Egg on My Face...

With the marvels of technology I could just delete yesterday's post but being a glutton for punishment I just leave it on.  What was I doing?  What was I thinking?  Why do I put every emotion on my blog???  Every challenge...every attempt at betterment...baring my soul...and in my co-dependent nature wondering -will friends stop wearing their friend buttons with my name on it??? 

Yes...I'm trying hard.  Yes...it's been a rough couple of weeks with Terry's pain/health.  Yes...I want to do everything and be as good as all the other women that I admire and are so spectacular.  Am I wanting applause or something???  Who would share they baked boxed brownies in an attempt to serve others?  Oh, boy!!!  I'm aghast!  Aaaack!!

Really I think I do a service, of sorts, that is private and confidential and I love to share scriptures and Conference quotes and I LOVE to write notes and send the Jacquie Lawson gorgeous e-cards and send an email and even a PM (I think I don't know the boundaries on those PM though as I tend to go on for to long but that is new to me still and I'm learning.  I think there are some sort of etiquette rules and I perhaps have not yet learned them).

My life is so full of to-do's right now that the last thing I should be sputtering over and trying to show love and care is baking brownies from a box. (and then announce it to the world that I did such a feat!!)  Yes, I actually love the idea because it reminds me of my sister.  Yes, I will occasionally follow her Family Recipe and pour love in the batter but that will not be the measure of my serving.

I need to somehow or other figure out why I don't do Genealogy and truth be told (sorry, Natalie) I really am content to let others do it for our line.  Oh, boy talk about egging my own face!!  I know I really need to figure out how to do it and love it.  But obviously I don't know I need to do it enough to actually do it!  Talk about a service project!!

AND I need to do some sort of sewing for Days for Girls and not focus strictly on my family quilt project.. 

Wow!  I just keep digging a deeper hole for myself don't I?? 

I best stop the caterwauling!!

I need to cool my jets and calm down and go to sleep.

You doubt it so you have to even ask????  Of course you do!  you ninny!

Origin:

"Random House Dictionary of American Slang, Vol. 1, A-G" by J.E. Lighter (Random House, New York, 1994): "have egg on (one's) face -- to look foolish or be embarrassed. Now colloq. 1951-53 'Front Page Detective (syndic. TV series): I can see egg all over my face..."

 Another source says the phrase is "newer" than the 50s. From "The Dictionary of Clichés" by James Rogers (Ballantine Books, New York, 1985): "to have egg on your face - To be embarrassed or chagrined at something one has done or the way one did it; to do something ineptly.

MyLife

Missing my sister...so much!!!!!!  The last few days have been super emotional for me...fleeting storm clouds of emotions on all fronts...Sort of like miniature melt-downs...weather comparison of pending storm and then it blows through and lasts for awhile but not for long.  I get ahead of myself here.  Back to what I said...I really miss my sister.  Sounds nutzo but I even miss her little nagging ways and her persistence...like...Nancy, did you get your flu shot yet?...Nancy, turn your TV to QVC /HSN!  They have Temptation bowls on sale!  You need to order some!...Nancy, did you go get your ears re-pierced? You need to! You have to start wearing earrings again!  I gave you those silver ones.....Nancy, what are you cooking for Thanksgiving?  Here is a recipe I really think you should try. Such silly stuff and I miss her constantly trying to run my life!

copying her recipes that includes her "family recipe for Brownies"!

We could tell each other anything in life and not feel judged.  We understood that most storms blow over and life is to short to keep fueling fires of unpleasantness.

I'm so glad I had the chance to spend so much time with her before her passing and help her accomplish all she felt needed to be done for her leaving.

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More and more about the spirit world.

a great story here

a couple of paragraphs from the above article....

“I can say that I know for sure, without a doubt, I know there is life after death,” Jones-Sanchez said.

“I know John is still alive. I know because I’ve been able to talk to him since he died, and I’ve had several experiences where the veil has been thin, and I’ve had these sacred moments where I don’t understand everything and my faith is not perfect, but I know he’s out there, and I know there’s life after death, and I know our family will be together again so that perspective pretty much changes everything.

