A Simple Woman's Daybook~October 25, 2015

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 entry at a time.

Just for today~Saturday, October 25, 2015

Outside my window...It is dark, so dark I cannot see my hand in front of my face out there.  It is nearly 8:00 and it feels like about 11:00 pm. Sundays are strange as we have church from 11:00 to 2:00.  We eat dinner after church and then the night drags on and on.  Going to bed at 9:00 can't work.  Then I wake up at 1:00 and I'm wake all night, thinking about what I have to do the next day.  Then I am too tired to do it because of lack of sleep.  Haha...  

These are the bemoanings of a woman who is getting older.  In my younger years seasons and time changes didn't affect me at all, nor daylight or darkness.  But now the body is in sync and keenly aware of all of that.  All the changes seem to be harder adjustments.  For you young ones out there, it is like jet lag and you haven't even gone anywhere!

I am thankful for...my life.  I view everything as a gift from our Father in Heaven and am grateful for it.  All the blessings and all the challenges that bring understanding and learning. 

In Church today we talked about how a grateful heart can marvel all day long at the gifts from God. That heart sees God's hand in it all.   While an ungrateful heart spends most of its time complaining about the state of things and often feels entitled to something better.  That heart focuses on what it doesn't have instead of what it does have.  Then when there is a blessing the heart thinks it deserves it and earned it, etc.  Or even worse it thinks it was just a lucky break or a coincidence rather than a gift from God.    Gratitude and unhappiness are not compatible.  An unhappy heart is not a grateful heart.  A grateful heart is not unhappy.

From the learning room...I am learning about relationships, I am learning about family history, I am learning history itself and technology and long- suffering with some chronic pain.  I am learning about life stages...I am learning about love.  When we say we love someone..it is what we do for them.  It is not about what they do for us.  When we get our expectations out of whack that gets a little too selfish.  I think to love someone for who they are trumps to love them for what we can get out of it.  Of course we all want that love to be mutual.  But sometimes it just isn't.  Expectation adjustments help!  Love is what we give.

I am reading...The Orphan Trains, in my spare time.  Which means I have read about two pages and it is waiting for me by my chair, just in case I find some of that spare time.

On Pinterest This Week....I pinned a lot of pins.  I find it relaxing there when I have worked really hard or am bothered by something it brings me back to the things I love.  Beauty of the earth, order, family, worthy and wholesome activities and daydreams.  https://www.pinterest.com/onedesigner/

From the kitchen...I made a huge pot of soup yesterday and scorched it.  I have to do it over soon which means going shopping again for all the ingredients.  Ugh, I wish cooking and I could become friends but it's not looking likely.  I have never burned something like that before it was awful.  

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...my thoughts are still lingering over the wonderful conference talks we heard in the beginning of October.  The leaders of the church have been like dear friends over the years.  We enjoy our reunion with them every six months and hearing their wise counsel.  I love that we can revisit the talks from General Conference anytime we want to on lds.org.

Someone I am praying for this week...Our dear friend, Mike, who is very ill right now and his family, our family and our friends always. We pray for all of you that have specific needs that we are aware of and the world in general.

I am hearing.. some instrumental Christmas music.  I know...don't judge.  You know that two months from today Christmas 2015 will be over at the stoke of midnight.  I know how fast two months goes. I don't want to miss any of it.  I love Christmas and I want to be better organized than ever this year.  So I am starting to organize a lot of it in my mind already.

One of my pleasures...I really like teaching.   It is so hard for me and I work so hard at it.   It feels so good when all the preparation is done and you have given your presentation.   If someone has benefited from it in some small way that is enough.  

It makes me feel like I have a purpose and a service to do and that I am needed.  I think all women need that after the kids are long gone.  It is wonderful to feel part of something as vital as family history.  I feel that my careers have been varied and interesting.  Corporate, Medical, Design, and now this wonderful discipline of genealogy has me spellbound.  I have every intention of doing it as long as I live. When the passion for something runs deep it brings so much satisfaction into your life.  And writing...that is my cherry on top.  I couldn't ask for more.

Pet Peeves...that we have to listen to election politics for another 16 months, but whose counting?  I am.  

Past Remembrance...our youngest granddaughter...

When Hazie was just three. 

 She is one adorable little girl.  

Now she is eight!

She is a little bundle of pure love!

If I could change one thing it would be..That cancer would just go away.  Forever.

An enjoyable movie/TV show we have watched lately...We watched
The White Countess last night.  It was very good.  A movie from 2005.

