
    Cranberry Sauce
    Apple Juice with Sprite served slushy
    Apple Pie
    Dutch Apple Pie
    Banana Cream Pie
    Pumpkin Pie
    Pumpkin Crunch Cake
    Cheese Cake
12. Favorite leftover? Cranberry Salad on top of warm stuffing
13. Extended family, friends, both or just the immediate family for dinner? Invite the town, the more the merrier!
14. After dinner, do you go to the latest movie or watch football on TV or just a turkey induced snooze?NO football. Usually, we go to holiday movie or DVD and lots of Christmas music!
15. Do you watch the Macy’s Parade? Always have it on in the background. It’s one of my childhood memories.
16. Christmas decorations up before or after? Up until the past few years, right after dinner. Now, it's the weekend before Thanksgiving so that I can relax and enjoy the weekend with everyone else instead of be in a mess while decorating. 
17. Black Friday shopping or sleep in?  I've got mixed feelings on this one.  I've done it and loved it, done it and thought it was insane, stayed home and just relaxed.  One thing that I do always do on Black Friday is go to a huge craft fair that morning.  Also crazy busy but fun!
18. Any special Thanksgiving tradition? We always share the things that we are most grateful for. Sometimes it’s sweet and tender. Other times, we laugh until the tears come. My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is that this is the day that we pull out the Christmas music. When I hear the Mannheim Steamroller trumpets begin, it means Christmas is officially here!!
19. Favorite thing about Thanksgiving? It’s such a casual day and usually surrounded by family and loved ones! I do most of the prep the day before. The rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy are the only things that take prep that day. We spend it playing, talking, relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. I LOVE THANKSGIVING!
20. Favorite Thanksgiving memory? I seriously don’t have one. I love the years that we’ve had guests, family and friends. I love the traditions, the official "Let the holidays begin" feeling. Every Thanksgiving is my favorite Thanksgiving.

Share your favorite Thanksgiving recipe:

Mom’s Raw Apple Cake
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 ½ cups oil
3 cups flour
3 cups shredded apple
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 tsp. Cinnamon

Cream oil and sugar together. Mix dry ingredients in. Add eggs, apples, vanilla and nuts. VERY thick. Pour into greased and floured bundt pan. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350̊. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when completely cool. Store loosely covered.

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

a movie, a choice, anticipation

New Moon:  OH MY HECK!  LOVED LOVED LOVED it!  It wasn't what I'd remembered because when I read the books, I'd lost interest about half way through New Moon and quit at the beginning of Eclipse. I remembered so little and what I did, I remembered in the wrong order.  So, for the most part, it was like a new story. The theater was filled with college students on a Monday night at 9:30, who squealed and cat-called in certain moments, which made it fun.  I can not wait to see it again!

h1n1 SHOTS: I sent the girls to school today with permission slips to get the swine flu shots. The district is offering them to all children.  I've debated for weeks and this morning, Doug and I decided to just do it.  Now, all morning, I'm second-guessing myself.  I hate decisions like this!  But, it's done. ZJ was supposed to have hers first thing. 

About Thanksgiving...

Decorating:  Trees are up and decorated.   Everything is done!  This morning, I'm cleaning the gallery, which has been the catch-all for everything over the past few days and setting up Christmas Central to get some wrapping done, make some labels, make more banners and to have a place to hide things until they are wrapped as they are brought in.  Wait, this is about Christmas.  I said about Thanksgiving!

A few things I'm looking forward to about Thanksgiving:

• Sharing our gratitude thoughts around the dinner table
• The perfect bite ~ a little stuffing, turkey, cranberry salad and yams all on the fork together!
• An afternoon nap, relaxing
• Playing games...lots of games!
• the beginning of Christmas DVDs playing for a month in the background
• tons of leftovers and desserts for days!
• Christmas music!

Our menu:

• Roast Turkey and Gravy

• Mashed Potatoes

• Heather’s Aunt Jan’s Sweet Potatoes 

• Homemade Stuffing with Mushrooms

• Peas and Corn

• Cran-raspberry Salad with Pineapple, Apple, Nuts and Celery

• Cranberry Sauce

• Homemade Rolls with Butter and Homemade Strawberry Jam

• Dutch Apple Pies

• Banana Cream Pie

• Connie's Lemon Pie

• Raw Apple Cake

• Pumpkin Crunch

• Apple Juice carbonated with Sprite

The guest list aside from Doug and I and the babes:  Liza and Buddy, Kelly and Zaylee, Mom and Boyd, Connie and anyone else that we of not having plans for the big day!

Other plans for the weekend:

• Watch Christmas movies
• Possibly go to a movie
• Possibly do a little shopping or should I say shopper watching
• work on the Merry and Joy banners
• Walk Ten miles! 
• Play Sequence, Apples to Apples and cards!
• Check out some decorating blogs and see what's lovely and of good report!
• Get lots of time in with Zaylee!
• Enjoy every second of having my family home, especially Doug! 

Gracie's most requested wish:  A favorite repeat recipe for this weekend:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 cups oil
2 cups brown sugar
4 cups sugar
beat together and add:
8 beaten eggs
1 1/2 TBLS baking soda dissolved in 1/3 cup warm water
4 cups pumpkin (just use the large can.  It's plenty!)
7 cups flour
2 tsps baking powder
2 tsps salt
1 1/2 tsps ginger
2 tsps cloves
2 tsps nutmeg
4 tsps cinnamon
Mix then add:
1 cup warm water
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1cup milk chocolate chips

Bake @ 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes as soon as they start to brown. Do not over cook.

I'm off to lunch with a friend, Hobby Lobby, the grocery store and...ugh... the dreaded Walmart.  Other than that, it's going to be a great day!!  PS...once everyone has arrived safely at their Thankgiving destinations, bring on the snow!  I'm ready for winter! 

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.

• Sharing our gratitude thoughts around the dinner table
• The perfect bite ~ a little stuffing, turkey, cranberry salad and yams all on the fork together!
• An afternoon nap, relaxing
• Playing games...lots of games!
• the beginning of Christmas DVDs playing for a month in the background
• tons of leftovers and desserts for days!
• Christmas music!

monday morning musing

• What an awesome weekend!  The kids Sacrament Presentation was fabulous.  They sang wonderfully and clearly and were adorable. The talks were great.  I loved seeing ZJ and the other little eight year olds in their baptism dresses.  Gracie did a great job on her little talk and several comments were made about how demonstrative she is.  She's so fun to watch.  It was just a great program.  I love our Primary leaders, as they are all amazing!
• In answer to a few questions about the "Merry" banner.  (On Friday's entry.) The colors are black, red, green and ivory.  There's no blue in them.  Sorry, the photo looked blue, but it's not.  I'll be taking orders through December 15th.  I'll ship the first batch next Monday.  I decided to create one that says "Believe" and can't wait to get it done! And yes, I will personalize them with names or other words, if you'd like them to say. 

• Last night, we joined one of our favorite families for a movie.  We were pleasantly surprised to watch "Elf" for the first time.  We laughed until we hurt.  We'll be adding that to our holiday movie collection for sure!
  
• I am sorely disappointed in Adam Lambert.  We turned the tv to watch the weather last night and saw the last few minutes of the American Music Awards, just as Ryan Seacrest was introducing Adam.  I was excited to hear him sing his new song, which I've been enjoying online for the last two weeks and surprised to see that they'd saved his performance as the finale.  I didn't know shock, however, until I watched the performance! HOLY. COW! I have been an Adam fan since day one.  Oh. My. Gosh.  I was ill.  That was offensive, vulgar and crude. If that was his idea of breaking the Idol image, he succeeded. Male Madonna, as many on the news have said this morning, or not, I will not be buying his album tomorrow.  Sorry, ABC, but this tops a certain Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction!  Stepping back down now.

• Please pass what a chicken was doing outside my window at 4:14 this morning?  And couldn't he have been a bit more quiet?
  
• I have two trees totally done and two trees partially decorated.  The upstairs is almost done and downstairs will be my afternoon project with the girls.  I decided that this year, I'm using only part of my Christmas decorations and am simplifying things.  Doug is thrilled!  I think we need a bigger house!  ;)  Just for Christmas.  Uh-huh.
  
• It's almost Thanksgiving!  Happiness!!  Tomorrow, I'll finish up the last of the decorating and start baking!  At some point, I think I may buy groceries!
  
• Today, I'm going to see New Moon, even if I have to go alone.  I am most excited!
  
• It's going to be a fabulous week! 

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has."

gratitude

She remembered what mattered

Originally posted in December 2006

Tonight, several ladies from our LDS Ward organized and hosted a dinner for the senior singles that attend. We served the traditional home-cooked meal that they probably don’t get much of anymore because who would cook a whole Sunday dinner for themselves? Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Homemade Rolls, Veggies and a very tasty dessert. An adorable young lady came and sang several songs for them and then we passed the microphone around the room to each and every guest, allowing them to share with us their favorite Christmas memory.

I was stunned to hear the details that they could remember. My favorite was Sister Covey. She began with "I was eighteen in 1926". My brain started doing the math (and then I quickly pulled out a pen and did the addition and subtraction on my napkin.) MY HECK! SHE’S NINETY-EIGHT! I knew that she was old but that’s really old! I digress... her memory was of a year when her mother was sick before Christmas. Her mother gave her the task, as the oldest child at home, to take $10 to town and buy gifts for everyone of the children. She shared that "this was when we did all of the Christmas shopping the day before Christmas."

She told us how she’d taken the wagon to town and found the perfect wind-up toy for her siblings, in great detail. She went on to say that when she was done buying for each of the several children in the family and her mother, there was only fifteen cents left to buy herself a little something. "And I couldn’t even begin to tell you what it was I bought for myself", she said, but then she shared that the presents were showing in the back of the wagon as she pulled up. So, they decided to just have Christmas right then and there. They stayed up late that night playing and then when they awoke the next morning, the children played more with their wind-up toy and other gifts. Still, she could not recall what her own gift was.

She confessed that she was a bit blue on Christmas morning because there was nothing there for her, but she enjoyed so much, watching her younger siblings delight. Later that day, her married brother and his wife came bearing more gifts for everyone. Then, she really surprised me. She said, "He brought this and that (in detail) for each of my brothers and sisters. And he even brought something for me! I finally did receive a Christmas present and it just made me so happy. I’m sure that I loved it. But, I can’t remember what it was."

Without even realizing it, as she shared her own memory of being a poor widow’s child at Christmas, Sister Covey shared with each of us, the true meaning of Christmas. Her joy did not come from the gift that she didn’t think she’d even receive. Her joy was seeing the happiness of her siblings. She got it... way back in 1926, she captured it and she probably didn’t even realize it.

I look at the lists in my holiday planner... list after list, lists of lists, at my calendar and all of the festivities and activities planned for this month. It’s all important. It all matters. But, tonight, one sweet little old lady enlightened us all, in a most illuminating moment... not one lit with lights and tinsel, but one lit from the light of her heart. It’s not about the presents, the celebrations, the decorations or the lights. It’s really much more simple than all of that. I’m hoping that I can keep her valuable little lesson in my mind and in my heart this year. I’m hoping that I can remember her thoughts while I’m standing in a long line at Target or gift-wrapping late at night or making my lists and checking them twice... not just on Christmas morning. Enough said.

If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away.

Tonight, several ladies from our LDS Ward organized and hosted a dinner for the senior singles that attend. We served the traditional home-cooked meal that they probably don’t get much of anymore because who would cook a whole Sunday dinner for themselves? Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Homemade Rolls, Veggies and a very tasty dessert. An adorable young lady came and sang several songs for them and then we passed the microphone around the room to each and every guest, allowing them to share with us their favorite Christmas memory.

I was stunned to hear the details that they could remember. My favorite was Sister Covey. She began with "I was eighteen in 1926". My brain started doing the math (and then I quickly pulled out a pen and did the addition and subtraction on my napkin.) MY HECK! SHE’S NINETY-EIGHT! I knew that she was old but that’s really old! I digress... her memory was of a year when her mother was sick before Christmas. Her mother gave her the task, as the oldest child at home, to take $10 to town and buy gifts for everyone of the children. She shared that "this was when we did all of the Christmas shopping the day before Christmas."

She told us how she’d taken the wagon to town and found the perfect wind-up toy for her siblings, in great detail. She went on to say that when she was done buying for each of the several children in the family and her mother, there was only fifteen cents left to buy herself a little something. "And I couldn’t even begin to tell you what it was I bought for myself", she said, but then she shared that the presents were showing in the back of the wagon as she pulled up. So, they decided to just have Christmas right then and there. They stayed up late that night playing and then when they awoke the next morning, the children played more with their wind-up toy and other gifts. Still, she could not recall what her own gift was.

She confessed that she was a bit blue on Christmas morning because there was nothing there for her, but she enjoyed so much, watching her younger siblings delight. Later that day, her married brother and his wife came bearing more gifts for everyone. Then, she really surprised me. She said, "He brought this and that (in detail) for each of my brothers and sisters. And he even brought something for me! I finally did receive a Christmas present and it just made me so happy. I’m sure that I loved it. But, I can’t remember what it was."

Without even realizing it, as she shared her own memory of being a poor widow’s child at Christmas, Sister Covey shared with each of us, the true meaning of Christmas. Her joy did not come from the gift that she didn’t think she’d even receive. Her joy was seeing the happiness of her siblings. She got it... way back in 1926, she captured it and she probably didn’t even realize it.

I look at the lists in my holiday planner... list after list, lists of lists, at my calendar and all of the festivities and activities planned for this month. It’s all important. It all matters. But, tonight, one sweet little old lady enlightened us all, in a most illuminating moment... not one lit with lights and tinsel, but one lit from the light of her heart. It’s not about the presents, the celebrations, the decorations or the lights. It’s really much more simple than all of that. I’m hoping that I can keep her valuable little lesson in my mind and in my heart this year. I’m hoping that I can remember her thoughts while I’m standing in a long line at Target or gift-wrapping late at night or making my lists and checking them twice... not just on Christmas morning. Enough said.

If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away.

Here's a little holiday CHEER!

It's a sunshiny day at the Corbridge's!  I've finished my projects!  I'm going to clean up the aftermath, do some holiday shopping today, go out for dinner with the family tonight and when we come home, Doug's bringing up all of the Christmas bins!  HAPPINESS! The girls came racing upstairs this morning, "It's Christmas Tree Day!!!"  Actually, it will be Christmas Tree weekend, because it will take all weekend to get all of the trees, lights and decorations up! I'm so loving life!

Each fall, for several years, I've created a project/kit for the holidays and had friends come over for the night to work on them together.  This year, I'm not making kits.  I haven't scheduled my friends project night.  (At least, not yet.)  BUT. I have created a fun  project and will be making them available for sale.  So, I'm taking orders now. 

I wish you could see the details because each banner piece is embossed, glittery and sparkly and fun!  The ribbons and papers will vary on the banners, but you can specify red or black. The blocks are approximately 9"x 6" each.  The cost of the banners will be as follows:

• Joy ~ $20
• Noel ~ $25
• Peace or Merry ~ $30
• For six or more banner blocks, each additional block will be $5.50.
• Shipping will be $4.95 Priority Mail

I'll take personal checks or PAYPAL.  Below are two samples.  I wish you could see them up close and personal because they are just fun and detailed!  From the photos, you can barely see the glitz!  I hope you love them as much as I do!  You can order them by clicking on the comments below or sending me a personal email, just below my picture on the upper left hand corner of the blog.  Thanks in advance!

 

For some other great holiday ideas, check out The Inspired Room!  Pretty awesome!  Have a great weekend!

There is as much greatness of mind in acknowledging a good turn, as in doing it.

Babies, bunco, Bigs and BOOM!

Thursday already!?  Thanksgiving one week away?  Seriously?!  It can't be!  Yesterday, I did get some serious shopping done and am happy for that but for some reason, as excited as I am about the holidays, I'm still basking in the lovely fall weather.  However, I'm ready for apple pie and stuffing and sweet potatoes!  Tis the season!

A few ramblings this morning:

• I had a few emails asking if I do the "Christmas Gift List" for the bigs, as well as the babes.  No.  My situation is unique where my bigs are concerned.  All three of them are in different places in their lives.  So, the best thing for them is to give them personalized gifts, unless they are home for Christmas, then they get jammies and stocking stuffers too.  Dale can buy anything he wants, but he loves my Salsa.  So, he gets salsas and jams from Mom's kitchen and is thrilled.  He is very non-material and difficult to buy for, so that works.  Kelly is so transient and not stable in her life.  Everything I've given her in the last ten years has been lost, stolen or disappeared.  (Don't get me going.)  So, for Kelly, it's cash or something she needs at that very moment (and there is always something).  Liza cherishes every gift I give her and she's so gracious about anything from the DVD that we loved seeing at the theater to the piece of furniture she never dreamed I'd remember her falling in love with all those months ago. So, I'm no help on that topic!  Oh, and for the grands... I love Marilyn's idea of a book and jammies and am going to be doing that plus making a small deposit into their savings accounts that we opened for them. 
• Totally random thought here... night before last, I'd stayed up working on my holiday project for two hours after Doug had gone to bed.  I sneaked into the bedroom at midnight, said my prayers and was climbing into bed when there was this HUGE flash of BRIGHT light!  It scared me!  I woke Doug and said, "BABE!  I think someone just flashed a spotlight into our house!"  Doug, who was sound asleep, said it was probably a police car looking for something and rolled back over to sleep.  I got up, looked out the windows, saw nothing and went nervously to bed, wondering what the heck!?  Yesterday afternoon, Mom was telling me about the meteor. What meteor? So, I turned on the news and, you guessed it, at 12:07, there was a meteor that lit up the skies of the western U.S.  Police car...hmph! (smirk.)
• I got to see Madi's baby yesterday for the first time. I wore a mask, but I did get to hold her!  I can't believe I didn't take my camera!  She's beautiful. I just cried.  A full head of jet black hair and the prettiest little lips. I still can't believe that Madi has given her my name for a middle name.  That's a first in my life and quite the honor.  I made a darling little baby blanket for her, which Natalie had taught me a whole new method of baby quilting.  Loved it.  I loved watching Carol love her first little granddaughter was choice! 
• BUNCO night was last night.  Tami made some very delish chicken. I'll try to post the recipe before tomorrow.  In all the years I've played, I've never won Traveler until last month.  Last night, I won it again.  And Most Buncos.  AND High Score!  Tami does a great job and always has great prizes.  I now have three lovely new bowls to add to my cookware!  You know that makes me happy!
• Last night, after Bunco, I hooked up with a few other friends for a late night Doris Day movie party.  I've had these movies for years and go through spurts where I can't get enough.  Last night, Send Me No Flowers.  We laughed out loud!  It was great!  I think I need to order a DVD collection from Amazon.  The VHS are tired!
• Today, my goal is to not leave the house. (Unless there's a lunch offer in there somewhere... that's always the "I'm staying home today" disclaimer!" We'll see how it goes.)  So far this week, I've been gone every day on the run, out to lunch, playing with friends, you name it.  I've got work to do before I can get to the Christmas decorating this weekend!  I'm working on my holiday project and will be posting it soon!  Nothing like a little public commitment to help me keep my rear in gear!  Have a great day!

Grow flowers of gratitude in the soil of prayer. 

Christmas or Kris-mess? #1 revised

Each year, I post a few holiday organizing ideas that have worked for me over the years.  In the past few years, we've modified/simplified our Christmas and it's working for us.  This year, I'm making a few changes and additions to this post.  They'll be in italics and are more the way we are doing things to fit our budget, our time and to make the holidays more about the birth of Christ than the gifts under the tree.  These simplifications seem to be improving our holidays a bit more each year and feel right for us.

THE NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THE HOLIDAYS (for moi!) The holiday notebook! Create a section in your planner or buy a small notebook for the holidays and attach it to your body. For the next two months, don’t let it leave your side, for two reasons... 1) you need to have instant access to it to record your thoughts as they happen and 2) you don’t want any sneaky peeks to see what’s in it! Create page headers or tabs in your notebook for all of the lists your be keeping. Lists, lists, lists!! This way, they are all together, where you need them! Two other important additions: A) Attach an envelope to the inside back of your little notebook and place EVERY receipt for EVERY purchase IMMEDIATELY into the envelope! B) A calendar of everyone’s events... from school recitals to when to see Santa at the mall to holiday get-together to last mailing dates.

