Points of Light

It's Christmas Eve.  This is my 600th post since I started blogging.

The house is very quiet.  There are no little children here anymore.

It makes me cry.

I still have totes of decorations I have not put out and about, and it's strange to not see them displayed.  My Santa collection is in one of the totes, and that's ok.  There has been much going on as of late, and it's taken most of my Thanksgiving, and now my Christmas - and I'm just tired.

But inside...

there is Peace.

We serve as Inner City Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  This is a calling made by the Church to serve as Service Missionaries - to those in need.  Many of our friends have been called to these positions - and we thought when we were called that we would go and do our best for the 12 months and call it a day.  We were called to a different mission than most of our friends - it's hard to believe that this exists somedays.  But we're almost two years into it now - and there really isn't an end in sight.  I'll just talk about my experiences a bit here - because we really aren't too public about it.  Most of our families we work with are protected by the state - some are trying to keep safe from abusive spouses, some children are protected from abusive parents, most are without jobs or homes, or hope.  It is not a calling of sunshine, but a calling that have introduced me to the concept of

 'Points of Light'

 

I have learned that I can stand inside the front door of a crack house and find a child within 60 seconds of a door opening to get it taken out to safety.

I have learned that a Utah Cockroach is - really big.

I have seen food being hidden in pockets, because it's their next meal.

I have listened to a mother verbally slam a child into a muteness, and a dark corner to hide.

I've seen children sleeping on the floor year after year.

I go to the Homeless Shelter to make sure my best friend is safe.  My only protection is my badge.

I have heard the screams on the phone of gunshots being shot through a home from the street.

I have filed a missing persons file when a mother and 2 children go missing after the little ones watched their gangster daddy take out mom physically.

I have had hundreds of texts from a woman terrified to death of who is pounding on the door in the middle of the night, in a place we are not allowed into after 9 pm.

I smile and wave to the police guarding the door of a threatened family from a gang.

I have seen the bottom of a mans foot showing through the bottom of his shoes.

I ached when the food money was used for smokes and booze.

I cried for a young boy who was caught shoplifting food because he was hungry.

I have walked the halls of the church house keeping pedophiles away from the nursery.

I have held a sobbing woman who just sold herself for rent.

I am aware of Satan's greatest tools.

Some of you may think I'm kidding... I'm not.

I've seen him face to face.

 

But I choose to see the 'Points of Light'

I see a home ward opening their hearts and wallets to provide warmth and gifts for little children.

I see a School Teacher teaching her children about giving - and watching those kids spend their own money for a pair of slippers for an old man, or a gift for a child that has never had one.

I see bags of clothes donated to clothe entire families.

I've seen 4 turkeys at a Christmas Party feed 300.

I've heard the most abused person in our Mission, open her mouth and sing like an angel.

I've seen the poorest of men offer his warm hat to another.

I've been offered lettuce found in a dumpster because they had nothing to offer me.

I've felt the warmth of tears on my face from someone that never knew anyone cared.

I have heard the smallest voice stand and bear testimony that God lives.

I've watched a Bishop tend to the needs of 800 people in one ward.

I've seen the Missionaries fed by a family that used their food order to feed them.

I've seen pennies, dimes and nickels from adults paying their tithing.

I've heard powerful priesthood blessings being given - to the point that you open your eyes to see if the Savior is standing there.

I've seen courage beyond belief from a homeless person with a 4.0 grade average.

I have seen the Glory of the Gospel, and Heavenly Angels ministering to this ward.

I have found, that I have so much more to do.

 

So... The Santa's didn't make it on the shelf.

There are no presents under the tree.

The lights never made it to the outside of the house.

I still drive to my mission with a Coke in one hand and a bowl of cereal in the other.

I still work graveyard shift right before I go to serve.

I sometimes sleep in sacrament meeting.

I mostly say I'm done on the way to serve early in the morning,

and I cry all the way home saying - I'll never give up.

I take on whatever needs to happen - which is usually always an emergency.

But if I can just try to be better, and give more, and complain less, and trust in my Savior more,

I think that someday, he'll see my tiny point of light.

 

Pass It On

Peace Good Will Toward Men

 

Merry Christmas my beautiful Children.

I miss your pitter patter of running up and down the stairs

to see if Santa has arrived.

You - have been my greatest gifts of life.

