The love train

If you are interested in helping out a family with Pam and I, then join us and get on the love train and email me at cabinlady830(at)hotmail(dot)com, and I will get a hold of you with the details. :) This is really simple but will be so appreciated.

The Sprayway Team

Thanks for all the great advice on how to advance in my motel complaint. I think I will write to the Corp. I am plum out of post punch. So many people going through so much this week, has sort of took the wind out of the sails. So I will talk about a couple of favs of mine. The Sprayway team.

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Love this stuff they sale. Do you suffer from paranoia of sick things crawling around at motels and hotels? This stuff safely kills mites and bugs and germies. I don't know about you, but when I sleep in a motel, my eyes are so affected from the dust mites by morning. This solves that problem. [sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite]

This is the best window cleaning product around. If you use it with the windex window wipes, it is such an easy process.

So see, that is it from me. No juice came out to play today. :) Do share your favorite products though. I am always game for some helpful cleaners or household helps.

Bucket filler for today: Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echo's are truly endless. Give 3 people compliments today :) [I think you are all super]

I got ripped off

The Motel that we stayed in over the weekend, was fine. But I am going to vent a little. It was close to everything that we had planned on doing. We check in and within 15 minutes, we had an incident.

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These are protruding, sharp on the top corner, handles on the entertainment center. Yah! It caught on my jeans and ripped a huge huge hole in the side of the pants. That wasn't the bad part of this story. Mattie even got a big scratch on her leg from the desk knob.

I call the front desk and explain my dilemma. They weren't to concerned. I asked them if they could please bring me some duct tape since this was the only pair of jeans I grabbed for the 2 day trip. Never again. They said they would send a maintenance guy with some tape. Okay, no problem. The guy arrived 30 minutes later with duct tape in hand. He was scary looking.

Him- I have your duct tape, but "I have to be the one to duct tape your pants".

Me- I'm wearing the pants.

Him- Can I see the hole.

Me- No you can't.

Him- I still have to duct tape it myself, because I want this tape back.

Me- Why don't you let me just rip off what I need then. I can really tape my own pants. [I rip off the amount and said thanks].

Him- What did you rip them on?

Me- I point to the handles as he goes around me and ENTERS my room with my daughter sitting in there. [This is where I should have yelled at him to leave NOW!! Naive me]

Him- Begins to feel the handles and says "These aren't sharp at all". *[Whatever] Then proceeds to rub up against them with his leg and says "See, this isn't ripping them". "Just don't rub up against them". * [Really? Mr. Not So Nice]

Me- Could you please leave NOW!! I was so taken back.

Good thing the beds were comfortable. Would you have complained? I DID!! I filled out a complaint and made a copy and took pictures. Nothing will probably come of it. No money refund or anything, but I hope he gets a big ear full or at least disciplined. How would you have felt and what would you do?

Today's bucket filler: There is no excellence without labor. Do something that you have been putting off.. Mattie is having a giveaway, so you can enter for a cute bracelet.

♥ Prayers sent out to Nie Nie, Kimi, Lisa and Janell ♥

Bob and I go way back

Mattie and I took a little out of towner school shopping and getaway trip to Portland this weekend. It wasn't the best trip on the records. I could have really used more time away. Still a little sappy. [The motel stay is another post.] When I read that we were staying only 2 miles away from Bob's Red Mill, I was so there. I have loved Bob longer than Ed. I use to be proud that my kid's could say Bob backwards :) Still thinking on that one? I love whole grains and natural type foods. I use to be an avid studier of it in my 20's before it became popular. I was really an odd ball in those times. Well still am ;) But Bob has always been there, on the shelves to be bought. We got each other. And I am a loyalist to him.

His store was so much cuter in real life. I love red against the green like that.

Here is the old mill wheel. It has a little stream running around it.

It did not disappoint. I was surrounded by the goodness of grains, nuts, seeds, breads, cookies etc. I know better, but I could have seriously let out a song and a happy dance.

