EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS....

The past week has been crazy, what with finishing [I mean starting....] Christmas shopping, having a few of the grandkids over to spend time with Grandma doing some baking and decorating, attending Christmas cantatas, and FAMILY gatherings (which are the BEST!). To begin this busy month, Kloyie and Skyla came over and decorated my Christmas tree - can I tell you what a treat it is to have someone else do that? If they don't do it, it probably wouldn't get done! Because I'm working this year, I wasn't able to get to any of the grandkids school programs; but then again, I wasn't told of any either! Maybe they just weren't involved in any...maybe the schools are being prejudiced by political agendas that would like to see all mention of CHRISTmas out of the school protocol. Taylor and Laila spent the night and I took them to see the Christmas lights at Layton City Park; then we decorated Christmas cookies for them to take home to their Mom. When my kids were little this was a huge endeavor for us to do at Christmas and Valentines Day - cutting out cookies, baking and decorating for the neighbors. The 3rd weekend, I had Weston come over to build and decorate a Christmas train engine. I mentioned that maybe we should get Uncle Curt involved on the engineering end of it - the results were AWESOME! As we were finishing up the engine, Matt, Alysa and Sloane showed up and it quickly went from the 'little engine that could' to the whole train, and a village. A large piece of cardboard was found and covered with foil - and then Mike and Connor showed up.....their contributions were of a more "natural" essence with trees, a bonfire, deer, and lotsa poop! Droppings by the outhouse and around the lone pine tree. I was thrilled to see that my adult man children were having as much (or MORE) fun than the little kids doing this. In fact, we've decided that next year it will be a family project - where we will put the finished masterpiece is unknown. I know Weston took this one home and it's sitting downstairs in Heather's family room on their ping-pong table. Merry Christmas, Santa - looks like you'll have hot chocolate and your choice of cookies, candy, and deer droppings! We all were invited into the Campbell home for their annual Christmas Family gathering. Such a spread of delicious food, warm feelings of love, interrupted only once by the crashing of a broken village piece upon the tile floor, and the Christmas program, carefully orchestrated by our 'in-house' producer, director, and most times STAR, Teri. This is a tradition that DiAnne started when her children were small; then when my kids and both of our grandkids started coming up thru the ranks, all were utilized in some way into the Nativity story. Interesting that little Seth was the Baby Jesus last year, and this year he is a toddler. How time flies! And Sloane's famous response to Santa ~ I WANT A DIAMOND! I train them young, don't I? Perfect advertising for Morgan Jewelers!

It is now a very quiet Sunday - outside is a blanket of new fallen snow! Guess I commented too soon about getting used to having a balmy Christmas with snow in the mountains and grass in the valley!

For Unto You...

What the Birth of Christ has done for our World, technology cannot change! Everything in perspective, people.....

Wishing you a very Merry CHRISTmas, and a stunning New Year!

The Reason for the Season

YOU CAN'T STEAL
MY CHRISTMAS


Christmas begins with CHRIST.

I don't know who THEY are --
Saying I can't greet the crowd
The way that I want to
Can't say CHRISTMAS out loud.

I walk into a business place
See things that I'd rather not see
But dare I not say CHRISTMAS
And ask for a "holiday" tree?

What happened to freedom of speech
And living in the land of the free?
How can they take my CHRISTMAS money
But can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS to me?

Men and women have given their lives
So we could still go free.
I wonder how they would feel
At saying "HOLIDAY" TREE?

Come on AMERICA let's wake up!
Don't let our freedom escape
If they get by with doing this,
What else will they take?

This is starting to get out of hand,
And I've begun to keep track --
Well I've just about had enough,
I'M TAKING CHRISTMAS BACK!
If we all stand united and take freedom back
'Twill be our best CHRISTMAS YET!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY ~ JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe?

Mistletoe was said to be the sacred plant of Frigga, the goddess of love. When her son, Balder, dreamed of his death, Frigga rushed about seeking promises that her son would not die. Unfortunately, Balder’s enemy, Loki, tipped an arrow with Mistletoe and gave it to Hoder, the blind god of winter who killed Balder with it. He was brought back to life by his mother when she shed tears that turned into Mistletoe berries, so Frigga kissed everyone who passed under the tree on which it grew. From that time on, anyone who stood under the mistletoe would receive only a kiss; no harm could come to him.

