Embrace the Differences

          I vaguely remember a class called “Culture Refinement”.  It was taught in Relief Society on the 4^th Sunday of the month.  I remember my mom was a cultural refinement teacher.  I know that was her calling while I was out on my mission. The subjects of her lessons seemed to focus on arts, literature, and customs.  I liked the custom part of it – learning about other cultures, nationalities and backgrounds. The class was dropped sometime before this century – though I can’t pinpoint a date.  I was serving in the primary for so many years.

         I guess I was reminded a little bit when we had our lesson on Sunday.  The theme (from my point of view anyway) was on acceptance and loving a person though you might not agree with their lifestyles.  It would be nice to understand different walks of life – what makes one tick.  Becoming more aware of our diversities.  And quit using lables!

         In my vain attempt for finding more about Cultural Refinement I found this page and thought it would be good to explore beyond the family but to learn the traditions of others who might be outside of my circle.  It never hurts to learn.

Missing Tooth

                Before I went on my mission my dentist suggested that we remove my wisdom teeth.  They weren’t bothering me and I opted to keep them.  I mean they must be there for a reason, right?    There was a while there when I would bite my cheeks – but it didn’t last and the pain was never severe enough for me to make an appointment. 

               I believe it was 2017 when part of my top right wisdom tooth broke.  I had it repaired – three times by the same doctor!  So when it broke again in September (I think) I thought “bag it” – I’ll just live with it – although it was beginning to annoy me also.  But I haven’t ever done anything about it. 

               On December 20th I made an appointment with the medical doctor for a sinus infection. I was hoping for a Z-pack as it normally does the trick.  But I might as well have taken sugar pills for the amount of good that they did.  And last week I came to another conclusion.  I definitely have an abscessed tooth, and as I was looking up the symptoms realized that perhaps that was the cause of my “sinus infection” as outlined by the Mayo Clinic.  Oh . . .

               So this pain is on the left side of my mouth – opposite my chipped wisdom tooth – but next to the left wisdom tooth.  There was incredible pain last Sunday (or was it the Sunday before) but I haven’t felt that severe of pain since. I’ve been using a salt rinse after breakfast – except I forgot to yesterday and this morning.  But have done it today – just later than normal.  Meanwhile the right wisdom tooth is practically gone.

               Of course I can’t see it or even a reflection of it, but it feels like what a baby’s new tooth coming in would look like.  It isn’t painful and I don’t predict that food will get caught in the crevasse anymore (as there is no crevasse) but I am puzzled as to when I lost it.  Had to have been  either last night or this morning at breakfast.  It is weird to think about how it just seemed to have vanished.  I wonder if it will be a further problem though.

               I have three dentist appointments lined up for March and April.  I suppose I can ask about it as long as they are in my mouth anyway.

More Patience, Less Judging

     It’s taken me YEARS to not become offended by the actions of my children.  I have one who could never sit still, one who would sulk, one who is considered gifted – he tends to get bored very easily.  Jaime figets.  I never considered her as having ADD or ADHD

screenshot of Google response

     I knew the oldest two had it but hadn’t considered the other two might have had it as well.  There are different signs, symptoms if you will, that one may experience that others may not and vice-versa.  There are countless websites which address these issues.  Some provide quizzes and council.  

      ADD was changed to ADHD in 1987  (reference) 

which is the year our oldest was born.  When I first met Richard the eldest boy had difficulty sitting still – or sitting at all.  He reminded me of a caged animal.  Over the years he’s gotten better at placement but still seems unfocused at times and is constantly misplacing things.

Our second son is a hoarder. I did not see any referencing to hoarding.  It is something he did when he was in junior high and still as an adult with four children.  He has always lacked focus.  He’s always dragging his feet and forgets things the moment he thinks of them.

I used to give him a paper to write his questions down as he thought them up. Sometimes it worked.  Not always. He isn’t very organized.  He is the one Richard nicknamed Donald Duck because of his random flares at the stupidest things. 

 My youngest has always been advanced academically whereas the other two tend to struggle.  He gets bored easily and recycles material things as though money is no object.  He has lived in seven different houses (or apartments) during his marriage of almost twelve years.  I was actually surprised when he announced he was getting married as I didn’t believe he was able to make a commitment.  He hasn’t been dedicated enough to any one company that he’s worked for – not enough to continue working with them but will find employment elsewhere (hence the moving around)

None of them seem to have the greatest listening skills and procrastination seems to be a major part of their personal life.  Jaime doesn’t procrastinate, but she does like to keep her hands busy while someone is talking.  Both she and the youngest boy are outgoing and well-liked whereas the oldest two are not outgoing.

