ABC'S of Me

You've been tagged! You are now supposed to write a note with the ABC's of YOU. At the end, choose 26 people to be tagged. You have to tag me so really you just need 25 more people. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your ABC's of Me, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.



A. Age?...59 years young (tell that to my body, I don't think it got the memo)

 B. Bed sizE...  California King, badly in need of a new mattress

 C. Chore I hate... cleaning toilets

 D. Dog's name...  I don't much care for dogs, except the cute stuffed toy ones

 E. Essential start your day items... Clothes, reading the Book of Mormon, Insulin shot, prayer, food

 F. Favorite colors... blue, most shades, but especially turquoise!!

 G. Gold or Silver...  SILVER

 H. Height... 5'8" I think, unless I have shrunk from not being able to stand up straight due to arthritis pain

 I. Instruments you play... I used to play guitar, and I still dabble on the piano some (for my own pleasure), self-taught on both

 J. Job... I work at keeping my sanity and I'm a 'Jill-of-all-trades' you could say. I take care of the house, my husband (he's home all the time), and currently have 2 adult sons living with us, so that keeps me busy.

 K. Kids...fabulous five: 4 sons, 1 daughter. Then there's 3 daughters-in-law, 1 son-in-law, 13 grandchildren, and growing...

 L. Living arrangements... Home with husband and currently have 2 grown sons living with us and sometimes 1 grandson


M. Music... Il Divo, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, BeeGees, some country, church, 101 Strings, lots more...

 N. Nick names...  Dear, Mom, Cami-Grandma (not so much anymore), Gran, Sis...hey, 'You!'

 O. Own any records... Like a vinyl record?  lots: 45's, LP's, I'm 'old-school', ya know? ;)

 P. Pet Peeves...  crazy drivers! Tailgating, others driving while talking on cell phones, or texting. Also people who don't keep their word!

 Q. Quote from a movie...  I will have to think about this one and get back to you

 R. Right or left handed... RIGHT

 S. Siblings...3 brothers, 2 sisters

 T. Time you wake up...whenever I have to use the bathroom

U. Underwear... Yes, I do wear it 'under' my clothes

V. Vegetable you dislike...  probably turnips and okra

 W. Workout style... I have an exercycle which I ride every now and then. I also have some videos I like.

 X. X-rays you've had... from the dentist, when I broke my big toe, ultra-sounds when I was pregnant (many years ago)

Z. Favorite place at the zoo... The train that goes around the whole zoo so I don't have to walk and can still enjoy seeing the animals. :)

My Gratitude Journal

fabric pin

This fabric pin idea came from my niece. She made them and hot-glued them onto headbands she got at the dollar store. They look very cute either as a hair decorations or a brooch. Thanks, Laurie!

Fun Thanksgiving Ideas – Our Gratitude Tree

Fun Thanksgiving Ideas – Our Gratitude Tree

GRATITUDE

I have been thinking a lot lately about the things that I am grateful for. Even in my prayers, I try to focus more on the things I'm thankful for, specifically. I am so blessed and when I remember, focus on, and talk about those blessings, I realize just how much I am blessed. I love the autumn of the year. It's a beautiful time when the earth is touched with color...more than any other season. The feeling in the air is different...a melancholy feeling of memories and traditions. It's the end of a long, hot, drawn out summer and gives a sense of something about to happen. I even feel more like baking and making something yummy so the house smells good and 'homey'. The 'nip' in the air and the winds of change are upon us, blowing the leaves in swirls, with a hint of eeriness. I think of my childhood with fondness and the holidays with visions of celebrations and spending time with family. It also makes me think of the winding down of our time on earth when we can look forward to being with family again that have long been asleep. What a joyous reunion that will be!! As for holidays...Halloween was filled with candy, pillowcases full, homemade costumes, parties at church; Thanksgiving around the table, enjoying food, family, and having lots of leftovers, being thankful; Christmas with the sounds, sights, and smells of goodies, ornaments, presents, and the gift of love from God when he sent his only begotten Son to be our Savior and Redeemer of the world! Yes, Fall is my most favorite time of the year and I'm filled with gratitude! 

AUTUMN RAIN!

