IMAGE FROM FFFFOUND.COM
Its Our Eldest's Birthday!! (can it be said that way?)
"After we come to mature years, there is nothing of which we are
so vividly conscious as of the swiftness of time. Its brevity and
littleness are the theme of poets, moralists and preachers. Yet
there is nothing of which there is so much-nor day nor night,
ocean nor sky, winter nor summer equal it. It is a perpetual flow
from the inexhaustible fountains of eternity;--And we have no
adequate conception of our earthly life until we think of it and
live in it as a part of forever. Now is eternity, and will be, tomorrow
and next day, through the endless years of God. "
by: Stebins
Rob does his best to fill his days with life. He works hard, and he likes to play hard too. Theres soccer and mountain biking, there's being a husband and dad!! Soon there will be school and the hard work of that too. There's remodeling and taking care of his folks....Hes a good son and always a joy and delight.
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!!!!
CHRISTMAS IN CHILE!!
"the mission gave us a little Cena of chicken and rice and other little things"
NOTE TO SELF
"Mens courses will foreshadow certain ends,
to which, if perservered in, they must lead."
said Scrooge, "But if the courses be departed
from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with
what you show me!"
from: A Christmas Carol
by: Charles Dickens
(i resolved to write myself a serious note to attach to my nov. page of my 2009 calender as a wake up call!! this is what i wrote:)
to which, if perservered in, they must lead."
said Scrooge, "But if the courses be departed
from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with
what you show me!"
from: A Christmas Carol
by: Charles Dickens
(i resolved to write myself a serious note to attach to my nov. page of my 2009 calender as a wake up call!! this is what i wrote:)
CINDY, CINDY, CINDY
You were a real loser this last December of 2008!
A real downer, a true dud!!
This is intended to be an encouraging note and a reminder so that I may recall the many ways that I can make this new years' Christmas season better-much better!!
1st- its not to be about a bad economy-though the media would have me think so.
2nd- its not about my Builders stress
3rd- drag, heft, and haul out ALL the storage bins from under the basement stairs, that are FULL of lovely Christmas decorations. Do this in Nov, and have them ready!!
4th- set up the Nativity scenes. (believe it or not, you didnt do this in 2008)
5th- It might be a really good idea to set up the tree on Thanksgiving day or eve. THis will lend to a longer season to enjoy it. and...it'll make the "hassle' of all the preparations worth it .
6th- Hopefully, hopefully, I have been buying Christmas gifts throughout the year!! Christmas isnt about the shopping. (nothing is about shopping)
7th- Dear me...bake more!!! Its not about the calories and possible weight gain-its about traditions and memories! ITs about smells and tastes an sharing the goodies.
8th- Invite more friends into our home!! Even if its only for hot chocolate and cake!
9th- Anna is home with us!! Not in Houston!!!
10th- Christmas is for grandkids!! I have them- I am so blessed!!
11th- Clark will be home shortly!! And...it'll be our last Christmas with Bri-dog for 2 years!! Make it memorable!!
12th- Dont long for things that cant possibly happen!! I wont be getting on an airplane with my whole family or even part of it, and fly off to lands exotic!! Its not going to happen. SO LET IT GO!!!!!!!
13th- Try, try, try to embrace the cold temperatures that winter brings. Remember-there's always the hot tub out back. Also remember that you do fully enjoy wearing warm fuzzy sweaters. Remember too that our ground wont be blanketed with snow. That the sun is always shining here. And we arent cursed with inversions.
14th- Maybe this year will be the ham and potato dinner year for the church party. The jury is still out about how the Christmas Ball was received by everyone last year.
15th- Remember that its all about the Christmas music for me!! Its the music of the season that touches my Grinch like soul and makes Christmas CHRISTMAS for me!!
16th- I didnt do Christmas cards last year either!! I love Christmas cards. My head is full of lots of creative ideas for cards. Again, do something about it this time!!!! Start creating in November 2009, or even earlier than that!!!
17th- lastly, but certainly not least, go the Temple more often in December. Keep Christ in Christmas!!
THINGS IM LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN ANNA COMES HOME!!
