Mulling it over...still!

I have had this same list for several years.  This year I'm looking at it and any item on here that I know is in my mind, that pops up in my thoughts as to how I will handle life situations....I'm going to give it Emeritus status.  It will still be the core of my personal actions but I'm going to shift focus and add some new things.

here is what I've had for a long time and I've loved the challenge of improving my behavior and thoughts with this list as a mental guide.

My current Creed before revision....

1) Refuse to be offended

2) Trust but verify  (thanks, President Reagan, for that one!)

3) Forgive everyone everything

4)Even the thinnest of pancakes has 2 sides

5)Let go and let God  (isn't thanks due to AA on this one?)

6)Don't want more for people than they want for themselves

7)When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.
         (thank you...Thomas Jefferson)

8)The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and 
   expecting different results.  (thank you...Albert Einstein)

9) Love unconditionally

10) Pray unceasingly

11) Keep all confidences

I just saw this....top 10 New Year "Resolutions"--http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/

None of that is about my creed.  My creed follows along the lines of President Smith's desire.... The 1932 article says in part:
...This creed was a self-written guideline to measure his desires and conduct, and the reason for the conduct, by which he wanted to guide his life.   

Maybe they are resolutions but not in my mind.  Being resolute for changing  and improving but endeavoring to incorporate certain attitudes, sounds more creed-like. 

The more I look at what I've worked on in my top 11, for quite some time, the more I think that some of these things are definitely in the core of my thoughts and come unbidden with certain situations arise.

I'm going to have to think some more.  (Heather, I definitely will do it!!!)

It's not quite the first of January so I still have some mulling over time to use!

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Sunday was special with the last of the little ones coming to visit and see the village houses.  3 young sisters.  Thanks for coming over MaryLynne and Angela.  These girls absolutely loved the Nativities as did all the other young visitors.  To me it was a joy to see them be so happy to see Baby Jesus.  They actually smiled and enjoyed playing with them so much.  IF I had it to do over, I'd buy some sort of a Nativity set and I'd use it all year to teach my children about the gospel.  I can see how you can explain everything and keep Christ as the center etc. etc.  I'd make it special and not just have it in the toy box but have it accessible and they could ask to play with it or something.  Angela said that the nesting Nativity picture that I sent did not do justice to how it really looked.

I'm not going to win awards for these pictures but I do like pictures from the back but these are not the way to do them!!!

sweet Truman sisters!!!

look how happy she is to see baby Jesus!

Shannon!!  Next year!!  At least Brooklyn got over here!

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I have so many things on my mind to share this week and I will do it right after I finish my Creed....CT devastation...the pants issue (yes, I'm still thinking of it!)......movie ratings...a conversation I had Sunday with a young man that is gay.  Lots to share on all subjects!  One per day!!

Creed time is here!

Years ago I enjoyed learning that President George Albert Smith had a personal creed that he lived by.  I was fascinated and wanted one also!

This year the one thing I want to add to my old list is....

"heed the Spirit"

I really don't always act when prompted.  More than I care to admit... I delay at times...I  procrastinate sometimes...I try and rationalize the thought to action--To move it outside the realm of my doing. I see missed opportunities.

Actually I'm going to retire #8 on my personal creed list and put "heed the Spirit" in it's place.  I really know #8 by heart.  I use it all the time and it is a part of my thinking.

In thinking some more about it....I'm going to retire #5 also as that is a natural part of my thinking.

Actually I'm going to check it over carefully and see if there are any that I honestly feel are embedded in my mind, deep enough, that they pop into my thoughts when needed.  I'm going to set those aside as  Emeritus Status!

Do you have a creed?  I was so happy when President Smith's creed was in our RS manual this past year and we got to study it a bit.  I will share my final list after a careful reading and consideration.  And hopefully be able to feel that I can move ahead after years of the same list and put on something new!!!

read President Smith's Creed List and my Creed List and a list to consider choosing from, if you are trying to figure out a personal creed list, tailored just for you....here

True or False?...you decide!

(A friend sent me this)

 

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.

The question?...What do women really want?

Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.

He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer.

Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer.

But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first.

The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified. The witch was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life.

He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur.

Lancelot said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus:

What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life.

Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared.

And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.

The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened

The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half.

Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day....or night?

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments?

What would YOU do?

What Lancelot chose is below.

