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Showing posts from 2010

A Challenging Day, But This Too Shall Pass

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Today is the second anniversary of my husband's death.  It is time to give a report to my family.  This has been a hard year.  I was surprised.  I had thought that it would get easier.  Maybe I have just not stopped long enough to let the emotions clear.  My sweetie and I were, as the children were fond of saying, 'so close that we were joined at the hip.'  I do not know what I would have done had I not had all the joyous love that my family and Ned's family has given me.  There is a purpose in everything, I am just trying to sort it out.  This was a scripture my husband loved from D&C 76:22  And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! Ned loved Christ and the gift he gave us.  This is what keeps me moving.  The knowledge we will be together again.  It is Christmas time, a time to rejoice and be glad.  I can do this.

LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas 2010 Contest

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I love reading and there are some awsome genealogy books too! Click Here LDSWBR to enter. ***Countdown to Christmas 2010 Contest*** LDSWBR will hold a drawing on December 26, 2010 for a $50 Amazon Gift Card , as well as a variety of books being offered by some great LDS authors. Book prizes generously donated by the authors: Oh, Say Can You See? by Laurie (LC) Lewis Backlash by Traci Hunter Abramson Alma the Younger by Heather (HB) Moore True Miracles with Genealogy by Anne Bradshaw Dingo by Anne Bradshaw Second Kiss by Natalie Palmer Cross My Heart by Julie Wright Cold As Ice by Stephanie Black Meg's Melody by Kaylee Baldwin Save the Child by Margaret Turley Anasazi Intrigue (ebook) by Linda Weaver Clarke Mayan Intrigue (ebook) by Linda Weaver Clarke The Star Prophecy by Joan Sowards (and Walnut Springs Press) A cute, handmade apron by Joan Sowards How to enter: Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Christmas 2010 posts. Comments can be ad

Happy Birthday My Gorgeous Granddaughter!

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I have been looking at some of my old journal recently.  When this date snuck up on me I thought to myself...hmmm...I can blog about the years from then to now? or maybe, how I love this granddaugher.  She was my first grandchild. I will not reveal the birth year...we have our privacy you know...; ) On this date (ahem) several years ago, Athena was born at Doctors Hospital in Texas.  Her poor mother's labor room was over flowing with family, myself, her sister Lil' Miss Sunshine, and Red Beard.  It had not been planned that way but it was a great experience (for the rest of us). We all laughed when Red Beard left long enough to attend the breast feeding class that TexasBlu had not taken yet.  He was full of commentary when he got back.  Later Lil' Miss Sunshine was pulled in to coaching when Red Beard began to hyperventilate while breathing with TexasBlu and had to sit down.  Red Beard was not one to stand back and watch. When TexasBlu went into transition stage, Red Be

First Quilting Project a Growth Chart.

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This last month, as you know, I spent with my wonderful grandchildren in Idaho.  Each child has such distinctive personalities.  I absolutely loved my time spent there.  Nana and SuzyQ were both interested in learning to sew.  The machine says that 10 is too young so SuzyQ was relegated to cutting and ironing which she did well.  I did not get any pictures of her unfortunately. Photo by Hummer I was very impressed with Nana. She took to piecing quickly and became very precise in the size and shape. I am sorry I had to leave before she finished, but I will share with you the finished product when her mom sends me a picture.  Lets give the girls a big hand for being such good beginning quilters.!

Thanksgiving is More Than Turkey 2010

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The first example of Thanksgiving in America as recorded by William Bradford Governor Of Plymouth Plantation. Not of a feast, but of thanksgiving out of gratitude because "instead of famine now God gave them plenty.."P132 (1) Edward Winslow wrote a letter on 11 Dec 1621 to a friend in England describing this day of thanksgiving. "Our harvest being gotten in , our Governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labors.  They four in one day killed as much fowl as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week.  At which time amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest King, Massasoit with some 90 men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted.  And they went out and killed five deer which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our Governor and upon the Captain and others."

Dressing Up Through the Generations.

