thereisbeautyallaround

Deja Vu

2009-07-19T16:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest pic of our beautiful, handsome, talented grandchildren! (With their beautiful and handsome, talented grandparents, of course.)

Here we are nine years ago. Now take a look at the little blond girl in each picture. Looks like we kept her in the freezer and took her out for pictures, doesn't it? Same little girl who hates having her picture taken.

Can you tell who is who?

(The grandkids, I mean.)

Real Live Orcas!

2009-07-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

Mel and I enjoyed a get-away in the San Juan Islands in June, and part of our get-away package was a whale-watching tour. We totally lucked out, because it was the best day of the year to that point for seeing the orcas. We saw them both from the beach and also from the boat on our tour. I know many of you have seen orcas at Sea World, but seeing them in the wild is a different experience. It was so exciting. My photography leaves a bit to be desired, but you get the idea. We just wish we had our whole family with us so they could experience it with us.

Thoughts for our Time

2009-06-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

I love these quotes from the last General Conference. They are worth pondering and remembering. Elder Rafael E. Pino said:

"...When adversity arrives in our lives, the only true source of comfort is God."

Then he quoted Pres. Hunter:

"If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and His teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right."

Elder Richard G. Scott said:

"What I am trying to teach is that when we keep the temple covenants we have made and when we live righteously in order to maintain the blessings promised by those ordinances, then come what may, we have no reason to worry or to feel despondent."

Elder Boyd K. Packer said:

"It may seem that the world is in commotion; and it is! It may seem that there are wars and rumors of wars; and there are! It may seem that the future will hold trials and difficulties for you; and it will! However, fear is the opposite of faith. Do not be afraid! I do not fear."

"The certainties of the gospel, the truth, once you understand it, will see you through these difficult times."

How fortunate we are to have the Truth in our lives!

Music and the Spirit

2009-03-29T21:03:00.001-07:00

This past week I was able to go to Utah to help visit my Mom and help Sue take care of the multitude of details that have to be attended to after a death. I had a sweet experience I'd like to share with you.

I first need to introduce you to Aloha, my Mom's roommate who also suffers from Alzheimer's. Aloha is about 5 feet tall. She has a hunched back, maybe from osteoporosis, and she can't speak very clearly. I have never seen her smile, and I have never seen her receive visitors (although I am not able to visit very often.) I didn't know if Aloha could even understand if you spoke to her.

Chad, Abbi and I visited Mom one evening. As usual, Mom expressed her love for us and her happiness that we had come to see her. We began singing songs together - "I Am a Child of God," "Whenever I Hear the Song of a Bird," "Give Said the Little Stream." In the middle of one of these songs, Aloha came in and sat down in an empty chair in Mom's side of the room. She had a big smile on her face. She sat quietly and listened to every song. She had a light in her eyes that I had never seen before. The Spirit was so strong. It was a time of joy.

After we sung about four songs, Aloha, with the peaceful smile on her face, mumbled something, stood up, and walked away. Although Mom's and Aloha's minds don't remember and understand, I know their spirits felt joy that evening. I know mine surely did.

Love from Emily

2009-03-17T12:48:00.001-07:00

We received this sweet letter in the mail from our granddaughter Emily. Thank you Emily for thinking of us!

Mourn With Those That Mourn

2009-03-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

From the time of Dad's accident to the present, we have been supported by friends and family and Church leaders who were willing to bear our burdens, that they would be light. They mourned with us, and they comforted us. (see Mosiah 18:8-9) Meals were prepared, visits were made, hugs were given, cards were sent, love was extended. And it made all the difference. Our burdens truly were made lighter, and our hearts were filled with love and peace. Our deep thanks to go everyone who reached out to help carry our burden. We will never forget your kindness.

"I go down to my grave with joy."

2009-03-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace throughout the experience of Dad's passing away. This feeling brought to my mind Joseph of Egypt's words, "I die, and go unto my fathers; and I go down to my grave with joy." (JST Genesis 50:24) Joseph was able to say that because he had kept God's commandments, he had remained faithful to his covenants in spite of bitter hardship, and because of his righteousness he was able to save his family and a nation from starvation and death. This principle is also found in D&C 42:46: "And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them." I know Dad tried to live his life to qualify for that promise. Although our family shed tears at Dad's passing, there was a feeling of peace and joy for a life well-lived. Now I need to follow his example: to try every day to live close to the Savior, to keep my covenants so I can "go down to my grave with joy."

A Most Sacred Experience

2009-03-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday evening at 11:23pm, February 24, my Dad passed away from severe internal injuries sustained in an auto-pedestrian accident, six days before his 89th birthday. When I received the news that he had been hit by a car, I was puzzled. In my mind I pictured him in the back yard working in the garden, and I couldn't quite understand how a car could get to the back yard to hit him. The accident occurred, however, just a few feet from his home as he crossed a busy street on his way to a Church dinner, a walk he had made thousands of times before. His time on the earth was completed, and he had gone on to be with his parents, his sisters and brother, and his two daughters and son who preceeded him in death. I know there was a happy reunion when he arrived.

As I made preparations to go to his funeral, I knew it would be a touching time for our family. I hoped we would be drawn together in love as we remembered his life and how he impacted ours. But by the time the services were over, I was filled to overflowing with love and appreciation for my Dad, our family, and the many kind people who shared our sadness at Dad's death. I remember hearing someone say that it is in death that we come to learn about life. That's how it was for me. The lessons are powerful and sacred. I know I'd heard them all before, but now I feel them. I know my attempts to share them will fall short, but I still will try. I will try to put into words one lesson each day. I don't ever want to forget them.

Any Ideas?

2009-01-14T12:52:00.000-08:00

Anyone have a good way to use Christmas cards after Christmas is past? They're all so pretty, but I don't quite know what to do with them. I thought I'd check with you to see if you know of some way to use them after the season's over.

Merry Christmas to you!

2009-01-01T12:05:00.001-08:00

This is our official Christmas Card to Everyone! We hope the Spirit of the Savior is with you in abundance at this special time of year. Thank you all for touching our lives for good, for your friendship and kindness, for your support and love.

Grandma and Grandpa Pyne and their awesome grandkids (minus Joshie who was sleeping.)

Grandma and Grandpa Pyne with their silly grandkids.
We are so thankful for our family:

Mike, Joshie, Jordan, Kyle, Tanner and Audra Coleman.

Jessie and Adam.

Emily, David, McKenna, Chloe, Jessi, Summer and Lydia Goulding.

Abbi and Chad got to spend the holidays with the Cox's this year. We missed them!

Family Football Stars

2009-01-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

We have our own Heisman candidates - Kyle and Jordan are playing flag football.

Jordan intercepted a pass and ran for a touchdown, and scored an extra point on a run into the end zone.

Kyle was great in defense and offense! He runs like the wind.

Tanner enjoyed his own mud bowl playing in the puddles. He's our future all-star lineman.

Audra nursing Tanner's injuries.

Mike kept Joshie entertained during the game.

Mel and Michelle Christmas Vacation 2008

2009-01-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

Monday evening we had FHE, and FHE wouldn't be FHE without refreshments, right? The kids got to make cute little reindeer cookies. Delicious!

Jessi gets to experience little boys.

Audra gets to experience little girls.

The Goulding Girls aren't excited about Christmas or anything.......!

Little Joshie knows something exciting is going on.

Audra and Mike let us spend Christmas Eve at their home.

What a fun Christmas Eve.

Back at the Goulding home, Lydia, Summer, McKenna and Emily are ready for Santa to come!

Opening presents on Christmas morning!

On Christmas Day we met at the Church for some fun and games. Tanner needed to bring his new garbage truck and Summer brought her new High Schoool Musical/Barbie car.

Kyle and Jordan showing off their new Bakugan's!

Adam and Jessie's first visit to Georgia as husband and wife.

We started with a rousing game of dodge ball.

Summer preferred putting on her new makeup.

Some were better at dodgeball than others.....

McKenna, Jordan, Lydia and Kyle got in some heavy-duty heelie-ing!

On Friday after Christmas we celebrated Lydia's 8th Birthday at her Aunt and Uncle's gymnastics facility. Happy Birthday Lydia!!

Nothing better than pizza, cake and ice cream.

The adults enjoyed the party just as much as the kids.

Adam and Jessie posing with their numerous nieces and nephews (and one friend).

Grandma and Grandpa Pyne love their grandkids!
What a wonderful Christmas Vacation!!

We all missed our Abbi and Chad, who were being shared with the Cox family.

Thanksgiving with the Pyne's .....Finally!

2008-12-18T17:05:00.001-08:00

We got to spend Thanksgiving at Julie and Adam's beautiful home. The tables were beautiful (as you will see), the food gormet good, and the company out of this world!

Shanna and Julie busy in the kitchen.

Mel and Roger just waitin' for dinner.

Chris and Ron taking care of the turkey.

Another beautiful table.

The Pyne siblings, Elaine, Roger, Mel and Lola.

Alisa and Ron have the ice water assignment.