I've made fun holiday planners by altering notebooks, I've used a small little notepad and I've kept a section in my planner, which works best for me.  But.  Whatever you do, get it together and keep it all together in some sort of portable system because having it with you at all times is the key.

And on to the list of lists! My notebook includes:

• A few pages for each person in my immediate family or recipients of more than one gift. On this page, I note little hints that are dropped by each family member. We give a week’s advanced notice and then hold a family counsel (where each year, Doug always says that this will be a small and humble holiday season that we’ll focus on the reason for the season and I agree completely until I go shopping and fight the "give them everything they ask for" demons!) Each person makes a "want list" asking for whatever they want. As the big kids were older, I always asked.... "Tell me five things you want in each category: $5 or less, $10 or less, $25 or less, $50, $100, and your ultimate gift. This gives me an idea of what to shoot for. The less expensive items end up being the stocking stuffers and it’s always amazing to me how practical the things they ask for.... new make-up, specific toiletries, school supplies that are lost already or need replacing....things that I might otherwise not have bought but wound just end up having to buy anyway later. Over the next weeks, after the family counsel, they think of more things that they want or need and I add them to my list.
  
   What we began doing last winter made for my personal favorite Christmas yet.  Instead of buying half the store for each child, we simplified things by making a list.  For each child, I purchase one gift in each of the categories below and stocking stuffers.   I have seven categories that work for us and our lifestyle.  I purchase:
• • a want ~ this is where their want list comes in.  This is usually the large gift item for the season (this year, ZJ wants a desk, Gracie wants new bedding...)
  • a need ~ this could be very similar to the want category and allows you to have some room for buying two wants.  Don't tell them.  OR it could be something that they literally need... Gracie's bedding could fit into this category because she's got a newly painted room and in my opinion, it needs new bedding.  ;)
  • a talent ~ something talent related... could be new piano music or a new camera or some art supplies...whatever fits your needs
  • a book ~ because reading is really THAT important that it gets a category.  We began this last year and it's been fun to hear how many times books have been mentioned this past few weeks as "That could be my book!!!"  I don't ever recall hearing my bigs ask for a book for Christmas because they were too busy asking for all the toys on TV commercials.  They know they aren't getting a bunch of toys, so they are excitedly thinking about their list of what they do get!
  • a movie ~ because that's what we do.  And we'll watch them during the holiday break together as a family
  • something spiritual ~ this could be anything from a new Tie for Quayd to wear to church to a Sounds for Sunday type CD for ZJ to listen to (she loves that kind of music) to a new picture of the temple for Gracie's bedroom
  • something to wear ~ because what would Christmas be without a new outfit to go back to school in.  Another plus to this plan is that by purchasing only one new outfit to wear, we can save all that money and go shopping for clothes after the holidays when things are all half-price.
  • Jammies to be opened for Christmas Eve
  • a game, puzzle or movie for the entire family to open on Christmas Eve morning after the chores are done to pass the time away on the longest day of the year.
    

This truly made last Christmas the best Christmas we have ever had.  Opening the gifts and guessing which category they were in was half the fun.  It simplified things for me because I made a list of the categories and have filled in the blanks with gifts for the past months and am almost done.  I didn't have to keep thinking "What more do I need?" and I knew that things were evenly purchased for everyone.  It was awesome and, at this point, it's how we will do Christmas from now on.  Back to the notebook...

• As I shop, I note the prices of items on their individual sections of my notebook and where to get the best bargains. I also note the ads and discounts so that I can save wherever possible. Ex: Last year, Fred Meyer had games on sale for a STEAL. It was buy one, get one free. I bought one Scene It and got one free. That beat the heck out of Shopko’s 30% off. Walmart will honor any other ads if you can prove it, so put this one to use as often as possible!(The one time of the year that I don't hate Wal-mart!) 
• A page listing those others that you will be giving a gift to... extended family, friends, teachers, co-workers....
• A section for food ideas, menus, treats, recipes. (Note little things like "I doubled the batch for the family party." so that next year, you can refer back to last year’s notebook and not have to second guess your memory this year!)
• A section for clever gift ideas (you know, like the 2Liter of Sprite with the "May your Days be Merry and Sprite" tag on it. I ask everyone I know during the holidays, "What’s your favorite neighbor gift so far?"
• A page for people who will get treats.  My good friend, Kara, shared their neighborhood's new tradition.  They all chose to not bake goodies and treats for each other last year.  Instead, they met together for a one hour open house, had donuts and cider and everyone donated money into a container.  Then, the host person from the neighborhood will choose a charity to deliver their collection/donations from the entire neighborhood.  This could be done by donating cash or food and taken to a foodbank.  I loved the idea.
• A page of people who will get small homemade gifts.
• A TO DO page for listing things that are out of the ordinary such as getting something special dry-cleaned, scheduling hair appointments, getting the dog groomed, when to order flowers, family pictures and so on.
• A page listing where I hid certain gifts.
• A projected budget. This way you can check it often and try harder to keep on track.
• A page listing the gifts purchased and wrapped. Wrap as you purchase! This eliminates staying up til 4AM on Christmas morning. You don’t need to put the bows on yet. But, as you shop and bring the gifts home, wrap them immediately and write a number on each gift in the same location. (I write the number on the center piece of tape on the bottom of the gift.) Then I keep a list in my planner that is formatted under these headings: #/ GIFT/ FOR / WHERE PURCHASED / PRICE. If I need to exchange or even open before the holiday, I know where it is. By not having names but only having numbers on the gifts, this keeps away peekers.(More on gift-wrapping later.) By keeping receipts and a list of purchased items and by labeling the wrapped items, if there is a significant difference in a sale price, I am not afraid to return the item to save the difference.)
• A list/section of expenses. Not just gift purchases. Write down everything you buy for the holidays from gift-wrap, tape, batteries, house decorations, postage, gas for shopping. It’s amazing to look back later and see EXACTLY how much you spent. And there is something about writing it down that makes you feel more accountable for every dime spent. Remember that a budget is not writing down what you've already spent.  It makes a huge difference to have a budget and work within it.

• A list of things that you would like to do next year for the holidays. We always hear of fun things that sound like great projects but it’s too late to do it this year. Keep a list and get started early next year on whatever it is that still "flips your trigger". Note things like performances that are not to be missed, movie openings, displays you heard were fabulous, food to try...
• A list/inventory of holiday DVDs and CDs is also good to keep on hand. I often see a CD and think I NEED THAT when Liza reminds me that we already have it. An inventory allows you to keep track of what you own and what you loan!
• A list of thank you’s to write. Lots of gifts are received before the big day. Keep track of who gave what and when so that thank yous are not a nightmare in January.
• A list of things that YOU would like for YOU! Then if your sweetie or kids ask, you can say, "I just happen to have my own list right here!"

You get the idea. Use this notebook to keep it all together. Make it work for you. Create lists that fit your needs. This list becomes your "Holiday Brain" from now until January 2 when the kids go back to school! And when the holidays are over, you’ve got a great record to keep on hand for further use.  You'll have the receipts gathered for any returns that need to be made.  You can really get a good overview of the holiday and determine what needs to be changed for the future. It really can make an immense difference in how well prepared and organized you are for the holidays ahead! So, get that notebook today and start getting it all together for the holidays!

The person who moves a mountain begins by carrying small stones.

THE NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THE HOLIDAYS (for moi!) The holiday notebook! Create a section in your planner or buy a small notebook for the holidays and attach it to your body. For the next two months, don’t let it leave your side, for two reasons... 1) you need to have instant access to it to record your thoughts as they happen and 2) you don’t want any sneaky peeks to see what’s in it! Create page headers or tabs in your notebook for all of the lists your be keeping. Lists, lists, lists!! This way, they are all together, where you need them! Two other important additions: A) Attach an envelope to the inside back of your little notebook and place EVERY receipt for EVERY purchase IMMEDIATELY into the envelope! B) A calendar of everyone’s events... from school recitals to when to see Santa at the mall to holiday get-together to last mailing dates.

I've made fun holiday planners by altering notebooks, I've used a small little notepad and I've kept a section in my planner, which works best for me.  But.  Whatever you do, get it together and keep it all together in some sort of portable system because having it with you at all times is the key.

And on to the list of lists! My notebook includes:

• A few pages for each person in my immediate family or recipients of more than one gift. On this page, I note little hints that are dropped by each family member. We give a week’s advanced notice and then hold a family counsel (where each year, Doug always says that this will be a small and humble holiday season that we’ll focus on the reason for the season and I agree completely until I go shopping and fight the "give them everything they ask for" demons!) Each person makes a "want list" asking for whatever they want. As the big kids were older, I always asked.... "Tell me five things you want in each category: $5 or less, $10 or less, $25 or less, $50, $100, and your ultimate gift. This gives me an idea of what to shoot for. The less expensive items end up being the stocking stuffers and it’s always amazing to me how practical the things they ask for.... new make-up, specific toiletries, school supplies that are lost already or need replacing....things that I might otherwise not have bought but wound just end up having to buy anyway later. Over the next weeks, after the family counsel, they think of more things that they want or need and I add them to my list.
  
   What we began doing last winter made for my personal favorite Christmas yet.  Instead of buying half the store for each child, we simplified things by making a list.  For each child, I purchase one gift in each of the categories below and stocking stuffers.   I have seven categories that work for us and our lifestyle.  I purchase:
• • a want ~ this is where their want list comes in.  This is usually the large gift item for the season (this year, ZJ wants a desk, Gracie wants new bedding...)
  • a need ~ this could be very similar to the want category and allows you to have some room for buying two wants.  Don't tell them.  OR it could be something that they literally need... Gracie's bedding could fit into this category because she's got a newly painted room and in my opinion, it needs new bedding.  ;)
  • a talent ~ something talent related... could be new piano music or a new camera or some art supplies...whatever fits your needs
  • a book ~ because reading is really THAT important that it gets a category.  We began this last year and it's been fun to hear how many times books have been mentioned this past few weeks as "That could be my book!!!"  I don't ever recall hearing my bigs ask for a book for Christmas because they were too busy asking for all the toys on TV commercials.  They know they aren't getting a bunch of toys, so they are excitedly thinking about their list of what they do get!
  • a movie ~ because that's what we do.  And we'll watch them during the holiday break together as a family
  • something spiritual ~ this could be anything from a new Tie for Quayd to wear to church to a Sounds for Sunday type CD for ZJ to listen to (she loves that kind of music) to a new picture of the temple for Gracie's bedroom
  • something to wear ~ because what would Christmas be without a new outfit to go back to school in.  Another plus to this plan is that by purchasing only one new outfit to wear, we can save all that money and go shopping for clothes after the holidays when things are all half-price.
  • Jammies to be opened for Christmas Eve
  • a game, puzzle or movie for the entire family to open on Christmas Eve morning after the chores are done to pass the time away on the longest day of the year.
    

a little senior wisdom and some rambling

Last night was our Senior Singles Family Home Evening and what a treat!  A couple in our ward offered to host it at their home and prepare a lovely Thanksgiving style dinner for us all.  It was fabulous and couldn't have been better timed for me, still sort of reeling from the whole insane weekend.  The meal was fantastic.  The tables were beautiful. All I had to do was arrive with fresh baked rolls and give the lesson.

My lesson was simple...on gratitude.  I shared yesterday's blog entry and we had a few laughs, then I asked the table talk questions.  There were only two and everyone answered them.  The two questions:

1. Aside from family, friends and the gospel, what is something you are thankful for?

2. What is a trial you’ve had that you can find reason to be thankful for today?

The answers were surprising.  Several mentioned losing their spouses and what they'd learned from that experience.  A few mentioned their divorces and how they'd grown from them. One shared how their husband had turned the finances over to her so that she'd know how to if she ever had to.  She expressed how much she appreciated his faith in her even though she still makes mistakes sometimes, and never enjoys it, she's grateful she was entrusted her with this because he passed away two years ago and now she can do it. One mentioned not getting a job that he was the most qualified for then only weeks later, being hired for a job that became his career. Another mentioned that while most would have thought it a hardship, the greatest blessing in her life was raising a daughter born with Downs Syndrome to the age of fifty before the daughter passed away. (And she meant it because we had all watched her for years.)  Another mentioned the blessing of having his wife pass quickly and not have to suffer.  It was also impressive how many felt that they have not had trials in their lives, only a few hardships.  They didn't look upon them as trials.  Beautiful! 

In answer to the first question, my favorite answer, following many serious answers about health, specific people and experiences, came from Sister Duncan, who simply said, "I'm thankful for Diet Coke!"  We all burst out laughing!  She's a pill!  As everyone was leaving, she commented that she was so grateful she'd come because she'd sat home during the day thinking the opposite of what we all agreed on that evening... that life was just plain hard. We all went away counting out blessings and it felt great! 

Time for me to be redundant.  I love my calling with these seniors!  What a blessing they are to me!

A few ramblings:

• Speaking of gratitude, have I mentioned how much I love this little bubby (not a baby, not a puppy=a bubby).  When I came home after three days away, he would not leave my side.  Yes, I admit it!  I'm a dog person! 100%!  I love dogs!  And mostly this one! Yesterday, Go-Go spent three and half hours sitting at the door of my gallery growling at a helium balloon that Gracie had tied to a headband, as it floated in the hallway.  He growled and barked making sure that it didn't even think of coming in to get me!  He's such a watch dog! ;)
• Dancing with the Stars ~ Our local news did an interview with Donny Osmond last night and he shared that he broke his toe in week three and hasn't stopped to care for it and won't until the season is over.  I LOVE Donny!  Love watching Kelly dance.  Love Derek.  I still don't think it's right that Mya is in the competition since she was a professional dancer (one of the Tango girls in the movie, "Chicago") before the show began.  I'm just saying.  But, then...who am I to say?  If she doesn't win, I'll be shocked.  Happy, but shocked.
• I have had several emails requesting links to some of my Christmas organization blog entries and also wondering if I'll be making any holiday projects to share or sell this season.  I'll be posting the blog entries over the next week and will be, hopefully, sharing some fun projects as well!  Thanks for asking!
• Nine more days and no one can tease me about jumping the gun!  Well, they can still tease, but it won't be jumping the gun anymore! Happiness!
• I can not wait to see these babies that have been born!  Please pass me coughing no more!!!
• Lunch today, Bunco tomorrow night, one trip to town for Quayd to exchange a belated birthday gift and I'm locking myself in the house until Sunday, if possible, to do some creating, to prepare my home for decorating and to begin!  This weekend, the trees go up!  Happiness!

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation."

Friday the 13th... really?

The weekend was filled with emotional highs and lows and I was on the verge of tears almost every minute.  What started out to be a fun-filled overnighter with Marilyn turned into three days of ups and downs!  In the end, all is well, but sheesh, talk about emotional overdose!

First and most important, is that Friday was my granddaughter, Zaylee's first birthday, which we celebrated last night, for obvious reasons below.  On Friday afternoon, I received the call that my favorite niece, Brooke, who was two weeks overdue, had had an emergency C-section, after a very long and difficult labor to deliver a healthy baby boy! Thankfully, all was well.  Later that evening, Carol called to tell me that Madi had delivered a sweet baby girl, Makayla Sophia! (When Madi told me a few months ago that she had chosen Sophia, I cried.  When she was born and it became a reality, I cried even harder!) I am off my antibiotics tomorrow and am anxious to see both of these new little family members.  Isn't that interesting that all three babies will share the same birthday!

I also find it quite interesting that in thirty-two years of marriage, ONLY ONCE, have I had car trouble when Doug was within 100 miles of me. Only once have I had car trouble when it was in town.  For some reason, my vehicles, through the years, seem to know when I'm far from home, from Doug, from a mechanic that I can know and trust and when I least can afford a major repair...ie... six weeks before Christmas.

Suffice it to say, Marilyn has now joined the very small and short list of people to see Sophia have a major meltdown.  Okay, several.  I tried to keep my thoughts positive and we even laughed in the middle of my tears.  But, here's a few things that, I feel, would send just about anybody over the edge...

• driving 60 blocks through Salt Lake City to find a Zions Bank and breaking down smack dab in the middle of downtown SLC right in front of the Zions 20 story tall corporate office building... No drive-up window there.
• having my alternator go out right on the tracks of our Salt Lake's Transit system in an intersection
• having to ask two hand-holding guys and a woman to help push me out of the intersection before the train came
• the alternator so dead that the power window would roll up for quite some time after rolling it down to ask them to push
• sitting in the dark and cold shadows of the tall downtown buildings for HOURS while finding a tow truck, a mechanic and waiting!!
• Being nervous about having a sizable amount of cash in my pocket needing to be deposited because I'd just paid for a large purchase with my debit card when the business that I was dealing with would not take a cash payment while scary looking people kept walking around the block and seeing me sit there for. ev.er!  (Remember, I am the smalltown girl from the big city.)
• Having a laptop, a camera, my new purchases all in a van, while waiting in a three minute parking zone that I'd been pushed into and not feeling like I could leave the van alone.  (On second thought, it might have been a quicker way to get a towtruck.)
• wanting/needing a Diet Coke very badly!
• riding in a tow truck that had not been cleaned in several years, based on the filledcab of empty Marlboro packs (germaphobia kicked in)
• a very nice but clumsy driver spilling his coffee all over the console of the cab of the truck where my suede purse was resting
• going to the first mechanic shop, holding my cellphone on speakerphone so that my husband (who was 100 miles away and could have fixed this himself in 45 minutes and for the cost of the part only) debated the ridiculously over-priced estimate with the mechanic who would not budge. 
• Being in the middle of this debate, wanting to just get the dang thing repaired so that I could get on my way but not wanting to pay double the cost for the parts because it is five weeks before Christmas
• getting back into the smokey tow truck and being driven to the second mechanic in the middle of who the heck knows where in the dark and praying that Marilyn would be there before the ax murderers at the next mechanic shop got me (this was before I was there and was letting my imagination go wild)
• arriving there and feeling pretty close to right about my wild imaginations, but their price was $150 less than the last guy and hearing that it was too late to order a part until morning and that they'd get to it first thing
• knowing that I was going to have to stay another night with Marilyn when it was Friday night and her husband had been out of town to a different city every day for a week and was, surely, going to be ready for a peaceful quiet night at home with his wife and not her chatty friend
• waking up to snow, more snow and more snow, all day long while we waited for the "first thing in the morning" repair job to turn into, after several phone calls, "You're car is ready for pick-up at 4:00." when it was still snowing fiercely every place from Marilyn's home to mine and getting dark and temps predicted to be dropping to the teens meaning ice instead of snow on the roads and a canyon to drive through in a car that may or may not be repaired by said strange ax murderers.
• Meaning that I was going to end up crashing Marilyn's make and take event of the year with her daughters, that I was going to have to wear the extra pair of Quayd's socks that I had found in the bottom of my overnight bag (the overnight that now would be three overnights), that I would be lucky to get home in time for a missionary farewell for the son of a good friend of mine and who I've adored for years since teaching him in Sunday School and that it was Sunday, so this meant no Taipan, no Roberts and no Target shopping on my way home, as planned. (Yes, now I'm really whining.)
• Arriving home ten minutes before Sacrament Meeting started, needing so shower and get ready first and knowing that I'd be missing all but the last ten minutes of the meeting and would probably cause a huge outburst, MOMMMMMYYYYYYY!!! from three children who were starting to wonder if I was every coming home! So, I missed it completely.

While sitting in a cold van forever, I did try to count my blessings and along the way home, I did a lot of thankful thinking...

