Friday, Friday!

Some of the pictures of Josh

that Ben and Linda sent recently

Isn't he cute?

I love seeing pictures of the grandkids!!

I am feeling better than I have been. Don't know what's been going on, but if I go back to sleep for a while, after waking up really early, then that helps. Would that we could all take naps!

Thank you for your comments on my last post! I enjoy them so much. The picture of the lady with the long hair is real, I believe, because I have other shots of her and of a few others with super-long hair. You can google 'longest hair' and see images of them. To me, super-long hair is fascinating. I'm a very visual person, I think, and I just love seeing images of fairies, animals, beautiful eyes, long hair, and so on. Don't be surprised if you get to see more pictures that don't have anything to do with my posts!

It's been fairly cold, but not bad outside. The snow is partly gone and green grass is still showing through. It's supposed to be clear weather for Christmas.

I want to go see Avatar at the theater, and since I get in free, we can go to a matinee pretty cheaply. :) It looks stunning, so I can just imagine how it would be in 3-D.

Whatever your plans for this weekend, I wish you joy in the season!

xoxoxo

Middle of December and All is Well

(This is just a picture I found,

but isn't this lady's hair long?!)

Actually I haven't been feeling so hot, but I can't really complain. I don't have to go to work feeling sick or anything, or take care of a baby. Just Jasmine, at the moment. She is parked on my lap, but she's being good and not clawing her way up my shoulder as she usually does.

Just thought I'd let you know we're still here, and things are fine. Mark cleaned and decorated last Saturday. Wasn't that nice? He did a good job, too! I'll have to take pictures to record it for postererity.

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season, and that you aren't too busy to enjoy it with your families. We went driving around Sunday night, looking at Christmas lights. We don't know the really good places to look here yet, but we saw some nice ones. We love the ones with mangers, and we love LED lights, with the beautiful blues and purples glowing in the snow. Some places had big globe lights that changed colors, and others had silvery, lighted deer that were magical. So fun! Our street has a few lights up, so we don't feel like the Scrooges of the neighborhood with our few. You can see the top of our tiny tabletop tree from the front, and it looks like a big tree. Heeheehee. Our big tree is in the family room, and it has all red lights this year (the others didn't work, so it's lucky the red ones did!). It's very beautiful at night. Take care, and thanks for reading! xoxoxo

Finally, Some Pictures!

Here are the various pictures we got at Thanksgiving

Not in any particular order...

And, finally, one of the many horses that live on all sides of our place

He's cuter than he looks in this picture

So, I hope you enjoyed these pictures!

xoxoxo

The Quiet Life

I need Mark to download our camera (I can't reach where you plug it in) so I can post some pictures! But, I'll do another post anyway, even if it's un-illustrated. Just so you know... We're still doing great. Having fun around the farm. Tonight is our ward Christmas party, and it has a Polar Express theme. I'm so excited! You can even wear jammies if you want to! It's been so nice and sunny lately. Being inside, I don't feel the cold. Just the warm sun. And Mark put styrofoam in our old, drafty bedroom windows and it's so much snugger in here now. Our French doors must be double-paned, because they aren't drafty and we get lots of light and sun through them. Yay! Leto's sad because in this sunny, cold weather he wants to be outdoors, but he can't be loose all the time. So he's inside right now and very sad. I'll see if he'll stay in back for a bit, so he can feel special. :) That's really all the news, which is a wonderful thing. I used to yearn for a quiet life, and now I've pretty much got one. Yay for that, too! I'll take it, for as long as I can get it! xoxoxo

