Friday, August 31, 2012
From my Childhood- duck and cover
In Alaska we could see on a map how close Russia was to us and any day now and at any time they might bomb us with an atomic bomb. That is what we all knew to be true. To protect us and keep us safe from the bomb blast, we were taught to duck and cover. We would have air raid practice! Sirens go off and you hide under your desk!! There is nothing more frightening than to have air raid sirens go off!! For most of my adult life I would freak out inside when I'd hear sirens. Wonder who thought of this brilliant idea to protect us from a bomb blast? My heart was always pounding so loud that I thought I'd pass out!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
The Mission Begins!!!
Today will be Lance's (oops!) I mean Elder Seljestad's first full day in the MTC. Yesterday was spent flying cross country to get to SLC. I'm just so excited about this whole adventure. This is our first Grandchild to go on a Mission. His Dad was the first (and only) Missionary from our convert family to go. It offers such hope to me to see things settle in with the 3rd generation. He will be the one that alters the course of our family and starts to enlarge our family activity in the Gospel.
I've been thinking about him and how much we have enjoyed him for his entire life and how kind and good he is to us and the love he expresses to us.
He has a firm testimony and is ready to share. I'm praying that he will be with other strong young men and enjoy his Mission and stay the course. Some have tough missions. I'd just as soon his not be that way!
Did you know that we can write him a note EVERY day while he's in the MTC? that they will print it and put it in his mail box daily? and also they will even send it to his email address if we check the box. and...it's all free! they put a limit of 7000 or so letters on it (shows how wordy some Granny's are!) Plus you can send the same letter to multiple missionaries. the Church is amazing in it's progress and embracing modern technology. Take a peek at this site. it's so interesting!
They say- "A fantastic way to write your LDS missionary serving in any LDS Mission."
http://www.dearelder.com/index/inc_name/mission_selectionI've been thinking about him and how much we have enjoyed him for his entire life and how kind and good he is to us and the love he expresses to us.
He has a firm testimony and is ready to share. I'm praying that he will be with other strong young men and enjoy his Mission and stay the course. Some have tough missions. I'd just as soon his not be that way!
Did you know that we can write him a note EVERY day while he's in the MTC? that they will print it and put it in his mail box daily? and also they will even send it to his email address if we check the box. and...it's all free! they put a limit of 7000 or so letters on it (shows how wordy some Granny's are!) Plus you can send the same letter to multiple missionaries. the Church is amazing in it's progress and embracing modern technology. Take a peek at this site. it's so interesting!
They say- "A fantastic way to write your LDS missionary serving in any LDS Mission."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am snail-pace sorting/dejunking one thing at a time. Working on a 2nd drawer in the file cabinet. Found an old empty tea bag paper. well, not really a tea bag paper but an individual empty packet for a tea bag size of Martinellis Mulling Spices. I'm no longer a tea drinker (I gave that up at Baptism) and am not a fan of herb teas but about 11 or so years ago I tasted the most delicious warm drink ever. You take 1 cup of Apple Juice or Cider, heat to almost boiling and pour it over the bag of mulling spices. Let it steep for 5 minutes It was so good that I asked for the wrapper as the hostess, my youngest DIL, had no more and said she thought she'd bought it at a grocery store. It was the Thanksgiving holiday season and they had all sorts of goodies out in store aisles but not this brand or type. I called around and no one had heard of it. Obviously 11 years ago I was more clueless than even now and didn't know what www.martinellis.com even meant. Today, being modern , well somewhat modern, I checked it out and FOUND it!! Yes! I will order it!! We can have a cup together!
Martinelli's Organic Mulling Spices are a tea bag version of a special blend of fruit peels and spices for flavoring hot apple cider or juice. Each pack contains 4 boxes of 20 count mulling spice bags for a total of 80 count.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Friends
Jeanee's friend Robyn is healing and breathing in such a great way! She used to talk in measured breaths and now Jeanee said she can talk normal without that great effort. She still has a long ways to go but is doing amazing. Gaining some weight from her low of 82 pounds (I think). Guarding against infection and moving along.
This is the first person I've ever actually met that has had the miracle of a double lung transplant. This is the age of wonderment for sure. I need to get a new picture of her. I'm still so touched by the emotion of this picture when Jeanee and Robyn saw each other for the first time after her transplant.
This is the first person I've ever actually met that has had the miracle of a double lung transplant. This is the age of wonderment for sure. I need to get a new picture of her. I'm still so touched by the emotion of this picture when Jeanee and Robyn saw each other for the first time after her transplant.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
For Better or For Worse
We were driving home from the Temple and visiting. We count the weekly Temple trip as our date. not a DateNight but a DayDate. We know we could take others but we really enjoy being confined side by side and no interuptions and open discussion of random subjects. some serious and some lighthearted.
Terry was saying that he needs to do more research and get more names to take to the Temple. He also said that he'd been so involved in indexing (which he is absolutely smitten with!) that he'd slacked off on research of names. He indexes a lot and he is an avid fan of it. I asked, to me a very simple question,...so how many days will you not index so you can research? a couple?
To my surprise, in answer, he started telling me about the 1940 census and all those details (with all due respect I've heard his spiel many times and pretty much know it by heart) and then went into the Community Projects data and then I sort of was paying enough attention to hear the answer to my question but was also sort of fading on concentration and started thinking, once again, about the beauty of the world.
I found myself ever so softly singing the lyrics to a song I'd heard many times, on the radio, as a girl....What a Wonderful World. My reality check came when he said....What are you doing??!! Are you singing while I'm talking??!! I said...Uh, yes I am. sorry. I'm listening to you though. He said...Boy, you sure know how to hurt a fella.
You can see how necessary it is for us to have these DayDates if for nothing else but to improve communication!!
Truly I am astonished at the beauty of the earth. I have been so blessed to live in places of beauty and abundance my entire life. I cherish it and don't take it for granted.
I remember Louis Armstrong singing this and loved his Oh yeah at the end of What a Wonderful World.
In the somewhat awkward silence, after my faux pas, I became more spiritual and hummed For the Beauty of the Earth. Such a great hymn.
"What A Wonderful World"
I see trees of green,
red roses too.
I see them bloom,
for me and you.
And I think to myself,
what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue,
And clouds of white.
The bright blessed day,
The dark sacred night.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow,
So pretty in the sky.
Are also on the faces,
Of people going by,
I see friends shaking hands.
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying,
"I love you".
I hear babies cry,
I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more,
Than I'll ever know.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.
Yes, I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.
Oh yeah.
I see them bloom,
for me and you.
And I think to myself,
what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue,
And clouds of white.
The bright blessed day,
The dark sacred night.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow,
So pretty in the sky.
Are also on the faces,
Of people going by,
I see friends shaking hands.
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying,
"I love you".
I hear babies cry,
I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more,
Than I'll ever know.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.
Yes, I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.
Oh yeah.
(LOUIS ARMSTRONG LYRICS)
God Is Love
(Sung Gently)
1. Earth, with her ten thousand flow’rs,
Air, with all its beams and show’rs,
Heaven’s infinite expanse,
Sea’s resplendent countenance—
All around and all above
Bear this record: God is love.
Air, with all its beams and show’rs,
Heaven’s infinite expanse,
Sea’s resplendent countenance—
All around and all above
Bear this record: God is love.
2. Sounds among the vales and hills,
In the woods and by the rills,
Of the breeze and of the bird,
By the gentle murmur stirred—
Sacred songs, beneath, above,
Have one chorus: God is love.
In the woods and by the rills,
Of the breeze and of the bird,
By the gentle murmur stirred—
Sacred songs, beneath, above,
Have one chorus: God is love.
3. All the hopes that sweetly start
From the fountain of the heart,
All the bliss that ever comes
To our earthly human homes,
All the voices from above
Sweetly whisper: God is love.
From the fountain of the heart,
All the bliss that ever comes
To our earthly human homes,
All the voices from above
Sweetly whisper: God is love.
Text: Thomas R. Taylor, 1807–1835, alt. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835.
Music: Thomas C. Griggs, 1845–1903
1 John 4:7–8
Moses 6:63
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Search
The last couple of weeks I've really been sentimental about old friends. People that at one time were in my life and then people move or other changes come about and we sort of float out of each others life in the way it had been. For quite awhile I've been having this sense of wanting to touch base and reconnect with people from my past. Lunching with a friend this last week I brought the subject up and told her that I was going to do this search and see what happened.
