Day after...

So here we are the day after our first ever of eating, Thanksgiving Dinner, in a restaurant!!  I still feel very American, very patriotic to the day that we celebrate all that we are thankful for, and grateful that we did it!!  We turned to two eating out and not three!  Terry was really under the weather and stayed in his recliner for the two days before and day of.  ( not to worry.  nasty cold.  as he said...I'm not dying.  I'm just sick!)  I tried to take a picture of him and he put the kabash on it.  Did he elevate his voice when he said...for pete's sake, Nancy!  No! you can't take my picture! ??? 

resting in recliner. holding his head with his hand.  feeling yucky.

 Kipper and I forged ahead with Plan A.  We felt we were in excellent company with each other but he pulled this somber face and looks unlike himself although he thought this represented him in best fashion.

 There weren't hardly any people there at 4pm.  I wondered why I chose that reservation time??? This place is fantastic if you are a bbq-rib-eater!!  they know their stuff, for sure!!

Someone told me to order 2 corn muffins.  I didn't, as there was so much food on what I ordered, but I could see why she told me to do that.  I had St. Louis Ribs!  Oh, my.  Yummy!!!

My day after feelings... Thanksgiving day-- Terry missed Turkey aroma wafting through the house.  I should have popped a Costco Jenny-O turkey breast in the oven.  Had it in my freezer!  and baked one pie!  A piece of turkey for a sandwich and a slice of pie would have been nice today.

Other thoughts....I would make a reservation for about an hour or so after they open.  our fries had been sitting under heat lamp and weren't hot.  Go while they are still making that sort of thing, like fries, or just request fresh ones and be willing to wait.

one more thought...it's important to do something out of the ordinary daily routine for Thanksgiving... touch base with family members and know what they are doing...enjoy hearing what friends are doing...be happy....be thankful....reminisce.  All of this was done.

and one more...if for any reason your heart is not into cooking the big traditional dinner and you know you aren't going to enjoy the process then rethink it and regroup...either accept those other dinner invites or go to a restaurant.

we topped our meal off with a cupcake from Safeway!  a bit dry but still good.  lovely to look at!

Our wonderful yesterday....Macy's Parade....football game...Famous Dave's/Safeway dining...Seahawks (yes!)...BYU Messiah (not the actual music.  the story. which I'd seen before but still enjoyed)  Interspersed with hearing from our children....Florida, Kansas, Utah, Nevada and celebrating with the one here.  Also knowing where our oldest grandchild and his family were...with his in-laws in WA.

God Bless America

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!!!!

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....“to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”...

Thanksgiving Proclamation - The Original

Thanksgiving Proclamation

Issued by President George Washington, at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and—Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favor, able interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other trangressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

George Washington

Turkey-less Thanksgiving!

Happy day before Thanksgiving!  Are you ready?

I thought of those of you with young families last night.  I was leafing through a magazine. An ad for matching pajamas for the entire family including cats and dogs!  25 sets to choose from!  If I was at that stage of my life, I'd look into that and do that each year.  I think Emma does matching PJ's on her kiddos.  Anyhow, here is where you can look Pajamagram.com  or 1-800-566-6005  Haven't gone there to look.  Just saved ad to share with you.  Maybe it costs a fortune and it would be better to give the $$$ to the Union Gospel Mission in Union Gap?  I'm sure you seamstresses could whip up pajama bottoms with a t-shirt.  a fun tradition for Christmas morning.

So here I am always plugging tradition and this year we are breaking with our traditional tradition on this very Thanksgiving!!  Gasp!!  Is that totally un-American???  I don't think so but I'll let you know later if it was lacking the feeling of gratitude/thankfulness/memories of past family meals.

Every day my sister calls me and talks about her menu.  She has two daughters in Eagle and 2 in Utah.  One daughter is coming from Utah + the two locals, so she will have a crowd and they won't all be at one place.  Every day she asks me what I'm serving etc. on the big day.  For us, our family will be 3 people.  Terry and I and our oldest son.