I Am Quoting...

I am curious about...what El Nino will do for us and to us this winter. Jim has been working on our drainage all week coming down from the hill. I am so grateful to have such a hardworking, talented and good husband.  He works tirelessly around here to keep things up.  I am blessed.

Plans for the rest of the week...Starting my fall cleaning to prepare for the holidays, meeting with friends, working on Tuesday and teaching the staff, hopefully seeing Carol who has been under the weather this past week. Wednesday more cooking...soup reprise. Thursday or Friday hopefully a day trip to San Francisco.  Maybe a movie in a real theater.  All the usuals of running a house and some computer work on the Family Tree.  Touching base with as many people as I can.

One of my favorite things...our family.  I miss our kids so much. The grandkids are growing up so fast.  Laura and Robert went on an overnighter and left the boys home alone.  What?  Oh yeah, they are teenagers now.  Spencer nearly 17.  So it was OK they did very well on their own.  They are such good boys. Our cousins, I miss them all. We miss all our family all the time.  We are planning some time together this next summer and it will take that long to get everyone's schedule to jive.  I look forward to that so much.  So yeah, family surely my most favorite thing of all.  Those far and near and those friends adopted through love.

Some things that made me so happy this past week...just reflecting on all the happy things that happened in Washington a few weeks ago that you can read about in the post below this one if so inclined   An all day seminar that we had been planning at the library for months finally happened last week and it turned out very well.  Hearing that our friend Judy did not have a heart attack.  Texting with my friend every night, letters from some family members, it was just a great week.  I had dinner with five friends.  That was really fun too.

The most surprising thing this past week...was not a happy one.  It was learning that our friend has an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Here are two photos I'm sharing... We haven't had much Autumn around here this year so far.  But I love it so much I am enjoying it on Pinterest instead.

Gorgeousness

Happy Halloween if you're into that!

UNTIL THE NEXT DAYBOOK,

BE HAPPY AND CARRY ON!
Take Care Of You For Me!

A Simple Woman's Daybook~September 5, 2015

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 entry at a time.

Just for today~Saturday, September 5, 2015

Outside my window...It is 6:15 pm and I am sitting down to write a Daybook for the first time in over 5 months.  It has been far too long and I feel I really cannot let the sun set today without at least beginning again. I am playing catch up for sure on this one.  I am disappointed in myself for slacking off this much for the first time in literally years.  

It is beautiful out right now.  Just perfect in temperature and the bright sun has headed further west casting a nice shade over our home and yard.  The week ahead is to be hot again so we are enjoying every minute of this cooler weather right now.  Jim is out working in his wood shop and I have been working all day on all kinds of things.  The coolness brings added energy.  We do not have air conditioning so we have to start very early on the hot days to get things done.  Today was more leisurely.

Here a few highlights to catch up...2015.  Easter Time found us in Utah for a few weeks with Jen and her family. We had an excellent time with all of them.  Nobody makes an Easter Basket Like Jen.  The woman is an artist.  Lucky Girls! 

In May and June we were in Rhode Island, and Loughborough, England visiting our kids and grandkids. 

How lucky to see all ten of the grandkids in such a short span of time.  We also went to visit our friends, the Rayners, in Chester, England and toured around Wales visiting our ancestors' old stomping grounds.  We did lots of sightseeing and it was all spectacular.  I have been working on posts of all of that but they are not done yet. 

At the end of June we had a big backyard party for Jim's co-workers at the temple. In July Jennifer and our 4 grandgirls came for 11 days and we had a lot of adventures.  Lowell came as his work would permit for three days.  At the end of that we had a family reunion in our backyard so everyone could see them. 

 A week after they left I flew to Utah to attended The BYU Genealogy Conference for four days and then Jim came up with his mom for Owen's baptism on August 1st.  

In August we had something major every weekend. I taught a class called The Traveling Genealogist.  It was fun and relaxed and on how to travel and work on your family history at the same time.   The week before last we had three weddings and one pre-wedding dinner for 40 here at our house.  During that same week we had a family funeral for one of Jim's cousin a few times removed who was 93. He was a great man.  Because it was out of town we were gone 8 hours!  So come to think of it I am not surprised I haven't done a daybook in forever and a day.

I am thankful for...everything good in my life and for the challenges and God's help in getting us through them.  It is great to know he is always there for us no matter what the problem or what the solution. We are never alone if we choose to live in his presence.  If there is anything I have learned over and over again in my life it is that faith is the opposite of fear.