I think this was really brought to a head when 3 women moved from our Ward. I counted all 3 as friends. what is a friend? what constitutes a friend in your life? do we all have the same description of the word friend? As I started thinking about people I really wanted to talk with, to hear from, to have a link with them, I realized that my friends have some common elements and then some unique qualities. Each has entered my life at a time that will become shared. A single shared incident can create a connection that will always be there. Tonight I had one of those moments relived.
I called my friend, Pat, of 45 years or so, to catch up on life. We obviously go way back! We've shared a lot of life experiences and that is a story for another time. I told her that I was feeling extremely sentimental about people that had impacted my life and she was of course head of the class. One such incident memory was with her SIL Bruce. She, for now, is living with her daughter and Pat said something to Bruce, who was coming in from Bishop duties. I asked her if I could say hi to him.
Bruce and I had shared a single experience that has been a part of our shared history. I was doing a weekly religious radio show at our little PBS station. I had asked if I could provide my own engineer to handle the control board as I wanted someone LDS in the booth. Bruce was the man. We met each week and he handled all the equipment. The way it worked was a taped live interview and it was an hour show, with no playbacks. It included music of the featured minister, and him preaching a bit, and me asking questions after having read their doctrinal books. We had it down to a workable enjoyable format.
One Sunday we had a Pentecostal Preacher and the gift of tongues was the topic of the moment. I have no idea how it happened but I said something like...you mean you can pray at will? like right now? I was startled when he said that he guessed it would be alright. I reassured him I was asking a question not making a suggestion. He said that it would be okay.
The poor fellow really struggled, made many sounds, broke into a sweat, was confused as to why he couldn't do it. I felt so sorry for him. It was dreadful. He was shaken. I told him that Bruce would cut that out and splice the tape so that wouldn't be heard. Seems to me it was like 3 minutes of him struggling. He said it could be left in the show. I said, it puts you in a bad light. let Bruce edit it. Finally he agreed and said, he guessed he couldn't cast his pearls before swine.
He left and Bruce started reeling that tape off and into my purse. We were going to stuff it in my purse and innocently carry it out of the building as we didn't want to risk getting into trouble with the tape stuffed in the trash and all of the ?? etc. It was truly an I Love Lucy moment in reel life!
Tonight Bruce and I relived that one hour of so of an event that we will never forget. Bruce said tonight that he didn't think he'd ever laughed so hard in his life. When either of us thinks of the scene we are just brought back to that single broadcast more than any others. We laughed ourselves silly on the phone recounting how the tape was going everywhere and seemed to be multiplying.
We both felt compassion for the preacher and weren't laughing at him. It was the situation. Wonder if this little condensed story will be misunderstood? I hope not.
It's just one of the things that I realized this week. That many of my most cherished moments are in small time frames, not all are the length of my friend Pat. I love these people so deeply when we share our mortal treks. I'm wondering if others feel that same way. I found a note from a former Seminary Student, written about a year ago.
she then gave her address etc. I truly love her and yet our only real connection was early morning Seminary. She was so precious. She had the entire responsibility to get herself to school and to Seminary. It was a very hard thing to accomplish. She faithfully came but it was always at the end of the class. The very end. I would be prepared to quickly summarize in 5 minutes the class she had missed. She was wonderful. Such a strong connection for such a brief time together. She is now a mother of 8 and a grandma!!
I've really thought this week of the power that resides in each of us when we do our callings to the best of our abilities and not slack off. We don't realize that we touch hearts as ours are touched. We impact people and are perhaps clueless about it. I look forward to contacting Kelly and the others on my list.
This thinking of friends all got started when 3 women moved from our Ward. Tamera and her family. Kathryn and her daughter, Maurine. All 3 are friends. It was emotional for me. They are all at different ages and stages in their lives. That is another thing about friends, there is something we share in common and it may not be the same share in all of our friends.
Tamera, is the mother of 4, 3 are adopted. As is she. We can talk openly about the happenings of birth families entering our lives. We understand what goes on inside of each other. I had burnt my hand and didn't go to the open house for her leaving. I have no idea when she came by and left a gift on the swing. I recognized by the wrap and ribbon that it was her doing! I will put her card, with her beautiful tender words, in my treasure chest. I know others received like gifts as she is that way. Also isn't it great how we can be friends with lots of people? I told her that I will drop by Pier One when I get lonely for her and feel like I'm in her home!! They weekly sat in front of us at Church.
Maurine moved here with her husband to care for her Mother, Kathryn, after she was widowed. I appreciated Maurine's steadfastness and service to her Mother. We connected on the practical level of life as to what could be done, rather what could I do, to help Kathryn. Kathryn and I loved to talk about the Gospel. What she was studying. what she was learning. We shared a lot of life. I, alone, was with her at the hospital when the Dr. told her that her husband would only live a few more hours. I remember standing behind her wheel chair and thinking I didn't belong there. I was hearing things meant for family and not a RS President. I stayed until some of her children arrived. We have shared a lot of things from the heart. Her health is compromised. She is in her mid-80's. She gave me a sugar bowl from Brazil, rocks from Laraquete, Chili that you lick and a cross is revealed, and a yoke for oxen from Brazil. She gave me books and let me go through her library after the family had chosen what they want. What a choice friend she is.
The thoughts of these wonderful people that have moved into my life and then faded out are all tugging at my heartstrings and I will contact them and tell them of my love and gratitude and the impact they have had on me.
After returning from lunch with my friend last week, Terry mentioned that it takes a lot of work to keep a friendship alive. I agreed. It's so worth it.
Each of you that read my blog, allowing me to share my thoughts and feelings with you, are my special friends in a private way. Thank you! We share a love of life and the Gospel and it doesn't get better than that!
PS- Pat... you mean the world to me and it was great to talk to you, get caught up on each others life and rekindle a never ending friendship. You know I love you!
I think this was really brought to a head when 3 women moved from our Ward. I counted all 3 as friends. what is a friend? what constitutes a friend in your life? do we all have the same description of the word friend? As I started thinking about people I really wanted to talk with, to hear from, to have a link with them, I realized that my friends have some common elements and then some unique qualities. Each has entered my life at a time that will become shared. A single shared incident can create a connection that will always be there. Tonight I had one of those moments relived.
I called my friend, Pat, of 45 years or so, to catch up on life. We obviously go way back! We've shared a lot of life experiences and that is a story for another time. I told her that I was feeling extremely sentimental about people that had impacted my life and she was of course head of the class. One such incident memory was with her SIL Bruce. She, for now, is living with her daughter and Pat said something to Bruce, who was coming in from Bishop duties. I asked her if I could say hi to him.
Bruce and I had shared a single experience that has been a part of our shared history. I was doing a weekly religious radio show at our little PBS station. I had asked if I could provide my own engineer to handle the control board as I wanted someone LDS in the booth. Bruce was the man. We met each week and he handled all the equipment. The way it worked was a taped live interview and it was an hour show, with no playbacks. It included music of the featured minister, and him preaching a bit, and me asking questions after having read their doctrinal books. We had it down to a workable enjoyable format.
One Sunday we had a Pentecostal Preacher and the gift of tongues was the topic of the moment. I have no idea how it happened but I said something like...you mean you can pray at will? like right now? I was startled when he said that he guessed it would be alright. I reassured him I was asking a question not making a suggestion. He said that it would be okay.
The poor fellow really struggled, made many sounds, broke into a sweat, was confused as to why he couldn't do it. I felt so sorry for him. It was dreadful. He was shaken. I told him that Bruce would cut that out and splice the tape so that wouldn't be heard. Seems to me it was like 3 minutes of him struggling. He said it could be left in the show. I said, it puts you in a bad light. let Bruce edit it. Finally he agreed and said, he guessed he couldn't cast his pearls before swine.
He left and Bruce started reeling that tape off and into my purse. We were going to stuff it in my purse and innocently carry it out of the building as we didn't want to risk getting into trouble with the tape stuffed in the trash and all of the ?? etc. It was truly an I Love Lucy moment in reel life!