BUT....make YOUR choice before you scroll down below.

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Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself.

Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life

Now....what is the moral to this story?

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The moral is.....
If you don't let a woman have her own way....
Things are going to get ugly!

Christmas Video watching....

We listen to LOTS of Christmas music!  I mean real Christmas music with lyrics that would be banned in public school.  Familiar Christmas Hymns and songs we sang in school choirs as kids and sentimental tunes like....I'm dreaming of a White Christmas and I'll be Home for Christmas and  Blue Christmas and Chestnuts roasting on an open fire .....all sorts of things that are great listening.

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              This is a classic favorite!  Hilarious!!

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There are several versions of this and we enjoy them all.  We didn't watch as many this year as we couldn't find our small collection.  The one above we watched and is a favorite.  Wonderful!   I'd say our most favorite of all is this 1938 version....



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This year for some reason, unbeknownst to me, I just couldn't get enough of The Nutcracker.  I watched all of these.  I.  Singular. Alone.  Terry can't bear the sight of the costume budget cut, or whatever, that renders the men running around and leaping in tights.  He did endure it once, maybe twice, and vowed to never again put himself through such embarrassment.  Either I have no scruples or I elevate my vision and focus on the overall stage and just love the entire production.

I really enjoyed viewing the San Francisco production. It was a new 2012 ballet.  I'm missing one picture and not sure which, as I saw 5.










After I watched 4, and thinking the party is over, I had the wonderful luck of finding one more!!

 This has got to be the most amazing version I've ever seen!!  It's totally different and just mesmerizing!  Fascinating!  My own copy is on the way to my mailbox!!  So the San Francisco Ballet was my favorite traditional one but the one below touched my heart and even brought me to tears.

Terry laughed when I said that I'd find someone, or a few somebodies, that would like to watch any or all of these next year.  or maybe during the year?!!!   Let me know!!!

Bravo!!  Bravo!!

What a marvelous Christmas we had....

It was a wonderful time!  Things went pretty much as planned with the exception of losing a day because of little ones etc. they didn't arrive on the scheduled day but the next day.  The plan was we would cook 5 family dinners here, they would stay at Kip's and come back and forth to visit.

We would have a traditional big spread on Christmas Eve at noon.  Then leftovers for evening meal.  They were going to leave after breakfast on Christmas day.
 
The requested meal scheduled for first day arrival was biscuits with sausage gravy.  Easy peasy.  Could be made at anytime etc. etc.  When they didn't arrive the original day I just kept with the original 5 meals and moved it to the next day.  I had such a carefully laid plan!

Sunday night, Shannon, a friend put out a notice to the Ward women...did anyone have some candlesticks she could borrow?-- as hers were loaned out etc. etc and she wanted if for Monday night.

I checked with her, via email,  later that night, 9-ish?, and asked if she'd got some candlestick holders as I had some that she could borrow.  She let me know that she had some that were on loan and  --how disappointed her children would be if she didn't keep the long time family tradition of a candlelight dinner on Christmas Eve.

How nice....I thought.   And  then it hit me like a ton of bricks!!!!  Tomorrow was Christmas Eve!?!!   No way!!!  Surely not!!  Except for the Turkey and a lavish menu, with most of the ingredients at ready, I still had to shop.  There were pies to make!!  There was a cranberry salad that needed to set up!!  A bean salad to marinate!!  I started to hyperventilate and rushed out to Terry....Oh, good grief!!!  tomorrow is Christmas Eve!!!  He said...Are you sure???  How did that happen?!  We did the only sensible thing that 2 modern people would do.  We came back and checked the computer calendar.  Sure enough!  plain as day!!  Christmas Eve was on Monday not Tuesday!!!

I pulled the thawing turkey from the refrigerator and willed it to finish thawing at room temperature overnight and not give any of us whatever lethal germs you can breed. 

I should have had a clue that my thinker was off a cog because at Church, a friend invited me to her house, the day after Christmas.  In my off kilter thinking and still being governed mentally by my 5 day meal list menu laying on the counter, I replied...Oh, on Thursday.  She said...No.  On Wednesday.

Early, the day of the meal, Terry and I were up and trying to figure out how to pull this off and be calm at least outwardly.  We had let Kipper know that we'd lost a day and we weren't ready but we would be but the meal would not be at noon but close to it (said with fingers crossed!).