I got my years supply of this, and some Scottish oats. Oh yeah!!! He carried the 25 lb bags.

They had a great outdoor eating area. They serve breakfast and lunches. I am telling you, I am in love with Bob. Even his red jacket is so nice.

Bob's Red Mill at night.

This saying was the perfect exit for his store. It sums his passion for whole grains and good food and taking care of our bodies. Thank you Bob, for making great products.

This really may be so boring to some, but I was in my element. Mattie was so not in hers there though. She did like the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies I bought her though. Do you all have access to Bob's Products? [And I did hug a person]

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Today's bucket filler is: Perform an act of kindness for someone you don't know very well.

Sunday- Alone

Bucket filler for today is: No one likes to be alone all of the time: know anybody who may need some company? Visit them.

Job 10:12- Thy visitation hath preserved my soul.

Saturday- Hug someone

Bucket filler for today is: Hug therapy really works! So hug 5 people today! Unless you need more :) [We will be out of town, but I am going to be determined to hug someone. I might have to make a sign too]

Taking off for a couple of days

Mattie and I are taking off for a couple of days. I am going to post my Saturday and Sunday bucket filler ups. Everyone have a great weekend.
[Kenley our neighbor who is 11, is going to speak in Stake Conference. Good luck Kenley.]

Friday- A note

Bucket filler for the day is: Write a note of encouragement, thanks, forgiving, or love to someone who may need it.. [I love getting notes, I know the person we choose will too]

Backbone needed this week

I have had some things come up that require some backbone. I am going to take a mini break. [I say that with caution] I have been known to still post after declaring breaks. But this situation isn't going to be wished away. It's going to be okay. No worries really. I will comment though. Happy Blogging Friends. I will post my bucket fillers each day though.

Here is a picture of my husband's cantaloupe. I get so skiddish on how he pepper's it. It would take some backbone to eat it. Ed thinks it is so weird that I like cinnamon and maple syrup on my French Toast. He only likes Karo syrup and powdered sugar. My brother likes to put eggs on his pancake's and then lather it all with syrup. My husband on the other hand, can't stand his syrup touching his eggs. Combo's of food fascinate me. Pickle's and peanut butter, mayonnaise and peanut butter, pesto on fish, etc.

What are some combo's of food that you do that would surprise me? Or makes you want to go eww..

Bucket filler for today is: One of life's great rules is this, the more you give, the more you get. So give something today. [Even if it is a smile right.] :)

Found pictures and you are what you eat

I had 3 pictures I wanted to post of our little jot the other day. I just now found them.

Another huge mural in Toppenish, at their park. The mural is of the history of the town.

This was a freaky mural. They have painted people looking out the windows. It is scary in real.

This was huge and neat wagon in Sunnyside. It was just so lonely looking though.

If you truly are what you eat, then I am a zucchini. Seriously.So what you are? What are you eating a lot of right now?

I spy with my little eye

Thanks for the Pesto recipes. Awesome. And just to clarify, that was not my basil pictured. Mine is in the garden, and not near that green ;) I was thinking about the things we were doing last summer compared to this summer. Wow, what a difference a year can make. My daughter had a huge thing for Nancy Drew last summer. She wanted a spy kit for her birthday, and then we turned a room into a "Spy Office". Countless hours and friends came to play spy. We had nonstop cases going on. "Who assassinated the President", "Who stole the Item", on and on. My parents, friends and neighbors, all pitched in on making their cases seem real. I would call and tell them to call their office and tell them what to say and give them clues. Once we hid a weapon in the mailbox. We never laughed so hard when we heard 2 girls screaming when they found it in there. It was a total blast.
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I still have all the notes that they made on the back of the office door. This is what the front of the door looked like all summer long. You had to say a secret code, just to get into the office.

These were some of the workers in the office.

They even had one that said "shopping equals happiness". Even spies know that.

