We all have great memories and traditions in our families. Christmas time was full of "family traditions" and memories for me while growing up.
Here are a few of the family Christmas memories and traditions I had while growing up:
1. Making candy cane sugar cookies that nobody liked to eat after they were baked.
My mom would make a large quantity of sugar cookie dough and then divide it into thirds. She would die two portions of the dough red and green and leave the third the manila color. She would then roll the dough out and cut them into 1/2-inch squares. We would then be able to take whatever square we wanted and roll them out into a worm length size then add the crook to one side to complete the candy cane. They were so fun to make but sure were the pits to eat--they were very dry when they came out of the oven!
2. Mom getting the house ready for Christmas.
Meaning a completely rearranged home with it decorated to the hilt (we even had special Christmas light covers in the kitchen. Santa balls were a big hit as well)
3. Mom spending hours in the kitchen baking...
Cherry chocolate chiparoons (our favorite cookies), peanut brittle, chocolate covered pretzels, cherry chocolates, chocolate covered nuts, chocolate covered raisins, fudge, Chex Mix, gingerbread cookies, cranberry bread, fruit cake, and who knows what more.
4. Dad swearing in the garage when trying to get an old strand of Christmas lights to work.
Mom had purchased an outdoor set of lights to put on the house and put my dad in charge of stringing them up. Well, when they were plugged in there were many bulbs out. New bulbs retrieved and my dad started the process of replacing the bulbs. As he was towards the end of the strand, he replaced a bulb and then they all started to explode back to the beginning of the strand. To say the least after the swearing died down no stands of lights were ever placed on that house!
5. "Picking names."
We would all pick a sibling's name, to buy a Christmas gift for, from among little pieces of torn paper (having 5 siblings it was "too" expensive for us to get a gift for everyone---it is also a Thompson & Winward tradition as well).
6. Having to sneak out to buy a present for a sibling whose name was picked so no one "knew" whom each other had.
The problem that always occurred (until we got our drivers licenses) was that usually our dad would take all of us together to the local store (normally KMart when we were little) so that we could do our "secret" shopping.
7. Christmas Eve having a fire lit in the fireplace
Sometimes it would have been better had it not been lit since we were living in Southern California--too hot! Often times we would come down in shorts to participate in our annual Christmas Eve traditions.
8. Always coming together with our scriptures to read the Christmas story by the fire Christmas Eve.
This was always a special time for me. I always looked forward to this chance to have the whole family together....usually us siblings bothering one another by touching each other with our feet or what not.....and feeling the special spirit that comes when reading about Christ.
9. My dad sharing his testimony and thoughts about the true meaning of Christmas after reading the scriptures.
My mother would also share her feelings (this is one tradition I would love to have with my future family...if that ever occurs. It was such a testimony builder for me growing up and learning about my Savior).
10. The annual opening of one gift on Christmas Eve
Of course from the secret sibling.
11. Placing our Christmas stockings around the front room
Even though we always placed our stockings in the same place our parents would always ask, "Where do you want to put your stocking?"
12. Toasting Christmas and the holidays on Christmas Eve.
After opening our one gift on Christmas Eve and arranging our stockings, my mom would fill the glass poinsettia mugs to the brim with eggnog, ask if anyone wanted nutmeg added and then we would all clink our mugs together to toast the season. Boy did we all think it was so cool to be able to toast glasses!
13. Dad blasting Christmas music throughout the home.
Favorite 3 records that were blasted:
Tony Bennettt & His Friends 'Over the Holidays'
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings Christmas Carols
The Joy of Christmas
14. New pajamas made by my mom were worn to bed on Christmas Eve.
My favorite memory was waking up Christmas morning to numb arms. One Christmas my mother accidentally sewed the arm elastics too tight so that by the morning my arms circulation had been cut off and I had purple rings for the rest of the day.
Or the year John asked me to cute his favorite candy cane PJs into Bermuda shorts.... I didn't realize the fabric was like a barber's pole and ended up following the red line until John had a pair of Daisy Duke shorts--sorry John!
15. The Christmas villages painted by my mom
One village had a western theme while the other was more of a Santa's village, with my dad's old train (he got when he was a boy) circling a mirror that acted as a frozen pond (it sounds weird but it was very pretty!
16. Christmas dinner was always on Christmas Eve
This was so my mother had Christmas day off from any major cooking or dishes to clean (what a smart tradition I think!)
Christmas Eve dinner was usually ham, scalloped potatoes, homemade rolls, green beans and I am sure other things but I don't remember...the list above was the traditional Christmas Eve dinner staple.
17. Us kids having to get up and eat breakfast before seeing our presents so that my mother knew we had all eaten a decent meal on Christmas day
Christmas dinner was leftovers from the night before...also to ensure my parents were able to see us when we saw our gifts.
18. Having to go in to the front room to see our presents one at a time...
Of course it was done in age order starting from smallest to largest...sure stunk to be one of the oldest!
19. Presents arranged by our stockings.
While growing up Santa didn't bother to wrap any presents. They were arranged like a store window around a stocking. I always remember loving to see all the presents at once and hating to have to move them from where Santa had put them.
20. Having our picture taken with our gifts
Later, when the camcorder was purchased we would record what we got for Christmas as well as have our pictures taken.
21. John giving my mother a D- in Christmas decorating....
One year my mother decided not to put out the Santa balls---the entire house was covered with decorations and since the Santa balls were old decorations she felt they didn't need to be pulled out.
Well that Christmas Eve, after reading the Christmas story next to the fire and preparing to place our stockings, my mother decided to ask each one of us what our favorite Christmas decorations were....which Christmas decorations we remember most, etc. Well, when it was John's turn to share his feelings he brought up the Santa balls and started to look for them. When my mother finally confessed that she left them packed away we all became upset..."What about tradition?" John then replied, "Mom, you get a D- in Christmas decorating this year." We all busted up laughing! Needless to say, not only were the Christmas balls retrieved but also Mark finally got his very own ball (Mark wasn't born when mom made a family of Santa balls...so he never had one until he was 18 or 19).
This year....the only Santa ball out was Mark's Santa ball....when I questioned my mother about the others she indicated that she has given them to my siblings and me and that they should be at our current homes.....so siblings if I visit your home during Christmas I will be looking for your Santa ball ;-)
Christmas memories and traditions have been special times in my life.....
What fun Christmas tradition or memories do your have or remember?
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Eternal Goals
Last week the bishop asked me to speak in church on eternal goals today. I have learned a great deal in the last week while preparing for this talk and would like to document it so as not to forget the thoughts I received....so I am going to paste my talk on here....please do not feel obligated to read it!
"Last week when the bishop asked me to talk on “Eternal Goals” I thought: Great, he must perceive me as someone who is walking aimlessly through life and needs some help!
Later, when talking with my grandmother about my topic she said, "It is the one goal that seems so far away that we forget to focus in on it daily. Gee, Winnie the youth really need to hear this topic.
I agree with her completely. So youth pay attention........
Yet, as I started to pray, prepare and contemplate the topic of Eternal Goals the spirit started to whisper and teach me about the most important Eternal Goal.....it was at that point that I started to panic. I realized there is no way I would be able to teach this subject completely in a year, or a life time, let alone in 10 minutes. I myself have yet to reach the depth of what I am learning and wonder if I will even in eternity. Yet, I do believe that if we cannot find the full meaning of this simple, yet very straight forward teaching, we might find ourselves wondering down paths we should avoid or worst yet being cumbered about doing good but not doing the better part.
It is truly the "eternal goal," the one we often times neglect because of the effort it takes, the distractions of the world, or the lack of understanding of the importance of this truth — yet it’s effects are so far reaching that it literally will dictate our eternal futures.
So whether you are a young child preparing to be baptized, a youth or adult needing to find a personal testimony or a 103 year old individual waiting for the arms of an outstretched Savior this “Eternal Goal,” is just as valid and pressing!
Where do we find this Eternal Goal: We can read about it in John 17: 3
“This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.”
How has this scripture effected your life or has it. How can coming to know the Father and His son benefit you individually? Do you realize that very scripture points to this simple truth--That the most important eternal goal we can have is to know the Father and His Son?
Every prophet, every talk (at least they should) points us to the Godhead and encourage us to be like them. Why is this goal THAT important? How does it have eternal consequences? Now there is no way I can answer all of these questions in this brief talk, but my salvation depends on it and so does yours.
I know that my life has been changes repeatedly due to this simple scripture. It has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember. A goal to know the Man who came to this life to die for me. To know my Father, the one whom I am patterned after; to not only “know about them” but to know them. To have a relationship with them.
I will never forget the year I wanted to get to know my Savior better and come to know His characteristics. I was in high school and I had remembered that Joseph Smith had stated that a man can get nearer to God by reading the Book of Mormon than by any other book. I decided to see if that was a true statement. As I started to read the Book of Mormon I was shocked at what I was encountering. I remember the specific night when I was reading Christ ministering to the children in 3 Nephi 17 and how he wept for them.....and how I wept....and the strongest impression of how he weeps for me....and then the understanding of the Savior Character born witness to me by the Holy Ghost. I know through that experience that Jesus knows us individually, he loves us so unconditionally, and this love is so uncomprehensible that he is moved to tears for us. An experience so sacred that it has dictated many of my actions since that time.
Lehi, after experiencing the fruit of the tree of life, described the fruit as the most desirable above all other fruit. Lehi desired to know God and as he put forth an effort he was blessed with knowledge and understanding. He was able to partake of the tree of life. It was so desirable, so life changing that his immediate reaction was to share with his family.
I know of Lehi's desire to share. That feeling came to my heart this morning when talking to my grandmother. I said, “Grandma it is so important we understand this truth. I really have felt the Father’s desire that we come to Him and His Son, it is the only true way back. How will I ever inspire the ward to want to grasp, or continue to grasp, this goal and leave church today wanting to strengthen their relationship with their Father and Savior — I feel and am so inadequate!”
Brothers and Sisters the fruit is that desirable.... have we partaken of the fruit.....do we continue to partake of it daily? If you haven’t yet....get on your knees and put forth the effort in fasting and prayer......it is worth it, I so testify.....and if you have had that privilege of partaken of the fruit I admonish you to get down on your knees and redouble your efforts — I am going to be doing so!
When preparing for this talk, A few scripture account came bounding into my head. One was that of Martha and Mary. I often have wondered about this simple, yet so profound event. It has changed my outlook on life so many times; so when it came to mind again I pondered how this event related to the Eternal Goal of coming to know the Godhead.
Martha was running around doing good. She was a good person, the Savior loved her. She was serving.....Yet she forgot about the Eternal Goal......she forgot to stop and go to the Savor’s feet and listen to Him. I thought on this and when talking with my friend Emily yesterday it hit me. We realized that Martha hadn’t stopped to listen to her Savior, to get to know His will at that moment. She just assumed that by doing the service and work, that seemed so apparent, she was doing what was right. She forgot the first Eternal Goal of knowing the Savior. If she had stopped first, got down on her knees and listened to Him she would know where and how to properly serve. She would have been able service the way He would want her to serve–
You see, the Savor knows our hearts and what we need...he is the teacher and can let us know what is the better part. It is when we come to him, instead of cumbering ourselves about doing things that might seem grand but are empty and hollow, that we are able to truly be like Him....and are able to serve perfectly. It was at that point that I remembered the scripture found in Matthew 7:21-23:
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
How I pray I keep my Eternal Goal to know the Father and His Son so that I will be known by them!
Peter walking on the water is another example for us of why the Eternal Goal to know God is so important.
Often times I hear people condemn Peter because he started to sink. I don’t see it that way. I marvel at Peter. I marvel and want to be like him. I marvel at his great desire to go to the Savior — he already was aware of his surroundings, that he was in a boat that was on the water. He knew and had faith to whom he was looking. He had a relationship with Him.....If we read the account in Matthew 14:28-32 we see that first Peter asked the Savior if it was his will:
“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou bid me come unto the on the water”
Peter not only had a knowledge of all his surroundings and wasn’t afraid BUT he also realized that God’s will is first (a little bit ahead of Martha in a way)....it was only then, when the Lord invited him that Peter stepped out of the boat — brethren and sisters — he stepped out of the boat out of the safety, comforts zone to go to the Savior – what an example!
It wasn’t until verse 30 when Peter “saw the wind boisterous” did he start to sink. It wasn’t until he took his focus off the Savior did Peter start to sink. Isn’t that true in our own lives? I can learn so much from Peter and his example here. As soon as I forget to ask, forget to step out of the boat when invited, or focus on the things that are happening around me instead of keeping my Eternal Goal of coming to know my Father and His son do I start to slip and fall.
When talking with a friend of mine a few weeks ago, we discussed how easily it is to criticize the Israelite when Moses asked his followers to simply look at the staff to be healed from their snake bits. Just by looking up they would live...yet their unbelief, their lack of knowledge of God’s power inhibited many of them from looking up.....it was too difficult to do so and they perished. We then concluded that we are so much like the Israelites, we often forget how we can look up in prayer and ask for forgiveness. We allow Satan to convince us that we are too far gone...too “sick” that a simple “staff” (Christ’s atonement) can heal us and we allow ourselves to keep our heads down and slowly die spiritually. We can easily avoid this dilemma by keeping our Eternal Goal of coming to know God and His son. We understand our Savior better and his atonement. We understand my favorite scriptures found in Doctrine and Covenants 6 34-37:
"Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."
When we are activily working on this goal we remember His words, we are also less likely to fall into sin and when we do our faith will be strong enough to look to the Savior and have him heal us. Do you see how far reaching this simple aspect of the Eternal Goal has eternal consequences!
If there is one wish of my heart that could be granted today it would be that we set the goal, or reset the goal, to know the Father and His Son. By pushing ourselves in this one goal we will be better individuals, spouses, parents and disciples. It is my testimony that it is worth the effort. It is the most desirable above all other, it truly is a gift that one has to earn.