From the learning room...I am learning that new beginnings are always possible.  I can begin again as many times as I need to orchestrate my life in a better way.  I learned about a psychology term called "flow" yesterday.  It is fascinating and one we can all relate to on many levels.  Google the term flow~psychology.  I learned about it in Weight Watchers but it has application in all aspect of our lives.  Yes, I am back at that again after two months away.  I will be a member all of my life.  Going back was a good decision.  Only up 1.8 pounds in all the traveling indulgences.  May I say, God is Good!

I am reading...the words of wise people in several areas. Spiritual, health, genealogy, family things, household things, relationship things.  I really enjoy learning, it keeps me more in tune with God, myself, others and the world around us.

On Pinterest This Week....I have enjoyed my daily journey of pinning the beautiful things in this life that I enjoy and that mean something to me.  Here is my favorite pin from the last few days: Autumn...Bring It!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/252272016604364838/

From the kitchen...We have been enjoying the organic garden tomatoes this month.  Sorry to see them almost done for this year.  We eat light in the summer with all the melons, and fruits and vegetables.  I love a summer dinner plate...so colorful and delicious.  All stocked up for a healthy week.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...I have been thinking about the truly loving nature of our Heavenly Father and The Savior.  I have tried to be more aware of the blessing and miracles all around us and it is totally amazing. Faith in God opens doors to every possible way to be happy and feel secure in this fallen world.  His love is a protection for us and a sturdy foundation to build our lives upon. Sharing these common beliefs with the most important people in our lives is important to us.  It draws us much closer to our beautiful family and friends.

Someone I am praying for this week...Our family, some friends that are struggling with health and family issues, little babies with injuries and health issues.  Older people that are bothered by the chronic issues of aging and young kids returning to school.  Prayer is a constant thing for those we love.  We have also been praying regarding the drought in California and other places, the rampant fires, the people whose lives are affected.

I am hearing...The silence of a beautiful Sunday morning.  I hear Jim buzzing around getting ready for church.  I need to do  the same shortly.  I am looking forward to it today.  Such a stabilizing force for good and association with great people.

One of my pleasures...having my desk organized and straightened up.  A constant chore but worth the effort.  I am always working on it.  I need to go through my file cabinets and get some clutter out of them that I no longer need.

Pet Peeves...One thing that is my delight and my nemesis is the constant changing of technology regarding, computers, software, hardware, etc.  I love it and I hate it. I am still trying to get my new computer and laptop organized and set up after a few months.  There is always so much to learn and know...sometimes it makes me tired.

Past Remembrance...when Jim and I first learned about home computers and how we spent a long time being very curious about what one would do with one?  We came to the conclusion we didn't think we would need one.  We already had a place to store all our recipes and other importnat things. Haha!

If I could change one thing it would be...my knees!  And whatever else others need to function better and do their life in less pain.

An enjoyable movie/ TV show we have watched lately...Poldark.  A must see.  A Masterpiece TV series.  Exceptional.  Aidan Turner is magnificent in it.

I Am Quoting...

I am curious about...When we can get back to Europe to explore all the other Welsh lines we have and maybe get to Sweden.  We have enjoyed our travels so much.  It is a lot of work but so rewarding and fun.   Hopefully we can get back soonish, because now that Jim can drive there so well..I don't want him to forget how!  

Plans for the rest of the week...haven't decided for sure on Labor Day yet, either Temple, and a BBQ with the ward or Stay home and relax! Tuesday work, Wednesday, etc. not much on the calendar so that means get caught up on things and maybe do some more writing.  There is never a lack of things to do, that is for sure.   We are heading to Washington State for a family reunion with my cousins on my Dad's side later this month.  Just four days but it will be great!  Also my friend, Carol, is having her birthday this week so that will entail some fun I'm sure.  And I have some genealogy classes to prepare in the coming weeks.

One of my favorite things...autumn which is almost here.  There are things to look forward to and plan.  Thinking about the holidays and wondering how they are coming around again so quickly?  Thinking about getting out the fall decorations.  But with another heat wave coming maybe it won't be this week. 

One thing that made me so happy this past week...We had a fun dinner with my brother Steve and his wife Emily. That was so nice to just sit and chat with them,  Also our grandson, Connor, got his first job at Pizza Pie Cafe.  He rocks!

The most surprising thing this past week...Our water heater died on Monday.  Jim and Dave installed a new one on Monday night. (God bless those two.) By Tuesday it was competed and we had hot water again.  I off-handedly mention, "I think the dishwasher will be next."  The next morning Jim turned on the dishwasher and it was leaking all over the place.  Hmm..at least after removing the whole thing Jim saw the problem and it was only a $30.00 fix not a new dishwasher this time.  Whew!  God bless him doubly!