I dashed over to the local market and purchased the last minute items we needed for our feasting.  Lo, and behold, there was Shannon.  I told her how thankful I was that she let me know about Christmas Eve but felt secure she'd understand my lunacy.  One thing though, in my mad dash from the house to the store, I did what all fat folks do at stress time...grab something sweet and eat! On the run!  One of Terry's  cinnamon rolls, with white frosting.  When I got home with our groceries, Terry informed me that I had white frosting on my chin and upper lip!!!  A lot of it!!!  Oh, gosh!!  Sigh.  Oh, well.  Life!

I think we ate around 1 or was it 2?  I know it wasn't 3.  It was a delicious meal, a gorgeous table, and we were truly happy to be with some family.  There were no pies.  There was no cranberry salad but there was a bowl of cranberry sauce.  We forgot to make a green salad.  The bean salad marinated long enough to be cool but not chilled and definitely not marinated but it was good anyhow.  The basics were delish and Terry and I enjoyed watching others enjoy what we'd done.  We felt it was a miracle that we did what we'd planned to take a full day and a half to do the way we wanted (okay.  I wanted.   not we.) and we did it in a few hours.  We were a great team and acknowledged how nice we didn't get into a dog/cat mode but instead pulled together like a set of oxen supposedly do.

Here are some random pictures.

g

Ava/Terry/Kipper

and some more random pictures

and a couple of more....

Kim cooked a breakfast casserole that is a family tradition at her childhood home.

ready to leave for a snowy ride home

Another goodbye

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Ava took all of the sweets- cookies, gingerbread men, gingerbread house etc., put them in Kip's 2 refrigerators, scotch-taped the doors and put school chairs in front of doors-- to keep Santa from eating anything other than what was on the plate she left him!







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Kip insisted we get a family picture and then posted it on FB so I will do the same being as how it's out there anyhow!!  He told me after the fact!!
I told him I look like I have viking eyebrows and he said-- "its just bangs, Mom".  Whew!!!
I am glad that we have a photo memory of our few delightful days together!

 Terry and I in back.
Front...Kim holding Kai.  Kip holding Ava.  Kipper.
so that is our oldest child/son ...Kipper.  His son- Kip.  Kip's wife Kim.  and our 2 great grandchildren!!  You probably already figure that out.  Just in case you needed help.  there you go!

Christmas!!!!! Yes!!!

My Christmas thoughts are on what Christ means to me and the impact the Gospel has in my life.  I'm so thankful for a myriad of blessings.  Family and then friends.  Friends that are like a special family addition to me.  My thoughts and love and prayers go out to those suffering losses and working their way through heartache and pain. 

Special love to all the missionaries serving throughout the world, those I know and don't know.

It's our Grandson's first Christmas in the field.  He makes me feel so tender.  He and his Dad drove from KS to WA, just so we could see  him before he headed out.

I'm thinking of all my children and grandchildren and thankful they aren't deprived in life of the basics as so many others are in the world.

And I'm thinking of you!  Thanks for being a part of my life by reading my blog.  It's a feeling of connectedness and forms a friendship of a specific kind as it's all about choice.  I choose to share whatever random thoughts I'm having and you choose to read my musings.  Merry Christmas to each one of you!  Those I personally know and those that I've not yet met. 

Technically we had our Christmas on Christmas Eve and I'll share more about that later on but for now, this Christmas day....What would our lives be like in this chaotic world without the Peace of the Gospel??  It is a day to celebrate His Birth.  For sure!!!

Christmas Eve!

It's Christmas Eve....Have a wonderful day!!!

Winter pictures of Temple Square-Christmas

Enjoy!!!

beautiful video

Touches my heart so much!

"Behold the Lamb of God" by Walter Rane

pictures of Nativity

A friend is looking for a beautiful Nativity picture.  I saw these and shared it with her. here  My favorite is the Walter Rane painting.  There are others also that are so beautiful.  So unique.  What beauty for a home.  That Rane version is unlike anything I've ever seen.  I loved his explanation of why he did it the way he did.  I hope you enjoy looking at these and what the artists say about them.  Maybe you are looking for a piece of art also.  A great teaching tool. 

and  here is something wonderful to watch.

and one more beautiful hymn to watch here

Enjoy your day!!!