Kami, John and little Conner relaxing in front of the big screen.

Adyson, Conner and Grandpa Mo.

Can you believe all the beautiful table decorations???

Lola has ice water pouring duties, at which she is expert, I might add!

Andy, little Chase and Missy just chillin'!

Little Conner, Grandpa Mo, and Mel.

Best buddies Brayden and Jackson.

Little Dawson loves Uncle Jake.

Little Conner, Grandpa Mo, Elaine, Mel and Roger.

Adam was so kind to share his house with us. Eric agrees.

MORE beautiful table decorations!

Gorgeous red-heads Sierra and Adyson.

Daxton and Landon can hardly wait to eat.

Alisa and Eric with their good friend.

Mommy's Work

2008-12-18T16:46:00.001-08:00

About 25 years ago Mel and I had the opportunity to work with our friend Val Oveson in the State Auditor's Office. (Val was the state auditor). A few years later I also got to work in the Governor's Office. During our last visit to Utah, it was delightful to return to the State Capitol and see how they have upgraded and remodeled it. The "Gold Room" looks pretty much the same. The old lions were deteriorating to the point that they had to be replaced. I think the new lions look great.

Many years ago, when we would drive by the Capitol building, the kids would always announce, "There's Mommy's work!" I still feel a tiny bit of ownership of that building - its a part of our history.

See if you can see me in that last photo.

34 Years Ago....

2008-12-18T16:38:00.001-08:00

34 Years ago one of our first dates was to Park City. We ate out on the patio at The Eating Establishment. During our visit to Park City in November, we were happy to see that it still exists. The restaurant has been remodeled and the patio has been replaced by another room, but after 34 years, its good to see that we're both still going strong.

I Can Relate

2008-11-15T10:02:00.000-08:00

This made me laugh out loud. I wonder why.........

The Best of Times

2008-10-12T17:01:00.001-07:00

Nothing beats going to visit our kids, the grandkids, and ESPECIALLY greeting a brand new grandbaby!

The beautiful Goulding Girls on Chloe's blessing day.

Emily and Summer enjoying the beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Grandpa keeping the boys busy til the meeting starts.

Best Buddies!

McKenna getting another crown braid before Church starts.

The little Princess on her blessing day.

We even got to go see Tanner play soccer.

Little Joshie loves his Mom!

Grandpa and Chloe are fast friends.

They don't come sweeter than this!

Got to help with some projects!

Isn't this the perfect room for little girls?

McKenna and Kelsey looked gorgeous in their crown braids.

It was just a little cool at the soccer game that day.

Thanks to Jessi & Dave and Audra & Mike for hosting us at your beautiful homes. It is heaven being together. Can't wait til we can come back!

Back in Time

2008-09-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

When I was young, we had a garden and fruit trees, and in late summer and fall it was CANNING SEASON. I can remember canning bushels and bushels of peaches, pears, apples, tomatoes, string beans, etc. etc. (We had a family of 10- hence the 'bushels and bushels') When we were first married, I continued this tradition. Mel's parents had a wonderful farm, and they would give us fresh produce to can. So when the opportunity came a week ago to buy a box of pears to can, I couldn't resist.

Don't get me wrong, canning isn't my favorite thing to do in the world. The endless peeling and cutting is tedious, and you use just about every pot and pan you own in the canning process. The floor and the countertops get sticky and messy. Even after you think you've wiped up all the mess and thoroughly cleaned the kitchen, you find sticky places that you missed.

Processing the jars on a hot day didn't make the kitchen cool and comfortable.

But after the work was complete, there was always a sense of accomplishment and appreciation upon looking at the colorful jars filled with food.

So it was good for me to go back in time, remember my past experiences, and again feel that sense of accomplishment and appreciation for the blessing of the harvest.

Look What I Made!

2008-08-11T09:45:00.000-07:00

Cooking isn't my favorite thing in the world, but I had so much fun making this fruit pizza, and I had to share it with you. It's really an easy thing to make, it's VERY delicious, and it's great fun decorating the top with the fruit. So here's the recipe, with my own tips to help you through the process.

FRUIT PIZZA

Cookie Crust:

1/2 c softened butter

3/4 c sugar

1 egg

1 1/4 c flour

1 t cream of tartar

1/2 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

Cream butter and sugar til smooth. Mix in egg. In small bowl, mix together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Stir into creamed mixture til blended. Press into ungreased pizza pan. TIP: Put plastic wrap over dough, enough to cover pizza pan. Roll out with a rolling pin, and then pull off gently when dough is spread evenly around pan. Bake at 350 degrees 8-10 minutes or til light brown around the edges. Cool.

Cream Cheese layer:

Soften 8 ounces cream cheese and mix with an 8 ounce container of frozen topping til blended. Smooth over cooled cookie crust.

Fruit layer:

Cut fruit into pieces. You can use strawberries, mandarine oranges, grapes, kiwi, nectarines, peaches, raspberries, blueberries, canned pineapple, bananas, etc. etc. If fruit tends to darken, dip in water/lemon juice mixture before putting on pizza.

Glaze:

1/2 c sugar

1 pinch salt

1 T cornstarch

1/2 orange juice

2 T lemon juice

1/4 water

1/2 t grated orange rind or orange zest

dash cinnamon

TIP: I used 3/4 c mandarine orange liquid in place of the 1/2 oj and 1/4 water.

In a saucepan, combine cornstarch and sugar and mix. Add all other ingredients (except grated orange rind) and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, til it comes to a boil and thickens. Remove from heat and add grated orange rind. Allow to cool but not set up firmly. Spoon over fruit. Chill for at least 2 hours. Cut into wedges and serve. Delicious!

Riverbend Treasure

2008-07-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

Audra put together a fantastic book of pictures and personal notes congratulating Mel on the opening of the new Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. Not everyone got to see the finished product, so I have taken pictures of some of it for you to see. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to David, Jessi, McKenna, Lydia, Emily, Summer, Mike, Audra, Kyle, Jordan, Tanner, Josh (he didn't write anything, but we know he wished he could), Adam, Jessie, Abbi and Chad!!! This is so meaningful - we will treasure it forever!

Thank you again Audra for all your work making this wonderful book!
Thank you Adam and Jessie for taking such great snapshots of Riverbend!

New Diaper Bag!

2008-07-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

When Jessi visited us in June, we went fabric shopping and found this great stripe and print. It wasn't exactly what Jessi had in mind for a quilt, but then we realized it would be a perfect diaper bag. So, tah-dah! Pack up the diapers, formula, extra clothes, binky, burp cloth, etc. etc. We are ready to go!

You can't beat all those great pockets for organizing baby's things.

Memory Tag

2008-07-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

Memory Lane...the tag that gets everyone involved. I got this from Audra's blog. I hope you will play along. Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Olympic Track & Field Trials - Great Weekend!

2008-07-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

Eugene has been gearing up for the Track & Field Olympic Trials for years, and the exciting day finally came!

Jessie and Adam arrived at the airport ready to celebrate and enjoy the trials.

You just gotta have your picture with the Eugene Olympic track duck.

A couple of hours later Abbi and Chad joined us.

Abbi, Chad and the duck.

Here we all are, heading through the University of Oregon Campus on our way to historic Hayward Field. The 1980 Olympic trials for track & field were held here also.

Adam knows how to dress appropriately!

We ran into Bryan Floyd on our way into the trials. He is a family friend who was on the Churchill High School track team with Audra a few years back. It was so fun to see him again!

Here we are catching up on all Bryan's news.

At the Friday evening trials we enjoyed dinner as well as the events.

Here we are after Friday Evening's events were complete, Hayward Field in the background.

One last parting shot after Saturday's events. Now we can't wait for 8-8-08 and the Olympics begin in Beijing, China! But the BEST part of the whole thing was having Abbi, Chad, Adam and Jessie with us! What a great way to celebrate the 4th!

Swim Suits!

2008-06-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know if Marylyn Eyer wrote this or just forwarded it, but I love it! It's great to know I am not the only one with a bad attitude about swim suits! Thought you might enjoy it too.

"When I was a child in the 1960s, the bathing suit for the mature figure was boned, trussed and reinforced, not so much sewn as engineered. They were built to hold back and uplift and they did a good job. Today's stretch fabrics are designed for the prepubescent girl with a figure carved from a potato chip. The mature woman has a choice - she can either go up front to the maternity department and try on a floral suit with a skirt, coming away looking like a hippopotamus who escaped from Disney's Fantasia, or she can wander around every run-of-the- mill department store trying to make a sensible choice from what amounts to a designer range of florescent rubber bands. What choice did I have? I wandered around, made my sensible choice and entered the chamber of horrors known as the fitting room.

