Snails pace!

What a Thursday!  Terry had the test.  Couldn't get things working for the observation on the new peek at his innards.  Ended up giving him a chocolate candy bar and a carton of whole milk.  He told them that would set him off  (he's been on NO fat eating).  The gal said she had no choice....Sorry.  He did as told.  She got her moving of the organs shot and he ended up with a several hours long gall bladder attack.  Poor fellow.  Such pain.  We are both glad it didn't last all night.  Very thankful for that.  Seems he doesn't have gall stones but what on earth is going on??????  Come on medical pros!!!  Help my darling man!!!  Now everyone will be passing on information (molasses slow!) between Doctors and clinic and hospital and hopefully in a week we will know the facts!  I like to deal with facts....not guessing and hearsay and maybes and perhaps and etc., don't you?

Sleep is so restorative.  How thankful I am for a roof over my head, a comfy bed, and the hope of a wonderful relaxing tomorrow!

I need to go to the Temple.  Yes.  I need that.

marking time...

(Today my mind is focusing on Terry.  By the time you read this he will be having yet another test to determine what to do about his gall bladder.  Why on earth they don't just remove it is beyond me!)

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Another check mark!!!

Does someone that seldom bakes/cooks lots of goodies and such, really need 10 pie tins, 4 round cake pans, 8 bread pans, 5 muffin tins, 4 spring form pans????  Should they be stored in the same cupboard along with the home defense weapon of Terry's BB-gun?  Oh, and 9 furniture sliders, binoculars and a camera tripod?

We're talking two people, not like an army, living here.

I endeavor to keep like things together.  So I have a baking cupboard/casserole dishes sort of space.  My rule is...I can keep it IF it can fit in designated space.  So I may keep to much but I justify it if it fits in it's little cubby hole! 

You can see that neither of these little homilies were adhered to by this picture.  note the years old spray starch all over the ironing board cover!  Maybe I should buy a new one!!

Untidy!!!

Tidy (except for ironing board.  bad.  but I seldom iron.  my excuse!)

This was not real hard to organize even though it's way more than I need.  That MAC bag on the top shelf is filled with plastic gift bags for cookies and candy that I most likely will not fill but just in case I slip a gear and actually do it, I'm prepared to give a gift bag to each individual in the entire Ward.

The reason it wasn't difficult was because I removed all of this.....

What on earth???!!  Who put this stuff in that little cupboard????

Now the big challenge.  What am I going to do with shelf covering, garlic baker, food chopper, BIG gravy boat, measuring bowls, garlic and oil misters, small cast iron skillet, 7 plastic containers  (one still in packaging) that are suppose to keep veggies etc. fresh.  Almost every single thing has never been used!  This will take creative thinking to figure out what to do.  Can I let it go? 

Oh, boy.  I'm tired.  it's late.  Technically the cupboard is tidy.  I can see what is there and if I do go on some wild spree, I know where the pans are to get the baking/cooking deed done.  I'm not going to stuff any of this stuff back in there.

This will require some mulling over.

Birthday gifts?  shower gifts?  wedding gifts?  friend gifts?  store in a tote? Value Village?

Train starting to chug a chug!!!

Slightly off track and thus slightly off task but still moving ahead.  Same 1st goal of dejunk/downsize.

Into living room....

Wow! that is blurry!  small table jammed with magazines!

Tossed away!!

except for these!!

stuffed piano bench

tidy piano bench with books showing my level of playing (zilch. nada. zero)

 In the bench I found something that I had no idea was in there.  This is a story for another time but it sure brought back the memories.  A flood of them!!!

Memories!

Note the words--Modified and Simplified!  Key words!

Bookshelf...messy!

 

 

Bookshelf....tidy!

 

 

Here are some  books that I found tucked away. An AA book that I thought might help me lose weight.  It didn't work!  or I didn't work it is more accurate.  I remember going to an AA place to buy it!  Note the 5 copies of the music CD I Hope You Dance. Purchased in 2000.  Have yet to mail them to my 5 children!!

