Today was a beautiful day - albeit a bit on the brisk side. But at least, the sun was shining, and that warmed the cockles of my heart!

Early morning clouds wisp away - making room for the sunshine
Together the sun and I gather strength and within an hour or so we’re both smiling as if we controlled the day.

The Winter Woods are quiet now, The snow is on the ground;
The stillness almost hurts your ears, there's not the slightest sound.
And, once again, in solitude, I stand within the wood;
To watch the snow come falling down, where Summertime once stood.

Ghosts of winter drift along snow-white corridors in a Winter splash of golden sunlight; but my mind is conjuring memories of a warm courtyard where you can smell the bougainvillea, and hear the lilting chirp of the songbirds.
Compliments of Michael Shifflett (Artiste Extraordinaire)

Laila is our 5th grandchild and the daughter of Heidi.

Child of my child - Heart of my heart
February 3, 2008

When God was making Laila
He thought, “what can I do” -
To create a perfect little girl
To make Mom’s & Dad’s dream come true?

He started with 'cute and healthy'
Then added extra smarts
He threw in lots of giggles
To lighten all our hearts.

He added great big blue eyes
And put extra twinkles there
He stroked her skin with angel dust
To make it soft and fair.

It’s been three years since God sent you
And I’m thankful everyday
For the little Laila branch
Upon our family tree.

Of all life's earthly treasures
None can quite compare
To the treasure of a grandchild
And happy moments shared.

Love with an open heart
have fun with the little joys of life
know that you are capable of doing any thing you want
and make a true difference in the world!

Happy Birthday, Sweet 3 Year-old
Grandma Shifflett

Sunday evening after celebrating Grandma-Great's birthday with family, I sat down to relax and turned on the TV. A story was coming across on the news about the death of Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, beloved prophet and leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Rather than sadness, I felt a feeling of warmth knowing that he had lived a long and faithful life and is once again with his sweetheart, whom he has missed so much.

A friend sent me a link to Glenn Beck's program and his tribute to Pres. Hinckley - I thought I would put it on here, so that you can all witness the genuine sincerity with which this man speaks of our prophet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z58eHBnEHhk

Grandma-Great's birthday is the 29th of January, and she will be 85!

Grandma, We Love You

If every person to whom you have shown
Some act of compassion and service,
Were to try to repay you in their own kind
I fear there would not be enough
Days or hours in our lifetime.

“Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these; Ye do it unto Me.”

If every piece of cloth you’ve pieced
And every stitch of thread you’ve sewn
Were laid side by side & end to end
They would stretch from here to Timbuktu,
And back again.

“I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more that the first.

For every unkind word
that is spoken against another
You offer up a compliment, and a calm reassurance
That the World is a better place,
Because we are in it.

“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only . . .”

If to you, a rose was sent
For every day that you have spent
Thinking of, worrying about, or fretting over each of us
In our daily routines;
The World would be a garden of roses,
And you would be the Master gardener.

If we could all have the perfect Faith
That you carry in your heart;
Then your Mission as our Mother would be taught.
That because we are all God’s Children,
There is nothing more important or urgent –
Than for us to do those things that will
Help us return to HIM.

Some women are born to Greatness –
Others strive for Greatness—
Mom, you’ve always done the best you could with what you had; you’ve always cared for others when it would’ve been easier to think of yourself; you’ve always been there for all of us when it seemed the rest of the World didn’t care. We love you.

“Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth no behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. . . .Well done, thou good and faithful Servant. . .”

You watched over us by Day & Prayed for us each Night

Written for Mom on her 80th birthday
January 29, 2003

Sue

A while back, I mentioned that I was going to try to spotlight my kids talents on my blog. I have occasionally put something of Mike's up and Heidi has her own blog, that features all the art she has done. On the other hand, Heather does some incredible polymer clay figurines that are just DARLING! She has mostly made them for her little girl to play with and friends/family with no renumeration - other than accolades and encouragement to try and sell them. Recently, I took one to a baby shower I attended and 'the crowd went wild' (so to speak). So I want to put the ones that we have taken pictures of here so that you can see them.

Alysa just sent me this cute pix of Sloaney this morning - so I had to add it. She's such a happy baby!