The first thing I noticed was the extraordinary tensile strength of the stretch material. The Lycra used in bathing costumes was developed, I believe, by NASA to launch small rockets from a slingshot, which give the added bonus that if you manage to actually lever yourself into one, you are protected from shark attacks, as any shark taking a swipe at your passing midriff would immediately sufferwhiplash. I fought my way into the bathing suit, but as I twanged the shoulder strap in place, I gasped in horror - my boobs had disappeared! Eventually, I found one boob cowering under my leftarmpit. It took a while to find the other. At last I located it flattened beside my seventh rib. The problem is that modern bathing suits have no bra cups. The mature woman is meant to wear her boobs spread across her chest like a speedbump. I realigned my speed bump and lurched toward the mirror to take a full view assessment.

The bathing suit fit all right, but unfortunately it only fit those bits of me willing to stay inside it.The rest of me oozed out rebelliously from top, bottom, and sides. I looked like a lump of play dough wearing undersized cling wrap. As I tried to work out where all those extra bits had come from, the prepubescent sales girl popped her head through the curtain, 'Oh, there you are,' she said, admiring the bathing suit. I replied that I wasn't so sure and asked what else she had to show me. I tried on a cream crinkled one that made me look like a lump of wadded up masking tape, and a floral two piece which gave the appearance of an oversized napkin in a serving ring. I struggled into a pair of leopard skin bathers with ragged frills and came out looking like Tarzan's Jane, pregnant with triplets and having a rough day. I tried on a black number with a midriff and looked like a jellyfish in mourning. I tried on a bright pink pair with such a high cut leg I thought I would have to wax my eyebrows to wear them. Finally, I found a suit that fit...a two-piece affair with a shorts style bottom and a loose blouse-type top. It was cheap, comfortable, and bulge-friendly, so I bought it. My ridiculous search had a successful outcome, I figured. When I got home, I found a label which read -- 'Material might become transparent in water.' So, if you happen to be on the beach or near any other body of water this year and I'm there too ... I'll be the one in cut off jeans and at-shirt!

You'd better be laughing or rolling on the floor by this time. Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."

Thanks Marylyn. I can identify!

Frog Blog

2008-06-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I love frogs! Imagine how fun it was to find this little guy trying to get out of our house. I had been in and out of the back yard a few times that day, and later when I walked by the door, I noticed him trying to get out. He must have hopped in when the door was open. We often hear frogs croaking at night in the spring, but I hadn't seen one til now. I gently picked him up in a paper towel and put him outside by the pond. Hopefully he made it back safe and sound to his family. I wish he'd come and visit us again!

I Survived My Dance Recital!

2008-06-08T16:35:00.001-07:00

Notice the placement of our canes is completely uniform!!

The thrilling ending pose to dance #1.

Our darling tap teacher Liz. She makes me feel like a giant!

You've got to admit that many 50+ year-old women don't usually have to worry about being in a dance recital. My motivation in taking tap dance was to get exercise and have fun at the same time, NOT to end up on the stage. That's why I was a bit worried about making a fool of myself when it came time to put on the recital. At one point, I asked myself what in the world I thought I was doing! BUT, I'm happy to report that it actually was a fun experience, and no one broke into hysterical laughter during our dance routine. I pretty well remembered the steps, and my mistakes were minimal (at least they felt minimal to me.) We are now learning the ShimSham dance, and it is sooooo fun! Who knows, maybe I will end up on the stage and become rich and famous.........

Tag you're it!

2008-05-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

This 'tag' that Chris did looks fun, so here goes:

How long have you been married? 33 years, 1 month
How old is your spouse? 9 1/2 months older than me!
Who eats more? Mel but only by a little bit. Many times I'm the winner in that department.
Who is taller? Mel is 4 inches taller than me, unless I am wearing heels
Who sings better? We sing about the same, but I can sing alto and Mel can't!
Who is smarter? Depends on what kind of 'smarts' you're talking about. I win in the math department, but he wins in the leadership department.
Who controls the T.V. remote? Mel, definitely. He can't stand to watch commercials.
Whose temper is worse? We are both pretty calm, but I would become upset before he does.
Who does the laundry? Me. Mel used to iron his shirts when I was busy with the kids, but now I can handle that for him too.
Who does the dishes? Me. Mel helps often, and I especially love it when he steps in and takes care of that for me.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me. I think I always have.
Who cooks dinner? Me. But sometimes he takes over and puts a meal together, and of course, I love that!
Who is more stubborn? Neither of us are very stubborn, at least that I can think of right now.
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? We're the same, pretty much.
Whose parents do you see the most? Mine because Mel's passed away in 2002. When they were both living, it was pretty much 50/50.
Who has more friends? Even steven - we're the same.
Who has more siblings? I win that one, 8 to 4.
Who wears the pants in the family? We both wear the pants, and we look very good in them too! :)

OK, I tag Abbi, Jessi, Audra and Jessie!

Wedding Memories - Denver Reception II

2008-05-26T10:59:00.001-07:00

What good-looking children, if I do say so myself!

Mel and Mike make a handsome duo!

It was great to have a trampoline when things got a bit boring for the kids.

McKenna was great help with the gifts.

This is quite a group of beautiful women!

Wedding Memories - Denver Reception

2008-05-26T10:49:00.001-07:00

Wonderful snapshot of Mel and Audra!

Audra and Jessi pose with the food.

Grandma Pyne and Summer taking a little break.

Adam makes a great dancing partner.

Lydia was a great help with little Joshie!

Wedding Memories - Provo Reception Part II

2008-05-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Emily is a beautiful flower girl too!

More beautiful girls!

Kyle and Jordan had to take a little break to catch their breath.

Tanner doesn't quite know what to make of all this fuss!

Summer had fun with flower girls duties too.

Wedding Memories - Provo Reception

2008-05-26T10:19:00.001-07:00

Audra made sure we captures the essence of the night!

We're having family photos and getting everything ready.

Chad and Emily did a little dancing together.

Great portrait of Chad, Abbi and McKenna!

McKenna and Lydia did a fantastic job being flower girls! Aren't they beautiful??
You can see that we totally enjoyed ourselves at the Provo Reception!

Wedding Memories - Pyne/Evanson Family Party

2008-05-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

The evening before Adam and Jessie's wedding, the Pyne's and the Evanson's got together to enjoy supper, talk and have Father's Blessings for Adam and Jessie before their marriage. It was a lively event! You can see the happy anticipation on Adam and Jessie's faces. Mike came to our rescue by corraling the kids who were running everywhere and captivating them with games and stories. Jessie's sister Lacy was able to make it to the dinner. Jessi and Abbi helped me decide if we had enough food and drink for everyone. This was the beginning of our wonderful wedding week!

Congratulations Adam and Jessie!!

2008-05-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

We had a WONDERFUL time at Adam and Jessie's wedding! We are soooooo happy for them both! It is a pleasure to welcome Jessie into our family and have Adam a part of her wonderful family too. Our Pyne/Evanson family party was fun, the ceremony at the Salt Lake Temple was heavenly, the wedding luncheon was delicious and the tributes given to Adam and Jessi filled our hearts with joy! The reception that evening was a great celebration, and the reception in Denver on Saturday was equally enjoyable. (The Evanson family knows how to throw a great party!) What a perfect way to have a family reunion! I hereby predict that Jessie and Adam will be fantastic parents. Look in the third picture how many nieces and nephews they have already helped to raise! (According to my figures, they have 21 nieces and nephews and one more on the way.) They are child-raising experts already!

I wanted to post this right after we returned from the wedding festivities, but when I downloaded my pictures, I lost them somewhere in my computer on my new Adobe Photoshop program. (At first, I thought they were gone forever. I was sick!) But luckily I found where they were hiding, and with the expert coaching of Audra, I was able to find out how to get to them so I could post them. Thanks Audra!

I Am Ready!

2008-03-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

I spent two Saturday mornings in March taking a CPR class and a first aid class, and now I am ready for an emergency. I hope I never have to use this training, but if I have to I can. I am absolutely thrilled to find out that there are special masks you can use to give mouth-to-mouth that will prevent any passage of germs/etc. from one person to the other. I have a mask in my car and I carry one in my purse, just in case. The CPR guidelines are now simplified and straightforward. I would highly recommend taking one of these classes. You just never know when you will need it.

Reflections on a colonoscopy

2008-03-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

If that title doesn't pull you in, I don't know what will! Yes, after putting it off for five years, I finally faced the music and had a colonoscopy. I'm here to tell you that I lived to tell the tale (no pun intended), and it is definitely do-able. Not fun, but do-able.

The day before the procedure, you have to switch to a clear liquid diet, but it is easier than fasting, because you get to drink. So for those of you who fast, you know you can handle that. The worst part of the experience is drinking the 'moviprep' solution and the subsequent two hours spent in the bathroom dealing with the after-effects of that drink. Suffice it to say it leaves your digestive system sparkling clean!

I had the option to remain awake, somewhat awake, or completely asleep during the procedure. I chose 'asleep'. I remember seeing the nurse putting the sleeping stuff in my IV, and then I remember waking up. The procedure was over. I felt a little sleepy, but that was it. The whole thing was behind me (no pun intended).

So all you twenty-something and thirty-something's out there, you can do it! When you turn 50, be brave! Schedule that colonoscopy and go forward, remembering that I blazed the trail for you. If I can do it, anybody can do it!