I loved this one. "Never spy on an empty stomache". What a motto.

This year has been a variety of things. She has done more things around the yard and house [as in helping, yeah]. She has also done alot of crafting. She is really into making these friendship bracelets right now. A blog friend started a club. Abby from TX. She sent Mattie one, and now Mattie has been making everybody one. I wear one, Ed wears 3, my father wears one for luck during his radiation, Frumpy wears a pure green one for "luck" [which I adored], my mother has one, and so on and so on.

She has made pieces of paper with names on them. As she finishes them, she puts a checkmark and says done or made.

She insisted on getting everything ready for school in 2 weeks. She is packed and loaded. Even the lunch box is out hanging now. I was never like this. I am a procrastinator on things like this. She is so excited about school starting though. Good for her.

Even though the summers are changing a bit, I am still grateful for the time to have them home. I have so enjoyed our time together. Nothing fancy at all this year, but still wonderful.

Bucket filling strip for the day is: Think of someone that you haven't seen in awhile, like at church, or around lately, give them a call and see how they are doing :)

Presto - Pesto

We have 3 huge huge basil plants growing. I just found out that my daughter loves pesto. I bought a jar of the stuff when they were in OR for the week. She tried it there at her Aunt's house, and can't get enough. So I am going to make pesto with my basil. I found a way to freeze it easily. I am super excited about doing this for her, and using up my basil. I am such a stickler this year about using up my produce.

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Recipe:

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese/ 1 c. walnuts or pine nuts/ coarse salt and pepper to taste/ 8 c. basil leaves/ 2 garlic cloves or 3/ 2/3 c. extra virgin olive oil.

Add some olive oil to a pan, and brown up the garlic a bit/ take it out, and in the same pan, toast up the nuts for a bit/ in food processor, put nuts, basil, garlic, cheese, salt and pepper/ while processing, add olive oil slowly through the lid.

Next, put pesto in ice cube trays/ freeze over night/ and take it out of the trays and put into resealable freezer bags.

You can thaw out the cubes in your needed amount, in about 20 minutes. Use on baguette bread, pasta, crackers etc. I am so excited about using up some basil.

Do you like Pesto? And if so, what are some ways you use it?

One of many favorite scriptures to share today: Psalms 119:167- My soul hath kept thy testimonies and I love them exceedingly. *My personal testimonies of the truths revealed by the Spirit, is my solid ground. I am so grateful for those anchors in my life. Seek truth fervently, and it will be revealed to you and bring you much peace and happiness in this life.

Moore Mansion Table

My husband sometimes surprises me with garage sale finds as he passes them. He scored some points with his latest purchase. I LOVE history that is attached to the furniture or items. If I know a little about the piece and where it came from, I am so so happy. This table comes from one of the oldest homes that is in our area. It was a table from the James A Moore estate.

-It is unique in the fact that it has 5 legs. It is very heavy. It came with 5 chairs. I just love it.

We use to live right by the Moore Mansion before we moved into our current home. It was built in 1905 by James Moore. In the roaring 20's, it used to be a "speak easy". That would mean a place for alcohol. It had secret passages underneath the estate, that would allow for the rum runs. It has been a private home, a retirement center, a restaurant and now is a special events place.

In 2001, it was started on fire. I remember Mattie was so young, she was saying "fire mommy fire". We watched it burning. It really was a sad day. The fire was a scandal in our small town.

It has since been purchased and renovated, and now serves as a place for events such as weddings. It sits right along the highway and the Columbia River. It has always been a huge fantasy of mine to live there. Never going to happen, but a girl can dream.

It has carvings on the chairs, table and the legs of the table. It will need some TLC, but the price was so right and I just love that it was part of a bigger picture. Ed did so good.
-He really does get me. This is one of his first purchases at a yard sale for me probably close to 15 years ago. I still love this old cupboard. It came out of an old farmhouse that is in Prosser.

The stories that this table could tell. I can only imagine who set here during those "speak easy" times. Thanks Edweird.