Here is a Photo I'm Sharing...these are some pine trees at Soda Springs that we saw coming home from Utah on August 2nd.  They looked so pretty after 8 hours in the Nevada dessert.  However, as we came down out of the Sierras it got dryer and dryer and many trees are not doing well in our beautiful State.  We need rain so desperately. Please pray for our trees and the things that make California so beautiful.  And that there will not be any more fires in the west to threaten lives or property.  Thanks Friends!

UNTIL THE NEXT DAYBOOK,

BE HAPPY AND CARRY ON!
Take Care Of You For Me!

Simple Woman's Day Book~March 23, 2015 NEW!

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 entry at a time.

Just for today~Monday, March 23, 2015

Outside my window...we had a little rain last night and it was sorely needed.  Everything looks clean today.  The trees and flowers look fresh and new.  I opened all the windows this morning but now in the late afternoon a chill has set in and I closed the house and am about to cuddle up under a blanket.

I am thankful for...for the fact that I recognize that I need to write whether I feel like it or not.  I am sure you may have noticed that I have been off my blog for 6 weeks and if you are a regular follower you may be long gone by now.  That is how it can be with blogging.  I remember one time this lady wrote to me and said how much reading my blog had become a part of her day, and that each and every day she waited for my post.  Sometimes that was what spurred me on to keep going.  Just knowing that someone appreciated it and enjoying reading it.  I do wonder whatever happened to Dorothy.

From the learning room...one thing I have learned about myself is that I have to be in a certain state of mind to enjoy writing. But the farther I slip away from that state of mind, the more the state of mind I'm in requires that exercise of the pouring out and sorting the things in my head.  They say that introverts have a constant conversation with themselves going on in their heads.  Well, that's me and it is so true.  I am a social person but I require my space also.  During that time of renewal and solitude I ponder.  I sometimes worry.  I somethings retreat from all but a few.  I am sometimes very content and joyful and other times I am reflective and melancholy.  But regardless of that momentary state...I ponder.  The writing simply helps me sort things out and process all that pondering.  It is very cathartic and grounding for me.  It helps bring back the things that are the most important into a place where I can prioritize them and focus on them and above all be grateful for them.  

I am reading...all the time.  I just find no time for reading for pleasure anymore.  I miss that but I feel restless when I try to do it, as I feel an urgency to educate myself on the principles of my passion.  Genealogy and the creation of a family legacy or family history.   It feels like I am in school full time now and it is exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.  I love the teaching and the learning and most of all the option to do what I please.  It is delightful to examine and pursue my interest without constant interruptions.  It is a privilege that most of us wait a life time for~what a blessing.  

I often wonder how different we might all be it we could have done this all along the way in our lives by being able to find appropriate balance in our duties.  Having more time and energy left over for our own specific growth and development along the way would have been good.  

I don't know about you but for me the last thing on my list was adding yet another thing that wanted a piece of me.  I kept my blinders on to other interests to get through the days with a full time job and three children to raise, and hubby and parents with needs as well. Funny but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way at the time either.  In some way is was preparatory to what I enjoy so much now.  It is a bit of a paradox really.

That all seems like another lifetime now somehow.  Now the world is wide open to me and I love that.  I want to learn about lots of things and become who I am supposed to be in the autumn of my life.  I don't have time or interest in the trite things of life, like wasting time and the squabbles or negativity of others.  Life is too short.  And I want to spend all my time socially with family and friends that uplift and inspire me not who drag me down. I am very blessed in that department and I am so grateful for each of you.

From the kitchen...keeping it simple and basic and low cal.  Trying to lose a few pounds before our UK adventure.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...I recognize that although my life seems to be in three separate parts, all very different from the others; the common thread has been my love for my good family and friends.  That love coupled inseparably and undeniably with that is my love for God.  Spirituality and my love for God has always been present in my life has been the glue.  God has been the one ever present constant.  The gifts of our Savior have colored and been my foundation all of my life.  I cannot even imagine my life without it.  Nor would I want to do so.

Someone I am praying for this week...my brother Steve who had surgery this past week.  Awaiting biopsy results that should be here any day now.   Piper who has not been at the top of her game health wise in the last little while and always Hazel and all of our family and friends each as they stand in need.