Ward Christmas Party

Every year, wherever I've lived and whatever Ward I've been a member of, has a Ward Christmas party.  Confession time....each year I go with the expectation that it will be noisy, crowded, chaotic.  Children running in packs at times.  Food problems of some sort.  Nothing peaceful.  Nothing of Christ.  More of Santa.
 
Maybe I'm bah-humbugging but I'm just being honest.

This year they were  having Taco's.  Our part was olives (chopped).  I used that gigantic can from my food storage pantry.  and we were also to bring a dessert.  Terry made a batch of his delicious oatmeal cookies to share.  Best oatmeal cookies in the country!!!

Terry didn't feel up to going as his balance was off but encouraged me to go. I went because I have a personal commitment to not be a pick and choose Mormon; I support those that I sustained;  I looked forward to seeing my friends; I wanted to support those responsible for what I was sure would be another disaster in my book.  I was fine to miss the dinner, thinking there might be a shortage of food anyhow, but I for sure wanted to see the Primary program planned by my friend, Crystal.

First of all there weren't as many people as usually attend.  True, the tables were filled but it was missing some it seemed.  Boycotting or just busy?

So it ends up being...tablecloths on tables!  lovely to look at!  The food was delicious.  LOTS of food.  I mean excessive amount of food as some were probably still smarting, from last year, when the tables were bare and the line was still in place with hungry folks!  Oops!!  

You could visit and hear each other.  Yes, you had to speak up a bit but it was calm and nice.

Dinner was over and  Crystal had a Santa narrated program that was so charming and had a great message, sweet children, all about symbols of Christmas, special musical numbers  (Emma!!!  that was gorgeous!!),  and all in attendance got to sing a couple of Christmas hymns also.  It was so great!!!  Best thing ever!!!

One more time....if you go to where you should be, even with a whiny attitude, it always ends up being worth your while and you are blessed!!  Well, at least I am!!!

I was blessed tonight with the joy of the Gospel, the comfort of friendships, feeling the warmth of the Spirit and just enjoying being with others that also love the celebration of Christmas.

What a satisfying event tonight was.  Sigh.


  

Joy in our home today......

Our village visitors ended today and now it's time for family to arrive and have Christmas celebration.

Brooklyn was interested in sitting on the old school chair and checking out the Nativities.  The Village and tree came in last as far as her interest!  She looked adorable perched on the tiny chair.

Brooklyn

 

 

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The youngest visitor slept through the entire visit!  well, up until she opened her eyes at the end.

Newborn Melanie

Melanie's Siblings.....

Amy (enjoyed the Nativities so much.  Made me happy!)

Timothy and David

Timothy telling the Nativity story to me.

Timothy told me the happenings several times and wished I could have videoed him and put it on FB.  A great idea but it didn't happen.  My battery power is somewhat limited!

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Next year IF we (oops! typo.  should be he) decorate like this again.  We will have our visitors come earlier in the month .  The children brought joy into our home and we enjoyed each one. 

Time to finish up the details for family coming!!!!

Yes!!!

Checking out the details!

Alexandra and Grace came by and they got away without me taking a picture of them!

A busy day and the fun of some more children to peek at the houses.  My pictures are not winners but the children were adorable!!!

Sunday was Lydia's 7th birthday.  I couldn't help but think of the Connecticut tragedy.  She is the age of those children.  Heartbreaking.  She is so small and fragile.

Michael & Cecil (striped shirt) & Lydia

Lydia & Michael & Cecil

Tender Story

Just reading this brought so much tenderness into my heart.  Grab a Kleenex before you look at this!

here

Sunday was a long day but this was on Saturday!

Aleya and Eli came over!!!  We enjoyed our time together!!!

Aleya holding the "halibut".  Eli, just checking things out.

Such sweeties! 

These aren't the best pictures in the world of them but I only took two.  Should have taken more.

As I was saying......

Oh, yes....sometimes I just don't know when to stop talking but I'm going to say what I think about this Pant Sunday and then I'll be quiet.  Well....for now, anyhow!!

So....Somewhere around 1976, I mailed some poems to the Ensign. I'd written a few little heartfelt sentiments about adoption.  Actually they were written to the birth mother of one of my boys.  I was so desirous to write and find an outlet to express my feelings.  I was plagued with doubts of my ability to do so but decided to be brave and send them after having sent a query to the Church magazine.