True Love

2008-02-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

"Wherefore,. . . if ye have not chairty, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail -

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

"Wherefore, . . . pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons [and daughters] of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure."
- Moroni 7:45-48

Sneaky

2008-02-08T09:17:00.001-08:00

I went to the library the other day to check out "Emma" by Jane Austen for bookclub. After debating which book we should read for February, I agreed I would try one more time to read Austen and understand what in the world she is saying. (I love all her movies, so I don't know why I had such a difficult time reading "Pride and Prejudice") Well, it just so happened that all the copies of "Emma" were checked out. I did notice, however, that there was a copy of 'books on tape' of "Emma" still in the library. "Hey, why not!" I thought to myself. "No one will ever know that I listened to "Emma" instead of reading it."

Well, am I ever hooked on this books on tape thing! I can drive in the car and listen, I can do my quilting and listen, and the narrator has this wonderful high British accent that sounds just like Jane Austen herself. I can totally understand the novel now, because the narrator understand Austen-eze and pronounces it accordingly. So although I might be disappointing you Jane Austen purist fans, I am one step closer to reading & understanding the Jane Austen novels, plus - I'm getting Abbi and Chad's quilt done faster! What a deal!

Thank you, President Hinckley

2008-01-28T08:09:00.000-08:00

Thank you President Hinckley, for your unfailing optimism, for your faith in the Savior, for your vision in providing temple blessings for everyone!

Thank you for traveling around the world to share your love and the Savior's love with us

when you "really don't like to travel."

Thank you for gently leading us to higher ground.

Thank you for taking the Church to the world, out of obscurity.

Thank you for teaching us how to respect and to reach out and love those not of our faith.

Thank you for teaching us not to take ourselves too seriously.

Thank you for showing us how to endure to the end.

We love you and we will miss you greatly.

Thank you for being our prophet.

It was nice while it lasted

2008-01-24T09:33:00.001-08:00

The past few days have been VERY cold here (at least for Eugene). It was cold because for some reason our usual cloud cover was nowhere to be seen. So we have enjoyed three whole days of sunshine, and it has been WONDERFUL!! Three glorious days of blue sky without a cloud in the sky to block the sun - what a treat!

I just looked out the window, and even though there is still some blue sky out there, the clouds are coming back. So even though the temperatures will jump back up to the high 30's and 40's, I will miss that beautiful sunshine that lifts my spirits and puts joy in my heart. It was nice while it lasted!

I don't get it

2008-01-22T09:31:00.001-08:00

Today when I went to seminary it was 18 degrees. One student came in with a light sweater and flipflops, one had a little fleece jack and birkenstocks, one came in basketball shorts. My reaction was, "What in the world???!!!"

Now I realize fashion is important when you're in high school, but this is ridiculous!

What were they thinking???

I Survived!

2008-01-15T19:16:00.000-08:00

Thank you Jessi, Kjirsten, Emma, Abbi and Shana for your kind words of sympathy!! They did the trick - my root canal experience was a total success! I took 3 ibuprofen before the procedure and have been taking them every 6 hours since. The dentist used lots of anaesthetic (I appreciate anesthetic!!!), and I didn't feel any pain whatsoever. I don't know if I had a highly skilled dentist or what you said is true - root canals aren't that difficult these days. But I am so glad that experience is in the past. If you have to go through a stressful medical or dental procedure, I will try to be the first one there with words of support and consolation!

A Little Sympathy Please

2008-01-14T08:48:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I have to go have a root canal. It would help me immensely if I got lots of sympathetic comments. I'm sure I could face my dire fate better if I knew people felt so sorry for me! Even better would be comments that you had a root canal and it didn't even hurt one bit! Actually, I would take the latter over the former.

Don't worry, I will let you know if I survive.

Je vais parler francais!

2008-01-11T16:49:00.000-08:00

I have a wonderful friend who is from Switzerland. She speaks French and also gives private French lessons. It all of a sudden dawned on me to take lessons from her and brush up on my French! How many times do you have an opportunity to have private lessons from a native speaker???? I took French classes in junior high, high school, and college. In fact, I minored in French. I could read it pretty well, but it was all I could do to open my mouth and say anything for fear of becoming the laughing stock of the world. I haven't tried to improve my speaking or increase my knowledge for years and years. So here goes - life-long learning and all that!

My first lesson was so fun! I struggled at first with that strong feeling of panic when she would ask me a question in French. But she didn't laugh or mock or point her finger at me at all when I made a weak attempt at answering her questions. Then she gave me the cutest little book of short stories to read. I think I'm going to like this!

So. Anyone want to plan a trip to Paris?

Especially for Cody

2008-01-04T06:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I happened to look at our hill, and there were two bucks, two does, and two or three little ones strolling through. I haven't seen deer in awhile, so of course I grabbed my camera and headed out to take a picture. For some reason they didn't congregate for a group picture, but I tried to get as many snap shots as I could. By the time I got my camera, the little ones were way up the hill, so no pictures of them this time.

This fall when we were visiting Utah, I got to talk with Cody and Kortney, and Cody mentioned how he enjoyed seeing the pictures of the deer. So this is especially dedicated to a fellow deer-lover!

I am overjoyed to report that they didn't eat any of my plants either! The does ventured down into our yard, but I gently urged them to return to the wild part of our hill and eat things there. I will still continue with my anti-deer spray that they don't like so they will continue to leave my landscape alone!

We Missed Adam!

2008-01-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas in Georgia was wonderful, but we missed Adam! I'm so glad he got to visit Jessie in Colorado! Thanks to the Evanson's for opening your home and including Adam in your Christmas celebration! Next time we get together, Adam will be there, no matter what! I don't care what Old Navy says! Adam, we love you!

I Did It!!!

2007-12-31T16:33:00.000-08:00

I did it! I actually took my camera to Georgia and took pictures of our wonderful Christmas vacation. Here are a few shots of all the fun we had.

Here's the runners before they embarked on the last 3 miles of Jessi's 100 mile goal.

Here's the victorious joggers celebrating their run and Jessi's 100 miles completed!

Before we hiked to the top of Stone Mountain, we had a picnic.

Chad played frisbee with the kids.

Josh didn't really appreciate the picnic like the rest of us did.

We made it to the top of Stone Mountain! What great hikers we are! We were sooooo happy that the rain from the previous days stopped and the sun came out. We had perfect hiking weather!

Two beautiful sisters.

Mel, Michelle, Abbi and Summer catching our breath, enjoying the sunshine and the gorgeous view from the top of Stone Mountain.

Here's our newlyweds on top of the world.

Audra capturing the essence of our experience!

On Thursday we watched David, Abbi, Chad and Audra play tennis. Luckily there was a great playground right next to the tennis court where the kids played to their hearts' content.

Emily especially enjoyed the slippery slide.

Summer needed a little cuddling from Jessi.

Of course we had to take a few more pictures!

Josh and I had great fun cheering for the tennis players Chad, Abbi, David and Audra.

Here's the grandkids having fun on the playground.

What Happened?

2007-12-09T22:46:00.000-08:00

In my blog "I'll be Home for Christmas" there is a huge blank space at the end. I don't know why that happened. I even spent about 15 minutes trying to delete the blank area, but it just seemed to not have any effect. Can anyone tell me what I did wrong?

I'll be Home for Christmas Part II

2007-12-09T22:10:00.000-08:00

Our snowman display.

A special thanks to Crystal for this beautiful cross-stitch. We leave it up all year round, and we love it!

My favorite Nativity.

Hope you enjoyed your visit!

Merry Christmas!

I'll be Home for Christmas

2007-12-09T21:11:00.001-08:00

This is the next best thing to being home for Christmas. So even though our family lives hundreds and hundreds (and in some instances thousands) of miles away, you can still enjoy the Christmas Spirit in our home. So welcome! Please come in and make yourselves comfortable!

Here's a closer look at the entryway tree.

Now come into the kitchen and family room.

Up close view of the family room tree.

There are plenty of Santa's to enjoy.

Each Santa is a type of Christ, the true Giver of all good gifts.

Me in a Nutshell ?

2007-12-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

I just read Chris' personality profile, and so I did mine. (I am always amazed at how accurate they end up being). So, in a nutshell, this is what the test says I am like:

The Duty Fulfiller

You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. In love, you are loyal and honest. If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed. For you, love is something that happens naturally. And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved. At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable. When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical.

So, did they get it right? What do you think?

Help Me With The Diagnosis

2007-11-25T15:08:00.000-08:00

OK. I did it again. I took my camera with me to Utah, intending to take wonderful pictures and post them on my blog. I even purchased a new memory card for my camera that could hold tons of pictures (right now the memory on my camera only holds 6 pictures). Well, I took it all the way down and all the way back without touching the camera. The new memory card is still it its package. So no wonderful pictures of our Thanksgiving visit.

So here's my question: Why do I keep doing this??? (I did the same thing in October when we visited Utah.) I had great intentions of putting the new memory card in and taking wonderful pictures of everyone. But I failed again. Got any explanations for my malady and any cures for my camera-phobia?

