It's been a

busy couple of days.  Yesterday I spent all day making the banner and various cupcake holders that look like flowers.  Then we had the event celebrating 170 years of Relief Society.  I have a great appreciation for the organization of Relief Society in our church.  Through visiting teaching, serving meals at events and funerals, or serving to individual homes, there is a great bond that forms and a great strength that comes with it.

After I got home last night, I worked for several hours on the computer for work.   Then this morning I drove Gary and Lynn to the airport.  We had a moment of stress when we realized that Lynn had left her purse with everything in it --drivers license, money, checks, phone, etc., back at home.  I was amazed when she went to the desk to see if she could fly without her ID, but would have to go through a special line.  That was a relief. 

Then I met with Loralee and company up in Blluffdale for almost 4 hours as we tried to fine tune the methods we are using with the spreadsheet and ways to make the ordering less complicated.  I left feeling much lighter hearted, because we were able to take each persons ideas and make it work.  They are such nice people

Then I came home and went to dinner with Gary, went and Fed-exed Lynn's purse to he, and then came home and worked for another 3 yours.  But it feels good.  Just doing creative things yesterday and having creative discussions about photo shooting parties and ideas for pulling them together, kind of gets my fire kindled a little.  I've kind of felt in the dumps for some reason.  Creating beautiful things, and just actually the act of creating brings energy.

A friend loaned me a book,

quite a while ago, that I read and forgot to return.  I came across it again and started re-reading it.   I was telling Gary about it, and so we read it together.  It is called “The Message,” by Lance Richardson. 

The book retells his near death experience and the fact that he was allowed to return so he could share his message.  I love reading and hearing experiences like his.  I really have no doubt there is life after death, because nothing would make sense at all if there was not a continuation of our spirits when we die.   But it is still hard to imagine what it will be like.

There is one thing that really struck me in his account.    He met his grandfather who had passed away when he was just a small boy.  In the conversation, his grandfather said, “I’ve enjoyed helping you and your family so much over the past years.”   When he asked his grandfather what he meant, his grandfather told him that he would be surprised how many of them are involved in their lives.  “In most cases, when you pray to God for help, it is your dead relatives and loved ones who are sent by God to help you in answer to your prayers.  Thus we weld links and bonds of love within the family forever.”

I love that thought, and I believe it.  Who would love to serve us more than our families?  In the author’s accounts, he actually watched as his deceased grandfather whispered in his father’s ear that he needed to be somewhere.   To his father, it was just a thought and reminder that came into his mind.    It makes me think about times that I have felt a nudging or a remembrance that seemed to come from nowhere. 

The most potent personal experience for me was when Dad died.   I wrote of the whole chain of events in my September 24, 2010 blog post.   But, just to summarize,  when dad died I was at Mom and Dad’s trying to fix their vacuum that hadn’t been working.  As I was doing that, the pieces kind of fell apart. To quote from my account:   As I was trying to figure it out, the bottom part finally came apart. But I didn't know how to put it together. I thought I had really made a mess of it then. I was saying in my mind, "Ok, Dad, you've got to help me with this." As soon as I said that, my fingers just kind of put everything back into place. I was actually kind of stunned, not really sure how it had happened. I started vacuuming with it to make sure it worked, when the phone rang. I answered it, and it was Charlene telling that Dad had died a minute ago. The first thought in my mind was, "He helped me with the vacuum." I just knew that as his spirit left this earth, he made a little stop to help me as I had asked him to. It softened the sadness at not being there for him when he died. As I drove back to the hospital and my aunts were watching for me, the first words out of my mind were, "Dad helped me fix the vacuum." It was truly a tender mercy to me.

I think we truly will be surprised at how close our loved ones are to us.  And how much ancestors we never met here on earth, are desirous of our well- being.    It is also a little daunting to think that they can see some of the less than wise things I do!  But I know that when I am gone, I will be vitally interested in the well-being of my children, grandchildren, and all their children yet to be.  

Here is a picture of the vacuum bottom. 

 I just can't let myself part with it.

And here is a picture of the cookies I’m going to give me friend when I return the book. Maybe it will make up for my tardiness in returning it.

It's funny how

food can bring back memories.  I was reading a cooking column in the Herald that gave a recipe for a Cream of Chicken Soup.  I probably wouldn't have cut it out, but at the bottom it said "Adapted from a recipe from the now-closed Bill and Iva's Cafe in Orem.

That took me back to sitting at a table there with the family when I was a little girl.   We didn't eat out at sit-down restaurants a lot as a family in the younger years,  but that is one place we went.  And, I loved the soup. 

So the next day I made it.  And it tasted just like I remembered.  I was feeling so nostalgic about it that  at the last minute, I called and invited Gary and Lynn to come join us. 

Here is the recipe for anyone that has the same memories I do.  Or for anyone who wants to try a good soup.

Cream of Chicken Soup

2 Tablespoons chopped onion

4 Tablespoons chopped celery



1 Tablespoon butter
1 quart chicken stock
1 Tablespoon chicken bouillon
1 Cup grated carrots
1 1/2 cups grated potatoes
2 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups cooked, diced chicken
1 can milk

Saute, but don't brown,the onions and celery in butter.  Add and boil 30 minutes the stock, bouillon, carrots and potatoes.  Make a smooth paste of the flour, cornstarch, and water.  Add into the soup, stirring well.  Simmer 5 minutes.  Add chicken and milk and heat through.  Do not boil.