So...I made the menu as always, with the traditional foods (to our family).  The list ended up with 14 items!!  Each one was a full dish...oyster loaf (like my Dad made) and cranberry salad (like my Mother made) and Corn Pudding Casserole (which I've made for last few years).  and pie with real whipped cream and dressing and on and on. 

Hubby and I were visiting about what needed to be done to be ready and we actually went from the super size oven roasted Turkey with all of the trimmings to deciding, IF our son agreed, to go out to dinner!!  For Terry, any change in any established thing, is way outside of his comfort zone.  Especially traditions!  It's almost not even open for discussion.  It's set in stone.  Cemented in place But...this year?--the shattering of something near and dear--our Thanksgiving dinner.

The times, they are a-changin'!!

I called our son and found he was stressing over all that was going to be done, and all the leftovers, and what this would do to health program that he starts in a couple of days , and he was happy and relieved at the thought of going out to eat.

Not even Turkey!!  We are going to Famous Dave's!!  Ribs!!

We will munch and reminisce about our past gatherings and feasts we enjoyed, be happy that not one person in our family is alone, and that all will celebrate and be happy and think of us being happy also!

Also the Macy's Parade is on NBC in the morning and on the BYU station, won't they be singing Messiah at some point!!??   I hope so!  Terry and I will get out our scores and sing along!!  ( sincere but howl-like to most ears!  We love it!)

You do know I'm thankful for you, don't you?  I hope so!!!  'Cause you are!

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Don't you love this Norman Rockwell print?  Simplicity.  War time. Gratitude. No lengthy menu!

1943  Freedom from Want

a "thankful box"...

text from the Spoken Word for Thanksgiving....

“A Time to Give Thanks”
A time to give thanks for life’s bounties and blessings deserves a place on our calendars and in our hearts. Despite problems personal and global-or perhaps because of them-taking time to count our blessings is good for the soul.

Thanksgiving commemorates more than just an episode in our national history; it celebrates our deepest roots and highest ideals. It may be the only time when Grandma’s good china comes out of the closet, but its meaning is deeper than that, even holy: to gather, express love, and consider our blessings-including the many good things we usually take for granted.

One family brings out a “thankful box” each year at this time. Throughout the day, family members write down, on little slips of paper, things they’re thankful for and stuff them in the box. After dinner, the box is opened and the papers are read aloud. The comments range from the silly to the profound, but all invite the family to pause and reflect on their blessings. It takes just a few minutes, but it has become a cherished tradition.

For some, a day of thanksgiving may be nothing more than a big meal, a stressful day of preparing and fussing. For others, it might be a day to watch sports. But the significance of the day is not found in food and entertainment. For those who intentionally make it a day to give thanks and strengthen bonds, the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most meaningful and satisfying of the year.

At the height of the Civil War, when it may not have felt natural or easy to pause and give thanks, Abraham Lincoln said this in a timeless Thanksgiving proclamation: “The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.”¹

It is this spirit of gratitude-for blessings large and small, in times of abundance and trial-that turns our hearts heavenward. Truly, we all need a time to give thanks.

1. Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, Oct. 3, 1863, National Archives, http://research.archives.gov/description/299960.

Self-help book!!

Maybe 11 years ago, or was it 12?  Might have been 10.  somewhere in that realm!...  I was visiting with a woman, not of my generation, much younger than me.  She had a young family and my family were all grown and gone.  She caught me off guard, completely, when she said...I'd like you to be my mentor.  My co-dependent nature sprung forth and I was back pedaling with thoughts of...whatever you are thinking that is good about me, I'm not...you don't know me... If you knew how I really am you wouldn't like me...I have nothing to share...I know nothing...all that sort of nonsensical thinking, that makes sense to a wacky Co-d person, were whirring through my thoughts like a roadside reader board.  I asked her what a mentor would do.  What was she wanting from me?

