A Big

Sigh of Relief (Society).

That's what I'm feeling tonight. 

We had the Birthday Activity tonight.  It has been on my mind for several months as we've planned and prepared.  The flower pins pins we made, as well as the bookmarks and candy, were a favor for each of the women..   The dinner committee prepared a meal of chicken enchiladas that was delicious.  When I get the recipe I'll post it. 

It's so nice to gather with women of all ages and share a common bond.  I have developed friendships, through Relief Society, with women that I would not have known otherwise.  Amazing women of all ages and from all walks of life.  I love it.

Here are the Relief Society birthday cakes made by several of the woman.  They tasted as good as they look!

So many wonderful

treats to make and eat.

So little time.

I calculate that if I made one recipe from this

amazing cookbook every day,

that I would have made them all

by sometime in September 2012.

Now that sounds like a fun challenge!

Thank you, Angie!

(P.S.  I won't, however, calculate how many pounds

I may gain if I ate them all)

I asked for it

didn't I?

A couple of days ago I sat in my chair with my computer on my lap, shaking my head, chuckling and saying to myself, "I can't believe this."

I've mentioned this Book of Mormon Table topics I've been working on.  There is going to be a box similar to this

on every table at our Relief Society Celebration next week.   All the women in the ward have been challenged to read the Book of Mormon.   As we sit at the tables we will pass around the box and they will pull out a card and give their feelings about the questions asked.

To be effective the questions shouldn't have a right or wrong answer and should not be able to be answered with "yes" or "no."  Rather they should begin with What, How, Why, etc.   Anyway, I had been online pulling questions from Book of Mormon manuals, study guides, seminary guides, etc. I had cut and pasted possible questions randomly until I had 14 pages full questions. I was feeling totally overwhelmed.  I kept telling myself that I was making it much too complex and that I just needed to simplify and make it basic. 

Anyway, to simplify what I'm trying to say, I actually prayed for help in how to simplify and make it meaningful.  It was shortly after that when I was sitting with my computer and saying "I can't believe it."  The document I had stayed up until midnight working on, saved, gotten up early and worked on, saved, and then printed off so I could easily mark it up, was Gone. 

Yes, GONE. 

NADA. 

NOWHERE.  

I know I had saved it several times because I was worried about losing it.  I did searches, checked the recycle bin, did more searches, checked my online backup with Comcast, and did this over and over again for more than an hour.  Anything created or changed or saved or backed up from that 24 hour period was not there. 

Guess what?  It totally simplified everything. 

From the one hard copy I had printed off, 

(Shown here)

I just pulled the basics from it to create the questions cards  

When I told Gary about it later in the day, he was sure he would be able to find the document.   (After all, he works with teachers every day who say that it "worked yesterday" or "it was there yesterday.") Well, he couldn't find anything saved over that period of time either. 

All I can say is that God works in mysterious ways.

And I think that He (or whatever angel is assigned to me)
 also has a sense of humor.

Observations

on the difference between men and women.

There are many.

But the one on my mind tonight has to do with

"detail in planning."

Gary was going skiing tonight with the youth.  On his way out the door, he asked if I had any snacks, so I pulled some cookies out of the freezer.  I said "good-bye," grateful that it wasn't me who got (?) to go skiing.

Fifteen minutes later he called and says that they decided they needed some sack lunches  Would I makes sandwiches for 10 and get chips and drinks and bring them up to Sundance at 6:00?

My first comment was, "And I answered this call, Why?"

Then I realized he was serious.   So I said I would figure something out.   I had some hoagie buns and sandwich meats in the freezer, so I thawed them and made some very basic sandwiches.  Then I went to Costco and got chips and juice boxes.  Then I took a beautiful drive up to Sundance and dropped them off.  I can think of worse ways of spending the evening (like cleaning up my messes, which I haven't done).

But my point is, the men didn't even think about what they were doing for dinner until the last minute.  If the women had been in charge, we would have planned out what we were doing for dinner, right down to what kind of sprinkles to put on the cupcakes.  

Maybe I'm generalizing a little too much.

But that has definitely been my observation through the years.

I must say

 that I have a very patient husband.

I don't know how he puts up with my messes.

I honestly didn't use to be so distracted with my projects.

It would really make sense to finish project

before I start another.

But "sense" isn't a commonly used word

in my vocabulary lately.

In the family room there are ribbon and paper pieces

all over the couch and floor.

Those are from the "Book Of Mormon Table Topic" game

we're making for our Relief Society Celebration.

In the Sunroom is more fabric (for more flower pins)

for my card class on Thursday night.

In the living room are bookmarks

(thanks for putting those together for me, Sharilyn),

I won't even mention what's in my craft room.

And all Gary said to me when he went to bed tonight

(as I was sitting in the middle of my ribbon messes),

 was to make sure I picked any

pieces of paper or ribbon off my clothes.

 He didn't want pieces sticking

to my pants like they were when we met

at Jason's Deli for dinner tonight.