The Silence of the Turkeys

I'm so happy, and I don't know why! Of course, I am grateful for the Gospel, Mark, our home, his almost-job, our family and friends, and living in America. We're blessed as a people, and I'm quite aware of that. But now, just because of a sameness to our days that gives me a chance to relax and make goals and progress a little at a time. I think this is the longest that Mark and I have ever gone without feeling like things were up in the air (although we did have a little bump in the road a while back!). Also, I've been eating yams or sweet potatoes (Mark doesn't remember which) since Thanksgiving, and they're helping me be stronger and happier. Did you know they're the most nutrition-dense food in the whole produce department? Yay for nutrition! Today we all went to church. Another kid in Primary was disgusted and fascinated about my abruptly ending legs, but he got over it, as I just acted normal and we participated in Primary. His name is Alex, and when they talked about our Earthly home, he said, "I'm not an Earthling!" He was very adamant about that, even when we tried to help him understand. He became very friendly towards me by the end of Sharing Time. I think it was the super brake handles on my wheelchair. We had a great Thanksgiving week. Ben, Linda, Josh, Haley, Dallin, Hunter, and Danny, Melinda, Alex, Tristan, and Alaina came for an early afternoon, traditional feast. Then we put on the Polar Express, after trying some other movies, and Alaina and Tristan watched it with me, while everyone else was in the living room visiting. Alaina is such a cuddlebug! Tristan was having a hard time with worrying about everything imaginable, so we teased him briefly, asking him about fixing the economy, etc. Sadly, Justin couldn't make it up this time. So to Justin, Phillip, and Megan, Brooks, Aiden, Audrey, and Anya, I say, "Happy Thanksgiving!" And now, to the rest of the holiday season! We're trying to make little gifts for people, and we know that everyone is trying to save money, and it's actually more enjoyable this way. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend. We love you!!

Cute Kittens

The following is sort of a collage of some of the cute kittens out there on the Internet

(I also posted previously today, if you missed it)

Happy Pre-Thanksgiving Monday!

Just a little fatter than Tut

Sheesh, it's so late in the year already! Can you believe it? Mark is excited for Thanksgiving this week. He always enjoys cooking and baking for others, as you know, and we all gain from his talents. ;) Although I'm trying not to; I really want to just eat what I would on my own, and in the serving size that I'd eat on my own. That would help! Last week we went to see New Moon with Seth. We enjoyed it, although it lacked the music and the intensity and romance of the first movie. Also, I didn't like the new vampire contacts. Robt. Pattinson's makeup was not flattering! Also, his physique left much to be desired - and I don't even like muscle-y types! The Volturi encounter was also a letdown. What I did like was Jacob's hair being better, the story, Bella's dad, the huge wolves, and just seeing more of my favorite characters. Going with a crowd and hearing their laughs and sighs and screams was the best part of all. Especially Mark and Seth's moans of enjoyment! Ha! I got to substitute-teach in Relief Society yesterday, and it was on one of my favorite talks of all time: Elder Holland's talk, "Safety for the Soul." Unapologetic and very clear about the truth of the Book of Mormon, it provided a chance for us all to think about how we can be deceived in these times and how to avoid it, and to ask ourselves how we are testifying of the Book of Mormon. How do we want to do that, unequivocably and without fear? I could more easily talk before a crowd of strangers than share my testimony with individuals that I know. For that reason, I need to do the latter more often. I need to extend myself to others more, in friendly and helping ways. And we need to have more Family Home Evenings! It's just continuing to push the envelope a bit, not going overboard and then sputtering out, like an untrimmed wick. Never let it be said that my wick was not trimmed! Seth was home yesterday - he called in sick to work. He's had a cold for a while now, and he'd been working extra for someone else, and it caught up with him. I think it's the first time he's stayed home sick from work. Mark made us some beef tenderloin (which was too hard for me to chew - but that's just me, not the food) and cheesey potatoes, and then he baked some sugar cookies and we watched some old Farrah Fawcett movies. One was simply awful, and the second wasn't bad - it was verrry old, and therefore pretty funny. Called "Murder on Flight 502." Now Mark's gone to work and it's still snowy outside, from yesterday, and that's about all there is to tell you, except that Tut and Jasmine were really wrestling around yesterday. Tut throws his weight around, but Jasmine is more passionate, so they're pretty evenly matched. I felt sorry for little Jasmine. The night before, Mark brought her into our room and held her on his shoulder, which was something I've never witnessed before. It turned out, she'd killed a spider and Mark was grateful to her. Do you think if I would kill spiders he'd hold me on his shoulder? Instead, I hold spiders (or I've been know to) and kill Mark's shoulder! I write more when I think of something, okay? xoxoxo

Laying Hold

I think I've blogged before about laying hold of good things and how important it is. I just want to emphasize that. Fill your life with good, uplifting music, associations, and interests, and always have a variety of positive things and thoughts and activities in your life.