Fessin' up

2007-11-25T14:55:00.000-08:00

This is for the Pyne's - Lola and Ron, Elaine and Morris, Roger and Chris, and everyone else who came to Thanksgiving at Lola's. I called Lola's on Thanksgiving Day to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Everything I said was true, but it was misleading....... Lola and Elaine thought we were in Oregon, having Thanksgiving by ourselves. But we were in Utah. I wanted to spend Thanksgiving with my Mom and Dad, given their health. When I was talking with Lola, I got the great idea that we would act like we were in Oregon, and then come by and visit everyone that night. Just show up on the door step - SURPRISE!! Well, I guess the joke was on us, cause when we got to Lola's house that evening, the place was dark. Not a soul in sight. So just in case we were sighted in Utah by someone and labeled big fat liars, I had to set the record straight. My conscience was getting the best of me. So much for surprises.

You wanna be healthy?

2007-11-19T09:55:00.000-08:00

Here's my latest food tip: Add a little ground flax seed to your cereal every morning, and voila! Instant good health! Here's what flax seed can do for you:

Fiber

2 Tablespoons of ground flax seed has as much fiber as 1 1/2 cups cooked oatmeal. Harmful LDL cholesterol drops and good HDL cholesterol stays put. Regularity improves also :)

Lignans

Flaxseed contains high levels of lignans, a natural antioxidant. This helps prevent unchecked cell growth (i.e. cancer) Many plant foods have some lignans, but flaxseed has at least 75 times more than any other! To get the lignans that are in just two tablespoons of flaxseed meal, you'd need to eat about 30 cups of fresh broccoli. This could pose a problem, especially if you hate broccoli!

Alpha-linolenic Acid

So what in the world is alpha-linolenic acid??? It is the plant version of omega-3 acids. The oil in flaxseed is about 50% alpha-linolenic acid. Canola and walnut oils, the next highest sources, have about 10%. Goodbye high cholesterol!

So, what are you waiting for? Write 'ground flaxseed' on your grocery list immediately! It tastes good, kind of nutty (no lingering aftertaste.) Within a few days you will be leaping tall buildings at a single bound! Well, maybe only small buildings. So what are you waiting for? Get some flaxseed and eat it asap!

Thank you Jessi (and Chaunette)

2007-11-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to come up with something to blog about, and thanks to Jessi and Chaunette, now I have something! So here goes:

7 Things You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know About Me!

1. I love mysteries. Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, Agatha Christie, Rumpole of the Bailey, "Mystery" all on PBS are some of my all-time favorites.

2. Traveling to other countries makes me nervous.

3. I'd rather clean than cook any day!

4. If it's got vinegar in it, I like to eat it! (within reason, of course.)

5. I feel guilty when I sit down and read a book.

6. I don't love tropical settings. Hawaii is not on the list of places I want to visit.

7. I love living history exhibits.

Now if any of you need something to blog about, this one would probably work for you.

Go for it!

I graduated!

2007-11-04T15:31:00.001-08:00

My tap teacher called me the other day and told me she was going to have me attend the intermediate tap class instead of the beginners class. I went to the first intermediate class last week, and it was fun! I can't wait til I can be tippy-tapping around like they were! (I am now officially the worst one in the class!) I will have to hustle to catch up to their level and learn the new dances, but I think I can do it. Look out intermediate tap world, here I come!

Now how did that happen?

2007-10-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

Today after I finished getting my seminary lessons ready, I was ready for a break. I'd put in my work, now I was ready to do something I enjoyed! Then I remembered: today was the day I volunteered to take dinner to a lady in our ward who has 4 little boys and is single. That meant I got to cook. I also remembered that I was going to make brownies for a seminary treat for Halloween. That meant I got to cook. Then I got a call from our RS pres asking if I could feed the missionaries tomorrow evening. That meant I got to cook. So much for doing something I enjoy. (Cooking isn't high on the list of things I do for enjoyment.) The rest of my day was spent shopping, chopping, stirring, beating, baking, and washing dishes. So if cooking isn't high on the list of things I do for enjoyment, why did I have such a great afternoon??? How did that happen?!

Trip of Joy, Trip of Sadness

2007-10-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

Mel and I were able to take off last Thursday and visit family in Utah. We had a joyful trip being with Abbi and Chad, Adam and Jessi, the H* family and the P* family. We got to go to a BYU football game and stayed toasty warm through the sun, rain, and snow (plus BYU won!) We ate good food (Tanner will appreciate that!) It was heaven! (Click on Abbi's link to read her comments "Best Weekend" and Shana's link to read her comments and see her pictures on "Pyne Family Get Together") Everything went perfectly!

Mel headed back to work on Monday, but I got to stay a few more days and help my Mom and Dad. It was a joy to be able to spend time with them, but it filled me with great sadness to see the health problems they struggle with. Their lives are filled with difficulty, pain, and stress. I wanted so badly to fix things for them, but it is beyond my power and ability to do so. They truly are great examples of enduring to the end. I hope they know how much we all love and respect them and pray for the Savior's help and love to be with them. It is an honor to have such wonderful parents, and we hope to in turn honor them with our lives.

Don't bug me

2007-10-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

We met a lady who has the most interesting job! She works for a company that makes artistic arrangements of beetles, butterflies, and dragon flies, frames them in shadow boxes, and then sells them all over the world. The business owner flies all over the world, purchasing and collecting exotic, colorful bugs. He then has them shipped to his business in Salem, Oregon. Who would have ever thought you could have a business collecting bugs and selling them??? Here's a few more examples of their work: (If you want to see more of their work, go to http://www.formandpheromone.com/)

To all us bug-lovers, this is neat stuff!

Fall Wildlife Update

2007-09-30T16:22:00.001-07:00

Here's our newest visitor. Luckily he has behaved himself and not caused any trouble (racoons can be quite the pests!) I do feel sorry for him, because the poor fellow doesn't have a tail. I wonder how he lost it? In a fight with an enemy racoon? In an illegal trap? As long as he stays up in the trees and doesn't cause any trouble, he's welcome to visit any time he wants.

Heaven Part II

2007-09-30T16:03:00.001-07:00

I got to spend eight wonderful days with McKenna, Lydia, Kyle, Jordan, Emily, Tanner, Summer and Joshua, and their exceptional parents Jessi and David and Audra and Mike. Every minute was heaven! We got to hold brand new little Joshua, and boy, is he a cutie! On the weekdays, Tanner and I got to see Kyle and Jordan off on the bus. I read books with Tanner, Kyle and Jordan. I got to see McKenna play softball, and Emily and Summer at their ballet class. I got to eat school lunch with Lydia, McKenna, Kyle and Jordan. We watched "Oklahoma" and ate delicious dinners together. I got to watch "Wizard of Oz" with McKenna, Lydia, Emily and Summer. Jessi, Audra and I had totally successful shopping sprees (you should see how cool they look in their new clothes!) We ended the visit with lunch out at Olive Garden. The only thing bad about the visit was having to leave them in Georgia. We are counting the days til we can go back at Christmas. It's true, we have the cutest grandchildren ever!

Heaven

2007-09-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

Here's why Abbi and Chad's wedding was a bit of heaven:

Mel, Michelle, Jessi, Audra, Adam, Abbi, Chad, David, Mike, McKenna, Lydia, Emily,Summer, Kyle, Jordan, Tanner were together.

Grandma and Grandpa Howe, brothers and sisters and their spouses and families, cousins and their spouses and families were there to support and celebrate with us.

Wonderful friends, some we hadn't seen for a long time, came to wish the newlyweds happiness.

We were in the Mount Timpanogas and Manti temples for the first time with all our family.

We got to celebrate with the C* family and get to know them better.

At the reception, it didn't rain and after the sun went behind the trees it was beautiful weather!

The sun shown brightly and the sky was brilliant blue on their wedding day.

We had a wonderful time at the C* Cabin with the H* family!

We toured Temple Square with the family on a beautiful summer afternoon.

Maybe in the next life, when I become a skilled writer, I will do that experience justice.

It was wonderful.

Great News!

2007-09-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

Let me be the first to let you all know that little Joshua Reed C* joined our family early this morning at 4:07am (Eastern daylight time), weighing in at 7 pounds 11 ounces and stretching out at 18 1/2 inches tall! Unfortunately I don't have pictures, but I'm sure some will appear on Audra's blog soon. We hear that he is cute as anything and has quite a bit of dark hair. The proud grandparents will be over to visit this week and we can't wait til we see him! We're excited to see everyone else, too, of course! Congratulations Mike, Audra, Kyle, Jordan and Tanner!

Another Must-Read!

2007-09-06T08:41:00.001-07:00

I just finished this book entitled Island of Saints and it is an amazing story you must read! It is by Andy Andrews, it was published by Nelson Books in 2005. It is listed under self-help/personal growth/success. You will learn a bit of history you might not have been aware of, and you will enjoy a story that portrays "the one principle that frees the human spirit."