Know that your Father in Heaven knows you; knows you individually and loves you beyond your ability to comprehend. Know he wants you to come to Him and feast at His table. There is nothing more important in this world than that of knowing the Father and His Son....nothing more eternally reaching than this simple truth.
I bear you my witness that God lives, that Jesus IS the Christ. That our Savior is as alive today as you see me here standing. May we come to know them better this week and throughout all of our lives, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen."
It was later after giving this talk did I realize some more truths taught to me throughout this week:
One was that there is a progression found within the scriptures shared.....Martha (in this case) is often like individuals who gain a testimony but forget to continue gaining further light and knowledge in order to progress correctly.
Peter reminds me of individuals who have a relationship with the Savior but allow the world to distract them from focusing in on him.
And the Israelites teach us that about individuals who start following the prophets but never really come to know the will of God and complain...and then when presented with the solution to their problems miss their chance because of the lack of understanding needed to exercise faith.
I am so grateful for the insights that have come to my heart as I have prepared and delivered this talk. I hope to really push myself to strengthen my relationship with my God, it is that important I have been reminded!
"Last week when the bishop asked me to talk on “Eternal Goals” I thought: Great, he must perceive me as someone who is walking aimlessly through life and needs some help!
Later, when talking with my grandmother about my topic she said, "It is the one goal that seems so far away that we forget to focus in on it daily. Gee, Winnie the youth really need to hear this topic.
I agree with her completely. So youth pay attention........
Yet, as I started to pray, prepare and contemplate the topic of Eternal Goals the spirit started to whisper and teach me about the most important Eternal Goal.....it was at that point that I started to panic. I realized there is no way I would be able to teach this subject completely in a year, or a life time, let alone in 10 minutes. I myself have yet to reach the depth of what I am learning and wonder if I will even in eternity. Yet, I do believe that if we cannot find the full meaning of this simple, yet very straight forward teaching, we might find ourselves wondering down paths we should avoid or worst yet being cumbered about doing good but not doing the better part.
It is truly the "eternal goal," the one we often times neglect because of the effort it takes, the distractions of the world, or the lack of understanding of the importance of this truth — yet it’s effects are so far reaching that it literally will dictate our eternal futures.
So whether you are a young child preparing to be baptized, a youth or adult needing to find a personal testimony or a 103 year old individual waiting for the arms of an outstretched Savior this “Eternal Goal,” is just as valid and pressing!
Where do we find this Eternal Goal: We can read about it in John 17: 3
“This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.”
How has this scripture effected your life or has it. How can coming to know the Father and His son benefit you individually? Do you realize that very scripture points to this simple truth--That the most important eternal goal we can have is to know the Father and His Son?
Every prophet, every talk (at least they should) points us to the Godhead and encourage us to be like them. Why is this goal THAT important? How does it have eternal consequences? Now there is no way I can answer all of these questions in this brief talk, but my salvation depends on it and so does yours.
I know that my life has been changes repeatedly due to this simple scripture. It has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember. A goal to know the Man who came to this life to die for me. To know my Father, the one whom I am patterned after; to not only “know about them” but to know them. To have a relationship with them.
I will never forget the year I wanted to get to know my Savior better and come to know His characteristics. I was in high school and I had remembered that Joseph Smith had stated that a man can get nearer to God by reading the Book of Mormon than by any other book. I decided to see if that was a true statement. As I started to read the Book of Mormon I was shocked at what I was encountering. I remember the specific night when I was reading Christ ministering to the children in 3 Nephi 17 and how he wept for them.....and how I wept....and the strongest impression of how he weeps for me....and then the understanding of the Savior Character born witness to me by the Holy Ghost. I know through that experience that Jesus knows us individually, he loves us so unconditionally, and this love is so uncomprehensible that he is moved to tears for us. An experience so sacred that it has dictated many of my actions since that time.
Lehi, after experiencing the fruit of the tree of life, described the fruit as the most desirable above all other fruit. Lehi desired to know God and as he put forth an effort he was blessed with knowledge and understanding. He was able to partake of the tree of life. It was so desirable, so life changing that his immediate reaction was to share with his family.
I know of Lehi's desire to share. That feeling came to my heart this morning when talking to my grandmother. I said, “Grandma it is so important we understand this truth. I really have felt the Father’s desire that we come to Him and His Son, it is the only true way back. How will I ever inspire the ward to want to grasp, or continue to grasp, this goal and leave church today wanting to strengthen their relationship with their Father and Savior — I feel and am so inadequate!”
Brothers and Sisters the fruit is that desirable.... have we partaken of the fruit.....do we continue to partake of it daily? If you haven’t yet....get on your knees and put forth the effort in fasting and prayer......it is worth it, I so testify.....and if you have had that privilege of partaken of the fruit I admonish you to get down on your knees and redouble your efforts — I am going to be doing so!
When preparing for this talk, A few scripture account came bounding into my head. One was that of Martha and Mary. I often have wondered about this simple, yet so profound event. It has changed my outlook on life so many times; so when it came to mind again I pondered how this event related to the Eternal Goal of coming to know the Godhead.
Martha was running around doing good. She was a good person, the Savior loved her. She was serving.....Yet she forgot about the Eternal Goal......she forgot to stop and go to the Savor’s feet and listen to Him. I thought on this and when talking with my friend Emily yesterday it hit me. We realized that Martha hadn’t stopped to listen to her Savior, to get to know His will at that moment. She just assumed that by doing the service and work, that seemed so apparent, she was doing what was right. She forgot the first Eternal Goal of knowing the Savior. If she had stopped first, got down on her knees and listened to Him she would know where and how to properly serve. She would have been able service the way He would want her to serve–
You see, the Savor knows our hearts and what we need...he is the teacher and can let us know what is the better part. It is when we come to him, instead of cumbering ourselves about doing things that might seem grand but are empty and hollow, that we are able to truly be like Him....and are able to serve perfectly. It was at that point that I remembered the scripture found in Matthew 7:21-23:
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
How I pray I keep my Eternal Goal to know the Father and His Son so that I will be known by them!
Peter walking on the water is another example for us of why the Eternal Goal to know God is so important.
Often times I hear people condemn Peter because he started to sink. I don’t see it that way. I marvel at Peter. I marvel and want to be like him. I marvel at his great desire to go to the Savior — he already was aware of his surroundings, that he was in a boat that was on the water. He knew and had faith to whom he was looking. He had a relationship with Him.....If we read the account in Matthew 14:28-32 we see that first Peter asked the Savior if it was his will:
“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou bid me come unto the on the water”
Peter not only had a knowledge of all his surroundings and wasn’t afraid BUT he also realized that God’s will is first (a little bit ahead of Martha in a way)....it was only then, when the Lord invited him that Peter stepped out of the boat — brethren and sisters — he stepped out of the boat out of the safety, comforts zone to go to the Savior – what an example!
It wasn’t until verse 30 when Peter “saw the wind boisterous” did he start to sink. It wasn’t until he took his focus off the Savior did Peter start to sink. Isn’t that true in our own lives? I can learn so much from Peter and his example here. As soon as I forget to ask, forget to step out of the boat when invited, or focus on the things that are happening around me instead of keeping my Eternal Goal of coming to know my Father and His son do I start to slip and fall.
When talking with a friend of mine a few weeks ago, we discussed how easily it is to criticize the Israelite when Moses asked his followers to simply look at the staff to be healed from their snake bits. Just by looking up they would live...yet their unbelief, their lack of knowledge of God’s power inhibited many of them from looking up.....it was too difficult to do so and they perished. We then concluded that we are so much like the Israelites, we often forget how we can look up in prayer and ask for forgiveness. We allow Satan to convince us that we are too far gone...too “sick” that a simple “staff” (Christ’s atonement) can heal us and we allow ourselves to keep our heads down and slowly die spiritually. We can easily avoid this dilemma by keeping our Eternal Goal of coming to know God and His son. We understand our Savior better and his atonement. We understand my favorite scriptures found in Doctrine and Covenants 6 34-37:
"Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."
When we are activily working on this goal we remember His words, we are also less likely to fall into sin and when we do our faith will be strong enough to look to the Savior and have him heal us. Do you see how far reaching this simple aspect of the Eternal Goal has eternal consequences!
If there is one wish of my heart that could be granted today it would be that we set the goal, or reset the goal, to know the Father and His Son. By pushing ourselves in this one goal we will be better individuals, spouses, parents and disciples. It is my testimony that it is worth the effort. It is the most desirable above all other, it truly is a gift that one has to earn.
Know that your Father in Heaven knows you; knows you individually and loves you beyond your ability to comprehend. Know he wants you to come to Him and feast at His table. There is nothing more important in this world than that of knowing the Father and His Son....nothing more eternally reaching than this simple truth.
I bear you my witness that God lives, that Jesus IS the Christ. That our Savior is as alive today as you see me here standing. May we come to know them better this week and throughout all of our lives, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen."
It was later after giving this talk did I realize some more truths taught to me throughout this week:
One was that there is a progression found within the scriptures shared.....Martha (in this case) is often like individuals who gain a testimony but forget to continue gaining further light and knowledge in order to progress correctly.
Peter reminds me of individuals who have a relationship with the Savior but allow the world to distract them from focusing in on him.
And the Israelites teach us that about individuals who start following the prophets but never really come to know the will of God and complain...and then when presented with the solution to their problems miss their chance because of the lack of understanding needed to exercise faith.
I am so grateful for the insights that have come to my heart as I have prepared and delivered this talk. I hope to really push myself to strengthen my relationship with my God, it is that important I have been reminded!
Friday, November 30, 2007
"Two Truths and a Lie"
I enjoy a work environment where half of the staff is single. We enjoy getting together to go boating, skiing, eating out, etc. Well one night, after we had returned from skiing on Utah Lake, we meet at the V.P. home to have a barbeque. As we finished up our meal and were lounging around out on the back balcony enjoying the gorgeous view of Utah Lake, we decided to play "Two Truths and a Lie."
At first, I was really excited about the game. I really enjoy seeing people in a different light and learning more about them. Well, as the game progressed, I realized the "truths and lie" I often use when playing this game were not appropriate and I started to panic. "What truths do I have about my life that are off beat and could sound like a lie. What lie should I say!" I yelled to myself. Luckily, right before it was my turn it hit me. See if you can figure out which is the lie:
I have lost my bang three times and have had to do a "comb forward" each time to create new ones:
1st I burned them on a curling iron
2nd a monkey pulled them out
3rd I burned them with a candle
So, which is your guess? Which is the lie?
To be honest with you they are all true.
The 1st time I lost my bangs was when ironing my hair on my mission. I had plugged my American made hair curler into a Chilean socket. When I put my hair in the hair curler and rolled it down towards my head a large quantity of smoke rose into the air. I freaked out and tried to release the curling iron from my hair.....but alas, the hair was burnt to the iron. I looked in horror at the iron and the smoldering hair that was attached to it! I then looked in the mirror and saw a nice white bald spot on the front of my face! I was so upset! I had to create new bangs by combing my hair forward and cutting new ones--it was so embarrassing.
The 2nd time I lost my bangs was when I was in college.
Background:
I was living in the Elms Apartments just south of BYU campus. My roommate and I were having problems with our bedroom so our beds were stacked in such a way that my bed was underneath my roommates--like a trundle bed--in the dead center of our room
Each night I would have to pull my bed out from under her bed and then push it back under during the day. To make matters worst, my roommate and I suddenly notice that our clothes started to have holes in them. The Elms management said that it must be moths......but I knew that there was no way a moth could eat a 2 inch round whole out of a cotton shirt.....we had mice! I was certain. The Elms management said that there was no way we had mice so I decided I would have to "see" one to prove them wrong.
That is where losing my bangs comes into play:
After returning from a late night study date with the BYU library, I entered my room and quiet pulled my bed out from under my roommate’s (She had already fallen asleep so I was being particularly quiet). After settling into my bed, I heard a scurrying sound. A MOUSE!!! I ran out of my room to obtain whatever was quickly and easily accessible to eliminate the situation without turning the lights on and waking my roommate. Well, the first thing that I saw was a candle. I lit it quickly and returned to my bedroom (Not the smartest idea in the world I will readily admit)! Unfortunately, I was not thinking about how to properly hold a candle when I leaned down by the side of our beds to see if I could see a mouse was under our beds. As soon as I got about 5 inches from the floor, my source of light caught my roommate’s comforter on fire. Flames flew up quickly in my face and on her comforter. I jumped back. I quickly grabbed something and extinguished the flames. When I finally got the fire out (I was so proud that I had not disturbed my roommate’s sleep) I decided to give up on my mouse hunt and go to bed.
The next day I noticed that I could still smell smoke. I assumed it was the smoke from the night before still in the air. It was not until I started combing my hair and finding large chunks of singed bangs falling down into the sink that I realize what happened. Apparently, when the flames first caught fire on the comforter, my bangs also had caught on fire. I looked in the mirror in horror!
Once again, I found myself having to create new bangs to hide the singed stubbles left on my forehead.
The 3rd and last time I lost my bangs was when I met a monkey. This particular monkey was sitting on a gated fence about 5 1/2 feet high (I know it was that high because I could look directly into its eyes). This monkey was drinking from an old Pepsi Cola glass bottle that had a nipple attached to it. I also noticed that it had a dog type chain around its neck that was attached to the fence; obviously a family pet. I had never been so close to a monkey before and thought it was cute and wondered if I could touch it. Then I noticed the owner of the monkey sitting on the porch of the house. I asked the owner if it was friendly. She assured me that it was and I asked if I could pet it. When I was told I could I stepped forward to pet the monkey. Well, apparently this monkey either liked my hair or didn’t' want me to touch it because as soon as I stepped forward it reached forward and grabbed a large handful of my bangs and yanked back. I let out a loud scream. The owner ran forward and quickly grabbed the monkey...but not quickly enough..I noticed the large quantity of hair wrapped between its fingers!