That doesn't mean you have to be a busy bee or on the run all the time. It just means that if you fill your life with positive things and moments and thoughts, you won't have room for negative ones. You can train your mind to think of other things and in other ways, when negative thoughts occur. Have something in mind already, to think about at those times. Maybe think about what you wanted for Christmas when you were little. Even used repeatedly, this type of mind direction, simple as it is, can heal your mind's automatic direction into worry, anxiety, and discouragement.

Yes, the scriptures can seem negative in their warnings, but some people should only think about every positive aspect of the scriptures and not dwell on the spewings out of the mouth parts. A great counselor with LDS Social Services taught me that, and I believe it's true. Some people need to fear before they'll even consider being obedient, and those scriptures are for them. Others, as the Book of Mormon says, don't need to be humbled to want to obey.

You readers of my blog, the ones that I'm aware of, probably should concentrate on the joyful aspects of Heavenly Father's plan; if God meant to be punitive or harsh, He wouldn't have given us the Atonement, which is offered freely to all, for unlimited use. I love that!

Basically, what is required is holding to the iron rod in our daily lives, clinging to the word of God, and praying to and counseling with Him. Go to Him humbly and simply, each day. That is what is needed, and it is so easy. Please continue to do that.

I think of our forebearers, and how they had testimonies of this Gospel, and how many sacrifices they made for the Gospel. They are on the other side of the veil now - at least, most of them are - and they want their descendants to stay true to the legacy of the truth which was handed down. Their earthly lives must seem like a whisper to them now, compared to their lives in their real home. And the earthly concerns that they experienced at one time probably seem very insignificant.

If they could send us a message, I think part of what they'd want us to know is to enjoy our blessings, be a positive example, and to see each other as we really are. We would have so much fun if we'd do those things, and let everything else go, as much as possible.

When things happen that make us sad or frightened or frustrated, don't dwell on it, except as necessary. Pray, and then let Heavenly Father work His plan in your life and the lives of your loved ones.

I'm saying this to myself as much as anybody. It helps me so much when I catch myself trying to take over for Heavenly Father. He doesn't need me to manage the world! He just needs me to be grateful and loving and to keep in touch with Him!

I hope this little reminder will help you, too. :)

Love and Hugs!

xoxoxo

Getting Cozy

We are watching Spirited Away right now, and it's warm in our room. Mark is drinking something warm, and I just drank some hot chocolate he made for me. Seth is home from work, and it's snowy and cold outdoors. I like the way the bathhouse in Spirited Away seems warm, with hot water and plenty of food. It makes me feel cozy inside. I used to be afraid of winter, afraid of being cold. Now I enjoy it, because I look forward to being by a warm fire, baking, eating soup, and the holidays, even if the holidays are still a bit scary (but only if I forget that I can give homemade gifts; then that feels cozy, too :). I'm lucky, because I rarely have to go outdoors when it's cold. We keep our house pretty cold, but I can warm up in one way or another, either a room heater, a hot bath, or a fireplace. We went to see 2012 last night, and we really enjoyed it. The special effects are amazing. You do have to suspend disbelief occasionally, but it didn't have language or anything in it, and it was exciting throughout, with a good feeling to it and a sense of humor. That's generally what critics hate, so I always consider that when reading movie reviews. Often our favorite shows aren't reviewed very well. So, how are you staying cozy when the weather's cold or miserable outside? What are some of your favorite things to do this time of year? Blessings! xoxoxo

Comment on Tara's Video Link Below

( photo credit: Melinda)

I just want to have this video on my blog, too, so everyone I know might view it some day.