“It changes the way you live. I’ve often thought that John is busy doing important things and growing in important ways and living a great life so I need to continue living my life, too. Otherwise, he’d be so disappointed when he met me again if I just stopped living when he died.”

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You know that I've figured out MyLife in Season 4 and we are moving down the highway in the exit lane (I see it's a lengthy one!  Whew!)  Something just kept niggling at me that what I had going on and planned for MyLife wasn't enough.  Sort of like not asking What Lack I Yet? and being prompted...all the wheels on your bus are not hitting the pavement.  You are lacking.

It really threw me into a tizzy.  Especially when it hit, again!, to me feeling I'm not serving others!  Truly I was bawling and squalling and just being big baby here!  Then the September Ensign was my reading choice and it was filled with that very topic and the LDS.org was filled with it.  And I was already missing my sister and The Hubster was miserable with pain (for days) and I was tired and blah, blah, blah. 

Then I thought of my sister and her generosity and her trademark giveaway, to every person that crossed her path...even people she was paying to do something--like her lawn fellow or roof repair or any service and then any niceness like her VT visiting her or HT.  They all got brownies...dusted with powdered sugar. 

Made from scratch?  No way.  A box mix.  She made these so often that her youngest grandson asked her to write down her recipes and he especially wanted-- the family recipe for brownies and cinnamon toast.  I told you we copied the Duncan Hines recipe off of the box (I think that was the brand).

I decided I would bake brownies and give them to people I was thinking about.  I'd be like Dixie!  At the moment I was so on fire to do it, I decided I would do it for life.  After the fact?...I don't know.  I really don't.  Maybe I'm still off base and not understanding what I'm to do?  I don't know.

I receive things from women that are marvelous cooks or have excellent taste in chocolate.  But I need to give something!!  Do something!  It seemed rather small but the thought behind it and the love going into it was gigantic!!  does love transfer into the tasting of a boxed brownie?  Does it make it scrumptious?  Terry said he thought it would.  As I said...I don't know.  I really don't know.  Time will tell!!!

first I shopped at Zillah foods

only one Duncan Hines

baking done...real quick!

I love wax paper and had little tins on hand.  note cards.

Brownie "bites".  Not Brownies.

taste test without dusting of powdered sugar.

taste test with dump of Powdered sugar.  not dusting of such!

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Fired up by Brownie-Bite giving and having our grandson (the one injured in the biking accident) make his first outing since June 11th and coming over, and having a birthday that we could celebrate...I endeavored to bake a cake for him.  I've made this cake since 1951.  it's a family favorite.  It failed.  Didn't that happen to me before?  My oven perhaps?  Cake rose and fell...crater deep.

Terry who has watched to many Chopped shows and Worst cooks show was all full of ideas for "when a recipe fails".  Which brings to mind...why would he repeatedly use those words???  I'm not blind!!

So he wants me to cut circles and then serve the cake as brownies.  I did consider it but opted to just call a spade, a spade.  Stacked it and filled the dips with so much frosting that there was none left for the outside.

he is walking with a cane!!!

deep well cake!

to cut or not to cut?

not a State Fair Entry!

You WILL fit in here or else!!!

He appreciated it!

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Tuesday will be 6 weeks of excellence on riding my bike 30 minutes to nowhere for 5 days a week.  I'm still the exact same outline shape-wise but somewhat smaller perhaps in a couple of totally invisible places!  I do not weigh.  I'm setting myself up for health and not failure!!  So...I'm thinking of doing one new habit food wise.  It can't be anything I've committed to before (like any of the hundreds of eating programs that I've suffered through and many times paid money to do).  So I'm thinking of a commitment I can make, on consistency in the food department, for health and something I've never tried.  The jury is still out.  I will decide by Tuesday.

((I totally understand Paul when he said...Romans Chapter 7

15 ^aFor ^bthat which I do I ^callow not: for what I ^dwould, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

 19 For the ^agood that I ^bwould I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is ^apresent with me.

I've thought of the above scriptures when I've pledged to give up chocolate or all sugar or etc.))