Today it rained...a lot! There was also a lot of lightning and thundering. I love it when it rains! We have not had much this year and things were looking very dry and sad outside. What a breath of fresh air after the rain. It makes everything new and clean and makes me feel like making something. It also evokes very good memories for me. I like listening to the rain hitting the roof and smelling the wet earth. I feel like singing 'Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain' or 'Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head'. Reading a book and curling up with a blanket or doing some embroidery sounds awfully good. When I was little I used to sit on the porch and watch the drops hit the ground. It got a bit chilly because of the dampness. I loved riding up in the canyon of Zion after a rain to see the flood in the river. Watching the roiling waters, so angrily rushing past were a little frightning, but I remember the smell of the flood water. The roar was loud and there was lots of debris floating past. I'm sure the trees and plants are grateful for a long awaited drink, too. They seem to perk up with renewed resolve to hang on a bit longer. It is amazing to me how much water the ground absorbs when it rains, but if I watered by hand, it rolls right off, making rivers onto the sidewalk and driveway. The next day, the ground is dry again. God's way of giving the earth a soaking is so much better and way more efficient. I hope we get more rain tomorrow so that the drought will get some relief, even a little bit. I love the rain, no doubt about it! Thanks Heavenly Father for such a wonderful blessing!

King Darius hand puppet from the story of Daniel in the Lions' den. Besides using the 'hands-on' story for Sharing Time in Primary, it was a great FHE with all my grandkids. The story was a simplified version I found in one of my many resource books. It required participation (the lions roared when it was their turn).

Two of the mean priests who wanted King Darius to put Daniel in the Lion's den.

Daniel and the third priest, from Daniel in the Lions' den story, found in the Bible. I made these puppets to do a Sharing Time in Primary when I was teaching the 6 & 7 year olds.

Three of the five lions I made for the story. The idea for the puppets came from using scrapbook people and changing them to fit the story and adding touches of my own, especially on the lions.

Presto! easy peasy tic-tac-toe game for the kiddos to play while waiting for Halloween. Enjoy! You could challenge your little ones to a game and you may even beat them, who knows? :)

Add faces on finished 'bean' bags using black puff paint, fabric paint, black sharpie pen, or cut out felt pieces. I used puff paints.

Sewing the 'bean' bags after filling them with pellets.

Poly-pellets used for filling 'bean' bag ghosts and pumpkins. I used about 1/8 of a cup for each bag.

Measure every 3 inches and pin the rick rack to create the game board. Stitch the rick rack down the middle.

Halloween

I decided to try my hand at making a game that would be easy and fun for kiddos and wouldn't take much time to make--you know, keep it simple. So...first cut 2-9"x9" pieces of felt and stitch around the edge (about 1/4" from edge).

Halloween game

I think I got the pictures out of sequence, but in this shot I am stitching the 'ghosts' assembly line, sewing only on 3 sides, leaving an opening for adding to add the pellets to make them 'bean' bags.

Halloween game

Here I am sewing the 'ghosts' on 3 sides, assembly line sewing. (The squares are about 3"x3")

Halloween tic-tac-toe tutorial

Start by cutting 2-9"x9" squares of felt (for game board). Cut 10-3"x3" white squares and 10-3"x3" orange squares.

LDS General Conference

It has been a wonderful weekend filled with inspiring talks and beautiful music! I hate that it's over so quickly! Now I will have to wait for another 6 months to have another spiritual conference weekend! I can't wait for the DVD's to come out so I can listen to all the messages again, and again, and again... (Although they will be published in the Ensign magazine and online at http://www.lds.org/. They were all so good and just what I needed! They are truly inspired when they prepare for these events! I love the prophet and all the general authorities and their wisdom. President Monson is truly a prophet of God and the apostles are divinely appointed as well. I am always amazed that the talks are so diverse and yet they don't consult with each other on topics, but no duplicates. I love stories that teach and feeling the spirit touch my heart and soul! I think the thing that is really awesome is hearing the music as the choir and congregations all over the world are singing at the same time. It is hard to even get through the songs because of the power that is felt! I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are pleased at the rejoicing through song! I don't know what else I can say about this magnificent experience other than I'm so grateful for the gospel in my life and the blessings that it brings to me and my family. I'm thankful for the technology that makes it possible to participate in such a wonderful program as General Conference, no matter where you live, throughout the world!! I love it!!!

Homemade Bread

Last night I attended a RS meeting where we learned lots of things about bread making, including how to braid dough. The aroma of yeasty bread dough permeated the church kitchen as we waited for it to raise so we could put it in the oven to bake. There were 3 kinds of breads made: Artesan, Whole Wheat, and White Bread (that we braided). It got everyone that attended fired up to go home, grind their own wheat into flour, and get their hands in the sticky mass of dough. The lady who taught the class is our previous bishop's wife who has a blog at http://www.homeandtherange.blogspot.com/ and she did a fantastic job! Even though I have made bread before, I learned a lot about nutrition, the best ingredients to use, etc. Of course, the highlight was the reward of eating fresh, warm, yummy bread straight from the oven with butter and honey! We each got to take part of a loaf home as well, so my car smelled delicious all the way home! It was a fun night and very informative. It definitely got us excited to try our hand at making some, especially now that Fall is in the air (somewhere). Thanks Sister Burns!

Modern Travel

This past weekend, my husband and I rented a car and began the journey to northern Utah to see our daughter and to attend a mission farewell for a niece of my husband's. We had A/C, comfortable seats, windows, and snacks. Even music to help keep us awake.  Everything we needed to begin a 7-8 hour trip. I thought as we sped past the Nevada deserts and over mountains, I'm so glad that we didn't have to travel in a buggy or wagon like the pioneers did. Then I thought back to a story my Dad shared about when he and his brother were in Wyoming looking for work--this was back in the 1920's, before he was married. His older brother was injured on the Cable Mountain in Zion National Park on the old saw mill. It was a long way to a doctor and they had to travel by buckboard wagon to St. George. His arm was cut on the saw and was bleeding badly. He lost a lot of blood and passed out numerous times, was given priesthood blessings, and finally made it to where he could get medical help, which was below the standards we have today. But much later my Dad was gone when his brother died and it took a couple of days to get home because he had to travel by horse and wagon, so he missed the funeral. I thought how sad that would be!

Here I was in a nice automobile, going 75 mph and thinking it was a long way to sit there! I can't even imagine how it must have been, being miserable in the heat of the day, going at a such a slow pace, having to sleep out under the stars and then get up and continue the next day. As I stopped at places to eat along the way, grabbing convenience foods, I wondered what they would have eaten back then. They had no way to keep anything cold, so it was probably something like bread (which was most likely dry and/or stale), beef jerky and stuff like that. I had ice in my drink and was sad that it melted too fast, making my water lukewarm quickly. They were lucky to have water to drink and it was definitely not iced! It makes me so glad that I live in this day and time, with all the things we are blessed with. Home at last, sleeping in a nice warm, comfortable bed, indoor plumbing, showers, etc. Our lives are so blessed!! I'm grateful for my heritage, but I'm very happy to be alive today.

Blessings and Music

I started going to choir a week ago in my ward and have felt the spirit bless my heart. Today after the 3 hour block at church, I went to practice and I was very touched by what the director shared with us about a personal experience she had because of music. It made me think of all the times I've been blessed in my life and there a lot of those times it involved music. Music soothes the soul, touches the heart, brings the power of heaven down and bears testimony of truth when used properly. The songs we were singing today touched me deeply too: Oh What Songs of the Heart (LDS Hymns), and How Great Thou Art (also from LDS Hymns). There were numerous times I couldn't sing the words because my eyes were getting blurry with the tears that came when the songs invoked memories of blessings I have received and brought things to mind of other times I have sung those songs. The words are very powerful and bear strong testimony of divinity and eternal truths of being able to see and be with our loved ones that have gone from this earth. I am so glad that I attended choir today and that God has given me musical talents so that I can experience these kinds of blessings by joining with the other members of the group to make a joyful noise and sing praises to my God. Music can lift the spirit and bring happiness, or comfort when needful. I guess that's why I love watching the Sound of Music, too, because the very hills come alive with the sound of music... Music has brought much satisfaction and pleasure throughout my life. When I was a sophomore in high school and had the mumps during Christmas break, I learned how to play the guitar and from then on I was called 'little songbird' by my mother. I accompanied my father while he played the harmonica whenever the occasion arose and have missed that tradition greatly since he passed away in 1997. I haven't sung much since then, except for church and once in a while with my daughter (who is married and lives in another state now) and I have missed it! So today I am happy that I made the choice to sing with the choir once again. Music, I have missed you and the blessings that come with it!

Just finished this pair of pillowcases! I love this design, esp the 'blue' morning glory...