 



$1.06 McDonalds Large Coke

I have an agenda today.  Things that HAVE to get done or... it will be too late.  Running here and there,  jumping up and down, dodging from side to side.... and that's just the grocery part.  My biggest issue of my life is my attention span.  I KNOW what has to be done, I FEEL the pressure, I SEE the time on my watch and the amount of charge time left on my I-pod..... and yet the minute I get serious, bright shiney keys show up and..... squirrel..... I'm lost to the abissssssss.....   So - off to McDonalds to start the day with a coke and a smile... and then.... um... wait.... um.....

Just a little moment of Merry, before reality sets in.

There was a horrid thing that happened to 28 people, and their families in Connecticut yesterday.  I was bombarded with images and listening to screaming and watching the death count of small children and educators.  I was traumatized at the news, it sickened me.  I heard about it on the way to see my mother.  I only have a day to be with her and this was to be our happy day.  Well - it's a lot of work to make mom happy these days as she is really slipping into sadness - so these days together need to really count.  I arrived at the house and she had already heard the news - with her memory failing, every 10 minutes she relived hearing the news as if it was the first time hearing it.  I made a choice to turn off the TV, and turn the oven on, and started making Christmas Cookies with her.  We put beautiful music on, we trimmed her house with beautiful lights, and we prepared boxes of goodies for people that had been so kind to her.  We drove them around to the houses and looked at the lights. That night we watched  'Scrooge' at the Old Barn where my nephew did a great job.  There wasn't much I could do to change the tragic events of the day - but I had control over having a memorable day with my mom.  Here's what happened on a snowy day in a warm kitchen that smelled like heaven... 

Aunt Mary Hill's 100 year old Ginger cookie recipe

aw yes - hot wassail on the stove next to the clam chowder....

frosting then dipping into the coconut...

each cookie was perfect.

So is she.

ok... well right up to the point where the nativity set up

went really wrong.  The two wise men on the left were running

off with the loot, the sheep were sleeping, the 3rd wise man

was hitting on Mary and please don't make me get into

whatever is going on with the shepherd and Joseph.

 

Overall... for a moment in time there was Peace on Earth

in the little town I grew up in, in our little home there

with my sweet mom that I love so dearly.

 

Tomorrow I'll shed the millions of tears

for the innocent children, the grieving parents,

the loss in a community,

and unanswered questions of why.

And wonder if the world will

recover from this one, and when

will the next one be.

Bearing children at the age of 12 - and other myths.

I never thought the day would come that I could look at my kids as adults.  I just knew that I would kill them before then - either over grades, curfew, or my cooking.  Mandy and Ryan share the same birthday week - and no - I did not allow Christmas wrapping on their Birthday gifts.  It's been a riot watching them grow up and become these two really amazing people.  Mandy is married to a Ryan, making it quite confusing at times, and she's the mom of the man child we love to bits.  Ryan, MY Ryan just married his sweetheart Katie and they are working hard on their college degrees.  I just looked at these smiles and melted.  Aren't they wonderful?  Actually the picture I didn't show was the gang signs they were flashing.... so please don't buy into the perfect child thoughts.  We all arrived at Noodles with our FREE NOODLES BIRTHDAY coupons - and we feasted upon the goodness. Mike and Ashley, Katie and I joined the partae and we just sat around and laughed.... a lot.... at these two.  I love being their mom - I love that deep down inside my twisted thoughts - I have memories that can keep these two my humble servants forever.  I also am pretty happy about the amount of love and support they give me.  Just wanted to send out a shout out for their Birthday - Mandy - a quarter of a century, and my baby Ryan is 23.  Yes - if you do the math - I had them when I was 12.  Ok - I admit - although being together for the birthday people in my life - the best thing about the day was this...

Mac n Cheese and the boss - a delicious combination.

 

OH HAPPY DAY MANDY AND RYAN!

12/12/12 - because it should be noted...

Ok - so I've been waiting for the end of the world today.  I still have a few hours.  Until then, I have a cold, I'm tired, and I'm behind on watching Parenthood.  I have laundry to do, cupcakes to make, and some hot chocolate to drink.  It's a dark gloomy day - maybe the sun thought it was over too!  I did check my schedule at work and it says that I'm suppose to be in at 5 am - so at least THEY don't believe it ends today.  Kinda having a bad hair day too - so maybe I should at least brush it out.  I'm a tad over my (choke choke) weight goals so at least the vultures (if they make it through it all) will have a feast feast feast!   I also heard that the church ladies of rebellion are wearing their pants to church on Sunday - that might just be the last day for them.... ya know. Unfortunately I have to go to church in my Missionary Stuff - and then change into my pants to set up beds for a family that has been sleeping on the floor for over a year.  Then go back to the church... in my pants.  I hope I'm not voted in as 'pants president'.  If it is the end of the world today - let it be known that I have lived every moment of what I've been handed.  I hope to be able to celebrate the birthdays of my two kids this week - at least at Noodles - so if it IS the end - please leave us at least one Noodles to eat at.  Oh - and can we keep Happy Hour at Sonic?  There are some things I won't miss..... namely traffic on I-15, Diet Coke, sore throats, and miles between my grand kids and I.  I will miss scrambled eggs with ketchup, orange sticks and my entire family - except for a few cousins that think I'm of the devil.  Let's not let them know any different ok?  Have a super wonderful day - ok - I will miss you too.  xoxox  OH FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE - it's not the end of the world day - that's on the 21st!  But it was a great practice day!