 

  

 

 Again, all sorts of things that I thought would be fun to master.  Some perfectly preserved in their unopened state!  I seem to want to do everything but the reality is it doesn't get done!!  I remind myself that the road to you know where is paved with good intentions!! Am I heading downward? 

two pieces of granite from CR Temple.   Need to find them a home.

Love Unfeigned (genuine)

Just want to mention that the men in our Ward (and Stake) are so kind.  Don't you sort of want to shake some men?-- and say....You have the Priesthood!  Step up to the plate and use it to alleviate suffering/pain.  Give courage/comfort.  I'm impressed with the compassion of the men in our Ward.  Most especially the High Priests of which my hubby is a Quorum member.  They remind me of a pack of Alaskan huskies or a pride of wolves or some animal group that cares/protects/loves their fellow members.

They come...they bless...they check up...they volunteer to drive...they leave phone numbers to call anytime- day or night.

They are sincerely happy when said blessing recipient man shows up at Church.

They smile and shake hands and hug and express gratitude for increased health and lessened pain.

Word spreads of his gall bladder problems and so does compassion.  They come over to our pew, before Church starts, to check on him.

  Now, we know as women, for the sake and survival of humanity, our divine nature is comprised of compassion.  Charity is at the core of all female hearts and unless coarseness has bunioned us up or perhaps neglect/abuse has created a heart hardening, we are caring/loving/giving.  We are born that way and then develop it fully.

Men are not naturally that way...but they strive to become that way.  I don't know if it's the seasoned aging of the High Priests that causes such compassion  (although we do have Aaron and he's very young and he's compassionate).  I appreciate it.  I enjoy watching them tenderly taking care of my, sort of out of commission, man.

I personally seek men that understand the power bestowed on them, that God-like power that can be shared to help others, when a blessing is needed.  It increases my faith when I have that feeling that they understand they are a conduit to bring blessings from heaven.

My husband understands that Priesthood power.  Our son, Greg does also.  And now our missionary son, Lance Elder Seljestad also has that conviction/testimony.

Thank you, dear brothers.

Mosiah 3: 
19 For the ^anatural ^bman is an ^cenemy to God, and has been from the ^dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he ^eyields to the enticings of the ^fHoly Spirit, and ^gputteth off the ^hnatural man and becometh a ⁱsaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a ^jchild, ^ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Doctrine & Covenants 41:

 39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the ^anature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little ^bauthority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise^cunrighteous dominion.

 40 Hence many are called, but ^afew are chosen.

 41 No ^apower or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the ^bpriesthood, only by ^cpersuasion, by ^dlong-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

 42 By ^akindness, and pure ^bknowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the ^csoul without ^dhypocrisy, and without ^eguile—

 43 ^aReproving betimes with ^bsharpness, when ^cmoved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of^dlove toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

 44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of ^adeath.

 45 Let thy ^abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let ^bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy ^cconfidence wax strong in the ^dpresence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the ^edews from heaven.

 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant ^acompanion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of ^brighteousness and truth; and thy ^cdominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

( a PS-After I wrote this and actually posted it and slept on it and had it out for a day....it dawned on me that I was most likely slighting the fantastic Elders in our midst.  My husband appreciated and used his Priesthood to bless our family, as an Elder, long before he was a High Priest.  It's just wonderful, no matter the age, to have men in the Church that can be called valiant.)

Ready to start my engine...again!

Took a detour as so often happens in life.  Moving along and then Hubby's gallbladder takes center stage.  Now he's had his Ultra-sound and we await results.  It still seems strange to me that someone can be in the hurt locker and yet available help is slow as molasses and moves you to the bottom of some list that feels endless. 

