Friday, February 29, 2008

Don't give me any lip

My scripture study has been lacking a little as of late. My goal was to be through Isaiah by today, but I still have 7 chapters left, which was the same as I had a week ago...

I'm almost there though, considering there are 63 chapters and I am on 56. I can pat myself on the back can't I???

But still, I need to finish my goal.

So I was thinking that maybe if I posted something from Isaiah, it might get me motivated to start moving along again. I browsed through my notes and found this scripture:

"Then said I: Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5).

These are the little ponderings I wrote about it:

What kind of example am I and what company do I keep and what kind of encouragement or discouragement do I give? How are my “lips”? Do I speak kindly? How are the “lips” of my children? What can I do to improve our “lips”?

Then I thought "Well that's kind of boring to post about, my readers need something more profound than that". So I started of thinking of lips and songs and naturally this came to mind:



You know, Larry can be very profound sometimes...

What's on your coffee table?

Here's a fun Meme I "borrowed" from Kimberly's blog. She has some really fun ones.

The Rules of the game:

1. Find the nearest book to you.
2. Name the book and author.
3. Turn to page 123.
4. Go to the fifth sentence on the page.
5. Copy out the next 3 sentences and post to your blog.
6. Tag three other people.

The book I have is The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Page 123 opens on Act V, Scene I of Measure for Measure. The Duke is speaking to Lucio:

"I find an apt remission in myself;
And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon.
You, sirrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,
One all of luxury, an ass, a madman!
Wherein have I so deserv'd of you
That you extol me thus?"

Ok then!

If you feel like playing the game clue me in!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Two for you

Today was business as usual...on Wednesdays I leave my home at 9:30 am and am pretty much on the go the rest of the day taking kids to and fro, from here to there and everywhere. But as promised, even though it is 11 pm and I should be in bed, I'm posting a Meme just for you.

Two names I go by:
Mind (short i)
Lu
Two things I'm wearing right now:
Grey sweatshirt
Purple striped pj bottoms
Two things I'd want or have in a relationship:
Honesty
Patience (with me)
Two of my favorite things to do:
Quilt
Read
Two things I want very badly right now:
Our property to sell
Our property to sell
Two things I did last night:
Read Les Miserables
Ate a piece of German Chocolate cake (homemade by my fabulous husband/chef)
Two things I ate yesterday:
Aforementioned German Chocolate cake
Cupcake with pink icing
Two things I did today:
Renewed a friendship
Read Les Miserables
Two longest car rides:
Taking my son to the hospital
Driving from California to British Columbia in 24 hours straight
Two favorite Holidays:
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Two favorite beverages:
Water
Strawberry lemonade
Two jobs I’ve had in my life:
Window washer
Service provider for mentally disabled
Two places I’ve lived:
Paradise, Utah
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Two of my favorite foods:
Cheetos Natural Cheese Puffs
Cheesecake (made by my husband)
Two places I’d rather be right now:
In my new home that isn’t built yet
Oklahoma

Thank you to everyone for my birthday wishes! I love my birthday, I look forward to it every year because it is MY day and I feel special all day long!

And did you know that 69 + 25 makes 94 which means I only have six posts left until the BIG 100! And that I passed my 1 year bloggy anniversary on January 25 and didn't even know it?! Wow, I've been doing this for a year...that's the longest I've ever stuck with anything on purpose!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Me Me Me from A to Z

A - Available/Single: Married.
B - Best Friend: Jeff, Laura, my sisters, my sisters-in-law.
C- Cake or Pie: Cheesecake, German chocolate cake, cherry pie, Black Forest cake…oh, and Birthday Cake!
D - Day Of Choice: Today of course, it’s my birthday.
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday: My computer, it’s essential isn’t it? I mean I need to keep in touch...
F - Favorite Colour: Red, most definitely red and various shades of red, like coral.
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms: Neither, I hate those things. Pass the malted milk balls please.
H – Hometown: Can you guess?
I – Indulgence: Lindt dark chocolate truffles.
J - January Or July: February actually.
K – Kids… Yes, six: The Drifter, Bug, Bob 1 & Bob 2, Thing 1 & Thing 2 (more descriptions to follow in later post.)
L - Life Is Incomplete Without: Me. Oh that sounds so self absorbed…but it’s my birthday! Ok, chubby little cheeks to pinch.
M - Marriage date: August 12.
N - Number Of Siblings: Eight, I’m the second in line. Oldest girl. Lots of diapers. Before disposable. Get the picture?
O - Oranges Or Apples: Mandarin oranges, those little yummy things that I can eat like candy!
P - Phobias/Fears: Suspensful movies.
Q - Favorite Quote: “Ignorance is not not knowing, it’s knowing what isn’t so.” Attributed to Mark Twain.
R - Reason to Smile: I’m quilting.
S – Season: Autumn, most definitely. Lots of red colors in Autumn.
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: You, you, you!
U - Unknown Fact About Me: Secretly I think it would be cool to act in a Shakespeare play.
V - Vegetable you don’t like: brussel sprouts, asparagus cooked too long.
W - Worst Habit: Clicking my jaw. It drives my husband crazy.
X - X-rays You’ve Had: Dental, and my back...car wreck…thanks Jenn!
Y - Your Favorite Food: Steak, that my husband makes, he’s the BEST cook!
Z - Zodiac Sign: I can’t spell it, it starts with a P.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Meme coming soon. But alas, the day doesn't stop just because it's my birthday. I'm late for a class and my daughter is sitting here bugging me, so gotta go!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Me Me Me