Tonight Bruce and I relived that one hour of so of an event that we will never forget. Bruce said tonight that he didn't think he'd ever laughed so hard in his life. When either of us thinks of the scene we are just brought back to that single broadcast more than any others. We laughed ourselves silly on the phone recounting how the tape was going everywhere and seemed to be multiplying.
We both felt compassion for the preacher and weren't laughing at him. It was the situation. Wonder if this little condensed story will be misunderstood? I hope not.
It's just one of the things that I realized this week. That many of my most cherished moments are in small time frames, not all are the length of my friend Pat. I love these people so deeply when we share our mortal treks. I'm wondering if others feel that same way. I found a note from a former Seminary Student, written about a year ago.
Nancy- I love you! I need to hear from you- You were such a great part of my high school life.
love, Kelly
she then gave her address etc. I truly love her and yet our only real connection was early morning Seminary. She was so precious. She had the entire responsibility to get herself to school and to Seminary. It was a very hard thing to accomplish. She faithfully came but it was always at the end of the class. The very end. I would be prepared to quickly summarize in 5 minutes the class she had missed. She was wonderful. Such a strong connection for such a brief time together. She is now a mother of 8 and a grandma!!
I've really thought this week of the power that resides in each of us when we do our callings to the best of our abilities and not slack off. We don't realize that we touch hearts as ours are touched. We impact people and are perhaps clueless about it. I look forward to contacting Kelly and the others on my list.
This thinking of friends all got started when 3 women moved from our Ward. Tamera and her family. Kathryn and her daughter, Maurine. All 3 are friends. It was emotional for me. They are all at different ages and stages in their lives. That is another thing about friends, there is something we share in common and it may not be the same share in all of our friends.
Tamera, is the mother of 4, 3 are adopted. As is she. We can talk openly about the happenings of birth families entering our lives. We understand what goes on inside of each other. I had burnt my hand and didn't go to the open house for her leaving. I have no idea when she came by and left a gift on the swing. I recognized by the wrap and ribbon that it was her doing! I will put her card, with her beautiful tender words, in my treasure chest. I know others received like gifts as she is that way. Also isn't it great how we can be friends with lots of people? I told her that I will drop by Pier One when I get lonely for her and feel like I'm in her home!! They weekly sat in front of us at Church.
Maurine moved here with her husband to care for her Mother, Kathryn, after she was widowed. I appreciated Maurine's steadfastness and service to her Mother. We connected on the practical level of life as to what could be done, rather what could I do, to help Kathryn. Kathryn and I loved to talk about the Gospel. What she was studying. what she was learning. We shared a lot of life. I, alone, was with her at the hospital when the Dr. told her that her husband would only live a few more hours. I remember standing behind her wheel chair and thinking I didn't belong there. I was hearing things meant for family and not a RS President. I stayed until some of her children arrived. We have shared a lot of things from the heart. Her health is compromised. She is in her mid-80's. She gave me a sugar bowl from Brazil, rocks from Laraquete, Chili that you lick and a cross is revealed, and a yoke for oxen from Brazil. She gave me books and let me go through her library after the family had chosen what they want. What a choice friend she is.
The thoughts of these wonderful people that have moved into my life and then faded out are all tugging at my heartstrings and I will contact them and tell them of my love and gratitude and the impact they have had on me.
After returning from lunch with my friend last week, Terry mentioned that it takes a lot of work to keep a friendship alive. I agreed. It's so worth it.
Each of you that read my blog, allowing me to share my thoughts and feelings with you, are my special friends in a private way. Thank you! We share a love of life and the Gospel and it doesn't get better than that!
PS- Pat... you mean the world to me and it was great to talk to you, get caught up on each others life and rekindle a never ending friendship. You know I love you!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Ape Caves
You can tell I'm sorting and cleaning papers in drawers when I post about Ape Caves and Tree Houses and pie!
looking for something to do?....this was an activity when we were in the Young Adult Branch!
Washington Trails Association
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ape-cave
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Up a tree in your own tree house! what a fun way to camp! I want to do this some time for a summer memory with some grandchildren! price will probably be so high that I'll pass but check it out and think about doing it sometime. Next year? Perhaps. the party is over for this year!! Out 'n' about Treesort. in Oregon. www.treehouses.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every made this? For FHE?
looking for something to do?....this was an activity when we were in the Young Adult Branch!
Washington Trails Association
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ape-cave
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Up a tree in your own tree house! what a fun way to camp! I want to do this some time for a summer memory with some grandchildren! price will probably be so high that I'll pass but check it out and think about doing it sometime. Next year? Perhaps. the party is over for this year!! Out 'n' about Treesort. in Oregon. www.treehouses.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every made this? For FHE?
Shirley's Delicious Raspberry
Pie
3-4 cups of raspberries
Rinse. Pat dry. put in 8" pie shell of your choice.
Boil until clear and thick:
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 Cup sugar
1-1/2 Cups water
Remove from heat and ....
mix in 1 small package (3 oz.) of Raspberry
jello
Gently ladle liquid mixture over the
raspberries.
Cool. Top with whipped cream.
(you can also use Strawberries)
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Mishmash
I really like little sort of off the wall Church data, not essential to exaltation, but interesting and for some reason I get a charge out of it. Even serious guidance and direction as found in Handbook 2, that might be little known or discussed, I enjoy reading it!! For instance.....did you know on page 174 under 20.6 Administering to the Sick ...in 20.6.1 it reads in 4th paragraph....
Here I go again on looking at a change in how things are done. Change doesn't bother me as I think it means growth. It just brings out a huge amount of curiosity in me wondering about the why, the necessity, the need. As I said...I really enjoy learning this stuff that in essence doesn't amount to a hill of beans. A new tithing slip! Hmmmmm. Do you see changes that have been made? Before you read the article!! No cheating!!!
I like to read and learn about the happenings/the changes in the Church!!! My own Trivial Pursuit!
If a person requests more than one blessing for the same illness, the
priesthood holder need not anoint with oil after the first blessing.
Instead, he gives a blessing by the laying on of hands and the authority
of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Isn't that interesting?
Also on page 168 under 20. Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings under 20.1, in the last paragraph of that section it reads...
Those who give priesthood blessings speak words of blessing (“I [or we]
bless you that …”)
rather than saying a prayer (“Heavenly Father, please
bless this person that …”).
I just love this sort of stuff!!! How great we can get online and read the entire Handbook!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who'd of thunk it??? National TV!!!! NBC's 'Rock Center' will devote a full hour of prime-time television to
Mormonism...Tonight. Thursday the 23rd!!! I'm curious as to how it will
go!
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765598416/Deseret-News-exclusive-Rock-Center-will-devote-full-hour-of-prime-time-television-to-Mormonism.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here I go again on looking at a change in how things are done. Change doesn't bother me as I think it means growth. It just brings out a huge amount of curiosity in me wondering about the why, the necessity, the need. As I said...I really enjoy learning this stuff that in essence doesn't amount to a hill of beans. A new tithing slip! Hmmmmm. Do you see changes that have been made? Before you read the article!! No cheating!!!
I like to read and learn about the happenings/the changes in the Church!!! My own Trivial Pursuit!
 |
LDS Church adopts new tithing slips
http://ldsliving.com/story/69822-lds-church-adopts-new-tithing-slips |
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Bow ties!
I'm going to change the subject today!
Girls love bows and there is nothing prettier than a bow well-tied. Sister Marjorie Hinckley, President Hinckley's wife, could tie a beautiful bow that laid flat and streamers hung down. Her Niece Joan, tells of spending the night as a young girl and how her Aunt Marge asked her if she would like her to tie her sash for her. She had trouble tying the bow on her own and when she saw how beautiful it looked she asked her how she did it and here are the directions from Sister Hinckley- in her own words.....
"First, tie the sash once as you always do. Then see which sash is coming out on top and which one is coming out underneath. Make the bow loop in the underneath sash, and then bring the top sash straight down across the base of the loop and through; then pull it tight. Smooth it out and you're done. The important thing is to always bring the top one straight down, around, and through."
(from Sister Hinckley's book... Glimpses)
Now you can practice and be ready for ponytails, ribbons, sashes etc.!! No more kitty-corner/catty-wumpus bows. lovely!