You have to understand that this comes from a husband who owns a school bus that he bought for $50 dollars at a sale once. He says that he is going to fix it up for when we retire. Oh the joy!

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So if you see a yellow school bus roaming the country in about 11 years, it will be us okay.

Bucket challenge strip: Read your favorite scripture today and then share it with someone. I will post my favorite this afternoon, but will call someone and share it to them :)

The dipper and the bucket

There are 2 posts going around today about the bucket list. One here and the other here. Thoughtful.

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Yesterday at church, we were given a handout that our teacher made for most of the women in the ward. (Yes, she did). Wow. It is a great quote, along with a box full of 30 days of strips of paper on doing a daily good thing. A challenge of sorts.

Quote:

Each of us has an invisible bucket. It is constantly emptied or filled depending on what others say or do to us. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it's empty, we feel awful.

Each of us also has an invisible dipper. When we use that dipper to fill other people's buckets-by saying or doing things to increase their positive emotions- we also fill our own buckets- but by using our dipper to dip from others' buckets- by saying or doing things that decrease their positive emotions- we diminish ourselves.

Like the cup that runneth over, a full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. Every drop in that bucket makes us stronger and more optimistic.

But an empty bucket destroys our outlook, saps our energy, and undermines our will. That's why every time someone dips from our bucket, it hurts us.

So we face a choice every moment of every day: We can fill another's bucket, or we can dip from them. It's an important choice- one that profoundly influences our relationships, productivity, health and happiness.

Here is a bucket for you, filled with small and simple ways for you to fill other people's buckets as well as your own. Just take a paper from it everyday and follow the instructions.

*I am going to post my strip of paper everyday, and you can work with me on the 30 day challenge of filling up others buckets. And even our own. Todays strip:

A loving person can see the good in you, even when you can't. Tell someone what you find good in them. I know who I am going to tell. I can't wait. Let's be filling dippers!

Just a little jot

Saturday came, and Mattie and I said we felt like doing something, but wasn't sure what. Gardening-NO, Cleaning a bedroom-NO, Go shopping-NO. We just needed a little driving jot. Where would 1 hour away take us? I don't know, but call a friend Mattie and let's just drive for an hour. Okay. She called Kenley our neighbor.

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We first stopped at Darigold. It is a fairly close place where they make cheese, ice cream and milk. I saw these old tins and fell in lubs with the tubs. So vintage and cute.

Kenley and Mattie intently watched a video on how to make cheese. Well, intently is a little off. ;)

They decided on a scoop of cookie dough ice cream. You totally had to be there for this one, but I have to journal it for a memory. I asked for 2 cones with one scoop of cookie dough on each. So I am proceeding to pay, and I turn around and Mattie looked at me funny and said she didn't get one. Then I look at Kenley, and her face is all scared as she is holding a cone with 2 scoops on it. We laughed for about 15 minutes just from the look on those girls face. That is how they ended up with 2 scoops.

We saw the sign for the historic Teapot Gas Station. When I was growing up, you use to be able to gas up there on the way to Seattle. Now it is off the beaten path closed shut. I want to buy it and take care of it. Isn't it cute?

The price is historic too. Those numbers per gallon won't be seen for some time. Like ever. I wonder how far 2 cents got the driver back then ;)

We ended up in a little town called Toppenish. It is called the city of murals. They have them everywhere. I could have taken pictures everywhere, but we ran out of memory in the camera. Here is a little taste of it though. Darling little town.

We petrified this poor horse. It was a cute steel statue.

Here was an old clock in the towns center. I wish all the pictures I took would have worked out. It was so much fun. We didn't have to go far to feel like we were on a mini vacation. They made bracelets in the car. I have to show you all about the cute bracelets they are making. Mattie got one from a blog friend from TX. Now the love is spreading all over. Even my dad is sporting one. ;)

I am learning that I have so much to see just in my neck of the woods. I am going to take more jots and see what where we end up and what we can see. Do you ever jot around?

