Halloween 1989

Wow, how cute are my boys? We were at the Palos Verdes Ward Halloween Party, I was running the 'Pin the Face on the Jack-O-Lantern' game. Chris wore a Tweety Bird cap with yellow footie pj's. Michael had fallen in love with "Ghostbusters" so he was thrilled with his own 'Slimer catch gun.' They were so much fun! I'm going to put together a slide show later with more Halloween memories from our family.

I Wish It Were Conference Every Day

I LOVE General Conference weekends and look forward to the beginnings of October and April eagerly. No callings to worry about and no worry about whether every one's clothing choices are in ready. There's no rush in the bathrooms or worry about the availability of hot water on a schedule. Getting to listen to testimony affirming talks and beautiful music from the comfort of home is both calming and exhilarating. There is peace and quiet and joy.

There are many happy memories we have of past Conferences. We always have a big family breakfast before the morning sessions. If Friday night permits we'll have cinnamon rolls prepared too. The women do something fun together, usually a chick flick pajama party, while the men dress in Sunday best and attend the Sat. evening Priesthood session. Steve and I held firm to certain rules to help our children learn to appreciate these times. We all stayed in the family room together. No hand held video games or books are allowed because it takes all the concentration away from the meetings. Instead our children developed a tradition of getting out one set of toys to play with. Building with Legos, K'nex, Magnetix and even Jenga (go figure) were the favorites. If irritations arose over the sharing of toys they had to be put away for the rest of the session. Steve would be on the floor with them saying it helped him stay awake but I know he loved being with them. Only in the last few years the toys have stayed under beds in their boxes. Sometimes there are notes being taken, sometimes the nail polish comes out, but mostly they listen, enjoy the Spirit that permeates the house and, like the adults they are becoming, try to be comfortable while staying awake.

I'm always sad when the last session is over on Sunday afternoon and real life creeps in. The phone starts ringing and thoughts turn to homework and the demands of the week to follow. But I always strive try to honor the Spirit I've been touched with and use it in my life, hoping it makes me a better wife, mother, daughter and friend. Love to all!

The Holidays Are Arriving!

Okay, so tomorrow is still September but it's only for one more day. Then... let the decorations come out! I have so many fond memories of Halloween, my Mom always made it so fun. I've tried to do the same for my family. I hope you all can experience the wonder of the make believe of your youth!

I DID IT!! There are pictures IN my post! I feel so much smarter!

My Friday Five

I'm grabbing my time with the computer while I can. I plan on lots of painting tomorrow! So without further ado...

1. After substituting in middle school today I'm so glad I chose to get my degree in Elementary Education. Not that they're horrible but the higher hormone levels together with stormy weather, Friday afternoon, and the natural exhilaration of having a Sub made the last class of the day (43 seventh graders) a white knuckle experience.

2. In spite of much stress, frustration and talking to people named "Keith" with extremely heavy Indian accents I'm proud that both the computers are online, again. According to one hardware helpline we needed another router to assist the modem. I FIXED IT ON MY OWN! Now we get to return the router!



3. With so many wonderful options in what to watch on television (snarf!) I'm so happy to have my DVD collection. Still watch my "Gilmore Girls." And I'm happy to have "The Office" and "Heroes" back. And thank you, Bravo TV, for giving me guilty pleasures in "Project Runway," "Top Chef," "Flipping Out," "Shear Genius," and "Tabatha's Salon Takeover." There's something fun about watching talented people and twits.



4. One of my least favorite things in the whole wide world is rodents. I held squirrels a little higher in esteem until they started eating my blackberries and trying to set up housekeeping in the ceiling of my sunroom. I'm so glad that my baby, Charlie, loves to chase them and run them out of the yard!



5. Do I love this guy or what? He's so sweet to me and I'm so glad we've been together for almost 24 years. Wow, he's put up with me that long?

My Tuesday Gratitudes

It says "Sunday" above but I really didn't post this until Tuesday. I tried so hard to get this done on Sunday but I was kicked off the computer(s) because of homework. I was knee deep in learning how to insert pictures into my posts. I'm not holding my breath. I told Kami's Mom that I like the idea of "Tuesday Two" so I wouldn't have to think but I'm do have many things that make me happy this week

1. I'm grateful for latex paint and primer. We've been working on bringing our 70's Mediterranean dark woodwork up to date. So happy for Steve and Michael indulging my wants and needs in home improvement! Michael picked up the priming where Steve left off when I sent Steve outside to caulk, scrape and prime for the annual weatherproofing (ah, the wonders of going from the upper 90's to snow!).