When returning home I had to repeat the ritual of creating new bangs! Ugh!
The only lie was the order in which they are told. The monkey situation happened on my mission (yes, twice during my mission I lost my bangs). I personally think the monkey was not sure about "blond" hair. The first time I lost my bangs was when I was in college. My life is pretty sad at times, I know.
So, what funny truth has happened to you that sounds like a lie?
At first, I was really excited about the game. I really enjoy seeing people in a different light and learning more about them. Well, as the game progressed, I realized the "truths and lie" I often use when playing this game were not appropriate and I started to panic. "What truths do I have about my life that are off beat and could sound like a lie. What lie should I say!" I yelled to myself. Luckily, right before it was my turn it hit me. See if you can figure out which is the lie:
I have lost my bang three times and have had to do a "comb forward" each time to create new ones:
1st I burned them on a curling iron
2nd a monkey pulled them out
3rd I burned them with a candle
So, which is your guess? Which is the lie?
To be honest with you they are all true.
The 1st time I lost my bangs was when ironing my hair on my mission. I had plugged my American made hair curler into a Chilean socket. When I put my hair in the hair curler and rolled it down towards my head a large quantity of smoke rose into the air. I freaked out and tried to release the curling iron from my hair.....but alas, the hair was burnt to the iron. I looked in horror at the iron and the smoldering hair that was attached to it! I then looked in the mirror and saw a nice white bald spot on the front of my face! I was so upset! I had to create new bangs by combing my hair forward and cutting new ones--it was so embarrassing.
The 2nd time I lost my bangs was when I was in college.
Background:
I was living in the Elms Apartments just south of BYU campus. My roommate and I were having problems with our bedroom so our beds were stacked in such a way that my bed was underneath my roommates--like a trundle bed--in the dead center of our room
Each night I would have to pull my bed out from under her bed and then push it back under during the day. To make matters worst, my roommate and I suddenly notice that our clothes started to have holes in them. The Elms management said that it must be moths......but I knew that there was no way a moth could eat a 2 inch round whole out of a cotton shirt.....we had mice! I was certain. The Elms management said that there was no way we had mice so I decided I would have to "see" one to prove them wrong.
That is where losing my bangs comes into play:
After returning from a late night study date with the BYU library, I entered my room and quiet pulled my bed out from under my roommate’s (She had already fallen asleep so I was being particularly quiet). After settling into my bed, I heard a scurrying sound. A MOUSE!!! I ran out of my room to obtain whatever was quickly and easily accessible to eliminate the situation without turning the lights on and waking my roommate. Well, the first thing that I saw was a candle. I lit it quickly and returned to my bedroom (Not the smartest idea in the world I will readily admit)! Unfortunately, I was not thinking about how to properly hold a candle when I leaned down by the side of our beds to see if I could see a mouse was under our beds. As soon as I got about 5 inches from the floor, my source of light caught my roommate’s comforter on fire. Flames flew up quickly in my face and on her comforter. I jumped back. I quickly grabbed something and extinguished the flames. When I finally got the fire out (I was so proud that I had not disturbed my roommate’s sleep) I decided to give up on my mouse hunt and go to bed.
The next day I noticed that I could still smell smoke. I assumed it was the smoke from the night before still in the air. It was not until I started combing my hair and finding large chunks of singed bangs falling down into the sink that I realize what happened. Apparently, when the flames first caught fire on the comforter, my bangs also had caught on fire. I looked in the mirror in horror!
Once again, I found myself having to create new bangs to hide the singed stubbles left on my forehead.
The 3rd and last time I lost my bangs was when I met a monkey. This particular monkey was sitting on a gated fence about 5 1/2 feet high (I know it was that high because I could look directly into its eyes). This monkey was drinking from an old Pepsi Cola glass bottle that had a nipple attached to it. I also noticed that it had a dog type chain around its neck that was attached to the fence; obviously a family pet. I had never been so close to a monkey before and thought it was cute and wondered if I could touch it. Then I noticed the owner of the monkey sitting on the porch of the house. I asked the owner if it was friendly. She assured me that it was and I asked if I could pet it. When I was told I could I stepped forward to pet the monkey. Well, apparently this monkey either liked my hair or didn’t' want me to touch it because as soon as I stepped forward it reached forward and grabbed a large handful of my bangs and yanked back. I let out a loud scream. The owner ran forward and quickly grabbed the monkey...but not quickly enough..I noticed the large quantity of hair wrapped between its fingers!
When returning home I had to repeat the ritual of creating new bangs! Ugh!
The only lie was the order in which they are told. The monkey situation happened on my mission (yes, twice during my mission I lost my bangs). I personally think the monkey was not sure about "blond" hair. The first time I lost my bangs was when I was in college. My life is pretty sad at times, I know.
So, what funny truth has happened to you that sounds like a lie?
What has your mother been teaching you?
Another moment in the classroom that sent me chuckling!
Today, while finishing stuffing my students' homework folders, I turned to one of my students who had just finished his work (and was asking what he could do next) and asked him if he would like to file the homework folders in the students' mailbox (a much coveted job...I might add). To which he replied:
"Sure, I will be you servant," then quickly picked up the folders and set off across the classroom to file the folders.
I just started to snicker....kids truly say the funniest things!
Today, while finishing stuffing my students' homework folders, I turned to one of my students who had just finished his work (and was asking what he could do next) and asked him if he would like to file the homework folders in the students' mailbox (a much coveted job...I might add). To which he replied:
"Sure, I will be you servant," then quickly picked up the folders and set off across the classroom to file the folders.
I just started to snicker....kids truly say the funniest things!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Please Excuse...
I have to share this letter I received from a parent of one of my students. Upon reading this letter I found myself chuckling! I love the English language!
Miss Winward,
I would like to ask you to excuse (so-and-so)'s absence on the days of November 19th and 20th. He needed to stay home because of an elevated temperature and a general lack of well-being.
Thanks you for your understanding!
Sincerely,
(so-and-so)
I guess it would be appropriate to indicate that she is from Germany! I thought it was such a cute letter!
Miss Winward,
I would like to ask you to excuse (so-and-so)'s absence on the days of November 19th and 20th. He needed to stay home because of an elevated temperature and a general lack of well-being.
Thanks you for your understanding!
Sincerely,
(so-and-so)
I guess it would be appropriate to indicate that she is from Germany! I thought it was such a cute letter!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Dating "tragedies" that have happened to me
20 dating experiences that I find tragic:
1) The man shows up 1 hour late.
2) The man asks me if I would be willing to step in and be HIS roommate's date since MY roommate became sick right before the date and had to cancel. I finally agree only to find out that the guy was mad that his roommate actually asked me to go and then proceeded to completely ignored me the entire time. He wouldn't even sit by me when we went up the canyon.
3) The man bears his testimony of the movie, "Passion of the Christ"......and actually gets teary eyed.
4) The man asks me, "You don't want anything, do you?" as he points to the food stand. I tell him I am fine. He then tells me, "Good, I really don't have any money to buy treats for the movie anyway." After seating ourselves in our seats he quickly excuses himself to use the bathroom. Then ten minutes into the movie I notice out of the corner of my eye him sneaking M&Ms out of the inside pocket of his jacket, up his chest and then into his mouth during the movie. I think he must of been slightly deaf---because everyone around him (including me) could hear him crunch down on the peanut M&Ms.
5) The man forgets to fill up his gas tank before the date and we run out of gas on our way home from a hockey game. A roommate of mine had to come and bring us gas to get home (luckily, I had a cell phone!).
6) The man proceeds to tell me he is investing in a couples message therapy company that will teach couples how to sexually message each other in order to help them get back together.
7) The above man tried to get me to invest in that company he was starting by telling me it was inspired by God and will make me rich (like him) because we are righteous people!
8) The guy showed up sick at the restaurant (where we were to meet) saying he didn't want to cancel because he wanted to meet me.....he looked miserable!
9) The guy I went out with on a date tells me he would have kiss me during our date at the beach but was afraid of the two huge angels that were flanking either side of me during the night (no joke! I have to say I owe those two men......or the drugs he was smoking!!! I wouldn't have wanted him to kiss me for anything!).
10. I finally was asked on a date by my high school crush (I think I had a crush on him since I was 12). He takes me to dinner and I order a BLT. Of course when I pick up the sandwich the "oh so juicy" tomato decides to land right on my lap....which I happened to be sporting light tan pants---and yest it landed in the wrong area.....It looked lovely!
11) Right before being picked up to Winter Formal I decided to brush my teeth one last time.....while doing so my mother yells up at me and I jump....a toothpaste blob lands on my boob. My mother and I weren't able to get the toothpaste blob out so I had to sport the dress with a toothpaste stain on my boob the entire night!
12) While sporting my brand new tan pants I entered the downstairs bathroom, in Diamond Bar, right before a date. My date was to be there in less than 10 minutes. Upon sitting down I hear a terrible sound. I look down to see that mustard had splattered all over myself, underwear and new pants. I was furious! I ran out of the bathroom immediately forgetting to pull up my pants on the way (due to the anger) screaming at all of my family members about what had happened (I did get my underwear up). Surprisingly, instead of support, my entire family burst out laughing. My new pants were ruined and John was the guilty party! My date had to wait while I changed. Try explain that one to your date!
13) The guy comes to pick me up at the same time my sister Ilene was leaving my apartment.... later on, during the date, he asks me how old I was. I told him my age (If I remember correctly I was 24/25). He then says, "Wow, that's old. Is it hard being single when you are that old?" After which he proceeds to ask how old my sister was, if she was married, and if he could ask her out.
14) Blind date. Without any previous suggestions on how to dress (I did ask him what we were going to do on our date--t which he replied that it would be a surprise). The guy picks me up and startes to drive up Hobble Creek Canyon. Then randomly he pulls his car over on the side of the road, pulls out his bronchiolar, and looks up at the mountains. He then, with much enthusiasm, hands me the bronchiolar and tells me to look at a particular spot. All I could see was what I thought were "hairy pigs." He then told me we were going to follow that herd of moose. WHAT! I looked at the snow covered mountain in alarm! I was only wearing a very thin T-shirt, jeans, and cute shoes. We proceeded to scale the mountainside, while trying to follow a moving herd of moose, in snow up to my upper thigh. I was not a happy camper as my legs grew numb. To make matters worst. He left me as he went running after the herd. I tried to run after him and did a cartoon face plant. NOT HAPPY!
15) I was on a triple date with my roommate and another girl. My roommate and I were out with two brothers and the other girl was out with the brothers' best friend. We stopped at a malt shop. We ALL ordered shakes. My roommate's date proceeded to tell the rest of the group that his brother "liked bigger women, like Winnie" whereas he preferred "skinnier women, like Elisa." Boy was I speechless...especially because I wasn't even "large" at the time...just not "bone skinny."
16) The guy spends the whole night telling me all about his ex's boob job. :-&
17) While exiting the Festival of Dance at BYU in the Marriott Center (on our way to the Homecoming dance) I caught my heal on a stair wrong and fell down at least a flight of stairs, I think I exposed myself in the process! I was so embarrassed! My date had to run down the stairs in an effort to catch me!
18) While off-roading on a double date with Jacquie, I found that my bladder was too full to make it back to Provo in time so I had to ask the boys if they would stop the car and let me find a secluded area. Unfortunately, as they looked around at the dessert surface we all realized there was no "secluded area." Both Jacquie and I had to hike about 2 football fields away hoping the boys couldn't see what was happening (luckily Jacquie also had the same problem).
19) My first experience skiing...my date took me to Snowbird (I believe). I warned him I had never been skiing before and that maybe he should go with someone else. He said I would be fine. I told him I had nightmares of falling off the lift and having the seat cut my head off. He laughed and told me that no one could fall off the lift. Well that wasn't true....because as I went to get off the lift I did something wrong and fell right out of the seat--everyone started to panic. Luckily I ducked and the seat didn't take my head off though. Of course that wasn't the end of the day. It took me only 5 feet to fall 4 times before I finally reaching the starting point to go down the hill (blue diamond hill no less). As I started to ski down the hill I did pretty well for about 45 seconds. Then I crashed! I crashed so hard that I landed in a split position with both of my skis submerged in the snow (my toes were facing down and in opposite directions)! I couldn't move or get up. My date, his cousin and my friend Jacquie all had to come and get my legs unstuck....it was pathetic....luckily they finally budged and I was freed. Truth be told, I walked like I was on a horse for the rest of the day! :-$
20) While giving a guy a huge goodbye my bra broke....no joke....the whole thing flew forward under my shirt....it was a mess!!
1) The man shows up 1 hour late.
2) The man asks me if I would be willing to step in and be HIS roommate's date since MY roommate became sick right before the date and had to cancel. I finally agree only to find out that the guy was mad that his roommate actually asked me to go and then proceeded to completely ignored me the entire time. He wouldn't even sit by me when we went up the canyon.
3) The man bears his testimony of the movie, "Passion of the Christ"......and actually gets teary eyed.
4) The man asks me, "You don't want anything, do you?" as he points to the food stand. I tell him I am fine. He then tells me, "Good, I really don't have any money to buy treats for the movie anyway." After seating ourselves in our seats he quickly excuses himself to use the bathroom. Then ten minutes into the movie I notice out of the corner of my eye him sneaking M&Ms out of the inside pocket of his jacket, up his chest and then into his mouth during the movie. I think he must of been slightly deaf---because everyone around him (including me) could hear him crunch down on the peanut M&Ms.
5) The man forgets to fill up his gas tank before the date and we run out of gas on our way home from a hockey game. A roommate of mine had to come and bring us gas to get home (luckily, I had a cell phone!).
6) The man proceeds to tell me he is investing in a couples message therapy company that will teach couples how to sexually message each other in order to help them get back together.
7) The above man tried to get me to invest in that company he was starting by telling me it was inspired by God and will make me rich (like him) because we are righteous people!