An Anglo-Saxon legend of Freya, goddess of love, said men must kiss any young girl who stood under a sprig of Mistletoe hung from the ceiling. Another custom required all the Mistletoe in the house to be burned on Twelfth Night, or the couples who kissed under it will never marry!

GEESH! I think we could all make up some kind of story as to a reason to Kiss Under the Mistletoe - let's just say it's FUN!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

May all of you have a wonderful THANKSGIVING; with the enjoyment of surrounding yourself with the love of family, the warmth of hearth and home, and enough of the bounties to be thankful for. Love to ALL family (or random strangers who happen along my path and give me encouragment and pieces of your wisdom).

Valentines Day thoughts of LOVE ~ Celebrate!

It seems that nearly everything that can be said, has been said simply or eloquently, in a way that can seldom be improved. Please respond with one of your favorite quotes or a thought about love.

Passion makes the world go round. Love just makes it a safer place. ~ Ice T

Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. ~ Franklin P. Jones

Songwriting, Poetry, Movies, Novels - they all have a one common denominator...LOVE!

I guarantee there’ll be tough times; I guarantee that at some point, one, or both of us is gonna wanna get out of this thing; But I also guarantee, that if I don’t ask you to be mine, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life... because I know in my heart, that you’re the only one for me. ~ Runaway Bride

I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you. ~ John Smith from Pocahontas

This kind of certainty comes, but once in a lifetime. ~ Bridges of Madison County

Someday, when I'm awfully low, I will feel a glow just thinking of you, and the way you look tonight. ~ My Best Friend's Wedding

When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with a person, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. ~ When Harry Met Sally

You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? That's where I'll always love you, Peter Pan. That's where I'll be waiting. ~ Tinkerbell from Peter Pan

Truth is, I gave my heart away along time ago, my whole heart, and I never really got it back. ~ Sweet Home Alabama

Loss has been part of my journey, but it also taught me what was precious. ~ Message in a Bottle

I know you; I walked with you once upon a dream. ~ Sleeping Beauty

The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more; that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. ~ The Notebook

You are the only person that can make my heart beat faster and slower at the same time. ~ The Hot Chick

If I tell you I love you, can I keep you forever? ~ Casper

I am someone else when I'm with you, someone more like myself. ~ Original Sin

In these dreams I've loved you so, that by now I think I know what it's like to be loved by you. I will love being loved by you. ~ The King and I

Hearts will be practical only when they are made unbreakable. ~ The Wizard of Oz

I love you. You complete me. ~ Jerry McGuire

Follow this link to witness the ultimate LOVE from a Heavenly Father who heard and answered prayers.

December 25th, 2010 * 364 days until Christmas ...

Christmas Wishes from Someone too Lazy to Send Out Cards!

This
Xmas,
I would
like to put
up a tree in my
heart, and instead
of hanging presents,
I would like to put the
names of all my friends.
Close friends and not so close
friends. The old friends, the new
friends. Those that I see every day
and the ones that I rarely see. The ones
that I always remember and the ones that
I sometimes forget. The ones that are always
there and the ones that seldom are. The friends of
difficult times and the ones of happy times. Friends
who, without meaning to, I have hurt, or without meaning
to have hurt me. Those that I know well and those I only know
by name. Those that owe me little and those that I owe so much.
My humble friends and my important friends. The names of all those
that have passed through my life no matter how fleetingly. A tree with
very deep roots and very long
and strong branches so that
their names may never be
plucked from my heart. So that new names from all over may join the existing ones. A tree with a very
pleasant shade so that our friendship may take a moment of rest from the battles of life. "May the
happy moments of Xmas brighten every day of the new year". These are my sincere wishes.