One thing that was great was apple juice.  A son reminded me that people do cleanses for gallbladders.  I, in the midst of concern (and maybe brain drain!) had forgotten that fact.  Asked a couple of cleanser-type people if they had suggestions.  Ended up going online (what did we do before becoming our own medical sleuths?).  So many cleanses available.  I decided I wanted the most simple one I could find.  Lots of them used apple juice.  The one I chose was super simple and it had the only hope filled sentence that none of the others mentioned.  They all said it would soften the gallstones but only my choice had the magic words...The apple juice contains limonoid which helps soften any gallstones and alleviate any pain you are experiencing. That bit of info was like a hoped for fortune cookie prophecy.  I longed for it.  Hoped for it.  Wanted it to work for my guy.  IT DID!!!

So...people asking about me.  concerned for me.  I tended to hole up.  Withdraw.  What is that disorder when you never leave your home?  I was like that.  Just fussing over Terry.  Hovering. Bat in a cave.

Then I stopped being an ostrich, faced the gorgeous blue sky, absorbed that free mental health boost, and am ready to continue my de-junk attack.  Anytime you really feel down, stepping outdoors and looking at anything natural, immediately reminds me of the pre-existent plan.  The sky.  The trees.  The earth.  Gifted to me, to you, to us, as a part of The Plan.  I can peek at the sky and remember....  It's all right....God is in His Heaven and all is right with my world. 

My mind thinks of Korihor.  I'm really not like him.  I'm not seeking signs.  I'm a believer.  I have a core of strong beliefs.  The reason I think of him, is in his sign seeking, Alma tells him about the most powerful sign of all.  Alma tells him that he has the testimony of the brethren and the holy apostles and the scriptures.  And then he tells him that all of these things denote there is a God.  Then a step beyond all of this, as a convincing sign that there is a God, Alma says...
yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator. (Alma 30:44)

I am reminded, comforted and strengthened by the moon and stars and sun and sky, and the whole nine yards, that earth life is a part of a grand plan.  Earthly pulls on my time, this last while, made me realize I needed to step outside and bask in the power and reminders available, of that heavenly council and the details of the earth, for our mortal experience. To sort of center myself.

A little verbose or is that an oxymoron? 

Anyhow.

Sitting and waiting for Terry to have his testing and watching the Olympics.  A woman came and sat down by me.  I asked if she was following the O's.  She said no. Her interest is the lottery and she was hoping she had 5 numbers so she could win a million$'s.  That was what she was following.

When I saw the medal ceremony with USA/Canada it really hit me about the downer of a silver medal for some.  Maybe something was said about it and it registered later but it was this.  If a person wins a bronze then they defeated someone to win that medal.  If a person wins silver, then someone beat them even though they won.  Gold means you defeated someone.  Silver means someone defeated you.  Bronze means you defeated someone.  So...boys and girls, that is why Silver is such a tough pill to swallow or in this case...ribbon bestowal to wear.  Now surely that is trivia of the day!!

I did take a picture on the finished fabric cupboard and also the picture of the horse quilt that my Mother and I made.  Excuse me.  The quilt is NOT made.  it's ready to be finished!

I've never had such a small amount of fabric!! Double deep.  Fabric behind what you see.

This needs black embroidered eye and nose and a couple of "patches".  

The fabric to the left are the borders and the heart square is one of the 4 corners.  This turns out so adorable.  We made a lot of them.

Still in de-junk/downsize mode.  Ready to move forward.  Monday I will restart.  right now I'll get back to where I was and pickup and tidy-up and cleanup.  Regroup!
   

Enjoying Olympic figure skating from Sochi!!

Sounds like a great work!

CR 1963 President David O. McKay said:

“Generally there is in man a divinity which strives to push him onward and upward. We believe that this power within him is the spirit that comes from God. Man lived before he came to this earth, and he is here now to strive to perfect the spirit within. At sometime in his life, every man is conscious of a desire to come in touch with the Infinite. His spirit reaches out for God. This sense of feeling is universal, and all men ought to be, in deepest truth, engaged in the same great work—the search for and the development of spiritual peace and freedom.” 