8) The guy showed up sick at the restaurant (where we were to meet) saying he didn't want to cancel because he wanted to meet me.....he looked miserable!
9) The guy I went out with on a date tells me he would have kiss me during our date at the beach but was afraid of the two huge angels that were flanking either side of me during the night (no joke! I have to say I owe those two men......or the drugs he was smoking!!! I wouldn't have wanted him to kiss me for anything!).
10. I finally was asked on a date by my high school crush (I think I had a crush on him since I was 12). He takes me to dinner and I order a BLT. Of course when I pick up the sandwich the "oh so juicy" tomato decides to land right on my lap....which I happened to be sporting light tan pants---and yest it landed in the wrong area.....It looked lovely!
11) Right before being picked up to Winter Formal I decided to brush my teeth one last time.....while doing so my mother yells up at me and I jump....a toothpaste blob lands on my boob. My mother and I weren't able to get the toothpaste blob out so I had to sport the dress with a toothpaste stain on my boob the entire night!
12) While sporting my brand new tan pants I entered the downstairs bathroom, in Diamond Bar, right before a date. My date was to be there in less than 10 minutes. Upon sitting down I hear a terrible sound. I look down to see that mustard had splattered all over myself, underwear and new pants. I was furious! I ran out of the bathroom immediately forgetting to pull up my pants on the way (due to the anger) screaming at all of my family members about what had happened (I did get my underwear up). Surprisingly, instead of support, my entire family burst out laughing. My new pants were ruined and John was the guilty party! My date had to wait while I changed. Try explain that one to your date!
13) The guy comes to pick me up at the same time my sister Ilene was leaving my apartment.... later on, during the date, he asks me how old I was. I told him my age (If I remember correctly I was 24/25). He then says, "Wow, that's old. Is it hard being single when you are that old?" After which he proceeds to ask how old my sister was, if she was married, and if he could ask her out.
14) Blind date. Without any previous suggestions on how to dress (I did ask him what we were going to do on our date--t which he replied that it would be a surprise). The guy picks me up and startes to drive up Hobble Creek Canyon. Then randomly he pulls his car over on the side of the road, pulls out his bronchiolar, and looks up at the mountains. He then, with much enthusiasm, hands me the bronchiolar and tells me to look at a particular spot. All I could see was what I thought were "hairy pigs." He then told me we were going to follow that herd of moose. WHAT! I looked at the snow covered mountain in alarm! I was only wearing a very thin T-shirt, jeans, and cute shoes. We proceeded to scale the mountainside, while trying to follow a moving herd of moose, in snow up to my upper thigh. I was not a happy camper as my legs grew numb. To make matters worst. He left me as he went running after the herd. I tried to run after him and did a cartoon face plant. NOT HAPPY!
15) I was on a triple date with my roommate and another girl. My roommate and I were out with two brothers and the other girl was out with the brothers' best friend. We stopped at a malt shop. We ALL ordered shakes. My roommate's date proceeded to tell the rest of the group that his brother "liked bigger women, like Winnie" whereas he preferred "skinnier women, like Elisa." Boy was I speechless...especially because I wasn't even "large" at the time...just not "bone skinny."
16) The guy spends the whole night telling me all about his ex's boob job. :-&
17) While exiting the Festival of Dance at BYU in the Marriott Center (on our way to the Homecoming dance) I caught my heal on a stair wrong and fell down at least a flight of stairs, I think I exposed myself in the process! I was so embarrassed! My date had to run down the stairs in an effort to catch me!
18) While off-roading on a double date with Jacquie, I found that my bladder was too full to make it back to Provo in time so I had to ask the boys if they would stop the car and let me find a secluded area. Unfortunately, as they looked around at the dessert surface we all realized there was no "secluded area." Both Jacquie and I had to hike about 2 football fields away hoping the boys couldn't see what was happening (luckily Jacquie also had the same problem).
19) My first experience skiing...my date took me to Snowbird (I believe). I warned him I had never been skiing before and that maybe he should go with someone else. He said I would be fine. I told him I had nightmares of falling off the lift and having the seat cut my head off. He laughed and told me that no one could fall off the lift. Well that wasn't true....because as I went to get off the lift I did something wrong and fell right out of the seat--everyone started to panic. Luckily I ducked and the seat didn't take my head off though. Of course that wasn't the end of the day. It took me only 5 feet to fall 4 times before I finally reaching the starting point to go down the hill (blue diamond hill no less). As I started to ski down the hill I did pretty well for about 45 seconds. Then I crashed! I crashed so hard that I landed in a split position with both of my skis submerged in the snow (my toes were facing down and in opposite directions)! I couldn't move or get up. My date, his cousin and my friend Jacquie all had to come and get my legs unstuck....it was pathetic....luckily they finally budged and I was freed. Truth be told, I walked like I was on a horse for the rest of the day! :-$
20) While giving a guy a huge goodbye my bra broke....no joke....the whole thing flew forward under my shirt....it was a mess!!
Friday, November 9, 2007
Welcome....
Ok, I am definitely not a blogger....my writing isn't worth reading....I don't know how to add any great pictures or do-dads....but I thought I would allow my family and a few great friends to at least have access to my blog page.....then it won't seem so random when I am writing a post (please read "Why Blog" for all disclaimers).
Hope all is well!
Winnie
Hope all is well!
Winnie
School Pictures
School pictures: the visual evidence that one is growing older every year! Do I need that evidence still?
Each year, as a "bonus," most teachers receive free school photos. This perk is due to our having to collect school picture order form and money, transport students down to the gym to get their pictures taken, fighting with the students to sit still or to smile while having to smooth down completely messed up hairdos that occurred during recess, and then finally dispersing the final products when they come in (what a job perk....have I converted you to teaching yet?).
So here is my dilemma...what do I do with these pictures? I am not about to frame my 8X10. I will not be mailing pictures to my siblings (what would they do with them....they would be even more perplex than I am about what to do with them). I am not into scrap booking right now and I am not about to hand them out to my students either!
So here I sit wondering what I am to do with my free bonus photos I have received!. Luckily my mother is in town and is willing to take a 5X7 off my hands (too bad I was given 2 of them).
Oh, the joys and perplexities of teaching!
Tragedy!
This was an email I received from a good friend of mine. I was shocked and thought we should all be aware and keep our eyes open. It is such a tragedy! Hopefully other pedophiles won’t see this as an idea for them in the future! How sad our world is becoming! I think Paul’s ward has a great idea….kids are only released to older siblings or parents after/during church!
Email from friend:
I do not know if everyone has heard about this tragic sexual assault in Maryland, but our Bishop has asked us to make this the topic of our home and visiting teaching this month. Everyone needs to be aware of the need to know where their children are....even at church.
The first link has a link to a video report.
http://www.nbc4.com/news/14424638/detail.html?rss=dc&psp=news
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/27/AR2007102701226.html?nav=rss_metro
Reply that was added to her email:
This happened in my friend's ward. I called her and she said the three older girls were not hurt, but the four-year-old was.
This could happen to anybody. We need to watch our kids better in the church!!!
Email from friend:
I do not know if everyone has heard about this tragic sexual assault in Maryland, but our Bishop has asked us to make this the topic of our home and visiting teaching this month. Everyone needs to be aware of the need to know where their children are....even at church.
The first link has a link to a video report.
http://www.nbc4.com/news/14424638/detail.html?rss=dc&psp=news
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/27/AR2007102701226.html?nav=rss_metro
Reply that was added to her email:
This happened in my friend's ward. I called her and she said the three older girls were not hurt, but the four-year-old was.
This could happen to anybody. We need to watch our kids better in the church!!!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Peroxide...what?
I received this information from a friend.....not sure about any of them except for #1. While on my mission I was introduced to peroxide and baking powder toothpaste. Yes, just making a paste with baking powder and peroxide created a better toothpaste than the products that I was being exposed to in Chile (at least that is how I feel) and the natural consequence of brushing my teeth with the mixture was that my teeth whitened tremendously! The best part is it was virtually free, it didn't hurt my teeth (at least none of my dentist have indicated damage of any sort) and I don't remember getting any canker sores during the time I used it; the bad part is that it taste terrible!
Peroxide:
"I would lik e to tell you of the benefits of that plain
little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug
store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, an! d
most doctors don't tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands
of dollars."
1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with
the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it
out. (I do it when I bathe). No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter
without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small print says
mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle)
2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of "Peroxide" to
keep them free of germs.
3. Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill
germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when
you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour
peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a
50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every
night and let dry.
6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five
to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that
would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide
and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming
your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostr ils with your
50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will
bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow
your nose into a tissue.
9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a
dentist right away, put a capful of 3% pe! roxide into your mouth and
hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen
greatly.
10. And of course , if you like a natural look to your
hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb
it through . You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the
hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light
brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it's not
a drastic change.
11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help
rid boils, fungus, or other skin infec tions.
12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach
to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on
clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute,
then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, and there
is no smearing which is why I love it so much for this.
I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no
home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad
there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner.
Send on to others who might need to know the benefits of
3% peroxide .
Written by Becky Ransey of Indiana
Peroxide:
"I would lik e to tell you of the benefits of that plain
little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug
store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, an! d
most doctors don't tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands
of dollars."
1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with
the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it
out. (I do it when I bathe). No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter
without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small print says
mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle)
2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of "Peroxide" to
keep them free of germs.
3. Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill
germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when
you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour
peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a
50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every
night and let dry.
6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five
to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that
would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide
and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming
your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostr ils with your
50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will
bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow
your nose into a tissue.
9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a
dentist right away, put a capful of 3% pe! roxide into your mouth and
hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen
greatly.
10. And of course , if you like a natural look to your
hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb
it through . You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the
hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light
brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it's not
a drastic change.
11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help
rid boils, fungus, or other skin infec tions.
12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach
to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on
clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute,
then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, and there
is no smearing which is why I love it so much for this.
I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no
home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad
there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner.
Send on to others who might need to know the benefits of
3% peroxide .
Written by Becky Ransey of Indiana
A note from "the teacher"
Ok, here is part of note I sent home to my student's parents and thought I would pass it along to you parents (and parents to be)......just a thought for you to think about!
"Parents, please be aware that it is crucial that your child reads aloud each night to someone (preferably you if possible). A child may be a great reader “in their head” but fall extremely short when asked to read aloud. Please note that reading aloud is a skill unto itself; a skill that is never truly mastered in 1st grade due to their lack of vocabulary and knowledge of how to articulate the English language. Correct expression can only be learned verbally. Articulation is most easily taught when a child is reading aloud to a parent and/or teacher. Not only does reading aloud requires more effort, understanding, expression and fluency (then it does to read silently) but also allows you as the parent to correct any pronunciation mistakes, notice concepts or words your child may not understand and/or miscues that may occur. Mistakes, miscues, incorrect wording are often left unfixed or unnoticed at this age when read a book alone (and/or silently). Too often children are “let loose” to read on their own way too soon. Please, please do not skip this critical piece in your child’s reading education!
"Parents, please be aware that it is crucial that your child reads aloud each night to someone (preferably you if possible). A child may be a great reader “in their head” but fall extremely short when asked to read aloud. Please note that reading aloud is a skill unto itself; a skill that is never truly mastered in 1st grade due to their lack of vocabulary and knowledge of how to articulate the English language. Correct expression can only be learned verbally. Articulation is most easily taught when a child is reading aloud to a parent and/or teacher. Not only does reading aloud requires more effort, understanding, expression and fluency (then it does to read silently) but also allows you as the parent to correct any pronunciation mistakes, notice concepts or words your child may not understand and/or miscues that may occur. Mistakes, miscues, incorrect wording are often left unfixed or unnoticed at this age when read a book alone (and/or silently). Too often children are “let loose” to read on their own way too soon. Please, please do not skip this critical piece in your child’s reading education!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
The Golden Compass, the movie, Warning!
A few weeks ago I was at the movies and saw a preview for a movie called "The Golden Compass." It looks SO GOOD! I was looking forward to seeing it when it comes out in Dec (7th I believe). IT is geared to children---like Narnia....then a friend told me it is based on a trilogy from a "anti-God" English author Phillip Pullman and at the end of the books the main character girl kills God and the people are finally free and happy. I thought "year right, I saw the previews"....well I did some research and am shocked!
Please take a moment to read the following before actually going to see it! That way you know exactly what you will be seeing and what it is based on. Please let others know so they can make an choice based on the facts:
Please take a moment to read the following before actually going to see it! That way you know exactly what you will be seeing and what it is based on. Please let others know so they can make an choice based on the facts:
Love you all!
Irony
As I am sitting in my ESL class, discussing labels that are place on different groups of people, a cute lady raised her hand and said, "I just don't get it, my friend who is black doesn't want to be called 'African American' because she said she is an 'American.' So what are we suppose to call them" (a gasp came out of my mouth---of course.) Then simultaneously a girl close by and I both say under our breath----"by their name." Imagine that!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
My Dad Can Handle It
While walking down the hallway, to the lunchroom with my students, I noticed that one of my students didn't have on his jacket. Since students are unable to return to the classroom to obtain their jackets after entering the lunchroom, I quickly asked him if he wanted to return to the classroom to retrieve his coat. I was taken back by his reply. Quote, "No, I can handle it. My dad doesn't wear a jacket and he can handle it, so I can too. My grandpa also doesn't wear a jacket and he can handle it." Boy, was I left with an empty mouth!
What am I to say to that. I finally decided to respond by saying....wow, if you think that is best.
Dads have an amazing impact on their kids....and probably in ways they don't even realize.
What am I to say to that. I finally decided to respond by saying....wow, if you think that is best.
Dads have an amazing impact on their kids....and probably in ways they don't even realize.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
"I'm MORMON"
So....since I can't seem to find anything exciting right now to post, I have decided to tell you a story about my past---it is not great but I hope you can at least get a laugh out of it!