Technology

Tonight I have been thinking about technology and how it has blessed my life. Even though I'm not quite the tech-savvy person I would like to be, I am coming along in my progress of navigating the computer. I have found so many cute ideas and a wealth of information that I can use from scouring the many links on here. I am amazed at the plethora of talent and knowledge to be had and shared! Thanks to all of your blogs and websites that afford me the opportunity to tap into my own creativity. I hope to be able to share my own ideas with you as well. I'm grateful to Heavenly Father for the talents I have been blessed with and am excited for the privilege of learning so much, just through technology. I am looking forward to watching General Conference on television (another technology blessing) and to check out lds.org for helps and inspiration. We are truly living in a wonderful time and have many wonderful blessings that generations before us did not have. It is mind-boggling at times. It's a wonderful world, even with all the troubling things going on with the economy, politics, housing issues, etc. but there are so many things to be thankful for, too! We just need to focus on the good things and trust that things will be okay and in the mean time, learn and share talents and use technology for good. It is a special time to be alive and I for one am going to enjoy the journey...(while doing crafts and making fun things to share with others.) My grandmother used to say, 'Aren't you glad you're you?' Yes, I am, Grandma! Yes, I am! :)

A project in progress... I made one of these for each of my married children
and added hearts for each of their children with their name and birth year on
them. On the rectangle at the bottom of the tree trunk, I embroidered their last
name and the year they were married (or est.) I will post pictures of this one as
I get it finished. When done, it is a wall hanging, lap quilt or looks nice on
the back of the sofa. I came up with the idea when I was trying to think of
something useful and that went along with genealogy that I copied for my
kids for that same Christmas. When I make items for gifts, I try to have things
that are useful and could become an heirloom, maybe. :) Anyway, a lot of love,
thought and stitches went into these as each piece is hand appliqued/embroidered on.

Christmas card holder with pockets. I attended my sister's ward Relief Society when they made these.

The idea for this handout was found on one of the many links I have perused.
Thanks goes to whoever came up with it! It went perfect with my lesson in Relief
Society on 'Blessings of Scriptures' and the ladies loved them. :)

End of summer...almost!

Here it is the end of August and summer will soon be over. It has sure been a hot one, but very changeable. Lots of wind and then here at the end, cooler temps. I need to get busy and work on Christmas fast! I really try to make a lot of my gifts, but this year I've gotten behind. I got a new calling in May as counselor in the Relief Society, so I guess that's part of the delay, but it seems like I've been more tired and creaky. Couldn't be that I'm getting old-er, can it? I did laundry yesterday and today and actually hung the clothes out yesterday because it was bedding and it always smells so much better off the line, plus takes less time to get it done (and less electricity). I'm all caught up again for the week and it feels good. Smells good too. :) I've been perusing the talents of so many bloggers out there for gift ideas and I just want to say thanks to all who so freely share with the rest of us! I don't know what I would do without all the help I get from so many cute innovative ideas gleaned from talented people! It's so awesome! Sometimes I can come up with ideas on my own, but it helps to get the juices flowing if I see something and then go with it. Now I'm getting excited for the holidays. I might even want to play some Christmas music real soon. I love this time of year when you can feel the change in the air. Makes me melancholy. I will add more later...

Prepared NOT Scared!: Preparedness Projects - It's Christmas in August!

Prepared NOT Scared!: Preparedness Projects - It's Christmas in August!

Baptism gift bag made from clip art, then colored & mounted on cardstock, and attached to white bag with brads.

Scripture board, with changeable scriptures and hand painted. My next to the eldest son, a finish carpenter, cut it out and I made one for each of my married children. Each on is painted with different design.

This is one of the composition book 'journals' made in Relief Society...blue of course. :)

This is another 'journal' covered composition book.

Small spiral bound notebook covered with scrapbook paper and embellished with ribbon & buttons.

Another 'journal'...

This 'journal' was my first one, made a few years ago when we did them in Relief Society. I made it with all my favorites: blue tulips, turquoise paper, cute saying, country girl stamped & colored. I'm all for favorite things...and monochromatic blues! It's just heavenly, don't ya think? :) 

August 25, 2010 Wednesday

Last night our ward had a Relief Society meeting on Journals. We had fun decorating 'journals' out of purchased composition books, by covering them with scrapbook paper, buttons, fabric, ribbon, etc. There was plenty of fun things to choose from to fancy up our notebooks. We also talked about how it's a good idea to hand write our thoughts instead of putting everything on the computer because many of us have had our computers crash and lost everything we had! I was working on my personal history and had typed quite a few pages (37, but who's counting?), but luckily my husband's friend knew how to retrieve some of our documents and that was one! Whew! I was so relieved, but vowed to always back everything up from then on. I love to write about memories, people that I know, personal thoughts and poetry. I also like to create things and last night was an opportunity to be creative. I didn't finish at church, but got my stuff out today and finished a couple more books. I thought they turned out pretty cute. We did some once before when it was still called 'Enrichment' night, and I made a few as gifts, using small notebooks that were spiral bound. I will try and post pictures eventually. Until then I will just keep writing whatever pops into my head and call it good.