Proud to be a Birthday Ginger

Yes.... I was born a Ginger.... quite a few years ago today actually.  I seem to find a 5 and a 3 mixed into that age range.  I wanted to post on my birthday - just because it's always fun when you actually SEE your birthday written out..... DECEMBER 3rd.  I mean you wait an entire year to see it written and then poof, in 24 hours December 4th crashes the party!  It's been quite a ride so far.  Somethings I hope my children will never forget.  Somethings I hope they'll never know (makes you wonder now eh?)  Never the less I thought about this day and how fortunate I've been to have some pretty spectacular things going on.  Like my knees.  Gosh I love them.  They've been through some pretty rough moguls skiing, jumping over high jump bars, cycling, frightening zumba classes, crawling around with little children, and endless hours on them in prayer.  They are slightly elephant skinned, and saggy, but they are the best praying bases I have.  I have my mom's hands.  Dark spots are starting to show, and my fingers are starting to get crooked, but they always seem to find themselves reaching out to try to help someone.  Once an old lady in a rest home slapped them when I reached out to pat her on the arm.  They said she did that all the time.  I looked at my eyes closely today - boy have they seen life.  They've had to look at the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - isn't that a movie?  They've closed many times with tears, and they've looked upon the sun and the glory of the world.  They've seen little tiny wrinkles forming around them - each one earned from a smile.  They've seen life being born, and they've seen life leave this earth. But they are Ginger Blue, and have a fleck of green like my Dad's eyes still have at 83.  I felt my heart beating today - strong - and true.  Some days it's felt broken, but mostly it's carried the weight of keeping me going, and trying hard to keep me around.  Ok - so I also started my High Blood Pressure meds and my Cholesterol meds, I can hardly wait for those side effects.  I looked at my hair - or at least where it use to be really really long - but I gave 12 inches away the other day so that someone else could be a Ginger.  I'm not sure if I did them any favors.  Hope they have the freckles to go with that hair.  Over all - I'm not happy about being an odd number of years - I do better on the even years - so my posts might be stranger this year than normal.... really?  Have I ever had a normal one?  So I begin this new older adventure and look to the future with hope.... and I hear many challenges calling out to me... like my husband Gomer, of almost 30 years in the room snoring, at 7 PM.... now THAT'S old.

Thanks Mom and Dad for wanting me - and keeping me after you saw my hair.  My mom called tonight and sang Happy Birthday to  me - she couldn't remember the words.... I said, "Well most of it repeats and then you say my name in the middle", she said, "In the middle of what?"  Oh well.  But she remembered the day she had me - and she explained it in great detail.  The mind allows you to remember the good times - and I am grateful to have celebrated with my children, and grandchildren this particular Good Time.  I winked at the heavens - I miss it there - but I'm trying hard here to get back there in one piece, with 2 carry on pieces of luggage, and no regrets.  BTW... I'll be baking Ginger Cookies to celebrate, and I'll be heating the entire house to bake them with - in a single hot flash.  Gotta love it - started those meds too....

Oh Happy Day

Vacancy... with a clean shower.... but unshaven legs.