Once upon at time there was a young teenager living in southern California named Winnie. Winnie was a happy, friendly, fun loving girl.....and yet incredibly naive! She really enjoyed doing things for others and welcomed opportunities to serve.
One day, Winnie was asked to take lunch to the missionaries. She was excited to have this opportunity and carefully packed an amazing lunch in a large red cooler. Once the cooler was carefully placed in the back seat of her car she set off to feed the missionaries.
Upon arrival to the missionaries’ apartment, Winnie emptied the contents of the cooler in the kitchen and then immediately said her goodbyes (that is a whole different story—yikes) and immediately got into her 1976 (I think) blue Chevy Nova (8 cylinders--I might add) and started for home. Unfortunately, Winnie was not familiar with the area in which the missionaries resided, so she quickly became lost on the freeway. As her stomach started to turn and the fear of finding herself in East LA increased, she saw a sign that she thought was her exit. Panic struck, Winnie quickly crossed all 4 lanes of traffic to try and catch the off ramp. Once she had successfully crossed all 4 lanes of traffic she decided that it wasn't the exit she was looking for and then immediately crossed back over 2 lanes before she decided that maybe she was wrong and should take that particular off ramp (you know it is said that girls are allowed to change their minds....right). Winnie then proceeded to cross back over the 2 lanes she had just crossed to exit the freeway.
Unbeknownst to Winnie, as she was crossing these lanes, there was a cop driving directly behind her. This cop did not feel that Winnie was driving safely and decided to pull her over. Winnie pulled over on the side of the off ramp and waited for the cop. Her heart was pounding a mile a minute! "Can I see your drivers license please," asked the cop. Winnie quickly located her license and handed it over to the officer. Winnie's heart sunk. She knew she was going to be in big trouble when she got home! As the cop surveyed Winnie's license and returned to his vehicle he noticed the big red cooler in the back seat. When he returned to Winnie's car he asked, "Have you been drinking?" Immediately Winnie's fear turned to rage...."How dare he," she thought and turned to the cop stating quite firmly, "I AAAAAAMMMMMM MORMON, I DO NOT DRINK!" She could not have been more forceful or offended and the look of disgust on her face proved it. This reaction must have been a first for the befuddled cop because he quickly returned the drivers license and weakly reminded Winnie to drive more carefully.
Of course Winnie, at that time was completely offended....but years later as she looked back on the situation she can only laugh out loud. Poor cop, he thinks he sees a drunk swerving in and out of traffic only to be lectured by this "drunk" that she is Mormon and would never drink....the funniest part of the whole story is that he doesn't even bother to ask Winnie to open the cooler!!!
Confessions by Winnie
Once upon at time there was a young teenager living in southern California named Winnie. Winnie was a happy, friendly, fun loving girl.....and yet incredibly naive! She really enjoyed doing things for others and welcomed opportunities to serve.
One day, Winnie was asked to take lunch to the missionaries. She was excited to have this opportunity and carefully packed an amazing lunch in a large red cooler. Once the cooler was carefully placed in the back seat of her car she set off to feed the missionaries.
Upon arrival to the missionaries’ apartment, Winnie emptied the contents of the cooler in the kitchen and then immediately said her goodbyes (that is a whole different story—yikes) and immediately got into her 1976 (I think) blue Chevy Nova (8 cylinders--I might add) and started for home. Unfortunately, Winnie was not familiar with the area in which the missionaries resided, so she quickly became lost on the freeway. As her stomach started to turn and the fear of finding herself in East LA increased, she saw a sign that she thought was her exit. Panic struck, Winnie quickly crossed all 4 lanes of traffic to try and catch the off ramp. Once she had successfully crossed all 4 lanes of traffic she decided that it wasn't the exit she was looking for and then immediately crossed back over 2 lanes before she decided that maybe she was wrong and should take that particular off ramp (you know it is said that girls are allowed to change their minds....right). Winnie then proceeded to cross back over the 2 lanes she had just crossed to exit the freeway.
Unbeknownst to Winnie, as she was crossing these lanes, there was a cop driving directly behind her. This cop did not feel that Winnie was driving safely and decided to pull her over. Winnie pulled over on the side of the off ramp and waited for the cop. Her heart was pounding a mile a minute! "Can I see your drivers license please," asked the cop. Winnie quickly located her license and handed it over to the officer. Winnie's heart sunk. She knew she was going to be in big trouble when she got home! As the cop surveyed Winnie's license and returned to his vehicle he noticed the big red cooler in the back seat. When he returned to Winnie's car he asked, "Have you been drinking?" Immediately Winnie's fear turned to rage...."How dare he," she thought and turned to the cop stating quite firmly, "I AAAAAAMMMMMM MORMON, I DO NOT DRINK!" She could not have been more forceful or offended and the look of disgust on her face proved it. This reaction must have been a first for the befuddled cop because he quickly returned the drivers license and weakly reminded Winnie to drive more carefully.
Of course Winnie, at that time was completely offended....but years later as she looked back on the situation she can only laugh out loud. Poor cop, he thinks he sees a drunk swerving in and out of traffic only to be lectured by this "drunk" that she is Mormon and would never drink....the funniest part of the whole story is that he doesn't even bother to ask Winnie to open the cooler!!!
Confessions by Winnie
Saturday, August 4, 2007
"Help me to be happy"
"It's easy enough to smile when life goes along with a song....but the one who's worth while is the one who can smile when everything goes dead wrong."
This quote used to be an all time favorite quote of mine. I thought its poetic words touched the very essence of truth. I venture to reason that I grasped such a theory was because, up until recently, I seemed to have an uncanny way of wading through the trials of life with a smile on my face (or at least I felt that I was deep down able to smile during those times).
Well, I have chopped that saying out of my “favorite” quotes pile. I have axed its truth from my life because it has labeled me as a worthless individual. If its words are truth than I am a not “worthwhile.” That may be true, but the more I ponder the quote I come to realize there are some moments in one’s life where one should not, nor could not, smile. I would venture to say that if one did smile during certain moments it could and would be most offensive.
Now I am not saying that I am in a predicament, nor that my life is full of woes (at least right now—)…..I have just realized over the past 5 years of my life that, at least for me, when life hands you lemons…making lemonade isn’t always the correct or most plausible option. Sometimes puckered mouths occur, a sour face emerges, repulsion, the desire to spit out ….happens. Does this make me a “worthless” person because I see a “lemon” as a “lemon” instead of a beautiful sweet Clementine or potential lemonade? Maybe, but the Pollyanna syndrome that I tried to uphold for so long ended up strangling me and caused me to stagger in my own progression. It was when I heard a mother tell their child the words to say while praying that my life truly grasped the correct response; “Help me to be happy.” Jackson’s mimicking of Ilene’s simple, yet oh so profound sentence, “help me to be happy,” rang through every piece of my soul. “Help me be happy”….not help me “smile” through all situations but rather help me to BE happy or find happiness again.
Oh, I lack the ability to express what it is I am really wanting to say…..Maybe an example would help…..please forgive me for sharing such an intimate and intense experience but I think it hits the “nail on the head” better than I am in succeeding at grasping the English language in hopes to convey my sentiments.
For those of you who don’t know, I was married in the year 2002. I was 28 years old and within the community in which I dwelt this was considered “middle age.” My chances to raise my children at a “normal age” were viewed as almost out the window (I can’t even imagine what the thought is now) and since my whole life I dreamed, desired and thought about having my own children (shoot, I even centered my career around being able to touch, inspire and teach children)......waiting too long to have children was not even an option .
Thus, a few months after marriage my ex and I decided to have a child. How funny to look back and think how naive I was….. deciding we would have a child NOW. Well, months passed, doctor visits occurred. Years passed, we learned nothing could be found that would indicate why 2 years had past and we were still not able to become pregnant. Temperatures, pee sticks, saliva swabs, graphs, etc. started to plague my life. A move to Michigan, which put us in contact with the “best of the best” fertility doctor in the nation, confirmed that nothing was “wrong” with either one of us (the medical profession puts things so quaintly sometimes). I definitely wasn’t smiling too big at this point in my life.
Well, in the process of being “tested” I became pregnant---a miracle in itself since it was only my second visit to the office and we were just doing blood work. I was not only shocked (since I had taken a pregnancy test a few days before and it came out negative) but that after 3 ½ years of prayer, faith and trying the actual reality of hearing the words “you are pregnant” wasn’t even a conscience thought (obviously I had lost my Pollyanna syndrome in regards to this subject).
After phoning my ex, and leaving him in utter shock, I found a hope start to bubble up inside of me, a "smile" if you will (in this aspect of my life) returned. My dream of becoming a mother, counting little fingers and toes, teaching about life, putting them to bed as I hum a lullaby were so very real (you would understand perfectly why I wrote hum if you have ever heard me sing out loud!!!). I was very humbled (those of you who have ever been pregnant I am sure can understand why I chose the word “humbled.”).
Well, times passed, ultrasounds were given, pictures were placed on my blog, a baby crib was bought, clothes were purchased, the cradle was assembled, doctor visits continued, daily internet calendars on the development of the fetus were read, books were purchased, during difficult times of my marriage…hope lingered…..then I woke up spotting. I immediately asked my ex for a blessing. I was panicked; I knew but refused to know. I was not given comfort. I laid on my bed and sobbed. My ex became extremely angry with me. He asked me why I had to be so “damn pessimistic!” Was I?????? I wasn’t…..At least I didn’t think so. I didn’t know why I had even thought the thoughts that I did…..maybe it was truth hitting before my mind could grasp the reality of it. We quickly called his sister, who is a deliver nurse. She asked lots of questions and told me to take it easy. The spotting continued. Phone calls to the local hospital occurred (it was a Saturday). We went to a ward picnic and I stayed in a chair. On the way home I wasn’t feeling well. When I returned home my spotting seemed to have worsened. I called my ex’s sister again. She told me to get to the hospital, despite what the doctor’s at the hospital had said over the phone.
I will never forget walking into that emergency facility. We had been there before so it felt quite familiar. They asked me to undress, put on a robe and then lay down on a stretch in a curtained area (there were no rooms just stretchers lined up against walls with curtains in between them). The first nurse to assist me came in happily and asked me many questions. She then put me on an IV and left. When she finally returned she had a machine with her to find the heartbeat of the fetus and to "see" what was going on. The quick pulsing sound we had already heard about 2 ½ months prior didn’t blare from the machine. She was getting frustrated and my prayers were getting more and more elementary (please, please please….I believe were about all that I could mustard in my brain). I definitely wasn’t smiling!!! Then the nurse said the machine she was using was very hard to work (about 20 minutes had passed and nothing) and she would go get another one. The doctor on call finally entered after the second machine was obtained and pushed the nice nurse aside and continued the process of trying to find the heartbeat. She gave up and left the area. My hopes seemed to be deflating a bit and my mind started to go numb.
The doctor returned and informed me that I was to have a vaginal ultrasound. She explained that the emergency room we were in was only a “satellite” facility and that gynecology services were “called” out. She had just finished talking with the gynecologist at the “big dog” hospital and that an vaginal ultrasound was required.
Hours passed. The hospitals was packed. Each stretcher had a patient to uphold. One older group of individuals were chatting loudly while waiting for some sort of cancer results for the patient they were there supporting that occupying a stretcher close by. I remember a child's cry but not the reason behind it. Commotion seemed to be all around me except inside of me. I forced myself to be "positive" to have a "smile." I started to demand myself to plead all the more to my maker.....but all that would come out were weak "pleases" and a few sacred words that only I and my Father will know. I was exhausted. Time continued to pass very slowly.
Finally, I was placed in a wheelchair and wheeled to an open hall area outside a small office size room. After about 45 minutes of sitting, freezing, silent next to my now mute ex, I was called in to the exam room. The nurse asked me to lie down on the table. Then her friend came by and she stepped out to speak with her. She wasn’t tactful enough to shut the door so I was able to hear her friend asked her why she hadn’t left. Apparently, her shift was up that minute, her visiting family was waiting for her, and she was not too pleased to have to deal with me. She finally returned and proceeded to do the ultrasound. I looked at her face and saw no expression. I cranked my head and tried with all my might to see what was on the screen. I asked her questions but she said she could not answer them. I think that was almost a confirmation to me that the baby was gone…..I thought, if there was hope she would whisper something or give me some kind of encouraging something….wouldn’t she?
I wasn’t "smiling" but I couldn’t give up hope--I couldn't not have faith and hope! What was wrong with me I argued in my head! My pleading “pleases” increased….if that was even possible.
After returning to my “oh so private” curtained room and having hung up the phone with my ex’s sister (who didn’t really have anything to say after I walked her through everything that was said and done….except “just wait and see.”) the doctor returned. She stepped in and said the results were sent to the “all knowing doctor somewhere out there in space” and that he said there was no heartbeat, the baby was dead and that I was to go home and let things pass natural. I was dumbfounded. She then bluntly said that she was sorry and that I was free to go. I just stared. She then, without any emotion, turned around and left my curtain cubical.
I began to cry/sob/bawl….whatever it was that escaped from my lips…only to be hushed by my ex, who was standing at a distance from me, telling me to stop because others would hear. Life wasn’t going along like a song and I WASN’T smiling. A different nurse walked around the curtains and exclaimed, “Oh, you are still here. You can go.” I looked at her bewildered. My ex snapped at her that I still had an IV in my arm (he wasn’t smiling). That was quickly removed and I was sent walking out of the now foreign emergency room as if nothing happened.
When I returned home my ex dropped me off and told me he had to go get something. We both were not smiling. I was alone! The walls of my house were screaming at me. I plopped down on my bed and begin to sob…then I saw The Book of Mormon on my side table. I remembered that President Hinckley had just asked us to read it and promised peace….and some other things….but at the time peace was the only one I could remember. I picked up the book and sarcastically said out loud…..something to the extent of…..”well, let’s see if your promise works because I need help!”