Thanksgiving Hope for 2009

The month of November is rapidly coming to a close - and what with all the posted 'thankfuls' on Facebook and blogs, I would be remiss if I didn't at least acknowledge the love and thanks in my heart for wonderful family, friends who always seem to be there to lift my spirits, and the ability to still be able to work when so many are out of work. As I drive past the Downtown Urban Center and Pioneer Park, and see those who are standing out in the cold without warm coats, sleeping on the cold ground with only a blanket over them, warming their hands by breathing into them, and wondering where their next meal will come from, I become more aware of the thankfulness that I have for a warm home, the choice to sleep in a bed {or out on the front room couch}, opening a fridge that has an array of good things to eat, being able to jump into a hot bath/shower and wash the previous day off, and knowing that there are many who love and appreciate the things that I try to do for them. I am thankful that we are able to enjoy freedoms that a lot of other countries do not have; the opportunity to participate in religion or spiritual partaking of choice; to voice our opinions {however menial or unimportant they may be to some}; and to be able to feel and tell others how much they are loved and appreciated.

So, as this month comes to a screaming end, and we approach the end of 2009, as well, I want to let all those who read this know, that I appreciate the comments and insights that you give to me. Each one of you adds to a level of my consciousness about what in life is truly important. Family is the BEGINNING and the EVERLASTING. There is no one who will come to your aid faster, or cover your back like family. It seems that at this time of year, as families are looking to join together, there seems to be feelings of hurt, or unresolved issues that makes one or another feel that they don't belong, or don't want to participate. I wrote a poem some 12 years ago that was inspired by just one of those situations, and again 2 years ago, when I posted it here.

As much as we try to keep PEACE within circles of friends and family, it seems that there is always room to tell them that we love them and appreciate them. Please take time to mend fences and tell people you love them and are sorry.

In keeping with the importance of family - BIRTHDAY wishes to all of the gazillion birthdays in my sister's family, especially Denice and Whitey! They are my nieces, but they are also my sisters. I love you both. Taylor turned 7 years old yesterday, but we are getting together tonight for a celebration with family at her house. Pictures to follow....

Happy All Hallow's Eve!

Where your eyes don't go a filthy scarecrow waves its broomstick arms

And does a parody of each unconscious thing you do

When you turn around to look it's gone behind you
On it's face it's wearing your confused expression
Where your eyes don't go.

- They Might Be Giants, Where Your Eyes Don't Go

Parades, Picnics, and Pyrotechnics!

227 years ago...on July 4th, 1776
This great nation, the United States of America,
In a struggle for what was right and free,
Was proudly born...
May we celebrate that precious freedom
For which our forbears fought so bravely...
The freedom that is inherent
In the Stars and Stripes, our revered flag...
Celebrate Freedom
This Fourth of July!

America will never be destroyed from the outside.
If we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
--Abraham Lincoln

Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies
there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it.
--Judge Learned Hand

Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.
--Mark Twain 

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men
dread it.
--George Bernard Shaw

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands.
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
--The Pledge of Allegiance


Just resurrected a recipe for homemade ice cream that
Heidi {in all her glorious pregnant splendor!} had been
craving. It is a really fresh tasting ice cream, so I
thought I would include it on this post.

6 Threes Ice Cream

3 cups milk
3 cups cream
3 cups sugar
Juice of 3 lemons {1 sml can frozen concentrate}
Juice of 3 oranges {1 sml can frozen concentrate}
3 bananas {mashed}

Combine milk, cream and sugar and stir until sugar is
dissolved. Put in ice cream freezer and freeze until
mushy.  Add fruit juices and the mashed bananas and
continue freezing until firm.  This can be made ahead
of time and packed in freezer container {but it's so
DELISH to eat as soon as it's thickened}!

Have a SAFE and Happy July 4th!

Mother's Day 2009

{These are photos of my lovely and beautiful Mother and myself. I never knew her, because she died from Cancer shortly after this third photo}.

Mother's Day for many is a glorious day when they think fondly of their Mother's and Grandmother's; where children anxiously await giving the gifts that they have made in school to their Mom's, and can't wait to see the joy on their Mom's face as they open up the package; where memories are exchanged of the sleepless nights and tiring days of tending to infants and small children; of pacing the floor when a child is sick, or is not home when they should be; of listening to every siren, and opening door, wondering if their teenager is OK; where horror stories are told of adventures that Mother's would rather not like to hear about, or are very glad they didn't know about until NOW! For some, it's a day of sadness where the loss of a child or Mother is remembered with heartache; where a Mother is remembered only in spite because they neglected or abused their child; where the potential for becoming a Mother is just out of reach because of one reason or another. Be mindful of all Mother's, for it is through them that kindness and patience become more perfected. It is because of them that generations of new babies are brought forth. It is a noble calling, and one that we should all be appreciative of.