• If you're going to be stranded in a city away from home, who better to be stranded with than a wonderful friend who's hospitality is abundantly generous ... to the point that they threaten to slap you if you bring up being a burden again.
• There were those two nice guys and woman who pushed.  They could have just kept walking.
• I know the bank manager, who hopefully will be merciful.  
• The tow truck driver could have been cranky, but instead was very nice and even called me "wonderful" because I wasn't grumpy over the whole situation. (I didn't start actually crying until I saw Marilyn!)
• The tow truck driver could have charged me for two tows since he actually did take me to two places instead of one.
• The mechanic did get the job done and done well for the price he initially estimated and didn't add on another $350 in other things.
• Marilyn's Make and Take...oh my!  AND we went to Porcupine Grill, which is a favorite of mine!  Getting to know Marilyn's girls was a gift.  They are amazing and wonderful and giving and talented and delightful!
• A huge blessing of the whole catastrophe was that I'd made a large purchase and being that I was "stranded" with time on my hands, I opened it and discovered there was a problem that caused total replacement.  Had I been at home before this discovery, it would have meant another trip down.  When I did the exchange, I got some detailed "How To" information that will really benefit me in the long run!  HUGE!
• Marilyn and David were so helpful and wonderful and tolerant of their embarrassed, emotional houseguest.
• The drive home was breathtakingly beautiful...blue skies, white covered valleys and mountains and the icy roads were slushy and melting in most places where the sun was hitting already.
• All this happened on Friday afternoon, which meant no special arrangements had to be made for the babes because Doug was home all weekend with them.
• Natalie did my display table for the Relief Society.  Mom is home from St. George and made a big pot of soup for the fam to eat on Saturday and I'd made bread before I left. 
• My family really missed me and appreciated having me home!
• It's so good to be home and begin moving forward with the holidays!
• Zaylee was a delight to watch as she opened her gifts and ate her chocolate cupcake.  Too sweet! 
• I'm sure I'm not counting all the blessings because there is always sunshine behind every cloud.
• And then, there's those babies... awesome!

Today, I'm getting my house back in order, cleaning up the remains of Zaylee's birthday party and getting things set up for Senior Singles tonight.  A wonderful couple in our ward has offered to host it at their home and is even preparing the meal.  My part will be the rolls and decorating the tables, the lesson and tabletalk.  Their service couldn't have happened at a better time! I'm thinking thankful thoughts this morning!  Enough said!

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel. 

appreciation

 

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

On being nice

This post was originally published in October 2005:

  I’m exhausted! It’s been THE longest week as I’ve been watching the clock, anticipating a possible confrontation. I hate confrontation...with a passion. Fortunately, for me, it never happened. Rather, when facing the matter at hand face on, things went very well, very much the way I’d been hoping and praying that they would. I couldn’t not be more pleased. But, it never could have or would have taken place, had I not eaten a bite or two of humble pie and realized that ever-so valuable lesson that I somehow need a regular reminder of... be nice! This is such an important lesson that I’m seriously thinking that I need to have tattooed across my forehead!

It’s amazing to me is how differently people react to certain situations... Some react by flying off the handle or on the opposite end of the spectrum, others react by calmly and patiently looking at the big picture. This week, I’ve seen, first hand, both sides of that coin.

My husband is just as calm and patient as can be. This week, I’d sent a letter to someone in haste, without really thinking it through, making some pretty bold statements that would probably have been better left unsaid. Had I thought it out first, I would never have said many of the things that I did. It wasn’t vicious or mean, it was just strongly worded and definitely not well thought-out. I shared the communication with Doug as soon as he came in from work. His first words were, "You didn’t send that yet, did you?" Almost ashamed that I’d disappointed him, I confessed that I had.

My lack of thinking it through resulted in a reaction from the person at the other end of the line...a strong reaction. Doug and I discussed it, I rewrote my same thoughts in a more positive, less reactionary manner and sent a second correspondence. This time, my thoughts were received in a much more positive manner, resulting in a very positive outcome. Had I just left things where they were the first time, it would never have been such a pleasant resolve in the end. It was a difference of day and night... and all because I practiced a little self-control.

I’m grateful for that lesson, one that I’ve needed reminding on many times in my life. Being rational, thinking things thru before reacting, always is the best route to go! Wouldn’t it be nice if it were always just as simple as that? But, it’s not. Doug’s example to me to think and reeeeeally ponder the situation before reacting is one of the best influences in my life. He calmly and patiently stands by me, sometimes allowing me to learn my lessons the hard way, but more often than not, he wisely suggests, never forces or even tells me, that I might want to think about things before I react. And when I do, 99.9% of the time, the outcome is far more of what I’m seeking than not.

Some people, I’m convinced, are just born with more "nice" genes than others. But, the thing I’ve learned from my husband, who definitely was blessed with an "overabundance" of niceness is that you don’t have to be born nice. You can develop those nice genes and like muscles, the more you use them, the stronger they are. Being nice. I highly recommend it.

  I’m exhausted! It’s been THE longest week as I’ve been watching the clock, anticipating a possible confrontation. I hate confrontation...with a passion. Fortunately, for me, it never happened. Rather, when facing the matter at hand face on, things went very well, very much the way I’d been hoping and praying that they would. I couldn’t not be more pleased. But, it never could have or would have taken place, had I not eaten a bite or two of humble pie and realized that ever-so valuable lesson that I somehow need a regular reminder of... be nice! This is such an important lesson that I’m seriously thinking that I need to have tattooed across my forehead!

It’s amazing to me is how differently people react to certain situations... Some react by flying off the handle or on the opposite end of the spectrum, others react by calmly and patiently looking at the big picture. This week, I’ve seen, first hand, both sides of that coin.

My husband is just as calm and patient as can be. This week, I’d sent a letter to someone in haste, without really thinking it through, making some pretty bold statements that would probably have been better left unsaid. Had I thought it out first, I would never have said many of the things that I did. It wasn’t vicious or mean, it was just strongly worded and definitely not well thought-out. I shared the communication with Doug as soon as he came in from work. His first words were, "You didn’t send that yet, did you?" Almost ashamed that I’d disappointed him, I confessed that I had.

My lack of thinking it through resulted in a reaction from the person at the other end of the line...a strong reaction. Doug and I discussed it, I rewrote my same thoughts in a more positive, less reactionary manner and sent a second correspondence. This time, my thoughts were received in a much more positive manner, resulting in a very positive outcome. Had I just left things where they were the first time, it would never have been such a pleasant resolve in the end. It was a difference of day and night... and all because I practiced a little self-control.

I’m grateful for that lesson, one that I’ve needed reminding on many times in my life. Being rational, thinking things thru before reacting, always is the best route to go! Wouldn’t it be nice if it were always just as simple as that? But, it’s not. Doug’s example to me to think and reeeeeally ponder the situation before reacting is one of the best influences in my life. He calmly and patiently stands by me, sometimes allowing me to learn my lessons the hard way, but more often than not, he wisely suggests, never forces or even tells me, that I might want to think about things before I react. And when I do, 99.9% of the time, the outcome is far more of what I’m seeking than not.

Some people, I’m convinced, are just born with more "nice" genes than others. But, the thing I’ve learned from my husband, who definitely was blessed with an "overabundance" of niceness is that you don’t have to be born nice. You can develop those nice genes and like muscles, the more you use them, the stronger they are. Being nice. I highly recommend it.

crazy ten with Marilyn

What an amazing day!  Marilyn and I had the best time yesterday doing things much different than normal.  Instead of thinking about home decor, we did a little Christmas shopping.  We found the most darling PJs for Christmas, found some fun holiday project ideas, grocery shopped, and a few other things.  Funny thing is that the point of this trip was to make a specific Christmas project.  We never got to it!  As a matter of fact, we totally forgot about it till we got home.  When we got home, we had a fun dinner that we brought in and watched two great movies, then gabbed until almost two.  Something else that we don't normally do! 

This morning, a quick ten's list:

Ten things we ate yesterday:

1. Chicken Marsala at Cheesecake Factory
2. Shrimp Scampi
3. Crab Salad
4. Bridge Mix
5. Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake candies
6. Chocolate covered caramel pretzels
7. Chips and Salsa
8. Lemon Bars (We needed fruits)
9. Grapes (See how healthy we are!)
10. Pomegranate 7-Up (see... more fruit!)

Nine places we went:

1. XpedX
2. The Store
3. Pebbles in my Pocket
4. The Children's Place
5. Fashion Place Mall
6. Cheesecake Factory
7. Orson Gygi's
8. Roberts Crafts
9. Kinkos/FedEx

Eight things we talked about:

1. Our kids
2. Our husbands
3. Our homes
4. Being kind
5. Serving others
6. Christmas
7. Wal-mart (I hate Wal-Mart!)
8. Ideas, Ideas, Ideas!

Seven things we did:

1. Bought Christmas Jammies for kids and grands
2. Cut a gazillion tags for a project
3. Found some serious mojo
4. Watched movies and munched
5. Stayed up way too late
6. Visited with Marilyn's mother-in-law
7. Shopped till we dropped

Six things we said often:

1. Oh!  Look at this!
2. I love __________!  (Insert name, item, person...)
3. I'm so full!
4. That's fabulous!
5. Let's _____!
6. Next!

Five words to describe Marilyn and Sophia when they are together:

1. wide-eyed
2. creative
3. chatty
4. comfortable
5. FULL.

Four things we didn't do:

1. Go to Taipan (okay, I may stop in on my way home just for a little extra holiday mojo!)
2. Make our project
3. Stop talking
4. Go hungry

Three "moments" of my day:

1. Seeing the deer in Marilyn's yard just sit there and watch us get out of car
2. One aha! conversation we had
3. A lesson learned by example

Two wonderful movies we watched:

1. Lucky Seven with Patrick Dempsey
2. Mrs. Potter with Rene' Zellwiger

One

1. ZJ called me after school sobbing!  SOB.BING!  She and her best friend had a fight and I could barely understand her, she was so upset.  I tried consoling her and the sobbing continued.  Finally, I tried to change the subject and in the same breathe that she was sobbing, she said, "Okay, I gotta call Dad now.  Love you, bye."  The end.  I cracked up!

Not checking my spelling or anything.  Just a quick quote and I'm off! 

Compared to friendship, gold is dirt!

this, that and the other

I'm writing quickly and racing off this morning to Marilyn's!  Here's a few random thoughts:

• This is the fun game we played the other night.  Try it!  How to play "Take Two":

You need a Scrabble game but you do not need the board.  Place all the tiles facedown on the table and every player takes seven, leaving them facedown until all players are ready.  At "Go" and each player turns their tiles over and begins to make words out of their tiles, like you were playing Scrabble alone... Ex:  if you had the letters STAPRID, you could make the word DRIP going across and then TAPS going down using the common P.  NOTE: each player is making their own puzzle, you do not work on each others words.  As soon one player has used all seven of their letters, that player says "Draw Two".  Each player draws two and continues playing, building their own "puzzle".  You can undo, rearrange or whatever is necessary to use all of the letters you have.  Again, when someone has used all their letters, they call out Take Two.  This repeats until all of the letters are used and the last person calls out Take Two, meaning they've used all of their letters.  They win.  It's fast, it's fun.  You can talk a lot while playing.  FUN!  (We decided last night that for six players, you should use two sets of scrabble tiles)

• The kitchen set was sold yesterday...actually twice.  ZJ was one happy camper to come home from school to the good news! No need for Craigslist on that one! Gee, anyone want to buy Quayd's Playstation2 and a bunch of games?  It's packed and ready to deliver! It's not as cute as the kitchen was but it could even be mailed! ;) 
• We've got snow on it's way! 
• Natalie brought over a tray of just out of the oven cinnamon rolls last night just as we were winding down.  Mmmmmmmmm! 
• Have I mentioned that I'm heading south today?
• Have I mentioned that I'm slightly excited about that!
• As Doug walked outside to leave for work, there were firetrucks, an ambulance, police cars all across the street at our neighbor's.  Lights were flashing everywhere.  No sirens.  Doug left driving through it all. A few minutes later, it was time for Quayd to go. Quayd walked out the door, concerned about whether he should cross the street like he always does or stay on this side, away from the emergency vehicles.  We kissed and hugged goodbye, I closed the door and headed to the kitchen and heard the door open again. Quayd called out "Make good choices!"   I was so caught up in worrying about my neighbor and trying to get myself out the door this morning, I'd completely spaced saying it! OOPS!  MY BAD!  This time, I watched him cross the street, like always.  
  
  As Quayd was crossing the street, Gracie comes bouncing up stairs, as bubbly as always, almost singing, "Good morning! Is it snowing?" she looked outside to see if that's what I was looking at, sees the lights flashing and interrupts herself, "WHAT THE?!"  It was hysterical. Two minutes later, she and I were in the gallery when ZJ comes upstairs and asked her, "Did you see Sister Weeks' house?"  She walked into the living room for a second, came back to us and calmly said, "Did she get a new fence or something?" HUH??  The emergency traffic was all gone.  Apparently, no crisis after all across the street, thankfully.  What a crazy morning. 

I've got to load the dryer, get the girls and myself off to school and head south for some serious F-U-N!! 

It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day basis.

yesterday, today and tomorrow

Last night, I taught a little mini-class for the Young Women in our ward about decorating/organizing their rooms.  I kept it short and sweet and did not take half the house with me because we decided that in January, after my girls have their rooms completed and after my friend Natalie is done with her daughter's room, we're going to have a Bedroom type home tour for the Young Women and give them more specific examples.  I shared some quick and inexpensive ideas on how to spiff up their rooms on a dime, tips on organizing and making their rooms a representation of themselves.  As I told them, the quickest way to spice up your room is to clean it! which for most teens, that could make a world of difference! 

After my little presentation, the girls made jewelry hangers out of old frames.  I've yet to make my own but plan on that before the week is over!  I'll share a little tutorial when I do. Juli had the most brilliant idea to spray paint them all instead of brush painting, which made for one very quick project!  All in all, I think that all sixteen girls had a good time.  I know I did! 

I've not worked in the Young Women for years (and I really don't want to now...maybe when my own girls are there) but I can't imagine a better bunch of girls to be with than the girls in our ward.  They are respectful and courteous and they all have just the most wholesome attitudes.  I was impressed. 

Gracie is most excited about all of this excitement for two reasons.  She's realizing that she's only a year away from going to Young Womens.  Now that Quayd goes to Young Mens, she's very aware that she's next!  AND....

She's totally excited about her new bedroom makeover. She talks about it constantly.  Even her teachers told me last week which paint color she had. She has asked for nothing but "room stuff" and can hardly wait to find new bedding under the tree. ZJ is in the same mode, simply because of her big sister. I don't think that we'll see too many toys this Christmas under the tree because no one's asking.  NO complaints from me!  I have to laugh every time Gracie mentions her list... new bedding and colored socks. According to Gracie, colored socks are a fashion statement and white socks just keep your feet warm.  Colored socks it is.

ZJ has decided to sell her "little girl" kitchen. It's darling and we paid $120 for it at TRU. I've been going to put it on Craigslist for a few weeks.  I hate having to price things to sell.  Any suggestions on that one?  Better yet, anyone local that's interested?   It's in good shape and she's including some food and dishes. It's the cutest kitchen I'd ever seen and actually matches the the colors in her newly painted room quite well but she wants a desk in it's spot to do her scrapbooking!  Ya gotta love that!

I'm trying to make up for lost time since we all started our rounds of the flu!  My goal for the day is to get things in order and do some organizing and last minute dejunking so that the Christmas decorations can come out next weekend!  Gee, and I might want to make a grocery list for Thanksgiving dinner soon.  It's two weeks from today! And Christmas Eve is six weeks from today! 

Here are a few trivial Christmas facts from my warped over-zealous sense of holiday spirit:

• Christmas is 44 days away.
• Christmas is 6 weekends away.
• There are really only 33 shopping days left until Christmas because I don't shop on Sundays or Christmas Eve.
• There are three pay periods left until Christmas.
• The lights on our house go up this weekend! 
• The lights on our house go as soon as the trees go up!
• Our Christmas trees go up in 8 days!
• Our Christmas trees will come down in 47 days!
• There are only 14 days until I can play my Christmas music all day everyday out of the closet without complaints from anyone!

Tomorrow, I'm heading south to Marilyn's for some project making, a movie or two, some certain nummy eating and a little store-gazing!  I'm leaving as soon as the girls are off to school, for a little overnight fun and will return on Friday.  I'm loving life!  It is gooo-ooood!  Enough said!

A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.

name them one by one

Last night, we had an impromptu Family Home Evening.  I'd had something else planned but it wasn't falling into place, so Doug offered to pitch hit and it turned out to be one awesome family night activity.  Doug talked about the Law of Abundance, which basically states that the more we give, the more we receive, so there is no need to hold back on giving, loving, serving others.  Sort of the "what goes around comes around" theory.  He talked about how we should be happy for others when they have something that we may or may not have and how it doesn't matter what others have.  What matters is what we do with what we have.  Very good lesson, on the kids' level of understanding.  They got it. 

Then, we passed out a piece of paper and pen to everyone and he asked to take three minutes and write down some of the things we are thankful for.  The responses:

Quayd wrote:  I am thankful for all of my talents, thankful for the talks I've given, for our adoption and for the Holy Ghost.  Then he continued with a list - it had bullets...arsty bullets.  He's very right brained.

• my family that cares
• my friends
• Go-Go
• all of our comforts
• knowledge
• the soldiers
• Mom's cooking
• nature
• the scriptures
• Jesus Christ
• Heavenly Father

Gracie wrote I am thankful for my:

1. home
2. my family
3. my things
4. my brothers and sisters
5. my mom and dad
6. our dog
7. the food that mom makes
8. the money dad makes
9. our happiness
10. our love
11. our friends
12. our cousins and family
13. the things we do
14. that we are adopted

ZJ's list was short but sweet and she drew a family picture along with it:

1. getting adopted
2. having a great family
3. having a home
4. that I'm an American
5. that we are on earth
6. That I'm a Corbridge
7. that we have Go-Go.

Here's Doug's sweet list:

1. A good Life
2. My wonderful wife
3. Amazing children and grandchildren
4. My good parents
5. Sophia's good parents
6. Freedom
7. A good job
8. My Melaleuca Business
9. Our bountiful garden and fruit trees
10. The good food that Sophia prepares
11. All of the good music out there
12. Our warm home
13. Good health
14. Great friends
15. the church
16. the gospel of Jesus Christ
17. and a few others that I can't decipher from his "shorthand"

My list, which I mention frequently here at one point or another:

1. The gospel
2. Doug
3. our children and grandchildren
4. our parents
5. our extended family
6. wonderful friends
7. a beautiful home
8. My talents
9. My health
10. My freedom
11. Living in the mountains of Utah
12. Music
13. Fun times and good memories
14. The ranch
15. Go-Go
16. Doug's talents and hard work ethics
17. Our garden
18. the Temple
19. knowledge
20. the scriptures
21. Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

It was so fun to compare our lists and see who had the same things on theirs.  As one person would read something on their list, everyone would say "Me too!  I have that!" or "I should have written that one too!"  A simple family home evening that meant a lot to count our blessings out loud!  Enough said.

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.

it works for me!

Well, I did go to the doctor on Friday morning and was informed that I have bronchitis and put on some nice antibiotic.  I'd called for the appointment and said that I was supposed to be going out of town at 11, so they got me in immediately.  I walked out of the doctor's office at five till eleven. The doctor advised, "If you want my honest opinion, I'd stay home.  You need the rest and no one will get any because you'll be coughing all night and keep everyone up.  However, I have a feeling you're going to go anyway, so I'm going to send you with a mask."

I came home, called the GNO group and shared the doctor's advise, giving them all a choice of postponing our weekend until after the holidays or going without me.  I liked Natalie's advise better than the doctor's.  "You will get more rest at the ranch than you will at home because at home, you'll still be Mom, cooking, doing laundry....  At the ranch, you can rest and not worry about a thing."  Everyone agreed.  Thank you, Doctor Natalie.

And. So.  Off we went for our overnighter of fun and laughter and food.  I'm not sure which we had the most of.  We'd actually discussed the possibility of a Ranch GNO with only healthy treats or none at all.  But why!?  It's only a few times a year.  So, we make up for all the treatless days during the rest of the year in one night!  We laughed until we cried, watched two old movies and tried to play one game.  We got to the first question which led to a discussion that two hours later, we were ready for the next.  That's what happens when good friends, all women who like to talk get together.  We do!  I won't mention what time we went to bed, but the doctor said rest, not sleep, right?

I did rest.  I didn't wash a dish, cook a thing, clean a thing.  I was taken care of.  I have no voice but still did my share of talking.  (Imagine that.)  It was great to get away even if I wasn't feeling my best.  I'm convinced that laughter really is the best medicine.  What a gift to have such fun and caring friends!

