And the Downward Spiral Begins . . .

            When it was announced that church meetings would be cut back to only two hours on Sunday so that the third hour could be spend with families, neither Jenna nor I believed it would last.  It has been left up to each family or individual to study the "Come Follow Me" program to prepare for the following Sunday.  I could hear Jenna's moans - wishing that would happen but predicting that it would not.

                Like many New Year's Resolutions, there is diligence within the first month, perhaps a couple, but then we start to taper off from what we started and had every intention of keeping.  Jenna and I have been pretty good about going over the manual first thing when we get home.  She stops me and asks lots of questions or rewords the message (or scripture) according to her own understanding.  During the course of the week we have tried to set up appointments with others so that we may research together and establish (or strengthen friendships) and hopefully gain new insight.

                There are YouTube videos that have ideas on how to teach or how to learn.  I've watched a few of "Come Follow Me" program covering various chapters.  I love Bible Project videos.  They are highly entertaining and explain a lot.  It's like a crash course of whatever book or chapters.  I referred to Bible Project all the time when I was teaching the Old Testament as it was more helpful than the manual has ever been.

  

                I had asked Roland if he would like to set up an appointment with another family in the ward.  He said we didn't have to read the lesson this week as Sunday School is only every other week and today is Priesthood.  Really?  I am appalled with that attitude.  We were given the extra hour a week to study - every week not jut every other week.  Primary lessons happen every week.  We don't rotate weeks.  The guideline is the same each week.  I know Danny and the chorister (who happens to be Danny's mother) would be okay with alternating lesson and singing time.  

               Take this weeks lesson for example - the scriptures featured the temptations of Christ AND the fishers of men.  Danny decided to do her lesson on temptation.  I would have gone for the fishers of men as twenty minutes does not seem adequate for covering both accurately.

2 week sub assignment

2nd grade reading

          chapter books

          Journeys - first story

Jess makes gifts

          story goes that she makes

          homemade gifts for her mom

                                      her brother Mike, and Gram.

Last paragraph mentions a Jane

          a Jane that was never mentioned

                                      before

Type-O?

1st group reading

          or disciplining rather

          simple words

                             first pets     

                             then jobs

Yesterday we worked on packets

          simple words

          saying phonics

                   I think the first graders are

loudest of all the classes

Kindergarten

          Rhyming Words

          Blending words

          Packets

Half hour with each class

Break

2nd grade math

          they are learning

          regrouping subtraction

There are at least two who

          share the same focus that

                   I do for accounting

lunch

          my lunch

          fourth grade recess

          fourth grade lunch

                   last grade in lunch room

                   clean up has started before

they are through

Friday is popcorn day

                   It is a madhouse!

back to kindergarten

          more rhymes

          more blending sounds

Computer lab

          Potty breaks

          hall monitor

                   until their teacher comes

3rd grade reading

          first book on Sears Tower

          needs to be updated from

                             present to past

2nd book

          monkeys - the vervet monkey

                             to be exact

          they nurse from mother's womb

the kids are grossed out

          it is nice to know they are still innocent

                             and not interested in the

facts of life

          but still -

I tell them they don't have to look at the pictures

But   

          the word "nipple" is in the book.

                             They moan and feel embarrrassed.

They read slowly

          their facial comments and expressions

                             make it slower

I take my turn reading

I read with confidence

                   and at a pace

                                      I think the book should be read.

We have it finished

                   in two days.

"You Ate My Road Kill" - another trigger

                I saw a boy with a "Fly Guy" book and smiled as I thought about Jenna's desire to read the book back in 2007 or 2008 (Tedd Arnold has written the "Fly Guy" series since 2005 here.

          When Jenna and I read books together, we would take turns doing the voices of different characters.  I think it was a bird that had made accusations against "fly guy" specifically saying, "You Ate My Road Kill".  Jenna thought that was the most hilarious thing.  She would have me say it for many years. 

          "Do the voice, mommy," she requested.

          I would screech in a high pitched voice, "You Ate My Road Kill". 

          She would laugh and laugh and request that I do it again.

          From that point I realized that if she was having a down day (which is rare) I could say to her (in the screechy voice, of course)  "You Ate My Road Kill" and it would change her mood.

 

          Funny how little things can trigger sweet memories.

          I read her this post and she laughed again.  That screechy voice still works.

Wasted Time or Wasted Mind

I attended the webinar lecture

though my mind wasn't as present as

my body.