I haven't posted for over a week -- no birthdays, no excitement, the grey & dismal BLAH's are beginning to set in! How I would love just one day with enough sunshine to melt the iceberg in my driveway, and the opportunity to take a walk without the inversion strangling you at every breath! HOW LONG 'TIL SPRING?

Let's see: Kloyie's baptism was a few weeks ago and I haven't posted pictures of her special day. It was a very cold and snowy day, much like today. But she looked beautiful in a dress that Matt & Alysa gave her for her b-day. When I told her she looked like a princess or a bride, she said 'How 'bout a Princess Bride, Gramma?'

Nadine, DiAnne, Whitey and I drove up to Morgan last week to visit our Aunt. We always have a good laugh with her, and it was a beautiful day (albeit COLD). We took the scenic old road out of Morgan, and exchanged memories about where friends/relatives lived (back in the olden days), an old tree that Nadine and a friend got chased up into to get away from a elk(?)and were stranded there all day!

Grandkids are the funnest! Taylor stayed here one afternoon and helped me dig out after a big storm. Because she didn't have any snow gear, her clothes got wet and cold, so we threw them in the dryer and I put one of my 'oldest' flannel nightgowns on her to cozy her up. She thought that was pretty neat, when I explained that DiAnne had made the nightgown for me and two just like it for Heidi and her Mom when they were babies.


Laila took off running across the driveway, and whether it was icy or her feet just got away from her (as she is much like the gazelles loping across the plains, lately), she slipped and got a road rash on the side of her face. When her Dad bent down to give her a hug before bed that night, she explained to him to be very careful with her 'owie', cuz it hurt a little!

Mike, Shari, and Connor made a quick trip up this weekend with a U-Haul truck, bringing back a portion of their household in Hurricane. They only stayed one night, but will load up another truck and drive back for good next weekend. They too love the desert, but they love work and money more! So Mike is following an opportunity back in SLC.

I was the lucky Grandma to watch Sloane last night for awhile so I got some new pix of her. I can't believe she is already 7 months old! Where does the time fly to? She's a happy baby, and is beginning to be very curious about everything - a piece of lint on the carpet, a stray cord stretched out along the wall, the inside of a mouth - you know, how the tongue works, all the teeth!
So this has been a very "Grandma Brag" kind of blog - but they're all worth it, and I love them all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERI!

I received a thank-you note from Teri for helping at the Festival of the Trees. It was funny, because she mentioned how forgetting must be a part of approaching 50! 50?! How can that be? I remember the day she was born. I had gone into the tabernacle in SLC with my Primary group to do baptisms for the dead. When I got home, I was told the news that DiAnne had delivered a new baby girl. I was so excited and couldn't wait to offer up my babysitting skills. I would spend weekends with them, and get up with the baby once during the night to give DiAnne a break. I also remember the first bath...WOW! That makes me feel so old! Between dance recitals, directing the Nativity at the family Christmas party each year and so many productions that she has been in, Teri continues to thrill her fans & has begun a new career in Real Estate.

Teri is the oldest daughter of DiAnne & Glen, and she is married to Tom. They have three awesome and talented kids - Jessica, Nicholas, and Taylor.

Teri, Teri – You’re so very, very
Entertaining and Funny.
You sing, you dance, and please the crowds
And watching you makes us all so Proud!
Your Humor and Grace, and savoir-faire
Makes everything you do beyond compare.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOM!

Isn't this little guy cute - and can you tell who he is? Tom is my brother and the 3rd oldest of my siblings. He was one child that tested the water (quite literally when he drove a car off the road into the Weber River!), my parent's patience and Grandpa Fry's good nature (I believe he was in Grandpa's jail the night my Mother went into labor with me!). The gleam in his eye, and the smile on his face always lets you know you're in for a good story of mischief and mayhem! When I asked Leanne for some verification of my facts she more than willingly gave up a few good stories on her Dad: "Dad was the Supervisor over Avionics Training Device Simulators for F-16 and C-130's.
1) He got mad at some of the guys because they kept going into the restrooms with the newspapers and they would fall asleep on the toilets, so Dad had Civil Engineering come and take off the stall doors so they couldn't sleep in there any more and it made quite a few people mad, especially his boss and the Union. 2) He also received a Pigeon Poop Kit from another boss and good friend in Minot, S.D., which was a pan and and broom in a box. Dad filled it up with pigeon poop and sent it back to him through the base mail. It was quite the joke on the base for many years. 3) About the car in the river -- which time? I know of at least 2 times. He still has the newspaper article at home with the roof of the car sticking out of the icy river. Of course he was feeling no pain at the time of the incident. Eventually, he grew out of his 'wild ways' as far as actions, but his sense of humor and mischievous thinking lives on. It's funny to know that one of my good friends from junior high actually worked with Tom, and never realized he was my brother - but she says 'everyone that knew Tom liked him'. Not hard to believe!