A few ramblings:

• My friend, Susan, from Ohio, who I've known since before Kelly was born, sent me a link to share that there's a new Straight No Chaser Christmas CD.  That's a second one!  I discovered them last year and ranted all season about them.  It's awesome!  I shared the "Christmas Can-Can" with Doug last night and he laughed out loud!  Very fun... a must for Christmas!
• I did go to church because Quayd was to give his first talk in Sacrament Meeting.  He'd been prepared since Wednesday, so when I got home from the ranch, he was ready to review it with me a few more times.  He had it more than half memorized.  He came upstairs yesterday morning, dressed in his suit, ready to go an hour before the girls were even awake.  And he did a great job.  He spoke softly and had to have the mike pulled closer but he did a great job.   We even had phone calls from ward members to tell him all afternoon.  How thoughtful is that!  I love our ward.  I love my boy!
• We'll be putting up the holiday decor on the weekend of the 20th!  That works for our schedule and I will be able to focus on Thanksgiving all the next week! 
• Sarah sent me this little meme.  It was short and sweet and telling of what's on my mind!  ;) 

1. Alarm : clock
2. Guest : list
3. Worm :virus
4. Puppies : Fancy
5. Honor: Integrity
6. No! : Please?
7. Stomach :flat
8. Counter :top
9. Waffles : brunch
10. Plates : tablescape

That's it on this beautiful lovely and bright Monday morning!  I'm off to lunch with a friend and home for more much needed rest.  "Yeh, right", Doug would say.

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because some day in life you will have been all of these.

Progress....

Here's the new home being built to replace the little house that was destroyed by the explosion at the ranch last spring....  It's going to be great!

Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.

the i-beam ~ previously posted November 5, 2005

 

It’s been a long day. Gracie’s had a tummy ache since about 2:45AM and I’ve held her most of the day. She drank one cup of apple juice all day long. She was crying as I tucked her into bed tonight. I hope that this bug passes quickly.

The story is told of a man who was taken to the top of an 80 story building. There was another building of equal height across from it. Strategically placed between the two buildings was an I- beam. There was a huge wind storm and it was raining fiercely. The man was then offered ten dollars to walk the beam to the other building top. Naturally, he refused. The man was then offered a thousand dollars. Again, he refused. Fifty thousand dollars. No. A million dollars to walk the beam in the wind and the rain with no ropes or ties to secure him. Again, he refused. The man was adamant that he’d never risk his life to do something so insane with nothing to secure him to the beam. He was then told that he had one last chance to walk the beam. As he was ready to insist that NOTHING would change his mind, he looked out to the center of the beam and there was his young child, wavering on the beam from the other side, practically to the center. Without hesitation, the man raced to the center to save the life of his child. His perspective, his priorities were completely changed.

I get chills whenever I think of this story. The question that followed, "What would you walk the beam for?" Naturally, any mother would immediately respond, "My children". Most women would answer, "My husband or mate", but this story is much deeper than this. We walk this beam every day with each and every minute of our lives. Every decision, every activity, every moment that we spend is, literally, a step on that beam. It’s all about priorities. What we do with our time each day is where our priorities truly lie. We freely give our time and energy to the things that matter the most to us. I know that I can easily excuse myself out of the things that don’t appeal to me... the prize on the other side isn’t big enough. But, the more value I see in the prize on the other side, the easier it is for me to walk that beam.

As I held Gracie this afternoon, we rocked and we talked. I enjoyed the time spent together but must confess that I was looking at my scrapbook desk, thinking about the idle time, just passing me by. I thought about the laundry in the dryer... about the reading that I wanted to do... about the trip into the mall that I’d planned on making this afternoon. And then it hit me, this time was priceless. This time was not wasted at all. Gracie needed me.

After I tucked her into bed tonight, I unloaded and reloaded the dryer. While folding the clothes, I started thinking about my day, how much time I had spent just holding Gracie. I did read several blogs off and on throughout the day with her in my arms. I watched a little TV with her in my arms. I did manage to fit in a bath while she napped. No scrapping done. No shopping. Leftovers for dinner. Laundry still screaming my name.

"Dovetailing".... doing two things at once. An important factor in time management. Do the dishes while you talk on the phone. Chop the veggies while browning the meat. Set the table while the water boils. Dovetailing isn’t as easy when another person’s needs are involved, especially when person’s needs are your responsibility. Their happiness, comfort, security becomes the prize. Sometimes we have to just forget the blowing wind, the rain, the slippery steel and walk the beam.

It’s been a long day. Gracie’s had a tummy ache since about 2:45AM and I’ve held her most of the day. She drank one cup of apple juice all day long. She was crying as I tucked her into bed tonight. I hope that this bug passes quickly.

The story is told of a man who was taken to the top of an 80 story building. There was another building of equal height across from it. Strategically placed between the two buildings was an I- beam. There was a huge wind storm and it was raining fiercely. The man was then offered ten dollars to walk the beam to the other building top. Naturally, he refused. The man was then offered a thousand dollars. Again, he refused. Fifty thousand dollars. No. A million dollars to walk the beam in the wind and the rain with no ropes or ties to secure him. Again, he refused. The man was adamant that he’d never risk his life to do something so insane with nothing to secure him to the beam. He was then told that he had one last chance to walk the beam. As he was ready to insist that NOTHING would change his mind, he looked out to the center of the beam and there was his young child, wavering on the beam from the other side, practically to the center. Without hesitation, the man raced to the center to save the life of his child. His perspective, his priorities were completely changed.

I get chills whenever I think of this story. The question that followed, "What would you walk the beam for?" Naturally, any mother would immediately respond, "My children". Most women would answer, "My husband or mate", but this story is much deeper than this. We walk this beam every day with each and every minute of our lives. Every decision, every activity, every moment that we spend is, literally, a step on that beam. It’s all about priorities. What we do with our time each day is where our priorities truly lie. We freely give our time and energy to the things that matter the most to us. I know that I can easily excuse myself out of the things that don’t appeal to me... the prize on the other side isn’t big enough. But, the more value I see in the prize on the other side, the easier it is for me to walk that beam.

As I held Gracie this afternoon, we rocked and we talked. I enjoyed the time spent together but must confess that I was looking at my scrapbook desk, thinking about the idle time, just passing me by. I thought about the laundry in the dryer... about the reading that I wanted to do... about the trip into the mall that I’d planned on making this afternoon. And then it hit me, this time was priceless. This time was not wasted at all. Gracie needed me.

After I tucked her into bed tonight, I unloaded and reloaded the dryer. While folding the clothes, I started thinking about my day, how much time I had spent just holding Gracie. I did read several blogs off and on throughout the day with her in my arms. I watched a little TV with her in my arms. I did manage to fit in a bath while she napped. No scrapping done. No shopping. Leftovers for dinner. Laundry still screaming my name.

"Dovetailing".... doing two things at once. An important factor in time management. Do the dishes while you talk on the phone. Chop the veggies while browning the meat. Set the table while the water boils. Dovetailing isn’t as easy when another person’s needs are involved, especially when person’s needs are your responsibility. Their happiness, comfort, security becomes the prize. Sometimes we have to just forget the blowing wind, the rain, the slippery steel and walk the beam.

Friday stuff

After a crazy and restless night, a little rambling this morning. 

• Another beautiful sunrise. 
• I'm fighting this dang sinus infection since the flu now for a week.  It just lingers and by nighttime, I am downright miserable.  In the daytime, it's all good.  I may have to break down and see the doctor this morning.
• The attack on Fort Hood is heartbreaking.  What a crazy world we live in.
• I love hes season of Survivor!  Please pass Russell GONE!
• I made Shepherds Pie last night.  I'd started it two nights ago when Liza came by.  We got busy talking and while I thought the sauce was simmering, it was on high heat.  I killed it.  BIGTIME.  Soak-the-pan-then-scrape-then-soak-again-killed it.  Last night, since the mashed potatoes were still waiting to be used in the fridge, I made a new meat and veggie sauce, put them in the microwave for five minutes instead of straight into the stoneware and it only had to bake long enough to melt the cheese. I always make twice the potatoes when I make mashed potatoes so that we can make shepherds pie a night or two later.  It is one of our family favorite dishes.  I've done this for 30 years with leftover mashed potatoes and never thought to preheat the potatoes.  It takes 45 minutes to heat them in the oven.  Please pass why that never occurred to me before? 
• Gracie took a field trip to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden yesterday.  When she came home, all that she could talk about was the little hand/song game she learned to play on the bus with a friend.  Go figure.
• Tonight, there'll be much card-playing, gab, laughter, Cranberry Chex Mix and fun.  It's GNO!  I  won't be worrying about laundry, cooking, homework or eating healthily for 30 hours!  Happiness!

Here's the dip I made to share:

Caramel Fruit Dip

1 8-oz. package cream cheese (light cream cheese works)

3/4 c. brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla 

Toffee bits

 

Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature or seften for a few seconds in the microwave. Using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla.  Just before you serve, stir in about 1/2 a bag of toffee bits. Serve with fresh apples, bananas and strawberries.  MMMM!  Enjoy!  (I should add... just double the batch or you'll end up making it twice!)

• Yesterday I got the bills paid, the laundry done, the house company clean, bought a very cute Christmas present for Gracie, coughed a lot,  took a 2 hour nap... and then an hour one later and then went to bed early. Today, I've got to feel better!  I've got playing to do!
• Quayd has been asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday.  We sat down together to work on it last night and he had in his mind everything he wanted to say.  I was shocked.  I typed as he dictated and I helped him find one reference to share.  The rest is his creation.  I'm amazed.  He's very excited for the opportunity.  I'm slightly proud!
• Next week, my calendar is bare but my to-do lists are long.  I've got furniture to paint, Christmas gifts to wrap, a decorating class to teach and serious Christmas plans to work on... only four trees instead of five this year.  Somewhere in there, I may do some Thanksgiving weekend planning too!
• Life is good...even when you are sneezy, sniffly, achey, stuffy head feeling.

Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures. 

cape and tiara needed

One of my little birthday surprises from Marilyn was this adoara little adorable plague.  She said she saw it and it immediately reminded her of me.  That was following a conversation where I'd stated, quite undebatably, that "People in the west just don't know how to make cornbread right."  Because, you know, cornbread is something that people from the south know how to make "right".  

Doug teases me that I'm a bright orange personality ~ with yellow strengths and a "few" red weaknesses.  Okay, I admit, more than a few. Such as:  I want it NOW...or even better ~ yesterday!  I'm stubborn and like things my way.  As I grow up, I am trying to work on those weaknesses.  Thankfully, that's what we're here for... to learn and grow.  Hopefully, I'm moving in the right direction...be it ever so slowly. ;) I love that my family and friends "get" that.  And even more, that they tolerate it!  It's what we do... tolerate each other's weaknesses (and sometimes strengths!)

A friend and I were talking recently.  She shared that a Relief Society teacher had asked the class to write five things that they loved about themselves.  My friend commented, "I hate it when we have to do things like that because I can never see the good things about myself!  I only see my faults!"  I've been watching Quayd and Gracie as they enter that stage where they are starting to see their own "differences" from others their age.  That age has to be the worst!!  It's so hard on kids! My heck, it's hard on adults! 

Bottom line though is that we're all different. We all have our share of strengths and  weaknesses. And we're ever-changing!  Some days we feel like a super-hero.  Some days we would deny that we have any powers, let alone a super-power!  In the meantime, we look at others every day and see them as Wonder-Woman or Super-Man.  Truth is, we're all super-heroes of one kind or another! We can't save the whole world everyday (even though some of us would love to). I honestly don't think it's the times that we save someone from a burning building that makes us the hero.  It's the little everyday things that make the heroes.

I've had this plaque in the gallery for a few weeks now and everytime I look at it, I grin.  Doug says it's a "super-mom" quote.  I think I will buy a tiara to go with it on the shelf. Enough said.

If we triumph in the little things of our common hours, we are sure to triumph in our lives."

lots of rambling

This morning, as I was sending Quayd out the door, the sky to the south was amazing!  I grabbed my camera quickly to snap this shot!  This morning, I'm appreciating the time change because had it happened an hour later, I'd have been to busy getting the girls ready for school and would have missed this moment of splendor!

Today is our son, Dale's thirty-first birthday.  It's hard to imagine that I have a son that old...especially since some of my closest friends today went to school with him or are his age. Thirty-one years ago today, I became a mom when I delivered a very cute nine pound baby boy with auburn hair. (Please pass where that came from?  His beard still has it!) We're as different as night and day.  But, I have to admire him for the fact that he is passionate about all that he believes in.  He loves his daughter and being a dad.  He respects his father.  He appreciates nature and the earth. He's an animal lover. He has a powerful mind and a strong will. I don't understand him, but I love him.  Happy birthday, Dale!

ZJ came upstairs last night after bedtime and asked, "Mommy, is there anyway I can earn three quarters?"  She was excited about a new vending machine at school with some sort of notebook.  This morning, at just after 7, she was up and asking, "What can I do, Mom?  I'll do it right now!"  She took out every trashcan in the house...in her jammies and slippers and winter coat. Too cute.  I love that she knew not to just ask for a handout but wanted to earn it.

Grace has been begging for curls since Halloween afternoon when we took ZJ's curlers out for her Shirley Temple costume.  Last night, it was her turn.  This morning, when we took the curlers out, she bounced around for an hour.  She already has curly hair but she thought this was pretty exciting.  I had to take a picture.  Strange thing to me...these curls made her look much older.   She's growing up too quickly!

I found a desk for ZJ to repurpose for her new room.  It will be today's project. (Unless a better offer presents itself...Taipan anyone?  Lunch?)

I called my OB/GYN this morning for my annual physical.  The receptionist informed me that he's taking appointments for JUNE for physicals.  JUNE!?!?!  Seriously?  Don't even get me started!  I just asked for him to give me a call.  Maybe before March.  Oh well, at least I can check that off my list!

I wanted to mention a very quick and easy dip that we enjoyed this weekend.  In one of those little tiny crockpots made for dips, melt 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, 1 can of chili and 1/2 cup of salsa.  I actually mixed mine in a saucepan, heated it all and then put it into the crockpot.  So quick and easy and a very tasty dip!  Oh, the recipe called for chili without beans.  I only had regular chili and it was num!  I'm not a chili fan but, as always, cream cheese makes everything wonderful!

Last, Audra, please, if you're reading today, could you send me your email address?  Thanks!

The rest of the week gets busy.  Today, I'm playing with paint, hanging out at home and getting some things done.  Tomorrow, paying bills and a long list of running errands, then playing all weekend.  Life is good! 

If it's not fun, you're not doing it right.

I love to see the temple...

Have I mentioned that I love November!?

A few serious thoughts on my mind this morning.  If you are reading this and you are not LDS, it may sound a bit "odd", I apologize.  But, these feelings are most important to me and mine, so I must record them:

Last night was our Family Home Evening, in which we celebrated the one year anniversary of our adoption and temple sealing.  Doug came home from work, earlier than I'd expected, so we raced out the door to Logan to be at the temple before the sunlight was gone.  Everyone was still in school clothes, there was no hair brushed or preparation for the photos, whatsoever, but it's all good, Doug reminded me. We arrived just after sunset and a nice couple were willing to take a few photos of us on the hill. The babes enjoyed rolling down the hill, over and over for a bit, and then we settled down and walked around the temple grounds.  Even if you are not LDS, this is a special experience, where you can just feel a calm and peace come over you.  (According to most of my non-LDS family who've visited.)

The temple is closed to all on Mondays because it is Family Home Evening.  Surprisingly, after that couple and two groundskeepers left, we were alone on the temple grounds.  We talked and shared our thoughts and feelings about being a family and our memories of the whole experience a year before. This year has gone by so quickly! 

At one point, I shared a little message that I'd read recently:

Thomas S. Monson, then, of the Quorum of the Twelve, suggested deep spiritual meaning in the physical presence of the temple. He recounted the late Elder Matthew Cowley’s story about a grandfather who took his small granddaughter on a birthday visit to the Salt Lake Temple grounds. With permission of the groundskeeper, they walked to the large doors of the temple. He suggested that she place her hand on the temple wall and then on the door, saying tenderly to her, ‘Remember that this day you touched the temple. One day you will enter this door.’ His special gift to his granddaughter was an appreciation for the House of the Lord. Likewise, counseled Elder Monson, ‘As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us."

Our children, the babes, had the rare opportunity of entering the temple a year ago with Doug and I to be sealed together as a family for time and all eternity. Children only go inside the temple for this purpose. We reminded them of this and Gracie said again, as she says often, "I can not wait to go back."

As we were there outside those east doors of the temple, we remember that we've stood together with family and friends many times, such as when Liza and Buddy were married, as well as several cousins, aunts and uncles and friends.  These doors were the place that the babes chose to "touch".  It was a reverent moment for us all.  We reminisced and then gathered together, discretely out of sight and said a prayer of thanks for the privilege of being a family. Without any more details, suffice it to say, we felt those remarkable feelings that we'd shared together inside the temple just a year ago, all over again.

 As it was getting dark quickly, we watched the lights come on and then talked more of our favorite memories of our special day. Doug and I were both surprised at what detail each child remembered.  It was simply a perfect little Family Home Evening.  How grateful I am for the privilege of taking them to the temple with us, not to mention of raising and loving these three awesome children.

Earlier in the day, I'd spent over two hours in a meeting at the school with a team of professionals, discussing Gracie's progress and her challenges.  Quayd and Gracie, as I've mentioned, have some developmental delays, due to the neglect that they had their first few years of life. While very normal, they have their struggles.  They are wonderful children, very likable and most willing to do their best on anything asked of them. Seeing test results, hearing the details of their daily challenges from teachers and counselors (who are nothing but wonderful and encouraging) always makes my heart ache.  On the days of these conferences, I'm always teary and want to love them a little more, help them along a little extra and yet, saddened at the reminder of their rough beginnings.   

Going to the temple with the children, last night, brought things back into perspective. It was the perfectly timed reminder that I needed.  Not just of the fact that we are an eternal family.  BUT, that these three special little spirits were sent to Doug and I for a purpose and reason and it is, indeed, a privilege to love them and teach them and help them grow, as it is for any parent to raise children. Every child comes with their own "issues" and uniqueness, regardless of their circumstances.  Every child needs to be loved and cherished.  What a gift to be given, as a parent... the opportunity to help them discover who they are and their own potential and to teach them the things in life that really matter. I am blessed! Enough said.

Our strength often increases in proportion to the obstacles imposed upon it.

Weekend update

Halloween started off with Pumpkin Pancakes and getting ZJ's hair up in curlers so that she could be Shirley Temple.  Actually, it started off with the girls bouncing into our room just before 7 to say Happy Halloween!  No enthusiasm in this house!  Literally, all day long, it was "How many more hours?"  As I was making the waffles, I noticed the little deer family out my kitchen window.  Apparently, this mama likes our compost pile.  Notice the baby in the background.  There are two of them and they are the tiniest little deer I've ever seen this late in the season.  Seeing the deer in the back yard is one of my favorite things!

We got everyone ready in the afternoon so that they could walk down to Nana's and make their first haul there.  They could have gone without trick or treating after one stop at my mom's! 

ZJ, aka Shirley Temple, tap danced her way through the house all weekend long.  She's still not washed her hair because she wanted the curls at school today, but this morning, it needed to br braided because she turned frizz instead of curl.  She really wants a perm! 

We had dinner at Denise's, like always, then went trick or treating in her neighborhood with her grandchildren, who both under three.  Denise lives in a subdivision where everyone knows everyone, the homes are close and there are literally hundreds of kids out on the streets.  We've done Halloween together for most years since our bigs were little.  We met a passing group of Trick or Treaters who were all in high school.  They informed me that "you're never too old to stop Trick or Treating."  They were good clean cut kids having good clean fun.  I didn't mind that at all.  It's the big kids that pull pranks that concern me!

Gracie kept track of how many pirates she saw all night and she was the only "girl pirate".  She cracked us up.  Her favorite part of the night was watching Kaylee, Denise's little granddaughter say "thank you" as she got her treats.  Very cute. 

I couldn't help but wonder about my grandchildren and what they were doing on Halloween.  I've still not heard from Kelly, so I don't even know if Zaylee went out at all.  I did see a cute picture of Willow as a darling little CareBear.  One of these years, I'll have a normal "grandparent" situation to enjoy... that will be when Liza and Buddy decide to begin their family!  I don't mention it often but I can't wait!  Do NOT tell Liza I wrote that!  I'm really trying hard to be the no pressure mom.  Trying.  Really.  Trying.  ;)  It will come in time and when it does, oh heaven help us all!  I'll be in Grammie heaven!