     I probably have and have always had symptoms of ADD myself – though now it could just be classified as an aging thing.  But I have ALWAYS been a daydreamer.  My listening skills have not been the best either because of my daydreaming. 

     How much better my relationship is with them when I don’t react to what I often found offensive but respond with a knowledge that it is not their fault.  They are sensitive and I have been. 

This was shared on facebook; I do not
have a reference for original source

What is Up With Us?

                Since we have been in Oregon I tend to fall asleep between 8:00 and 8:30.  I rarely sleep through the night.  I drink more water than my bladder can handle and tend to get up during the not.  Often I am unable to return to my slumber and end up getting up, playing games on my kindle sometimes in the room, sometimes in another.  I’m up for about two hours before returning to bed and will sleep until 7:00 or 7:30 – except lately.  One I’m up, I’m up for the day. 

            Richard, on the other hand, used to get up early and now is the one who will sleep in – but then he doesn’t come to bed until after midnight – unless the internet goes out, and then he’ll come to bed.  But usually he is up and down also.  Just never at the same time.

            This morning I got up at 3:00.  I finally made my way into the front room between 3:30 and 4:00.  We were both fully dressed before 5:00 a.m.  What is up with that?  He expects he will fall asleep during church.  He always does.  Perhaps we will take naps after church.

Currently he is watching Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.  Oh, yes.  Just how I want to start out my Sunday.  I returned to our bedroom.  Will mark scriptures right after I post this.

Busy Day

           Richard had a 9:00 appointment with his doctor this morning and I had a dentist appointment at 11:00.  With only one car we drove to Roseburg together in the pouring rain.  The rivers and creeks are always feast and famine. The rain has made them really high to overflowing.  I smile when I look at the murky brown color as I think of Jaime comparing it to chocolate milk.

         

          I haven’t been to the dentist for over a year and now have an abscessed tooth which will need to be removed.  I set up three dentist appointments for myself.  One in March and two in April.  Ugggh . . .

Science Fiction Vibes

         Yesterday Richard decided he wanted to drive to Ashland to take some watches to a vendor – though I didn’t think it necessary to make a special trip.  I told him we should pray about the decision to go – afterall the nation is experiencing untamed weather, we are still not receiving local news and perhaps we should remain at home. 

          I took the closed pumps as a sign.  We had gone to four different gas stations before finding one that still had gas.  They expect they will run out today.  Oh, my word!  I feel like I’m living in a Sci-Fi.  It’s been raining non-stop.  It’s a wonder that we don’t have a lake in our backyard.  On the plus side our grass is very green.

Too Many Storms

 

Richard and I slept in yesterday morning.  He had turned the news on just as it was ending.  He said there had been filmage of our news anchor outside of his apartment building showing us the fallen snow and advising all of Lane county to stay indoors if at all possible. None of the stations even offered local news this morning.  The elements have created somewhat of a Sci-Fi feeling - sort of like the pandemic in April and May of 2020

Last week Jaime had a six day weekend as school was cancelled due to weather.  So much of the nation is experiencing the severe snow storms and cold.  It’s been cold in Myrtle Creek though the snow hasn’t stuck in Tri-City we have seen snow in the hills.  Lots of moisture and cold.  But the elements have not effected us the same way as north or south of us.  I don’t know if Eugene is experiencing what the rest of the nation is currently.  It’s weird to think about.

We also have power.  Internet comes and goes.  I’d rather be fighting elements than people.

NOAA - National Weather Service

Two More Added

                This will be my tenth post on promoting my growth due to The Come Follow Me program which was started in 2019. That was the same year that the church cut back to just two meetings though we were encouraged to take the opportunity to keep the third hour with us in our homes. We started out 2019 studying the New Testament.  Unbeknownst to any of us it was a prerequisite for being able to study on our own during the pandemic as we spent more hours at home than at church that year. Book of Mormon was the topic that year. 2021 Doctrine and Covenants and finally 2022 with Old Testament.  The cycle started again last year with the New Testament.  This year’s topic is The Book of Mormon.  Manuals were passed out for those who wanted physical books.  Seemingly more detailed than in years’ past.

         You can find the online manual at this site.  At the end of each lesson you will find a beautiful picture illustrating that lesson’s theme.  I couldn’t/can’t just leave them in the book.  I have torn out three thus far and will continue to display them for the week and change them on Sunday when it starts a new week and theme. 