He and Margie were married in 1949 and they have one lovely daughter, Leanne who is married to Garth; and two grandkids, Jorgan and Chad. Thanks to them for so lovingly taking care of their parents.

NEW YEAR 2008

Today is Daddy’s birthday --- he was born Jan. 3, 1900. It was always so easy to remember how old he would be for the year! He was 49 when I was born. . .and 65 when he died. It’s difficult to remember any one thing about him . . . he’s been gone from my life longer than he was in it.

New Year’s has always been a time for reflection, contemplation, and resolution. What were you doing New Year’s Eve? Were you curled up by a cozy fire, celebrating the beginning of a new year with someone you love? Were you remembering times gone by, with the hope for a better tomorrow? Were you reminiscent of a more carefree day when the wind in your hair, or a skinned knee was your only concern? For me, the end of a year and the beginning of a new one is no different - marked by sorrow, sadness and regret.

Sorrow in my heart for those who have passed through our lives and are now gone - Left without a goodbye, a promise of tomorrow, or a feeling of warmth. Sadness in my heart as I realize unfulfillment in my life. Regret, which is the biggest disappointment – when I realize what I am capable of, what is expected of me, and the realization that I haven’t been diligent in seeking those areas that would allow growth.

I’m sorry for the blonde, blue-eyed child who has no recollection of a childhood. I’m sorry for the frustration and confusion of adolescence. I’m sorry I was a follower, instead of a leader; or at best, an Individual! I never explored who I really was or who I wanted to be. I’m sorry for relationships that I either didn’t encourage or nurture. I’m sorry I didn’t take time to have fun and explore new horizons. I regret thoughtless words and deeds.

So, with this said, I am declaring 2008 “The Year of Sue” (remember the Seinfeld episode where George resolves to do everything different?)! I want to become more healthy, happy, and independent! I want to let go of old hurts and salve the wounds with love and forgiveness. I want to forget the past, and make each day of my present account for something.

I love all my family and am thankful that they have been there to fill in the gaps!

It's a New Day, a New Year.....!

May all the dreams in your eyes, all the desires in your heart and all the hopes in your life blend together, to give you the most spectacular New Year ever. May all your dreams turn into reality and all your efforts into great achievements.

Happy New Year from one flashy Broad!

Christmas Eve

Well here we are in Hurricane...'twas the night before Christmas'. We had a lovely turkey dinner 'n fixings, with one of Aunt Marie's Razzleberry pies and a Lemon Chiffon pie for dessert. Shari & I have given assignments to Wood & Mike to assemble and insert batteries; Grandma-Great & Connor are rolling out cookie dough, and we (the girls) are putting the finishing touches on the infamous 'Christmas Breakfast' for tomorrow morning. I have never had a Christmas where I moved so slowly-almost as if I’m watching myself from afar. Just don’t have the energy this year, and am fighting a bacterial infection -- (I’m on the meds.)

What hasn’t been done, doesn’t get done! It is what it is! And in the long run, what does it really matter anyway, right? (I will close the door to spaces that I have neglected, hoping no poor soul will try and open them.)

We are watching Christmas Story on TV & playing 'Mexican Train' with Dominoes. We will head back to the condo soon, and regroup back here in the morning when Connor gets up.

I know that someday I will probably miss all this hustle-bustle (though I can’t imagine it now!), so I will try and remember what is really important as we gather together. And that is, that we are together, enjoying each other, and celebrating the gift of Christmas…

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, and to all a Goodnight

Oh DANG! I forgot I was gonna use this picture circa 1982 - The Shifflett kids are gonna hate me for this one, but it's a Mother's perogative. Matching PJ's compliments of Grandma Shifflett.