How to Make Agent P | Hawai`i's Bento Box Cookbook, Bentos and More for Kids
http://susanyuen.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/by-request-how-to-make-agent-p/
Girls love bows and there is nothing prettier than a bow well-tied. Sister Marjorie Hinckley, President Hinckley's wife, could tie a beautiful bow that laid flat and streamers hung down. Her Niece Joan, tells of spending the night as a young girl and how her Aunt Marge asked her if she would like her to tie her sash for her. She had trouble tying the bow on her own and when she saw how beautiful it looked she asked her how she did it and here are the directions from Sister Hinckley- in her own words.....
"First, tie the sash once as you always do. Then see which sash is coming out on top and which one is coming out underneath. Make the bow loop in the underneath sash, and then bring the top sash straight down across the base of the loop and through; then pull it tight. Smooth it out and you're done. The important thing is to always bring the top one straight down, around, and through."
(from Sister Hinckley's book... Glimpses)
Now you can practice and be ready for ponytails, ribbons, sashes etc.!! No more kitty-corner/catty-wumpus bows. lovely!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My heart goes out to all the Mothers, at this busy time, preparing
their children to head into the new school year. I saw this site for
making fun lunches. Maybe someone will be crazed enough to take the
time to make one or two of these!!! They do look fun! The site has
several different ones. Enjoy!How to Make Agent P | Hawai`i's Bento Box Cookbook, Bentos and More for Kids
http://susanyuen.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/by-request-how-to-make-agent-p/
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Soap boxing! (yet again!)
I've really enjoyed hearing your comments. I wonder how a person fixes where you make a comment and then someone can comment on that one. etc. etc. wonder if that opens up a can of worms and you get comments that you don't want or something?
A couple of email remarks about the modesty issue that were emailed to me were interesting.
This is something that has been of concern and taught for years. Never having been raised in the Church but being raised at a time when modesty was rather naturally lived by all then it wasn't a problem. I never heard the word modestly. Things were referred as....it doesn't fit. There was one standard of fitness and we all knew it and not one wanted to wear anything that didn't fit right. If my Mother checked to see if a dress or blouse fit she would first put her hands flat on my arm at my shoulder and see where the seam fell. If that sleeve line was right even with my shoulder then it fit just fine. If that sleeve line hung over and down the arm a bit then it was to big. If that line went inward, over the shoulder line and toward my neck then it was deemed to small and was banished. If I reached up and the blouse went above my waist line then it was to small, you might see skin, and it was passed down to my sister. If there was a gap in the buttons across the bust-line then it was to small and not to be worn. Everything had a waist line and it was at the waist on slacks. If the waist was snug then they didn't fit. same with undies. hit the waist and not to tight or out it went. Nothing was to bind and nothing was to cup under your backside or be snug. We wore shorts for sports. loose fitting. mid thigh. (We did run around our yard and house in our 1 piece swimsuits when they were new and posed like the movie stars we thought we were.) We wanted to look the nicest we could and we would not wear tight clothing that revealed figure flaws. People wore sweats for sports. There were not elastic bands. we had zippers and buttons on practically everything. So it was all about proper fit. If you grew and your dress went to far above the knee then your mother might, as mine would, cut the bottom 5" off and sew a contrasting border and then sew that cut dress bottom back on.
When I joined the Church there was no talk on modesty or dress. We all knew what Church dress or Party dress or Sunday best meant. We wouldn't scrub a floor in the dress or go grocery shopping in that attire. it was extra special. We always wore hosiery and heels.
I remember wearing a new dress to church. I loved it. it was a lined, large check pink/white gingham, with long sleeves, high waist, v-neck, flat small bow at bust line seam with streamers. trimmed with white eyelet at the neck line and sleeve edge. very simple. fresh stylish dress. I asked a sister that I VT with...Could you wear a dress like this if you'd been through the Temple? Is the neckline to deep? She looked at me startled and said...you've not been through the Temple? I told her I hadn't but I didn't want to dress wrong. (side note. The Br. Pres. made arrangements for us to to to Temple)
I share this because I'd noticed how others dressed and actually I dressed the same way before I joined the Church but this did have little v-neck and I just wanted to make sure.
Can't we all go places, to any event and know at once if we are out of place...overdressed. under-dressed. totally inappropriate for the goings on. Isn't it that way at Church? The majority in similar fashion. When I walk in I see a sea of white shirts and ties and slacks and suit coats. dresses and skirts and blouses. well shod. hair washed. make-up on. some jewelery. clean. fresh. no one has to diagram what is appropriate at this event. unlike a restaurant that says...no shoes. no shirt. no service. I see no signs hanging around outlining dress code.
Do we sometimes become like the people at the time of Moses that made so many laws to protect the heart of the law that they could never get past all of those roadblocks to enjoy and fully live it? I am not saying that about the Church dress code. I'm saying that about our interpretation and enforcement of said code.
With our youth...how many times do they hear this dress code. Do they tune it out? Is it like adults with the Genealogy invitation that they don't do or struggling to listen to a talk when the room is hot and stuffy? Don't they hear it from their parents, from their leaders, from talks, from lessons, from Personal Progress booklets, from Bishop, from Gen. YW Conf., from the new Era, from Standard nights and how many other ways?
Is it possible the parents aren't converted to this? they buy the clothes. they see them to the door on the way out of the house. they see them on Facebook.
I remember a Mother of a large family telling me that she started dating in the 7th grade, at 13, and it didn't hurt her and she was going to let her daughters do it also. 2 or 3 of her girls wound up pregnant before marriage as did a son. Maybe some feel it's not necessary or essential? Maybe their conversion of this being a part of our religion has not hit home.
We all make choices. I simply love all aspects of theatre. I think to step out on a stage is the most wonderful feeling in the world. It feels so cozy to me. so safe. so inviting. so fun. so liberating. But I don't do it. It's the Sunday aspect. I did a play once, with my two youngest sons, and we had so much fun but at that time I was a Seminary teacher and it seemed so wrong to do that on Sunday and teach on Monday. I even felt bad I took my boys. Even if we wore our Church clothes it felt awkward to me.
Then the director called me and asked me to be in a 3 woman play. I read the script. funny but not so good in places with language and topic. vulgar but oh, so funny. I told him that I couldn't do it. He was very nice and really wanted me in his play. I realized I just couldn't do it.
So I nipped it in the bud. I retired before I started!! And yet I will go to a play that has a run that includes a Sunday, go on one of the other days, and it is of no concern to me that other folks, maybe even some members are on stage on Sunday or attend on Sunday. Someone though will be bothered by my choice.
Maybe the parents are choosing their battles with a battery to choose from. How are any of us to know? There are those who think that is the wrong way also.
If we spent as much time helping our youth to gain a testimony, have a spiritual experience and learn to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost by teaching about the Savior, don't you think they'd want to dress modestly as they grew spiritually? If we can awaken compassion and gratitude in young hearts wouldn't there be less need for lecture/chastisement/faulting etc. etc. If they could fall in love with the joy of being religious then maybe they would freely choose and desire to be more modest?
We have to love each other unconditionally. it doesn't just happen because we say the word. We have to figure out how to do that.
Obviously I could go on and on. I probably should edit this or cut it in half. But I'll just send it as is. Blogs are great because I can just delete at some point if I so choose! and you as a dear reader can scan or absorb as much as you like. So all is well! Maybe I've said my say!!
I really care about Church being a wonderful, loving, embracing bit of comfort and solace for all of these YW.
A couple of email remarks about the modesty issue that were emailed to me were interesting.
When I was in the YW Pres. in another Ward the President was adamant about the
meetings being in her home with no one else around, or in a 4 walled room with
only a door. It was for this exact reason.
She also mentioned that you can hear through the accordion doors.
Another now married woman shared...
It is so wrong for adults who should be an example to the youth to be judgmental
and speak badly of any youth. We need to be helping the youth by loving them
and teaching them and nothing else. I clearly remember the pain and confusion
this caused me when I was young to hear my leaders speak negatively about any of
us girls. My mom was a saint and never said a word unkind about any person in
our ward and I am so thankful for the peace this gave me.