Nevertheless

Nevertheless- adv. & conj. ...  in spite of this

When I hear the word, nevertheless, I think of Adam being told...thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself... (Moses 3:17)  

Given counsel and yet still being able to choose.  The word nevertheless stuck out to me in two statements on the Church news website.  One on alcohol and one on same-sex marriage/homosexuality.  The excerpt statements below, to me, are about us learning to conduct ourselves as LDS people, while behavior we don't agree with is being legislated as legal and we know/feel/believe that it's immoral.  

 ON ALCOHOL:
The Church also believes strongly that alcohol policy in Utah is closely tied to the moral climate of the state and legislation should not enable, promote or contribute to an “alcohol culture.”  Nevertheless, the Church does not contest the fact that alcohol is socially acceptable in our society and should be available to those who want it.  (Church Website)

ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE:

Just as those who promote same-sex marriage are entitled to civility, the same is true for 
those who oppose it. The Church insists on its leaders’ and members’ constitutionally 
protected right to express and advocate religious convictions on marriage, family, and 
morality free from retaliation or retribution. The Church is also entitled to maintain its 
standards of moral conduct and good standing for members.

Consistent with our fundamental beliefs, Church officers will not employ their 
ecclesiastical authority to perform marriages between two people of the same sex, 
and the Church does not permit its meetinghouses or other properties to be used 
for ceremonies, receptions, or other activities associated with same-sex marriages.  
Nevertheless, all visitors are welcome to our chapels and premises so long as they 
respect our standards of conduct while there.  (Church Website)

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Church apostle Elder Quentin L. Cook stresses that-- "Latter-day Saints, who devote their 
lives to following Jesus Christ’s teachings, should be an example to the world of expressing 
love and hope for those with same-gender attraction."

*****************************

paragraphs below from  --No Other Gods by Dallin H. Oaks here 

"There are many political and social pressures for legal and policy changes to establish behaviors contrary to God’s decrees about sexual morality and contrary to the eternal nature and purposes of marriage and childbearing. These pressures have already authorized same-gender marriages in various states and nations. Other pressures would confuse gender or homogenize those differences between men and women that are essential to accomplish God’s great plan of happiness.

Our understanding of God’s plan and His doctrine gives us an eternal perspective that does not allow us to condone such behaviors or to find justification in the laws that permit them. And, unlike other organizations that can change their policies and even their doctrines, our policies are determined by the truths God has identified as unchangeable."

"Our twelfth article of faith states our belief in being subject to civil authority and “in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” But man’s laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral. Commitment to our highest priority—to love and serve God—requires that we look to His law for our standard of behavior. For example, we remain under divine command not to commit adultery or fornication even when those acts are no longer crimes under the laws of the states or countries where we reside. Similarly, laws legalizing so-called “same-sex marriage” do not change God’s law of marriage or His commandments and our standards concerning it. We remain under covenant to love God and keep His commandments and to refrain from serving other gods and priorities—even those becoming popular in our particular time and place."

"In this determination we may be misunderstood, and we may incur accusations of bigotry, suffer discrimination, or have to withstand invasions of our free exercise of religion. If so, I think we should remember our first priority—to serve God—and, like our pioneer predecessors, push our personal handcarts forward with the same fortitude they exhibited."

****************************************

Talk about a challenge for an attitude adjustment!  To reconcile our conduct towards those that embrace what we don't believe in.  To remind ourselves that it's not sin to be homosexual- it's only sin if you act on it.  Even acting on it doesn't give me license to tar and feather anyone.  For some, this will be like taking down their own personal Berlin Wall.  Seemingly as large and impossible a task as that feat was outwardly and we will deal with that inward battle.  We can't fool God.