Very easy.  Enjoy! 

Today our

son-in-law, Justin, turns 35.

We really lucked out in the son-in-law department. 

 In fact, if I had sons, I would want them to be just like my adopted ones. 

One of the things I truly love about Justin is his unselfishness and desire to serve.    He is always looking for, and finding, ways to make life better for those around him.  He is a wonderful support to Tiffany and father to Eliza, Ashton, Annie, and Lucienne.   I am ways amazed at Justin's knowledge of the scriptures.  He makes scripture time with the kids fun and real (even for Grandma). 

Happy Birthday, Justin!

We love you.

I can't put my finger

on why exactly.  But I'm feeling very uninspired and unmotivated.  I've had the sewing machine set up in the family room for two weeks, and I've gone through a pile of mending and sewn five aprons. That should make me feel accomplished.   But, I think I'm overwhelmed by the, umm, 20 or more aprons that I have cut out and ready to sew. 

It all goes back to when I was on a "finding cute fabric for aprons" kick.  Do you know how many cute fabrics there are for aprons out there?  Especially cute cupcake fabric.  I haven't been on the fabric kick for 2 years or so, but I still have the fabric.  I went through the process a few months ago of cutting out most of the fabric using the various apron patterns I have.  That was progress.  But now I need motivation.

But I have a headache, and what I really want to do is make chocolate chip cookies, grab a book, snuggle in a blanket, eat the cookies, and not feel one ounce of guilt while doing it. 

I'm still debating. 

Ok, this is

SCARY!

Me at 89

Gary at 90

(according to the "aging booth" app on my phone)

That's just not fair.  Why do I look so much older than him with my sagging jowls?

I saw a

saying the other day, in regards to St Patrick's Day.  It said, "Blessed, not Lucky."  That is the way I feel about so many things in my life.  I don't feel lucky, per se, but I definitely do feel blessed.  

I've always loved the irish blessing that goes something like this.   "May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of your hand."  I have that on a plaque my friend, Barbara, and I made 27 or so years ago.  She painted it and I wrote it in calligraphy.

Like I mentioned, I didn't get out my St. Patricks decorations this year.   But I did make one project that I saw on pinterest.  

  
The website I copied it from didn't have the colored cardstock backing like I have. They just arranged it in the bag.   But, I needed them to keep their shape, so I added it.   I had quite a time finding the rainbow colored twizzlers, as I think everyone else in Happy Valley saw the same pinterest site and bought out the stores.  The gold is Rolo's candy.   My saying that goes with this treat is, "You are the Gold at the end of my Rainbow."  I'm not Irish, but hey, I can still use Irish prose. 

Here is a view

that most people don't see --because it is behind our bedroom door.

 It makes me happy. 

 Yes, there are probably about 100 flower pins on the magnet board (anybody want some?).   And there are multiple scarves hanging on another magnet board with magnet hooks (I thought I was pretty ingenious thinking of that).   And then just a few of my necklaces hanging on the metal jewelry hanger that Natalie gave me.  And then my bridal picture.  Gary may have reconsidered marrying me if he had known I was quite so OCD when it comes to having every color of every thing I love.  He may have decided I was a little too high maintenance. 

I was at

Gary's second ballgame today.  They lost horribly in the first game, but they redeemed themselves tonight.  I have to admit, I never thought I would find myself in the stands as a coach's wife. It seems much more relaxing than it used to be.  Maybe because I'm not running after little girls and also because he is not the head coach.   I've taken pictures of Gary two of his four baseball uniforms.   His hair is a little greyer, but other than that, he is still looks the same in a baseball uniform.

You may note a couple of little things.  His stance reminds me of Angelena Jolie at the Academy awards, minus the split in his pants.  And, second, my rotating shelf is bare.  I'm afraid that St. Patrick's day is going to get ignored this year.  I'll move straight in to Easter and bunnies in preparation for our annual Bunny Hollow get-aways with the girls.  Yeah!

Remember that

first event I helped with at Studio 5?  Well, Loralee posted it on her blog today. My pictures were nothing like these.  Go look at them at this link:

MAKE IT POP!

And, um, I don't think I'll report on my very poor efforts at having a schedule today.  But there is always tomorrow . . .

I need to

Learn to compartmentalize better. I become consumed with one thing (lately my job) and have a hard time letting it go. I am only supposed to be part time (20 to. 25 hours per week), but I can't stop until everything is up to date. But, of course in a business that thrives on new orders, it is never up to date.

This is not a new dilemna for me, just a different venue.

Resolve: Tomorrow I will allow myself 4 hours for work, 2 hours for yoga, 1 hour for cleaning, 1 hour for Dr's appt., 1 hour for reading, and the rest sewing and whatever else comes up. Pretty good plan. I'm hoping that publically committing to it will make me accountable.

We will see . . .

I give

up I just typed up a very intelligent and insightful blogpost. Not once, not twice, but 3 times on my ipad. Only to push some button that completely deleted them. I'll probably never have such insight again. I'm stopping before I erase this.

It has been a

Busy but good week. I have been working up at the studio every day. Lee is in the Congo for two weeks picking up their adopted daughter, so Loralee needed more help. This is the fourth child they have adopted, and they are all between 5 and 2. They are such cute kids. I am amazed at how she gets everything done.

Being at the studio has really helped me understand the products and the process much better. Lots of times there are questions I don't know answers to, and being there where I can ask questions on the spot and see what can be done, has really helped.

And, today I got my first paycheck!