I am hearing...Not much really except my own thoughts and the train just went by bringing commuters home for the night.  A car or two here and there is passing by and that is it.  Must be time for a little Kate Davis and her jazzy bass.

Quote of the week from James Tanner..."You cannot push a rope." This is reference to the idea of leading a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.  You cannot push someone to do something they do not want to do, etc.  I love this.  I have tried this and I testify that it is true.   You definitely cannot push a rope.  Nope, it ain't happenin' - not ever!

Pinterest photo of the week...

I love this apple green
It's so springy and pretty.

One of my pleasures...I really enjoy putting various clothes and jewelry and accessories together.  I like paying attention to the details of what I am wearing whether I'm going some place special or just hanging out at home.  I find if I take care of all of that in the early morning I feel better about myself and I am ready to conquer the day...come what may.  If I skip it I regret it all day.  I just don't feel on top of my game at all on those days.  I love buying basics and then interchanging them and creating new looks.  I like all that girly stuff a lot.

Pet Peeves...how the afternoon arrives too early and I run out of steam.  After I take a little rest in the late afternoon I get a second wind but it is not for intense work. It is for fun stuff like movies and Pinterest and texting, etc.  Hehe.. So I have to get major things done early.  

Past Remembrance...When Jim and I and Laura were on the train to Edinburgh to pick up Jennifer from her mission and we heard a little British girl about 3 years old singing Baa Baa Black Sheep with the cutest little accent on earth.  I love an English or Scottish accent and no one does it better that the wee ones.  I am hoping that memory will spur me on to the trip I am supposed to be planning ASAP!

If I could change one thing it would be..Mitt in the Oval Office.

An enjoyable movie/ TV show we have watched lately...Grantchester.  Love that little Vicar!

I am curious about...how British TV can be consistently better than American TV.

Plans for the rest of the week...Work tomorrow and then trip planning until I get it done.  Women's General Conference on Saturday evening.  I got a new iPhone 6 this week so still trying to get that all set up. Annoying but worth it.

One of my favorite things...having my cell phone available at night when I am wide awake and I don't want to just lie there, or get up because it is cold.  I love just pulling up the covers and snuggling down and reading new email or often old email from special people like you.  Or reading one of my Kindle books on my phone.  It is so much better than when I use to walk around the house aimlessly or folded laundry...before electronics rescued insomniacs.

One thing that made me so happy this past week...that we have been grandparents for 16 years.  Piper turned sixteen on the 18th.  She is learning to drive and I am thrilled that we get to spend Easter together.

The most surprising thing this past week...that I have an ancestor that was in the first emigrating group of LDS passengers out of Wales in the early 1850s. They came to America and made their way to Utah.  I was shocked and thrilled and then a few days later someone asked me to join the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. (Not sure about that!) That was a lot to take in within a few days. That ancestor is buried in Brigham City, Utah and you can bet we will be visiting the graveside of John Davis Rees soon.  Only another convert could appreciate that story as we do.

Here is a photo I'm sharing this week....

Piper and Chloe the day or so before Piper turned 16.  These girls are so amazing. The interesting things about the human heart it is has an infinite capacity to love. When you just think you cannot love more or another single person...you can. The Lord just gifts you with an endless supply of "love terabytes"~more heart space free of charge.  If you don't believe it have some grandkids! Meet a fabulous new friend or do your family history.

UNTIL THE NEXT DAYBOOK,

BE HAPPY AND CARRY ON!
Take Care of You For Me!

A Simple Woman's Daybook~February 8, 2015

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 entry at a time.

Just for today~Sunday, February 8, 2015

Outside my window...The sun is up but covered up with the gray clouds.  It's early yet and the forecast is it is to be raining throughout the day.    The groundhog definitely saw his shadow here, so more winter with some rain for us. This is a huge gift.  It has been a mild winter most of the time but we've had some super cold days too, but very little rain.  The things I like least about winter are the short days and viruses. Spring will be coming soon, right?

Jim has had that respiratory thing going on for the past 8+ weeks.  Our friend had it from July to December.  It comes and goes but never quite goes away and the coughing is horrendous.  Of course the minute it goes away, he jumps back on his horse full speed ahead, and then he wears himself out and it comes back. So crazy. I have been fearing I'd get it this whole month as I had two big projects that needed to be done.  I completed them on Friday so now I am free to plan my trip to Utah.  

However, I have been having vertigo for over a week now but I am seeing a lot of improvement finally.  This is always my big fear when I get colds.  They always go into my ears and cause such dizziness. Vertigo is so hard because you feel so helpless.  Also it is so exhausting because you have to use all your energy just to move between point A and B.  The weird part is I never did not get the cold. Thank goodness. I'm good with that.