Agency

May we appreciate and use wisely to our eternal benefit, the great gift of our moral agency [Condie] I have learned this the hard way.

My jaw dropped a couple of times

The opening ceremony for the Summer Olympics in China, was amazing. We were very impressed. There were so many great moments. They really went all out. What a great idea for imprinting the footsteps in ink of each athlete as they walked over the painting. I really loved the boxes that were being moved by people too. My jaw dropped.

I need to thank some awesome neighbors. The Spurgeons. I wept when you called. Thank you. I know you get me, and that means even more. Love you guys.

I was hiding a secret in the garden

A couple of weeks ago, my husband left for a week of camping and helping his parents. I did something so wrong and secretive. I had another guy over to my house. Oh, nothing bad of course. My husband works 7 days a week. We have a big yard that requires lots of trimming. Ed doesn't like me doing that work [because I am not good at it]. So he keeps telling me not to do it, he will get around to it. Well it wasn't happening. So when Ed left, I hired a guy that really needed the money, to come and help us out with some yard work. When Ed was gone, it was a piece of cake to let him at it and be hidden.
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Well he came by yesterday, needing more work. I told him Ed was back in town, and he wouldn't like that I hired you. But if you hurry, I will let you work 2 hours, and then you have to leave before he gets home from work. He agreed.

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Well, as my luck would have it, Ed came home early yesterday. First thing Ed said when he came in the house. Where did that guy come from? What guy ;)? The one out there working in the circle. Oh him- well. I have had him over a couple of times to help you out. I have been trying to hide him from you.

Ed just laughed and said that he had been trying to get that guys number for a few weeks now. He saw him at the neighbors and thought he could use some help and was going to hire him too.

So my little secret hire affair, has reportedly ended happily.

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I am leaving you with this picture of my hugging cupboard. It hangs in our powder room. Every time I look at it, I feel that it is giving me some big hugs. {xxoo} This is why I am crazy lady. [side note] Last night we were hammered with thunder and lightning. It struck 4 houses down from us and started a fire in a field. It shook our home. The phones were dead and the electricity was surged, so we couldn't call the fire dept. [felt helpless] Then it caused our garage door to go up. Weird huh. Luckily the rains came hard, and put the fire out. It was so scary last night. Fires surrounded our whole community. Thanks fire fighters for the all nighter.

Have a great weekend. Have any fun plans?

Ode to 8-8-08

Since we will only see this da8e once in our lifetime, I decided to dedica8e this day to 8.

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2008 has been really gr8. Here is 8 things to celebra8e. This year I have desired to:

1. Be way more gra8eful in my heart. I feel that journaling has made me more gra8eful

2. Don't hesita8e to medita8e more. Being prayerful in thought, has made me feel closer to my Savior

3. Celebra8e the moments more. I have been realizing more and more how fast time goes. I want to be in the time now more than I ever have

4. Remember 8. I made a promise to live a Christian life when I was 8, when I joined my church. It has been my foundation of faith.

5. I want to motiva8e those around me to continue onward and upward. You know how strongly I feel that we are all in this together helping each other through the tougher times and celebra8ing the good.

6. Try to rela8e more to what my children and husband are really feeling. Sometimes I overlook how they might be feeling in situations. I want to them to feel that I am really there for them ♥

7. Gravita8e to those things that are virtuous, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy. We are so surrounded by negative 24/7. Frankly, I am exhausted from it. I was a negative junky sometimes. I am rebuilding with the more positive things

8. I have been so inspira8ed by so many wonderful people this year. I feel so blessed to be uplifted each and everyday, by such gr8 people such as yourselves. I have been finding more and more, that there are so very many good good people in the world. It really does make me smile

Have a gr8 day on this 8/8/08. Don't hesita8e, to go out on a da8e with your ma8e and eat some ca8e. Okay I mean cake. But can you think of food with 8 in it?