I've mentioned before, as far as I know in our family, we have no one dealing with this issue.  I have friends that have that challenge and one thing I see is often there is estrangement and families are fractured.  Siblings want nothing to do with them and if there are nieces/nephews they will not allow them to be around them.  Parents sometimes will not allow there own child to come into their home.  Excluding them from family reunions/Christmas etc. 

I think it was last conference that someone mentioned that children should be welcome in their own family.  Don't have it right here, right now, but I do have this statement by Elder Cook.....

" No family who has anybody who has a same-gender issue should exclude them from the family circle. They need to be part of the family circle. Do we teach the Proclamation on the Family, do we teach Heavenly Father’s plan, do we teach the first chapter in the second handbook, yes we do. We have a plan of salvation. And having children come into our lives is part of Heavenly Father’s plan. But let us be at the forefront in terms of expressing love, compassion, and outreach to those and lets not have families exclude or be disrespectful of those who choose a different lifestyle as a result of their feelings about their own gender. I’m sorry, I feel very strongly about this as you can tell. I think it’s a very important principle."

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(Handbook 2  21.4.6)   
While opposing homosexual behavior, the Church reaches out with understanding and respect to individuals who are attracted to those of the same gender.

*********************************************************** 

So here we are preparing ourselves for yet another last day battle.  chinking our armor.  ultra-sounding our thoughts and picking out bad seeds that are revealed through such close introspection.  Avoiding Ward civil wars over who is right and who is wrong.  Following the Prophets and figuring out that the 11th article of faith covers this subject also doesn't it?  Sort of?  Somewhat?  Don't you think it's about unconditional love?

Why on earth is the word Gay used?  I see nothing gay about anything homosexual. 

Gay adj. --lighthearted and cheerful, happy and full of fun. 

A new descriptive identifying word is needed.  Anyone that I know of that is gay would not be described as a dictionary Gay adj.  Misnomer for sure!!

As Thumper was taught by his mother in Bambi--if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all.

Me.  Hushing up.

 

I beleive this statement to be true!

 For some reason I couldn't get the post I was trying to do to settle in and let me post it!!

My last week has been involved with Terry.  He's doing okay and will have an ultra sound Tuesday and see what is going on with his gall bladder.

I'm still in de-junk mode and will share my progress.  Things did slow down with Terry's challenges but I still plowed ahead.  I did have a friend over and realized that I've got some stuff scattered in my little office and wish I'd been a bit tidier.

So much on my mind but I'm heading to bed!!  Will get up to speed this week!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

My Material Possesions!!

So my seemingly endless de-junk/downsize rampage is still my focus.  Life, regular daily life, with it's interruptions and routine continues but I just keep on keeping on with my 1st phase goal.

Life- took Terry to Dr.  He most likely is having gall bladder attacks.  They will do an ultra sound next week to see what is going on in there.  Feeling he will be just fine.

Life- Olympic Figure Skating- Love it!!

Life- My de-junk 1st phase goal.  Moving ahead.

Do you enjoy material?  Beautiful fabric.  I use to buy fabric like all factories were closing down and I better stock up before it was all gone.  I'd buy 4 yards of whatever I thought the loveliest.  I knew that fabric was an art form, and except for the very oldest patterns that had become traditional, that they would be a fleeting seasonal thing.  Patterns also.  So my co-dependent self must have been ready to make quilts for the Ward?  the town?  Matching dresses for each Ward family?  with neckties for the men?  who knows?

At some point I realized the madness has to stop.  I'd fallen out of love was lots of my earlier loves so I gave trash bags filled with past treasures to the Humanitarian Leader, she who actually uses the fabric for those in need.  I really whittled it down.  Promised myself (not sure if that can actually be banked on) to not purchase 4 yard lots.  and dropped it to 1/2 yard.  considered 1/4 yard.  then Fat squares came into vogue and those were tempting.  Terry built me a closet and I decided whatever I could place (translated cram) on said shelves would be within my storage laws.

