Monday, April 30, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook~April 30, 2012

Just for today~Monday April 30, 2012
Our lives pass swiftly by! I want to do something to remember
the everyday moments and my thoughts about them.  
That is what this daybook is all about.
Focusing on the little things that become my life.
One week at a time.

Outside my window...it is going to be a gorgeous day, expecting 77 degrees.  It is already warm enough to have the doors and windows open.  It is just dawn and the earth is beginning to wake up and breathe.  Love this time of the day when most people are still sleeping.  I like just relishing in the first few moments of the day when it totally belongs to you.  I love that.  Taking a few moments to read the scriptures, pray, connect with my spouse, make some plans and set some goals for the day all get the day started off well.  When I fail to do any one of these it just makes the day a little off. 

I am thankful for...all the things we got accomplished last week.  Our mid-sized bathroom off of our family room has been completely remodeled and last night Jim hung the door and put up and the louvers on the closet.  It is all done now but the window covering...still thinking about that one but will be in this week.  I want the two inch white blinds washed and back up...Jim wants something else so we will see.  I am so thankful for all the work he has been doing since he retired.  It is just so nice to have the time to dedicate to the projects.  We have done all we plan to do on the inside for sometime, so now he will be turning his attention to his workshop.  He is pretty excited about that and I am excited to see the fulfillment of his life long dream for a shop where he can work and play.

From the learning room...that I am so thankful for the aging process, not of the body but of the mind and spirit and of relationships.  Things that use to perplex me seem so obvious now and so integrally intertwined with all of life's lessons and perspectives.  I also love how over a life time with another person and shared experiences you become more idyllically one.   The things you learn together make more like-mindedness and more harmony and less discord.  Some of that stress of the blending vanishes and your later years can be so much more relaxing and happy.

I am reading...My journals from 35 years ago.  What a fun activity.  It brings everything back in living color and affirms most of your decisions and highlights your blessings.  Everyone should keep journal, we forget so many important life events without one.  Never think of your life as having nothing interesting to report.  You would be surprised how much others enjoy reading of your experiences.  

Your life's writings are you legacy to those that will miss you and have a desire to hear your voice once more through your written words.  And if there is no one like that in your life, do it for yourself.  It is very therapeutic and rewarding to do.  In our Family History Group we are writing a little story each week and sharing memories from our childhood with each other.  Everyone of them have been fun and enlightening.  It is really neat to learn new things about people and the things that have shaped them.  One thing we have found to be very interesting is that every time we hear a short story from a friend it triggers our own memories.  Those triggers are what we use to choose our next week's assignment.

From the kitchen...I have got to get cracking in there and do some shopping and cooking ahead.  I have got to do some work on our food storage and restock the pantry a bit.  I don't like thinking about food daily so I try to get a plan, do the shopping and then be done with it.  It is that time once again.  Sigh.

 I can pretty much relate to this one.  Haha!  When I saw it on Pinterest I had to pin it for sure. I do love the nurturing aspects of the kitchen just not the details.  The devil (insert horns here) is definitely in the details.

I am missing...Robert who is doing well in Afghanistan, Chris and Missy who are on tour with Chris' University students in Sweden right now, then heading for Denmark, Finland and several other countries visiting manufacturing companies and seeing the sights.   They are going to go to the Ikea manufacturing plant which I think would be very interesting.   They get to do this annually in Europe with their expenses paid, which is such a lovely perk...don't you agree?   Missing all the other family and good friends.  I wish you all lived closer.  There is an awesome house for sale across the street if you are interested. ;-)

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...sometimes I am so amazed by the faith and trust our Father in Heaven places in us when we are called to serve him in various capacities.   By staying close to the spirit we can feel so much more comfortable in carrying out His plans through us.  Yesterday I had to rely on that very heavily while presenting my testimony and thoughts on Strengthening Families to a large group of people.  The weight of that responsibility is both exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.  The best part was having my best friend and husband at my side.  Since it was about Strengthening Families I didn't think anyone would mind if I brought him up with me.  He also shared some spontaneous thoughts guided by the spirit and it felt right.

I am hearing...Santa Lucia by Luciano Pavarotti and thinking of our special friend and a ride he took us on through the streets of Cicagna in Italy. The heart has a continual longing for Italy once it has been exposed.  One of our favorite dinner conversations..."When are we going back and what will we return to when we do?"  Cicagna for sure.

I am wearing...I think I should take this question out of this template..always so boring.  For today...summery night gown for the moment but soon jeans and a pink shirt and sandals, some make-up and a jewel or two.  Poof, as in outta here, for this one starting next week.  Maybe we should just Skype.  Oh heavens...only kidding on that one!

One of my guilty pleasures...I have this old leopard skin lap blanket that is so warm and toasty and I cannot part with it.  I just have to have it when watching movies.  I have never known of a person my age with a special blankie but I confess I do have one.  I did give up sucking my thumb though many decades ago if that makes you feel better.  We have several others but that one is always the one I choose.  Embarrassing but true. 