It wasn't available at the Eugene library, so if you have trouble getting a copy, let me know and I will buy one and send it to you! (I won't by everyone a copy, I will just buy one copy and then you can all take turns reading it.) Let me know what you think!

The Buck Stops Here

2007-08-28T10:24:00.001-07:00

I got a great picture of one of the bucks who are starting to go though our yard again. This one still has velvety antlers, but another one had already rubbed the velvet off his and was ready for a fight (or whatever they do after they rub the velvet off)!

Rollin' on the River!

2007-08-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I went rafting down the Willamette River with a bunch of Relief Society Women! (I am in the boat in the forefront of the picture, and I am behind the lady with the hat on, on the left side of the picture.) This trip was particularly significant for me because I have a healthy fear of my head going underwater, and so I had crossed off "rafting down a river" as something I would ever do. For some reason I decided I needed to go, to get out of my comfort zone and conquer my fears and all that kind of stuff. I was reassured that the possibility of falling in was pretty slim, and when I realized some of us were 70 and 80 years old..... Hey, if an 80 year-old can go rafting, then I can go rafting! I just want you all to know that I did survive, we had a great time (we stopped along the way to pick wild blackberries and have lunch), and I just might go again next year!

Focus

2007-08-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

I teach seminary for the local high school students. It starts at 6:30am every school day. It is now time for me to start preparing for the upcoming year. I have been battling with myself a bit lately. The battle goes something like this: I am excited we get to study the Old Testament this year! I learned so very very much when I taught it before! I am excited that I can draw on my previous lessons and experience and make our study even better! I love expanding my understanding and appreciation of the Gospel. I love the students - they are wonderful! I LOVE feeling the Spirit each day as I prepare lessons and as I teach! BUT how did I ever get up at 4:30am every morning?! How did I prepare 5 lessons each week that would interest high school students? I'm going to have to go to bed early again. I won't be able to sleep til 6:30am and enjoy surveying the valley out front and my hill in back every morning. I am going to have to spend 20-plus hours a week on this. It's hard for me to teach, and I bet I'm not a very good teacher. I wonder if they wish there could be a new seminary teacher. Why did I tell them I will teach again this year? It is so hard to teach seminary!

Then this morning the Spirit said to me: "Just focus on all the good. Forget the hard stuff. You know I will help you each day as I have in the past. Have fun and enjoy it!"

Now, why didn't I think of that? (That's what I always think when the Spirit points out the simple but profound to me.) I am not only going to apply to seminary, I am going to apply that to anything I have to do that is hard. You can use it too if you want.......!

Rain, Rain, Go Away?

2007-08-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

This morning I happened to look out the window, and it was raining. Rain wasn't forecast, so I was surprised. Pleasantly surprised, that is! I thought, "Oh good, its raining!" Then I thought, "What am I thinking? I'm glad that its raining?" Is that what happens to you when you live in the Northwest? Or is that why you live in the Northwest?

When I was shopping later in the day, I asked a couple of women, "What did you think of the rain today?" They promptly replied, "Wonderful!" "It was great!" I guess we Northwesterners are all alike. Lucky we don't live in Arizona!

Wonderful Weekend!

2007-08-14T10:31:00.001-07:00

I'm happy to report our weekend with Abbi and Chad was the greatest! We managed to fit in everything we had planned and it all went like clockwork. We discovered that the very large group of sea lions on the coast spend their August in the water, not in the famous Sea Lion cave. Luckily we saw a pretty good group of them sunning on a ledge, so we were able to get our money's worth. We endured the cold, cutting wind on our walk on the beach and discovered why the Oregon beaches are not world-famous for summer vacations. We laughed at Abbi's delight at ordering a plain chocolate chip ice cream cone and at being able to fit in all her letters in our speed-Scrabble game. We visited the beautiful new Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend, and our old home and the elementary school Abbi attended. We had a leisurely lunch on the Willamette River and took in all the sights of the famous Eugene Saturday market. One of the most interesting items there was a very bright and colorful tie-dyed toilet paper. We wondered if that was supposed to be functional or purely decorative........ (Do any of you want to order that for your upcoming Christmas present?) We had a great Sunday and enjoyed dinner with Abbi's friends Laura and Ben who came down from Portland. Abbi got a haircut and chose the pattern she liked for their wedding quilt. We watched all four hours of the movie "Gandhi" in our media room (it was great - we would highly recommend it to you!) And then we laughed some more. The only negative was seeing them off at the airport on Monday. We are thankful for planes that make these mini-vacations possible! And we plan to do it again real soon, with Abbi and Chad and with all our kiddos and grandkiddos! Does anyone want to schedule their next Eugene visit now? We hope so!

We Can't Wait!

2007-08-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

Abbi and Chad are on a plane headed for Eugene at this very moment! We can't wait til they get here and we start our wonderful weekend together!! Hopefully Abbi will remember her camera (mine is getting repaired), and I will report on all our fun on my next blog. I'm headed for the airport to pick up our VIP's!

Words for the Day

2007-08-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

I've come upon some words I didn't know, and thought you'd like to benefit and increase your vocabulary. Here they are:

redoubts: small, often temporary defensive fortifications

panegyric: (in 1770's it was spelled panegyrick) a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing; eulogy

nuncupative: delivered orally to witnesses rather than written (as a nuncupative will)

abstemious: eating and drinking in moderation

If you already knew these, I am impressed at your knowledge of vocabulary!

Now let's try and use them:
The redoubts were hastily abandoned when the enemy broke through their lines.
I plan on writing several panegyrics in my blog about the wonderful people I know.
The dying man issued his nuncupative will on his death bed.
I suppose John is an abstemious individual, being high in intellect and wisdom.

I can't wait to read your sentences!

So you think you can dance.....!

2007-08-04T11:22:00.000-07:00

I have made the decision to let you all in on one of my deepest, darkest secrets. At first I was determined to NEVER let anyone know this secret, but for some reason I feel the need to share. So here goes: I am taking tap dancing lessons! Yes, its true. Now after you finish rolling around on the floor in laughter, please hear me out on this. You need to know the rest of the story.....

Sister Aileen, one of the Nun's at Mel's hospital (a Catholic healthcare facility), invited me to join her and a few other older-than-forty women who were taking tap lessons. My first thought was ,"Never in a million years!" Then I reconsidered. Why not? It might be fun. Sister Aileen reassured me the class was made up mostly of women like myself who had no intentions of going professional. It was just for fun and exercise. Hey, I could do that. A thousand years ago when I was young I took a couple of months' tap lessons. I decided to live dangerously and try it.

Well, I totally and completely enjoyed the first lesson! It was soooo fun! I even remembered the "shuffle-ball-change" steps of my first lessons many many years ago. I was a natural! After the second lesson, I am ready to invest financially in the whole thing and buy my very own tap shoes! (Now there's commitment for you!) When I dance, I can just feel all kinds of new neurological connections being made in my brain as I try to get my feet to do what my brain is telling them to do. Now I can exercise and not even know it! Now I can exercise and actually enjoy it! What a deal!

So, the next time you see me, if you want a little demonstation of what I am working on, I'd be happy to oblige. I do not see any performances on the big stage in my future, but I'm sure I can teach all my granddaughters a little dance or two. And, I just might ward off old-age-senility for another year or two. So watch out dancing world, here I come!

1776

2007-08-02T13:07:00.001-07:00

OK all you book club fans, I have a recommendation for you. You have got to read 1776 by David McClullough! If you are like me, you know the revolutionary war took place, and that the Colonies prevailed, and now we have the United States of America, and that's about it. This is an enlightening account of what happened right after the battle at Concord and Lexington. It is well-researched and well documented. It will help you realize that it was more than the ability and genius of George Washington, Henry Knox and Nathanael Greene that won the battles. You will read of miracle after miracle that enabled the "rabble in arms" to defeat the most powerful nation in the world. And you can ponder Greene's prophetic comment, "We are fighting for our country, for posterity, perhaps. On the success of this campaign the happiness or misery of millions may depend." We are those millions who have benefitted from their fight and their sacrifice. We should learn what took place and never forget how fortunate we are to live in a nation such a this. And finally, we have even broader perspective because we know the ultimate purpose of the founding of this nation - so the gospel could be restored and taken to all the earth.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...".

2007-08-01T07:47:00.000-07:00

I think this quote by Charles Dickens applies to the time in which we live. And one of the aspects of the "best of times" is our ability to keep connected through this incredible technology we have now. I absolutely love to read others' blog entries to find out what's on their minds, what they have been doing, what they have been struggling with. The miles between us melt and there is an instant connection. It is a blessing to me because several hundred and several thousand miles separate me from beloved family members. We don't get to see each other every day. But blogging is the next best thing! I also get to meet very interesting people that I otherwise would never meet. Hooray for blogging!

Ta-Daaaah!