Maybe I'll surprise him and get all my messes cleaned up by the

time he gets home from night skiing tomorrow night.

Now, that would really be a a really BIG surprise.

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole,

otherwise known as "Ashton Eggs" by the Deacons in our ward.

 Gary, who is the Deacons Quorum Advisor, has the boys over for breakfast when one of them moves into the Teacher's Quorum.  That's what we did today.

The recipe is nice because it gives you the egg, potatos, and meat all in one dish.  It is also very easy.

Hash Brown Casserole

Makes 6 servings

6 cups frozen hash brown potatoes (I use shredded) 

2 cups diced ham (or cooked bacon--I like the precooked bacon I get at Costco)
4 green onions, chopped  (or dried onion flakes)
1 tablespoon green peppers, chopped (opt)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

6 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Make two layers of potatoes, meat, onions, peppers, and cheese (starting with hash browns) in a greased 8" square pan.

Make mixture of eggs, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Mix well and pour over other ingredients. Bake at 375 for 40 to 55 minutes (until set)

Tree Street

Memories.

On Thursday night we went to a viewing for our friend, Doug's, mom.  It is hard to see that generation, our friend's parents, passing on.  Doug grew up on the Tree Streets like I did.  I suppose you can image why they were called Tree Streets -- Cedar, Elm, Cherry, Locust, Briar, Ash, Locust, Fir, Oak, Birch, Apple, etc.   It was a wonderful place to grow up.  We moved into our home on Cedar Avenue when I was in third grade, so that is where most of my childhood memories were made. 

At the viewing we visited with several other of our friends and old neighbors from the area.  We ran into the Weavers, who Dad had home taught for years.  They were very good to Mom and Dad and Mom and Dad were good to them.  They made it a point to tell me they still had their parrot.  When Dad first started being their home teacher, he went to the door and rang the doorbell.  He heard someone say "Come in."  So he went in.  No one came right out, so he sat down to wait for them to come into the room.  He waited a long time and still no one came into the room.  I don't know how long he sat there or how long it took him to realize that no one was home.   But eventually, after hearing the parrot talking, he realized that it was the parrot who had said "Come in."  He promptly left, but I guess he wasn't too embarrassed or he wouldn't have told the Weavers about it later and we wouldn't know the story. There is something else they reminded me of that I'll write about later. 

But, it's late, and I'm tired, and I'm also feeling sick with a cold and cough and sore throat.  Too much partying, I guess.   And speaking of parties, Happy Birthday to my son-in-law, Justin!  We wish we could be there to celebrate with you.  And speaking of birthdays, we went out for Duke's birthday after the viewing (even though it was a few days earlier).

The Psychology

of "Hoarding" is very interesting to me.

Gary and I watched the show "Hoarders" last night.

It is mind-boggling to see the absolute disaster
some people live in.

You wonder how they even function in life.

In the one we saw, the people were literally

climbing over boxes and junk to walk through a room.

I guess one reason I'm so interested in the subject is because I recognize in myself some "hoarding" tendencies. 

For instance, I will think:

If I find one great item, I may as well buy 10 of them.

I can't get rid of something because I spent 

good money on it and it is still good. 

(Even if I don't use it or even like it)

I can't get rid of something because it

meant something to someone I love. 

I want to buy every piece of fabric I like

because it would make a cute apron-- 

even though I have stacks of apron fabric

that I have not used yet.

I want a bag for every possible use that may ever come up.

If there is a paper or organization product on a good sale,

buy as many as you may ever use in your life.

(I love paper and organization stuff) 

Well,  I think you get the drift. 

In fact, this morning when I woke up, a dream I had was still very fresh in my mind.  In the dream Gary and I were at a store and they were having a great sale on baby outfits -- only $1.99.  Because it was such a deal and I could give them as gifts, I started putting all they had in my cart.   Gary was saying I didn't need to  buy them all, and I tried to explain to him what a good deal it was and that it would save money.  He convinced me I shouldn't buy them all, but I woke up feeling somewhat mad about that.  (I'm sure if I hadn't woken up from my dream that I would have gone back and bought them!)

Ironically, they say that hoarders are often perfectionists.  On the surface, that seems very contrary, but it does kind of make sense.  Perfectionists tend to procrastinate doing things because they want to make sure they do it right and don't want to make mistakes.   I can relate to that.  I could never live in the chaos the people on the show do. But, I do have sympathy for the emotional issues of parting with things and of wanting to collect more.   

But, don't worry that I'm going to turn into an old lady who has to be dug out of her house when she dies. (I couldn't live with dying like that)

"You know,

this is kind of addictive,"
I said to Gary at 11:30 pm on Friday night.

Gary:  "Ugh, dear, it is not addictive.  It's O.C.D."

Well, what can I say.

My friend, Diane made these beautiful flower pins,

 I love them so much that I

decided I would try making them in bulk for

our Relief Society Birthday activity.
(Though not as pretty as these or
with as many layers, for time's sake).