*[Be invigora8ed by the start of the Olympics today. Go USA!]

Inspector Gadget

When I come across gadgets that make me want to say "I have to tell you about it", I'll tell you about it. We have a food sealer that is pretty big and bulky. Wonderful for most things. But if you just want to keep food fresher longer and not have to drag that big sealer out, then this gadget is great for such things.

$6.99 on sale, at of course, Fred Meyers. It has different size bags to choose from too. It is really working out nicely. Want to keep avocado's longer, or keep the strawberries a little longer etc.? This is very appropriately named the Handi Vac [Reynolds Wrap]. I have been able to reuse the bags too ;)

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Here is some corn that I blanched and sealed to put in the freezer.

Since we have peppers coming out our ears, I needed something to help ward off the prep time.

This gadget has saved me. I just seal them up, and can get to them later.

Here I am talking about sucking out the air, and here is Ed pretending to blow up his hand. He got stung by a wasp yesterday, and his hand swelled up. Aren't those blue eyes something?

I hope you enjoyed my new series called "Inspector Gadget". lol

Sir Bentley

I never knew that dogs could become such a big part of a family's life. We have a toy poodle named Bentley. One of his ears was bent back when he was born for about 2 weeks. Hence Bentley. He is so smart and fun. Even though he is a little guy, he is a huge part of the family now.

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Here is one of the first pictures of him when we brought him home. Could you resist that face?

The other day, a friend wanted to come and have her dog Lucy, play with Bentley. It was like an oreo rolling around while they played. Hilarious.

A few days later, she brought some homemade dog food for Bentley. We could eat it. She makes this up for her dog Lucy to eat. It's called- Lucy's loaf. Can you believe her? Bentley gobbles it up. He is now spoiled!! Hence-Sir Bentley.

He keeps begging for more Stacia. Am I going to have to make my own dog food now too? Not yet. He absolutely loved it though. Thanks.

Bentley is many things to our family! Loyal and a good dog friend. Hardly visible for pictures though.

Early morning sun bather. Every single day he catches the morning rays.

He is a comedian. Not by choice. He can play hide and go seek for hours. He is funny. Once I laid on my kitchen island and watched him barrel around the whole house. He finally got on the back of our love seat and peered across the kitchen and caught a glimpse of me. Jumped off and whimpered at me. It was funny.

He is a father to 2, and many more on the way. He's been a busy boy.

He is a good friend to Mattie. He also goes to work with Ed. And to many places. Our bank stops all transactions when he enters the bank. I think Ed uses Bentley to get cute girls to stop and woo over him. I am completely serious. Every girl knows this dog.

He is a thinker of sorts. This is a Hallmark moment. Don't you think?

I really am not a pet person per say, but I have to say that I am enjoying our Sir Bentley. We are turning into some of those people. You know the kind. Think Paris Hilton crazy dog person. No, not like her, promise. We are only going for 1 and not like 100 or so.

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Are you one of those people that like pets? Or do pets mean- work, stink, allergies, bark and money? You can get "ruff" with me.

Over paying

My dear dear Father. On the way to his radiation treatment this morning, I see him park his car in front of my driveway. What is he doing? Here he is, dressed nicely to go the cancer center, he stops the car on his way there, gets out, proceeds to rolls our garbage can that was out front to the back of our house, then gets back in his car and off he goes. This is his moment by moment life. Pure service always.

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If this is true about service being rent. Then my father has been overpaying his whole life.

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My dad reads this blog. If he so much as sees the bathtub and the dresser not finished, he will be over to help. I just got back from work Dad, and I am on it ;) Thanks for all you do. I notice it all.

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I underpay my rent. I have got to be more like my Do Dad. Have a great afternoon and evening.

Keeping it real- whatever real is.

