Comic Book Style

Today I plan on going to the Temple and I'm really looking forward to it.  With the passage of Winter Weather, and safe driving pretty much guaranteed 24/7, I can get back to a weekly visit.  That sounds so great to me.  Sometimes I need to abruptly change plans & cancel, because of needing to be here with Hubby, so I gave up the idea of trying to take others.  I'm fine flying solo as it gives me time to think and pray.  That talk, for Women's Conference, will be in my thoughts for sure!  And...of course!-General Conference!!

Today I was reminded, from years and years ago, about a comic book of sort called - Book of Mormon on Trial.  I remember thumbing through it and all of the conversation about it...was it true to the real Book of Mormon? and that sort of thing.  A big buzz of excitement but honestly I was lost in the whirl, as I didn't even know the stories from the real Book of Mormon well enough, to be able to compare and put in my two cents!  I remember the fellow's name Jack West.

Anyhow...today I see that there are 6 Volumes, comic book style, of The Book of Mormon available and I ordered them.  I will ask the parents of my Primary class if they will allow their children to borrow the books and read them.  the article is here. 

Trying to remember if at one time I had one of those Trial books.  I remember it was a large paperback with a tan cover.  If so....I should have hung onto it as it would now be a Collector Item!  That would have been in the late 1960's.  Now they have the 3rd Printing available.  I should have bought it also!

it is what it is....

and I'm thankful for that fact.  Thankful to be reminded that there was no cancer.  Engaged in 15 minutes of disappointment in car and another 25 minutes when I got home- being told I'm still on my "restriction of heavy lifting and over doing things" for 6 more weeks!

 I had a hernia, in my navel, and the surgeon had to repair that and it needs more healing time without that stress of lifting and a bit more inner healing of the actual hysterectomy.  So- on my birthday will be my day to celebrate total freedom of picking up vacuum and navigating porch furniture etc.

Let's face it...I'm not some weight lifter readying myself for some world class event or a female wrestler looking towards the Olympics nor am I involved in some over the top strenuous gym workout and I'm not even into preparing for some sort of Marathon race.  I was reminded of that fact, when she was talking to me about the importance of walking even 5 minutes and build up to 30 minutes and do it 3 times a week, and making sure I eat food with fiber and it isn't actually the prunes that gets things moving but it's the fiber in the prunes and do eat one apple a day.  My eyes started glazing over with the discourse on dieting and again I thought...it's amazing that trim folks, at times, think fatty folks have no brains and these ideas have never even entered their minds on exercise or eating!

To her credit...she was very nice, hadn't ever met me, and was very thorough.  My amazing surgeon was missing because she was sick!  I did miss seeing her to thank her.

So life moves ahead and with gratitude and thankfulness for the good things that are going on and the healing within that is still in progress will be aided by me minding my p's & q's!  (does anyone even say that in this day and age?)

One fond memory of that time was sent to me by my darling daughter, a few weeks ago.  Truly we had the best time.

So last time of this subject.  From my girl!....

I will never forget our 4 days together in Seattle. It was a wonderful Mother/Daughter trip... we just added the hysterectomy to get it out of the way while we were up there...  It was absolutely priceless on every level. The beautiful sunny no-snow  drive up, the unpacking in our Healing Hotel, going to a delicious seafood meal at sunset over the water and seeing the skyline and boats, going to all of the meetings, blood draw with the guy who thought he was a comedian... not funny at all, hearing your brilliant Dr. say how she would pull your ovaries, tubes, uterus,and cervix out of your v. ... with no emotion... and don't forget, no inserting objects for 10 weeks... the dark, early morning, signing you in, you getting prepped, take everything off and "put this tiny piece of material on backwards"..., you being fully awake in the operating room-reminding them to put you out before cutting... me waiting 5 hours to hear from the Dr.,  finally going back and seeing your beautiful face. Nurse Dana telling me you made her day with the line "I'd rather not have cancer today." Being drugged and naughty to the nurses, repenting so sweet that you made her cry and fall in love with you, Going to recovery in your own room, another needle in the arm, painful blood pressure squeeze, adorable cute male nurse- turned into horrible male nurse, your arm rapidly swelling in size, name bracelet tight, burning fire of potassium chloride infused in your flesh, you peeing for the first time, then finally getting the IV's out and leg massage cuffs off and suddenly you're in your own clothes and into a wheel chair and tenderly into the car and slowly and carefully up the stairs and slowly and carefully into the most comfortable bed and sleep for both of us.Seriously the best sleep and most comfortable bed and feeling.  naps all day, bites of Qdoba salad, great night sleep, wonderful next day together in sweet silence and chatting, you walking a bit wanting to get strong, Chinese food dinner, more precious sleep and watching Olympics. Kip saying pass is closed, then open, go now, nervous but strong, Packing the car up, you walking down stairs and getting into the car for our snow and ice adventure, surrounded by 16 wheelers putting chains on... then out of the blue, 6 snow plow boys to the rescue, two in front, two beside and two behind...plowing the ice and snow for us, then they exit and blue skies appear. I'd say you have a few angels watching over you.