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Unusual costumes has been a regular for my TexasBlu girl.  She loved dreaming up something different for me to make for her when she was little. This is her at 8 with her dad and siblings at a County Maintenance Barn Halloween activity. The character is Mrs Bianca from the Rescuers.   About a month and a half ago, one of my grandsons, who has decided he will be a scientist, advised his mom that GrandmomE was going to make him a lab coat.  'Sure,' says I, 'that will be easy enough.' Well, the oldest then decided GrandmomE was going to make him a cowboy outfit.  Still easy enough. The mom then decided how about making the twins a HeMan outfit. (That was a popular cartoon series in the 80's [when TexasBlu was little] and is still on old channels).  Can't deny that part of my insanity was, I have never made anything for the boys it has always been for the girls.  Must do this. As I was working, a poem I cross stitched for TexasBlu when she was about 10ish 

Halloween Celebration At Mom's Assisted Living

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When Mom told me she had decorated her own Halloween T-Shirt, I knew I was going to have to go and see.  I was not expecting the totally fun evening we all had.  They had a wonderful trio that sang and played bouncy music.  My sister- in-law figured out how to bounce and grove to the music.  She also won the Family Division Costume contest.  She shows you can be sexy at seventy.  Whoo Hoo.  She's got legs.                                   My brother in law wore a mask from the movie Avatar.  It was a bit spooky you could see his eyes, but the mask so hid him.  I like him better without the mask don't you?    The Facility workers had all dressed up like the old rock n roll group "Village People" and did a rendition of YMCA, which my sister-in-law jumped right in and sang and made the motions.  It was really fun. Here is the reason I went.  Isn't she gorgeous.  92 years young. Happy Halloween 2010 to you all.

Spiced Banana-Walnut Muffins Heart/ Stress Healthy

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As I have been letting you know, I have been searching for a way to reduce my blood pressure.  I am tired of whining, so I thought I would share some positives I have found with you. Sheila G. West, PhD, of Pennsylvania State University team did a study of diet for possibly reducing stress with omega 3 fatty acids from plant sources.  They used my favorite nut, walnuts and walnut oil in the study.  The findings were positive for reducing stress and reducing cardiovascular illness. Click here to view the write up about the study.  That article and others like it, along with the knowledge that potassium also is helpful, led to me get out my Banana Walnut Muffin recipe and modify it to be heart healthy friendly.  [I see you smiling.  Yes, I needed some comfort food.  ; )   ] Spiced Banana-Walnut Muffins Servings: Serves 6 Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour (I used 1 Cup Gluten Free flour and 1/2 tsp Xanthum Gum) 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground nu

Shouts of Joy! I Feel like the Calf Roper!

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I have been multi tasking lately.  In addition to my volunteer work, and taking care of business, I have been trying hard to fulfill my grandsons confidence in me.  Cowboy on the left and Scientist on the right My daughter had related to me earlier this summer that one of the boys had decided he was going to be a scientist, the older of the two (they are 6 months apart) said "well, what am I going to be?" Said the other, "You can be what ever you want to be."  I some how feel without knowing it he was quite profound.  "We can be what ever we want to be." At the end of August, it was announced by our scientist that GrandmomE was going to make his lab coat.  That was good.  I knew 2 months before Halloween, which is what we are striving for.  The older then decided I could make him a cowboy outfit.  I am so excited that I have finished both and am getting ready to do He Man outfits for the younger twins...a rush job it will be, and wings for my fair

I Am Moving Along. That is Should Be.

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Curves internet page. My second son has been after me for sometime to get my health in order.  I told you that I joined Curves.  I really have enjoyed going to exercise early in the morning and love the people I have met there as well as my "adopted" daughter goes with me and we have fun too.  No, I am not advertising for Curves, just thought that those in far away places might like to know what it is. (click on the title under the picture to view their web page.) There have been set backs such as a sciatica problem that sent me to the chiropractor to have my back adjusted.  It helped until I moved the wrong way again. Sometimes I just wonder if I am meant to get this weight off.  On the other hand, I know that it is the right thing to do.  So, as soon as I am walking in an upright manner again, ( my daughter called me the Hunchback of Notre Dame.  I have to admit that almost walking on all fours to get around did present a funny looking picture.  No, she did not take a p

