Happy Halloween

This year Emily is the only one who really dressed up for Halloween.  She was the Easter Bunny!  It was pretty fun.  My day was actually a pretty normal one, except that Jacob, Em, and I went to the church for Trunk-r-treat this evening.  Since we live out in the country and the houses are so far apart, the community meets at the church and the kids go from car to car, instead of from door to door.  It is much safer for the little ones, and I like it because I don't have to be out in the cold for hours.  Then we were able to come home and enjoy a quiet evening. 

All the snow is melted, and I got out the lawn mower this afternoon and got part of the lawn mowed.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can get it finished up tomorrow before getting the mower put away for the winter.  Also on tomorrow's list is new tires for the van... they recommended I get new ones before last winter, and I still haven't done it, but am afraid to drive in the snow and ice on my bald ones. 

Visiting Widows

I spent a great deal of my day today, taking a little Halloween treat to the widows in my ward.  My sweet compassionate service leader was good enough to make a  treat and note for us to deliver, and one of my counselors took the time to go with me.  It was so fun to visit with the little old ladies of my ward!  One of my favorites is named Dot and she is 94 years old.  She was out mowing her lawn last week, and is now working on raking and bagging her leaves.  She is a strong, stubborn, independent lady with a memory that is sharp  as a tack.  She is losing her eyesight, has a weak heart, and her jaw is being eaten away by a bacterial infection that is unstoppable. She is looking forward to dying and gets frustrated when people that are younger than her get to move on and she is still here.  Yet, she keeps on smiling and won't let others do anything that she is capable of, because she fiercely treasures her independence. These elderly women are inspiring to me, and I hope I can grow up to be just like them!  It was a great day!

Fall Fun

Tonight we carved our pumpkins.  This is getting to be more fun for me because everyone is now capable of cleaning the "guts" out of their own pumpkin, and I don't have to do them all!  Poor Erik has a stomach bug and did not feel up to cleaning out pumpkin guts, but he had fun watching.  We also made fun "vampire cookies", under Tony's direction. After eating our share, we took some to a neighbor. 

In other news, Tony has a new job assignment!  After waiting and worrying for many months, he found out that he is still securely employed, and will have new work duties.  He's not sure exactly what those duties will be yet as the whole IT department is being re-structured, but he is happy, so that makes me happy! 

Saturday Sleep In

Today I got a rare sleep-in day!  I love just waking up when my body decides it has had enough sleep.  I usually toss and turn for a while around 6:30, since that is my usual wake up time, but I can usually get back to sleep for a few hours.  I love the feeling of snuggling in my warm covers, next to my hubby, and just listening to my kids wake up.  I also sleep with the curtain nearest my bed partly open because I love looking outside as I wake up and seeing what the new day is like.  If I could sleep in every day I'm sure the delight would wane, but I sure did enjoy this slow-to-rise morning. 

Thursday Snow

I have mentioned before how much I enjoy Thursdays.... and once again I had a very nice day.  We woke up to 6 inches of lovely snow.  I enjoyed helping the boys shovel the driveway because it was so pretty and peaceful.  Other things I did today are: canned the last of the tomatoes, cleaned my stove inside and out, mended all the rips and missing buttons on our clothes, got the ironing done, did my visiting teaching, and cleaned underneath my fridge and stove.  Tonight we went to the annual Halloween concert on campus.  It was very good, as usual.... this has become a tradition that we enjoy each fall.  Here is a picture taken  from my backyard this afternoon.   

Candy Corn

It's that time of year for candy corn.  We made a trip to Idaho Falls to go to Target for their "exclusive" candy corn Oreo's.  Evidently they are so exclusive that they are not to be found.  If anyone sees them, would you grab us a package?

One year when I was working with the Young Women, one of my girls and I were talking about candy corn and how we liked to eat it in sections, saving the small white triangle on the end for the last.  We both commented on how we liked the tip the best.  The next day a big bag of candy corn appeared with no explanation.  I appreciated the kind gesture of some sharing soul.  When I went to eat a few, I saw that the white tip of every one had been bitten off, and I only got the yellow and orange part!  I laughed and laughed at that girl, and the joke we shared together!  It must have made her sick eating all those white tips!  To me it was a sign of friendship and trust, and I always think of her when I eat candy corn..... I need to find where she is now and return the favor! 

Couple of Good Things

Today I took the final for one of my classes, and got 102% on it.  I was pleased with the grade, and also glad to finish the class, (it was a block class) so that my homework load is lightened a bit.  Yay!

I also went to devotional on campus today with Jacob and Tony.  I haven't been attending devotional, just listening to it on the radio, but I think it is important for Jacob to participate in this part of BYU-I life.  Elder Kikuchi was the speaker, and I just love him!  He gave a great talk on how to start off our day in a way that will bring us closer to Christ.  I loved it when he said "we should wash and fresh our bodies".  The closing song was "As I Have Loved You".... Then he got back up and had President Clark and President Eyering and the man that coordinates the speakers, stand with him and sing "As I Have Loved You".  It was a powerful moment!  I am so grateful for the opportunity for me and my family to listen to and be in the presence of loving and devoted leaders. 