The most peaceful feeling being together. No stress, no fighting, just absolute love. I will never forget it.

I love you Momma, you are extraordinary.

Jeanee

(Do I dare even post this blog?  I have friends and family members that really suffer and really have pain and really have diseases and I'm whining for even a few minutes because I can't put a very heavy cast iron pan in my oven?  I'm embarrased to even think of that thought but...I did feel disappointed for a few minutes and that's my truth and you know me by now ...I speak my truth and sometimes it's not lovely!)

Last check-up

What a great Sunday!  I'm so eager for General Conference that I can hardly wait and today makes it that much closer! Only 6 days away!

Started in on my new study Book of Mormon and it is great!  Just like I thought it would be.  Have only read a bit so I need to read it longer than a couple of days but the reading so far is just bliss!

Tomorrow is a big day for me...day trip to UofW for my final check up on my surgery.  A quick (hopefully quick) peek at my 5 incisions and giving me a thumbs up and having the surgeon declare that I'm ready and can resume fun things like vacuuming the rug and mopping the porch and raking leaves and picking up cast iron skillet/crockpot/heavy pans and handling lifting/hauling groceries and all that sort of fun stuff!... I want that power in my life again!  Setting up the porch!!  Yes!! Awww...independence and total freedom to slave away and enjoy it!  The ability to lift anything I want with no 9# restriction!  A desired gift!  6 weeks has seemed mighty long but I was as careful as I could be and followed instructions to the best of my ability.  I don't want more time tacked on!  I want freedom!

Planned menu for our upcoming Conference weekend, of binge watching all day Saturday and Sunday, sounds pretty weird but we are having lasagna, salad, and for dessert?--Mincemeat pie!  Things that will be cooked in advance and can be eaten at will and not miss a moment of General Conference.   Yeppers...that is a weird menu!  That is what happens when you can be totally self-indulgent and eat any strange combination of foods that you choose!  Aging has lots of perks! 

Still thinking about getting my ear piercing re-done.  thinking.  only thinking.

Moving ahead...

My hair is cut short but I resisted doing it myself!  It was rather straggly and I was thinking that I'd find someone to style it for me.  Someone that works with fine hair...fine hair that now is thinning hair!  When I asked my friend for the phone number...the fellow is not working!  So back to SuperCuts.  Actually the end result looked decent and elicited lots of positive comments.  In all honesty, I don't know if it looks as great, as some said, or it was just so cleaned up and non-straggly that it appeared stylish!  I'm just going to keep going to SuperCuts.  Always!  Okay.  for now.

I'm still stewing over my cowardliness to get my ears poked.  I know I need to go and do it and soon before they close the Yakima Clarice's store.  Maybe it is closed.  One friend that is encouraging (pushing me) threw out the threat...if you don't go to Clarice's before they close then you will have to go to a tattoo parlor!...that thought is making me start to edge closer to the needle!

Also I got invited to speak at the Stake Women's Conference and I'd like to wear earrings as you know the other women will look gorgeous!!!  A nice thought to think that throbbing swollen earlobes will make me one of the gorgeous gals on the stand!  Sometimes I amaze myself with how utterly ridiculous I am and how off-base my reality of thinking is!  I will keep you posted!  (As if anyone even gives a hoot if I have hole-less lobes!)  I really did like those pearls last time!