1. The aromas of her perfumes wafting from her bedroom
2. Her music-though I wager her taste in music has changed a little. I bet she'll be more discriminating.
3. She'll have us studying the scriptures together on a more regular basis.
4. Hiking the red rocks with her once again.
5. Watching her become acquainted with Lachlan and Logan!!
6. Having her pal around with Bri-dog.
7. Going shopping...Im sure she'll need to.
8. Going to lunch, talking about anything, and going to movies.
9. Her face at the dinner table!!
10. Listening to her many mission adventures.
11. Helping her deal with missing her mission and all the friends she left in Texas.
12. Watching HAIRSPRAY, and ENCHANTED, and MAMMA MIA with her!!
13. Boys will be calling!! There WILL be drama!!
14. Piano music drifting from the living room.
15. Making college plans.
16. Learning more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the mouth of babes (babe)!
17. Her laugh!
18. Her smile.
19. Her blue eyes!!
20. Going to the Temple with her; all the 'cool' girls will go too, when Anna gets home. Yes...that means Natalie and Chelsea and Lynley, and anyone else thats cooler than just me!!!
ITS ONE MONTH FROM TODAY!!!!!!!!!!
Birthdays Rock--So DOes JJ!!
wHO'S gETiINg oLDer?
A computer was something on TV
From a science fiction show of note
A window was something you hated to clean
And ram was the cousin of a goat.
Meg was the name of my girlfriend
And gig was a job for the nights
Now they all mean different things
And that really mega bites.
An application was for employment
A program was a TV show
A curser used profanity
A keyboard was a piano.
Memory was something that you lost with age
A CD was a bank account
And if you had a 3 inch floppy
You hoped nobody found out.
Compress was something you did to the garbage
Not something you did to a file.
And if you unzipped anything in public
You'd be in jail for awhile.
Log on was adding wood to the fire
Hard drive was a long trip on the road
A mouse pad was where a mouse lived
And a back up happened to your commode.
Cut you did with a pocket knife.
Paste you did with glue
A web was a spider's home
And a virus was the flu.
I guess I'll stick to my pad and paper
And the memory in my head
I hear nobody's been killed in a computer crash
But when it happens, they'll wish they were dead.
Copyright; Author Unknown
hAPPy bIRThDay jj!!
yOU WEre THE fiRSt COmPutER gEEK i EVer kNEW!!
aND A vERy COOl ONe At tHAt!! hOPE yOu HAVe A GREat YeaR!!
Christmas Day Part Two!!
"...for it is good to be children sometimes,
and never better than at Christmas times,
when its mighty Founder was a child himself."
from: A Christmas Carol
by: Charles Dickens
and never better than at Christmas times,
when its mighty Founder was a child himself."
from: A Christmas Carol
by: Charles Dickens
He had discovered a great law of human
action, without knowing it- namely, that
in order to make a man or boy (or woman)
covet a thing, it is only necessary to
make the thing difficult to obtain.
from: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by: Mark Twain
action, without knowing it- namely, that
in order to make a man or boy (or woman)
covet a thing, it is only necessary to
make the thing difficult to obtain.
from: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by: Mark Twain
not bad for pvc pipe, icicle lights and a LOT of ingenuity!!!
cupcake tower, built by another talented man in the ward.
I think we set up at least twelve trees for the evening!
we got the bishop and his wife out on the dance floor!!
our swans were impressive and tasty!!
Im not sure that the appropriate word is "covet" exactly; but I did greatly desire to throw a lavish Christmas Ball for the our church. (with $300!!! humph) I had vision. I have an enthusiastic committee. I have the most wonderful of helpmates in my Builder. So we all hit the ground running....
And avoided the feelings of discouragement..
And hid from the worries that nobody would attend...
We shopped, we mixed and stirred, we advertised, we built, we baked, we iced, we assembled....
And....
the outward appearances of our Ball was all that we dreamed it would be!!! My Builder REALLY came through for me. He built me a grandiose, elaborate, glistening, glimmering chandelier!! (Bri thinks we should contrive a method to hang this beast over our pool in the summers for parties!!)
When our guest arrived to the Ball, there were most definitely audible ooohs and aaahhhs. ALL that attended had a wonderful time. Therein lies my greatest disappointment. Turnout was only mediocre at best.
Its tough doing these parties and going to such trouble when so few people bother even showing up in support. Its discouraging to say the least. But, we do know that the few who did come, had a wonderful time, dancing, eating, socializing, and listening to the talent that resides in our church.
What I Know:
And avoided the feelings of discouragement..
And hid from the worries that nobody would attend...
We shopped, we mixed and stirred, we advertised, we built, we baked, we iced, we assembled....
And....
the outward appearances of our Ball was all that we dreamed it would be!!! My Builder REALLY came through for me. He built me a grandiose, elaborate, glistening, glimmering chandelier!! (Bri thinks we should contrive a method to hang this beast over our pool in the summers for parties!!)
When our guest arrived to the Ball, there were most definitely audible ooohs and aaahhhs. ALL that attended had a wonderful time. Therein lies my greatest disappointment. Turnout was only mediocre at best.