"The best way to have Heaven in your home.............is to have someone from your home in Heaven."

However your Mother's Day is spent, try to be forgiving of faults, and celebrate it with LOVE!

Easter 2009

HAPPY EASTER from us to you!

ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE...
I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY

Don't put all of your eggs in one basket
Walk softly and carry a big carrot
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears
There's no such thing as too much candy
All work and no play can make you a basket case
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits
Some body parts should be floppy
Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans
Good things come in small sugarcoated packages
The grass is always greener in someone else's basket
An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare
To show your true colors you have to come out of your shell
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey

Auld Lang Syne?

Harry: What does this song mean? For my whole life I don't know what this song means. I mean, 'Should old acquaintance be forgot". Does that mean we should forget old acquaintances or does it mean if we happen to forget them we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot them!? Sally: Well may be it just means that we should remember that we forgot them or something. Anyway it's about old friends.

These lines are from one of my favorite movies, When Harry Met Sally - this movie had many great lines that go down in the annals of moviedom. But particularly, as we look towards New Year's Eve, and the beginning of a New Year, may we remember friends that we have had who may now be gone, friends who surround us and are a daily source of inspiration and support to us, and strangers who may become friends to our future.

My Wishes for You in 2009 ...

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline

and may laughter assault your lips!

May your clothes smell of success

and may happiness slap you across the face.

May your tears be those of joy &

May the problems you had be forgotten

and your home be your Sanctuary!

In simple words ....
May 2009 be the best year of your life!

Huh? What? You mean I missed it all?

See Sue {Oh! you don't see Sue?}--she is so tired of the holidays! Sue has been sick with the stomach flu since last Sunday. Everything she has eaten is recycled ever so quickly! See Kloyie and Skyla build a gingerbread house with Curt and Matt-Sue is mysteriously absent. See Sue's photos of the annual Christmas party that Heather took because Sue was laying on the couch or the bathroom floor for all festivities! See how cute the grandkids are...they love Christmas. They love Santa. They love performing the Nativity story for Aunt DiAnne and Uncle Glen & Co. They love that Grandma is quietly composing herself and her digestive system by sipping some hot chicken bouillon. See Sloane open her presents Christmas morning? See no pictures of Connor? See Sue take down Christmas on the 26th? She's so done with Christmas...music is off the blog, lights & wreaths are packed away, and it's time for SPRING!

Hoping you all had a beautiful Christmas, and that you are anticipating a wonderful New Year. Blessings of Love from our family to yours.

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

As we approach Thanksgiving 2008, may we reflect on the blessings that have been bestowed upon us, and give thanks to those who defend our freedoms; to our friends and family who so often 'back our play', when others would run away; to the good fortune we have that enables us to have a roof over our head, and food on our tables; to a Heavenly Father who hears our prayers, and answers them in His goodness; to the profound knowledge that this is the greatest nation on Earth.

Count your Blessings - Share the Love.

Happy, Haunting Hallow's Eve!

I wish I had the energy this guy has, but I just want to snooze everytime I sit in one spot for very long. My weeks are becoming a mish-mosh of days running together, in which I can't remember what day I'm actually on, what grandchild I will be watching, and where I'm supposed to be! The one good spot will be the change back from DST this weekend. Then maybe it won't seem like the days and nights are screwed up as well!

The nights seem like an endless spiraling of tossing & turning, thinking & pondering, rationalizing and bargaining; until about 4am when I finally doze off in pure exhaustion and then the morning light comes too quickly! I must be getting that 'old person' ailment - the one my Grandma had that prompted her to go to bed by sundown, and get up with the chickens! I don't know if she slept all that time, or if she was tossing and turning, as well. She had great things on her mind, and wasn't afraid to instill in all of us the heeding that the crops were being poisoned with pesticides, the meat was bad because of the stuff being injected into it, the food was ROTTEN, and airplanes were flying caskets - a thing of the devil! The Government was going to HELL {even back in the 50's}!

Anyway, I'm getting off-track here. Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween. Hope all the trick or treating doesn't end up in your bed in the form of sticky goo or sugary puke, like it does my grandkids!! You can tell I really LOVE this holiday, can't you?