Happiness

Happiness is a state of mind. I believe that! You are as happy as you make up your mind to be. I love the quote by Sister Hinckley, "...I choose to be happy, crying gives me a headache." That is a true statement. Sometimes crying is a good thing though, when you need to cleanse your soul. It can be very healing. As opposed to popular belief, crying is not a weakness, but a strength. It even shows compassion, when appropriate. Back to happiness. I try to look on the bright side of things. You could call me Pollyanna and I would not be offended at all. I have even been known to play the infamous 'Glad Game' on ocassion. I have found that reading the scriptures gives me strength when I'm having a rough day. I do not want the Savior to ask me "art thou better than He?" when I complain or whine about my trials. It doesn't do any good to complain, it doesn't take away the problems, and nobody wants to be around you. Smiles are contagious, usually others will reciprocate. Attitude makes all the difference, especially in people with cancer or other health problems. When the Savior comes again, I want Him to see His image in my countenance and I don't think that is sadness! My trials are mine, and I will not exchange them for anyone else's. They are not easy to get through, but I will do the best I can and I know that with the Lord's help that is possible. When life gives us lemons, we can make lemonade. I love lemonade! So today I will make some fresh lemonade, put my feet up and by happy!

Blessing of Family

I am blessed to be the daughter of goodly parents, wife to a wonderful man, and mother to great children. I am also blessed to be a grandmother to 13 grandchildren. They are what make life worth living--they make the world go round. It has not been an easy thing to be all of these things, but it has been most rewarding and continues to fill me with awe every day. I love that I grew up with parents and siblings that love me and even still like me, crazy as I am. My sisters and I have fun when we get together, though not often enough. I have awesome brothers, too. I am truly blessed to be part of an eternal family. My kids are wonderful adults and I love my daughters-in-law and son-in-law. I wish everyone could have the kind of family I have because then the world would truly be a better place. I thank Heavenly Father every day! :)

Sunday

I think that there are two Sundays in every week. At least it seems like it because it sure comes around fast. That's not a bad thing though. I love to go to church! It is a privilege to be able to worship the way I want and have a beautiful building to meet in with others that share the same beliefs as I do. We are very blessed to live in this free land of America, even the promised land. It gives me a charge so to speak to help me get through the week when I go to church and listen to the talks and sing the hymns and feel the spirit. Of course, when I prepare myself before I go, I am more apt to feel the spirit and hear answers to my prayers as I sit and listen. It is appropriate that Sunday is the 'beginning' of the week on the calendar because it is a wonderful way to start it. What better way than to worship first, the God who gave us life, before we start to do everyday things in that life? I like having the Lord on my side as I do my mundane tasks and count my blessings every night that I made it through the day. It is a good day.

Today is laundry day, the second one this week. My mother instilled in me early on the love of clean laundry. In fact, the smell of clean clothes off the line sparks a fond memory for me, even now. I remember Mother hanging clothes on the line, come hot or cold weather, even when the sheets 'froze' as she hung them out! I can remember sniffing my blouse as I sat in school and how it made me feel the comfort of being clean. I loved it then and I love it now. That is a tradition that I will carry to my grave. Mom never expected anyone to do her laundry, even when she was near to death. People commented on how often she washed, but it was true, she never had to have anyone come in to do her washing for her. Many times she could barely make it up her basement steps, but you had to be quick on your feet to get to the washer before she did! It was just something that brought her pleasure. She had a dryer, but preferred the solar kind. Her whites were the whitest and even her dishrags were like new after much wear. It nearly broke her heart when a family member took out the clotheslines, thinking they were 'helping' to make her load lighter in later years. I can relate to that! Some may think that is an obsessive behavior thing, but to me it was a good example of a good habit, and good organization. Is that saying enough 'good' things about it? :) I'm all about carrying on good traditions...to be continued...