This is something that has been of concern and taught for years. Never having been raised in the Church but being raised at a time when modesty was rather naturally lived by all then it wasn't a problem. I never heard the word modestly. Things were referred as....it doesn't fit. There was one standard of fitness and we all knew it and not one wanted to wear anything that didn't fit right. If my Mother checked to see if a dress or blouse fit she would first put her hands flat on my arm at my shoulder and see where the seam fell. If that sleeve line was right even with my shoulder then it fit just fine. If that sleeve line hung over and down the arm a bit then it was to big. If that line went inward, over the shoulder line and toward my neck then it was deemed to small and was banished. If I reached up and the blouse went above my waist line then it was to small, you might see skin, and it was passed down to my sister. If there was a gap in the buttons across the bust-line then it was to small and not to be worn. Everything had a waist line and it was at the waist on slacks. If the waist was snug then they didn't fit. same with undies. hit the waist and not to tight or out it went. Nothing was to bind and nothing was to cup under your backside or be snug. We wore shorts for sports. loose fitting. mid thigh. (We did run around our yard and house in our 1 piece swimsuits when they were new and posed like the movie stars we thought we were.) We wanted to look the nicest we could and we would not wear tight clothing that revealed figure flaws. People wore sweats for sports. There were not elastic bands. we had zippers and buttons on practically everything. So it was all about proper fit. If you grew and your dress went to far above the knee then your mother might, as mine would, cut the bottom 5" off and sew a contrasting border and then sew that cut dress bottom back on.
When I joined the Church there was no talk on modesty or dress. We all knew what Church dress or Party dress or Sunday best meant. We wouldn't scrub a floor in the dress or go grocery shopping in that attire. it was extra special. We always wore hosiery and heels.
I remember wearing a new dress to church. I loved it. it was a lined, large check pink/white gingham, with long sleeves, high waist, v-neck, flat small bow at bust line seam with streamers. trimmed with white eyelet at the neck line and sleeve edge. very simple. fresh stylish dress. I asked a sister that I VT with...Could you wear a dress like this if you'd been through the Temple? Is the neckline to deep? She looked at me startled and said...you've not been through the Temple? I told her I hadn't but I didn't want to dress wrong. (side note. The Br. Pres. made arrangements for us to to to Temple)
I share this because I'd noticed how others dressed and actually I dressed the same way before I joined the Church but this did have little v-neck and I just wanted to make sure.
Can't we all go places, to any event and know at once if we are out of place...overdressed. under-dressed. totally inappropriate for the goings on. Isn't it that way at Church? The majority in similar fashion. When I walk in I see a sea of white shirts and ties and slacks and suit coats. dresses and skirts and blouses. well shod. hair washed. make-up on. some jewelery. clean. fresh. no one has to diagram what is appropriate at this event. unlike a restaurant that says...no shoes. no shirt. no service. I see no signs hanging around outlining dress code.
Do we sometimes become like the people at the time of Moses that made so many laws to protect the heart of the law that they could never get past all of those roadblocks to enjoy and fully live it? I am not saying that about the Church dress code. I'm saying that about our interpretation and enforcement of said code.
With our youth...how many times do they hear this dress code. Do they tune it out? Is it like adults with the Genealogy invitation that they don't do or struggling to listen to a talk when the room is hot and stuffy? Don't they hear it from their parents, from their leaders, from talks, from lessons, from Personal Progress booklets, from Bishop, from Gen. YW Conf., from the new Era, from Standard nights and how many other ways?
Is it possible the parents aren't converted to this? they buy the clothes. they see them to the door on the way out of the house. they see them on Facebook.
I remember a Mother of a large family telling me that she started dating in the 7th grade, at 13, and it didn't hurt her and she was going to let her daughters do it also. 2 or 3 of her girls wound up pregnant before marriage as did a son. Maybe some feel it's not necessary or essential? Maybe their conversion of this being a part of our religion has not hit home.
We all make choices. I simply love all aspects of theatre. I think to step out on a stage is the most wonderful feeling in the world. It feels so cozy to me. so safe. so inviting. so fun. so liberating. But I don't do it. It's the Sunday aspect. I did a play once, with my two youngest sons, and we had so much fun but at that time I was a Seminary teacher and it seemed so wrong to do that on Sunday and teach on Monday. I even felt bad I took my boys. Even if we wore our Church clothes it felt awkward to me.
Then the director called me and asked me to be in a 3 woman play. I read the script. funny but not so good in places with language and topic. vulgar but oh, so funny. I told him that I couldn't do it. He was very nice and really wanted me in his play. I realized I just couldn't do it.
So I nipped it in the bud. I retired before I started!! And yet I will go to a play that has a run that includes a Sunday, go on one of the other days, and it is of no concern to me that other folks, maybe even some members are on stage on Sunday or attend on Sunday. Someone though will be bothered by my choice.
Maybe the parents are choosing their battles with a battery to choose from. How are any of us to know? There are those who think that is the wrong way also.
If we spent as much time helping our youth to gain a testimony, have a spiritual experience and learn to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost by teaching about the Savior, don't you think they'd want to dress modestly as they grew spiritually? If we can awaken compassion and gratitude in young hearts wouldn't there be less need for lecture/chastisement/faulting etc. etc. If they could fall in love with the joy of being religious then maybe they would freely choose and desire to be more modest?
We have to love each other unconditionally. it doesn't just happen because we say the word. We have to figure out how to do that.
Obviously I could go on and on. I probably should edit this or cut it in half. But I'll just send it as is. Blogs are great because I can just delete at some point if I so choose! and you as a dear reader can scan or absorb as much as you like. So all is well! Maybe I've said my say!!
I really care about Church being a wonderful, loving, embracing bit of comfort and solace for all of these YW.
Monday, August 20, 2012
A great day!!!
I have not forgotten that I said I'd write a bit more about Friday's subject but I had such a great Sunday that I want to share a bit. I do want to make it clear though that I am not opposed, not even a smidgen, to the standards of the Church. It's a part of my religious faith and I embrace it. I know you do also. I do oppose the face to face lambasting or behind the back sniping, of those deemed not being up to par in any department of Church etiquette, deportment or etc. I applaud those women, old and/or young, that bespeak modesty. That being said though, I do not consider it necessary for me to comment/chastise etc. how someone looks. I know that things are pretty transparent in the teen realm of those that leave their homes looking modest and somehow or other via Facebook they suddenly have shed cover-ups that render that modest look invisible and are now deemed immodest. That falls in the parent category to handle as they see fit. I guess I'm not yet as calm as I need be. Tomorrow. You do realize that there are those that will be ticked off, maybe more than a smidgen, that I'm saying what I'm saying. Again, I'm for modesty. We all know the standards. You and I don't need each other hovering over each other and throwing in our two cents when it's actually not worth a plug nickel. Okay. Okay. ENOUGH! Lips are zipped.
On to pleasantries. So. I visited 4th Ward Sunday. Bob C. is in that Ward and Terry was his 1st Counselor in the YSA Branch. Bob's late wife, Suzy, and I spent 4-1/2 years together and became good friends. Bob and Suzy have 2 daughters. One daughter, Julie, is in 4th Ward and her husband is the Bishop. They have 5 daughters. 3 of them ended up coming to the Branch after high school. A few days ago their beautiful daughter Meghan got married. She was one of the brides in that family of the 5 siblings (3 girls & 2 boys) that married on the same day in the AZ Temple!!! She was at 4th Ward today with her adorably handsome husband after their wedding reception celebration. I was so happy to see her!! What a deal to have your wedding make the news. here is a link for CNN and also Fox news. In the picture that has all 5 couples in front of the Temple, with the brides seated, she is the center one. I just found it fun and made me happy and I wanted to share that news!
http://ldsliving.com/story/69792-mormon-mega-wedding-5-couples-in-same-family-marry-on-same-day
The two women that spoke at Sacrament were so inspiring. Each had gone through a lot of trials in their individual lives. The one sister shared that after she was widowed, at a young age, that she didn't want to get out of bed or go to Church or pray or read her scriptures or anything. Her emotional pain was so intense that she just wanted to stay in bed and cry. She said this quote by Heber J. Grant-- to live the daily life of a member-- was what moved her to always do what she didn't want to do. (It's from a talk by Elder Eyring. I listed the link at the end.)