Solution to Everything.....

When I was a teenager I had a dream that I will always remember.  I dreamed that there was this one word that was the answer to everything.... it solved all the problems of the world, filled everyone with peace and joy, and made everything bad and hurtful disappear.  I was so excited and happy, I was jumping for joy!  I actually jerked myself awake and fumbled around for a piece of paper to write this magical word on.  After carefully writing it down, I went back to sleep, full of excitement to share my discovery with the world, thinking that I would be able to cleanse the world of inequality, hurt, and disappointment. 

The next morning I woke up and remembered this amazing dream and found a scrap of paper by my bed with the following word

MEDIFERNEZERARY......................   so far I haven't been able to use it for anything other than giving myself a laugh, but I'll always remember the amazing feeling of pure joy I had in that dream!  I hope I get to feel it again some day!

Surgery socks

Tonight I am wearing ugly purple socks with paw shaped "grips" on them.  Tony got them at the hospital when he had surgery on his toe.  Since he had 2 surgeries, he brought home 2 pairs of socks.  I wear them because they are very warm, and because they are the only physical thing (besides a straight toe) that we have to show for all the money we spent.  Tony won't wear them, and the kids think they are nasty, so it's up to me to get our money's worth out of them..... I will probably have to wear them for the rest of my life!  (I don't really have to wear them.... just hate to get rid of really warm socks!) 

Blekko

Today I had an unfortunate experience.  While trying to figure out how to download sound clips and apply them to a power point presentation, I inadvertently downloaded some search tool called Blekko that was a terrible search engine, it would not let me go where I needed to go, and I could not figure out how to get rid of it.  Luckily I have a good computer guy!   He cleaned up my computer and got rid of Blekko.  Who, in their right mind, would name a product Blekko, anyway?  It sounds like you are going to be sick!  (Which I almost was when I couldn't access the programs I needed, to get my homework done.)  Thanks computer man!!!

Balancing Act

I'm feeling rather out of balance lately...  trying to fill many rolls, and not feeling completely successful.  I have to keep reminding myself that I can do anything I put my mind to, but I can't do everything right now.  I also feel like I am always trying to be what other people need me to be.... a good mom, student, teacher, relief society president, friend, daughter, neighbor, church member, board member, wife, etc... I feel like if I spend too much time in any one area, the others suffer, so I am constantly evaluating, weighing, and choosing who to be at any given moment.  I get tired of the effort sometimes, and I think that is why I like to read so much.... it gives my mind a break.  I know that this balancing act is what life is all about and the test of this life is in how we prioritize, and how we handle the bumps that come up.  I just feel so caught up in all the roles I am trying to keep going, that I wonder if I am losing myself somewhere?  Or, are all these commitments and roles what make me myself? 

Funny saying

Tonight, while watching a video clip, the commentator said "It's all retch and no vomit"..... cracked me up! We all know people who are this way.... all big talk and no action.  I'm going to think of this and smile when I hear braggers in the future! 

freezer meal group

I joined a group of ladies that make freezer meals once a month.  There are six of us in this particular group.  Each person makes 6 meals and freezes them, then we exchange.  For example, I am making 6 pans of beef stroganoff, another lady is making 6 chicken pot pies, another is making 6 pans of enchiladas, etc....  After exchanging, each of us goes home with 6 different meals, that can be thawed and heated for dinner.  It is a lot of work to make the 6 meals, but in the long run it is a lot easier than spending time preparing 6 different meals.  I am hoping this will make my life a little bit easier on those crazy days when I don't have time to cook dinner.  I also think it will be fun to try some new foods and someone else's cooking!

Service

I really like to help people.  Part of that is selfish, because I enjoy being needed, and I like the feelings that I get when people are grateful for me.  I see so many needs around me, and am not able to do everything that I want to... I try to encourage others to help meet some of the needs I see, and usually people are kind and thoughtful, and try to help.  However, there are times when no one but myself shows up at a service project, and that is so discouraging.  Not only am I not able to meet all the needs by myself, (or just with my family) but I know that others are missing out on the chance to make friends, to make the world better, and to become more Christ-like.  So many of us hide inside our own personal activities and concerns, that we miss the bigger picture, and miss out on the amazing experiences and relationships that are all around us, if we will but open our eyes and our hearts. 

Potato Bar Fund-Raiser

Last night we had a dinner/dessert auction for the library foundation.  Tony and I are on the board... we love our public library and try to support it.  The foundation raises money through a used book store, and various fund-raising events, then we use the money  to help meet some of the needs of the library.  Last year we bought a baby grand piano for the community room, and this year we are working on  getting more computers in the children's area.  Anyway... I was in charge of the food last night.  We had a baked potato bar, and things went pretty good.  They started the dessert auction too late though, and most everyone had left.  The board members were pretty much the only ones left, so we were bidding on the desserts that we had donated.  It kind of made me laugh... why didn't we each just give some money to the foundation, rather than going through all the work of the evening?  (There were community members who came, it just felt like there were more board members than "regular" community people.)  I think we will do it again next year, but do better advertising, and start the auction earlier!  Glad to be done with planning and preparing for the dinner!

