It's a Wonderful Life.

I'm having a calm moment this afternoon which makes personal reflection much easier. One of my favorite things to collect are nativity sets. It's such an easy reminder to me of what the holiday is all about.

Well, Guitar Hero World Tour just started up again. This time Allison is practicing on the drums. "Beat It," Alli. Em has been having a great time of it and is giving all kinds of pointers, as Alli did for her with the Wii Fit (which I will definitely be setting a PIN on to access my 'personal' information, thank you!). Ah, Michael is on the PS2 in the basement (Star Wars Force Unleashed) and Steve and I are going to make bread sticks for a dinner we're invited to tonight. Life is good.

I've added a few pictures and comments in the side bar to share a bit of our day with you. Love to all!

PS. the gingerbread house is a replica of my Mom's childhood farm house... she recognized it immediately which pleased Allison to no end.

Do You See What I See, Mom?

Here it is, Helen... give me a call.

This Sunday I Celebrate The Candle

Have you heard the object lesson of the candle in the dark? In a lightless room the flame from a single candle takes away the darkness. I'm celebrating the candle.

Stronger than anything I know is the love our Heavenly Father and our Savior have for us. Nothing strengthens or comforts me more.

Blessings in the kindness of others. Our furnace quit working on Tuesday and we found a small part was broken. We had quotes of $200 to repair it and offers to let us "have" the part for $125. A ward member who is in the business called his wholesale warehouse. The part was $25 and Steve installed it for free! A pharmacist at Walgreen's, who greets me by name, noticed our insurance had lapsed and enrolled us in the "W card" program. Our pharmacy bill for the two rx's, a month's supply of each, was originally $120 and it came down to $70, and that was for a 90 supply of one of the scrips.

These are only two examples of seemingly small things that have meant much more than can be expressed.

Our computer BIOS boot program became corrupted (how!?) so I was very grateful for Mom's old computer. We were able to Frankenstein with our computer so Allison could retrieve some final project homework. I'm still trying to find the old picture files (maybe they're still on the 512gb in the sick computer...).

Going a little overboard on Mom's birthday cake was therapeutic. I will definitely never be invited to compete on Food Network "Challenge"! Coming soon will be the picture of the pathetic ode to Mary Engelbreit that was my birthday cake (when the camera card returns from UT). Many moons ago Marianne and I were teaching school while our husbands finished college. We told each other that it would be really cool to have bake ware that had been around long enough to have "character" like the pans room mothers brought in to our classes. Washing up after some holiday baking the other day I realized I had just washed many items that were full of "character."

My wish is that, like my cookie sheet, I can show a strength of "character" as time goes by.

I'M BACK... Good Things/Bad Things

I've never felt so out of control with my time in my entire 46 years on this earth! My kids LOVED "Animaniacs" (we even have the soundtrack... to a cartoon series on TV) and there was a segment called "good idea, bad idea." I'm attempting to sum up all the time I've missed sharing anything with this concept.

Good Thing: Mom and I both had happy birthdays and I had a really good time decorating the cakes.
Bad Thing: My camera batteries died and I couldn't get pictures.
Good Thing: Mom's camera was very helpful and we got some good shots.
Bad Thing: Her camera went with her to UT for Christmas so I can't show you how cute they turned out.

Good Thing: Michael, Emiy and Allison all survived the Fall semester.
Bad Thing: There was much stress in the house over finals and such.
Good Thing: It's over! and today is the first official day of the Christmas vacation.
Bad Thing: Allison is going to be gone all day performing with her choir group.
Good Thing: Allison's group was terrific on the radio this morning and will have three more performances they've been invited to. To finish her day she'll have a party with them.
Bad Thing: We'll miss her.

Good Thing: Chris sounds happy and had a baptism last week.
Bad Thing: He was without power for a few days due to the horrible ice storm that hit New England last week.
Good Thing: He survived and the power came back on.
Bad Thing: I hope he gets his Christmas package on time since the storm messed up so many deliveries.
Good Thing: We get to talk to him after 5:00 MST on Christmas Day!