I think it's wonderful how childlike all the people around the world are when they're being silly and dancing and having fun.

That must be how Heavenly Father sees us.

Seeing this, I want to include everyone when I think about "us" and "we,"

And never, ever again feel like there's an anonymous "them" out there.

We are still children in God's eyes, and His eyes see things as they really are.

I know that Satan and his work is real, and that we have to be realistic and aware,

But from now on, I just want to remember that we are all dancers, too!

Copying Tara's Link

http://

Early November

Grandpa with Ben and Linda's Joshua - 3.5 months old and 13 pounds

Joshua, in Mommy Linda's arms

Joshua, on my lap

Doesn't he look rather shocked?

Tut, satisfied after he does the below... Yuck! Sleeping off the toilet water? On our pillow! :/

Sorry I haven't had many exciting things to report on. I do have one funny thing from Primary yesterday: the kids were asked to think of one thing they were thankful for. I murmured, "My husband," so the little boy next to me copied and said out loud, "My husband!"

Haha!

So, hope you enjoyed the pictures above.

And keep blogging!

xoxoxo

More on the Women in My Family

In response to Megan's questions on my last post, I'll write another one! Mostly, I want to know about the things you have seen the women in your family do. For Megan, I might add that you've seen Grandma Buis loving her family, including the in-laws, and making some things for you girls, serving in the church, always offering food to us, and reading, writing letters, and watching animal shows on television. And your Grandma Cripe did lots of beadwork and baked cookies, at the least! (Harder for me to remember her. I know she kept busy!) Both grandmas loved old houses, and so do I and I know you do, too. My mom would've loved your old house! As for your aunts, well, that defies explanation! I will mention Sandy's cooking and crazy-cool haunted houses, even if you've only heard about the latter ones. :) With Grandma Jeanie, you would've seen a very gracious lady that's devoted to her family and the Gospel, and who makes her surroundings and herself very beautiful. And, with me, I might add that you've seen me do some clay sculpture and painting, crafts and jewelry making; also, you still remember me being a runner and exercising, growing roses, selling cosmetics, loving the outdoors, going to college, and opening our home to others. (I won't mention the cluttered papers and too much used furniture in the garage, having too many toys, not to mention too many pets!) It's easy to think of things I have done or not done! It's amazing that you love to sew, since you didn't witness it growing up. Thanks to MamaJo for filling in some gaps! Of the things you've seen, tell me what you will continue with yourself, okay? (After you tell us what you've seen the women in your family do.) I think it would be great to journal/blog about this, and then make a family collection/history of the women, then do the same for the men. That would give a clearer shape to a narrative. As for the quilts, I didn't think the quilt we sold was made by a family member, or I wouldn't have sold it. But, even so, I still sooooooooo regret selling it!! The red and white one was made by your great-great grandmother on my mom's side, probably her mom's mother, who was Malinda, but I'll have to make sure what her last name was - or you can look it up on Family Search. Thank you for the questions and responses! I look forward to receiving more, from all of my readers!

