Birthday WOW (that's MOM spelled upside down)

           I know I make worse of situations inside of my head than how they really are – especially if I haven’t gotten a proper amount of sleep.  I know I shouldn’t be uptight and I know I shouldn’t dwell on what I can’t change – like missing dishes that have made their way out of the kitchen and haven’t been returned.  My imagination runs away with me and I get carried away – which reminds me this skit of Ernie returning a vacuum cleaner. 

        Often when I allow things to get out of hand the real life situation will have the opposite results and I find I have worked myself up for nothing.  Yesterday I had gone to the temple though Satan had done his best to keep me away.

 After the session had ended Richard and I continued to Ashland to collect Jaime to bring her home for the next four days.  She presented me with a cup that has an owl on the side.  She said it was for my birthday (which is today).  After lunch we hit a vintage store where Richard purchased a pin and a cute bag for me as well as a pig bank for himself. 

Before we pulled up to the house Richard stopped by the mailbox.  Inside was a card from Tony and his family.  That was cool.  Receiving the card right before my birthday.

When we arrived at the house the other three were in the room and were waiting for us.  Ally greeted me with “Happy Birthday, Grandma.”

            How did she even know it was my birthday?  Claire had baked brownies which she spread with a peanut butter frosting.  Ally had wanted one but Claire made her wait until we got home.  I hadn’t even noticed the banner hanging over the door.  

As soon as all of us were gathered in the room they presented me with a bag which I had assumed was from all of them, but the card in the bag was from Richard.  I pulled this gift out first and anxiously pulled out more in hopes of finding the other two wise men. 

I found a box of chocolates and a big foot paw (more chocolate) but no more kings.  

I don’t recall ever having received a Christmas ornament on my birthday before.  Before I was able to remove the ornament Richard told me that the other two kings were on each side.  Oh, wow!  What a cool idea.  I love it! 

  

spoiler alert: Christmas card this year has same pic

Claire told me my card and gift were in the kitchen.  Heavy brownies in the form of cupcakes.  Yum.

 Turned out to be a really great day which was totally opposite of what had been running through my head the day prior.  And I'm grateful that I was mistaken with my worked up thoughts.

Today I was presented with more gifts from one of my ministering sisters.  Garden stones, dishtowels. Another surprise.  Wow.  

In addition I have heard from all three of my sibs.  I received Shelly's card earlier this week.  We have emailed back and forth and she left a birthday wish on facebook (along with 25 others) and Steven texted a birthday wish.  Keith and Nat sang to me in voicemail and Tony just called with his troop and sang to me.  Life is good. 

    Our dinner for tonight will be along a Thanksgiving theme. What an awesome birthday 2023!

 

I DON’T Miss Primary

             I know that sounds harsh as

the scriptures tell us to

become like a little child. 

Doesn’t say a well behaved

child or one who is still

learning and growing and

have patience as NONE of

us is perfect. 

My calling in primary felt

more like a disciplinarian than

a teacher.  Perhaps that is why

I was in for so long. 

I was supposed to learn from them. 

Though I don’t think that I did. 

I do quite enjoy Sunday School.

That is growth for me.

Living Conditions part 5: Finished!

 Well, perhaps not totally finished.  

The microwave was installed May 16th.  

Still have boxes of items that need to be put away.  

And the contractors need to come collect their laundry sink and lock box.  

Meanwhile . . . .                            our outside

Who Will It Be?

 

               The first counselor in Relief Society

was just released yesterday. 

We knew it was coming.  But now

there is a vacancy.  Almost every

active member already has at least

one calling.  Dang!

          I did see a sister get called out of

Relief Society.  I wonder

if she was called to fill the position. 

If so, I wonder if she accepted. 

A Beggar Named Lazarus

         When Christ shared parables the “characters” were servants, sons, a certain man and so forth.  In the parable found in Luke 16:20 the beggar in the parable has a name.  I don’t know that I would have even thought anything about it if it hadn’t been pointed out.  The poor man was given a name but the rich man (verse 19) remained nameless. According to Google the name Lazarus means God has helped. 