I am thankful for...prayer.  It is such a mighty force in our lives.  I am praying now to be recovered by the 11th when I am planning to go on a great little trip with my friend, Carol.  This is the dangling carrot that has kept me going all year.  Rootstech in SLC.  So we pray and wait and hope and believe and move forward as if.  But in the back of our mind is always, "Thy will be done."  He knows better than we do what is best for us.

From the learning room...There are 168 hours in a week.  It is astonishing to comprehend how some people can get so much accomplished.  These really high powered movers and shakers really amaze me.  Sometimes I think we work very hard, probably as hard as those people..the over achievers.  They must just work supper fast and much smarter is all I can think.

I am reading...mostly online articles and blogs about genealogy.  Since I have been teaching a lot this past month that has been right there on my mind more than usual.

From the kitchen...Ugh...this one always throws me for a loop.  I wish we had a cook.  There is nothing new I can say about this.  Not my favorite thing to do anymore.  Period.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...Well, I have been thinking about love since Valentine's Day is just around the corner. On the spiritual side of that is God's unconditional love for us,  It is something that seems hard to comprehend sometimes.  No matter what we do or how many mistakes we make He is there for us, loving us in spite of ourselves.  I was thinking about how much better the world would be if we could do that more.  If we could just love more and unconditionally when people we love and care for do things that hurt and disappoint us.  

We should be able to rise above a lot of that and not take things so personally. We should take ourselves and our feelings out of the equation, so that we can more readily focus on our gift of love to another...not the other way around.  The 'if you do this or that, then I'll love you'  isn't quite how we are loved.  God doesn't love us that way.  We should work harder at not loving that way either.   Boy, is is hard to do.  But He first loved us so we could learn His way.  I am guessing it takes a life time but I think being more aware is a step forward.

Someone I am praying for this week... Hazie as her little body struggles to heal from the last surgery.  The biggest problems is the way the bars fit inside put pressure on certain spots that are having trouble healing on the outside.  Her skin is very delicate.  All of our family and friends as we all face the everyday trials.  Ben as he struggles with his side effects of his bone marrow transplant to fight his leukemia.  He turned 12 a few days ago.  The bravest little guy.  He has been battling this now for months.  I pray for his parents, grandparents and siblings, family and friends.  This has been very hard to watch and very exhausting, yet they stay strong, faithful and full of hope.

I am hearing...rain falling on the roof and the fireplace.  I need to turn on some music I suppose but the quiet is especially nice in the early morning.  It is Sunday morning so maybe I'll listen to The Spoken Word in a little bit.  But for now..raindrops!  Going out in it seems a little daunting. Right now it is pouring. Even the music would not cover this up.

Quote of the week from Pinterest..."Happy Valentine's Day!

https://www.pinterest.com/onedesigner/hearts-valentines/

One of my pleasures...going to Utah to see the family.  I have missed them over the past six months.  It seems like feast or famine with our traveling.  The girls will have changed and grown more. Bittersweet.  Hazel has had three surgeries since I saw her.  They have a new dog, Leo, to keep their Lucy company.  They are cute together. I am eager to see them all.

Pet Peeves...the fact that it seems to take as much work to get ready to go on a trip for a week as it does for a month. But it is all good really.  I am so excited about the Rootstech conference and being with Carol for five whole days.  I'll miss Jim Bob but he'll be fine and busy while I am gone.   He is going to Utah next month and we are saving our time away together for our trip to England and Wales.

Past Remembrance...thinking about all the great things I learned last year and the fun I had at Rootstech.  Have been looking forward to the biggest genealogy conference in the world for a year now.  I am so thankful to be almost over the vertigo.  Carol and I reserved our room at the hotel nearly a year ago now.  Gotta plan way ahead with that many people flooding into SLC.  The weather looks like it will be mostly sunny and cold.  Yay!  No snow in the forecast!

If I could change one thing it would be...more happiness for all.  Less war and strife, better leadership in all the countries of the world.  Less corruption and graft.  You know me, just a better Pollyanna world would be super.

An enjoyable movie/ TV show we have watched lately...5th season of Downton Abbey.  We have loved it.  Watched the Christmas episode last night. We never can wait to see what happens so bought the DVD when it came out. Fabulous.  We have been pretty happy that there is yet another season to look forward to next year.