2007-07-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

About 10 years ago, I started a quilt for Abbi. She was about 12 years old at the time. It was coming along fine, til Jessi got engaged. I had to put Abbi's quilt on the back burner so I could make Jessi and David a quilt for their wedding. Then baby McKenna came along, and I needed to make a baby quilt for her. Then the next thing you know, Audra and Mike got married, and I was once again in the wedding quilt business. Then along came Lydia, Kyle & Jordan, Emily, Tanner, and Summer, all needing a quilt. Abbi's quilt sat patiently in the cupboard.

Last summer I didn't have a wedding quilt or a baby quilt to make. I knew Abbi's quilt's time had come! I figured that since Abbi had waited so long, she might as well wait a bit more while I hand-quilted hers (to make it extra-special because she had waited so long.) Almost 12 months later, Abbi's quilt was finished!! A true miracle!

A small town a few miles north of us, Coburg, Oregon, was having a community quilt show. I took the opportunity to enter Abbi's quilt in the show, and here it is:

So thank you Abbi, for your incredible patience! Sorry it has taken me so long to finish this for you. Now, if you ever have a little girl and she asks for a quilt, she won't have to wait as long as you did.

Crocheting Fool

2007-07-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

Jessi has gotten me crocheting again! I made the cutest (in my humble opinion) cap, poncho and bootie sets. Just thought I'd share them with you!

Wildlife Update

2007-07-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

I guess it's about time I got back to posting a blog or two! I will write about our wonderful wedding experience soon, but for now I'd like to update you on our wildlife on the hill. So here goes:

Turkeys: I used to think turkeys were so picturesque! I got a kick out of them strutting through our yard every now and then. Well, forget the picturesque thing - turkeys are my enemies!! All of a sudden I come home, and they have shredded my hostas and destroyed my ground cover, pecking and looking for bugs to eat, I guess. Cussarutzafrutz! Stupid turkeys! Now every time I see them, I run outside and yell at them and scare them away. I don't care how picturesque they are, they need to LEAVE MY LANDSCAPE ALONE! I am going to keep "turkey artillery" by my back door (rocks or pine cones) that I can throw at them and let them know I am not pleased with their landscape destruction. I will keep you posted on the turkey war I am currently waging. I am hoping for victory, but it is a desperate battle!

Our villanous turkeys:

Deer: My former enemies, the deer, have totally behaved themselves this summer. I have sprayed my "deer fence" on everything they usually eat, and they have not touched it at all. I am very happy with my deer!

A few weeks ago we had 6 large buck with velvety antlers saunter up our hill. That was exciting! Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a picture, so hopefully next time they come I can scramble for my camera.

The best entry in my deer report is there are cute little fawns that visit us occasionally. There is a mom with one little baby, and then there are another set of twins! They are about the cutest things you've ever seen, and they zip and run around the hill just like little kids would do. Fortunately, I did snap a picture of them! So here goes:

Peacocks: Our lone neighborhood peacock came through our yard today with a trio of turkeys. I don't know if he thinks he's a turkey or he's just good friends with them, but it is so fun to see him every now and then! (It's a very poor picture, but hopefully you can see him in there.)

Chipmunks: We saw the cutest tiny chipmunks hiding in our rocks when we first moved in, but then we haven't seen them for about two years. Well, this summer they are back! The body measures about 6-7 inches and their tails are about the same length. They are also the cutest little guys you've ever seen! Unfortunately, I don't know how I am ever going to get a picture of them, because they are soooo fast and run at the slightest threat. You will just have to imagine them in your mind, or come and visit us and hope we are around when they decide to come out and run around.

Hummingbirds: I saw my very first hummingbird yesterday, drinking from the flowers of one of my hostas. He/she was a light green. I'm going to have to look into getting a hummingbird feeder so we can have them come all the time.

So there you have it, the official Pyne Wildlife Report! Just remember that you are all invited to come visit us and experience this wildlife first hand.

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

2007-06-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

We attended a baptism last week, and on the program was a very interesting quote. It was from Torrey L. Korab, a BYU student, written for a class he attended in the fall of 1999. He said:

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I will not look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I do not have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am lifted by prayer and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven."

I like that quote because I think he has expressed what we must all do if we want to be a true disciple of Christ. In order to keep our covenants, we have to leave behind the world and it's values. We have to stop judging ourselves by the world's measuring stick. We get to look forward to a bright future with total assurance of His promises. We can rely completely on His power and on His love. There is no difficulty that He can't guide us through and help us conquer. What a wonderful blessing to belong to the fellowship of those who have chosen to follow Christ, those who have dedicated everything they have and everything they are to Him!

Think It Over

2007-05-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

I just read a great blog by Crystal about how life's responsibilities became too much, and she finally had to excuse herself from several responsibilities she was carrying. I would like to pose a question and get your thoughts - Why do we (women especially) expect ourselves to be able to "do it all?" Why are we so reticent to say, "No, I won't be able to take that responsibility, thank you." What do you think? I'd really like to know!

My Backyard

2007-05-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

We just recently had our backyard replanted. Every morning I go to the window facing our hill and check out how everything is doing. I thought it would be fun to share with you from time to time how the plants are progressing. This was taken on May 9, and in about a month I will post more pictures. Hopefully you will enjoy seeing everything grow as much as I do!

More Backyard Wildlife

2007-05-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

I was lucky to get a snapshot of this bluejay in our back yard. Isn't he beautiful? If you look closely you will see the wild iris on the hill too. Isn't nature wonderful?!

My Flock of Tanagers

2007-05-14T17:29:00.000-07:00

The other day I looked out our window that faces the hill, and to my delight there was a flock of western tanagers! They were on the rocks, in the trees, and they were also having drinks and splashing around in our little waterfall. I think they are so beautiful, they look like they belong in a pet store. I counted about 10 of them. They all fly in together, stay for a few minutes, and then they're gone. I love enjoying the wildlife up here on the hill! (Even though the deer do eat my bushes and trees, they're very picturesque!)

Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles!

2007-05-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

I actually downloaded pictures from my new digital camera to my computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a miracle, and this is how it all came about: Jessi and David gave me a wonderful new digital camera for my birthday in January. Audra helped me learn how to use the camera when she came to visit me in April. Today (May 5) I read the instruction manual and installed the camera downloading-software CD onto my computer. Abbi talked with me til I figured out how to plug the camera cord into the USB port of the computer. I then continued to follow instructions and downloaded the pictures from my camera onto the computer. This is indeed a day of miracles!!!

But the drama doesn't end there! The whole reason I did this was because I wanted in the worst way to email some pictures to Abbi about her wedding. After I downloaded the pictures, I attempted to write an email to Abbi and attach the pictures for her to see. Typical to my experience with technology, the computer wouldn't connect to the internet. (It had NEVER done that before. (I suspected it was getting back at me because I had had a technology success.) Of course it happens now that I am trying something new. THAT is exactly why I avoided attempting the whole thing in the first place. I didn't want to face a technology frustration that I had no solution to!) However, I remained calm and called Comcast. The tech told me that my modem was on standby and all I needed to do to fix it was to press a button on the top of the modem. It worked! I wrote the email to Abbi, but when I tried to attach the pictures to the email, they wouldn't attach! (Can you see why technology sends me into HIGH ANXIETY mode???? Can you see why I avoided this experience for four months????) To my credit, I still remained calm and called Abbi again. She gave me the tip that I couldn't attach the whole file, I had to attach one picture at a time. Well, the rest is history. I attached one picture at a time and sent them on their way through cyberspace for Abbi's review!! I just knew I had to announce to the world that I FINALLY succeeded in overcoming my techno-avoidance and in successfully downloading pictures from my new digital camera onto my computer. Will wonders (and miracles) never cease?!

Jessi is a Genius!

2007-04-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

Jessi (see above picture: she's the one with the sun glasses) is a genius. She suggested on my "I Have An Excuse" blog that maybe I could blog a little about getting ready for the wedding. Yeah, I could do that! So here goes:

Abbi, Audra and I have worked many hours on finding something for the bridesmaids to wear for the wedding. We have considered whether to choose something formal or casual. We have pondered what color to have them wear. We have agonized over what styles would work for everyone. We have searched stores and internet sites for just the right thing. We have considered skirts/tops versus dresses. We have thought about how much we want to spend for their outfits. We have examined whether to have them wear the same shoes or different shoes. We have purchased necklace and earring sets to finish off their outfits. And every time we think we have found just the perfect thing, it turns out to be the wrong color, on back order til June 22, or way too expensive! BUT thanks to Abbi, another genius, we have determined what we will do, and I think it will work. Here is the final decision: We have emailed all bridesmaids and told them to take a look at Abbi's bridal bouquet (picture on the internet), choose a color of one of the flowers, and then find a top of their choice to go with a black skirt. That way the bridesmaids will be an extension of the beautiful colors in Abbi's bouquet! Is that genius, or what? Now everyone gets to choose something they like, that is flattering on them, and everyone will be happy! Aren't weddings FUN to plan!!?? You may use our solution if you want and save you a few hours next time you plan bridesmaid dresses for your wedding!