On Learning: The Women in My Family

Right now Sheri Howard is having a giveaway here, of some scraps from making her book quilt, and an autographed copy of her book, Ruby Dots. Sheri dedicates her book to her mother, who was always sewing clothes for Sheri and her sister. The comments on her post run the gamut, from no sewing taught, to the many who credit their mothers with inspiring them to sew. As I reflected on those comments and considered what I have seen the women in my family doing, I thought about how skills are learned almost by osmosis, if you see your grandmother, mother, or aunts doing them. My mother didn't sew with a machine at all. My dad even bought her a new sewing machine when I was 12, but she never used it. I used it to sew my cheerleading outfit, with incredible frustration, I might add! And I made an a-line paisley skirt for home ec. That was it. But in later years, my mother hand-sewed. She made little aprons for Megan and Melinda, and little tied quilts for my first four children (the other kids were born after she died). And I like to hand sew. I think this translates into my love of beadwork and painstaking art and craft projects. It feels so traditional and comforting to make things carefully and slowly by hand. It's like reading a favorite book slowly, or writing letters by hand, or sketching outdoors: I feel connected to the past, and to my female ancestors. I don't think I ever saw my grandmothers do any sewing, although my father's mother, Grandma Buis, was forever surrounded by balls of material she was winding for rag quilts. (How I wish I had some of that material now!) I remember her entire attic was filled with multi-colored balls of material. Most of them seemed to be dark-colored with small patterns. I imagine they were made from old clothing, so that may have been the colors she wore. I wish I could go back in time and see her wearing her dresses, see her house and what she did. The same goes for my mother's mother, Grandma Wakefield (later, Gray). I don't know why, but I've always felt a strong pull towards the elderly, wanting to ask them questions about long ago. I asked my Grandma Wakefield lots of questions, and we got some of her responses on tape. :) Nowadays, you can scan old photos and zoom in on their clothes, hair, jewelry, and the backgrounds. That's the best part of the picture! (I notice that there wasn't much grass in the yards, and what grass there was wasn't mowed very often. Reel mowers cut the grass differently than lawn mowers do today. The grass looked more natural and unshorn when you were done. But they could be heavy to push! At least to a little girl of four, which was the age I tried mowing our grass with one. I think I held out for two or three pushes.) Anyway, sometimes I wonder if I'm wrong to edit the backgrounds out of our photos (unless it's a background I like). Maybe I'm cheating our descendents out of a peek into our lives! So, although I don't have a heritage of sewing in my background, I did see gardening, canning, baking, cooking, doing church work, telling stories, loving books, storing keepsakes, writing letters, being frugal, and serving others. And I saw a lot of love... I wonder what female traditions you have observed in your families. Would you write about them? Include your aunts and older sisters, if you have them. Thanks! xoxoxo

Today in Primary

I sat with the Sunbeams this week, along with their teacher and another adult. They are a very wiggly bunch! A little boy eyed me suspiciously. "What happened to your legs?" This was in a stage whisper. I whispered back, "The doctor removed them for me, because they didn't get enough blood." I always add the caution that it won't happen to them, when children ask. "Why did your dog harm your legs?" I tried to answer him, but I never did get him to understand, in our little game of telephone. Who knows what idea he ended up with, but he soon thought of something else to ask me. "Why do you only have one tooth?" "I have other teeth. That's just the one that shows up." He didn't look quite satisfied, but then a little fellow Sunbeam named Aubrey started yelling at him about not having a turn (throwing the candy corn beanbag into the pumpkin during their activity), and she was very indignant about it. The little boy didn't have anything at all to do with picking the tossers, but I could tell she was just getting started with him. Al Pacino in curls. So, I had her sit next to me... Aubrey sat quietly for a few seconds. Then I heard a very loud stage whisper. "Something stinks in here." I didn't smell anything, so I tried to ignore her. "You have stinky breath." This said very loudly, with fingers up her nostrils. I got a piece of gum out of my purse and plugged her nose with it. No. That's a lie. I chewed the gum. Next, "Why do you have a bird ring?" I tried to look attentive. "Oh, it's a flower ring." This inspection and dissection of my being continued until the senior sharing time. This time, I sat behind the classes... Sweet Alexandria pulled a chair out of line and placed it at my side. Next thing I knew, I heard her whisper, "What is that white thing on the end of your leg?" At least she whispered quietly. "My sock," I replied. She reached down and pulled on my skirt, arranging it to cover my socks. A little while later..."What happened to you?" She was looking at my temple. "I don't know," I said. I wasn't sure what she was referring to. "I must have bumped my head." She seemed satisfied. Then she arranged my hair to cover my temple. That apparently wasn't adequate to the job, so she stood up, got behind my wheelchair, and arranged my hair to her liking. We ran out of time before she could fix my makeup and file my nails. Next Sunday I'm bringing a marker, so they can design a jack-o'-lantern on my head. :)

Parenting Vacation!

Seth is probably going to Justin's next week for a visit, and I, for one, am ready for a vacation from parenting! Although a kid in the house is cheering, for some reason he doesn't want to watch shows like Meet Me in St. Louis or Little Women with me. Neither does he want to blog together, decorate, or watch ANTM. He doesn't do craft projects. He doesn't swoon over Edward or even Bella! Not interested in garage sales, shabby chic furniture, or Craig's List. He doesn't even want to visit our library, which is only a few blocks away.

He does like to fish, but, alas, no fishing holes within walking distance, at least not pushing a wheelchair.

I've watched some Cold Steel videos with him, watched weapons demonstrations on youtube, seen his self-defense techniques, and tried out picking locks and holding fire balls in my hand. I've observed as he lifts weights and works out, and I've felt his giant biceps. I've seen him beat the bosses on numerous video games, and I even tried learning to use the X-Box (it made me seasick, but I did learn to play Halo for pc on the Legendary setting).

All fascinating!

However...I'm still really ready for my parenting vacation (please, oh please, oh please!). :)

Our Weekend

Hi! I've been enjoying your posts immensely, and want to thank all of you for when you do post! I'm up still, in the middle of the night, because my tank is out of oxygen (for some reason they didn't come or call, and I forgot to call them myself, to see where my refill was), so I really don't get any rest when I sleep. I'll try it in a little while, though. In the meantime, I thought I'd update you on what we've been doing. First, I got called as a Primary Assistant a couple of weeks ago, and it's so fun! I get to go to Primary and attend their mtgs., too. And they have me make little things for them and assist here and there. Right up my alley! The Primary presidency and the others are so fun to work with! It makes me feel like a part of the ward. :) Secondly, we went and saw Miyasaki's movie, "Ponyo," at the cheap movie theater. I loved it! If you're a Miyasaki fan, you will, too. Here's my little Sunday confession: I take Lifesavers or something to church with me and we sneak-eat them during church. It makes me feel secure to have my own little stash! And then I save any wrapped candy they give us in our classes (you can really get a good haul in Primary!), and eat it later, at home. Hehehe. Aren't I wicked? I just take fast-acting insulin for sweet things. You estimate the carbs and it's fine, even for diabetics. What a change from the old days! Then, today after church Mark was cooking and also working in the office/Phillip's bedroom, and I was out on the couch reading "The Hunger Games," and I finished it! I can't wait to read the next one! It was so nice to sit in the family room, with the sun warming the leather on the couch. I love that you can see the sun until it sets from there. Sigh...I am just a sun and fire lover! It was so peaceful and pleasant. Mark came in there with me after a while, and we just relaxed. Ahhh. And tonight Mark made me a cup of hot chocolate. That was so relaxing too. I love this time of year. It was beautiful outside today. As far as I'm concerned, it can just stay like this all year! So, that's all the news from here right now. I hope your day was as good as mine! I love you!

Polyvore

I'm so glad to see Megan posting again, and to hear that Melinda is recovering from the swine flu. I hope that everyone gets through this all right, and that little Alex gets better soon!

The title of my post is referring to a site that is about the best thing since un-sliced bread!

It was so hard to make myself get off of there!

It's so hard to explain, but you can use elements that they provide (from everywhere!)

to make collages

of fashion sets, home interiors (for inspiration boards), exteriors, artwork, photograhy

or anything you can possible imagine

Just go to 'Explore' to see the possibilities!

When I was gathering elements for my own collages

It felt like I was dreaming!

And, for those who want to publish their collages to that site

you can do so

which is great, 'cause then the rest of us get to look at them!

When you look at someone else's collage, you are shown what elements they used

and you can save any elements for your own use, as well

When you save an element, you're also shown related elements

plus you're shown how it's been used in other people's collages.

You can save the ones you like in collections

on the site

Is this making any sense?

You'll just have to go there to see what I'm talking about

But I'm warning you - It's very addictive!

The Way

When I was young, I spent a lot of energy just trying to establish who I was

I wanted to be clean, responsible, good, pretty, intelligent, creative, all of that

I was always a tomboy

Very physical and athletic

My siblings and I used to come home from school field days with a ton of ribbons

Running, high jump, long jump We did them all

I was the fastest kid in 5th and 6th grade, even outrunning the boys

And I could do the most chin ups and sit ups

I loved all of that

As an adult I rode horses, ran long distances, and loved to backpack and hike

I worked hard and I was a good mother

I worked on making my home and my person attractive and positive

I gardened all day in the summers and I helped my husband with his work

I was an active person

And then there came a time when I had to let go of all that

I lost my legs and I wasn't a runner anymore

I became unable to use my dominant arm and I couldn't do my makeup or my hair

I couldn't clean my house

I developed a tremor and numbness and contractures in my hands

My eyesight became blurry My hearing became fuzzy

I had sleep apnea and a lung disorder and phantom limb pain

Diabetes and bypass surgery and osteoporosis and anemia and autonomic neuropathy biochemical depression and dissociation

Healing difficulties and sepsis and gastroparesis and unhealed fractures

I couldn't use prosthetics

I lost my teeth

I literally lost my teeth

And I finally learned that I am what I am each day

Happy or sad or well or sick or inept or diligent

Through my relationship with my Heavenly Father

That is what defines me and takes me from my efforts, whatever they are

To a place of peace and acceptance and joy

And that's the only thing that takes me there

I may be a slow learner, but I'm finding the way

xoxoxo

PS The same day I posted this, Haley posted this

What We Did Last Saturday!

Ten and One

Ten things that make me instantly happy:

1) Being around the grandkids 2) Going fishing or rock hunting 3) Listening to President Ucktdorf 4) Playing tricks or planning surprises 5) Being in the great outdoors 6) Getting mail or seeing new family blog posts 7) Drinking hot cocoa and looking at books 8) Riding on roller coasters 9) Autumn leaves 10) Seeing Mark :) One thing that makes me feel instantly peaceful: 1) Reading the scriptures while listening to peaceful music Sooo...What things make you feel instantly happy and peaceful? I want to hear about yours!! xoxoxo

Nothing Complicated Here...

I'm just postin'. Whatchu doin'? It's mostly cloudy here, with a few rays of sunshine from time to time. I ate some roasted red pepper and tomato soup this a.m. Yummee! It's the kind that comes in a carton. Those are the best soups! They have curry lentil and ginger carrot and all kinds. I love all those spices, right Tamathy? Remember how much fun we had buying curry and things at the store? And eating your curried vegetables? I plan on finishing some things up today, if I can get up the energy. I'm feeling like a party pooper because I'm tired this a.m. No particular reason, though. I thought of doing a mommy confessions post a la Megan, but I can't really think of anything to confess about right now. I'll think of some later, 'kay? So, have a good day! xoxoxo PS I talked to Megan and Melinda made it there okay! They are with Audrey and Anya, looking at some stores in Columbus, before they head back to Parkersburg. I heard Anya squawking in the background, "Bwock, bwock, bwock," because she'd lost her shoe. She sounded just like some kind of bird. It was so cute, and I wish I could hold her! Have fun, you peeps!

What Mark Sees in the Morning...Yikes!

I'm just trying to keep the light from bothering Mark

Unh hunh... Really. It was dark when I got up. Okay... And then Mark took this picture of me - Do I get a phone call?

Additional Pictures from Sheri's

Can you believe how big Marissa and Amy have become?

One of several family rooms

Notice this is the second kitchen?

Crazy!

Adventures in Being Human

Above are some pictures of Tristan eating a Halloween cookie

Plus, the Campbell kitchen and just a few of their Halloween decorations

Btw, I loooove Melinda and Danny's home! It's just right, and the decor is beautiful!

This is Mark's stepsister Sheri and family's home in SLC

Notice that part way off in the distance?

That's still their house!

Below are a few of the pictures taken around their home

They don't even begin to cover it.

See the twin big screen tvs?!

They have these teeny tiny porcelein commodes for their three kids

Isn't it cute?

Their gymnasium

Some girls were having a game practice while the dinner was going on,

and

you wouldn't even know it

They have 3 grand pianos!

One for each kid?

The Usual Suspects

And Grandma Jeanie

Sorry this is so washed out

I was trying to remove the shadows

so you could see all of Scott and Debbie's family

See Grandpa hiding from the camera?

We see you, Grandpa!

And, finally, the sunset view from the house

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Yes, I am. I admit it. I am very human. I even lost my dentures for eternity, apparently. Just can't remember what happened. I skated over any difficulties, though, by telling the whole Relief Society about losing them, when being forgetful came up in a discussion. Did the same at Book Club. At least now people will know why my mouth looks so funny.

It's very freeing.

Meanwhile, I'm praying a lot and focusing on what I can do about my looks, my health, my service to others, and the love and gratitude I show to Heavenly Father.

Just when I think I don't feel as I want to, Heavenly Father helps me out.

He is the source of all blessings.

The best Autumn days fairly burst with happiness. The sky is a fullsome blue, yellowed leaves let go their anchors and sail on unseen waterspouts, and the sun is gracious and open.

Don't you cherish those days? Don't they invite celebration?

I always long for my family.

Speaking of family,

we're planning a family weiner roast/Halloween get-together on the Friday before Halloween (Oct. 30th). Y'all come, and tell yer families!

Yesterday was Phillip's 19th birthday. Happy birthday, Phillip! As you probably know, he's in the military, at Ft. Leonardwood right now. He has some good friends there, and they went into Springfield and looked around, watched a movie, and then went home and played Halo. Sounds fun! Halo is a great game, imho. And you're shooting alien monsters who are killing all the humans, so it's a bit like hunting. It doesn't seem violent per se - although I did try to vaporize Mark with the remote control one time, after playing Halo. :)

I've been working on projects, went to Book Club at Mel's, looked at Sierra crafts Saturday. They had some chipboard holiday decorations that would make a wonderful Christman tableau. I want to make shadow box scenes. I can't get that out of my mind.

Do you ever do that, where you don't buy something and then you can't quit thinking about it?

A week ago Saturday we had conference breakfast with Dallin, Haley, and Hunter. Hunter loved Doc's blueberry muffins! (jk) Then we went fishing! It was sooo much fun, even though we had nary a nibble. Haley tells about it on her blog. I just want to add that Dallin helped us very kindly, and I feel like I got to know him better. Yay for Dallin!

Friday night Mark and Seth drove down to SLC, where Mark's stepsister, Sheri, was giving a dinner for Sid and Jeannie and the family, at their huge home overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. I put some pictures of it up above, along with some shots at Melinda's house on Book Club night. Thanks, Melinda, for letting me hold my book selection night at your house! The decorates were so very pretty! (see pictures for some of them, but they don't do them justice)

Mark and Seth said they enjoyed the trip to Sheri's and that Grandpa gave them a tour of Sheri's house, which even has its own gymnasium, three kitchens, two home theater rooms, a workout room, a rec room, a tennis court. and a bazillion bathrooms. I'm sure Sheri and family must get tired of people exclaiming over their house size, but you can't really stop yourself, it's so over-the-top humongous. Thank you to Sheri and family for hosting Seth and Mark

at that nice dinner and visit!

Saturday evening, after looking at Sierra's, Mark and I went on a date; it seemed so long since we'd gone somewhere by ourselves, and we just relaxed and had fun together.

On Sunday Seth had to work (again!) - he told us last night that he might become the shift manager or another, new position. That's great for him, but he's still going to try to get some Sundays off. I hope he can get work where it's not on Sundays at all!

Mark and I went ahead and attended church. Afterwards I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I didn't know if it was day or night - with dark around 7 pm, it was hard to tell!

And that's it! Now, Mark is off to work and I'm doing this and Seth is still asleep.

Have a good day, and I'll try to, too!

xoxoxo

PS This darned computer, or blogger, the site, messes up my posts so much

It's amazing I ever get anything posted

Every time I add an edit or a picture, it won't let me arrange them

Plus it puts mile-long spaces in my post

Yikes!