So... just a note about me.  I am a sissy lala about being alone.  I'm sure I've screamed out several times during my life, "Can you just leave me ALONE?" but I don't ever mean it.  My fear of being alone started when my silly brother would have me get something in the basement and then shut the door to tease me.  (remind me to slap him) Our basement wasn't finished back in the pioneer times of my youth so a variety of interesting creatures lived down there.  The Giant Spider from both Harry Potter and it's cousin from Lord the Rings and their entire offspring lived there.  All of the Birds from the Alfred Hitchcock movie.  Several generational lines from the rats from the Indiana Jones movie (the part when they are under the library looking for the shield).  Frightening enough - all of the pictures of my Hill ancestors are there too - probably the most frightening thought of all.  So now I have this fetish about night times and being alone.  Sure - you're not suppose to publish when you are alone - and currently - I'm not.  But when I am (you'll be the last to know) I usually prepare by sleeping with knives next to the bed.  (ok - so they are bread knives)  Well.... last night - I was alone.... and I thought I would settle in for a nice long sleep... and something crashed in the kitchen.  Here was my strategy.  Call Ashley - she has guns..... no answer.... I only had pens next to the bed... my breath was awful... my legs had not been shaved... and I started having a conversation in two different voices like there was someone here with me.  THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PEOPLE!!!!  I'm not sure how I would kill someone with the pens.  I could write them to death.  My breath and leg hairs may have stopped someone.  But certainly by far... the multiple voices scared whatever it was down there.... away.  I've told Gomer... it's a gun or a dog.  Because if the police show up and they see a pen stabbed person, lacerated by leg hair, sick from mouth breath, and babbling that they heard voices (several types) it might be hard to explain.  Just when I thought I could perhaps doze off after my heart attack... I thought... where are they?   Under my bed?.......  Hiding in the shower?....... Locked in my parents basement?    Being alone - not for sissys.

Oh...My...Gosh - it's worse than I thought - I am beyond help this year...

Because I will totally get fired for posting things about my place of where I've already spent 36 hours and it's only Tuesday night this week.... (;  and, because I have signed the waiver promising that I will not disclose the sales for the day of the death march.... I will refrain from naming my particular retail occupation and deny all ties to the place if mentioned.   But I am dangerous during this time of year.  I have had in my hands the top secret memos of the sales of the century and also the amounts of each item available.  My rants of Black Friday have varied over the 11 years at this residence at 666 Retail Avenue.  I've decided to be super angry this year as some schmuck at the top has decided that our company will open open open at 9 PM for Black Friday... oh crap - I just threw up yet again.  Next year Black Friday will be on Halloween night - why not - our vendors required our set up for Christmas to be super happy wrapped and ready by then anyway.  Yes folks I've heard those complaints about how we rush into the season - please know that I am just a prisoner there - and not a decision maker.  Since we open that early - my shift begins at 3 PM so that the ads can be set and areas located, and ends at - yes 3:30 AM.  To ad insult to injury - we were asked to bring 'pot luck' for our lunch breaks.... My 83 year old mother doesn't understand why I won't make it to Thanksgiving dinner this year - I remember those days of sitting around the roasted turkey and sampling the mashed potatoes with my finger.  Those days are gone.....................

 

So I'm going to post my warnings about Black Friday - please consider these rules to be set in cement as I will NOT budge from them -

 

1.  The child will not stop screaming because it's 10 below zero outside, snowing, and you need a GPS system 'shucks, pretty darn bad'... (perhaps to find the address to DCFS?)

 

2.  After hitting me in the ankle with your cart 5 times as you stand in line - the ankle will finally give way, and I will send you to the end of the line...

 

3.  I don't collect tissues or used diapers, I am not a garbage disposal, and if you don't want to wait until you can find a trash can - thanks for stuffing it behind something - that's classy. (true story)

 

4.  Thank you for reminding me that this is the 4th place you've been to tonight, and there's nothing left here - hum... because we opened 4 hours ago?  (my fave chant.... "We're number 4!")

 

5.  I love how you placed those boxes of jewelry in your pocket for safekeeping until you reach the registers to pay for them.... right?

 

6.  People... people.... people.... I know that dressing like that made it to Facebook at another 'un-named' store... but have you washed those pajama pants since last year?

 

7.  Nope - that Santa hat doesn't do it for me.  And nope... I'm not telling you if I've been naughty or nice.  Toothpaste..... two rows over... mouthwash is there too...

 

8.  I personally don't care about all the relatives you have to buy for while I tackle keeping the line in order... nope - don't care.... don't care - I'm not Holly Jolly after 12 hours.

 

9.  So... if the limit is 5 and you have 6...  how many items will Johnny have to put back before he can check out?

 

10.  Please don't tell me how you think that it's awful that the stores open this early... because you are the dipwad in line making that happen.

