Tuesday, April 27, 2010

#95 Power


Our Home Teachers were over visiting with Blue, Troy and I when the weather outside was really working up a fit. We almost wondered if we would have a tornado. The house was whistling, we heard a crash outside and then the lights kicked off, then on, then off again. The surge was strong enough to turn the computer on and then off again. There we all sat in the dusk of the evening. The Home Teachers finished their visit and went on their way. The power was off long enough, couple of hours, to bring the emergency candles out.  I missed "Lost", dang it.  I couldn't finish my laundry, get on the computer or watch TV.  When the power goes out you always hope it isn't for long, at least not long enough to make life too uncomfortable, just long enough to make the evening a little exciting with the candles out and burning.  It makes me uncomfortable how dependent we are on power. I had some 60 hr emergency candles but that was it. I don't think we would last long with no power.

Photo from here

#94 Kindness


I worked in the Blackfoot Wal-Mart today. I was so tired driving there, could hardly stay awake. I always park on the far outskirts of the parking lot, so there is less chance of people hitting the side of my car with their car doors. I loaded everything up into my arms; computer, purse, keys, lunch and phone. I popped the trunk open so I could get the rest of my things I needed inside the store. After working for a couple of hours I heard announced over the intercom, "Wal-Mart customers, a gray Nissan with the license plate #......... in the parking lot, has a door open."  I don't pay much attention to the announces made, but heard this one load and clear. I have a gray Nissan and my license plate starts with those numbers. Humm, did I leave my door open? Now thinking about it, I don't remember closing the door and my arms were pretty full. I hustled over to the door greeter, asked if I could leave my things with her and ran to see if that was "my gray Nissan."  IT WAS! I was so grateful for whoever that was that had that announced AND that my car was not vandalized, stolen or whatever else could have happened because my door was left open.  The wind was blowing hard today and could have ruined my door. Thank you to whoever cared enough to have that announced and that I heard it.


Photo from here

Monday, April 26, 2010

#93 A Visit From Sundi


Sundi finally made it home for a visit. She rarely comes home because, "I don't have any gas money."  
After arriving she says, "That hardly took any gas and it isn't that far."  It is only 45 min. drive!  It was nice to have her home for the weekend. We didn't do a lot, just did a lot of relaxing. She works full time.  We walked the puppy, watched movies (not very good ones), fixed dinner, looked at Facebook, went to a baptism and visited. I love it when the kids come home. 
Thanks Sundi for coming home, can't wait for the next visit.

Friday, April 23, 2010

#92 Honesty

I am so grateful for honesty, when it is found. 
I ran into Wal-Mart to purchase some items with a "free" coupon and didn't realize I would have to pay tax, $0.60! I had no change or a check. While I was getting my credit card out, (ya, my credit card!) and thinking I really didn't want to do this, the women behind me was digging out 60 cents out of her wallet. To thank her for doing that for me I gave her one of my coupons (she was pretty happy about that), and then ran out of the store and on to the next store. Let me back up here little. Clients with Acosta (who I work for) will give coupons to us to purchase items that have a "zero sales". I was using some of those coupons. So, when I got to the next Wal-Mart and was at the check stand it was then when I noticed my credit card gone (I had a few more things to purchase this time), PANIC! I was pretty sure I left it at the check stand at the previous store. All I could hope was that who ever found it would be honest enough to turn it in. Before leaving the second store however, I left my check book. That checker yelled for me, while holding my check book up for me to see. I am starting to freak out now.
I arrived at the first Wal-Mart and the checker that was there was GONE. I asked some associates standing at customer service, "Do you know where the girl is that was working at the first register was, she has short brown hair pulled back on the top and about this tall?".  The guy says, "About this tall?' (holding his hand up) "Yes". The other girl says, "Is she about so tall?" (holding her hand a little higher than the guy did)  I chuckle, thinking who really cares exactly how tall she is, WHERE IS SHE? I then told them why I was there and the guy knew a credit card had been turned in. "What kind and what color is the card?" the guy asked. He left for a moment and brought it out to me. YEAH! I was so grateful.