Its tough doing these parties and going to such trouble when so few people bother even showing up in support. Its discouraging to say the least. But, we do know that the few who did come, had a wonderful time, dancing, eating, socializing, and listening to the talent that resides in our church.
What I Know:
Im not sure what next years Christmas Party will be....
Happy Birthday to Scott the Carpenter!!!!
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man,"said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide -
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."
You certainly are not old....but you are an amazing builder and you are wise beyond your years!! Your beautiful family is a very lucky benefactor of all that you do and know dear Scott!!! May you have a wonderful birthday--even though you have to share!!
Came, at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man,"said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide -
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."
You certainly are not old....but you are an amazing builder and you are wise beyond your years!! Your beautiful family is a very lucky benefactor of all that you do and know dear Scott!!! May you have a wonderful birthday--even though you have to share!!
Love, Love, Love For Christmas
DAVE MATTHEWS AND TIM REYNOLDS!
She was his girl; he was her boyfriend. She'd be his wife and make him her husband. A surprise on the way, any day, any day. One healthy little giggling dribbling baby boy. The wise men came, three made their way. To shower him with love. While he lay in the hay. Shower him with love love love. Love love love. Love love was all around
Not very much of his childhood was known. Kept his mother Mary worried. Always out on his own. He met another Mary who for a reasonable fee, less than reputable was known to be. His heart full of love love love. Love love love. Love love was all around.
When Jesus Christ was nailed to his tree. Said "oh, Daddy-o, I can see how it all soon will be. I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene. Instead I fear I've spilled the blood of my children all around". The blood of our children all around. The blood of our children's all around.
So I'm told, so the story goes. The people he knew were less than golden hearted. Gamblers and robbers. Drinkers and Jokers. All soul searchers, like you and me, like you and me.
Rumors insisted. He soon would be, for his deviations, taken into custody by the authorities less informed than he. Drinkers and Jokers all soul searchers. Searching for love love love Love love love. Love love was all around.
Preparations were made for his celebration day. He said "eat this bread and think of it as me. Drink this wine and dream it will be". The blood of our children all around. The blood of our children's all around. The blood of our children all around.
Father up above, why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love. Me up with love, love, love. Love love love love love was all around. Father up above, why in all this anger do you fill me up with love, fill me love love love. Love love love. All you need is love. You can't buy me love. Love love love. Love love. And the blood of our children's all around
I believe is was Robby that first introduced me to Dave Matthews!! Thank you son!!!
TOMORROW is Spencers Birthday!!!
I am always interested in how big things begin. You know how it is; you're young, you make some decisions...then swish, you're seventy. (not really) You've been a lawyer (or something else) for over fifty years and that (beautiful) white haired lady by your side has eaten over 50,000 meals with you. How do such things begin?
-Thornton Wilder
I dont know about you, but Im glad good things do 'begin' and end with families! Im glad you're family. Im glad we're not 70 quite yet. Happy Birthday dear brother-in-law!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNLEY!!!
FROM SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD
Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good fortune,
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content, I travel the open road.
The earth, that is sufficient,
I do not want the constellations any nearer,
I know they are very well where they are,
I know they suffice for those who belong to them.
(Still here I carry my old delicious burdens,
I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go,
I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them,
I am fill'd with them, and I will fill them in return.)
-Walt Whitman
Im am unaware of any burdens that you may carry....but I suppose we all have them??
All I do know is that you are brave and sweet and talented and the open road is yours to wander!! I am so grateful that you have chosen our beautiful Southern Utah for a while!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOOD COUSIN!!!
Mondays Misty Meander Up the Mountain
Walk on a rainbow trail;
walk on a trail of song,
and all about you will be
beauty. There is a way out
of every dark mist, over a
rainbow trail.
-Navajo Song
walk on a trail of song,
and all about you will be
beauty. There is a way out
of every dark mist, over a
rainbow trail.
-Navajo Song
This morning, old man winter couldnt decide whether to throw us some MORE snow or to just give us rain. Most of the morning we got a combination of both!! Burrrrrrrrr!!!!
...it must be recorded that his wings
were neither useful nor ornamental.
All paradise held its breath when the
Littlest Angel perched himself like an
unhappy fledgling sparrow on the very
edge of a gilded cloud and prepared to
take off.
from: The Littlest Angel
by: Charles Tazewell
were neither useful nor ornamental.
All paradise held its breath when the
Littlest Angel perched himself like an
unhappy fledgling sparrow on the very
edge of a gilded cloud and prepared to
take off.
from: The Littlest Angel
by: Charles Tazewell
footnote: who remembers this made-for-tv Hallmark movie? Can you believe it first came out in 1969!?!?!? (where does the time go, and where the heck has the darling movie been since then?!?!?!?) Wouldnt you enjoy seeing it again? I wonder where cute Johnny Whitaker is now?