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Nature...our great visible example of life and the changes that occurs in each of us.  Nothing is held back until everything is in place.  The clock ticks on the mantle and my own inner clock beats a steady rhythm...the weather changes as do the pages on the calendar and life just marches on.  We change our life-lanes and sometimes wish we could move back to a familiar lane and not this new route but that's life!  Truly...I'm going to live til' I die!  Live it the best I can and give it what I can with my whole heart.  Even boxed brownies!!

the beat goes on!

truthfully, the bike speeding up that I said I'd do, ended up more like shifting from slower gear to slow gear!  I have confidence that consistent effort will eventually pay off beyond the ability to be more awake during the day!!!  Not complaining for sure!

So I write the above and then later I see an article from the New York Times entitled What's the Value of Exercise?  I think I'm on task!!!  Here are just two paragraphs that I felt featured in....

For people still struggling to make time for exercise, a new study offers a strong incentive: You’ll save $2,500 a year.

The savings, a result of reduced medical costs, don’t require much effort to accrue — just 30 minutes of walking five days a week is enough.

A separate part of the survey covers lifestyle issues, such as the person’s income, educational level, and whether he or she smokes, as well about physical activity, and how often the person engages in moderate or vigorous exercise. (Moderate activities, according to the survey, would include brisk walking, bicycling gently, or raking leaves; vigorous exercise would be running, strenuous cycling or other activities that significantly increase heart rate and sweating.)

I had no idea that I'm doing moderate activity!  My bicycling gently qualifies me!!!  I'm definitely not doing strenuous cycling.  No vigorous exercise!    

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Yesterday I ended up feeling unsettled by my talk.  Today I decided that I love doctrine and talking about doctrine and I was all excited about, to me anyhow, an exciting bit of doctrine.  I felt maybe the joy I felt just didn't come through so I'm going to tell you that part and just make myself feel good!

#1--So....Christ knew His Meridian Mission would be short.  He was young and it was only for 3 years.  He taught all that He was tasked to do.  He tried to prepare his disciples that He was going to leave them.  He would die.  He would not be in their midst.  Surely they heard what He said but surely also, it didn't make any sense.  He, in His Godly wisdom, told them that He would not leave them comfortless.  He would give them the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  He even told them that the Gift of the Holy Ghost would bring all things that He'd taught them to their remembrance.  (Don't you find this amazing????!)

#2--Fast forward and Christ is now gone.  Died/resurrected/ascended. A feast/festival day and a great crowd of people.  To the surprise of all present, they realize that no matter what language, foreign to them, is being spoken, they can understand in their own language!!  Some thought the reveling was because they were drunk but what it actually was? --them seeing the promise of the Holy Ghost.  One of those gifts is the gift of tongues.

#3--Move ahead again.  Phillip's busy baptizing in his Samarian ministry.  A sorcerer named Simon sees the working of miracles in healing and casting out evil spirits.  He joins the Church.  The Apostles in Jerusalem hear about the baptisms in Samaria and know that they have not received the Gift of the Holy Ghost so Peter and John are sent to do that deed. Simon sees the evidence of the power and wants to buy it.  He is rebuked/called to repentance and told that it is not for sale. 

#4--March forth!--  4th Article of Faith...we believe in the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

#5--Sacrament prayer!  Doctrine and Covenants 20:77  Footnote!!!  goes full circle back to what Jesus told his disciples when He said He'd send the Holy Ghost. 

I am wild over this coming full circle to my day.  my time.  my life.  The thought just makes the Gospel so real and it brings Christ, and His promise of the Holy Ghost,  right into that weekly opportunity as we partake of the Sacrament!!!

Scriptures for...

#1--
John 14 (do yourself a favor and read this chapter.  it's wonderful!)
vs.16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another ^aComforter, that he may ^babide with you for ever;
vs. 26 But the ^aComforter, which is the ^bHoly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my ^cname, he shall ^dteach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

#2--
Acts 2 (read and enjoy all of it!)
1 And when the day of ^aPentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty ^awind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

 3 And there appeared unto them ^acloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

 4 And they were all filled with the ^aHoly Ghost, and began to speak with other ^btongues, as the ^cSpirit gave them utterance.