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

I'm almost finished with my Book of Mormon reading and again, I must say that I absolutely love reading it straight through with out glancing at chapter headings or verses which breaks the flow and interrupts.  It just flows like this exciting story and draws me in and moves me forward with such enjoyment and clarity and the Holy Ghost just testifies over and over and it is just an amazing read-a-thon.  I've just moved into Ether. 

Last week...I found some soul brothers in feeling the same about how I'm reading!!  They have done an amazing thing.  They got permission from the Church authorities, The Church Authorities, to copy word for word the 2013 Edition of The Book of Mormon, and they have divided it into 214 Events.  They offered a special for $14.99 (I think) and I quickly ordered one and zippety-do-dah, guess what??!, today it's here!!  All the things I did in my mind while reading are now in this wonderful format!!  As soon as I finish my current reading...I will start on this!!  This will be my new cover to cover read from General Conference to General Conference.  

I wish I could copy and show you but they say...NO.  so...it's a father and son (Lynn and David Rosenvall .  It's called -

A NEW APPROACH TO STUDYING 

THE BOOK OF MORMON

ANOTHER TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

They, like me, like "emphasizing events rather than chapters".  Oh, it's just amazing and as they say, in their explanation of their "annotating and formatting" that "not one jot or tittle has been omitted or changed."  I'll be quiet.  I've not looked yet but I see they have a www.StudyTheScriptures.com  (isn't that suppose to turn blue?)

The only problem I see, with the book, is the cover which is unbelievably stiff.  I'm talking stiff as a board stiff and that is no exaggeration.  I see the spine is not glued to it so at least the pages will have no problems with turning.  I love the feel of the paper.  Important to me...paper that feels good to my touch!!

I'm sure you have no doubt that I'll keep you posted!!

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

Hoping to get an all clear from my surgeon on Monday.  I'm anxious to be able to lift something heavier than a milk carton without causing internal problems!!  It seems like forever at this point and way beyond the 6 weeks!   

 

No regrets...

You know that my ear piercing did not work out.  Got up my courage (me the biggest coward ever!!) and did it and then piercing wouldn't stay and closed up.  A friend told me I took the studs out to soon so I decided to regroup and build up courage and do it again.  Like this week!  and what shows up in the news????....Claires has declared bankruptcy and closing up shop!!  Maybe I'm not to have it done????

*****

Lately I've been thinking of the importance of planning your life so that the summation, a few years out, won't have areas of regret for things not done.  Especially with family memories. 

My Mother died in 1999 and Dixie and I jointly inherited a timeshare at McCall.  Mother had invited our family to use it that year.  That was 19 years ago when we had, what I would call, our first planned reunion.  At first Dixie and I alternated years and then eventually she signed it over to me and we had it available every year.

We have thoroughly enjoyed it and have made incredible indelible memories for all of us.  You've heard about our fun times there over the years.

Those times are pretty much over for any of that happening again.  Last year we were to celebrate our 60th anniversary there and it all fell through because of Terry's health but we had a fantastic time celebrating in Kennewick at our Grandson's home.  But the McCall trek for a family reunion has now faded away.

and it's okay.  We knew this would happen.  About the only time you can get 5 families together at the same time, along with the parents/grandparents, is when all of the kiddos are in school and living of course at home.  Once they graduate and start college and get jobs...it's a whole new world!

I have a friend that always had their family reunions over in the Cannon Beach area.  5 adult kiddos...like us.  They always rented the same place and did the same sort of activities and had certain traditions and meals and etc.  That faded out as grandchildren graduated and moved on into education/ careers/ marriage.  That is now a thing of their past but they have the marvelous shared memories and now their children will do something similar.

Another friend always gathered their 3 sons and families to a big rental in California on the beach.  It also eventually faded out.  Memories don't fade though. 

Jeanee and I talked last week about having no regrets over these last 19 years.  It was worth every single ounce of energy and money to make it happen.  Our family is loud when together and laughs boisterously and loves to talk and horse around.  We had fun!!  We have made memories that will endure.

Now we move to the next phase of life.  Our life and their's.  Terry will be 80 in October!!  (no way!)  We have made the decision, just this week, that we will continue to go to McCall each year (as long as I can safely drive us there) and we will let everyone know and if someone can come for the week or a few days...awesome!  if they can't?...that is fine also.