Just tell me what you have learned about life in life.  How you have handled things.  Share your life experience with me. That is so encompassing but actually it made me relax and stop faulting my imperfect mortal self.  I realized, if all she wanted to know was my take on something, I was willing to answer her questions. Plain and simple...she'd ask & I'd share.  I wouldn't be directing her like a business mentor with coaching and meetings.  Just my own take on how I felt or what I thought or what worked for me--when she asked.  I didn't have to initiate anything.  And that is exactly how it turned out!

Our contact is email so distance is not a problem.  I have found it to be a beautiful confidential friendship, built on trust and respect, and I really care about her and love her and want her to be happy and enjoy the Gospel and love it (because I do!)   I can't imagine her not being in my life after all these years.  I guess when she stops asking questions then I'm not her mentor any longer!

Mentor- noun - a trusted adviser

We all have mentors don't you think?  Christ is our #1 mentor.  He has His Apostles that mentor us on how to follow His directions.  They each share what they have learned about living life according to His precepts.  These living Apostles are mortals.  They have not been exempt from anything that is common to mortality.  They understand the difficulties and struggles of our individual treks.

Each of us have Apostles that are special mentors to us.  They share what they have learned and what they did in handling their life situations.  I love the Apostles.  I loved listening to the late Elder Neal A. Maxwell. His poetic thoughts had such resounding truth.  There are so many current Apostles that speak and my spirit resonates with understanding. 

Elder Bednar will speak at an April Conference and then in the October Conference he will give the rest of the information.  He speaks as though we had just had a class the week before.  sometimes an Apostle will say...last time I talked about such and such and I want to continue. I love the familiarity.  They each develop their style and they each have their personal assignment, from the Lord, on what they need to preach.

I absolutely love General Conference talks.  They are Gospel truth to me.  The Apostle that has impacted my life on so many levels, because I feel his encouragement and desire to help me is Elder Scott.  He is so generous in all that he shares.  He was the first one that ever spoke on how he receives personal revelation!!  The actual process!! I was stunned that he would tell us that.  He just shares it all.  Evidently he has gone through lots of pain & is empathetic towards suffering because his talks focus on the teachings of the Gospel, living as the Lord would have us live, is the way to alleviate pain and suffering (no matter the cause).  He understands so much and when he speaks I feel the Spirit and know he is speaking truth. He is very specific in his counsel and gives steps of how to proceed to accomplish the aid he is sharing for our personal use.

He is my tutor and my mentor.  He knows the Savior and loves Him and helps me to do the same.  I appreciate him so much.

Just looking at the titles of a few talks, over the years, is a telling story of his loving and kind desire to help us all....To Acquire Spiritual Guidance/Trust in the Lord/To Acquire Knowledge & the Strength to Us it Wisely/The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty & Testing/To be Free of Heavy Burdens/Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer.  These are a few that I printed because I enjoyed them so much.  Not even a fraction of what he has spoken but so powerful and helpful to me personally.

So....I'm stunned!  He wrote a book that is just such a gift to all of us trying to overcome weaknesses, desiring to draw closer to the Spirit, figuring out our life path--actually I guess that covers everyone ever born!  My book just came in!!  I've not even read it yet!!  If I was moneyed I'd buy each of you a copy!  Sorry.  You will have to order your own from Dessert Book.

A beautiful little book that appears to be a compilation of some specifics he's learned.  At least by the title--