Not as though

I was seriously in the mood anyway

There were too many sounds drowning out

the lecture

First of all,

my instructor had a sore throat. 

He didn't quite sound like Darth Vader throughout

the entire lecture

There was no wheezing - but a lot of

deep throat

My neighbor's acoustics were going

and the sirens from fire department

started wailing loudly.

One of my classmate forgot

she had turned on her mike  and

failed to turn it off before she

attempted to discipline children

making noise in background.

My instructor finally muted her

and kept referring to the time which

made me laugh as he seemed

more anxious to finish the lecture

than I was. 

I should have left the lecture earlier

I suppose.

I really didn't get anything out of it.

Another Weather Report

The weather is so much different

this year as opposed to the year

we moved in. 

The temperatures were warm

but not hot. 

Spring had come early. 

I was astounded at the amount

of "spring" growth and took

lots of pictures. 

What awesomeness.

This year the fog lingers longer.

The skies are grey and murky

and the temperature has been

uninviting. 

Bundle up. 

I mean, I guess that is what

I was doing in Utah. 

I don't want Oregon to experience

Salt Lake weather!

It snowed yesterday morning for

only five minutes or so. 

Big thick flacks that

didn't stick.

School was not cancelled though

some of the buses may have been

delayed. 

It wasn't for two hours though.

It seems laughable to me when

the schools are closed or buses are

delayed when there are less than

four inches of snow.

The snow is not the primary concern

however.

It is when the roads are wet and

slick and iced over.

Roland will keep the heater on

in the car.

I rarely ever make it to my destination

with the heat on.

I never have the heat on while

returning home

I loathe wearing a coat in

the car.

Words: Tear and Tear

If ever I should see the word "tear" by itself, I think of the word that rhymes with ear (or "tir) meaning "what falls from my eye" - probably because I produce a lot of them.  But the word "tear" also rhymes with air (or "ter") which means to rip or a hole.  According to this site the word "tear" is a homograph or hetronym.  That is it is spelled the same, in some cases is pronounced the same, but has different meanings.

          I had explored five dictionary sites.  Cambridge was the only one of the five that listed t-ear (tir) first.  The definition provided was "a drop of salty liquid that flows from the eye due to pain or emotion".

          Though all five dictionaries listed similar definitions, each of the others started there definitions with t-air (ter):

Google:     

                   1 - "pull or rip something apart; separate into pieces"

                   2 - "move very quickly, typical in reckless a or excited manner" 

Merriam-Webster

ter               1 -  noun: damage from being torn

                   1 - verb:  the act of tearing something (Thank you Mr. Webster!)

          2 - a run of unusual success

tir       3 - a drop of clear saline fluid . . . moisture from the eye

Cambridge

ter               pull apart

          2 - move quickly

Oxford (this dictionary had several definitions - I am providing only four)

ter     1 - pull somethin apart; remove or make a hole with force; damage

          2 - state of uncertainty between two conflicting options or parties

tir       3 -      a dop of saline watery fluid; moisture of the eye

          4.  a shape

Dictionary.com (which combines multi dictionaries such as COBUILD, Webster and Collins to name a few)

ter     1 - puncture or rend

          2 - doubt or uncertainty

tir       3 -      salty fluid due to emotion

          I have used tear (tir) and tear (ter) as a rip or being ripped more than other definitions included.  Occasionally I have used definition 2 as well.

          There is t-air (ter) like "let's get out of here"  "He tore out of there rather quickly"  - usually the word "tear" becomes a thing that happened in the past "tore"  -  I've heard the expression "they tore out of there . . . " meaning they hurried away, but I have never heard it in the present " watch me tear . . ." or "see them tearing"

Merriam-Webster 2 - a run of unusual success gives the example "the team was on a tear"  I have no idea what that even means.   They were running fast?  I have never heard that before.

The number 2 definition of being pulled apart due to conflict I have also heard and may have used myself

"torn between staying home or spending money unnecessarily to travel"

"this addiction is tearing the family apart" - again a tense that changes TEAR

What is the first thing you think of when you see the word TEAR?

Dash GA #5 Awards

What trophies, medals, awards and certificates have you earned throughout your life?  How many have you kept?

          Well this post ought to be short and sweet.

          I think I was in the fourth grade when I was called to the main office to have my picture taken as student of the month.  I don't know what happened to the photo or certificate.  I do not remember retrieving it from the box of treasures that mom had saved.