A few years ago, our 3 granddaughters- Cassie, Tori, Britta, came to me and asked me to never sell the timeshare as they wanted to someday bring their own families there.  They want to keep the tradition going.  That made me teary as it was so sweet and they were so sincere.  We will just hang onto it as long as it is still standing!

Now we are into making memories with each individual family and want to see each of they yearly.  We are blessed to have our Grandson and his little family nearby and just yesterday we decided to make a simple monthly get together into a memory to be looked back on.  nothing complicated or elaborate but just a consistent monthly event.  The first one will be making sno-cones and use the little machine we used at McCall.  Just a couple of hours together each month will build fantastic memories and we will make sure to take a picture.

Each of those 3 gr-daughters I mentioned enjoy being with us and I credit it to that annual McCall reunion.

Truly to look back over these 19 years and to know we drew closer as a family and established a tradition and created lasting memories just makes me so happy.  Especially considering the conversation Jeanee and I had on our way to the first one...I said...this will either be the best, most bonding thing for our family OR it will implode and we will never see each other again!!  We have 5 of the most diverse wonderful people ever born but they are all marching to their own drumbeat!  Of course, you know the way it ended up...terrific!

Britta is soon to be married and I got such a laugh out of one of the things she told her hubby-to-be...McCall is not an option.  It's a must do.

So many of you live close, maybe in the same town with your family, do you plan something to get together and establish it as a tradition?  IF I had it to do over, I'd never call a trip a vacation, I'd call it a Family Reunion!!

What a great time over these last years!

Now we move into making new memories in a new and different way perhaps but memories still!

life as it is...

You known my resistance to doing genealogy...if you don't know then I can tell you that I fight it like the dickens.  I am pulled towards stories and pictures and organizing letters and that sort of thing but never towards getting names ready for submission for Temple work.  also I always use the excuse...my nice niece, Teri Lynn, has done everything!

Then I ended up mailing a box of stuff, a few weeks ago,  that had clung to my guilty conscience like some sort of invisible lead ball.  The traditional back pack burden of procrastinating etc. etc.

So...my son had ended up telling me I was being selfish (how dare he speak the truth to me!!!) and that I should send the entire box to Teri Lynn.  I did.  She got it.  She sorted through it all and guess what folks...guilt load gone!  Everything I had, almost every single thing in the 21# box that I sent...she already had it...put it on Family Search!  Technically I was right but I burdened myself needlessly for years!!  I just found out yesterday that there was not a bunch of new things, never before seen and only in my possession.  What a relief and also a pathetic story of flailing ourselves with non-existent guilt.

Don't we do that with other life experiences also?  Relationships...perceived misunderstandings etc. etc.

well, before that news yesterday I had determined to watch all of the Root Tech convention that I could.  I went into with the prayer that I would feel like I was suppose to feel regarding this work.  I came into with the same feelings I've always had...telling the story of pictures...writing my life history...taking care of tapes that I interviewed my Mom in...organizing family pictures and that sort of thing but seeking to trying to feel motivated to do the find names to take to Temple etc.  trying to get myself on the right track.

Listen I did to hours and hours and it was amazing.  me sitting there with a note pad and at times listening to what one would call nerdy/techy/geeky young folks, speaking a language I did not know, did not want to know and resisted learning.  but...persevere?  see it through?  Yes!  Gold star for me.

I ended up coming out of all those hours with the same determination to do what I've always felt drawn to...writing and sharing and telling about the background, the stories of pictures.  AND I'm embracing that and going for it.

Next years RootTech will be in February and I have promised myself to daily do something towards that.  And I have started.  Terry brought in my first box of pictures and I'm going to dig through it bit by bit.

3 by-products of watching once and starting over again today....
#1- a mad desire to save my 8 Primary students and one way will be Family History/Family Search!
#2- in love with the song from Coco...Remember Me. Looking forward to movie.  wishing I could take my entire class.  Not going to happen but that is how strong I feel.
#3- so impressed by the statistic of things not saved by 3rd generation, stories not told, they will be lost.  It will be as those individuals never existed!  they will fade from sight.  Remember Me.

also...I'm thinking as I record data in my own Family Tree, as a natural consequence, I will be alerted to do Temple work for them.

Oh, yes...I'm happy.

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

I'm still loving and enjoying throughly my cover to cover read of the Book of Mormon.  I'm nearing my self-imposed goal, finish by March 30th General Conference start date, and I still have a ways to go but I am getting there.  Such a satisfying read!