Advice

2007-04-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

Our niece is expecting her first baby, and her Mom asked us all to write some words of advice to her to be compiled in a book. At first I couldn't think of anything to contribute to the book. But gradually ideas came to me. Here's what I wrote down and sent to her: (she's having a boy, and they will name him Connor)

#1" After I had my first baby, the responsibility of taking care of another person was very heavy! I thought, "I'll never be able to do anything ever again!" So...Just remember when it all seems too difficult to bear, that you will make it through, and there will be much joy along the way."
#2 " When Connor gets a little older, teach him to expect difficulty and trials in life, and to meet them with optimism and a determination to learn from and overcome them.!"
#3 Praise Connor for everything good he does, and always let him know how much you love him."
#4 When Connor enters a difficult stage ( the terrible two's, for instance), just hang on and endure, and remember this stage won't last forever."

I would add to #3: Teach him how much he is loved by Heavenly Father and the Savior, first and foremost. Help him discover ways to feel that love.

I wish I had known #2 when I was younger. That was something I didn't comprehend until I was older and my children were almost grown.

I would like to hear what Jessi, Audra and others wrote for their advice. It is good to share a little wisdom that you have picked up along the way. Do you have any more wisdom that you can share with me? I'd love to hear it!

I have an excuse!

2007-04-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Abbi asked me today why I haven't written anything on my blog lately. I have the perfect excuse! I have been getting ready for a certain person's wedding! I probably would have posted ten, twenty, maybe even fifty blogs if it hadn't been for this wedding thing! So now you know. As soon as the wedding takes place and is a raging success, I will be back blogging like crazy! You know me and how I love to write!

Great Intentions!

2007-03-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

Jessi and David gave me a digital camera for my birthday, which was a wonderful and generous gift! Now, I am trying to overcome my techno-block regarding anything computer-related (how am I going to learn how to put my pictures on the computer?????) I will take the camera out of its box, put in the battery, read the directions, and start taking pictures for my blog and to send to everyone. I CAN DO THIS! I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. If I DO do this, I can put wonderful pictures on my blog like they do. You all will be the first to know when I accomplish this goal!

Best Paying Jobs Ever!

2007-03-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking the other day that I am fortunate in my life to have the best paying jobs in the world. The first is wife and mother, the second is seminary teacher. I am absolutely wealthy because of the pay I have received because of those two assignments! I cannot tell you how much I have received from being a wife to a handsome, faithful, talented, kind, intelligent, funny and loving man. Following that wealth I have received untold riches from being a Mom to four absolutely incredible, intelligent, handsome and beautiful, funny, fun and talented children, and now I am even richer because of my seven (soon to be eight) beautiful, smart, talented, kind, wonderful grandchildren. It makes my head swim to realize how wealthy I am!

Now I also add to those riches the riches I get from being a seminary teacher. I get to associate with some incredibly wonderful, kind, smart, thoughtful, and fun seminary students. Then, every day I feast upon the words of Christ and feel His Spirit helping me understand and prepare to teach those words. I have new insights come to me constantly about the Gospel and its profound principles. The Spirit tells me all the time too what I am doing wrong, what I could do to improve. When I am out of energy and ability, His Spirit lifts me up and helps me teach even when I feel like I have no more left inside me. How fortunate can one person be????

Can you see why I have the best-paying jobs ever? Can you see why I am so mind-boggling weathy??? It just bowls me over sometimes!

It's almost here!

2007-03-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

I love spring, and I think it's almost here! The buds are out on our maple trees in the front. Some of my daffodils will flower soon, and I have spied blossoms here and there around the city. I absolutely LOVE seeing the new little green leaves appearing on bushes and trees. It never ceases to amaze me how dead-looking plants can come back to life. Truly this is the perfect time to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior! All of nature attests to this miraculous rebirth. It fills my heart with joy and hope and love for the beautiful world He has created! Truly He gives us a "perfect brightness of hope" for the future!

Words of Love

2007-02-26T11:02:00.000-08:00

On Valentine's Day I prepared a blank sheet of paper with each student's name written on top. I had them pass their papers once to the left and write a compliment or kindness to the person whose name was at the top. Then they passed the papers once again to the left and repeated the assignment. We would continue this process until everyone received their own paper back. Then they could read all the kind words that had been written about them. As we started, someone asked me, "Did you include one for you?" Since I hadn't included myself, one of the students quickly tore out a page from her notebook, put my name on the top, and wrote something down. My paper was circulated along with everyone else's. When I got it back and took time to read it, my heart soared. Those comments of kindness made me feel sooooo good! I was happy for days. What an impact a sincere word of kindness can have on your life!

Not long after that we studied D&C 95:1. "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten...." And in D&C 101:4-5 "Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried.... For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified." I don't know about you, but I really don't like to have to be chastened! In fact, I think I go to great lengths not to be a candidate for chastizement. But truly chastening from the Lord is also motivated by love. Words of chastening are words of love, even though they might not feel like it at the time. That's what I will have to remember next time I need to be chastized for something. Both those types of "words of love" are necessary.

sudoku!

2007-02-22T13:53:00.000-08:00

Just to let you know, I quite enjoy solving sudoku puzzles. So far I have figured out that it's all about intersection of sets. And since I have heard that its good for your brain (helps delay Alzheimer's), it is not a waste of time for me to work on these! :) It took me a few times until I successfully completed a puzzle, but now I am getting faster and faster at completing them. I have successfully solved a 1-star, 2-star, 3-star and a 4-star puzzle (level of difficulty), although I don't really know how I got the 4-star to work out. I got it to a point to where my initial logic didn't apply any more. I think I got lucky at guessing the right combination for one row, and then the rest just fell into place. I just saw online that there is a web site that will give you sudoku-solving tips. Should I study up, or see if I can figure it out by myself? I think I'll go it alone for awhile and see if the old brain still works! Wish me luck!

Daffodils

2007-02-18T16:27:00.000-08:00

Last spring in our neighbor's yard, beautiful daffodils appeared. I enjoyed them so much all spring. They were beautiful! I told our neighbor, "Next fall I am going to plant daffodils around my yard too!" I was highly motivated to carry through with my plan to plant beautiful daffodils around our yard.

Fall came. The weather was colder. I had so many things to do. I thought, "I just don't want to plant daffodil bulbs right now." All my motivation to plant the bulbs was gone. "I'll do it another year," I thought.

Then one fall day Sandy, my master-gardener friend gave me a gift. It was a sack of 40 daffodil bulbs of many varieties. I appreciated her kindness, and I remembered how much I enjoyed our neighbors daffodils. "Hmmmmmmm, I thought. Maybe I will plant these bulbs this fall........sometime."

Then it started to rain. I am pretty much a fair weather gardener. What little blub-planting motivation I had was escaping fast. Mud, cold, rain. Plant the daffodil bulbs? I don't think so!

Then one day the rain stopped. The weather was mild and the sun shone. It was now or never. I decided to go for it! I would plant my bulbs that day. And I did! In fact, as I determined where I would plant the daffodils, I decided that I needed more. A quick visit to the local nursery rewarded me with 80 more daffodil bulbs - on sale for half price! What a deal!

I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I finally had done what I had wanted to do for many years but never did. I looked at the spots of disturbed earth where I had planted each grouping of daffodils and hoped the whole thing would work - that beautiful daffodils would one day bloom in the spring.

That was the end of that. I had to wait. And wait. And wait. I pretty much forgot about my daffodils because I had to wait for so long. Those bulbs that I planted didn't look like much. My expectations for beautiful daffodils was put on the shelf. Spring was soooooo far away!

Just the other day I saw some little green shoots. Oh the joy! It's only February and my daffodils are actually coming up! It did work! And in a few more weeks I just might have beautiful yellow blossoms to enjoy all around the yard. I have such hope!

It occured to me that planting daffodil bulbs is like obeying the commandments. We want to do it, but sometimes it takes us awhile to get our motivation to turn into action. And we feel accomplishment when we obey. But then we have to wait. And wait. And wait. Things seem pretty much the same after we've done the obeying. Sometimes we forget the promises of the Lord and put our expectations on the shelf. But then, when we're not expecting it, we see that it does work. A wonderful blessing is given to us, and we can hardly believe it! Our breath is taken away by the beauty of the blessing we've been given. It is always way above our expectations, and it always involves much joy.

So take it from me. Planting daffodil bulbs DOES work. And so does obeying the commandments. They both require action, a little time, and faith in the Savior. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

I'm blogging! I'm an excellent blogger!

2007-02-08T11:22:00.000-08:00

I never thought this would happen! I have entered the 21st century and become an official blogger! This is a milestone in my life.

Writing has not exactly been my forte. I majored in mathematics, in part because I wouldn't have to write any papers...... I have several years of journals in one binder. Writing thank you notes is a major effort for me. So how in the world did I take this big step??? I have my excellent-writer-daughters and excellent-writer-son to thank for this. I LOVE to read their blogs. I can keep up on their lives almost every day, even though we live miles and miles apart. We can share thoughts, let off a little steam when needed. I have come to realize the value of writing, even though it isn't what I want to do every day. So I guess time will tell how often I post a blog.

Wish me luck!