You are on Your Own - Though You Don't Have to be

                The year that the Church had come out with the “Come Follow Me” program is the same year that having three meetings at the church was cut back to two meetings and strongly suggested to continue study that third hour but at home with the family.  Richard’s calling kept him after church and so Jaime and I would come home and read the manual and watch videos together.  Read scriptures with discussion, but that tapered out.  We weren’t so diligent about studying together quite as often.

          I continued to study the manual and watch videos though not as diligently as this year or even in 2022 with the Doctrine and Covenants.  Good until summer hits and slowly have gotten back on track during fall – except for the Old Testament which I wasn’t so diligent about.  But I have gotten much better this year.  I try to study each week as though I will be giving the lesson.

          Sunday school is held every other week altering with Relief Society – which I have been a part of since September 2019.  There are some people who study the Sunday school lesson only for the weeks that Sunday school is held – but I do all weeks regardless of what week it is.

          I do remember one Sunday school instructor attempting to incorporate both weeks of reading.  That’s a lot of material for that short of time.  I think she handled it well, but I would choose to focus more on covering one or two things than attempting to touch on all of it.  Hopefully directed by the Spirit and not rely so much on myself.

          It was during the Old Testament that Richard had the calling of Sunday school president.  Whenever the adult Sunday school teacher couldn’t make it to the Sunday meeting, I was often asked to teach.  I would start with questions about last week’s lesson, this week’s lesson.  Provide a synopsis and ask the class what they learned or would like to go into more depth about.  It doesn’t seem as though I had any takers on one subject over another and so I would teach what resonated with me most – which was usually from the week prior. 

          During the months of April and October there is no Sunday School – not that I can remember anyway.  If we should have a 5^th Sunday during the month we might have a Sunday school lesson. But not tomorrow.  Tomorrow is Easter and we have only one meeting.

In the past we have always had stake conference two weeks after general conference.  Only this year our stake conference was last week and general conference is next week.  We will be having Sunday school on April 21.  But for the alternating Sundays and those missed due to conference (and now Easter) we have only ourselves to rely on to finish up 2^nd Nephi and to study all seven chapters of Jacob.  I am so grateful to those who share their wisdom through all forms of media that I may study with them.

I am thoroughly grateful for the Come Follow Me program, the messages of stake conference and the opportunity of hearing His words through his servants next week.  How grateful I am for all my Savior has done for all of us.

I am now going to watch Saturday Night Seder here which I have made a tradition since 2020 (so grateful it is still on the air)

So NOT Impressed with the Dryer Balls

           For several years I have thrown a dry towel or two into the dryer along with my wet load as the water may absorb on the towel and cut down on our energy bill – which it seems to have done.  I do use dryer sheets on occasion – especially with my undergarments.  We have somehow stocked on dryer sheets and have a good supply.

 

          It has been less than a month since Richard grabbed a package marked “dryer balls” that we might try.  According to the tag they were supposed to cut down on energy and replace dryer sheets as the static would be taken out and the need for purchasing any further fabric sheets would be nil.  The tag must have gotten thrown away or fell between the washer and dryer for I cannot find it to use as reference.

           My daughter-in-law uses dryer balls and seems to find them essential.  There are many reasons one may use the dryer balls and not just a dry towel. The tag was marked “wool” which didn’t excite me as I am highly allergic to wool (even a small percentage blend) but have been able to handle the balls that were purchased.  This makes me wonder if the ones we purchased really are wool.  My hands have not itched from said product – but I have not held them for long – which is not saying a lot.  My skin always breaks out if I but rub up against a wool fabric.

           So there may be a flaw to the balls.  I have been on various websites which praise the balls and give the reasons why the balls are so fantastic.  For example, these reasons issued by Parachute Home.  

          I’m guessing the ones I have used are not the NewZealand wool, but rather a poor imitation of inferior product marked at a bargain in price but not actually a bargain because it doesn’t do the following for me personally.  Maybe it’s my machine?  Maybe the area I live?  Or maybe the balls themselves? 

          Thus far it has NOT reduced drying time.  Thus far I have had to run the dryer longer. So I wouldn’t think I’ve saved any energy.  Especially MINE.  Again the ones that I have been using  probably aren’t New Zealand or even wool.  Safe for my skin?  Sure, if it isn’t wool.  Reduce static electricity  - um NO.  I have not even done 20 loads – let alone 1,000.  I don’t foresee  the future of these balls being used 100 times as dryer balls.  Perhaps they could serve another purpose?  Removes pet hair.  Bonnie does not have blue hair.  Something blue and fuzzy attached itself to these balls.