 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came  together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own ^alanguage.

 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?

 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and ^aproselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our ^atongues the wonderful works of God.

 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

 13 Others ^amocking said, These men are full of new wine.

AND

 33 Therefore being ^aby the ^bright hand of God ^cexalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath ^dshed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

#3
Acts 8
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great ^apersecution against the ^bchurch which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.

 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great ^alamentation over him.

 3 As for Saul, he made ^ahavoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to ^bprison.

 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

 5 Then Philip went down to the city of ^aSamaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip ^aspake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

 7 For ^aunclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many ^btaken with palsies, and that were lame, were ^chealed.

 8 And there was great joy in that city.

 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used ^asorcery, and ^bbewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some ^cgreat one:

 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

 12 But when they believed Philip ^apreaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the ^bname of Jesus Christ, they were ^cbaptized, both men and women.

 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and ^awondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the ^aword of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

 17 Then ^alaid they their hands on them, and they received the ^bHoly Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through ^alaying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

 19 Saying, Give me also this ^apower, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the ^agift of God may be ^bpurchased with money.

 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not ^aright in the sight of God.

 22 Repent therefore of this thy ^awickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the ^bthought of thine ^cheart may be forgiven thee.

 23 For I perceive that thou art in the ^agall of bitterness, and in the ^bbond of iniquity.

 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

#4  Articles of Faith

 4 We believe that the first principles and ^aordinances of the Gospel are: first, ^bFaith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, ^cRepentance; third, ^dBaptism by ^eimmersion for the ^fremission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ^ghands for the ^hgift of the Holy Ghost.

#5 Sacrament prayer... Doctrine and Covenants 20:77
77 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this ^abread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and ^bwitness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his ^ccommandments which he has given them; that they may always have his ^dSpirit to be with them. Amen.

77 d Spirit

John 14:16.

and the circle is complete when you check out the footnote on 77d!!  Refers right back to John and what Christ said to them as mentioned in #1.

settling in....

Today is 9/11.  Just like other world-wide events of tragedy, that strike horror to your heart, I remember specifically where I was when I heard the news.  In the basement of the Porter home, teaching an early morning Seminary lesson.  My mind still can't absorb all of the details.  I remember being glued to the TV...mourning with the nation...saddened to my core...feeling such love for our country...flying our flag. 

Early morning and I watched a neighbor hang a fixture to display his flag.  People do still remember even if things are so dreadful on so many levels in our world and even our own beautiful country.

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Terry had a extremely rough few days and I left to go to Church and give my assigned talk.  I bailed ship on my Laurel lesson and came home.  Right now things have leveled out, he is resting.  One of our grandsons came for a surprise visit and that is great to see him even though it's been a rather hectic time here!

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In July I went to a very low key birthday lunch with a couple of friends.  It was very casual and I wore a navy top, not new, loose and flowy.  I was surprised when a younger woman said...nice top.  I like that...and me not being a fashionista by any means ---I was puzzled.

I decided to buy a couple of tops for McCall and was surprised at how loose the style was.  Sort of like maternity tops from the late 50's except not as full.  I'm really slow on the pick-up! The times they are a changin'!

Hooray!!  it's no longer fashionable to wear everything snug/revealing/skin-skimming tightness.  Also sleeves are in!!  relaxed is in!!  So are dresses with a feminine flair and even gorgeous prints and even florals!!

I'm thinking modesty is making a comeback!!  I'm sure the fashion houses are doing it for $$ but it's so nice to the eye and so feminine.  How clever of them to make current wardrobes out of date and require you to buy new apparel!!

My Mother's philosophy was...if you hang onto something after it is out of style and wait long enough it will come back into style. She didn't hang onto anything (unlike her daughter!) but I've thought of that.  Eventually the old will be vogue and what was outdated will be vintage and copied as it becomes the new current fashion.  I do have the dress Mother wore at my wedding.  Worn once.  Carefully preserved.  oh, you want to see a picture of this royal blue dress?  Uh, it will turn up, all tissue paper wrapped, when I do the garage tidy up!