          I had ribbons from seminary here and ribbons for my targeteer flag here.

          I won a glass bowling pin filled with m&m's.  It was my "gutter ball" trophy.  Not that it's cool to boast that I had the most gutter balls of anyone who joined the league.  It was cute though.  And I enjoyed the m&m's.  If it hadn't broken I would probably still have it.

          Other than that there are my birth, baptism, marriage certificates.  Oh, and several (between 10 and 14) papers indicating I made either the President's or Dean's list. I think that's it.  Exciting, huh?

Last Day of January

        I finally finished the assignment I started research on Monday. It was supposed to be at least 800 words.  I had 810 to transfer to APA (that stands for American Psychological Association - common for formatting essays for colleges and often more importantly viewed by the instructor than the content) and had changed some of the wording as I was proof-reading and making certain I had and was able to add a few more words which total up to 856 - which is good, considering at least 40 of those words are really reference name and date.

      I have one problem with four parts to finish up for my assessment.  It is very time consuming and only worth 50 points.  I think it should be worth more for all the time I have to pour into it.

Abbreviations

          I remember when I was on my mission, and even now, we were (or are) told to stay clear of using abbreviations or initials to describe something that unless you are a member of the Church and are already familiar with the lingo, most non-members are not going to get that RS stands for Relief Society, YW stands for young women, etc. 

         

          I know I have been guilty of this in my blog - abbreviating.  Occasionally I do try to explain myself or refer to sites that will.  Back then (on my mission) the top initials used were D&C meaning Doctrine and Covenants (which is not what the majority of the population will think D&C means;  even many active church members I had met would first think of Dilation and curettage) and GA for General Authority.

          I suppose I appreciate the advice more now to steer clear from using abbreviations without interjecting the full meaning at least every now and then.  Currently I am taking my last accounting class.  My last one!!!  Talk about being initial happy.  The Church never had anything on the accountants as far as initial goes . . . and yet it seems there are always more initials to be had.  What a pain in the . . .  well, you know.  GAAP, IFRS, FSA, FASB, LIFO, FIFO and now a brand new one to my ears GASB - come one people !!!!  Why, you ask, have I never defined any of these?  Really?  My brain is so confused.  When I talk about my traumatic experiences with accounting, I want the reader to feel my confusion.  When I use the initials without explanation, don't you feel confused?  And even if I defined them, I promise, it does not make any of them any more exciting.  Accountants are boring!  Okay, maybe not all accountants, but the subject certainly is.  I think reading a math text book is more exciting.

          So why I am I even majoring in this, you ask?  I was hoping to straighten up my own personal finances and I've gone to tell you, NONE of those initials apply to anybody's personal finances.  They all have to do with business.  Early on I had learned that "accounting is the language of business"  - maybe that's why I hate the term "business" so much.  Why is it that I am having so much trouble sleeping?  Seriously.  You would think this stuff should put anybody in a coma for a year at least.

          To all of my readers who haven't been familiar with any lingo I've used in regards to the Church, my apologies.  I will try to do better.  For all of my readers who may not be familiar with any of the lingo I've used in regards to the accounting classes that have caused me attitudes of frustration, welcome to my world.  It's unforgivable lingo . . . but I'm certainly not the one who came up with it.  I think it was invented by those who are in a state of comatose.   Why would you purposely wish to make yourself sound dull?

Oh, and just for the record.  YW was the only Church term that spellcheck did not recognize.  Only two of the boring accounting abbreviations were recognized.

Take a Breath When You're Upset

Good Advice.  
If something is bugging you, 
don't yell or scream.  
Leave the house, 
office, 
space, 
whatever.  
Take a walk.  
Clear your head.  

Take a breath.

I was able to shed Rabbit!!!

       On July 27, 2012 I had created this post comparing my husband, his children and I to the personalities of the 100 acre wood and had dubbed myself as Rabbit because he is always so uptight.  He may have mellowed a bit from Walt Disney's animation to computerized animation used in the 2018 movie "Christopher Robin".  But as the focus was not about Rabbit but only made a brief appearance along with Owl, Kanga and Roo, it's hard to say.

          I, on the other hand, am a lot more mellow.  I haven't been uptight since moving to Oregon.  I feel free.  I don't feel trapped.  The wonders of breathing clean air.  I'm not as organized as Rabbit - though I would like to be. I still don't care for gardening - though I do eating produce fresh from the garden.  We failed at having a garden in 2018, but should be back on track this year.