Good Thing: My husband and I are still happily married and feel incredibly blessed we have each other and our family.
Bad Thing: We're still unemployed.
Good Thing: Several people are interested in him and he received a really wonderful blessing from our Bishop that comforted us a lot.
Bad Thing: No one wants to do anything about new employment until after the first of the year.

Good Thing: I've felt blessed to have as many substitute jobs as I have to help out.
Bad Thing: I'd love to teach full time again since subbing isn't a constant thing.
Good Thing: One of my cub scouts gave me a great gift of pistachios and a beautiful card last night. And really surprising I had a 2nd grade teacher I sub for call me this morning telling me she has gifts for me from some of her students.
Bad Thing: Now I have to remember to write notes to them... maybe I should do that now...

I love you all!!! and I love reading your comments. They're a big boost and I hope I'm clever enough that I share a boost with you!

Where Is My Time Going?

Dear Family and Friends... I am having a horribly hard time getting anything done these days. It seems I'm a chicken stuck on the "have to" side of the road knowing why I want to cross to the "want to" side of the road. I have lots of ideas for posts and hope to get to a few of them soon. Don't give up on me! Hopefully I will have the presence of mind and, most of all TIME, to get to these things.

So, off to the stores I go to help Mom get some things done before she leaves for UT next week. I'm subbing tomorrow so maybe Wednesday will be my day...?

I'll Have a Blue Christmas?

Thanksgiving is over and with Steve's parents here it was cozy and fun. They've left us this morning and now Christmas is upon us. I've spent hours trying different backgrounds for the blog and coming up with something I was happy with (a very OCD/ADD morning!). I felt accomplished and then remembered I'd forgotten to post anything new! What a day.

The Christmas decorations are up and it's beginning to feel festive. I had an emotional time with the decorating. I looked over old ornaments I've been given from my Mother and little things the kids have made us over the years. I started feeling very blue and missed my family so much my throat ached. I guess it's a good thing we have so many good memories of Christmas past but it's hard not getting to see those we love so dearly and miss so much.

I appreciate SO much reading all your posts; it helps chase the blues away. So let's keep it up and keep Christmas red and green, not blue! Steve's in the kitchen making peanut butter cookies so I think my blues will alleviate when that dough is ready for quality inspection!

Love you all!

p.s. you'll all be relieved to know the cookie dough has passed inspection

Happy Birthday Marianne!

When my sister was born our brother, Richard, asked our mother what they were going to name her. Helen responded, "Mona Lisa," explaining it was one of her favorite songs. Richard came back with, "I like the song 'Marianne' better." (All day, all night, Marianne, Down by the seaside sifting sand,...). Marianne has been thankful to him ever since. I searched the web and couldn't find a recording to share of "her" song (neither The Brothers Four or Harry Belafonte) but I thought "Mona Lisa" was appropriate too.

I'm really glad we didn't kill each other when we were younger because I don't think I could do without her in my life. Do you have someone you've looked up to and wished you were more like them? Marianne is that person for me. I've always wanted to be a sweet, gentle, non-swearing woman who has ankles. You are a steady presence and a loving listening ear. I'm so glad you are my big sister!

I love you, Marianne. Happy Birthday!

Happy Anniversary Steven!!!

It's been 24 years to the day since Steven took me to the Provo Temple and married me for time and all eternity. I can't believe he's put up with me for so long! He can still look at me and tell me I'm beautiful which I'm very thankful for. I'm looking forward to growing old(er) with such a sweet, loving husband. So, to Steve who rarely looks here but I'll make him this time, Happy Anniversary Baby!!


November 23, 1984









Please excuse me as we're going to celebrate with Michael, Alli and Em and a heart shaped Red Velvet Cake with a Diet Caffienated Beverage... I didn't have the fortitude to get out the cake decorating tips so sprinkles it is!

p.s. Does anyone want to share the secret of adding a simple collage of pictures in a post without having to go to slideshow.com? I've seen it on many a blog and want to know how to do it!