         I have mentioned learning from videos shared on YouTube. There are many.  Some resonate with me more than others.  I’m a visual learner and so enjoy the slides and drawings that some have incorporated.  I have spent time watching Don’t Miss This (2019 version featuring Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler and this year David Butler and Grace Freeman) and Teaching With Power with Brad Wilcox.  This year I have also added to my watch list John Hilton’s Book of Mormon Masterclass and Ponderfun.  Learning lots. Growing.

Missing the Bigger Picture

           I have written a few posts about things being blown out of proportion because of something in the background (here) or interpreted in a way that was never meant to be the forerunner (here) and will share a piece of the latter.

         I believe it was Corey’s senior year in high school when the student directory came out.  On the cover was an art student’s work depicting the mascot and school spirit.  [The artist] had signed his artwork “Zion” as he had with many (if not all) of his other pieces.  It wasn’t meant to stand out as the main theme of his drawing but rather blend into the design.  However an instructor who was anti-religion especially anti-LDS had discovered the “hidden” Zion and made such a great fuss over it that it drew much more attention to the drawing and the word than was intended.

          I don’t remember what year I had attempted to share Tara Parks video  – though it feels like it may have been three years ago.  I meant to put it on the RS page but had posted to the ward page instead (they both have the same area name) At the time I was in a different presidency than I am currently and had added the 1^st counselor to my monitoring list.  I did not get the approval for ward posting – which is fine as I had not intended to share with the ward but rather just the sisters. 

          My current bishop called the 1st counselor to see if I had posted the video to the RS page and requested that the video be removed.  I didn’t even notice the word “damn” had been used in the video until the third time I watched it – and only because I was looking for it.  So we took it down as it might be offensive to some members.  I think that is when our bishop decided to join the RS page – which is why I think it was three years ago (as that is how long he’s been a member of the RS page).  I think many members get so caught up in the letter of the law that they miss the big picture.  But okay.  I get it – but do they?  I thought Called to Share (here) did a great job with it.  Wish I had had it to refer to back then.

          I know the video had had at least one view before it was taken down (here 2nd example).  It was from a sister who had been inactive for and was returning to church and wanted to share the video with her husband.  Sometimes those who have struggled, are returning, or are unbaptized members who may express interest in the church.  How many of those people do we offend by removing said post?  What about Tara Parks? 

          Yesterday I noticed the cover on the RS page still had a Christmas theme going and so I decided to change it. I clicked on a photo that had been posted by another. She had posted the picture in June with a message that she was willing to share her lavender with anyone who wanted one.  That is the photo I used as the cover on the Relief Society page. Today I received a message from the bishop which indicated that he “loves the flowers on the RS page” but pointed out the gay pride flag in the background and perhaps I could crop it.  I explained the picture was from another member in the congregation and don’t feel I have the liberty to crop as I would be offending her and her household and countless others. 

So where is the greater offense?  To those who might have a Pharisee attitude or those who recognize the diversity and want to fellowship with those who may not be as righteous at one affiliated with the letter of the law of the Latter-Day Saint? 

           I mean, I get it.  Representing church.  Setting Boundaries.  When I initially set up the R.S. page I did not have the authority nor did I think to ask.  Someone suggested I change the name to the newsletter hand out – which I may do just to not confuse myself with the ward page.  It’s true I have not prayed about every decision I’ve made regarding the page.  Perhaps I should. We need to understand our hearts as the Savior would.  He didn’t follow the letter of the law.  He didn’t go out of his way to pass Samaria.  He performed miracles on the Sabbath.  He was in the wrong, you know.

Match for Leftover Food

 Today I matched lids and containers for hours of Enjoyment

Jai informed me that the school (and I would guess a good chunk of Ashland) is closed today due to the weather

Weird Weather

 weird weather going around

everywhere across the nation

snow, cold, storms . . . .

we have had rain off and on

To Err is Human . . .

Every once in a while I will see this message on facebook:

Wondering what in the world got removed so quickly for whatever reason.  I know it happened quite frequently in 2020 when those who would share false information which facebook (along with other social media from what I understand) repeatedly removed - which is a good thing. Facebook allows millions of people to use their platform and those who work for the facebook company are allowed to monitor that which they work for but sometimes I feel that perhaps contents are taken down in error?  And yet it somehow leads me to believe my privacy settings really are not.