 

          I have removed the balls and returned my towel.  We still have dryer sheets.  When we have gone through them all I may try the dryer balls again.  But I don’t know.  I think I would have to try a different brand than the ones I have in the above photo.

Always on a Sunday

                When I was younger I would often spin around several times until I felt dizzy and stop – either of my own will or because I had crashed into something.  The dizziness was not completely bothersome as a youth as it is as an adult – an aged one at that.

           There are times I have felt dizzy due to ear or sinus infections though I don’t ever remember feeling so dizzy that I wanted to throw up.  Well, there was that time when I was pregnant with Jaime and Richard and I were at a movie theatre watching “Limitless” – the opening photography is spinning as I recall or maybe somewhere else in the movie.  I remember looking away as it was making me dizzy.

          Getting into a car when I am feeling light headed is not always the best idea. The dizziness had seemingly made me naucious and when we had stopped for gas on the way home I removed myself from the car, threw up and told Richard I would just walk to my mom’s house as we were not far.  I started to walk in the direction of her house.  Richard followed behind me in the car.  I got back in and he drove slow.

          On December 23, 2007 I fell into my neighbor’s nativities because I got dizzy.  It was a Sunday.  On January 10^th this year I discovered an abscessed tooth – how long have I had that?  And yesterday I felt light headed in the morning.  And experienced a scary dizziness that seemed to make the room spin.  I threw up.  I looked up my symptoms.  Probably my abscessed tooth because it is connected to the heart. 

          I keep on telling Richard that abscessed teeth can lead to death.  I am not scared to die.  But I don’t wish to live Jaime and Richard right now.  I think it will be devastating for Jaime especially as Richard will probably leave the state and move in with our youngest son. 

          He has wanted to get rid of Bonnie for some time.  If I were to die Jaime would not lose only me but Bonnie as well.  I love my daughter so much.  I don’t want her to be sad.

          In three weeks I’ll have three teeth extracted from my mouth.  Her birthday is the following day.

More Snow

 

               This time it stuck – slushed on the roads.  Dry now.

Snow’s been falling.  Finally let up.

               It’s noon and picture shows signs of spring

trying to poke through. 

Snowman Bones

 

               As we were returning from

church yesterday

Richard pointed out a

snowman near a senior trailor park. 

 

The snowman looked tall against

                                                the green grass. 

As we passed the pathetic looking

                    snowman it seemed to take on

                                                    the form of a skeleton.

 

 It was quite near its death after all.

 It did snow again last night. 

But it is an even lighter snow than before.

 Meanwhile I heard that

                                    Salt Lake got slammed with snow. 

Snow and Shoes

 

We finally received the promise of snow after an almost two week warning that it would come.  “Warnig” for some. “Promise” for others.  Not the same snow.  I took pictures as soon as I got out of bed.  For even as I type these words I can see the snow melting.  By this afternoon the trees won’ t show any evidence of it having snowed – at least in my part of town.

There is a couple that had come for dinner and games last night.  They have snow.  Lots of snow.  The description they may use would be “victimized” as well as countless others in our ward who don’t live in the city but in non-incorporated areas where there is no speed limit and limited firefighting – if any.

I wonder if it was snow or outdoor elements that started Tony and his rules about leaving shoes at the door.  I hadn’t even thought to take a picture.  There must have been more than ten pairs of shoes near the door – I had guessed so the carpet wouldn’t get dirty.  But before I left Utah I thought perhaps it was so the shoes can be found more easily as they always know where they are.

Ibuprofen is a Wonder

        I remember experiencing a headache in November.  My sister gave me some Ibuprofen and my headache was gone.

        After Christmas and into January I had experienced sensitive teeth.  My daughter-in-law gave me some Ibuprofen and the pain seemed to vanish.

        This morning I woke up with a sore arm.  I took some Ibuprofen and it no longer hurts me.

 

        I marvel that after the drug has entered my body it is able to travel to exactly where I need it.  I think that is genius!

Perhaps the Opposite is in Store

 

It is so cold outside

So unlike our first year in Oregon

We didn’t need light jackets then

Let alone heavy coats

There has been warning of snow

I personally think it’s too cold

Snow doesn’t fall when it’s freezing

Or at least that’s how it used to be

The worst part about all the cold

That is currently causing misery for many

Is in thinking that the summer months

Will be so much worse blaring heat upon us

Quite the opposite of now.