21 

Principles 

~~~~~

Divine Truths

to Help You Live by the Spirit 

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You want to see a picture??  He even painted the cover himself.
(Oh, yes!- I am so happy he wrote this book!!)

It's cold outside and I'm going to snuggle in my robe and read the words of my/your/our
mentor!!  I so want to live by the Spirit and love the thought of being taught by an Apostle.  I'm going to have hot chocolate also.  Bliss.  sigh.

PS- sitting here leafing through the book and I see Principle 9 is about mentoring!!  no way!  but yes...read this!---

...To serve and to intentionally reach out to help each other is a great blessing.  When you can become a mentor for another because of personal experience you have gained, do it.  Age does not matter; experience does......  

I have been mentored by so many people, almost all women, that have shared their how-to-do whatevers!!  love and thanks!!!  Most appreciated! 

Some updated current info....

With the winter weather and just weather in general we need to be prepared on all counts to take care of ourselves.  These two articles are modern, up to date, timely and will really make you think of revamping your readiness cupboard. 

You think you know it all???  Think you are really prepared???  Just take a bit of time and review what is shared below.

 updating 72 hour kits  here 
and the importance of sheltering in place  here  


How many times have we heard...it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark....?

Yummy on all counts with the side benefits!!

You know that I am a staunch supporter of the family eating together as often as possible...here are some great ideas and data on the benefits of sharing a meal...no matter what one or what time... here  from the Wall Street Journal. 

be sure and check out the Related Articles in the small box.  motivating information!! 

Moms--most likely, if a daily family meal is on your bucket list, and if it's to really happen, then your mantra would ring out ~~if it's to be it's up to me!!~~

"...complementarity." by Pope Francis

Who would ever think that 14 different faiths from 23 countries would travel to the Catholic headquarters in Italy and have a conference on marriage being between a man and a woman?  Elder Eyring was our spokesman at the first session.  Elder Perry is with him and he said he did outstanding.  I read that he at some point even got the Family Proclamation in.  just reading up on it.  go here   Very interesting and exciting.

The word that was used often in the Pope's talk was complementarity.

For sweet MaryLynne

My sweet beautiful friend, MaryLynne, is having major struggles with pain in her health battles, a part of which is cancer.  This is for her as well as all of us in our life treks.  Draw strength from it, MaryLynne.  You are in our prayers and we love you.

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The Divine Shepherd has a message of hope, strength, and deliverance for all. If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless.

When we pluck the roses, we find we often cannot avoid the thorns which spring from the same stem.

Out of the refiner’s fire can come a glorious deliverance. It can be a noble and lasting rebirth. The price to become acquainted with God will have been paid. There can come a sacred peace. There will be a reawakening of dormant, inner resources. A comfortable cloak of righteousness will be drawn around us to protect us and to keep us warm spiritually. Self-pity will vanish as our blessings are counted.

The blessings of eternity will surely come to those who endure refining, as the Lord Himself taught: “He only is saved who endureth unto the end.”  I testify that Jesus is the Christ and the Divine Redeemer. He lives! His are the sweet words of eternal life.

James E. Faust, “Refined in Our Trials,” Ensign or Liahona, Feb. 2006, 2–7

 

Promise on Service

I love if/then promises from the scriptures and authorized authorities.  those that can promise things and the Lord will honor those promises IF I do what they say.

Ever feel that you really should help on some service, assigned or asked or prompted, and then you think...I can't.  I have to much to do today.  There is no way I can do more than I already have going...  Haven't we all felt that way??

There is a sister in our Stake and she and I are soul sisters, in that we both love IF/THEN promises.  She shared one that I'd never heard before and I loved it.  I asked her if she would send it to me and she did.  I underlined the part that really got my attention. Actually I really marked it all up.  What beautiful promises!!!

Enjoy this!!

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Hi Nancy-

Sorry it took me so long to get this to you. The quote is from Pres. Eyrings book, "Choose Higher Ground" found on page 8.

"For those who are discouraged by their circumstances and are therefore tempted to feel they cannot serve the Lord this day, I make you two promises. Hard as things seem today, they will be better in the next day if you choose to serve the Lord this day with your whole heart. Your circumstances may not be improved in the ways which you desire. But you will have been given new strength to carry your burdens and new confidence that when your burdens become too heavy, the Lord, whom you have served, will carry what you cannot. The other promise I make to you is that by choosing to serve Him this day, you will feel His love and grow to love Him more."