I've been in the BahHumbug-ish mood this year for Christmas. For those of you who received the 'letter', I'm sure you knew I was writing it 'tongue in cheek' . I thought I might try to whip out something via email (that hasn't happened!); the only decoration I have up is the tree that my two oldest grand-daughters, Kloyie & Skyla helped me with; and as far as cooking and baking -- FORGET ABOUT IT!

“When our children/grandchildren are sick -- When their little body aches and a fever rages and their head hurts, and they can’t explain what is wrong, they don’t want new toys or new clothes or a nicer house to live in. They only want to be held by someone who loves them. Ralph W. Emerson, an American philosopher reminds us that rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only real gift is the gift of yourself.

When I am hurting emotionally, I don't want a nicer car to drive or a new wardrobe. I too want to be held by someone who loves me. At Christmastime the best gifts I receive are tokens of love from those I care about and who care about me. So often the gift of time, of presence, is the best of all. It takes a clear vision of what matters to give our children presence, not just presents. We never outgrow the need for love expressed by presence.

No matter how old we are, the gift of time and attention is just as sweet as it was when we were children. Grown children need it from parents; parents need it from grown children. It is a never-ending cycle. We all need support and help from each other. We have the capacity to love and lift each one around us with our presence.

As the sacred music of the Christmas season surrounds us and the message of Christ's birth is uppermost in our minds, may we think upon the wondrous gift of God's presence. May we be willing to receive it, to open our hearts to it and really feel it. Jesus came to us so we could know the Peace of Heaven on Earth.”

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends. May your New Year be filled with Peace, Hope, and Love and a renewed awareness of your Presence in our lives.

WELCOME HOME!

We are proud to welcome Elder and Sister Campbell who have returned home from their Mission assignment in the California Riverside Mission! We are thrilled that they are healthy (for the most part), happy and are home to celebrate the Christmas Season with friends and family.

Love you both,
li'l sis

If you're not in the Spirit of the Holiday yet, this will get you there. After checking out this link, you're sure to be singing Christmas carols and then be thanking me for time 'well-spent'.

Check out this link and test your Christmas skills:

Funny, Funny Mother

This was always such a riot to read aloud at DiAnne's Christmas get-together, cuz no one works harder or starts earlier to prepare for Christmas than her! We would be in tears laughing at the scenario -- when I read it now, I just heave a big sigh of RELIEF knowing that I was never nor will I ever be like this MOTHER!

See Mother - See Mother laugh - Mother is HAPPY.
Mother is happy about Christmas.
Mother has many plans for Christmas. Mother is organized.
Mother smiles all the time - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

See Mother - See Mother smile - Mother is HAPPY.
The shopping is all done. See the children watch TV.
Watch children, watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask Santa for different toys!
Look, Mother is not smiling - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

See Mother, See Mother - See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses - Mother will make robes -
Mother will make shirts. Look - Mother put the zipper in wrong!
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short.
See Mother put the material away until January.
Look, Look. See Mother take a tranquilizer - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

See Mother, See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineapple and powdered sugar.
See Mother buy flour and dates, pecans and brown sugar, bananas and spices and vanilla.
Look, Look. Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn. See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy. See Mother pull her hair.
See Mother clean the kitchen with the garden hose - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

See Mother. See Mother wrap presents. See Mother look for the end of the scotch tape. See Mother bite her fingernails. See Mother go. See Mother go to the store 12 times in one hour!
Go Mother, go! See Mother go faster. Run Mother, run.
See Mother trim the tree. See Mother have a party. See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother scrub the rug. See Mother tear up the organized plan.
See Mother forget the gift for Uncle Harold. See Mother get the hives!
Go Mother, go! See the far-away look in Mother's eyes.
Mother is disorganized. Mother is disoriented - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

It is finally Christmas morning. See the Happy Family.
See Father smile. Father is happy. Smile Father, smile!
Father loves his new neckties. Look, Look. See the happy children.
The children will remember this Christmas.
See Mother. Mother is slumped in a chair. Mother is crying uncontrollably.
Mother does not look well. Mother has dark ugly circles under her blood-shot eyes.
Everyone helps Mother to bed. Mother sleeps quietly under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

"A Maxine Christmas Story"

A good friend forwarded this to me and I knew Maxine and I had something in common --- but my hope was that I would grow up to be just like her! Maybe I'm closer than I think!