Pet Peeves...Litterbugs.  Who does that and why?

I am going...to work on my genealogy as soon as I finish this.  Working on a possible surprise for Jim and trying to figure out a problem area on one of his lines.

One of my favorite things...a reverent walk at Muir Woods which we did this week on our day trip.  If you go early before the other mammals arrive it is absolutely a sacred place to be.

I am quoting...I love that I have lots of quotes on Pinterest so I can easily find one.  This week I saw two I liked a lot.  "Expectation is the root of all heartache."  Isn't that the truth?  And the second one... "Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you have spoken but the recipient may treasure them over a life time."

An enjoyable movie we have watched lately...We are taking our time going through the episodes of Downton Abbey for the second time.  I cannot imagine waiting until January 2013, but alas, we must.  We are almost done though and then we are going to watch John Adams which I have seen but Jim has not.

I am curious about...Why Lindsay Lohan would be invited to the White House Correspondents' fancy affair on Saturday night....the guest list was to be powerful political people and Hollywood celebs.  Seriously, Hollywood doesn't even celebrate her.  Then she shows up in a very immodest dress.  Hello?  How about inviting some young adults who contribute something worthwhile to the country?  Time to raise the bar in Washington, D.C.  I don't really follow such things but happened to see it on Yahoo news and was curious...I am ready for a dignified, grown-up President.

If I could change one thing it would be...that Jennifer was not having another surgery in June to repair and complete the surgery she is now recovering from.  Heading back to Utah for some weeks on June 1st to give a helping hand.  Driving this time so that will be nice.  It is hard when we do not have a car there.

Plans for the rest of the week...pay the bills, shop for the kitchen, dust my house again...the dust from the remodel keeps resurfacing.  I am going to recover and relax a little after a very busy week last week,  work tomorrow, meeting on Thursday night, get organized for May and all the birthdays in our family.  Can you say, Black Out Bingo on the calendar...a mini-Christmas time for us.  Adding in a few graduations and Mother's Day always adds that extra little strain on the budget.  I also want to start thinking about planting flowers but then think...we are going to be gone a lot this summer then what about all the potted plants?  It costs more to have someone water then to replace them...so dilemma.

A photo I am sharing this week...from our day trip to Marin county.  This is lovely place is called Muir Woods Overlook. 


This is one of the prettiest places to get a perfect view of the Pacific Ocean.  You drive right up to this very nicely developed, yet rustic little space on the top of the cliffs and they have picnic tables scattered about.  The view is over the moon on a clear day.  I like to sit at one of the tables on the edge of the cliff and just absorb the sun and the sight.  It would be such an inspiring place to write.  When I get a laptop eventually that I like for writing I want to do this.  It would be equal to Yosemite where I was able to spend the day writing a few years ago now.  Jim loves to wander around and explore.  We both love taking photos here.

Well, that is it for this week.  I hope yours is going well.  Your life is your family history.  The pages are blank for you to write upon them.  Make it a fantastic week.  Share your love, serve others, communicate with those that are important to you, be filled with gratitude for a loving Father in Heaven and the privilege of knowing Him. And whatever you are engaged in accomplishing, never give up!





Thursday, April 19, 2012

Jen, 40 Years of Bliss and...Hair.


Could be the cutest picture......ever!  
Brand new Daddy and Daughter.  Jen 3 days old.


Bear Skin Rug 8 weeks

Grandpa Ross and Gramma Jo 
came to help and visit!
Nap time!



Cousin Rebecca and cute bonnets.

Kicking back in the orange rocker with 
her baby beans and hair brush.
 


Only Picture of Jen and her
 Daddy's brother, Uncle Gary


Mamma and Jenny


More hair
 

And some more HAIR!

 

Cuteness


Grandma Gloria and Grampa Fred


She loved this Baby Beans dolly


Jen always has loved Halloween and Pumpkins
 


I made these flat, wooden ornaments 
so she wouldn't break any and get hurt...
we still have some of them to this day.


First Easter just before turning one!



Baptism picture at 8



Engaged!
Petals on your Flower, Jen




Happy Birthday Auntie Jen~You are loved!
In the end is is all about growing  a lot of love, 
a beautiful family  
and cutting a lot of hair
until we get it right!

Have a great birthday, Sweetheart,
 and many many more.
 After 39  it's upward and onward...
it only gets better.
Thank you for making these the 
best years of our lives!

Beautiful Cake, Lowell!


Saturday, April 14, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook~April 14, 2012



Taking a Moment to Contemplate the Journey!

Just For Today...Saturday April 14, 2012
Our lives pass swiftly by!
I want to do something to remember
the everyday moments and my thoughts.
That is what this daybook is all about.
Focusing on the little things that become my life.
One week at a time.


Outside my window...the sun is starting to go down and I see my hubby outside working, always working so hard.  He gets so much done and it is a win/win for everyone.  Especially me (hehe)!


I am thankful for... a beautiful sunny day, albeit kinda cold.  We have had a full week of rain.  Everything is transformed into a confused kind of a spring season, no living thing really
having the vaguest notion what to make of it. Along with the humans, the birds, scrubs, flowers, blossoming trees and the creatures great and small are bewildered.   But it will all balance out into spring hopefully by late April or early May.  
 

From the learning room..that if you want to continue to blog daily or nearly daily you just have to do it.  I have been blogging a lot on my other blogs but not so much this one.  I am not sure why.  I have been writing on my technical blog regarding family history but have recently started a blog about the people in our family, both living and deceased.  I'm just casually writing my memories of them, the way they touched others if they have passed away or how they are living their lives now and contributing to the betterment of the world if they are still here.  When I sit down to write in this blog I think about what would I find interesting about this person if I were a person from the future.  It is kind of fun and relaxing which is what I need after the technical writing.  It is like exercising the left and right sides of my brain.  I cannot just do the left part...the right is a big part of who I am and if I neglect it, I suffer.  And I adore Pinterest and looking at beautiful pictures and getting great ideas on how to live more efficiently...that is my dessert.  It gives the quiet and solitude I need like nothing else I can think of that is of this world.

I am reading...Not books really except for the scriptures.  I read constantly, all day long from the Internet for news and communicating, and Google and various sites but I am restless if I pick up a novel lately.  I go in spurts though.  Once I get on a kick I read a lot of books rather quickly.  I guess I am looking for something that will fascinate me and hold my interest.  If Downton Abbey was a book, I'd read that.


From the kitchen...Soup and bread and fruit for dinner, not very unique here.  Jim and I both prefer light eating in the evenings so that is what we do.  The beauty of being a couple that can decided what we want, when we want it...with no little chicklets to veto it with their likes and dislikes and crazy schedules anymore.  We do miss them but not that part! 


I am missing...My blogging friends.  How are you guys, anyway?  I must hop over and read about your lives...I really miss that and you.  Please forgive me for being absent for these many months now.  I don't love you any less I promise you that.  And I think of you all very often and keep you in my prayers.

I am hearing...The noise of the work day winding down over here and Jim cleaning up and putting his tools away for the next few days.  We are remodeling our bathroom off of our family room and Jim has been replacing wallboard, texturing and sanding this weekend.  He is putting new molding around the window and it is going to look awesome. 

We have gotten all new fixtures and are putting in a clear glass shower door to make it feel more spacious.  I ordered the one picture that will be hung in there and we are getting excited.  Should be done completely by May 1st.  This rainy weather has been perfect so he was OK working inside all week.  This is the last of the indoor projects after about three years of  re-doing as time and $ would allow.

I am wearing...jeans, print t-shirt, sock and a fleece jacket.  One thing about remodeling...the door is always open and I have been freezing all day as I have been working on my own projects.

I am quoting..."Don't forget to pray today as God didn't forget to wake you up this morning." 

Some things that made me especially happy this past week...Talking to all our kids, getting everything chosen and ordered for the bath and watching Jim enjoy what he is doing so much.  I also haven't been feeling that well this week until today...so that makes me happy.  And I have my lesson for tomorrow for our Genealogy User Group all done...so I don't have to get up at 4:00 am tomorrow morning.  Woohoo!  Something that did not make me happy this week.  A very large bill at the car dealership for a repair we were not anticipating.  Ugh!

Some spiritual thoughts I have been pondering...
My thoughts have been about God's perfect plan for our happiness.  I have been thinking about how a righteous man doing his best to love the Lord and support his family and serve others is such a Godsend.  And how two people working together to achieve the same things divide their sorrow and double their joy.  What a perfect God and a perfect plan. 

 I am going..get up in a couple of minutes and get dinner going.

One of my guilty pleasures...crackers...I love crackers!

Pet Peeve...waking up at 4:00 am when you can sleep until 7:00.

One of my favorite things..
.YouTube

An enjoyable movie I have watched lately...Garrow's Law, a British TV series.

I am curious about...how much I don't like Presidential Election years.

If I could change one thing it would be...there would be no bad apples in the barrel. 


A few plans for the rest of the week... Church tomorrow and then a meeting in the afternoon for family history, Monday is my day to stay home and do my own thing while Jim works.  Tuesday FHC work in the afternoon, WW in the morning.  Wednesday, missionaries for dinner, Thursday night Temple and it is our anniversary of being parents for 40 years!   Friday morning my fun with my group of friends and Room with a Past.  We do have Stake Conference this next weekend so that will be an evening out on Saturday and then Sunday morning.  Haven't decided about the rest of next week yet.  I am not going to worry about that too much as everyday lands up being packed with something.


A photo I am sharing with you...





Here's just a little piece of our California sky from yesterday morning.  So beautiful...watching those clouds roll by so quickly trying to fill up a blue sky that just would not be defeated.  I love happy moments like this where I am just so fully aware of our great Creator and how He blesses us all the time.