Photo from here

Monday, April 19, 2010

#91 Missionaries For Dinner


Brother Don Buehler, in our ward, asked if we could feed the missionaries, "Of course."  We had Elder Huges, from Texas and Elder Penha, from Brazil come for dinner Sunday evening. Elder Huges was quiet and reserved. He has only been out on his mission for 7 months. Elder Penha was very talkative and out-going. He goes home in 2 weeks. He had all of us laughing often. He talked about being John Deared, whether he will marry an American or Brazilian women, what his plans are when he gets home (he thinks he won't know what to do with all of his free time), he asked a lot about the construction of our home, the children's names and of course, "Brother, can I ask.... (we always know what comes next, as they mimic stroking an imagined beard down their chest) how long did it take for you to grow your bread?"  He asked for more salad, 3 glasses of milk and was thrilled that I had sea salt on the table. Very charming young men with a wonderful spirit about them. 

After dinner they asked to share a message with us, "Likening the scriptures to ourselves and that we can find all answers there."  They then asked if there was anyone that we felt would like to meet with them to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Blue told them of a friend, Buddy Southwick, and agreed to invite him to our home to meet with the missionaries. We enjoyed their testimonies and praying for a blessing upon our home and family.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

#90 A Priesthood Choir


At Ward Conference the Bishop asked all Priesthood holders ages 12 on up, to come up to the stand to sing,
"Called to Serve"

Called to serve Him, heavenly King of glory, 
Chosen e'er to witness for his name,
Far and wide we tell the Father's story,
Far and wide his love proclaim.

Called to know the richness of his blessing
Sons and daughters, children of a King
Glad of heart, his holy name confessing,
Praises unto him we bring.

Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.
God our strength will be; press forward ever, 
Call to serve our King.

Powerful!

Photo from here


#89 CLR


I hate hard water!
Hard water build up looks horrible giving everything a dull look and making my sinks spotty.
What would I do without CLR?
I spray it around my faucets, tub, sink and shower, making everything shine.
It eats hard water spots right off.
Thank goodness for CLR.

#88 A Lesson on Prayer


In Relief Society the lesson was on Prayer. I am grateful for that lesson. 
It's a commandment to prayer to the Father, a form of communication with our Father.
Our actions, thoughts and words are influenced by our prayers.
We should pray about every part of our lives; families, jobs, friends, pets and protection from our enemies.
We can pray anywhere at anytime, our Father is listening.

I have been avoiding my prayers because of discouragement, disappointment and anger. I know I need to pray for the things I need, but I don't know what that is right now. Listening to the sisters share their experiences and testimony of prayer strengthened me. I know these things, but needed reminding. I know that it is during these times it is most important to pray.

Photo from here

Saturday, April 17, 2010

#87 The Outdoors


I went out to check on a chicken I had separated from the others because of the rooster pecking at her and keeping her from eating and drinking. I then watched Troy pitch hay to the horses. I put Zeus up on the hay stack to keep him from running into the horse pins. A little later while waiting for Zeus to do his business I jumped 200 times on the trampoline. I was looking out and around our place, the sun shinning with a slight breeze and smelling the freshness of the air, thinking how much I have missed all of this during the winter months. It felt so good to be out, enjoying the simplicity and peace of the outdoors.

Friday, April 16, 2010

#86 Song of A Bird in the Morning


I slept in this morning and woke up to the Robins singing.
The song of birds is magical, like Cinderella.

It took me back to when our family lived in Provo, Utah
on N 100 E in a two story yellow house.
That was a magical time, with the Knells, Gleaves and Mima as our neighbors. The street was lined with trees that were tall, providing a ceiling of leaves and branches over our yards. The constant burbling sound of the irrigation water, that our children played in, ran down the street ditch all summer long.
Cherished memories.

Photo from here

Thursday, April 15, 2010

#85 Seat Warmers


The days are warming up and I am starting to dress lighter.
However, mornings are still chilly, enough to put frost on the car window.
This morning I left for work at 8 a.m. and I was freezing.
I love cranking up the heat and flicking the "on" switch to my seat warmer.
Awwww! That feels so good.
Now I just need a "steering wheel" warmer.

Photo from here

Sunday, April 11, 2010

#85 Zeus

 Zeus just had a bath and is trying to get warm in Troy's down coat.

My niece, Christy's boyfriend gave her the tiniest little puppy three months ago, Zeus. He is a Shih Tsu.  She can't keep him so she is letting me have him. I have been wanting a dog for sometime, a little lap dog. I have had 2 Dachshunds and really like the breed and was thinking of getting another.  Zeus has the cutest personality that you can't help but fall in love with the little guy. He isn't quiet what I had in imagined having for a lap dog, but he will do. He loves chasing his squeaker toy, shredding paper, chasing the cats, barking for food, doggy treats, dog poop and dancing with little girls who wear squeaker shoes. He brings us  lot of joy.

Thank you Christy for this little happy guy.