Sometime later I received a letter from Lavina Fielding (Associate Editor of the Ensign).  She explained that they had so much poetry coming in and while she really liked what I had written, it would take a very long time before it would be used and she explained the process of how it is done.

She encouraged me to share my writing and felt that a good venue for me would be 2 sources and she enclosed one of each...Sunstone magazine and The Exponent in newspaper format.  Sunstone Magazine was only a couple of years old having started in 1974.  The Exponent is still in existence today and it looks like they have gone modern and have a blog.  When I checked it out last night I see they are on board with the Pants for Sunday drive ....  here 

I have not looked at either in years.  When I received  my copies of both publications I was so excited and yes, flattered that the Associate Editor of the Church magazine, felt I should use these to share my feelings about the Gospel and my take on life.  BUT when I read them I was unimpressed and disillusioned and shocked.  It came across to me as disgruntled, dissatisfied, discontented women.  Women that were frustrated and felt the Church was a good ol' boy club, women did not receive their fair share etc. etc.  Their voices to me were strident.  Discord.  Not how I felt.  At all.

I had none of those desires to try to remedy the situation by lending my voice, my association, to something that did not represent the core of who I was/am.

Responding to Sister Fielding's kind and generous guidance and saying Thanks but no thanks, somehow or other opened a dialogue between the two of us.

At that time in my life I was on overload and doing way to many Church callings in our small Branch.  Our daughter especially had struggles with it.  One day I was driving down the road and saw a non-member, all peaceful looking, serenely sitting by her porch step petting a goat!  I felt I had the Gospel but no peace and she had peace and no Gospel.  I was learning what every woman in the world has to learn at some time or other....how to balance the best you can and stay sane and feel the peace the Gospel can bring into our lives.

Sister Fielding and I talked about this.  She said she was writing an Ensign article and she'd like me to share what I'd learned PLUS she wanted to mail me her manuscript, asked me to read it and give her my thoughts.

It arrived in the mail.  I read it.  Made my notes and sent it back.

 PROBLEMS, SOLUTIONS: BEING A LATTER-DAY SAINT WOMAN TODAY  by Lavina Fielding  (associate Editor)  March 1976

 here

 (this is my paragraph or two included in the above article)
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One convert in Alaska who had four or five major Church responsibilities in addition to being the wife of a branch president and mother of five, shares her own feelings and personal solution:

“Others didn’t seem to feel their home life was going downhill because of Church jobs. I knew mine was. Others didn’t seem to be bothered by the pressure. I was. But I also felt that any home problems were my fault because I wasn’t doing my Church job well enough to merit the Lord’s blessing. I’d determine to try harder.”

This cycle of guilty effort and exhausted frustration finally brought her, not to a breakdown, but to a breakthrough.

“That weekend, though I’d prayed many times before, I finally heard an answer. There is a difference between an inspired calling and a divine calling. Inspired callings are made through an instrument of the Lord and are essential to an individual’s growth, but they are all temporary. A divine calling is eternal in duration and was made by the Lord himself. I wasn’t sustained at sacrament meeting to be a wife. I wasn’t set apart to motherhood. The Spirit bore witness to me at my marriage and at the birth of my children that this call was in effect.” She discussed her feelings with her husband and now has Church assignments that she feels are “tailored to my family’s needs.”

She adds, “And my children were thrilled.”

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 A couple of years later, 1978 was the Equal Rights Amendment battle.  To me this wasn't about LDS women against LDS women so I didn't feel the conflict that perhaps some did.  I blogged before about my friend and I having a garage sale, taking the funds and flying to SLC to attend workshops etc. on what this really meant.  It was more about unity of the women.  At least that is what I remember.
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Fast forward 7 years from 1976 to 1983, to my first contact with Sister Fielding and she has been excommunicated at this point.  Along with several others.  Intellectuals all.  Brilliant minds and talents and abilities.  Most had generations of LDS ancestors.

Last night I googled her name and I have no idea what she is doing now and didn't keep searching but the article I found from 2003, showed that she had married .  well, just read this dab of info...

Lavina Fielding Anderson, excommunicated for publishing a list of attacks on intellectuals by LDS leaders, has compared herself to a coin perched precariously on its edge, vulnerable to toppling one way or the other.

"That's the space I've claimed for myself," said Anderson, a writer and researcher who once worked for the church's official magazines. "I'm not in, but I won't be out, either. It's a balancing act every day."