And make-up is making a comeback from all I see from Florida friends to Washington with women being consultants for Lipsense.   

And fun things for nails with the Jamberry products (see Julianna I. if you live nearby)

I'm happy for the old time look now being the current new one! 

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Turns out I'm moving my table for sewing from the back bedroom, to temporary kitchen table and now to our bedroom.  It's going to work out great.  Have it all set up and ready to keep on sewing.  I found 4 log-cabin quilt tops + the 2 flannel squares + the new one + at least 4 polar fleece ones that need to be cut/bound.  So 11 months out and I have 11 tops to finish off!!  Makes me happy!!  My goal is 25 so that is definitely attainable. 

Terry thought I was making 5 for our original bunch and hopefully 1 for him!  He's not quite as certain or supportive as he was when it dawned on him that I've jumped off the diving board intending to swim and he acts like I'm in quicksand.  Time will tell as to who got it right.

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Still on the bike ride to nowhere and still on for 30 minutes.  This week, starting tomorrow, I'll start pedaling fast until I have to slow down and repeat it but never stop pedaling.  sounds so simple but I remember when I use to walk (yes, I've walked before!) that it was effective to do that for maximum results. 

Haven't made any food changes yet.  I don't drink alcohol/coffee/tea/soda pop/seldom drink juice & I don't smoke anything & I don't chew gum.  Oh, plus I only eat butter and not margarine & sugar and not substitutes and I'll take whole milk over non-fat.  What virtues!!

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I gave a talk at Church today and I didn't do real swift.  I was worn out from Terry having such a tough time and I didn't have a watch and I detest going overtime almost as much as checking the wall clock!  I asked Bishop to give the podium a little bump to make sure I didn't go over.  He didn't do it.  He said he just decided to let me talk.  I hope I didn't eat up the High-councilman's time! 

Now you read my whiny excuses!!  Wah!!!!  Wah!!!!

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I need a good night's sleep and the dawn will bring brightness and refreshing of self.

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So enjoying reading that book about the Atonement.  Not real fast reading but so well researched and written in such a nice way.  Very thorough.

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Blissful thought...It's almost General Conference time!!!  So looking forward to every second of hours of words from Prophets and other inspired speakers. 

Pedaling along....

I called Jeanee to find out when she flew out of here, when she headed back to Florida, as I'm pretty certain I started my endless bike ride to nowhere the day after she left.  That means that as of yesterday it's been 4 weeks.  Now if I was going somewhere, actually moving, then I've gone a few miles at 30 minutes a day-5 days a week.  I'm going for health by July 2017 so 11 months to go!!

I'm watching for benefits and so far, I see greater endurance in daily life.  Terry's sleep is broken most of the time so mine is sort of bent out of shape.  not broken.  just bent.  That makes for tiredness the next day.  I now, even though I'm still feeling tired, can keep moving and not doing a sit and doze/on and off siesta.  So I'm thankful for that.

Still doing a few of the steps and a few of the resistance bands.  nothing spectacular in the doing or results, except for satisfaction that I'm trying, and knowing ---eventually things will pay off in some unknown way.  Unknown at this time!

My mind has a great festival of thinking and enjoying ideas that pop in and then pop out.

One day I called my daughter and we talked for the full 30 minutes but I don't know if that is really good as she is at her mid-day projects with the three hour time difference.  I think I miss my random thoughts also!

such as....

Church Service

On the Sunday the Bishopric came in to reorganize the Laurel class Presidency, I had a surreal moment.  Looking across the room, I saw a beautiful woman, that I'd met when she was 14 and a Freshman in high school.  I was her Seminary teacher and then her YW leader/teacher.  Next to her was her gorgeous/accomplished daughter.  Now 18 and a Senior this year.  This is my second year of being her Laurel teacher!!  That seems very interesting to me!!  and sort of amazing!

As a pedaled along, for some reason, I thought of the Primary song about Pioneer Children sang as they Walked and Walked.  I remembered being a new convert and the music leader, this wonderful woman, taught all of us this new song.  My feet pumped and I thought of Church Service and the many opportunities that I've had and how much I've loved and enjoyed all of them (although it was a struggle when Terry was called into the Branch Presidency of the YSA.  I was released from Seminary and for 4-1/2 years pretty much attended meetings and activities but no calling, so to speak.  that was tough to endure as I like to have something to tend to in the Kingdom!)