 

Please be kind to the retail employees.  We can't strike, walk out or complain.  We need our jobs.  We are to show up with a smile even though our hearts are breaking.  Our hours are long this week and then cut next week.  We fall in love with our seasonal work only friends and then they are tossed to the curb after Christmas.  We eat stale food, drink too many Rockstars, miss seeing our children, and catch everyone's colds.  Black Friday employees of retail stores.... are the bravest people I know.  Not those standing in a line outside, not those plowing through the doors knocking people down, not those that blow wads of money on wants not needs.   My friends at my store - I freaking love you for your sacrifices.  You are valuable to me - you are not about the almighty buck, your vacation days have been frozen, and your holiday memories are not 'time and a half' but a quarter...  I'm sorry that you have to sleep through or work through a holiday that you are suppose to be thankful for things - and are so exhausted you can't be.  I work with impoverished families who have nothing - I cried the first time 11 years ago when those doors opened and thousands of dollars were spent on (really rotten snot nosed crying tired) children... I lost a lot of my spirit then. I changed my entire attitude about Christmas.  I'm pretty blunt about this part of the season - Black Friday... I'm almost grateful for January 2nd... because that item that you just paid $$$$$$ for is marked down to just $ and I am justified.  And thus the rant is complete.  Except for the rant about..... dun dun dun.... the Christmas Music Sound Track at work ---  oh - just threw up again. Give a hug to some random employee at my store - thank them - cheer them on.  Believe me - it's the last place on earth they want to be.  Anybody hiring?

BTW.... Valentine and Easter boxes came off the truck this week......

hippety hoppity Easter's on it's way.....

My thoughtful and wonderful Thanksgiving post right before the painful and slightly horrid post about Black Friday.

I know you've seen this before - but I can't get enough of it.  Abraham Lincoln said:  "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life".  So it is with my mother.  Some days - my children have really hard days. Each of my children that read this will interpret it different - for we all have our moments of toughness.  Today - I needed to give advise and I struggled to find the right words.  I do remember saying a bit louder than the rest of the conversation that I have great faith in my children and I know that God watches over them and knows their needs.  I reminded this child that it's really all about God's plan for us - and our patience in waiting to see what that is.  Being prepared for God's will is not a problem I've seen in any of my children, ever.  I see them doing good things and living the way that they have been taught to live.  They contribute and love and laugh and endure.  Some days just suck more than others.  When I have those awful days - I call my mom.  She lets me pour my heart out and she listens (that's kind of a funny concept because she can't hear and she can't remember) to me.  Her answer to me is never failing - "I believe in you".  It's always the only answer I really need to hear.  Today - I hope my children know I love them - today I prayed hard for them, and that I believe in them.  I hope they feel those prayers and that they will follow them also.  I told the Big Guy that I was so grateful for them, for their spouses, and my grandchildren and grandpuppy.  I told him I was grateful for my husband Gomer.  He's always fixing something for someone with the most expensive part he can find - but it lasts.  (:  Today - I found a paper my mother gave me - she had cut it out with her pinking scissors - you know the zigzagged kind.  She had pasted it onto a paper with leaves on it.  She had sent this to me many years ago.  Today - was a bit dark for me inside but after praying I went into the kitchen and I noticed I had just randomly put this poem on my Thanksgiving Board - not thinking much of it - until now - when I realize it was not to be noticed until today.  So for Thanksgiving this year I wanted to give it to my children - with love, from my mom and I to them.  I will write it fast because I can feel the blood starting to boil about Black Friday and I need to suppress it with warm fuzzies instead of nuclear bomb threats. 

 

Day to Give Thanks

 

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,

because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those

who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles

and they can become your richest blessings.

 

 

No matter where we all are this Thanksgiving - remember

WE ARE FAMILY and I BELIEVE IN YOU

and for that - I am richly blessed beyond words.

Love Bob Hillary, and Swirley Bowen

I'll take a slice of that....

I live next door to an amazing family - actually I'm surrounded by wonderful families on my entire street.  My newest neighbors are a Dad and his 4 children.  His wife - a dear sweet friend of mine, passed away just over a year or so.  These children are so beautiful - they have brought life back to our street.  There are 3 boys and one girl.  Recently, this little girl posted a note on the light post between our houses.  I thought it was one of those "need a job" or "babysitting" or the "I'm selling" postings.  But to my surprise as I looked closer realized how beautiful this child really is, and how tender her heart is.  Here is what it said:

what would you have taken?

I chose to take UNDERSTANDING... I taped it to the inside of my front door so I could see it everyday.  'Beauty' interesting enough - was the last strip left.  I watched as people walking by stopped and read the note and smiled from ear to ear.  I though how wonderful this was - how innocent - and how powerful.  Grown people even took a strip, and they tucked it in their pockets and you could just see the affects of this little act of kindness.  I know that her mother is looking down on her from heaven and she's smiling.  It's exactly what she did when she was a little girl.  In my calling I have so many people 'needing' someone to do things for them instead of reaching out and accepting new challenges on their own - and believing in themselves.  I think I might put one of these up outside our Bishop's office...