My birthday is coming up so I'm celebrating all week by posting Meme's.

(I can see you all jumping with joy.)

To start off with, I thought I'd see how unique I really am and do what Nancyface did. I'll see if I can name 5 things none of you can...

CD I Own



Christmas with Silver, Wood & Ivory

Book I own


Warrior Scarlet, by Rosemary Sutcliff


DVD or VHS I Own



The Littlest Angel, starring Johnny Whittaker


Piece of Technology or any sort of tool I own



An Oster milkshake maker


Place I've visited


Telegraph Cove, British Columbia
Have a great day!
Me.

Friday, February 22, 2008

I've discovered Photobucket!

Now I can have a new background every day! Or every week. Or whenever the whim hits me...maybe once a month. Oh, but that sounds to much like PMS, which I don't usually have a problem with.

Well, anyway, I've spent too much time on it this morning. If you had been here you would have seen my background change ten times, all with roses.

And that's another thing I've been thinking about. I'm thinking of changing my name, something to reflect my love of roses and all things vintage. Hmmmm...

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Just as I thought...

Thanks Michal, this was fun! Click on the picture to see what Jane Austen character you are.

I am Elinor Dashwood!

Take the Quiz here!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Movie watching 101



My 8 year old son is just like me when it comes to movie watching. If there is something suspensful or potentially embarrassing for a character he covers his eyes or hides under a pillow or blanket and plugs his ears, or sometimes just gets up and runs from the room. He also giggles and laughs continually throughout a movie; sometimes it's more fun to watch him than to watch the movie! Occasionally while riding in the car he will burst into laughter over seemingly nothing. When questioned about it he will say that he was thinking of a certain part of a movie and then try and describe it to you all the while giggling uncontrollably. He certainly has the art of movie watching down!

Yesterday I took my kids to see The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. We love Veggie Tales and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. My son was sitting beside me and was his usual entertaining self: giggling, plugging his ears, squirming in his seat. The only problem was he didn't have a blanket to hide under and he couldn't get up and run out of the theater, so to compensate, at one point when he had his ears plugged. he yells out "Mom, quick! Put your hands over my eyes!"

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentines Day!


Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker.


Love looks not with the eyes,
but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.
~William Shakespeare

Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his barn boots.

Ah! a blessing beyond all fate
My sole mate 'tis my soul mate.~Pixie Foudre

A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,
A song is no song 'til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn’t put there to stay -
Love isn’t love'
Til you give it away.
~Oscar Hammerstein

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Coming Up For Air

Breathe in...Breathe out...In...Out...

Oh hello. I'm just coming up for air after being deep in the throes of decluttering my kitchen for the last four days.

OK, well that's not all I've been doing. I did go to church on Sunday, and did the usual chauffering of the troops. I even stopped to make a couple of dinners (sadly, an unusual phenomenon).

It's an interesting feeling walking into a newly decluttered kitchen. Even though the outside appearance hasn't changed much, I feel a difference (just knowing I can open my cupboards and nothing will fall out on me is exhilirating!). My kitchen is clean from the inside out and I can feel it, in fact I feel clean when I walk into my kitchen. I have five grocery bags full of items that I decided I really didn't need. Only five you say? It's amazing how many things can fit into a grocery bag! My criteria was such that if there wasn't a place for an item, it was gone. Some things were harder to part with than others, and some were down right agonizing.

Well, the pantry's next. Time to dive back in...

Thursday, February 07, 2008

What makes you happy?