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

During my early recovery days (I'm 4 weeks into my projected 6 weeks) I was thinking today of what a great time my daughter and I had and how charmed everything seemed.  also thinking about my sister and an experience we had shared.  I remembered her forcing me to take 2 velour outfits.  one navy and one dark purple.  pants/jackets/matching t-shirts.  a couple of her super sale purchases at her favorite store Macy's. Out of frustration I finally, in a huff, said...OKAY!  I'll take them!!  She was all happy and I was all ticked at being nagged into submission.  

Then came my surgery and I needed something loose and comfy and sort of warm to wear after Hospital and trip and lounging about house.  I thought of that earlier conversation, with Dixie,  as I was sitting all cozy and comfy in her velour duds, for a good week or so.  I miss her and I did feel her near during my surgery days and early recovery.  

Velour is a comfort feel!!

Life continues!

Back in the saddle again!  and of course the usual lament of sorry/I'm rude/thank you for your patience, tune!  Me, being JohnnyOneNote!  So many thoughts, accumulating and stacked to the max in a rather orderly fashion until they Junga-like tumble.  A Pick-up Sticks sort of pile!

I got my driving privileges back!  So nice!!  and in 3 weeks I can lift over 10#'s!  My healing is going amazing and my gratitude is huge for that blessing in my life!  I feel great!

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

I continue to be madly in love with my Primary class and am fueled by desire to help them embrace the Gospel... by strengthening their testimony... by sharing my love of the Gospel.  I have a clear vision on a couple of things that I will do.  I see their purity and their potential and their innocence and I want to assist them in increased protection by living the Gospel.  

My first goal has been to introduce them to the concept of Promises.  My love of If/Then promises by Prophets.  I've challenged them with daily reading of the Book of Mormon and amazingly enough...one boy has already done that!  Done. Done...as in he read the entire Book since that first lesson!  It is not a contest etc. but he just plowed through it.  Makes me know...they can do this!!! 

This quote has got to be the greatest promise ever!  well, one of them!  For my 8 students to grasp this will impact their lives forever!!!!  I only have to January to convince them!  But...I'm dog on a bone and it definitely won't be for lack of trying.

Weekly I will share a promised blessing for daily reading of the Book of Mormon.  Here is the first one I shared....by President Russell M. Nelson

When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.

My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.

I'm always watching for promises for being obedient and this one is just so amazing to me.  I haven't yet looked up others that I have but it seems to me that this is the only one that mentions pornography and addictions!!!!  well, one other.  I think.

What a protection!!!  Aren't you sort of flabbergasted about this promise!?  My sweet class had mentioned things they would be up against in life and addictions came up and I mentioned pornography.  Then I gave them the big gift!...they can be protected, by wise self-care, in something as simple as daily reading of the Book of Mormon!!

I know Elder Anderson also quoted this in his Conference talk so that gives it double power whammy when something like that is done.  It makes it even more certain!

So in love with these 8 children and so excited to teach and carry out the things in my mind.

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

People are good and kind and lovely and I was the recipient of so much of that tender care.  I enjoy how each person is true to themselves and what they feel in their outreach of compassion.  There were so many offers of help and it was all appreciated to the maximum!  Baked goods and soup and flowers and fresh eggs and notes and mail and offers for groceries to pick up and offered meals and hand cream and encouragement and "heart attack" from adults that were filled with quotes and sayings and phrases and just delightful!  9 very big hearts that I'm saving forever!  The list is endless and appreciated and relived! 

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

Remember when I shared about my friends, husband and wife, that died in a house fire in Texas?  Her daughter posted this...

I've learned a very valuable lesson during this time of tragedy. Don't say, if there is anything I can do...Be specific and say I can do...'this thing'. Then do it.

Friends that offer to pick up coffee, or bring by paper plates/plasticware, beverages, drops off food, or just comes and sits a while in all of chaos; treasure those folks. Those offerings are utilized and appreciated. The southern tradition of bringing food 🥘🍰 -- Wow, feel the love. So to each of you... Yes. Thank You.❤️

I could never have realized how comforting it was to have grief acknowledged. To each of those people
that took the time to make that phone call ☎️, or handwrite a note ✉️ and send a card, Thank You.