Kory

10 of the most indispensable LDS talks ever given

Collecting my thoughts.  Pondering on a couple of things...estrangement...spendy clothes...those sorts of things.  Unrelated topics but a bit of soap-boxing welling up in my mind.  Mostly on the clothing. 

 I'll be back here on Monday.  Thoughts in alignment giving my nickels worth of thoughts. 

will you be here?  I hope so.

In the mean time....check this out  here

Would these be your top 10???

PS to a past blog

A little while ago I blogged about my engineer son here  I wanted to share this note that Greg sent us and couldn't find it.  Now I have found it and here it is....  (his design did what it was designed to do!)

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I am having fun in Italy.  Spent most of the day in the mountains where they quarry the marble.  The whole mountain is made from marble.  Was able to watch one of my designs in use.  It is easy to sit at a desk and think that the design is good by looking at the numbers, but when I saw the power of moving these 30 to 60 ton blocks I must admit I was a little concerned.  My little design was holding this huge block and the machine would grunt and groan when they were trying to pick up the block.

Here is a picture of my fork (can't see it under the block) trying to

pick up a huge block.  Note that the rear tires are off the ground.

Brace yourself....

Veteran's Day.  I gasped when I saw this painting....then I shed tears.

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The picture below took my breath away...  (read about it and see more pictures of it.... here )
 The Tower of London moat is filled with 888,246 handmade blood-red ceramic poppies in
honor of those that gave their lives in war.  take a minute and look at the link and the minute or so video.  also you can see a closeup of the individual flowers.  what you see in this picture is just a portion of the project.  They are leaving it up for 4 years.  Incredibly beautiful.  Poignant.  Heart wrenching.  Do take a couple of minutes and check it out.  Please.

The Ward Shuffle....

Remember a couple of days ago when I posted this quote?...

The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings.

The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father. 
                                                                                            --by Elder Joseph Wirthlin

Our Ward is small right now.  Like small as a Branch.  I asked the Bishop how many actives there are and I think he said 127 adults.  Now that might be a lie.  I did not write it down but it was a very small number.  To have a fully functioning Church program that we can all enjoy attending/participating/receiving blessings of such, then people have to not only be called but accept those callings.  And...the rest of us support them!  Re-read that quote.  Those words are in there.

So you take a small group of people, adjudged by an Apostle as imperfect, and calls are issued that put them in close quarters, in the service category, and it can be very interesting. 

We have a new Bishopric, and as usually happens, all sorts of changes are made.  I enjoy these changes as there are always energised folks, fresh from the starting gate, inspired/enthused with new ideas from personal revelation.  It's a big boost! 

Today alone there were 15 new calls extended- after all 15 were released from their old callings.  Now 15 in one fell swoop is a lot.  Entirely new RS group and YW group (except for me.  they let me stay in for a bit longer) plus teachers in both Primary and Sunday School.

The calls can only come from that small imperfect group of active people and once in awhile there have been feathers ruffled that are still aflutter or necks still bent out of shape or offenses still being reminisced about or even dirty laundry still flapping in the breeze.  So like dust needing to settle before it can really be cleaned up, there will perhaps be a little shifting of attitudes, as we embrace the newness of folks that have worked hard to be better and have let go of past grievances/offenses  (whether given or received) and are ready to work side by side for the betterment of The Cause.   The Cause=The Gospel.

Only time will tell the temperature reading of our Ward in this great shift!  I'm excited as the old crew gets a break and harnesses up to a new plow.  Equally excited as the new crew gears up, to learn and experience service, inexperienced up to this point and breaks new ground.  Harvests will be gleaned from the past leaders and planting of seedlings for new things will take place.

My prayers are with each of these 15 people, our new Bishopric, and all of us at large.  The pulse of our Ward will be the sum of what each of us bring to the table.  I'm bringing sweets!  You?

Am I repeating myself????

About the impact gay marriage will have on our lives, in many ways unknown, is what I've been watching out for.  I see the Church being open and seeming to diffuse critics by laying it all on the line...a video about garments, pictures of Temple interiors, open houses of Temples, more visibility of women in areas of service and all sorts of openess. 