Fortunately, God does talk through his mouthpieces on earth because the promise was/is real. It did work! The first scripture I read was a reminder that God was there and that everything would work out…..and then the peace that came over me for a brief moment was/is indescribable. It was so powerful that it left a numbing aura about me….. yet, I know I wasn’t “smiling” but that I was “worthwhile” in the eyes of my Father.
That night I woke to the worst cramping I have ever felt. I raced to the bathroom to find myself in labor. I found a child, still attached to me, facing me with all 10 fingers and 10 toes. I immediately started to scream, “It’s not fair!” over and over again. My ex entered and, seeing me the way he did (I think out of shear fear…he was never good with blood and such), became angry and started to yell “what the hell am I suppose to do!” I wasn’t smiling and neither was he….the peace was gone!
Luckily, we were able to get a hold of his sister, who after chastised me for being home in the first place (still not smiling), proceeded to walk me through the rest of the ordeal. I then returned to bed….the most alone, saddening, tired, deflated feeling I have ever felt crept over me. My dreams, hopes, future were crushed and yet I could not fall too far into the “depths of despair” (love Anne of Green Gables!) because I could remember the peace that came when reading the scriptures earlier on . The knowledge that God was there, that He knew me, He knew my hurt and hurt with me, that the child was His first and that His Will should (and would) be done haunted my hurt. I fought with myself…..not in these exact words but basically questioning….. ”where was my smile????” You know truth Winnie, you have felt the peace why aren’t you being “worthwhile” and “smiling.” Why, when I had such knowledge and peace, couldn’t the Pollyanna smile not kick in and drowned out the massive pain that filled every square inch of my body??? I was at odds with myself, and my spirit. I never felt anger, just deep sadness….the deepest of sadness. Anger came later, but only for a brief while. Which brings me to my point……was I not worthwhile? Am I not really “worthwhile” because I couldn't "SMILE" when everything went DEAD WRONG!!!
Of course not….at least I don’t think so! That is why I am now taking the quote out of my favorite file section of my brain…..oh, I will use it when it is in the right contents; I do think there is great wisdom in being optimistic during difficult times….but I have come to believe (for myself) that the one who’s really worthwhile is the one who is able, not only to get down on their knees and say, “help me!” but, when ready, get down on their knees and then ask, “help me to be happy” (or "help me to feel happiness again").
Thanks Jackson! The words of a little boy who, while mimicking his mom, has taught me such a profound truth. My life, hopefully, will never be the same! Worthwhile with or without a smile…..but always asking, “Help me to BE happy!”
This quote used to be an all time favorite quote of mine. I thought its poetic words touched the very essence of truth. I venture to reason that I grasped such a theory was because, up until recently, I seemed to have an uncanny way of wading through the trials of life with a smile on my face (or at least I felt that I was deep down able to smile during those times).
Well, I have chopped that saying out of my “favorite” quotes pile. I have axed its truth from my life because it has labeled me as a worthless individual. If its words are truth than I am a not “worthwhile.” That may be true, but the more I ponder the quote I come to realize there are some moments in one’s life where one should not, nor could not, smile. I would venture to say that if one did smile during certain moments it could and would be most offensive.
Now I am not saying that I am in a predicament, nor that my life is full of woes (at least right now—)…..I have just realized over the past 5 years of my life that, at least for me, when life hands you lemons…making lemonade isn’t always the correct or most plausible option. Sometimes puckered mouths occur, a sour face emerges, repulsion, the desire to spit out ….happens. Does this make me a “worthless” person because I see a “lemon” as a “lemon” instead of a beautiful sweet Clementine or potential lemonade? Maybe, but the Pollyanna syndrome that I tried to uphold for so long ended up strangling me and caused me to stagger in my own progression. It was when I heard a mother tell their child the words to say while praying that my life truly grasped the correct response; “Help me to be happy.” Jackson’s mimicking of Ilene’s simple, yet oh so profound sentence, “help me to be happy,” rang through every piece of my soul. “Help me be happy”….not help me “smile” through all situations but rather help me to BE happy or find happiness again.
Oh, I lack the ability to express what it is I am really wanting to say…..Maybe an example would help…..please forgive me for sharing such an intimate and intense experience but I think it hits the “nail on the head” better than I am in succeeding at grasping the English language in hopes to convey my sentiments.
For those of you who don’t know, I was married in the year 2002. I was 28 years old and within the community in which I dwelt this was considered “middle age.” My chances to raise my children at a “normal age” were viewed as almost out the window (I can’t even imagine what the thought is now) and since my whole life I dreamed, desired and thought about having my own children (shoot, I even centered my career around being able to touch, inspire and teach children)......waiting too long to have children was not even an option .
Thus, a few months after marriage my ex and I decided to have a child. How funny to look back and think how naive I was….. deciding we would have a child NOW. Well, months passed, doctor visits occurred. Years passed, we learned nothing could be found that would indicate why 2 years had past and we were still not able to become pregnant. Temperatures, pee sticks, saliva swabs, graphs, etc. started to plague my life. A move to Michigan, which put us in contact with the “best of the best” fertility doctor in the nation, confirmed that nothing was “wrong” with either one of us (the medical profession puts things so quaintly sometimes). I definitely wasn’t smiling too big at this point in my life.
Well, in the process of being “tested” I became pregnant---a miracle in itself since it was only my second visit to the office and we were just doing blood work. I was not only shocked (since I had taken a pregnancy test a few days before and it came out negative) but that after 3 ½ years of prayer, faith and trying the actual reality of hearing the words “you are pregnant” wasn’t even a conscience thought (obviously I had lost my Pollyanna syndrome in regards to this subject).
After phoning my ex, and leaving him in utter shock, I found a hope start to bubble up inside of me, a "smile" if you will (in this aspect of my life) returned. My dream of becoming a mother, counting little fingers and toes, teaching about life, putting them to bed as I hum a lullaby were so very real (you would understand perfectly why I wrote hum if you have ever heard me sing out loud!!!). I was very humbled (those of you who have ever been pregnant I am sure can understand why I chose the word “humbled.”).
Well, times passed, ultrasounds were given, pictures were placed on my blog, a baby crib was bought, clothes were purchased, the cradle was assembled, doctor visits continued, daily internet calendars on the development of the fetus were read, books were purchased, during difficult times of my marriage…hope lingered…..then I woke up spotting. I immediately asked my ex for a blessing. I was panicked; I knew but refused to know. I was not given comfort. I laid on my bed and sobbed. My ex became extremely angry with me. He asked me why I had to be so “damn pessimistic!” Was I?????? I wasn’t…..At least I didn’t think so. I didn’t know why I had even thought the thoughts that I did…..maybe it was truth hitting before my mind could grasp the reality of it. We quickly called his sister, who is a deliver nurse. She asked lots of questions and told me to take it easy. The spotting continued. Phone calls to the local hospital occurred (it was a Saturday). We went to a ward picnic and I stayed in a chair. On the way home I wasn’t feeling well. When I returned home my spotting seemed to have worsened. I called my ex’s sister again. She told me to get to the hospital, despite what the doctor’s at the hospital had said over the phone.
I will never forget walking into that emergency facility. We had been there before so it felt quite familiar. They asked me to undress, put on a robe and then lay down on a stretch in a curtained area (there were no rooms just stretchers lined up against walls with curtains in between them). The first nurse to assist me came in happily and asked me many questions. She then put me on an IV and left. When she finally returned she had a machine with her to find the heartbeat of the fetus and to "see" what was going on. The quick pulsing sound we had already heard about 2 ½ months prior didn’t blare from the machine. She was getting frustrated and my prayers were getting more and more elementary (please, please please….I believe were about all that I could mustard in my brain). I definitely wasn’t smiling!!! Then the nurse said the machine she was using was very hard to work (about 20 minutes had passed and nothing) and she would go get another one. The doctor on call finally entered after the second machine was obtained and pushed the nice nurse aside and continued the process of trying to find the heartbeat. She gave up and left the area. My hopes seemed to be deflating a bit and my mind started to go numb.
The doctor returned and informed me that I was to have a vaginal ultrasound. She explained that the emergency room we were in was only a “satellite” facility and that gynecology services were “called” out. She had just finished talking with the gynecologist at the “big dog” hospital and that an vaginal ultrasound was required.
Hours passed. The hospitals was packed. Each stretcher had a patient to uphold. One older group of individuals were chatting loudly while waiting for some sort of cancer results for the patient they were there supporting that occupying a stretcher close by. I remember a child's cry but not the reason behind it. Commotion seemed to be all around me except inside of me. I forced myself to be "positive" to have a "smile." I started to demand myself to plead all the more to my maker.....but all that would come out were weak "pleases" and a few sacred words that only I and my Father will know. I was exhausted. Time continued to pass very slowly.
Finally, I was placed in a wheelchair and wheeled to an open hall area outside a small office size room. After about 45 minutes of sitting, freezing, silent next to my now mute ex, I was called in to the exam room. The nurse asked me to lie down on the table. Then her friend came by and she stepped out to speak with her. She wasn’t tactful enough to shut the door so I was able to hear her friend asked her why she hadn’t left. Apparently, her shift was up that minute, her visiting family was waiting for her, and she was not too pleased to have to deal with me. She finally returned and proceeded to do the ultrasound. I looked at her face and saw no expression. I cranked my head and tried with all my might to see what was on the screen. I asked her questions but she said she could not answer them. I think that was almost a confirmation to me that the baby was gone…..I thought, if there was hope she would whisper something or give me some kind of encouraging something….wouldn’t she?
I wasn’t "smiling" but I couldn’t give up hope--I couldn't not have faith and hope! What was wrong with me I argued in my head! My pleading “pleases” increased….if that was even possible.
After returning to my “oh so private” curtained room and having hung up the phone with my ex’s sister (who didn’t really have anything to say after I walked her through everything that was said and done….except “just wait and see.”) the doctor returned. She stepped in and said the results were sent to the “all knowing doctor somewhere out there in space” and that he said there was no heartbeat, the baby was dead and that I was to go home and let things pass natural. I was dumbfounded. She then bluntly said that she was sorry and that I was free to go. I just stared. She then, without any emotion, turned around and left my curtain cubical.
I began to cry/sob/bawl….whatever it was that escaped from my lips…only to be hushed by my ex, who was standing at a distance from me, telling me to stop because others would hear. Life wasn’t going along like a song and I WASN’T smiling. A different nurse walked around the curtains and exclaimed, “Oh, you are still here. You can go.” I looked at her bewildered. My ex snapped at her that I still had an IV in my arm (he wasn’t smiling). That was quickly removed and I was sent walking out of the now foreign emergency room as if nothing happened.
When I returned home my ex dropped me off and told me he had to go get something. We both were not smiling. I was alone! The walls of my house were screaming at me. I plopped down on my bed and begin to sob…then I saw The Book of Mormon on my side table. I remembered that President Hinckley had just asked us to read it and promised peace….and some other things….but at the time peace was the only one I could remember. I picked up the book and sarcastically said out loud…..something to the extent of…..”well, let’s see if your promise works because I need help!”
Fortunately, God does talk through his mouthpieces on earth because the promise was/is real. It did work! The first scripture I read was a reminder that God was there and that everything would work out…..and then the peace that came over me for a brief moment was/is indescribable. It was so powerful that it left a numbing aura about me….. yet, I know I wasn’t “smiling” but that I was “worthwhile” in the eyes of my Father.
That night I woke to the worst cramping I have ever felt. I raced to the bathroom to find myself in labor. I found a child, still attached to me, facing me with all 10 fingers and 10 toes. I immediately started to scream, “It’s not fair!” over and over again. My ex entered and, seeing me the way he did (I think out of shear fear…he was never good with blood and such), became angry and started to yell “what the hell am I suppose to do!” I wasn’t smiling and neither was he….the peace was gone!
Luckily, we were able to get a hold of his sister, who after chastised me for being home in the first place (still not smiling), proceeded to walk me through the rest of the ordeal. I then returned to bed….the most alone, saddening, tired, deflated feeling I have ever felt crept over me. My dreams, hopes, future were crushed and yet I could not fall too far into the “depths of despair” (love Anne of Green Gables!) because I could remember the peace that came when reading the scriptures earlier on . The knowledge that God was there, that He knew me, He knew my hurt and hurt with me, that the child was His first and that His Will should (and would) be done haunted my hurt. I fought with myself…..not in these exact words but basically questioning….. ”where was my smile????” You know truth Winnie, you have felt the peace why aren’t you being “worthwhile” and “smiling.” Why, when I had such knowledge and peace, couldn’t the Pollyanna smile not kick in and drowned out the massive pain that filled every square inch of my body??? I was at odds with myself, and my spirit. I never felt anger, just deep sadness….the deepest of sadness. Anger came later, but only for a brief while. Which brings me to my point……was I not worthwhile? Am I not really “worthwhile” because I couldn't "SMILE" when everything went DEAD WRONG!!!
Of course not….at least I don’t think so! That is why I am now taking the quote out of my favorite file section of my brain…..oh, I will use it when it is in the right contents; I do think there is great wisdom in being optimistic during difficult times….but I have come to believe (for myself) that the one who’s really worthwhile is the one who is able, not only to get down on their knees and say, “help me!” but, when ready, get down on their knees and then ask, “help me to be happy” (or "help me to feel happiness again").
Thanks Jackson! The words of a little boy who, while mimicking his mom, has taught me such a profound truth. My life, hopefully, will never be the same! Worthwhile with or without a smile…..but always asking, “Help me to BE happy!”
A favorite quote:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
The above speech by Nelson Mandela was orignally written by Marianne Williamson."
The above speech by Nelson Mandela was orignally written by Marianne Williamson."
Friday, August 3, 2007
How does your toilet paper go?