 

Thanksgiving, is such a reflective time of the year for me.  I don't take one day and make it my thankful day... Each morning is the dawn of a new opportunity to be grateful.  Sometimes it's the tiniest thing, the next day it's something enormous - but everyday it's something.

Take what you need... pass on the rest to others...let me know how it goes.... 



YEAH! It's US!

Searching through my camera tonight - so things are out of order - does that really matter?  NOT!  Because this picture came up and it made me smile instantly.  WE are SISTAS in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - AND we are FAMILY in this crazy world we live in!  AREN'T these daughters (ok one is my daughter in law but you know the rules - if you marry one of my handsome sons you become my beloved daughter also - right Bethany? right Katie?)  We were able to get tickets to the Women's Conference and get primo amazing seats!!!  I also didn't kill anyone on the way there!  Along with enjoying the night - Mandy decided to see what was in Ashleys purse - always an adventure.  The lady behind us and over about 5 people tapped Mandy on the shoulder and told her to be quiet.... we all almost died - because first of all - she wasn't being noisy at all!  Next, because the people behind us were TOTALLY noisy and talking. Last but not least - the lady almost DIED when Ashley stood up - all 6'4" including heels, and turned around (not sure if she had the gun in tow).  We all sat there in shock - and then..... we..... started... to laugh.....  I just love these girls - I am so fortunate to have Ashley, Mandy, Katie and (in spirit) Bethany - they make my life worth it - and remind me of myself many years ago.  I am proud of them - and know that the world is a better place because they are in it.  Please.... make as much noise as you want in life - I've got your back... or I'll be running away as fast as I can... we'll decide.  xoxoxo

Post Traumatic Halloween

Yep - it sucked this bad.

oh well...

....it was gone by 8pm

bring on the next holiday



Thriller Night

  Sweet score on seeing 'Thriller' last night - holy cow it was amazing.  Kingsbury Hall, Dayna Marshall, Steppenwolves Slappin' about, and Chainsaw man.... all left me speechless - well the girls wish it would have - I screamed through most of the show.  (Thanks Mike and Ashley and Beep!)

 I love Halloween.  I love the dressing up and the pumpkins and the colors of the season....  I love the candy.  I've dressed up in several outstanding frightening things of the night over the years.  Once I dressed up and work and the boss had to ask who I was.  I love the lit pumpkins - yes the carved ones, that you put away each year and never have to carve again.  I always have pumpkins from Mendon on my porch.  They bring a bit of my childhood home with me.  I love that dang miniature candy bag... I'm  pretty sure I can tank down a bag on my own.  But to me - the songs my mother taught me will forever be sung during my Halloween Days.  Back before they would let you sing the songs of Satan at Primary..... we would sing all of our favorites:  There's no such thing as a witch.... Halloween..... This is Hallowe-e-e-n!  All the kids in my town knew these songs because my mom taught them.  Now that my mom is in her 80's there are certain things that she'll never remember again.  But those songs - oh those songs come through loud and clear. I love that my kids still make this holiday fun... this is amazing beyond words.... and made me smile from ear to ear.  Made my heart sing...Halloween songs!

Not dressing up this year, kinda skipping out on Trick or Treaters, pumpkin lights are plugged in, and the candy bag.... well I haven't even purchased them yet.  But come on over and I promise I scare you to death with a song... or my singing... or both.  Happy Halloween to my kids, and my grand kids.... make some wonderful memories.   Sing a few too....

Where is Legally Blonde? I OBJECT! I think....

 

Watching the debate... sort of.  I believe that we need to observe the event.  I love watching the contrast between President Obama and Governor Romney.  I hear a lot of talk - I would love to just see the action behind the talk.  I love that the Founding Fathers knew that it would get tougher as the world progressed.  I wonder if back then - they cut each other off in disrespect - I hate that part of these debates.  I also tried to push the 'dislike' button on Facebook when the loose tongues take over there and good friends who usually fight over the U of U and BYU football teams - turn their claws on each other over political issues.  I get a kick out of the 'trigger words' and believe that somewhere there needs to be a drinking game (of course McDonalds Coke or Diet Coke only) when you hear the words 'trickle down' or 'play by the rules', or 'regulations'.... of course on a Bingo card - there wouldn't be a political FREE  spot in the middle... it would have to be on the far left side or the far right side.  I love the freedom of speech concept - how lucky we are to have that honor.  To blog about silly thoughts, moments in time that have changed us, serious topics, and sad things.  How wonderful it is to have differences.  How lucky we are to be able to vote - to cast that freedom also.  I don't know how many of these grandeur promises will come to actually being 'the way it is' if 'one or the other' is voted in.... but I get a kick out of having my one grain of sand on the beach vote... whether it matters or not - I love having it.  I mostly just wanted to say - that I put my "I VOTE FOR SPOCK" sign up in my front lawn.  I think he'll win.  If not - I kinda hope that SOMEONE comes along and beams up President Obama and takes him back to the mother ship.... (oh did I say that outloud?)  It's only Logical....