I am curious about...Wales and how we will navigate around there driving on the other side of the road.  Ugh,  Not my favorite.  I am also curious about when I can get started on getting that all together with some concrete plans. 

Plans for the rest of the week...church at 11:00, Monday getting last minute things done, Tuesday working, Wednesday leaving for SLC, rest of the week with Carol, Jen and family and the conference. Home Sunday.  It will be quick so will be consciously savoring the experience and learning a lot.

One of my favorite things...answers to prayers.

One thing that made me so happy this past week...Getting some photos from my cousin Jim of his grandfather and my grandmother and 30 others that we know or know of at a picnic back in the 30s.  It was so special to see his Grampa and my Grandma standing next to each other in the large group.  Our fathers who are cousins are also in the photo!  That made our cyber relationship feel very real.  It was exciting.  I enjoy working with my newfound cousins who also have an interest in family history.  

The most surprising thing this past week...A really long and sweet letter was received from our granddaughter, Aynslee.  She is so homesick while living in England this year but the wonderful side of that is there are lots of letters home.

Here is a photo I'm sharing this week....

At Stonehenge
Aynslee with her Daddy, our son Chris!

UNTIL THE NEXT DAYBOOK,

BE HAPPY AND CARRY ON!
Take Care Of You For Me!

A Simple Woman's Daybook~January 16, 2015

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 entry at a time.

Just for today~Friday, January 16, 2015

Outside my window...It is pitch black out and 6:06 am.  It is cold in the house still and I need to get my socks on.  Burr.  I cannot believe it has been over 2 months since I did a daybook entry.  That is probably the longest time gone by between two entries since I started doing these years ago.  What I learn from that is that a whole lot happens in a couple of months that is forgotten without writing it down.  

Here a few highlights.  Hazel had her back surgery and there were complications so she went back into surgery just a few days before Christmas.  She just went back to school for a half day and is regaining her strength but is still working on healing. 


The holidays were wonderful as always and a whirlwind of activities. Thanksgiving dinner was spend with our cousins. We had great times at annual parties and seeing our Sacramento cousins as well.  

Christmas decorating that was something I really enjoyed.  I went all out as I usually do when I'm asked to participate in a Christmas Home Tour.  I do something festive in all our rooms. I love doing it and getting back into my design work a little.  As I do it I think about how much people enjoy that evening on the multiple house tour with friends and how I want to enhance their memories by doing the best I can.  It absolutely poured that night but somehow it added to the whole thing in a good way.  I find it gets harder and takes longer than it use to but it's still important for me to do.  But even though I am getting older, the experience brings renewal to me and I will do it as long as I can.  Of course Jim helped me so much.  It really has become a joint project.

We took a fantastic get-away trip to southern California to Long Beach the week before Christmas.  We stayed on The Queen Mary for a few nights and had a great time.  It was all decked out with dozens of big trees.  It was just spectacular and so festive. What a treat  to stroll along the promenade deck and see each one.   We went to the Big Chill.  It was a gigantic ice igloo with ice sculptures that were unbelievable.  There was a life size nativity scene carved from blocks of ice.  Very impressive!  It was an event right next to the ship so we didn't get in our car at all the whole time we were there.  There was an outdoor skating rink and live music, food venders, etc. 

 Sometimes we just work too much and we are going to do more of this kind of thing because it is wonderful and just pours new energy into these two aging souls.  It was lovely and great to be on an ocean liner that stays in port. No seasickness.  We were celebrating our 50th Christmas as a couple.   They upgraded us to a fabulous state room that was like an apartment.  Loved looking out the portholes to the water.

Christmas was so nice.  I felt the spirit of it quite keenly this year and I think that few days away helped.  One has to consciously eliminate some of the rush and stress.  I felt relaxed as I took time to study and ponder the gifts of the Savior in our lives.  We did not want to it end.  Proof of this...the last Christmas item was tucked away just yesterday.  We completely reorganized everything as we put it away for an easier time next year. 

We also had a beautiful little boy born to our sweet nephew the day after Christmas.    His name is Caden Nicholas and he is a handsome little man. He is the first boy of this generation on my side to carry on our family name.

I am thankful for...the knowledge that Christmas does not have to be hidden away by New Year's Day.  Who made that idea fly?  Some of our same age friends discovered the same lovely thought this year.  They are finishing their way, by taking down their tree today.  It is such a lot of effort to get ready for Christmas, there is no crime in taking time to enjoy it after the hustle and bustle.