Over the years I've had fantastic experiences and opportunities to stretch and grow and develop skills/talents (that I didn't know I was capable of doing).  I've met fantastic people and been involved in fantastic soul-satisfying events.  I have memories that are just precious to me!!

One interesting fact...well, interesting to me anyhow....I joined the Church 55 years ago!  The Bishop called me to teach the CTR-B class.  Preparing the children for baptism.  Marvelous experience.  I taught a year and we moved across town.  I had no calling.  We moved to CA and Terry was in the YM Presidency.  I was the Primary secretary for awhile and then called as a Primary Counselor.  Mid-stream of that year,  I got asked to do a play production for the youth.  I have NEVER served in Primary again!  Ever!  In 55 years!  Is there a place I can record such a thing???  some prize?  All those dedicated/inspired Primary workers are feeling sorry for me about now!

I have enjoyed and immersed myself in my callings.  In looking back I see something that never dawned on me for a long time.  We always lived in the Mission field and I think opportunities to do super exciting things (at least for me...like Youth Conferences/Women Conferences/Standard nights/guest speaker/radio show/newspaper column etc. etc.) happened because there were no experienced people around!  So had there been...possibly I would not have had those opportunities!  I was able to have great spiritual experiences and grow in learning about accessing God through prayer for help when I was so clueless.

One of my joys is the fact that I've always had the opportunity to teach.  That is a bit of heaven.  I know all organizations have need of leaders but my love is teaching in whatever form I can.  I was that Primary Counselor for a bit.  Was the Stake YW leader- once.  the Ward YW leader- once.  RSP- once.  I enjoyed those times of service but my heart is in having a class of my own to teach.  Like these LovelyLaurels that are mine.  At some point it to will end but for now...it's lovely!  

It seems that it used to be a lot more chatter about inspiration/called by revelation clause in The Church.  Sometimes I hear things like...there is no one here that can do that.  To me that is one of the most exciting things...to be called to something that you know you aren't qualified for and then end up doing it anyhow and filling the bill.  I had that happen and I'm sure you have also. 

Spoken by President Monson at one of his birthday celebrations....

 “I echo the words of the Scottish writer and poet James Barrie, who wrote, ‘God gave us memories, that we might have June roses in the December of our lives’ (See Laurence J. Peter, comp., Peter’s Quotations: Ideas for Our Time (1977), 335).”

blurry roses with Alaska's State flower...forget-me-nots!

Hodge-podge

MyLife continues to be wonderful and I continue to just observe/absorb and drink deeply of it's goodness!  Alert to future darkenings of such dreaminess but for now...bliss!  sigh.

Biking

Can it really be called biking when all you do is sit and pedal and go nowhere?  I have now settled in to 30 minutes a day, M-F.  Still attire myself in old robe and unkempt bedhead!  Works for me!  This week I'm adding an exercise with resistance bands.  Just a few to try it out.  Not certain as to how it will go.  Last week I added a step exercise.  Just a few.  Slowly...word of the day in going from zero to G-force!!  I am not weighing/measuring and all the stuff dieters do as that is not what I'm interested in.  I going for overall health and will see how things are July 2017.

HEALTHY SELF

HEAL THY SELF

(LOVE THIS!!) 

Krispy Crème & Football

These two subjects seem unrelated, unless perhaps the thought is of one eating doughnuts while watching BYU football!  Sometimes I think...actually no one gives a hoot of your opinion on that subject...or those subjects.  Such as now!

There is a Krispy Kreme in Eagle and I had more than my share for sure.  I'd read about them when they first came to fame back east and was excited (as sugarholics tend to do) at the prospect of such lusciousness.  Dixie would freeze them and then micro zap them to hot off the grill goodness.  One day, for some unknown reason, I decided they had no substance and squished away to a dough-ball and were way to sweet!  Yes, me, who in prior addiction days would shamelessly buy boxed chocolates for a gift.  And then would gift myself in the car!  Just sharing that shame as evidence that I know sweet when I taste it.