When that Family Proclamation was introduced in 1995, along with others, I had the same thought...well, of course! marriage is between a man and a woman!!...  We have had years to absorb this document and to see the far reaching impact it is having in our society.  I'm thinking it's the tip of the iceberg and we are in danger of collision.

As gay marriage starts to sweep the nation I'm appalled.  Once it started gaining momentum I could see there would be no going back.  This movement reminds me of one of those old time toys that was a joke.  A can with a snack food label and when you open it a coiled snake expands and makes you jump and scream.  One of those fabric covered springs.  Once out of the can it is near impossible to stuff it back in the can.

I believe there is no stuffing this entire movement back in the can.  Those advocates are just waiting in the wings and enjoying the moment as immorality sweeps the nation.  I have noticed that the General Authorities have mentioned, at various times, that persecution will rear it's ugly head and will impact us.  It appears that this is where the impact of man's laws will slap our religious beliefs and challenge us on unknown fronts. I'm curious as to how this movement will impact the simplicity of me just worshiping on Sunday.  Will things remain peaceful within the Chapel and on the grounds? And at my nearby Temple?  So many unknowns.

It is chilling to read this Apostolic warning in the last part of the Proclamation to the World...

Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

This article here is so well written and I wanted to share it with you.

Mothers- what a challenge to prepare/teach your little ones how to love the sinner but not embrace the sin.  Won't you have to call a spade a spade?  Yikes!! 

Do you really believe this????

IF I really believe this quote, spoken by a living Prophet, do I endeavor to live it in the way I treat associates OR do I exempt myself on all counts by being judgmental?????

are there FB rules of manner???

Are there any rules or even one rule of thumb on FB/blog manners?  On some situations it's like being stuck in a bog...or even more like sinking in quicksand...in trouble if you do/don't share the happenings and in trouble if you don't invite or tell others before you post on FB.

You know that I'm a somewhat reluctant member of FB.  I check it and sometimes I check into total strangers lives because they posted something on a person's FB that I do know.  Shame on me!  That curiosity of mine sometimes wins!  Not my fault of course.  I'm sooooo innocent!

I was thinking about this because of a recent incident that happened to a friend.  She is a Grandma.  Her Grandchild is expecting her first child.  Revealing, whether it's a boy or girl, was turned into a family party.  My friends daughter and husband flew to Utah for the party and all sorts of family on both sides came into town.  The arrangement was...when the announcement was made at the party my friend would get a call.  She would call me every once in awhile and say...No word yet.  Sunday she went to Church and someone congratulated her on going to have a new great granddaughter!  They saw it on FB!  Now my friend is no spring chicken but she is not a feel sorry for herself weeper either.  She's a little banty rooster and she gets mad and tells people so.  Uh-oh.  Heated phone lines!!!

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When the husband of another friend passed away.  One of her granddaughters was with them.  My friend started getting calls from her children.  Irritated.  Mad.  Hurt.  Why?  It was on FB before she had told the family personally.  a bit of a hornets nest for awhile.

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For years now some older friends (I should call them peers) and I go out for our birthday lunches.  Not a huge group but several.  I was surprised at my wonderful birthday party in May and posted a picture on my blog.  Another time I posted a picture on FB so my friend could have her picture, with this silly cake that sings a song when activated.  I couldn't get it on email with this new system we have so I chose FB.  There were those felt left out.  both times.  Hurt.  Wondered why they weren't invited.

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A friend's children had a surprise 80th birthday party for her and it was kept secret. Invite by   invitation.  Hand delivered if you lived in town.  I posted some pictures and there were those wondering why they didn't make the list.  Awkward.  How would I know?  Thoughtless of me to have posted those pics?-- on my blog.

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Now before you get all stuffy and judgy about my friends and me, don't even go there.  It's a common problem I'm learning.  There are numerous times that I see little barbs like...oh, must have been nice  or did you forget to tell me  or i had no idea of this. would like to have been included and on and on and on.  These are from me reading something that I don't even know the people.  (that sounds so wrong!!)  Just reading down through comments they pop up without even looking for them.