Back Up for Birthday Celebration

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I had the pleasure of being treated to a Belated Birthday dinner with my sister-in-law by my mother-in-law.  Jaq's birthday was on Thursday and mine was in July.  My mother-in-law wanted to take us both out to a nice restraurant so we waited until Jaq came over from Arizona.  What a fun night we had at Carmello's .  The owner treated us very well.  The food was wonderful.  I had the red snapper, yummy.  The company was awesome.  We all had family stories to share.  Dick shared about his Mat having burned up the engine not seeing the oil was empty.  Jaq's family is doing well, and Marie is involved in learning politics and how to be active in her community.  It was lively conversation.  When we left, I went over to my second daughter's home for the night and had a fun day at the park with her and the toddlers and her two. Of course, there had to be a story time.   It was a marvelous way to back up to celebrate your birthday. ; ) Photo property of Hummer 2010 Ph

Workless Wednesday

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There is Wordless Wednesday, and Wisdom Wednesday.  Today is my Workless Wednesday.  Where is my photo with my feet propped up on the desk?  Maybe a photo in the hammock...oh wait, I don't have a hammock.  Sigh... It appears my life has been centering around activity.  I am taking a day off.  Haven't do a lick of work all day.  Heading off with the toddlers to their Aunt's house. Depositing them there and having dinner with my favorite lady, my mother-in-law. It will be a wonderful ending to my day.

I Have Been Avoiding Reporting

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My goal in life has always been to be industrious.  I love the symbol of the beehive for industry.  In my life there has been a change of events that has thrown me off my usual bee buzzing activity.  About a two months ago, I had a bout of bronchitis.  It curtailed my activities.  At the same time my blood pressure became a challenge.  I have not been able to get in to stay in ranges below stroke danger levels.  (179/115)  I am using every natural method I can think of.  I have now joined 'Curves' to be able to get exercise in, because outside it has been excessively hot.  Indexes over 105 degrees.  If I get out and work my garden even early in the morning, it takes 2 hours to cool down and reduce my blood pressure.  I am in a dilemma.  It has caused my ability to concentrate on tasks to falter and oh my, I am way behind again in the house cleaning.  I could use some prayers to inspire me on a better method  ...do not say go to the doctor, I did he gave me a medication that wo

Fun Decorating for Home or Office

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I found this on Home Made Simple last year and I just found it again.  The letters are made out of miscellaneous junk in your junk drawer.  I think it is cool now if I can just get my round tuit going...

My World through my Camera Lens: Hollard Garden - finding beauty

 I found this to be a beautiful blog that the flowers are so uplifting to look at.  Betty has a good eye for capturing their natural beauty. My World through my Camera Lens: Hollard Garden - finding beauty

Report on the Progress of my Holy Basils

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I went out to the garden to water this morning.  We have been having 101 plus temps, no moisture.  Wasn't sure what I would find.  It is looking rather pathetic, but the cucumbers and the tomatoes seem to be rallying for a come back.  The herbs are looking beautiful.  I took pictures of all the basils. I have had good luck with the red stemmed or Rama Tulsi, or Holy Basil.  The Vana Tulsi has struggled but it appears one plant is going to make it.  Chitra if you have and suggestions for helping the Vana grow, I will appreciate it.        I forgot to tell you how different the leaves of the Tulsi taste and their fragrance is so wonderful.  I see why the Hindi people revere  it.  It would be wonderful having it just outside your door. There is one area that I have Cinnamon Basil, Sweet Basil, and Rama Tulsi.  They all seem happy together.  I tried catching the bees that were busy pollinating, but they were too fast for me.    Planning on saving some

Summer Time Fun Playing With an Uncle

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One of the activities of our summer was to go over and spend a few days with my son and his wife.  The toddlers loved getting to play with their uncle.  He got to give them rides, tolerate his shoes being used, and showered them with love and attention.  It was a great time.   It was a wonderful visit.  Memories galore.