Lavina Fielding Anderson knew a month before her excommunication that she would be punished for publicly exposing the church's harsh dealings with intellectuals over the years.

She wondered what it would this do to her 12-year-old son, Christian, her husband, Paul, and their parents, brothers and sisters, all of whom were active, temple-going members of the church. Were the issues really that important? Was she acting out of love or out of pride and pique?

Anderson felt then and continues to feel that it was the right thing to do. She also decided to live a completely Mormon lifestyle within the limitations imposed on her. She still attends church every Sunday.

"I wasn't sure I could live it out, week by week," Anderson said Thursday. "It's a blessing of a magnitude that I cannot even begin to express that I've been able to -- so far."

In the past decade, she has come to believe she has a distinct "calling" in the Mormon kingdom (not the church) to "do" church vicariously for all those who no longer feel safe or welcome in their own wards.

"Just showing up, Sunday after Sunday, means I'm bearing a testimony of presence, even when I can't bear any other kind of testimony," she said.

She has learned to partake of the sacrament spiritually while being forbidden to partake physically. She discovered in the LDS Handbook of Instructions that nonmembers can be asked to play the piano for Relief Society so she approached the bishop who gave permission to have her accompany the hymns as "an uncalled but permanent substitute."

I also found this sentence in another article about her....

 Anderson remains as active in the LDS Church as her excommunicant status allows; she has been described as exemplary of an emerging "church in exile" composed of faithful excommunicants.


It's not about the Pants.
here

I will post one more time on this subject beyond what I just posted.  JabberWockey=me!!.  Are purging and posting synonyms!????   I've taken up so much of your time but I still want to say a bit more.

Lights Aplenty!!!

Terry is just so sweet!!  He finished up the last of the lights that he wanted to put up and things look so great, especially in the dark of night.  He hung icicle lights on the eves.  Here he is, my darling guy, untangling/finding burnt out lights for the final hanging!....

We are ready for family to arrive!!  so excited and happy!!  

Everything feels so Christmasy.

(it's not taking away from my thoughts of the Savior and celebrating His Birth but I'm still mulling over the Wear Pants on Sunday situation!!  I have to write some more and then I promise, I'll hush up!  I have strong feelings about this whole plan --did you know that???  Just one more blog, tomorrow, and then I'll zip my lips!!)

2011 feelings same as 2012!

 (I wrote this late December 2011.  Found it. Read it. and was surprised at how this could have been written right now, in 2012 as I still feel the same way.  Repeated efforts make for connecting traditions and are homespun and feel so good.  Enjoy all of your doings that make your Christmas memorable and special!!)

 December 2011

Each evening Terry and I usually play a fun game called Five Crowns.  It's dark outside, very cold and our small house seems covered with garlands, lights, small collector houses, a tree... jam-packed with decorations from the past many years and beautiful music.  We sit and enjoy our little Christmasy home.  I always feel safe, snug and thankful for what we have in life at this time of the year.  Christmas fading, memories still being made, and looking forward to a new year. I would wish a nice snowfall to complete my white Christmas wish!

Terry's Aunt Chum, in WA owned a Christmas tree farm, and she would ship us a gorgeous tree to AK and that went on for several years.  Things evolved to a time of us hunting down our own tree. Terry and the children used to go out and try and find the perfect tree to chop down for Christmas.  They all seemed to be more Charlie Brown trees in appearance but he and the boys would drill holes and fill in with branches and create a perfect tree.  We were of the opinion that nothing could beat a real tree.  the smell, the look and on and on.  Who would ever cave in and buy an artificial tree?  Not us.  For sure.  Yes, we whined about keeping it watered, the unevenness of the branches, the falling needles and the mess of taking it down but in the midst of the whining and droning and complaining we still would never, NEVER, consider a fake tree.  Unthinkable.

We moved to WA and one year K-Mart, in Sunnyside, went out of business and all of their stock was practically give away prices.  We saw an artificial, 6', pre-lit with small colored lights, indoor/outdoor tree for $5!!   We bought it for the outside porch but ended up deciding to just try it one time, one year, inside the house.  Truly....I fell in love with that silly tree!  We still have it and for the past several years it has been outside to brighten all that drive or walk past.  We upgraded to a fancier artificial tree!