Who Sez?!

The 10 Most Disappointing Treats for Trick-or-Treaters

Ed Levine

On Halloween night, some houses struggle with the idea of candy. There are good houses, and there are bad houses. The best trick-or-treaters know to avoid the latter. At the food site Serious Eats, we all love Halloween, but wish certain homes would just stop handing out the classically bad "treats." They weren't good last year, the year before that, or now. Our own Erin Zimmer put together this list of our top 10 Halloween treats that nobody wants...

Toothbrushes {who can't always use a new toothbrush?}

Dentists and orthodontists should not be allowed to celebrate Halloween if they're going to get all tooth doctory on us. Do not bring your work home with you, folks! We all have a personal responsibility to brush, and maybe some of us will forget, but your complimentary bristles on a stick (instead of a Snickers) will not help us remember. It will make us despise you and your trade.

Raisins {NATURE'S candy!}

Little boxes of stuck-together shriveled globs are not what little kids schlep around the neighborhood for all night. When they say trick-or-treat, they want candy that will rot their teeth, not wrinkled grapes. (Using an empty box as a kazoo-like instrument, though, is kinda fun.)

Candy Corn {one of my personal favorites - like Circus Peanuts!}

The most polarizing candy of all. The fruitcake of Halloween; it just never goes away. If you love them, fine. But don't subject the rest of us haters to the sickeningly sweet triangle that tastes like neither candy nor corn.

Smarties and Necco Wafers {WHAT? Everyone doesn't just LOVE the Necco?}

These chalky candies are supposedly "fruit-flavored," but no fruit I know tastes like dust -- and makes everything eaten after taste like dust, too.

Dum Dum Lollipops {I'll give him this one...but they are small and just the right size to fit in a toddler's mouth and hand...upside down...getting all STICKY!}

Usually, foods on a stick are yummy (corn dogs, ice pops), but Dum Dums just can't be included on that list. Not even if they were breaded and deep-fried and served at a fair.

Apples {Again with Nature's candy? And doesn't he know that apples will clean all the sugar from between the teeth?}

Long before "poisoned candy" scares, evil people were handing out apples instead of candy on Halloween. This disappointing "treat" is the main reason to avoid unwrapped food while trick-or-treating.

Tootsie Rolls {YUM! YUM!}

It looks like chocolate and sort of smells like chocolate, but the mini brown tubes are not real chocolate. They taste like watered-down chocolate, and have a chewy texture that will strip the fillings right off your molars.

Miscellaneous, Wrapped Hard Candies {Point for Ed!}

Halloween is supposed to be a holiday for young people, not senior citizens who suck on hard candies all day. Something about the strawberry-shaped strawberries, gold-wrapped butterscotch, and peppermint feels past the expiration date. (These usually get set aside for Granny.)

Laffy Taffy {Banana is the BEST!}

I do not laffy when I get these. I sobby. I get depressedy. Because it gets all stucky to my teethy and doesn't even taste that goody.

Anything Fun-Sized {All good - CHOCOLATE soothes the inner BEAST!}

Who started calling it this? Since when is one bite fun?! Give us the rich houses with the sprawling driveways and full-sized candy bars any day. Portion control doesn't need to start this young.

BEGGARS can't be CHOOSERS!

Check out these Halloween treats you will want to eat.

Happy 4th of July!

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with patriotic quotes that define us as a nation? If these patriotic quotes don't get you in a patriotic spirit, nothing will.

1. "What is the essence of America? Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom ‘to' and freedom ‘from.'" ~ Marilyn vos Savant

2. "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~ Elmer Davis

3. "America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality." ~ Adlai Stevenson

4. "The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men." ~ Samuel Adams

5. "Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country." ~ Calvin Coolidge

6. "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty." ~ John F. Kennedy

7. "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it." ~ George Bernard Shaw

8. "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." ~ Benjamin Franklin

9. "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." ~ Thoreau

10. "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" ~ Patrick Henry

On this Independence Day, let us remember the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. Let us also remember that America is not defined by the politicians who run it, but the people who LOVE it. These patriotic quotes remind us that patriotism in America does not mean following blindly, but rather it means holding to the ideals that gave birth to this great nation.