Mom! Where are some sock's? Look in the bathtub.. What? Yeah, that is my life right now. "Real". Since we have had company lately, we needed to use my son Eddie's room for some quests. His room, while he has been gone, has turned into a mini laundry room. I put all the clothes on his bed to fold them "later". Well, with company coming unexpectedly, I had to think "Real" fast.
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I put them all in my bathroom's bathtub. Still there. Still unfolded. And still laughing about it every time I pass it. I like it. It works well. Just wash the clothes, and then throw them in a fiberglass hole. Did not move the cord for blinds or move the dorky candles for pics. "Real"

But my guests thought the bedroom had always looked like this. No. The bed was covered. "Real"

The downstairs bathtub is full too. I have a roller box in it. "Real"

This is going to be painted soon too. It will look different. It has taken 5 mnths. to get motivated. I didn't even take off the vaccum attachment or dust the top or move the suitcase for the pic. "Another Real"

On a good note. Ed fixed this delicious dinner on the grill. It was "Real" good. Actually. It wasn't. The meat was undercooked. We had to put it on the grill for 1/2 hr. longer. "Ha!~ Real"

Do you stash things in odd places when someone is coming over? Hee Hee..

Beef Jerky you fun girls

It was a piece of Beef Jerky!! And it was so good. I just laughed at how much it looked like a little seahorse. I think I should have sold it on ebay. That was a great idea. Thanks for the smiles. [Sharon's cow Nancie]

I am feeling like a..?

Sometimes I feel like a mother/daughter/wife/chef/employee/friend/sister/neighbor/etc.

But today I feel like a mermaid. Why? Guess what this is on my plate?

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Can't believe I am going to eat it!

Just thinking about alot of things lately

I really do get so much out of your comments. I ponder on thoughts and your inspiring words. Last night I just needed to go and think at my spot. Do you have a spot where you go to just think? I did have a lot on my mind that needed to be thought out and put in perspective. It always makes me feel better. Deep breaths, feeling the wind, and listening for some whisperings of the Spirit.

My husband decided to grow some cactus's. We have never ever grown any before. I am not sure why now. It's been over a year that we have had them. Then 1 day, a flower decided to bloom. It wasn't the prettiest flower I have ever seen, but I was excited by it. The bloom only lasted for a week. I was glad I got a picture. Why did it only come to bloom for a week? Short lived, not overly spectacular, but I still am fascinated by it. It bloomed contently.

What if I only had a week to make a difference? A week is a short time, I am nothing spectacular, but could a person make a week become impacting.

I watched the Diane Sawyer interview with Randy Pausch. He knew how to make the most of his short time left on this earth. I thank him for impacting my life.

If I had a week to bloom where I was planted, I know for surety, that I wouldn't rush around. It would be in slow motion.

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What would I wear/would I care what I wear/who would I want to see and spend time with/what would I eat/ would I care what I ate/what would I want to touch and look at for the last time/would I be doing anymore than I do right now

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Blooming where you are planted has to carry some kind of contentment. We can't always choose where we are planted can we. So it comes down once again to being in each moment as it comes and being satisfied with what we have at that moment. Those questions that I asked myself while I was thinking, really don't matter. It doesn't matter what I am wearing or eating or touching or looking at. It only matters that I am content with what I am wearing, eating, touching and really looking at. Because maybe I want to eat lobster, but can only afford tuna. Am I making sense? I feel my point might be a little like jello right now, jiggly.

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I am slowly learning it is really okay to feel content, still striving to better myself in the journey upward line upon line.

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Have you already learned to the live contently?

Changing winds

As I anticipate the return of our son in 3 months, I am feeling a bit nervous. I know that he has changed and I know that I have too. It is so strange to me that I am worried if I am going to disappoint him in some way. Being apart for awhile, brings out some really unreasonable worry. I am so excited to have him come home, but I just hope that I can be able to make his return a good one.