Now, my worry is not about your testimony. You have all had spiritual
experiences, and most of you have recognized them. Some of you have had
remarkable spiritual experiences. If I called you up here to bear your
testimony, you could do it by citing spiritual manifestations in your
own experience.
But what I'm worried about, and at least unconsciously you are,
too, is a fact put bluntly by a President of the Church once. His name
was Heber J. Grant, and this is what he said. It was true when he said
it, and it still is.
She said that she is very careful to stay on the Lords side of the line and below is another powerful quote by George Albert Smith in 1935 that Elder Eyring quoted. She bore a very strong testimony of how she protects herself and doesn't wander over that line. This is a great quote. Wonderful for FHE.
President George Albert Smith made you a promise. It seemed so powerful that I wondered if the quotation when I found it was taken out of context. So I looked it up. I checked the original source and found that context is no problem since this statement was printed alone in a box by itself. It has no context. He said: There are two influences ever present in the world. One is constructive and elevating and comes from our Heavenly Father; the other is destructive and debasing and comes from Lucifer. We have our agency and make our own choice in life subject to these unseen powers. There is a division line well defined that separates the Lord's territory from Lucifer's. If we live on the Lord's side of the line Lucifer cannot come there to influence us, but if we cross the line into his territory we are in his power. By keeping the commandments of the Lord we are safe on His side of the line, but if we disobey His teachings we voluntarily cross into the zone of temptation and invite the destruction that is ever present there. Knowing this, how anxious we should always be to live on the Lord's side of the line. [George Albert Smith, Improvement Era, May 1935, p. 278]
Waiting On the Lord by Elder Eyring 1990
http://speeches.byu.edu/index.php?act=viewitem&id=775
The Gospel is truly wonderful and I love it and have a testimony. Let's just help each other down the path of life with encouragement, kindness and unconditional love.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Whistling Tea-kettle!!
My mind is just full to the brim with thoughts. do you just keep thinking or as a blogger do you write it? Risking a galosh nosh, and it seems I'm always nibbling on that item, I'm going to say something that might be best kept to myself but that doesn't seem to be my MO.
One of my granddaughters asked her Mother...do you think Nana is ashamed of us? The shock that I felt when she relayed that to me just stunned me!!! What!! What on earth is she talking about!!??
Turns out the girls had been privy to a conversation going on in a room where they, with their silence, had sort of flown under the radar. Several wonderful LDS women, wonderfully active LDS women, were sitting and visiting, enjoying each others company and they ended up, as often happens, discussing what to do about dress standards in general and dress standards at Stake dances etc. etc. Most likely parents and their role came up also. Perhaps some specifics. I don't really know. I was not there.
There is not a reader of this blog that hasn't heard or been in on one of these discussions. At some point, some place, some time, in our mortal journey, we will be in the thick of the skimpy clothing discussion. It's ongoing. It's a challenge. low necklines and high skirts are the subject. Why is tightness sometimes overlooked? bathing suits. length of shorts. On and on. Immodesty.
A million years ago in Anchorage, at a youth conference, a non-member girl showed up in a 2 piece bathing suit at a swim event....another time there was a fashion show and a girl showed up in a strapless gown. Less dress than appropriate. The late 60's/early 70's were the first of the mini-skirts to hit our Stake. There was a girl in my Laurel class and all of her clothing was sewn to perfection by her Mother. Each high-necked, long-sleeved, loose fitting mini-skirted knit sheath dress, had color coordinated leggings and stylish shoes. She was talked about a lot. So was the Mom. The first minis were probably 6-8 inches above the knee. A huge challenge in the Stake. Dress standards, dance standards. back to that pick a little/talk a little song from The Music Man!
So this talk has been going on, this concern, probably forever. I've heard it in one form or another for 50 years! same song. same verse. True--absolutely necessary to address the situation & to encourage those leaders but even more so...encourage the parents to do all they can for the sake of modesty. The classes/teaching/training does not cause me any concern. I support and tell the Moms so on modest dress. This trying to figure out how to present standards etc. I'm all for that. I've spoken at Standard Nights. In the past, lots of them. I've read the booklet. I know it's right. Truly I do. I want to help. That is not my beef.
When we sit in judgement of people, teens/kids/adults, and judge the manner of their dress and consider them less than worthy of a real Church welcome, & make my non-member granddaughters wonder if their Nana is ashamed of them because of how they dress!? Not good. Well, I start breathing fire, judging others for judging them, and just get myself in a huge vat of boiling oil!! Have to repent. again.
I remember sitting in an early meeting and hearing it discussed as to how to tell a man he needs to wear a white shirt. I thought I was going to explode. I finally blurted out that unless the man was blind and couldn't connect the dots that he obviously would see that he was the only one not dressed in white. He would eventually take care of it. Same with a woman wearing slacks to Church.
This subject probably needs to be connected with children that are inactive. I'll do that. On Monday. I probably have the cart before the horse.
Remember in the Book of Mormon where the people weren't allowed to go to Church because of the coarseness of their clothes? somehow or other in a weird way I connect the two. and then the pride cycle kicks in and that was the cause of things starting to crash and burn. that clothing. a constant source of trouble.
If I just delete this then I have nothing ready as this is what is on my mind. So I'm just going to post it. I can delete it later or do as I said and continue on Monday when I'm cool calm and collected!!
One of my granddaughters asked her Mother...do you think Nana is ashamed of us? The shock that I felt when she relayed that to me just stunned me!!! What!! What on earth is she talking about!!??
Turns out the girls had been privy to a conversation going on in a room where they, with their silence, had sort of flown under the radar. Several wonderful LDS women, wonderfully active LDS women, were sitting and visiting, enjoying each others company and they ended up, as often happens, discussing what to do about dress standards in general and dress standards at Stake dances etc. etc. Most likely parents and their role came up also. Perhaps some specifics. I don't really know. I was not there.
There is not a reader of this blog that hasn't heard or been in on one of these discussions. At some point, some place, some time, in our mortal journey, we will be in the thick of the skimpy clothing discussion. It's ongoing. It's a challenge. low necklines and high skirts are the subject. Why is tightness sometimes overlooked? bathing suits. length of shorts. On and on. Immodesty.
A million years ago in Anchorage, at a youth conference, a non-member girl showed up in a 2 piece bathing suit at a swim event....another time there was a fashion show and a girl showed up in a strapless gown. Less dress than appropriate. The late 60's/early 70's were the first of the mini-skirts to hit our Stake. There was a girl in my Laurel class and all of her clothing was sewn to perfection by her Mother. Each high-necked, long-sleeved, loose fitting mini-skirted knit sheath dress, had color coordinated leggings and stylish shoes. She was talked about a lot. So was the Mom. The first minis were probably 6-8 inches above the knee. A huge challenge in the Stake. Dress standards, dance standards. back to that pick a little/talk a little song from The Music Man!
So this talk has been going on, this concern, probably forever. I've heard it in one form or another for 50 years! same song. same verse. True--absolutely necessary to address the situation & to encourage those leaders but even more so...encourage the parents to do all they can for the sake of modesty. The classes/teaching/training does not cause me any concern. I support and tell the Moms so on modest dress. This trying to figure out how to present standards etc. I'm all for that. I've spoken at Standard Nights. In the past, lots of them. I've read the booklet. I know it's right. Truly I do. I want to help. That is not my beef.
When we sit in judgement of people, teens/kids/adults, and judge the manner of their dress and consider them less than worthy of a real Church welcome, & make my non-member granddaughters wonder if their Nana is ashamed of them because of how they dress!? Not good. Well, I start breathing fire, judging others for judging them, and just get myself in a huge vat of boiling oil!! Have to repent. again.
I remember sitting in an early meeting and hearing it discussed as to how to tell a man he needs to wear a white shirt. I thought I was going to explode. I finally blurted out that unless the man was blind and couldn't connect the dots that he obviously would see that he was the only one not dressed in white. He would eventually take care of it. Same with a woman wearing slacks to Church.
This subject probably needs to be connected with children that are inactive. I'll do that. On Monday. I probably have the cart before the horse.
Remember in the Book of Mormon where the people weren't allowed to go to Church because of the coarseness of their clothes? somehow or other in a weird way I connect the two. and then the pride cycle kicks in and that was the cause of things starting to crash and burn. that clothing. a constant source of trouble.
If I just delete this then I have nothing ready as this is what is on my mind. So I'm just going to post it. I can delete it later or do as I said and continue on Monday when I'm cool calm and collected!!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Moving ahead.
This is my favorite picture that my daughter took of her friend Robyn for the Cystic Fibrosis calendar a year or so ago. This shot eventually was featured on a magazine cover. Stampington's? Isn't it gorgeous? can you believe the incredible will of this woman with such debilitating health issues and yet her passion was dance and she was a terrific dancer. What a wonderful gift to get two new lungs!! Enjoy the other two beautiful calendar pics also. (did I tell you that I'm so proud of my daughter and her photography? I didn't!? well, I really am!!)
Below: This is the FOX news clip on Robyn's homecoming. Does this even allow you to see the clip? I hope so. I don't see any arrow to click on for Play. I'm clueless. sorry. I really wanted you to see it. Maybe you already have.
Below: This is the FOX news clip on Robyn's homecoming. Does this even allow you to see the clip? I hope so. I don't see any arrow to click on for Play. I'm clueless. sorry. I really wanted you to see it. Maybe you already have.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I know. I know. Enough!
I'm still reveling in seeing family and doing some things to make memories. I will stop talking about it (until the next time someone comes to see us!!) after this post!!! (maybe!)
The actress that plays the Mother Superior/Reverend Mother, in Leavenworth's Summer Theater Sound of Music production, is a woman named Susan and she is a school teacher. She is a great actress and has a marvelous singing voice. While she is a stranger to us in the real world, on this one night a year she becomes a friend. She always watches for the girls and they for her. They hug and are happy to see each other. She always asks how their school year went. How their grades are. What career they are headed towards and just visits with them. She cares enough about them that she has told others. When I called to get our tickets, the box office gal asked if we'd seen the play before and I said...yes, we come each year. my daughter and her girls come from Florida and this is a part of our summer. She said...Are they twins? Then she said that Susan had told her about their yearly reunion at the play. We have been going since they were 5 and this year they are 15.
I want to get some pictures from Jeanee of when they were younger. I did find this one and look how they've grown compared to this years picture!
We can all make a difference in a child's life. We don't have to be family by relationship. We can all be courteous and kind and interested in those we see at Church on Sunday. This actress truly cares for my granddaughters and it's a wonderful thing to see. That is only once a year. Wow! I can do something because I see a lot of children each Sunday all year long!!
The actress that plays the Mother Superior/Reverend Mother, in Leavenworth's Summer Theater Sound of Music production, is a woman named Susan and she is a school teacher. She is a great actress and has a marvelous singing voice. While she is a stranger to us in the real world, on this one night a year she becomes a friend. She always watches for the girls and they for her. They hug and are happy to see each other. She always asks how their school year went. How their grades are. What career they are headed towards and just visits with them. She cares enough about them that she has told others. When I called to get our tickets, the box office gal asked if we'd seen the play before and I said...yes, we come each year. my daughter and her girls come from Florida and this is a part of our summer. She said...Are they twins? Then she said that Susan had told her about their yearly reunion at the play. We have been going since they were 5 and this year they are 15.
I want to get some pictures from Jeanee of when they were younger. I did find this one and look how they've grown compared to this years picture!
We can all make a difference in a child's life. We don't have to be family by relationship. We can all be courteous and kind and interested in those we see at Church on Sunday. This actress truly cares for my granddaughters and it's a wonderful thing to see. That is only once a year. Wow! I can do something because I see a lot of children each Sunday all year long!!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Winding down from Summer
As mortals we have the tasks of daily living that require tending on a regular basis. We all have to eat, sleep, bathe, earn money etc. etc. The necessities of life. I think they can overtake us and eat up all of our time as the tasks may be completed but like quicksand they shift and it's as if they disappear and were never done.
When my Granddaughter Britta was born, 17 years ago, I flew to Kansas to help out and have fun getting to know my very first Granddaughter. I was so excited about her birth and had made her blessing dress. That was so exciting to design and sew that tiny dress. I cut a section out of my wedding gown and also a gorgeous wedding slip and used that in the dress. It wasn't until I'd finished it that I realized it was cream colored and not pure white! The fabric had aged so much! My DIL Lorrie was very sweet and didn't say a word.
The night before her blessing I had a raging headache that made me wonder how on earth I could even get off the living room couch for Church the next morning. In the dark, Greg came down the hall. Mom? I replied- Yes? He said- Mom, if you could do it all over again, what would be the one most important thing to do for the family? I realized it was a very important question and he was serious. Throbbing head, I tried to focus. I knew I needed to answer him. Prayer ran through my mind in Rolodex fashion. Then I told him...do something fun every week.
I do believe that. We know what we need to do to live our religion and we are always trying to do that. We also know what needs to be done to keep the laundry done and vacuuming and those sorts of things. Fun does not just pop on our to do list. We need to write it down. Prioritize it. Making at least one wonderful fun memory a week is a great goal. I think it is anyhow.
Terry and I took a load of trash to the dump for my friend Kathryn who is moving away this week. One of the things he tossed, reminded me of a fun tradition that their family has. He tossed a big stack of plastic ice-cream bucket containers. They have what they call "forever cones". I think that is what they call it. Each person gets one ice cream cone and they can eat as much ice cream as they want, as long as the cone holds up! We even served that as dessert at her husband's funeral. I just imagined them always having ice cream in their freezer and cones in their cupboards. They gave away a box of cones also.
As I look at my life and what occupied my time when my house was filled with children, I feel that I was more preoccupied with the necessities and trying to keep my head above water. Those tasks, absolutely necessary for a semblance of order and peace, can eat up time completely and yet the family will only remember the overall feeling and not the individual tasks that made things livable. Do the basics and put memory making on your to do list.
As Moms/Grandma's/Aunties do we make sure that we do something fun with our families? something that we can look back on, share a memory, have a laugh or feel tender? Just as we organize our chore list, I think we also have to organize our fun list. I'm way past children at home 24/7. That stage of my life is over and yet I have great opportunities because they come back home and bring their children with them.
Food is an important part of our fun. Isn't it also for you? How I would love to have family dinners again. (Speaking of food. My sister called and said The Food Nanny has a new book out and it is great for planning evening meals. I asked her if it has the benefits of eating together as a family and she said it does. Better grades. Less likelihood of drug use. other things also.)
I would also go on some sort of annual vacation...camping or otherwise. I lived camping for years. well, I called it camping (no source of constant running water!) so I never had an interest in tenting it BUT if I had a do-over then I'd do that feat just for family fun/unity/memories.
We went to the Spit one evening, umpteen years ago and gathered rocks and came home and as a family built a hearth, signed our names, placed our hand-prints and we still have that and remember doing it. except for the baby! A great memory!
I took Greg and Lance blueberry picking, and we saw a tomato field and a pepper farm. I took the bedspreads with roses and pink gingham off the beds and put on masculine colors. I bought them fresh flowers-purple and white and put them in their room (they are males and I did have to point them out and say...aren't they gorgeous?) We ate seafood and visited and enjoyed each others company. We went to Church. To the Temple. Played a game. Nightly read the scriptures. Popped corn. Nothing big and fancy but we did make some memories. Memories don't just happen by chance usually. We make the effort.
When my Granddaughter Britta was born, 17 years ago, I flew to Kansas to help out and have fun getting to know my very first Granddaughter. I was so excited about her birth and had made her blessing dress. That was so exciting to design and sew that tiny dress. I cut a section out of my wedding gown and also a gorgeous wedding slip and used that in the dress. It wasn't until I'd finished it that I realized it was cream colored and not pure white! The fabric had aged so much! My DIL Lorrie was very sweet and didn't say a word.
The night before her blessing I had a raging headache that made me wonder how on earth I could even get off the living room couch for Church the next morning. In the dark, Greg came down the hall. Mom? I replied- Yes? He said- Mom, if you could do it all over again, what would be the one most important thing to do for the family? I realized it was a very important question and he was serious. Throbbing head, I tried to focus. I knew I needed to answer him. Prayer ran through my mind in Rolodex fashion. Then I told him...do something fun every week.