That Was Weird . . . Wish there had been a way to scan the dream

 

               A couple of nights ago I had a dream about a salt grinder that doesn’t exist.  Last night I had a dream that I had forgotten details as I write.  In part I was searching for a book and had come across a whole bunch that had been put away for whatever reason.  Some I remembered but most I did not.  So I chose to set aside to look at with more effort (reading).

               The first one was a children’s book.  I don’t remember what it was called but my mom had made notes on various pages – in crayon.  It was interesting to see that.  Of course I don’t can’t remember anything about it now.  I do remember that the book was about a salt grinder which replaced a pestle and mortar.  (As though that would provide great material for a children’s book) and my mom had written her feelings toward the book.  I would have liked to photocopy it somehow.

               I woke up in a puzzled state.  Why would I dream about a salt grinder (if there is any such thing) one night and a children’s book about it the next?  My mom was somehow connected to both.  I have miss her a lot. If it were possible for me to talk to her long distance, I would definitely reach out to her. I doubt the afterlife works that way.

Continuing On My Own

           Shortly after we had moved to Oregon I remember a Book of Mormon class having been offered on a Tuesday night of each week.  The missionaries would teach the class which seemed well attended. I became familiar with the class when I would go to the Relief Society activity meeting which was held once a month – also on a Tuesday. There were some sisters who chose to attend the Book of Mormon class rather than support the sisterhood of the Relief Society.  I remember being annoyed that they were on the same night usually at the same time.  

          It must have been in 2019 when the Book of Mormon class was changed to the Come Follow Me class.  In addition to Sunday school there were members of the ward who would meet once a week with the missionaries – but the time was changed to 4:00 on Wednesdays.  During nice weather we would meet outside.  It was a nice class in the beginning.  I don’t think we met at all during the Following Year as there was a pandemic.  I’m not sure when it started back up but I remember attending and missionaries teaching and then it stopped – the turn out hadn’t been as good a before the pandemic and the class was dropped before the Old Testament had finished. 

           This year the manual has changed up from what was offered in 2020 – though most of the pictures are the same.  Recently I ripped out a bunch of pictures from the 2020 manual and change them out each week as a reminder for what week we are on.  And really, they are too beautiful not to display.

 

          I had enjoyed attending the Come Follow Me classes – the fellowshipping and the assistance with understanding.  We are studying The Book of Mormon this year. I probably would still attend the class if it were offered.  Not always in Sunday School as primary is always short-handed.  So grateful for the videos and for those who share their knowledge and understanding.  Thanks to all who have assisted with the Come Follow Me program.

The Weather’s not the Same

           I remember so many cold winters when I was living in Utah.  Occasionally we would have surprises when no coat was required but for the most part we had to bundle up and trudge through snow.

          Our first winter in Oregon was so different.  It had snowed once but didn’t last. 

snow on the 10th of December 2015

It did not last

Jai's snowman kept shrinking

By February there were signs of spring.  I don’t remember having experienced blossoms and blooming growth so early in the year before.

Today I was reminded of this post I had created 8 years ago

“When I was living in Utah, it never occurred to me that one day I would believe that February would offer perfect weather for walking, riding bikes, hearing motorcycles and lawn mowers. I am really enjoying the outdoor temperature right now.”

We’ve had one really nice day in February this year.  We had seen blossoms and growth.  But for the most part we’ve had cold rain and fog.  It has felt like Utah winter - except without snow. Weather is so weird.

Organization is Exhausting

               I have boxes of tax files and insurance policies, receipts, warranties and so forth.  I have memorabilia, started scrapbooks, sooooo many photos.  Lesson outlines and lesson ideas.  And I’ve gotten rid of a lot.  So why does it feel like all the paperwork keep growing?

          I don’t have to save any of it right?  Aside from all the tax detail, insurance policies and so forth, most of this could just be obtained from online, right? So why the heck am I saving it?  As Jaime has never been as sentimental as I am, I am certain that she would not care if I threw out all that I’ve been saving instead of having her go through it and throw it away. 

          And the pictures.  Oh my gosh.  There are so many pictures.  I have scanned all of the pictures – I think.  So why am I hanging onto all of them?  Because I can’t bring myself to throw them away.  Though I have gotten better.  Each time I go through I find I am able to part with more than I did prior.

          I have no sentiment for the tax garbage nor do I want to save it all.  Sure enough as soon as I throw it out the IRS will come audit us for some year that is no longer in my possession.  I haven’t even made a dent.  I am soooo tired.  Still have items to scan.