 

Gomer and Bob..

It's been a traveling week for my hubbie Gomer.  Traveling weeks are tough on both of us.  I am by far the biggest scaredy cat on the face of the earth.  While he travels with security -  I have all of the knives I own stacked next to the dresser by my bed.  I have no idea how I would kill someone with all of those bread knives.  He gets to eat at wonderful places (just part of the perks) and chocolate is sometimes involved.  I found something that resembled a frozen dinner, and some Halloween candy from last year.  He gets to stay in super sweet places and have someone leave clean towels every day for him.  I relished in the sound of that washing machine spin cycle.  He gets to have conversations with people that were selected to stand in the 'give them more brains than normal' line in heaven.  I tried to follow the conversation between the two macaws at our home, and even worse... I had to listen to Joe Biden.   So I decided the day he left that I would enjoy this pity party for the entire week.  I rebelled a bit, left my cereal bowl out on the counter... all day mind you.  I didn't put the lid on the toothpaste for 3 days.  I left the radio on X96 for the birds so that they were freaking out to rock music all day.  To top it off, I sang any song I wanted really really loud in the shower... (well ok - that was because I didn't want to hear the breaking and entering of the Psycho man...) I started 15 projects, all of which are still sitting here on the kitchen counter... and my Halloween decorations are half way up.  Good times.  It was nice to pick him up at the airport.  I love it when jet lag makes him a total Zombie, and he's totally slap happy funny (something to get on video one day).  I really love it when I say "I had no idea your plane came in early" even though I may have fallen asleep in the park and wait.... I love that he listens to me talk and talk and talk his ear off because I was so lonely.  It's weird when Gomer travels, well - actually it's almost as weird as when he's home.  We're just weird that way.   I was super excited for the gift he brought home for me - the cold from the man sitting next to him on the plane that was hacking up cats and dogs.  Love ya Gomer...  what's that you say?  Did I have popcorn for dinner one night?  .... maybe...

The Hungry Games

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1163&sid=22501675

 

Wouldn't it be super cool if I knew how to make this work .... super cool -  but I'm not that smart to be able to make it pop right up into the video.  So just enjoy clicking on it.... (she says.... 'Mom' in it!!)   Awesome day for Blondie - the whole family is proud of you little one.  It's amazing to me to see the strengths of my children, and their ambitions emerge.  Is anyone hungry?  I am....  Congrats Beep!  We were all cheering!  Oh - and Mike and I were happy that you didn't follow the airplanes or the mountains for directions to KSL... xoxoox

  

More goodies and an invite to follow:  Baking with Blondie - just google it.... and enjoy...
 

Awktober

I just absolutely love this picture.... after about 26 hours of no sleep - it just makes my laugh my really tired butt off.  (can I say butt?)  ok.... I just did... I LOVE OCTOBER... this year it's pre-voting violence - and they even have it on TV.  I get to gather the pumpkins grown in the Mendon garden.  I get to make applesauce... and more applesauce... and more applesauce.  I get to get my Halloween Decorations out!  I get to sluff church - and it's legal.  I get to turn the heater on.  I love to watch my chrysanthemum's bloom.  I get to till my garden (oh gosh I LOVE to run the tiller) I get to mow the lawn for the last time.  I get to see Christmas Decorations for sale at the store - ok -well I don't really love that part... I get to put a sweater on - WHEW!  I can stop shaving my legs!!! SUPER WHEEW!  (well not for Del)  I get to smell the sweetness of a fireplace.... and not a wildfire.  I get to stock up on NyQuil - my fave!  I love to look at the mountains all a blaze with color.  I get to spend more time inside on Pintrest and Blogging and Facebook (all recommended time wasters)  I get to make soup, and pretend I make good soup.  I can go to yoga with long workout pants on to hide my frightening knees.  I can park my bicycle and pretend I'll miss riding.  I can watch DWTS for FHE while eating dinner at the counter because, well why bothering setting the table.  I get to reminisce about the days before my hoarding started and my basement filled up with remnants of my children that use to live here and still have room fulls of stuff in the basement where I hope that the flood or the mice won't ruin their childhood memories (wow that was a long 'get to').  I get to start worrying about Christmas and how that's all going to go down.  And I get to drink my McDonalds Coke without the ice melting as fast as it did all summer long.  I love October - Bazinga....