Demanding that the toilet paper roll be place on the dispenser so that the center cardboard tub turns in a counterclockwise fashion is absolutely silly, ridiculous, asinine and crazy…..at least that is what I thought when a former roommate of mine (while living in the Elms Apt. south of BYU campus) dragged me into one of the two bathrooms we had and tried to explain to me the importance of doing so. She was upset and found it annoying that we were not sensitive to this very important aspect of living. While in the bathroom she preceded to “sale” me on her idea of how toilet paper should be placed on the dispenser. She explained why it was/is absolutely necessary (if not more advantageous) to place the toilet paper roll on the dispenser in such a way that the paper always dispenses from the back to the front, top to bottom, instead of from front to back…bottom to top (an aspect I could honestly say had never entered my mind prior to this dialogue). She not only showed me in great detail how much more difficult it was/is to pull the toilet paper off the dispenser when it is placed “incorrectly,” (the toilet paper having to be pulled from the underside) but also how easily the toilet paper unrolls and touches the ground when dispensed “improperly” as well. I remember her indicating to me how feelings of anger would actually occur when she would enter the bathroom to use the facilities and find the paper dispensed “inappropriately.” I (more out of shock than anything else) sat and listened so intently to her “sales” pitch that I was not only convinced that she truly believed she was correct but that, to this day, she thinks that she “sold” me on the idea. I told her I didn’t particularly have a preference of how the toilet paper roll hung and that I would try to keep that in mind the next time I found myself replacing the toilet paper roll (just to appease her).
Well, she ruined me. I have to say her “sales” tactics worked….or the fact that all year I had to “think” about how I was placing the toilet paper roll on the dispenser. I now am unable to place toilet paper on the dispenser without thought. It has to be placed “correctly” or…I don’t know what…it just has to be that way. So, in my home you will ALWAYS find the toilet paper roll turning in a counterclockwise fashion (unless replaced by someone else and then I find myself “correcting” the situation).
Please know I really don’t mind visiting others’ homes and finding their toilet paper dispensed contrary to my roommate’s (and now my) preference, but I have been known (only to myself…I think) to switch the toilet paper rolls in my mother’s and siblings homes as well….scary I know! I think I might need therapy!
Have you ever adopted a former roommate’s habit, that has stuck with you over the years?
Well, she ruined me. I have to say her “sales” tactics worked….or the fact that all year I had to “think” about how I was placing the toilet paper roll on the dispenser. I now am unable to place toilet paper on the dispenser without thought. It has to be placed “correctly” or…I don’t know what…it just has to be that way. So, in my home you will ALWAYS find the toilet paper roll turning in a counterclockwise fashion (unless replaced by someone else and then I find myself “correcting” the situation).
Please know I really don’t mind visiting others’ homes and finding their toilet paper dispensed contrary to my roommate’s (and now my) preference, but I have been known (only to myself…I think) to switch the toilet paper rolls in my mother’s and siblings homes as well….scary I know! I think I might need therapy!
Have you ever adopted a former roommate’s habit, that has stuck with you over the years?
101 things that I love.....
1. Finding the perfect gift for someone
2. Reading a good book, a great book and life changing ones!!!
3. Traveling….somewhere, anywhere
4. Seeing my mother's creations
5. Listening to my dad give me advice
6. When I know I made the right choice
7. Fresh flowers in my home
8. When the toilet paper rotates counterclockwise on the dispenser
9. Learning about something new
10. Visiting with family
11. Being held
12. When I am able to get a child to understand a concept
13. The smell of bread baking in the oven
14. Finding the perfect lipstick
15. Shooting for the moon and falling amongst the stars.
16. Find out that the moon I was shooting for never gave off any true light (but the stars do)!
17. Seeing Christmas decorations
18. Feeling the sun beat on my skin after walking out of a cold building
19. Water Skiing on perfect "glass" water
20. The feeling AFTER a good workout (definitely not before)
21. Being an American
22. Seeing my siblings be sealed
23. Seeing my nephew and niece be sealed
24. Getting to ride on a four wheeler over the hills of Idaho
25. Seeing the ocean, listening to the waves hit the beach and feeling the sand between my toes
26. Watching a lightening storm in the middle of July
27. Hanging a piece of art in the perfect place
28. Friends not having to say anything yet through their silence say everything that is needed
29. Putting on a pair of jeans right after they have dried
30. Walking the streets of Europe
31. Scoring well on a test
32. Seeing my sister being an amazing mom
33. Watching my brothers play with their kids--they are great dads
34. Feeling the Lord near when everything else seem so far away
35. Driving fast (legally of course)
36. My dog Bitzy greeting me at the door and remembering how she would licking my tears off my face during difficult times
37. When a student comes back and tells me how much I meant to them
38. Realizing I am starting to sound like my parents
39. The pulling feeling when a plane is just taking off
40. When I get to eat real Belgium chocolate (preferably Galler)
41. Watching all types of movies (as long as they aren't too scary--or crass!!)
42. Seeing truth prevail, whether in a book, movie or in real life (down with The Scarlet Letter!!!)
43. Going to a musical
44. Driving a wave runner and feeling my hair flapping in the wind
45. Smelling the air right after a rainstorm
46. Hitting a ball just right and watching is soar exactly where you intended it to go
47. Making a great meal and watching others enjoy it
48. Singing (alone....so as not to make others frown!)
49. Going to humanitarian with my mother
50. Hiking on a mountain path far away from all noise
51. Making quilts for my nephews and nieces
52. Holding a baby and watching it smile
53. Watching fireworks
54. Listening to my grandparents' childhood stories
55. Finding a pair of shoes that match perfectly a newly bought outfit
56. Lifting weights
57. Sitting in a little chair outside of a cafe watching people pass buy
58. Knowing prayers are heard
59. Watching the sun come up over Mountain Timpanogas
60. Swinging on a swing (especial at night under the stars)
61. Growing tomatoes
62. Driving a motorcycle over dirt roads and hills
63. Looking at pictures (especially wedding pictures)
64. Going to a concert
65. Walking out of the hair salon after having my hair done
66. Finding something perfect that is on sale
67. Having a picnic
68. Throwing a perfect party
69. Riding on a roller coaster
70.Trying a new restaurant
71. Being held
72. Shopping with my mother
73. Sharing new discoveries
74. Meeting new people and learning about them
75. Biking through tree covered paths or down mountain sides
76. Being able to inspire others and others who inspire me
77. Making and eating homemade ice cream
78. Listening to moving water (rivers, streams, brooks, waterfalls, fountains, etc.)
79. When a car moves over to let you in
80. Watching Pride and Prejudice, North and South, and any other sappy love story
81. The first moment I smell the scent of cows....because it reminds me of my grandfather's farm and the comfort and love I felt there
82. Eating fresh veggies
83.Watching movies (as long as it isn't too scary!!)
84. Going to a live sporting event
85. Watching the World Cup
86. Going to Revinia and hearing beautiful music out in the fresh air
87. Seeing the church history sites
88. Watching Late Night
89. Having a great date
90. Owning or encountering little things.....like little pens, dogs, books, European cars, etc.
91. Eating great food, especially authentic foreign foods
92. Eating fresh tomatoes right out of my garden
93. Going on a road trip
94. Listening to great music
95. Seeing a good looking man dressed in a nice suit
96. Having dessert...ice cream, cheese cakes, brownies, etc.
97. Teaching
98. Going to Costco and walking up and down every aisle
99. Reading scriptures
100. Being able to sleep soundly through the night!
101. Having a happy dream.....unfortunately this doesn't happen too often because I sleep so soundly--#100
2. Reading a good book, a great book and life changing ones!!!
3. Traveling….somewhere, anywhere
4. Seeing my mother's creations
5. Listening to my dad give me advice
6. When I know I made the right choice
7. Fresh flowers in my home
8. When the toilet paper rotates counterclockwise on the dispenser
9. Learning about something new
10. Visiting with family
11. Being held
12. When I am able to get a child to understand a concept
13. The smell of bread baking in the oven
14. Finding the perfect lipstick
15. Shooting for the moon and falling amongst the stars.
16. Find out that the moon I was shooting for never gave off any true light (but the stars do)!
17. Seeing Christmas decorations
18. Feeling the sun beat on my skin after walking out of a cold building
19. Water Skiing on perfect "glass" water
20. The feeling AFTER a good workout (definitely not before)
21. Being an American
22. Seeing my siblings be sealed
23. Seeing my nephew and niece be sealed
24. Getting to ride on a four wheeler over the hills of Idaho
25. Seeing the ocean, listening to the waves hit the beach and feeling the sand between my toes
26. Watching a lightening storm in the middle of July
27. Hanging a piece of art in the perfect place
28. Friends not having to say anything yet through their silence say everything that is needed
29. Putting on a pair of jeans right after they have dried
30. Walking the streets of Europe
31. Scoring well on a test
32. Seeing my sister being an amazing mom
33. Watching my brothers play with their kids--they are great dads
34. Feeling the Lord near when everything else seem so far away
35. Driving fast (legally of course)
36. My dog Bitzy greeting me at the door and remembering how she would licking my tears off my face during difficult times
37. When a student comes back and tells me how much I meant to them
38. Realizing I am starting to sound like my parents
39. The pulling feeling when a plane is just taking off
40. When I get to eat real Belgium chocolate (preferably Galler)
41. Watching all types of movies (as long as they aren't too scary--or crass!!)
42. Seeing truth prevail, whether in a book, movie or in real life (down with The Scarlet Letter!!!)
43. Going to a musical
44. Driving a wave runner and feeling my hair flapping in the wind
45. Smelling the air right after a rainstorm
46. Hitting a ball just right and watching is soar exactly where you intended it to go
47. Making a great meal and watching others enjoy it
48. Singing (alone....so as not to make others frown!)
49. Going to humanitarian with my mother
50. Hiking on a mountain path far away from all noise
51. Making quilts for my nephews and nieces
52. Holding a baby and watching it smile
53. Watching fireworks
54. Listening to my grandparents' childhood stories
55. Finding a pair of shoes that match perfectly a newly bought outfit
56. Lifting weights
57. Sitting in a little chair outside of a cafe watching people pass buy
58. Knowing prayers are heard
59. Watching the sun come up over Mountain Timpanogas
60. Swinging on a swing (especial at night under the stars)
61. Growing tomatoes
62. Driving a motorcycle over dirt roads and hills
63. Looking at pictures (especially wedding pictures)
64. Going to a concert
65. Walking out of the hair salon after having my hair done
66. Finding something perfect that is on sale
67. Having a picnic
68. Throwing a perfect party
69. Riding on a roller coaster
70.Trying a new restaurant
71. Being held
72. Shopping with my mother
73. Sharing new discoveries
74. Meeting new people and learning about them
75. Biking through tree covered paths or down mountain sides
76. Being able to inspire others and others who inspire me
77. Making and eating homemade ice cream
78. Listening to moving water (rivers, streams, brooks, waterfalls, fountains, etc.)
79. When a car moves over to let you in
80. Watching Pride and Prejudice, North and South, and any other sappy love story
81. The first moment I smell the scent of cows....because it reminds me of my grandfather's farm and the comfort and love I felt there
82. Eating fresh veggies
83.Watching movies (as long as it isn't too scary!!)
84. Going to a live sporting event
85. Watching the World Cup
86. Going to Revinia and hearing beautiful music out in the fresh air
87. Seeing the church history sites
88. Watching Late Night
89. Having a great date
90. Owning or encountering little things.....like little pens, dogs, books, European cars, etc.
91. Eating great food, especially authentic foreign foods
92. Eating fresh tomatoes right out of my garden
93. Going on a road trip
94. Listening to great music
95. Seeing a good looking man dressed in a nice suit
96. Having dessert...ice cream, cheese cakes, brownies, etc.
97. Teaching
98. Going to Costco and walking up and down every aisle
99. Reading scriptures
100. Being able to sleep soundly through the night!
101. Having a happy dream.....unfortunately this doesn't happen too often because I sleep so soundly--#100
Thursday, August 2, 2007
The Gates of Paradise and Ravinia
July 28, 2007 was such an exciting day! My father took Ilene and I to The Art Institute of Chicago to see The Gates of Paradise: Lorenzo Ghiberti's Renaissance Masterpiece and then my mother joined us later that evening to go to Ravinia to hear A Night in Vienna: The CSO and tenor Nikolai Schukoff. It was a wonderful day, to say the least!
The Gates of Paradise:
WOW!!! The Gates of Paradise!! We walked into the museum at just the right time! We ended up running into the very first tour of the exhibit, guided by the director and overseer of the entire project. He gave an amazing guide and showed us the three door that panels (Adam and Eve, Jacob and Esau, and David and Goliath) were on display. Out of the three I think the Adam and Eve panel was my favorite. It was amazing to see the different depths created by Lorenzo Ghiberti, the beauty of each piece and the amazing size of each panel. It was a very fun experience and I was so grateful for the chance to see them up close.
Apparently, as stated on the website (as well as from our guide) "For the past 25 years, Ghiberti’s gates have undergone extensive conservation, which is now nearing completion. To celebrate the conclusion of this arduous project, three relief panels from the Gates of Paradise and sections of the doors' frieze have traveled to North America. This exhibition affords viewers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe Ghiberti’s work up close before the individual elements are reintegrated with the rest of the doorframe and put on permanent display in a hermetically sealed room in the museum of the Florence Cathedral (Museo dell’Opera del Duomo), never to travel again." And according to our guide---"the panels will be placed on the doors and the back will never be revealed again." So, if you are in the Chicago area in the next couple of months I would HIGHLY suggest going and seeing these pieces of art! I have to say I stood in awe as my eyes glazed over and drank in the beauty if the figures, the details, the story, etc. found on the panels. I can't even imagine having the talent, nor the skills to be able to create such beauty!
It was even more enjoyable to attend with Ilene and dad. Dad helped us understand the chemical elements and aspects that were involved in creating the panels and Ilene with her knowledge of art history added to the whole afternoon!