     This was one of the parables that we had covered in Sunday School last week. We also discussed the “gulf” more in depth as we read the footnote which referred us to 1Nephi 15: 28-30 which explains in part Lehi’s vision and that the “gulf” separates the wicked in the spacious building from those holding on to the iron rod.

     I am fascinated with the interpretation of parables and placing myself into each role of the characters as I age and relate to the story differently than I had the first time.  There was quite a lot of participation and the lesson was really good.  I so do enjoy Sunday School now.  There was a time when I didn’t.

      I am so grateful for the “Come Follow Me” program and the many who have shared their talents through podcasts and videos.  I have been viewing things in a whole new light and I love that I feel growth within myself.

Kindly Light by Simon Dewey

• 
  
  

Reminiscing First Week of Shut Down

         Last night Richard was approached by an unhoused woman who said she had not eaten for two days and would he be able to help her out.  We did happen to have some leftover food in the car.  He gave her the part we hadn’t eaten and she went on her way.  She reminded me of the unhoused woman mentioned at the end of this post.  One week into the pandemic and not all people were certain of how serious it was.  Masks and social distancing were not yet enforced everywhere. 

Jaime and I could hear the homeless woman singing and Jaime decided to join her and made a tiktok video of the two of them singing “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman. I remember how Jaime looked at her as an equal and had not passed any judgement.  I knew she was standing too close for Carol’s liking. We had met up with her a day or two later (here) and had driven in separate cars. Jaime showed her the video the next day.  I think it made Carol nervous.

As careless as we had all been none of my household members ever got sick with COVID.  Carol, on the other hand, believes she got it.  She’d venture out of the house to make a small purchase – such as cat food and toilet paper and there were certain places that she started boycotting because of not enforcing “people protection”.  I remember many feeling that way and others the opposite.  Some people still won’t support those that enforced the mask and social distancing and so forth.  Some people are in denial and still believe it was all a hoax.

Living in a Forest

 House sitting for a friend.  Gorgeous yard.

I Love Clouds

 I LOVE them.       

I love finding shapes.

I love finding them in the sky and surrounding the hills.

I like watching them change colors.

Clouds are beautiful.

Living Conditions part 4

 Didn't turn out what I had expected.  Still not through.  But closer - I suppose.

Spent the majority of yesterday bringing items from the shed and back room to find a new home

the back room is still in disarray - even moreso than the counters pictured above.

Janeen Lowe

 

I saw the date and

realized I have a friend who

has a birthday today. 

It has been a very long time since

I called her my friend. 

I don’t know why we fell

out of touch. Nor do I

know why I feel

compelled to create this post.

Happy Birthday, Janeen –

Hope you are doing well.

the chocolate here won't kill you

No Apps, Thank You

                When I had my brick phone my son Tony added an app that he thought would be beneficial.  I started getting all kinds of text messages about things that I really didn’t care about and asked Jaime if she could remove it.  Eventually all the unwanted messages stopped also.  I don’t want apps on my phone!  I want my phone to be a phone.  Yes, being able to receive text messages and taking pictures are nice bonuses but really not necessary.  I don’t need the website.  I don’t need apps to clog up my system.

 

         Richard and I had gone to Staples.  An overly enthusiastic employee attempted to give me tips on how to save money if I install their app onto my phone.  I whipped out my flip phone and showed it to him.  When Richard joined us I excused myself to use the restroom.  Apparently he talked Richard into putting the app on his phone.  I don’t imagine it will be living there for long.

The Art of Darning Socks

               I didn’t realize that darning socks is still practiced – and evidently has been upgraded to being performed on the sewing machine. Really?  When I have a hole in my sock, I will just by a new pair.  Forget the darning thing.  I have seen it performed and am certain I could figure it out, but it seems more work than it’s worth.

          I wear cheap socks – not a lot of fabric or weight.  I don’t really care for the expensive ones or handmade or bulky socks.  Richard had purchased a couple of pair for me and Jaime.  I admire the thought – and although the socks are cute seem impractical to my feet.  

The sage are mine and the black are Jai's

For one thing there are multiple threads which always manage to catch on my toenails.  They hug my leg too tightly for another.  I have many pair that do that. I prefer my legs to breathe.  I prefer cheap socks or a bamboo fabric (also comfortable).