          I don't know which character I would compare myself to now.  I don't think I'm even a part of that story anymore.  I have moved on. I am not only in a different chapter, but a different book as well.  We all are, I think.

          Roland is still has several traits that are like Kanga. The apron strings have finally been cut from the boys - though he will still put it on if requested.  Still a child magnet. Still the parent.

           Jenna doesn't tackle me the way she did when I nicknamed her Tigger.  She has taken on several traits of different hundred acre wood characters.  She can be playful and easy going.  We don't see Eyore a lot, but when we do, the personality is not there for long.

          We all have moved on.  We have grown.  We have made a difference.  And will continue.

Dash #786 Jenna's Beloved Dog

This is Ernie in the middle. 

I purchased him when I had worked for Snelgroves ice cream store in Salt Lake City.  He has a music box inside of him.  When wound up, he will play the tune "Teddy Bear's Picnic".  I brought Ernie into my marriage.  I think he sat on a shelf until after Jenna was born.  I would play the song for her.  She loved putting her hand on Ernie's belly when the music played.  She loved feeling the music play.

This is how Hi-Five may have appeared at one time.

strange name, I know.  I will explain how we got his name, but first allow me to back up to the day when Hi-Five joined our family.  Jenna and I had been visiting with Aunt Gertrude who often purchased items just because they were on sale.  It was rare that any family member would ever visit  and not be offered to walk away with some material object be it a sweatshirt, stuffed animal, collectible doll or rocks (see this post) 

We had Ernie with us, and Aunt Trudy went and got Hi-Five because she thought they both had cute faces and Ernie's face had reminded her of Hi-Five - although we hadn't picked out a name for him until much later. 

Aunt Trudy wanted Jenna to have the dog.  He had a lot more fluff at that time.  Often it was hard to see his eyes because of the fluff.  At first, Jenna didn't want anything to do with it.

This is what Jenna was wearing
the day she received Hi-Five

It was several months before she warmed up to him and then couldn't bear to live without him.  Hi-Five went EVERWHERE that she went.

Hi-Five wasn't given his name until after Jenna had learned to walk.  She has always been smart and would retrieve things from her bedroom if we mentioned them - or else she would lead me to what she couldn't retrieve (like the growth chart on her door)

I had taught her how to give a high five sign

and one day I said to her,  "Give me a high five!"

She disappeared without attempting to slap my hand. When she returned, she was carrying her beloved dog that Aunt Gertrude had given her.  She gave it to me.

"Oh, is 'High Five" the name of your dog?"

She said a few words at the time, but was really not much of a talker then.  But with a few more questions, I decided that she was in favor of calling the dog Hi-Five.  I am the one who chose the spelling.

Jenna loved that thing ragged.  I made sure it stayed clean, but it didn't always look it.  Aunt Trudy tried replacing him with another stuffed dog whom Jenna's oldest sister, Francine,  had named Graham Crackers because of his color.  Jenna called him "Crackers".  She dragged both Hi-Five and Crackers with her for a while, but did not ever love Crackers (or any other stuffed animal) as much as she loved Hi-Five.

Crackers came with a kerchief around his neck

I would allow her to take it into most stores that we would go to - except for second hand stores though many might have rejected him if he had ever been mistakenly donated.  I tried to cover up his mishaps with clothes. 

I even gave him a haircut and told Jenna that his fur would not be growing back.

You know how some mothers have to wean their children from favorite blankets? I was determined not to have that problem and had given Jenna a different blanket every day - sometimes several times during the day.  It never dawned on me that a stuffed animal would become her "security blanket"  and I don't know why.  He was never soft in my opinion.  Over the years he felt more coarse.  I would have thought he would feel scratchy to Jenna, but she really did love it very much.  Maybe even more than balls or rocks.  We had reached a point where she just couldn't sleep without him.

  

When we moved from Kearns to West Valley, Hi-Five ended up living in the shed.  I told Jenna he could not live in her room unless she took care of it.  He moved with us to Oregon.  Currently he resided in Jenna's room. Throughout the years, he has gotten more shabby.  He's been restuffed twice.  Roland had even purchased a heart to go inside along with the stuffing the last time.  As I told Jenna, his hair did not grow back. 

Hi-Five today January 2019