Zoo-ology

When we travel with Mandy - we just tell everyone she's special needs.... she rode in the stroller all the way down the hill at the Zoo - so when they sing, "All the Monkeys Aren't In The Zoo".... they mean it.  It was a perfect day to check out the Hogle Zoo - how lucky we are to have such a fun, clean place to spend time.

 

 

 

So how lucky am I to have these beauties? Pretty lucky... we had the best time laughing and seeing everything. The new Rocky Shores was amazing and we loved sitting in the cool of the amphitheater to watch the bird show.

The rest is history...

can I really keep it?

I think I remember seeing a picture of my cousin Dbug in
front of this same big old bone!

I had no idea my mother in law lived at the zoo!

Nesting... could this be a sign?

alter ego #1

alter ego #2

will I be eaten alive?

maybe so.....

Uncle Mike came to help save me from the female animals...

 

Well - we'll be waiting for those Washington State Kiddos to

come for ZOO LIGHTS in the WINTERTIME!!

You've just gotta do it...

Growing up - my parents grew all of the vegetables you can imagine in our yard.  Trees, and gardens, and flowers oh my... it was all beautiful - always.  But like gravity, what grows up, must come down and be pressure cooked, strained, boiled, frozen, and stamped with the current year.  So that would explain the genetic make up of my brother and I.  Each year the stalks of corn are warmed in the sunshine at the bottom of these Mendon Mountains - growing tall in that rich black soil.

 

Then, when the raccoons and deer start munching on it - you know it's time to get it taken care of.  This process of picking, shucking, boiling, cutting and munching has occurred in every single one of my living years.  I can't ever remember a year that it didn't happen.  It's a beautiful thing to see the harvest tucked away for the cold Utah winters.  I always am grateful when Mother Nature allows yet another harvest.  I feel like the little ants that work all summer long so that they can secure a comfy nest in the winter months. 

 

My Golden Delicious apple tree gives me 4 bushel of apples every other year - they are huge beautiful apples and I turn them into everything under the sun... apple sauce, butter, pie filling, juice, dried apples and of course just dipping them in caramel.  The house smells amazing - and my shelves look happy.

It's getting to the end of the season and the garden is tired from making veggies - but not too tired to accelerate the beautiful flowers of fall.  This is the view from my kitchen window - and it makes me smile every time that I have a little bit of heaven 'in' earth to grow the miracles that grow in this tiny spot.  My parents knew that of all of the things that they could teach me... to teach me to grow things in the earth was the most valuable thing besides, doing something with it when it grew.  Thanks Parental Units - you are loved and live on.

 

Always remembered, written in stone

In my little town where I grew up we celebrate amazing things.  On this particular day - we celebrated our brave soldiers from our community and honored them with a memorial in our little cemetery.  I was there the day the artist and creator delivered these massive monuments and watched his tears as he talked of making them and putting the names on them.  It consists of 3 huge carved rock memorials of those that have served in the various wars over the years, some living, most have passed, too many left too soon.  The town came together for a program of music, introductions to many honored guests - and the arrival of a black hawk helicopter.  The 21 gun salute, the men in uniform and the beautiful day made for a memorable experience, one I was honored to be at, and also see my father's name (misspelled)(dang) in stone.  Here are some of the pictures of that day - some of many many taken, most make me cry.

I love this picture of Rod Sorensen and my mom - they
are total history buffs and they seem to always be in
the Mendon History books somehow together - good good man.

 

my brother, mother and I
 



not something you see everyday in Mendon
 

my dad
 

These are a picture of my Father's hands today - always a mighty Marine.  The reason he is still alive is because his heart is Marine strong!  My hands and his - together he gives me reason and strength.

Walking to the cemetery with my 83 year old mom - she followed my father where ever he needed to be in the military - she was stationed where ever he was.  She was always by his side.  Couldn't be prouder to have my family honored, and be a part of a town that takes care of those that serve.  Now - when my son in law walks into a room in uniform - it still takes my breath away.  Never could I repay that kind of bravery - never could I really find the words to thank them enough.  But I can salute the flag, I can post one at my home, I can stand every time a flag goes by -and reverently remember those that gave some, and those that gave it all.