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for instance.  I was on a friends FB and I saw a picture at the SLC Temple. Had so many people grouped on the steps with the big door to the Temple at the top and I thought...What on earth?!  No bride or groom all decked out.  Just a mass of folks in street clothes.  I clicked on it.  All sorts of congrats comments and then this....

Was bummed we were not invited 

Sorry,  ______,   we didn't know you would have wanted to be there. Everyone in this picture was in the temple with us. We didn't think to invite others that wouldn't be in the temple. I didn't invite my brothers that wouldn't be in the temple either. Our bad...wasn't trying to hurt feelings.

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Another one was a bunch of young boys having fun sprawled on the floor/furniture/playing games.  reminded me of my boys when young.  oh, yes.  me.  click.  and I see....

Looks like they had fun!

We missed your son

Ya he was pretty disappointed when your son said he couldn't come because he might get hurt.  

I didn't know he said that. I'm sorry. I did text you yesterday to invite him. Did you get it? 

No I did not.

 I'm sorry. I did a group text and invited everyone. But some moms said it came thru funny. I apologize if your son's feelings are hurt. I thought everyone got the text. 

(invisible flat line.  end of awkward exchange.  nosy me slinking off.)

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I love to see wedding pictures/baby pictures/family pictures/vacation pictures and special occasions like plays/sports/proms.  all of those sorts of things.  Not for real conversations.  Just snatches of thoughts.  Anyhow FB, from what I understand is a place to share your private life with anyone that can access your spot.  I sort of just sneak peeks.  I'm a bit more private than FB is intended, maybe a lot more private than that, but I do share my thoughts on life and bare my soul on my blog, it seems.  Like entirely!  well, pretty much so! 

My thoughts and feelings are out there and I feel safe sharing on my blog.  My readers (that I love by the way!) are people, in one way or another, who know me...either in person or written word and I feel connected to each one.  On my blog I don't self-edit.  It feels right to be raw.  Now it might not be right to be raw but it feels right anyhow.  To be real.  So FB-- I'll continue to peek at and occasionally snoop but I will be more sensitive to posting anything that might make someone feel excluded.  

On my blog I'll just let it flow, whether the water is smooth sailing or white caps are in my life, and share what I feel to share. 

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Yes...let's do it!!!

Pictures evoke feelings...

Sunday night we had a special time with a former Seminary student of mine and his little family.  We love this family.  My friend, MaryLynne, the one I asked you to remember her in your fast?...this is her son, and family.  As usual...not photo shopped!  I could not figure out this new system we have to email these pictures to her so decided to blog them for her to see, while she undergoes treatment.

17 years ago Justin was in my Seminary class. When I was going through my sort and throw phase (which I never completed.  yet.) I found a stack of envelopes.  They were from 1997 and each student was asked to tell how they felt about Christ and the Gospel.  I had Justin's envelope, sealed by him, stowed away and never peeked at by anyone from then until now.  He opened it while he was here and it made me so happy....  he declared a firm written testimony and I thought it was amazing that he'd stayed true to that fact all those years.  We'd studied the last week of Christ's life and it had been a powerful week and that was how the week ended with them writing how they felt.  I have a stack of 21 to give out!  I was planning on giving them out 4 years after that class but of course did not.  I will mail these to them.  Maybe it will touch the hearts of a couple that have strayed.

To late to say.... better late than never????

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 Celise is a young Mother Earth...keeper of all things living, grower of things you'd envy, goatherd, beekeeper and lover of being a Mommy.  This picture below, of her with Rowan, just melted my heart.  I absolutely love the dedication/devotion of Mothers.  Can't you just feel the tenderness and the love and care of this little guy?  It touched me on a new level.

You know I've been sorting pictures (like crazy) and a couple of days ago my heart just melted when I found 6 pictures of me, as a baby, being held by adults that loved me.  I could feel the love and it made me teary.  I always think of baby pictures featuring the baby solo.  I never realized the power of seeing a young baby held by an adult.  Especially relatives.  This picture will be a treasure for Rowen someday.  (Do you have pictures of you holding your little ones when they are very young?  I hope so.

Celise and Rowen

Mother holding me.

Holding me...Aunt Bonnie Ransdell/Grandma Ransdell/Daddy/Grandmother Clark/Da-Daw Ransdell/Mother