2. I'm grateful for my daughters and mother cleaning up the house while Michael, Steven and I paint. It's lovely to hear my daughters belting out the "Hairspray" soundtrack (Good Morning, BALTIMORE!...)but it's even cooler that Michael and I agree on music to listen to when the girls moved on. Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Journey. I had hoped for Elton John and ELO on Monday, yesterday, but Michael was doing homework and playing Coldplay. Had to laugh when he asked me if I like the 5th Dimension before he played them.

3. I'm grateful for my hot curlers because they gave my "growing out my hair" campaign a new surge.

4. I'm grateful that the girls had their Sunday School class outside and saw that Charlie had gotten the back gate open; he attended class with them. I guess I'm putting a little painting time aside this week and rebuilding a gate...

5. I'm grateful for my computer and/or Helen's. I'm really having a fun time trying to be a good blogger. I especially love having e-mail to be in close touch with my Elder in New England.

(6. I'm grateful for Allison!!! She really is my best child ever!!!!!!

6. Thank you, Allison. I am so happy to have my family feel loved by them. I'm happy to have good kids who were afraid enough of me at a young age that they listen to me now (and don't hold it against me 'cause they know that I'm right, always). My husband tells me often that he loves me and this does more for me than I can possibly describe. I love having Mom around because she likes doing my laundry and she makes me chocolate cake and lets me eat some of it raw, the only way to eat it.

7. Allison was expressing that we should make it the Sunday Seven since Sunday is the seventh day. She's eerily like me. I'm grateful for Mom and Allison and Michael having little quirks like this so I have someone who understands me when(Alli is sad that I'm not including Em 'cause she doesn't like anyone being left out... she's asking Em if she has any OCD things so she can be in on this).

HELP WANTED: I was able to put one photo at the beginning of the post but how do I get them all through the message? Please help me because I don't think I can work with this any longer!!!

HELEN! HELEN! HELEN! HELEN!.....

FYI I will be the offical blog for my Mom, Helen Ellsworth. I do want those of you who have written notes to her to know that she always reads them. She's gotten really good at surfing the sites and was toying with the idea of having me help her start up her own blog. This morning after sitting for an hour checking up on everyone she stood up, stretched and sighed, "I don't think I want my own blog after all." I'm more than happy to share. So, if it's a posting from Mom the title will start out with a slammer like, "From Helen," or, "From The Old Woman," or some other such rot.

FROM "THE OLD WOMAN..." Okay, I told her I was doing this and she still sits quilting on Diana's pillow shams. I'll catch you up. She spoke in Sacrament Meeting last week on Personal Revelation and did a superb job. She always frets over speaking but always does extremely well. She spoke right after a 6' 4" young man in our ward who introduced himself and announced that yes, he was getting taller and that he was a year older at 17. She introduced herself as my mine and Steven's Mom and a grandmother. I told her later she could have played off of Austin and said that yes, she was shrinking and she had a good 70+ years on him. It floors people when they find out how old she is because she looks so good and is still so spunky and active. I tell people for her because she acts like she doesn't want to say anything but I know it tickles her a little that people think well of her. She is in terrific shape and looks great. Now, the reference to "the old woman" is really an inside joke that I'll share. I called her that one day and all my family turned on me and roundly denounced me. Do you all remember "The Ten Commandments"? There's a scene in which Joshua is saving Yoshabel and the guards ask him who she is to him and he replies, "An old woman." It stuck and Chris still writes to her as such from the mission field. So, it's not meant as disrespect and she is fine with it and even refers to herself as "the old woman."

There, you're caught up. I hope that you'll not shun me in deference to her and I want to still see comments on my posts too. Love you all!

I'm Sprinkled With Pixie Dust!

I'm to identify myself with 5 Disney characters and tell why. I always thought of myself as Sleeping Beauty because I had long blonde hair and loved to sing and dance but as an adult I'm more realistic. Here goes...

1. Stitch (Lilo and Stitch): He's not always well behaved, a little wild, crazy and unpredictable, surprises those around him by doing the right thing and uses naughty language periodically.

2. Merriweather (Sleeping Beauty): Michael tells me I'm like all 3 fairy godmothers rolled into one but I identify more with the blue one. I'm fiesty, like to vent, imagine what I'd do to my enemies, slyly try to get my way and watch over my charges with ferocity.

3. Belle (Beauty and the Beast): I love to read and collect books, I can easily dream of an easier/better life and I am still taming a beast.

4. Evil Queen/Malificent (Snow White and Sleeping Beauty): I really enjoy being in charge and being the "queen" of my domain and, sadly, I'm not always subtle about it. Hopefully I don't meet my demise as they did.

5. Grumpy, Sleepy, Dopey and Happy (Snow White): Okay I just listed four in one but I don't have to elaborate on why I identify with characters who have adjectives for names.

There, I hope I gave someone a chuckle. I can't wait to see what you come up with!!