I’m not a mall shopper. In my younger days I was, but now I avoid it (except when I am craving See’s candy). However, I do have a few department and specialty stores that I particularly like. The other day I was driving home from an appointment and my route took me past my favorite shopping center. Some of the stores include Marshalls, Michaels, Old Navy, Bath and Body Works, and Barnes & Noble. As I passed by them I felt the familiar giddy excitement welling up in me and I fought the desire to turn in and shop. I love browsing through Marshalls housewares department looking for the latest kitchen gadget or fun decorative items to display around my house. A new set of dishes makes me very happy. I also love to ramble through Barnes & Noble; I usually find three or four books to add to my ever expanding book collection. My husband is into political books, but I like anything Jane Austenish. I also love reading young adult literature. Oh yes, books make me happy. And then there’s Michaels…now there’s a store I can spend a lot of time in. They have oh so many things to help feed the creative genius within me; scrapbooking, jewelry crafting, yarn, silk flowers, etc. The only thing they lack is a fabric center. I have to go to JoAnn’s for that. Yep, sewing and crafting makes me happy. Oh, yes and Old Navy where you can come out with two huge shopping bags for under $100.00. They have such good deals at Old Navy. Seeing my kids dressed in the latest fashion at such a good bargain makes me happy. And let us not neglect Bath & Body Works. The smell alone pulls you into that store. I love their body wash, lotion and bath splash. Goodness, you can get them in so many different fragrances. I especially love the Sweetpea fragrance. Taking a nice hot shower and then pampering myself with their lotion makes me happy.

Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast. They stoop, they bow down together, they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.*

Oh, I know that scripture. I just studied it. Bel and Nebo are some idols of the Israelites. I think they were made of metal or something very heavy. I think it slowed the Israelites down when they were carrying them and they were taken into captivity…but wait, what does that have to do with what makes me happy? I don’t have any idols. Well anyway, where was I…oh yes…

...I was good however and resisted the urge to turn in. I drove home instead. When I got there my daughter reminded me that I needed to order a couple of books she needed for her Japanese class. I turned on my laptop and went to Amazon.com. I looked over the list of books in my shopping cart. Yep, there were her books…along with a few others that I had heard were must reads and a couple more that I found while browsing around their site, and did you know that you can buy so much more from Amazon.com than books? Yessiree Bob, I found a case for my Blackberry and a couple of games as well. I proceeded to the check out and with a few clicks of the mouse my order was complete. I would be getting some packages in the mail in just a few days, I love getting packages in the mail... it’s almost like Christmas!! Did I mention that books make me happy?

They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.*

What…huh?...what does money have to do with this? And what’s this about a god? Do you mean like a false god? Like idol worship? Oh, yeah, those Israelites, they paid a lot of money for their gods, they even made them out of gold. Can you imagine? I don’t get it. But wait, this is a post about what makes me happy, what does it have to do with idol worship? Try not to interrupt me again…

ANYWAY…So after I was done ordering the books I took a look around the house. It was a bit messy. Well maybe a little more than a bit. O.K., I tell you, I cannot get out from under the housework, it seems all I do is clean house. Dusting around all those knick knacks takes a lot of time! And laundry…hoo boy, I have laundry piles in every room, that’s a never ending task. And then there’s the constant shuffling of books; they are all over the place, in baskets on the floor, on the coffee tables, stacked in corners of the room. I need more bookshelves.

They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place… *

Oh that's the best part. Those foolish Israelites, they carried their god all over the place with them. That must have been a lot of fun, carting him all over the place when they moved, because you know, they moved a lot, but I digress, I was talking about what makes me happy…

After looking about a bit, I decided I needed a little pick me up before I got started picking up so I headed to my sewing/craft room. I moved a couple of projects off the desk so I could have some space to sew. I opened the closet door so that I could get the quilt I started a couple of years ago. After moving a stack of material and some crafting supplies I finally located it, however by the time I got done rearranging things I noticed the clock said 5:00…oops, time to start dinner. I went to the kitchen and started looking for the sauce pan I needed to fry up the hamburger. After moving several pots and pans out of my way I finally found the one I like to use best. Then I had to find a spatula to stir the meat with. I tried to open the utensil drawer, but it was stuck, I guess it was a little to full….dang it, I broke a nail trying to get the drawer open and I had just painted my nails too. Oh, why does life have to be so hard? Sometimes I get so depressed and weary trying to keep up with my life. I feel like a slave in my own home constantly moving the clutter around. If I could just get my home organized I would be happy.

...wait a minute. Did I just insinuate that I am not happy? Because this is a post about what makes me happy.

and he standeth… yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. *

...yeah I know, when the Israelites were unhappy they cried to their god, but it couldn't answer, because it was just metal after all, just another thing sitting around cluttering up their...ummm...cluttering up their, uh...space.

I think I’m getting the hint...

but you know what would really make me happy right now? A nice hot shower and then some soothing lotion...

*Isaiah 46

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Who Reads Isaiah...Really?

Great are the words of Isaiah...so we have heard anyway, but who can ever stay focused enough to get through his words, let alone understand them?! In August of 2007 I undertook the task of reading through Isaiah. My goal was not a complete and thorough study, but to simply to read his words, ponder the imagery, and write down my thoughts.