Quayd, who thinks he's all grown-up, begged the girls to stay home on Halloween and watch a movie.  While we were sick last week. we had told them they could all have cash for candy and buy anything they wanted, then we'd have a movie night together instead.  Quayd loved this idea and even though everyone was better, he thought the idea was still worth considering.  When he realized that it really wasn't happening, he decided to be Sam from Transformers and spent Saturday making his "AllSpark" box which doubled as his candy container for trick or treating.  Funny thing was that he ended up having the best time of all three kids.

We finished early, hit the grocery store for a few Sunday dinner items and came home in time to get a very good Saturday night's sleep!  Just in time to change the clocks!  I got up early and went to the church by 8, early, to set up a little display in the entryway of the Relief Society Room.  I volunteered to do the display and I'm loving the opportunity.  This is my "Virtuous Woman" display.  The cross-stitch is all about Proverbs 31, with quotes from the scripture.  I'm excited about next week's display already!  I think being a window dresser would be one of the most fun jobs ever! 

Yesterday, Quayd passed the sacrament for his first time.  I was very emotional, watching my little guy, looking so sharp in his giant suit, so serious about doing it right.  He did a great job and then, went with his dad to collect the fast offerings after church.  He's so excited about being a deacon.  Next Sunday, he's been asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting.  When Scott called to ask him, he said, "Sure!  I'd love to!"  And so it begins... he's really turning into a "Young Man".  In less time that the time that we've had the babes, he'll be old enough to be a missionary!  Time moves too quickly!

Liza and Buddy came for dinner and we played Apples to Apples until the babes bedtime.  We had a very relaxed Sabbath day.  Well deserved.  I can't get over how slowly we're getting our energy back.  But, it's coming!  It was a great weekend!

Did I mention that the time change really makes me crazy.  I was up at 4:55 this morning, wide awake.  At 6:30, the girls are up.  So, whoever says that the fall change means an extra hour's sleep... in this house... Not so much.

This week is looking pretty tame.  Maybe even the next two weeks. 

• Our celebration of the adoption/sealing Family Night tonight!
• Parent Teacher Conference for Gracie
• Mom's helping manfriend, Boyd, move to Boise
• Dale turns 31.  How did we get a 31 year old son!?
• My favorite niece, Brooke, will have her baby!  She's now overdue!  (For the record, I have nothing to do with this but to be a cheerleader, but it's really big news around here!  Every morning, "Did Brooke have her baby yet?")
• GNO
• Still getting things back in order here at home
• A few Holiday projects in the works

Life really is good!

The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family.

Boo-tiful!

 We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. 

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Glitter

I've got Shirley Temple's hair to curl, soup to make and a little pirate girl to make beautiful today!  Other than that, today's just all fun!

Last week, on the cooking blog, I shared my table talk questions.  Each person answer only two questions.  My favorite thing about creating these table talk lists is that I imagine who will draw each question and what they will say.  Often, I'm right and know the answer.  But, other times, we'll hear a story that we've never heard and just laugh for days!  Today, I'm answering them... all of them, as a meme. Actually, I've been working on this all week while lying on the couch.  But, here goes...

What keeps your awakes in the middle of the night? Worrying. I worry about my kids, I worry about what I forgot to do or didn't get around to doing the day before or what I need to do tomorrow.  I'm a great worrier but working on it.  When I realize that I'm worrying, I decorate in my head to take away my stress.  I'll pick a friend's house and decorate it with my furniture and decor.  It usually takes my mind off what I'm worrying about and helps me go to sleep.  Not coveting, just filling my mind with other busy thoughts.

What would people be "surprised" to know about you? I get really quiet when I'm around people I don't know.  It only lasts a few minutes but I access before I become the party animal.

What is the best prank you’ve ever pulled? I shared it last Saturday... the night that I climbed in a coffin and was left on a few doorsteps...here's the link.  A fun read.

What’s the best prank anyone ever pulled on you?He still denies it, but we were spending the weekend at my Uncle Jerry's cabin in Pennsylvania.   Uncle Jerry told the best scary stories...he had been some bigwig in the regional Boy Scout organization, so I'm sure he had lots of practice.  This particular weekend, he told us a horrifying story, which I don't remember, but when my cousin woke up in the night, he noticed some iridescent glowing in the dark bright green stuff all overthe leaves in the yard outside.  We all woke up and freaked over it, including Uncle Jerry.  No one had a clue what it was.  The strange thing was that the next morning, there was no sign of it anywhere.  To this day, Uncle Jerry swears that he didn't do it and still doesn't know what it was.  Me thinks he protesteth too much!

 

What’s the most “real” frightened you’ve ever been? That would be the experience when I was told that "one of my girls" had drowned in the river at the ranch a few years ago.  It took me a few minutes to get to the girls and find out that someone spoke before getting the facts.  Gracie had fallen in, but Doug had pulled her right out.  It truly was the worst and most frightened moment of my entire lifetime.  For that few minutes, I experienced the loss of a child and nothing has ever compared to that pain.  Thankfully, all was well! 
I hate to even think about it!

 

What’s the most “fun” frightened you’ve ever been? I would have to say on the 300 foot tall ride at the Celebration Center.

Since Halloween costumes frequently require make-up, what’s your best beauty tip? Eyeliner. That one simple step in make-up can transform anyone!

Share a specific memory of Trick or Treating?  We used to have an annual costume party for years... One year, I made Doug's California Raisin costume and it was too big.  An hour before the party, he tried it on and realized it.  I suggested that we be "Verne and Shirley" because he had a full beard.  We'd both wear 50's skirts.  There was no way he was going to wear a dress.  I casually commented, while doing my hair at the bathroom mirror, "Okay.  That's really interesting because I just read that men who are afraid to dress in drag are insecure about their manhood."  I looked up and almost instantly, he was standing behind me with both of my fifties skirts, "Which one do you want me to wear?"    It was a fun costume and a the party was one of our favorites still to this day!

What creepy thing scares you the most…mice, spiders, bats or something us? Share an experience of one of these. Mice.  I have too many mice stories.  Which is WHY they scare me the most. The first one that comes to my mind is the bathtub mousestory. The next would be when I was hostessing at Juniper Inn and a mouse came out from behind the Grandfather Clock, ran right up to my dress, which was almost floor length.  I lifted my dress up as I jumped, quite high, I might add and DeVerle, the owner, hurt himself laughing at me while I screamed!
What was your favorite Halloween costume ever? I'm not a big fan of costumes for myself, but I'd have to say that I do like the ones that make you look good not the ones that make you look ugly!

What’s your favorite fall food? Apple pie, Apple cake, Caramel Apples.  Love them all!

Were you a candy hoarder or do you eat it all up on Halloween night? Not a long hoarder but it's gone in a week or two.

How old you do you think is too old for Trick or Treating? When you don't need Mom and Dad to go along with you, it's time to stay home and pass out the treats. Big kids trick or treating without supervision...just too tempting to get into trouble even if it's intended as fun.

Speaking of ghosts, is there an ancestor that you’ve never met but feel a connection to?  I'd love to meet Doug's dad or my grandmother Eliza who could help me understand my mother!

 

What scents remind you of fall? Apples!

Do you have any phobias?  GERMS!!, Mice, Doug taking my kids hiking up on cliffs!

Speaking of potions, what’s your favorite home remedy?Doug would answer Melaleuca Oil!  Me... I'm thinking a glass of ice water fixes anything... hunger, UTIs, dry skin, you name it.  If there's an ache, drink more water.

On your worst day, are you more of a witch, a vampire, a ghost?  Surprisingly, I'm a ghost.  When I'm really having a bad day, I just want to be left alone.  Doug can always tell when I'm upset because it's when I'm the most quiet.

If you could have a bottomless bucket of Halloween Treats, what are three things you’d have in it?  Caramel Apples, Take Five bars, Popcorn

What’s your favorite “scary” movie?  What Lies Beneath freaked me out!  I landed in Carol's husband's lap at the theater during Sixth Sense.  The scariest movie for me was the movie with the hotel room numbers.  Hotel room.  Ghosts. John Cusack... 1408.  THE scariest movie I've ever seen.  I don't watch R rated movies, so this one may not be much compared to some of them.  BUT.  Carol loves scary movies and so do her kids.  Whenever a new one comes out, they can't wait to see it with me because they love watching me scream and squirm.  I hold my breath during the previews for scary movies just hoping that it will be R rated so that I don't have to see it!  That's my easy way out!

Pick a costume and tell us why: Scarlett O’Hara OR Dolly Parton OR Amelia Earhart or A Witch I love witch costumes!  But, Scarlett would be fun for a day.  Don't need a Dolly costume and didn't care for Amelia's hat.

If you could “wiggle your nose” and have an instant “material” wish, what would it be?  One large family room off the back of the house with a huge fireplace and mantel, french doors off to the backyard and built in bookcases on both sides of the fireplace.

 

What’s your favorite thing about Halloween? Your least?  Halloween means it's really deep into the fall.  I love to hear the kids walking through the fallen leaves on Halloween night.  I love the traditions that we've made through the years.  LOVE LOVE LOVE the decorations.  My least favorite thing about it is, seriously, the evil and dark costumes like the scream masks. I've NEVEr been a fan of those type of Halloween costumes.

 

If you could cast a spell to change one thing about you, what would it be?  I'd spend more time doing the things that are good and less time doing things that are useless...be more productive, I suppose.

 

Surround yourself with friends who will only lift you higher.

Freaky Friday

It's crazy hair day!  Gracie woke up at 6:05, she was so excited.  And last night,  she couldn't go to sleep.  At 9:30, she came upstairs to tell me so.  It was just the excitement.  Seriously, Halloween is tomorrow and she's not even concerned about that yet.  Although we did have everyone try on costumes and make sure we had everything we needed for the big event.  Now, if the weather co-operates, we're all set!  It's trying really hard to snow right now!

Yesterday, Denise and I went to Chili's for lunch.  I confess, I'm caving. Not yet, but I'm feeling it...  I arrived first and ordered our drinks. Denise's Coke with lemon (eewww) and I debated for a minute and asked if they had a Diet Dr. Pepper (one step closer).  When Deanna, our server said no,  I was relieved.  A few minutes later, as Denise walked in, John, the manager, walked up and handed me a bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper.  I asked if it was from his personal stash and he said that he'd sent one of the cooks over to 7-11 to get me one.  OH MY!  That's customer service.  So.  I had to drink it. ;)

I don't think that I've mentioned that Mom's manfriend, Boyd, is visiting again.  He has actually sold his home in St. George and will be moving to Boise, Idaho closer to his children.  He's asked Mom to marry him again and she's said yes!  She's committed to marry him on her90th birthday.  Hmmm. Just for a closer look at my mother's commitment level... Mom's 70.  Boyd will be 81 tomorrow.  I'm not planning a bridal shower anytime soon. ;)  By the way, the babes think that it's pretty cool that Grampa Boyd has a Spooky Halloween birthday!

Quayd brought home his first real report card with a B+ average!  He's slightly proud! He's really trying, which makes me proud!

This weekend, we'll also be celebrating the first anniversary of our adoption and sealing in the LDS Temple.  More about that on Monday but needless to say, it's the most important thing on the calendar this weekend!

Gracie's been calling today Freaky Friday all month... Crazy hair and get ready for Halloween day.  It worked.  Today, for me, not so freaky... just busy.

• The curtains are pinned and ready to sew, press and hang.
• Some Halloween surprises to be made for the babes.
• A little pre-Halloween preparation.
• Bake some fresh bread
• Pay a few bills
• Lunch date with my sweetheart!!!

From a great scrapbook layout created by Diana Longoria, todays quote:

Be true to your work, your word and your friend.

four sweet

First, thank you for the sweet notes regarding yesterday's blog entry about my dear friend, Toni.  I was most touched when, late last night, I received this comment on the blog from Andi, Toni's daughter. From it, you can see what a special family they are.

This 30 yr old is glad that you remember how cool her mom was too. I was young then, and I obviously wasn't there for much of your adventures, so it was fun for me to hear about your time with my mom. I can see it all so well, and you have to know that she was so sad when you moved away. My dad is the coolest huh? I remember being devastated after the accident, but I also remember him setting us down at the very moment we got home from school and telling us how much he loved us, how he would take care of us, and that we should never be lonely or afraid, because our family was forever, and my mom still loved us, and she always would, and she would always know us and hear us. What a guy huh? He has never left us or let us down, and really, neither has my mom. I loved, really really loved, reading your post. Thanks for remembering me and my mom. So glad we can keep in touch.

1. Next...One of our favorite movies is, "What about Bob?" and it has one of my favorite lines to quote:  "I feel good.  I feel great.  I feel wonderful."  Well, happy day!  I'm saying that this morning!  Maybe not 100% yet, but I'm getting there!  Yesterday, a friend and I got a little silly with on the phone, which had us both laughing hysterically.  The laughter felt so good!  I also worked on my Christmas shopping lists and did some planning.  Not a bad day at all!  We finished up leftovers for dinner from all of the nummy food that friends have dropped by.  I heart my friends and their willingness to share and serve!  And...Have I mentioned lately how much I love the snow! I'd sing if I could! Today, I've already made pancakes, done a load of laundry, I'm getting dressed, doing my face and hair, and I may go to lunch with Denise and do some much things on my to-do list. Happiness!  Doug always teases that he knows I'm getting better when I start spending money again.
2. Tuesday night, Liza took the girls the Pumpkin Walk.  Last year, we all went for a Girls' Night Out while Doug and Quayd were at an overnight scout camp.  It was a lovely night and the weather was perfect.  This year, not so much.  They were gone less than an hour.  Liza said that there was snow covering most of the pumpkin displays and it was C-O-L-D!  I remember one year going during 40mph winds and snow that had blown half the displays over but the people were still lined up to go.  It's tradition!  By the way, the girls didn't mind the weather and said that this year was wonderful!!!   I am grateful that Liza makes the time for her little brother and sisters!
3. I've been using a Franklin Planner long since the 80s and a Classic Star Planner before that, I'm considering going to a week at a glance calendar and using a wallet like normal people.  However, I can't find one that jumps out and "wows" me.  If I'm going to make this change, it's going to have to be something really wonderful!  Any suggestions? I do this at this time almost every year, but I'm serious this time.  Again.  ;)
4. Speaking of planning, I really need to get on top of things and make up for a lost week...Halloween costumes, getting ZJ's adorable kitchen sold on Craigslist, so that she has room for a new desk and finding desks for both girls rooms so that I can get them painted before Christmas.  Tomorrow is Crazy Hair Day for the girls and I believe that they are more excited about that than they are Halloween.  Life is slowly moving back to normal... if you can call life in our home "normal".  Whatever, life is good! 

The best part of life is when your family becomes your friends, and your friends become your family.

Toni

I've mentioned my best friend in Indiana, Toni, briefly before.  My good friends here, know Toni well because I speak of her often.  Toni and I were as different as day and night.  I was the wild and crazy one.  She was calm, cool and collected. In those days, I walked as close to the edge as I dared and Toni would stay as far from the edge as possible.  Both of our families moved into the same LDS ward within six months of each other, a commonality that bonded us immediately.  I adore Toni.  She was one of the strongest influences in my lifetime, even though we only lived near each other for less than two years.

On the day we met, Toni was visiting the area, in search of a home after her husband, Rick's employment brought him from Texas.  At the time, I was in the Relief Society Presidency and happened to be, on that Sunday, conducting the meeting. I welcomed her and we spoke briefly after church.  Shortly after, she returned with their six children to move into Toni's dream home, a beautiful farmhouse in an Amish area, complete with animals, barns and a huge garden.  Just before Toni's return, Rick told me that Toni was looking forward to getting to know "the happy Italian".  That would be a term that I cherished, though not an ounce of Italian in my blood. I loved that she called me "happy" because it was at probably one of the darkest times in my life. I missed my home in Utah, my friends and family, my happy life that we'd left behind.

Toni and I became instant friends.  Toni had a unique situation at home.  Her mother, Jerri, had lived in their home since the birth of Toni and Rick's first child, sixteen years before.  Jerri did the cooking, housecleaning and laundry, allowing Toni to be a full-time Mom, helping with scouts, 4-H, music, school volunteering, you name it.  She was the best mom I'd ever known! 

Jeri once said to me, "Sophia, you and Toni are good for each other.  She tames you a bit and you bring out a little of the wild in her."  That was a genuine compliment, one that I'll always appreciate.  Who doesn't want to have the approval of their best friend's mother, even if you are 34 years old at the time!

I could write chapters about the adventures that Toni and I shared.  My favorite example...Toni and I naively, won a bid (we felt guilty asking for $300 for each of us) for a two week job to de-junk to the bare bones and then paint an old home.  The company where Rick was a Vice President, had purchased this old home to use for offices.  I've never laughed so hard as we did during that job.  I can remember lying on the floor, both of us, laughing until we ached while doing the job!  The actual work involved was a nightmare, much more than we ever bargained for! When Rick took us to lunch to celebrate the completion of the job, he handed us a company checks for over $2000!  We screamed!!! And Rick laughed!  He'd watched us do all that work, knowing all along that we'd be paid much more than anticipated! Much more valuable than the money (a lot for two stay at home moms) was the memory of the crazy good time we had together!  Priceless!

During that two years, we spent so much time together ~ alone and with our families.  Our husbands became friends, though two very different men.  Rick, the professional, and Doug, my granola-man husband.  Yet, these two men supported us in all things and shared many a laugh at our "Lucy and Ethel" antics.

I learned so much from Toni. She taught me valuable lessons about life and faith and service by word and example. Toni understood me and I believe to this day that she was placed in my life at that time to fill the huge void that I was experiencing being away from home.  She reminded me to "make good choices" and loved me even when I didn't. 

Doug and I moved home in the winter of 1994. Toni and I spoke on the phone every Monday. That spring, as I was driving along a stretch at the north end of our valley where I normally put the pedal to the metal, I had this impression, "Toni would never drive this fast.  She'd be right at 55, where she should be."  I slowed down and continued home to hear my phone ringing.  It was someone else calling from Indiana.  The conversation began with "Sophia, have you heard?"

That phone call rocked my world. Toni and her mother, Jerri had been killed in a head-on collision that morning as they were heading to the church to decorate for a youth dance.  My world changed in that single moment.  When Doug and I called Rick that next morning, he answered the phone in his usual cheerful manner.  I was stunned. I've repeated his next words hundreds of times since that morning.  "Sophia, my friend.  If we believe what we profess to believe, we have no cause to mourn.  Be of good cheer".  What an example of faith and testimony of Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation and our belief in eternal family.  We talked about the accident, the children, funeral plans. Rick made me laugh when he said, "I feel sorry for the person who greeted Toni on the other side because she probably hugged them hello, then decked them!" meaning that Toni would have never chosen to leave her six beautiful children at that time in their lives.  Rick, like Toni, was an amazing example to Doug and I.

There's rarely a day in my life, fifteen years later, that I don't think of Toni. I often think of Toni's goodness, her laugh, the silly things we did together.  I cherish the memory of an eternal friend that I only had for only two years of my life. 

Why share all of this today?  During this week that I've been down with the flu, I've spent a an embarrassing amount of time on Facebook (it ends today!) and happened onto Toni's daughter, who is now a 30 year old young mother. Last night, I checked Toni's daughter's photos.  My heart skipped a beat!  Doug walked in to find me crying and said, "Babe, what is it?"  I showed him the pictures and he immediately, without seeing the name, teared up too and said "She's looks just like her mother, doesn't she!?"  My tears were happy tears.  It was like seeing Toni again.  Toni was and still remains one of my heroes in life.  And happily, I found that the blessing of this dagnabit flu that's kept me down for a week is that I slowed down enough to see that Toni's legacy lives on!  What a gift! Worth every ache, cough and pain.  Enough said.

Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

 

a little Halloween Cheer...

Oh, happiness!  I just discovered why I wasn't able to get any fonts or colors for the past two weeks.  I'm back in business! 

Medical update:  Getting better.  Quayd went to school and seemed to be fine by  last night.  Hopefully, it was just something passing.  Doug's got a touch of vertigo, which apparently goes along with the little piggy flu.  I'm feeling more like myself and can actually walk upstairs without having to sit down at the top this morning.  Health is on the way!