I am so grateful to my parents for providing such an opportunity, my dad for taking us and my mother for taking care of Ilene's children so that we could both go an enjoy the experience!
Ravinia: A Night in Vienna: The CSO and tenor Nikolai Schukoff.
After Ilene was able to arm the babysitter with everything she possibly could need and more (Ilene is such a great mom!), we left to go to Ravinia. We first stopped at Panera Bread for dinner and enjoyed soups and sandwiches. After which, we bused over to Ravinia and staked out a great spot fairly close to the pavilion and listened to an amazing concert. I thoroughly enjoyed the concert but have to say that it was background music to the book I was reading. Ilene had purchased a book called "Austenland," by Shannon Hale and I was hooked. I read it to the music and couldn't have asked for a better evening!---well maybe if there was a man there to give me a back rub as I read....but that is a whole different posting! We then returned home. What a perfect day! Some days are just like that!
love walked in
"love walked in," by Marisa De Los Santos is a FABULOUS book. I cannot recommend it to anyone due to the language content (way to many "f" words and the Lord's name in vain) and a few sexual stuff but if anyone wants to borrow my "edited" version (that means Winnie using a black ball point pen and crossing out those words that are offensive) you are more than welcome. I passed this book on to Ilene to read, because I loved it so much---the ending is SO GREAT!!!----and she even thought it was GREAT (unfortunately, she also felt the same about the few things that were off colored!!).
So, once again....you have been for warned....but DANG IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!!
So, once again....you have been for warned....but DANG IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!!
Books, Books and more Books
Another day in Chicago, another book read....
I am not sure what has possessed me lately, I have always enjoyed reading a really good book, but lately I cannot seem to put a book down! I have read over 16 books in the last 3 months. I am out of control!
In Provo, while I was staying at Paul's home, I was a member of the Ward Classical Book Club. We read many of the old classics. I was excited to have the chance (and the peer pressure) to read them. In high school my English teachers often focused in on very contemporary pieces or very depressing books (like Farewell to Arms, etc.) and I never had the opportunity to read the "regular" classics that most have encountered growing up. I enjoyed this chance and was pleased to find myself really loving many of the books (there were some very boring ones in there however ;-).
During this time a friend of mine, Heather, suggested reading a book called, "These is My Words," by Turner. I read the book and absolutely fell in love with it! I found myself relating all too well to Sarah and loving the way she expressed herself so honestly. The love story was also a plus! I immediately bought the sequel and read it (it was very good but I have to say the former was my favorite!).
After "These is My Words" series I picked up "The Secret of Bees." It was not an ABSOLUTE favorite but it was very good, well written and quite insightful!
My sister-in-law Nicole recommended "The Memory Keepers Daughter." It was a very unusual book. It gripped me and I found myself finishing the book in one evening. It definitely is a serious, depressing book that makes you think about the consequences of choices and lies. It was a good book and I would not hesitate to suggest to someone to read it.... just be prepared to walk away sober by the contents!
Heather again suggested I pick up "Twilight." She told me it would not win any literary awards but that it definitely was an amazing love story. I believe it was after the 2nd time of encouragement.... mixed with the fact that I really liked "These is My Word" that she suggested, that I decided to purchase the book. Well, you can read about "Twilight" on my other posting. I have loved that series and am dying for number 3 to come out!
"Digital Fortress," by Dan Brown came next! Wow, was that a suspenseful book! Unfortunately the book has quite a few swear words.....but if you are into gripping "Bourne Identity" type books you will love this book! A bit of sexual content as well (I am extremely sensitive to those things so hesitate to pass on this book to anyone who feels as I do).
Of course, by the suggestion of Ilene---although, I came to find out later that I bought the wrong book, I found "Mr. Darcy's Diary," by Amanda Grange. This was an easy read that followed Pride and Prejudice perfectly through the eyes of Mr. Darcy. I thought it was fabulous, but I find all things relating to Pride and Prejudice fabulous!! I would suggest this read to anyone who likes Pride and Prejudice!!!
At this point I think I finally took a few days off...well that wouldn't be honest...I just ended up rereading, These is My Words, parts of Twilight and New Moon and a personal help book. Sometimes one just has to stop and reread those books that they have come to love!
More postings of some of my favorite books I have read over the last few months to follow......
I am not sure what has possessed me lately, I have always enjoyed reading a really good book, but lately I cannot seem to put a book down! I have read over 16 books in the last 3 months. I am out of control!
In Provo, while I was staying at Paul's home, I was a member of the Ward Classical Book Club. We read many of the old classics. I was excited to have the chance (and the peer pressure) to read them. In high school my English teachers often focused in on very contemporary pieces or very depressing books (like Farewell to Arms, etc.) and I never had the opportunity to read the "regular" classics that most have encountered growing up. I enjoyed this chance and was pleased to find myself really loving many of the books (there were some very boring ones in there however ;-).
During this time a friend of mine, Heather, suggested reading a book called, "These is My Words," by Turner. I read the book and absolutely fell in love with it! I found myself relating all too well to Sarah and loving the way she expressed herself so honestly. The love story was also a plus! I immediately bought the sequel and read it (it was very good but I have to say the former was my favorite!).
After "These is My Words" series I picked up "The Secret of Bees." It was not an ABSOLUTE favorite but it was very good, well written and quite insightful!
My sister-in-law Nicole recommended "The Memory Keepers Daughter." It was a very unusual book. It gripped me and I found myself finishing the book in one evening. It definitely is a serious, depressing book that makes you think about the consequences of choices and lies. It was a good book and I would not hesitate to suggest to someone to read it.... just be prepared to walk away sober by the contents!
Heather again suggested I pick up "Twilight." She told me it would not win any literary awards but that it definitely was an amazing love story. I believe it was after the 2nd time of encouragement.... mixed with the fact that I really liked "These is My Word" that she suggested, that I decided to purchase the book. Well, you can read about "Twilight" on my other posting. I have loved that series and am dying for number 3 to come out!
"Digital Fortress," by Dan Brown came next! Wow, was that a suspenseful book! Unfortunately the book has quite a few swear words.....but if you are into gripping "Bourne Identity" type books you will love this book! A bit of sexual content as well (I am extremely sensitive to those things so hesitate to pass on this book to anyone who feels as I do).
Of course, by the suggestion of Ilene---although, I came to find out later that I bought the wrong book, I found "Mr. Darcy's Diary," by Amanda Grange. This was an easy read that followed Pride and Prejudice perfectly through the eyes of Mr. Darcy. I thought it was fabulous, but I find all things relating to Pride and Prejudice fabulous!! I would suggest this read to anyone who likes Pride and Prejudice!!!
At this point I think I finally took a few days off...well that wouldn't be honest...I just ended up rereading, These is My Words, parts of Twilight and New Moon and a personal help book. Sometimes one just has to stop and reread those books that they have come to love!
More postings of some of my favorite books I have read over the last few months to follow......
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Twilight and New Moon
Twilight and New Moon are written by Stephenie Meyer who is a graduate of BYU. She is a stay at home mom of three and lives in Arizona with her husband and kids. She is a sap like most of us women (which I really like about her).
Twilight is Stephenie Meyer's very first book (A New York Bestseller, A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, An Amazon "Best Book of the Decade," An American Library Association Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults) and New Moon is its sequel (A #1 New York Times Bestseller). The third book is coming out on my birthday (Aug. 7th)...and I cannot wait. To be honest I do not know where I have been on these books. Twilight came out in 2005 and the rights to make it a movie were immediately bought. When I asked others if they had read Twilight..... 9 times out of 10 they said yes, that they lOVED it and are dying for the 3rd to be out. I would suggest reading it before seeing the movie.....because it is such a fun read!!!!
I would suggest these books to anyone. At first I was a little shy about doing so........I mean it is a "young adult" book and has an amazing sappy love story throughout.....but I've decided to suggest it anyway.......after handing it over to my 50 year-old co-worker, my mother, my sister, my sister-in-laws, girlfriends, as well as seeing a 14 year old boy and my older male doctor all pick Twilight up and read it within one day then immediately buying (or borrowing) the sequel I thought I would pass on this review about the "new Harry Potter" young adult book. It is considered young adult because there isn't any sex or "F" bombs. IT is a gripping, fun, exciting, suspenseful, wonderful adventure....or course with an amazing love story throughout the entire book :-) (a plus for me)...it is full of twist and turns you will never suspect. As a matter of fact, my mother spent yesterday reading the whole thing and then came up at 10:30 to get the sequel. It is definitely a quick easy fun read that will grip you tell the end...due to all the twists and turns. So, if you thought North and South was a great love story.....move over......here comes Edward and Bella!!! But don’t blame me if you find yourself reading the day away……..as it has for many others (including myself!).
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sucker--
It is said that "there's a sucker born every minute" and I happened to be one of them. June was the month of being “suckered!” The story starts when I naively went to the Distribution Center and found myself getting "talked" into buying 30 movies by the sweet little old lady at the behind the counter. Seriously, this is exactly what happened:
I went to the checkout counter to purchase some new unmentionables and she asks if I need to renew my Ensign subscription. Of course, I needed to since it ended in May.....so I quickly thanked her for the suggestion and filled out the renewal. Then, as she rang me up, she shows me the movie ---The New Testament (I think that is the title--ok that is scary since I own 30 of them now). It is the movie that was at the Legacy Theater about the Book of Mormon---fabulous film. Anyway, I decided I would buy a few for my siblings for Christmas (4.50 a piece)...this is where the sweet talking little old woman comes in…..I hand her 5 movies, she then proceeds to explain if I buy 30 in a box I get the movies for 1.50. She explains that I can give them to members of my family for Christmas, I could give them out as gifts instead of Christmas card and be a missionary, I could hand them out to the people I teach at Church. Wow, she was so convincing...a serious sales lady. She even did the math in front of me, indicating for the price of 5 videos at normal 4.50 price I can actually have 15. I quickly called my mother to see if she had the movie....no, and thought it was a great idea to get them for my siblings for Christmas. The only problem was (and is) I don't have 30 siblings!!! Unfortunately, I was a SUCKER for a deal and the sweet kind old lady won out. I now own 30 movies and am in the selling market ---I still don't have 30 siblings and I can't afford not to sell the rest....and need to get back some of the 45 dollars + tax it cost me to purchase them----UGH! WHAT A SUCKER I AM!!
So, if any of you would like to buy the movie (or know anyone who would like to buy it) for 1.50---I have plenty! it is a great movie and it will save you 3 dollars---and me 25 movies in my video library ;-)
Suckered in by the sweet little old lady at the Distribution Center......man I thought I would never be in a predicament like I am now.........in the video selling market!! :-(
I went to the checkout counter to purchase some new unmentionables and she asks if I need to renew my Ensign subscription. Of course, I needed to since it ended in May.....so I quickly thanked her for the suggestion and filled out the renewal. Then, as she rang me up, she shows me the movie ---The New Testament (I think that is the title--ok that is scary since I own 30 of them now). It is the movie that was at the Legacy Theater about the Book of Mormon---fabulous film. Anyway, I decided I would buy a few for my siblings for Christmas (4.50 a piece)...this is where the sweet talking little old woman comes in…..I hand her 5 movies, she then proceeds to explain if I buy 30 in a box I get the movies for 1.50. She explains that I can give them to members of my family for Christmas, I could give them out as gifts instead of Christmas card and be a missionary, I could hand them out to the people I teach at Church. Wow, she was so convincing...a serious sales lady. She even did the math in front of me, indicating for the price of 5 videos at normal 4.50 price I can actually have 15. I quickly called my mother to see if she had the movie....no, and thought it was a great idea to get them for my siblings for Christmas. The only problem was (and is) I don't have 30 siblings!!! Unfortunately, I was a SUCKER for a deal and the sweet kind old lady won out. I now own 30 movies and am in the selling market ---I still don't have 30 siblings and I can't afford not to sell the rest....and need to get back some of the 45 dollars + tax it cost me to purchase them----UGH! WHAT A SUCKER I AM!!
So, if any of you would like to buy the movie (or know anyone who would like to buy it) for 1.50---I have plenty! it is a great movie and it will save you 3 dollars---and me 25 movies in my video library ;-)
Suckered in by the sweet little old lady at the Distribution Center......man I thought I would never be in a predicament like I am now.........in the video selling market!! :-(
Why Blog?
I have given in (despite my own personal reservations) and have finally created a new blog page. "Why?" Really, I think there are two main reasons why I started this blog page... First, I decided that maybe I might become better at blogging than I am with writing in my journal (which I think has about 30 entries covering the last 14 years of my life.... pathetic I know!!). Secondly, I think if I don't put down on paper some of the most bazaar, fun, happy, exhilarating, sad, frightening, crazy experiences I have on a daily basis (or have had) I may never document them and that would be a tragedy indeed---for me, that is.
DISCLAIMER:
My blog title indicates unleashed and uncensored...so you read at your own risk! :-) I make no apologies for misspellings, typos, emotionally charged thoughts, swear words(when quoting myself or others), opinionated (most likely completely off the mark) boring views and ideas I will post on this site....I do not claim to be a sage, nor do I feel my opinions should be shared by anyone else; I am just me...I will be "writing" my thoughts, ideas and experiences down without worrying about “how” I write them or to whom may end up reading them....thus it will be Winnie “unleashed” and “uncensored.”
DISCLAIMER:
My blog title indicates unleashed and uncensored...so you read at your own risk! :-) I make no apologies for misspellings, typos, emotionally charged thoughts, swear words(when quoting myself or others), opinionated (most likely completely off the mark) boring views and ideas I will post on this site....I do not claim to be a sage, nor do I feel my opinions should be shared by anyone else; I am just me...I will be "writing" my thoughts, ideas and experiences down without worrying about “how” I write them or to whom may end up reading them....thus it will be Winnie “unleashed” and “uncensored.”
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