At the time I started the task (for it was a task, indeed) I was going through some intense personal struggles. I wasn't sure of where my place in life was. I felt sad...a lot. I cried every day, several times a day. It sounds like I was depressed, but I wasn't. I was just at a point in my life where I needed direction and wasn't sure where to find it. I hadn't been reading my scriptures with any regularity and I knew that I needed to study them in order to move past these struggles. I distinctly remember being on my knees and asking the Lord what to do. His answer was, "Read Isaiah." So I did. It took me 8 months. I finished my study in March of 2008.


It has been a rewarding experience. I am amazed at what the Lord has shown me through the words of Isaiah. I learned who I was, but more importantly, I learned that the Lord knew who I was. I received personal revelation that gave me the direction that I so desperately needed. It would not be out of line to say that Isaiah saved me.


After a few months of reading and writing I felt compelled to share what I had learned. I went back through my writings and found some of the more precious gems and endeavored to turn them into something worth reading. I'm not really a writer. You will find many grammatical errors here, but as I have tried to pen my raw scribbles into something cohesive, I have found that the words have just come to my mind and I know that someone higher than me has been at work here.


Since my study has taken another course and my life has gotten a little hectic, I have slowed down in the Isaiah posts, but I have many more gems to share so I will continue writing and will add links as I post. (When I did post it wasn't in any particular order, so I am putting the links here by chapter so they are easier to find.) If you, dear reader, ever decide to study the words of Isaiah, I can promise you, you won't regret it. And I hope if you do read Isaiah, that you will share your thoughts and insights with me.


Monday, February 04, 2008

I'm Back!

I missed you! But you didn't even know I was gone did you, since I can go days without posting sometimes!

I had a great weekend.

But first I want to talk about President Hinckley’s funeral. I have watched and listened to numerous General Conferences and have come away uplifted and encouraged to be a better person, but watching his funeral was a life altering experience for me. He was a remarkable man. I came away with an immense desire to work harder, to make more light of my struggles and trials, and to find more humor in the trying situations of my life. He brought happiness wherever he went. What will people say of me when I am gone, I wonder? I want to be known as someone who was happy and who made others around her happy. I want to have the outlook that “things will work out because they always do”. I want to love more deeply and feel the joy of living. My sister-in-law has a plaque that she made with a quote of President Hinckley that says, “In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” I find myself enduring rather than enjoying. I desire to change that. A few years ago I read Glimpses which is a book about Marjorie Pay Hinckley. I loved that book. I loved her. I wanted to be just like her. I was for awhile, but then I let life get the upper hand and I again just endured. How long will this current feeling last? I think I need to read Glimpses again, and possibly finish President Hinckley’s biography. Hopefully that will prolong the desire!


So here’s a picture of us watching the funeral:

I suggested to my family that even though we would be watching it at home, we should wear our Sunday dress and there was no argument. They all have a deep love and respect for him as well and had a desire to show their respect.


After the funeral we took off to visit my brother and his family. They live “over the hill” (translated: over the mountain - the snowy, treacherous mountain).


The usually 2.5 hour drive took 5 hours (with a 45 minute stop at Cabela’s), but we enjoyed the time together, (me with my new found sense of happiness and everlasting patience) scrunched together in our large SUV with 4 wheel drive.


The reason for the trip was this:

My newest nephew. He was being blessed on Sunday. I am so proud of my brother. He has worked so hard to bring his life to this point where he is worthy to hold the Priesthood and bless his family with it.

We enjoyed our stay very much. We played “Dice” and the longest game of “UNO” ever recorded, I’m sure! We ate lots of popcorn and Clarissa even shared her Reese’s PB Cups with us. That was an event in and of itself. She hoards those things like they were the last treat on earth! Thank you Clarissa!

On our way home we listened to the Super Bowl on the radio. It kept fuzzing in and out because of the mountain pass, but we got most of the highlights and especially the very best highlight of all…if you are a Giants fan, that is…the winning touchdown! Actually we are not Giant fans (actually I’m not a football fan; I like watching games live, but get too distracted watching it on TV), my husband is a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan. When he was a kid and started watching football he liked their colors best and has been a fan ever since. Well, Miami holds the record for having an undefeated season and then winning the Super Bowl, so you see, if the Patriots had won, his team wouldn’t hold the record any longer…

We decided after our trip that we like where we live because it doesn’t snow here. We don’t have to worry about slipping and falling, or sliding all over the road, or shoveling our sidewalk and driveway. If we want to play in the snow we can drive an hour where we can ski or snowmobile and then come home to a green lawn!

Yes, life is good and I’m ENJOYING it!

Friday, February 01, 2008

Shhhhh...I'm hiding out in my room so that my girls won't find me. They want me to help clean their room...It looks like a tornado hit it...all I want to do is get a big trash bag and start throwing things away...

Darn, they found me.