Conversation between Quayd and I:

Me: How are you feeling, Lovebug?
Q: A little better right now.
Me:  How's the headache?
Q:  A little better right now.
Me: How are your eyes?  Are they hurting?
Q:  A little.
Me:  How are your ears? 
Q: Dangly.

Too funny.  I just heart him.

A little Halloween cheer... a few of my favorite decorations, new and old.  I'm loving the new corner cabinet and the fun I'm having with it.  It's hit me... it's in the corner that one of my Christmas trees goes!  Oh no! What to do, what to do? But, I won't think about that today, I'll think about that tomorrow.  I do have three weeks to worry about it.

I love my little witch in the corner, a birthday gift from Liz last year on my fiftieth!  I love that her hair is so curly!   Notice my cute chalkboard painted plate with Trick or Treat on it.  Any guesses what it will say this Sunday when all the witches go into their broom closets for the year?  Three weeks after the Thanksgiving decorations go up, the Christmas things come out.  I can hear Doug now, "Stop yourself, Babe."  How tolerant is this man?  Maybe this flu came at a good time after all...it's slowing me down for a few days!

I do love this old gallon size pickle jar jack-o-lantern.  I made it ten years ago with a couple of girlfriends.   For some reason, a few weeks ago, I thought, for the first time, that I've never put a candle in it.  I like the lid on, but, maybe on Halloween night, we'll give it a try.

 

 

The booshelf.  The camera cut off part of the darling Bunco winner prize, a "boo" pillow on the shelf.  The big Ghostie Boo was made in 1989!  I just love him!

 

 

 

Right by the front door in the entry is a little "leftover" decor, potions from the siblings dinner tablescape.  I'm loving the tinsel in the candlelight.

 

 

Candy Central.  This year, we've discovered that a new way to eat a candy corn and actually like it - two peanuts and one candy corn at a time... and the caramel apple candy corns are the best!  Very tasty combo!  Did you know that the number one selling candy bar in America is Snickers?  My favorite candle this season was a Melaleuca candle of the month,  Caramel Apple Dip.  Very nummy!  And being that it's a Melaleuca product, Doug says order all the candles I want!  Candles are my favorite part of the monthly order!

This big guy was the first Halloween decoration in our home.  I made it in 1979, just before Dale's first birthday.  He's sort of our "Flat Stanley" quilted pumpkinand has appeared everywhere in our home over the years.  He's a keeper.  Ironically, his face reminds me of the Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters.

 

 

The entryway hutch is "lotsa spooky" as ZJ put it.  A few jack-o-lantern lamps, bewitching candles and, of course, lots of fall leaves.

 

 

This very long and skinny witch is another favorite.  As you can see, I'm not into spooky, I love happy witches!  She's almost three feet long and has some "serious big teeth", again, says ZJ!

 

 

Above the hutch, a little pumpkin patch.

This little guy showed up in 1986.  He's about the size of a volleyball and has been treated like one more than a few times.  Surprisingly, he's still healthy and part of the family during October.

 

 

Last but not least, the boots.  These boots were made for walking as they've been on loan for a few other parties this past week.  I'm glad to have them home!  They just make me smile.  Aren't they just fabulous, she says humbly!

We work up to and are expecting snow today and tomorrow in the valley floor.  Happiness!  Definitely a soup kind of day!  Speaking of soup, last night, two dinners arrived at my door.  Linda brought take and bake pizza, which will be our dinner tonight.  The babes were doing the happy dance!  Christie and Becky showed up with a delicious clam chowder (I've already been promised the recipe), homemade french bread and a hot apple pie, which just fired me up for Thanksgiving Dinner!  It was all so tasty that I told Christie that my family would be praying that I stay sick!  One thing about this flu... normally food just doesn't sound good.  For some reason, all of us have held on to our appetites. Next week, when I'm feeling like myself again, I'll walk twice as far!  What great friends I have!

Thanks for the emails and ecards.  This isn't how I planned on spending my last week in October at all!  But, I've been well cared for by my amazing friends.  Thanks to all!  I'm on the mend!

Put a grain of boldness into everything you do.

on the ups

Tomorrow, just for fun, (and since I'm not going anyplace today!), a little Halloween Home Tour at the Corbridges.  Here's a taste...

Doug has gone back to work this morning.  I'm improving. Being sick with the flu is not fun.  But, being sick when your husband is sick is even worse!  Doug is so healthy all the time and when he gets sick, it wipes him out completely.  For him to miss three days of work and stay in bed for five, that's sick! Whatever we had, we're both assuming the oinky flu because it knocked us both out so hard, was not fun.  We did discuss last night, the fact that, if this was, indeed, the oinky flu, it was not nearly as bad as what we'd expected, but if this was not, N1H1 flu, then we'd hate to see the real thing because this one was bad!!  Being this sick together meant that nothing got done this past week, except rest.  Not for lack of want, but because we just plain couldn't do a thing!  This was not an easy flu!  And so, where we couldn't, others did.

• The kids did a "service project" for Dad...they finished up in the garden, pulling up all of the tomato plants and harvesting the tomatoes that we had left, to store in the garage and still ripen for another month.  They entertained themselves together, played well together, prayed for us together and even went to bed at night without being asked.  So far, the girls are healthy and Quayd stayed home from school in bed with a headache.  Ugh.  No fever yet!  Thankfully! 
• Our amazing friends have brought in dinners and lunches and treats since last Friday.  Doug and I have commented several times that we are truly blessed with great friends and neighbors.  I had to laugh when I received a "casserole" by email from Marilyn.  She called it a "New Moon Casserole", an iTunes gift card for the New Moon CD with a note, "I hope you LOVE the casserole!"  (We'd be dangerous if we lived any closer.)
• Liza, Brooke's mom and Brooke's friend, Sarah picked up where I left off with the baby shower, which we moved to the church instead of here at our sick house.  Barbie cooked, Sarah did the games, Liza decorated and pulled it all together.  She came over long enough to get what she needed and decorated and set up the shower.  She returned four hours later to report that the food was fabulous, the games were fun and that my favorite niece, Brooke, received, most graciously, some wonderful gifts.  Liza came in long enough to clean the dishes and put things away.  She couldn't leave quick enough, trying not to get whatever it is we have had!  I love my daughter!

We've been blessed!

A few other random thoughts:

• This photo is one of my most favorite birthday gifts.  Marilyn bought me these new knobs for my newly refinished $15 corner cabinet.  Aren't they fabulous!  She actually bought three sets of knobs and let me choose the ones that I wanted.  They were all awesome and it was a hard choice!  But, these were the winners!  Doug's still laughing at me for refinishing this cabinet and then distressing it to make it look old.  I love it! 
• I've been thinking about some things as a result of a mistake made recently by someone who I'm certain "just didn't think".  Sometimes, we just don't think.  Sometimes, acting without thinking has it's repercussions and brings regret.  Things that start as harmless and fun, end up hurting others, doing damage unintentionally.  Just think!  Before you act, ask, "HOW will this affect others around me?"  As I tell my babes every single morning, "MAKE GOOD CHOICES!"   Sick Sophia stepping down now.  Enough said.  Have a wonderful day!

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. 

one year ago this week!

'The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home. David O. McKay

"Too frequently, women underestimate their influence for good. Well could you follow the formula given by the Lord: 'Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God' (D&C 88:119).

"In such a house will be found happy, smiling children who have been taught, by precept and example, the truth. In a...home, children are not simply tolerated, but welcomed; not commanded, but encouraged; not driven, but guided; not neglected, but loved."  Thomas S. Monson

"Your most important friendships should be with your own brothers and sisters and with your
father and mother. Love your family. Be loyal to them. Have a genuine concern for your brothers and sisters. Help carry their load so you can say, like the lyrics of that song, 'He ain't heavy; he's my brother.' "  Ezra Taft Benson

My own personal casket adventure...doesn't everybody have one?

Blast from the Past... this entry was originally posted on November 1, 2005. 

To preface the story, I must share this little tidbit. I’m not sure how it’s done around the rest of the country anymore (it has been a long time since I had a date with anyone other than Doug!), but in Utah, boys don’t just call a girl and ask her to go to a dance. There has to be some grand, creative and elaborate plan. And the girl doesn’t just say yes. She has to be just as creative and usually plays off of his invitation. Example: The boy fills her room with balloons that contain notes in side each one. The girl must pop every balloon to find out who is doing the inviting? Then she may fill his car with balloons with the word YES in only one. Or they send each other on scavenger hunts all over town through malls and grocery stores looking for clues until they find the big question. The asking is, often, as grand as the date! I’d love to write a book on creative date invitations! Okay, that said....

It was just a few nights before Halloween in1989. Our good friends' son, who was a HS senior, asked me for some help in coming up with a creative way to ask a girl to the fall Dance. The girl was the daughter of our Stake President. (In the LDS church, congregations are called wards. About 9-12 wards are called a Stake. Bishops lead the ward, Stake Presidents lead the Bishops and all of the wards.) I was THRILLED to help Kyle with this fun task and immediately went to work on what I felt was one of my most grandiose imaginable undertakings! Nothing small would do!

A friend, who owns a mortuary, graciously agreed to loan me an old casket. I then called the girl’s mother, one of the most fun-loving people I know, to forewarn her of our plans, as they were a little out of the ordinary. Her mom was all over this idea! We fine-tuned the details and the big night to carry out our plan finally arrived.

We waited until it was very dark out. Holly lived in a beautiful cul de sac lined with lovely homes and wonderful landscaping. Fortunately, their yard was filled with thick, tall hedges. I was dressed in black, had crimped my hair and then doused it in hair spray and baby powder for the white effect. My face was covered in white make-up with dark black lined eyes. Kyle and a few friends unloaded the casket onto the front porch in front of the double doors. The porch lights had deliberately been left off so that we could set the stage.

I climbed inside the casket, poured a small bottle of water over the dry ice that was waiting in a bucket at my feet, hit play on the eerie music in the boom box, also at my feet, leaned back into the casket, placed the basket that was filled with Reeses and Roses on my chest, and closed the lid to the casket. As soon as everything was in order, Kyle rang the doorbell and he and his friends took their places hiding in the shrubs. This was when the fun began.

I was lying there inside a real live casket. It was the strangest feeling I could imagine. I could write an entire page just about that experience! But not tonight! ;) From the moment that the lid closed, I was asking myself over and over, "WHAT in the HECK was I thinking?" What seemed like an eternity passed before the front door opened. Holly’s mom answered the door. She called out, "Holllllllyyyyyyy, it’s for youuuuuuuuuu!"

A moment later, again an eternally longmoment, Holly came to the door. She gasped! At that point, I, ever so slowly, opened the casket lid, sat up even slower and placed the basket in her hand while slowly moaning in my deepest voice, "Kyle. Is. Dying. To. Go. To. The. Dance. With. You." Holly was screaming! Not a frightened scream... just that of a sixteen year old girl having the surprise of her life! I slowly layed back in the casket and closed the casket lid again.

(At that point, her mother was supposed to just close the door and go inside so that we could leave.) Instead, her mother, who, the entire time, had been screaming "LARRY!! LARRRRRRRY!!" to our stake president, who happened to be on the phone when we arrived, so that he could come and see. She continued to call for her husband even though my performance was over. He finally came to the door and she then knocked on the lid to the casket, "Do it again! Do it again!" THAT wasn’t part of the deal! My claustrophobia was kicking in big time by now, but, I just laid still inside the casket, wishing that I’d suggested to Kyle that he simply send her a rose with the question on the card! When I realized that she wasn’t going to stop knocking, I finally did an encore performance, closed the lid and they went inside.

We quickly tossed the casket into the back of Doug’s pick-up, which was parked up the street and disappeared. Now, this would be a good ending to the story. BUT, over the time we’d been preparing for this, another school district was having a "Girl’s Choice" dance. Another friends daughter had heard about my fun idea and asked me to ask the boy of her choice. Kyle and his friends agreed to help me with this invite, as well. This boy was playing cards at the kitchen table, facing the front door, with a group of other boys. It went off without a glitch, but was far less exciting. Boys just don’t squeal over things like sixteen year old girls!

And THIS was where we shouldhave just gone home and called the night good. But, hey! How often do you have a casket to play with? I thought it would be fun to go and play a prank on one more friend. A friend of Doug’s and mine. She’d done my nails for years and we’d even gone out to dinner with our husbands a few times. Doug always said that her husband was a little "rough around the edges" but a good guy, just the same. Sometimes, we’d questioned what he really did his business, but really never suspected him of anything serious. And so, we thought it would be fun to plant the casket on their doorstep, pull the same stunt to deliver them some donuts. By now, it was 10PM, but I knew that they were night people and would love it! We went through the whole schtick, Kyle rang and ran. I stayed still in the casket, trying not to be heard laughing, thinking myself ever so clever. I laid there. And I laid there. And. I. Laid. There. Nada. Nothing. I knew that they were home. I’d seen them as we pulled up. I laid there.

After I can’t even guess how long, I heard the husband, "I’ve got a gun. Come out slowly. NOW!!!" I slowly opened the casket, grinning from ear to ear UNTIL I SAW THE GUN IN MY FACE!! I quickly said, "It’s ME, Sophia! This is a joke!" He saw NOTHING funny about it! I SLOWLY got out of the casket, his wife came outside, I delivered my donuts and we were on our way. The husband did relax, but he had seriously been prepared for something far more serious than receiving a late-night treat from a friend! After that, we really did wonder about his business! I never did find out but years later, my friend divorced him. 

It was almost the perfect night! When I remember that night, I remember it with fondness, a big grin and a knot in my stomach! This was the night I spent in a casket and almost got to stay there!

Life is tough, and if you have the ability to laugh at it you have the ability to enjoy it.

To preface the story, I must share this little tidbit. I’m not sure how it’s done around the rest of the country anymore (it has been a long time since I had a date with anyone other than Doug!), but in Utah, boys don’t just call a girl and ask her to go to a dance. There has to be some grand, creative and elaborate plan. And the girl doesn’t just say yes. She has to be just as creative and usually plays off of his invitation. Example: The boy fills her room with balloons that contain notes in side each one. The girl must pop every balloon to find out who is doing the inviting? Then she may fill his car with balloons with the word YES in only one. Or they send each other on scavenger hunts all over town through malls and grocery stores looking for clues until they find the big question. The asking is, often, as grand as the date! I’d love to write a book on creative date invitations! Okay, that said....

It was just a few nights before Halloween in1989. Our good friends' son, who was a HS senior, asked me for some help in coming up with a creative way to ask a girl to the fall Dance. The girl was the daughter of our Stake President. (In the LDS church, congregations are called wards. About 9-12 wards are called a Stake. Bishops lead the ward, Stake Presidents lead the Bishops and all of the wards.) I was THRILLED to help Kyle with this fun task and immediately went to work on what I felt was one of my most grandiose imaginable undertakings! Nothing small would do!

A friend, who owns a mortuary, graciously agreed to loan me an old casket. I then called the girl’s mother, one of the most fun-loving people I know, to forewarn her of our plans, as they were a little out of the ordinary. Her mom was all over this idea! We fine-tuned the details and the big night to carry out our plan finally arrived.

We waited until it was very dark out. Holly lived in a beautiful cul de sac lined with lovely homes and wonderful landscaping. Fortunately, their yard was filled with thick, tall hedges. I was dressed in black, had crimped my hair and then doused it in hair spray and baby powder for the white effect. My face was covered in white make-up with dark black lined eyes. Kyle and a few friends unloaded the casket onto the front porch in front of the double doors. The porch lights had deliberately been left off so that we could set the stage.

I climbed inside the casket, poured a small bottle of water over the dry ice that was waiting in a bucket at my feet, hit play on the eerie music in the boom box, also at my feet, leaned back into the casket, placed the basket that was filled with Reeses and Roses on my chest, and closed the lid to the casket. As soon as everything was in order, Kyle rang the doorbell and he and his friends took their places hiding in the shrubs. This was when the fun began.

I was lying there inside a real live casket. It was the strangest feeling I could imagine. I could write an entire page just about that experience! But not tonight! ;) From the moment that the lid closed, I was asking myself over and over, "WHAT in the HECK was I thinking?" What seemed like an eternity passed before the front door opened. Holly’s mom answered the door. She called out, "Holllllllyyyyyyy, it’s for youuuuuuuuuu!"

A moment later, again an eternally longmoment, Holly came to the door. She gasped! At that point, I, ever so slowly, opened the casket lid, sat up even slower and placed the basket in her hand while slowly moaning in my deepest voice, "Kyle. Is. Dying. To. Go. To. The. Dance. With. You." Holly was screaming! Not a frightened scream... just that of a sixteen year old girl having the surprise of her life! I slowly layed back in the casket and closed the casket lid again.

(At that point, her mother was supposed to just close the door and go inside so that we could leave.) Instead, her mother, who, the entire time, had been screaming "LARRY!! LARRRRRRRY!!" to our stake president, who happened to be on the phone when we arrived, so that he could come and see. She continued to call for her husband even though my performance was over. He finally came to the door and she then knocked on the lid to the casket, "Do it again! Do it again!" THAT wasn’t part of the deal! My claustrophobia was kicking in big time by now, but, I just laid still inside the casket, wishing that I’d suggested to Kyle that he simply send her a rose with the question on the card! When I realized that she wasn’t going to stop knocking, I finally did an encore performance, closed the lid and they went inside.

We quickly tossed the casket into the back of Doug’s pick-up, which was parked up the street and disappeared. Now, this would be a good ending to the story. BUT, over the time we’d been preparing for this, another school district was having a "Girl’s Choice" dance. Another friends daughter had heard about my fun idea and asked me to ask the boy of her choice. Kyle and his friends agreed to help me with this invite, as well. This boy was playing cards at the kitchen table, facing the front door, with a group of other boys. It went off without a glitch, but was far less exciting. Boys just don’t squeal over things like sixteen year old girls!

And THIS was where we shouldhave just gone home and called the night good. But, hey! How often do you have a casket to play with? I thought it would be fun to go and play a prank on one more friend. A friend of Doug’s and mine. She’d done my nails for years and we’d even gone out to dinner with our husbands a few times. Doug always said that her husband was a little "rough around the edges" but a good guy, just the same. Sometimes, we’d questioned what he really did his business, but really never suspected him of anything serious. And so, we thought it would be fun to plant the casket on their doorstep, pull the same stunt to deliver them some donuts. By now, it was 10PM, but I knew that they were night people and would love it! We went through the whole schtick, Kyle rang and ran. I stayed still in the casket, trying not to be heard laughing, thinking myself ever so clever. I laid there. And I laid there. And. I. Laid. There. Nada. Nothing. I knew that they were home. I’d seen them as we pulled up. I laid there.

After I can’t even guess how long, I heard the husband, "I’ve got a gun. Come out slowly. NOW!!!" I slowly opened the casket, grinning from ear to ear UNTIL I SAW THE GUN IN MY FACE!! I quickly said, "It’s ME, Sophia! This is a joke!" He saw NOTHING funny about it! I SLOWLY got out of the casket, his wife came outside, I delivered my donuts and we were on our way. The husband did relax, but he had seriously been prepared for something far more serious than receiving a late-night treat from a friend! After that, we really did wonder about his business! I never did find out but years later, my friend divorced him. 

It was almost the perfect night! When I remember that night, I remember it with fondness, a big grin and a knot in my stomach! This was the night I spent in a casket and almost got to stay there!

a little cooking and a little blog-keeping

Pumpkin Dip

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 cup cream cheese

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp cinnamon

 

We have stake conference this weekend and I'd planned on having a few friends over after the Saturday Evening meeting.  This recipe is one of the things that I was planning on serving with sliced apples.  However... we won't be serving this pumpkin dip or any other because... I now have what Doug has had all week.  Grrrr!  So.  Doug's home today still sick.  I'm home just sick.  Tonight, I am supposed to decorate for my favorite neice, Samantha's recital.  Tomorrow is my favorite niece Brooke's shower that I'm supposed to be hosting!  However... I won't be hosting anything.  I'll be home in bed and friends and family will be picking up where I left off.  Liza's, now,  doing the decorating.  Family will be cooking.  Brooke's friend will be doing the game.  And me.  I'll be home in bed not exposing anyone,  Very frustrated.  But, better safe than sorry with all that's going around right now.  Right.