#84 Sheila


Wind has been living in the basement apartment of Sheila and Dale's for a couple of years now. 
Sheila and Dale are his landlords.  
They lost a boy in an accident a couple of years ago that was about Wind's age.
It has been a very painful journey for Sheila and I believe having Wind around has helped.
Sheila cuts Wind's hair in her salon upstairs,
they have invited him to dinner, brought him homemade bread, hot soup, 
homemade cinnamon rolls, crutches when he crashed into a tree snowmobiling and 
so much more, even one months rent free for Christmas.
Sheila is always thinking of Wind. 
It is always a good feeling when people like your children and care about them.
The last time I was up visiting she came down in her PJ and robe, asking if I would like to meet Dale.
I wasn't dressed myself, but she didn't mind, just wanted me to meet him before he had left.
I met Dale, he was still in his PJ's to.
I was smiling to myself seeing all of us visiting in our PJ's.
It is a good feeling when people love your children.
Thank you Sheila for all you do for my son, Wind.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

#84 Chickens


I enjoy going out to the chicken coop collecting the eggs, those Little Betty's lay for me each day.
I enjoy hearing them cackle and squawk each morning,
specially after they lay an egg, announcing they have dropped another egg.
I enjoy watching them peck and scratch at the ground.
I enjoy eating their eggs.
I enjoy giving eggs to friends and family.
I enjoy having four or five dozen cartons of eggs in the frig.


#83 Women That Look Like Women, Men That Look Like Men


There are a lot of different looking people out there
in many shapes and sizes.
However, what really bothers me is when looking at someone
I cannot determine weather they are a man or women.
I find this very disturbing and scary.
I think it is very sad that we will have grandchildren growing up 
in a world where they will not be able to tell if someone is a man or women.

Photo from here

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

#82 My Sister-In-Law

 Misty

Misty is more like a sister I never had. Our birthdays are only 4 days apart in April. She is very giving and generous. She would give you anything that she had if she felt you needed it. Misty loves to find ways to solve people's problems, she will spend hours, days trying to figure out how she can help your situation.  We have had some great moments together and with our children. Once the two of us went to a movie after it had started. As we were trying to get past some, not so small, people we accidentally knocked over their drink. While swinging around to apologize I stuck my hand in their cheesy nacho chips, they didn't notice. Misty insisted on buying them another drink, but they just wanted us to move on. While she was walking back to the seats, watching the movie she began drinking the pop, forgetting she had bought it for them. She still handed them the pop and told me she had drank some. We started laughing so hard. We call it our Sienfeld moment.  
Thanks Misty for being a good friend, sister to me and for good times. I love you.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

#81 Forty-Seven

Today is my birthday!

For some time I have been telling everyone this was my 48th birthday.
Yuck! Two years and I am 50!
That just sounds awful.
But this morning I was calculating my age, in my head,
and discovered I wasn't turning 48 but 47.
Oh my gosh! I was so excited.
I have 3 years, not 2 before I am officially old.
I am a year younger.


Sunday, April 4, 2010

#80 General Conference


In The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-Day Saints we have General Conference in April and October. Conference is broadcast over television, radio and satellite. My daughter had the opportunity of attending conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in the Conference Center. This building is amazing, seating 21,000 people. She said that it brought tears to her eyes as they sang, "I Know My Redeemer Lives", can you imagine 21,000 people singing their testimony of the Living Christ?  How powerful! During conference we are able to listen to a living Prophet of God and Apostles who are spokes persons for God here upon the earth. The most spoken message that was given was on the importance of teaching our children about God and helping them gain testimonies of Christ. It was powerful to hear each speaker testify of Christ and that He lives. The spirit that is felt through their messages of love and direction is a wonderful feeling, motivating me to want to do and be better. I have a renewed spirit.

Watch Conference here
Photo from here

Friday, April 2, 2010

#79 Exercise


I love the feeling after exercising. I haven't been able to exercise for almost two weeks and I can feel it. I get really grouchy when I can't exercise regularly. I love the Firm workout DVD's because they use cardio and weights together. I have tried a lot of tapes and I like these the best. There are a lot of worthless DVD's out there that give the least amount of workout for the money you spend. I prefer more weight workout than cardio, my core feels strong and that feels great. I feel so much better about myself when I can exercise and feel better in my cloths. I have to workout first thing in the morning before I eat. I do like walking in the evenings though, it helps take that bloated feeling away from eating all day.  I did my Firm tape this morning and I feel more positive. I get more done when I have started my day that way. The more I exercise the more I want to exercise.

Photo from here