I did not get the above message on my own wall but would imagine that is what others saw as the contents were deleted with a message that Ralph Waldo Emmerson was not the correct source.  Or it wasn’t RWE or something to that content.  Too bad I didn’t think of screenshotting that before deleting.  Hopefully I’ll never have another opportunity to do so.

I LOVE doing cryptograms puzzles.  For the most part I have loved the inspirational quotes and have decided to share them on facebook (as I rarely ever post anything on my personal page) and have been doing so since December 8.  I was booted after posting something that I saw as a RWE quote.  IT IS LITERALLY THE FIRST QUOTE GIVEN when looking up Ralph Waldo Emmerson.  Several sites credit him for saying this quote!  

(I did not find under Brainy Quotes however) I would like to ask facebook (whichever employee took down the quote) “How do we/you KNOW that RWE did not say that?”  “If you are such an authority on RWE perhaps you could provide a name of who actually said?”

I did find one quote simply titled Emmerson. 

Perhaps that is what snowballed everybody just assuming it was Ralph Waldo.  Perhaps it could have been Fred or George or maybe Emmerson is the first name.  Emmerson Johnson.  Emmerson Mahoney.  How do we know?

There is a rumor going around that Marie Antoninette had said, "Let them eat cake"

 My husband said that isn’t true.  How do we know what she said or didn’t say?  We weren’t there.  Was it documented?  Was it referenced?  Was the idea borrowed from another?  Because that’s how we’re supposed to think.  Borrowing ideas and referencing sources.  And what if the sources are wrong?

Human error happens.  It’s why AI was invented. Artificial Intelligence NEVER gets it wrong.  Alexa is ALWAYS right.

We were playing a game the other day 

(vintage collection probably as all the rides about questions are about the past and not the present) in which the card asked the question “Which of the three fairies wear green: Flora, Fauna or Merryweather.  The card gave credit to Flora which is not accurate as Flora wears pink and Fauna wears green. 

Nothing resolved.  Just venting.  Wondering.

Snowed In

                I probably mentioned in a few posts that the geographical boundaries are huge in the ward where I currently reside.  We don’t have snow but there are some members who woke up to snow.  Some made it to church.  At least one family was snowed in and unable to make it to church.

          We took Jaime back to Ashland.  During our drive we encountered some areas of slow moving traffic due to snowfall.  It’s weird to think about.  It does look pretty in the hills and mountains and brushed on trees.  We did not encounter any problems.  Oregon snow (at least the western end) has nothing on Utah snow.    

Rain and Games

 

        Rained all day today.  

        Richard asked if I would like to 

        watch something with him.  

        I said I would rather play games.  

        Jaime’s last day with us as 

        we return her to Ashland tomorrow.  

        We played Sniggle – 

        a game put out by Amway. 

         Funny, huh?

Extended Christmas

     In September Kevin had called Richard to ask if he would join him for a safety convention in San Diego.  Kevin paid for Richard's plane ticket - but Richard had to drive to the Portland airport. They both collected trinkets from the show and brought them home to share.  

    Richard had brought socks and tee shirts (the tees he had purchased in San Diego) and a stuffed whale for Jaime.  I remember taking pictures of the shirts and socks and asking Jai which she preferred.  I placed all items in a bag and added earbuds and a deck of cards to the mix.  I don't know why we missed giving it to her then - but somehow the entire bag of goodies got misplaced and was not retrieved until yesterday.

    For Christmas she had asked for a letterman's jacket featuring "Five Nights at Freddy's".  It had been the only thing she had asked for.  There was a delay on shipment however and we were told that it would not arrive until after Christmas. Richard purchased another coat for her to wear.  I wrapped it without box and she thought it was a stuffed toy.  Thus we went out and purchased a squishmallow as I thought she would be disappointed by the coat (which by the way is warm and does fit her personality).  There were more than two gifts under the tree for her as Ryan had sent gifts from the family.  No FNAT coat.

    Jaime had spent the last 8 hours of 2023 with friends.  Both Richard and I were in bed when 2024 arrived.  And she returned home shortly after midnight.

    Angela and Sam came over on New Years Day and we played games with them for three hours.  I believe all five of us really enjoyed ourselves.  I know for a fact that the girls did.  We continued to play a few games after they left.

    Yesterday we found the San Diego treats when we were looking for something else. We presented Jaime her tote bag of goodies. She opened more gifts yesterday than she had on Christmas.  Her final gift was opened just after 5:00 when Richard went out to check on the mail. She also clobbered us in Spades.  I think it was a really great day for her.

 

Soft Socks

 My feet LOVE all the socks I received for Christmas