 

This morning, a few simple ramblings:

• Here's another recipe that Natalie served at Bunco Wednesday night for super simple popcorn but oh my so nummy! 

Natalie used microwave popcorn.  She popped it then spread it out on the counter on wax paper.  Next, melt some white chocolate and slowly pour it over the popcorn, tossing the popcorn in the chocolate.  Once it's coated gently, pour a bag of toffee bits over the popcorn and toss a bit more.  Finally, melt chocolate chips and drizzle them over the popcorn.  Once it's all dry and set, place in bowl and serve.   Several people commented on the fact that the chocolate drizzles looked like spiders on the popcorn.  Natalie used semi-sweet.  It was so tasty!  A must make sometime between now and Halloween!  The toffee really makes it!

Another thing on my mind... I received several emails asking about the "Potions" recipe book that I made for the tablescape last week.  Yes, if you'd like me to make you one for you, I would love to.    I don't think that I could have them made and shipped to arrive before Halloween, but I'll be happy to make it and ship it next week for you to store until next year!  Just email me for details and payment arrangements. 

Yes, I am planning on doing a whole Christmas themed blog for the first 25 days of Christmas.  Recipes, crafts, ideas... more as it gets closer. I'll also post Christmas organizing tips soon.  I'm being Scarlett O'Hara today... I'll think about that tomorrow.

I'm going to be in bed today.  All day.  The end.

Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.

priorities

First off, I've had many requests to show the girls' bedrooms, now that they are repainted.  The rooms are painted but not redecorated because this will come with Christmas.  So, big room reveals will come on the week after Christmas.  Sorry!  I will show the bathroom reveal on Monday, how's that?!

Second, thanks for the good thoughts for Doug.  Several friends are certtain that his symptoms are swine flu.  He's home again today.  I slept on the couch so that he could have the whole room and bed to himself.  He is sick when he stays home from work.  If it's not improving this afternoon, he'll go in to see a doctor, though we're told that seeing the doctor doesn't really change things.  Fingers crossed, prayers being said.  I'm hosting a baby shower here in 48 hours and he's being quarantined to his quarters until after that!

And last, before I say what's on my mind this morning, the new blog banner... this is a shot of our valley from the mouth of Sardine Canyon.  Anyone who's ever been to our valley will tell you that there's something about coming around the curve that just warms the soul.  The photo shows you why.  Isn't it breathtaking!? The valley is 10 miles wide and 40 miles long and it's lovely any day of the year!

Last night, Bunco changed.  It was the most fun we've had at Bunco in a long time... we were loud and out of control most of the night, laughing wildly. Natalie's boys came to the stairs to watch and I noticed them laughing at us laughing.  Nat had prepared a fabulous meal with wonderful treats and super prizes for everyone.  (I won Traveler for the first time ever!)  We all started to discuss next month's plan when three of the gals announced that they are going to be "retiring" from the group.  Not for any negative reasons... because they are all so busy that one less night out of the home would simplify their lives.  The group became very quiet.  The joking and teasing stopped.  We were seriously saddened by the news.  The party was over.  The group will go on.  There will be new regulars and the three leaving will be willing to sub when we need, but it was just the strangest feeling to see this huge change that will take place. 

I came home and thought about it quite a bit.  I'm sad to see three of my favorite friends leave the group, but on the other hand, I'm impressed that they realize their limitations and have their priorities in order.  All three have very busy and active lives and, I'm certain, have given the choice lots of thought before deciding that their families, their church callings, their lives needed to take priority. 

Life's so busy for everyone that sometimes we just have to stop and take a look at what can go and what has to stay, what needs to be put to the side for a while.  This next two months requires a lot of prioritizing... time, money, energy.  It's time to start thinking seriously about the holidays.  What to make a top priority, what to put to the side, what to give up completely.  Here's a few of my thoughts on the matter just off the top of my head:

Priorities:

1. Teaching my children, often, the Reason for the Season...by word and action!
2. Keeping up with the traditions that matter the most!
3. Keeping healthy during the season by eating wisely, but still enjoying it without feeling like I'm being punished.
4. Keeping within the budget, paying cash for everything, being reasonable in my shopping.
5. Keeping the house up to my own standards during all of the activities of the next 11 weeks.
6. Being reasonable in my plans and expectations for partying, hosting, scheduling, sleeping!
7. Christmas morning will only be for Doug and I and the babes this year.  The bigs are all instructed to do their own thing this year!  Details and explanation to come!
8. Service!!

Things that I'm thinking may or may matter as much this year:

1. Letting go of a few traditions that may not really be so important after all.
2. Having as many parties
3. Gift giving to friends and neighbors... things are tight for everyone and it would eliminate a lot of pressure for a lot of people all in one sweep.
4. Getting the tree up before Thanksgiving (that's easy for me to say today but we'll see how I'm feeling the week before Thanksgiving

What I won't be worrying about at all this year:

1. Christmas cards/letters... I keep in touch with most people these days through my blog and Facebook anyway.
2. A few parties/social gatherings that I've stressed over in the past
3. A few other obligations that I'm passing on this year... already decided!

So, I realize it's early.  BUT.  It's never to early to start thinking and planning. (I'm done with lots of my shopping already!)  Prioritizing now will simplify things later!  Think about it!  Enough said!

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.

a funny or two

While I was making breakfast this morning, I looked out the kitchen window and saw this mama deer in our backyard, helping herself to apples off the apple tree and she loved the leaves on the plum trees.  Just over the fence was the tiniest baby fawn I've ever seen.  So cute!  Her ears perked right up when I slid the patio door open to snap a picture.  Beautiful!  I do love living in this valley!

Yesterday, Denise and I went out for lunch and then took a drive looking at houses, yards, you name it.  Doug called during his lunch to say hello and asked, "Where you is?"  I said, "Oh, Denise and I are just out sightseeing."  He said, "You and Denise are outside peeing?"  We've both been doing that to each other a lot lately.  Go figure.

Speaking of getting old... This older couple were sitting in the living room  watching TV.  The wife gets up and the husband if he would like a bowl of ice cream.  He says he's love one with hot fudge and a sliced banana on it. Then he asks her, "Honey, do you want to write that down so you don't forget?"  She insists that she's not that old.  He pats her hand and says, "Well, if you're sure."   The wife goes into kitchen for a bit and returns with a dinner tray carrying fried eggs, grits, bacon and a big glass of juice. The husband lovingly smiles at her and says, "See, dear, I told you should have written it down.  You forgot the toast."  I just hope that Doug and I live to be old enough to do things like that!

Other rambling today...

• I loved watching the Michael Jackson tribute last night on Dancing with the Stars.  Amazing!  One of these days, I think I'll break out in a public place doing the Thriller dance to see how many others can join in!
• Tonight's Bunco at Natalies, which is guaranteed to be fantastic! I can't wait!
• Wow!  I tried a new soup recipe last night.  It's a creamy white chili, but it should be called Heart Attack Soup!  Talk about rich and nummy!  I'm posting the recipe on my cooking blog today!  Definitely company worthy!
• Doug's home today.  He's got a bug.  That's three of the five of us so far.  Quayd and ZJ left to go.  Isn't it funny how we hesitate to say "the flu" these days.  At least, he's staying home and not sharing his fever with anyone else!  I think, at least today, we've decided to go ahead and get the swine flu shots.
• Quayd went to his first official Young Men/Young Women joint activity last night.  They went to a member of the ward's home and watched The Wizard of Oz (my least favorite movie EVER, by the way) in their large theater room.  Apparently, the Young Men's Leaders were in charge of the activity and made it a little "Rocky Horror Picture Showish" with bubbles and other special effects.  Quayd was feeling pretty cool about life last night and told me as he was getting into bed, "I feel like a Youth now, and not a little boy anymore."  I said, "Really?", a little sad to hear it, which he sensed.  He said, trying to console his mom, "Well, maybe still a little little boy."
• Today, I'm staying home to nurse my sweetheart back to health, doing the final organizing for my favorite niece, Brooke's baby shower this weekend and preparing a little class for the Young Women in our ward on decorating their bedrooms.  I'll be doing it next week.  It should be fun!
• Life. IS. GREAT!!

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.

odds and ends

I posted the sibling dinner photos and a few new recipes that are well worth trying on the cooking blog last night.  Seriously, they are must try recipes! 

Last night, during dinner, Gracie said that they were "scientific-ing".  I believe that she meant experimenting.  Doug immediately said, "Write that down!"  She's a crack-up!

The downstairs bathroom is now officially painted, cleaned up and put away.  Today, the backs of a few more doors and I'll put the paint away until next spring when the mood hits me again.  There's only one room in the house at the moment that I'd consider repainting and that's the laundry room, which doesn't sound so fun right now after this last project.  We'll see.  Otherwise, I think that the house is good for a while... at least on the inside.

Dancing Reality TV has become my guilty pleasure.  I am loving both Dancing with the Stars and  So you think you can Dance.  Two very fun and entertaining shows!  I can't wait to see the Michael Jackson tribute tonight!  And can I just say that Donny Osmond is awesome!

Our friends, Kurt and Alice dropped by last night with a treat.  Oh my!  Buttery and chewy and I need that recipe to share...not to eat, but to share.  It felt sinful just looking at it.  Most excellent!

The whole "balloon boy" situation has me on my soapbox.  I'm sorry but for a father to pull a prank like that, involving his children... that's just wrong, especially if it was just a publicity stunt.  I watched the coverage on YouTube where the little boy said it was for a show and the body language specialist analyzed it.  What kind of people make their kids lie!?  That's just wrong.  I think that they should have to pay for every single penny spent on their little hoax!

This morning, I sat down to read after the girls were off to school and I'm just not waking up and getting started for my day.  Oops!  Short and Sweet today... well, for me, anyway.

Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest.

weekend update

What a fabulous weekend.  Honestly, I'm humbled.  The entire week was insane.  All of the partying and entertaining all while in the middle of painting the downstairs.  Did I mention insane!  But, we survived it!  We survived my taking the day off in the middle for a most excellent adventure with Marilyn.  We survived Senior Singles, Siblings Dinner, Birthday celebrations, my preparing a talk for sacrament meeting and last but most definitely not least, we survived Quayd's ordination and family gathering afterward.  It was a good week and when everyone walked out yesterday afternoon, I have to admit, I took a deep sigh and even had a few tears of happiness because we had, indeed, survived!  Mom's manfriend, Boyd, is visiting this week and he commented after dinner yesterday, "You're batting a thousand today, Sophia!"  I took that as a compliment.

A few details:

Friday afternoon, as I was finishing up our tablescape, we were surprised when two of our favorite people in the world called to say that they were fifteen minutes away.  Doug and Helen were on their way home to Indiana from Yellowstone and spent two hours talking 90mph to catch up on each other's lives! It was such a pleasant surprise and we just wished that they could stay for a few days!  Doug and I were thrilled that they'd take the time out of their trip to stop in!

Saturday was spent studying for my talk and getting ready for siblings dinner. I took a ton of pix and will post them on the cooking blog on Wednesday, along with the fun Tabletalk questions and a recipe or two.  Dinner was fantastic!  The conversation was fun and entertaining. Doug's brother, Danny, shared one mission experience that had us rolling even the next day!  We started our party at 5:30 so that one sibling couple could chaperone a dance later in the evening and it actually worked out for the best this time because of all that I had to do for Sunday.  I do love siblings dinners!  Doug's family is so awesome.

Sunday ~ Quayd was so excited that he came upstairs in his suit before anyone else was dressed for church.  It's huge on him and looks adorable.  He went to the Deacons Quorum for the first time and was more than excited!  Kirk, our friend who's in the Bishopric, presented him to the ward as a Deacon and he was just beaming.  His ordination was beautiful.  We were so proud!  It was a wonderful experience for us all and especially to have so many of the family gathered together at once to celebrate with Quayd!

My talk... I feel very good about it and felt that it was truly a reminder to me of things that were more important than even tablescapes and entertaining.  I needed the time that I spent in preparation and pondering what I'd say to ground me in the middle of such a busy week!  Heavenly Father knew that and I'm grateful that I had the opportunity!

After church we had a lovely dinner with family and enjoyed sitting around talking for quite some time after.  Kelly and Zaylee came over for the afternoon.  Zaylee is always entertaining.  She is such a pill!  She loves her Uncle Buddy! Buddy and Zaylee are good friends!  It's fun to watch him with a baby.  We finally had birthday cake and candles for Quayd, which he'd wanted to wait for until Sunday.  Quayd now has $47 in cash burning a hole in his pocket, so we'll be taking a Transformer shopping spree very soon!  Last night, after everyone had left, the babes and Doug and I settled down for our first viewing of Quayd's birthday DVD, "Earth". FASCINATING!  They loved it!

When Doug said family prayer last night, he expressed gratitude for the wonderful spirit that has been in our home this past few days.  He couldn't have expressed my feelings any better.  It was a wonderful weekend!

Today, Gracie is feverish but feeling better than she did last night.  I've already been to the bank and the grocery store and McD's drive-thru for a Gracie treat.  I've got my painting clothes on and am ready to finish what we started a week ago!  When that's done, I'm going to cuddle with Gracie and watch a movie!  Honestly, after a week like last week, I feel the need to just lay low for a few days and regroup.  Not recoup but regroup.  It's the perfect time of year for nesting!

The world is but a canvas for the imagination.

Such a tease!

There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.

Sounds good to me!

This post was originally posted October 20, 2005.

At 2:15 this morning, Gracie came tiptoeing into my bedroom to tell me she’d had a nightmare about a big bee. At 5:45, Quayd came stomping up the stairs to say, "It’s the day to go to the cabin!!" The sound of footsteps through the house in the night is unique. As Gracie, quietly and gently, crossed the carpet of our bedroom, the sound immediately captured my attention. My first thought was "It’s Gracie." and my second was "I love the sound of her little walk." After settling Gracie back to sleep, I was lying there thinking about the sounds of those sweet feet and trying to go back to sleep myself. My thoughts wandered to other "comfort sounds". I thought I’d share them in my blog today. Some are trivial, but all are important sounds in my life.

My favorite comfort sounds:

• The sound of a baby nursing. Those sweet and precious little coos and gulps have to be the closet thing to heaven on earth and remind me of where I came from.
• The sound of a creek running in the night. It calms me and lulls me to sleep.
• The sound of thunder and lightning. It humbles me and reminds me of how small I really am in the grand scheme of things.
• The sound of the ocean waves crashing over the rocks on the beach. It brings back my youth.
• The sound of laughter. Not just chuckling, but hearty, healthy belly laughs remind me that there is much to be happy about. The babes’ giggles remind me that life doesn’t have to be so serious!
• The sound of Doug’s voice reminds me that regardless, I am loved.
• The sound of the sandhill cranes, frogs and cattle in the night at the ranch. It is a reminder of heritage and the security that comes from family.
• The sound of music, any music, any time. Music brightens, motivates, inspires and soothes my soul.
• The sound of cards shuffling. This usually means that my family and friends are gathered
• together for good times.
• The sound of my cell phone ringing because it usually is someone that I love on the other end of the line.
• The sound of popcorn popping at the theater because it means a good escape is about to take place.
• The sound of Chilis fajitas sizzling because it means I’m with Doug or friends!
• The sound of the school bus, in the mornings because it means a bit of "me" time and in the afternoon because it means my babes are home safe and sound.
• The sound of silence because it is usually when the still, small voice speaks to my heart, brings me comfort and peace, answers my prayers, cautions me and confirms my daily path.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

At 2:15 this morning, Gracie came tiptoeing into my bedroom to tell me she’d had a nightmare about a big bee. At 5:45, Quayd came stomping up the stairs to say, "It’s the day to go to the cabin!!" The sound of footsteps through the house in the night is unique. As Gracie, quietly and gently, crossed the carpet of our bedroom, the sound immediately captured my attention. My first thought was "It’s Gracie." and my second was "I love the sound of her little walk." After settling Gracie back to sleep, I was lying there thinking about the sounds of those sweet feet and trying to go back to sleep myself. My thoughts wandered to other "comfort sounds". I thought I’d share them in my blog today. Some are trivial, but all are important sounds in my life.

My favorite comfort sounds:

• The sound of a baby nursing. Those sweet and precious little coos and gulps have to be the closet thing to heaven on earth and remind me of where I came from.
• The sound of a creek running in the night. It calms me and lulls me to sleep.
• The sound of thunder and lightning. It humbles me and reminds me of how small I really am in the grand scheme of things.
• The sound of the ocean waves crashing over the rocks on the beach. It brings back my youth.
• The sound of laughter. Not just chuckling, but hearty, healthy belly laughs remind me that there is much to be happy about. The babes’ giggles remind me that life doesn’t have to be so serious!
• The sound of Doug’s voice reminds me that regardless, I am loved.
• The sound of the sandhill cranes, frogs and cattle in the night at the ranch. It is a reminder of heritage and the security that comes from family.
• The sound of music, any music, any time. Music brightens, motivates, inspires and soothes my soul.
• The sound of cards shuffling. This usually means that my family and friends are gathered
• together for good times.
• The sound of my cell phone ringing because it usually is someone that I love on the other end of the line.
• The sound of popcorn popping at the theater because it means a good escape is about to take place.
• The sound of Chilis fajitas sizzling because it means I’m with Doug or friends!
• The sound of the school bus, in the mornings because it means a bit of "me" time and in the afternoon because it means my babes are home safe and sound.
• The sound of silence because it is usually when the still, small voice speaks to my heart, brings me comfort and peace, answers my prayers, cautions me and confirms my daily path.

an excellent birthday adventure!

First, a little birthday report.  Quayd had a fantastic day!  He never stopped grinning!  I dropped a little treat box off at the school to put in his locker, but when I opened his locker to leave it inside, I realized that Quayd is not using his locker.  It was as empty as it was when we practiced the combination the week before school started.  So, I gave it to his teacher to give to him as she was walking into the class.  He thanked her and she said, "It's not from me." When he read the little box and saw the I {heart} you, plus the Take Five bar, he said knew it was from me.  Too cute.  We raced around all afternoon before meeting everyone at Golden Corral for his birthday dinner.  Please pass why I agreed to Golden Corral.  Oh, yes. It was his birthday.  YUCK.  (I was sick all night long!  And there's something about our GC that makes me feel like I'm inside our old Walmart.  BTW, we have a new Walmart and it's lovely.)  I digress.  Following dinner, we came home for gifts, which Quayd had decided that he didn't want a treasure hunt until Sunday when we have the big ordination dinner/party.  I gave him the two gifts from the girls (Transformers) last night and then he decided that he wanted to open everything from Dad and I.  So, no treasure hunt.  Just "here's your gift bags."  He got everything on his list, so he was thrilled.  What a good and special boy we have!  We can't wait for Sunday's events!

Now for another excellent adventure from Marilyn and Sophia.  We had an outstanding Wednesday in the Layton area.  We met at Taipan and walked around until our tummies were growling.  We found lots of treasures, which were just too much fun.  The Christmas trees and decor is everywhere, which means that you could spend fifteen minutes studying each tree.  FABULOUS!  We also spent some time in the little french boutique section looking at purses and jewelry.  Also fab!  As were were looking for these darling little orange bobbles (which they were sold out of) for a creation I'm working on, one of us was pushing the cart at the moment and one of us made a wider turn than she should have and one of us ended making a crashing noise as a little tree came falling off it's pedestal.  (Not a decorated tree, just a big tree on an urn.)  Please pass what was it doing out there in the middle in the first place!?  I must add that the other one of us walked away as if she didn't know me!  (oops!  I think I just gave away my secret.)  Actually, I realized when we went back to Taipan in the afternoon, that the tree was out because they were working on that display area. So, it wasn't really all my fault that I'm such a bad cart driver.  Marilyn is certain that the tree that I knocked over is back in their scratch and dent section now.  She's also questioning if they will let me return.

While at Rodworks, Marilyn had decided to recreate the gift I'd taken to her.  It was supposed to be my hostess gift for our sleepover, but it was just a thanks for being my friend since I didn't sleep over after all gift.  We were looking for a book/box for the project and as I went to reach for one, there was a little plaque that was much too small for the easel it was displayed on and it went sliding through.  Oops.  Again, she walked away instead of standing there with the guilty party.  No aiding and abetting going on there! I don't know what was happening to me, but suffice it to say that I had a few cases of the dropsies...none of which were my fault, of course.