Oh, for a Spudnut! 

Then one day several months ago, in conversation about what makes a good doughnut, a friend shared that the best doughuts were in Sunnyside at the Maverick gas station!  The baker has them hot from the grease early a.m. and when they are gone...no more until the next day!  They have substance, delicious taste, and are the best.  Our son in Utah said each Maverick station chooses what they sell and they are not featured everywhere.  At least that was his opinion.  These remind me of Spudnuts!

Thanks to my friend for sharing an availability of goodness!  I'll go to the Maverick gas station in Sunnyside and not the brand new Krispy Kreme in Yakima.  That is why I shared this strange blog post about doughnuts...you too might want something less sweet!

BYU Football.  Featured here because I admitted I don't like Krispy Kreme fare and now, I admit...I'm not liking football!  Who cares?  No one except my Hubby. 

A few days ago he asked me in a want to go on a date? voice... How about if we pick a college team and see them through the season and watch their games? 

My thoughts were...bless his heart.  we can't really go out together.  how sweet he is!

I replied...yes!  let's do it!

So we chit-chat and decide to support BYU (him-because he likes them.  me-because I don't really care who we watch.)

Then I get all datey-like and plan a little tailgatey evening (on Fast Sunday!) with some treats.  I watch the pre-show on BYU as Terry has told me about the injured player and new coach and the new offensive coach and on and on.

The game started and I tried.  I really tried.  Long before half-time I asked...how long is a season?.  he happily said...a few months!!   I asked...how long is a game?  he said, happily so....oh, probably a couple of hours.  maybe 2 and a half.

It seemed like a cross between politics and news and TV commentators that keep replaying what just happened and telling you what you are looking at.  It's non-stop with re-plays and armchair coaches.

Terry looked over at me and started laughing and told me...honey, you don't have to sit here!  It's okay.  Go read or sew or something. 

Then he got sort of snarky and made snide remarks like...quite the date, huh?  you watched Boise State when Kellen Moore played but not BYU!...Next week is Utah playing BYU and you will like that!

I owned up to not liking anything about Football (which he already knew after all these years of marriage).  When he mentioned the Kellen Moore game watching I did with him--I watched because he was a grad from nearby Prosser...a name I'd heard for years...a person that I knew about.  Also Dixie lived in Eagle and she supported the BSU team plus they had a coach that seemed nice and they had a blue playing field.

Babbling isn't going to change the fact that I was let off the hook and do not have season tickets with MyMainMan for football watching.  I have friends that their entire families live for football season and share their love and interest together.  I don't have that.

Now if it was anything to do with theatre...I'd sit all day and watch every single detail of auditions/rehearsals/costuming etc. etc.  Guess it's where your heart is and where your interest lies.  I'm as happy with mine as Terry is with his.  We support each others cause!  He watches TV and I go to plays!

Temple & Quilts

Got a Saturday session in and was so thankful as it will close until Sept. 20.  I'm viewing MyLife as being named head of a corporation with the uniqueness of being the boss and the sole worker.  Free to do whatever I want and aware if I want to use that freedom and do nothing then that will be on my time card at the end of the day as far as how I spent my available hours.  So I'm figuring out how I want to spend my work day!

Saturday, early a.m., this time seems best for weekly Temple trip.  The only negative...if I need to change it then there isn't much else to do until the next Tuesday.  I've done it twice now and it seems a good fit for me.

The Temple is marvelous and I love to go and just be inside. Silently sitting...Stillness...in my mind picture, it's like heatwaves off of pavement...like the sand dunes in Lawrence of Arabia!...just ripples of silence... peace...feeling the Spirit and luxirating in it.  I take no questions for direction or heart-pleadings this trip...Just thankfulness/gratitude for the last 3 visits that have enriched my life and set me upright.

I carry the feeling to the car and it fills the space.  Silently I just head home.

Slowly my mind comes alive with thoughts of what to do and how to live and I smile and am thankful. 