I do believe that. We know what we need to do to live our religion and we are always trying to do that. We also know what needs to be done to keep the laundry done and vacuuming and those sorts of things. Fun does not just pop on our to do list. We need to write it down. Prioritize it. Making at least one wonderful fun memory a week is a great goal. I think it is anyhow.
Terry and I took a load of trash to the dump for my friend Kathryn who is moving away this week. One of the things he tossed, reminded me of a fun tradition that their family has. He tossed a big stack of plastic ice-cream bucket containers. They have what they call "forever cones". I think that is what they call it. Each person gets one ice cream cone and they can eat as much ice cream as they want, as long as the cone holds up! We even served that as dessert at her husband's funeral. I just imagined them always having ice cream in their freezer and cones in their cupboards. They gave away a box of cones also.
As I look at my life and what occupied my time when my house was filled with children, I feel that I was more preoccupied with the necessities and trying to keep my head above water. Those tasks, absolutely necessary for a semblance of order and peace, can eat up time completely and yet the family will only remember the overall feeling and not the individual tasks that made things livable. Do the basics and put memory making on your to do list.
As Moms/Grandma's/Aunties do we make sure that we do something fun with our families? something that we can look back on, share a memory, have a laugh or feel tender? Just as we organize our chore list, I think we also have to organize our fun list. I'm way past children at home 24/7. That stage of my life is over and yet I have great opportunities because they come back home and bring their children with them.
Food is an important part of our fun. Isn't it also for you? How I would love to have family dinners again. (Speaking of food. My sister called and said The Food Nanny has a new book out and it is great for planning evening meals. I asked her if it has the benefits of eating together as a family and she said it does. Better grades. Less likelihood of drug use. other things also.)
I would also go on some sort of annual vacation...camping or otherwise. I lived camping for years. well, I called it camping (no source of constant running water!) so I never had an interest in tenting it BUT if I had a do-over then I'd do that feat just for family fun/unity/memories.
We went to the Spit one evening, umpteen years ago and gathered rocks and came home and as a family built a hearth, signed our names, placed our hand-prints and we still have that and remember doing it. except for the baby! A great memory!
I took Greg and Lance blueberry picking, and we saw a tomato field and a pepper farm. I took the bedspreads with roses and pink gingham off the beds and put on masculine colors. I bought them fresh flowers-purple and white and put them in their room (they are males and I did have to point them out and say...aren't they gorgeous?) We ate seafood and visited and enjoyed each others company. We went to Church. To the Temple. Played a game. Nightly read the scriptures. Popped corn. Nothing big and fancy but we did make some memories. Memories don't just happen by chance usually. We make the effort.
God gave His children memory
That in life's garden there might be
June roses in December.
Monday, August 13, 2012
What a blessing!
Hi everyone! I missed you! I'm thinking that the summer fun has ended and moved into my memory bank of great times and my life will now settle down somewhat and be in more of a routine. One thing different about this summer was doing lots of things in short time spans. Just cramming it full of things, even if it was just sitting and talking, and enjoying being in the company of each other.
The brief time with Greg and Lance was so wonderful. They had a great Father/Son time on a very looonnnnnggg road trip when you count round trip being 50 hours!! That was so great that Lance wanted to come spend time with us.
Before their trip he'd taken out his endowments in the new Kansas Temple, had also gone to Winter Quarters Temple and wanted to go to SL (it was closed for cleaning). When he gets home they will go to Nauvoo Temple also. How special that he wanted to go to CR Temple. They were so kind to him in Temple and even invited us in to assist in Sealings. I was glad he got to be involved in that ordinance.
My heart was so tender on the day we went as it seemed unbelievable that we would have 3 generations in the Temple and I would witness that event!! It was my good fortune to sit in a spot that I could see all 3 of them clearly with no one else around them. I was lost in thought of how wonderful this was and how long we'd prayed for this day and the joy and gratitude I felt surfaced in tears coursing down my cheeks.
Priesthood power is so real. It's been a part of our lives and our home. Whenever we get together with Greg we have a tradition that he gives each of us a blessing and then his Dad gives him one. One evening we were sitting and talking and the subject of blessings suddenly surfaced when Terry told Greg that he wanted to assist him in giving Lance a blessing. Then we all ended up with blessings.
This is what impressed me beforehand. Terry and Greg were both casually dressed. Greg said....We better get dressed for giving a blessing. Each changed into white shirt, tie, slacks. Greg even put on his Church shoes. I was happy they took the time to change into something more appropriate than the sweats and shorts they had on. They showed such respect for that Heavenly power by doing so. I felt that power right in our living room.
Personal blessings are so amazing. One thing of interest in Terry's.-- He has struggled with being unable to do some of the things he used to do and feels bad, sort of guilty for not helping when help is needed. In the blessing he was told to not hold back, to attend and support things because moral support was also service. I really thought that was great counsel and very inspired.
This picture is one that was taken on the evening of the blessings. I like it because neither combed their hair. it just seems so real to me. 2 men that love the Lord and respect and acknowledge the Priesthood they are bearers of and they use that power to help family members, right in our home.
My life is blessed many times by Priesthood blessings. I'm sure yours is also.
Monday, August 6, 2012
What a happy time!!!!
Still on family leave here!!! Greg and Lance traveled 15 hours to Utah, saw his brother and family, saw the SLC sights, headed to Boise, saw my sister and headed over to Zillah!!! 25 hours of travel!! What a gift to us!! Our first missionary Grandchild, loving and caring enough, to drive from Kansas to to our front door so we can see him before he leaves to West Nevada Mission! Well, MTC stop before Nevada!
Our Ward is so awesome! so many friends wished him well and shared our joy! It's such an amazing thing to experience! A first for us!!
I'll be back here on Monday the 13th when the party is over!!!
Our Ward is so awesome! so many friends wished him well and shared our joy! It's such an amazing thing to experience! A first for us!!
I'll be back here on Monday the 13th when the party is over!!!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Memory jogger!
I'm not going to forever post only pictures but I want to share these two. I find there is something interesting and fascinating about pictures taken, of repeat actions, at different years. I think it's a part of a personal history, of a tradition, of growth and also tremendous enjoyment. A great visual way to reminisce.
They just got off the Disney Cruise ship yesterday. The right picture is when they were boarding. and the left picture was probably 10 years ago. Taken at the exact same place! One thing for sure, Jeanee has a better camera!! So many memories pop into my mind when I see these two pictures.
I remember when we went to FL for Christmas, the girls were going on 4, the ship had docked and was undergoing prep for the next cruise. Our SIL Scott took us over to give us a tour of the new ship. One of the girls said to Terry....Poppa, do you have your own boat? Poppa replied...No, I don't sweetie. She said...That is okay. Daddy will give you one.
When life slows down a bit after our summer fest, a good project and a fun one to boot, would be to put together some Now & Then pictures. I think I'll put that on my list!!!
They just got off the Disney Cruise ship yesterday. The right picture is when they were boarding. and the left picture was probably 10 years ago. Taken at the exact same place! One thing for sure, Jeanee has a better camera!! So many memories pop into my mind when I see these two pictures.
I remember when we went to FL for Christmas, the girls were going on 4, the ship had docked and was undergoing prep for the next cruise. Our SIL Scott took us over to give us a tour of the new ship. One of the girls said to Terry....Poppa, do you have your own boat? Poppa replied...No, I don't sweetie. She said...That is okay. Daddy will give you one.
When life slows down a bit after our summer fest, a good project and a fun one to boot, would be to put together some Now & Then pictures. I think I'll put that on my list!!!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
At Boise hotel/Kirkland/home/Leavenworth (a lot!!)
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| Terry canning cherries |
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| Tori-Madeline-Cassie/ trying out new curlers |
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| Grampa visiting with Murphy while Sullivan has fun! |
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| Beautiful DIL Maureen & beautiful daughter Jeanee |
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| Murphy/Sullivan/ girls playing games |
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| Benjamin and Terry |
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| Maureen and Jeanee |
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| Sound of Music-cast member that girls see each year. |
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| Kipper and Kai |
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| Kip d.- cooking Alaskan Halibut |
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| Tori- great granddaughter Ava- Cassie |
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| Kipper/Kai/Jeanee |
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| Costumes from My Turn on Earth- They try them on each year. |
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| Madeline-Cassie-Tori/Playing a game |
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| Cassie/Tori |
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