We had a fantastic lunch at Olive Garden and lots of serious discussion there.  Fortunately no spills or crashes. 

The highlight of our day was visiting "The Rock Loft", which is where we'd tried to go last spring but they were closed for an open house that began a few hours later that evening.  It was foggy and rainy and Marilyn almost got a speeding ticket for going 40 in an 25mph zone.  We never saw the sign!  She had me drive this time and I set the cruise control at 25.  We were certain that the joggers could go faster than we were.  But, all was forgotten when we walked into this store. 

The Rock Loft is an old stone building against the side of the mountain in Kaysville.  Oh! MY! GOSH!!! It is UNBELIEVABLE!  Talk about sensory overload.  Marilyn compared it to Dear Lizzie's only instead of the French boutiquey feeling, it's primitive and rustic and asthetically unreal.  All of the photos posted here are from the store.  It was magnificent, not only the inventory, which was larger than anything I've ever seen for one season in one place (except Taipan, which is totally different), but it was displayed incredibly.  We oohed and ahhed with every turn of our head.  UN.BE.LIEVABLE!  We've decided that we mustreturn for the Christmas season and I'm feeling sping and Valentines and maybe the patriotic season as well.  A. MAZ.ING!  With my Halloween Tablescape in the works, I was wishing I could bring it all home!  Seriously, if you love home decor and are in Utah and are within an hour of this store, make the time and walk through it!  We walked through twice and I'm sure we didn't even begin to capture all of the creativity in the store.

We followed up by going next door into the Bun Basket for a delicious cinnamon roll treat and a drink.  Marilyn, I'm certain, is being paid by my husband to keep me in check because, I confess, my non-Diet Coke drinking days are coming to an end.  I feel it.  I'm caving. It hasn't happened yet, but it's coming.  But, not with Marilyn, it won't be.  While she enjoyed her Diet Coke, I was coerced into a lemonade.  And that's all I have to say about that.  (For now, at least.)  After we left, Marilyn was feeling as though she should havepurchased some of the roll dough mix, so she had me turn around and go back for it, but then she changed her mind again because she didn't want to go inside and get it. The people in the parking lot that had just watched us leave were wondering what was wrong with us. For the rest of the afternoon, Marilyn dropped little hints about driving back to Kaysville for the dough mix.  Since I was driving, I kept threatening that it was our next stop.  I wouldn't have minded at all going back to the Rock Loft.

We took a quick jaunt through the huge gardening store west of Layton  and found some cute apothecary jars for a great price and got some fun ideas there as well.  Then a quick stop at Target for two birthday Transformers, a quick stop at Sonic (Strawberry Lemonade) and then back to Taipan.  After one last jaunt through Taipan and some Pumpkin Pretzels, which were to die for (must learn to make them!), we had a long visit in the parking lot because we still had plenty of gab left in us.  Imagine that!

All in all, it was a fantastic birthday celebration/mini-reunion.  We only get to see each other a few times a year but we cram as much as possible (shopping, eating and gab)and have too much fun doing it!  What a day! 

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

Happy Birthday, Quayd!

I'll share photos and another chapter in the book of Marilyn & Sophia's Excellent Adventures tomorrow.  We had a BLAST!!!  Stayed tuned.  I promise a few good laughs and some amazing photos!

Happy Birthday Quayd!  Twelve today.  I can. not. believe. it!  He's really become quite the little man.  He was interviewed by our Bishop last night to be ordained a Deacon on Sunday.  This is a huge passage in the life of an LDS boy.  He's so excited! While Doug and the Bishop were visiting after Quayd's interview, Quayd called me. "Mom, I need a new journal."  I reminded him that he already had one but he "really needs a new one" to write down the things he learns and how he's growing.  (He was reading this from the "For the Strength of the Youth" handbook that all LDS youth are encouraged to follow.)  I'm quite proud of this boy.  He may be behind in some things, scholastically, because of his first few years of life, but he's quite mature in other matters that count.

Quayd has a heart of gold and would do anything to please. He's fun-loving! He's kind and gentle. He's loud!  His voice carries and often, I think "Ouch!" as he's speaking close to my ear.  He is a very talented young artist and is determined to develop that talent for a good purpose.  He loves making others happy through service and often does little kind acts just because.  He's a shrimp lover, as you can see in his interview.  He does not love macaroni and cheese or ketchup and he prefers to eat his cereal dry than in a bowl of milk.  He hates "girlie things", which drives the girls nuts because he can be a tease when he wants.  He enjoys disassembling things and building with his dad.  He loves nature, hiking and biking and skiing and he's a fish in the water.  He idolizes Doug and wants to be "just like Dad" when he grows up.  (We can only hope!)  He has the best manners of any child I've ever known... he says, "Yes, Mam.", opens doors for people, asks, "Would anyone like the last piece of __?" and says "hello" to everyone!

Here's Quayd's 12 year old Birthday Interview:

If you could have one super-power, what would it be? Teaching everyone the gospel.

What was the last chore you did? Made my bed.

What is your favorite song?  "My Story" (He wrote it with his cousin.) 

What do you like to eat for lunch at school?  Shrimp, but they never have shrimp, so Pizza, which I eat almost every day since that's the only good thing they have.

What's the nicest thing you've done for someone in your family lately?  Fixed the chairs at church during Scouts on Tuesday night. 

What makes you mad? When the girls go into my room and play with my stuff.

Where would you like to go on vacation next year?  To the ranch! 

Who's the smartest person in your family?  Dad

How are you like Mommy? We read each other's minds.  (We often know what the other is thinking while in a room full of conversations.)

How old is Mom? 47 (Mom is 51)

How old is Daddy?  54 (Close, he's 55)

What's one thing that Mommy always says to you?  "Make good choices!"

What's one thing that you and Daddy do together that you'll always remember? Watching Transformers 2, going skiing together and riding our bikes together. 

If you had a million dollars, what's the first thing you'd buy?  I'd pay for college unless I had a scholarship, I'd pay for my mission, I'd buy a house and a few things like play stuff...maybe Transformers. 

How do you know that Mommy and Daddy love you?  Because you're always kind to me and you teach me the gospel.

What's your favorite cereal? German Pancakes  (Cold Cereal isn't his favorite)

What's your favorite TV show?  Tom and Jerry 

What's your favorite vegetable?  broccoli

What toy would you never give away?  Those four special Transformers! (That would be the four on his birthday list that he's not even sure he's getting.)

What's your favorite game? Nightgames (The kids in our neighborhood get together and play hide and seek after dark in each other's back yards.)

What's your favorite book?  The Book of Mormon 

What food would you eat every day if you could? German Pancakes, Shrimp, PIzza and Cheeseburgers!

If you could choose a different name, what would it be?  Thunderfire!  (Apparently, a Transformer?) 

What's the first thing you want to show your friends when they come to your house? My Transformers, my art, my videogames

What's the scariest thing you've ever done? Watched LOST!

Is your room messy or clean?  It's usually very clean.  (Generally speaking, his room is the cleanest of the babes...but don't look inside his desk drawers.  SCARY!) 

If you could eat at any restaurant for the rest of your life, where would it be?   Red Lobster!

What's your favorite candy bar? I like Baby Ruth and Take Five!

What's the last thing of yours that Mommy put on the kitchen door? The redweek announcements.  (This is "Red Week" where the kids pledge to stay drug and alcohol free.  Yesterday was weird hair day.  Today was red day, which is why he has a three red shirts layered in the photo taken this morning before his hair was combed!) 

What's your nickname? LoveBug!

What's the best age to be?  25 because I can be married and graduating from college. 

What do you and your sisters fight about? Their ponies, going in their room, what we are gonna watch and who has the remote.

What's under your bed?  My art and my air mattress. 

What's your favorite holiday? Valentines Day! Halloween because it's closest to my birthday and Christmas because Christ was born.

A new twist on birthdays this year... I asked a few people who are closest to Quayd, what they love about him:

• Gracie ~ He's fun. I like when he's silly, I really do. He helps me.  He's brave and he likes to play with us a lot.  He's not like other boys, he's much funner!
• ZJ ~ He saved me from drowning at Riverdale.  I like when he comes in my room and plays with me.  He's handsome!
• Doug ~ His spirit, his creativity, his imagination.  He's very forgiving. He's teachable. 
• Liza ~ He gives big hugs, kisses and squeezes! 
• Buddy ~ He's always happy and helpful!
• Nana ~ everything!  He's so loving and sweet he's always kind and considerate.  He's a very handsome, handsome boy!
• Mom ~ He's the most loving boy I've ever known at age 12.  He's never afraid to say "I love you" or kiss us, even in front of his friends!

Happy Birthday, LoveBug!  You're AMAZING!!

Don't wait to make your son a great man - make him a great boy. 

Ten.

I'm off this morning to meet Marilyn in the middle for a fun day of shopping and gabbing and a few guaranteed laughs because when we are together, that's what we do!  We'll be meeting at Taipan and making our way down a fun list of places throughout the day. It's raining and there's a 70% chance it will continue until tomorrow, which means driving through a snowy canyon. I'm letting the hair go natural and curly because that's what it would be in ten minutes outside anyway. Because I'm in a rush to get out the door. Here's a ten list for the day...

Ten things I did yesterday:

1. Painted the baseboards in Gracie's room.  (Okay, half of them.  Doug completed the job.)
2. Got Gracie's furniture back in place, put things on her shelves, cleaned up the mess and then set up a place to paint the closet doors.  
3. Painted half the closet doors.  The other sides will wait till tonight or Thursday.  Slowly but surely, I'm getting this project done.  Please pass someone reminding me why I thought doing this in October was such a great idea?  (Actually, I'm loving it.  Painting is great therapy... lots of time for thinking.) 
4. Put ZJ's room back in order.  Decided to de-junk her closet again since we were there.
5. Painted ZJ's darling shelf/cabinet for her wall.  Hung it.  Put the cute stuff in it.
6. Made a nummy dinner... Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken, Rice, Homemade Bread and Peas.
7. Made a batch of homemade bread but please pass what the heck happened to this bread?  You'd think that it was neglected while I was painting, cleaning, organizing and visiting with a friend who showed up with lunch?!  This is the strangest looking bread I've EVER made.  Doug looked at it and said, "It's not a tumor."  A friend looked at it and said, "It has cancer."  But, it was so so good!  I may have a slice for breakfast!
8. Helped Liza gather the stuff to create the invitations for Brooke's baby shower.  LIZA PAPER-CRAFTED!!  It's a proud mama moment!
9. Painted the bathroom doors.  Three coats.  The doors are sucking up the paint!  NOT FUNNY!  It's taking more paint to paint the doors than it did to do the girls rooms.  They are white and we had an extra gallon in the storage room from when we painted the ceilings last time, so it's a good thing!  Cleaned up the bathroom.
10. Listened to some conference talks to inspire me for my talk this weekend and made a list of things that need to be done to get me through the rest of the week!

Nine things left to do before this painting project is completely done and my house is back in order:

1. Finish the closet and hallway doors.
2. Paint the downstairs bathroom cabinet black and then distress it.  (It sounded fun.  What can I say?) 
3. Finish the trim on ZJ's ceiling.
4. Rehang the closet doors.
5. Paint ZJ's dresser.
6. Finish repainting Gracie's dresser.  (Decided to do that while painting closets yesterday.)
7. Make a chalkboard out of a wall hanging for the bathroom to leave not-so-subliminal messages for the babes.
8. Find new bedding for both girls' rooms for Christmas gifts.  (It will drive me nuts from now till December but hey, we're only talking 73 days and at this rate, that will be day after tomorrow!
9.  Make Gracie's curtains and a few pillows for her bed. (also a Christmas project)

Eight things to do the rest of the week having nothing to do with PAINT!

1. Make my party favors and table talk questions for the siblings dinner.
2. Contact Brooke's friend who wants to help with the baby shower and give her an assignment.
3. Mail the invitations today!
4. Finish birthday shopping for Quayd.
5. Prepare his birthday party.
6. Study and prepare for my talk.
7. Make sure everyone knows the plan for Quayd's ordination and dinner on Sunday.
8. SLEEP!

Seven things I think Marilyn and I will talk about today:

1. all of our kiddos
2. our husbands
3. Christmas
4. Decorating
5. Entertaining
6. How ollllllllllllllllllllllld we are
7. Food

Six things I need to take with:

1. My camera
2. My iPod (to listen to General Conference talks while driving and think more about my talk)
3. My planner
4. My cellphone
5. My gift for Marilyn
6. My Taipan gift cards

Five places Marilyn and I will go to today:

1. Taipan
2. The  almost-got-a-ticket-in-the-fog rock place
3. The guacamole place
4. RodWorks
5. Target (I have a list of Transformers to choose from for Quayd) 

Four things Doug will take care of while I'm gone today (Oh, I do love this man):

1. Making sure that the girls get to Achievement Day
2. Making sure that Quayd makes it to his appointment/interview with the bishop
3. Dinner (mustgoes)
4. Some more things on the "project" list.

Three things I'm not worrying about today:

1. Paint
2. Calories or fat grams or carbs
3. What the kitchen looks like while I'm away and Doug is in charge

Two things I'm so grateful for today:

1. A husband that lets me play whenever I want, doesn't care what color I choose, who loves the friends that I love and wants me to spend time with them and do things that make me happy because when my bucket is full, I can fill his and the family's!
2. The gift of enthusiasm!

One thing that made me really happy yesterday:

1. I asked Quayd to make me a list of things he wants for his birthday, so that I could choose.  He drew a sketch of his head and little lines coming out of it to all the things he was thinking of.  There is a Target and inside the Target is a book and a Transformer.  Another building "Logan K-Mart" with a list of four other Transformers, each of them drawn in a row.  There are mountains behind it.  Another building, Borders, with a book and the title of the book, "Lion Boy", written on it.  And finally, another building, Best Buy with a Gameboy Game drawn in it.  When we discussed it, he told me that it was probably violent.   It has a big X on it because "we shouldn't really be watching violent things".  And then there is final building that has "Drawing Skills for 12 Year Olds" meaning an art kit with chalks and sketch pads.  Very clever.  It's to "help me remember".  I don't think I'll forget.  I adore this boy and can't believe he's going to be twelve tomorrow.

Be what you is because if you be what you ain't, you ain't what you be.

timing

First, before I write some serious feelings this morning, I must  share my thoughts about last night's Senior Single's Family Home Evening!  I can brag about this one because all I did was make a little refreshment, organize and then enjoy!  My favorite niece, Brooke and her delightful husband, Ben were our "program".  Brooke, who I speak of often, is the most talented person I've ever met in my entire life. LITERALLY! She is gifted at the piano, an amazing composer, photographer, writer, she's just plain outstanding.  Her husband Ben, shocked the socks off me last night when he opened his mouth and sang!  WOW!  What a voice! They sang and Brooke played songs for one hour, non-stop, as the Seniors listened, tapped their feet, hummed and sang along.  Brooke and Ben selected songs that brought back memories for them all... from Moon River to Glenn Miller swing music to Over the Rainbow to some amazing hymn arrangements.  I was moved to tears, and again now as I'm typing the experience, watching these gentle older people as they listened and enjoyed each and every note.  Each month, I ask the table talk questions with the seniors and never have I wanted more, to get inside each of their minds as they revisited their pasts to the sounds of the music.  It was obvious that they were traveling through time with each new song.  There were several times that you could see their tears, their smiles, just reliving their pasts, which I'm certain, included their spouses and loved ones who've gone on.  Remember, these seniors are all single today. 

Late last night, David, a 92 year old man who gets around with a walker but still gardens all summer on his hands and knees and who's mind is ever so sharp, called me to say thank  you.  He said, "I've paid for many a performance in my lifetime and I can honestly say that I've never enjoyed anything more than I did tonight.  They were wonderful!"  (I'd sat behind him and listened to him singing quietly, humming along and watched him as he was deep in thought during several of the songs.  Another of the ladies commented how she'd just about "broke out bawling" several times.   "That was just delightful!"  Another said, "You've done some wonderful things for us over the last few years, but this was, by far, the best yet!  My favorite comment was "Wow!  That piano never sounded like that before!"  I was so touched that my thirty year old niece, who's about to have a baby any day now, and her sweet husband would take time out of their very busy life to come and spend the evening with these wonderful people and bring so much joy to them with their talents!  What a night!  I say it again... I LOVE my calling with the Senior Singles in our ward!  Oh!  And Connie's tarts were TO DIE FOR!  I'll be getting the recipe and sharing very soon!

Now... Maybe it's my own twisted humor, but I find this most amusing... I was on the phone with a close friend yesterday.  We were sharing some deep thoughts about our how busy life is, how we sometimes feel overwhelmed by it all.  I look at this friend and think "HOW does she do it all!?" and she was saying the same thing about me.  She was teasing me that I am crazy because of how busy I keep myself and yet feel like a slug sometimes for not doing enough.  As we were talking, I shared my next week's schedule. 

• Monday ~ Birthday lunch date.  Senior Singles Family Home Evening. 
• Tuesday ~ lunch date and paint trim, a dresser, some shelves, some doors and try to get the girls' rooms put back together.  Quayd has scouts.  The girls have tutoring. 
• Wednesday ~ A "Meet in the Middle" birthday date with Marilyn and home in time for Book Group.  (Still on the fence about book group because of the Holocaust book but a friend talked some sense into me with her perspective, so reconsidering going.) 
• Thursday ~ Lunch Date. Shopping and creating a treasure hunt for Quayd's birthday party with the family and the other grandparents. (Was supposed to be a homemade dinner of all his favorites, including fried shrimp.  Now, to simplify, we're going to Golden Corral, his favorite (yucko) for all the shrimp he can eat and no stress for me then coming home for the hunt.) 
• Friday ~ Quayd's birthday party with his friends here at home.  A pizza/movie party that has to be spectacular, according to Quayd, meaning fun for him and work for Mom, but looking forward to it! 
• Saturday ~ Siblings Dinner, which I am living and breathing for the funky tablescape and fun evening! 
• Sunday ~  Quayd's ordination and a family gathering/dinner afterward at home to celebrate. 
• Next week, I'm hosting a baby shower for my favorite niece Brooke.

So, we're discussing this crazy schedule over the phone when the other line rings.  Thinking that it was Doug, I said, "Hold on a sec" and switched over to the other line.  It wasn't Doug.  It was the counselor in our Bishopric, a good friend from our ward.  Kirk said, "Sophia, I have a little favor to ask."  And I was assuming that he wanted me to announce something to the Seniors at Family Home Evening.  Instead, he said, "Would you speak in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday?"  Without hesitation, I answered, "I'd love to!  Thank you for asking!"  And I meant it! We spoke about the details for a second and I switched back to the other line, where my friend was holding.  I said, "You're not going to believe this!" and told her about Kirk's call.  Her response cracked me up, "Heavenly Father has some kind of sense of humor, doesn't He? ...Hmmmm, what else does Sophia need to make her life interesting?", as though I needed something desperately.  I'm still chuckling over the whole thing.

It's true!  I love that there is something I needed to learn right now and feel strongly that preparing this talk is what I needed to slow me down enough to capture it.  Not sure what it is, but, when I was lying in bed this morning, pondering the week, carefully trying to see when and how I'll fit it all in, as well as the talk that I'll give, I was thankful for this opportunity because I just know there's something that I needed the Spirit to whisper to me right now.  And sometimes... just sometimes... I'm moving too fast to hear it.  Sometimes... Just sometimes... that still small voice isn't enough for me, I need a little shout out.  I'm certain that this is one of those times.

Last week, I was driving along and had this strong impression that I needed to pray.  I stopped and said a prayer.  With the prayer came a strong impression that I needed to read the scriptures.  I came home, opened my scriptures and read a chapter that I chose because of a little handout that someone had given during a lesson at church recently.  It had one verse on it. Instead of reading the verse, I read the whole chapter.  I laughed out loud because the chapter said "REPENT!"  I'd been having an attitude about something and knew exactly why I'd been inspired to read this chapter. I needed to change my attitude! The chapter went on to say, in my interpretation, that I was doing well in some things but needed improvement in others.  I was glad that I slowed down enough to listen to that little reminder.

I think that the key words here are slooooooooow dowwwwwwwn. Sometimes, it's the only way to hear and feel the things that really matter and can make the most difference in our lives. Enough said.

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.