Dianne (who is just a little bit like me in this OCD way),

had bought lots of fabric and cut lots of circles,

and burned lots of edges,
and made lots of pins,

and had overdosed on them.

So she gave me her left-over fabric

and many circles that were already done,
I don't think I would have had the courage to do
this project if I had to start from scratch.

Then I did lots of cutting,

and lots of burning

and more and more burning

until I had piles like this

(of which this is just a sampling of)

My committee of 8 came over and they helped me

with some of the assembly

like this:

which transforms into this

which gives me a basket like this,

which are pinned together and awaiting the

magnets (instead of pins) I ordered online.

Then I will add the "iron rod" centers

and glue them together.

So that is pretty much what I've been doing,

(besides the work that came in today).

That and trying not to burn the house down.

Green

with envy,

no doubt.

Missing out on this appetizing meal

of green eggs and pancakes.

I was

looking at this cradle, as Marshall was sleeping in it,
 and remembering when Dad built it for us 35 years ago.

That was when we were expecting Misty.

Then, when I was looking through Misty's scrapbook,

I saw this picture (of Gary changing her diaper)

with the cradle in the background.

It's fun to realize that it is being used by a second generation

and to wonder about how many other generations it will bless.

And, Harrison, here is the picture of Grandpa

eating the doughnut that you made!

 

YUM!

Random Pictures

from my last few days in Missouri.

For now Marshall is happy and content,

sleeping all cuddled up, while I watch the ball games.

Give him a couple of years,

and he'll be out here with the rest of them.

Marshall was blessed on Sunday. Everyone commented that we should make sure we labeled the pictures, as we wouldn't be able to tell if this was Hyrum, Harrison, or Marshall.  They all wore the same blessing outfit and look so much alike.  Jackson wore a different outfit and had a different look to him as a baby. He had a cute "little old man" face until his body grew into it.

As I was getting ready to head home,

we dressed Marshall in his overalls.

Harrison wanted to be dressed in his, also,

so he put them over his other shorts.

I didn't happen to have my overalls with me,

or I would have mine on, too.

I forgot to give Gary his doughnut last night,

though it is probably very squished in my suitcase.

I'll be sure to give it to him when he gets home this afternoon

and get a picture of him eating it.

I came home to a clean home

(which I'll try not to mess up with my projects)

and to a husband I still feel high-schoolish about.

(Not quite sure what the definition of that is,

but It's what came to mind)

Who would have thought 15 years ago that I would be spending time on a farm in Missouri (where I had never been), with five grandchildren.   That I would have 4 grandchildren living in Oregon (where I had also never been).  This from a Provo girl, who married a Provo boy, who's never lived out of the state of Utah and only out of Provo for a few years.  

It makes me wonder what adventures the next 15 years will bring.  Let's see, I'll be 71 then.  That kind of scares me.   Maybe I'll be on a mission in Guatemala.  ( Now, I'm really scared!) 

Anyway, I feel very blessed to have a husband, 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, and 9 grandchildren that mean the world to me.   I'm grateful that I live in a time when I can talk to, see pictures and live video of, and visit my family that lives far away.  I know living away from those I love would be much harder without those blessings.  I'm grateful for my family and Gary's family who set good examples of family unity and love and that still extend that same support we've always felt. 

Even even now, when I'm home,

I'm still basking in the wonder of a new little spirit,

so fresh from heaven.

I'm very conscious of the goodness of people.

I saw so many kindnesses given to Misty and her family,

and the love that those around them have for them.

I'm very conscious of the importance of all

relationships in our lives and the need to nurture them.

And now it's time get back to my "normal" life with an

added appreciation for all that I have.

I"m off to Yoga.

Doughnut

Boy.

Harrison has been a doughnut lover for several years.  Every time we go to the store, we have to buy doughnuts.  So yesterday we made them for the first time.  As you can see he was an expert doughnut hole cutter and doughnut eater. 

Of course, he wasn't the only one

who ate them.

Then we went to Applebees for dinner

and to "Percy Jackson the Olympians Lightening Thief" movie.

Don't worry, Gary,

I've got two doughnuts in the freezer to bring home to you.

"Look At What You're Missing"

was what Eileen wrote when she

emailed me with this picture this morning.

Missing?

I don't think so.

Here is what it looks like in Missouri.

There were even 8 pelicans on the lake this morning.

Dan said it was the first time they've ever seen them here.

Lydia the

gymnast.

She is very good at this

as you can see.

Aren't

they dear?

Now all it needs is a picture of Marshall.

A week ago today

on February 23, it was Harrison's 5th birthday.

I was so busy getting ready to come out

here that I didn't say

Happy Birthday to him on the blog.

Yesterday, Harrison and I went to Hardees

and got shakes while Misty took Marshall

in for his doctor's appointment.

He entertained me with this:

(sorry it's sideways)

I Love you, Harrison!