Quilt making enters my mind and names of friends, the sick and the healthy, enter my thoughts and I'm wanting to make lap quilts for everyone!!  The reality of that feat fades and I'm reminded of another small-sized love memento that I can sew/create/share and my heart feels satisfied.

MyLife

My life is feeling and going terrific.  Every since Terry woke me up in the middle of the night, several years ago, with the words...Nancy, I'm having a stroke...life, as we knew it, changed.  And there has seemed to be no end to changes that just kept coming.  I kept trying to find a balance in what I named our NewNorm.  FINALLY  I have the solution, and amazingly enough, it is no longer called my NewNorm.  It's just simply called MyLife!  4th Season living, it could be called.  Or even ExitLaneLiving but it's really summed up as MyLife.

MyLife fits me and feels incredible and brings me such peace and joy.  It is just comfortable and cozy and makes me happy.  I have eliminated things that caused me stress...like things/events that I seemed to always be backing out last minute and that just eased guilt bricks stacked on my shoulders.
Feeling that I used to be counted on, if I said I'd do something and then cancel out because of needing to be home, just created such pressure on me.  I could go on and on but I won't as over the years you know how I feel, if you have been a blog reader.

Paring back and then bringing things into my life that are no pressure and bring me feelings of accomplishment are just so invigorating.

Like...determining to become physically fit (end goal...July 24th 2017).  Create health for myself.  Still on my going nowhere stationary bike.  My regular time now is 30 minutes.  I'll add things when I feel like picking things up a notch.  For now...30 minutes is just totally comfy.  After all, who can be uncomfortable in their old raggedy robe?

I did calm down on cooking and cooked us a great meal, just this evening!  Yummy!  So more than Sunday dinner will be on our weekly menu.

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When we were at McCall, the evening of LakeDay, found everyone exhausted but still wanting to be together.  People were just sprawled all over.  In the mix was this old blanket, tied flannel, from 30+ years ago.  It's now used whenever you want an "old blanket we can use".  Our youngest son saw the blanket and said...I remember taking lots of naps with that blanket!

still works after all these years!

Fabric is so amazing in it's strength and endurance power!  I'm a fabric lover!  I've had several purges of excess material over the years but somehow or other it builds back up.  Several years ago I stopped the madness and cut my addiction but now...back into fabric but limited buying. Using the cache on hand!

You know by now, in that blog, that was way to long and to much info and to much everything and I boldy declared, I was going to make each of my family members a lap quilt by next McCall trip in July 2017.  I'm into surprises but I decided to give them something to look forward to so I sent an email and told them of my great plan.

One of our sons called and I told him over the phone, with enthusiasm, Guess what!!??  quiltquiltquilt.  He had the nerve to laugh and then said...Mom!!!  That little word was spoken with emphasis like...when pigs fly or when the fat lady sings or sure you will!!

I will prevail.  Terry is enjoying watching me.  Is he viewing it as some aerial act on a tight rope?  or a wacko from the loony bin?  or is he just simply enjoying me enjoying MyLife?  He's happy and enjoying it along with me. He told me so.

I can't just sit and sew all day but I do sew every day, except Sunday.  (My Mother said you had to pick the stitches out with your nose when you go to heaven if you sewed on Sunday.  She was not Mormon so maybe that is not doctrinal but I don't sew on Sunday anyhow!)

My goal right now is to get tops ready for backs/batts.

The one that I've been working on, seemed to shrink as I sewed it but it needs to be pressed and have a double border and it will be a great lap quilt.  The other two pictured are flannel.  Yes, there are two in that heap.  these are old ones that I just love.  I don't remember when I made them.  They are old-fashioned, not perfectly sewed, but so comfy.  I have flannel for borders.  Not sure which ones I'll use.

I love cabbage roses!  and squares simply sewn together!

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I have learned in the years that I've lived...the marvelous feelings I'm experiencing, that are souldeep and seem so permanent, could very well be short-lived, so I will breathe it in, absorb it, let it settle in my mind, let it soak into my soul and be thankful in the midst of such joy-- for how I feel and what I'm experiencing.  If and when things fade, as they usually do, I will be grateful for understanding a clear viewpoint, personally for MyLife.