There will be adjustments for him. There always are. Serving the Lord for 2 years as a focus is a blessing in his life, but how will he feel when he comes home to the world where other things will take up his time? Schooling, work, dating etc. Oh what a fret I am being. But here I am, nearing a joyous return with honor, and I am a little weepy sometimes, with not wanting to somehow disappoint him. Maybe this is all normal feelings.

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My dad started his radiation treatments today. 5 days a week for the next couple of months. It is the phase of reality that it is real and here. I guess that I am just realizing some changes that are coming around the corner, (and me not a liker of change much). Positive thoughts Jan. Okay....

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The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. And the realist adjusts the sail [Ward] I have to be an optimistic realist right now, going onward with faith. It is going to be okay no matter. I am not in control.

Reunion 2008

Jan's journaling here. We have had family all from Friday to Monday :) I really don't know why I fear these reunions so much. Like always, we were the last to leave ;) because we were having so much fun. This is a lot of pictures. Just warning. We only had to drive 70 miles north to a quaint park. It was shaded and really lovely.
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Here is a tree picture that my cousin Shirley made. You put the leaves with your name on your branch line. Loved it. Some of these people I haven't seen for years. This helped so much on who's who.

2 of the sweet faces I got to see all weekend. Carson and Macey. My brother's youngest. She said I was her favorite Aunt this weekend. She is staying with me forever now. ♥

The first face that greeted me. My darling niece Shanna. We have had some really great times.

Here is the rowdy girl cousins. Karen (sis), Short, Susan, Bonna, Shirley, Me and DeeAnne (sis). Shirley (green shirt), put this reunion together. She is an amazing artist. Her home has been featured in 3 magazines. She can do anything and everything. Go here and check her out sometime.

We have an auction every time. We make the goods and raise the money for the next reunion. That is my father being the auctioneer. He has done that for years. He is hilarious and fun.

This is what Ed and I bought. It is a picture of my Uncle Max. It is all over the world on postcards and such. We just stayed in a hotel in Idaho, and there was a picture of Max hanging in the lobby. He was a true blue cowboy. I miss him so much.

This is my brother Doug. That little smoking thing out there, is about to blow candy for the kids.

We could not believe how great it worked out. It showered the candy like a tree way up high.

This is the candy raid. We did it about 4 times. It was so much better than the pinata.

The last of the ole cowboys. Uncle Gene, Dad, Uncle Leo and Uncle Lovell holding a great picture of the service men in the family. Lovell didn't recognize me. I can't tell you how sad that was.

We had a roping session that was really fun.

Here is my sister DeeAnne working the rope. She was so determined.

I had always wanted to see the mammoth bone that was found at our farm where we grew up.

After the whole family reunion, my immediate family headed over to my sisters house.

They have a huge pond where the kids could fish, swim and trampoline on. It is just peaceful. That is Jeron and Logan fishing for dinner [niece and nephew]. Fresh fish for dinner. Can you believe how lucky.

My sister-in-law Melissa, was the die hard Breaking Dawn fan there.

That is her by the swings, reading and swinging her child at the same time.

This is Mattie and her catch of the night.

We sat around the fire and roasted hot dogs and smores too. Sang, laughed and told stories.

Here is Braya and my niece's little dog Chloe. So cute.

There is a great merry-go-round that my Uncle Lovell made about 35 years ago. My sister bought it and put it out by the pond. I told you we never stop playing. Here is my near 80 year old mother, going around and around. Bye for now y'all.

I could keep going with the pictures, but I have got to stop. Have you ever put the melted marshmellow between two Keebler fudge striped cookies for smores? So much easier and way less messier than the graham crackers and chocolate. I found a new smore friend.

Did you have fun this weekend?

"Chair"ity

Never lose faith in your opportunity to lift those who are in need, to give strength to those who are weak, to give encouragement to those who falter by the way.

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"Chair"ity never faileth [1 Cor. 13:8]

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There have been many times in my life where I felt broken, rundown and unrepairable. But there has always been someone, even if just a smile or a listening ear, that has extended some kind of charity that lifted me up enough