From the learning room...writing is very therapeutic for me.  I need to do it.  I am now back on it.  I actually did a lot of writing over the holidays but most of it was on our Christmas blog. 

I am reading...on the Internet mostly trying to get ready for two teaching assignments coming up.  

From the kitchen...eating simply and moderately now after the craziness of the past weeks.  I have been blessed to be steadily losing weight since September so trying to keep that going.  One pound a week has been just right and no gain during December. Trying to stay healthy with wholesome foods and way less sugar and refined carbs.  Coupling that with Weight Watchers has been great.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...Feeling the LOVE...

Someone I am praying for this week...Hazel and all the kids' families struggling with various seasonal illnesses that are mostly respiratory. Robert is at the doctor as I write this checking for mono and pneumonia. Chris and his family have had lots of colds...new UK viruses wreaking havoc on their family.  Missy's father has been gravely ill but is seeing some improvements finally.  Jennifer injured her knee. Even Jim has been battling a respiratory thing on and off for most of the winter.  Not serious just persistent.  I have been blessed so far..knock on wood.

I am hearing...Kate Davis one of my favorite new music discoveries.  This young woman is amazingly talented.  She plays the standing bass, sings beautifully and composes some great songs with clever lyrics.  Her genre is primarily smooth jazz but she does other things as well.  You can find her on Youtube and of course in the iTunes store.  "All About That Bass" is a fun one on Youtube and "Movie" is another one I really like.  She has a little bit of an Adele quality to her voice on some songs like "We Are Growing Old."

One of my pleasures...Having a day all to myself to catch up.  I'm having it today and I am thrilled to get more organized for presentations on genealogy topics coming up.  

Pet Peeves...black clothes that fade.  Like pants.  Annoying.  And speaking of pants why are they all of a sudden so dang long?  I have never had to shorten a pair of pants in my life at 5'8" until this past couple of years.

Past Remembrance...I am thinking about Rootstech 2014 (genealogy conference) and how much I enjoyed it.  Now I am on the brink of going again in February and I am truly excited to be going with my good friend, Carol.  We are going to have a super time.

If I could change one thing it would be...that there could be more happiness and less suffering in this world.  If people would accept the gospel of Jesus Christ this would make all the difference.  Why? Because then people would be kinder, more forgiving and would make an effort to choose what is good and right and healthy.  People would love others and live by faith, not fear.  There would be a lot more of thoughtfulness and less selfishness. People would live by the Golden Rule.  There would be less fighting, more peace.

An enjoyable movie/ TV show we have watched lately...5th season of White Collar.  Loved it.

I am curious about...lots of things that distract me from my work.  Hehe, that's life right?  Do we not all have a little ADD?  So many wonderful things in this life to be curious about.  So little time.

Plans for the rest of the week...In the next few hours I will be updating my PowerPoint for a 90 minute class on Tuesday night.  Date night tonight, WW meeting in the morning, taking a class tomorrow.  Then a baptism, birthday party and dinner.  Sunday church, Monday more prep for Tuesday, that is about as far as I have taken it so far.  I think I'll still be working though as I have an all day seminar I'm teaching on the 30th.  And then poof it will be February.  Valentine's day and a trip to Utah. Warp speed life, isn't it?

One of my favorite things...you, my family and good friends.  You mean so much to me I cannot imagine my life without any of you. You are the reason I love getting up each day.  And you are the people who have taught me how to love. Thanks for the happiness and more importantly the joy you bring, the examples you are, and the smile that you put on my face every single day. 

One thing that made me so happy this past week...we found and bought a crystal chandelier for our dining room.  It is a vintage one and so perfect for our space in the cottage.  I have been looking for a couple of years for the right one.  I took Jim to see it because I loved it and right away he said "That is it...it's perfect!"   I cannot wait to show it to you!  It makes me twice as excited that he loves it too.  It looks like we will be nesting all of our lives.  Home just keeps getting better and more comfortable all the time.

The most surprising thing this past week...a thousand dollar car expense for a smog clearance.  Ugh...not a good surprise.

Just a little souvenir from our faux cruise

 on The Queen for our Christmas Tree. 

This is a section of Long Beach that is called Naples.  Oddly it is more like Venice than Naples but that is OK.  Venice doesn't really look like this either.  It is a neighborhood where your backyard is the dock where you keep your boat.  It is quite beautiful and one of the prettiest places we been in Southern California.

Ah, now I feel I can get to work.  Thanks for coming by!

UNTIL THE NEXT DAYBOOK,

BE HAPPY AND CARRY ON!
Take Care Of You For Me!