SUNDAY MUSINGS
And in those days, Mary went into the
hill country with haste,into a city of
Juda, and entered in the house of
Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth.
Luke 1:39-40
hill country with haste,into a city of
Juda, and entered in the house of
Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth.
Luke 1:39-40
And it came to pass, that when
Elizabeth heard the salutation
of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb.
Luke 1:41
"This was no ordinary leap! Even before he was born, John began to bear witness of Christ. Bruce R. McConkie commented that "from the scriptural accounts it is clear that this means, not alone from the time he came forth out of the womb, but from the time that he as a conscious identity, the spirit having entered the body, was yet encased therein," John received the Holy Ghost and began testifying of Christ." (from: Unto Us a Child Is Born by-Jeffery Marsh)
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost,
and she spake out with a loud voice and said,
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb.
And why is it, this blessing is upon me, that
the mother of my Lord should come to me? For
lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation
sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my
womb for joy.
And blessed art thou who believed, for those
things which were told thee by the angel of
the Lord, shall be fulfilled.
Luke 1:42-44
Christmas Books with "L"
"Why me? If these men are so wise,
don't they know about my joints? My
gout? My sciatica? sputtered Hoshmakaka. "
from: The Last Straw
by: Fredrick H. Thury
footnote: I apologize if Im boring you with too many Christmas books. Im just trying to catch up. Next year expect only a few new books on my 'favorites' list.
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.*
See the PC Police had taken away,*
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
Something was changing, something quite odd! *
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,not Happy Holiday!*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is ‘The Reason’ for the Christ-mas Season!
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.*
See the PC Police had taken away,*
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
Something was changing, something quite odd! *
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,not Happy Holiday!*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is ‘The Reason’ for the Christ-mas Season!
Day Three and Four of SNow!!!
Winter in the country is so quiet.
The snow slows everything down.
Birds are silent and serious.
Dogs stay in their warm houses.
Children want cocoa and blankets.
Everyone is ready for something special.
from: Christmas in the Country
by:Cyntha Rylant
The snow slows everything down.
Birds are silent and serious.
Dogs stay in their warm houses.
Children want cocoa and blankets.
Everyone is ready for something special.
from: Christmas in the Country
by:Cyntha Rylant
poor,poor palm trees-they have no idea whats hit them!
Thanks go out to my Builder and to Bri-dog for going out in this nasty white stuff, and snapping a few pictures for me!!
Hey Auntie Em.......Like My New Shoes??
"There were actually several pairs of ruby slippers made.
Each shoe was covered with red satin and lined with
cream-colored kid leather, to which was applied 2,300
sequins. Each leather bow comprised 46 rhinestones,
42 bugle beads, and 3 costume jewels."
from: Whos Dated Who.com
Each shoe was covered with red satin and lined with
cream-colored kid leather, to which was applied 2,300
sequins. Each leather bow comprised 46 rhinestones,
42 bugle beads, and 3 costume jewels."
from: Whos Dated Who.com
I have a new pair of red shoes that really make me feel........sexy! I've heard over and over again, that every woman should own a simple black dress- I guess I wish I did. But I'd like to add that every woman should also own a pair of red shoes that make them feel fabulous!!!
Its not a new revelation, that I love shoes. My closet has a more than a fair variety of footwear. Shoes and books are a weakness of mine. Oh...and bread. Bread lust get me every time too. But I digress.
Red, hot, sexy shoes!!
They go with jeans, with a gown-if I owned one, with tights or stockings or just skin. They're party shoes or church go'in shoes. How does one pair of shoes do all this?? One pair out of so many on display at a store that I normally cant even afford to shop in. They were sitting there, high on a pedestal mixed in with many other 'flavors' of the same variety. But these shoes are the PERFECT red!!! And to make them even more appealing....they were on sale! A great sale, which made them impossible to resist!! And now Im feeling pretty when I slip into these gorgeous pumps. I feel no regrets for splurging. (though I may wrap them back up and put them under the tree, and call it good....no.....well done!!!!)
I cant wait for the next occasion, contrived or otherwise, in which I get to pull down an ordinary shoebox from off my closet shelf, knowing that inside, it holds the most delicious pair of shoes I own!! (for now)
What I Know:
Rare treats are delectable-even the non-edible kind!
Im NOT in Kansas when I wear these beauties!!
Music...............ahhhhhhhhhh.......
Have I been under a rock? How did I miss this song?
HALLELUJAH!!!!!
thank you Linda!!!
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