My sister, in Eagle, called and had found a bargain tree that she said was beautiful, had a motorized button that extends the tree up, can be up to '7 tall and is pre-lit with 100's of small clear lights  PLUS all sorts of goodies that remain in place like red poinsettias, and that sort of thing.  we just overdecorate with bows, ornaments and when we can find them in the garage....a string of gold beads that go back to our early Homer days.  Yes, it's overload on ornaments etc. but it's nice that we can do that sort of thing and not be breaking some sort of Christmas Rule, isn't it!?

All of this familiarity just feels so good to be surrounded by.  It's loaded with memories and brings joy to our hearts.  The other night we talked about the what if scenario....we can't do it?  we are to tired?  we are to old?  it's just to much?  we can't climb ladders/step stools etc. etc.  That answer will come when we reach that point in our lives.  In the meantime we will just keep on surrounding ourselves with things that speak Christmas to us and hopefully to those who visit during this season.

I hope you enjoyed every minute of this special time of year and reminisce these last few days.

Knicker Knots!!!

Well, if this doesn't beat all I've ever heard of!!!!  GOOD GRIEF!!!  I'm so hyped up over that I need to settle down.  So some totally active LDS females with a testimony, a testimony of everything that I have a testimony of, are proudly labeling themselves feminists and their voice will be heard about the inequities of the Gospel as far as men/women and equality etc.  They want the women of the Church to wear pants to Church this coming Sunday!!!  My mind is so full of so many thoughts (not necessarily pleasant thoughts!!) and it irritates me that I'm allowing this to seep in on my Christmas glow, good thoughts, great friends, family and all those good things.

I guess this made the paper Tuesday while I was at a RS Christmas party that was combined with 2 Wards. I wore a dress.  I did it because the Stake RSP requested that her counselors, and me, the Sec. wear dresses whenever we attend Ward events.  It's her turn up to bat and I support her.  The next President may make a change.  I don't  know.  This has nothing to do with Sacrament meeting.  Just a comment.

Every event I've ever attended has a dress code of some sort.  Country Clubs.  Restaurants.  Sporting events.  Opera.  Some theater.  Awards ceremonies. I recently looked at the National Dog show because I find it interesting that women run around a ring, with a dog on a leash, wearing a dress.  Pants do seem more appropriate and practical in this venue.  But Church????

The most oft asked question before attending anything is ....What are you wearing or what is the dress for it or what is appropriate?   We want to show respect to whatever we are involved in.

I'll tell you for certain...
I WILL NOT BE WEARING PANTS TO CHURCH THIS SUNDAY.   I REPEAT...NO SLACKS ON SUNDAY FOR ME!!

My thoughts are just so irritated about this.

Two days ago I had a conversation with someone about gays.  We talked briefly about the new website for Homosexuals.   I said I had problems with the fact they have a testimony of the Church and then they want it amended and changed and add new things, major things, like being sealed in the Temple.  I said...I joined the Church and I embraced and enjoyed it as is.  I love my religion.  Just as it is. I support change by the authorities but not by groups protesting.  I like things as they are.  They are trying to change what I originally joined, to something else.  They need to form their own Church!!!  do with it whatever they want.  build their own Temple.  Just leave me alone.  I want what I originally bought into!!  I support their right to organize and do as they please.  remember that great 11th Article of Faith.  I'm a total believer in that!!  100%

I know I am inviting criticism when I say this pants wearing protest reminds me of the Gay protest.  Hey!!!  Form your own feminist LDS Church.  do what you please.  wear what you want.  Don't try and push it on me.

I have worn dresses to Church my whole life.  Long before I was LDS!  It was a very important part of my Sunday worship growing up.  I had a Sunday dress that was beautiful and black patent shoes and they were used exclusively for Sunday or a dressy birthday party or another event where the invitation read....Sunday dress.

I loved getting dressed for Sunday when I was a girl and on to an adult.  It made the day so special.  I love to go to church and see all of my friends looking so put together.  They look lovely and feminine and so respectful of the Lord.  My take on it.  It enhances spirituality in my book.

Listen I'm just so wound up and trying not to be soap boxing but I'm veering there.