Friends

I am so grateful for friends in my life.  Today I got a sweet note from a friend that made me feel appreciated and loved.  Then I was able to go to the temple with another friend, who then came to my house and helped me scrub potatoes for a dinner I am helping with tomorrow.  Then another friend invited me over to get some starts of plants I had been admiring.  While I was getting plants, another friend sent over a cheese ball that she makes, and I love to eat!  My husband is my greatest friend and confidante, and he is always doing kind things for me and provides love and support.  Tonight I am feeling very grateful for the friends in my life, and the friends that I still love, that have moved out of my life.  Friendship is truly something that I treasure... maybe because I feel like I don't have very many "close" friends.  My family are my best friends and that is where I choose to spend most of my time and energy.  Sometimes I feel lonely for friends, but today I feel rich in that area.

Drying Onions

Yesterday I noticed that all the onions I dug from my garden a few weeks ago, were starting to go bad.  So, I borrowed my neighbors food processor to chop them all up (first I cut off any bad parts).  Then I put them in the food dehydrator.  There were many tears involved in the process!  These were strong onions! I put the dehydrator in the garage, since I didn't want the house to smell like onions.  Unfortunately, my hands, clothes, and kitchen still smelled.  The garage immediately filled with the strong scent. Also, a slight draft comes in under the house/garage door when the wind blows, and it happened to be a windy day.  Anyway, everything smells like onions, and I have a nice bunch of dehydrated onions. I probably should have moved the cars outside while this was going on because I don't know if the smell will ever come out. Even after being parked outside on campus all day today, as I walked up to my van, I got a nose full of onion scent!

Back into things

Spiral Jetty on the Great Salt Lake

Kent, Beth, and baby Clara on blessing day

Grandma and Grandpa with all their grandchildren, except Kedrick who is serving a mission in Peru.

Golden Spike monument steam engine demonstration

We had a really nice weekend, traveling to my brother's home in Utah, listening to General Conference, being with family, accidentally going to Nevada, drinking iron-port,and being together.  Here are a few photos. Today was back to school.  Jacob got hooked up with a "study buddy" and a couple of tutors, to help him learn how to manage his college classes.  He has been doing quite good, but figuring out everything works has been a challenge.  Hopefully this will help him to be successful, and free up a little more time for me to work on my own schooling. It was good to get away, but good to be home too.

Love General Conference

I truly love to listen to the bi-yearly conference of the church.  President Monson suggested that we take some time to think about all the ways the Lord has blessed us in our lives.  As I began to think about how I have been watched over, taught, protected, and comforted throughout my life, I was completely overwhelmed.  As I just review the past week, I see many, many times when I have felt prompted, inspired, comforted, and taken care of.  I have no doubt that I am loved by a Heavenly Father, and that He is involved in the small details of my personal concerns and trials.  I hope my family knows this.... I have seen miracles, and felt His presence in ways that I can never deny.  These experiences are sacred to me and I hold them close to my heart.  I love my Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ.  I will not push my beliefs on to anyone who feels differently from me, but at the same time I can not keep from expressing the source of my joy and peace.  I hope my actions never give my loved ones any reason to doubt my great love of the gospel.

Happy Birthday to Mom

Today I canned some pears.  It made me think of my mom and how she has taught me to do so many things.  I think that most of the things I enjoy doing, have been taught to me by my mom.  I'm so glad I had to do things like laundry, cooking, cleaning, mending clothes, gardening, etc... as I grew up.  Although I didn't ALWAYS enjoy them, I often did, because it was fun to be with my parents and siblings, and I have always liked the feeling of accomplishment I feel after doing a job well.  Thanks Mom, for teaching me, loving me, and always being there for me.  I love you!!

One of "those" days

Today has been a long, difficult day, so I won't write about it.  Instead, here are a few pictures I took yesterday.  This is Jacob with his white chocolate, I cake (for BYU-I).  And here is a picture of Emily and Tipsy snoozing on the couch. 

The kids have worked hard in the garden, gathering the last of the vegetables since it is going to freeze pretty hard tonight.  I'm glad to be finishing with it, and already looking forward to starting again next spring.

Jacob Day

Today my Jacob turned 19!  Hard to believe!  He spent most of the day doing homework and going to class, but this evening he wanted to go out to Taco Bell for dinner, then to Thor's ice cream.  Then we went to campus and he took us to see where his classes are.  After that was a quick trip to Walmart and to CAL Ranch (for some wrap for Tony's toe).  Then home for cake and opening presents.  I made a white chocolate cake for him.  It was pretty  good... had pecans and coconut and white chocolate in it.  I'm very proud of all my kids, but on this day Jacob is at the top of my "thankful list".  Happy Birthday Jacob-peanut!