On this project the only thing I removed were the two dust-ruffles that I'd found when I cleaned under the bed (1) and behind the chair (1).   I figured they were a great chunk of fabric and would make great costumes (for Broadway??) out of the damask one or a Victorian dress, for a little girl, out of the battenburg lace.  All that center fabric, that the mattress rests on, would be lots of yardage.  Did I mention our bed is not equipped for a damask dust ruffle or any dust-ruffle?  and the back bedroom is the same.  Queen-size dust ruffle on bunks or even a queen size Murphy bed just doesn't work.

Here is how it looked when I started....

-

The start

the 2 dust ruffles that I'm trying to convince myself I'll use...for something....someday.

I did it!  sad to say they are gone.  Such a waste but I had to do it!!!

always lurking--- ribbon for Women's Conference in November!!!

Ribbon has a new home!!  see fat quarters next to pin cushion?  beauties for sure.

Food storage?  no.  they are containers for Notions.  that is what my Mother would say.  Notions.

 Most adorable dress pattern ever!!

Skirt has no gathers at empire waist and yet 4 gores allow it to hang smooth and it is actually a full circle skirt!!  Girls adore the swing of it.  I was so captivated by it that I bought all sizes right up to a size 14.  Of course my over the top plans, of every sister in the Ward that had a baby girl would receive one, were only accomplished in my dreams!!  It's for a trim little girl and not for all body types.  I did sew 4 of them plus 4 matching doll dresses and they were, totally bragging, designer worthy in fabric and sewing.  The patterns are no longer available (did company close also?) and the year I decided that I had to have them all, they were out of stock so I hunted one down in Oregon.  Maybe I was thinking I'd start a trend in high school or something with those large sizes?  This yellow fabric is old Daisy Kingdom (which I was mad for) and it's actually a dress that is half cut out but of course...not completed.  I keep thinking that someday I'll do it.  This will stay and someone can toss it when I'm long gone but not me!!  Did I mention that I love cabbage roses.  love this print!!!!

Years ago when times were rough and tough and I'd wonder if I would survive...I decided that about the best thing a person can do when darkness prevails is to create a spot of beauty and create a little light.  I took a quilting class and fell in love with making quilts (tops.  of course.  did you really think I'd finish all of them????)  There was something so peaceful, so creative, so exact, so lovely and pulled all of my focus to that project and away from the burdens of my mind/life/soul.  I loved the entire journey of the choice and planning and doing.  I should have taken a picture of one of my quilt tops!  who am I kidding?  I still have some!!!

Time went on and I continued to have that feeling of creating a spot of beauty.  a bit of brightness and hope in prevailing darkness.  Appropriately enough I decided to make a Crazy Quilt!!  I decided to make fancy squares with beads and lace and blanket stitch embroidery.  It was a marvelous adventure and gave me such hope in knowing that nothing tough lasts forever, as this is mortality, and forever is for eternity.  Sometimes someone would see a square that I was working on.  I'd tell them about it.  Then I'd end up giving them one.  I'd let them choose.  I'd tell them when time gets rough just think of the beauty of the Gospel.  Look at this and realize things will get better.  sometimes I'd just take one to someone that I thought needed it.

I had no intention of making a quilt but the last square I gave away the woman said I should have made a wall hanging or a quilt.  she actually framed her block.

I stopped giving them because I stopped making them because my eyes weren't as sharp.  I have a few left and someday (I know.  I know.) I hope to finish them.  I need to keep one because occasionally I take a peek at it when I need to pull myself together.

small beautiful beads that I used on the squares.

4 left. silky and lovely.  a bit of my heart in those squares.

The only finished one.  I left the edges raw because life is sometimes that way!!

finished!  too dark and I cut off top shelf.  I'll take another tomorrow.

My Mother and I made and finished lots of quilts for her Grandchildren and then she made a couple for me to have to give.  I'll take a picture tomorrow.  Correct.  I still have them.  They are not finished.  I spared you the ordeal of showing you all the stacks of fabric.  Aren't you thankful?