I do not need to wear a pair of pants to Church to feel my worth as a Daughter of God.  I understand these roles.  I don't want the Priesthood except in my life as an assist in mortality.  I'm as capable as any male and in many ways, because of my femaleness and my influence on family which is essential for the human race, I at times am superior.  Not saying that uppity but sometimes our women's intuition just kicks in and saves the day. we are amazing creatures!  I am glad to be blessed by the Priesthood but I'm fine with the division of labor in the Gospel plan as far as responsibilities!!!

What a bunch of bunk this Pants Wearing Sunday is!!!  What a lame mode of protest!  I hope women boycott the whole shebang!!  And in Utah!!!  If that doesn't beat all!!  

I better go before this page suddenly explodes and sears my eyes.

And it's Christmas time!!  these loudly proclaiming LDS feminists get my Bah-Humbug Award!!!

Dare I post this???  you know I will!!!

Sunday---I'm wearing my bright red jacket, black dress, and a big rhinestone pin and earrings and I'm painting my nails red and I'm wearing a red ring from Hawaii.  Friends will go...she wears that all the time anyway so what is the big deal!!!???   It's Church!!!!  Wear a dress!!!  

I can't seem to wind down.  I'm ranting and nearly hyperventilating but this just takes the cake doesn't it??!!
Okay!  THE END!   OVER!   DONE!   CEASE & DESIST!!!


LDS women urged to wear pants to protest gender inequality

The story of the Christmas Orange

                                                     CHRISTMAS ORANGE

Sometimes it is easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas. The busy traditions of the season and the appealing advertisements for material goods can leave the pure and simple truths far, far behind.

Jake was nine years old with tousled brown hair with blue eyes as bright as a heavenly angel. For as long as Jake could remember he had lived within the walls of a poor orphanage. He was just one of ten children supported by what meager contributions the orphan home could obtain in a continuous struggle seeking donations from townsfolk.

There was very little to eat, but at Christmas time there always seemed to be a little more than usual to eat, the orphanage seemed a little warmer, and it was time for a little holiday enjoyment. But more than this, there was the Christmas orange!

Christmas was the only time of year that such a rare treat was provided and it was treasured by each child like no other food admiring it, feeling it, prizing it and slowly enjoying each juicy section. Truly, it was the light of each orphan's Christmas and their best gift of the season. How joyful would be the moment when Jake received his orange!

Unknown to him, Jake had somehow managed to track a small amount of mud on his shoes through the front door of the orphanage, muddying the new carpet. He hadn't even noticed. Now it was too late and there was nothing he could do to avoid punishment. The punishment was swift and unrelenting. Jake would not be allowed his Christmas orange! It was the only gift he would receive from the harsh world he lived in, yet after a year of waiting for his Christmas orange, is was to be denied him.

Tearfully, Jake pleaded that he be forgiven and promised never to track mud into the orphanage again, but to no avail. He felt hopeless and totally rejected. Jake cried into his pillow all that night and spent Christmas Day feeling empty and alone. He felt that the other children didn't want to be with a boy who had been punished with such a cruel punishment. Perhaps they feared he would ruin their only day of happiness. Maybe, he reasoned, the gulf between him and his friends existed because they feared he would ask for a little of their oranges. Jake spent the day upstairs, alone, in the unheated dormitory. Huddled under his only blanket, he read about a family marooned on an island. Jake wouldn't mind spending the rest of his life on an isolated island, if he could only have a real family that cared about him.

Bedtime came, and worst of all, Jake couldn't sleep. How could he say his prayers? How could there be a God in Heaven that would allow a little soul such as his, to suffer so much all by himself? Silently, he sobbed for the future of mankind that God might end the suffering in the world, both for himself and all others like him.

As he climbed back into bed from the cold, hard floor, a soft hand touched Jake's shoulder, startling him momentarily and an object was silently placed in his hands. The giver disappeared into the darkness, leaving Jake with what, he did not immediately know!

Looking closely at it in the dim light, he saw that it looked like an orange! Not a regular orange, smooth and shiny, but a special orange, very special. Inside a patched together peal were the segments of nine other oranges, making one whole orange for Jake! The nine other children in the orphanage had each donated one segment of their own precious oranges to make a whole orange as a gift for Jake.

Sharing what we truly value is the true spirit of Christmas. Our Heavenly Father gave us His beloved Son. May we, like the children in the orphanage, find ways to share His love with others less blessed.

(I really like to give one of those break-away oranges with this poem.  If I could, I'd reach through cyber space and give you one!   A good FHE)