'Twas the night before Christmas, And all through the house...
Not a creature was stirring Since the cat ate the mouse.
My support hose were hung By the chimney with care.
(I hung them last Christmas And just left them there.)

My dog, Floyd, was nestled All snug in his bed,
After watching the cat rip The presents to shreds.
And I in my long johns And ratty night cap
Had just settled my butt For a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn There arose such a clatter,
I swore at the window, "What the (blank) is the matter?"
I tore open the window, Not a second to tarry,
All ready to throw The noisemaker a berry.

A bright moon was lighting The new-fallen snow...
And I had a moon of my own Set to show.
Floyd was beside me, Paw pointing the way
Toward eight tiny reindeer Hitched up to a sleigh...

And a little old driver So cheery and quick,
I thought for a moment That I would be sick.
Like a bat out of...you know, His reindeer they came,
And I whistled and shouted And called them some names--

"Hey, Hornhead! Hey, Furface! Hey, Weiner and Turkey!
Yo, Klutzy and Mangy And Venison Jerky!
Stay off of my porch! Get away from my wall!
Now hit the road, hit the road, Hit the road, all!"

But as pedestrians before My old Buick, they fly
And head for high ground With great fear in their eyes,
So up to my rooftop The fleabags they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys And old Fruitcake-Breath too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
Holes in my new shingles Made by each tiny hoof.
As I reached for my slingshot And a marble as well,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas Tumbled and fell.

He had a huge sack of Cheap junk on his back
And I whispered to Floyd, "Be prepared to attack."
His eyes they were squinting, His toy bag was draggin',
And I felt for a moment Like I'd soon be gaggin'.

He was dressed all in red. With a bell on his hat.
And a belt of black leather To hold back the fat.
A billowing pipe He clenched tight in his smile,
And the smell was like something Had been dead for awhile.

He had a broad face And a little round belly
That shook when I nailed him With a handful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, Well, actually porky,
And I laughed when I tripped him (He looked pretty dorky).

He was like a beached whale Unable to budge.
And he tasted good, too, If the dog was a judge.
I spoke not a word But went straight to my work--
A noogie, a wedgie, A cry of "You jerk!"

Until laying a finger Aside of his nose,
With a loud cry of "Uncle!" Up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to the sleigh And dragged in the toys,
Then he cried to the reindeer, "Get me out of here, Boys!"

And I had to exclaim As a slushball I tossed,
"Happy Christmas to all, And to all a Get Lost!"
But then, as I turned, I saw 'neath the tree
Two gaily wrapped presents-- One for Floyd, one for me.

A big bag of jerky Turned Floyd mighty chipper,
While for me was a pair Of brand-new bunny slippers.
I looked out the window, And hovering there,
Old Santa was winking From his sleigh in midair...

"Merry Christmas, Maxine!" He cried, full of cheer.
"Same to you, Pal!" I answered, "I'll get you next year!"
MERRY CHRISTMAS

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family -- I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table, but do not show love to my family --I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family -- it profits me nothing.

If I trim the tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the church choir, but do not focus on Christ -- I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table lines.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return.
Love bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.

May we keep the true meaning of Christmas foremost in our thoughts and hearts as we approach the holiday season.

Color Theory

Jenna always seems to have the newest links and great insights into herself and life, in general. For being such a youngster, she's got her act together pretty good. Anyway, she had this new link on her blog, so I thought I would try it. Like her, every time I do one of these, it generally comes up close to the same answer -- I could hardly force myself to think that any of the attributes fit me. But I'm not unhappy with the conclusion and the color. I've always liked blue! Although, if you ask me, I'll usually say my color is RED -- probably trying to compensate somehow. So. . . what color are you?

you are slateblue #6A5ACD

Your dominant hue is blue, making you a good friend who people love and trust. You're good in social situations and want to fit in. Just be careful not to compromise who you are to make them happy. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz